Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has prayed the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to dismiss a N1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged refusal to allow him access to his family members.

Also in a separate counter affidavit filed before the court, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) urged that the suit, which has been assigned to Justice Chigozie Onah, be dismissed, on the ground that the ICPC is empowered to put in place protocols within its facilities to prevent breach of security.

The detained former governor had filed the suit against the ICPC, its Chairman, Musa Aliyu, SAN, and the AGF as 1st to 3rd respondents, respectively.

El-Rufai, in the Originating Motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026 and filed by Ubong Akpan on August 13, sought a N1 billion in damages for allegedly preventing him from having access to his wife, Mrs Aichatou Asabe and son, Abba El-Rufai, while in custody.

The former governor, who alleged that his wife and son were denied to see him, prayed the court to declare that his fundamental human rights guaranteed under Part IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) remain inviolable and in force notwithstanding his detention by the Commission and should be honoured.

Responding in a joint counter affidavit filed by the ICPC and its chairman but deposed to by John Uche, a Chief Anti-Corruption Assistant in the Internal Security Support Unit, said, many paragraphs in El-Rufai’s affidavit in support of his suit were false and further averred that the former governor was in the lawful custody of the Commission by an order of the Federal High Court, Kaduna Division, in charge number: FHC/KD/73C/2025.

He said on July 7, in compliance with the order of the Kaduna Federal High Court, permitting access to El-Rufai’s personal physician, the Commission facilitated a medical visit to his personal physician accompanied by their officers and his wife, Asabe.

Shortly after the hospital visit, he said, the ICPC received reports that the said medical visit was turned into a political meeting in breach of its security protocol, demonstrating that the existing access control environment was vulnerable.

Uche said that, against this development, the Commission adopted a temporary access control measure, temporarily restricting non-essential access to the former governor because unrestricted access presented a continuing risk until the vulnerability was understood and adequately mitigated.

The officer said as this was happening on July 7, El-Rufai’s son, Abba, came to their office requesting to visit his father and approached him (Uche) at his desk.

Uche said he then contacted his superior, Mr Henry Hwande, who instructed him to find out the purpose of his visit.

He said he made the enquiry and was told that it was a regular visit and the information was relayed to his superior, who instructed that Abba should wait in the Commission’s waiting area.

The officer said while El-Rufai’s son was waiting, Asabe met him (Abba) and, after conversing with him, began raising her voice and demanding that Abba be granted access to his father.

‘That my colleague, Miss Titilayo Remi, tried to speak and reason with her to de-escalate the situation, but she was uncooperative’, Uche said and added that, several minutes later, Abba attempted to proceed into the Commission’s building, but he quickly stood in his way to prevent him and Asabe from gaining access.

‘That while being focused on preventing him from gaining access, I fell into a ditch where my leg trapped and I called out for help at which point the applicant’s son and Aichatou Asabe continued to make their way towards the building’s entrance, as captured by the CCTV footage.

‘That my cry for help attracted the security personnel, who then swung into action to prevent the unauthorised entry of the applicant’s son while Aichatou Asabe gained access into the building and headed for the detention area.

‘That after he was prevented from gaining entry into the building, the applicant’s son lay in the gutter and repeatedly rubbed his leg against the edge of the gutter.

‘That the 1st respondent has Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras installed at various strategic locations within and around its office premises for security and monitoring purposes, which cameras record activities and events occurring with their respective fields of view.’

He said that the contents of the storage system, including the CCTV recordings, remained accurate and were not altered or tampered with during the material period.

Uche said, following a second security breach on July 7, the ICPC determined that its existing access arrangements were no longer adequate warranting an urgent review.

The officer said during the course of the review, the Commission uncovered another security breach involving Asabe; who was allegedly smuggled into the ICPC’s premises on Saturday, July 4 at about 7:35pm after official visiting hours with the connivance of some officers of the Commission, who are currently facing disciplinary action.

He said that based on Asabe’s repeated disregard for access control protocols, the Commission determined that her continued access posed a specific security risk, ‘As such, her visiting access to the applicant was temporarily suspended pending completion of the security review and implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.’

He said he was informed by Mr Henry Hwande, Head of the Internal Security Support Unit, on August 26, which he believed to be true, that: ‘On 8th of July, 2026, Asia Ahmed El-Rufai, one of the applicant’s wives wrote requesting audience with the Director of Operations following the incident of 7th July, 2026.

