A former deputy governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party in Abia State, Chima Anyaso, has declared his intention to contest for the Bende Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Anyaso said his ambition is anchored on delivering accountable, people-driven representation and fostering sustainable development across the constituency.

Reflecting on his political trajectory, he noted that after stepping back in previous electoral cycles in the interest of equity, he now believes it is the turn of his Umunna bloc to produce the next representative.

He emphasised that leadership must go beyond political titles, stressing the need for service-oriented governance that delivers measurable results to the people.

According to him, his campaign will prioritise youth empowerment, economic inclusion, education reforms, and strategic legislative efforts aimed at attracting investment and boosting local development.

Anyaso also pledged to promote transparency, accessibility, and active citizen participation, promising an issue-based campaign focused on ideas, performance, and a clear roadmap for effective representation.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has withdrawn his fundamental rights enforcement suit against a magistrate in his N1bn claim before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The development followed concerns raised by the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, over the improper identification of the magistrate listed as the second defendant in the suit.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, counsel to El-Rufai, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, informed the court of a motion filed on March 30 seeking to discontinue the case against the magistrate.

He also urged the court to strike out the magistrate’s name and a pending ex parte application for substituted service.

Lawyers representing the respondents—including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Attorney-General of the Federation—did not oppose the application.

In a brief ruling, Justice Abdulmalik struck out the magistrate’s name from the suit and dismissed the ex parte motion.

Following the ruling, El-Rufai’s counsel sought an adjournment to amend the originating processes.

However, counsel for the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), opposed the request, arguing that the case had become incompetent without the magistrate, whose actions were central to the dispute.

The judge, however, disagreed, cautioning against pre-empting proceedings and advising the defence to file appropriate responses instead.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 17 to allow the plaintiff to amend his filings.

El-Rufai had filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, seeking N1bn in damages and other reliefs over a search conducted at his Asokoro residence in Abuja on February 19, 2026.

He alleged that the operation violated his fundamental rights to dignity, liberty, fair hearing, and privacy, and is seeking to have any evidence obtained during the search declared inadmissible.

In response, the ICPC and the police maintained that the search was carried out lawfully, based on a valid warrant issued by a competent court, and in the presence of his family members.

They urged the court to dismiss the suit, describing it as an attempt to obstruct ongoing investigations.

The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to Wednesday.

The decision followed Tuesday’s proceedings conducted under tight security, underscoring the intense public interest surrounding the high-profile case.

Counsel to the former governor, Ukpong Akpan, confirmed the adjournment shortly after the session, noting that the defence team would use the time to file necessary responses.

“The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow,” he said briefly.

El-Rufai was later escorted out of the court premises by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in a white Hilux vehicle.

The former governor, who had spent over a month in detention, is facing a 10-count charge before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.

Earlier in the day, El-Rufai was also arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo on separate charges alongside one Amadu Sule.

The charges include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

Following the state court proceedings, he was moved to the Federal High Court within the same premises for the continuation of his bail hearing.

The ICPC had earlier granted him temporary release on March 27 on compassionate grounds to attend the burial of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai.

With the latest adjournment, the court is expected to resume hearing on the bail application on Wednesday as the legal battle continues to unfold.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the promotion and conversion of 2,114 civil servants, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and public service reform.

The approval follows the successful completion of the November and December 2025 promotion and conversion exercises conducted across various cadres in the state civil service.

Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission, Robison Odo, disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the decision takes immediate effect and includes all financial benefits attached to the new ranks.

According to him, the exercise covered officers from Grade Levels 01 to 17 who passed the required interviews and examinations.

He added that all administrative processes have been concluded to ensure prompt implementation and payment of entitlements.

“The governor has approved the promotion and conversion of 2,114 officers who participated in the 2025 exercise. The approval takes immediate effect, along with the financial implications,” Odo said.

He further assured that efforts are underway to reflect the changes in the state payroll without delay.

Odo linked the development to the administration’s broader focus on workers’ welfare, highlighting the state’s N80,000 minimum wage, above the national benchmark, as part of ongoing efforts to improve conditions for civil servants.

He also noted that salaries, pensions, and gratuities continue to be prioritised despite significant investments in infrastructure.

Also speaking, the Head of Service, Dr Godwin Anigbo, described the promotion exercise as part of wider reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency in the public sector.

