Security was significantly tightened at the Kano State Government House on Monday following reports of an impending defection by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

DAILY GAZETTE observed a heavy presence of security operatives drawn from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services at the main entrance and key access points to the Government House.

Although no official confirmation has been issued regarding the planned defection, the governor is widely speculated to be weighing a move to the All Progressives Congress.

The security build-up included the deployment of no fewer than seven Armoured Personnel Carriers belonging to the police and the DSS.

The vehicles were positioned at strategic locations, including the main gate and the roundabout leading into the Government House.

The unusual security presence heightened political tension around the seat of power, as residents and observers monitored developments amid growing speculation over the governor’s next political move.

Picture of Abia’s former governors,

A senior aide to Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has dismissed moves by opposition figures seeking to unseat the governor in 2027, describing their efforts as futile and detached from political reality.

Speaking at a press briefing in Umuahia on Monday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, said the opposition’s sustained media attacks against the Otti administration amounted to “chasing shadows.”

Anokwuru was reacting to criticisms of the governor by prominent opposition figures in the state, including former governor and APC chieftain, Orji Kalu.

He titled his address, “Abia Opposition: Stop Tinubu Name-Dropping and Face the Fact!”

According to him, it was unrealistic for former political leaders whom he accused of presiding over years of underdevelopment in the state to expect a return to power by leaning on the influence of President Bola Tinubu rather than their own track records.

He faulted the opposition for frequently invoking the president’s name and the “Renewed Hope” agenda, instead of defending their past performance in office.

“It is a long-established principle in law and public life that anyone who seeks equity must come with clean hands,” Anokwuru said, adding that former governors and office holders have a credibility burden to clear before challenging the present administration.

He argued that the opposition’s criticism of the Otti-led government lacked substance, noting that it was largely anchored on borrowed federal influence rather than concrete alternative policies or achievements.

Anokwuru acknowledged that opposition plays a vital role in a democratic system when it is constructive and fact-based, but warned that it loses moral authority when driven by bitterness, deception and personal ambition.

He described the current posture of the Abia opposition as a coalition motivated more by political survival and relevance than by genuine concern for the welfare of the people.

“The heavy reliance on the perceived might of President Tinubu as the backbone of the opposition is deeply troubling,” he said, stressing that federal proximity cannot replace local legitimacy or erase the lived experiences of Abia residents under past administrations.

The governor’s aide further expressed satisfaction that President Tinubu had continued to support Governor Otti, whom he described as “one of the best-performing governors in Nigeria,” rather than align with what he called opposition propaganda.

Anokwuru maintained that Abia deserved an opposition that is intellectually honest, issue-driven and genuinely committed to the public good, rather than what he described as a reactionary alliance struggling to remain relevant amid changing political realities.

He concluded that while constructive opposition strengthens governance by identifying gaps and proposing solutions, deliberate misinformation and personal vendetta undermine democracy and do not serve the interest of the state.

The Federal Government has inaugurated a ₦40 billion closed-circuit television (CCTV) control centre for the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, aimed at enhancing security, curbing dangerous driving and preventing suicide attempts on the busy corridor.

Speaking at the inauguration on Sunday, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the project followed extensive rehabilitation work carried out on the bridge after the current administration assumed office in 2023.

Umahi explained that the CCTV system, which was first announced in 2025, would enable real-time monitoring of activities on the bridge, allowing security personnel to enforce speed limits and respond swiftly to emergencies.

According to the minister, the Third Mainland Bridge, alongside Carter and Iddo bridges, was in poor condition when the administration came into office, necessitating comprehensive structural assessments and repairs above and below water level.

He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved the total rehabilitation of the bridge, including the replacement of expansion joints, adding that the completed work has significantly improved driving conditions and extended the lifespan of the structure.

Umahi further revealed that the project includes the provision of a surveillance boat and two Hilux vans, which will be handed over to the police to support effective monitoring and rapid response on and around the bridge.

Emphasising the importance of compliance with traffic regulations, the minister expressed concern over excessive speeding, noting that the new system would ensure that activities on the bridge are closely monitored.

Also speaking, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, described the facility as the first CCTV control centre of its kind on any bridge in Nigeria.

Dare said the system enables continuous, real-time surveillance of both the bridge and the surrounding waterways, strengthening overall safety and security.

He disclosed that the project comprises 240 solar panels, 10 inverters, a 300kVA transformer, a standby generator, multiple monitoring screens and full air conditioning for the control centre.

According to him, the contract also covers the installation of 1,268 solar-powered street lights and a borehole facility to support operations.

Dare added that the project was awarded at a cost of ₦40.17 billion, with about ₦36 billion already paid to the contractor, noting that the inauguration marked the completion of the first phase, while further commissioning would follow upon completion of work on the bridge’s extension.