‘Further to the letter, the Director of Operations, alongside Mr. Henry Hwande met with Asia Ahmed El-Rufai and a counsel by name, Mr Aremu, at the Director Operations office on the 9th of July, 2026.

‘One of the issues discussed at the meeting was the denial of access to Aichatou Asabe to which the Director Operations responded that there was an ongoing investigation and Aichatou Asabe was temporarily suspended from accessing the 1st respondent’s premises until same was completed.

‘The 1st respondent, having earlier responded to the issue of Aichatou Asabe’s temporary denial of access, did not see the need to respond to the letter of 16th July, 2026, as nothing new had come up,’ he said and added that, contrary to El-Rufai’s claim, other members of his family, including his son who was refused entry on July 7, had severally been granted access to visit him, bringing meals, medication and other necessary supplies after the July 7 incident.

Uche, who attached a copy of the Commission’s visitors log as ‘Exhibit ICPC D,’ to prove their case, said it would be in the interest of justice to dismiss the detained ex-governor’s claim against the 1st and 2nd respondents.

The AGF, in its counter affidavit filed on September 11 and deposed to by Oni Michael, an Administrative Officer in Civil Litigation and Public Law Department of Federal Ministry of Justice, denied some of the averments in El-Rufai’s affidavit.

Michael stated that the AGF, listed as 3rd respondent in the suit, is not saddled with the responsibility of arresting and/or detaining any person suspected to have committed any crime whatsoever, including El-Rufai, and neither does he maintains a detention facility.

‘That the alleged infringement of the applicant’s right was not done by the 3rd respondent in any way whatsoever as he is not responsible for the maintenance and control of the 1st and 2nd respondents’ detention facility.’

The admin officer further stated that the AGF was not part of the alleged events of July 7 and at no time did he deny El-Rufai’s family members access to him.

According to Michael, the order of Hon. Justice R.M. Aikawa solely directed the 1st and 2nd respondents to allow the applicant access to his counsel and personal physician.

‘That the attached order did not include access to Aichatou Asabe or any other person. That the 1st and 2nd respondents are empowered to put in place protocols within their facilities to prevent breach of security,’ he said.

The officer submitted that maintenance of serious security protocols at the ICPC’s detention facility is a matter of national security.

Michael said he was informed by Mosunmola Yetunde, lawyer to ICPC, of the following facts which he verily believed to be true that the Commission, in compliance with court order allowed El-Rufai access to his personal physician accompanied by ICPC’s officers and Asabe, his wife.

‘That the medical meeting turned into a political meeting. That the 1st respondent adopted a temporary access control measure which resulted in temporarily restricting non-essential access to the applicant due to vulnerability risk.

‘That the restriction put in place was to ensure a serious security protocol, necessary for the maintenance and control of the 1st respondent’s detention facility. That it became necessary following the events of 7th July, 2026, to review the CCTV Security footage of the 1st respondent’s facility.’

Michael, however, corroborated that during the course of the review, it was discovered that there had been an earlier security breach involving Asabe. This, he said, happened in connivance with an ex-officer of the Commission, wherein Asabe was smuggled into the Commission’s facilities after official visiting hours.

‘That the act of Aichatou Asabe and the ex-officer of the 1st respondent breached the Ist respondent’s security access protocol. That the officer found liable in smuggling Aichatou Asabe into the 1st respondent’s detention facility has been dismissed from the service of the 1st and 2nd respondents,’ he added.

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Monday drew the attention of the Federal Government to the deteriorating road network in the Niger Delta, saying the condition of roads in the region had reached the level of a national emergency.

The National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali, made the call in a 66th anniversary message to Nigeria, in which he urged greater attention to infrastructure and environmental challenges in the Niger Delta.

Igali, while congratulating President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians on the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary, also commended the governors and other leaders in the South-South for their contributions to peace, infrastructure development and social welfare.

PANDEF also acknowledged the efforts of intervention agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority and the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), in advancing development in the region.

The forum, however, urged the Federal Government to give greater priority to infrastructure in the Niger Delta, particularly the road network, which it said had deteriorated to an emergency level.

Igali said, ‘We take the opportunity to remind the Federal Government to continue to pay greater attention to the state of infrastructure in the Niger Delta, especially the road network, which has reached a proportion of national emergency.

‘Equally, the question of environmental remediation, which the area has had to bear for 70 years of oil pollution and gas flaring, needs to be placed on the front burner.’

