Politics
Masari’s comment on Fulani has vindicated Ortom, others; Buhari must apologize
As reactions continue to trail the comment made by Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State, over the alleged involvements of Fulani herdsmen in the act of banditry; security expert, civil society group and youth leader, have called on the President Muhammad Buhari-led Federal Government to apologize to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
Governor Ortom had in a series of press briefings and at a stakeholders’ meeting, accused the Fulani herders of being responsible for countless attacks on the local farmers in Benue State which has led to deaths of hundreds of citizens and over a million persons displaced.
But as the issues of insecurity in Benue and other States continue to beg for Federal Government’s interventions, the Presidency, through the Senior Special Assistant to Buhari on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu, went personal with Governor Ortom, leaving the cardinal issues raised, and by implications, defending the Militias.
But Governor Masari, while featuring on a Channels Television programme, ‘Politics Today’ on Monday, affirmed that majority of the bandits terrorising Katsina and other States of the country were Fulanis.
He said, “Bandits are persons who speak same language like me. They profess the same religious beliefs like me”.
Though Governor Ortom is yet to respond to the comment credited to his Colleague, who presides over the affairs of the state of President Buhari, Katsina; comments obtained by DAILY POST mainly pointed to the fact that Governor Ortom has been vindicated.
The Kogi born Social Crusader, while taking a swipe on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s handling of insecurity across the country, told DAILY POST that President Buhari must apologize to the Benue Governor.
He said, “three APC Governors within a week have taken a strong stand against Fulani herders and their movements – Niger State has just banned cattle market and Kaduna State just did the same. It is now becoming glaring where the problem is coming from. This is a known fact.
“But we must commend the Governor for standing tall and calling spade, a spade, Nigerians are aware of this truth but afraid to speak out, especially those in authority.Masari is a Fulani man and a Muslim and as a Governor of a State and a former Speaker, he knows exactly what he is saying.
“He has spoken from enormous security report at his disposal as a Chief Security Officer of a State. As a Fulani man, he knows what is happening. The Governor’s statement has once again vindicated some of us that are of the opinion that the APC has hands in the national insecurity, and today they have been indicted by the APC Governor’s comments and we have been vindicated.
“Buhari led Federal Government should as a matter of urgency, tender an unreserved apology to the Governor of Benue State, without delays, since the Governor of his state has exposed the hidden truth. With Masari’s confession, the Fulani herders are the promoters of banditry and other forms of insecurity like killing, raping of women in the farms, destructions of foods and kidnapping. Nigerians are now aware that Ortom is right all along and must be commended for standing up to the truth.”
The Ekiti-born Human Rights Activitist and Convener, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, Comrade Ariyo-Dare Atoye, on his part, lambasted Senator George Akume and Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, for taking sides with the Presidency and the killer herdsmen against their people.
Atoye told DAILY POST that, “Sentiments can never cure criminality, and it is hoped that people like Sheikh Gumi would quickly come to that understanding.”
He added that, “the well-calculated outburst of Gov. Masari is a vindication of Gov. Samuel Ortom and a slap on the reputations of Gov. Atiku Bagudu and that of George Akume, who has turned himself into the errand boy of Garba Shehu in the name of Buhari.
“The latest measures put in place by the Governors of Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna has also vindicated the Governors who passed the anti-open grazing laws in their respective states. It is also a vote of no confidence on the President who has continued to insist on grazing routes against the reality of time and inventions.”
JONATHAN ISAAC ONOJA:
An Abuja based security consultant and public affairs analyst, Mr. Jonathan Onoja, while reacting, said, the Fulani herders had always been identified, at different times, in connections to banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
He told DAILY POST that, “The position and the disclosure of the Governor of Kastina State, Bello Masari, is an eye-opener, particularly for Mr. President, as regard his order to review open grazing reserves in 25 states as against the Governors’ position on ranching, the best and globally accepted practice of modern day method of rearing animals.
“It was shocking to Nigerians that, despite Mr. President’s order to shoot at sight, some Fulani herders still carry AK-47 around the city centers without interception, rendering the order of Mr. President useless and more epileptic. This singular act sent a strong signal to Nigerians that president Muhammed Buhari has failed in his own words.
