Author: The Whistler Newspaper

Former presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has described the National Convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as historic and a new step in the efforts towards rescuing Nigeria.

Speaking in a post via his X account on Wednesday, Kwankwaso said the convention held in Abuja on Tuesday, is a confirmation of the unbreakable spirit of the ADC.

The former Governor of Kano State, who expressed delight in being part of the convention, submitted that the ADC is ready to contest and win the forthcoming elections.

“I was delighted to join fellow party leaders and members at the historic ADC National Convention in Abuja.

“The convention united our great party in a single voice and unbreakable spirit a resolute commitment to remain unbent in our collective struggle for a better, greater Nigeria,” he wrote.

As earlier reported the ADC on Tuesday announced the expulsion of former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala-Gombe and a member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

The decision was announced during the party’s national convention held in Abuja by the faction under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark.

The convention, which took place at the Rainbow Events Centre, attracted more than 3,000 delegates and political stakeholders as the party intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The David Mark-led ADC also expelled Kenneth Ehiator, Stella Chukwu, and Elias Adiukwu from the party.

The Senator representing Adamawa south, Binos Yaroe, moved the motion for their expulsion on the floor of the convention, which was promptly seconded and adopted by delegates in attendance.

Kwankwanso in his post acknowledged the leadership of David Mark, congratulating him on the successful renewal of ADC mandate.

“With this renewed confidence, I am confident that our party will march on to resounding victory in the days ahead,” he said.

ADC Convention Historic Step To Rescue Nigeria — Kwankwaso is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Ondo State Executive Council has approved the construction of new hospital buildings across key towns in the state, alongside decisions on health infrastructure, chieftaincy matters, and other governance issues. The approvals were made during the meeting presided over by the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday, and disclosed by the state Commissioner for Health, […]

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentewe Yilwatda, has assured legacy members of the party that political defectors will not be allowed to take over leadership structures.

He gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen after a closed-door meeting with the party’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) stakeholders on Tuesday in Abuja.

He drew a clear distinction between those who were in the party from the beginning and those who just joined it, saying the interest of both would be protected without allowing one to subsume the other.

“It is a home that we built. If the house was not built, nobody will come, so nobody should come as a warrior and take over,” he said.

He added that the solution, however, was in a deliberate power-sharing formula that guaranteed inclusion across both blocs.

“We must have everybody included; there will be a sharing formula that will ensure that all members of the legacy group and defectors are properly carried along,” Yilwatda said.

On the APC FCT party structure, Yilwatda outlined a five-dimensional sharing formula which included gender inclusion, with women in substantive executive positions and not merely as women leaders.

Others, he said, are geopolitical representation across all six zones of the country, inclusion of the FCT’s indigenous tribes and youth engagement, among others.

The APC national chairman confirmed a committee chaired by the minister of special duties and inter-governmental affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo, describing its members as bona fide APC members.

He noted that the committee had conducted zoning for the FCT APC and that its work had been followed to the letter.

He further noted that so far, no APC member had complained of being cheated or deprived in any way, adding that the party’s Constitution would be strictly enforced in its coming congresses.

He added that defectors seeking executive positions must produce resignation letters accepted by their former party chairmen.

“If you are in opposition, you must give a resignation letter and show evidence of resignation and acceptance of your resignation by your former party chairman,” he said.

He reiterated the constitutional rule on tenure, saying if a member had spent eight consecutive years in one office, he must step down or, at best, change office.

The APC chairman used the occasion to articulate what he described as his core political philosophy, saying inclusion was a non-negotiable organisational principle.

“We must accommodate all tribes, including the geopolitical resource. I am chairing this party because of inclusion.

“If there is no inclusion, I can’t be here because my tribe is only found in two local governments of this country. I am a minority,” he said.

He noted that women were great mobilisers that should not be used only at election periods to win elections, saying they should be seen on the list of experts.

We Won’t Give Leadership Positions To Defectors, Says APC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has informed passengers and the general public of a bird strike involving one of its operating CRJ-900 aircraft….

