Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed his heartfelt condolences to Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, following the devastating loss of his eldest son, Abdulwahab Namadi, just a day after the passing of the governor’s mother, Hajiya Maryam Namadi.

In a message shared on his X handle, Atiku described the twin tragedies as heartbreaking and extended his prayers to the grieving family.

Abdulwahab, the eldest son of Governor Namadi, was a promising young man whose life was tragically cut short.

Losing a child is a pain no parent should endure, Atiku noted, highlighting the depth of sorrow such a loss brings.

Barely 24 hours earlier, the family had also mourned the death of Hajiya Maryam Namadi, the matriarch of the Namadi family.

Atiku prayed for the souls of Abdulwahab and Hajiya Maryam, asking Almighty Allah to grant them Aljannah Firdaus and provide divine comfort to their loved ones.

He assured Governor Namadi that he is not alone in this moment of grief, as thoughts and prayers from across the nation are with him and his family.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly dismissed claims made by Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, in a viral video accusing Nigeria and France of plotting to destabilize Niger.

According to the Nigerian government, these allegations are purely fictional and lack any factual basis.

Nigeria has never collaborated with France or any other nation to support terrorist activities or undermine the peace and stability of Niger, even amid the political upheaval in the country.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, has continued to advocate for peaceful engagement with Niger despite the current political tensions.

The Nigerian Armed Forces, working alongside the Multinational Joint Task Force, have made significant progress in combating terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond.

Therefore, accusations of Nigeria conspiring to destabilize Niger appear not only baseless but also contradictory to its proven efforts toward regional peace.

The Nigerian government also refuted claims of ceding any part of its territory to foreign powers for subversive activities against Niger.

Nigeria has consistently upheld its sovereignty, rejecting the establishment of foreign military bases on its soil and demonstrating independence in its foreign policy.

Initiatives such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project highlight Nigeria’s long-standing support for Niger’s economic growth.

Suggesting sabotage of such joint efforts undermines logic and disregards Nigeria’s active role in promoting regional development.

Nigeria has invested heavily in combating terrorism, as evidenced by recent military operations such as Operation Forest Sanity III and the newly launched Operation Chase Lakurawa Out, aimed at addressing terrorist threats in the region.

The Nigerian government has urged the public to disregard these unfounded allegations, emphasizing that General Tchiani must provide credible evidence to back his claims.

Such accusations appear to be an attempt to deflect attention from internal challenges in Niger and undermine ECOWAS’s stance against unconstitutional power seizures in the region.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has named Oluwatoyin Taiwo as his new Chief of Staff.

The official letter of appointment was personally handed to Taiwo by the governor on Wednesday.

Before this new appointment, Taiwo served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor, where he played an instrumental role in ensuring the smooth operation of the government.

His elevation to Chief of Staff is seen as a reward for his dedication and service.

Also, the announcement was accompanied by a statement from Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, confirming that the appointment took effect from December 18, 2024.

While presenting the appointment letter, Governor Abiodun expressed his confidence in Taiwo’s ability to excel in the position.

He described the appointment as not only well-deserved but also a reflection of Taiwo’s competence, loyalty, and deep understanding of governance.