LIBERATION

Islamic Faith based group under umbrella of Muslim Youth Forum(MYF) has condemned the controversial remarks attributed to Phrank Shaibu, a media aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, concerning the spiritual significance of the Ka’abah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The group described the remarks, reportedly made during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, as insensitive, reckless ,inappropriate and capable of offending the religious sensibilities of millions of Muslims across the world. Shaibu, who serves as Director of Strategic Communications of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, reportedly made the comments on Monday, November 2, 2026, while reacting to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. Reacting to the development, the Forum expressed concern over what it described as an unfortunate attempt to drag a deeply revered Islamic religious institution into partisan political argume...

By Biliyaminu Suraj Nigerian Federal Government authorities do not publish any reliable data about the export of lithium nor gold despite the continuous hype from Minister Alake about the alleged billions of dollars of foreign investment in Lithium production.  In Part 1 of THE MISSING EXPORTS AND HIDDEN ROYALTIES, we examined Nigeria’s Lithium exports and the royalties that should be generated by these exports. In Part 2 we examine gold exports and the royalties due to Nigeria. In Part 1 we saw the lack of transparency and accountability of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) and the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) in failing to publish operator-level royalty and production data disaggregated by mineral type. Hence, as explained in Part 1, we must rely on mirror data for trade statistics as recorded by the importing country rather than by Nigeria’s own authorities. The two primary destinations for Nigeria’s lithium and gold exports are China and UAE respecti...

  By Biliyaminu Suraj biliyasuraj1980@yahoo.com   The Ministry of Solid Minerals has failed to disclose massive export of lithium to China and gold to the UAE and has hidden from the Nigerian public any evidence that royalties on the lithium and gold have been paid. Where are the royalties? Nigeria does not publish reliable, timely, or detailed mineral export data. The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) and the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) do not publish operator-level royalty or production data disaggregated by mineral type. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council and the Central Bank of Nigeria record mineral export values in aggregate, with significant lags and without the tonne-level detail needed to compute royalty liabilities. Nigerian Federal Government authorities do not publish any reliable data about the export of lithium despite the continuous hype from Minister Alake about the alleged billions of dollars of foreign investment in lithium product...

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has condemned threats against Christians contained in a viral video circulating on social media, calling for the individual responsible to be investigated and brought to book. Sani, in a statement posted on his social media handle, described the reported threats as condemnable, but cautioned against attributing the views expressed by an individual to the entire Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) organisation or its members. The senator’s reaction follows widespread outrage over a video reportedly showing a young man leading a group of youths in chants calling for firearms to attack Christians in Enugu and Jos, Plateau State. The footage, which has circulated widely online, has raised concerns about religious intolerance, threats to public safety and the possible exposure of children to inflammatory rhetoric. However, the identities of those involved, the location where the video was recorded and the circumstances ...

By Biliyaminu Suraj  biliyasuraj1980@yahoo.com  The Ministry of Solid Minerals has failed to disclose massive export of lithium to China and gold to the UAE and has hidden from the Nigerian public any evidence that royalties on the lithium and gold have been paid. Where are the royalties? Nigeria does not publish reliable, timely, or detailed mineral export data. The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) and the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) do not publish operator-level royalty or production data disaggregated by mineral type. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council and the Central Bank of Nigeria record mineral export values in aggregate, with significant lags and without the tonne-level detail needed to compute royalty liabilities.  Nigerian Federal Government authorities do not publish any reliable data about the export of lithium despite the continuous hype from Minister Alake about the alleged billions of dollars of foreign investment in lithium pro...

A faction of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), operating under the Akida-Left Faction, has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court seeking the removal of former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as the party’s purported presidential candidate, and Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as its National Chairman. The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/444/2026, was filed on October 20, 2026, according to a press statement issued by the Convergence for a Working People's Political Alternative (COPA) and dated October 21. COPA, which described the PRP Akida-Left Faction as one of its affiliates, said the action was instituted against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mallam Falalu Bello, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and Donald Duke over the disputed leadership and presidential candidacy of the party. In the statement signed by Ayódele Ademiluyi, Lead Counsel to the faction and Co-Chairperson of COPA, the plaintiffs are seeking an order directing INEC to remove Duke's name ...

The Paramount Ruler of Gbagyi ,Chiefdom, Sa-Gbagyi, HRH Ishaku Yari (Esu Chikun II), has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and Senator Shehu Sani for re-election in the 2027 general elections. Yari said the people of Gbagyi Chiefdom and other ethnic nationalities in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State would be mobilised to vote for the three leaders in recognition of what he described as their contributions to the development and welfare of their communities. The traditional ruler announced the endorsement when Senator Shehu Sani paid him a courtesy visit at his palace. He expressed satisfaction with the policies of the Tinubu administration and the leadership style of Governor Uba Sani, describing the forthcoming elections as an opportunity for the people to reciprocate the leaders' contributions to their communities. The monarch declared his readiness to mobilise the Gbagyi people and other ethnic groups in Chikun to suppor...

