News

Controversy Brews over Where to Bury Ex-Governor Ajimobi

Published

6 years ago

June 27, 2020

Eric

As a new controversy brews over where to commit the body of late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, a family member and Islamic cleric, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, has spoken.

Hear him:

We are grateful for the concern of all Muslims on the issue of where Alhaj Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi would be buried. I apologise to those who were in a hurry for a confirmation from me. I have been proverbial since his demise. We were close because of his commitment to justice to Muslims in oyo state which is a story for another day. I was one of those who first got the news of his death but I didn’t think it wise to break the news. As devastated as I was, I went proverbial and I only broke the unfortunate news to those very close to me and equally close to him which wanted the proverbs decoded.

When somebody who probably is the sole authority said he would not be buried immediately I equally went proverbial and men of wisdom could understand what was amiss and why Ajimobi’s wish for immediate burial was unfulfillable.

Professor Noibi and Alhaj Muideen Ajani Bello had sleepless nights on these issues. When the news gained currency that he would be buried in the Mosque, my phone was inundated with calls from all over the world as if I can unilaterally change what the CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY this time may decide. We only can admonish and persuade.

I, Alh Ishaq Kunle Sanni believes it is Islamically wrong to bury a Muslim inside a Mosque even if it was built by him. Ditto for other erudite scholars like Professor Noibi. But there are some butter and bread scholars who are misleading people that at least The Prophet {SAW) was buried in the Mosque. Few hours ago, I spoke to a respected Islamic scholar who, with a billion naira inducement, will never lie. That is Imam Abdurahman Ahmad Chief Missioner of Ansarudeen, and he without mincing words, said the Prophet being buried in the Mosque is not true. The Prophet was buried in Aisha’s apartment and the expansion of the Mosque met their graves there. He unabashedly said it is unislamic to bury anybody in the Mosque.

Please note that we cannot force our opinion on the CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY. We can only persuade.

Now, as I am writing, we are trying on a land owned by the erstwhile Governor not far from the Mosque, but not in the Mosque. That is the parable of Alh Murzik Abidemi Siyanbade. If we succeed, that to me is a wonderful compromise. For those saying it is Muslim Makbara or nothing let them increase the velocity of their prayers. Allah may change the mind of THE CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY in this matter.

I apologise profusely for those who may take offence that either I switched off my phone or didn’t pick their phone. I am completely overwhelmed because I don’t have the power to take a unilateral decision on this issue. It is sad but that is the reality. In sha Allah in the next few hours you will get the final decision.

Please remember us in your dua. PLEASE DONT MISQUOTE ME. AS FAR AS I KNOW NO DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN. YOU WOULD BE INFORMED WHEN A FINAL DECISION IS TAKEN

May Allah forgive Ajimobi the man Allah sent to right the wrongs done to Muslims for many years. A courageous and forthright human being who prayed to live for seventy years and Allah accepted his prayer. But we would have wished he lived longer. Who are we to query Allah’s decision

May Allah bless you all for your words of courage to us in this trying period.

News

Jigawa ADC Receives Defecters from APC, NNPP, PDP

Published

3 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Eric

A wave of defections has hit the All Progressives Congress, the New Nigeria People’s Party, and the Peoples Democratic Party in Jigawa State, as politicians and supporters defected to the African Democratic Congress.

On Sunday, Dutse, the Jigawa State capital witnessed a large turnout of supporters and politicians during a mass gathering to formally receive a two-term senator representing Jigawa South-West Senatorial District, Senator Sabo Nakudu, who joined the ADC alongside other defectors.

Nakudu, accompanied by other politicians from across the state, was received by ADC leaders and supporters.

The former senator, who chaired the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) in the 9th Assembly, resigned from the APC on Friday and joined the ADC on Sunday.

Speaking after receiving his ADC membership card, Nakudu said, “I am grateful to my supporters for turning out en masse to receive me into my new party,” adding, “I promise to work towards a greater Jigawa and the country at large.”

