The Kaduna State Police Command has said that the fellow who breached security protocol during the commissioning of projects at Murtala Mohammed Square by President Bola Tinubu was born with “psychiatric disorders”.

The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement, said the individual, Umar Mohammed, a native of Anguwan Muazu in Kaduna,

The police admitted that the fellow was screened and admitted into the stadium as an All Progressives Congress (APC) supporter, wearing the standard campaign T-shirt and carrying banners bearing the images of the President and Governor Uba Sani like every other supporter admitted into the stadium.


The police explained that the individual, out of excitement, breached the protocol and jumped into the restricted arena out of curiosity to catch a closer look at the President. The police said the fellow was immediately blocked and arrested by the security team.

The police said the fellow was thoroughly searched and no incriminating item was found in his possession.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, has warned mischief makers and members of the public to refrain from spreading falsehoods or politicising the incident.

The commissioner said the matter would be further investigated.

Ibrahim Kalgo, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to frustrate efforts by a coalition of political actors seeking to register new parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Friday, Kalgo claimed that INEC’s refusal to register over 70 applications for new political parties reflects a systemic bias and fear of the emerging coalition challenging the status quo.

“I think INEC is being biased and also afraid because the coalition is here to defeat APC come 2027 election,” he said.

He alleged that rather than serving as an impartial electoral umpire, the electoral body was now operating in hand with the ruling government.

“What we are saying is that it is like INEC is working hand in hand with the APC government. These are political parties or groups trying to form a party and give its platform for Nigerians to vote for a new face and a new choice of their own choice,” Kalgo stated.

The PDP chieftain questioned INEC’s refusal to acknowledge the coalition’s party registration requests. “Are you saying all the 70 applicants have filed wrong applications or not come with complete requirements for them to be created as a new party?” he asked.

He also cited the electoral guidelines, noting that by law, if INEC responds to a new party application within 90 days, the party should be deemed registered.

“When you send a request to INEC to a new party, if INEC acknowledges within 90 days, you are assumed to be registered automatically,” he said but expressed concerns over what he described as APC’s fear of a united opposition. “What are they afraid of? Is it the coalition? Nigerians are tired. They want a new government,” he said.


He criticised the current Bola Tinubu administration’s record, stating, “The APC government has failed Nigeria woefully, and they are doing nothing about it. This is two years down and nothing to show on the ground. What are we seeing? Suffering. People dying on a daily basis. Unemployment.”

Kalgo concluded with a firm call to action. “We, the coalition, are pushing to see that INEC accepts this request, registers us as a new party, so come 2027 we can give Nigerians the real dividend of the government they are looking for,” he said.

Super Falcons’ star striker Asisat Oshoala and experienced defender Ashley Plumptre are part of the list of players named by coach Justin Madugu for the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations.

The list released on Friday also has captain Rasheedat Ajibade, with 11 players set to make their debuts at the tournament which will take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26, 2024.

Three players from the local league are also included in the team, and will be hoping to make their mark and repay the coach’s confidence in them.

The Super Falcons will kick start their campaign against Tunisia on Sunday, July 6, before facing Botswana (July 10) and Algeria (July 13) in Group B.

The top four teams at the tournament will secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria Squad for 2024 WAFCON (Morocco)

Goalkeepers:

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Free agent, last at Paris FC, France)

Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)

Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders:

Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca, Mexico) Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy), Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA), Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia), Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons), Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey), Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)

Midfielders:

Rasheedat Ajibade (Free agent, last at Atletico Madrid, Spain), Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenborg, Sweden), Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA), Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England), Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Forwards:

Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia), Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca, Mexico), Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France), Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada), Omorinsola Babajide (Costa Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain), Folashade Ijamilusi(Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China), Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)