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has declared that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity has escalated into a “state of war,” warning that the crisis now poses an existential threat to the country.

This position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 38th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the forum, held on April 11, 2026, in Abuja.

The meeting, presided over by the Chairman of the Board, Bashir M. Dalhatu, brought together prominent northern leaders and elder statesmen, including Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, M. D. Abubakar, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Tukur Yusufu Buratai, among others.

In the communiqué, the ACF said Nigeria’s security situation had deteriorated beyond conventional challenges, describing it as a full-blown conflict requiring urgent and decisive action.

“Nigeria’s security crisis has moved far beyond a routine governance challenge; it has since evolved… to a state of all-out war that now threatens the continued existence of Nigeria as we know it,” the forum said.

It noted that the violence, which initially manifested as insurgency in the North-East, had spread to include banditry, mass kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central, as well as persistent inter-communal clashes and farmer-herder conflicts.

According to the forum, “The scale, persistence, and human cost of violence demand a fundamental shift in national priorities. The time has come for the government of Nigeria to treat this crisis not as one issue among many, but as the overriding national emergency.”

The ACF lamented the heavy human toll of the insecurity, stating that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians had either been killed or displaced across states such as Borno, Plateau, Niger and Kwara.

“This is not even counting the large number of our armed forces personnel, including very senior military officers. Families have been shattered, livelihoods destroyed, and entire generations traumatised,” it said.

The forum also warned that the persistent insecurity was crippling the nation’s economy, particularly the agricultural sector, which it said remained a major source of livelihood in the North.

“Insecurity is now directly undermining Nigeria’s economy. Agriculture—especially in the North—is under severe threat. Supply chains are disrupted, inflation is worsened, and rural economies are collapsing,” the communiqué added.

It stressed that continued neglect of the crisis would make recovery more costly, arguing that prioritising security spending should not be seen as a distraction from development.

“Redirecting national resources toward security is not a diversion from economic development; it is a prerequisite for it,” the forum stated.

Calling for what it described as a “war-time approach,” the ACF urged the Federal Government to temporarily suspend or scale down non-essential projects and channel resources toward tackling insecurity.

“Extraordinary threats require extraordinary measures. Nigeria needs to temporarily suspend or scale down budgeting on non-essential projects and focus national energy, funding, and leadership attention on bringing the security crisis to an end without further delay,” it said.

The forum, however, clarified that such measures did not imply abandoning development efforts but rather prioritising security as the foundation for sustainable growth.

“This does not mean abandoning development—but sequencing it correctly: secure the nation first, then build it,” the communiqué noted.

The ACF further warned that Nigeria stood at a critical crossroads, stressing that failure to act decisively could jeopardise the country’s stability and future.

“The escalating security crisis threatens not just lives, but the very stability and future of the nation. The government must act with urgency and clarity of purpose—reordering national priorities, mobilising all available resources, and treating the crisis with the seriousness it demands,” it added.

It concluded that until Nigerians could live and work without fear, national aspirations would remain unattainable.

“Until Nigerians can live in peace and with dignity, work on their farms, travel without fear, every other national ambition remains on hold in practice, if not in policy. The path forward is clear: secure the nation first—decisively, comprehensively, and without delay,” the communiqué stated.

Insecurity Now ‘State of War’, ACF Warns, Urges Emergency Measures is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

United Nigeria Airlines operations have been disrupted following a bird strike incident that forced the grounding of one of its aircraft, marking the fifth such occurrence for the airline in 2026.

The airline disclosed that the affected aircraft, a CRJ-900, encountered a bird strike while landing in Abuja on Flight UN0579 from Kano.

The flight had departed the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport en route to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport when the incident occurred.

This was contained in a statement made available on Wednesday by the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka.

Confirming the development, the airline said the aircraft was immediately withdrawn from service in line with safety protocols.

“In line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from operations to undergo comprehensive technical inspections and any required maintenance before being returned to service,” the airline stated.

The development is expected to affect flight schedules across the airline’s network.

