The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Saturday, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.
Kwankwaso also visited the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, where he extended his sympathies to the Daura Emirate Council over the death of the former Nigerian leader.
During the visit, Kwankwaso met with Alhaji Mamman Daura, a close confidant and nephew of the late President, to personally express his condolences.
“May the Almighty Allah grant him eternal rest,” Kwankwaso prayed during the visit.
The death of Buhari, who led Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, has drawn an outpouring of grief and tributes from political figures and citizens across the country.
Kwankwaso’s visit is part of a wave of condolence visits to Buhari’s hometown of Daura, as Nigerians continue to mourn the passing of the former military and civilian leader.
The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has said that the five states that make up the South-East geo-political zone have clear expectations regarding the proposals in the ongoing 1999 Constitution review by the National Assembly.
He stated this in his remarks at the South East Zonal public hearing for Imo and Abia on the Constitution Review held in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Saturday.
According to the governor, the South-East remains the only zone with five states, underscoring the need for at least, two additional states in the region.
He said, “Every other zone has six or more. This imbalance has led to underrepresentation in critical national institutions, from the National Assembly to the Federal Executive Council. It has shrunk our voice and abridged our inclusivity. “Therefore, it’s only fair and just that we ask for the creation of at least two additional states in the South East.
“It is my well considered submission that Anim State should be one of the new states to be created. This is one state that will have an oil-producing status upon creation.
“This makes it commercially viable, with sufficient revenue base to self sustain.
“This should naturally go hand-in-hand with the creation of new local government areas for the zone.”
The governor noted that “Until a few years ago, Owerri served as the capital of us all. Today, we have Umuahia and Abakaliki as capitals of new states.
“Through our collective efforts, perhaps, we shall soon have more state capitals like Orlu, Aba, Nsukka, and more.
“I believe that this is the prayer of the entire South-East, and it shall come to pass by the grace of God”.
On indigineship, Uzodimma noted that though the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to live and work in any part of the country, he regretted that those born and raised in places where their grandparents may not have originated from are still regarded and treated as non-indigenes.
“We should not be seen to be speaking from two sides of our mouth. We need to legally define indigeneship by birth or long-term residence – say 10 years.
“Anyone born in a state or has lived in a state for upwards of 10 years should be a legitimate indigene of that state. This is common practice in advanced democracies.
“It was also becoming the norm in our pre-first Republic years, until that Republic was cut short. How else did Mallam Umaru Altine become the Mayor of Enugu in 1952 if not because he was accepted as an indigene of Enugu?
“That tells us something profound about our potential for unity if only the constitution can catch up with our history.
“I therefore urge this committee to seriously consider this matter as part of the proposed constitutional amendments.”
He also made a case for constitutional amendment to pave the way for rotational presidency, not along the North–South divide, but along the six established geo-political zones.
He continued, “This is not about tokenism but national stability. “Already, zoning has helped calm nerves over federal appointments. If Nigerians know that the presidency will rotate among the six zones, it will remove the fear of domination and deepen the sense of inclusion in the country.
“In addition, the time has come for us to take decisive steps on state police. The current centralised policing structure is overstretched and often disconnected from local realities.
“As the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, I can confirm that we support the decentralisation of the police for greater responsiveness and effectiveness.
“The fear that governors will misuse such a force is unfounded and frankly outdated.
“We cannot allow the past to paralyse the future when our citizens are crying out for safety and order at the grassroots.”
He called on the committee to leverage the nation’s diversity, saying, “Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. But that strength must be harnessed through law and equity. Therefore, our Constitution must reflect our shared values, not just our shared borders.
“Distinguished Honourable members, as you tour the country on this important assignment, may you be guided by the hope of millions who seek a Constitution that truly belongs to them: one that ensures fairness, equity, and a level playing field for all.
“As we all know, there are differing views across Nigeria about what our Constitution should reflect in order to fortify our young democracy. These perspectives mirror both the richness of our diversity and the inadequacies of a legal framework that often leaves many citizens feeling unprotected or unaccommodated in project Nigeria”.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing constitution review process to demand greater accountability and transparency from the 10th National Assembly.
Speaking on Saturday at the Constitution Review Public Hearing in Owerri, the centre serving Imo and Abia States, Kalu highlighted the importance of citizens’ participation in the process.
The public hearing is a part of the ongoing efforts to review and amend the 1999 Constitution, with stakeholders and citizens making submissions on the way forward for the Nigerian state.
