The Anambra State Government has asked the Federal Government for N70bn from the Stabilisation Fund to address insecurity, erosion and other infrastructure challenges affecting economic activities and public services in the state.

The request was presented to the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) during a technical session at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the commission’s Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Maryam Yusuf, said the proposed funding would support security operations, environmental protection, healthcare, education and other priority development projects.

The presentation was led by the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Chiamaka Nnake, who explained that the intervention would complement existing government investments, protect livelihoods, sustain essential services and strengthen investor confidence.

Nnake identified insecurity, erosion, flooding, inflation and the rising cost of public services as major challenges putting pressure on the state’s finances.

She said sit-at-home orders and restrictions on movement had disrupted commercial activities, reduced government revenue and weakened investor confidence, particularly in major economic centres such as Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.

To address the security challenges, the SSG said the state government had enacted a Homeland Security Law, established a security outfit and strengthened cooperation among security agencies through a joint task force.

She added that the proposed N70bn intervention would help provide operational vehicles, surveillance and communication equipment, personnel training and improved coordination among security agencies.

On environmental concerns, Nnake disclosed that the state had more than 1,000 erosion sites affecting 146 communities to varying degrees.

She estimated that tackling the identified critical erosion sites would cost approximately N170bn, significantly exceeding the amount being sought from the Stabilisation Fund.

According to her, the state government is already implementing several interventions, including erosion control, flood management, road rehabilitation, land reclamation, waterway clearance and tree planting.

Restrictions on sand mining in vulnerable locations have also been introduced.

Presenting the state’s economic profile, Nnake put Anambra’s estimated population at 8.9 million across 21 local government areas and 179 communities, with a gross domestic product of approximately $12.7bn and a projected 2026 budget of N766bn.

She also reported an increase in internally generated revenue from about N2.2bn to N7.2bn, although the statement did not specify the periods covered by the figures.

On healthcare and education, the SSG said the state’s free antenatal care and delivery programme had supported more than 206,000 deliveries, including 642 Caesarean sections, at no cost to beneficiaries.

She further disclosed that the government had recruited 8,415 teachers and introduced free education from nursery school through Senior Secondary School Three.

However, she noted that these initiatives had increased demand for healthcare personnel, medicines, medical equipment, classrooms and instructional materials.

Nnake also identified agriculture, solid minerals and tourism as sectors with significant potential to expand economic opportunities and attract investment.

She said the state had distributed more than 2.3 million coconut and oil-palm seedlings but required additional support for processing facilities, irrigation, storage, cold-chain infrastructure and improved market access.

The SSG listed kaolin, bentonite, lignite, silica sand, gypsum and laterite among the mineral resources that could support economic growth, alongside petroleum-related opportunities.

In tourism, she identified Agulu Lake and other attractions as potential revenue sources requiring improved access roads and visitor facilities.

Responding to the presentation, the Chairman of RMAFC’s Indices and Disbursement Committee, Prof. Olusegun Adekunle Wright, said the request would undergo a detailed assessment before any recommendation could be made.

Wright, who represents Lagos State on the commission, explained that the Stabilisation Fund was designed to provide financial assistance in deserving circumstances, subject to established guidelines, available resources and the requisite approval processes.

He said the committee would scrutinise the state’s financial records, project costs, feasibility studies, implementation requirements and anticipated socioeconomic benefits.

The committee chairman emphasised that receiving the presentation did not amount to approval of the N70bn request.

He added that the commission’s procedures required states seeking assistance to make formal submissions, followed by on-the-spot assessments of the proposed projects.

According to him, the outcome of the review could be forwarded to the commission’s plenary for further consideration, subject to verification and compliance with the relevant procedures.

The RMAFC commissioner representing Anambra State, Dr Enefe Ekene, thanked the committee for its observations, saying the feedback would help the state delegation strengthen its submission ahead of the proposed assessment visit.

The commission maintained that any recommendation on the request would depend on the credibility of the supporting financial documents, the viability of the proposed projects, implementation costs and their expected benefits to residents.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under criticism for failing to publish the preliminary voters’ register on its website within the statutory deadline ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The failure has raised concerns about compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to make the register available online and at designated registration areas for public scrutiny.

Section 19(1) of the Act stipulates that INEC must, not later than 90 days before a general election, designate a seven-day period for displaying or publishing copies of the voters’ register for each local government area, area council or ward.

