NATIONAL NEWS
Adamawa govt. strips Atiku of traditional title of Wazirin Adamawa
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been stripped of his traditional title of Wazirin Adamawa following a new directive by the state government
Atiku was turbaned the seventh Waziri of Adamawa Emirate in November 2018 by the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo, becoming next in rank to the Lamido.
However, the state government has now directed traditional rulers to remove kingmakers and council members who are not indigenes of their emirates or chiefdoms.
Atiku is from Jada in Ganye Emirate.
It states,”Following the creation of new Chiefdoms in the State by the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, I am directed to inform you that all Kingmakers and Council members in the state must be indigene (sic) of their Chiefdoms, e,g all Kingmakers and Council members from Adamawa Emirate Council must be indigene (sic) of Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song and Zumo districts, while those of Mubi Emirate Council must be indigene (sic) of Mubi South and Mubi North, Vis-a-vis all Emirates/Traditional Councils in the State.
“However, those appointed or conferred with Only Traditional titles are to maintain their status regardless of their Local Government of indigene (sic)..
“With the content of this Circular, all Kingmakers and Council members who are not indigenes of the Chiefdoms have been relieved of their appointments.
“Councils are therefore directed to submit a list of all nominated Kingmakers and Council members to His Excellency, the Executive Governor, through the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Chieftaincy Affairs, for approval.
“This circular takes immediate effect, please.”
Atiku was the Turaki Adamawa before his elevation to the rank of Waziri Adamawa. Both titles made him a member of the Adamawa Emirate Council.
The circular indicates that the former vice president would be removed from the position, as he is not an indigene of the Adamawa Emirate.
When asked to clarify how the government’s directive would affect Atiku, Governor Umaru Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, said only the Lamido of Adamawa could make the clarification.
“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar lives in Yola and is a registered voter there, so only the Lamido can determine his indigeneship status,” Mr Wonosilou said.
The governor’s spokesperson said the directive was not new, and the circular was just a step to activate it. “The governor gave the directive when he presented the staff of office to the emirs and chiefs of the newly created emirates and chiefdoms early this year,” he said.
“The government felt it may create doubts about loyalty for a kingmaker (and council member) who is not an indigene of the traditional council of which he is a member,” Mr Wonosikou further explained.
Governor Fintiri created seven new emirates and chiefdoms last December after the state House of Assembly passed the “Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) and Matters Incidental Thereto” bill into law on 10 December.
The development increased the number of the state’s traditional councils to 14.
Mr Wonosikou also dismissed “unfounded political rumours” as speculation of a rift between Governor Fintiri and the former vice president.
“There is no rift between them,” he insisted.
When asked about the governor’s position in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis, the spokesperson said that as a member of the PDP Governors’ Forum, he was committed to the forum’s positions on the crisis.
When contacted Tuesday night, Paul Ibe, the media adviser to ex-President Atiku, said he was not aware of the new Adamawa policy affecting his principal.
NATIONAL NEWS
NSA Nuhu Ribadu confirmed El-Rufai tapped his phone, according to the DSS in a Federal High Court Abuja investigation
The trial of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on charges of treason and breach of national security continued on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with prosecutors presenting a television interview in which he allegedly discussed receiving a wiretapped conversation involving the National Security Adviser (NSA).
During the proceedings, the prosecution played a 43-minute TV interview featuring El-Rufai, in which he reportedly stated that someone had intercepted a private conversation involving the NSA and forwarded it to him. In the interview, the former governor was said to have defended the practice, claiming that governments routinely monitor communications.
A prosecution witness testified that investigators interviewed the National Security Adviser following the broadcast. The NSA verbally confirmed that the conversation referenced by El-Rufai had taken place between him and the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The ICPC Chairman also corroborated the existence of the discussion after portions of the interview were played to him.
The court heard that the TV anchor, Charles Aniagolu, activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju, and the cameraman were invited for questioning. Aniagolu reportedly confirmed that El-Rufai admitted during the interview that the conversation was intercepted and passed to him, while reiterating that such practices are common among governments.