United Nigeria Airlines, however, appealed for patience, assuring customers that every decision taken prioritises their safety.

“Consequently, some flights across our network may not operate as scheduled; however, safety remains our highest priority. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this unforeseen development may cause to our passengers’ travel plans,” the airline added.

While acknowledging that this is the fifth bird strike incident involving its fleet this year, the airline maintained that all cases have been handled in accordance with aviation standards.

“Each occurrence has been managed in full compliance with applicable aviation safety regulations and established operational procedures,” the statement read.

The airline further reassured the flying public of its commitment to safe and reliable operations.

The statement stated, “We appreciate the understanding of our valued passengers and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational reliability. We will continue to take all necessary measures to optimise our operations and exceed the expectations of our passengers.”

Bird Strike Grounds United Nigeria Aircraft, Disrupts Flights is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Counter-narcotics police in eastern Afghanistan have destroyed more than 100 kilogrammes of illegal drugs as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that regulatory bottlenecks, high right-of-way charges, and infrastructure vandalism continue to hinder Nigeria’s digital expansion drive.

The Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, raised the concern during a training programme held in Abuja. The event was organised by the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with support from the European Union (EU).

Represented by the NCC Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Sunday Abraham, Maida said the challenges continue to slow progress despite ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.

The training programme, held at the DBI headquarters in Abuja’s Jabi district, brought together 31 participants from 10 countries across Africa and Europe. It aims to equip them with critical skills in fibre optic infrastructure deployment.

Maida linked the initiative to Nigeria’s broader goals of expanding broadband penetration, improving financial inclusion, and enhancing service delivery nationwide.

“Robust, well-regulated fibre optic infrastructure is the foundation for any digital transformation agenda,” he said.

He noted that under Project BRIDGE, the Federal Government plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables across the country to improve connectivity in all 774 local government areas. However, he stressed that regulatory constraints and vandalism remain significant obstacles.

According to him, 13 states have already waived right-of-way charges, a move he said is attracting increased investment from telecom operators. He also cited a 2024 presidential order designating telecom infrastructure as critical national information infrastructure as a step toward strengthening asset protection.

In his remarks, DBI President and CEO, David Daser, described the programme as a strategic effort to develop a future-ready workforce capable of driving broadband expansion and innovation.

“This programme represents a significant milestone in advancing resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital infrastructure,” he said, adding that it also serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and international collaboration.

Daser explained that participants would gain competencies in fibre deployment planning, regulatory frameworks, infrastructure sharing, and stakeholder engagement—key areas needed to unlock broadband growth and digital job opportunities.

Also speaking, ITU Project Officer, Ghazi Mabrouk, said the initiative is part of the organisation’s broader capacity-building efforts, which deliver over 150 training programmes annually.

He commended participants for their commitment to learning and collaboration, noting that DBI remains a key partner within ITU’s global network of training centres.

Meanwhile, Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, reaffirmed the EU’s support for Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

She highlighted the development of fibre optic infrastructure as central to enabling digital growth and disclosed that the EU has committed €820m to Nigeria’s digital economy. The package is targeted at boosting digital skills, innovation, and infrastructure expansion.

Stefanowicz also emphasised the importance of private sector participation, noting that EU-backed initiatives are designed to mobilise financing, expertise, and sustainable technologies to bridge infrastructure gaps.

Right-of-Way Charges, Vandalism Slowing Digital Growth — NCC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

United Nigeria Airlines has recorded another bird strike, bringing the total number of such incidents involving its aircraft to five since January.

The latest incident involved a CRJ-900 aircraft during the landing of Flight UN0579 from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Tuesday.

The airline’s public relations officer, Chibuike Uloka, in a statement, said the development could disrupt some flights across its network.

The statement reads: “In line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from operations to undergo comprehensive technical inspections and any required maintenance before being returned to service.

“Consequently, some flights across our network may not operate as scheduled; however, safety remains our highest priority. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this unforeseen development may cause to our passengers’ travel plans.

