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GOVERNOR RADDA’S BOLD STEPS TOWARDS TACKLING INSECURITY IN KATSINA STATE AND THE NORTHWEST

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By Maiwada Dammallam

The ancient city of Katsina was agog and in very high spirits as Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda, supported by Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Abba Yusuf of Kano, Kauran Gwandu of Kebbi, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, Maimala Buni of Yobe and Aminu Usman, Jigawa State Deputy Governor who stood in for his Governor.

It was the occasion of the unveiling by Governor Radda of the “Batch 1” of Katsina Community Watch Corps graduates — about 1,500 carefully handpicked and rigorously trained youths who will be posted back to their localities as vigilantes to assist security agencies in curtailing the menace of insecurity. The logic of handpicking and training youths from local communities across the state to serve as Katsina Community Watch Corps is one and the same with the timeless maxim: “You want a job done well, do it yourself.”

These youths are mostly the worse hit by menace of banditry. They are either direct or indirect victims of banditry. Like Governor Radda, many of them must have suffered the dual pain of losing a loved one to rampaging bandits or suffered the trauma of having a loved in the terrifying dungeons of the bandits. And these are able bodied and emotionally calibrated youths whose only inability to confront the menace of banditry is the absence of a well organized template to do so. This is what Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda is providing them with to assist the government to tackle the menace. This is as unprecedented as it’s pragmatic. The idea of able bodied youths being reduced to mere sitting ducks for bandits to practice target shooting with is as repulsive as it’s unacceptable.

Recall that Governor Radda vowed to spend every kobo in the state’s coffers if that’s what it will take to have people of Katsina State go to their farms and come back home safely to sleep with two eyes closed. Undoubtedly, this is the reason for the recent unprecedented lump expenditure of over N7bn by the Dikko administration to procure security materials to enhance the functionality of security agencies in Katsina State. This includes vehicles, weaponry and innovative technological additives aimed at revolutionizing the war.

It’s quite commendable that, alongside the unveiling of the freshly trained youths of the Katsina Community Watch Corps was the simultaneous launching of 61 customized Hilux vehicles and 700 motorcycles intended to enhance the effectiveness of Katsina State security architecture. The 61 Hilux vehicles were shared in the following order:

Each of the 34 LGAs of the state received 1 Hilux for the NPF.

8 frontline LGAs bedeviled by the menace of banditry received 2 Hilux vehicles for their chapter of the Community Watch Corps.

11 LGAs vulnerable and or contagious to the 8 frontline LGAs received 1 vehicle each to support the 8 frontline LGAs while preventing the escalation of the menace to their LGAs.

A total of 700 motorcycles were shared by Governor Radda in the following order:

The 8 frontline LGAs received 50 motorcycles each for their Community Watch Corps (400 motorcycles).

Each of 11 vulnerable LGAs received 25 motorcycles for their Community Watch Corps (275 motorcycles).

Lastly, 25 motorcycles were received by the HQ of the Community Watch Corps for open purpose.

This is a clear confirmation of the strong resolve of Governor Radda apply conventional, pragmatic and more sustainable means to make Katsina State safe rather than give in to the rather expensive and Ponzi scheme-like idea of negotiating peace with the bandits which is nothing short of buying as much temporary peace as is convenient for the bandits to sell without jeopardizing their suffocating grip. Taking bold step to establish the Community Watch Corps while…

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

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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.

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Dogara Commends Tinubu’s Resounding APC Primary Victory

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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.

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

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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.

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