News March 05, 2026 JUST IN: Kano State House of Assembly moves to Impeach Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam

The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of the state,Aminu Abdulsalam, over alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust.

The impeachment notice was read during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore, after it was presented by the Majority Leader, Lawan Husseini Dala.

Reading the notice on the floor of the House, Dala said the action was taken in line with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which empowers a state legislature to commence impeachment proceedings against a deputy governor over allegations of gross misconduct.

The notice accused Abdulsalam of breaching public trust during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024.

According to the lawmakers, the deputy governor allegedly received kickbacks of N1.5 million monthly from each of the 44 local government councils in the state between June 2023 and January 2024, amounting to N66 million per month and a total of N462 million within the seven-month period.

The Assembly further alleged that between February and July 2024, Abdulsalam received additional cash returns of N3.255 million monthly from each local government council under the guise of executing special assignments, bringing the total amount allegedly received during the period to N726 million.

The notice also accused him of abusing his office by facilitating the release of N10 million from each of the 44 local government councils, totaling N440 million, to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, in alleged contravention of the Kano State Public Procurement Law and Fiscal Management regulations.

The lawmakers said the alleged actions amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the constitution, describing the acts as a violation of constitutional provisions and ethical standards expected of public officials.

A total of 38 members of the Assembly reportedly appended their signatures to the impeachment notice.

Following its presentation, Speaker Falgore directed that a notice be formally served on the deputy governor in line with constitutional provisions governing impeachment procedures.

Sports March 05, 2026 Arsenal extend lead, Chelsea shine, City slip in dramatic EPL midweek showdown

A dramatic midweek in the English Premier League saw twists at both ends of the table as title contenders, European hopefuls and relegation battlers all had plenty to play for in Game week 29.

Arsenal extends title lead

Arsenal strengthened their grip on the top of the table with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Brighton & Hove Albion. Bukayo Saka’s early strike proved decisive, helping Arsenal open a seven-point lead over second-placed Manchester City with just over two months of the season remaining. The Gunners’ consistency continues to set them apart in what has been one of the most competitive title races in years.

Chelsea roar back into contention

At Villa Park, Chelsea produced one of the midweek’s standout performances, turning a early deficit into a commanding **4-1 victory over Aston Villa. João Pedro starred with a hat-trick, while Cole Palmer added another, lifting Chelsea into the top five and boosting their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Conversely, Villa’s title ambitions suffered a significant blow with just two wins in their last nine league games.

Big result for Newcastle

In a gripping clash at St James’ Park, Newcastle United stunned Manchester United, winning 2-1 thanks to a late winner from William Osula. United’s unbeaten run under interim boss Michael Carrick came to an end, providing a major morale boost for the Magpies’ push up the table.

City dropped points; West Ham edge vital win

Title rivals Manchester City were held to a **2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium, allowing Arsenal’s lead to grow further. Meanwhile, West Ham United claimed a vital **1-0 victory over Fulham, as Crysencio Summerville’s strike proved the difference in the London derby—giving the Hammers crucial points in the fight to avoid relegation.

The bigger picture

Arsenal’s win and Manchester City’s slip have reshaped the title race, while Chelsea’s resurgence adds fresh intrigue to the hunt for European qualification. At the other end, West Ham’s win and Forest’s battling draw underscore how tight the relegation battle remains with just weeks left in the campaign.

News March 05, 2026 Monday sit-at-home: Anambra Govt warns students of one-week suspension for absence

The Anambra State Government has cautioned that students who fail to attend school on Mondays risk a one-week suspension.

The Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, issued the warning on Wednesday during a meeting with the management of Mount Olive Schools and Springfield Academy GRA, Onitsha. She said the directive was in line with instructions from Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure full academic activities resume across the state every Monday.

The affected schools were invited to explain their alleged failure to comply with the government’s directive on Monday attendance. While Mount Olive Schools reported improved turnout, Springfield Academy noted that some parents were still hesitant to send their children to school on Mondays. Both institutions pledged to strengthen efforts to guarantee regular attendance.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education, through the Examination Development Centre, has conducted the 2026 Transition Placement Examination. Chuma-Udeh said she supervised the exercise alongside Permanent Secretary, Dr Ifeoma Agbaizu, at centres including Nnamdi Azikiwe University Demonstration School, Igwebeze Primary School and Igwebuike Grammar School in Awka.

News Politics March 05, 2026 Obi was not rigged out in 2023, says Lai Mohammed

Former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Lai Mohammed, has stated that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would not have emerged president even if he had secured 10 million votes in the 2023 election.

Speaking on Edmund Obilo’s State Affairs podcast, Mohammed dismissed claims that Obi was rigged out, insisting that the Labour Party candidate neither won the election nor posed the biggest challenge in the contest.

He recalled that following the polls, questions were raised about the credibility of the process, particularly on social media where many supporters claimed victory for Obi. According to him, his team engaged think tanks and international media outlets in the US and UK to clarify why Obi could not have won under Nigeria’s constitutional requirements.

Mohammed explained that to be declared president under the Nigerian Constitution, a candidate must secure the highest number of votes and at least 25 per cent of votes in two-thirds of the states. He noted that Obi finished third behind Atiku Abubakar, having scored 25 per cent in 15 states, while Atiku achieved the threshold in 21 states. He added that Bola Ahmed Tinubu met both conditions, recording the majority of votes and 25 per cent in 29 states.

Mohammed further argued that Obi was not the primary contender in the race and suggested that had he remained aligned with Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might have won the election.

News March 05, 2026 Cleric reacts to suspension of over remarks on Tinubu

The suspension of Sheikh Alkali Abubakar Salihu Zaria by the Jos faction of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) has sparked reaction.

