The United States has revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump took office on an anti-migrant platform, a record for a single year, the State Department said Monday.

“The Trump administration has no higher priority than protecting American citizens and upholding American sovereignty,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

The figure since Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025, is two and a half times the number revoked in 2024, when Joe Biden was president.

The State Department said that “thousands” of the visas were revoked over crimes, which can include assault and also drunk driving.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has proudly highlighted his revocation of visas from students who protested against Israel.

Rubio used a McCarthy-era law that allows the United States to block entry to foreigners seen as going against US foreign policy, although some of his high-profile targets successfully challenged deportation orders in court.

The State Department said 8,000 of the revoked visas were for students.

The Trump administration has also tightened vetting for visas, including moving to screen social media postings of visitors.

The visa revocations are part of a wider campaign of mass deportations, carried out aggressively through a surge of federal agents.

The Department of Homeland Security last month said that the Trump administration has deported more than 605,000 people and that 2.5 million others left on their own.

AFP

Former Kano State Governor and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed displeasure over comments allegedly made about him by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing the remarks as unnecessary and offensive.

This was disclosed by the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Baffa Babba Dan’agundi, while speaking to journalists.

According to Dan’agundi, Ganduje personally conveyed his dissatisfaction with the comments credited to Kwankwaso.

“Dr Ganduje told me clearly that he was not happy at all with the comments made by Senator Kwankwaso against him,” he said.

Dan’agundi said Ganduje accused Kwankwaso of referring to him as “maƙiyi”, meaning enemy, while addressing supporters.

The remarks were reportedly made at a time Kwankwaso was also accusing Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, of planning to take over state institutions for use against political opponents.

“Ganduje made it clear to me that such statements were unnecessary, especially at a time when Kano needs unity, peace, and collective progress,” Dan’agundi said.

He said Ganduje believes the anticipated return of Governor Yusuf to the APC should be seen as an opportunity for reconciliation rather than renewed political tension.

“In Ganduje’s view, the return of the Kano State Governor to the APC should serve as a platform for all of them to come together, put aside differences, and focus on moving Kano State forward,” he added.

Dan’agundi noted that Ganduje feels both he and Kwankwaso, considering their age and long political careers, should now act as elder statesmen.

“He believes there should be no reason for continued conflict, as both of them have reached a stage where they no longer have personal political ambitions,” he said.

On reports that Governor Yusuf plans to rejoin the APC, Dan’agundi described the move as a welcome development.

“It is a thing of joy for us. All APC leaders, stakeholders, and supporters in Kano State are happy and excited about the Governor’s return,” he said.

He disclosed that preparations were already underway to officially receive the governor into the party at both national and state levels.

However, he said the process had slowed due to the Umrah trip of the Kano APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, and Ganduje’s absence from the country.

“Once they return, a special meeting will be held with His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his delegation to conclude the process,” he assured.

Dan’agundi called for peace and unity in Kano State, expressing hope that the governor’s return would bring lasting stability and development.

President Bola Tinubu has de­scribed Oba De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, the Akran of Badagry, who died on Monday, as a visionary ruler whose lead­ership anchored peace, unity and cultural pride in Badagry for more than four decades.

In a condolence message re­leased on Monday by his Spe­cial Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president expressed sad­ness over the passing of the Akran of Badagry, Oba Baba­tunde Akran, who died at the age of 89.

President Tinubu extend­ed his sympathies to the gov­ernment and people of Lagos State, the Lagos State Tradi­tional Council, where the late monarch served as Permanent Vice-Chairman, the Badagry Council of Chiefs, and the sons and daughters of the historic coastal kingdom.

According to the president, Oba Menu-Toyi I provided “visionary and purposeful leadership” over Badagry for more than 40 years, building a legacy defined by harmony, tolerance, unity and prosperity.

He said the monarch’s reign stood out for its stability and ability to unite diverse interests within the ancient kingdom.

