By Our Correspondent

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Gombe State Chapter, has raised alarm over alleged irregularities in the distribution of the 2024/2025 fertilizer scheme by the state’s Ministry of Agriculture, warning that students may take to the streets in mass protest if the government fails to act.

In a statement signed by the state chairman, Comrade Usman Ibrahim Wakili CNS, NANS expressed “serious concern” about what it described as diversion, hoarding, favoritism, and lack of transparency in the allocation process.

According to the student body, these activities have eroded public trust and sabotaged government’s efforts at boosting agriculture and guaranteeing food security in Gombe State.

“We therefore demand an immediate and thorough investigation by His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, into the fertilizer distribution exercise. Those found guilty of sabotaging this process must be exposed and brought to book without delay,” the statement read.

The association stressed that failure of the government to act swiftly would leave Nigerian students in the state with no choice but to mobilize for peaceful protests in solidarity with farmers and the general public, who they described as the direct victims of the alleged injustice.

“As the voice of Nigerian students, we cannot fold our arms while corruption and mismanagement deny our people access to essential resources meant for their welfare and survival,” NANS warned.

The group urged Governor Inuwa Yahaya to demonstrate accountability by ensuring that fertilizers reach genuine farmers at the right time and affordable price, emphasizing that transparency and fairness are the only way to restore confidence in the process.

NANS further vowed to defend these values “through every lawful means available, including peaceful demonstrations.”

By Our Correspondent

Dozens of “concerned members” of the Gombe State University (GSU) Alumni Association have petitioned the Vice‑Chancellor, alleging wide‑ranging constitutional violations, abuse of office and financial irregularities by the Association’s Executive Council and Board of Trustees (BOT).

In the petition dated July 25, 2025, the signatories say the actions of the current leadership violate the Association’s Constitution ratified on May 24, 2014, and now threaten the unity and credibility of the body. They are asking the university management, the Association’s Legal Adviser, and security and anti‑corruption agencies to step in—warning that, if ignored, they will head to court.

The core allegations

1. BOT tenure elongation
Citing Section 5.2 (ii & iii) of the Constitution, the petitioners argue that BOT members are limited to a non‑renewable 10‑year tenure—a threshold they say has been exceeded. They demand an immediate reconstitution of the BOT by the General Assembly.

2. Unconstitutional Special Assistants
They accuse the Alumni President, Dr. Buhari Magaji, of unilaterally appointing two Special Assistants without constitutional backing and granting them privileges “equal to or surpassing” those of elected officers, including attendance at Exco and BOT meetings.

3. Meetings, audits and unauthorized chapter creation
Under Sections 5.2 (viii–xi) and 6.10 (iv & vi), quarterly joint meetings of the BOT and Exco—complete with administrative and financial reports—are mandatory. The petitioners say only two such meetings have held in over two years, the Internal Auditor has been sidelined, and external audits avoided.
They also fault the President’s announcement of new chapters—including at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare—arguing that Section 4.6 reserves that power for the General Assembly.

4. Politicisation of the platform
The petition alleges the President, said to be nursing political ambitions for 2027, proposed deploying the Alumni Association for political engagements and patronage, in breach of its non‑partisan ethos.

5. Financial misconduct & abuse of office
They allege unauthorised changes to one of the Association’s bank accounts without Congress approval, lack of transparency, and the use of the Association as a “political tool and commercial venture”—conduct they say offends Articles 10 and 11 and is ground for impeachment. They also accuse an expired BOT of shielding the President.

6. Fee hike without approval
The National Executive Council allegedly raised membership registration fees from ₦2,000 to ₦5,000 without consultation or ratification by the BOT or General Assembly.

7. Neglect of the Secretariat
Despite the higher fees, the Secretariat is said to be without basic work tools—computer, printer, photocopier—while the President allegedly claimed significant consumable spending there.

8–9. Accountability for projects & assets
The petitioners demand a full account of funds collected for Membership ID cards and a Photo Album, and the immediate commencement of printing and distribution. They also want a status report on the Alumni vehicle and steps to return it to service.

What the petitioners want—at a glance

Immediate reconstitution of the BOT by the General Assembly.

Nullification of unconstitutional appointments (Special Assistants).

Quarterly joint meetings with full administrative and financial reports; internal and external audits resumed.

Reversal or ratification of the ₦2,000 → ₦5,000 membership fee hike through proper procedure.

Equipping the Secretariat with basic ICT and office infrastructure.

Transparent accounting for ID cards, photo album funds, and restoration of the Alumni vehicle.

Strict adherence to constitutional limits on political activities.