The chairman noted that the infrastructure challenges were particularly significant given the environmental conditions in the region, with large parts of the six South-South states characterised by waterlogged terrain.

PANDEF also called for sustained action on environmental remediation, particularly the effects of decades of oil pollution and gas flaring in the Niger Delta.

The forum urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the peace and progress of the country, while congratulating citizens across the country on the Independence Anniversary.

Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bauchi State Council, has said its members will not give bulk votes to any presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections unless its national leader, Bello Bodejo, is released from detention.

The organisation also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter and review the charges against Bodejo with a view to securing his unconditional release.

The State Chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Sale Garbu, stated this on Monday at a press conference in Bauchi.

Garbu expressed concern over what he described as the prolonged detention of the group’s national leader without him being brought before a court, saying the situation had generated anxiety among members.

He also raised concerns about the impact of Bodejo’s continued absence on his family.

The chairman said Bodejo had contributed to efforts to promote peace and security in the country, particularly through initiatives aimed at addressing challenges confronting communities.

Garbu urged President Tinubu to examine the circumstances surrounding Bodejo’s detention and take steps to resolve the matter.

He also appealed to Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, to intervene and support efforts to secure Bodejo’s release in good health.

The organisation maintained that it would not support the presidential candidate of any political party in the 2027 election until its national leader was released, citing concerns over his continued detention.

Earlier, the State Secretary of the organisation, Sulaiman Shehu, appealed to traditional rulers across the country to intervene in the matter.

Shehu urged traditional institutions to engage relevant authorities and support efforts to find a peaceful and lawful resolution to the situation.

The organisation also called on government authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to give attention to the matter in the interest of peace, justice and the wellbeing of Bodejo’s family.

A leading multi-category technology company, Glovo, has reaffirmed its confidence in Nigeria and is committed to supporting customers, partners, and riders while driving the local economy.

Since launching operations in Nigeria in 2021, Glovo has invested over ?54 billion in the market and facilitated the delivery of more than 40 million items to customers. This investment has resulted in a doubling of the economic value generated for businesses operating on the platform in just the past year, underscoring the growing significance of digital platforms in Nigeria’s commerce ecosystem.

Nigeria remains Glovo’s fastest-growing market globally in 2026, out of 21 countries, and consistently ranks as having the best operational efficiency among on-demand ordering apps in the country.

To empower local partners, Glovo has conducted over 50 in-person training sessions as part of its Glovo Academy program, benefiting hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses and driving significant post-training performance improvements. Earlier this year, the company also hosted its second annual Future of Commerce Summit, which brought together CEOs from leading brands such as Chicken Republic, Burger King, and The Place, alongside hundreds of local SMB restaurants for shared learning and growth.

Dima Rasnovsky, the Director of Glovo in Africa, spoke about the company’s outlook for Nigeria, emphasising Glovo’s confidence in the country’s long-term potential and the opportunities presented by its evolving digital economy.

Rasnovsky stated that Glovo’s long-term commitment includes strengthening the ecosystem around its operations through improved technology, support for partners, and the creation of sustainable value, all while driving e-commerce growth across the country. He also highlighted Glovo’s pride in helping generate meaningful earnings for thousands of couriers connected to the platform.

‘Our confidence in Nigeria remains strong. We have invested significantly in the market because we believe in its potential and in the opportunities that technology can unlock for businesses and customers. As the market continues to evolve, our focus is on strengthening our ecosystem and ensuring we create meaningful value for everyone who relies on our platform,’ he said.

A coalition of civil society organisations under the auspices of the Middle-Belt Pan Nigerian Forum has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Nigeria’s security agencies over what it described as decisive action against terrorism.

The commendation followed a statement by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs praising Nigeria’s response to recent attacks in the Middle Belt and urging sustained protection of communities in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State.

In a post on its official X account, the bureau said the United States commended Nigeria’s ‘strong response’ to recent attacks and would continue working with the Nigerian government to protect Christians in the Middle Belt.

It also urged Nigeria to maintain the momentum and specifically protect communities in Barkin Ladi.

Reacting to the statement, the coalition said the US acknowledgement showed that efforts by the Tinubu administration, coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser, were beginning to yield results.

Convener of the forum, Dr Danladi Ceceko Dangana, said the fight against terrorism was not yet over but that victory was within reach.

He urged Nigerians to support the government and security agencies in their efforts to make the country safer for all citizens.