He cited ongoing initiatives such as the transition to digital operations through capacity-building programmes, plans to establish a public service training institute, and efforts to equip workers with modern skills for improved service delivery.

Anigbo added that collaboration between the Office of the Head of Service and the Civil Service Commission remains key to maintaining discipline and aligning the workforce with the state’s development agenda.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday returned to court for his formal arraignment following a brief compassionate release to attend his mother’s burial.

El-Rufai appeared before the Kaduna State High Court amid heavy security, marking his first court appearance since the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) granted him temporary release last week.

The former governor, who had spent over a month in detention, is facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, fraud, money laundering, and unlawful possession of public property.

He had earlier been arraigned before Justice Rilwan Aikawa, with the court fixing March 31, 2026, to hear pending applications, including his bail request.

The ICPC had on March 27 allowed him to travel for the burial of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai.

The funeral, held in Abuja, drew several high-profile political figures from across the country.

Video footage circulating online showed El-Rufai arriving at the court premises in a white pickup vehicle, dressed in a light-blue agbada and accompanied by security operatives and aides.

He is being arraigned alongside Amadu Sule on multiple charges, including intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.

Following the proceedings, the anti-graft agency is expected to transfer the case to the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where his bail application will be determined.

El-Rufai has, however, denied all allegations against him, maintaining his innocence as the legal battle unfolds.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, has affirmed the election of Hon. Misa Musa as the duly elected member representing Ganye Constituency in the state House of Assembly.

In its ruling, the appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Buba Mohammed Joda, for lacking merit, thereby upholding the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

The court also sustained the earlier judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal, which had struck out Joda’s petition challenging the outcome of the rerun election.

Justice Patricia Ajuma Mahmoud, who delivered the judgment, awarded a cost of N3 million against the appellant in favour of the respondents.

The ruling effectively brings to a close the prolonged legal contest over the Ganye Constituency seat, following the by-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the death of the former lawmaker, Abdulmalik Jauro Misa, in May 2024.

Meanwhile, the newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba Ahmed, has called on Nigerians of integrity to join the party, pledging a commitment to justice and national transformation.

In a statement shared on social media, Baba Ahmed said the PRP remains focused on addressing Nigeria’s challenges, particularly in the North, stressing that the party is driven by principles rather than the pursuit of power or wealth.

“If we were after positions, we would have joined the APC, ADC or PDP long ago. We are committed to rebuilding Nigeria with people of integrity who value justice and defend the poor,” he said.

By Dr. Malachy Chuma Ochie

The just concluded APC National Convention 2026 has further validated the strategic foresight of Peter Mbah in aligning Enugu State with the All Progressives Congress.

His promise to reposition the state, and indeed the South-East, at the center of Nigerian politics is steadily taking shape through tangible political gains.

One of the clearest indicators of this progress is the strengthening of Enugu State’s presence in both zonal and national party structures.

The emergence and consolidation of leaders such as Ben Nwoye as Deputy National Chairman (South) underscore the growing relevance of Enugu State voices at the highest decision-making levels of the party.

At the regional level, the rise of figures like Mrs. Aji as Zonal Woman Leader reflects an expanding footprint for Enugu indigenes in South-East APC leadership. This development is significant, as it signals not just participation but active involvement in shaping the direction of the party within the zone.

Such positions provide platforms for advocacy, mobilization, and coordination, which are critical elements in building lasting political relevance.

Beyond individual offices, the convention facilitated deeper integration of Enugu stakeholders into key committees and strategic blocs within the party. These structures, though less visible, are where critical decisions are shaped ranging from electoral strategy to policy alignment.

Enugu State’s inclusion in these circles enhances its access to federal opportunities and strengthens its bargaining power. Importantly, these gains lend credence to Governor Mbah’s central argument: that political alignment with the ruling party is a pathway to inclusion, influence, and development.

The convention did not merely offer symbolic acceptance; it provided a framework for sustained engagement at both regional and national levels.

In essence, the outcomes of the APC National Convention mark a turning point. Enugu State is no longer on the margins but is steadily finding its voice within the corridors of power.

Through calculated engagement and strategic positioning, Governor Mbah has begun to deliver on his promise of bringing the South-East closer to the center of Nigeria’s political and developmental agenda.