Who was copied

Beyond the Vice‑Chancellor, the petition was also copied to the Gombe State Attorney‑General & Commissioner for Justice, Chairman, GSU Governing Council, Grand Patron of the Alumni Association, GSU BOT, Legal Adviser, Chief Security Officer of GSU, DSS Director (Gombe State), Commissioner of Police (Gombe Command), ICPC (Gombe State), the Nigerian Bar Association (Gombe Branch), and civil society organisations in the state, among others.

Signatories

A list attached to the petition and seen by this newspaper includes dozens of names, among them Abdullahi Ahmad, Deborah Ezekiel, Isah Umar Farouk, Abubakar Ibrahim Goni, Umar Muhammad Nasir, Abdulkadir Umar Turaki, Hajara Adamu Muhammed, Yusuf Isiyaku Aliyu, Hassan Aliyu, Abdulwahab Muhammad, Bashir Lawan, Salihu Mamuda, Abdullahi Yuguda, Hadiza Sulaiman Abdullahi, Genesis Sa’adu, Bulus Esther Jaslo, Bulus Mary Jaslo, Yusuf Babila, Gal John Cyrus, Tama Titus, Destiny Sunday, Daniel Afodiya Augustine, Daniel Simean, Roland A. Maliki, Traphena Yohanna, Lydia Emmanuel and Aishatu Idris.

Right of reply

Efforts to obtain comments from Dr. Buhari Magaji, members of the BOT, and the GSU Alumni Secretariat were unsuccessful as of press time. Should they respond, this story will be updated.

What next?

University authorities and the copied oversight and security agencies are now expected to review the petition, verify the claims, and recommend corrective steps. The petitioners insist they are committed to the Constitution and to “protecting the good image and legacy of Gombe State University”—but are prepared to seek legal redress if no action follows.

By Abdulaziz Bako

80 Amendments, No Northern Gains? Abdulaziz Bako Raises Red Flag.

A rising voice of concern is echoing across Northern Nigeria following revelations that the National Assembly is processing over 80 constitutional amendment bills that could fundamentally alter Nigeria’s political and economic structure. A strong warning was issued by a northern commentator, Abdulaziz Bako, who in a widely circulated statement urged Northerners to “wake up” before these reforms pass unchallenged.

According to Bako, while the constitutional review process is gaining momentum in Abuja, most citizens in the North remain unaware or disengaged, leaving the region’s interests vulnerable. He pointed to the recent public hearing in Kano organized by the State Government on these bills, which, he said, was dominated by Kwankwasiyya supporters, while the majority of the population stayed aloof, failing to grasp the potential consequences.

“No Real Gains for the North”

Bako claims that after carefully reviewing all 86 proposals, none appears to directly benefit the North or address its socio-economic challenges. He notes that while some bills propose creating new states and local governments—mostly from northern states—this reflects “the power-hungry mindset of northern elites who prioritize titles and territorial control over meaningful development.”

“Everyone just wants a throne, a title, or a kingdom to rule while the people remain poor, uneducated, and insecure,” he lamented.

Key Threats Identified

Bako highlighted four of the most controversial proposals which, if passed, could have lasting consequences for the North:

1. 50% VAT Derivation:
The federal government is reportedly pushing a formula that would allow states to retain 50% of Value Added Tax (VAT) collected within their borders.

“This move is designed to give states like Lagos undue advantage while impoverishing northern states that depend heavily on VAT redistribution,” Bako warned.

2. Resource Control – (HB 1310, HB 1406):
Under this proposed law, states would control natural resources in their territories and remit only 25% to the Federation Account.

“If this passes, oil-producing states like Rivers and Delta will keep 75% of their oil revenue, while the North, with limited resources, will be left with crumbs. This is economic sabotage disguised as federalism,” he said.

3. Indigeneship Reform – (HB 2057, HB 1422, HB 70):
The bill proposes that any individual residing in a state for 10 years or married to an indigene should automatically acquire indigeneship rights.
Bako argues that this could complicate employment opportunities and federal character principles in northern states.

4. Ecclesiastical (Christian) Courts – (HB 79):
The proposal seeks to establish Christian courts equivalent to Sharia courts.
Bako leaves it to the people to interpret the implications of this change for the nation’s judicial and religious balance.

Call to Action

Bako urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, and lawmakers across the North to organize public hearings and engage their communities before these amendments sail through the National Assembly.

“These reforms are coming fast and quietly. If we don’t speak up, they will be passed, and we may never recover from the consequences,” he warned.

The Bigger Picture

Analysts suggest that while the constitutional review aims to strengthen federalism and empower states, it risks deepening the economic divide between the North and South if implemented without a comprehensive plan for regional development. The fear among critics like Bako is that Northern Nigeria’s dependency on federal allocation could worsen, pushing the region further into economic and social crises.