By Tambaya Julius Abuja 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised Vice-President Kashim Shettima over his remarks on the educational background of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saying personal attacks would not ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians.

In a statement issued yesterday, the council’s Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, accused Shettima of focusing on Atiku’s educational qualifications instead of addressing the rising cost of living and the economic challenges confronting Nigerians.

Shaibu was reacting to Shettima’s remarks at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, where the vice-president questioned Atiku’s capacity to manage a modern economy, citing his training at the Kano School of Hygiene. Shettima also criticised Atiku’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

“While Shettima debates school records, families are skipping meals, workers cannot afford the journey to work, and his government calls their suffering reform,” Shaibu said.

The ADC spokesperson challenged the vice-president to address questions raised by the opposition over President Bola Tinubu’s academic records rather than ridicule Atiku over his educational background.

He cited claims concerning Tinubu’s attendance at Government College Lagos, which he said was established in 1974, and questioned an alleged reference to 1970 as the year of graduation in documents associated with the president’s education.

Shaibu also raised questions about the name on Tinubu’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that it bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”.

He noted that Atiku had challenged the alleged discrepancy in court.

The ADC chieftain further referred to legal proceedings in the United States concerning the release of records from Chicago State University and a historical forfeiture case in Chicago involving Tinubu.

Shaibu argued that the issues raised by the opposition campaign could not be dismissed through criticism of Atiku’s educational background.

He also faulted the Federal Government’s handling of the economy, citing poverty and food insecurity as evidence of the hardship facing households across the country.

Referring to World Bank poverty estimates and figures on acute food insecurity, he urged the government to prioritise policies that would reduce the cost of living and improve Nigerians’ access to basic necessities.

Defending Atiku’s proposed petrol subsidy intervention, Shaibu said the plan would be targeted, capped, budgeted and independently audited, with support tied to petrol refined in Nigeria.

“Atiku has proposed a targeted, capped and independently audited subsidy tied to petrol refined in Nigeria,” he said.

“If Shettima thinks it cannot be funded, he should show his figures and offer a better way to lower prices. Insulting Atiku will not fill a cooking pot, pay a bus fare or put fuel in a tank.”

Shaibu maintained that Nigerians would have the opportunity to assess the administration’s performance during the 2027 presidential election, adding that attacks on opposition figures would not resolve the economic difficulties confronting citizens.

Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy in May 2023, a decision his administration has defended as necessary to reduce pressure on public finances.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja 

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday dismissed a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the alleged unlawful interception of telephone conversations involving the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in her ruling, held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require El-Rufai to enter his defence in the five-count amended charge filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The judge subsequently ordered the former governor to open his defence and adjourned the case until November 25, 2026.

El-Rufai filed the no-case submission after the Federal Government closed its case, having called two prosecution witnesses.

Through his counsel, Paul Erokoro, the former governor urged the court to discharge and acquit him, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.

Erokoro maintained that the evidence presented was insufficient to justify requiring his client to defend himself against the allegations.

However, prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, urged the court to dismiss the application and direct El-Rufai to enter his defence.

Aladedoye argued that the oral and documentary evidence presented before the court established a case requiring the defendant to respond to the allegations.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the prosecution, holding that the matter should proceed to the defence stage. The decision effectively rejected El-Rufai’s request for discharge and acquittal at this stage of the proceedings.

The charges arose from allegations that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted telephone conversations linked to Ribadu.

The controversy followed an interview El-Rufai granted on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, in February 2026, during which he claimed that Ribadu’s telephone conversation had been intercepted.

During the interview, the former governor alleged that “someone wiretapped” the NSA’s phone, enabling him to listen to a conversation in which Ribadu allegedly instructed security operatives to arrest him.

The allegation subsequently formed the basis of the DSS prosecution against the former governor.

With the dismissal of his no-case submission, El-Rufai is expected to present his defence when the case resumes on November 25, 2026.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer for Karu/Gitata Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Abraham Habu Ekpo, has empowered 100 women with N50,000 each and wrappers as part of activities marking his 50th birthday.

The celebration, held in Tattara, his hometown in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, featured a thanksgiving service at ECWA Church, where he received prayers and blessings, as well as the commissioning of the APC Tattara/Kondoro Electoral Ward party office.

The event, themed “Celebrating 50 Years of Grace: 50@50 for 50 Empowerment,” attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders and supporters who gathered to celebrate Ekpo’s golden jubilee and thank God for his life.

As part of his 50th birthday celebration, Ekpo returned to Ebenezer Hospital in Keffi, his birthplace, to share the joy of his golden jubilee with nursing mothers and other patients receiving treatment. He offered financial assistance to patients to help offset their hospital bills.

Speaking at the event, the APC candidate for the Karu, Keffi and Kokona Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi, described Ekpo’s golden jubilee as a celebration of God’s grace and urged him to remain committed to faith, service and the welfare of the people.

Ogazi said Ekpo’s decision to mark his birthday with thanksgiving and an empowerment programme reflected his gratitude to God and concern for the well-being of others.

He prayed for the celebrant’s continued good health, wisdom and success, expressing confidence that divine guidance would sustain his political journey.

On his legislative agenda, Ogazi said he was committed to introducing bills that would address the needs and aspirations of residents across Karu, Keffi and Kokona local government areas, which make up the federal constituency.

He explained that the proposed establishment of a technical institution would help address concerns over limited access to existing technical schools, equipping young people with practical skills for employment and self-reliance.

According to him, the proposed bills formed part of his commitment to translating constituents’ needs into practical legislative action.

Ogazi stressed that effective representation went beyond lawmaking to include regular consultations with the people, identifying their challenges and developing appropriate laws and resolutions to address them.

“I am a legislator who always returns to those who sent me. I am a messenger, and they will always see me here,” he said.

He added that, if elected, he would continue to engage stakeholders across Karu, Keffi and Kokona to ensure that residents’ concerns informed his legislative priorities.

The APC candidate also pledged to sustain grassroots interventions, assuring constituents that his representation would continue to make a difference in their communities.

Reflecting on his legislative record in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ogazi cited his contributions to the anti-kidnapping law enacted during Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration, alongside other laws aimed at strengthening security and institutional development in the state.

He commended the working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, noting that cooperation was essential to enacting laws that would have meaningful impacts on citizens’ lives.

The celebration combined thanksgiving, women’s empowerment, humanitarian support and political engagement, with Ekpo using his golden jubilee to give back to his community and support residents in need.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Party Office, the Nasarawa State, Commissioner for Works, Infrastructure and Housing, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, congratulated Ekpo on his 50th birthday, describing him as a capable and experienced individual whose leadership could contribute to the development of the constituency.

Yakubu expressed confidence in the APC-led administrations at the federal and state levels, saying the reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu and implemented in Nasarawa State under Governor Abdullahi Sule were yielding results.

He disclosed that the state government had approved the construction of the Gitata-Panda Road, describing the project as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to infrastructure development.

The commissioner urged residents to continue supporting the APC, arguing that the party’s record in governance and infrastructure development deserved sustained public support.

In her remarks, the councillor representing Tattara/Kondoro Electoral Ward, Hon. Barr. Ninda Yona, congratulated Ekpo on his golden jubilee and commended him for his support to the Constituency, particularly the donation of the party office.

She urged constituents to embrace the growth and progress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and called on them to support the party in the forthcoming general elections.