Senate President Godswill Akpabio says Kano state is already secured for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

Akpabio spoke on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to Basheer Lado, the special adviser to the president on senate matters.

He said with Lado, Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, and Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the APC, “Kano is firmly secured for the ruling party” ahead of the 2027 polls.

He said in the past eight months since Basheer Lado assumed office, there have been no leaks of presidential communications to the upper chamber.

The senate president described Lado’s performance as unprecedented, noting that he has significantly improved communication between the senate and Tinubu.

“Let me put on record that since Senator Lado’s assumption of office as special adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on national assembly (senate matters), we have not had a single leakage of private communication between the presidency and the senate,” Akpabio said.

“We have not had a single incidence of leakage. Because in government, that’s what we call the right to know. The right to know.

“And then, of course, where government business is done, on pages of newspapers and social media through leakages of information, it negatively rubs off on national security.

“So, I want to thank you for upholding the tenets of what the government should be, what separation of powers is all about.

“Your performance in office generally within the last eight months is unprecedented by transforming the office itself and making the synergy between the executive and legislature more robust and rewarding for the good of all.

“You are, no doubt, a man of colour, a man of excellence, a man of style who stepped into an office and transformed it for better result delivery.

“Ahead of 2027, with the deputy president of the senate, the national chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and your strategic self, Kano is already in the kitty of APC.”

Lado, in his welcome speech, said that in Akpabio, Tinubu has found not only a dependable ally but a statesman who understands the delicate art of governance and the importance of cooperation over confrontation.

“Mr. Senate President, your presence here is not only symbolic of the harmony between the executive and the legislature; it is a testament to the power of unity, the strength of shared vision, and the boundless possibilities when leadership is anchored on service,” he said.

“Your Excellency, permit me to especially commend your steadfast and visible support for our president, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

“In you, Mr. President has found not only a dependable ally but a statesman who understands the delicate art of governance and the importance of cooperation over confrontation.

“You have not merely walked alongside the president; you have championed his renewed hope agenda with conviction, defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.”

The National Coalition for Asiwaju Mandate (NCAM) has asked Nigerians to reject any coalition “solely focused on grabbing power”.

On March 20, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar said he and other opposition politicians will form a coalition to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Atiku spoke at an event where Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Emeka Ihedioha, former governor of Imo; Salihu Lukman, a former member of the APC national working committee (NWC); Babachir Lawal, ex-secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); among others, opposition leaders, were in attendance.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Isaac Ikpa, NCAM national president, said any coalition intended to seize power for selfish ambition rather than for the interest of the country, will fail.

“We want Nigerians to understand that this so-called coalition is nothing more than a gathering of politicians seeking relevance,” Ikpa said.

“We, the National Coalition for Asiwaju Mandate (NCAM), stand firmly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his renewed hope agenda.”

He asked Nigerians to reject “this desperate attempt by politicians to cling to power”.

“The future of our nation is at stake, and we must stand firm in our commitment to protect good governance, transformative leadership, and the progress of Nigeria,” he added. 

He urged Nigerians to assess the track record of the coalition members and consider whether their leadership had previously contributed positively to the country.

Ikpa called on Nigerians to remain focused on governance and national development rather than political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections

Davido, the award-winning Nigerian singer, says the transition from a long-term relationship to marriage is “no joke”.

In a recent interview on the Bootleg Kev podcast, the Afrobeats star revealed that he and Chioma Adeleke, his wife, had been together for years before officially tying the knot.

Davido disclosed that they cohabited for eight years, adding that it helped smooth their transition into married life.

“I think I’m one of the lucky ones because me and my partner have been together for a long time prior to getting married. We’ve been living together,” he said.

“I was in my third year in college. That was where we met. I was lucky enough for us to move in together early, like eight years before we even got married.

“Getting married is no joke. The transition from being good friends and living together. And throughout the time we were living together, I was touring and really on the road.

“She always understood what I did for work, and she knows I’m at my happiest when I work. She knows I love music as she loves being in the kitchen. So the transition to marriage wasn’t too crazy for me.”

Davido met Chioma while studying music at Babcock University. Their relationship came to light after he dedicated a song titled ‘Assurance’ to her in 2018.

The singer announced their engagement in September 2019. But their union temporarily hit the rocks in 2021 amid allegations that the singer was in another relationship.

The couple lost Ifeanyi, their first child together, on October 30, 2022.

However, in March 2023, the singer disclosed that he and Chioma had officially married.

The lovebirds welcomed twins in the United States in October 2023.

Davido and Chioma tied the knot traditionally in June 2024. In November 2024, Davido disclosed that Chioma had been his girlfriend for 12 years

The Borno police command says its operatives have arrested three suspects for stealing sewing machine heads at the Dala Lawati Skills Acquisition Centre.

A statement on Thursday by Nahum Daso, police spokesperson in Borno, said Kaka Mustapha, a security guard at the centre, conspired with two other suspects, Bukar Mustapha and Ibrahim Mohammed, to perpetrate the act.

“On the 22/03/2025, at about 1400HRS, One Kaka Modu Mustapha 34yrs, a security guard at Dala Lawati Skills Acquisition Center, conspired with (2) Bukar Mustapha, 16yrs, and (3) Ibrahim Mohammed, 17yrs, and stole 19 sewing machine heads from the center,” the statement reads.

“Upon receiving the complaint, the divisional police officer, Bulumkutu division and team promptly launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of the three suspects and recovery of 6 out of the 19 sewing machines stolen.

“The case is still under investigation, and efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining stolen items.

“The command reiterates its commitment of ensuring safety and security for all and calls on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities within their domain.”