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I Inherited N59.6b Local Debt, N48.6 Foreign Loans- AbdulRazaq

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Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has given the local debt profile his administration inherited from the past government at N59.6 billion (N59,585,637,336.62).

The governor added the indebtedness was at May 29th, 2019, his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye told our correspondent exclusively in Ilorin, the state capital.

Ajakaye added as at December 2018, the new administration

inherited a sum of N48.6 million (N48,599,040.43) as foreign loan also bequeathed by the past administration.

AbdulRazaq had earlier revealed that Universal Basic Education

Commission (UBEC) blacklisted the state because immediate Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed government mismanaged the N1.5 billion grant meant to upgrade schools in Kwara in 2013.

This, according to the government, necessitated the ban placed on Kwara state by UBEC in accessing grant from the commission.

But the former governor Ahmed refuted claims his

administration mismanaged UBEC counterpart funds.

Ahmed’s spokesman, Dr Muyideen Akorede, absolved former Governor Ahmed’s administration of any wrongdoing regarding the management of UBEC funds.

He maintained that the federal agency essentially cancelled a N2 billion grant to the state when the government borrowed from UBEB its 50 percent cent counterpart fund of N1.5 billion for the payment of salaries at the height of the 2015 economic recession which prevented most states in Nigeria from meeting salary obligations to workers.

But Governor AbdulRazaq said: ” we regret to say that the last administration cannot be forgiven for the criminal neglect of the schools because the consequences are there for all to see.”

He added that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s response to the outrage greeting the diversion of N1.5 UBEC funds has raised more questions on the sordid neglect of public schools under him.

He said that Ahmed’s statement that claims that funds weren’t diverted or mismanaged hold no water in the face of revelations from UBEC and the decrepit state of the schools.

The government said the mismanagement is apparent in Kwara ranking 37th — or the lowest — on the list of UBEC Matching Grant Disbursement Performance as at April 30, 2019.

The government said Ahmed’s claim that his government used the N1.5 billion to pay workers’ salary was untenable and fishy for an administration that received N22 billion Paris Club refund and additional N3.4b billion bailout funds that were meant to help states pay workers when federal allocation dropped.

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Police Restore Calm in Omu-Aran After Violence, Palace and Bank Attacks; Five Arrested

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The Kwara State Police Command has restored order in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, following a wave of violent disturbances on May 25 and 26, 2025, sparked by the actions of unruly youths.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, and made available to Just Event Online TV, the unrest was triggered by the arrest of a suspected drug dealer and arms trafficker known as Azeez, also called “A-Z,” by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

Azeez was reportedly freed by a mob while being transported to the police station. The group later attempted to storm the station but were successfully repelled by officers. The mob then moved to the Olomu’s Palace, where they set a motorcycle belonging to the monarch’s police orderly ablaze.

The situation escalated on the second day as the mob attacked the Olomu Aperan Microfinance Bank, vandalizing vehicles, the bank’s signboard, CCTV system, and other assets.

Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the attacks. Staff of the affected bank were safely evacuated and taken to the police station for protection.

In response, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, has directed enhanced patrols and surveillance across the community to maintain peace. The public has been urged to remain calm and refrain from spreading misinformation while investigations are ongoing.

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UPDATE: Real Reason for Sheikh Gumi’s Deportation from Saudi Arabia Uncovered

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Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has been deported from Saudi Arabia and barred from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage—an action that has sparked widespread public reaction. Now, sources have revealed the reason behind the unexpected move.

According to reliable reports, Saudi authorities refused Gumi entry into Medina due to concerns over his alleged associations with groups involved in regional unrest in Nigeria. During routine immigration procedures, the cleric was reportedly questioned about his previous public statements and affiliations, particularly his consistent calls for negotiations and leniency toward armed factions in Northern Nigeria.

Sources claim Gumi was unable to provide responses that satisfied authorities, resulting in his immediate deportation—even though he held a valid Hajj visa. The incident has ignited intense discussions in Nigeria, raising questions about the potential impact on his public standing and influence.

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JUST IN: Saudi Arabia Denies Sheikh Gumi Entry for Hajj, Deports Him to Nigeria

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Saudi authorities have barred prominent Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage and have deported him back to Nigeria.

The cleric confirmed the development in a Facebook post on Monday, May 26, 2025, revealing that although he was granted a visa, he was denied entry into Medina where he intended to commence his Hajj rites.

“Despite being issued a visa, I was not permitted to enter Medina due to certain concerns linked to my political views,” Sheikh Gumi stated on his official Facebook page.

He also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government, noting that officials have promised to engage Saudi authorities over the matter.

Sheikh Gumi was reportedly part of a group of religious scholars sponsored by the Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON) for this year’s pilgrimage.

He arrived in Medina around 10:30 p.m. last Saturday aboard an Umza Air flight, accompanied by other clerics. However, immigration officials at the airport stopped him from proceeding into the country.

Following the deportation, Sheikh Gumi has since returned to Nigeria and resumed his daily activities, including teaching.

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