News
Party Leaders Storm NASS, Drum Support For Yakubu
A Coalition of Political Parties (CUPP) stormed the National Assembly, yesterday, to express their support for the screening and confirmation of Prof Mahmood Yakubu by the Senate as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The coalition urged the lawmakers to shun the alleged clandestine move by some politicians to scuttle the confirmation of Yakubu for a second term.
President Muhammadu Buhari had recently reappointed Yakubu for another five-year tenure.
The Coalition of Political Parties, which stormed the National Assembly with banners of various inscriptions, appreciated Mr President for reappointing Yakubu for a second term, adding that his reappointment was a right step in a right direction.
The inscriptions read: ‘All political parties in Nigeria accept professor Yakubu reappointment as INEC chairman, commend Senate President and Senators for speedy screening action.
“All political parties in Nigeria say President Buhari’s reappointment of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as INEC chairman will help consolidate the ongoing reforms in INEC, especially electronic voting.”
Addressing newsmen at the venue, the National Chairman of Action Alliance, Kenneth Udeze, gave kudos to President Buhari for the reappointment of Yakubu, adding that as oppositions it is not all issues that should be criticised.
He said that when the President does something good, he should be appreciated.
Commending Yakubu for his innovation in Edo and Ondo elections, Udeze said that the transmission of election results by electronic means is commendable.
“He has done well. One thing is to have a team and another to have a good man at the head”, he said.
He called on Yakubu to stop using ad-hoc staff as returning officers, but staff.
Udeze urged the INEC chairman to replicate what he did in Edo and Ondo in the forthcoming 2023 general election, by ensuring that the process of using electronic voting in the election was put in place.
Recall that the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) had raised the alarm that some people in President Buhari’s government were working to scuttle the screening of his nominee.
IPAC had alleged that it has uncovered a plot to use the court to truncate Senate screening of Yakubu as INEC chairman, adding that two serving ministers are behind the plot to stop his reappointment.
IPAC had said that ‘a few desperate politicians particularly those in the cabinet of the President have conspired to yet again desecrate the temple of justice, the institution of the judiciary like they did in the removal of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria to hijack the legislative powers of the Senate to screen and confirm the nominee.
“We have uncovered a deadly plot to procure a midnight court order to destabilise the electoral stability of the country and throw the electoral body into leadership vacuum and challenges. This plot is being secretly spearheaded by those who parade as loyalists of Mr President in the day time but wear a treacherous dress to undo the President and sabotage his agenda in pursuit of a desperate ambition to be president and governor.”
Meanwhile, the nominee for the position of Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has told the Senate that one major challenge that confronted him in his first five year was the postponement of 2019 election by one week.
Yakubu, who appeared before the Senator Kabiru Gaya, All Progressives Congress, APC, Kano South-led Senate Committee on INEC for screening, said that the postponement was a major issue that he learnt a lot from, and hope that such a situation or experience does not occur again.
He also told the committee that if confirmed by the Senate for another five-year tenure, he would do his best to deliver on reforming the commission to meet the needs of millions of Nigerians for transparent elections.
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene