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  • Al-ajabin Zazzau Withdraws From APC Reps Race Amid Reconciliation Moves

    Mahmud Sadis Buba, popularly known as Al-ajabin Zazzau, has withdrawn from the race to represent Sabon Gari Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

    Buba announced his withdrawal in a letter addressed to the Kaduna State chairman of the APC and later published on his verified Facebook page on Saturday.

    ‘Not An Easy Decision’

    According to him, the decision followed reconciliation efforts initiated by leaders and stakeholders within the party.

    “Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am withdrawing from the race for Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, effective immediately,” the letter partly read.

    “This was not an easy decision. But it was hastened by the reconciliation efforts initiated by stakeholders and leaders of our party.”

    He added that after consultations with his family, political associates and party stakeholders, he concluded that stepping down was in the best interest of the APC.

    “I believe that uniting behind a single candidate is paramount to our victory in the general election and for the continued progress of our constituency and state,” he stated.

    Buba Thanks Uba Sani, APC Leadership

    Buba also appreciated Uba Sani and the party leadership for giving him the opportunity to participate in the nomination process.

    According to him, the experience enriched his political journey and he remains grateful to supporters across the constituency.

    He stressed that his withdrawal should not be seen as weakness but as a sacrifice made for the unity and success of the party.

    Calls For Support Of Consensus Candidate

    The APC aspirant further assured party members of his continued loyalty and commitment to working for the victory of the party’s eventual candidate.

    He urged his supporters to remain calm and united while throwing their support behind the APC’s decision.

    “Whoever emerges as the party’s candidate should be given maximum support,” he added.

    Age Controversy Surrounds Aspirant

    Buba had recently been at the centre of controversy over claims surrounding his age during his campaign for the APC ticket.

    Critics alleged that he was 16 years old while circulating what they claimed was the data page of his passport online.

  • Abin Al’ajabin Zazzau Breaks Silence on Humiliation, Vows Reform Bid for Kaduna Constituency Seat

    A 30-year-old House of Representatives aspirant from Kaduna State, Abin Al’ajabin Zazzau, has spoken out about what he described as years of public humiliation and personal attacks linked to his appearance and political ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

    The aspirant, who is contesting for the Sabon Gari/Fada Federal Constituency seat, made the remarks in an interview with RFI Hausa, where he detailed emotional and social challenges he says he has endured over time.

    “Humiliated because of how I was created”

    Zazzau said he has faced repeated insults directed at him and his family, insisting that much of the criticism was rooted in prejudice over his physical appearance.

    “For political reasons, my dignity has been violated. I have been humiliated and deprived because of the creation Allah made for me,” he said.

    “There is nothing people have not done to me. I have been insulted, humiliated, disgraced, and even my parents have been insulted.”

    He added that the attacks have followed him across political and social spaces, making participation in public life difficult.

    Push for political reform in Sabon Gari

    Despite the backlash, Zazzau said he remains committed to his ambition, stressing that his motivation is to reform Sabon Gari and expand opportunities for young people.

    “I decided to contest because I want to bring youths out of the groups and gangs they are involved in,” he said.

    He argued that the constituency needs empowerment-driven leadership rather than dependency-based politics.

    “Our people are not asking for handouts. They want to be shown how to earn a living, not just given fish but taught how to fish,” he said.

    Concerns over representation and development

    Zazzau also raised concerns about what he described as long-standing underdevelopment in Sabon Gari Federal Constituency despite its economic importance to Kaduna State.

    He noted that the area hosts major institutions and industries, yet still struggles with basic infrastructure and effective political representation.

    “Sabon Gari is a very important commercial and industrial area in Nigeria, yet development has not reached many places,” he said.

    “So why shouldn’t we be given proper representation?”

    Political background and 2023 attempt

    The aspirant revealed that he had previously contested for the same seat in 2023 but stepped down after political consultations and appeals from stakeholders.

    He said he later supported the eventual winner at the time due to political considerations and circumstances surrounding the election cycle.

    The development adds another layer to early political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as aspirants begin to re-engage constituencies across the country.

  • El-Rufai Freed on Compassionate Grounds as Mother Dies in Cairo

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has released former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai from custody on compassionate grounds, hours after the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday.

    An aide to the former governor confirmed that the release was approved to allow him to participate in the burial arrangements for his late mother. The ICPC had not issued an official statement on the terms of the temporary release as of the time of this report.

    Son’s reaction

    His son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed the development in a post on X, expressing relief while sharply criticising the anti-corruption agency. “My beloved, great legend of a father is being released from his unlawful and illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is a lame excuse for a pathetic institution. Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufais,” he wrote.

    Death of Hajiya Umma

    Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, said to be approximately 100 years old, died on Friday after a period of illness in Cairo, Egypt. Her death came barely a week after the passing of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, making Friday’s loss a second bereavement for the El-Rufai family within days.

    Her death was announced by her grandson and member of the House of Representatives, Bello El-Rufai, who described her as a matriarch whose life was devoted to faith and family, and called on Nigerians to pray for the family. The family finds strength in her long and fulfilled life. Similar condolences came from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and other political figures across party lines.

    El-Rufai’s legal battles

    Friday’s temporary release does not resolve the extensive legal proceedings El-Rufai is currently facing across multiple courts in Nigeria.

    The ICPC has accused El-Rufai of unlawfully receiving approximately ₦579 million in severance allowances on two separate occasions, in September 2020 and January 2023, far above the legally entitled sum of approximately ₦20 million. He was formally arraigned alongside co-defendant Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24, on charges of alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering. He pleaded not guilty.

    The court adjourned ruling on his bail application to March 31, 2026. The ICPC has also filed a separate case against him at the Kaduna State High Court involving another defendant, Amadu Sule.

    In a third legal front, the Department of State Services has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja, centred on allegations that he unlawfully intercepted phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of the Cybercrimes Act. His arraignment in that matter is scheduled for April 23, 2026.

    El-Rufai’s counter-suits

    El-Rufai has filed counter-suits challenging the authorities’ actions. In one suit, he is seeking ₦1 billion in damages against the ICPC and other agencies over a February 19 raid on his Abuja residence, which he claims was unlawful, and is asking the court to invalidate the search warrant and restrain the use of any evidence obtained. In a separate action against the DSS, he is seeking ₦2 billion in damages and has asked the court to dismiss the wiretapping charges as unconstitutional harassment.

    How the detention began

    El-Rufai’s current legal saga began on February 16, 2026, when he was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged ₦423 billion misappropriation. He was subsequently transferred to ICPC custody on February 18, where he has remained until today’s temporary release.

    El-Rufai is expected to return to ICPC custody following the completion of his mother’s burial rites, with the Federal High Court in Kaduna due to rule on his substantive bail application on March 31. RNN.NG will continue to follow all developments in his case.