Category Nigeria News

The governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has debunked rumours that he is set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor insisted that he has no intention of quitting the PDP for either the APC or the African Democratic Party (ADC), which was recently adopted by the opposition coalition.

Governor Lawal made this known during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, maintaining that the story about his defection remains a rumour.

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“First of all, I’m glad that you said a rumour that APC, ADC and whatever political parties are calling on me to join their party,” Governor Lawal said when asked about the rumour.

“And I made it clear that I am a PDP card-carrying member and I am still in PDP, I have no intention of going anywhere.

“So, what you heard is a rumour but I am still in PDP and have no intention of going anywhere for now.”

He dismissed opposition forces in the state, stating that he has no need to seek refuge in the APC to shield himself from anyone.

He said that all the forces in the opposition were there in 2023 but that did not stop him from going on to win the governorship election in the state. 

Governor Lawal insisted that he does not fear opposition figureheads in the state such as former governors Sani Yerima, Bello Matawalle, saying that he will defeat them again in the 2027 election. 

He acknowledged that the PDP is facing an internal crisis but said the party is working on resolving that already and that it is just a matter of time for the dust to settle. 

On his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, Governor Lawal said he has a very good relationship with the president but they remain in opposing parties.

Joint security forces, comprising police, military personnel, and components of the Nigerian Air Force, on Tuesday engaged hundreds of heavily armed bandits who simultaneously attacked the communities of Kadisau, Raudama, and Sabon Layi in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The operation resulted in the successful neutralisation of 30 bandits.

Unfortunately, three dedicated Mobile Police Force personnel alongside two other courageous soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice, and one other officer, Ya’u Aliyu sustained injuries.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua’zu, on Wednesday.

Mua’zu extended the State Government’s deepest condolences to the families of the fallen heroes and residents of the affected communities.

READ ALSO: Eight Killed As Bandits Ambush Kukawa Village In Plateau

He noted that their sacrifice will never be forgotten, and their families will receive full government support during this difficult time.

Mua’zu, therefore, assured all residents of the State of Governor Dikko Radda administration’s unwavering commitment to crush banditry and restore lasting peace to the state.

The commissioner, while calling on all residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies, maintained that investigation into these attacks continues, pledging to provide updates as they become available.

“We will not rest until every criminal element is eliminated from our territory. Similarly, our security operations are being intensified, and we are working tirelessly with federal security agencies to ensure the safety of all citizens.

Following the conclusion of the award committee meeting held at the Council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State, the National Examinations Council (NECO) released the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.

Azeez Sani, NECO’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, said on Wednesday that 179 people had registered for the exam across 12 subjects.

The examination began on May 12, 2025, and ended on May 23, 2025.

The statement read, “The chairperson of the Award Committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Folake David, Director of Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, expressed satisfaction with the processes that led to the successful release of the results,” the statement read.

Also available: JAMB releases the names of the 2025 UTME Top Scorers (FULL LIST).

NECO management and several secondary school principals from across the nation attended the award committee meeting, which made the decision to release.

NECO has approved the dates and schedule for the 2025 BECE resit in addition to the results’ release. The re-sit test, which will cover the two core subjects required for senior secondary school, will be held on July 23 and 24, 2025.

Candidates who want to take part in the resit are expected to do the necessary preparations in the Council’s forthcoming guidelines.

NECO urged schools and candidates to check results and find out more about the re-sit process on its official website or approved channels.

Sani said the release is in line with NECO’s ongoing efforts to maintain credibility and transparency in the organization of its exams and results-mining.

The Senate has approved the electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 through second reading in a move to rescue the country’s ailing power sector from looming collapse.

Sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), the amendment seeks to overhaul the 2023 Electricity Act by addressing regulatory gaps as some lawmakers propose capital punishment for vandals.

Leading the debate, Senator Abaribe, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Power, warned that the country’s electricity industry is buckling under the weight of inefficiencies and financial mismanagement as the Federal Government is currently indebted to the tune of over ₦4 trillion in the power sector.

He noted that the current law contains minimal penalties for offenders, has not been fully operationalised, and lacks clarity on key regulatory provisions, especially regarding funding, labour rights in essential services and the role of state governments following recent constitutional reforms.

READ ALSO: Policemen Should Get ₦500,000 As Salary, Senators Earn N30m Monthly —Sowore

“Electricity is an essential service. No one should hold the country to ransom under the guise of a strike. We must remove ambiguities and make the law implementable,” he stated.

Abaribe also criticised the refusal of some electricity distribution companies to pay for power supplied, further compounding the sector’s instability.

In support of the bill, Senator Adamu Aliero, expressed concern over continued federal expenditure on the privatised power sector.

He criticised the financial burden still being carried by the government despite the privatisation of generation and distribution companies (GenCos and DisCos), recommending capital punishment for saboteurs of national assets.

“We’ve privatized power, yet trillions of naira are still being spent on behalf of private companies. More importantly, the growing threat of vandalism must be addressed. Vandals are sabotaging national assets and should face capital punishment if necessary,” Aliero said.

The bill proposes a range of reforms, including:

* Criminalizing electricity infrastructure vandalism;

* Clarifying the transfer of regulatory power from NERC to state governments;

* Enhancing the operationalisation of the Electricity Consumer Assistance Fund;

* Strengthening penalties and institutional oversight.