NEWS
Atiku, Baraje Interpret PDP Constitution Differently on Zoning of Party Positions

From Alfred Babs, Ilorin
Former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kawu Baraje has disagreed with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and 2023 presidential aspirant on PDP platform.
Baraje who lent his voice to the controversy about zoning while responding to questions from journalists in his residence in Ilorin yesterday said that zoning of political positions was clearly supported by the PDP’s constitution.
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had earlier said that zoning was not part of the PDP’s Constitution adding that the party’s presidential candidate can emerge from any part of the country.
Baraje who also served as the PDP Acting National Chairman stated that “Zoning of political posts is clearly stated in our amended constitution.
“His excellency, our leader, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was saying the right thing but he has forgotten that constitution of PDP has been amended, and I believe some of us will remind him that, it’s not in the constitution of PDP before in years back, but it is now clearly stated in the PDP constitution that zoning should be respected and there is a caveat in the constitution which says that zoning should be respected for the purpose of giving sense of belonging to all members of the party and for all inclusiveness except and only when a resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) decides otherwise.
“It is stated in black and white in the constitution, It was reviewed in the constitution sometime around 2011. Although, before then, it was an oral tradition of PDP and it was even as good as being written. I met it like that when I took over as National Secretary in 2008. Even when it was an oral tradition of the party, it was highly respected.
“It was formally included in our party constitution in 2011 when we were reviewing the party constitution before I left in 2011”, he said.
Baraje, however said, he was not sure that former Vice president, Atiku, was talking of party constitution adding, “I think what His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku, was even talking about was Nigeria constitution not PDP, if I got him right, he said “zoning is not in the Nigeria constitution.”
Former PDP, chairman also shared opinions that it is time for North central to produce President of the Country, having not produced number one citizen before, since independent, however warned that the campaign for zoning should not be over-flogged in order not to further divide the country.
On the chieftancy titlle of ‘Tafida of Ilorin’ which the Emir’s of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari will confer on him on Friday, Baraje said, “it’s a great honour and fulfillment to been recognized in one’s hometown. Although, It came to me as a surprise, because I never expected it. After the announcement, I went to do my research on who is Tafida and the role expected of the holder, and I discovered that it emanated from North Africa, Egypt precisely, and it was later adopted by Hausa/Fulani tradition and my research also revealed that the full title is ‘Tafida Aiki Seriki’ simply means, one is a co-traveler of Emir. Therefore, that title is bestowed on an individual that is close to the Emir, understand the tradition and gives his life to the service of the community.
“I later came back to the Emir that; sir, what is the meaning of Tafida? You are a renowned retired Judge, Emir said, I expect you to come and ask me, because you are a Teacher too and as a Teacher you are always learning, fortunately, Emir explanation is not different from my research and I humbly asked him that why me? Then he replied that, you deserved it because of your various voluntary contributions to the humanity and community.
“As if that was not enough, I got a call from Sultan of Sokoto, two days ago, congratulating me and said “ you are welcome into the inner circle of traditional council, note, that henceforth you will be consulted on issues on tradition, culture, not only politics. indeed it is a fresh call for one to do more in terms of service to humanity and community development”, Baraje said.
NEWS
Eight Niger LGAS at Risk of Flooding – NSEMA

From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has alerted the State that about Ninety communities in eight local government areas of the State will be affected by flood in the coming days.The warning is coming on the heels of the devastating effects of the Mokwa flood that claimed over 200 lives.
The Agency however has assured of a coordinated action plan to mitigate the effects of flood disaster on the likely victims from the eight local governments consisting of 90 communities. ”This identified Local Government Areas and communities are clarified under high risk between April and June this year in Niger state.The Agency Director General, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah made this known at the NSEMA 2025 Flood Preparedness and Response Campaign Stakeholders Engagement with the theme: Building Resilience and Capacity for Flood Management held in Minna.Baba Arah who was represented by the Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Garba Salisu added that between July and September 2025 about 105 communities from 17 local councils will experience very serious flooding while October and November 3 local governments consisting of 15 communities are likely to have a high risk of flooding in the state.Similarly, the DG noted that those local governments and communities prone to moderate flooding in this year include; 13 councils with 87 communities in April/June, 17 local governments with 87 communities in July/September while between October and November 11 local councils and 103 communities will be affected.He stressed that the stakeholder’s engagement is aimed at harmonizing all the action plans by each of the participants to ensure a centralized operation devoid of duplications, adding that over 700 persons have died in various boat mishaps from 2007 to date in the state.He further gave a sectorial effect of flooding this year in Niger state such as, 215 risk schools in education sector, 7 commercial centres, 180,000 hectares of land in agriculture sector, 6 roads and 3 bridges in transportation sector and over 100,000 population.The guest lecturer, Professor Isah Idris of FUT Minna on the topic; Roles of Stakeholders in Disaster and Risk Management, advised that the resolutions reached on the Action Plan will go a long way in assisting to mitigate future occurrence of flood in Niger state.NEWS
Niger Police Arrest Dismissed Soldier for Impersonation, Fraud