“While this marks the fifth bird strike involving our aircraft since January 2026, each occurrence has been managed in full compliance with applicable aviation safety regulations and established operational procedures.”

Recurring bird strike incidents across the country’s airports have continued to raise concerns among stakeholders.

An ornithologist, Jalo Muhammad, who recently spoke on the issue, fingered environmental factors around airports.

Muhammad said, “Usually, birds are highly mobile, and this makes them an incredible creature. They are always attracted to the habitat. If the airport is around a big wetland area, there will definitely be an abundance of birds, which may lead to bird strikes. In grassland areas, there are a lot of rodents which draw the attention of certain birds.

“If an airport in an untouched area is not properly managed, the activities can attract most of those birds. Even though birds do not like noise, the ones (lapwings, kite, Shikra and others) that settle around an airport area are good adapters. No matter the changes made around them, they will adapt as long as there is food around them.”

 

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has defended the controversial airstrike on Jilli in Borno State, insisting that those killed in the operation were not innocent civilians but individuals actively supporting insurgents.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV yesterday, following a high-level security meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu, Musa maintained that the strike was based on credible intelligence and targeted a known hub for terrorist logistics and supplies.

He said: “There was no innocent person there. Anybody in that location knew what they were doing. They were there for business with terrorists.”

The airstrike, which has drawn criticism amid reports of civilian casualties, has sparked renewed debate over Nigeria’s counterinsurgency tactics and the delicate balance between military necessity and civilian protection.

But Musa dismissed suggestions of operational error or faulty intelligence, insisting that the military acted on verified information and struck at the right time.

“We moved based on intelligence, we identified the location, and we hit the target. It was a deliberate operation,” he said.

According to him, the Jilli area had long been designated a no-go zone due to its use by insurgents and their collaborators. He explained that the location served as a marketplace where individuals supplied food, fuel, and materials to terrorist groups operating in the region.

“That place is not a normal civilian market,” Musa stated. “It is a point where terrorists meet with those who support them—people who bring in supplies, including items used to sustain their operations.” he said.

He argued that economic incentives have driven individuals into such activities, noting that traders could make significant profits by selling goods to insurgents in remote areas.

“If you take a bag of rice there, you can sell it for as much as N150,000. The attraction is huge. People go there deliberately to make money, fully aware of who they are dealing with,” he said.

Musa stressed that individuals who knowingly provide logistics or financial support to insurgents cannot be classified as innocent civilians under the laws of armed conflict.

“He who supports a terrorist is one of them,” he declared. “Your actions enable them to survive, to fight, and to kill others. That makes you part of the system.”

The Defence Minister acknowledged that the distinction between civilians and combatants can be complex in asymmetric warfare but insisted that the military remains careful in its targeting decisions.

He, however, drew a clear line between those coerced into cooperation and those who willingly engage with insurgents for profit.

“There are people who are forced, who are victims themselves—that is different,” Musa said. “But those who willingly go into these areas to trade with terrorists are not innocent. They made that choice.”

Reports following the strike suggested that dozens of people may have been killed, raising concerns among rights groups and local communities. However, Musa questioned the credibility of such claims, noting the absence of verifiable evidence.

“Did anybody show pictures? Did anyone confirm those numbers?” he asked, casting doubt on casualty figures circulating in the media.

He also referenced feedback from local authorities, including regional leaders familiar with the area, to support his position that Jilli was not a conventional civilian settlement.

“Anybody who knows that area understands what it represents. It had been evacuated. So what were people doing there?” he queried.

Musa further argued that continued collaboration between civilians and insurgents is a major factor prolonging the conflict in the North-East, stressing that cutting off such support networks would significantly weaken terrorist groups.

“These logisticians are the ones sustaining them. Without them, the terrorists cannot operate,” he said. “If Nigerians collectively refuse to support these groups, this war can end much faster.”

The Defence Minister also warned that individuals who expose themselves by engaging with insurgents risk being caught in military operations.

“If you make yourself available in that environment, you become part of the threat landscape,” he said.