Kalu, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, noted that the exercise is a process and not an event, stressing that citizens’ continued engagement is crucial for ensuring that reforms are implemented in both the letter and spirit.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu quoted Kalu as saying, “I urge you to hold us accountable. Ask the tough questions. Demand transparency. Insist on fairness. The future of our democracy depends on it.
“Today, I make a heartfelt appeal to every son and daughter of Abia and Imo: this is your Constitution. This is your moment. You are not just observers; you are stakeholders and co-authors of Nigeria’s next constitutional chapter. Do not hold back your ideas, your criticisms, or your aspirations.
“Your memoranda, your petitions, your passionate speeches, your questions: they all matter. They will shape the amendments that will be presented to the National Assembly, to the President, and, ultimately, to the Nigerian people. Let me be clear: we are listening.
“The strength of our democracy lies not in the pronouncements of lawmakers alone, but in the active participation of the people. Your robust contributions will ensure that the Constitution we produce is not just a legal document, but a social contract: one that reflects the hopes and values of all Nigerians.
“As we look ahead, let us remember: constitutional reform is not an event, but a process. The bills we debate today will be debated in plenary, harmonised with the Senate, and transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly for final approval. Only with your continued engagement, your vigilance, and your advocacy can we ensure that these reforms are not just passed, but implemented in letter and spirit.
“Nigeria’s greatness lies in its ability to have difficult conversations, to listen, debate, and find common ground. Today, in Owerri, we continue that noble tradition. To the people of Abia and Imo: your ideas matter. Your voices matter. Your future matters.
“Let us rise above division, embrace our shared destiny, and build a Nigeria where justice, equity, and progress are not just ideals, but everyday realities.”
He reminded the people that the Committee is currently considering 87 prioritised constitutional amendment bills, stating “Each touching on the most pressing issues facing our nation. I urge you, the people of Abia and Imo, to engage robustly on all thematic areas, especially those close to your hearts,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker acknowledged the leadership of President Bola Tinubu in driving constitutional reform and institutional strengthening in Nigeria.
He expressed gratitude for the President’s support and commitment to working with the legislature to deliver a constitution that serves all Nigerians.
“I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR. Under his stewardship, Nigeria has embraced a reform-heavy agenda: one that recognizes the urgent need for constitutional renewal, institutional strengthening, and
inclusive growth.
“President Tinubu’s commitment to the rule of law, his respect for the legislature’s constitutional role, and his bold strides in
governance reform have created an enabling environment for this historic review. We are grateful for his support and leadership, and we remain committed to working with the executive to deliver a constitution that serves all Nigerians,” Kalu added.
The Social Democratic Party in South-West, on Saturday, dissociated itself from the recent coalition of opposition parties.
This was made known by the Chairman of Chairmen of the party in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Femi Olaniyi, popularly known as Ferrari, at the South-West Stakeholders’ meeting, held at the party’s secretariat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He explained that instead, the party is focusing on developing a strategy to dislodge the All Progressives Congress at all levels of governance in the 2027 general elections.
PUNCH Online reports that a coalition of opposition parties adopting the African Democratic Congress as its platform for the 2027 general elections.
This decision was reached at a meeting attended by prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party’s 2023 Presidential candidate Peter Obi; former Senate President, David Mark; former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai among others.
However, Olaniyi emphasized that the SDP in the region would not be part of any coalition at the moment.
The chairman stated that no decision could be made on the matter without directives from the National Working Committee, and the party is still waiting for the NWC’s stance on the coalition.
Olaniyi, who also doubles as Lagos State Chairman of the party, assured party members that the NWC will guide and assist each state with membership cards, registers, and other necessary materials at the appropriate time.
He also emphasized the unity among leaders and stakeholders in the region, promising to rescue Nigeria from the current administration and bring a formidable government in 2027.
“We discussed about the challenges, progress and the coalition at our meeting. We have seen how everything is being played out in our party. So, we need to brief our members, especially our stakeholders in the region.
“In the six states of Ondo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo, respectively. We have been asking a series of questions regarding this so-called coalition, and we just called our people to intimate our resolve not to be part of any coalition at the moment.
“We make them to understand that no part of SDP in the region that joins the coalition.
