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Governor Of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje in $5 Million bribery mess
A scandalous video has been published appearing to show Governor Umar Ganduje pocketing a vast wards of American dollars in what was said to be bribe payments from public works contractors.
The Kano State governor could be seen collecting the dollars before rolling them into his white dress, “babanriga,” in one of a series of questionable deals allegeldly struck over a span of several months.
The first set of at least 15 clips in possession of online-based Daily Nigerian was published on Sunday afternoon by the platform.
The two minutes video was recorded in 2017 in what Daily Nigerian described as a sting operation aimed at beaming a spotlight on the governor’s alleged penchant for contract racketeering.
The governor has debunked the video as “cloned” and threatened a sweeping lawsuit against its publisher.
But PREMIUM TIMES’ graphics experts who examined the video corroborated the position of Daily Nigerian, which earlier said its internal and independent graphics analysts have authenticated the clips.
In the only video published so far, the governor appeared to have received $230,000. All the cash was hastily stashed in his “babanriga,” a native attire common amongst men of northern Nigerian origin.
Daily Nigerian said the $230,000 was part of a series of cash advancement to the governor in a total bribery deal of $5 million.
The published version was uploaded without audio, apparently to conceal the identify of the contractors from the public.
While Mr Ganduje would readily know those with whom he carried out the exposed deal, the contractors believed their safety would be better guaranteed if their personal identities that could otherwise be obtained from their voices in the video are stripped off.
PREMIUM TIMES saw the version of the clip with audio on Sunday evening.
“I think you should collect this money before anyone walks in,” one of the contractors could be heard telling the governor. “I think you should put it on your body to conceal it with your babanriga.”
A brief laughter then erupted amongst them. The video was reportedly shot in one of the living rooms at the governor’s official residence in Kano, the state capital.
“MD will soon be back from Istanbul on Friday evening to give us the other allocations,” the contractor added after telling the governor he had concealed a total of $230,000 in his babanriga for the day’s transaction.
The governor and the contractors also discussed carrying state lawmakers along in the deal, especially on how cash and stalls would be shared to them in the deal for the construction of a market.
The governor is said to have received up to N750 million (about 25 percent) in a deal of over N3 billion with a single contractor.
Mr Ganduje has denied any wrongdoing.
Daily Nigerian said it embarked on the reporting after receiving a slew of complaints from contractors who said the governor regularly engaged in shakedowns before awarding public projects.
Mr Ganduje strongly denied being the one in the video, calling the publisher a blackmailer and ordering the state attorney-general to commence criminal investigation and possible prosecution.
Jafaar Jafaar, an Abuja-based journalist and publisher of Daily Nigerian, told PREMIUM TIMES he has decided to take cover with his family following relentless threats to their safety.
Foremost rights group, Amnesty International, and the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists have both expressed grim worries about Mr Jafaar’s safety, calling on both the Kano State governor and the Nigerian government to ensure neither the journalist nor his family faced any debilitating backlash as a result of his journalism.
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a thorough investigation after being shown the video by law enforcement authorities, Daily Nigerian reported.
The presidency is yet to make an official statement on the video. However, even if found culpable after investigation by anti-corruption agencies, Mr Ganduje, as governor, enjoys constitutional immunity from prosecution.
Mr Ganduje, 68, was elected governor as part of the wave that swept the then-opposition All Progressives Congress into power.
Like other APC politicians, in a mantra spearheaded by Mr Buhari, the Kano governor often lays claim to own frugal nature and incorruptibility.
Mr Ganduje’s video comes about five years after a video of a federal lawmaker from Kano was also made.
Farouk Lawan was leading a House of Representatives panel investigating illicit fuel subsidiary payments in 2012 when he was said to have received about $500,000 dollars in bribes from an oil magnate.
Mr Lawan, widely seen as a rising political star at the time, was seen receiving the cash from businessman Femi Otedola in the manner of Mr Ganduje.
Unlike Mr Ganduje, Mr Lawan acknowledged authenticity of the video, but said he was trying to use it to bait Mr Otedola and that federal authorities were informed beforehand.
Mr Otedola denied the claim, saying he was the one who set up the sting operation to expose Mr Lawan and his committee members who were demanding bribes from him even though his oil firm was not involved in any wrongdoing.
Mr Lawan, who was first elected to the federal parliament in 1999, did not return in 2015, and the case is currently proceeding in court.
https://youtu.be/MGCvXTISNns
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USOSA Mobilises Nationwide Resistance Against Asset Sale, Holds Major Awareness Walk in Lagos, Abuja, Kano
A powerful wave of resistance is building across Nigeria’s elite alumni network as the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) prepares for a coordinated nationwide awareness walk aimed at safeguarding the legacy and assets of Federal Unity Colleges.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, the high-impact rally will simultaneously hold in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano, drawing participation from thousands of old students under the unifying banner: “Pro Unitate – Better Together.”
