DAILY RENDEZVOUS

News Rendezvous  The Senator representing Adamawa South Senatorial District, Binos Dauda Yaroe, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing loyalty to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the need to strengthen opposition politics in Nigeria. Speaking during an interaction with journalists, Yaroe said his decision was informed by consultations with his constituents across the nine local government areas of Adamawa South as well as his conviction that democracy thrives only when there is a strong opposition. According to the senator, the internal crisis within the PDP had created uncertainty over the party’s structure and legitimacy, making it politically risky for aspirants intending to contest future elections. “The PDP has become fractured into several factions and nobody can confidently say which one is legitimate. For anyone intending to contest elections in 2027, it would be dangerous to remain ...

News Rendezvous  The imposition of an 18-hour curfew in Abuja by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, demands sober national reflection. No government should take lightly the decision to restrict citizens’ movement for 18 out of 24 hours. Such a measure is extraordinary.  It carries economic, social, and constitutional implications that extend far beyond immediate security calculations. The Nigerian Constitution, specifically the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, guarantees freedom of movement under Section 41. While rights may be restricted in the interest of security, such restrictions must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate. The question before us is simple: Does the present situation in Abuja justify an 18-hour lockdown? Legal scholar and APC stalwart Umar D. Duhu has raised concerns that deserve serious attention. Whether one agrees with his political leanings or not, the constitutional questions he raises are valid. Abuja is not under ...

Introduction The reported intention of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to defect from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has generated significant public debate across Adamawa State and beyond. Critics have framed the development in moral and political terms raising concerns about party loyalty, consistency, and respect for supporters. However, beyond political sentiments lies a more fundamental question: Is the governor legally entitled to change his political party affiliation? This piece examines the issue strictly within the framework of constitutional law, party law, and established democratic principles in Nigeria, and concludes that such a decision is fully permissible under the law. 1. Constitutional Foundation: Freedom of Association The starting point is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Section 40 – Freedom of Association Section 40 provides:  “Every person shall be entitled to...

By Rendezvous News Desk Some northern stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have warned against any attempt to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as the party’s vice-presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing such a move as potentially destabilising for the party. The warning followed growing speculation within political circles about possible changes to the APC’s 2027 presidential ticket, although the party leadership has made no official statement on the matter. One of the stakeholders, legal scholar and APC member Umar D. Duhu, said in a statement that removing Shettima would have far-reaching political consequences, particularly in the North, where he said the vice president enjoys strong support. According to Duhu, Shettima’s position goes beyond individual office holding and is tied to the internal balance that holds together the APC’s coalition structure. Concerns Over Party Balance The APC was formed in 2013 throu...

News Rendezvous  In an chat with newsmen, Adamawa-born politician and pioneer North-East National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umar Duhu, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 will be a hurdle difficult to summaunt without his Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima. Duhu, a founding chieftain of the ruling party, warned that dropping Shettima from the ticket would amount to “political suicide” for the APC, stressing that the Vice President’s grip on the northern caucus of the party and his stronghold on the electorate in the region remains the party’s most valuable political asset. “The truth is simple: Tinubu cannot do it without Shettima. The Vice President is the bridge between the President and the northern grassroots. Without him, APC cannot survive 2027,” Duhu said. Shettima’s Northern Capital According to Duhu, Shettima commands enormous goodwill across the North, a region he described as the...

Daily Rendezvous It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of Senator Muhammad Mana, a true son of Adamawa, a patriotic Nigerian, and a servant-leader whose contributions to our state and nation are etched in history. This message is contained in a press release issued his Hon Yakub's Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Nkem Anyata-Lafia, over the weekend.  "Senator Mana was not only a pioneer in leadership but also a man of immense wisdom, humility, and dedication to peace and progress. From his days as Military Administrator of the old Plateau State to his distinguished service in the Senate, he consistently placed the interest of the people above all else. I personally witnessed his passion for unity, especially in his tireless efforts to foster peace within the Adamawa APC family, efforts marked by selflessness, open-heartedness, and a consuming zeal for resolution," Yakub said. He added that, "His passing is a monumental...

Daily Rendezvous  Abuja – July 14, 2025 The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nigeria’s former President, General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.), describing the late leader as a towering figure whose legacy of selfless service and integrity will endure for generations. In a heartfelt condolence message personally signed and released late Sunday, Rt. Hon Yusuf Buba Yakub, the former lawmaker joined millions of Nigerians and the global community in mourning the passing of the former Head of State, who died at the age of 82 in London. Buba Yakub reflected on the life and contributions of the late President, noting that he served the nation with unwavering dedication as a soldier, statesman, and a committed nationalist. "The entire nation is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of a man who gave his all to Nigeria as a soldier, a politician, a mentor to many, and above all, a patrio...

Daily Rendezvous   Describes Him as “Beacon of Inspiration to Nigerian Youth” Abuja, Nigeria – July, 2025 The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has lauded the Northeast Zonal Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, for his recent academic milestone, describing him as “a man of deep intellect, great wisdom, and an enduring source of inspiration to Nigerian youth.” In a personal congratulatory message sent to Comrade Salihu following his successful Call to the Nigerian Bar, the NTAC boss hailed the party leader’s commitment to academic pursuit as a shining example of how education can strengthen leadership and contribute to national development. According to the message, Hon. Buba said: “I feel most excited to rejoice with you, members of your family, our Senatorial Zone, and indeed the good and great people of our State, Adamawa, for the laudable completion of your Law Degree programme and ...