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Bauchi State chapter of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced severance of talks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over planned defection of its members and supporters led by the state governor, Sen Bala Abdulkador Mohammed. The announcement of the decision was made on Saturday by the state chairman of the […]

The planned defection of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, has collapsed following disagreements over a proposed power-sharing formula.

Chairman of the Turaki-led PDP faction in the state, Sama’ila Burga, made this disclosure on Saturday while addressing newsmen in Bauchi.

Burga said the consultations between the governor, his Turaki-led PDP faction, and the APC leadership ended in a deadlock after the ruling party reportedly rejected a 60/40 formula for the control of party structure in Bauchi State.

Meanwhile, the governor and his supporters have, however, declared their openness to align with other political parties, noting that plans were underway to consider fresh options for possible defection from the ward to the state level.

Burga further stated that the APC had shown it was not ready to accommodate the PDP structure and the state government.

According to him, the APC initiated talks through the governor, involving its national leadership and the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, who visited Bauchi to persuade Mohammed to join the party.

He said the discussions, however, stalled after the APC failed to agree to the 60–40 sharing formula, which he noted had been adopted in similar defections in other states.

“This is how it has been done in other places where governors defected to APC. They rejected this formula and we have closed that discussion. You cannot expect a government bringing its structure from ward level to the state not to have control of the party.

“We have called for this press conference at the instance of His Excellency, the Governor, who is leading the discussions,” he said.

BREAKING: 2027: Bauchi Gov cancels defection move to APC, gives reasons

The planned defection of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has collapsed.

This was announced on Saturday by the Chairman of the Turaki-led PDP faction in the state, Sama’ila Burga, who blamed the APC for nothing that the party was not ready to accommodate the PDP structure and the state government.

He said the detection was over following disagreements over a proposed power-sharing formula.

Recall consultations between the governor, his Turaki-led PDP faction, and the APC leadership was conducted in order to receive the PDP group into the APC.

After weeks of negotiations, the consultation to facilitate the defection has ended in a deadlock after the ruling party reportedly rejected a 60–40 formula for the control of party structure in Bauchi State.

The governor and his supporters have, however, declared their openness to align with other political parties, noting that plans are underway to consider fresh options for possible defection from the ward to the state level.

Burga disclosed that the APC initiated talks through the governor, involving its national leadership and the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, who visited Bauchi to persuade Mohammed to join the party.

He said the discussions, however, stalled after the APC failed to agree to the 60–40 sharing formula, which he noted had been adopted in similar defections in other states.

“This is how it has been done in other places where governors defected to APC. They rejected this formula and we have closed that discussion. You cannot expect a government bringing its structure from ward level to the state not to have control of the party,” Burga said

Burga added, “We have called for this press conference at the instance of His Excellency, the Governor, who is leading the discussions.”

Burga further stated that after extensive consultations with stakeholders, the PDP faction resolved to discontinue the talks.

“After careful consideration, it became clear that the conditions collectively advanced for such a political realignment were not accepted by the APC leadership. In light of this, we want to announce that the discussions have not yielded a conclusive outcome and are hereby formally discontinued,” he said.

He noted that the party is now exploring alternative political platforms.

“While we appreciate the outreach and engagement by the APC, we wish to state unequivocally that the process has now been brought to a close. Consequently, the PDP in Bauchi State, in consultation with His Excellency and other critical stakeholders, is actively considering all available political options other than the APC to determine the most suitable path forward in line with the aspirations and best interests of the people of Bauchi State,” he added

Bauchi Governor Halts APC Defection Plan Over Sharing Formula Dispute is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Ibrahim- Zailani, has formally declared his intention to contest the Kaduna Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, while endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for re-election.

Zailani, an ally of President Bola Tinubu, made the declaration on Saturday at Rigachikun Primary School, saying his decision followed persistent appeals from constituents, which he described as a “divine call to serve.”

“This is not about personal ambition. I am answering a divine call to serve my people and advance the interests of Kaduna Central,” he said.

The former speaker urged his supporters to embrace what he termed a “joint ticket,” backing his senatorial bid alongside Tinubu’s second-term ambition and Uba Sani’s re-election

“I urge you to support a joint ticket — from the presidency to the governorship and the Senate. Together, we can achieve more for our people,” he added.

Zailani hinged his ambition on the leadership of Tinubu, whom he described as his political mentor, commending the President’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy.

He claimed that the policy had significantly increased federal allocations to states, especially in the North, enabling governors to meet key obligations.

“Today, governors receive more funds than ever before. The president has done his part by making resources available. These allocations are enough to pay salaries, execute projects, and tackle insecurity,” he said.

He, however, challenged northern governors to translate the increased revenues into tangible development, stressing that the onus now lies on state governments to deliver.

“There is no excuse for failure. Leaders must justify these resources by improving the lives of the people. They must fear God and avoid mismanagement of public funds,” Zailani added.

The senatorial aspirant also called on the federal government to intervene in the rising cost of fertiliser, proposing a subsidy to bring down the price to about ₦15,000 per bag.

According to him, the high cost of agricultural inputs negatively impacted farmers during the last planting season and could threaten food production if not urgently addressed.

