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AYCF Reacts to Cardinal Onaiyekan’s remarks on INEC Chairman, Says He Is Fake
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), recently responded sharply to Cardinal Onaiyekan’s remarks on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu.
In a statement signed by AYCF president, Shettima Yerima, the organization criticized Onaiyekan’s comments as dishonest and pretentiousness, stating that people like Onaiyekan who use religion to preach hatred pose a threat to humanity.
The AYCF’s response in an assertive tone, which convey their disagreement with the Cardinal’s statements referring to Onaiyekan as a “man of God” who preaches selective partisanship by the misuse of religion for political purposes.
“True Men of God are expected to preach salvation and not preach selective partisanship behind the garb of religion as is the case with Onaiyekan,” Yerima said.
Referring to the Cardinal’s that Yakubu Yakubu is misleading Nigerians and not being honest in the conduct of the 2023 elections, Yerima said it is a blatant attempt to misuse the pulpit to promote the interests of the opposition Labour Party.
“His comment about the prevailing court suit filed by the opposition challenging the electoral victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is part of a sinister plot by pretenders to hide behind the glory of the Church to further the dubious political agenda of certain interests.”
AYCF said rather than hiding behind the garb of religion to play politics, Onaiyekan should leave the pulpit for genuine men of God and pursue his partisanship.
“It is unjust and unfair to accuse Yakubu of any wrongdoing, as he went to great lengths to ensure that the exercise was the most transparent and credible in Nigeria’s history.
“Firstly, Yakubu’s commitment to transparency and fairness is evident in the extensive preparations made by INEC for the 2023 general elections. The commission implemented various reforms, including the introduction of new technologies such as electronic voting machines and biometric voter registration. These measures aimed to eliminate voter fraud, enhance the accuracy of the electoral roll, and ensure the credibility of the entire process. Yakubu’s proactive approach demonstrates his dedication to conducting a transparent and fair election.
“Secondly, Yakubu’s efforts to promote inclusivity and equal representation further highlight his commitment to fairness. INEC, under Yakubu’s leadership, embarked on a comprehensive voter education campaign to ensure that all eligible citizens were aware of their rights and responsibilities. This campaign targeted marginalized communities, rural areas, and traditionally underrepresented groups, aiming to bridge the gap in political participation. By actively engaging with these communities, Yakubu demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that every citizen had an equal opportunity to exercise their democratic rights.
“Furthermore, Yakubu’s emphasis on the independence of INEC showcases his dedication to upholding the principles of fairness and credibility. He consistently advocated for the autonomy of the commission, resisting external pressures and interference. This commitment to independence allowed INEC to operate without bias or favoritism, ensuring that the electoral process remained impartial and transparent. Yakubu’s unwavering stance against external influence demonstrates his integrity and commitment to conducting a just election.
“Moreover, Yakubu’s proactive measures to address potential challenges and mitigate electoral malpractices further solidify his dedication to fairness. INEC, under his leadership, established a robust system for monitoring and reporting irregularities during the election. This system included the deployment of election observers, both domestic and international, to ensure transparency and accountability. Additionally, Yakubu implemented strict protocols to prevent voter intimidation, violence, and other forms of electoral misconduct. These measures demonstrate his commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring a level playing field for all candidates,” Yerima added.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed that 52 per cent of the ongoing road construction projects initiated by the current administration are concentrated in northern Nigeria.
Umahi also commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the necessary funding, as well as providing leadership for the construction of the 1068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.
He made this known during an inspection of a segment of the 258-kilometre, 3-lane Carriageway (Section 2, Phase 2A: CH 120+000-CH 378+000) in Gulumbe, Kebbi State, which represents a significant portion of the 1,068-kilometre Super Highway.
He explained that the focus on the northern region aligns with the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure across the country.
A statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, on Wednesday, said the minister revealed that the four legacy road projects initiated by Tinubu encompass all six geopolitical zones of the country.
The statement read, “When aggregated, the Northern zones account for 52 per cent of the road projects currently ongoing across the country. The president is working everywhere in the country.
“This is a true reflection of Mr President’s stance that every region of this country matters, and no region should be left behind or shortchanged.”
