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.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has thrown his support behind Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s demand that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi should seek security clearance before visiting Edo State.

Governor Okpebholo previously raised concerns linking Obi’s last visit to a security lapse that allegedly led to the deaths of three individuals.

In response, Wike backed the governor’s position during the commissioning of the Edo Line transport project in Benin City on Tuesday.

Reflecting on his own experience, Wike noted: “When Peter Obi was coming to my state, he notified me, and I provided vehicles and logistics for him.”

Wike emphasized that Obi, as a former presidential candidate and a prominent political figure, warrants careful handling in terms of security when moving across states.

He stressed that any incident involving Obi would reflect directly on the host governor.

“If anything happens to Obi, they would accuse the governor that he was behind it,” he stated.

“So, the statement you (Okpebholo) made, you were quite right. You didn’t say, don’t come, all you’re saying is if you’re coming, tell me, because I’m here to protect you.”

Wike clarified that Okpebholo’s message was not a restriction but a request for cooperation to prevent potential security failures.

According to him, it was standard protocol for a governor to be informed ahead of a visit from any high-profile individual.

He also criticized what he described as political grandstanding, implying that such visits often come with unnecessary theatrics.

“People play to the gallery. This is not where a presidential candidate will be serving food. And you know this is a pretense. How long will you keep serving the food?” Wike remarked, expressing disapproval at what he saw as insincere political gestures.

This development has stirred debate, with some critics including former Labour Party spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, condemning the move as unconstitutional.

Still, Wike insists the governor’s demand is based on common-sense governance and not politics.

Azuka Okwuosa, a former gubernatorial aspirant in Anambra State, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming August 16 senatorial bye-election in Anambra South.

The primary election took place on Saturday at Anaedo Hall in Nnewi, where Okwuosa secured a decisive victory over his rival, Obinna Uzor. Okwuosa garnered 470 votes, while Uzor received 57 votes.

An additional 22 votes were voided, bringing the total number of votes cast to 549.

The primary was supervised by a seven-member electoral panel from the APC national secretariat, led by Chief Henry Ikoh.

According to him, 594 delegates from all seven local government areas in the senatorial zone participated in the process.

Chief Ikoh declared, “By the authority given to me by the acting national vice chairman of APC, I confirm that an election was held before INEC, security agents, media and delegates. The exercise was peaceful, and I hereby declare that Azuka Okwuosa won the election and has been returned.”

In his acceptance remarks, Okwuosa highlighted unity within the party and emphasized that the victory belonged to the APC as a whole, not just himself: “There is no winner, there is no loser. APC won.”

Reflecting on the bigger political challenge ahead, Okwuosa said, “The greater battle is out there, and APC as a party at the centre is poised to win the election to continue the legacy of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.”

While expressing appreciation for his emergence as the candidate, Okwuosa also shared a sense of loss due to the circumstances surrounding the bye-election.

“He was a great senator and within the period he was in the Senate, he did a lot and I see it as a challenge for me to take over from where he stopped,” he said of the late Senator Ubah.

Born on November 3, 1959, in Jos, Plateau State, Okwuosa has held various political roles, including local government chairman and commissioner.

He once contested for governor under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and had a brief stint with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 to 2003 before joining the APC, where he has remained ever since.

Okwuosa said his decision to stick with APC is rooted in his commitment to public service.

He noted that the party gives him the platform to “keep pursuing the greater good for Anambra State.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the senatorial bye-election alongside others across 12 states for Saturday, August 16, 2025.

According to INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the polls are being held to fill legislative vacancies caused by resignations, deaths, or court rulings.

Former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has spoken out strongly in defense of Peter Obi, saying any threat directed at the former Labour Party flag bearer is a collective threat to all members of the opposition.

Atiku, who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join a united opposition front under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside Obi and others made the declaration via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday.

He wrote: “Let it be known that a threat against Peter Obi or any of us is a threat against ALL of us! – AA”

His statement came amid growing outrage over comments attributed to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, which many interpreted as a warning to Obi against visiting the state without prior clearance.

The controversy followed Obi’s visit to Benin City on July 7, where he donated ₦15 million to the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences, to support ongoing infrastructure development at the institution.

Governor Okpebholo reportedly cautioned Obi not to return to the state without notifying the government, warning that there would be “consequences” for such unscheduled visits.

The comment sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the governor of making threats against a prominent national figure.

In response to the backlash, the Edo State Government later clarified the governor’s position.

A statement issued by his office read: “It is imperative to state clearly that the Governor did not issue any form of threat to Mr. Obi, but rather emphasised the need for high-profile individuals, particularly politically exposed persons, to notify and seek security clearance from the Governor before embarking on any public engagements within the State.”

The House of Representatives has approved the ₦1.48 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State, but not without making significant cuts to parts of the proposed security spending.

During Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, lawmakers adopted the findings of the Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State, chaired by Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), before passing the bill after its third reading.

One of the major revisions included a reduction of ₦35 billion, initially allocated for CCTV installations, gunboat procurement, and surveillance contracts.

Ihonvbere explained that the committee also reallocated over ₦30 billion from various security-related votes to more essential sectors.

He said, “The adjustments were necessary to ensure the prudent use of state resources.”

The restructured budget breaks down into ₦256.42 billion for personnel, ₦162.58 billion for overhead costs, and ₦1.06 trillion for capital projects, all to be executed before the end of the 2025 fiscal year, December 31.

These changes come amid previous concerns raised by the committee, including the justification of ₦24 billion earmarked for CCTV installations at the Rivers State Government House, and ₦30 billion set aside for gunboats, both of which were scrutinized during budget defense sessions.

The original proposal had been transmitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly back in May.

The move was part of an urgent strategy to stabilize governance and fast-track development efforts in the oil-rich state.

According to President Tinubu, the budget was crafted “to address development challenges in Rivers State, specifically in the areas of infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and security.”

The reallocation of security funds toward more critical sectors is seen as part of broader efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds in Rivers State.

The Enugu State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of six commissioner-nominees sent by Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that the screening took place during the House plenary on Tuesday.

The confirmed nominees are:

• Osita Okoh
• Ben Collins Ndu Jr.
• Dr. Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo
• Franklin Ogbonna
• Prof. Benedeth Okoli
• Prof. George Ugwu

While the specific portfolios of the new commissioners have not yet been made public, sources within the government suggest the appointments are part of a broader cabinet realignment.

Their confirmation comes just days after the resignation of Adaora Chukwu, the former Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment.

With the addition of the six newly confirmed commissioners, the number of cabinet members under Governor Mbah now rises to 25, marking the largest executive council in the state’s recent history.