Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has narrated how her husband, the late President Muhammadu Buhari “began locking his room” following gossips in Aso Rock that she (Aisha) planned to kill him. The ex-First Lady also said the health crisis that forced Buhari, to take 154 days of medical leave in 2017 began with a broken feeding routine and mismanaged nutrition. She argued that Buhari’s illness was not a mysterious ailment or poisoning. Her account of the health crisis appeared in a new 600-page biography, ’From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari’, authored by Dr. Charles Omole, launched at the State House on Monday. The 22-chapter book chronicles his early life in Daura, Katsina state, until his final hours in a London hospital in mid-July 2025. According to the book, Mrs Buhari had long supervised her husband’s meals and supplements at specific hours, a regimen she said helped “a slender man with a long history of malnutrition symptoms” maintain strength. “Elderly bodies require gentle, consistent support,” she recalled, adding, “He doesn’t have a chronic illness. Keep him on schedule.” It read, “According to Aisha Buhari, her husband’s 2017 health crisis did not originate as a mysterious ailment or a covert plot. It started, she says, with the loss of a routine; ‘my nutrition,’ she describes it, a pattern of meals and supplements she had long overseen in Kaduna before they moved into Aso Villa.” The former First Lady convened a meeting with close staff, including the physician, Suhayb Rafindadi; the CSO, Bashir Abubakar; the housekeeper, and the SSS DG to explain the plan. She said, “Daily, cups and bowls with tailored vitamin powders and oils, a touch of protein here, a change to cereals there.” “When the Presidency’s machinery took over our private lives, she explained the plan: daily, at specific hours, cups and bowls with tailored vitamin powders and oil, a touch of protein here, a change to cereals there. Elderly bodies require gentle, consistent support,” Omole narrated. However, the routine frayed. “Then came the gossip and the fearmongering. They said I wanted to kill him,” the book quotes her as saying. “My husband believed them for a week or so,” she said, revealing that the President began locking his room, changed small habits, and crucially, “meals were delayed or missed; the supplements were stopped.” “For a year, he did not have lunch. They mismanaged his meals,” she added. The deterioration culminated in Buhari’s two extended medical trips to the United Kingdom, totalling 154 days in 2017, during which he ceded authority to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Upon return, he admitted to being “never so ill” and having received blood transfusions. Buhari’s absences “sparked rumours, speculation, and even conspiracy theories,” Omole wrote. Mrs Buhari debunked stories of plots to poison her husband. Her contention, Omole noted, is that “loss of a routine, ‘my nutrition,’ was the genesis of the crisis.” In London, doctors prescribed an even stronger regimen of supplements, he explained. Initially, Buhari “was frightened and not taking them as prescribed. So she took charge of his welfare, slipping hospital-issued supplements into his juice and oats,” it read. The former First Lady described the turnaround as swift, noting, “After just three days, he threw away the stick he was walking with. After a week, he was receiving relatives.” “‘That,’ she says, ‘was the genesis, and also the reversal of his sickness,’” the book stated. According to Omole, critics said Buhari’s reliance on UK hospitals exposed the failure of Nigeria’s health system. A “more compassionate perspective,” he wrote, recognises that a man in his 70s may require specialised care “not readily available in Nigeria” after “decades of underinvestment.” He also noted Buhari’s habit of handing power to his deputy during absences, which, he said, ensured “institutional propriety, even during personal health crises.” The book also revealed a climate of mistrust around the Presidency. Mrs Buhari alleged surveillance, the bugging of the President’s office with listening devices and playback of private conversations, saying, fear and conscience “contributed to taking his life.” She refuted the long-held rumour that Buhari had a body double, popularly known as “Jibril of Sudan,” as absurd, arguing that poor strategic communication in government allowed simple, banal developments to metastasise into conspiracies.

The Chairman Of Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye, Home Headquarters, Prince Aderemi Farooq Olude, Admonished Traditional Rulers In Ogbomosoland To Give Adequate Support To The Paramount Ruler, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, Soun Of Ogbomosoland, To Fast-track Ogbomoso And Its Environment To Its Greater Height. He Made His Remarks While Briefing Newsmen During A Press Conference Meeting Held Today. He Highlighted That The Egbe Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye Is A Prominent Socio-cultural Organization In Nigeria, Founded In 1912 By Professor Nathaniel David Oyerinde, Widely Regarded As The First Professor In Africa. The Group Was Established To Promote Ogbomoso Interests, Culture, And Unity, Evolving From Its Roots In "Egbe Alongo" And Serving As A Platform For Growth And Development In Ogbomosoland.

The lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has said that supporters of President Bola Tinubu cannot openly express their support at home. Speaking in an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television monitored by THENEWSCREDIT on Monday, Abaribe said they would be stoned by their people if they showed their support for Tinubu in their villages. “I come from Aba in Abia State and I was discussing this particular thing that oh, APC has this government and people were a little worried. “Most of the people saying they are supporting Tinubu cannot go to their homes and say it; they can’t, because they would be stoned if they did. People are suffering. The suffering is monumental. “We have never had this before. Not just the suffering, the whole economy has collapsed. The security is a nightmare. Where then would you get that vote from?” he asked. Our correspondent reports that politicians and their supporters have begun warming up ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday unveiled the Oyo @50 logo and commenced the 50-day countdown to the golden jubilee of the state’s creation, saying the Pacesetter State has recorded remarkable progress, development and growth over the past five decades. The winner of the Oyo @50 logo design competition, Olaleye Sunday, was rewarded with N1.5m at the event, which was attended by a former governor and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; a former deputy governor, Hamid Gbadamosi; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; a representative of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade; other traditional rulers and eminent citizens of the state. Our correspondent reports that on October 6, 2025, the state government inaugurated an 11-member committee, headed by a former member of the House of Representatives, Saheed Fijabi, as the Oyo @50 Anniversary Committee. Also, on November 3, 2025, the government opened entries for the 50th anniversary logo. Fijabi described the anniversary as a reflection of the state’s identity, resilience and shared aspirations, adding that the celebrations would cut across all geopolitical zones of the state. Speaking at the well-attended event held at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde said there were many reasons to celebrate the state’s golden jubilee despite prevailing economic challenges in the country. He noted that Oyo State has recorded landmark developments and produced men and women of excellence who have brought glory to the state and Nigeria. The governor thanked individuals who have contributed in one way or another to the state’s development over the past 50 years. Highlighting his administration’s contributions, Makinde said his government had prioritised continuity in governance, citing several completed and ongoing infrastructure projects. He explained that his administration adopted short-, medium- and long-term governance approaches, completing abandoned projects initiated by previous administrations where they aligned with the state’s development goals. He cited the completion of the Saki Township Road, the construction of the Akobo Bridge and the resolution of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology ownership crisis, among others. Makinde also referenced the Ibadan Circular Road project, named after Ladoja, as an example of continuity, announcing that the 32-kilometre first segment would be commissioned as part of the Oyo @50 celebrations. “Some people may ask what there is to celebrate in today’s Nigeria, given the hardship and poverty, but despite all these, the state has continued to make progress. “So even if it is just the little wins, let us celebrate Oyo at 50 and look forward to another 50 years of growth and development,” he said. The governor added that the state banquet for the anniversary would be held at the new Banquet Hall under construction at the Government House, unlike previous years when official events were held at external venues. He said the unveiling of the logo and commencement of the countdown were part of activities lined up for the celebration, stressing the need for governance that prioritises medium- and long-term planning. Makinde reiterated his commitment to continuity, noting that projects such as the Akobo Bridge, Saki Township Road and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Annexe in Oyo, which had been abandoned for years, were completed or nearing completion under his administration. “For continuity of development, I will make recommendations on who should govern the state after us. I have 17 months left to serve, but I can assure the people that there will be no backwardness during my tenure and under those we recommend,” he said. Earlier, Ladoja, speaking through Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, thanked God for witnessing the state’s 50th anniversary, recalling that he was in office during the 30th anniversary celebration. In separate goodwill messages, former Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry, Onikepo Akande; the Olu of Igboora, Oba Olajide Titiloye; and Bayo Oyero described Makinde as a reform-minded leader who has demonstrated fairness across religious, political and ethnic lines. Delivering his welcome address, the chairman of the Oyo @50 Anniversary Committee, Saheed Fijabi, said the celebration would honour the past, showcase present achievements and articulate a bold vision for the next 50 years. He assured residents of an inclusive celebration featuring cultural exhibitions, intellectual engagements, community-based activities and youth-focused programmes. The event was attended by the wife of the governor, Tamunominini Makinde; Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal and his wife, Ajibola; Mutiat Ladoja; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, represented by his deputy, Mohammed Fadeyi; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Iyabo Yerima, represented by Justice A. L. Akintola; and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice T. M. Abdulganiyu. Also present were former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu; the member representing Ibadan North-West/South-West Federal Constituency, Stanley Olajide; and the member representing Iseyin/Kajola/Iwajowa/Itesiwaju Federal Constituency, Shina Oyedeji.

