A prominent Islamic organisation in Zamfara has strongly condemned the events that characterised the celebration of Governor Dauda Lawal’s second year in office.

In a statement released to journalists in Gusau on Friday, the Zamfara Ulama Defence Forum (ZUDF) expressed deep concern over what it termed “an orchestrated reintroduction of vices” into a state widely known for its commitment to Islamic law and traditional values.

According to the group, the anniversary event held in the state capital, featured musical performances accompanied by skimpily dressed female dancers, and the open consumption of alcoholic beverages — acts considered unacceptable under Islamic law and cultural norms in Zamfara.

The president of the group, Sheikh Bashir Mu’azu Marafa, said the scenes that unfolded at the celebration were “unthinkable” in a state that pioneered the implementation of Sharia law in Nigeria.

“It is both unfortunate and shameful that on the second-term anniversary of a sitting governor in a core Islamic state like Zamfara, alcohol was served, and women of questionable character were paraded on public stages in revealing clothes,” the statement reads.

“This is a clear departure from the values we hold dear as a people. Zamfara has long stood as a model for Islamic governance in Nigeria. What happened during that event is nothing short of a betrayal of the trust of the people who expected better from their leaders.”

Sheikh Marafa, a respected Islamic scholar in the state, noted that the presence of entertainers on stage with female dancers dressed in body-fitted attire and short skirts would have been enough to spark outrage in any conservative society, let alone in a state like Zamfara where modesty is a fundamental value.

“Zamfara is not Las Vegas. It is a land of honour, a land of religious discipline. For these kinds of immoral scenes to be playing out in broad daylight under the watch of our leaders is a disgrace,” the Islamic cleric said.

The group warned that the incident could signal a dangerous shift that undermines the efforts of Islamic clerics, scholars, and moral reformers who have worked tirelessly to preserve the values of modesty, morality, and spiritual uprightness in the state.

“What message are we sending to our children and the next generation when those at the top are encouraging moral decay in the name of celebration. If this is what the next four years hold, then Zamfara is on a fast path to losing its identity,” he added.

ZUDF also called on Islamic clerics across the state to speak out against what it described as “the creeping secularisation of Zamfara under Governor Lawal’s administration,” adding that silence from religious leaders at this time would amount to complicity.

“We cannot remain silent and watch Zamfara turn into a hub of entertainment and sin. This is a time for the righteous to raise their voices. We are calling on the governor to offer a public apology for this embarrassment and make a clear commitment to restoring the moral sanctity of public events in the state,” the group added.

The forum urged the state house of assembly, traditional institutions, and community-based organisations to demand accountability from the governor and his team over the coordination and content of the celebration.

“Leadership must be guided by wisdom and humility. The optics of that event were poor and have sparked dismay across the Muslim community not just in Zamfara, but across the north,” the statement added.

The group expressed appreciation to members of the public who raised concerns on social media, especially young people in the state who, it said, were “more conscious of what is right and wrong than the officials entrusted with setting the moral tone”.

“The Zamfara Ulama Defence Forum remains committed to protecting the moral integrity of our communities. We will continue to hold those in authority to account, and we will not stop speaking out against actions that threaten our values and identity as a people.”

Ogun State, Nigeria – In a display of solidarity and goodwill, Otunba Aina Nurudeen Alowonle, A Board member of the Articulate Motorcycle and Riders Association of Nigeria (AMORAN), has felicitated with Governor Dapo Abiodun as he marks his 65th birthday on May 29, 2025. The congratulatory message comes as the governor reflects on his journey of leadership, service, and commitment to the development of Ogun State.

The momentous occasion serves as a reminder of the significant milestones achieved under the governor’s administration since he took office in 2019. Known for his focus on infrastructure development, healthcare reform, and youth empowerment, Governor Abiodun has made substantial strides toward transforming the socio-economic landscape of Ogun State.

In his message, Sokoya praised the governor’s enduring vision for the state, emphasizing his dedication to ensuring a better quality of life for the citizens of Ogun. “As you celebrate this significant milestone in your life, we at AMORAN recognize your commitment to promoting unity, peace, and progress in our state,” he stated.

Otunba Alowonle highlighted the strong partnership between the Ogun State government and AMORAN, underlining the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by the motorcycle and transport sector. “On this special day, we are reminded of your efforts to create an enabling environment for the transportation industry, ensuring safety and governance that prioritizes the welfare of all riders,” he added.

***Allege abuse of office, misuse of public funds for children’s education abroad

A group of lawyers and civil society organisations (CSOs) protested in Abuja today, demanding the immediate resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The group known as Concerned Lawyers and Civil Society in Defence of Public Trust alleged that Ahmed had abused his office by using public funds to educate his children in expensive schools abroad, including European University in Montreux, Switzerland, Aiglon College Boarding School in Switzerland, Institut Le Rosey in Rolle, Switzerland, and La Garenne International School in the Swiss Alps.

The protesters, who gathered at the NMDPRA headquarters, claimed that Ahmed’s actions were a clear case of corruption and abuse of power. They alleged that the funds used to pay for the children’s education were diverted from public coffers and that Ahmed’s actions were a betrayal of the public trust.

According to Barr. Martins Adaji, Faisal Ahmed, Farouk’s son, was sponsored with public funds to study at European University in Montreux, Switzerland, and later secured a lucrative position in sales at Oando, a company with ties to the oil and gas sector.

Another son, Farouk Ahmed Farouk (Jr.), it claimed, was sent to Aiglon College Boarding School in Switzerland, where the annual tuition and board fees are estimated to be over N300 million.

The protesters demanded Ahmed’s immediate resignation, a full-scale investigation into the NMDPRA’s financial records, and the recovery of any public funds used to educate his children.

They also called for Ahmed’s prosecution under the Public Procurement Act and the Code of Conduct Bureau guidelines.

The protesters further demanded that any recovered funds be channelled to rehabilitate schools in Nigeria’s most disadvantaged oil-producing communities.

They warned that if their demands are ignored, they will return stronger, louder, and more resolute, occupying every relevant space to demand justice and accountability.

“This protest is about justice. It is about drawing the line in the sand and saying, ‘NO MORE!,” Adaji said. “NO MORE abuse of public trust.

“NO MORE luxury for the few while the many wallow in deprivation. NO MORE wasting of public funds while Nigerian university students are stuck at home due to strikes, poor infrastructure, and lack of funding.

“To the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we ask you: will you watch this continue under your administration? Or will you act, and show that your government is serious about transparency and equity?

“Today’s protest is not the end. If these demands are ignored, we will return stronger, louder, and more resolute. Nigerian youths, mothers, and civil society will occupy every relevant space to say: enough is enough.

“We are done clapping for thieves. We are done bowing to men who see Nigeria as their inheritance. Let it be known: Engr. Farouk Ahmed must step down NOW. Not tomorrow. Not next week.

“Not after consultations. He must resign TODAY. He must return every kobo spent on his children’s foreign education. And he must face the full weight of the law. That is the only way the Nigerian people will believe that justice still lives in this land.”