Zamfara SSG Says Family Members Free to Choose Political Parties, Dismisses APC’s Claims

The Secretary to the Zamfara State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, has reminded the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state that democracy guarantees every adult the freedom to belong to any political party of their choice.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Sulaiman Ahmad Tudu, following the APC’s announcement of the defection of Bello Nakwada, a brother to the SSG.

Tudu stated that the political decisions of the SSG’s family members are guided by personal choice and are not an exception to democratic norms.

According to the statement, if any member of the SSG’s family does not share the vision of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration, it remains their individual decision, stressing that, such choices do not in any way reflect the position or commitment of the SSG.

“The Secretary to the State Government remains focused on supporting His Excellency, Governor Dauda Lawal, in delivering on his transformative agenda for Zamfara State and will not be distracted by political narratives,” the statement read.

The media aide also noted that, political differences within families are not uncommon in Nigeria’s political history, citing examples of prominent political figures whose relatives belong to opposing parties.

Reacting to the APC’s claim, the statement described the party’s announcement as an attempt to exaggerate the significance of the defection by linking it to the personality of the SSG, rather than focusing on substantive political developments.

The statement further observed that, the APC’s announcement came at a time when several influential members of the party in Zamfara State were defecting to other political platforms and aligning with the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal. 

Those mentioned include a former state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Lawali Makaman Kaura, as well as notable youth mobilisers Jamilu Adamu Escape and Ramadan Mijinyawa, among others across the state.

The SSG’s office challenged the APC to address internal political inconsistencies within its ranks, questioning why a close family member of one of the party’s prominent leaders, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, is reportedly a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The statement reiterated that the Zamfara State Government remains committed to governance, stability, and the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state, rather than engaging in political distractions.

Zamfara APC, SSG’s Office Trade Words Over Defection Claims

The Zamfara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Office of the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government (SSG) have exchanged statements following the reported defection of Bello Nakwada, younger brother of the SSG, Malam Abubakar Muhammad Nakwada, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

In a statement issued by the APC Publicity Secretary in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the opposition party announced that, Bello Nakwada had officially defected from the PDP, citing alleged high-handedness, unfair treatment, and lack of internal democracy within the ruling party as reasons for his decision.

According to the APC, Nakwada publicly distanced himself from the PDP-led administration in the state, including Governor Dauda Lawal and his elder brother, the SSG. 

The party also disclosed that, a former PDP chairmanship aspirant for Gusau Local Government Area, Hassan Idris Gusau, also defected alongside Nakwada.

The APC said both politicians were received in Abuja by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, where they pledged loyalty to the APC leadership and commended the party’s unity and internal cohesion under leaders such as Dr. Matawalle and Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar.

Dr. Matawalle, while welcoming the defectors, assured them of full integration into the party and urged them to mobilise their supporters to participate in the ongoing APC e-registration exercise, describing it as vital ahead of future elections.

Reacting to the development, the Office of the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government dismissed the APC’s claims, described the publicity surrounding the defection as an attempt to manufacture political relevance amid what it termed internal challenges within the opposition party.

In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the SSG, Sulaiman Ahmad Tudu, the government said the APC deliberately linked the defection to the SSG in order to exaggerate its political significance.

The statement noted that the APC announcement came at a time when several influential party members were reportedly leaving the APC to align with Governor Dauda Lawal, including a former state chairman of the party, Alhaji Lawali Makaman Kaura, as well as youth leaders Jamilu Adamu Escape and Ramadan Mijinyawa, among others across the state.

The SSG’s office stressed that, Nigeria’s democracy allows individuals the freedom to belong to any political party of their choice, adding that, family relationships do not dictate political loyalty.

It further stated that, Malam Abubakar Muhammad Nakwada remains focused on supporting Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration and would not be distracted by political propaganda or personal decisions of relatives.

Drawing comparisons, the statement recalled instances where family members have belonged to opposing political parties, including at the national level, and questioned why the APC had remained silent over similar situations within its own leadership.

Kaduna Electric Flags off Installation of Free Prepared Meters in Zamfara

Kaduna Electric has commenced the installation of free prepaid electricity meters in Samaru Community, Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, as part of efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve accountability in electricity consumption.

The initiative was officially flagged off during a ceremony held in the community.

Speaking at the event, the Head of the Metering Project at Kaduna Electric, Abba Ali Maiborno, said the project is being implemented under the World Bank–supported Strategic Renewable Energy Programme (SREP) in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, and is being supervised by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Project Management Unit (PMU).

Maiborno explained that the primary objective of the project is to ensure that electricity consumers are properly metered, thereby eradicating estimated billing and promoting transparency within the power sector.

“We are trying to eradicate estimated billing and ensure customers are properly metered so that there is accountability for the energy consumed,” he said.

He noted that although Kaduna Electric operates at the distribution level of the electricity value chain, revenue generated from customers is crucial to sustaining the entire sector, including power transmission and generation.

“The money collected from customers is used to fund TCN and generation companies. About 70 per cent of electricity generation in Nigeria depends on gas, and these funds are required to purchase gas for power generation,” he explained.