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has affirmed the outcome of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) elective congress held on October 15, 2026, recognising Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi as President of the federation for the 2026–2030 tenure. In a letter dated October 19, 2026, addressed to Dr. Abdullahi, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis congratulated the newly elected NBBF President and other board members, while reaffirming the international body’s commitment to good governance and electoral processes conducted in accordance with thestand federation’s constitution and applicable FIBA regulations. FIBA also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing NBBF board under the leadership of Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, recognising the transition to a new administration as the federation begins another four year tenure. The recognition provides an important boost to the new leadership as it prepares to advance Nigerian basketball through improved governance, grassroo...

The Chief of Staff to the Kaduna State Governor, Hon. Sani Liman Kila, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must remain in office beyond 2027 to complete his blueprint and developmental agenda for the country. Kila stated this in an exclusive interview with MOONLIGHTNEWS on the 2027 re-election bid of President Tinubu. According to him, the President's Renewed Hope Agenda has brought significant changes and many landmark projects whose achievements are speaking volumes across the country. "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must stay and continue as President of Nigeria to complete his blueprints, the Renewed Hope Agenda and the developmental agenda in the pipeline," Kila said. The Chief of Staff, who is also the Founder/Convener of the Tinubu-Uba Sani Consolidation Front (TUSCOF), said the movement was built to be a strong, organised and purposeful political platform. "We have built TUSCOF into a strong, organised and purposeful political movement, one that we ...

The Legislative Advocacy Network (LAN) has opposed any move to return Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the position after the 2027 general elections, insisting that the leadership of the 11th National Assembly should be determined by legislative performance, institutional independence and public confidence rather than political loyalty or incumbency. According to the group, Akpabio does not deserve another term as Senate President when the 11th National Assembly is inaugurated in 2027. LAN’s position comes amid political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, with some serving senators reportedly backing Akpabio’s possible return when the next National Assembly is inaugurated. In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Benjamin Joseph, the group said the debate should focus on the current Senate leadership’s record, the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight and the extent to which the Senate has fulfilled its constitutional responsibilities to Nigeri...

Former Presiding and Principal Officers of the Kaduna State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kaduna State Branch, have resolved to establish a united political front to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The former legislative leaders reached the decision at a meeting held on Monday at the Kaduna State Civil Service Commission, where they deliberated on strategies to strengthen the political support base of the two leaders ahead of the presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for October 24, 2026, in Kaduna. The meeting was chaired by a former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Muazu Usman Gangara, and attended by former presiding and principal officers representing constituencies across the state. Participants emphasised the need for unity, strategic coordination and effective grassroots mobilisation to consolidate the APC's...

  By Biliyaminu Suraj Biliyasuraj1980@yahoo.com   Nigeria's renewed courtship of American investors in the mining sector deserves more than applause. It deserves scrutiny. On September 24, 2026, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake announced on X that Nigeria and the United States had signed a framework agreement on mining investment. He said it was signed in New York with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and covers geological data and exploration, mineral development and processing, infrastructure and technical capacity. Minister Alake valued Nigeria's mineral resources at about $700 billion. As reported, the announcement named no project and stated no investment figure. That raises an uncomfortable question: what does a promise of a welcoming investment environment mean for investors who have already committed years of work and resources to developing Nigeria's mineral wealth? The dispute over a major lithium project in Kaduna State...

By Comrade Musa Mohammed Under the visionary leadership of Professor Yahuza Sulaiman Imam, the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) has entered a new era of reform, growth and national relevance. The most historic milestone of his administration so far was the conduct of the Board's first-ever promotion exercise on 4th and 5th December, 2024. The exercise, held simultaneously at the Muhammadu Buhari Professional Testing Centre, Kaduna; Community Education Resource Centre, Gombe; and JAMB Professional Test Centres in Abuja and Ibadan, involved staff from across the country. Eligible candidates, after rigorous screening, sat for a one-hour Computer-Based Test (CBT) covering General Knowledge, Public Service Rules and Professional questions. The unprecedented exercise, driven by Professor Imam and his management team, was met with overwhelming positive feedback and stands as a testament to his commitment to staff welfare, career progression and institution...

