Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, has criticized Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), over his comments regarding President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Kwankwaso had labeled the declaration as unconstitutional and warned it could foster a culture of impunity.

In a statement issued in Kano, Ata defended the president’s decision, stating it was taken in the best interest of national stability and security. He emphasized that the declaration aimed to maintain law and order in Rivers State following prolonged political turmoil. Ata also commended both chambers of the National Assembly for their swift approval of the president’s proclamation.

The minister accused Kwankwaso of having a flawed understanding of law and governance, alleging that during his tenure as governor of Kano State, Kwankwaso fostered a culture of political intimidation, particularly in his dealings with lawmakers.

Ata recalled that Kwankwaso had consistently disregarded legislative independence and the rule of law.

Ata further criticized Kwankwaso’s interference in the emirship tussle in Kano, highlighting the state government’s persistent disregard for court orders.

He warned that undermining traditional institutions and judicial processes has fueled political tension and public dissatisfaction in Kano.

The minister called on Kwankwaso to desist from making unfounded statements on national issues, particularly concerning President Tinubu’s constitutional prerogative to declare a state of emergency when necessary.

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido has called on opposition leaders in Nigeria to adopt a strategic and focused approach in challenging President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He urged them to set aside sentiment, emotion, and personal grievances in their political struggle.

Lamido made the remarks during an annual Ramadan breakfast with leaders and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from all 27 local government areas of Jigawa State.

The event which held at his residence in Bamaina, Birninkudu Local Government Area, provided a platform for discussing the country’s political landscape.

Expressing concern over worsening economic situation, Lamido accused the APC government of losing focus and failing to address citizens’ growing hardship. He warned that politicians must remain focused and avoid personal prejudices if they hope to defeat Tinubu. According to him, success in the opposition’s struggle will not come from fighting state institutions out of personal disappointment but from prioritizing the collective national interest.

The former governor also extended an olive branch to former PDP members who had defected to the APC, urging them to return to their original party. He said many of them had faced persecution and mistreatment in their new political home and should reconsider their decision. He argued that returning to the PDP would not be shameful, as it was the party that had originally provided them with the platform to excel in Nigerian politics.

Lamido specifically mentioned former governors and political leaders such as Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Aliyu Wamakko, urging them to reunite with the PDP and work together to “liberate Nigeria from the APC atrocity.”

He dismissed the idea that alternative parties like the Social Democratic Party (SDP) or the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) could successfully challenge Tinubu, insisting that only the PDP had the strength and structure to mount a formidable opposition.

A delegation from the United States will seek progress toward a Black Sea ceasefire and a broader cessation of violence in the Ukrainian war when it meets for talks with Russian officials on Monday.

The technical talks come as US President Donald Trump doubles his efforts to end Russia’s three-year-old assault against Ukraine.

Trump, last week, spoke with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It was gathered that the US side was being led by Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior State Department official.

They reportedly met the Ukrainians on Sunday night and planned to sit on a roundtable with the Russians on Monday.

According to the White House, the aim of the talks is to reach a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, allowing the free flow of shipping.

White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said on Sunday that the US, Russian and Ukrainian delegations were assembled in the same facility in Riyadh.

Waltz added that beyond a Black Sea ceasefire, the teams will discuss the line of control between the two countries, which he described as verification measures, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are.

The National Security Adviser said confidence-building measures are being discussed, including the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia.

Russia will be represented by Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat who is now chair of the Federation Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service.

Ukraine’s defence minister, Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian delegation, said on Facebook that the US-Ukraine talks included proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure.