When former Vice President Atiku Abubakar arrived in Jalingo on Tuesday, the city felt charged with anticipation.

What was officially the commissioning of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) state secretariat quickly took on the tone of a significant political repositioning for the seasoned politician.

Supporters from Adamawa, Bauchi, Kano and several other states accompanied him, reinforcing the sense that Atiku’s visit was more than a ceremonial engagement.

Many interpreted his appearance as the opening scene of a new political journey, one that might mark his departure from familiar platforms and alliances.

For decades, Atiku has been a major force within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), contesting for the presidency multiple times. But in Taraba, he projected himself under a different banner.

Though he stopped short of officially cutting ties with the PDP, his declaration that the ADC is the “only platform” capable of rescuing Nigeria signaled a dramatic shift in alignment.

Addressing the crowd, Atiku spoke with urgency and disappointment, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of worsening the nation’s economic and security woes.

“The present government deceived you and plunged the country into lack of peace, hunger, poverty, and joblessness,” he said, describing Nigeria as a nation in distress.

He presented the ADC as a credible vehicle for a national reset, one capable of steering the country out of its political stagnation and economic hardship.

But his message wasn’t limited to criticism. Atiku emphasized the necessity of civic participation, urging Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Without your voter cards, your determination to change leadership in 2027 will be in vain,” he warned, highlighting the practical steps required for political transformation.

His remarks resonated with many citizens frustrated by years of unfulfilled promises yet still hopeful for a leader and a platform capable of delivering change.

Taraba’s ADC chairman, Hassan Adamu, reinforced Atiku’s message with bold optimism.

He asserted that the 2027 elections would usher in a political rebirth.

“In 2027, a new government will be formed, and we will deliver Taraba to ADC and Atiku,” he declared confidently.

The event also featured the inauguration of the state transition committee, chaired by Senator Abubakar Tutare, with Barrister Haruna Kwetishe as secretary, a move that underscored the ADC’s intention to strengthen its internal structures ahead of the election cycle.

Although it remains uncertain whether Atiku’s engagement with the ADC marks a permanent political shift or a strategic partnership, one thing is undeniable: amid growing public frustration, Nigerians are increasingly open to alternatives.

Atiku’s message tapped into this national mood, portraying the ADC as the platform for renewal.

For now, Jalingo has become the stage for what could be Atiku Abubakar’s next major political chapter, one centered on a promise to rescue Nigeria and lead it toward a new political horizon.

The real test will come as 2027 approaches and the ADC seeks to convert enthusiasm into electoral strength.

A new wave of tension has swept through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as rival factions escalate their struggle for legitimacy, sending contradictory letters to the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Each group is seeking official judicial recognition amid the party’s deepening leadership crisis.

The latest development stems from a strongly worded letter dated November 26, 2025, sent to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, by Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

In the letter, Anyanwu asserts that he remains the lawful National Secretary of the PDP.

Anyanwu accused former Deputy National Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja, of impersonation and of attempting to influence the judiciary.

He claimed Arapaja’s earlier petition, written on November 19 to query how PDP cases were being assigned to specific judges, was meant to discredit the courts.

Describing Arapaja’s letter as “malicious, frivolous, and mischievous,” Anyanwu argued that Arapaja lacked both constitutional and legal authority to communicate on behalf of the party.

He noted that Arapaja’s name does not appear on the list of PDP national officers recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“It is regrettable and disdainful for the person of Arapaja to disparage the collective integrity of the judiciary simply because the rulings of the court run contrary to their expectations,” Anyanwu wrote.

He urged the Chief Judge to ignore all correspondence from individuals he termed “false claimants,” insisting that the PDP’s leadership structure is unambiguous and verifiable through INEC records.

Anyanwu also issued what he called a formal disclaimer against Arapaja, accusing him of falsely presenting himself as the party’s National Secretary.

Arapaja, however, presented a contrasting account in his earlier petition.

Claiming to act with the authority of the national chairman and the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC), he expressed concern about what he described as the “repetitive” assignment of PDP-related cases to only three judges in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

He named the judges as Justice James Omotosho, Justice Peter Lifu, and Justice Abdulmalik.

According to Arapaja, although the Abuja Division has 12 judges, nearly all PDP cases in recent years have been routed to this trio, an arrangement he said has aroused suspicion among party members and the public.

While acknowledging the integrity of the judiciary, Arapaja appealed for future PDP cases to be assigned to other judges to preserve public confidence, stressing that “justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, for an interview, though the agency has not disclosed the specific reason for the summons.

According to an EFCC letter dated November 24 and signed by Sunday Atiba Ofen-Imu on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, Malami is scheduled to appear before investigators on Friday, November 28.

“The Commission is investigating a case for which obtaining certain information from you has become imperative,” the letter stated.

The interview is set to take place at the EFCC Headquarters in the Institution and Research District, Jabi, Abuja.

The letter further requested his appearance through the Head of the Special Duty Committee-3, citing Section 38(1) and (2) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2024. The agency emphasised that Malami’s cooperation was “highly solicited.”

Responding to the summons, Malami confirmed that he received the EFCC’s letter and stated his willingness to comply.

“As a law-abiding and patriotic citizen, I hereby reaffirm my commitment to honour the invitation,” he said in a statement issued on Friday.

He added that accountability and transparency are principles he has consistently upheld in public service.

“I understand the spirit of accountability and transparency in public service, the principles that I both advocate and champion. In that spirit, I am committed to keeping Nigerians informed as developments unfold,” he noted.

Malami previously served as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has submitted a ₦878 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, urging lawmakers to thoroughly review and pass the document.

The proposed budget—titled “Budget of Consolidation and Sustainability”, allocates ₦567 billion (65%) to capital projects and ₦310 billion (35%) to recurrent expenditure.

The new proposal represents a 41.07% increase from the 2025 budget.

Governor Mohammed said the upward adjustment was driven by higher revenue expectations resulting from recent fiscal reforms and anticipated increases in tax revenue from measures set to take effect in January 2026.

He highlighted priority areas and their corresponding allocations:

– Administration Sector: ₦120 billion (13.7%)

– Economic Sector: ₦435 billion (49.6%)

– Law and Justice Sector: ₦12 billion (1.4%)

– Social Sector: ₦310 billion (34.4%)

Mohammed assured the Assembly that the budget was crafted using the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and in line with the State Fiscal Responsibility Law.

He added that his administration adopted a conservative approach to ensure that all listed projects are feasible, and that the preparation process was both inclusive and participatory.

While assessing the current year’s budget, he noted that the 2025 appropriation had achieved 79.1% implementation as of September, with projections suggesting it could reach 85% by year-end.

He appealed to lawmakers for continued cooperation and for the timely passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to support the state’s developmental plans.

Speaker Abubakar Sulaiman praised the governor for presenting the budget on schedule, pledging that the legislature would expedite its scrutiny and approval.

He reaffirmed the House’s commitment to advancing the welfare and progress of Bauchi State.

Meanwhile, the state government has enacted a new law creating 29 additional local government areas, increasing the total from 20 to 49 LGAs, pending constitutional ratification.

A document obtained by The Guardian revealed that Governor Mohammed signed the legislation on October 28, 2025, while the acting deputy clerk, Musa Yerima, forwarded it to the National Assembly’s Constitution Review Committee.

With a population of roughly 10 million, the state is seeking federal approval to formalise the newly created councils under the ongoing constitutional amendment process.