News
NUJ Zone A Expresses Solidarity With Kaduna Council, Calls For Rescue Of Abducted Journalists
By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zone A stands in solidarity with the Kaduna State Council of the NUJ and all journalists within the zone in light of the recent abduction of two journalists by bandits.
The journalists, who work for The Nation Newspaper and Blueprint Newspaper, were taken from their homes in the Danhono area of Kaduna metropolis, along with their families.
In a statement issued by the NUJ ZONE A secretary, Abdulrazak Bello Kaura, it is emphasized that journalists play a vital role in reporting on local events without any bias or involvement in political or group conflicts. These journalists are innocent individuals and are not affiliated with any rival groups. As such, the government and security agencies are urged to prioritize their prompt and safe rescue, along with the rescue of their families.
While acknowledging and appreciating the ongoing efforts of security agencies to restore peace in the region, it is urged that the rescue of our colleagues be given the highest priority. The abduction of journalists not only poses a severe injustice to the individuals and their families, but also represents a threat to press freedom and the safety of journalists across the country.
Furthermore, the Vice President of NUJ Zone A, Malam Muhammad Tukur Umar, has directed the expression of the deepest sympathy of the Union to the NUJ Kaduna Council, its members, and all journalists throughout Nigeria in light of this unfortunate incident.
In light of the situation, all journalists within our zone are urged to remain calm, as the leadership of NUJ at the national, zonal, and state council levels are actively collaborating with security agencies and other relevant authorities to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted journalists.PDP Stakeholders Embrace Two-Tenure System For Z/Kataf LG Chairmen
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a move that reflects the evolving needs of the community, a group known as the ‘Six Wards Stakeholders’ has unanimously decided to adopt a two-tenure system for the position of elected Council Chairman.
This decision marks a departure from the long-standing tradition of a one tenure system.
The press statement, signed by prominent members such as Geoffrey Francis Zamandabo, Kyauta John, Alfred Felix Tokan, and others, highlights the deliberations that took place during a meeting at the official residence of the Local Government Council Vice Chairman in Goran Sagwaza.
The meeting aimed to review the request from Zonkwa Constituency (5 wards) regarding the two-term tenure for the Local Government Chairman.
After careful consideration and a thorough examination of the current one tenure system agreement, the stakeholders have decided to inform the party (PDP), electorates, and the general public of their unanimous acceptance and support for the two tenure system, starting with Zonkwa Constituency.
The stakeholders believe that this decision is not only democratic but also constitutional. They are confident that it will provide the Council Chairmen with the necessary time and opportunity to effectively implement their programs and projects.
The collective agreement reached within the stipulated time frame demonstrates the unity and commitment of the stakeholders towards the progress and development of the local government.
Former Vice President and prominent opposition leader Atiku Abubakar has vocally condemned the arrest and ongoing detention of social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement released on Monday, Atiku characterized this action as “yet another blatant abuse of power” by the Bola Tinubu administration, alleging that it employs political repression as a governance strategy.
“Even more concerning is the fact that Mr. Otse remains in custody without any formal charges—this constitutes a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights and serves as a chilling reminder of the increasing authoritarianism under this government,” Atiku asserted.
He contended that the detention is part of a “disturbing pattern” exhibited by the Tinubu administration, which seeks to suppress fundamental freedoms, particularly targeting dissenters and opposition figures.
“We must not permit state-sponsored repression to become the hallmark of our democracy,” Atiku cautioned.
The former presidential candidate further criticized security agencies for their selective enforcement, highlighting the swift arrests of dissenters—often executed without due process—while political allies facing corruption allegations remain unscathed.
“The systematic repression of opposition voices by the Tinubu administration is nothing short of disgraceful. It represents a blatant affront to democratic principles and must be vehemently condemned and opposed,” he concluded.
From Amos Tauna, Kaduna
A northern-based civic group, the Concerned Northern Forum (CNF), has raised the alarm over what it describes as the deliberate delay by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, despite multiple petitions and earlier commitments by the agency.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, CNF Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Sani, said the EFCC’s inaction was “raising serious questions” about its independence and willingness to go after powerful individuals.
According to him, the group alongside other civil society bodies, had submitted petitions as far back as May and September 2024, detailing how Matawalle allegedly mismanaged a colossal amount of money in state funds during his tenure from 2019 to 2023.
“We have seen the EFCC take bold steps against other former governors and ministers. So we are asking: why the silence in this case? Who is shielding Matawalle from investigation?” Sani queried.
The CNF pointed to official financial data and loan records to back its claims, insisting that the former governor should be made to explain how federal allocations and borrowed funds running into hundreds of billions were utilised.
Sani stated that the EFCC itself, in a statement issued in May 18, 2023, had confirmed through its then Director, Media and Public Affairs, Osita Nwajah, said that EFCC is investigating Matawalle over allegations of monumental corruption award of plantom vontracts and diversion of over N70 billion, lamenting that more than a year later, nothing concrete had come out of that investigation.
The Zamfara State Lawyer Forum has endorsed the Nigerian House of Representatives’ decision to summon Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and leaders of the state’s House of Assembly, amid a deepening crisis within the legislature and escalating insecurity across the northwestern state.
The forum, a prominent legal advocacy group, described the summons as a constitutionally valid exercise of legislative oversight, citing Sections 88 and 89 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to investigate matters of public interest and summon relevant officials.
Barrister Aisha Muhammed, the forum’s chairperson, said in a statement on Sunday that the House’s action was “legally valid, constitutionally supported, and deeply necessary” to uphold democratic governance and the rule of law.
She argued that Governor Lawal and state assembly leaders must answer questions regarding the suspension of seven elected assembly members and the controversial declaration of a lawmaker’s seat vacant—actions she said raised “grave constitutional questions” and potentially breached democratic norms.
“Governors and assembly leaders must not invoke immunity as a shield against legitimate oversight,” Muhammed said, referencing Section 308 of the Constitution, which grants immunity from judicial processes but does not exempt officials from non-coercive legislative inquiries.
“Accountability is the lifeblood of constitutional democracy. No public office holder, no matter how highly placed, is above the people’s right to transparency.”
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions issued the summons on Friday, directing Governor Lawal, his Benue counterpart Hyacinth Alia, and their respective state assembly leaders to appear before it on 8 May.
The move follows a petition by the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, a civil rights group, highlighting worsening insecurity and legislative dysfunction in both states.
Zamfara has been plagued by rampant banditry, with recent attacks claiming dozens of lives, including six community protection guards and four vigilantes in Anka Local Government Area on 22 March, and 20 gold miners in Maru Local Government Area on 24 April.
The state’s legislative crisis, marked by factionalism and alleged executive interference, has further compounded governance challenges.
Muhammed criticised Governor Lawal’s apparent acquiescence to the assembly’s controversial actions, calling for “legal and moral scrutiny”.
She stressed that the National Assembly’s intervention was not only lawful but obligatory to preserve constitutional order and address public grievances.
“The key question is not whether the Governor or the Speaker can be summoned, but [what] they have [to say in response to] questions to answer,” she said.