The prosecution tendered statements from Aniagolu and Adeyanju, which were admitted without objection from the defence as Exhibits C, C1, and E respectively. A statement from the cameraman, Ugochukwu Agalayana, was admitted as Exhibit D. Agalayana confirmed setting up the recording equipment but said he did not follow the content of the conversation.
According to the witness, investigators viewed El-Rufai’s remarks in the interview as an “open confession” regarding the interception of the NSA’s conversation. The team concluded that the act could undermine national security and recommended prosecution. A preliminary investigation report was admitted as Exhibit F.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Paul Erokoro, the witness admitted that investigators did not examine any communication devices belonging to the NSA, obtain IP addresses, or carry out forensic analysis of the alleged interception. He explained, however, that such steps were deemed unnecessary after the NSA confirmed the authenticity of the conversation.
The witness acknowledged that El-Rufai did not claim in the interview to have personally carried out the interception, but maintained that the former governor repeatedly stood by the assertion that the conversation had been tapped and forwarded to him. When asked if El-Rufai might have been boasting in a politically charged appearance, the witness described him as “a person of integrity” and said he believed the statements were genuine.
After the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to June 22 and 23 for continuation of hearing.
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, on his appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain.
In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the APC described the appointment as recognition of Dr. Ikpeazu’s experience in public service and his contributions to governance during his tenure as governor.
The party noted that the new diplomatic role provides another opportunity for the former governor to serve the country while helping to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Spain.
According to the statement, the Abia APC expressed optimism that Ikpeazu would leverage his administrative experience to advance Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic interests in the European nation.
The party also wished him success in the assignment and prayed for wisdom and good health as he undertakes the responsibility of representing Nigeria abroad.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially appointed former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain. The appointment comes amid a series of diplomatic postings announced by the President today.
The posting marks a significant transition for Ikpeazu, who served as Abia State governor from 2015 to 2023. His tenure was noted for various infrastructural and policy initiatives, and he now takes on a crucial role representing Nigeria’s interests in Europe.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed that Ikpeazu’s appointment is part of a broader diplomatic reshuffle aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations.
Spain, a key partner in trade, investment, and cultural exchange, is regarded as a strategic posting for the former governor.
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES THE POSTINGS OF AMBASSADORS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the postings of 31 career and 34 non-career ambassadors to various countries and the United Nations. The Senate confirmed the ambassadors-designate last December.
POSTINGS OF NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS
S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED
1. SENATOR GRACE BENT: LOME-TOGO
2. SEN. ITA ENANG: SOUTH AFRICA
