News All Around

1,212 Young Africans Vie for Spots in Prestigious Energy Leadership Fellowship as 124 Candidates Advance to Screening Stage

Abuja, Nigeria – The Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha (DAM Foundation), in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Wing, is set to screen 124 outstanding applicants for the inaugural Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship (MAELF), a flagship initiative aimed at grooming Nigeria’s next generation of energy leaders and innovators.

The prestigious seven-day residential fellowship attracted 1,212 applications from young Nigerians and Africans seeking to contribute to the transformation of the energy sector. The programme is designed to equip participants with cutting-edge knowledge in renewable energy, energy transition policy, climate action, leadership, and governance.

Speaking on the fellowship, APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, described MAELF as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future.

According to him, “The future of Nigeria’s economic growth and industrial development depends largely on the quality of leadership within the energy sector. Through MAELF, we are building a new generation of energy experts, policy innovators, entrepreneurs, and executives who will drive Nigeria’s energy transition and position Africa as a global force in sustainable energy development.”

Outstanding fellows will benefit from internship placements, mentorship opportunities, policy engagement platforms, field visits, and access to grants of up to ₦20 million to support innovative clean energy solutions.

The Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha (DAM Foundation) and the APC National Youth Wing said the fellowship aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, while creating a lasting pipeline of young professionals equipped to lead the nation’s energy future.

Small Scall Business: Remi Far Ahead of Her Predecessors, Deserves Fair Assessment, Says Shehu Sani

Former lawmaker and human rights activist, Shehu Sani has defended Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, urging Nigerians to judge her public service record based on her humanitarian interventions rather than the controversy generated by her recent remarks encouraging small-scale entrepreneurship.

Sani made the appeal in a post on his verified X account on Monday, following widespread public criticism of the First Lady’s suggestion that Nigerians facing economic hardship could engage in low-capital businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and selling kuli-kuli to earn a living.

The remarks sparked intense debate on social media, with critics describing them as insensitive to prevailing economic realities, while supporters argued that they promoted self-reliance and entrepreneurship.

Defending the First Lady, Sani said her contributions to humanitarian causes since assuming office alongside President Bola Tinubu in May 2023 have been substantial and should not be overshadowed by a single comment.

“The record of the First Lady as one who raised billions for the moribund National Library on her birthday, and financially supported nursing schools, cancer research, tuberculosis eradication, tertiary education, widows and orphans of fallen soldiers, victims of communal and terrorist violence in Plateau and Borno states, the elderly across the states, artists and even victims of tanker explosions, should ideally be assessed and appreciated beyond the Akara comment,” Sani wrote.

He added: “Be fair, use facts and figures and just compare her outings with that of her recent predecessors.”

Sani’s intervention comes amid sustained public discourse over the role of public officials in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, with many Nigerians expressing frustration over rising living costs and declining purchasing power.

Supporters of the First Lady have pointed to several interventions undertaken through the Renewed Hope Initiative, including financial support for healthcare, education, social welfare, agricultural empowerment, assistance to widows and vulnerable groups, as well as humanitarian relief for victims of disasters and violent conflicts.

According to publicly announced programmes, the initiative has also committed significant funding to tuberculosis control, breast cancer intervention, nutrition programmes and educational scholarships across the country.

The debate has continued to generate mixed reactions across political and social circles, reflecting broader public concerns over the nation’s economic situation. While critics insist that government officials should demonstrate greater sensitivity in their public comments, supporters maintain that encouraging entrepreneurship remains a practical response to economic hardship.

Sani, however, maintained that any objective assessment of the First Lady should consider her overall record of philanthropy and social interventions rather than focusing solely on one controversial statement.

FGGA Dismisses Gbajabiamila Bribery Allegations as Campaign of Calumny by Desperate Politicians

A civil society group, under the umbrella of Forum for Good Governance and Accountability (FGGA), has dismissed the bribery allegations levelled against the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, describing the claims as frivolous, baseless and unsupported by evidence.

The group’s reaction comes amid growing public debate over allegations recently made against the former Speaker of the House of Representatives by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed that Gbajabiamila demanded and received bribes in connection with the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The allegations have also attracted calls from opposition figures for an independent investigation.

In a statement signed by Dr. Mohammed Musa Kaura, the group maintained that Gbajabiamila’s long record in public service speaks for itself, insisting that the allegations do not reflect his reputation or career in government.

