*2027: Fear Grips Zamfara Gov Dauda Lawal, Plans to Meet President Tinubu Amid Concerns Over Re-election Bid and Governance Failures

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State is reportedly preparing to meet with President Bola Tinubu today, fearing the loss of his re-election bid due to a mass defection of key Peoples Democratic Party members.

On Tuesday, he lost another PDP state House of Assembly member, Hon. Maharazu Salisu (representing Maradun II, also known locally as Hon. Faru), to the All Progressives Congress.

This follows a similar defection just one week ago, when another PDP candidate – on whom Lawal had reportedly spent over ₦4 billion during a by-election – also switched to the APC, citing poor governance and growing dissatisfaction among the masses with Lawal’s leadership.

The governor now faces a hostile state assembly, where the APC already controls 13 out of 24 seats.

Sources say seven more PDP members are poised to defect, which would leave Lawal with only four loyalists – potentially paving the way for impeachment.

In a tense meeting with lawmakers on Monday, Lawal reportedly admitted his fears of losing power, claiming that even if defeated in 2027, he has “international options.”

He allegedly revealed ownership of properties in London, Dubai, the US, and Germany, suggesting he could relocate abroad if ousted.

Adding to his isolation, the Northern APC Stakeholders Forum has firmly rejected any possibility of welcoming Lawal into the party.

Forum chairman Alhaji Adamu Musa stated: “We will accept any governor who serves the people, but Dauda Lawal’s record is one of abject failure.

“His entry would spell doom for the APC, triggering a mass exodus. Insecurity is rampant, infrastructure is decaying, and public trust is shattered – we cannot associate with such woeful performance.”

Musa described Lawal’s governance as “a deliberate erosion of progress,” leaving Zamfara “economically stagnant, socially divided, and politically stifled.”

Hon. Maharazu Salisu announced his move at the APC State Secretariat in Gusau, blaming “pressure from constituents” over the PDP’s failure to deliver on campaign promises.

“My people summoned me and said the ruling PDP has neglected us,” he said.

“Despite my efforts, my constituency has seen no projects or appointments.”

Salisu brought with him PDP leaders from five wards – Faru/Magami, Gidan Goga, Kaya, Tsibiri, and Gora – plus another in Maradun town.

APC State Chairman Hon. Tukur Danfulani Maikatako welcomed them, declaring: “In the next few weeks, Zamfara will be entirely APC.”

He praised APC leaders like Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and Minister Bello Mohammed Matawalle for their empowerment programs, saying: “We assure all defectors they will be treated equally and given every opportunity to contribute to the party’s growth.”

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO THE NEW CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF, (COAS, Nigerian Army) MAJOR GENERAL WAIDI SHAIBU BY COMRADE OLADIMEJI ODEYEMI.

On behalf of my family, friends, and associates, I heartily congratulate a gallant and senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Major General Waidi Shaibu on his well-deserved appointment as the 29th Chief of Army Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Your appointment is not only a recognition of your sterling professional record, but also a well-earned reward for decades of discipline, dedication, and excellence in service to our great nation. From your days as a young officer of the 41st Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy to your recent command as the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), your journey has been defined by brilliance, courage, and an unshakable commitment to national security.

Your vast academic laurels, from multiple master’s degrees to advanced strategic training reflect your intellectual depth and preparedness for this historic role. The Nigerian Army — and indeed the entire Armed Forces — can only look forward to a new era of precision, professionalism, and innovation under your visionary leadership.

On a personal note, I am proud to celebrate this moment with you — not just as an admirer, and a partner to the Nigerian Army, but as a witness to your lifelong passion for excellence, integrity, and patriotism, though from afar. Your humility, calm disposition, and people-centered leadership have always stood you out as a man destined for greatness.

I have no doubt that under your command, the Nigerian Army will be reinvigorated in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, delivering enhanced operational projection, deeper intelligence integration, and stronger national defence outcomes.

My dear General, I wish you a most successful and impactful tenure — one that will further etch your name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s military history.

Congratulations once again, Major General Waidi Shaibu.

Signed:
Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

*Primate Ayodele to Visit YABATECH, Offer Scholarships to Disabled Students On November 6

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, is set to storm Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) on Thursday, November 6, 2025, with massive empowerment initiatives and scholarships, especially targeted at disabled students.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele confirmed his attendance and explained that his visit to the prestigious institution is aimed at supporting the less privileged in their academic pursuits.

According to him, education has become increasingly expensive and unaffordable for many, particularly for the physically challenged, hence the need to step in and assist.

“Education is becoming unaffordable for the less privileged, and especially for the disabled who can’t do much to raise money for their academic pursuits. It’s becoming unbearable for most of them who don’t have people to support them,” he said.

“The fact that one is disabled or less privileged doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be educated. When people are passionate about learning, finances should not be a hindrance to their dreams. Someone has to support them, and this is why we are contributing our quota to YABATECH to support disabled students.”

The cleric further noted his deep concern for those who desire education but are limited by financial constraints.

“I love it when people are educated, and it hurts me to see those who genuinely want to study but are held back due to lack of funds. For this reason, we have taken it upon ourselves to do whatever we can to reduce the number of people in that category,” he added.

Beyond scholarships, INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church will also launch its Students’ Fellowship Programme, which will be open to students of all religions and denominations.

Unlike other fellowships, this initiative will not be exclusive to INRI members or promote the doctrines of the church but will welcome anyone who loves God and desires to be part of a transformative project.

In addition, discussions will be held on the affiliation of a School of Communication and Public Relations to YABATECH — an initiative expected to provide Mass Communication students with more hands-on opportunities to practice what they are studying.

It will be recalled that Primate Ayodele recently donated over N2 million to some students of YABATECH who visited his church a few weeks ago. During their visit, he promised to do more for the students while urging them to take their studies seriously.