News Politics March 13, 2026 Yari’s new political movement gathers nationwide support ahead of 2027 elections

 

Less than 48 hours after it was formally unveiled, the Renewed Network (TRN) is already drawing widespread political interest and grassroots mobilisation across the country, indicating what observers say could be the early development of a coordinated national political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The initiative is being championed by former Zamfara State governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari. Shortly after the unveiling, the network’s national facilitators, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and Emmmanuel Osita, disclosed that thousands of Nigerians from different regions had begun signing up as members, while several political stakeholders quietly indicated interest in associating with the platform.

In a statement, the facilitators revealed that individuals linked to more than 30 state governors, as well as senior advisers and other influential political figures from across the country’s geopolitical zones, reportedly reached out to signal interest in the initiative soon after it was announced.

Political analysts note that the rapid response underscores the growing attention surrounding the movement, which many view as part of a broader political strategy aimed at consolidating nationwide backing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of a potential re-election bid in the 2027 Nigerian general elections.

Facilitators of the platform insist that the Renewed Network was the outcome of months of consultations rather than a sudden development. According to them, the initiative emerged after extensive engagements led by Senator Yari with political stakeholders, grassroots leaders, youth organisations, women’s groups and former elected officials across the country.

The consultations, they said, highlighted a shared concern among several political actors regarding the importance of sustaining and strengthening the Renewed Hope Agenda associated with the Tinubu administration.

Insiders explained that those discussions eventually led to the decision to create a structured national platform that could mobilise grassroots support and coordinate political participation across the federation.

The network is said to include participation from political actors, community organisers, women leaders, youth organisations and former councillors drawn from Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

Supporters of the initiative maintain that the movement is anchored on the belief that the country is gradually entering a phase of economic recovery and institutional reform under the leadership of President Tinubu.

They also note that the network aims to promote civic engagement, broaden political inclusion and encourage more Nigerians to participate actively in democratic processes.

Preparations are already ongoing for a major national launch of the Renewed Network. According to insiders, the event is expected to attract thousands of supporters, political stakeholders, youth leaders, women organisations and delegates from all 36 states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

In the meantime, the group has called on Nigerians—particularly young people, women, community leaders and political stakeholders—to become part of what organisers describe as a rapidly expanding national movement.

With the level of early interest already recorded, observers say the Renewed Network could soon emerge as an influential political platform shaping national discourse as preparations toward the 2027 elections gradually gather pace.

Crime News March 13, 2026 Father arraigned for allegedly ‘fingeriπg’ 4-year-old daughter

 

The police in Lagos on Friday arraigned a 44-year-old trader, Ebere Ezeoha, before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling his four-year-old daughter with his finger.

Ezeoha, who lives in Ago Palace, Lagos, is facing a charge of defilement.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the alleged offence occurred on Feb. 14 at the defendant’s residence.

He alleged that the child’s mother discovered the defendant inserting his finger into the child’s anus after hearing the girl crying.

Ademigbuji said the offence contravenes Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Chief Magistrate Omolara Kushanu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case until April 9 for mention.

News March 13, 2026 Quds Day : Shi’ites rally for Palestine in Bauchi, vow support for Iran

 

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly known as the Shi’ite group, on Friday staged a demonstration in Bauchi to express solidarity with Palestine.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Ahmad Yashi said the rally formed part of activities marking Quds Day, which is observed globally on the last Friday of every Ramadan.

According to him, the demonstration was organised to show support for Palestinians, whom he said had faced invasion for several decades.

“This is a known demonstration held on the last Friday of every month of Ramadan worldwide under the Quds Day platform. It is to show support and sympathy for Palestinians who have been under invasion for about eight decades,” he said.

The group, which is loyal to Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, made the statement while addressing journalists on the sidelines of the demonstration.

Yashi also noted that the group’s demonstrations had remained peaceful over the years, claiming that any breakdown of law and order recorded in the past was usually caused by authorities due to what he described as a misunderstanding of the group’s activities.

The Bauchi State chapter of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria further declared its support for Iran amid the ongoing tensions involving the United States and Israel, warning that eliminating Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, could aggravate the crisis.

Yashi said killing Iran’s Supreme Leader would not restore peace but would instead intensify the conflict.

“We are with Iran in heart and soul. They are targeting the Iranian Supreme Leader to make the country surrender, but they are mistaken. The Supreme Leader, as a religious authority, is among those dousing tensions,” he said.

He described Islam as a religion of peace but blamed Western countries for what he termed continued global unrest.

“Islam is a peaceful religion, but the West is the problem. They are selfish and want everyone to bow to them. This will not happen; those days are gone,” he added.