With the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, the deadline for announcing the period for the register’s display fell on October 18, 2026.

Although INEC conducted a nationwide display of preliminary voters’ registers at registration areas between October 9 and 15, the commission had yet to upload the registers to its website as of Wednesday, October 21, according to a report by Premium Times.

The online portal for the preliminary register reportedly continued to display a notice stating that no preliminary registers were available and advising visitors to check back later.

However, INEC spokesperson Mohammed Haruna told Premium Times that the commission had published the register at registration areas for claims and objections and was compiling the submissions ahead of the publication of a clean copy.

“We published the voter register for claims and objections at our registration areas between October 9 & 15,” Haruna said.

He added that the commission was working towards publishing the finalised register by December 15, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act.

When the newspaper pointed out that the law also required online publication within the prescribed period, the spokesperson had yet to respond to a subsequent request for clarification.

A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Mujeeb Abdulwasiu, described the failure to publish the register online within the statutory period as a breach of the law.

Abdulwasiu explained that Section 19 imposed obligations on INEC to make the register available both physically and online, within the stipulated timeframe.

He stressed that the requirement was not limited to displaying the register at local government offices or registration areas, noting that the law specifically provided for online publication.

The Electoral Act also prescribes penalties for officials who fail to display or publish the register as required.

Under Section 19(5), an INEC official found guilty of the offence is liable to imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of N100,000, or both.

The preliminary voters’ register is an important component of the electoral process, allowing registered voters to verify their personal information and identify errors before the register is finalised.

Section 19 also provides for the consideration of claims and objections concerning omitted names, the inclusion of unqualified persons and other necessary corrections within 14 days following the relevant display or publication.

The process is intended to help prevent errors that could disenfranchise eligible voters or compromise the integrity of the electoral register.

Meanwhile, the commission’s failure to publish the register online by the deadline has attracted criticism from Nigerians on social media, with some calling for greater transparency and accountability ahead of the 2027 polls.

One social media user, identified as @mundus01, accused INEC of disregarding the Electoral Act by failing to make the register available online despite the expiration of the statutory deadline.

Another user, @MallamJabeer, expressed concern over the development, arguing that Nigerians deserved transparency and accountability in the management of the electoral process.

The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027.

The Kano State House of Assembly has suspended its Minority Whip, Yusuf Bello Aliyu, for three months over a viral social media video allegedly containing derogatory remarks against Governor Abba Yusuf.

The suspension was announced on Wednesday after lawmakers adopted the report of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which investigated the allegation.

The committee’s report was presented by its chairman, Garba Shehu Fammer, during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore.

Fammer said the investigation commenced after the Assembly referred the matter to the committee on Monday, October 19, following a motion moved by Abdulhamid Abdul, who represents Minjibir Constituency.

According to him, the committee invited Aliyu to respond to the allegation and reviewed the video as part of its investigation.

Although the lawmaker denied making abusive comments against the governor, the committee concluded that the conduct established by the evidence violated the ethical standards and dignity expected of members of the Assembly.

Consequently, the committee recommended that Aliyu be barred from participating in all activities of the House for three months, effective Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

It also directed that he submit a formal written apology to the Assembly and appear before lawmakers during plenary to read the apology.

In addition, the committee urged the Assembly to consider enacting legislation to regulate social media conduct while safeguarding the rights and dignity of Kano residents.

Following the adoption of the report, Speaker Falgore formally announced the suspension of the lawmaker.

“Yusuf Bello Aliyu, Minority Whip and member representing Nasarawa Constituency, is hereby suspended for three months,” the Speaker declared.

The development followed Monday’s plenary, during which lawmakers resolved to investigate the viral video allegedly showing Aliyu holding a rabbit by its ears while making remarks considered disrespectful to the governor.

While moving the motion, Abdul expressed concern over the conduct expected of elected representatives, arguing that the alleged incident warranted investigation and appropriate disciplinary action if the allegations were established.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Cross River State has protested the inclusion of its state chairman, Goddie Archibong Akpama, in an online directory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Campaign Council, describing the listing as misleading.

The party, through its State Publicity Secretary, Mr Cletus Amawu, made its position known in a statement made available to Vanguard in Calabar on Wednesday.

According to the NDC, Akpama’s name appeared under the Chieftaincy Affairs category of the purported APC campaign council directory, a development it said could create confusion about his political affiliation.

