National
Kaduna LG Polls: Youth group warns against ethnic division in Zango-Kataf
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Ahead of the Local Government election in Kaduna State, the Zango-Kataf Youths Vanguard for Peace and Democracy has said that any attempt to distort the existing peace between the ethnic indigenous tribes in the Zango-Kataf Local Government Area will be vehemently resisted.
While addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, Convener of the group, Isaac Tanko said they are a group of past and present youth leaders of Atyap, Bajju, Aghan and Ikulu, Hausa/Fulani, including CAN and JNI, operating under the aegis of Vanguard for Peace and Democracy, with core mission of promotion of peace and the practice of true democracy in Southern Kaduna.
According to Tanko, following the recent PDP Local Government Primary elections that returned Hon. Francis Sani Zimbo, the incumbent Council Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, as its party’s flag bearer, which has sparked different reactions from different quarters, some sections felt short-changed.
He said they were obligated as stakeholders to respond due to the recurrence of “an abhorrent line of communication by mischief makers whipping up sentiment under various guises, which have littered the media.”
He alleged that “the unintelligent approach by these stakeholders has been to push ethnic divisive words and attribute the same to the Senator of Kaduna-South Senatorial District. They aim to incite certain ethnic groups against the Senator. We urge our people to resist these individuals’ attempts to cause chaos in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.”
‘Some of these divisive statements are not only condemnable but also an ignominy of dragging our Local Government and the Southern Kaduna region back to the conquered era of ethnic chauvinism. Meddling into the Politics of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area is the handiwork of some unscrupulous politicians who do not have the interest of our people at heart.”
“Again, Attacks on Senator Sunday Marshall Katung are an act of sabotage, and we are calling those behind the mask and others who have decided to continue the path of coming to public glare over frivolous issues to stop forthwith, especially when they do not have the moral compass to do so.”
“Any attempt to distort the existing peace between the ethnic indigenous tribes in the Zango-Kataf Local Government Area will be vehemently resisted. Zango-Kataf Local Government Youth Vanguard for Peace and Reconciliation wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the antics of mischief makers and ethnic bigots to stoke the flames of ethnic resentment, division, and agents of hate are bent on destroying the recent existing unity and peace which is being enjoyed by our Local Government under the administration of His Excellency Governor Uba Sani.”
“We are first human before any tribe, and we also should not breach the existing harmonious relationship due to the actions or inactions of some persons; perhaps they might have operated within the premise of the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to return the Council Chairman as the PDP flag bearer.”
“It is also pertinent to remind ourselves that mischief makers are being sponsored to deliberately distort the family relationship of the four major indigenous tribes of Zango Kataf local government, which is the political nucleus of the Southern Kaduna Senatorial Zone.”
The group called on the aggrieved to refrain from fanning embers of distrust among the good people of Zango Kataf Local Government Area.
“The PDP, in her political journey, knows more than all of us. It is important that the Zonkwa Constituency would. have to remain while the Zango Kataf Constituency takes over and governs the Local Government for 6 years in the spirit of fairness and inclusion and in the interest of development.”
“The emergence of Zimbo as the PDP party’s flag bearer should not cause any uproar, the reason being that there are other political parties in the contest. We urge all candidates to go to nooks and crannies of the Local Government to canvas for votes from the electorates instead of resulting to inciting ethnic tension. Our unity must not be traded in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.”
“We are appealing to our Royal fathers, who are custodians of traditions, to quickly intervene and broker peace amongst their subjects, to bring an end to the uproar, and further unify the people of Area.
We are calling on the good people of Zango Kata local government to give our Royal Fathers all the support as we look forward to interfacing with them. Henceforth, we shall reach out to other stakeholders, the Bajju, Atyap, Anghan, and Ikulu, including the Hausa Fulani from six wards, to give peace a chance,” the group added.
Kaduna state Governor Uba Sani declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will continue to dominate the state, saying it would soon become a one-party state.
The Governor disclosed that about four members of the House of Representatives from the opposition parties had decamped to the APC, adding that members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly from different zones had also decamped to the party.
Governor Uba Sani, who spoke at Zaria on Monday, argued that the defection of opposition members to the APC “is a good sign, and that shows that we are doing something positive; we are carrying everyone along in Kaduna state.”
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas distributed 117 vehicles, comprising 20 Hilux, 2 ambulances, 20 18-seater buses, 50 Sharon vehicles, and 25 sedan/saloon cars (Golf, Corolla & Peugeot 406). At the same time, 200 tricycles, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, and 1,000 motorcycles were given to various beneficiaries.
At the event, Governor Sani praised Speaker Abbas, saying that Kaduna State and the entire country are proud of his stewardship. He added that the laudable projects he was interested in in the state had his blessings.