“Recently, the Governor of Benue State, in a media chat with Channels Television, challenged the conscience of the President to come out plain and tell Nigerians his plans. Instead of attempting to answer the questions put forward by the Governor, the so called aides, now called ‘The Presidency’, came out in their usual jamboree manner to attack the Governor.
“Very unfortunately, some so called Benue APC stakeholders begging for daily meal ticket from the Aso Villa came out in broad daylight to sell the entire state in order to secure their appointments”.
Onoja opined that, the President must rise above sentiments and face the reality of the Fulani marauders, if he actually wants to win the war against banditry in his state and other affected areas in the country.
DR. GARUS GOLOLO:
Meanwhile, Dr. Garus Gololo, a Chieftain of the APC, was of the opinion that the comment credited to Mr. Masari was “ungentlemanly” and “undistinguished”, saying the Governor did not speak with facts.
“I’m not disputing the fact that there are criminals amongst the Fulani people, just like we also have criminals amongst the Yorubas, the Igbos and the Hausas, but for Masari to come out with a figure that about 75% of the bandits are Fulanis, without establishing the fact, is not acceptable.
“How did he get his statistics, where does he go to meet the bandits and who are the experts who analysed the statistics? If he knows the bandits that much, why didn’t he talk to the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff or Chief of Air Staff, to disclose their whereabouts, so as to use airstrikes to smoke out the criminals? Why hiding them?
“Now he said he regretted pardoning those that were arrested. Why did he pardon criminals who are unrepentant and have capacity to kill and destroy? Why didn’t he allow the law to take its course?
“Just last year, an Igbo man was arrested with ammunition and guns in Paskari local government of Katsina State and was paraded, where is he now and what has happened to the case?
“What about the informants to bandits that were arrested from various local government areas of the state this year, how many of them are Fulanis?”, Gololo asked.
He advised Governor Masari to always assist the security in combating crimes and criminalities in Katsina, rather than meddling in their affairs, in the name of amnesty or running to the media to quote figures that are unsubstantiated.
In the now-controversial post shared on his social media page, Osborne wrote: “In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
The comment quickly generated reactions online before the Akwa Ibom State Government moved to terminate his appointment.
In a letter dated June 2, 2026, the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor announced his immediate disengagement.
The termination letter, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, stated that Osborne Ubong Okon had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.Politics
According to the letter, the decision was taken over actions the office described as disloyal.
“You are hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect and from today, 2nd June 2026,” the memo read.
The letter further cited “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to keep the office “purified” as reasons for the dismissal.
The office also issued a warning to members of the public and government officials regarding future dealings with the former aide.
“Any person having dealings with the above-mentioned former Media Aide in relation to this office of his former engagement does so on his/her own peril,” the statement added.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the limits of political expression for government appointees and the expectations of loyalty within public service, particularly when comments are directed at the presidency.
Neither Osborne nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the development as of the time of filing this report.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday at the Assembly complex in Dutse, the state capital, as the party continues to deal with the fallout from recent primaries.
The action comes amid a wave of suspensions across Jigawa APC following the recently conducted primary election.
Several special advisers and special assistants have already been suspended statewide over alleged anti-party activities from state level down to local government level.
Maigari, who doubles as the councillor representing Auyo Ward, was suspended after the House considered a motion by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dansure.
The motion sought disciplinary action against the lawmaker for conduct deemed harmful to party cohesion.
Moving the motion during the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Dansure urged members to support the suspension.
He said the House must act to protect the integrity of the ruling party ahead of 2027.
According to him, the actions of the Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His actions are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress,” Dansure told the House.
He argued that anti-party conduct at the grassroots level could undermine APC’s performance in future elections.
He said the House could not fold its arms while party discipline was being tested.
“Hon. Haruna Maigari is hereby suspended as Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council over alleged anti-party activities,” Dangyatin announced during plenary.
The Speaker also said the House remains committed to party discipline at all levels of governance in the state.
Dangyatin then constituted an investigative committee to look into the matter and report back within two weeks.
“The committee is expected to establish facts and recommend further action based on its findings,” he said.
The Speaker also directed the suspended lawmaker to hand over all official documents in his possession to the Deputy Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council.
He said the handover must be done immediately to ensure continuity of council business.
