Stakeholders of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State have thrown their full weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal for a second term in the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement came on Saturday, April 25, 2026, during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened at the Government House in Gusau. The gathering drew all four former governors of the state, elected officials, elders, and representatives of youth and women from all 14 local government areas.

Speaking at the event, Governor Lawal described the meeting as timely, noting that political activities ahead of the 2027 elections are about to intensify.

He explained that his decision to join the APC was not merely political but a strategic move to reposition Zamfara, strengthen collaboration with the federal government, and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda. He thanked stakeholders for their unwavering support throughout the transition process.

Lawal urged party leaders to manage public expectations with maturity and fairness, acknowledging that not all political aspirations can be met immediately. He stressed that leadership goes beyond positions and that political relevance comes from service and contribution to development.

He further assured that fairness, equity, and justice would guide his administration’s decisions, and called for discipline and loyalty to the party.

In a communiqué read by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Bello Matawalle, himself a former governor, the stakeholders declared their full support for President Tinubu and Governor Lawal. The communiqué also covered discussions on party unity, governance coordination, security challenges, and preparations for the 2027 elections.

All four former governors of Zamfara Ahmed Sani Yarima, Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Abdul’aziz Yari, and Bello Mohammed Matawalle were present and made clear commitments to the APC and the re-election bid of the president and the governor.

What was sold to Nigerians in May 2022 as a clean and powerful takeover is now looking like something far more troubling. When Titan Trust Bank announced it had acquired Union Bank of Nigeria, a 100+ year-old institution, the story was simple: a young bank buying a legacy giant. But fresh documents are now pointing to a shocking twist that raises serious questions about how the deal was actually done.

According to findings, Titan Trust Bank allegedly secured a $300 million loan from African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to fund the acquisition of Union Bank of Nigeria. On paper, Titan Trust Bank was the borrower. But in reality, the collateral reportedly included shares, treasury bills, and assets belonging to Union Bank itself.
 
Let that sink in: the bank being acquired was allegedly used to secure the loan that bought it. Titan Trust Bank—linked to Rahul Savara and Cornelius Vink— is believed to have engineered a scheme so bold it’s almost unbelievable. The plan? Have Union Bank allegedly repay the very illegal loan used to purchase it—using depositors’ funds! If allowed to succeed, the outcome is stark: TitanTrust Bank’s shareholders would end up owning one of Nigeria’s oldest banks for free!
 
Even more alarming is the alleged complicity of Godwin Emefiele, then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who is said to have turned a wilful blind eye to a deal that flew in the face of the CBN’s strict rules against using borrowed funds to acquire Nigerian banks.

It is unbelievable that Godwin Emefiele would allow an inconsequential bank like Titan Trust Bank to plunge a legacy and systemically important bank like Union Bank into a huge and needless debt – just to satisfy the greed of the owners of Titan Trust Bank.

The  Afreximbank loan is reportedly structured in a manner that will force Union Bank to keep using its depositors’ funds to repay the unlawful loan.

By the third quarter of 2025, the situation had reportedly worsened. Exchange rate shocks and rising interest costs pushed the total exposure to over ₦500 billion. What started as a $300 million facility ballooned into a massive financial burden.

It gets deeper. An audit later allegedly described the acquisition/loan arrangement as “unethical financial engineering.” The audit allegedly pointed to possible misuse of foreign loans, questionable financial reporting and improper withdrawals from customer funds.

The fallout has already begun. Following leadership changes at the CBN, the board and management of Union Bank were removed in January 2024. That decision is now being contested in court, adding another layer of controversy to an already explosive situation.

Behind the scenes, ownership of Titan Trust Bank also raises eyebrows. The bank, incorporated in 2018, is largely owned by Dubai-based firms linked to powerful business interests, including individuals such as Rahul Savara and Cornelius Vink.

This is no longer just a banking story. It is a test of transparency, regulation and accountability.
 
If these allegations hold true, then one question refuses to go away: Who really paid for the takeover of Union Bank and at what cost to depositors?

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Wellness Expo Lagos 2026 opens today, April 22, 2026, at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, with PPC Limited as a proud sponsor, joining healthcare leaders, wellness advocates, and industry stakeholders in advancing conversations around preventive healthcare, early detection, and access to quality health solutions in Nigeria.

The event will convene healthcare professionals, policymakers, wellness advocates, corporate health leaders, and members of the public to explore practical approaches to healthier living, early detection, and disease prevention. PPC Limited’s sponsorship reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through diagnostics, medical technology, and strategic partnerships.

As part of the programme, Dr Emmanuel Iyere, Head of Diagnostics Services at PPC Limited, will participate in a panel discussion focused on the growing importance of preventive healthcare and the role of diagnostics in improving outcomes across Nigeria.

A major area of focus for PPC at the Expo will be cardiac disease awareness, in response to the increasing prevalence of hypertension, heart diseases, and sudden cardiac emergencies across the country.

Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Emmanuel Iyere, Head of Diagnostics Services at PPC Limited, said: “Preventive healthcare remains one of the most effective ways to reduce avoidable morbidity and mortality. Cardiac disease in particular is becoming a growing concern, and stronger awareness, earlier diagnosis, and better preparedness can save many lives.”

Discussions will also focus on the importance of quality healthcare infrastructure, reliable diagnostic systems, and public-private collaboration in improving healthcare access nationwide.

Wellness Expo Lagos 2026 builds on the success of previous health-focused industry gatherings and is expected to attract hospitals, diagnostic centres, HMOs, healthcare investors, wellness brands, and consumers seeking practical health solutions.