News
Zamfara Governor Rebuts Federal Government, Citing Evidence of Secret Meetings with Bandits
By Daniel Edu
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has responded to the Federal Government’s denial of secret negotiations with bandits in the state, asserting that his administration possesses compelling evidence to substantiate the claim that certain federal officials held clandestine meetings with the criminal elements.
Earlier, Governor Lawal had alleged that certain agencies under the leadership of Bola Tinubu’s government were engaged in covert dialogues with the bandits, a strategy he had earlier dismissed as an option in dealing with criminals.
In a statement relayed by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, Governor Lawal expressed his concern that these government agencies were engaged in negotiations with the bandits without informing the state government or other security authorities. He called for a thorough and immediate investigation into these secretive talks by the Tinubu-led government.
In a swift rebuttal, the Federal Government refuted the allegations, asserting that there was no truth to the claims of secret negotiations with bandits in Zamfara. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, accused the Zamfara government of politicizing security issues in the state.
Governor Lawal, however, responded to the minister’s statements by reiterating his position and asserting that he possessed evidence that could reveal the involvement of certain federal government agents in the negotiations with bandits.
In a statement released through his spokesperson, Governor Lawal criticized the information minister for dismissing their claims without conducting a proper investigation. He called on the federal government to take decisive action against those involved in such negotiations and to probe the motivations behind their actions.
Governor Lawal emphasized that his government respected established protocols and authority and would not resort to publicly disclosing the names of federal government agents involved in these covert dialogues with bandits. He stressed that the individuals conducting these negotiations were the ones politicizing the issue of insecurity, not the state government.
He further clarified that Zamfara State had specific evidence of such negotiations occurring in various locations across the state, including Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun Haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege. Governor Lawal warned against negotiating with bandits, emphasizing that it was not a viable solution to the problem and only served to embolden the criminals.
In conclusion, he called upon the Federal Government to take a firm stance against such activities and thoroughly investigate the motives behind these negotiations.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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