The Kano State House of Assembly has been thrown into mourning following the death of two serving lawmakers within hours of each other on Wednesday.

The deceased legislators are Hon. Aminu Saad Ungogo, who represented Ungogo Constituency, and Hon. Sarki Aliyu Daneji, the lawmaker for Kano Municipal Constituency.

Ungogo’s death was first made public by the Special Adviser to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Information, Ibrahim Adam.

In a message shared on his verified Facebook page, Adam prayed for the repose of the lawmaker’s soul, announcing his passing to the public.

Less than an hour later, the death of Daneji was confirmed by the Director of Media at the Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

He disclosed the development in a Facebook post, noting that Daneji died shortly after the announcement of Ungogo’s death.

As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding the circumstances of both deaths remained unclear.

After an 83-day delay, the Edo State House of Assembly has confirmed Hon. Chris Ewere Okaeben as a commissioner.

Okaeben was initially nominated by Governor Monday Okpebholo alongside six other commissioner-designates and forwarded to the House for screening and confirmation.

While six of the nominees were screened and approved on September 30, Okaeben’s confirmation was put on hold following an alleged petition against him before the Department of State Services.

At the time, Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, explained that the Assembly would proceed with Okaeben’s confirmation once he had been cleared by the DSS.

Subsequently, on December 23, Governor Okpebholo formally requested the Assembly to conclude Okaeben’s screening process.

The request was conveyed in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, and addressed to the Speaker.

Acting on the governor’s request, lawmakers resumed the screening exercise and confirmed Okaeben as the 27th commissioner in the state.

It was also recalled that Okaeben was among 14 members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly who were not inaugurated by the immediate past governor, Godwin Obaseki, on July 17, 2019.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stop what he described as delays and immediately enforce the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local government councils.

The Supreme Court, in July 2024, ruled in favour of local government financial independence in a case filed by the Federal Government.

In a unanimous decision, the court declared it unconstitutional for state governments to control or retain funds meant for local councils and faulted the use of caretaker committees, saying it undermines the autonomy guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress National Executive Committee meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja at the weekend, President Tinubu had called on governors to comply with the ruling.

He also warned that he could issue an Executive Order to ensure direct allocation of funds to local governments if the verdict was not honoured.

Reacting to the President’s comments, Atiku accused Tinubu of politicising a clear judicial decision rather than enforcing it.

In a statement shared on social media, the former vice president said there was no justification for threats or ultimatums, insisting that the ruling should already be in force.

According to Atiku, the President only needs to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to enforce the judgment without delay, adding that failure to do so amounts to a dereliction of constitutional responsibility.

He further alleged that the delay in implementing the ruling was a calculated attempt to use compliance with the law as leverage to pressure opposition governors into joining the ruling APC, while also tightening control over governors within the party.

Atiku warned that continued inaction would erode constitutional governance and undermine public confidence in leadership, stressing that Supreme Court judgments are final and must be obeyed.

He concluded that Nigerians would ultimately judge leaders who place political advantage above constitutional duty and economic justice.

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party are reconsidering the reconciliation framework earlier proposed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki as efforts intensify to end the internal crisis threatening the party’s cohesion.

Party sources told DAILY GAZETTE that the renewed interest in the Saraki approach followed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s refusal to recognise the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.

INEC, in a letter dated December 22 and addressed to the party’s legal representatives, said it could not acknowledge the Turaki-led NWC because the matter is still before the courts.

The electoral body explained that it would not take any administrative action that could prejudice the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings.

The Turaki-led NWC enjoys the backing of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.

It emerged from the controversial national convention held in Ibadan in November, which was preceded by conflicting court orders.

While some Federal High Courts in Abuja restrained the party from holding the convention, an Oyo State High Court cleared it and directed INEC to monitor the process.

A rival faction, opposed to the Ibadan convention and led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, later announced a parallel NWC, Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee.

Both factions have since announced expulsions of key figures, further widening the rift within the party.

INEC recently convened a meeting involving the two factions in a bid to resolve the crisis, particularly as preparations commence for the 2026 FCT area council elections.

Against this background, party leaders are said to be increasingly uncomfortable with allowing the courts alone to determine the outcome of the dispute, fearing that judicial rulings could deepen divisions by producing clear winners and losers.

A senior party source said the leadership is leaning towards reviving the Saraki reconciliation model, which emphasises dialogue and internal resolution rather than prolonged litigation.

According to the source, Saraki and other party elders have already begun quiet engagements aimed at restoring unity.

Saraki, who previously chaired the party’s reconciliation committee, had warned against excessive reliance on court processes, cautioning that prolonged legal battles could stall the party’s progress and weaken its chances ahead of future elections.

He had also advocated an inclusive national convention to address lingering disputes and reposition the party.

On the prospects for reconciliation, the Turaki-led faction said it remains open to dialogue but insisted that all parties must recognise the legality of the Ibadan convention.

The Wike-led faction, however, maintained that any reconciliation effort must begin with an acknowledgment that the Ibadan convention was flawed.

Political analyst Professor Abubakar Kari of the University of Abuja described the renewed reconciliation push as late but still viable, provided both sides are willing to compromise.