In his address, Speaker Abbas thanked his constituents for their continued support and noted that he would do his best to attract people-oriented projects to them.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says the money received from Rivers state government for the 2025 annual general conference (AGC) was a “gift”.
A statement issued on Monday by Emeka Obegolu, chairman of the AGC planning committee, said the legal body did not sell the hosting rights for the conference.
Earlier, the Rivers government, under the leadership of Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator, asked the NBA to refund the N300 million allegedly paid for the “hosting rights” of the conference by the state.
The government said if the NBA was truly anchored on principles, it should demonstrate it by returning the money.
The decision of the state government came after the NBA moved the AGC from Port Harcourt in Rivers state to Enugu.
The association premised its decision on “constitutional violations” in Rivers following the declaration of emergency rule in the state by President Bola Tinubu in March.
Responding to the comment of the Rivers government, the NBA said there was no bidding process or payment before the announcement of Rivers as the host of the conference.
The NBA explained that due to the huge cost of organising the conference, the legal body approaches individuals and state governments for “unconditional” support.
“We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights,” the statement reads.
“The host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city.
“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organizations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested for is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.
“Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA.
“Such financial supports are in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships. The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC.”
An Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Monday, granted controversial street-pop singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, bail in the sum of ₦1 million following his arraignment on multiple charges, including criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and inciting public disturbance.
The bail is conditional upon the provision of two sureties in like sum.
According to the court, one surety must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must own property within a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
As of press time, the 31-year-old singer remains in custody at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, having failed to meet the stringent bail requirements.
The charges stem from a petition filed by veteran Fuji artiste, Okunola Saheed, known as Saheed Osupa, who alleged that Portable defamed him during a live Instagram broadcast on 19 March 2025.
Defamation, arrest
In the controversial video, the ‘Zazoo Zeh’ crooner stated, “This man dey try bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shell—him no get sense. Osupa carry tortoise for stomach. When Apple Music and Spotify want to drop money for me, na him remove my song from the platform, make I no see money.”
According to Osupa, Portable’s remarks were defamatory and damaging to his reputation and were intended to incite public hatred and disturb peace. The police, acting on the petition dated March 21, 2025, launched an investigation through the State Intelligence Department.
Elanza news reported that Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed in a statement that Portable was arrested on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at about 7:25 p.m. He was subsequently transferred to Ilorin for further investigation.
“In view of the weight of these allegations and the supporting evidence presented, the command secured a valid arrest warrant from a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin,” said Ejire-Adeyemi.
“Upon his arrival, the suspect’s statement was taken in the presence of legal representatives from both parties.”
The case is documented under First Information Report (FIR) 117(1) CPC. Charges filed against Portable include criminal defamation under Section 392 of the Penal Code, criminal intimidation (Section 397), and inciting disturbance (Section 114). Provisions of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020, were also cited.
ASP Adeniyi James, the investigating police officer, confirmed that the charges were filed based on directives from police authorities.
The presiding magistrate, Sunday Adeniyi, adjourned the matter to 30 April and advised all parties to maintain decorum as the case proceeds.
This is not Portable’s first legal encounter this year. Barely a month ago, he was granted bail in Ogun State after being arraigned on charges of assaulting government officials and obstructing their duties.
Saheed Osupa’s Copyright Claims
Beyond the defamation allegations, the dispute between Portable and Osupa also touches on copyright issues. The rift escalated after the 55-year-old reported one of Portable’s tracks, Fuji Shakushaku, for copyright infringement.
The song, released in 2023, was subsequently taken down from Apple Music and other streaming platforms.
In response, Portable criticised the Fuji veteran in a series of videos, referring to him as “big for nothing.”
The controversial singer later apologised publicly, attributing his outburst to frustration over the song’s removal and resulting financial losses.
Osupa’s management, represented by Digital Music Commerce and Exchange Ltd. (DMCE), issued a statement on 27 March via Fountain Osupa’s official Instagram page.
“We cannot stand idly by while King Saheed Osupa is being disrespected,” the statement read. “DMCE uncovered several artistes’ unauthorised use of King Osupa’s music. While most were resolved amicably, one individual engaged in cyberbullying, attacks, and reputational damage.”
The management reiterated that Osupa is signed to Sony Music Publishing Nigeria and that DMCE is authorised to act on his behalf to protect his intellectual property.
Portable has been involved in several police and court cases in recent years. In 2023, he was charged with assault and theft in Ogun State after allegedly attacking a man. In 2024, he was arrested in Lagos for allegedly failing to pay the full amount for a car he bought, leading to a debt dispute with a car dealer. He was released after meeting bail conditions.
In February 2025, Portable and his team were accused of attacking government officials who came to enforce regulations at his bar in Ogun State. He was charged with assault, obstruction, and having dangerous weapons. After turning himself in, he was granted bail. These cases have added to his reputation for being involved in controversies.