National News
2027: A glance at Yobe politics and those struggling to succeed Governor Mala Buni

2027: A glance at Yobe politics and those struggling to succeed Governor Mala Buni
By: Yahaya Wakili
Yobe State in 2027 remains politically heavily influenced by a concentrated group of established elites, including former and current governors, legislators, and traditional leaders who maintain significant control over party nominations and resource distribution. This centralized power structure has contributed to political stability and smooth transitions but simultaneously limits democratic participation and impedes broader developmental progress. Notably, long-serving legislators such as Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio exemplify the entrenched nature of this elite dominance. Within this context, the question of Governor Mala Buni’s successor is largely shaped by these influential actors rather than open electoral competition.

Yobe’s political future appears to be orchestrated by a limited cadre of power brokers whose influence will likely determine Governor Buni’s successor. The absence of transparent contestation or emerging alternative leaders suggests continuity within established networks rather than transformative political shifts by 2027.
For now, about six politicians are currently struggling to succeed Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, in the 2027 general elections in Yobe State. The names currently circulating in the social media, who are all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), include The former Senate President and current Senator for the Yobe North Senatorial District, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, PhD, GCON Sardaunan Bade; Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, Turakin Fika, Yobe South Senatorial District; Senator Musa Mustapha, Yobe East Senatorial District; Hon. Jibrin Mai Gari, a Commissioner representing Yobe State in the Federal Character Commission; Hon. Kolo Lawan Geidam, who was currently a mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, FCT Abuja; and the current Secretary to the State Government, Baba Mallam Wali mni

But the battle line may be drawn between former Senate President Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, PhD, GCON, and Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai. The two top gladiators in Yiobe politics have been working to win the people recently. All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, however, is warning its members to desist from such calling because it says it is too early now to start campaigning for the 2027 general elections. Yobe State is divided into three senatorial zones: Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C. Zone A is Yobe East, Zone B is Yobe South, and Zone C is Yobe North.

Despite rumors circulating about Governor Buni’s potential defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), official statements from his spokesperson categorically deny any intention to leave the party or join coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections. This affirmation underscores Buni’s continued centrality within the APC framework in Yobe State. However, neither these denials nor public discourse provide clarity on who might succeed him after his tenure concludes.
Since the return of democracy in the country in 1999, only the APC has been ruling the state, and they call it a one-party state in the country, and since then only Zone A has been producing the governor; this includes the late Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Minister of Police Affairs Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, and current Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, and Zone B has produced only one governor, the late Senator Mamman B. Ali, and he spent only 18 months in office before he died, while Zone C didn’t produce anyone, not even the deputy governor. But recently , in his interview with newsmen at his residence in Potiskum, the former APC State Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Abdu Chillariye, said rotation or zoning has become necessary in Yobe politics if they want the party to succeed in the 2027 general elections in the state.

According to Adamu Abdu Chillariye, if they want justice in the politics of Yobe State, let the party introduce the rotating formula of the governorship set in the 2027 general elections to other zones. It is not a traditional institution to say that only one tribe or one zone can continue to produce the governor at any time, he said. This will not augur well for our great party, and even after our lives, the rotating must be done in Yobe politics. If they want justice to prevail in Yobe politics, people are afraid to say the truth. The people of Zone C are crying for marginalization; they said they were marginalized, and they call on the party in the state to do justice. They expressed their feelings. The people of Yobe North, Zone C, have started appealing to the party leadership that this time around it is the turn of Zone C. Because the marginalization is too much, they said since the restoration of democracy in 1999, the people of Zone C have been marginalized. They said we, the people of Zone C, are always loyal to the APC, but they do not carry us along; they have always marginalized us in Yobe politics.

They also expressed their feelings on Yobe politics; the people of Yobe South Zone B said, This time is our turn. Let them allow us to complete our tenure because the late Senator Mamman B. Ali spent only 18 months in office before he died. He was supposed to spend 4 years in office, so the people of Zone B are overdue to complete their tenure. The political analysis in Yobe State says this time in Yobe State, if care is not taken, in 2027 the APC in Yobe State will lose its credibility and its seat to the opposition party in the state because the opposition will use this opportunity to wrestle the governor’s seat in the state. They said the politics of Yobe is becoming a family affair, and if the APC doesn’t change its style of dictatorship, it will lead them to failure.
2027: A glance at Yobe politics and those struggling to succeed Governor Mala Buni
National News
We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged
By: Michael Mike
Rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday narrated their ordeal on breathing air of freedom in Nigeria, alleging that they were sexually harassed by their Chinese employers while workers at mining site.
The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived Nigeria and paid an appreciation visit to the NIDCOM office, where they were received by Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other management staff.
The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn said it is important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.
“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.
“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.
Freeborn said they had suffered a lot in the past 20 months that they left Nigeria and pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.
He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment leaving them starving in a harsh and unsafe living conditions. With support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.
Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf.
The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.
NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.
She also called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down back in the country.
A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees.
Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.
Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.
Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
End
National News
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.
According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.
Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.
The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.
Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.
The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
National News
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.
It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.
Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.
“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.
“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.
He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
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