The cleric, who was leading Ramadan tafsir at Mokas Mosque in Damaturu, Yobe State, was suspended after delivering a sermon in which he criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some political leaders in the North-West over rising insecurity.

His suspension reportedly followed a meeting convened by the National Chairman of the JIBWIS Council of Ulama, Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir, alongside state and local representatives of the group in Yobe State. The cleric was accused of making strongly worded statements against certain individuals and addressing insecurity in a manner considered inconsistent with the organisation’s principles.

During one of his lectures, Alkali condemned what he described as the failure of governors and influential politicians to tackle kidnappings and banditry in the region. He decried the abduction and mistreatment of victims, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, and criticised what he termed the culture of revering political figures out of fear.

He further alleged that some governors fear the president more than they fear God, and accused political actors of suppressing opposition voices.

Reacting to the suspension in a Facebook post, Alkali said he accepted the decision in good faith, describing Jingir as both a religious leader and a father figure. He urged his followers to remain calm, disciplined and loyal, stating that everything happens according to divine will.

The development has since drawn mixed reactions online. While some youths condemned the suspension as unjustified, others criticised the Izala movement, accusing it of contributing to governance challenges in the North. Conversely, another commentator argued that the cleric’s remarks were dramatic and aimed at winning public sympathy.

News March 05, 2026 Why I Won’t die anytime soon, Obasanjo declares at 89

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed rumours of his death, declaring at 89 that he remains strong and has no intention of leaving “anytime soon.”

Speaking on Wednesday in Abeokuta during a colloquium marking his 89th birthday, Obasanjo condemned the circulation of a fake letter suggesting he was announcing his own death. He described those behind it as mischief-makers, insisting that God still has work for him to accomplish.

Born on March 6, 1937, the former leader said he believes his continued life and good health are divinely ordained. He maintained that he would remain active for as long as God permits.

In his lecture titled “Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World,” Obasanjo reflected on Africa’s leadership challenges, blaming the continent’s slow development on failure of leadership rather than geography or history. According to him, Africa’s abundant natural and human resources should ordinarily position it for prosperity, peace and global relevance.

He criticised leaders who prioritise personal and family interests over national development, undermine institutions and silence dissent. Obasanjo urged investment in leadership formation rooted in integrity, accountability and service.

Drawing from personal experience, he spoke about the weight of leadership decisions, including commanding troops during the Nigerian Civil War and governing Nigeria between 1999 and 2007. He also recalled his imprisonment under the late Head of State, Sani Abacha, describing it as one of the heavy costs of principled leadership.

Despite the burdens, Obasanjo highlighted achievements such as Nigeria’s Paris Club debt relief and the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of leadership’s rewards.

Reaffirming his vitality, he said, “God has assured me He still has more for me to do. I remain strong and well.”

News March 05, 2026 IGP Disu’s inaugural speech signals new era for Nigeria Police – Ex-DIG Zanna

A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, has praised the inaugural speech delivered by the new Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, describing it as a pivotal moment that could signal a new chapter of people-oriented policing in Nigeria.

Responding to the IGP’s first official address, Ibrahim said the strong focus on personnel welfare, housing, pensions and professional standards has revived cautious but sincere optimism about meaningful reform within the Nigeria Police Force, particularly at a period when public confidence has been deeply shaken by longstanding institutional difficulties.

The former DIG noted that the true weight of the speech rests not only in its delivery but in its acknowledgement of a critical reality — that a force battling low morale cannot adequately safeguard the country.

“For too long, national conversations about policing have focused almost exclusively on crime statistics and enforcement operations,” he noted. “But officers who are uncertain about their welfare, retirement security, or living conditions cannot be expected to operate at their highest professional standards. Internal reform is the foundation of external credibility.”

Ibrahim stressed that building a genuinely people oriented police institution depends on trust, which must be earned through professionalism, fairness in enforcement, and firm accountability where misconduct occurs.

He advised the new police leadership to ensure that reform pledges are swiftly translated into concrete, measurable outcomes.

Outlining what he described as four essential pillars for the administration’s success, Ibrahim began with the urgent need to formalize welfare reforms. He said housing initiatives, pension management, healthcare access and improved working environments should move beyond policy declarations and be embedded in structured, transparent frameworks with clear timelines and monitoring systems. “When officers feel valued, morale improves and with it, performance,” he added.

Secondly, he highlighted the importance of deepening professional standards across the Force. Ongoing training in community policing strategies, intelligence-led policing, technology-based crime detection and strict compliance with human rights principles, he argued, are indispensable in addressing contemporary security challenges.

On accountability, Ibrahim maintained that there must be zero tolerance for impunity. According to him, restoring public trust requires not just reducing crime rates but ensuring visible sanctions for wrongdoing within the Force. “Impunity erodes legitimacy; accountability restores it,” he warned, advocating prompt, transparent and equitable internal disciplinary processes.

The fourth pillar, he said, should centre on strengthening engagement with communities. Establishing structured dialogue forums, effective citizen feedback channels and proactive communication mechanisms are crucial to repositioning police officers as collaborators in public safety rather than adversaries.

Despite the renewed enthusiasm, the retired DIG cautioned that progress could easily be reversed by political interference, broken promises or selective enforcement, all of which could rapidly diminish public trust.

“The success of this tenure will depend not merely on vision, but on consistency, courage, and the willingness to institutionalize reforms that outlive one administration,” he said.

Ibrahim concluded that the country requires far more than superficial adjustments to policing structures, insisting that only deep-rooted institutional reform can restore lasting confidence. If the IGP sustains his commitment to welfare, professionalism, accountability and community partnership, he said, the current moment could represent a historic shift for law enforcement nationwide.

“Hope has been rekindled,” he stated. “The task now is to convert that hope into enduring reform.”