“Nobody can take any decision on this coalition except the directive from our NWC. So, we are still waiting for our NWC to come up with its own stand and everything regarding this coalition. As it stands now, there is nothing like a coalition in SDP,” he insisted.
The chairman allayed the fear of party members on the various challenges confronting them in their respective states, saying, “The NWC has promised to guide us and assist each state with membership cards, register and every other thing at the appropriate time.”
Olaniyi maintained that there is unity among the leaders and all the stakeholders in the region as they always speak with one voice for the progress of the party.
“In 2027, we will rescue Nigeria from the current administration, bring a formidable government and show all Nigerians a true and real democracy,” he added.
Also speaking, a current serving lawmaker representing Ise-Orun Constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly under the SDP, Babatunde Omotayo, also corroborated the party chairman, saying “We are here to resolve some issues. We resolved issues and dialogued for the development of our party- SDP.
“The most important among what we discussed was how we can remain one and speak with one voice to move the party forward in the region. So, SDP as a political party doesn’t have plan to join the so called coalition,” he maintained.
Dignitaries at the meeting were Chairman of Chairmen, also the convener, and Lagos State Chairman, Femi Olaniyi (Ferrari); the host Chairman (Oyo), Okunlade Michael; (Ondo), Gbenga Akinbuli; (Ogun), Yinka Ola-Williams; (Osun), Yinus Gbadamosi; (Ekiti), Ayodele Bamikole; the Deputy National Woman Leader of SDP, Bosede Mercy Ilesanmi; a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Babatunde Omotayo and a host of others
A Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Mrs Funmi Ogun, has expressed confidence that new developments in the party will compel those who have left to return.
Ogun, a former Works Commissioner in the state, said that all hands were on deck to reposition the party for victory in the 2026 governorship election.
She stated that resolution of the internal wrangling in the PDP at the national level would positively impact the party in the state.
The former PDP State Secretary spoke in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Saturday during a chat with journalists after a meeting with supporters across the three senatorial districts at her campaign office.
The governorship hopeful, who said that Ekiti PDP had the support and ability to wrestle power from the governing All Progressives Congress, expressed confidence that she would clinch the party ticket and win the election.
She said, “PDP members joining other parties will soon return. Our National Working Committee members are united and all working together now.
“So, I think they are channeling the path towards resolving the issues and that will also affect us in Ekiti State because of the lingering problems that affected the conclusion of the congresses and things like that.
“But now that the issues have been resolved, they are working towards the national convention.
“So very soon, I believe the congresses in Ekiti State will be concluded and that has nothing to do with the timetable for primaries released by INEC.
“I want to assure our people that the PDP will soon bounce back in Ekiti. PDP is not dead in Ekiti, the party is alive and I am happy that today, we still have dedicated members. “These people here are the ones working in their wards, they are the grassroots people.
“I am going forward and I’m going to push it to the end. I will win that ticket and I will win the election come 2026. I have been on my mission of consultation, reconciliation and mobilisation for the past two years. I remain focused that PDP will win Ekiti State. I am hopeful of clinching PDP governorship ticket and by this time in 2026, I will be the governor in the Government House.”
She dismissed insinuation in some quarters that the coalition platform, African Democratic Coalition, is a threat to the PDP in the June 20 Ekiti governorship election.
Ogun said, “There’s no new party or coalition that can come and make any meaningful move. We have just a few months to primaries and we are a few months into the election, then you see people coming with a new party to the state, it won’t work, I’m not really bothered about that.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, on Friday, paid tribute to late former President Muhammadu Buhari and personally conveyed the UN’s solidarity with the government and people of Nigeria.
Guterres, during his visit to Nigeria House in New York, described Buhari as a leader whose unwavering dedication to Nigeria, Africa and global cooperation will stand as his enduring legacy.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Guterres signed the condolence register during his visit.
“On behalf of the United Nations, I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari.
“President Buhari will be remembered for his steadfast commitment to selfless service, his leadership in advancing peace and stability across the African region and his dedication to strengthening institutions in Nigeria.
“President Buhari was also a great supporter of the United Nations and a strong voice for multilateralism, solidarity and sustainable development around the world,” Guterres wrote in the register.
The UN chief concluded his condolence message, “In this moment of loss, our thoughts are with his family, the Government and the people of Nigeria.”
Speaking afterwards with NAN, the UN Chief reflected on his working relationship with Buhari and praised his lifetime of service.
