News
APC Youth Disown Group Over Protest Against Matawale
***calls on DSS to investigate Akida’s links with Zamfara Gov
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The protest by some group against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawale in Abuja on Tuesday, has been described as a “futile effort by mischievous elements and enemies of the Federal Government”, to distract the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry in the north.
A statement Tuesday night by the President of Zamfara APC Youth Integrity Network (ZAYIN), Alhaji Idris Ibrahim, specifically alleged that Tuesday’s protest against Matawale at the headquarters of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Abuja, which was the second of such movement in one month, was one of the many antics of Governor Dauda Lawal to discredit the laudable effort of the Minister in nipping insurgencies to the bod.
It was reported Tuesday afternoon that a group, under the umbrella of APC Akida Forum (AAF), protested at the headquarters of the DSS, against the Minister, Matawale.
The AAF’s chairperson, Musa Mahmud, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, called on the DSS to investigate alleged Matawale’s linkage with bandits and terrorist groups.
But in a swift reaction Tuesday night, Alhaji Ibrahim said it was only those who didn’t know AAF and its evil antecedents in Kaduna State that would take it seriously.
ZAYIN further clarified that, the so called APC Akida Forum has no root in Zamfara state, rather Kaduna State, where Ramalan Tijani resides. “Ramalan Tijani is the person linked to a memo sometimes ago that detailed how the Zamfara State Governor was paying bandits and some media organisations to blackmail Matawalle”.
“APC Akida Forum is a group owned and operated by one Tijani Ramalan who is an ally of the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.
“The AAF was used in 2023 to stop APC members from voting for President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the current Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani; but both plots failed.
“Governor Lawal has been using the group to forment troubles within the ranks of the APC in Zamfara and neighbouring states. What baffles us is how the Governor thinks the DSS, of all agencies would not do background checks on such a questionable group and would just jump at whatever it was that they came to sell to the public in Abuja.
“Anyone who was around the venue of convergence today in Abuja, would testify that, the buses used to ferry the hired protesters to the DSS headquarters are Zamfara State Government official vehicles in the Liaison office at Abuja and normally used to commute Zamfara State pilgrims.
“We at the Zamfara APC Youth Integrity Network (ZAYIN) are calling on the DSS, the Police and other security agencies to quickly investigate this group called APC Akida Forum – know their leaders, their office, their bank account, if any and their communications with the PDP government and Zamfara Governor, then Nigerians would know the real enemies of the country.
“Tuesday’s unfortunate outing in Abuja, was a futile effort by mischievous elements and enemies of the Federal Government and Zamfara people. It was one of the ploys to distract our leader, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence and discredit his good efforts at fighting banditry and terrorism. Their plans have failed. We shall come out to tell Nigerians more about what is happening in Zamfara state.
“This was a man who belaboured to campaign against Matawale, using banditry as sole selling point to the electorate. He promised heaven and earth to end insecurity in the state if given the chance. With second year down the line, the monsters he created to win election are now receiving good dosages of the Federal Government’s offensive, and he is trying to distract the Minister so that the insurgency will continue.
“Alot of persons have cried out in recent past, showing evidences of how the Governor was patronizing notorious bandit leaders and some accomplice media influencers, but nothing has been done by the security agencies.
“We in APC will not allow anything to undermine the good work of Mr. President and his team in Zamfara State. Anyone who stands against the fight against terrorism and banditry in Zamfara, is an enemy of the State, be it Governor or anybody.
“The year 2027 is around the corner and we shall leave no stone unturn, to make sure we support our leader, His Excellency Bello Matawale to return President Tinubu to power, insha Allah”, the statement concluded.
Iran has carried out the execution of two individuals accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to an official statement from the country’s judiciary.
Authorities said the two men were convicted on charges of espionage linked to Mossad, and were found guilty of working with what officials described as a hostile intelligence network operating within Iran.
According to the judiciary, the suspects had been under investigation for activities considered detrimental to national security.
Their death sentences were subsequently upheld by the country’s Supreme Court prior to being enforced.
The executions were confirmed on April 20, 2026, although officials did not provide specific details regarding the exact time or location.
Iranian authorities stated that the case is part of ongoing efforts to counter and dismantle foreign intelligence operations within its borders.
There has been no independent confirmation of the allegations, and Israeli authorities have not issued any immediate response.
The incident reflects the persistent strain in relations between the two countries, with Iran frequently reporting the uncovering of alleged espionage networks tied to Israeli operatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State.
President Tinubu also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college.
The President’s approval was in fulfilment of the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, particularly with respect to the expansion of the Police Academy based in Wudil, Kano state, into multiple campuses across the country.
The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.
A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the siting of the new campus in Erinja.
The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force, which is currently recruiting more men.
President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education and national security.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), South West Zone, has disowned a press conference purportedly held in Ibadan on Monday, which claimed that the zone had condemned the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, declared support for Governor Makinde of Oyo State and loyalty to a Turaki-led National Working Committee.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi, described the event as the work of organised impostors who do not represent the party at any level.
“The Zonal Chairman, Engr. Deji Doherty, was away in Abuja attending the 108th meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great party and no zonal officials held any press conference. The claim of an Ibadan press conference is therefore a barefaced lie,” Oyeniyi said.
The statement said those behind the Ibadan gathering do not speak for the party, hold no mandate, and are not recognised by any organ of the PDP from ward to national level.
Oyeniyi further said the illegality of the group was very pronounced, noting that they do not even have a Zonal Vice Chairman, which is very significant for any structure claiming to speak for the PDP South West.
“These are the ones whose agenda was to destabilise the party but they failed. Looking at them, one could see that their group is now a psychiatric ward with no staff. Destabilising elements always end up as wanderers. Karma never forgets, and wickedness by default carries consequences too,” the statement read.
According to Oyeniyi, “these ones slung toboggan, and now the stones are expectedly raining on them, and their current noise and theatrics will not substitute for acceptance by party members or the public.”
The PDP South West said its loyalty to the Abdulrahman-led National Working Committee and the National Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Wike remains unalloyed and also advised the impostors to retrace their steps and rejoin the party through the proper channels, rather than constituting themselves into a nuisance, as no amount of media stunts or paid propaganda will confer any legitimacy on illegitimacy.
He urged the general public, party faithful, and the media to disregard the publication, stating that official communications of the PDP South West Zone would continue to come only through recognised party channels in the zone under the leadership of Engr. Deji Doherty.
Iran executes two men over spying for Israel
Tinubu approves N15bn take off grant for new police academy
PDP South West Disowns Ibadan Press Conference, Calls Organisers Criminal Impostors
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