New Post Africa

Category: Politics

  • Two more Tinubu ministers resign to seek elective positions in 2027 

    Two more Tinubu ministers resign to seek elective positions in 2027 

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 31 March 2026 (NPA) — Two more appointees in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government have stepped down to meet the deadline set for officials seeking elective positions in the 2027 elections.

    The latest resignations include Hon. Lawan Kolo Geidam, Mandate Secretary of the Youth and Sports Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), who will contest the Yobe State Governorship election, and Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, Minister of Transportation, who is vying for the Gombe State Governorship race.

    Their departures follow that of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who resigned earlier to pursue elective office. In his resignation letter submitted to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s 4D foreign policy strategy.

  • Tinubu condemns Plateau and Kaduna attacks, orders intensified security response

    Tinubu condemns Plateau and Kaduna attacks, orders intensified security response

    ABUJA, 31 March 2026 (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strongly condemned the recent attacks by gunmen in Angwan Rukuba District, Jos North, Plateau State, and in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The President described the assault in Jos and the abduction and killing of wedding guests in Kaduna as “barbaric and cowardly acts” that strike at the heart of Nigeria’s values and will not go unpunished.

    “Anyone who sneaks under the cover of night to kill defenceless citizens, as done in Jos and Kahir village, is a heartless coward. By targeting soft communities, their aim is not only to inflict harm but also to provoke reprisals and escalate bloodshed,” Tinubu said.

    He directed security agencies to intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators and warned against the spread of misinformation that could inflame tensions. He also cautioned sections of the media against framing the attacks as religiously motivated.

    According to a statement issued Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Tinubu reaffirmed that security agencies are actively addressing the situation and stressed the cooperation of the public as essential to maintaining peace. He urged communities to comply with evacuation and relocation directives where necessary, and welcomed the safe return of two victims abducted in Kaduna.

    “I urge our security agencies to be more proactive in preventing these attacks by acting on early warning intelligence. All remaining abductees from Kahir village must be rescued immediately,” the President said.

    Tinubu commended Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his efforts in containing the situation in Jos, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for supporting rescue operations. He assured both states of federal support, expressed condolences to the families of those killed, and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

    “Our government is acquiring more sophisticated equipment to enable security agencies to track and neutralise criminals in real time, wherever they may be,” he added.

  • US Congressman warns Nigeria of severe consequences after Jos attack

    US Congressman warns Nigeria of severe consequences after Jos attack

    INTERNATIONAL, 30 March 2026 (NPA) — US Congressman Riley Moore has warned that Nigeria’s relationship with the United States could face “significant consequences” if there is a repeat of the killings in Jos North, Plateau State, where over a dozen people were massacred on Sunday.

    In a statement on Monday, Moore — who served on a Congressional inquiry into alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria and had previously made recommendations to President Trump on resolving the issue — alleged that “radical Islamic terrorists opened fire on the Christians in Jos before hacking them to pieces with machetes.”

    He described the attack as “sickening and unacceptable,” but added that it was “not surprising,” claiming it followed a regular pattern of assaults.

    The statement read in part: “This tragedy follows a pattern of radical Islamic terrorists massacring Christians on Holy Days. In fact, terrorists have attacked Christians in Nigeria on every single holy day in recent memory, except for last Christmas — when President Trump sent 12 tomahawk cruise missiles to stop them.”

    Moore further warned:“Abuja knows this pattern and they must massively ramp up security for the Triduum and Easter. If they don’t take this threat seriously and mobilise to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ, blood of these martyrs will be on their hands, and there will be significant consequences for Nigeria’s relationship with the United States.”

  • BREAKING: Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar resigns as Nigeria’s Foreign Minister

    BREAKING: Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar resigns as Nigeria’s Foreign Minister

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 30 March 2026 (NPA) — Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that all appointees intending to contest elective positions in the forthcoming general elections must step down by 31 March 2026.

    On Monday, Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. In the letter, he expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the implementation of the President’s 4D foreign policy strategy as Nigeria’s guiding framework.

    According to a statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to Ambassador Tuggar, the former minister also thanked the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as members of the diplomatic community, for their cooperation and support during his tenure.

