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BREAKING THE CAMEL’S BACK! By Zailani Bappa

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The great people of Bakura have finally spoken. It is the voice awaited nationwide to decide who owns Zamfara politics today. It all started like a teaser. The Bye-election in Bakura Constituency slated for end of last October was ordinary to the ordinary Zamfara person. It is one of 24 such unit elections in the state in terms of Democratic representation.

 

 

However, every cloth has its own tailor. The People’s Democratic Party in the State had the seat before it’s representative died. (May his soul rest in perfect peace). In ordinary parlance, the election to fill into the vacant position is best left for the people of that unit to decide without a political fuss. But that’s not how it was allowed to be. It was inadvertently catapulted into an object of statewide show political prowess, drawing a national face to it by the All People’s Congress in the state.

 

 

Yes, as the build up to the elections gathered, which was later re-scheduled to the first week of December, the APC, led by former Governor Abdulazeez Yari bounced from surface to the gutter, drawing the attention of the World to this election in utmost confidence of winning the competition. It was an opportunity for them to show the world that the APC was still in control of the State political terrain. After all, they say, the PDP did not win the election but was in power by the fiat of the Court verdict. It was an opportunity granted by God to show the World that the APC holds the four aces and will still win an election anytime in Zamfara State.

 

 

As the campaign to hold the elections built up, Abdulazeez Yari and his team jumped from one APC state to another seeking confidence, support and cash. They bulldozed the state with a lot of dirty antics and many wrongs. They campaigned dirty and nasty. The Matawalle-led PDP kept its cool. After all, the whole thing is temporary and the elections would soon be over. As the campaign curtain began to draw, Yari invited dignitaries including state Governors, serving Senators, serving Ministers, National Assembly members and heavy political stalwarts all for the tiny Bakura Constituency elections. Matawalle must be intimidated, he must know he’s not in control, Yari promised.

 

 

The first blow against this discredited despot was that all these dignitaries failed to honour his invitation. When they came, they unleashed mayhem at Bakura town and environs in the name of rounding-up their campaigns. Their thugs slaughtered two known PDP supporters, injured many and burnt property. This was in spite of the law as the Police had earlier announced a suspension of all campaign rally and imposed a 24-hour curfew to forestall any possible breach of the peace. Still, the Matawalle led PDP kept its cool to avoid loss of lives.

 

 

Now, the D-day came. The day of reckoning was here. It was a day to decide, not only the Bakura election, but who now triumphs in a free and fair contest in the state between the loser APC and the so-called Court winner PDP. Both Parties were fully represented at the constituency. The votes started and ended peacefully. But, alas, INEC said the elections were inconclusive as they cancelled the votes of 14 polling units with more than 11,000 votes at stake. Even then, the PDP was leading with more than 2000 votes. As the 14 wards where the votes were cancelled also represent a stronghold of PDP, the Yari group became beaten-up and fully neutralised.

 

 

INEC then, declared Wednesday, the 9th of December as Re-run election day to conclude the inconclusive. To save its battered pride, the APC called a Press Conference and a withdrawal from the race citing reasons from the absurd to the laughable.

 

 

Now, today is the D-day. Elections held peacefully with all political parties participating except the APC who made good its promise not to be there. The Bakura people made a decision. A decision that will go down into posterity as a final straw that broke the Camel’s back. The APC lost woefully to the PDP and, tail between the legs, the APC run out of sight.The PDP has won.

 

 

However, the Bakura bye-election contains very many significant lessons. The major lesson to learn and imbibe is the need for the APC to accept the Will of God. Everyone has his own time. And the Will of God is that Matawalle today, is His choice and that his gladiating political prowess and structure is now built and is shining like the lone northern star, permanently fixed in the firmament.

Bappa writes from Gusau.

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BREAKING: Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies in London Hospital

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BUHARI CONGRATULATES FBN ON 40 YEARS OF CROSS-BORDER BANKING IN UK

BREAKING: Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies in London Hospital

 

Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, has passed away. He died on Sunday afternoon in a clinic in London, where he had reportedly been receiving medical attention.

BREAKING: Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies in London Hospital

The sad news was confirmed in a brief two-paragraph statement released by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu. The statement read in part: “INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHIRRAJIUUN. The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”

 

Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023 after a previous stint as military head of state (1983–1985), was a central figure in the country’s political and military history. His death marks the end of an era for many Nigerians who saw him as a symbol of integrity and national discipline.

This is a developing story. More details to follow.

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Today’s Effort, Tomorrow’s Triumph: The Undeniable Power of Doing Your Best Today

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Today’s Effort, Tomorrow’s Triumph: The Undeniable Power of Doing Your Best Today.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

D best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” ~ H. Jackson Brown Jr.

In a world addicted to shortcuts and obsessed with quick wins, the timeless wisdom behind the quote above cuts through the noise like a sharpened sword. The idea that tomorrow’s success depends entirely on today’s actions is not a cliché, it is an irrefutable truth. Whether in faith, science, economics or personal development, one law stands firm: today’s SEED is tomorrow’s HARVEST.

Today’s Effort, Tomorrow’s Triumph: The Undeniable Power of Doing Your Best Today.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

We can not continue to fold our hands in laziness today and expect miracles tomorrow. A nation can not waste time, bury talent and ignore responsibility today and then complain about failure tomorrow. Life does not reward intentions; it rewards actions.

Faith Speaks: Christianity and Islam Agree on the Power of Today. This principle is not just motivational; it is deeply spiritual. Across the world’s major religions, the doctrine of intentional daily action is clear.

