Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has returned to his Abuja residence after being granted temporary release by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on compassionate grounds.

The release allows him to attend the burial of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who passed away in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday following a brief illness.

His son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed the development in a post on X, saying: “Alhamdulillah. My beloved great legend of a father is being released from his unlawful and illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

El-Rufai had been in ICPC custody since February 18 over allegations of financial misconduct.

He was arraigned earlier this week before the Federal High Court in Kaduna alongside one Joel Adoga.

The anti-corruption agency filed a 10-count charge against the defendants, bordering on abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud.

It specifically alleged that El-Rufai received N289,826,998.12 on two separate occasions in 2020 and 2023 as severance allowance—figures it claims far exceed the legally approved entitlement of N20,013,245.00.

Additionally, the ICPC accused the former governor of receiving $817,900 in suspected proceeds of corruption through his domiciliary account with Guaranty Trust Bank while in office.

El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The case is being presided over by Justice Rilwan Aikawa, who adjourned proceedings to March 31 to rule on pending applications, including a potential bail request.

His counsel, Ubong Akpan, clarified that no bail application was filed during the arraignment, as the session was strictly for taking pleas.

Beyond the ICPC case, El-Rufai is also facing a separate prosecution by the State Security Service over alleged phone-tapping claims involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 23 for his arraignment in that matter.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, paid tribute to the late matriarch, describing her as a woman of remarkable character who raised children and grandchildren that have made meaningful contributions to the nation.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has declared that he will not oppose President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if he seeks re-election in 2027, stating clearly that he has no grounds to challenge the President’s ambition.
Speaking during his March media chat at the

Government House in Umuahia, Otti explained that his political focus remains on securing a second term as governor, not contesting for the presidency.

“I am not in a position to oppose President Tinubu’s candidacy. I have no basis to challenge his re-election, as I am not contesting for the presidency but seeking a second term as governor of Abia State. At the appropriate time, in line with the rules, interested political appointees will vacate office accordingly,” he said.

The governor also addressed concerns over why his appointees have not been asked to resign ahead of the 2027 elections.

He clarified that such decisions would be taken at the appropriate time, in line with laid-down guidelines.

On party matters, Otti dismissed claims of internal crisis within the Labour Party in Abia, noting that earlier disputes had already been settled by the Supreme Court.

He added that the party is currently focused on membership registration and preparations for congresses at ward, local government, and state levels, leading to a national convention.

In terms of infrastructure, the governor revealed plans to convert a partially completed Government House project inherited from the previous administration into a five-star hotel.

According to him, the current Government House location remains suitable and is being rebuilt into a modern facility, while discussions are ongoing with a major hospitality brand to repurpose the abandoned structure.

“From all indications, there is no need to relocate the Government House. We are reconstructing a befitting structure here. The question now is what to do with the previous project. Our best approach is to convert it into a major hospitality project,” Otti said.

Addressing rising house rents, the governor attributed the trend to a gap between demand and supply, revealing that his administration is developing new housing estates to ease the pressure.

He also highlighted major strides in education, including the recent convocation at Abia State University, Uturu, where over 10,000 students graduated.

Otti disclosed that work has commenced on a 10,000-bed hostel project, alongside plans for an international secondary school.

He further noted that electricity has been restored to the university after years of blackout, with a 15-megawatt independent power project in the pipeline.

On economic development, the governor announced that Abia has secured a $200 million investment from Presco Plc for palm plantation development and is also being considered for a $350 million multi-state agricultural programme.

He added that a $35 million beverage plant has been commissioned in Aba, with expansion plans worth $75 million already underway.

Otti also disclosed progress in the health sector, including the recruitment of hundreds of healthcare workers and the upgrade of 227 primary healthcare centres to ensure at least one functional facility per ward.

He further revealed that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated an MRI machine valued at $1 million to the state.

On security, the governor commended residents and security agencies for maintaining peace during a recent protest, assuring that his administration would continue to uphold law and order.

He also confirmed that 200 hectares of land have been approved for a Nigerian Air Force base at the proposed Abia International Airport in Nsulu, which is being developed in partnership with the Federal Government.

Addressing concerns over herdsmen-related tensions, Otti urged residents to remain law-abiding and avoid taking the law into their own hands, warning that criminal activities, including destruction of farmlands, would not be tolerated.

By Francis Edeh

By popular acclamation, the definition of democracy that is more widely accepted and given to be quoted often is the one by Abraham Lincoln which defines democracy as “the government of the people, by the people and for the people”.

Perhaps, because of its organic consideration inherent in this definition which places a great premium on the people as the ultimate decider of their fate, at least in the proper context of the majority of the people having the choice to elect those who will govern them and at the same time over sight such instituted government for effective delivery of public goods to the electorate.

Therefore, the clamour for democracy lies more in the fact or the belief that it will more than any other form of government lead to the enthronement of good governance which promotes human rights and rule of law, transparency and capabilities in public administration.

