The Forum of Elected Former Councillors in Jigawa State has honoured former Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar with a plaque of appreciation in recognition of his unprecedented commitment to local governance. During a courtesy visit to his residence in Kano on Friday, 20th June 2025, the Forum commended the former Governor—now Honourable Minister of Defence—for being the first state leader to fully clear all severance allowances owed to local government councillors from 1999 to 2023. Presenting the award, Forum Chairman Alhaji Mustafá Isyaku Sholy said the gesture symbolized the deep gratitude of all former councillors for Badaru’s support and goodwill during…
Author: National Update
***Group Opposes Federal Interference in State Electoral Body A fresh constitutional battle is unfolding at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the National Assembly have been dragged to court for allegedly overstepping their powers in the political administration of Rivers State. The lawsuit, filed by Abuja-based rights group Center for Reform and Public Advocacy, challenges the legality of federal appointments into the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC)—a move the group claims violates both the spirit and letter of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. At the heart of the…
***New party seeks to reshape Nigeria’s political future ahead of 2027 elections In one of the most significant political realignments since 2015, prominent figures from Nigeria’s two major political parties — the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — have joined forces to form a new political platform: the All Democratic Alliance (ADA). Spearheading the move are former Senate President Senator David Mark, who chairs the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG), and former Minister of Transport Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, a high-ranking APC stalwart. Their effort reflected growing discontent with the current state…
By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia Gender-Based Violence (GBV) continues to surge in Nasarawa State, with 276 cases reported between January and March 2025 alone — a grim statistic that has sparked outrage among rights advocates and community leaders. At an Interfaith and Cultural Dialogue convened in Lafia by the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF), in partnership with the Ford Foundation, stakeholders from across religious, traditional, and governmental institutions raised alarm over the worsening GBV crisis and called for urgent collective action. Executive Director of DNF, Dorothy Njemanze, described the figures as “deeply disturbing,” citing state data and sharing harrowing accounts of…
***Mocks him for Securing Just Over 35,000 Votes in Last Election The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State has lashed out at the 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, over what it described as a desperate smear campaign against former Governor Sule Lamido. The backlash followed Ringim’s recent public criticism of Lamido’s newly released autobiography, ‘Being True to Myself’, in which the former governor detailed events from his political career—including tensions involving Ringim. Reacting during a party gathering in Taura Local Government Area, Ringim accused Lamido of distorting history and issued…
Former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr. Olu Agunloye, has told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deliberately misrepresented facts about his role in the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project to tarnish his reputation. Testifying in a defamation suit he filed against the EFCC, Agunloye alleged that a publication by the agency titled “EFCC Arraigns Agunloye Over $6 Billion Fraud” was misleading and defamatory. He is seeking a court order declaring the publication false, a public apology, and ₦1 billion in damages. Under cross-examination by EFCC counsel Dr. Wahab Shittu, Agunloye…
***2025 budget largest in States history, 86.6% In a high-stakes session at the National Assembly, the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Emergency Rule Oversight has commenced detailed scrutiny of the proposed ₦1.846 trillion 2025 budget for Rivers State, the largest in the state’s history and an 86.6% increase over last year’s appropriation. The session marked the most consequential phase of federal oversight since emergency rule was declared in the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in early 2025. At the center of the budget defense was the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) who made…
A former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Chief Peter Ameh, has sharply criticized the Senate’s scrutiny of the 2025 Rivers State budget, describing it as an illegal act that undermines Nigeria’s democratic order. In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, Ameh faulted the budget defence process currently by the administrator, arguing that it attempts to confer legitimacy on what he called the unconstitutional removal of the elected governor of Rivers State, without the necessary legal steps to justify such a move. “What is happening in Rivers…
8In a powerful presentation to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy laid out a sweeping vision for transforming Nigeria’s creative sector into a major economic powerhouse—despite challenges of limited funding and infrastructure. Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa captivated lawmakers as she unveiled an ambitious roadmap that includes establishing a Bollywood-style creative destination, launching a dedicated Nigerian streaming platform, and leveraging international partnerships to export Nigerian culture globally. “This is more than cultural preservation,” Musawa told the House Committee on Art, Culture and Creative Economy. “It’s about turning our creativity into…
In the wake of a peaceful two-day protest by staff of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Federal Commissioner, Hon. Aliyu Ahmed, has held a conciliatory meeting with union leaders, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to prioritizing staff welfare. The meeting, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, was aimed at addressing lingering welfare concerns raised by staff who had demanded urgent reforms to improve working conditions and morale. Hon. Ahmed, while acknowledging the protest, commended staff for maintaining civility and order throughout the demonstration. He assured the union that management remained open to dialogue…