Bashir Saidu, former Chief of Staff to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has denied allegations that he betrayed his former principal following a fallout between them, insisting that their relationship went beyond politics and extended to family ties.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In an interview with RFI Hausa, Saidu explained that he and several former allies parted ways with El-Rufai because they felt their loyalty and contributions were no longer appreciated.

His remarks came after reports that El-Rufai had complained that some individuals he supported during difficult times had abandoned him. The former governor is currently in detention.

Saidu maintained that he and El-Rufai jointly built the political structure that enabled the former governor to secure political power.

To counter allegations that he had abandoned El-Rufai, the former chief of staff recounted his own experiences in detention, disclosing that he spent 50 days in prison on one occasion and another 54 days after his bail was revoked.

“I also spent the last Eid-Adha in prison. It is an outright lie to say we abandoned him,” he said.

Saidu attributed the breakdown in their relationship to what he described as a lack of appreciation for their loyalty and sacrifices.

“We learnt the person we submitted to did not value us. We moved where we are valued,” he stated.

He also dismissed criticism from individuals he claimed were unfamiliar with the depth of his relationship with the former governor, stressing that their bond had evolved beyond political collaboration.

“Those making the noise are not familiar with my relationship with Mallam. It has graduated to family level,” he added.

Saidu further claimed that he was among those who encouraged El-Rufai to venture into politics. He noted that his own political journey began with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the era of the late Moshood Abiola.

He cited several political figures, including Professor Ango Abdullahi, Madakin Zazzau and San Turaki Babba, whom he said could attest to the history of his political relationship with El-Rufai.

The former chief of staff also challenged perceptions about the strength of El-Rufai’s political structure, arguing that the former governor’s influence had been exaggerated and that he owed much of his political success to the contributions of his former allies.

Addressing the disagreement over political succession, Saidu disclosed that his group had been working to secure the candidacy of Malam Jaafaru without knowing that El-Rufai had already settled on a different candidate.

He suggested that the disagreement over the choice of a successor contributed to the growing division between the former governor and some of his erstwhile political associates.

The African Action Congress (AAC) has written to President Bola Tinubu, requesting permission to use the Presidential Villa in Abuja for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The party has also asked the Presidency to provide food, drinks and other logistical support for participants at the ceremony scheduled for November 11, 2026.

The requests were contained in a letter dated October 21, 2026, and signed by the AAC National Secretary, Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena, Naija News reports.

In the letter addressed to Tinubu, the party explained that the proposed event was part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

“On behalf of the African Action Congress (AAC), I respectfully write to request approval to hold the inauguration ceremony of our Presidential Campaign Council on the 11th of November 2026 at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, in preparation for the 2027 general elections,” the letter stated.

The party said its request was motivated by the need to promote multiparty democracy, political inclusion and equal treatment of political parties.

It also called on the Presidency to provide refreshments and other logistical assistance, citing arrangements it claimed had reportedly been extended to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a similar political engagement.

“In the spirit of multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness, and equal treatment of political parties, we also request the provision of food, drinks, and other logistical support for participants at the event, consistent with the arrangements reportedly extended to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a similar political engagement,” the party said.

The AAC maintained that approving its requests would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness and equal treatment of political parties, irrespective of their affiliation with the ruling party or the opposition.

“We believe that granting this request would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness, equal access, and the principle that public institutions must serve all Nigerians without partisan discrimination,” the letter added.

The party further expressed hope that Tinubu would approve its requests and asked the Presidency to communicate the relevant procedures and conditions for securing authorisation.

“We look forward to your favourable consideration of this request and would appreciate information on the applicable procedures and conditions for its approval,” the letter stated.

The Chairman of the Military Pension Board, Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem, has reportedly been removed from his position following a dispute between the board’s management and retired military officers over pension payments.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The development came barely a week after retired military personnel staged a protest over alleged errors in the calculation of their pensions and other entitlements, Naija News reports.

According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Daily Trust, the incident was considered an embarrassment to the military high command and President Bola Tinubu, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The disagreement reportedly escalated last Tuesday when a meeting between the board’s management and the retired officers ended in a heated exchange, with both sides failing to reach an agreement.

The meeting followed a protest by the veterans, who blocked the main entrance to the board’s headquarters to express their dissatisfaction with what they described as incorrect calculations of their pension payments and other benefits.

Led by retired Lieutenant-Colonel Innocent Azubuike, the protesters reportedly arrived at the headquarters around 8:30 a.m. and appealed to President Tinubu to intervene in the matter.

They accused the board of introducing unnecessary disparities in pension structures and payment arrangements, insisting that their grievances required urgent attention.

However, subsequent efforts to resolve the disagreement reportedly yielded no positive results.

A source quoted by the newspaper said the incident had also placed the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), and the Chief of Defence Staff in an embarrassing position.

Further findings on Wednesday indicated that Abdulraheem had been directed to step aside and hand over responsibilities to another officer who would take charge of the board.

A senior military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reportedly disclosed that the handover was expected to take place on Wednesday.

The source attributed the decision to the controversy surrounding the veterans’ protest.

“That last week protest by the veterans really embarrassed the Presidency and the military. I think that is the reason the Chairman is being asked to step aside,” the source said.