While this will in turn help government to meet up with the demands of the people through deliverables such as education, health, water, good roads, employment and prompt payment of salaries, housing and urban renewal, security of lives and property, that we all tag as dividend of democracy in our clime.

In that vein, those who followed the campaign promises of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and perused carefully his campaign manifesto, could agree that he raised the stakes high with promises of turning the fortunes of the state around in the most radical way possible.

Infact, some people were doubting how he would be able to do those things he said that he would do and with which resources?

Now, one can freely report that our individual and collective bargaining for a fair recompense by the way of instituting policies, programmes and projects that will impact greatly on the lives of the people are being met by our award winning governor.

Take a look at what he has been able to achieve within three years of his first term in office as Governor of Enugu State:

REVENUE MOBILIZATION; he has Continued the implementation of the various measures aimed at reforming the State Internal Revenue Board to strengthen its operational efficiency, plug remaining avenues of leakage and ensured optimal collection and accounting for taxes, levies and rates due to the state through sustained Single Treasure Account Payment which yielded the State a whopping sum of N406.7 billion as IGR by the end of 2025, the highest in the history of the state.

And still looking ahead to generating up to N870 billion in this year 2026.

This record is unprecedented in the history of Enugu State, and with comes the much needed financial clout to deliver on his campaign promises that many had thought were quite staggering at that time.

And which explicitly underscores this years humongous State budget of N1.62 trillion with 80% of it going to capital expenditure.

And that is because of the sheer size of the project and investment that is ongoing in the state.

TRANSPORT AND AVIATION
Of a truth, His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah is working round the clock to take Enugu State to greater heights. The Enugu Air narrative is like a miracle in the midst of tales of failures of like ventures in the aviation industry.

But with commitment and dedication and application of requisite expertise, Enugu Air stands out as a success story even from inception.

From the initial six planes in its fleet, the government is set to make it up to 20 planes by this budget year and already the state government has already paid #10 billion equity contribution to concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu which would ease the completion of the International wing this year to make Enugu a truly regional aviation hub.

In land transportation, the purchase and deployment of 100 CNG ultra modern buses on major routes across the state has cut transport costs by up to 30 percent.

And this is complemented by over 25,000 commercial vehicles registered in a unified biometric system, improving identity verification, reducing crime and enabling digital ticketing integration.

Added to this is the building 80 bus shelters across the state to provide weather protection and organized queuing among passengers.

In addition to this massive infrastructure in the transport sector, Enugu State Government is commencing a 135.3km intrastate standard gauge rail project this year to enhance connectivity within towns and communities in the state.

It had also got permission from the Federal Government of Nigeria to stretch the modern railway line from Aba, Abia State to Enugu with the state bearing the cost of this federal government facility to ensure an integrated regional economic operations.

Also the building and commissioning of ultramodern transport terminals in key locations across the state with modern facilities to improve travel convenience, efficiency and job creation added great value and ease of movement to commuters across the state.

EDUCATION; Of all the sectors of sectors of Enugu State economy, none has received as much attention as that of education in sectoral allocations. In fact for the third straight year as Governor Peter Mbah confirmed in a recent interview, over 30% of the entire budget has been allocated to education.

And when he talks with delight and enthusiasm about the building and equipment of 260 Smart Green schools in the 260 political wards of the state, it is because he is bent on making sure that our children are imbued with 21st century skills.

These Schools will have Smart hubs with Internet boards, tablets, robotics, Artificial intelligence (AI), Virtual and Augmented Realities and mechatronics engineering facilities.

Additionally, free meals, uniforms and other essentials are provided for pupils and students to ensure equal learning opportunities.

The higher educational institutions like Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Enugu State College of Education Technical (ESCET) among others have been receiving increased funding for payments for staff salaries and boosting of infrastructure development and facilities upgrade.

SECURITY; In the wake of spikes of insecurity, the state security architecture was remodeled to bring it up to speed with the emerging dimensions of insecurity and criminality.

To this end the state government took the bold step of decisively ending the unlawful Monday Sit at home enforced by non-state actors, thereby restoring public confidence, economic activities and freedom of movement.

The state also strengthened coordination among security agencies, Police, DSS, Military and Local Vigilantes through joint task forces and integrated operations.

They were also provided with AI embedded surveillance cars equipped with facial and license plate recognition, GPS tracking and live-feed transmission to the Command Center.

One of the most innovative additions to the solving techniques provided by Enugu State Government is the state of the art security operations hub established with Artificial intelligence capabilities for real-time surveillance, data analysis and rapid emergency response.

Added to this is additional recruitment of Neighborhood watch and Forest Guards personnel, their training and equipment to enhance community policing in order enhance the overall security services to the people of Enugu State.