According to the group, Gbajabiamila served as Leader of the House of Representatives for eight years before becoming Speaker for another four years, and currently serves as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

“Throughout these years of public service, he has never been found guilty of wrongdoing or corruption. The allegations being circulated against him are not only frivolous but completely unfounded,” the group stated.

It argued that public office holders should not be subjected to trial by media, stressing that accusations must be supported by credible evidence and investigated through lawful institutions rather than the court of public opinion.

The group warned against what it described as politically motivated attempts to tarnish the image of senior government officials through unverified allegations, saying such actions could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.

It further urged Nigerians to allow due process to take its course and refrain from reaching conclusions before competent authorities establish the facts.

The group noted that Gbajabiamila has built a reputation over more than two decades in public service and legislative leadership, adding that his record as a lawmaker, Speaker of the House of Representatives and now Chief of Staff should not be overshadowed by what it described as “unsubstantiated accusations.”

The group however insisted that claims remain unproven and should be subjected to due legal process before any conclusions are drawn.

Kaduna Hockey Teams Target Successful Title Defence at National Championship in Abuja

…Commend Uba Sani for Support, Adequate Funding

Defending champions Kaduna State hockey teams, Kada Stars and Kada Queens, have expressed confidence ahead of the 2026 National Hockey Championship, vowing to retain their titles when the competition begins in Abuja on Friday.

The championship, scheduled to run from June 26 to July 4, is expected to attract some of Nigeria’s finest hockey talents, with 12 teams competing in the men’s category and eight teams battling for honours in the women’s event.

Kada Stars and Kada Queens head into the tournament as reigning national champions and among the favourites to emerge victorious once again, having established themselves as dominant forces in Nigerian hockey over the years.

Team officials and players said preparations for the championship had been completed, adding that both teams were determined to defend the titles they won at the previous edition of the competition.

Several players who spoke ahead of the tournament commended Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for his administration’s support for sports development, particularly hockey, noting that increased funding and encouragement from the government had contributed significantly to their achievements on the national stage.

According to the players, the Kaduna State Government was recently honoured with the title of Grand Patron in recognition of its commitment to the growth and development of hockey as well as its consistent support for the state’s teams.

Sports stakeholders said Governor Sani’s administration has prioritised sports development as part of its broader youth empowerment agenda, with investments in sporting infrastructure, talent development, grassroots sports programmes and athlete welfare.

The players also acknowledged the contributions of Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Sadiq Mamman Lagos, describing him as a committed supporter whose interventions and encouragement have helped sustain the teams’ championship-winning culture.

“The teams are highly motivated and in excellent condition. We have prepared very well, and the support from the state government has boosted our morale. We are optimistic about retaining our titles,” one of the players said.

During a visit to the teams’ training camp, former federal lawmaker and social commentator, Shehu Sani, urged the players to bring home more trophies and assured them that outstanding performances would attract recognition and rewards from the state government.

He charged the athletes to remain disciplined, focused and determined throughout the competition, describing them as worthy ambassadors of Kaduna State.

Sports analysts have consistently ranked Kaduna among Nigeria’s leading hockey centres, citing its long history of producing talented players and maintaining a strong presence in national competitions.

With expectations high among supporters and sports enthusiasts, Kada Stars and Kada Queens will be aiming to reinforce Kaduna State’s reputation as a powerhouse of Nigerian hockey when hostilities commence in Abuja this week.

The championship is expected to provide a platform for emerging talents to showcase their abilities while further strengthening the development of hockey across the country.

Nigeria’s Hydrogen, A Critical Component Of The Nation’s Clean Energy Transition Plan-Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology

The Director General, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi has stated that, the government wants Nigeria to be a hydrogen hub that would not just utilise, but export to other African countries.

The ECN Boss stated this in Abuja at the opening of a 3-day Summit on Low-Carbon Hydrogen Economy organised by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and the European Union (EU).

Dr Mustapha Abdullahi explained that the global hydrogen market was predicted to reach 50 billion dollars in the coming decades, stressing that Nigeria should leverage its massive natural gas reserves to produce blue hydrogen and create a new economic opportunity while working toward cleaner alternatives.

According to him, “We have over 209 trillion cubic feet below the surface as reserves. What we are trying to do is to create another economy to utilise that gas.

“We want Nigeria to be a hydrogen hub where we cannot just utilise, but export to other African countries.

