A political analyst Dr. Ibrahim Modibo claimed that President Bola Tinubu has conquered Nigeria and is focusing development primarily on Lagos at the expense of other states.

Speaking in an interview on Trust TV on Monday, Modibo said almost all members of the Economic Team are from Lagos or the southwestern part of the country.

“So if they decide, they can just go and have a meeting, and they will be speaking Yoruba, taking minutes in Yoruba, implementing policy in Yoruba, and nobody can say anything, because as far as I’m concerned, Tinubu has conquered Nigeria.

“That’s why, right from the onset, I’ve stated unequivocally that we should not under any circumstances allow this thing to be happening like this.

“You see a lot of issues. You see Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN? Most of this has been dismantled from here and taken to Lagos. Customs has been dismantled and taken to Lagos. So many things have been under the cover of darkness been removed from Abuja back to Lagos.

“So I don’t know whether there is any agenda because if you look at what has been spent on Lagos alone under this administration, it is on trillions upon trillions of Naira, while other states of the Federation lack social amenities,” Modibo lamented.

Security was significantly tightened at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned former Governor Nasir El-Rufai over alleged corruption-related offences.

The Department of State Service has mounted heavy deployment, restricting movement and partially shutting down the dual carriageway, with only one lane accessible.

By about 7:00 a.m., heavily armed personnel of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had taken positions at strategic locations leading to the court complex situated within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area.

Access roads to the venue witnessed restrictions, forcing vehicles into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo and triggering early morning gridlock.

The heavy security followed a prior notice by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that it would arraign El-Rufai on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.

In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said the former governor would be docked alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.

The agency explained that the charges against the defendants include alleged conversion, unlawful possession of public property, and money laundering.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, and one Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The charges range from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering,” the statement read.

It further disclosed that another case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been instituted against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court.

According to the commission, the state charges border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

“Similarly, another charge against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule has been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division. The charges range from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage, among others,” the statement added.

The ICPC said both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that a date for arraignment in the state court would be announced later.

It also insisted that El-Rufai had been properly served, stressing its adherence to due process and the rule of law.

The development came amid growing pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which called for his immediate release or arraignment, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.

In the same vein, the Muslim Rights Concern criticised his prolonged detention, while members of his family also alleged a breach of his fundamental rights.

El-Rufai was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC.

He has remained in the custody of the anti-graft agency since then, pending his arraignment.

The grand reception of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State into the All Progressives Congress (APC) fold on Monday (today) turned out to be a major event the further built momentum around one of the governorship aspirants in the forthcoming 2027 Governorship Election in the State, Abdulrahman Bashir Haske.

The event, which took place at the Ribadu Square in Yola, witnessed an extraordinary political gathering as thousands of supporters, party leaders, and stakeholders converged to welcome Governor Fintiri into the APC, a move widely seen as a significant shift in the political direction of Adamawa State.

The grand reception attracted a massive crowd from across the state, turned the historic square into a vibrant sea of APC colours, as many political observers described the moment as a strategic alignment aimed at strengthening Adamawa’s connection with the national leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and positioning the state to benefit more directly from the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Amid the celebration and political symbolism of the day, one figure whose presence resonated strongly with the crowd was Haske, as his arrival sparked waves of excitement across different sections of the venue with supporters and youth groups erupting into chants that echoed across Ribadu Square.

Placards bearing messages of confidence in his leadership and vision were lifted high, as the crowd started chanting household slogans “Haske is Ok”, which reverberated through the crowd, reflecting a growing grassroots sentiment around his role in the future of Adamawa politics.

Observers say the spontaneous show of support signalled the rising political momentum surrounding Haske among party faithful and the youth demographics.

Widely recognised for his community engagement and youth-driven initiatives through the AB Haske Foundation, Haske has steadily built a reputation for connecting with grassroots communities and championing empowerment programmes that resonate strongly with young population across the state.

For many observers at the event, the energy around Haske underscored the emergence of a new wave of political enthusiasm centered on development-focused leadership, inclusive governance, and stronger grassroots representation.

While the reception primarily celebrated Governor Fintiri’s political realignment, the electrifying reception accorded to Haske added another dimension to the gathering signaling the rising expectations of supporters, who believe Adamawa’s next chapter should be driven by bold ideas, youthful energy, and a clear commitment to sustainable development.

As conversations gradually begin to shape the road toward 2027, the atmosphere at Ribadu Square suggests that the call for a new generation of leadership in Adamawa is growing louder—and the name Abdulrahman Bashir Haske is increasingly becoming part of that conversation.

Meanwhile, speaking at the event on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the grand reception for Fintiri, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the APC and the Federal Government are proud of Fintiri and pleased to welcome him and his supporters into the party.

The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, while presenting Fintiri with the party’s flag, said the APC is glad to have him, describing him as a hardworking governor, and urged him to make the party’s flag fly even more vigorously.

The National Chairman, while handing over the APC’s symbolic broom to Fintiri, charged him to bring the remnants of other parties in the state into the APC.

Haske, who applauded the party leadership for strengthening unity and understanding within the part, also expressed his commitment to work with the party leadership towards bringing the dividends of democracy to the good people of Adamawa, as stakeholders consultations and engagements intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the State.

Signed:

Abdulgaffar Ahmed

Publicity Secretary for Abdulrahman Haske