3. IKPEAZU VICTOR: SPAIN
4. NKECHI LINDA UFOCHUKWU: TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL
5. MAHMUD YAKUBU: QATAR
6. PAUL OGA ADIKWU: THE VATICAN CITY HOLY SEE
7. VICE ADMIRAL IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS: THE PHILIPPINES
8. MR. RENO OMOKRI: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
9. HON. (ENGR.) ABASI BRAIMAH (FMHR): BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
10. MRS. ERELU ANGELA ADEBAYO: PORTUGAL
11. BARR. OLUMILUA OLUWAYIMIKA AYOTUNWA: TOKYO, JAPAN
12. RT. HON. UGWUANYI IFEANYI LAWRENCE: ATHENS, GREECE
13. BARR. CHIOMA PRISCILLA OHAKIM: WARSAW, POLAND
14. AMINU DALHATU: UNITED KINGDOM, UK
15. LT. GEN ABDULRAHMAN BELLO DAMBAZAU: BEIJING, CHINA
16. HON. TASIU MUSA MAIGARI: GAMBIA
17. OLUFEMI PEDRO: AUSTRALIA
18. BARR. MUHAMMED UBANDOMA ALIYU: ARGENTINA
19. LATEEF KAYODE ARE: USA
20. AMB. JOSEPH SOLA IJI: RUSSIA
21. SEN. JIMOH IBRAHIM: UN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
22. FEMI FANI KAYODE: GERMANY
23. PROF. ISAAK FOLORUNSO ADEWOLE: OTTAWA, CANADA
24. AJIMOBI FATIMA FLORENCE (F): AUSTRIA
25. MRS. LOLA AKANDE (F): SWEDEN
26. AYODELE OKE: FRANCE
27. YAKUBU N. GAMBO: SAUDI ARABIA
28. SENATOR PROF. NORA LADI DADUUT: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
29. BARR. ONUEZE CHUKWUJIKA JOE OKOCHA SAN: DUBLIN
30. DR. KULU HARUNA ABUBAKAR: TUNIS, TUNISIA
31. RT. HON. JERRY SAMUEL MANWE: PORT OF SPAIN, T&T
POSTINGS OF CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS LIST
S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED
1. AMB. NWABIOLA EZENWA CHUKWUMEKA: COTE D’IV/OIRE
2. BESTO MAIMUNA IBRAHIM: NIAMEY-NIGER
3. MONICA OKWUCHUKWU ENEBECHI: SAO TOME, STP
4. AMB. MOHAMMED MAHMUD LELE: ALGIERS-ALGERIA
5. ENDONI SYNDOPH PAEBI: OUAGADOUGOU-BURKINA FASO
6. AHMED MOHAMMED MONGUNO: CAIRO EGYPT
7. AMB.JANE ADAMS (NEE OKON) MICHAEL (F): KINGSTON-JAMAICA
8. AMB. CLARK-OMERU ALEXANDRA (F): LUSAKA-ZAMBIA
9. CHIMA GEOGGREY LIOMA DAVID: BAMAKO-MALI
10. AMB. ODUMAH YVONNE EHINOSEN: MALABO –E/GUINEA
11. AMB WASA SEGUN IGE: BEIRUT, LEBANON
12. RUBEN ABIMBOLA SAMUEL (F): ROME, ITALY
13. AMB.ONAGA OGECHUKWU KINGSLEY: MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
14. AMB.MAGAJI UMAR: KINSASHA, DR CONGO
15. AMB.MUHAMMAD SAIDU DAHIRU: NEW DELHI-INDIA
16. AMB. ABDUSSALAM HABU ZAYYAD: DAKAR-SENEGAL
17. AMB SHEHU ILU BARDE: ACCRA GHANA
18. AMB.AMINU NASIR: ETHIOPIA
19. ABUBAKAR MUSA MUSA: N’DJAMENA, CHAD
20. AMB. HAIDARA MOHAMMED IDRIS: THE HAGUE-NETHERLANDS
21. AMB.BAKO ADAMU UMAR: RABAT-MOROCCO
22. AMB. SULU GAMBARI OLATUNJI AHMED: MALAYSIA
23. AMB.ROMATA MOHAMMED OMOBOLANLE (F): TANZANIA
24. AMB. SHAGA JOHN SHAMAH: BOTSWANA
25. SALAU, HAMZA MOHAMMED: TEHRAN, IRAN
26. AMB.IBRAHIM DANLAMI: KENYA
27. IBRAHIM ADEOLA MOPELOLA (F): COTONOU-BENIN
28. AMB.AYENI ADEBAYO EMMANUEL: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
29. AMB.AKANDE WAHAB ADEKOLA: BERNE-SWITZERLAND
30. AMB. AREWA (NEE ADEDOKUN) ESTHER (F): WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA
31. AMB.GERGADI JOSEPH JOHN: LIBREVILLE-GABON
32. AMB. LUTHER OGBOMODE AYO-KALATA (F): SIERRA LEONE
33. DANLADI YAKUBU NYAKU : KHARTOUM-SUDAN
34. BELLO DOGON-DAJI HALIRU: BANGKOK, THAILAND
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu. Similarly, France has sent the agrément for Ambassador Ayo Oke.
The Ministry has also conveyed the nominations of the other 62 designated envoys to all the countries concerned, including a request for their agréments in line with standard diplomatic practice.
President Tinubu has directed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately commence the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners.
Bayo Onanuga,
Special Adviser to the President,
(Information and Strategy)
March 6, 2026
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