Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has w@rned the United States aga!nst releasing documents allegedly linked to past illegal drug investigations involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying such a move could amount to foreign interference in Nigeria’s affairs and influence the 2027 election.

Buratai made the remarks in a paper titled “Nigeria First: A Case for Pr0tecting National Sovereignty and Dignity – A Patriotic and Non-Partisan Perspective,” published on his verified Facebook page.

He argued that the controversy should not be viewed solely as an issue concerning Tinubu, stressing that its implicat!0ns could extend to the country’s image, sovereignty and political stability.

“This is not merely about Bola Tinubu; it is about 250 mill!0n Nigerians whose national pride, economic prospects, and global standing hang in the balance,” he stated.

Buratai questioned why an issue dating back about 33 years was being revived, particularly if it could be used for political purposes ahead of the 2027 elect!0ns. He also argued that Nigeria’s democratic and legal institutions should be allowed to handle allegations involving its leaders.

He wrrned that releasing the documents before the 2027 polls could give foreign actors undue influence over Nigeria’s electoral process and undermine the country’s political sovereignty.

However, Buratai clarified that defending national sovereignty should not be interpreted as shielding leaders from accountability, maintaining that allegations can still be investigated while respecting the dignity of the office and the nation.

The Chairman of the Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has denied saying that he hates Christians.

He described allegations that he dislikes Christians as “mere lies” and a misinterpretation of his recent remarks.

The Islamic cleric had come under heavy criticism following his support for the Muslim-Muslim tickets and his reference to Christians as infidels.

However, speaking at a One-Day National Symposium, with the theme, “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria,” held in Jos on Sunday, Jingir explained that his remarks were not intended to express hatred towards Christians or non-Muslims.

He said: “A lot of people are saying I dislike Christians. I didn’t say I dislike Christians. It is a lie. My remarks were misinterpreted.

“Leadership in Islam is not about cheating people of different faiths. Islam teaches us to share love with people of different faiths or sects.”

Jingir further explained that Islam teaches fairness and justice to people irrespective of their religion, and warned Muslims that they would be held accountable if they harmed non-Muslims.

He added that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) lived peacefully with people of other faiths, urging Nigerians to promote peaceful coexistence.

The cleric also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, and other political leaders to ensure fairness and justice in discharging their responsibilities, irrespective of religious affiliation.

“I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to cheat non-Muslims and Muslims alike. I also call on you not to cheat those who are not in the same political party with you. You should lead with justice and fairness to all Nigerians,” he said.

Jingir maintained that every Nigerian has the right to freely choose and support any candidate during elections.

“Everyone has the right to vote for whoever he feels is okay with him to vote for during an election,” he said.

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it is targeting one million votes for the party’s presidential ticket in the 2027 general elections.k

Chairman,‌⁠‌‍⁠⁠‌‌‍⁠‍⁠‍⁠⁠‌ FCT South-East of the NDC, Mike Nwosu, disclosed this on Saturday when he led members from the six Area Councils in the FCT on a solidarity visit to the NDC National Vice Chairman, South-East, Mr Teddy Obey.

Nwosu said the visit is to appreciate the party’s national leadership for giving the South-East the opportunity to produce its presidential candidate.

He said the South-East has a responsibility to reciprocate the gesture by mobilising support for the party and ensuring victory for its candidates in the 2027 elections.

“We are going to bring together,c not less than one million people in Abuja. We want to bring all the Igbos in Abuja and the FCT together under one umbrella, the NDC,” he said.

Nwosu said the group would commence intensive mobilisation ahead of the campaigns, stressing that the objective is to ensure that the party’s presidential ticket received massive support across the FCT.

He described the emergence of Peter Obi as the party’s presidential candidate as a significant step toward greater political inclusion for the South-East.

According to him, the region has consistently demanded greater inclusion in national political leadership, and the NDC’s decision to back an aspirant from the region represents an opportunity that must be utilised.

Also speaking, Mr VinMartin Ilo, Chief Technical Adviser to NDC National Leader, Sen. Seriake Dickson, said the visit demonstrated the South-East’s appreciation of the opportunity extended to the region by the party.

Ilo said the South-East had a major role to play in convincing Nigerians across the country that an Igbo presidency would serve the interests of all Nigerians.

He said the NDC is ready to partner with the South-East in mobilising support for Obi and the party’s presidential ticket.

“The Igbos know that for this task to be achieved, they have to lead from the front and reassure other Nigerians that the Igbo man as president will bring the change that Nigeria needs.

“They also have a task to convince other Nigerians that this will be a presidency for all Nigerians, not just for the people of the South-East,” he said.

Ilo said the NDC’s campaign strategy would involve reaching Nigerians at every level, including people in remote communities.

He said the party would rely on facts, statistics and evidence to convince voters that Obi is the best candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

“The campaign is top to bottom. We are not leaving any Nigerian or any part of Nigeria out of it. We need Nigerians in every part and we are reaching out to them,” he said.