The Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris, has described the defection of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as politically irrelevant and of no consequence to the state government or the people of Kebbi.
Idris dismissed concerns while speaking about Malami’s switch from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Birnin Kebbi, saying it posed no threat to Governor Nasir Idris’ growing popularity and grassroots support.

“The defection of the former Attorney General is not something the people or government of Kebbi State are concerned about. In fact, we are happy he left because he didn’t add any value to this administration,” he said.

He emphasized the governor’s strong standing among the populace, adding that many Kebbi residents are already calling for him to serve beyond two terms or aspire to higher national office.

“Our governor is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. His achievements speak for themselves,” Idris added.

Taking direct aim at Malami’s political relevance, Idris claimed the former minister has never demonstrated electoral strength in Kebbi.

“Malami has no political integrity here. He has never won his own polling unit, let alone secured statewide support. His defection is meaningless to us—we are not worried because he holds no influence or value.”

Idris further argued that most recent defections from major political parties were fueled by selfish interests, not genuine public service motives.

A two-storey building under construction has collapsed opposite the Asaba International Airport.

The building, a hotel, located opposite Asaba Airport Police Station, Okpanam, collapsed following persistent downpour. The incident has caused serious panic among residents in the area.

Eyewitnesses revealed that some of the trapped workers have been rescued while the search for others continued on Thursday.

Although there is no report of loss of lives, it was gathered that some of the workers jumped from the building into other compounds around the building at the time of the incidence.

It was gathered that the workers had finished the second storey and were moving to the parapet when the building collapsed.

A source, a security man, disclosed that some workers sustained injuries in the process of trying to escape for their lives.

The security man who escaped by the whiskers, having left just few minutes before the collapse, revealed that work was ongoing before the building collapsed. According to him, the building was being rushed by the owner due to the constant rains.

According to one of the workers who simply identified himself as David, several workers were injured while jumping from the second floor of the building to escape being trapped while few others successfully escaped unhurt.

David disclosed that those who sustained wounds had been rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

He added, “As we talk, everybody has left the site and you know for fear of police arrest, some of the people in charge of the building have gone into hiding.

“Some persons around the estate actually came to assist in the rescue of victims during the collapse of the building.”

When contacted for comments, the state Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Engr Michael Anoka, did not respond to calls and messages put across to his phone as at the time of filing in this report.

Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Aba Chapter, has called on the Federal Government to urgently resuscitate the long-abandoned Aba petroleum depot.

The Chairman of Aba Depot of IPMAN, Oliver Emeka Okolo made the call in Aba on Wednesday when he received the officials of National Orientation Agency, NOA, who came on public sensitization visit.

Okolo who underscored the urgent need for justice and infrastructural revival, warned that the prolonged shutdown of the Aba petroleum depot has deepened unemployment, escalated crime and disrupted fuel distribution across the five states in Nigeria’s South-East.

“The dormant state of the Aba depot is not just an economic issue, it is a social one, with ripple effects on youth unemployment, crime, and regional instability,” Okolo said.

According to him, the continued lack of fuel supply due to poor pipeline connectivity, particularly for Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, and dual-purpose kerosene, DPK, has crippled operations.

He regretted that marketers are now forced to source products from the South-South and South-West regions, navigating treacherous road conditions that frequently damage tankers and result in significant losses.

“This is not just about fuel,” Okolo said. “It is about how systemic neglect, financial, infrastructural, regulatory, has pushed an entire region to the margins. We need presidential-level intervention to resume pumping into Aba. Otherwise, the damage will only deepen.”

The IPMAN chairman further promised that the association collaborate with the NOA in promotion of National unity.

In response, Victor Orji, Director of NOA, Abia State, applauded IPMAN for its dedication to fuel distribution despite adverse conditions and outlined NOA’s ongoing nationwide campaign titled ‘Pathway to National Cohesion, Development and Unity’.

He highlighted the campaign’s focus on tackling insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and herder-farmer conflicts, and called for support from petroleum marketers.