OTHER SECTORS; Governor Peter Mbah’s success story and fidelity in meeting up with his campaign promises are also manifest in the building of the world famous International Conference Center that have continued to attract customers from across the world and getting booked all year round complimented by the magnificent 5 Star hotel that is nearing completion at the same premisese, which promises to be a new discovery in hospitality business in South East Nigeria and the come back to life Presidential Hotel, Enugu, an unmistakeably hallmark of Governor Peter Mbah’s exquisite taste and love for enduring legacy.

All these projects have the potential to boost our tourism with the added value to our internal generated revenue.

And talking about tourism, the state government recently convened a stakeholders forum on the Nsude Pyramid, Elijah Iron Site and Okpogho Slag Mound, creating a pathway for state and national monument recognition.

This step will strengthen heritage tourism in the state and opens new streams of income to the government and people in the areas that are endowed with these monuments.

In the health sector, Governor Peter Mbah Is building a 5 Star International hospital within the Okpara Square axis where the International Conference Center and the 5 Star International Hotel are sited, which will be equipped with the best hospital equipment in the world that money can buy and managed by an international firm reputed to be among the best hospital managers in the world.

And for the spread of health facilities across the state, the building of 260 type 2 hospitals across the 260 wards in Enugu State and the upgrade and re-equipping and re-staffing in 23 facilities across the state show that the health of the people of Enugu State are paramount to the administration of His Excellency, Barr Peter Mbah.

On roads, Governor Peter Mbah has built and rehabilitated 293 roads statewide, improving connectivity, reducing travel time and supporting socio-economic activities across the state. And he has done more stretches of road than any other governor of the state.

Meanwhile, the double lane Abakpa/ Ugwuogo/Opi Road and the double lane Owo/Ubahu /Umualor/ Neke/ Ikem Road stands out as a testament to commitment and dedication towards bringing the much needed democracy dividends to the people of Enugu State.

In conclusion, His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah’s revolutionary enterprise in the field of agriculture and with more than 260 Smart State farms across the state in order to ensure food sufficiency and value added chain in agro business, and his darring efforts in revitalizing moribund state industries and building of new ones may have to wait for another day and time to ensure adequate capturing.

Hon. John Ogbodo, Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, has congratulated Ben Nwoye on his emergence as Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress, describing it as a well-deserved recognition of his leadership and commitment to party growth.

In a statement issued shortly after the announcement, Ogbodo commended Nwoye’s political consistency and grassroots mobilization capacity, noting that his elevation would strengthen the party’s structure across the southern region.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that Nwoye, a former Chairman and Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Enugu State, emerged at the party’s elective convention through a widely accepted consensus arrangement.

He succeeds Emma Eneukwu, who has been part of the party’s national leadership for 13 years.

Ogbodo also hailed the role of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for fostering a political environment that encourages excellence and competitiveness among leaders from the state.

According to him, Nwoye’s emergence reflects the growing relevance of Enugu politicians on the national stage, adding that it would inspire greater participation and unity within the party.

He expressed confidence that Nwoye would bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new role, urging party members to rally behind him to consolidate the APC’s presence and performance in the South.

Ogbodo further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting progressive ideals and strengthening the party’s base at the grassroots level.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of enabling criminality through what it described as troubling and lenient rhetoric toward terrorists.

The opposition party based its criticism on remarks attributed to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who was said to have referred to terrorists as “brothers,” as well as comments credited to the Chief of Army Staff describing them as “sons.”

Reacting via a statement on X, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that such language reflects a dangerous mindset that risks normalising criminal behaviour rather than confronting it decisively.

“When leaders begin to frame terrorists in familial terms, it blurs the moral and legal boundaries necessary for an effective security response,” Abdullahi said, adding that the approach undermines efforts to safeguard lives and curb violence.

The ADC insisted that under its leadership, there would be no ambiguity in dealing with insecurity. It vowed to treat terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers strictly as enemies of the state, while proposing the establishment of special terrorism courts to fast-track justice.

Outlining its strategy, the party said its counter-terrorism framework would focus on grassroots intelligence gathering, state-level prevention, national coordination, and regional collaboration.

Reaffirming its stance, the ADC declared that it would adopt a zero-tolerance policy, stressing that those who threaten Nigerian lives would face severe consequences without sentiment or compromise.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has released former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, after weeks in detention over corruption-related charges.

El-Rufai, who had been in custody since February 19, was initially detained following a 48-hour interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He was later arraigned by the ICPC on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering before a Federal High Court in Kaduna, which adjourned his bail application to March 31.

However, in a dramatic turn, the anti-graft agency granted him release shortly after news emerged of his mother’s death in Cairo, Egypt. Sources close to the family indicate the decision was made on compassionate grounds, as arrangements are underway to repatriate her remains to Nigeria.

Confirming the development, El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, said the former governor had regained his freedom, while an associate also corroborated the release but declined further details.

El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations against him.

Meanwhile, Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu have extended condolences to the former governor over his loss.

The development has stirred mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians debating whether the episode reflects justice tempered with empathy or privilege at play among the political elite.