Ex-Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, has accused bandit leader, Bello Turji of being used as a tool to tarnish his image. This was as he denied claims by Turji that he is among the forces fueling terrorism and banditry in the Northern part of the country, stressing that there are forces using Turji against him. The militant leader had reportedly taken to Facebook to accuse Bafarawa and another former Zamfara governor of being the brains responsible for the worsening insecurity in the north. Turji, however, did not give details of their involvement in the atrocious acts now afflicting lives and property in that part of the country. According to Vanguard, Bafarawa, who governed Sokoto State between 1999 and 2007, said he had never supported any form of violence or criminality against anyone or the state. According to him, there was nothing like banditry or terrorism in Sokoto or Zamfara State when he left office in year 2007 and did not know anyone called Bello Turji. He added that Turji must be day-dreaming by mentioning his name among terrorism sponsors in Nigeria and wondered why he should be involved in such action almost 20 years after leaving the office the governor. “Where was Bello Turji when I was governor of Sokoto State and how old was he then? I had nothing to do with him and I still have nothing to do with him and his cohorts. “What do I stand to benefit from banditry or terrorism at my age? “It is shocking to me that a character like that is spewing pure lies against my name. He is just being used by some forces to lie from the pit of hell against me,” the ex-governor said.

A coalition of opposition leaders has accused the Bola Tinubu–led Federal Government of weaponizing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as a political tool to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 election. The opposition leaders argued that the perceived selective application of anti-corruption laws by the EFCC and other security agencies weakens the credibility of the anti-graft campaign and further diminishes public confidence in state institutions. The opposition leaders spoke in a joint statement endorsed by the Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Lawal Batagarawa, Bode George, Peter Obi and former APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun. Titled ‘The Weaponisation of the EFCC’, the statement alleged that the anti-graft agency has consistently targeted opposition figures with the aim of politically benefiting the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. According to the opposition leaders, the trend echoes a remark previously made by former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who once declared while welcoming defectors from the PDP that joining the APC meant one’s past “sins” were forgiven. They noted that Oshiomhole’s statement, whether casual or deliberate, has come to represent a troubling perception in the polity, where allegations against members of the ruling party are seemingly ignored, while opposition figures are aggressively investigated, often subjected to intense media scrutiny even without proven evidence. They further called for the immediate removal of political influence from the operations of the EFCC, insisting that the Commission must operate independently and professionally. “The EFCC must be insulated from partisan control and must not function at the behest of any president, political party, or faction,” the statement said. The opposition leaders asked the Federal Government to restore the agency to its original legal responsibilities, emphasizing that its mandate does not include selective prosecution or harassment of political opponents. “The Commission must recommit itself to the impartial investigation and prevention of economic and financial crimes nationwide. Its duties and powers are clearly outlined under Sections 6 and 7 of its establishing law,” the statement added. The opposition leaders appealed to Nigerians across political, ethnic, religious, and professional divides to remain vigilant, warning that democracy is being endangered through a calculated effort to weaken opposition voices using state institutions, with the EFCC playing a central role in the alleged strategy.

President of Dangote Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has said that he lives a simple life and does not need the money. According to Dangote, when marketers keep importing petroleum products into the country, it is Nigeria’s economy that is losing, not him. Dangote addressed the press in Lagos on Sunday, expressing his displeasure over the continued importation of fuel into the country despite his $20 billion investment in the Lagos-based refinery. “In the last two months, billions of liters have been imported into Nigeria. It’s Nigeria that is losing, not me, Dangote,” he said. “I live a simple life and actually don’t need the money. If it was about being rich, I would have invested in Google and Microsoft. “I would have been richer. Maybe today people might not appreciate us, but maybe in the next 50 years, when we are not around, people will remember what we have done.”