“I had the privilege to work with President Buhari, and I will say, I am a great admirer of his extraordinary work.
“Not only in defence of the interest of his own country, Nigeria but in his commitment to the African continent, to sustainable development and very particularly to the United Nations and multilateralism,” he said
Speaking about Buhari’s contributions to West Africa’s peace and security, Guterres described the late Nigerian leader as a crucial stabilising figure for the region.
“I think President Buhari has been a leading personality in defending the interests of West Africa and in a very difficult context, in affirming Nigeria’s leadership,” he said.
The UN chief affirmed that Buhari’s contributions to West Africa’s peace and security “was of course very much appreciated,”.
Guterres extended the UN’s sympathy to Buhari’s family, the Nigerian government and people, assuring that the world remembers him as a true servant-leader whose legacy will inspire generations to come.
The Chargé d’Affaires, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Mr Syndoph Endoni, thanked Guterres for the condolence visit.
Endoni said the condolence visit highlighted Buhari’s standing as a statesman whose voice carried weight far beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Bola Asaju and the Head of Chancery of the Mission, Mr Razak Lawal, were among the officers who received the UN chief during his condolence visit.
Buhari ruled Nigeria as a military leader from 1983 to 1985 and returned as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023.
Buhari died on Sunday at a London hospital at the age of 82 and was buried in his hometown in Daura, Nigeria on Tuesday.
Cuba had scrapped the maximum age limit of 60 for its presidential candidates as part of a constitutional reform approved on Friday by parliament.
The communist-ruled island’s restriction of two five-year presidential terms and minimum age of 35 for candidates were left unchanged.
The measure, approved by the Council of State, imposes no age limits on people “in the full exercise of their physical and mental faculties, with… loyalty and revolutionary trajectory,” national assembly president Esteban Lazo said.
Former president Raul Castro, who at age 94 still holds a seat in the assembly, was the first to vote for the reform that will be on the books for the 2028 presidential elections.
Cuba’s current president, 65-year-old Miguel Diaz-Canel, was elected in 2018 and then re-elected in 2023. No favoured successor has been publicly designated.
The inclusion of term and age limits in the 2019 constitution marked a radical shift after six decades in which Fidel Castro and his brother Raul were in power.
In 2016, Fidel had to hand over the reins to his brother due to health problems. He died later that year, after nearly half a century leading Cuba.
Raúl Castro officially became president in 2008, at the age of 76. In 2021, he retired as Communist Party first secretary, handing over power to Diaz-Canel.
The nation of nearly 10 million people is suffering its worst economic crisis in three decades, with shortages of all kinds of supplies, power outages, and unprecedented emigration.
The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot, on Friday, announced the release of 123 inmates, including an 18-year-old mentally challenged girl said to have been eating foam and other objects while in custody.
Obot granted freedom to the inmates during the second quarter of 2025 tour of the Medium Security Custodial Centres, which began on Monday and ended on Friday at the Uyo Correctional Centre.
Of the 123 released inmates, four were from the Ikot Abasi custodial centre; 17 from the Eket centre; 29 from the Ikot Ekpene centre; while 73 regained their freedom at the Uyo Custodial Centre.
A total of 62 inmates were released on health grounds, including cases of anaemia, scabies, and tuberculosis.
“I released you on health grounds, go and sin no more and shun all acts that might bring you back here again. The mentally challenged girl should be taken to the psychiatric hospital in Eket for proper examination and treatment,” the CJ said.
Worried about the spread of diseases in the centres, the CJ instructed that the dormitory where all the sick inmates were camped be properly sanitised and that no new inmates should be placed there in the meantime to prevent further spread of infections.
She observed that most of the offenders had committed minor offences and had overstayed in custody beyond the duration they would have served if convicted.
Obot expressed displeasure over the number of inmates awaiting trial, some without any charges filed against them, and noted that several had stayed longer than the maximum sentence they might have received if convicted.
One such case was that of Etieno Okon, who was 15 years old when he was detained. He had been in custody for five years without trial on a cultism charge and was released alongside his father.
She charged prosecutors to ensure that no one is denied justice and urged them to respect the fundamental rights of the accused.
The Chief Judge commended all Judges, Magistrates, court officials, and the Controller of Correctional Centre, Akwa Ibom Command, for their commitment and steadfastness throughout the three-day exercise.
She prayed that God Almighty would grant the released sick inmates speedy recovery and sustain those still in custody.