Speaking on why ECN conveyed the Summit, the DG said the Energy Commission of Nigeria exists to look beyond the next budget cycle and the next election – to plan for the energy decisions whose consequences will be felt in 2040 and in 2060.

“Hydrogen is precisely that kind of decision. It is not a technology we are testing. It is an economy we are choosing to build, or choosing to leave to others.

Speaking on ECN’S institutional track record, Dr Mustapha said, “This is not a position the Commission has arrived at suddenly. Nigeria’s National Energy Policy was first approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2003, and a new edition – alongside the National Energy Master Plan – was approved again in 2022.

“Both named hydrogen as a clean energy carrier within Nigeria’s energy future. What changed in the years since, is not our interest – it is our capacity to act on it. In 2023, this Commission inaugurated its Hydrogen Committee, and that Committee commenced its work immediately.

“Today, the Energy Commission of Nigeria serves as the Project Executing Entity for Nigeria’s Child Project under the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s Global Clean Hydrogen Programme – one of only nine countries worldwide selected into that programme’s first phase.

“Under it, this Commission is already executing technical assistance for green hydrogen pilot demonstration.

“This Summit is not Nigeria’s starting point on hydrogen. It is Nigeria’s acceleration point. Nigeria’s Hydrogen Leapfrog begins here.

While speaking at the Summit, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udey said the Federal Government is determined to provide the enabling environment for effective utilisation of the nation’s abundant low-carbon hydrogen energy resources under its energy diversification initiatives.

As part of the blueprints towards achieving the objective, Udey said that a national hydrogen policy draft had reached an advanced stage and would become operational as soon as possible.

The Minister, represented by Dr Mukhtar Muhammad, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, described Nigeria’s hydrogen as a critical component of the nation’s clean energy transition plan.

“This government commits to ensuring that the regulatory clarity our agencies require to act, is not the obstacle to achieving economic diversification,” he said.

The Minister noted the technical support from Germany and UNIDO, but cautioned that necessary regulatory work and licensing, belonged strictly to Nigerian institutions.

“Our partners have offered Nigeria a door; they have not offered to walk through it on our behalf.

Mr Godfrey Ogbemudia, Programme Manager for Energy at the European Union Delegation, said that clean hydrogen offers immense opportunities for Nigeria to meet its net-zero and renewable targets.

“We are not only just interested in the knowledge that you are going to get. How does this translate into concrete investment?

“How does this help Nigeria meet its energy target? That is what we will be looking forward to see and we are going to follow this up strictly,” he said.

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Mr Semiu Adeniran, emphasised that low-carbon hydrogen was revolutionary for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like manufacturing and transport.

Represented by Kazeem Fatai, a Senior Statistician at the National Bureau of Statistics, Adeniran warned that successful transition frameworks should be evidence-based and economically viable.

“The development of a successful hydrogen ecosystem demands an entirely new baseline of robust statistics.

“We need high fidelity data tracking energy input-output ratios, infrastructure factor flows, green jobs, and crucially disaggregated data on industrial process,” he said.

Etiosa Uyigue, Executive Director of the Community Research and Development Centre, stated that the EU-funded project actively supports multiple core government agencies.

He listed the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency and the Rural Electrification Agency among institutions receiving crucial capacity building and data collection support.

“The overall objective of the project is to support the government efforts to achieve the energy transition goals,” He said

A low-carbon hydrogen economy is an economic model that uses hydrogen as a primary energy carrier and industrial raw material, produced with significantly reduced or net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

It is a critical component of global net-zero strategies designed to eliminate pollution from sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as aviation, shipping, and heavy manufacturing (e.g., steel and cement)

The economic importance of a low-carbon hydrogen economy lies in its ability to decarbonize energy-intensive industries, generate new jobs through infrastructure development, and enhance global energy security by diversifying fuel supplies.

It acts as a critical economic enabler for a sustainable green transition.

MIDDLE BELT BACKS EMIR OF ARGUNGU, CALLS FOR REGIONAL SECURITY ALLIANCE

By Odeh Oyi Akatu

ABUJA – The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has thrown its weight behind the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera, over his recent call for communities to organise against terrorism and banditry, declaring that the time has come for a united security and political alliance between the Middle Belt and Hausa Land.

In a press statement signed by its National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, on Wednesday, the MBF described the Emir’s intervention as a “wake-up call” for traditional rulers across the region to emulate his courage and patriotism.

