By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

A former governorship aspirant in Zamfara State, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), over what he described as attacks on a former Governor of Zamfara State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulaziz Yari, by one Jackson Ude in his verified X account and some online publications.

The Executive Director of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), known as Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Shinkafi has directed Dexter Law Firm to petition the two national security top officers on his behalf.

“In order to safeguard the fundamental rights of our client, its affected members and Senator Abdulaziz Yari and prevent further criminal defamation of character, we urge your good office to investigate this matter thoroughly.

“The Executive Directors of our client are available and willing to give maximum cooperation to security agencies for a thorough investigation of the purported allegations as contained in the statements of these amorphous persons who are ill motivated to blackmail esteemed individuals and heat up the polity for the government.”

The First Mail newspaper in Abuja, sighted the acknowledged copies of the letters from the DSS and the office of the IGP on Friday.

In the petition his lawyers titled ‘Complaint of Criminal Defamation, Libel and Cybercrime’, Shinkafi is demanding immediate investigations of Ude for alleged defamation of Yari, insisting what he described as false statements are “injurious to the integrity and character of Yari” and others affected.

Giving detailed records of the alleged defamation, the petitioner stated that on April 16, 2026, Ude was said to have made false statements and allegations against Yari. He added, “that the former governor is sharing billions to politicians, keeping the records for blackmail purposes and lobbying to become Vice President should President Bola Tinubu decide to drop Vice President Kashim Shetima.”

According to the petitioner, the above false statements are injurious to the character of Senator Yari and are aimed at defaming his hard-earned reputation.

“It is unfathomable to people of good conscience that a person who has participated in building goodwill and good character will now be part of its destruction”.

“The above statements were targeted at the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, the Presidency and close associates and members of the ruling party like “The First Lady – Senator Remi Tinubu, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress- Professor Nentawe GoshweYilwatda, Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Gilbert Chargoury etc.

“Jackson Ude is acting and working on behalf of the opposition parties in Nigeria to destroy the image of the strong associates of the Presidency as mentioned above and to defame them as general elections are fast approaching.

“In line with the provisions of the law, Jackson Ude and others should be put to the strictest investigations and form of proof in line with the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024. They should also face the full consequences of the law.”

Still, the petitioner urged the DSS and security authorities to invite all those mentioned in the petition for questioning.