News
Ribadu Behind DSS Attempt To Arrest Me At Abuja Airport, Says El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is behind the failed attempt to arrest him by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
El-Rufai made the allegation on Thursday night when former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, paid him a solidarity visit.
Speaking during his visit, Atiku strongly condemned the incident, describing it as not just an embarrassment to El-Rufai but to all Nigerians.
El-Rufai, in response, thanked Atiku for the visit, noting that it was his second solidarity visit in less than six months.
“Your Excellency, you have always shown concern for my personal welfare and that of our friends and associates, and this visit further enforces that concern that you’ve consistently shown, for which I will be eternally grateful,” El-Rufai said.
“What happened at the airport today as you correctly observed was most unfortunate, totally unnecessary, and probably criminal as well, because agencies have rules of engagement and all I asked for gave me a letter of invitation, and I will visit your office, but it turned out that it was the ICPC that procured the DSS to abduct me and hand me over to them.”
El-Rufai accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of orchestrating the attempted arrest.
According to him, “the ICPC chairman was acting on the direct orders of Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser”.
“We have reduced security agencies to be arms of a political party and a government that knows it is unelectable and wants to remain in power at all costs.”
The former governor urged opposition parties to remain vigilant ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I assure you that what has happened today has further reinforced my belief that we must work hard, we must not sleep between now and March 2027, until we remove this tyrant,” he said.
SaharaReporters had reported that security operatives on Thursday allegedly attempted to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.
The claim was made by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, who disclosed the development in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle.
According to Adekeye, security agents approached El-Rufai as he disembarked from his flight and tried to take him into custody.
However, the former governor reportedly refused to honour the request, insisting that he would not accompany them without a formal invitation or official warrant.
“Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir El-Rufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal invitation,” Adekeye wrote.
He further alleged that during the confrontation, the operatives seized El-Rufai’s international passport from one of his aides.
“They, however, snatched his passport from an aide,” Adekeye added.
The development comes barely 24 hours after El-Rufai raised the alarm that he could be arrested at any moment, claiming he might be the next target in what he described as a widening crackdown on opposition figures.
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns about his personal safety ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he is not certain he will be alive when Nigerians go to the polls.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, where he discussed the political environment ahead of the election and called for a peaceful and democratic process.
The former Anambra State governor said he had been subjected to petitions and investigations in different places, adding that he remained uncertain about what could happen to him before the election.
“As I speak to you, I have also petitioned, I’ve been investigated everywhere. I still hear that I’m not even sure whether I’ll still be alive at the end of this,” Obi said.
He said he was relying on God for protection, while expressing uncertainty over the circumstances surrounding him.
“I’m praying to God for His protection because at this stage, I’m not sure what is happening,” he added.
Obi also appealed to political actors, particularly state governors, to create an environment where presidential candidates and other contestants can campaign freely ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to him, governors have the right to support candidates of their choice, but should not prevent candidates from opposing parties from carrying out their campaigns.
“Some of them will be campaigning for presidency tomorrow. They will be campaigning for other offices tomorrow. Let’s have peace,” he said.
The NDC candidate recalled his tenure as governor of Anambra State, saying he allowed politicians from other parties to campaign in the state, including those supporting candidates who were opposed to him.
Obi’s comments come amid increasing political activity and debate over the conduct and security of the 2027 elections. He has repeatedly called for a peaceful, credible and issue-based electoral process, while urging political actors to avoid actions that could undermine democratic participation.
Francis-Xavier Sosu, Ghanaian member of parliament, collapsed on stage while delivering a speech.
Sosu was addressing students at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Accra on Thursday when he began to show signs of dizziness, according to video posted by Joy Online, a local media outlet.
Pausing his address, the lawmaker attempted to hold on to the podium but was unable to continue his speech or stand upright.
A man and a woman approached the podium from the side of the hall to assist the lawmaker, who later collapsed into their arms as they rushed him out of the building.
A statement issued by Ivan Dzakpasu, Sosu’s chief of staff, said the MP has received the necessary medical attention following the incident.
The statement did not provide details on the nature of the incident, the medical attention received or what may have caused the MP to become unwell.
The statement urged the public to remain calm and avoid relying on unverified reports or speculation about the lawmaker’s condition.
The federal high court in Gombe has nullified the emergence of Isa Pantami as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
The court, in a judgment delivered on Thursday by Amina Aliyu Mohammed, also ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in compliance with its constitution, guidelines and relevant electoral laws.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Usman Garry, a PDP governorship aspirant, who challenged the process through which Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate.
In May, Pantami withdrew from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election scheduled for May 21 in Gombe state.
Pantami attributed his withdrawal from the race to the alleged breaches of the electoral process.
He eventually joined the PDP and emerged as the party’s 2027 governorship candidate in Gombe state.
The former minister secured the ticket through voice affirmation during the party’s gubernatorial primary.
Garry objected to the affirmation of Pantami as the flagbearer of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction and eventually filed a suit against the former minister.
Garry had asked the court to set aside Pantami’s emergence on the grounds that the PDP did not conduct a valid governorship primary in accordance with its rules and applicable electoral laws.
After hearing arguments from the parties, the court had reserved judgment in July.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to Pantami argued that he had validly resigned from the APC on May 19, 2026, before participating in the PDP primary.
The PDP also opposed the suit and urged the court to strike out the case.
Garry’s counsel, however, urged the court to dismiss the objections and grant the reliefs sought by his client.
The court, however, directed the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in accordance with its guidelines and applicable electoral provisions.
2027: Peter Obi Raises Alarm Over Safety, Says He May Not Be Alive for Election
Naira Marginally Gains At Official Market
Miners’ deaths: NSCDC pledges justice, says no cover-up
-
News21 hours agoVideo: Apo-Karshi road getting required finishing touches
-
News21 hours agoSAD! Four Teenage Girls Die As Boat Carrying Eight Capsizes In Jigawa
-
News21 hours agoUS firm declares America won’t allow Tinubu rig 2027 polls in Nigeria
-
Opinion21 hours agoOF TEEJAY YUSUF, KOGI WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT, AND RESPONSIVE SERVANTHOOD
-
News20 hours agoFG Cuts Late Tax Payment Interest as New Rate Takes Effect October 1
-
Sports21 hours agoFCT emerges winner of Abuja zone, book ticket to 1st Bank/Okwaraji U-16 finals