The forum lamented that the Middle Belt remains the epicentre of Nigeria’s security crisis, bearing the heaviest human and economic losses from the activities of Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits, and kidnappers. It listed Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Gombe, Kogi, Taraba, the FCT, Southern Kaduna, Southern Kebbi, Southern Bauchi, Southern Borno and Southern Yobe as areas ravaged by persistent violence.

“If a respected traditional ruler from the Hausa heartland can openly encourage lawful community vigilance and collective security, then communities across the Middle Belt, which have carried the heaviest burdens of terrorism and kidnapping, must also begin serious discussions on how to strengthen community safety and survival within the law,” the statement read.

The MBF noted with interest the growing number of indigenous Hausa voices calling for justice, self-determination, and greater political and economic participation. It declared that the over 200 ethnic nationalities of the Middle Belt stand in solidarity with all Hausa people who believe in a peaceful, secure, and democratic Nigeria.

“The time has come for greater cooperation between the peoples of Hausa land and the Middle Belt who undeniably form the majority population of Northern Nigeria,” the forum said, adding that both regions must resist being exploited by a “more organised minority.”

The group announced that following consultations with key stakeholders, it hopes to convene a Security and Political Summit before 2027 to forge an alliance on their shared socio-political future.

“We cannot afford to allow historical grievances, religious and ethnic divides to shackle us for the exploitation and domination of a more organised minority in both in the Middle Belt and Hausa Land,” the MBF added.

The forum urged traditional rulers across the Middle Belt, regardless of religion or ethnicity, to emulate the Emir of Argungu’s initiative, stressing that collective security and political partnership are essential to the survival of ordinary Nigerians in the region.

EMERGING VIOLENT CONFLICT TRENDS IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA.

ENENE EJEMBI.

Nigeria continues to face a variety of concurrent security challenges, each multifaceted and posing serious threats to national stability. For the past two decades, these challenges have kept the country in a state of crisis, resulting in thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions, and the destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods. The Northwest is among the most affected zones, with rural areas bearing the brunt of insecurity.

Rich in agriculture and endowed with valuable resources, the region has long struggled with banditry and related threats, some dating back to the pre-colonial period. The discovery of gold has further complicated the security situation, attracting armed groups competing for control. According to ACLED, 13,485 deaths were attributed to banditry between 2010 and May 2023, though figures may be higher based on local and media reports. Thousands more have been displaced, with livelihoods destroyed. Weak law enforcement and corruption have enabled these groups to thrive, often armed with sophisticated weapons smuggled across porous borders.

Banditry remains the dominant form of conflict in the region, reflecting widespread criminal activity and lawlessness. These groups do not pursue religious or political ideologies. What began as cattle rustling and localized resource disputes has evolved into organized criminal networks that increasingly adopt terrorist tactics, blurring the line between crime and insurgency. Their central aim is the accumulation of economic resources through looting, kidnapping for ransom, illegal gold mining, cattle rustling, and other criminal activities.

The current nature of banditry, particularly in Northwest and Northcentral Nigeria, has taken on political, religious, and cultural dimensions, with new groups emerging rapidly. Lakurawa, for example, evolved from an ordinary bandit group into a sophisticated organization and was designated a terrorist group by the Nigerian government in January 2025.

The drivers of banditry in the Northwest stem from communal tensions, governance failures, security weaknesses, and regional dynamics. Farmer–herder clashes have evolved into a complex violent ecosystem. Security forces remain constrained by capacity gaps and weak coordination. The breakdown of governance has further fueled insecurity, as many rural local government areas (LGAs) have minimal or no state presence, allowing bandits to establish parallel governance systems. Cross-border dynamics exacerbate the situation, with porous borders with Niger enabling the inflow of weapons and creating links to Sahel-based terrorist groups.

Kidnapping has also become one of Nigeria’s most pressing security challenges. According to a Nextier report, 3,141 victims of kidnapping were recorded in 1,274 incidents in 2025 alone higher than the annual totals of the previous five years (2021–2025). Mass abductions expanded beyond the Northwest into states such as Kwara in the Northcentral zone, though the Northwest remains the primary hub. Bandits are the main perpetrators, motivated by ransom collection, recruitment, forced marriages, and, in some cases, sexual exploitation.

Emerging trends include the fragmentation of armed groups, making them harder to dismantle or negotiate with. Splinter factions often act autonomously while maintaining ties to larger networks. Violence in the Northwest is also spilling into the Northcentral and Southwest zones, with armed groups appearing in Kwara and Niger State. The rise of Lakurawa illustrates how fragmentation can lead to new, more sophisticated operations.