Nakudu, who contested against Governor Umar Namadi during the 2023 APC governorship primaries, is expected to run for governor on the ADC platform in 2027.

Sources close to him said he has begun consultations with key stakeholders in the state.

Another prominent figure linked to the ADC is Aminu Ringim, a three-time governorship candidate in Jigawa State under the PDP (2015, 2019) and NNPP (2023).

Ringim, described as a protégé of former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said he would soon formally join the ADC at a similar event in his hometown.

Also present at the event was Senator Ubale Shittu, a political figure who previously represented Jigawa North-East Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly on the PDP platform before later moving to the APC.

Earlier, the Jigawa State ADC coordinator, Ahmad Gumel, welcomed Nakudu and other defectors, describing the development as a boost to the party.

He said the defections reflected the party’s growing popularity in the state and praised Nakudu’s experience as an asset.

Similarly, ADC chieftain Bashir Jumbo welcomed the new members, saying, “We pledge equal opportunities within the party structure.”

He urged party members to work towards unity, adding, “We must take over power in 2027 by the grace of God.”

Reacting, the PDP Public Relations Officer in the state, Umar Kyari, dismissed the defections, saying they did not involve key members of the party.

“They’re just a group of political jokers seeking relevance,” he told our correspondent via telephone on Monday.

Kyari challenged the ADC to test its popularity at the polls.

“If they want to test their power, come out and contest — we’ll show them what politics is,” he said.

Also reacting, the APC spokesperson in the state, Bashir Kundu, downplayed the development, describing the defectors as driven by personal interests.

“They’re chasing personal interests, not the public good,” he said.

Kundu added that Namadi’s performance would continue to attract support, expressing confidence that more politicians would join the APC.

News

‘ADC Membership Hits 500,000 after INEC Derecognition of Leadership’

Published

11 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Eric

The African Democratic Congress has recorded a surge in new members following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to delist Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary of the party.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, revealed in a statement on his X account on Sunday that the party’s membership “had grown from over 40,000 registrations on April 2 to more than 500,000 new Nigerians joining between April 1 and today.”

INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, announced the delisting on April 1, citing a court order that directed the commission to maintain the status quo pending a suit challenging the legality of Mark’s leadership.

The commission removed Mark and Aregbesola from its portal and said it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who had approached the court seeking to be declared national chairman.

Haruna explained that INEC had received conflicting legal demands from opposing camps, including a cautionary letter from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co. advising against recognising Gombe, and a counter-letter from Summit Law Chambers requesting enforcement of the Court of Appeal judgment affirming Gombe’s position.

Reacting to the development, Abdullahi and his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Ini Ememobong, insisted the development was “a calculated attempt to undermine democratic structures,” and urged supporters to mobilise in defence of democratic principles.

News

Yusuf Tuggar Resigns As Foreign Affairs Minister

Published

1 week ago

March 30, 2026

Eric

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has resigned.

Tuggar’s resignation was confirmed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Monday.

The minister’s action followed the directive of President Bola Tinubu to all political appointees in his administration who intend to contest elective positions in the 2027 elections to resign from their posts on or before March 31.

The president had hinged his decision on Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries ahead of the 2027 polls.

Tuggar’s resignation comes amid the speculation of his interest in contesting the 2027 Bauchi State governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He is a seasoned diplomat, policymaker, and political figure who was appointed as minister by Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023.

Born on March 12, 1967, he has built a distinguished career spanning diplomacy, politics, energy, and strategic consulting.

He is widely regarded for his role in shaping Nigeria’s global engagement and advancing its foreign policy priorities.

His political career includes serving as a member of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, representing the Gamawa Constituency in Bauchi State.

The diplomat later contested the governorship of the state in two election cycles.

From 2017 to 2023, Tuggar served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, where he played a key role in strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing trade cooperation, and promoting Nigeria’s interests in Europe.

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar led Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts under the Tinubu administration.

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