Yashi also revealed that members of the movement in Bauchi had earlier held a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Iran.

“We conducted a peaceful demonstration in support of Iran, and every Muslim must take a side in this war. You are either with the righteous or with the oppressors,” he stated.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Police Command, Nafiu Habib, said the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had directed the deployment of officers to safeguard government facilities across the metropolis ahead of the demonstration.

He explained that security personnel monitored the protest to prevent any possible breakdown of law and order.

According to him, the demonstration ended peacefully without any reported incident.

“Until now, there is no report of any breakdown of law and order,” he added.

(PUNCH)

Crime News March 13, 2026 ISWAP terrorists flee as fighter jet appears during attack on Borno military base

 

Nigerian troops have repelled an attack by terrorists of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a military base in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno state.

The attempted assault was thwarted with the support of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), who deployed fighter jet to support troops battling the terrorists.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, which cited security sources, the insurgents launched the attack in the early hours of Friday, advancing in large numbers in what appeared to be an attempt to overrun the military formation.

“The sources said the troops immediately engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, effectively resisting the assault and preventing the insurgents from breaching the base.

“According to the sources, while the exchange of fire was ongoing, the Nigerian Air Force scrambled an aircraft to provide aerial support to the ground troops,” the publication reported.

Sources told Makama that on sighting the aircraft, “the terrorists took to their heels and were seen scampering in disarray into nearby bushes to escape the superior firepower of the troops and the air component”.

Makama reported that the attempted attack was successfully foiled, forcing the insurgents to abandon the operation.

In recent weeks, terrorist attacks have intensified in parts of the region, with military bases frequently targeted and some personnel killed.

On Monday, ISWAP fighters killed a commanding officer of the Nigerian Army during another attack on a military facility in Kukawa LGA of Borno state.

The following day, troops repelled another early-morning attack by suspected ISWAP fighters on a military base in the same area.

Business News March 13, 2026 CBN introduces stricter BVN rules, limits phone number changes

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced additional measures to strengthen the regulatory framework guiding Bank Verification Number (BVN) operations and the watch-list system within the country’s banking sector.

The new directive was contained in an addendum to the Revised Regulatory Framework for BVN Operations and Watch-List for the Nigerian Banking Industry.

The circular, dated March 12, 2026, was signed by Musa I. Jimoh, Director of the Payments System Policy Department, and will come into effect on May 1, 2026.

Under the updated guidelines, banks and other financial institutions are required to create and maintain a temporary watch-list for BVNs linked to suspected fraudulent activities.

“A BVN may remain on this temporary Watchlist for a maximum period of twenty-four (24) hours, during this period, the BVN owner shall be contacted to provide clarification regarding the identified transaction(s),” the circular stated.

The addendum also introduced a minimum age requirement for BVN enrolment, specifying that only individuals who are at least 18 years old can register.

Furthermore, the apex bank placed limits on modifications to phone numbers associated with BVNs.

“Amendments to phone numbers linked to a BVN shall be allowed only once,” the circular noted.

The CBN also reiterated that access to BVN databases will remain restricted.

“Access to the BVN databases shall be exclusively granted to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licensed financial institutions. Notwithstanding this provision, the Central Bank of Nigeria (the Bank) reserves the right to approve access to the BVN databases in extenuating circumstances and in accordance with the provisions of extant laws,” the circular said.

According to the apex bank, the measures form part of its mandate “of promoting financial system stability”, while ensuring uniform implementation of BVN operations and watch-list procedures across banks, financial institutions, and payment service providers.

With the new system in place, financial institutions are expected to comply fully with the revised requirements, while bank customers may be contacted if their BVNs are temporarily flagged during the fraud monitoring process.

Business News March 13, 2026 JUST IN : CBN orders banks to deny loan defaulters access to credit facilities

 

News March 13, 2026 Viral video: Asari Dokubo identifies as Islamist, jihadist

 

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has openly described himself as both an Islamist and a jihadist.

Dokubo made the statement while discussing his religious beliefs, explaining that the name he currently bears reflects his faith and personal convictions.

In a video that has circulated widely online, Dokubo said: “I’m a Jihadist, my name is Mujahed, he who carries out Jihad, that is what it means in Arabic.”

The former militant leader noted that the name represents an identity he deliberately chose for himself.

“That is the name I adopted,” he said.

Dokubo further stressed his dedication to Islam, saying he practices the religion openly and without fear or apology.

“Listen to me very well, I’m an Islamist, I’m a Muslim without apologist and fear,” he added.

Dokubo is widely known for his outspoken views on national matters, particularly issues affecting the Niger Delta.

(DAILY POST)