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APC Support Groups Leader Denies Defection, Demands Relief for Nigerians The Director General of the Confederation of APC Support Groups, Professor Kailani Muhammad, has dismissed claims that he had defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress, insisting that he remains committed to the party despite grievances over what he described as neglect of grassroots support groups. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday after a national general meeting of the Confederation, Muhammad said support groups that worked for the victory of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 general elections had not received adequate recognition from the government. He maintained, however, that the group would continue to support the administration in the interest of national development and party stability. “We did not fight for a temporary reward; we fought for the progress of Nigeria, and we remain committed to seeing this administration succeed for the sake ...

WEEKEND EDITORIAL THE QUINTESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVANT: DR. MUSTAPHA ABDULLAHI AND THE BURDEN OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT By Musa-Ododo Abdulrahaman. Nations are not built by political rhetoric alone. They are built by institutions, sustained by vision, and strengthened by men and women who understand that public office is not a platform for personal relevance, but a responsibility to serve. At critical moments in national history, leadership within strategic public institutions often determines whether countries move toward progress or remain trapped by unrealised potential. For Nigeria, that moment is now. As the nation confronts the interconnected challenges of energy security, industrial expansion, infrastructure development, technological modernisation, and economic transformation, the quality of leadership within its institutions has become more consequential than ever. Among those attracting increasing national attention is *Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, Director General of the En...

BEYOND THE VIRAL DRAMA: WHY THE ICPC MUST BE DEFENDED, NOT VILIFIED, OVER THE EL-RUFAI VISITING INCIDENT By Baba Magaji, Kaduna In the age of instant virality, a 30-second video clip can undo months of institutional integrity. We witnessed this recently when a video circulated showing Hajiya Aisha El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, lamenting that she was denied access to bring food to her husband while in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). On the surface, the video tugs at the heartstrings a worried spouse blocked from feeding her husband. However, a dispassionate examination of the facts, the law, and established protocol reveals a different story: one of a privileged individual attempting to bypass standard operating procedures to create a public spectacle. First and foremost, it is critical to state categorically that the ICPC has not denied Mallam Nasir El-Rufai any fundamental human right...

APC RESCHEDULES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRIMARY ELECTION DATES IN ZAMFARA STATE The All Progressives Congress (APC) hereby announces the rescheduling of dates for National Assembly Primary Elections in Zamfara State as follows: PRIMARY ELECTIONS 1. House of Representatives – Monday, 18th May 2026 2. Senate – Tuesday, 19th May 2026 3. House of Assembly – Wednesday, 20th May 2026 4. Governorship – Thursday, 21st May 2026 5. Presidential – Monday, 23rd May 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION APPEALS 1. House of Representatives – Tuesday, 19th May 2026 2. Senate – Wednesday, 20th May 2026 3. House of Assembly – Thursday, 21st May 2026 4. Governorship – Friday, 22nd May 2026 Signed: *Felix Morka, CON* National Publicity Secretary All Progressives Congress (APC)

APC Fixes May 18 for National Assembly Primaries in Zamfara The ruling All Progressives Congress has fixed Monday, May 18, 2026, for the commencement of its National Assembly primary elections in Zamfara State. The party said the primaries would be conducted across designated ward centres in the state. This was contained in a notice issued by the Chairman of the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee for Zamfara State, Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, who urged aspirants, party members and supporters to rely strictly on official communications from the committee. Aliyu warned the public against relying on contrary reports, describing any information outside the committee’s official notice as “unauthorized, null and void.” According to the statement, all participants in the exercise are expected to conduct themselves peacefully and comply fully with the guidelines issued for the conduct of the primaries. The committee chairman assured stakeholders of the party’s commitment t...

Smear Campaign: Who Is Afraid of Dr Mustapha Abdullahi’s Rising Political Profile? The recent media reports alleging the arrest of the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N500 billion fraud have exposed what appears to be a calculated smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the image of a rising public figure known for his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his growing grassroots influence among Nigerian youths. Contrary to sensational reports circulating across some media platforms, Dr Abdullahi was neither arrested nor detained by the EFCC. Multiple reports confirmed that he merely honoured an invitation by the anti-graft agency in line with due process and respect for constituted authority.  A statement issued by his media team clarified that the ECN boss voluntarily responded to the EFCC’s invitation and was not arrested as falsely portrayed in several publica...