Meanwhile, the House also received a formal notification from Governor Umar Namadi regarding an official trip.
“The governor is billed to attend a two-day West African Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana,” the Speaker said during the plenary session of the Assembly.
Dangyatin, who explained that the governor’s foreign engagement will hold between June 2 and June 3, 2026, added that “the governor’s participation is aimed at attracting investment to Jigawa’s rice value chain.”
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mr. Samson Chukwu Nnamani has declared that he remains the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.
Nnamani made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Enugu.
Reacting to allegations that he was suspended from the party before the PDP governorship primary election, Nnamani dismissed the claim, questioning how a supposedly suspended aspirant could participate in the exercise and secure votes.
“The purported claim that I was suspended is very funny. If I was suspended as they claim, how can they attribute votes for me during their kangaroo primary,” Nnamani questioned.
Represented by his Media Director, Dr. Buchi Nnaji, the PDP chieftain said his authenticity derives from the present recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of which he is a member.
The clarification followed the emergence of multiple claimants to the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State.
Nnamani insisted that the party was no longer factionalised following INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, noting that the panel which declared him winner where sent from their headquaters, Abuja.
Nnamani expressed gratitude to PDP leaders and supporters whom he said turned out massively on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to elect him as the party’s governorship candidate.
He pledged to reposition Enugu State through infrastructure development, job creation and people-oriented policies.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, economic development, youth empowerment, quality education, improved healthcare and enhanced security for all residents,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was to build “a greater Enugu State where opportunities abound for every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.”
According to him, his administration would prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, support for small businesses and welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“We shall also review and remove policies and practices that are truncating the wellbeing, economic survival and social advancement of the citizens,” he stated.
Nnamani further called on stakeholders, party faithful, youths, women, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu State to join hands in building “a united, peaceful and progressive state.”
“Together, we can achieve the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.
The Presidency has reacted following the circulation of an alleged WhatsApp voice note in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly claims he begged opposition figure Peter Obi to step down ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The reaction came on Wednesday from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Onanuga condemned the audio file, labeling it a fabrication and called for legal action against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan who shared it.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.,” Onanuga tweeted.
In the viral video, VeryDarkMan used the alleged leaked audio to urge Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu’s reelection bid in the upcoming 2027 polls.
Recall that just days ago, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a landslide nationwide direct primary election.
During that contest, Tinubu faced a lone challenger, Edo State businessman and APC chieftain Stanley Osifo. The President won with 10,999,162 votes from the 12,643,306 registered party members, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, is widely expected to fly the flag for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Both Obi and Tinubu hail from the southern region of Nigeria and are set to face last year’s runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to lead the ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyichukwuma Odii, has accused Governor Francis Nwifuru of running the state like a personal family business.
Odii made the remark shortly after emerging as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election following the party’s primary election conducted across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to party supporters in Abakaliki, Odii said the 2027 election would be about rescuing Ebonyi from poor governance and restoring economic growth and public welfare.
“Ebonyi can never be consumed. Ebonyi can never be conquered. Ebonyi can never become a personal family business, and we are here for the rescue of our dear state,” he stated.
The PDP flag bearer pledged to improve the welfare of civil servants and teachers while promising policies aimed at reviving the state’s economy.
Odii also dismissed fears over political opposition ahead of the election, insisting that his focus remained the development and progress of Ebonyi State.
-
Crime4 days agoNigeria’s Army General, wife kidnapped by gunmen
-
Foreign4 days agoNigerian Catholic priest convicted in US for sexual assault
-
Crime3 days ago
Oyo abduction: Teachers begin strike as Tinubu sends 1,000 forest guards to rescue victims
-
Education3 days agoEnugu East Chairman Celebrates Children’s Day with St. Ann’s College, Reaffirms Commitment to Education
-
News3 days agoDSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
-
Crime3 days agoUS Announces $3.5m Religious Freedom Initiative, Questions Nigeria’s Response to Attacks
-
EverydayNews Telescope4 days agoThree Years On the Saddle : The Governor Peter Mbah score card that is a tall order
-
Crime3 days ago2 Police Officers Shot Dead as Gunmen Attack Anambra Chief of Staff’s Convoy