From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Niger State Police Command has busted a dismissed Soldier who led a POS robbing syndicate for impersonation and fraudulent activities in a renewed Crack down on criminality in the State.In a statement issued by Command Public Relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun yesterday said the Command is determined to rid the state of criminal elements.
”Niger State Police Command intensify efforts to curb crime and criminality in the State, the following arrests were recently recorded”He disclosed that on 27th May, 2025 at about 2:30pm, a case of criminal breach of trust, fraud and theft was referred for Police investigation from a magistrate court to Tudun-Wada Div, which was reported by three victims. According to him, on 12th May, 2025 at about 10am, a suspected soldier went to a POS shop around Musa Bello primary school, Bida and deceitfully collected #120,000 from the operator and escaped.He disclosed that, similarly on 23rd May, 2025 at about 9.30am, the same suspect dressed in military camouflage went to a POS attendant at Kataeregi, collected #300,000 and equally escaped, while on 29th May, 2025 at about 4pm, the same situation occurred at a POS point along Mandela road and N50,000 was taken from the victim.The Spokesman said In the course of the investigation, Police detectives of the Division with the aid of technical intelligence arrested one Michael Musa of Mandela road, Minna in connection with the case.During interrogation, the suspect who was arrested in military attire confessed to these incidents, and claimed that he was a soldier, but he was dismissed in 2022 in Benin, Edo State.Similarly, on 26th May, 2025 around 7pm, a report was received at Maje Div that one Ibrahim Sheriff 18yrs of Kuki village Dutsenma, Katsina State and Hamisu Dalhatu 25yrs of Furakirke Sokoto State, both residing in Maje conspired and threatened one Samaila on phone to be kidnapped or pay thirty million naira ransom.The two suspects were trailed with the aid of technical intelligence and they were arrested.”The exhibits recovered include the phone and the SIM card used in making the threat calls. The case is also under investigation.NEWS
Bago Grants State Pardon to 11 Persons Sentenced to Death

From Dan Amasingha, MinnaNiger State Governor, Umaru Bago has granted unconditional State pardon to 11 persons sentenced to death by a Minna High court over a communal clash in Lavun local government areas.State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Nasiru Muhammad Muazu announced the pardon in a press briefing at Government house yesterday.
He disclosed that, the Governor exercising his power as contained in section 212 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended decided to grant the convicts state pardon. He said the gesture followed a plea made by the convicts to the State Governor and the office of the Attorney General which forwarded to the State Advisory council on the prerogative of mercy.”After the review by the advice of the council on prerogative of mercy in the state, the Governor decided to grant the pardon on the 28th of May, 2025″He said the Governor decided to act by bringing lasting peace to the lingering communal clashes between Gaba and Anfani communities in Lavun local government area of Niger State.According to the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice the Governor had held a series of peace building meetings with the two warring communities before the pardon was granted.”Promises were made by the Governor to both communities to find a lasting solution to the perennial clash, but I can’t disclose the details.”The Eleven pardoned convicts are Mohammed Mohammed, Ndana Alhaji Sheshi, Isah Baba Madu, Mohammed Mohammed Nda Bida, Abubakar Baba Salihu, and Baba Mohammed Shaba.Other beneficiaries are Adamu Mohammed Baba, Haruna Muhammed, Isah Mohammed Alhaji inuwa, Ibrahim Mohammed and Mohammed Isah.A Minna High court on the 8th February 2022 sentenced eleven members of Anfani community to death by hanging for culpable homicide as a result of a communal clash between Gaba and Anfani communities since 2018.