Maiborno assured customers of the quality and reliability of the meters, saying that all meters supplied under the project have been tested and certified by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).

He further emphasized that both the meters and their installation are completely free of charge, urging customers to disregard any contrary information.

“These meters are free, and the installation is also free. Customers are not expected to pay a dime,” he stressed.

On the scope of the project, Maiborno disclosed that about 5,000 meters have already been delivered to Zamfara State as the first batch, with additional supplies expected in the coming months.

According to him, Kaduna Electric is expected to receive a total of 73,050 meters, out of which 25,000 meters are scheduled to arrive by February, while the remaining batches will be delivered before the completion of the project.

He added that the World Bank–supported metering project is expected to be completed by May 2026 across Nigeria.

Maiborno called on electricity consumers in the state to cooperate fully with Kaduna Electric staff during the installation process to ensure the success of the project.

“We want maximum cooperation from customers. They should accept the meters and support our staff working within their communities,” he appealed.

He also noted that both single-phase and three-phase meters are being deployed to accommodate different categories of electricity users.

Speaking on behalf of the benefiting pilot community, Alhaji Sani Banker commended  the initiative, described it as timely and beneficial.

He assured the company of the community’s full cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Youth Empowerment Key to Reducing Unemployment, Social Vices — Zamfara First Lady

The First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, has emphasized that empowering young people with relevant skills, tools, and opportunities remains a critical strategy for reducing unemployment, discouraging social vices, and building a productive society.

She made this known during the empowerment of 500 youths drawn from across Zamfara State, organized in Gusau by Prince Onyeka Okeke, Founder of the Prince Okeke Foundation, in support of the developmental initiatives of the state government 

Represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Women Mobilisation, Hajiya Hadiza Mai, described the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that it aligns with the state government’s vision and commitment to youth empowerment, economic self-reliance, and inclusive development.

Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal commended Prince Onyeka Okeke for complementing government efforts through meaningful private-sector intervention and called on other well-meaning individuals, organizations, and foundations to emulate the gesture by investing in programmes that uplift youths and promote sustainable livelihoods.

The First Lady reaffirmed the commitment of the Zamfara State Government, under the leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal, to continue creating an enabling environment for partnerships that support human capital development and improve the welfare of citizens.

She also urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the opportunities provided and contribute positively to the growth and development of Zamfara State.

A statement issued by the Press Secretary, Office of the First Lady, Zamfara State, Rabi Yusuf, disclosed that items distributed during the programme included foodstuffs donated to an orphanage home, grinding machines, POS machines with ₦50,000 cash support each as start-up capital, as well as equipment for tea business, rice cake (Masa) production, soybean cheese (Wara) processing, and shoe-shining businesses.

NSCDC Parades Suspects Over alleged Illegal Fuel Purchase, Child Trafficking, Public Disturbance in Zamfara

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Zamfara State Command, has paraded several suspects arrested for offences ranging from illegal acquisition of petroleum products to public disturbance, motorcycle theft, and child trafficking.

Parading the suspects during a news briefing in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansur Mohammed, said the arrests were part of the Corps’ sustained efforts to maintain peace and enforce existing regulations across the state.

He disclosed that, the Command had arrested a 31-year-old man, Jerry Peter, on January 24, 2026, at about 10:00 p.m., in the Lalan area of Gusau, for allegedly trafficking five children aged between eight and 13 years.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was transporting the children from the Zuru area, en route to Kaduna, Benue, and Benin City in Edo State, where they were to be handed over.

According to Mansur Mohammed, the suspect allegedly confessed that he was to hand over the children to a woman popularly known as “Mommy Bishop” through Reverend James Joshua of the Assembly of God Church, Benin City.

He added that, following the directive of the State Commandant, Commandant Sani Mustafa, the suspect and the rescued children were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and necessary action.

The NSCDC spokesperson also revealed that, 16 suspects were arrested between January 21 and 23, 2026, for the illegal purchase and storage of petroleum products in jerrycans without the required license or authorization.

He said a total of 62 jerrycans of petroleum products were recovered, comprising 1,400 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 390 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

According to him, the PMS was purchased at ₦870 per litre, amounting to ₦1,278,900, while the AGO was acquired at ₦1,900 per litre, totaling ₦741,000, bringing the cumulative value of the seized products to over ₦2 million.

Mansur Mohammed explained that the purchases were made during odd hours, in violation of federal regulations governing the sale, transportation, and storage of petroleum products.

He further disclosed that on January 25, 2026, three young men — Yasir Bellu, Ibrahim Saidu, and Nasir Yabu, all aged 20  were arrested within the Gusau metropolis for public disturbance, inciting nuisance, traffic violations, and reckless conduct, following complaints from residents.

In another operation, the Corps apprehended Akilu Ishaka 29 old and Okashetu Bellu age 25 on January 17, 2026, in possession of a suspected stolen motorcycle.

Investigations revealed that the motorcycle was allegedly purchased from a dealer in Sokoto State, who is currently at large.

The NSCDC reiterated its zero tolerance for criminality, assuring that, all suspects will be thoroughly investigated and, upon completion, arraigned before courts of law for prosecution.