Civilian targets such as schools, markets, highways, and transport hubs are frequently attacked, crippling local economies. Boarding schools have become soft targets for mass abductions due to weak security, exploited as pools for recruiting boys and forcing girls into early marriages. Markets and transport hubs are equally vulnerable, as seen in the Kaduna–Abuja train attack of 2022. Weak or absent government presence in rural areas has fueled community vigilantism. Distrust of state security agencies has led communities to form self-defense groups.

Policy responses have been introduced, but some raise concerns. U.S. military operations and joint Nigeria–U.S. strikes targeting ISIS in Sokoto State, alongside Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), may push groups to decentralize, making them harder to track, or provoke retaliatory attacks against civilians. They may also foster dependency, with Nigerian forces delaying long-term capacity building and relying heavily on U.S. intervention.

Political conflicts in Kano influence not only the Northwest but also national politics. Persistent factionalism undermines party cohesion and risks violent clashes as the 2027 elections approach.

Kidnapping-for-ransom and banditry remain grave threats to peace and stability. Effective policy responses must prioritize strengthening community policing, enhancing intelligence-gathering, deploying rapid response units along highways and rural corridors, and building trust between communities and state security agencies. Empowering traditional rulers, creating dialogue platforms, and integrating community-based early warning systems are essential.

Nigeria stands at a consequential crossroads. The country is battling multiple fronts of insecurity across both the North and South. These pressures have tested state capacity, public trust, and social cohesion. Yet they highlight a central truth: insecurity and economic fragility are mutually reinforcing, and neither can be sustainably addressed in isolation. Therefore, recommendations to this challenge include governance reforms to address gaps in the mining sector exploited by armed groups; improved collaboration between the Office of the National Security Adviser and border security agencies to strengthen border control; and enhanced cooperation between the Department of State Services (DSS) and telecommunications providers to improve surveillance in high-risk areas.

ENENE EJEMBI is a corps member serving with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja.

Sowore Exploiting Judiciary for Social Media Clout, Women’s Group Alleges

A women-focused advocacy organization, the Women Rights Advocacy Group (WOREG), has accused activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, of allegedly using the judiciary and judicial officers as instruments for personal publicity and social media content creation.

The group which made the allegation in a statement signed by the Convener, Mrs Amina Dikko, condemned what it described as repeated attacks on judges and judicial institutions by the former presidential candidate.

According to WOREG, Sowore’s comments and conduct in relation to ongoing court proceedings amount to a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the judiciary and erode respect for the rule of law.

The group expressed concern that persistent public criticism directed at judges handling sensitive cases could exert undue pressure on the courts and create an atmosphere of intimidation around judicial officers.

“While every citizen has the constitutional right to freedom of expression, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. The judiciary remains a critical pillar of democracy and should not be subjected to reckless attacks aimed at generating publicity or online engagement,” the statement said.

WOREG maintained that disagreements with court decisions should be addressed through established legal mechanisms, including the appellate process, rather than through public campaigns that may be interpreted as attempts to discredit judicial officers.

The organization further warned that sustained attacks on judges could weaken public trust in the justice system and threaten the independence of the courts.

It called on political actors, activists, civil society organizations and members of the public to respect judicial processes and allow courts to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without interference.

The group also urged relevant authorities and professional bodies to continue safeguarding the integrity of the judiciary while ensuring that legitimate criticism of judicial decisions remains constructive and consistent with democratic principles.

According to the statement, the concerns come amid ongoing public debates surrounding several high-profile court cases and growing discussions about the role of social media in shaping public perceptions of judicial proceedings.

WOREG noted that Sowore has on several occasions publicly criticized judicial decisions and institutions, arguing that scrutiny of the justice sector is necessary to promote accountability.

However, the Women group insisted that criticism should not degenerate into personal attacks on judges or attempts to ridicule the judicial system for political advantage or media attention.

The advocacy group reiterated its call for responsible public engagement on judicial matters, stressing that the preservation of judicial independence remains essential to the sustenance of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.

Group Condemns Sowore for disrespecting Court , maligning Judge

The Access to Justice and Accountability Forum (AJAF) has strongly condemned human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over what it described as persistent attacks on the Nigerian judiciary and alleged acts of contempt against courts and judges.