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has asked the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recuse himself from any investigation or prosecution involving him, alleging bias, personal vendetta, and political persecution. In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami said the EFCC’s actions against him, including his detention and planned prosecution, are politically motivated, following his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Malami claimed the investigation is not based on law enforcement concerns but on long-standing personal animosity between him and the EFCC chairman. He recalled that while serving as Attorney-General, the Federal Government set up the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe alleged corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC. According to Malami, the current EFCC chairman served as secretary to that panel and was mentioned in the commission’s report. He said parts of the Salami Report, which is publicly available, raised serious issues against the EFCC chairman, including recommendations that could have led to prosecution. Malami argued that the current probe against him shows signs of retaliation, citing what he described as illegal detention, media trial, and procedural abuses. Based on this, Malami said he has already been pre-judged and cannot receive a fair or impartial investigation under the present EFCC leadership. He therefore demanded that the EFCC chairman step aside and that the case be transferred to another appropriate government agency to ensure credibility and public trust. The former justice minister also called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, as Nigeria’s chief law officer, to intervene and ensure the EFCC chairman’s recusal to prevent abuse of prosecutorial powers. Malami further demanded either his immediate prosecution or release, insisting that charges be filed and he be taken to court within 24 hours, in line with the Nigerian Constitution. He stressed that only a court of law not a politically compromised agencycan fairly decide the matter. He also accused the EFCC of planning to rely on individuals allegedly convicted abroad as witnesses against him, warning that such a move would undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system. Malami said his legal team has formally requested certified copies of the petitions and investigation reports forming the basis of the probe, to allow him prepare his defence. “Let it be stated clearly and without equivocation: Abubakar Malami, SAN, seeks no political settlement, no inducement, and no alliance of convenience. His singular objective is to clear his name openly, transparently, and decisively before a court of competent jurisdiction.” “Nigeria must not degenerate into a republic where anti-corruption agencies are converted into tools of political intimidation, nor where justice is replaced by vendetta.” He maintained that he seeks no political deal, only an open and lawful trial to clear his name, warning against turning anti-corruption agencies into tools for political intimidation.

The Supreme Court has upheld the President’s power to declare a state of emergency in any state to prevent a breakdown of law and order or a descent into chaos or anarchy. The apex court, in a split decision of six-to-one on Monday, held that the President, during a state of emergency, can suspend elected officials, but that such suspensions must be for a limited period. Justice Mohammed Idris held, in the lead majority judgment, that Section 305 of the Constitution empowers the President to deploy extraordinary measures to restore normalcy where emergency rule is declared. Justice Idris noted Section 305 is not specific on the nature of the extraordinary measures, thereby granting the President the discretion on how to go about it. The judgment was on the suit filed by Adamawa and 10 other Peoples Democratic Party-led states challenging the propriety of the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, during which elected state officials were suspended for six months. Justice Idris, in the earlier part of the judgment, upheld the preliminary objections raised by the two defendants against the competence of the suit. In upholding the objections raised by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the National Assembly (the defendants), Justice Idris held that the plaintiffs (the 11 PDP states) failed to establish any cause of action capable of activating the original jurisdiction of the apex court. He struck out the suit for want of jurisdiction, proceeded to also determine the case on the merits, and dismissed it. However, Justice Obande Ogbuinya dissented and held that the case succeeded in part. Justice Ogbuinya held, among others, that although the President could declare a state of emergency, the President cannot use such power as a tool to suspend elected state officials, including governors, deputy governors, and members of parliament.