Dangana also called on the Armed Forces, Police and other security agencies to sustain operations against bandits, kidnappers and Boko Haram.

He cautioned that the US commendation should not be treated as evidence that the security challenges had been resolved.

‘This commendation is welcome, but it is not a certificate of completion,’ Dangana said.

‘More work remains if every part of Nigeria is to be safe, and if every person, regardless of religion or ethnicity, is to live and work anywhere in this country without the fear of being attacked or killed by terrorists.’

Group commends Ribadu

The forum singled out Ribadu for commendation, citing his role in coordinating the security agencies and engaging with the United States.

It said the NSA’s engagement had helped sustain US-Nigeria security relations despite Washington’s concerns over attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

According to the coalition, Ribadu was backing his commitment to a safer country with concrete action.

The group said it would continue to work with the Office of the National Security Adviser and security agencies until the fight against terrorism is brought to an end.

The US statement came amid renewed violence in parts of Plateau State, particularly Barkin Ladi, where several attacks and reprisals have been reported in recent weeks.

Lagos State Government has assured teachers across the state of an increased commitment to their welfare, commending them for their deep dedication to public service.

The State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, gave the assurance on Monday at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.

The event, organised by the Lagos State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), was held at the Teachers’ Pavilion in Alausa, Ikeja.

This year’s event, themed ‘Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status, and shaping our future,’ was attended by teachers from various Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

Leadership from the state’s primary and secondary education agencies, including the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), was also present.

Governor Sanwo-Olu lauded the courage and resilience of the educators, describing Nigerian teachers as some of the best globally.

‘As we continue to build a Lagos where every child has the opportunity to thrive, we must also ensure that the people entrusted with their education-the teachers-have the support and respect they deserve,’ Sanwo-Olu said. ‘Therefore, we will keep listening to them, improving their welfare, and putting them first in our policies and programmes.’

The Governor noted that teachers are key change agents who shape future generations of leaders, and he urged them to remain committed to high-quality service delivery.

He added that great teachers derive their greatest satisfaction from seeing their students become role models and leaders.

Disclosing policy updates, the Governor revealed that the state government has restored the annual State Teachers’ Merit Awards and is currently fine-tuning its modalities. Furthermore, he noted that the implementation of the 65-year retirement age (or 40 years of service) policy is currently being processed.

He acknowledged that salary increments alone are insufficient, stating that teachers also require a better working environment, modern teaching tools, decent and affordable housing, and a secure teaching environment. He promised that the state administration would keep these issues on the front burner.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, congratulated the teachers and reaffirmed the government’s determination to sustain investments in education.

He emphasised that any school system thrives on the quality of its teaching, which directly impacts student performance.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the NUT, Comrade Hassan Akintoye, stated that protecting the teaching profession is essential to building a sustainable education system.

According to him, standing with teachers goes beyond celebrating them during award ceremonies or after excellent examination results.

‘It means ensuring decent working conditions, listening to their concerns, providing adequate teaching resources, protecting them from insecurity, supporting professional development, and ensuring their contributions are valued,’ Akintoye said. ‘We must make teaching attractive to young professionals while retaining experienced hands. We must also address excessive workloads and administrative failures that undermine effectiveness.’

Akintoye expressed appreciation to the Sanwo-Olu administration for its significant support of the education sector over the last eight years. He, however, presented eight key demands to the state government. These include the immediate implementation of the new retirement age policy, improved welfare, enhanced school security, better infrastructure, the appointment of a Headmaster-General, and the formal restoration of the state merit awards.

He promised that teachers would reciprocate the government’s gestures with improved service delivery.

The celebration also featured a keynote lecture delivered by Dr. Olutoye Mukaila Ayinde, who spoke on the impact of teachers on human capital development and the economy.

Additionally, the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullah Sesan Olowa, received a recognition award from the union.

About 10,700 civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have commenced the 2026 promotion examination, with the exercise expected to run through next week across designated centres in Abuja.

The examination, organised by the FCT Civil Service Commission, is aimed at ensuring eligible officers are promoted as and when due, while clearing outstanding backlogs inherited since the Commission became operational in 2024.

Chairman of the Commission, Engr. Emeka Ezeh, who monitored the exercise on Monday, said all outstanding backlogs have now been cleared and that from 2027, only the promotion exercise for the corresponding year will be conducted.

‘About 10,700 of them are going to have the exam that started today. It’s going to run throughout this week up to next week, and we believe that at the end of the exercise, those who are successful will be promoted,’ Ezeh said.