    The statement highlighted Tuggar’s achievements, including advancing people-centred diplomacy through humanitarian evacuations, scholarship facilitation, and sustained support for Nigerians abroad. His tenure also saw enhanced diaspora engagement, the development of a structured Nigerians-in-Diaspora database, and strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations, particularly with partners in the Global South.

    He was credited with promoting regional and security cooperation, establishing the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), and driving economic diplomacy by positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector. Tuggar also facilitated diplomatic resolutions that secured the release of detained Nigerians abroad.

    His resignation letter was received by Dr Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ahead of the stipulated deadline.

  • Atiku Abubakar condemns Jos attack, calls for urgent action

    Atiku Abubakar condemns Jos attack, calls for urgent action

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 30 March 2026 (NPA) — A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and presidential aspirant for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed outrage over the barbaric attack on Gari Ya Waye community in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, which claimed numerous lives and left many injured.

    In a statement on Monday, Atiku described the assault as a damning indictment of Nigeria’s near-total security collapse. He said the incident was not merely a lapse in security but a tragic descent into lawlessness where human lives are treated as expendable.

    He criticised the government’s repeated pronouncements and “so-called marching orders,” noting that insecurity remains a grim daily reality for ordinary Nigerians. “It is long past the time for outrage without action. The anger across the land must now compel urgent, decisive political will to confront and crush this menace. The continued slaughter of innocent citizens cannot become our new normal,” he said.

    The former Vice President extended his condolences to the families of the victims, praying for strength and comfort in this dark moment.

    No fewer than 15 people were killed on Sunday night in Plateau State, Nigeria’s north-central region, when suspected terrorists stormed Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, riding motorcycles, opened fire indiscriminately around 7:30 p.m., leaving several critically injured and sparking panic as residents fled.

    Security forces under Operation Enduring Peace were swiftly deployed to restore calm and prevent further bloodshed. In response, the Plateau State Government imposed a strict 48-hour curfew across Jos North, effective from midnight, to halt any escalation of violence.

  • AU Commission Chair meets UN envoy on Sudan crisis

    AU Commission Chair meets UN envoy on Sudan crisis

    ADDIS ABABA, 30 March 2026 (NPA) — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, today received H.E. Pekka Haavisto Kansanedustaja, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan.

    Youssouf congratulated Mr Haavisto on his appointment and reaffirmed the AU’s readiness to work closely with the United Nations in advancing a coordinated response to the crisis. He emphasised the AU’s sustained engagement in Sudan, stressing that any political process must be Sudanese-owned and inclusive.

    Mr Haavisto commended the AU’s leadership in mediation efforts and pledged full cooperation. 

    Both leaders underscored the urgency of an immediate ceasefire as a pathway to a credible political process, and the importance of aligning all mediation initiatives under AU leadership.

    They called on all parties to de-escalate tensions and engage in constructive, inclusive dialogue to pave the way for a return to constitutional order. They also expressed hope that the forthcoming Berlin conference would deliver practical and tangible outcomes.

  • APC Chairman condemns Jos North attack, says Tinubu fighting lawlessness

    APC Chairman condemns Jos North attack, says Tinubu fighting lawlessness

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 30 March 2026 (NPA) — All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, has condemned in the strongest terms the tragic attack on residents of Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area.

    In a statement issued on Monday, Yilwatda described the incident as a “barbaric act of violence” that claimed innocent lives and left families in grief. Reports confirmed that the attack prompted a 48-hour curfew in Jos North, with police verifying multiple deaths and injuries.

    “My heartfelt condolences go to the families who have lost loved ones in this painful incident,” the statement read. “No words can truly heal the grief and trauma caused by such a wicked act, but I pray that God grants the bereaved families strength and comfort.”

    Yilwatda expressed solidarity with the Angwan Rukuba community and all residents of Jos North, assuring them of his prayers and support. He emphasised that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to tackling banditry, terrorism, and all forms of criminality nationwide.

    He noted that security agencies are being reinforced and every necessary step is being taken to restore peace, protect lives, and bring perpetrators to justice.

    The APC Chairman urged Nigerians to remain united, vigilant, and prayerful, while calling on God to comfort the people of Angwan Rukuba and restore lasting peace and harmony across the country.