The party categorically denied that its chairman belonged to the APC or had any affiliation with the party’s campaign council.

It also clarified that his correct name was Goddie Archibong Akpama, rather than “Goddy Akpama” as displayed in the online directory.

The NDC maintained that Akpama remained firmly committed to his responsibilities as the party’s state chairman and continued to pursue its political objectives under the NDC platform.

Expressing concern over the possible implications of the publication, the party said the listing could mislead the public, confuse political stakeholders and damage the chairman’s political standing.

It consequently called on those responsible for compiling, hosting and circulating the directory to explain how Akpama’s name found its way into the list.

The party further demanded the immediate removal of the disputed entry and the issuance of a public clarification to correct what it described as a misrepresentation of its chairman’s political identity.

The NDC also appealed to journalists, political stakeholders and members of the public not to interpret the appearance of Akpama’s name in the directory as evidence of his membership of, or allegiance to, the APC.

Reaffirming its position, Amawu said Akpama’s political activities remained exclusively within the NDC, stressing that political disagreements should be addressed through legitimate engagement rather than the circulation of information capable of creating confusion.

The party reiterated its demand for an explanation and a public correction, insisting that the disputed listing should not be allowed to cast doubt on its chairman’s political affiliation.

Amawu added that Akpama remained focused on his responsibilities within the NDC and would not be distracted by what the party described as attempts to misrepresent his political identity.

The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections, Omoyele Sowore, has raised concerns that President Bola Tinubu’s administration could exploit Nigeria’s reported Ebola case to discourage voter participation ahead of the polls.

Sowore, a human rights activist, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against any attempt to use the public health emergency as a pretext for restricting civil liberties or undermining democratic participation.

He expressed his concerns in a statement issued on Wednesday titled, “The Ebola Disease: Why Nigerians Must Not Panic But Must Ask Political Questions.”

The AAC candidate questioned the government’s handling of the reported infection, raising issues surrounding disease surveillance, international public health coordination and the reported appointment of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to head the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness.

Sowore said the announcement that a woman who arrived in Nigeria had tested positive for Ebola had generated concerns among citizens, including fears about the possible political implications of the outbreak.

According to him, Nigerians are entitled to question the government’s intentions and demand transparency in its management of the situation.

He said some citizens had expressed apprehension that the administration might use the outbreak to limit political mobilisation and reduce voter participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

“These are questions Nigerians have every right to ask. I cannot put anything beyond Tinubu and his political agenda,” Sowore said.

He further alleged that Tinubu could not win a genuinely free and fair election, urging citizens to resist any attempt to use the health emergency to interfere with the electoral process.

Sowore warned that measures introduced to contain the virus must not become instruments for curtailing fundamental rights or preventing Nigerians from exercising their democratic choices.

He also questioned the communication between Nigerian and Ugandan authorities regarding the travel and medical history of the woman diagnosed with the disease.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government confirmed Nigeria’s first case of Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on October 20, 2026.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, announced on Tuesday that laboratory tests had confirmed the infection in a woman who arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.

Following the confirmation, health authorities identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing to establish the extent of possible exposure and prevent further transmission.

The woman had reportedly received treatment at a private hospital in the FCT for several days before laboratory results confirmed the infection. She was subsequently isolated and continued to receive medical care.

Those identified as contacts included healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and individuals linked to the woman’s journey.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said it was collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant agencies to contain the infection.

Although health authorities have initiated containment measures, Sowore’s comments have introduced a political dimension to the outbreak, with the AAC candidate calling for transparency and vigilance as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said growing dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration in Northern Nigeria stems largely from its failure to deliver on promises made before assuming office.

Baba-Ahmed made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye, as political parties and stakeholders intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the discontent in the North is not primarily a consequence of the president’s alleged failure to accommodate northern political elites, but reflects wider frustration among Nigerians over the administration’s performance.

He argued that Tinubu had promised to address several of the country’s challenges but had yet to meet the expectations raised by those commitments.

“There are a lot of Nigerians who are angry with Tinubu because he’s not listening to anybody. And I can tell you the North is not angry with Tinubu because he’s not listening to them. The North is angry with Tinubu, like other Nigerians are angry with Tinubu, because he came here on the promise to fix a lot of the things that are wrong, and he didn’t,” Baba-Ahmed said.