Insiders within the association reveal that the rally is not just symbolic but a strategic response to growing concerns over alleged plans to commercialise or dispose of critical assets belonging to Unity Schools, a move many alumni describe as “short-sighted and dangerous.”
According to organisers, the objective is clear: to send a strong, unmistakable message to policymakers and stakeholders that the heritage of Unity Schools must be preserved, not monetised.
“This is about legacy, identity, and national cohesion,” a senior USOSA member told TheCityPulseNews under anonymity. “Unity Schools were built to foster national integration. Selling their lands or assets undermines that very foundation.”
The campaign has already gained traction online, with members urged to amplify visibility through branded display pictures and coordinated messaging ahead of the event. The mobilisation strategy reflects a well-structured advocacy push designed to capture both public attention and institutional response.
Observers note that this could mark a turning point in how alumni bodies across Nigeria engage with government policies affecting legacy institutions. USOSA’s move signals a shift from passive concern to active civic engagement , a model that could inspire similar interventions nationwide.
Security and logistics arrangements are reportedly being finalised across the three cities, with local coordinators ensuring peaceful and orderly participation.
As May 9 approaches, one thing is certain, USOSA is not merely organizing a walk, it is staging a statement and the message is unequivocal – Unity Schools are a national treasure, not a commercial asset.
news
BREAKING: SGF George Akume, Other APC Chieftains Back ATM’s Ondo North Senate Bid
Chief Abdul Tunji Mohammed (ATM), APC frontrunner for Ondo North Senatorial District, has secured the blessings of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other party chieftains as his 2027 bid gains ground.
ATM met with the SGF and top APC leaders in Abuja, where he presented his agenda for Ondo North and sought their counsel. The meeting was described as cordial and strategic.
Senator Akume hailed ATM’s vision and readiness for national service. “The Senate needs men of capacity who understand governance. You have my support. Go and deliver for your people,” the SGF stated.
Responding, ATM said the backing of Senator Akume and other party chieftains was “a major boost.” He added: “Their encouragement strengthens our resolve to give Ondo North a strong, connected voice in the Senate.”
The consultation follows ATM’s purchase of the APC nomination form and earlier endorsements from former Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi, first-class monarchs, and youth groups in Ondo North.
news
Sofela Salutes Workers, Calls Them Pillars of Ogun Central’s Progress
Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo
The Senatorial Aspirant for Ogun Central under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Adebola Sofela, has extended warm felicitations to workers across the district in celebration of the 2026 International Workers’ Day.
In a goodwill message released to mark the global event, Sofela praised the resilience, diligence, and unwavering commitment of workers in Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Obafemi-Owode, Ifo, and Ewekoro Local Government Areas, noting that their contributions remain central to the growth and development of Ogun Central and Nigeria at large.
Describing workers as the “engine room of progress,” Sofela acknowledged the sacrifices made daily by individuals in both the public and private sectors. He emphasized that from civil servants and entrepreneurs to artisans, traders, and professionals, every category of worker plays a vital role in sustaining the economy and strengthening the social fabric of the region.
“On this special occasion of International Workers’ Day, I celebrate the hardworking men and women across Ogun Central whose dedication and commitment continue to drive our collective progress,” the statement read. “Your efforts, whether seen or unseen, form the foundation upon which our communities thrive.”
Sofela highlighted the importance of recognizing and rewarding hard work, stressing that workers deserve not only commendation but also improved welfare, fair opportunities, and an enabling environment to maximize their potential. He called for renewed focus on policies that prioritize job creation, economic empowerment, and sustainable development.
The senatorial hopeful also paid special tribute to workers in essential services, including healthcare personnel, security operatives, teachers, and sanitation workers, who he said consistently demonstrate exceptional courage and responsibility, often under challenging conditions.
“You remain the backbone of our society, standing firm in service even in difficult times. Your dedication inspires hope and strengthens our resolve to build a better future,” he added.
Reaffirming his commitment to the people of Ogun Central, Sofela assured that his aspiration is driven by a desire to advocate for workers’ rights, promote inclusive growth, and support initiatives that will enhance productivity and improve living standards across the district.
As Workers’ Day is celebrated worldwide, his message resonates as both a tribute and a call to action—recognizing the invaluable role of workers while emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to uplift and empower them.
Across Ogun Central, the celebration served as a reminder that behind every achievement lies the dedication of hardworking individuals whose contributions continue to shape the present and secure the future.
Happy International Workers’ Day.
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