Debunked
North-East Group Slams Ali Keffi’s Defends Buratai’s Legacy of Military Reforms and Battlefield Successes
By Our Correspondent
A coalition known as the Concerned Citizens of the North-East has issued a strongly worded statement countering the recent claims made by retired Major General Ali Keffi during an interview on Arise Television. The group accused Keffi of making “inaccurate, misleading, and unbalanced remarks” against the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd.), describing his presentation as a deliberate distortion of Nigeria’s military history.
In the press statement signed by Amb. Auwal Ahmad Umar, the group reaffirmed its commitment to national unity and cautioned Nigerians against accepting what it described as “selective narratives” that fail to reflect the substantial achievements recorded under Buratai’s leadership.
According to the group, the tenure of Lt. Gen. Buratai was marked by significant operational successes across multiple regions of the country. It noted that Boko Haram insurgents were systematically degraded, expelled from numerous territories, and denied freedom of action—one of the most visible transformations of the counterinsurgency war.
Beyond the North-East, the group highlighted that security operations against banditry in the North-West recorded major breakthroughs, while military interventions in the South-East curtailed violent separatist activities and contributed to stabilising the region.
The statement also credited Buratai with wide-ranging reforms within the Army, including improved welfare and training, enhanced accommodation, strengthened discipline, and the modernisation of military equipment and infrastructure. It added that civil–military relations and international defence partnerships saw unprecedented progress under his stewardship.
“These facts are well known to Nigerians and independent observers,” the group remarked, insisting that Buratai’s impact remains visible nationwide. As further testament to his contributions, it recalled the Emir of Keffi’s decision to confer on the retired general the revered title of Garkuwa Keffi, meaning “The Shield of Keffi.”
Turning its attention to the Arise TV interview, the group accused Ali Keffi of deliberately ignoring these achievements despite having served in senior positions during Buratai’s tenure. It suggested that his comments were influenced by “personal dissatisfaction” linked to his retirement, which it stressed followed due military administrative and disciplinary procedures.
“His refusal to acknowledge even the most obvious accomplishments raises serious questions about the intent and sincerity of his remarks,” the statement asserted.
Reaffirming Buratai’s stature, the group described him as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished military leaders whose legacy cannot be erased by “a single interview characterised by omissions, selective memory, and personal sentiments.”
The Concerned Citizens of the North-East called on the public to disregard attempts to “misrepresent history” and urged continued support for efforts aimed at preserving the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces and promoting peace and unity across the country.
By Our Correspondent
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly dismissed reports claiming that it has released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election, describing such information as false and misleading.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, January 2, 2026, INEC clarified that it has not published any timetable or schedule for the 2027 polls, contrary to reports circulating in some sections of the media and on social platforms.
The Commission stressed that it operates strictly within the provisions of the law, particularly Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates INEC to publish a Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date fixed for a general election. According to INEC, any timetable released outside this legal framework cannot originate from the Commission.
“INEC has not released any timetable or schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election. The information currently in circulation is fake and should be disregarded,” the statement said.
INEC further assured Nigerians that when the official timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election are ready, they will be released in due course and in full compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2022.
The Commission emphasized that such information would be communicated only through its established and verified channels to avoid confusion and misinformation.
INEC also urged members of the public and the media to exercise caution and always rely on its official platforms for accurate and authoritative updates concerning electoral activities in the country.
The statement was e-signed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman.
The clarification comes amid growing political activities and heightened public interest ahead of the 2027 General Election, with INEC reiterating its commitment to transparency, legality, and credible electoral processes.
By Our Correspondent
The National Population Commission (NPC) has raised an alarm over a fake recruitment website circulating online, warning Nigerians against falling victim to scammers posing as officials of the Commission.
In a press statement issued by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, the NPC categorically stated that it is not conducting any recruitment exercise for Ad-hoc staff for the 2025 Population and Housing Census. This clarification comes in response to the emergence of a fraudulent website, https://qpetition.org/NPC-Ad-Hoc-Staff-Recruitment.html, falsely advertising census-related job opportunities.
“The attention of the National Population Commission has been drawn to a fake website created by some mischief makers concerning the purported recruitment for the 2025 Population and Housing Census with the intention to defraud unsuspecting citizens,” the statement reads.
Erelu Oloruntoba emphasized that the Federal Government has not yet announced a date for the conduct of the next census. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has not issued a proclamation date for the conduct of the upcoming Population and Housing Census,” she clarified, stressing that no recruitment activities can commence without a formal directive from the Presidency.
The Commission assured the public that once a date is set and recruitment becomes necessary, all relevant information will be disseminated through official channels — including national media, the NPC website, and its verified social media platforms.
“We implore the general public to disregard the fake website and its false information trending online to avoid falling victim to swindlers,” the statement urged, noting that efforts are underway to identify and prosecute those behind the scam.
The NPC further reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and public engagement, especially as Nigeria prepares for its first biometric-based Population and Housing Census. The Commission called on citizens to remain vigilant and rely solely on authentic sources for updates.
“We will continue to update the populace on developments regarding the conduct of the census as events unfold,” Erelu Oloruntoba said. “We urge everyone to support the Commission to ensure a successful census exercise.”
This incident underscores the growing challenge of digital fraud targeting public institutions in Nigeria. The Commission’s swift response aims to protect the public and uphold the integrity of its operations.
For accurate and timely information about NPC activities, Nigerians are encouraged to visit the official NPC website and follow its verified social media pages.
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