Tinubu particularly com­mended the late ruler’s role in protecting and projecting Badagry’s historical signifi­cance, noting that the town’s identity as a former slave har­bour and trade route, as well as its rich cultural heritage, has continued to draw global attention due largely to the monarch’s stewardship.

“The president acknowl­edges the wisdom of the late traditional ruler and his coun­cil in maintaining a careful balance between modernity and tradition,” the statement said, adding that Oba Menu- Toyi I successfully managed multicultural interests while safeguarding the sanctity of cultural institutions and icons for future generations.

Beyond the throne, Tinubu highlighted the late monarch’s distinguished professional background, recalling that he worked as a teacher for many years before moving into jour­nalism, where he left a strong imprint at organisations such as West African Pilot, Post Group of Newspapers, Daily Sketch and New Nigeria.

The president urged Nige­rians, particularly the people of Badagry, to reflect on and uphold the enduring legacy of service, wisdom and cultural preservation left behind by the monarch.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of Oba Menu-Toyi I’s soul and asked God to grant comfort and strength to the royal family and the people of Badagry at this time of loss.

Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has mourned the passing of Oba De Wheno Aho­lu Menu-Toyi I, the Akran of Badagry, who died on Monday.

Obasanjo said the news of his passing was received with shock, even as he remarked that the late Badagry apex monarch had emerged as one of the most respected and re­spectable traditional rulers in Lagos State.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said, “He had a most eventful life which traversed eight decades and his reign of fifty years over Badagry Kingdom, which oc­cupies a pedestal of looming importance in our ancient and contemporary history, witnessed notable peace and stability.”

To the former President, “Badagry has, since pre-colo­nial times, remained a robust repertoire of the finest aspects of our cultural and artistic her­itage. He would be remembered as a patriot and custodian of our cultural and traditional values, who gave his best while on the throne of his forefathers.

“Within his impactful years on the throne, he brought his salutary influence to foster unity, solidarity, peace, under­standing, faith and develop­ment in our common heritage among all the sons and daugh­ters of Badagry and the entire Badagry Kingdom, both at home and in the diaspora.”

Obasanjo further stressed that: “He was an apostle of inter-ethnic understanding and cohesion; inter-religious accommodation and toler­ance and inter-cultural co-op­eration.”

Obasanjo added that “for the governor of Lagos State, the entire good people of Badagry and his family, one can only imagine the traumatic expe­rience and profound grief this sad event has caused them all, but they can all feel assured that their painful loss is shared by countless other Nigerians and certainly by me and my family, while we urge them to take solace in the knowledge that though we love him, his Creator loves him more and knows what is best for him.”

In the same vein, the Senator representing Lagos West District, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, said she received with deep sense of loss the news of the passing of the Akran of Badagry.

Senator Adebule described the late monarch as a revered traditional ruler and a foremost custodian of the rich cultural heritage of Badagry Kingdom

According to her, his demise marks the end of an era in the long and proud history of Badagry, and it is a great loss not only to the people of the ancient town but also to Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

Dr Adebule said: “The late Akran was a symbol of peace, wisdom and dignity. Throughout his 48 years reign, he demonstrated uncommon commitment to the unity, stability and development of Badagry, providing guidance that fostered harmony among communities and strengthened traditional institutions.

“He was deeply passionate about preserving the cultural values and historical significance of Badagry, a town renowned for its role in Nigeria’s history and its enduring cultural identity. His leadership helped to uphold these values while embracing progress and peaceful coexistence.

“Beyond the palace, the Akran was widely respected for his counsel, humility and accessibility. He related warmly with people from all walks of life, earning the admiration of traditional leaders, government officials and ordinary citizens alike.

“As a leader, he worked closely with successive administrations to promote development initiatives and advocate for the welfare of his people. His contributions to the socio-economic growth of Badagry will remain indelible and worthy of emulation.

“On behalf of my family and Lagos West Senatorial District, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, the Badagry Traditional Council and the entire people of Badagry Kingdom. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult moment and pray that God’s grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.”