Bursaspor head coach Mustafa Er is optimistic that Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho will recover in time for Saturday’s Turkish 1. Lig encounter against Bandirmaspor after picking up an injury during Sunday’s 4-2 victory over Keçiörengücü.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Iheanacho put Bursaspor ahead 3-2 with a goal in the 50th minute but was substituted in the 69th minute after receiving medical attention.

His early departure sparked concerns about his fitness. However, Er sought to ease those fears, explaining that the decision to withdraw the forward was a precautionary measure to prevent the problem from getting worse.

“Kelechi has a little problem. We did not want to push too hard,” Er told Turkish outlet Bursahakimiyet. “He wanted to continue, but we did not want to risk it. We were already ahead 4-2, and we had the score.”

The 30-year-old maintained his impressive scoring form with a superb individual effort. He collected the ball near the edge of the penalty area, dribbled into space and fired past the goalkeeper.

The goal extended Iheanacho’s scoring streak to 12 consecutive league matches, taking his tally to 16 goals and three assists in 12 appearances this season.

Lewis Baker and Brazilian midfielder Lincoln also played important roles in the victory. Lincoln scored and provided assists before receiving two yellow cards in quick succession and being sent off in the 84th minute.

The win extended Bursaspor’s winning streak to three matches, with the club recording four victories in their last five outings.

The Turkish side moved to the top of the 1. Lig standings with 28 points from 12 matches, moving ahead of Kayserispor.

Bursaspor are scheduled to host Bandirmaspor on Saturday, and Er will be hoping Iheanacho recovers sufficiently to feature in the encounter.

The striker’s fitness will also be closely monitored by Nigeria’s Super Eagles as they prepare for next month’s double-header against Tanzania ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Iheanacho recently returned to the national team, scoring Nigeria’s opening goal in a 3-3 friendly draw against Russia under head coach Eric Chelle.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State, Umar Danjani, has warned that the people of the state could spend four years regretting their decision if the party fails to win the 2027 governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Danjani argued that a PDP defeat would have consequences beyond the party’s candidates, insisting that residents of Jigawa would lose an opportunity to benefit from what he described as better leadership.

He maintained that the party had experienced and qualified candidates capable of improving governance and restoring the state’s pride.

Danjani, a former PDP State Deputy Chairman and the party’s candidate for the Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, made the remarks in Hausa in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

“Even if a governorship election is conducted today and the PDP fails to win, it will not be the party’s candidates alone who will suffer. The people of Jigawa State will be the ones to pay the price, enduring four years of regret,” he stated.

The PDP chieftain also commended former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, describing him as one of the most dedicated politicians in Northern Nigeria.

According to Danjani, Lamido’s public service record and commitment to the welfare of residents distinguished him from many political leaders in the region.

He described the former governor as “the most outstanding performing governor in Northern Nigeria during his tenure,” adding that his administration raised Jigawa’s profile both nationally and internationally.

Danjani further argued that Lamido’s achievements established a standard of governance that successive administrations had struggled to equal.

He also expressed confidence in the PDP’s pool of political leaders, saying the party had the experience and qualifications required to move the state forward.

Among those he cited were former lawmakers, ex-commissioners and individuals with doctoral degrees, whose backgrounds he said would give the party an advantage in the 2027 elections.

The former deputy state chairman also praised the PDP’s Director-General of Campaign in Jigawa, describing him as an experienced political activist and businessman who had served in the state House of Assembly and as a permanent secretary.

He said the campaign director’s political and public service experience would strengthen the party’s preparations for the election.

Danjani also expressed confidence in the PDP’s governorship candidate, describing him as a traditional ruler, businessman and political heir who holds three degrees in political studies.

He portrayed the candidate as a young, modern politician with considerable support among voters.

Regarding the deputy governorship candidate, Danjani highlighted his long career in public service, which culminated in his appointment as Head of the Jigawa State Civil Service.

He also pointed to the credentials of the PDP’s senatorial candidate for Jigawa South-West, Sulaiman Abba, whom he described as a former senior police officer who rose through the ranks to become an Inspector-General of Police.

According to Danjani, Abba’s experience further demonstrated the calibre of candidates the PDP was presenting for elective offices.

The former deputy state chairman additionally claimed that the PDP had an advantage in legislative experience, arguing that it was the only party in the country fielding three candidates who had previously served as Speakers of the Jigawa State House of Assembly.

Speaking about his ambition to represent Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Federal Constituency, Danjani said his political experience and close relationship with residents distinguished him from other contenders.

“Despite being among the younger contestants, I believe my record of political engagement, public service and personal relationships distinguishes me from my opponents,” he said.

He added that his experience included serving as the party’s state deputy chairman and participating in efforts to secure the release from prison of people he described as oppressed individuals.

Danjani, who also noted that he came from a family with a strong political background, insisted that a PDP victory in 2027 would represent more than a party’s electoral success.

He said such a victory would provide the people of Jigawa with an opportunity to regain their dignity, pride and confidence in the state’s future.

The PDP chieftain urged voters to carefully consider the experience, qualifications and public service records of the candidates before deciding whom to support in the 2027 general elections.

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the killing of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reacting to the incident, Radda expressed shock and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing, apprehend those responsible and ensure they face the full weight of the law.

The governor described the late cleric as a strong advocate of peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony.

Radda also appealed to residents to remain calm, support security agencies and provide credible information that could help investigators. He cautioned against actions that could heighten tensions in the state.

He extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, the Muslim community and all those affected by the tragedy.

The governor further praised Masussuka for promoting Qur’an-based teachings, peaceful coexistence and understanding among religious groups. He noted that the cleric stood against violent extremism and radicalisation.

Radda prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and provide comfort to his family and the wider Muslim community.

Reports indicate that Masussuka and an associate were killed by gunmen suspected to be bandits in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

The attack reportedly occurred around 9 p.m. on Monday at the entrance to the cleric’s residence in Dutsin-Ma town. Both victims were taken to Dutsin-Ma Hospital for medical attention but were later confirmed dead.

The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the killing. However, as of the time of filing this report, the police had not disclosed further details about the attack or announced any arrests.