Ranchers Bees have mutually agreed to part ways with their technical adviser, Usman Abd’Allah, following the club’s disappointing start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Kaduna-based club announced the development on Sunday, October 18, two days after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Shooting Stars at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.

The loss brought an end to Abd’Allah’s 115-day tenure at the club.

The former Enyimba and Kano Pillars manager recorded two victories and two draws in nine league matches, suffering five defeats during his time in charge.

His departure leaves Ranchers Bees in 18th position on the league table with eight points as they continue their struggle to escape the relegation zone.

The club’s management is expected to appoint an interim coach while working to secure a permanent replacement for the departing tactician.

Meanwhile, Shooting Stars defender Adelowo Gbolagade celebrated a significant milestone during his side’s victory over Ranchers Bees, making his 100th appearance in the NPFL.

The Oluyole Warriors congratulated the defender through their official X account, with the achievement coming as the club ended a five-match winless run.

Gbolagade will be hoping to make his 101st league appearance when Shooting Stars travel to Lagos next Sunday to face Ikorodu City.

Elsewhere, Inter Lagos interim coach Olusanjo Olutayo will be aiming for his first victory when his team host Nasarawa United at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Olutayo assumed responsibility following the resignation of Shakiru Giwa, with Inter Lagos languishing at the bottom of the standings on just two points from eight matches.

The club have also suffered a deduction of three points and three goals for violating NPFL framework rules during their Matchday 7 encounter against Katsina United.

Nine-time Nigerian champions Enyimba will equally be seeking a response when they welcome Warri Wolves to Aba after losing 4-2 to Katsina United last weekend.

The People’s Elephant occupy 19th position with seven points from eight matches, while Warri Wolves sit 14th with 10 points following their 3-1 victory over Inter Lagos.

In another Matchday 9 fixture, unbeaten Rivers United will host Barau at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Rivers United are second on the table with 16 points, just one behind league leaders Rangers. They have scored 13 goals and conceded only two in eight matches.

Barau, who occupy fifth position with 12 points, will head into the encounter looking to build on their 2-2 draw against Rangers.

Former Niger State Commissioner for Information and prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jonathan Vatsa, has announced his resignation from the ruling party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Vatsa communicated his decision in a resignation letter addressed to the APC chairman of Gulu Angwa-Gulu Vatsa Ward in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.

In the letter, the former commissioner stated that his resignation would take effect on Monday, October 19, 2026.

“I wish to write to inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Niger State, with effect from Monday, 19th October, 2026,” he wrote.

Vatsa explained that his decision followed consultations with his family, friends and associates, stressing that his departure from the party was a personal choice.

“My decision to relinquish my membership of the party, after due consultation with my family, friends and associates is personal,” he stated.

He also expressed gratitude to the APC for the opportunities it had provided him to serve in different capacities over the past 13 years.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the party for the opportunity given to me to serve in various capacities over the last 13 years,” he added.

Vatsa, who previously belonged to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), became the pioneer Publicity Secretary of the APC in Niger State following the 2013 merger of political parties that led to the formation of the ruling party.

In 2015, former Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello appointed him Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.

However, Vatsa was removed from the cabinet during a government reshuffle in 2017 and subsequently appointed Coordinator of Public Communication.

In 2023, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago appointed him Special Adviser on Public-Private Partnership before assigning him to the media and communication portfolio.

Vatsa was later relieved of his appointment in December, although the report did not specify the year.

His resignation marks his departure from a party in which he had held prominent positions at the state level and served in various capacities over more than a decade.

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to focus on addressing allegations made against its presidential candidate by Vice-President Kashim Shettima rather than attacking him and the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Kwankwaso accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council of directing unnecessary attacks at him and Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement posted on his X account on Sunday, the former Kano State governor criticised the ADC campaign for allegedly attempting to portray the NDC presidential ticket as an extension of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He also accused the opposition party of trying to create the impression that the NDC would withdraw from the presidential race at the last minute to support the ADC candidate.

Kwankwaso argued that the ADC should instead concentrate on responding to the allegations levelled against its candidate by the Vice-President.

“The ADC-PCC would be better served directing its energy toward rebutting the serious allegations levelled against their candidate by the Vice President, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, instead of targeting me and His Excellency Peter Obi,” he said.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate also firmly dismissed suggestions that his party would step aside for the ADC or any other political platform in the 2027 presidential election.

He warned that the ADC campaign could attempt to mislead NDC supporters shortly before the election by spreading claims that the party had withdrawn its candidate from the contest.

“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party. We remain confident in our capacity, competence, and readiness to lead Nigeria,” Kwankwaso declared.

He further rejected allegations that the NDC presidential ticket was working in favour of the APC, insisting that there was no justification for the party to abandon the race.

Taking a swipe at both the ruling party and the ADC, Kwankwaso argued that neither offered the kind of leadership and solutions Nigerians needed.

“The APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative,” he stated.

Kwankwaso maintained that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket represented a credible alternative capable of bringing Nigerians together and addressing the country’s major challenges.

He listed insecurity, unemployment and difficulties in education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and the economy among the key issues the ticket intended to tackle.

The former Kano governor also described the NDC ticket as a unifying platform with support across both northern and southern Nigeria.

He urged supporters to remain committed to the party’s campaign as it seeks victory in the 2027 general elections.