A former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Mashood Bakare, has urged the Federal Government to urgently investigate allegations that the Kwara State Government supplied arms and ammunition to bandits terrorising parts of the state. Bakare made the call on Sunday in Ilorin while speaking with THENEWSCREDIT following claims by suspected bandits arrested by the military that they were sponsored by the state government. But the Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, dismissed the allegations as “sheer disinformation.” “Anyone who understands Hausa will see that the fellows said they got weapons from Abuja. How is Abuja synonymous with Kwara?”Ajakaye queried. Our correspondent reports that a one-minute, 36-second viral video had gone viral obtained on Saturday, showing soldiers interrogating a group of suspected bandits allegedly found patrolling with AK-47 rifles in a local security patrol vehicle, bearing the inscription of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. In the video, the suspects were seen lying face down with their hands tied as soldiers questioned them about their activities and the source of the weapons recovered. One of the suspects, speaking in Hausa and Pidgin English, claimed that the patrol vehicle and rifles were provided by the “Ilorin government,” alleging that they had been operating under the guise of security patrol. “We have been here for quite a while. We are using the vehicle for patrol. Wallahi, na the truth I dey tell you,” the suspect said. “Ilorin government na him give us this motor and the weapons. They were the ones that gave us the rifles.” The suspect further alleged that the weapons were collected by their superior, identified as “oga Victor,” claiming that they had gone on several patrols alongside security operatives who were allegedly involved. Reacting, the ex-state lawmaker, Bakare, described the allegations as disturbing, stressing that government is constitutionally responsible for the protection of lives and property. “It is very disturbing to hear that criminals, when arrested, are alleging that the state government is aware of or involved in their activities,” he said. He lamented the worsening security situation in Ifelodun Local Government Area, noting that persistent bandit attacks had forced residents to abandon farming and displaced entire communities. “Almost half of Ifelodun has experienced bandit attacks. People can no longer go to their farms, communities have been deserted, and residents now live in fear,” Bakare said. The former lawmaker, who represented Omupo Constituency between 2011 and 2019, described the allegations as weighty and called for a transparent investigation. “These are serious allegations that must be properly investigated, and the findings should be made public,” he added. Bakare also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to curb insecurity in the area. However, reacting to the claims on a WhatsApp platform, Omo Ibile Igbomina (Éka Ifelodun), on Sunday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, dismissed the allegations as “sheer disinformation.” According to Ajakaye, the suspects were arrested in Auchi, Edo State, and not in Ifelodun, Kwara State. “Anyone who understands Hausa will see that the fellows said they got weapons from Abuja. How is Abuja synonymous with Kwara?” he said. He added that the Ifelodun Local Government had already issued clarification on the patrol vehicle seen in the video. Ajakaye further linked the insecurity in Kwara to wider regional challenges. “We are facing a serious security threat, partly a blowback from the crisis in the Sahel. Our former advantage of thickly forested landmass has become a major enabler of this crisis, which is spilling over from neighbouring Kogi, Niger and Benin Republic,” he said. “Solution lies not in maligning one another; it lies in seeing our collective enemies and uniting to end the evil.” Also reacting, the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hadji Femi Yusuf, confirmed the recovery of a security van earlier provided by the council as logistical support to vigilante operatives. In a statement made available to our correspondent on Sunday, Yusuf said the vehicle was recovered in Auchi, Edo State, by personnel of the Nigerian Army. “Ifelodun Local Government Authority has received with immense satisfaction the report of the successful recovery of a security van earlier provided by the council as logistical support to some vigilante operatives,” the statement read. He explained that the vehicle was deployed to support coordinated security operations to curb the activities of criminal gangs in parts of the local government. According to the chairman, efforts to retrieve the vehicle became difficult after the withdrawal of the vigilante operatives, prompting reports to security agencies. He commended the Nigerian Army and other security institutions for their roles in the recovery and ongoing efforts to restore peace in the area. Meanwhile, the controversy has revived concerns over insecurity in Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun LGA, which has witnessed repeated bandit attacks. THENEWSCREDIT had earlier reported on September 28, 2025, that during an attack on Oke Ode in Ifelodun where about 15 people lost their lives, a local hunter alleged that their weapons were collected a day before the attack by a military officer identified as Victor, under the pretext of servicing the guns. The hunter had described the incident as suspicious, noting that attacks only resumed after the weapons were taken away. Although the Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had dismissed the claim at the time, it was later gathered that the Victor mentioned was an Air Force officer attached to a special squad deployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to tackle banditry in the axis.