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Yari explodes over anti-government protest link, calls allegation dangerous

Published

1 week ago

June 20, 2026

Senator representing Zamfara West District, Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, has denied financing protests against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This is contained in a statement signed by Yari’s Chief of Staff, Abdullahi Abdulkarim Tsafe.

Tsafe described the allegation as a laughable and entirely fabricated report.

Yari’s Chief of Staff stated that ordinarily, the Senator would have ignored what he described as ‘a baseless and ill-conceived allegation,’ but ‘the growing circulation of the falsehood and the need to set the record straight’ necessitated the response.

Part of the statement reads:

“The allegation is false, mischievous, politically motivated and exists only in the fertile imagination of those whose stock-in-trade is misinformation and character assassination.

“The question that naturally arises is simple: what possible motive would Senator Yari have to sponsor a protest against an administration he has consistently supported, defended and worked tirelessly to strengthen?

“Senator Yari’s relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is neither opportunistic nor transactional. It is a relationship built on mutual respect, political conviction and a shared commitment to the progress and stability of Nigeria.

“Long before it became fashionable to associate with the President, Senator Yari stood firmly in support of his presidential aspiration and invested enormous personal resources, political capital and goodwill towards the realisation of that project.

‘Indeed, President Tinubu himself has, on several occasions, publicly acknowledged Senator Yari’s loyalty, support and contributions to the success of the All Progressives Congress and the broader Renewed Hope agenda.

“It, therefore, defies logic and common sense that a man who has committed so much to the success of an administration would suddenly turn around to sponsor protests aimed at undermining that same government.”

Tsafe stated that those behind this malicious propaganda clearly underestimate the intelligence of Nigerians. “They believe that if a lie is repeated often enough, it will eventually acquire the appearance of truth. They are mistaken.”

He described Senator Yari as a statesman of considerable standing, who has never been associated with political frivolities, attention-seeking antics or underhanded schemes.

His political philosophy has always been rooted in dialogue, constructive engagement and democratic participation. He does not operate through faceless groups, shadowy campaigns or sponsored agitation.

“We are aware that as Senator Yari’s political profile continues to rise nationally, certain interests have become increasingly uncomfortable with his influence, his relationship with key stakeholders across the country and his unwavering support for President Tinubu.

“It is therefore not surprising that desperate attempts are being made to manufacture controversies where none exist.

“These recurring attacks reveal more about their sponsors than they do about Senator Yari. They expose a level of insecurity and desperation that should concern all well-meaning observers of our political landscape.

“We wish to assure Nigerians that Senator Yari remains fully committed to the success of President Tinubu’s administration and firmly believes that the challenges confronting the nation require collective effort, patience and constructive engagement rather than divisive propaganda and manufactured distractions.

“The Senator remains focused on his legislative responsibilities, the welfare of his constituents and the broader national interest. He will not be distracted by the antics of political merchants who thrive on falsehood and sensationalism,” the statement further stated.

Tsafe, therefore, urged members of the public to disregard the report in its entirety, and described it as false, malicious, and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.

“No amount of propaganda can alter the facts. No amount of mischief can diminish the longstanding relationship between Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“And no amount of political blackmail will force Senator Yari away from the principles of loyalty, service and nation-building that have defined his public life,” the statement concluded.

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Edo cracks down on cultists, kidnappers

Published

12 hours ago

June 27, 2026

The Exclusives

Monday Okpebholo

Edo State Government has established a Special Criminal Court to expedite the prosecution of cultists, kidnappers and other criminal offenders as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the state.

The Chief Registrar of the Edo State Judiciary, Benson Osawaru, disclosed on Friday that the court was established at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

According to Osawaru, the Special Criminal Court will handle cases relating to cultism, kidnapping and other matters that may be assigned by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and curbing the growing wave of cult-related violence and abductions across the state.

“The move is expected to address the rising cases of cult-related violence and kidnappings by ensuring quick prosecution of offenders and serving as a deterrent to criminal elements,” Osawaru stated.

Edo State has in recent months witnessed a surge in violent crimes, particularly incidents of kidnapping and cult clashes in several communities.
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to eliminating kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality from the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for the Edo Central Senatorial District at the Uromi Town Hall in the Esan North-East Local Government Area, the governor assured residents that decisive measures were being taken to restore security and public confidence.

He said efforts were underway to create a safe environment that would enable farmers displaced by insecurity to return to their farmlands without fear.

The governor stressed that criminal elements terrorising communities would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Governors are ready to fight insecurity across the nation. The perpetrators will be exposed, and they will run away from the country. In Edo State, there will be security, and our farmers will be able to return to their farms,” he said.
Okpebholo added that his administration would not allow kidnappers and bandits to find refuge in the state.

“I am determined to ensure that kidnappers and bandits do not find a haven in Edo State. Our decisive action against criminals will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

The governor further declared that tough measures against convicted criminals would discourage others from engaging in crime.

“I am serious about the fight against insecurity. By the time we execute one, two, three and more of these criminals, others will run away from Edo State,” he stated.

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Why insecurity persists in the north, by Nasarawa governor

Published

23 hours ago

June 26, 2026

The Exclusives

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has identified some of the reasons for the incidences of insecurity and out-of-school crisis in the northern part of Nigeria.

Speaking at a Summit on enhancing human capital development in Northern Nigeria in Abuja, Sule said the Almajiri system is “the single largest structural contributor” to Nigeria’s education emergency.

The Almajiri is a traditional system of Islamic education prevalent in northern Nigeria, where young boys leave their families to study the Quran under the guidance of religious teachers (Mallams). Originally a respected scholarship tradition, it has devolved into a socio-economic crisis, leaving millions of out-of-school children vulnerable to destitution and exploitation.

The country has an estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children, and recent data shows Almajiri children make up roughly 72% to 81% of that total, concentrated in the North.

He, therefore, urged the National Assembly to permanently outlaw the Almajiri system.
“Many minors recruited into banditry graduated from the Almajiri system,” Sule said.

Nasarawa accounts for about 430,000 out-of-school children.

At the event, the governor recalled the 2020 mass repatriation of Almajiri children by Nasarawa and Kaduna states but said enforcement alone isn’t enough without alternatives.

He is proposing a total ban on the Almajiri system, replaced with mandatory formal education and skills acquisition.
Sule is seeking total collaboration of the Northern intelligentsia, the political class, and the traditional system.

He urged Northern leaders to turn summit discussions into actionable draft bills, arguing that “policy changes are the only way to defeat regional poverty.”