News
There’s No Alternative To Restructuring – Atiku
A former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, countered President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance on the restructuring of the country, saying there was no alternative to restructuring if Nigeria must make progress.
Atiku stated that he remained resolute in his support for the restructuring of the country, positing that there was “too much power” in the hands of the Federal Government, a situation he said had made governance in the country less competitive particularly among the states.
President Buhari had on Monday told a delegation of Urhobo Traditional Rulers and Urhobo Progress Union, who visited him in Abuja, that the calls for the restructuring of the country was parochial and laced with self-interests, hence discussions and arguments on the matter failed to capture his attention.
But the former VP disagreed with Buhari, saying that the country must be restructured for Nigeria to rapidly move forward.
Atiku spoke in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, during his consultative visit to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state on his presidential ambition ahead of the 2019 general elections.
He stated that he had been in the forefront of the calls for the restructuring of the country since 2004 while still serving as VP because restructuring would bring out the best among the federating units and lead to economic development across the board.
The PDP presidential aspirant also called on the Federal Government to review the current security architecture to meet the emerging security threats in the country, adding that he would always support any cause that would move the country forward.
Atiku, who also vowed to tackle unemployment in the country when he becomes President, noted that he was in the presidential race because of his burning desire to ensure that Nigeria made progress and was united irrespective of its religious and ethnic diversity.
He decried the situation where security agencies didn’t take orders from the state governors, saying “as an individual, I don’t think this is true federalism, we must restructure the security architecture.”
He said, “I will have a very small Federal Government with powers and resources devolved to the states to manage the affairs while they pay taxes to the Federal Government. With this, each zone can survive on its own without leaning on oil money.
“I’ll create jobs; you must liberalise the economy, support the private sector, create incentives to make the private sector boom and open up the economy to foreign direct investments. The security architecture of the country must be reviewed and decentralised to meet modern-day security challenges.”
He, however, thanked the people of the Niger Delta region, particularly Okowa, for the return of peace which in turn had led to increase in oil production, appealing that the peace in the area should be sustained.
Also speaking in a similar vein, Okowa stressed that restructuring would help to resolve the myriad of challenges currently confronting the country.
“I strongly believe that the way out of the challenges of the country is to have stronger states, stronger federating units,” he stated.
Punch
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.
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.
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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