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Kaduna Explosions: Buhari Alleges Assassination Attempt …Jonathan, PDP Thank God For Sparing Buhari, Bauchi

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A former Head of State
and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammed Buhari (rtd) has alleged that one of the two explosions that ripped through parts of Kaduna, in Kaduna State on Wednesday was meant to eliminate him.
At least 70 people were killed in the two explosions. The first explosion targeted a popular Islamic cleric, Dahiru Bauchi, while the second targeted Buhari.
Both men, however, escaped unhurt in the blasts that forced the Kaduna State Government to impose a 24- hour curfew on the city. But dozens of people were injured and over 50 cars damaged in the two incidents  that occurred within two hours interval, one at the busy Alkali Road and another at the Kano area of the city, near the 1 Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army.
The State police command  put  the death toll at 40, while the National Information Centre, said 14 people were injured. Among the injured were Buhari’s body  guards and an aide.
While Bauchi’s convoy was attacked by a  lone bomber who, according to eyewitness, rode on a motorbike  and followed the cleric’s  convoy, after delivering a Ramadan lecture (Tafsir) at the Murtala Square, Buhari’s convoy was attacked two hours later at about 2.30pm at the Kawo area of Kaduna on his way to his  home town, Daura in Katsina State.
Buhari’s Toyota Prado Jeep was particularly hit along with other cars in his convoy, by a suspected bomber who made many unsuccessful attempts to overtake Buhari’s security  car and in the process detonated the explosives at his convoy.
Buhari, in  a statement he personally signed, alleged an attempt to assassinate him.
He said he was on his way to Daura in Katsina State when the bomber attacked his convoy at about 2.30 pm, adding that his security details were affected by the blasts, but “I came out unhurt”.
The statement read, “I was personally involved in a clearly targeted  bomb attack today (Wednesday) at about 2.30 pm on my way to Daura.
“The unfortunate event, clearly an assassination attempt came from a fast moving vehicle that made many attempts to overtake my security car, but was blocked by an escort vehicle.
“We reached the market area of Kano where he took advantage of our slowing down  and attempted to ram my car and instantly detonated the bomb which  destroyed all the three cars in our convoy.
“Unfortunately, when I came out of my vehicle, I  saw many dead bodies littered around. They were innocent people going about their daily business who became victims of a mass murder.
“Thank God for  His Mercy, I came out unhurt, but with three of my security aides sustaining minor injuries. They have since been treated in a hospital and discharged”.
However, President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the bombings and thanked God for  sparing  Buhari and Bauchi’s lives, while also extended condolences to the families of those who were killed by the bomb blasts.
President Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati denounced the “dastardly targeting of the prominent  political and religious  leaders by terrorists  and enemies  of the nation in an odious attempt to inflame  passions and exacerbate  disquiet, fear, insecurity and sectional divisions in the country”.
He said he had directed the police and other security agencies to take all necessary actions to apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday that it was  now apparent  that terrorists  were capable of attacking anybody  in the country.
The PDP in a statement  signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, condemned the  attacks, describing  them as dastardly and  unfortunate.
The party joined other well meaning Nigerians in mourning the dead and thanking God for saving the lives of Gen. Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi whose  convoys were affected in the incidents.

 

Boye Salau

Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya (middle), cutting the tape to commission APC Secretariat in Okrika. With him are Chairman, CTC, Okrika Local Government Area,  Dr Godknows Tam George (left), State Commissioner for Health,  Dr Sampson Parker and APC  leader in Okrika, Mr D. D. Alabere (first right). Photo: Egberi  A. Sampson

Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya (middle), cutting the tape to commission APC Secretariat in Okrika. With him are Chairman, CTC, Okrika Local Government Area, Dr Godknows Tam George (left), State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker and APC leader in Okrika, Mr D. D. Alabere (first right). Photo: Egberi A. Sampson

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Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.

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10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement

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Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”

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Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome

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The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.

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