Politics

Alleged Defamation: NASS Member demands apology from Sahara Reporters

Published

8 months ago

September 26, 2025

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A member of the House of Representatives, representing Edu/Moro/Patigi of Kwara State in the National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Adamu Ahmed Saba, has decried the “defamatory and malicious” publication against him by the Sahara Reporters, demanding a
public apology and retraction of the story within seven days or face legal action.

His counsel, Mohammed Ndayako SAN & Co in a letter dated 22nd September 2025 signed by S.S Jipan esq, addressed to the Managing Director of Sahara Reporters, and made available to journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, accused the medium of failure to get response of the lawmaker to the story published on September 18, 2025.

The action, according to the lawmaker’s counsel, constituted a deliberate ploy to smear the good image the lawmaker had built both in Nigeria and beyond.

Contrary to the publication that the lawmaker defrauded one of his Legislative Aides, Ahmed Kabir, of N5m fake job appointment, the lawmaker’s Counsel confirmed, with necessary documents, that the complainant is indeed one of his legitimate staff.

The letter reads in part that: “It is our Client’s brief that on the 18th day of September, 2025, without verifying or affording him the opportunity of responding to the allegations as is expected of a responsible media like Sahara Reporters, you made a scandalous and defamatory publication against the person of our Client with the caption: “House of Reps Member Adamu Saba Accused of Defrauding Constituent of N5 million in Fake Job Appointment.”

It also stated that: “Contrary to the above, and if your Sahara Reporters cares to find out to balance its story, public records in the National Assembly will show to a neutral journalist that the supposed Constituent, Kabir Ahmed, was actually appointed as a Legislative Aide to our client by the National Assembly Service Commission on 22nd January, 2025, which appointment was at the pleasure of our Client.

“Copies of his Appointment letter, Staff Identification card and Salary Pay Slip are hereby attached and marked as Annexure A, B and C respectively.

“That documents from the National Assembly and from the office of Our Client, which your Sahara Reporters did not bother to verify, would also show that the said Constituent, Kabir Ahmed, enjoyed the benefit and privileges of his appointment as a Legislative Aide to our client, including accompanying our Client to carry out some of his legislative oversight functions.” the letter also stated.

“It is instructive for you to note that the appointment of a Legislative Aide of the National Assembly is always at the pleasure of the Legislature concern and the aide will be expected to keep such appointment if, and only if, they are not found wanting in character and conduct expected of the aide of a legislature that is representing a constitutional constituency.” the letter further stated.

“Sequel to the above, it is our contention that your publication dated the 18th day of September, 2025 is not only scandalous and defamatory against the person of Our Client, it is also a calculated attempt to smear our client’s long standing and hard earned political reputation within and outside Nigeria, especially that you did not take any reasonable steps to verify the allegations before going to press.

“It is against this backdrop that we demand you to retract the defamatory Publication made against our Client with immediate effect and tender an unreserved public apology within Seven (7) days which must be published in at least two (2) National dailies one of which must be widely read in Abuja, FCT and Northern Part of Nigeria and the other, in the Southern Part of Nigeria.

“Take further notice that you are required to retract the defamatory Publication and tender public apology to Our Client within seven (7) clear days commencing from the date of receipt of this letter or the date of posting by courier service, the failure of which will leave us with no options other than to employ every legal apparatus available to us against you. A stitch in time saves nine.” Adamu Ahmed Saba’s counsel demanded in the letter.

Ends

Politics

KAWU HAILS TINUBU’S LANDSLIDE APC PRIMARY VICTORY, DESCRIBES IT AS “A TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY ”