The PRP leader also expressed doubts about the administration’s assurances that economic prosperity was imminent, questioning how long Nigerians would have to wait before experiencing tangible improvements in their living conditions.

During the interview, Okinbaloye noted that the president had said several initiatives were in the pipeline.

Baba-Ahmed, however, challenged the argument, asking, “Do you want to be in the pipeline? For goodness’ sake, what’s in the pipeline?”

When asked whether he believed Tinubu’s assertion that prosperity had arrived, the former presidential aide responded, “I don’t believe him at all.”

His comments come amid growing political debate over the ruling All Progressives Congress’ (APC) prospects in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.

Two days earlier, Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni had also warned the APC against assuming that it enjoyed widespread support across the region.

Oseni, speaking on the station’s Morning Show programme on Monday, cautioned that enthusiastic receptions at political gatherings and the distribution of money to supporters should not be mistaken for genuine electoral backing.

He maintained that public displays of support for politicians do not necessarily translate into votes on election day, warning that the ruling party could be in for a surprise if it misreads the mood of northern voters.

“Do not deceive yourself, you see, politicians are the most delusional and the most optimistic people on earth,” Oseni said.

He added that the distribution of money and enthusiastic chants at political events were insufficient evidence that voters were satisfied with the administration.

“The north is not happy with this administration,” he said.

The House of Representatives has called for tougher measures to combat the production and sale of fake food, adulterated beverages and substandard consumer goods, while commencing a review of a proposed law to regulate the nutrition profession in Nigeria.

The lawmakers made the call during plenary on Tuesday, when they adopted a motion on food safety before proceeding to a public hearing on the bill seeking to establish the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria.

The House urged the Presidency to strengthen efforts to tackle illegal manufacturing facilities and counterfeit product networks, warning that the circulation of unsafe food and drinks poses a significant threat to public health.

The motion was sponsored by Abubakar Yalleman, who represents Madori/Kaugama Federal Constituency of Jigawa State.

It advocated stricter enforcement of existing regulations and improved collaboration among agencies responsible for food safety and consumer protection.

Yalleman stressed that access to safe and quality food was fundamental to public health, productivity and national development.

He noted that proper processing, hygienic practices and compliance with established standards could help prevent illnesses arising from harmful bacteria, chemical residues and contaminated ingredients.

He also raised concerns over the activities of illegal factories and counterfeiters, citing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s (NAFDAC) operation against alcohol-counterfeiting syndicates at Zamfara Plaza on Lagos Island on April 22, 2026.

The lawmaker further referenced a September 22 operation by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which uncovered an illegal and unregistered fruit juice factory in Badagry, Lagos State.

He warned that the consumption of adulterated food and beverages could expose Nigerians to severe health complications, including poisoning, cancer and damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs and heart.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Chike Okafor, said the public hearing on the proposed nutrition bill was intended to provide an opportunity for citizens, professionals and other stakeholders to contribute to the legislative process.

Okafor assured participants that the committee had not reached a predetermined position on the bill and would carefully consider arguments both in support of and against the proposed legislation before making its recommendations.

In a related development, NAFDAC has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians from unsafe medicines supplied under the United States-Nigeria Government (USG-GoN) agreement.

The agency said it would deploy a technology-driven tracking system to monitor the distribution of medical products supplied under the arrangement, which covers medicines for HIV/AIDS intended to address gaps following the exit of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, NAFDAC maintained that it would continue to exercise its statutory authority over the regulation of medicines, vaccines and diagnostic products despite existing arrangements for regulatory reliance on other countries.

The agency explained that the memorandum of understanding governing the agreement refers to an existing regulatory-reliance arrangement between NAFDAC and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Under the framework, medicines manufactured in the United States and approved by the FDA may qualify for expedited approval in Nigeria, based on the rigour of the American regulatory process.

However, NAFDAC clarified that products supplied under the agreement but manufactured outside the United States would undergo testing by the Nigerian agency to establish their quality, safety and efficacy.

It added that regulatory reliance was designed to minimise unnecessary duplication and facilitate faster access to quality-assured medicines without undermining NAFDAC’s independent regulatory authority.

The agency said its responsibilities would continue to include evaluating applications, inspecting products and manufacturing facilities, conducting risk-based testing, releasing vaccine lots and carrying out post-market surveillance where necessary.