News

Selfish Bauchi politicians opposing Gov Mohammed’s defection to APC – Party chieftain

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2026

Preport

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Aliyu Ilelah, has said that only self-centred politicians who do not want President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win the 2027 general election would oppose Governor Bala Mohammed’s purported move to defect to the APC.

Ilelah, flanked by hundreds of supporters, stated this on Wednesday while addressing reporters in Bauchi.

He was reacting to a caucus meeting of APC stalwarts led by Senator Samaila Dahuwa, representing Bauchi North, which opposed the move to admit the Bauchi State governor into the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

He described the caucus’ position as curious and driven by bitterness and personal interests rather than the collective success of the APC.

“It is disrespectful to the leadership of the party and Mr President. While the President and the APC national leadership are reaching out to the governor, the so-called caucus is on the other hand trying to close the door against a sitting governor. The party does not belong to them alone,” Ilelah said.

He alleged that members of the caucus were pursuing personal interests, noting that some of them had moved from one party to another after losing primaries, while others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC without consulting stakeholders.

Ilelah warned that the caucus should not endanger President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid through what he described as self-serving and politically suicidal decisions.

According to him, the majority of APC supporters in Bauchi State want Governor Mohammed to join the party and are ready to support him.

He added that the governor could become one of President Tinubu’s strongest electoral assets, not only in Bauchi State but beyond.

“We love and endorse President Tinubu’s second-term bid, and it is paradoxical for a few caucus members to attempt to block a sitting governor who could strengthen the party’s chances in the elections,” he said.

He further argued that any political party would welcome a sitting governor with a large political structure, including commissioners, local government chairmen, advisers, supporters and well-wishers.

Ilelah said the decision of the caucus exposes what he described as a growing disconnect between its members and the people, as well as the President’s national vision.

He warned that any political strategy that alienated Bauchi’s sitting governor would be short-sighted and dangerous to the party’s national interest.

He also commended President Tinubu’s inclusive political approach, citing alignments across states such as Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Adamawa, Taraba and Plateau as examples of bridge-building efforts within the party.

Describing the caucus’ actions as a “dangerous contradiction,” Ilelah questioned their political maturity and loyalty to the party’s national leadership.

He, however, urged Governor Mohammed to remain patient and join the APC, assuring that the majority of party members in Bauchi are ready to give him a rousing welcome.

Business

NCC Moves to Roll Out Affordable Smartphones in Nigeria

Published

4 minutes ago

April 28, 2026

Preport

MATINS IBE(Abuja) —The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has announced the Commission’s intention to make low-cost smartphones available in the market.

He explained that the initiative is designed to ensure wider access to mobile devices for Nigerians at more affordable rates.

He made this known recently during a media briefing with journalists in Abuja, stating, “We are exploring ways to bring less expensive smartphones into circulation.”

He also noted that despite the push for affordability, there is a clear shift in usage trends, with more people adopting 4G technology while gradually moving away from 3G and 2G devices.

“From available data, we are observing a steady transition to 4G connectivity. Currently, over 52 percent of users are on 4G networks,” he added.

He also commended media coverage of the telecommunications sector, describing it as instrumental in supporting the Commission’s work.

According to him, press reporting has helped in policy execution, keeping the public informed about developments, and ensuring regulatory accountability.

The post NCC Moves to Roll Out Affordable Smartphones in Nigeria appeared first on Business Today NG.

News

Killings, kidnappings danming indictment of leadership failure under Tinubu: Obi

Published

21 minutes ago

April 28, 2026

Preport

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the ongoing killings across the country, describing the situation as a damning indictment of President Bola Tinubu’s failure to protect Nigerians.

“What we have witnessed across our country in just the past 48 hours is not only tragic, it is utterly unacceptable and a damning indictment of our collective failure of leadership,” said Mr Obi in a statement on Tuesday.

The politician’s statement came hours after terrorists killed 19 residents in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State. Terrorists also killed and kidnapped several people in Katsina, Kaduna, Kogi, Plateau and other states.

Mr Obi, who decried the killings, accused Mr Tinubu of neglecting his constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“Nigeria is bleeding. We are fast becoming a nation where human life is treated as expendable, where citizens live in fear, and where the basic duty of government, to protect lives and property, is repeatedly neglected,” he stated.

The politician also condemned what he described as the normalisation of tragedy under and urged the government to take urgent action to safeguard Nigerians.

“This cannot continue. A nation cannot develop under the weight of such persistent insecurity and human tragedy. The normalisation of these horrors is itself a crisis.

“We must ask, with all sense of urgency and responsibility: where is the leadership? Where is the coordination, the competence, and the compassion required to confront this menace decisively?” Mr Obi said.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International, in a statement on Tuesday, said the persistent violence in the country underscored the need for stronger measures to protect civilians, adding that authorities must ensure justice and reparations for victims and their families.