The leadership of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) has reacted to the United States Government’s move to blacklist Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State. The party reacting to the US Congress’s proposal to impose a visa ban on Kwankwao, its former presidential candidate, called for an investigation into the process and the allegations.

Recall that US Congressman, Riley Moore and some other lawmakers sponsored a bill seeking to sanction Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) and the Fulani herders over allegations of gruesome killings and severe religious freedom violations.

However, the National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Ladipo Johnson demanded that Kwankwaso be cleared.

According to Johnson, the claim that Kwankwaso is involved in any form of religious freedom violation can be described as a contrived action against an innocent man.

Stating that the former governor’s dossier is in the public domain for anyone who cares to see, Johnson said Kwankwaso has no relationship with religious fundamentalism in Nigeria.

He further linked the US Congressmen’s attempt to sanction Kwankwaso to the former governor’s reaction towards the recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by President Donald Trump.

Kwankwaso, shortly after Trump’s proclamation of Nigeria as a CPC, had taken to X to caution the US against oversimplified characterisations of Nigeria’s internal challenges.

The former governor in his post maintained that Nigeria is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country.

His post on X, attracted a reply from Moore who wrote, “Governor do you care to comment on your own complicity in the death of Christians? You instituted sharia law. You signed the law that makes so-called blasphemy punishable by death.”

Further citing some of the achievements of Kwankwaso, Johnson said, “We recall that as governor of Kano State, Senator Kwankwaso ensured that the Boko Haram sect was wiped out of the state and his close relationships with Christian leaders in Kano and across the country attest to his credibility as a national leader and statesman.

“Even when he was pressured to introduce Sharia, he still lost his election because the predominantly Muslim voters punished him for supporting a Christian Presidential Candidate, in the person of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Furthermore, in 2023 he ran his presidential campaign with a Christian Bishop, Bishop Isaac Idahosa as his running mate,” he added.

The NNPP further called on the US Congress, Moore to retrace its steps by conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations levelled against its leader.

Minister of Works Dave Umahi promised to resign if the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road project fails quality testing. Concerns were raised in the National Assembly about the contractor’s credibility and project management. Minister Umahi emphasised the quality of work over the contractor’s reputation during the budget defence.

FCT, Abuja – The Minister of Works vowed to resign on Wednesday, February 11, if the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road project fails quality tests. As reported by Channels TV, Minister Dave Umahi declared his readiness to subject the work to independent testing.

The Guardian also noted Umahi’s appearance at the National Assembly, where the minister made the remarks while defending his budget before a joint session of the National Assembly. Adams Oshiomhole, the senator representing Edo North, demanded to know why the contract was taken from an established construction firm and awarded to another company.

Responding, Umahi dismissed concerns about the contractor’s background, insisting that the focus should be on the quality of work delivered rather than perceptions.

The minister said:

“I’m just hearing about Mikano for the first time. Whether they are selling goats or cows, they are doing well. I am satisfied with the quality of work on the Abuja-Kaduna stretch, and I challenge you to an inspection. Bring the best of your concrete testers. If you test it and it fails, I will throw in the towel.” 

Meanwhile, Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the federal lawmaker representing Ebonyi North Senatorial district, clashed with Rufai Sani Hanga, the senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Nwebonyi, the Deputy Chief Whip and a key ally of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) confronted each other during the ministry’s budget defence in Abuja.

During the exchange, Hanga, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), accused Nwebonyi of simply ‘bootlicking his boss’ and lavishing praise on Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, prompting the southeast legislator to retaliate. The two strongly disagreed over the amount of time each spent speaking at the forum.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu as the Managing Director of the Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja.

Naija News reports that the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) is responsible for conducting research and development in technology and for operating a nuclear research facility.

According to a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu also appointed Engr. Adesayo Olusegun Michael as the Managing Director/CEO of the Board of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).

Other Board members of NEMSA appointed by the President include: Engr. Aliyu Abdulazeez (Executive Director, Technical); Ikechi Clara Nwosu (Chairman, South East); Zubair Abdur’rauf Idris (Member); Igba Elizabeth (Member-North Central); Sani Alhaji Shehu (Member–North East); Adeyemi Adetunji (Member–South West); Engr Emmanuel Eneji Nkpe (Member–South South) and Engr. Charles Ogbonna Asogwa (South East).

Similarly, the President nominated Amina Gamawa, representing Bauchi, and Abdullahi Muktar, representing Kaduna, as Commissioners to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Onanuga added that the President has sent the names of the two nominees to the Senate for confirmation.