In the Bible
Proverbs 6:6-8 teaches:

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

The lesson here is blunt: the time to prepare is now, not later.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 further reinforces this:

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”

In the Quran
Islam emphasizes the same responsibility of living intentionally and working righteously each day. In Surah Al-Zalzalah (99:7-8), the Holy Qur’an declares:

“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”

This verse reminds believers that nothing is wasted; every small effort counts and will show its result, either today or tomorrow. It is a divine call to mindfulness and proactive living.

Also, in Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:11), Allah says:

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

Change does not fall from the sky. God helps those who help themselves; today, not when it is convenient.

Procrastination is the Poison of Purpose
Dr. Timothy Pychyl, a psychology professor at Carleton University, states that:

“Procrastination is not a time management problem, it is an emotion regulation problem.”

We put off effort not because we lack time, but because we avoid discomfort. Yet nothing of value has ever been built in comfort. From Moses to Muhammad (PBUH), from Mandela to Martin Luther King Jr., progress has always come from people who embraced struggle today to secure peace tomorrow.

From Nations to Individuals: A Pattern of Success. Japan, South Korea and Singapore, these countries did not wait for the future to be great. They built it. After war and poverty, they chose to invest in education, discipline, innovation and daily excellence. The results? Economic prosperity, global respect and technological advancement.

Compare that with many African nations, where politics, procrastination and misplaced priorities have crippled development. Nigeria, for instance, continues to grapple with the consequences of poor preparation. We cannot talk about transformation if we do not first talk about intentional effort; daily, consistent and focused.

The Economy of Today. Economists describe something called the Law of Diminishing Intent: the longer you delay action, the less likely you are to do it at all. In business, delaying a product launch or avoiding staff training today often leads to loss of competitive edge tomorrow.

Brian Tracy, in his bestselling book Eat That Frog, emphasizes:

“Your ability to discipline yourself to set clear goals and then work on them every day will do more to guarantee your success than any other single factor.”

In other words, daily action beats monthly inspiration.

Talent is Nothing Without Today’s Discipline. Too many young people have talents buried in the coffin of laziness. Dreams without daily action are hallucinations. The Bible says in Proverbs 14:23:

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

Success is not a gift; it is a product. You cannot wish your way into greatness. You must work your way into it—step by step, day by day.

The Quran also teaches in Surah An-Najm (53:39):

“And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives.”

It doesn’t get clearer than that. You get only what you strive for.

Global Voices That Support the Principle. Great minds from various backgrounds have echoed this truth:

Angela Duckworth (Author of Grit): “Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”
Daily effort is the dividing line between the average and the great.

Jim Rohn: “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.”

Barack Obama: “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something.”

Malcolm X: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

When both Eastern and Western wisdom align, when scriptures and scholars agree, then it is no longer a theory; it is a law.

Time is the Most Precious Currency. Unlike money, time cannot be earned back. Once gone, it is gone forever. Every second wasted is a blessing buried. The Quran calls mankind to account for their time. In Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah says:

“By Time, verily man is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and enjoin each other to truth and patience.”

Even belief must be accompanied by action, otherwise it results in loss. Believing in your future without acting today is self-deception.

A Message to Nigeria’s Youth and Leaders. Let us be brutally honest. Nigeria will not change through slogans. Africa will not rise through hashtags. Real transformation begins with action; by the citizens, by the youth and most critically, by the leaders.

Our failure to plan, our tendency to delay reforms, our endless “we’ll do it later” mindset; this is what chains our future. We must kill procrastination before it kills our potential.

Instead of wishing for a better Nigeria, wake up and become the better Nigerian. Apply for the course. Register the business. Clean the streets. Learn the skill. Fight corruption. Demand accountability. Do your best today.

Final Thoughts: The Time is Now. The truth is simple: You will not rise tomorrow if you sit today.

Yes, life is unfair. Yes, circumstances can be hard; but you must never give the excuse of tomorrow for what you can perfect today. Success does not belong to the most privileged. It belongs to the most prepared.

Let us leave you with the words of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who said:

“If the Hour (the end of the world) is about to be established and one of you was holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before it happens and plant it.” (Musnad Ahmad)

That is how powerful the present moment is even if the world is ending, still do your best now.

The Closing Reflections.
Tomorrow is not a miracle waiting to happen. It is the fruit of today’s labor. If you want to succeed, begin today. If you want to change your story, act now. If you want a better nation, do not just hope; build it.

The best preparation for tomorrow is not luck. It is doing your best today without excuse, without delay and without fear.

Today’s Effort, Tomorrow’s Triumph: The Undeniable Power of Doing Your Best Today.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

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NDA Cadets to Conduct Live Firing Exercises, Residents Advised to Take Precautions

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NDA Cadets to Conduct Live Firing Exercises, Residents Advised to Take Precautions

NDA Cadets to Conduct Live Firing Exercises, Residents Advised to Take Precautions

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is set to conduct a Range Classification Exercise for Cadets of the 73 Regular Course from July 14 to 18, 2025, at the NDA Open Range.

According to Major Mohammed Maidawa, Academy Public Relations Officer, the four-day exercise is designed to enhance the Cadets’ skills in live firing scenarios and will be instrumental in their training and preparedness.

NDA Cadets to Conduct Live Firing Exercises, Residents Advised to Take Precautions

Major Maidawa urged local residents and communities to be aware of the exercise schedule and not to be alarmed by the sounds associated with live firing activities during this period.

He also advised farmers, herders, and residents to avoid entering or trespassing into the NDA Open Range and surrounding areas from July 14 to 18, 2025, citing public safety as a priority.

“Public safety is our priority, and adhering to these guidelines will help prevent any accidents,” he said.

The NDA appeals to the public to cooperate and disseminate the information to ensure awareness and safety.

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