He also pointed out that the concept for the ambitious Coastal Highway project, which stretches from Lagos to Calabar, was first envisioned by the President during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State almost twenty-five years ago, describing its realisation as the fulfilment of a long-held dream that has now become a reality under his leadership.
In his address, the governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, expressed his gratitude to the President for his support and the numerous projects being executed in the state.
Idris emphasised that the inspection underscores the Administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and transportation as vital enablers of growth, as outlined in the eight-point Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister of State, Bello Goronyo, stated that the project “is a promise kept by the President and that the road must be completed.”
“Mr President is passionate about the welfare of every Nigerian, regardless of their origin,” Goronyo added.
Also at the event, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Bagudu stated, “As we all know, the world is no longer building infrastructure solely through government funding but exploring innovative financing models. Mr. President, having invested in relationships, both in Nigeria and abroad, finds it easier to engage individuals and partners willing to contribute to funding these massive endeavours.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Olufunsho Adebiyi, welcomed dignitaries to the project site, promising that, “By the time you are here again, you will see it at a different level.”
Also present during the inspection tour was a former Governor of Kebbi State, H.E. (Sen.) Usman Dakingari; Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Usman Ankwai; SSA-P on Community Engagement for the North West Zone, Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai; SSG of Kebbi State, Alh. Yakubu Bala Tafida; Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Abdullahi Umar Farouk; MD/CEO of Hitech Africa Construction Limited, Mr. Dany Abboud, and many others.
By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
Leading organisations across Kaduna State came together in a powerful show of solidarity to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations.
The event, held at the Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa Secretariat, focused on the theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” with a call to “Accelerate Action” to advance gender equality.
The gathering underscored a collective commitment to legal awareness, economic empowerment, and advocacy efforts aimed at improving women’s access to justice, financial independence, and leadership opportunities.
In a statement signed by Saadatu Hamma of the Kaduna Multi-Door Courthouse, speaking on behalf of the IWD 2025 collaboration partners, the event featured a series of key discussions, including advocacy sessions, legal awareness programmes, and policy dialogues.
Empowering Women Through Key Discussions
During the Legal Awareness & Access to Justice session, experts from the legal and dispute resolution sectors educated women on their rights and the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in addressing matrimonial, inheritance, and workplace conflicts.
On Economic Empowerment, business and entrepreneurship discussions provided women with practical tools to navigate financial challenges, particularly in light of the current economic climate.
The role of the media in advancing women’s rights was also a focus, as journalists and media organisations played a key part in Media & Advocacy, ensuring that critical gender-related issues remain at the forefront of public discourse.
Additionally, Community Engagement was a core component of the celebration, fostering connections between organisations and grassroots initiatives to reinforce a strong support network for women in Kaduna.
This year’s IWD celebrations in Kaduna demonstrated the power of partnerships in driving real change. Each participating organisation brought unique expertise, resources, and advocacy efforts to the table, ensuring that the message of empowerment reached diverse communities.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a significant step towards guaranteeing a smooth and transparent electoral process for the 2027 general elections with the inauguration of the Election Project Plan Committee (EPPC).
The Commission announced this development in a statement on its website on Wednesday. The committee, tasked with formulating a strategic framework for the elections, was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, 11th March 2025, at the INEC Conference Hall in Abuja.
Chaired by Professor Rhoda H. Gumus, the committee is mandated to create a comprehensive roadmap for conducting the elections. Its responsibilities include reviewing the Terms of Reference, developing a Work Plan, establishing sub-committees, designing an Elections Project Plan (EPP) Template, and setting submission deadlines for planning documents.
In her address during the inauguration, Professor Gumus highlighted the vital role of early planning in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
She stated, “The significance of early planning cannot be overstated when it comes to ensuring a seamless electoral process. I urge all committee members to diligently fulfil their responsibilities to uphold electoral integrity and transparency.”
The committee comprises several senior INEC officials, including:
1. Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu – Chair, Tenders Board (Member)
2. Dr. Baba Bila – Chair, EOLC (Member)
3. Mr. Sam Olumekun – Chair, EPMC (Member)
4. Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru – Chair, BEI (Member)
5.