He said the exercise aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for the civil service and the directive of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike that FCT workers should be promoted when due.

Ezeh attributed the relatively seamless conduct of this year’s exercise to lessons learnt from the previous edition, noting that measures were introduced to eliminate delays, overcrowding and technical glitches.

He listed the measures to include early commencement, use of generators instead of relying solely on power supply from the AEDC, and a first-come, first-served system for issuing examination cards.

The Commission chairman, however, cautioned that obtaining the minimum score does not automatically guarantee promotion, explaining that promotion is subject to maturity on the current post, attainment of the prescribed score and availability of vacancies.

He said officers from Level 7 to Level 13 must have spent at least three years on their current posts, while officers on the directorate cadre, from Assistant Director upwards, must have spent at least four years, in addition to having no disciplinary case.

‘The Public Service Rule and our guideline for appointment for promotion says that promotion shall be based on merit only,’ Ezeh said, adding that where there are three vacancies and 10 qualified candidates, only the three with the highest scores will be promoted.

Meanwhile, the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), FCT/FCDA, which monitored the examination, commended the Commission for improved organisation compared with the previous exercise.

Secretary of JUAC, Comrade Abdullahi Umar Saleh, said the monitoring team observed reduced overcrowding, improved ventilation and adequate lighting at the venue, noting that discussions were ongoing with the FCT Administration over teachers’ demand for preferential treatment on vacancy requirements.

The FCTA Department of Security Services confirmed that adequate security arrangements were deployed to ensure a smooth exercise, a position corroborated by participants.

Some participants, including Temitope Kayode and Adama Zakari of the Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre, described the conduct as smooth and orderly, consistent with observations by the Commission and JUAC.

Ezeh said the 2026 exercise will continue through next week as part of broader efforts to institutionalise timely, transparent and merit-based career progression within the FCT public service.

The House of Representatives on Monday issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Programme Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HyPREP) to appear before the Public Accounts Committee of the House for explanation over allegations of mismanagement of over N400 billion in the 2021 and 2024 audit reports from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (oAuGF).

The ultimatum followed the adoption of a resolution during an investigative hearing held by the House Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Rep. Bamidele Salam.

Speaking at the hearing, Rep. Salam noted that the ultimatum serves as the final warning after HyPREP failed to appear before the committee despite four different invitations extended to it.

He added that if HyPREP fails to appear before the Committee by Monday, 12th October, 2026, the House will be compelled to invoke its power and compel the appearance of the Accounting Officer of the agency.

The Committee also extended the same invitation to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Remediation Trust Fund.

According to the Audited Reports presented before the Committee, HyPREP failed to submit its audited accounts to the Office of the Auditor General from 2017 to 2021.

Other queries include: Irregular award of Contracts and non-deduction of Statutory Taxes of $2.1 million; Payment of N986 million Consultancy without execution; Irregular Payment of N315million for Training; Payment of N7.2billion for poorly executed contracts; payment of N268 million without prepayment audit; Non-deduction of N32 million statutory taxes; Engagement of External Solicitors with N31.8 million without Attorney General approval; Crude oil recovery from remediation site without being documented; Adoption of progressive salary scale for contract staff; as well as Extra-budgetary expenditure of N931 million.

Others are: Duplication of Services through award of Contracts worth N182 million; Duplication of function monitoring and evaluation worth N507 million; Irregular Payment of N43 million for advertisement without evidence of performance; Irregular stay in office by an officer after the expiration of the secondment period.

According to the 2024 Audit Report presented before the Committee, HyPREP made an Unverified N1.5 billion payment of compensation.

Also queried are: Non-retirement of N14 million of cash advances; Irregular payment of N229.1million; Payment of N260 million for training programme without evidence of execution; Denial of access to N27.5 billion project documents and records.

Rep. Salam added that the HyPREP and Ogoni Trust Fund will also speak to issues surrounding the $1 billion contributed for the clean up of the Ogoni land after the pull out of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of which the Renaissance Energy Ltd claimed to have made a contribution of over $900 million to the fund.

Oyo State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, has saluted Nigerian teachers’ resilience and courage amidst identified challenges as World Teachers’ Day is marked.

Adegoke made the commendation in a statement issued to rejoice with Teachers in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole on the occasion of this year’s World Teachers’ Day.

According to him, ‘Your passion, sacrifice, and devotion to your profession are not only invaluable but also critical to the success of our education system and the development of our nation.