“Our farmers suffered greatly due to the high cost of fertiliser. The government must act now to support them and boost food production,” he said.

Zailani reaffirmed his loyalty to Tinubu and Uba Sani, dismissing speculations about any preferred candidate for the Senate seat and expressing confidence in their support for his aspiration.

“There is no anointed candidate. I am confident that the President and the governor will support my ambition,” he said.

Following the declaration, Zailani led a large crowd of supporters on a road show from Rigachikun to the Stadium Roundabout to mobilise grassroots support for his candidacy.

2027: Ex-Kaduna Speaker Declares For Senate, Drums Support For Tinubu, Sani is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, has revealed that the party took the strategic step of amending its constitution to remove the mandatory two-year waiting period for new members seeking elective or party offices. In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Nwosu admitted that the party’s original constitution […]

Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has issued a statement to mark the anniversary of the Islamic Republic’s creation and the birthday of his late father, Ali Khamenei, scheduled for tomorrow. In the statement shared on Telegram on Saturday, he praised Iran’s military for defending the country against the United States, describing its response as firm […]

Falconets head coach, Moses Aduku, has said his team is firmly focused on the clash with Malawi, DAILY POST reports.

The West Africans will battle Malawi for a place at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup next month.

Aduku’s side set up camp in Abuja for the qualifiers three weeks ago.

Nigeria will host the South Africans in the first leg at a yet to be named venue on Saturday, 2 May.

The return leg in Lilongwe will take place on Saturday, 9th May,

“We have a full squad on ground and everyone is focused on the task at hand. From now, we will concentrate on team planning and tactical work,” Aduku told thenff.com.

The Falconets defeated Senegal 3-1 on aggregate in the previous round.

Malawi hammered Guinea Bissau 6-2 on aggregate.

U-20 WWCQ: Falconets gearing up for Malawi clash – Aduku

A group of four men who vandalize and loot churches and schools have been apprehended in Umuahia, Abia State.

The four suspects were nabbed by the Amuzukwu Vigilante group in Umuahia while they were actively removing the roof of Amuzukwu Primary School.

The suspects who were arrested with some items they stole from the school, were also paraded with some electrical materials they had earlier stolen from a church in the city.

They were paraded at Mbara Ama Amuzukwu together with the items they stole.

However, the suspects who were said to have come from another community, were later handed over to officers of the Abia State Homeland Security Agency by the community security outfit.

Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of Abia State Homeland Security Agency, Ezinwanne Alili said the arrest was made in collaboration with Amuzukwu Vigilante group.

He condemned the vandalism of public property, saying that measures were being taken to safeguard government property and other areas of the state.

The Abia Homeland Security Agency PRO said that the apprehended suspects had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for thorough investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.

Vandalism syndicate smashed in Umuahia after stealing school, church property

The Lagos State Government has called on banks, eateries, filling stations, and other public-facing businesses to make their toilet facilities accessible to members of the public as part of efforts to curb open defecation.

The appeal was made by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a post shared on X on Saturday.

Wahab disclosed that the state currently has 1,710 functional public toilets strategically located across Lagos to serve residents and visitors. He, however, noted that government infrastructure alone is insufficient to meet the sanitation needs of the state’s growing population.

According to him, allowing public access to restrooms in private establishments would significantly complement government efforts and expand sanitation coverage across the state.

“Government cannot do this alone. We are encouraging businesses such as filling stations, banks, eateries, and other public-facing facilities to make their restrooms accessible to the public where possible,” he said.

The commissioner also reiterated the state’s commitment to enforcing environmental sanitation laws, warning that individuals caught engaging in open defecation would be arrested and prosecuted.

He described the enforcement measures as necessary to protect public health, uphold human dignity, and maintain a cleaner environment.

Wahab added that improving sanitation in Lagos requires collective responsibility, urging residents and businesses to support government initiatives aimed at keeping the state clean, safe, and habitable.

“At the same time, we continue to enforce environmental sanitation laws. Individuals caught engaging in open defecation are being arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. These measures are necessary to protect public health, preserve dignity, and maintain a cleaner environment for all.

“Access to sanitation is a shared responsibility. While government continues to expand infrastructure, residents and businesses must also play their part in ensuring Lagos remains clean, safe, and habitable,” he stated.

With a total of 1,710 public toilets that exist in the state, this amounts to roughly one toilet per 14,000 residents.

Between June and July 2025, at least 21 individuals were jailed for open defecation and urination. The jail term ranged from one to three months.

While the state is focused on punishing offenders, public toilets across the state—most of which are run by private individuals—are in highly unhygienic conditions, and users are required to pay to use them.

THE WHISTLER recent investigation revealed that these operators charge users N200 per use. This means that if a person uses the toilet five times in a day, they will pay N1,000.

Open Toilets To Public, Lagos Urges Banks, Eateries is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

… deploys 300 lecturers to tertiary institutions Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has approved the recruitment of 1,910 senior secondary school teachers and the deployment of 300 academic staff to tertiary institutions in a bid to strengthen the state’s education sector. The State Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Yusuf, disclosed this in Dutse, noting that […]