....Only 3 States Score Above 45% In Fiscal Transparency Ranking — Niger Ranks Lowest Kaduna State has emerged as Nigeria's highest-ranked state in the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index with 54.68 per cent, while Niger State ranked lowest with 10.86 per cent. The report, unveiled on Monday, September 28, was published by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI). It assessed state governments on disclosure of public financial information, procurement practices, human resources and inclusion, anti-corruption measures, and citizens' engagement. Osun State ranked second with 50.54 per cent, followed by Kwara with 48.19 per cent. Rivers came fourth with 37.97 per cent, while Enugu and Kebbi jointly occupied fifth position with 36.63 per cent each. The findings showed a 43.82 percentage point gap between Kaduna, the top-ranked state, and Niger at the bottom. According to the report, only three of the 36 states scored at least 45 per cent, while ...

 Director General of the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator (Dr.) Abdul'aziz Yari Abubakar, has congratulated Nigerians on the nation's Independence Day, urging citizens to remain united and hopeful while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's efforts to drive national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Yari, a former Governor of Zamfara State, said the anniversary offers an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the sacrifices of the country's founding fathers, celebrate its diversity and renew their commitment to building a peaceful, just and prosperous nation. In a message released on Wednesday, the APC chieftain praised the resilience of Nigerians, noting that despite challenges confronting the country, citizens continue to demonstrate remarkable courage, hard work and patriotism. He said the Nigerian spirit has remained unbroken through decades of political, economic and social transformations, adding that the nation's streng...

Tension reportedly erupted along Zaria Road in Kaduna when a group of youths allegedly confronted and chased Senator Lawal Adamu, popularly known as Mr LA, out of the area during a condolence visit. The incident reportedly occurred while the senator was visiting members of the family of the late Councillor, Hon. Ado Dankula, to commiserate with them over the death of their relative. The youths, who expressed anger over what they described as poor representation, accused the senator of allegedly abandoning his constituents for more than three years after securing their votes to represent them in the National Assembly. One of the youths, who spoke with our reporter on condition of anonymity, alleged that Senator Adamu had become largely inaccessible since relocating to Abuja, claiming that he rarely visited the constituency or attended community events. According to the youth, the alleged absence of the senator had generated resentment among some constituents who expected gre...

 By Sam Agogo Among the most striking lessons from the natural world is how different animals respond to storms. Cattle, sensing danger, instinctively run away from it. Yet because they flee in the same direction the storm is moving, they remain trapped beneath its fury for longer, battered by winds and rain they cannot escape. The buffalo, however, does something counterintuitive. It turns toward the storm, charges directly into it, and crosses through by the shortest possible route. What looks reckless at first glance is, in fact, wisdom: the buffalo does not outrun the storm, it reduces its exposure to it.This behaviour offers a powerful metaphor for leadership in times of crisis. Across societies, the instinct to avoid difficulty is common. In governance, it manifests as delay — reforms postponed, decisions deferred, truths withheld. Leaders often hope that problems will resolve themselves, but storms do not dissipate simply because they are ignored. They grow stron...

 By Sam Agogo Nigeria’s Supreme Court ruling of September 24, 2026, is one of those rare judicial moments that reverberates far beyond the courtroom. It has already reshaped the political landscape, and its effects will continue to unfold as the country marches toward the 2027 general elections. Delivered by a seven‑member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro, the judgment upheld Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7), and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. These provisions require political parties to compile membership registers, submit them to INEC at least twenty‑one days before primaries, and use only those registers in determining who may vote or contest. Candidates must emerge either through direct primaries or properly documented consensus.The ruling set aside the Court of Appeal’s July decision that had voided these requirements, restored the Federal High Court’s earlier position, and imposed ₦2 million in costs against the Zenith Labour Party. Similar appeals by the Social De...

U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's latest proposal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with experts saying the President believes Washington can secure better terms by sustaining economic pressure on Tehran. "I reject their proposal," Trump told reporters on Saturday, arguing that Iran wants a deal because it is "losing so badly." "They want to make a deal, and I think that's fine. I'd like to make a deal too. But that deal would not be acceptable," he said. On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had seen Trump's initial reaction but was yet to receive a formal response through mediators. Qatar has been mediating talks between Iran and the U.S. on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Iran's seven-day roadmap proposed that Washington lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales, release an estimated $12 billion in f...

Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Sadiq Mamman Lagos, has explained why he and his political camp remain resolute in their unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's second term bid in 2027. Speaking in a video interview shared by Mijinyawa TV, the veteran politician said their decision is anchored on party loyalty, continuity of governance and the alignment between the Kaduna State Government under Governor Uba Sani and the Federal Government. Mamman Lagos, a legendary Kaduna politician, insisted that their support for Tinubu in 2027 is total and non-negotiable. He recalled the political history that brought former President Muhammadu Buhari to power, noting that Buhari contested for the presidency four times without success until Tinubu and his South-West political allies came to his aid. According to him, he alongside Nasir El-Rufai, Shehu ABG, Haruna Sa'id and the late General Ahmed, owner of Pyramid Hotel, waited for over fo...