In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr. Mustapha Sani, and Secretary, Emmanuel David Mahu, the civil society organisation expressed concern over what it termed Sowore’s repeated public comments and actions aimed at discrediting judicial officers and undermining confidence in the nation’s justice system.

AJAF stated that while citizens have the constitutional right to freedom of expression and the right to seek accountability from public institutions, such rights must be exercised within the boundaries of the law and with due respect for judicial processes.

According to the group, recent remarks attributed to Sowore regarding ongoing legal proceedings and judicial officers amount to an attempt to influence public perception of matters before competent courts, a development it said could erode public trust in the administration of justice.

“The judiciary remains one of the most critical pillars of Nigeria’s democracy. Any attempt to malign judges without verifiable evidence or to subject judicial officers to public ridicule poses a serious threat to the rule of law and democratic governance,” the statement read.

The organisation further noted that criticism of judicial decisions should be pursued through lawful channels, including appeals and established complaint mechanisms, rather than through public campaigns that could bring the courts into disrepute.

AJAF urged political actors, activists and civil society groups to uphold the sanctity and independence of the judiciary, stressing that disagreements with court rulings should not translate into personal attacks against judges.

The forum also called on relevant authorities and stakeholders in the justice sector to remain vigilant in protecting judicial institutions from intimidation and undue pressure.

Reaffirming its commitment to the promotion of justice, accountability and democratic values, AJAF urged Nigerians to support efforts aimed at strengthening public confidence in the nation’s legal system.

“The integrity of the judiciary must be protected at all times. Democracy thrives when institutions are respected and disputes are resolved through lawful and constitutional means,” the statement added.

South West Socio-Cultural Group Issues Two-Week Warning Over Alleged Illegal Mining, Wealth Sources of Ex-Gov Yari

By Mark Abu

The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC), a prominent South West socio-cultural organisation, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), and other anti-corruption agencies, demanding a comprehensive investigation into serving Senator Abdul’Aziz Abubakar Yari over allegations bordering on illegal mining activities, questionable investments, and the sources of his wealth.

The group warned that it would resort to legal action and mobilise nationwide protests should the anti-graft agencies fail to act within the stipulated timeframe.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its President, Comrade Eric Oluwole, the council said its position was based on information and reports received from the Zamfara Concerned Youth Assembly for Peace Advocacy.

According to the statement, the council urged relevant authorities to scrutinise Senator Yari’s asset declarations submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau upon his assumption of office as governor in 2011 and compare them with his current assets and business interests.

“The strongest philosophy of the Yoruba Youth Council is to always join other ethnic youth groups in our country to work for a better Nigeria,” the statement read.

The group maintained that a thorough investigation was necessary to determine whether the former governor’s current wealth and investments were consistent with his legitimate earnings and publicly known sources of income.

Allegations of Illegal Mining and Dubious Investments

Among the issues raised by the council were allegations linking Yari to illegal mining activities and concerns over his reported investments in various sectors of the economy.

The YYC specifically called for scrutiny of alleged business interests connected to the former governor, including reported acquisitions in the power sector and entities allegedly associated with him.

The organisation also urged anti-corruption agencies to investigate claims involving AJAP Financial Services Limited and other financial transactions allegedly linked to the senator.

According to the statement, questions have also been raised regarding the reported acquisition of a controlling stake in Geregu Power Plc through MA’AM Energy Limited, a company the group alleged is connected to Yari and members of his family.

The council further expressed concerns over what it described as the rapid expansion of the former governor’s business interests after leaving office, including alleged investments in the aviation sector.

It claimed that when Yari assumed office as governor in 2011, some of his properties had reportedly been used as collateral for loans obtained to fund his election campaign, making the subsequent scale of his reported investments a matter requiring investigation.

The group also called for a probe into allegations that the former governor may have links to illegal mining networks operating in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kebbi states.

It referenced previous and recent anti-smuggling operations involving the seizure of gold and arrests connected to alleged illegal mineral exports, claiming that investigators should determine whether any links exist between those activities and the former governor.

Call for Coordinated Investigation

The YYC stressed that only a comprehensive investigation by relevant authorities could establish the authenticity or otherwise of the allegations.

The organisation warned that if anti-graft agencies fail to act within two weeks, it would consider legal options and mobilise peaceful protests to demand accountability.

No Official Response Yet

As of the time of filing this report, Senator Yari had not issued an official response to the allegations contained in the statement.

Efforts to reach his media team for comments proved abortive as calls and messages sent to his spokesperson were not returned at the time of this publication.