Yunusa Tanko

By Our Reporter

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed Yunusa Tanko, former coordinator of the Obidient Movement, as national coordinator of its presidential campaign council for the 2027 elections.

The SDP unveiled Tanko as its national presidential coordinator on Wednesday during the inauguration of the party’s campaign council in Abuja.

Mark Adebayo, chief media and communication advisor of the Adebayo/Bugaje presidential campaign council, also confirmed Tanko’s appointment to TheCable.

Speaking at the event, Tanko pledged to work with Adewale Adebayo, the SDP presidential candidate, and Usman Bugaje, his running mate, to secure victory in the 2027 elections.

“The SDP is a left-wing political party. For those of you who do not know, we represent the interests of the downtrodden. The SDP represents those people that you neglect on the streets. So, that makes this particular party people-oriented,” he said.

Tanko said he resigned as political adviser (north) to Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), on October 30.

He said his resignation followed his appointment to the leadership of the National Consultative Front (NCFront) after the death of Ghali Na’Abba, the group’s former co-chairman and ex-speaker of the House of Representatives.

Tanko said he had reached out to Obi and Seriake Dickson, national leader of the NDC, whom he commended for their support when he served as coordinator of the Obidient Movement.

He pledged to work with the NCFront leadership and Adebayo, saying his relationship with Adebayo dates back to 2023, and added that they share a commitment to building a better Nigeria.

“In advancing our political mission to a new Nigeria that works for all, I pledge to remain consistent and committed to our unwavering belief in good governance, justice, equity, national loyalty and dedication and unwavering commitment to new Nigeria from where it is to a better and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

Obi appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.

Tanko served as Obi’s presidential campaign spokesman during the 2023 elections when the former Anambra governor contested under the Labour Party (LP) platform.

Tanko was the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) presidential candidate in 2019 and the party’s national chairman in 2023.

By Our Reporter

The Department of State Services (DSS) has foiled a major terror plot by intercepting a huge arms shipment from the Republic of Niger and arresting a female courier.

A top security source familiar with the development noted that the large consignment of high-calibre weapons and ammunition was intercepted by its operatives in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following intensive surveillance of terror cells seeking to transport deadly weapons into Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, noted that the shipment was intercepted less than 70 days before the 2027 general elections.

According to the source, the weapons include 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.

The security source revealed that owing to the Service’s increased interception of illegal weapons, terror groups have turned to the use of women and camels to move illegal weapons into and around the country.

The source added that the DSS has tracked down one of the field commanders tasked with the responsibility of causing mayhem ahead of and during the elections.

“Less than 70 days to the start of the 2027 general elections, the Department of State Security Services (DSS) has foiled a major terror plot by intercepting a large consignment of high-calibre weapons and ammunition smuggled into the country from the Niger Republic.

“The weapons, including 21 AK-47 rifles, 4 PKT machine guns and 825 magazines, were intercepted exclusively by DSS officers in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following intensive surveillance of terror cells seeking to transport deadly weapons into Nigeria ahead of the general elections,” he said.

Some of the weapons intercepted by operatives of the DSS
Some of the weapons intercepted by operatives of the DSS 1

The source added that the DSS have tracked down one of the field commanders tasked with the responsibility of causing mayhem ahead of and during the elections.

Earlier in the week, operatives in Talata Mafaran LG of Zamfara State arrested another suspected female arms courier, Hafsat Umar.

“Umar, who was arrested with twelve grenades and two ammunition belts, is the 14th female illegal arms courier arrested by the DSS between February 2025 and November 2026.

“Intelligence indicated that the suspected illegal arms courier travelled to Niger State to source ammunition for delivery to a notorious bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, who is based in Kani Kawa, Maradun LGA of Zamfara State.

“The arrests by the DSS span Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau States,” the source added.

Last month, the Service arrested one Aisha Mohammed in Keffi, Nasarawa State, while “allegedly conveying arms and ammunition through a notorious arms dealer and kidnapper simply called Sani.

“Recovered from Aisha were 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines.

“In September, 2026, two female couriers, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, were arrested at separate locations in Ebonyi State over their alleged involvement in the supply of weapons and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“The commanders include Chinonso Amobi Okafor, aka Temple, and B44, reportedly based in Anambra State. 14 wraps of IED detonators were recovered during the operation.

By Our Reporter

The former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has dismissed allegations of ₦210 trillion in unaccounted funds raised by the Senate, insisting that no money was lost under his watch.

Kyari said the allegations relating to the company’s financial records between 2017 and 2023 were based on misconstrued entries and accounting issues.

He spoke on Tuesday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, which is investigating queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation over NNPCL’s financial records during the period.

Explaining the issues, Kyari said the company had made efforts to implement decisions of the National Assembly, resulting in sustained investments and the development of the downstream sector for the benefit of the country.

“I am very proud that we have served this company in the best way possible. I remain loyal to this country and have done nothing deliberately wrong,” he said.

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On payments made to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Kyari explained that they were for registration purposes, describing the discrepancies as entry issues. He also said the ₦2.9 billion in question represented statutory payments.

Addressing the allegation that ₦5 billion was spent on renaming the NNPCL, the former GMD said the company’s name change was effected by the National Assembly, insisting that no money was paid for the exercise.

Kyari subsequently presented his report to the committee.

In his response, the committee chairman said 23 issues had been raised before the panel, with only one or two relating to the former NNPCL chief.

He said the report would be circulated among committee members for examination, adding that the panel could invite those concerned, as well as the Auditor-General of the Federation, for further clarification if necessary.

“We accept your apologies for not appearing at the previous sittings, and we will look at the figures,” the chairman said.

Kyari was subsequently discharged by the committee pending the conclusion of its investigation.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts began investigating the disputed figures in June 2025 after discrepancies were identified in NNPCL’s audited financial statements covering 2017 to 2023.

The figures comprise ₦103 trillion recorded as accrued expenses and ₦107 trillion listed as sundry receivables. The committee has repeatedly rejected the explanations provided by the company, insisting that the entries must be properly accounted for.

In March 2026, the panel summoned Kyari and other former officials to explain the figures. It later ordered Kyari’s arrest in June after he failed to appear before it. However, former NNPCL officials have denied that the money went missing, arguing that the ₦210 trillion figure arose from a misinterpretation of the company’s financial records.