The All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected Nentawe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, as its new National Chairman.

Yilwatda’s emergence followed a nomination by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who also serves as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

The nomination was seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.

The decision was finalized during a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), where the motion was subjected to a voice vote and unanimously adopted.

Detail shortly…

The Federal High Court sitting in Bauchi has delivered a significant verdict against the Bauchi State Government, ordering it to pay N100 million in general and exemplary damages to the former Accountant General of the state, Dr. Saidu Abubakar.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Aminu Garba in suit number FHC/BAU/CS/43/2024, followed a fundamental rights enforcement application filed by Dr. Abubakar.

He alleged illegal arrest, harassment, intimidation, and detention by security agents said to be acting on instructions from the state government.

In addition to the financial compensation, the court directed that a public apology be published in two national newspapers and that formal notification of the apology be sent to Dr. Abubakar within 14 days of the July 1, 2025 judgment.

Justice Garba found that the actions of the respondents, including the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi, the Bauchi State Government, the State Security Service (SSS), the Attorney General of the State, and the State Public Complaint Commission, breached Dr. Abubakar’s rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“Threat, intimidation, unlawful arrest and detention of the applicant by agents of the respondents with respect to his official duties and functions as Accountant General of Bauchi State is unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful, null and void, and a breach of the applicant’s fundamental Rights pursuant to sections 34(1), 35, 36, 41(1) and 46(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); Articles 4, 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Laws of Federation (LFN 2004).” the court held.

Justice Garba stressed that the agencies involved had no lawful authority to direct operatives to harass or detain the applicant without following the appropriate legal processes.

The court also ruled that Dr. Abubakar’s detention from September 9 to September 25, 2024, violated his constitutional rights to liberty, dignity, and freedom of movement. In the words of the judgment:

“The continuous detention of the applicant by the agents of the respondents without trial is illegal, null and void and a flagrant violation of his fundamental right pursuant to Section 35(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

A perpetual injunction was also granted, restraining all respondents and their agents from further arresting, harassing, or detaining Dr. Abubakar in relation to his former role as Accountant General.

However, the court struck out the case against the State Security Service, the fourth respondent, citing insufficient evidence.

“An order is hereby made striking out the name of the 4th respondent as there is no any case established against them,” the court stated.

As at the time of this report, the Bauchi State Government has yet to respond to the court’s ruling.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has lauded Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for his achievements within just eight months in office, calling him a committed leader who has delivered tangible results to the people.

Speaking in Benin City on Tuesday during the commissioning of the New Edo Line Transport Service, Wike described Okpebholo as a focused and high-performing governor whose work speaks for itself.

“Your performance will give you the confidence to always come home even after your tenure as governor,” Wike said, praising Okpebholo’s delivery of democratic dividends.

He also commended the governor for his strong alignment with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying: “You have actually shown your support for our president in practical terms in performance.”

Reflecting on the 2024 Edo Governorship election held on September 21, Wike extended gratitude to the electorate: “I thank God for the people of Edo State for standing firm during the election of Monday Okpebholo.”

According to Wike, Okpebholo has proven himself to be a serious administrator.

“The governor has prepared himself as far as I am concerned. He is focused on making sure he delivers the dividends of democracy to the people.”

Highlighting the governor’s sense of urgency and commitment, Wike added: “The governor refused to be distracted, and in eight months, he has done so much for Edo people, just like what Mr. President did immediately he was inaugurated. He hit the ground running. That is what Senator Okpebholo has done today by making sure there are no excuses.”

Wike emphasized that he stands with purposeful leaders: “I do not identify with failure. I identify with people who mean well for their people.”

He noted that the revitalization of the Edo Line transport service is a strategic move: “One of the things that you have done to bring back this new Edo line is to solve the problem of insecurity. You have also resolved the problem of students, women and men travelling.”

Reiterating his support, Wike said: “I have come to identify with you because you mean well for the people of Edo State. Leadership is not easy because people will throw all kinds of things at you.”

In his response, Governor Okpebholo expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, attributing the state’s progress to the President’s consistent support.

He thanked Edo citizens for entrusting him with leadership and promised to intensify efforts in delivering impactful development.

Okpebholo assured residents: “They will continue to see and experience remarkable projects that will touch their lives for the better.” He pledged to stay committed to transforming Edo State, emphasizing that ongoing infrastructure and social development projects will bring meaningful change.

A bold new bill has made its way into Nigeria’s House of Representatives, seeking to bar public officials and civil servants including their families from using private schools and healthcare services.

The bill, which passed first reading on Tuesday, is being championed by Hon. Amobi Ogah, who represents the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.

Ogah argues that the growing dependence of government officials on private and foreign institutions has significantly contributed to the decay of public facilities across the country.

Speaking to journalists after plenary, Ogah explained that the proposed legislation is designed to restore credibility and functionality to public institutions by compelling their biggest beneficiaries those in public office to rely on them.

“This bill intends to prohibit all public and civil servants, including their immediate family members, from patronising private schools and health care services in order to avoid conflict of interest, maintain public trust and ensure high, uncompromised standards and integrity of these public institutions,” he said.

He cited historical examples, noting that Nigeria’s founding leaders were products of public education, a standard that once set the foundation for national development.

“Before Nigeria attained independence… our foremost statesmen all had their education in government schools,” Ogah said.

“Sir Ahmadu Bello attended Sokoto Provincial School, Nnamdi Azikiwe went to Holy Trinity College and Christ Church School in Onitsha, while Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa were also trained in government institutions.”

Ogah lamented the billions of naira and foreign currency spent annually on what he described as “medical and educational tourism” by Nigerian elites.

According to him, during the eight-year administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians spent $29.29 billion on overseas medical treatment.

In 2023 alone, Nigeria spent $218.87 million on foreign education, while $38.17 million was spent between January and March 2024.

Meanwhile, the national budget for health in 2024 was pegged at ₦1.336 trillion, an amount Ogah described as insufficient when compared to what leaves the country for private and foreign services.

“Because of the patronage of private schools and health care facilities, our institutions of learning and medical care have become a shadow of themselves, with little or no infrastructural development and fallen standards of services,” he added.

He stressed that the removal of fuel subsidies and the ongoing economic reforms should be matched with equal commitment to reviving public institutions through responsible legislation.

“We must, of necessity, restore confidence in our government institutions… It does not speak well of our country that our presidents and top officials are seen going abroad for treatment and even dying in the process,” Ogah concluded.

The bill, while still in its early stages, is already generating national debate, as it seeks to reshape the relationship between public officials and the very institutions they govern.