Published

1 week ago

May 24, 2026

milcah

Rt. Hon. Comrade Hafiz Kawu, OON, mni, Executive Commissioner (Technical) of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his overwhelming victory at the 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Primary Election, describing the outcome as a clear endorsement of the President’s leadership and reform-driven administration.
Kawu, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano State, said the President’s victory was not only historic but also a reflection of the growing confidence Nigerians have in the Renewed Hope agenda.
President Tinubu secured a massive victory in the nationwide direct primary election conducted across the country’s 8,809 wards, polling over 10 million votes to defeat his challenger, Mr. Stanley Osifo.
Reacting to the result, Kawu said the election demonstrated the strength of Nigeria’s democratic process and the willingness of Nigerians to stand behind a leader they believe is committed to national progress.
According to him, the President’s decision to participate in an open and transparent direct primary election despite being the incumbent leader showed rare courage, humility, and democratic conviction.
He noted that President Tinubu could easily have relied on the influence of incumbency but instead chose to subject himself to the will of party members and ordinary Nigerians through a grassroots voting process.
Kawu praised the President for championing reforms that strengthened internal party democracy, saying the direct primary system gave millions of Nigerians a sense of participation and ownership in the political process.
The PenCom Commissioner further commended the Tinubu administration for implementing policies and reforms aimed at repositioning the country’s economy, improving infrastructure, strengthening institutions, and enhancing workers’ welfare through measures such as the new national minimum wage.
He stated that many Nigerians were beginning to see the practical impact of the administration’s policies, adding that the outcome of the primary election reflected public appreciation for the President’s efforts.
Kawu also described Tinubu as a leader with a strong vision for national development and unity, stressing that the renewed mandate from party members should serve as further motivation to continue delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.
He reaffirmed his support and loyalty to the President’s administration and prayed for divine wisdom, strength, and guidance for the President as he continues to steer the affairs of the nation.
Kawu concluded by expressing optimism that Nigeria would continue to witness growth, stability, and progress under President Tinubu’s leadership.

Politics

Dogara Commends Tinubu’s Resounding APC Primary Victory

Published

1 week ago

May 24, 2026

milcah

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Dogara, who served as Bauchi State Coordinator and Collation Officer while also sitting on the national Presidential Primary Election Committee, said the outcome was not just a win for Tinubu but a triumph for grassroots democracy. He congratulated the President on behalf of Bauchi State and in his capacity as a member of the committee, calling the victory extraordinary, historic, and thoroughly deserved.

The final results revealed Tinubu’s overwhelming mandate: 10,999,162 votes across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, compared to just 15,503 for his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo. For Dogara, this margin was more than a statistic; it was a declaration of trust from millions of APC members nationwide. He noted that nearly eleven million Nigerians had risen as one to affirm a leader who had earned their confidence, describing the outcome as a movement rather than just a result.

Dogara commended the election committee, chaired by former SGF Pius Anyim and including respected figures such as Ken Nnamani, Victor Ndoma-Egba, and Idris Wada, for ensuring transparency, credibility, and fairness throughout the process. He said the committee had been given a sacred mandate to guarantee integrity and was proud that it discharged that responsibility faithfully.

He also highlighted Tinubu’s decision to subject himself to direct primaries under the Electoral Act 2026, which abolished delegate voting and empowered millions of party members at the grassroots. Dogara stressed that Tinubu could have relied on the powers of incumbency but instead chose to stand before the people. He described this as humility and character, noting that Tinubu had signed the law, championed the reforms, and then submitted himself to the same process, proving his commitment to democratic principles.

In his closing remarks, Dogara urged Tinubu to carry the weight of the people’s confidence with integrity and purpose. He reminded the President that nearly eleven million Nigerians had entrusted him with their hopes, calling it a responsibility of historic proportions. He charged Tinubu to fulfill that mandate faithfully, declaring that history is watching and that Nigerians are proud.

Politics

APC Reps Primary: Akpanke Wins Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Ticket

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

milcah

Over the weekend, Hon. Peter A. Akpanke emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election for the Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency in Cross River State after securing an overwhelming majority of votes cast across the three local government areas.

The primary election, monitored by party officials and stakeholders, recorded a total of 18,921 registered APC members and delegates across Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku Local Government Areas.

Official results collation which was made available to journalists showed that 16,564 valid votes were cast during the exercise, with no void votes recorded.

According to the results, Hon. Akpanke polled a total of 14,252 votes to defeat five other aspirants, with
Hon. Theresa Akwaji Ushie scoring 101 votes;
Hon. Martin Orim with 1,572 votes;
Anthonia A. Ally with 104 votes;
Dr. Vincent A. Ushie with 270 votes and
Dr. Godwin A. Agbor with 265 votes.

A breakdown of the constituency wide results showed that Akpanke secured 4,749 votes in Obanliku Local Government Area, 4,886 votes in Obudu Local Government Area, and 4,617 votes in Bekwarra Local Government Area, consolidating respectively.

Following the conclusion of the collation process, APC electoral officials formally declared Hon. Peter A. Akpanke winner of the party’s House of Representatives primary election for the Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency.

The primary election was described by stakeholders, observers and party officials as peaceful, orderly transparent and credible, noting that the outcome reflected the will of party delegates and members across the constituency.

The primary election was conducted under the supervision of APC electoral officials who demonstrated true professionalism, with the official collation documents signed and dated May 16, 2026.