  • Netanyahu restores Cardinal Pierbattista’s access to Holy Sepulchre in the face of Iranian missile threats

    Netanyahu restores Cardinal Pierbattista’s access to Holy Sepulchre in the face of Iranian missile threats

    MIDDLE EAST, 29 March 2026 (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed authorities to grant Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa full and immediate access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, following concerns over Iranian missile attacks that had temporarily restricted entry.

    The Latin Patriarch was earlier prevented from holding mass at the revered Christian site, as security agencies sought to protect worshippers from ongoing threats. Netanyahu clarified on Sunday that Iran has repeatedly targeted holy sites of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in Jerusalem with ballistic missiles in recent days. In one incident, missile fragments landed just meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

    He explained that the temporary suspension of worship was intended to safeguard lives, with Israel asking members of all faiths to abstain from visiting holy sites in the Old City until the danger subsided. “Today, out of special concern for his safety, Cardinal Pizzaballa was asked to refrain from holding mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Even though I understand this concern, as soon as I learned about the incident with Cardinal Pizzaballa, I instructed the authorities to enable the Patriarch to hold services as he wishes,” Netanyahu stated.

    The Prime Minister reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to protecting the sanctity of Jerusalem’s holy places while ensuring the safety of worshippers, stressing that measures taken were precautionary and temporary.

  • Tinubu donates entire salary from day one to support armed forces heroes

    Tinubu donates entire salary from day one to support armed forces heroes

    ABUJA, 29 March 2026 (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that he will forgo all salaries earned since assuming office, directing the Accountant‑General of the Federation to establish a special account dedicated to members of the armed forces. The fund will provide direct support to those serving on the frontlines, soldiers wounded in action, and families of personnel who have paid the ultimate price in defence of Nigeria.

    The President announced this in the spirit of his 74th birthday celebrations, describing the gesture not as charity but as a solemn duty. According to his statement on Sunday, all salaries accrued since his inauguration will serve as seed funding for the account, complementing existing insurance and welfare schemes for military personnel. Tinubu emphasised that the initiative will specifically assist those who have lost limbs, as well as widows, widowers, and children of fallen heroes.

    Calling on state governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, friends, and well‑wishers to contribute, Tinubu urged collective responsibility in honouring the sacrifices of Nigeria’s defenders. He stressed that details of the account will be made public soon, ensuring transparency and encouraging broad participation.

    Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, Tinubu said: “We shall never forget those who stand in harm’s way for the peace of our nation, nor the sacrifices borne by their families.” He added that the initiative reflects his government’s resolve to strengthen morale within the armed forces and to demonstrate that their service is valued at the highest level.

  • Ebonyi Governor Nwifuru salutes Tinubu at 74, praises leadership and vision

    Ebonyi Governor Nwifuru salutes Tinubu at 74, praises leadership and vision

    ABUJA, 29 March 2026 (NPA) — Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Governor of Ebonyi State, southeastern Nigeria, has joined millions of Nigerians and well‑wishers worldwide in celebrating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 74th birthday. In a statement released on Sunday, Nwifuru said it was with humility and joy that he congratulated the President, describing the occasion as a milestone that reflects a life of remarkable service and dedication to Nigeria.

    The governor showered praises on Tinubu’s sterling leadership qualities, noting that his resilience, vision, and reform‑driven policies have been instrumental in driving progress across multiple sectors. “Mr President, your resilience, leadership acumen, policies, and programs have been instrumental in driving the nation’s progress across all sectors. As a state, we shall continue to acknowledge your love and the impact you have made, especially in the areas of infrastructure and economic development,” the statement read in part.

    Nwifuru emphasised that Tinubu’s leadership has inspired confidence not only in government institutions but also among ordinary Nigerians who continue to rally behind his Renewed Hope agenda. He highlighted the President’s ability to confront challenges head‑on, stressing that such courage has laid the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous nation.

    On behalf of the government and people of Ebonyi State, Nwifuru prayed for God’s continued guidance, wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he pilots the affairs of the country. He reaffirmed Ebonyi’s support for Tinubu’s administration, pledging that the state would remain a committed partner in the collective effort to build a resilient and united Nigeria.