Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has lifted the suspension of 81 government officials, allowing them to return to their posts.

The officials, including Commissioners, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Permanent Secretaries, were earlier suspended on July 28, 2025.

According to a statement released on Tuesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, the affected individuals have been directed to resume their official duties immediately.

A leading figure in the Labour Party (LP), Abayomi Arabambi, has cast doubt on Peter Obi’s recent pledge to serve only one term if elected president in 2027, warning Nigerians not to take the former Anambra State governor at his word.

Speaking during an interview on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Arabambi questioned Obi’s political integrity, using his defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as a key example of broken promises.

“So, we are not going to trust him,” Arabambi said on the programme.

“So, Peter Obi cannot be telling Nigerians, ‘Oh don’t worry, I will do a single term’ when ab initio with his own mouth, he said he would stay in APGA; he is not going to leave,” added the LP’s factional national publicity secretary.

Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election with over six million votes, has in recent weeks reaffirmed his commitment to a single-term presidency, if given the mandate in 2027.

“In my political life, my word is my bond… My vow to serve only one term of four years is a solemn commitment, rooted in my conviction that purposeful, transparent leadership does not require an eternity,” Obi tweeted on Sunday.

However, Arabambi dismissed this statement as unreliable, arguing that Obi benefitted from the youth-led frustration with former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rather than from any strong party structure or ideology.

He also accused Obi of not contributing financially to the Labour Party’s activities during the last election.

“No kobo of Peter Obi entered the party,” Arabambi claimed, asserting that the LP “made” Obi, not the other way around.

Meanwhile, Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has spoken out in defense of Obi, reaffirming her belief in his sincerity and vision for the country.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Amazing Africans, Chimamanda emphasized that Obi is not driven by desperation, but by a genuine desire to serve.

“He (Obi) doesn’t need to be president. He wants to be because he cares about Nigeria, but he doesn’t need to be. And that is a very important distinction,” she said.

She contrasted Obi with other politicians whom she described as power-hungry.

“There are people who are desperate to become president, not because they have any good intentions for the country, but because of their egos.”

The award-winning author also praised Obi’s approach to leadership.

“Peter Obi is not a person who expects you to thank him for doing his job as a leader, because to him it’s his job,” she noted.

“There’s a sense, I think, in Peter Obi that he’s accountable to the people. He doesn’t think that somehow he will lord it over people.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong warning to Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, urging him to step down if he is unable to address the deepening security crisis plaguing the state.

Alhaji Kabiru Garba, the party’s chairman in Zamfara, made this call on Monday during the ADC’s “Hand Shake Day” event held at Maryam Hall in the state capital, Gusau.

Garba expressed serious concern over the unrelenting banditry and violent attacks in the state, accusing Governor Lawal of failing in his primary duty to safeguard lives and property.

“It is high time the Governor provided a lasting solution to the insecurity bedeviling the state. Otherwise, he should resign,” he declared.

The ADC leader further appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent and effective measures to combat the worsening security challenges not just in Zamfara, but across the country.

He also suggested that the Zamfara government consider negotiating with armed groups if that could help restore peace and stability.

“We condemn the incessant attacks on our people and urge the government to take decisive steps. Let them talk to the bandits if that’s what will bring peace,” Garba added.

He lamented that many residents of the state were growing increasingly disillusioned with the current administration and now see the ADC as a more promising alternative.

According to him, the party has recorded impressive growth in Zamfara, with tens of thousands of new members joining its ranks.

“We have registered no fewer than 75,000 new members. The people of Zamfara have seen a brighter future in ADC,” he revealed.

“God willing, we are ready to rescue the state and Nigeria at large come 2027,” he stated confidently.

Senate President of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been announced as the winner of the 2025 International Peace Award by the Global Peace Movement International (GPMI).

The honour, according to GPMI, acknowledges Akpabio’s growing influence as a promoter of peace, diplomacy, and visionary governance on the world stage.

The award will be officially presented to Akpabio later in August 2025.

In a statement signed by Dr. Mike Uyi, President of GPMI, the group highlighted Akpabio’s instrumental role in restoring Nigeria’s participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) after nearly five decades of absence, a move widely seen as a pivotal diplomatic milestone.

“Senator Akpabio has redefined Nigeria’s international profile,” said Dr. Uyi.

“By reclaiming Nigeria’s seat at the IPU, he has not only revived our diplomatic relevance but also inspired a new generation of parliamentary leaders across Africa.”

The International Peace Award stands as GPMI’s top honour, given to individuals who significantly promote peace, global unity, and international cooperation.

The organisation stressed that Akpabio’s diplomatic efforts have reshaped Nigeria’s image globally and opened doors for broader regional engagement.

“His leadership on the international stage reflects a rare blend of courage, diplomacy, and commitment to peace,” the statement added.

“Akpabio’s enduring impact will be felt for years to come, both in Nigeria and beyond.”

Beyond his achievements abroad, GPMI commended Akpabio’s dedication to fostering unity and open dialogue within Nigeria.

The organisation expressed hope that his leadership style would motivate others in the continent to embrace peace-centered governance.

“Senator Akpabio has redefined Nigeria’s international profile,”
“By reclaiming Nigeria’s seat at the IPU, he has not only revived our diplomatic relevance but also inspired a new generation of parliamentary leaders across Africa.”

“His leadership on the international stage reflects a rare blend of courage, diplomacy, and commitment to peace,”
“Akpabio’s enduring impact will be felt for years to come, both in Nigeria and beyond.”