‘On this special day, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to every Teacher in Oyo State. You are the true architects of our future, moulding the hearts and minds of young learners, nurturing their potentials, and inspiring them to reach greater heights.

‘Your work goes beyond imparting knowledge; you shape character, encourage critical thinking, and foster a lifelong love for learning.

‘We recognize the challenges you face, and yet, you continue to rise above them with grace and determination. Your resilience, especially in times of uncertainty, is a testament to your strength and dedication.

‘Whether in the classroom, in virtual spaces, or in communities, your influence as educators has touched countless lives, leaving a lasting legacy of hope, wisdom, and inspiration.

‘Today, we celebrate not just your profession but your passion. Thank you for being the light that brightens our world, the mentors who ignite curiosity, and the heroes who tirelessly nurture our next generation.

While thanking the Teachers for their indispensable roles in society, Olooye Adegoke said that society is proud of them, and he will continue supporting them in every possible way to deliver their very best to the learners in the state.

The ADC governorship candidate called on all stakeholders to join hands together to build an education system that values and uplifts Teachers’ voices, fostering a brighter future for all.

Political stakeholders from the five local government areas of Cross River State’s Northern Senatorial District have endorsed Governor Bassey Otu for a second term and called for bloc votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

The stakeholders from Ogoja, Obanliku, Obudu, Yala, and Bekwarra made their position known during a consultative engagement held at the Ogoja Local Government Council Headquarters.

The engagement was preceded by a sensitisation walk from Ajengnle Junction to the council headquarters, with political leaders, traditional rulers, youths, women and other stakeholders taking part.

Chairman of the Elders Advisory Council and former governor of the state, Chief Clement Ebri, said the engagement was aimed at enabling the council and the Cross River State Consultative Forum to obtain first-hand information on the people’s assessment of the Otu administration.

Ebri described the exercise as a fact-finding mission, saying members of the team would also hold private consultations with stakeholders to allow them to raise concerns that might not be discussed publicly.

‘We are more like a fact-finding team,’ Ebri said, adding that Governor Otu had asked the council to provide honest advice and was willing to make corrections where genuine lapses were identified.

He urged residents of the district to remain patient with the administration as it tackled infrastructure deficits and other challenges inherited from previous administrations.

Ebri also commended Otu for his efforts to restore Cross River’s status as an oil-producing state, saying the development could improve the state’s economic prospects.

On the 2027 elections, the former governor urged residents of the Northern Senatorial District to mobilize support for Otu and Tinubu, stressing the need for a strong bloc vote to strengthen the governor’s recognition and bargaining power at the national level.

Chairman of the Consultative Forum, Barrister Eyo Nsa Ekpo, said the Ogoja engagement was the forum’s first outing in the Northern Senatorial District.

Ekpo thanked the people for their support for the Otu administration, stressing that the gathering was not a campaign rally but a platform for stakeholders from the five local government areas to deliberate on the future of the state.

He said the stakeholders’ position amounted to a strong endorsement of Otu’s second-term bid and urged them to sustain mobilisation for Governor and President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ekpo, however, called for a fact-based assessment of the government’s performance and peaceful political engagement across the state.

The State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt. Hon. Chris Etta, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Ugana Lukpata, also urged party members to intensify grassroots mobilization ahead of the elections.

Etta said the party must mobilize both members and non-members to support its candidates, declaring that ‘we cannot record anything below five over five’ in the 2027 elections.

He highlighted some ongoing projects across the Northern Senatorial District and attributed the restoration of Cross River’s oil-producing status to improved relations between the state and the federal government.

According to him, the state now has 46 oil wells, with exploration and exploitation activities already underway.

He maintained that continued support for Otu and Tinubu would help consolidate the gains recorded by the state.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the engagement, the stakeholders acknowledged ongoing projects and other interventions by the Otu administration and reaffirmed their support for the continuity of the president and governor.

They called for the completion of ongoing projects and sustained government attention to the development needs of the Northern Senatorial District.

mobilization. The stakeholders also resolved to intensify grassroots mobilisation, promote peaceful political engagement, and sustain consultations with communities and political stakeholders.

They reaffirmed their support for Tinubu, Otu and other APC candidates at the national, state, and local government levels.

The communiqué was unanimously adopted and signed by Ekpo, Secretary of the Forum, Dr Julius Okputu; Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Ntufam (Barr.) Fidelis Ugbo; and Secretary, Prof. Michael Okom.