The Nigeria Police Force has cleared former Senator representing Adamawa North, Ishaku Abbo, of an alleged rape of a minor, stating that investigations found no credible evidence to substantiate the claim.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, police authorities said Abbo was exonerated following a comprehensive investigation ordered by the Inspector-General of Police after a petition was submitted in 2025.

The allegation stemmed from a petition written by Mrs Zainab Mohammed and addressed to the IGP in September 2025, accusing Abbo of raping Khadija Mohammed at his Katampe Extension residence in Abuja on June 29, 2025.

Police said four specialised units were assigned to probe the allegation.

These included the Force Criminal Investigation Department Gender Unit, the National Cybercrime Centre, the Intelligence Tactical Unit and the Medical Unit.

According to an investigation report dated October 23, 2025, and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Oki Rita Oyintare of the FCID, the essential elements required to establish the alleged offence were absent.

The report attributed this to the time lapse between the alleged incident and when it was formally reported to the police.

It noted that while the alleged offence was said to have occurred on June 29, 2025, the matter was not officially reported until September 15, 2025, with a search warrant executed on October 3, 2025.

Investigators stated that no incriminating evidence was found during the execution of the search warrant, adding that the delay undermined the ability to establish key elements of the alleged offence.

The report further revealed that the alleged survivor was taken to Deda Hospital on July 10, 2025.

A medical report dated July 11, 2025, indicated that her hymen was not breached, suggesting that she was still a virgin as of July 10, about 11 days after the alleged incident.

Police also noted that although the complainant allegedly attempted to preserve documents from Nafisa Mohammed’s phone, the device was not submitted for forensic analysis.

The phone was later reportedly flashed, resulting in the loss of potential data.

Investigators added that Patience Jesse, who reportedly opened the door for Nafisa Mohammed and Khadija Mohammed on the day of the alleged incident, stated that she did not witness any act of rape.

According to the report, the alleged incident was said to have occurred between 2pm and 4pm at Abbo’s residence, where only three individuals were present at the time: Patience Jesse, Nafisa Mohammed and Senator Abbo. All three reportedly denied that any rape occurred.

The investigation also disclosed that Abbo had earlier accused Khadija Mohammed and Nafisa Mohammed Chigli of stealing his wife’s gold jewellery, a complaint he reportedly lodged at the Dawaki Police Station on July 16, 2025.

Medical screening tests conducted during the investigation for hepatitis B and C, syphilis and HIV were all negative, the police said.

When contacted, Abbo declined to comment extensively, saying only that God would expose all evil plans against him and reward individuals according to their actions.

The former senator had previously dismissed reports in October 2025 claiming he was arrested over the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl, describing the reports as a politically motivated smear campaign.

Abbo was elected to the Senate in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and defected to the All Progressives Congress in 2020.

He was re-elected in 2023 but later lost his seat following a Court of Appeal judgment that declared the PDP candidate, Amos Yohanna, as the duly elected senator for Adamawa North.

By Johnpaul Anih, Ph.D

When Hon. John Ogbodo rose before the Nkanu West Legislative Council on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, he was not just presenting figures on paper.
He was unveiling a carefully stitched mosaic of intentions, projects and promises. The ₦8.22 billion “Budget of Sustainability” was designed to steady the present while preparing the ground for the future.

It read less like a routine financial ritual and more like a statement of intent. Tagged “Budget of Sustainability,” the ₦8.22 billion proposal reflects an administration more concerned with consolidating what exists than chasing headlines.

Addressing councillors, the chairman traced much of the council’s progress to the absence of interference in local government finances, a situation he said has allowed the council to plan and execute projects without unnecessary disruption.

Across several communities, that freedom has translated into access to clean water. Solar-powered boreholes have been completed in areas such as Ọnụeke Ọnọwọ, Igwenchi, Ọnụeke Aniugbọ, Amuzam, Onuvu-Echara, Anichi, Onuogba and Agudene.

Similar facilities have also been provided in 12 schools across the local government, easing daily routines for pupils and teachers.

At Agbani General Hospital, the intervention went beyond water provision. According to the chairman, broader service needs were addressed to improve the hospital’s capacity to serve surrounding communities.

It was one of several examples cited to show how projects were designed to solve practical problems rather than merely tick boxes.

Other completed and ongoing works include the refurbishment of the local government administrative block, the construction of a double bungalow for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Agbani, improved waste management through refuse evacuation and bin distribution, modern market facilities, public conveniences and a meat processing facility.

Road infrastructure also featured prominently, with Smart School link roads complete with drainage and culverts under construction, alongside ongoing rural road projects aimed at improving connectivity across the council area.

In the health sector, counterpart funding for Type-2 health centres has been consistently released across all 14 wards.

Agricultural interventions include a 200-hectare smart farm nearing completion in Amurri and Akpugo wards, as well as the distribution of fertilisers and other farm inputs to local farmers.

Reacting to the presentation, the Leader of the Legislative Council described the budget as realistic and people-oriented, assuring that it would receive diligent consideration and timely passage.

His remarks reflected a shared resolve between the executive and the legislature to prioritise the interests of the people.

For Chairman Ogbodo, the budget is more than an annual ritual. It is a compass guided by clear policy priorities: infrastructure development, improved healthcare delivery, education through Green Smart Schools, aggressive internal revenue generation, environmental sustainability and an unflinching commitment to transparency and accountability.

In formally laying the budget before the council, he reaffirmed his belief that prudent financial management is not an abstract principle but a daily discipline.

As Nkanu West awaits its passage and assent, the ₦8.22bn budget reads as more than a balance sheet.

It reflects a clear sense of purpose and underscores the idea that when leadership remains people-focused, development shifts from rhetoric to reality.

Leadership coach and political activist, Adetokunbo Olufela Durotoye, has described the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the greatest obstacle to the growth of democracy in Nigeria, accusing the electoral umpire of deliberately suppressing voter participation to protect the political establishment.

Durotoye made the allegation during an interview on The Exchange Podcast, hosted by Olufemi Soneye, where he argued that INEC has evolved into a willing collaborator with those in power, using administrative bottlenecks to restrict citizens from freely exercising their voting rights.

According to him, the challenge facing Nigeria’s democracy goes beyond politicians, insisting that the electoral system itself is structured to frustrate voters and weaken genuine participation.

He said INEC’s operations have become one of the most discouraging aspects of the democratic process.

He criticised the continued reliance on the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), describing it as outdated and unnecessary in an era of advanced technology.

Durotoye argued that with INEC already in possession of voters’ biometric data, fingerprints and facial records, there is no technical justification for insisting on physical cards.

“There is no technical reason to insist on physical voter cards when INEC already has our biometrics. The PVC is being used to limit turnout, not to protect the vote,” he said.

He also faulted the voter registration process, describing it as slow, inefficient and hostile, particularly to young Nigerians eager to participate in elections.

According to him, these systemic hurdles disproportionately affect non-establishment voters, whom he identified as the real threat to entrenched political interests.

“The people being blocked are those outside the establishment. Those are the ones they fear,” Durotoye stated.

The leadership coach further raised concerns over what he described as a lack of accountability within INEC, noting that officials accused of electoral misconduct are rarely held personally responsible.

“There is a corporate shield around INEC. Until individuals are prosecuted and sent to jail for compromising elections, nothing will change,” he said.

Durotoye also warned about the growing dominance of political elites, expressing concern that mass defections by politicians are pushing Nigeria toward a de facto one-party system.

He argued that while political alignments may now appear clearer, governance and accountability have suffered as a result.

He maintained that despite these challenges, recent elections have helped demystify the political elite and shown that establishment power is not invincible.

Durotoye predicted that a growing citizens’ movement, driven by previously disengaged voters, would eventually overwhelm even deeply compromised systems.

“Even though government institutions may resist change, sustained civic engagement and mass participation will make it increasingly difficult to continue manipulating elections,” he said.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by unnamed individuals to frustrate its legislative duties through the procurement of ex parte court orders from High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, said the Assembly had received credible intelligence suggesting that the moves were aimed at halting the legislature’s constitutional functions amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.

The development comes against the backdrop of the Assembly’s recent decision to investigate the financial and administrative activities of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Lawmakers had accused the governor of failing to submit the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework as required by law and of authorising expenditures without legislative approval, actions they described as grave constitutional breaches.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, insisted that the Assembly was acting strictly within the confines of the law and would pursue the impeachment process in line with due process.

He said the House would allow the Constitution to take its full course.

Following the plenary session, notices of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, circulated on social media.

The Assembly later confirmed that formal notices had been issued to both officials in accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that their responses were being awaited.

In its latest statement, the Assembly alleged that those behind the purported plot were attempting to exploit courts outside Port Harcourt to secure injunctions stopping legislative proceedings.

It cited constitutional provisions, including Section 188(10), which bars courts from entertaining matters relating to impeachment proceedings, and Section 272(5), which defines jurisdiction in such cases.

The House warned that similar attempts had been struck down in the past, referencing recent Court of Appeal judgments nullifying ex parte orders issued in violation of constitutional provisions.

It urged all parties involved to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of undermining the rule of law and democratic governance.

While the governor and his cabinet have remained silent, several groups, including the Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum and civil society organisations, have expressed concern over the impeachment move.

The elders described impeachment as a serious constitutional process that should not be driven by political vendetta, warning that the crisis could further polarise the state and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.

The Assembly, however, reaffirmed its commitment to constitutionalism and urged residents to remain calm as events continue to unfold.