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Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu and former Zamfara Governor Yari call for national unity against terrorism
via Punch Nigeria5 min read
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and former Zamfara State governor Abdulaziz Yari have urged Nigerians to unite against terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes. They emphasized that criminal groups should not be allowed to divide the country or erode public confidence. Their calls follow recent abductions in Oyo State and renewed attacks in northern Nigeria. Sanwo-Olu called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu and security agencies, stating that fear, political differences, or ethnic divisions must not undermine the collective resolve against criminals. He highlighted that violence should prompt national unity, not political recriminations, and warned against politicizing insecurity, as criminals do not discriminate based on ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation. Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in Nigeria's ability to overcome insecurity through resilience and sustained support for security institutions, and he praised the armed forces. Yari similarly urged Nigerians to unite, stressing that insecurity should not be viewed through ethnic, religious, or political lenses. He condemned the violence, noting that perpetrators aim to target national unity and social cohesion. Yari, a senator representing Zamfara West, stated that security is a shared responsibility requiring support from citizens, community leaders, and various organizations. He commended President Tinubu and security agencies for their efforts and expressed optimism that Nigerians wou
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Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, has voiced concerns regarding the proposed 2026 federal budget, advocating for increased transparency, accountability, and robust oversight in public fund management. In a statement, Frank highlighted that the ongoing public debate surrounding the budget has intensified scrutiny of government spending, emphasizing the need for financial management institutions to uphold openness and accountability. He urged the Federal Government to enhance accountability mechanisms to rebuild public trust and ensure prudent management of resources. Frank stated that recent revelations and controversies around the 2026 budget reinforce the perception of the current administration as one of Nigeria鈥檚 most troubling in recent history. He added that allegations of inflated budgetary provisions and questionable expenditures raise new concerns about the budgeting process's credibility. The former APC spokesman also called on the National Assembly to fulfill its constitutional duty of scrutinizing government expenditure and providing effective oversight. He noted that public perception of the legislature's lack of independence could weaken democratic institutions and public trust. Frank appealed to Nigeria鈥檚 international development partners to continue support while encouraging stricter safeguards to ensure transparent management of development assistance. He also urged Nigerians to peacefully demand greater
Former Nigeria women鈥檚 national team players have cautioned that the Federal Government鈥檚 failure to fulfill promises made to the Super Falcons could jeopardize the team鈥檚 pursuit of an 11th Women鈥檚 Africa Cup of Nations title and qualification for the next FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup. Members of the United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide, meeting in Chicago, expressed concern that the government has not yet delivered on promises of $100,000, land allocations, and other rewards for each player, a year after the team's success. Former player Patience Avre stated that the uncertainty surrounding these unfulfilled promises has negatively impacted the morale of current players preparing for the tournament in Morocco. She added that players are hesitant to complain openly for fear of being dropped. The former players are appealing to the Federal Government, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to motivate the current squad and ensure both past and present Super Falcons players benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda, citing historical poor treatment of ex-players. In contrast, Nigeria鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball team, D鈥橳igress, received their promised $100,000 and housing units after winning the 2025 Women鈥檚 AfroBasket. The National Sports Commission attributed the delay for the Super Falcons to the postponement of their camping program ahead of the 2026 WAFCON, noting that the Super Eagles received their land documents and national honors certificates before
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule stated his desire for Nigeria to one day elect an all-Christian presidential ticket, expressing confidence in its potential success. Speaking on Channels Television鈥檚 Politics Today, Sule addressed concerns raised by Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, regarding the possibility of another same-faith presidential ticket in 2027. The governor dismissed claims that the APC鈥檚 Muslim-Muslim ticket indicated religious exclusion, suggesting that the country is ready for a Christian-Christian pairing to test electoral fortunes, similar to past Muslim-Muslim tickets. He referenced the 1993 election with Chief Moshood Abiola as an example of a successful Muslim-Muslim ticket. Sule acknowledged Kwankwaso鈥檚 opposition stance as the reason for his concerns, noting that no governor within the APC had made similar allegations. He cited Section 143 of the constitution, which he said promotes inclusiveness and representation across all parts of the country, and Section 15, which establishes the federal character principle based on ethnicity, clarifying that neither section mentions religion. When asked about his deputy, Sule confirmed that Emmanuel Akabe, a Christian, has served as his deputy throughout his tenure in Nasarawa State. He clarified that the choice was based on competence rather than religious balancing, noting that political arrangements vary by state, citing Enugu and Bayelsa as examples of Christi