Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has ruled out the possibility of a political merger ahead of the 2027 general elections, instead urging opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai, who resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 10, cited ideological differences with the ruling party. In an interview with BBC Hausa, he called on opposition leaders to unite under SDP to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next election.
“My wish and prayer is for Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, and other opposition leaders to join SDP—not for a merger or to register a new party,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has dismissed speculations about Tinubu’s focus on the 2027 election, emphasizing his commitment to economic reforms.
“President Tinubu is not concerned about the next election. His focus is on improving the economy, stabilizing the country, and delivering prosperity for Nigerians,” his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications stated.
Despite his call for opposition unity, El-Rufai remained non-committal on his own presidential ambitions, saying, “It is not for me to decide; it is for the party and the people to decide.”
Kano Government Insists Court of Appeal Ruling on Emirship Dispute Remains Valid
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed the validity of the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the emirship dispute, dismissing claims that it has been overturned.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, clarified that the court’s decision to grant a stay of execution does not invalidate its January 10, 2025, judgment, which upheld the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law, 2019, and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kano, Dederi emphasized that the legal process remains intact.
“The Court of Appeal’s stay of execution is a procedural measure. It does not nullify the ruling but maintains the status quo until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict,” he said.
The legal dispute originates from an appeal filed by Alhaji Aminu Baba Dan’Agundi, a key supporter of the deposed 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.
Dederi urged Kano residents to disregard misinformation suggesting that the emirship ruling had been nullified.
“We remain committed to due process. Our legal team is carefully reviewing developments and will determine the next course of action,” he added.
The government reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining peace and stability as the legal proceedings continue.
Hamilton Struggles in Ferrari Debut, Calls Car ‘Really Hard to Drive’
Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult start to his Ferrari career, admitting his new car was “really, really hard to drive” in wet conditions during the Australian Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion, who made a high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari in January, finished a disappointing 10th in the season opener, trailing behind McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, also outpaced him in the rain-hit race, which saw multiple safety car interruptions.
“It was very tricky and went a lot worse than I expected. The car was really, really hard to drive today,” Hamilton said after the race.
The Briton briefly led during a series of pit stops under the safety car but expressed frustration over Ferrari’s strategic calls.
“We missed a big opportunity,” he told his race engineer over the radio, later explaining that a delayed switch to intermediate tyres cost him crucial positions.
Despite the tough debut, Hamilton remained optimistic, saying, “There’s a lot to take from this—just getting used to the power unit, wet conditions, and a new way of driving.”
Ferrari will look to improve in the next race as Hamilton continues adjusting to his new team.
U.S. Strikes Kill 31 in Yemen as Trump Warns Huthis of ‘Overwhelming Lethal Force’
The first U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s Huthis since Donald Trump returned to office have killed 31 people, including women and children, according to rebel officials.
The strikes, targeting multiple locations in Sanaa, Saada, Al-Bayda, and Radaa, also left 101 people injured, the Huthis claimed. Footage from Huthi-controlled media showed women and children being treated in hospital emergency rooms.
President Trump issued a stern warning to the Iran-backed group, vowing to escalate military action if they did not halt attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
“To all Huthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP. If you don’t stop your attacks, hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before!” Trump wrote on social media.
The Huthis responded defiantly, promising retaliation. “Our forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation,” the group’s political bureau stated.
The U.S. Central Command released footage of precision airstrikes and defended the operation as necessary to “protect American interests and restore freedom of navigation.”
Huthi attacks on shipping, which they say are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have severely disrupted global trade. Pentagon officials reported that since 2023, the rebels have attacked U.S. warships 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times.
Iran condemned the U.S. strikes as a “brutal violation of international law,” while Russia called for immediate de-escalation and political dialogue to prevent further conflict.
The situation remains tense as global powers react to the latest escalation in the region.