He warned that the prolonged crisis has already cost the party valuable time and momentum, especially with the approach of key political activities in 2026.

However, he noted that political fortunes can change rapidly and that the PDP could still recover if it resolves its internal disputes and presents a strong electoral platform.

An FCT High Court has granted interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in a case involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Bello Kawu granted the application on Tuesday in a motion filed by Malami’s legal team and marked M/17220/2025.

The court ordered that the bail be granted on the same terms earlier considered by the EFCC, including the surrender of Malami’s international passport and the execution of bail bonds by two sureties.

According to a statement by Malami’s counsel, Bello Doka, the court further directed that the sureties must include the Director-General of the Nigerian Legal Aid Council and a serving member of the House of Representatives representing the Augie/Argungu Federal Constituency.

The judge also reviewed and reactivated bail conditions earlier fulfilled on November 28, 2025, which required the provision of two sureties and the surrender of the applicant’s international passport.

Justice Kawu held that the interim bail was granted on grounds of exceptional hardship, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.

The court fixed January 5, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.

Malami was arrested by the EFCC on December 8 over allegations bordering on terrorism financing, duplication of legal representation in the recovery of the $322.5 million Abacha loot, and issues related to the conditional cash transfer of recovered funds, among other allegations.

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has signed the state’s N1.62 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, setting an ambitious target of generating over N2.5 billion in daily internally generated revenue (IGR).

Speaking on Wednesday during the signing ceremony, Mbah reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accelerating development across all sectors and commended the Enugu State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the budget.

A breakdown of the budget shows that N1.296 trillion, representing 80 per cent, was allocated to capital expenditure, while N321.3 billion, or 20 per cent, was earmarked for recurrent spending.

The economic sector received the largest allocation of N825.9 billion, accounting for 51 per cent of the total budget.

The social sector was allocated N644.7 billion, representing 40.1 per cent, while administration, justice and regional development received N128 billion, N15.8 billion and N2 billion, respectively.

Education took the highest sectoral share at 32.27 per cent, with N30 billion allocated for school feeding in the state’s 260 Smart Green Schools.

Funding for the budget is expected to come from N870 billion in internally generated revenue, N387 billion from the Federation

Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and N329 billion from capital receipts.
Mbah said the 2026 budget was anchored on inclusivity, accountability, transparency and strong institutions, adding that the projected revenue targets were achievable.

He noted that the administration had grown the state’s IGR from below N30 billion in 2023 to over N180 billion in 2024 and N400 billion in 2025.

According to him, Enugu State could become less dependent on federal allocations if the revenue projections are met, describing FAAC allocations as potential savings for future generations.

The governor explained that the projected N800 billion IGR for 2026 translates to over N70 billion monthly, N18 billion weekly and more than N2.5 billion daily, stressing the need for hard work and fiscal discipline.

He said the administration would forgo Christmas celebrations to remain focused on meeting the revenue and development targets.

Also speaking, Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Uchenna Ugwu, said the governor’s early engagement with lawmakers ensured a smooth and people-oriented budget process.

Ugwu said residents should expect major infrastructure projects in 2026, including roads, rail development, additional aircraft, transport terminals, smart secondary schools and the completion of 260 farm estates.

The Federal Government has directed contractors handling major federal road projects across the country to remain on their sites throughout the yuletide period, except with express approval from the Ministry of Works.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the directive while addressing contractors in Abuja, warning that no construction site on key highways should be shut during the festive season due to the heavy volume of travel expected nationwide.

The affected roads include the Abuja–Lokoja, Abuja–Kano, Lagos–Port Harcourt, Keffi–Makurdi, Enugu–Onitsha, and Sokoto–Zamfara expressways, among others.

Umahi said the decision was aimed at easing traffic flow and preventing a repeat of the severe gridlock recently experienced on the Abuja–Lokoja expressway, where thousands of travellers were stranded for hours following a standoff between truck drivers and military personnel.

He described the incident as an embarrassment to the Federal Government and urged contractors to ensure roads are freed and made motorable throughout the festive period.

The minister also announced that contractors handling inherited Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Tax Credit road projects must formally exit all previous agreements before they can be considered for payment.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the payment of N263 billion by NNPCL to contractors, while the Ministry of Works will take over responsibility for further payments on the projects.

Umahi disclosed that the total debt owed to contractors from 2023 to date stands at N2.13 trillion, noting that payments would only commence after the figures are properly verified.

He added that contractors must provide documentary evidence of outstanding claims, stressing that debts incurred before he assumed office would require the involvement of anti-graft agencies, the Auditor-General, and other relevant bodies before settlement.

The minister further announced plans to strengthen project supervision, stating that from January 7, 2026, a director would be assigned to each NNPCL road project, while all senior directors would be required to supervise specific projects.

He warned that any official not digitally compliant would be reported to the Head of Service for removal.

Also speaking, Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, said the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency would, from 2026, discontinue minor projects such as solar street lighting and focus strictly on major road repairs and collapsed bridges.

Goronyo directed FERMA to adopt concrete rather than asphalt for road repairs, insisting that Nigerians are tired of excuses and expect visible results.

He added that the agency must prioritise fieldwork and concentrate on fixing major road infrastructure across the country.