The CJ also donated the sum of ₦300,000 to the centre to assist in transporting the freed inmates back to their various destinations.
She emphasised the importance of hygiene management in custodial centres and called on correctional officers to ensure sanitary conditions are maintained to reduce the spread of communicable diseases.
Highlighting the significance of jail delivery in safeguarding justice and human rights, the CJ noted that the exercise aligns with the constitutional mandate of the judiciary to ensure no person is unjustly detained without due process.
“This exercise aligns with the constitutional mandate of the judiciary to ensure that no person is unjustly detained without due process.”
In his remarks, the Controller of Correctional Centre, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr. Frank Okonkwo, thanked the Chief Judge for her visit and the goodwill extended to the custodial centres in the state.
Okonkwo highlighted some challenges confronting the centres, including dilapidated facilities and a lack of logistics to convey inmates to court on time.
He appealed to the Chief Judge to facilitate the approval of pending requests to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for the provision of operational vehicles, repair of existing ones, and the supply of beddings, especially critical during the current cold season.
Political heavyweights and captains of industry have applauded the appointment of a former Minister of Works, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority by President Bola Tinubu.
They paid tributes to the ex-minister at an event held in his honour in Abuja on Thursday night.
Among those who graced the occasion were Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; former Ekiti Governors, Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni; and a former Nasarawa Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura.
Also present were Chairman of the South West Development Commission, Senator Olu Adetumbi;
NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, Senator Iyiola Omisore; a former Ebonyi Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe; and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, among others.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, hailing from the same Ekiti State as the appointee, described Adeyeye as a resilient and loyal ally of President Tinubu.
“If anyone had told me it would take this long for Senator Adeyeye to be appointed, I would have said it’s impossible.
“He was among the first to champion this movement and stuck with it through thick and thin. That’s why this moment is not just a personal victory for him—it’s symbolic of loyalty finally being rewarded”, Bamidele said.
He urged NPA management to embrace the new board chairman, noting Adeyeye’s leadership strength and experience.
“Let me be clear. Senator Adeyeye is not just in office—he is in power. He has earned it. Work with him openly and transparently, and you’ll get the best from him”, he added.
The Former Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, echoed Bamidele’s sentiments.
“You threw yourself into the SWAGA business when it wasn’t popular. When Asiwaju was taken with reservations, you took yourself into SWAGA, you criss-crossed the entire South West for Tinubu.
“The appointment you got is well deserved. I am happy that you have been recognised, and there is no doubt that bigger recognition will come. This is a precursor to what will come.”
Oyebanji described Adeyeye’s appointment as an honour to Ekiti State.
He said, “The President gave this position to Ekiti, and he could not have chosen better. Senator Adeyeye is loyal, intelligent, and deeply experienced.
“From his time as a Minister, a Senator, and a university council chairman, he brings the right mix of discipline, wisdom, and patriotism.”
He praised the unity displayed by Ekiti political leaders across party lines in honouring Adeyeye.
“I am lucky to be surrounded by four former governors who are all backing me. That has never happened in our state’s history.
“This new unity is the strength behind our progress,” he said, referencing the presence of Segun Oni and Ayodele Fayose.
In his remarks, Adeyeye expressed gratitude to Tinubu for fulfilling his promise.
“He told me not to worry, that he had plans for me. And he kept that promise.
“The President promised a quality board, and he delivered. We are ready to work together as a family and move the Port Authority forward.”
He also assured Oyebanji of his full backing ahead of the upcoming Ekiti governorship election.
“We’re not just supporting you, Mr. Governor. We’re going to win by a landslide.
“There is no opposition. The former governors, the people—they’re all behind you.”
Adeyeye called for an end to politics of bitterness and emphasised the importance of sustaining the prevailing peace in the state.
He further assured NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, of a harmonious working relationship with his team.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday received Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting, which took place behind closed doors, underscores ongoing consultations between the President and state governors across the country.
Eno, who is the All Progressives Congress leader in Akwa Ibom State, was accompanied Akpabio, a former governor of the state and two other politicians from the state to the meeting.
Details of the discussion were not immediately disclosed as of the time of filing this report, but the visit is believed to center on strengthening collaboration between the Federal Government and Akwa Ibom State, as well as addressing issues of national interest.
The trio posed for photographs after the meeting, reflecting a cordial atmosphere and mutual commitment to advancing governance and development initiatives.
