Rhe New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, has denied the rumour that Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was planning to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, said this while briefing newsmen on Friday in Kano.

Dungurawa said that Kwankwaso did not need to consult anyone before making any political decision, but emphasised that there were no plans for defection.

“We have no business with APC, and do not have any intention to defect,” Dungurawa said, dismissing the rumorus as mere mischief.

He described the speculation as baseless and motivated by desperation.

He expressed confidence that the NNPP administration in Kano State is taking shape and restoring law and order in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chairman of APC in Kano State was quoted by the media as saying that the party’s door was open to Kwankwaso and other Nigerians who wished to defect.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday asked Christians in the country to use the Holy Week and Easter to reflect on the enduring values of sacrifice, redemption, love, and hope.

The President made the call in a message he signed on Good Friday, two days to the Easter celebrations.

According to Tinubu, he was saddened by the recent insecurity in the country. He also directed security operatives to decisively end the insecurity without delay.

“The recent tragic incidents and the loss of lives in some parts of our country deeply saddened me. I understand the pain and fear these incidents have caused. Let me assure you that my administration’s resolve to restore peace and security remains unshakable. Forces of evil will never prevail over our country,” Tinubu said.

“I have given clear directives to the Armed Forces and all relevant security agencies to end insecurity decisively and without delay. With the unwavering courage and commitment of our gallant men and women in uniform, we are turning the tide and making steady progress in reclaiming peace and stability.

“As President of our blessed nation, I draw inspiration from this timeless message of hope and renewal. I remain steadfast in my commitment to delivering the promise of a Renewed Hope, a better, more just, and prosperous Nigeria for all.

“The Holy Week, which spans Palm Sunday through Holy Thursday and Good Friday and culminates in Easter Sunday, calls us to reflect deeply on the enduring values of sacrifice, redemption, love, and hope.”

The President also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their “patience and resilience as our economy begins to show encouraging signs of recovery.”

“We understand the economic challenges many of you are facing, and we are working tirelessly to restore investor confidence, stabilise key sectors, and build an inclusive economy that serves the interests of all Nigerians.

“During this Easter, we join the global Christian community in thanking God for Pope Francis’s recovery. We pray that his renewed strength continues to inspire his leadership and service to humanity.

“I earnestly pray that Easter’s spirit fills every heart and home with renewed faith in the immense possibilities ahead of us as a nation. Just as Christ triumphed over death, so too shall our country triumph over every challenge we face. The present moment may be cloudy, but it will usher in a glorious day,” he added.

Thousands of commuters and motorists were stranded on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway – the main highway linking Nigeria’s economic hub to other parts of the country – after an accident involving multiple vehicles occurred on the Kara Bridge end, inward OPIC, of the ever-busy route.

The accident, which happened on Friday, involved trucks and some cars in the early hours of the day, causing a gridlock along the road.

Authorities have not confirmed if there were any casualties in the accident on the ever-busy road, but some people were injured.

“We recorded an accident on the Kara bridge inward Opic on the Lagos Ibadan Express Way with multiple vehicles. LASTMA personnel and other Emergency responders have swung into action to rescue the victims and also clear the affected vehicles,” the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) wrote on X, confirming the accident.

“The incident has dragged traffic backwards Otedola bridge. Patience is required from the road users.”

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), LASTMA, and other emergency responders were on the ground to condone the area and clear the traffic.

But the gridlock owing to the accident has stretched to the Mowe end of the road and the 7-Up area of Lagos State. The situation led commuters to resort to trekking, while others waited patiently for the gridlock to ease.

In an update, however, LASTMA said, “Some of the vehicles affected have been successfully recovered from the road, two lanes are now opened for vehicular movement inward Opic. Efforts are still ongoing to evacuate the articulated truck as well.”

Friday’s incident adds to the long list of accidents on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which connects the nation’s commercial centre to other regions of the country.

Accidents involving articulated vehicles happen frequently on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which recently underwent an upgrade