Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) raised N8.14 trillion through Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB) auctions in the three months to September 2026, representing 40.34 per cent above its N5.8 trillion target for the third quarter (Q3).

Analysis of primary market auction results showed that the apex bank exceeded its advertised offers in most sessions, driven largely by strong demand for the 364-day instrument.

After elevated rates in July and August, the CBN lowered stop rates across the three standard tenors in September. The 364-day rate fell from a Q3 peak of 17.70 per cent on July 8 to 15.89 per cent by September 23.

Across eight auctions reviewed, offer sizes ranged from N600 billion to N750 billion, while allotments ranged from N497.59 billion to N1.456 trillion.

On July 8 and 15, the CBN allotted N1.06 trillion and N1.191 trillion respectively, against offers of N700 billion and N600 billion. The 364-day stop rate moved from 17.70 per cent to 17.66 per cent.

Allotments later rose to N1.25 trillion and N1.456 trillion in the July and August auctions, respectively, before moderating to N762.88 billion on August 26 and N865.71 billion on September 2.

The 364-day bill remained the dominant instrument, although its stop rate declined substantially toward the end of the quarter.

The decline followed the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) decision to cut the benchmark interest rate by 350 basis points.

In an emailed note to investors, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said the MPC cut the policy rate to 23 per cent from 26.50 per cent and narrowed the corridor to plus 50 and minus 300 basis points.

The 364-day bill cleared at 15.89 per cent, down from 16.62 per cent, with a true yield of 18.89 per cent. Bids totalled N4.09 trillion against N400 billion offered, with N447.07 billion allotted.

The 91-day and 182-day bills cleared at 15.50 per cent and 15.80 per cent respectively, with both instruments undersubscribed.

Rewane said the policy transmission had begun to reflect in the money market, with the open repo rate falling to 21 per cent and the overnight rate to 21.76 per cent.

The CBN said monetary reform required alignment with fiscal policy, adding that the coordination had helped reduce domestic borrowing costs and improve liquidity conditions.

Nigeria has said that continued exclusion of Africa from permanent membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council undermines fairness, credibility and legitimacy of the global governance system.

‘A continent cannot be summoned to bear the burdens of the international order and then denied an equal hand in directing it,’ Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima stated.

Shettima, who on Thursday addressed the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) in New York, United States(U.S.), expressed Nigeria’s worry over the development when he visited UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on the sidelines of the event.

He had, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanded at least two permanent Security Council seats for Africa. He warned that the world could no longer remain captive to the distribution of permanent seats among only five countries – the U.S., China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom-since 1945.

During the visit to the Nigerian- born UN Deputy Secretary-General, the Vice-President said it was indefensible for Africa not to have an equal voice in directing global affairs.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s push for urgent reform of the UN and other international institutions, Shettima said the structure of global decision-making must reflect contemporary geopolitical and demographic realities.

Shettima, whose comments are contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President) Stanley Nkwocha, however, said Nigeria would remain a partner in efforts to strengthen international law, rebuild trust among nations and address hunger, violence and other global challenges.

He commended UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his consistent advocacy for a more representative Security Council, particularly his position that a 21st-century Council without permanent African representation is ‘unjust and indefensible.’

The Vice-President also praised Guterres for defending international law and human dignity at a time of widening conflicts and heightened geopolitical tensions across the world.

‘You have remained a voice of reason as individual states drift from the obligations they assumed under the United Nations Charter and the rules of international law. You have insisted that sovereignty carries duties, that might confers no licence to injure, and that the worth of a human life cannot vary with the flag above it’, Shettima said.

He warned that international diplomacy must not become detached from the human cost of wars, instability, hunger and displacement, insisting that global institutions must ultimately be judged by their response to human suffering.

‘The mother searching for her child, the family driven from home and the hungry child awaiting food must never become abstractions in the language of states’, he said.

According to him, Nigeria will continue to be a dependable partner in the international effort to restore confidence in multilateralism, protect human dignity and confront hunger, violence and exclusion.

‘Nigeria will remain a willing ally in the work of restoring trust among nations and dignity to lives diminished by hunger, violence and exclusion. We owe our children a world in which conscience has authority and the law has meaning’, he added.

Shettima maintained that the credibility of the international system would ultimately depend not only on its capacity to respond fairly to human suffering but also on whether every region of the world is given a meaningful voice in decisions affecting humanity.

‘Civilisation endures only when the suffering of a stranger becomes a claim on our conscience’, the Vice President said.

He also commended Mohammed for her contributions to multilateral diplomacy and sustainable development, describing her service at the UN as a source of pride to Nigeria.

Mrs. Mohammed expressed gratitude to Nigeria and the administration of President Tinubu for their support for the UN and her office.

‘It’s a deep honour to have your esteemed delegation here to come and surprise me. I am truly honoured and grateful.

‘I want to thank you, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and you for embracing me wholeheartedly not just as the DSG but as a daughter of the soil. He has been an incredible support to me, and he has also supported this institution’, she said.

Shettima was accompanied to the meeting by Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Hyacinth Alia (Benue) , Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, and other senior government officials were also in attendance.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has rejected any arrangement that would support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid while backing candidates of rival parties in legislative elections in the state.

The party said its support for APC candidates must be ‘total’, urging members to work for candidates contesting under the party’s platform at all levels.

In a statement issued by the APC State Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, the party said it would mobilise support for President Tinubu and its candidates for the three senatorial seats, nine House of Representatives seats and 26 House of Assembly seats in Ondo State.

Kalejaye said the party would not accept any arrangement that separates support for the President from support for APC candidates in the state.

He described the party’s position on supporting Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid as ‘not negotiable’.

The statement comes amid the activities of the ‘Rainbow Coalition’ and other political actors seeking to form alliances across party lines ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kalejaye also distanced the APC from any alleged agreement with former members who had defected from the party or were seeking elective positions on other platforms.

He reiterated the party’s commitment to mobilising support for its candidates across all elective positions in Ondo State in the 2027 elections.

‘The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo is disturbed that the Rainbow Coalition would only support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the general elections, but field candidates for other positions.

‘The State chapter strongly believes that all candidates of the APC should be fully supported during the exercise, adding that anything on the contrary is not acceptable.

‘To us in Ondo State, support for the candidates of the ruling party must be total; our party is committed to mobilizing votes for the President, three senatorial, nine House of Representatives, and 26 house of Assembly candidates. That is not negotiable,’ he said.

He warned that members of the APC who openly support candidates of rival parties would be treated as engaging in anti-party activities and sanctioned.

‘We have stated in clear terms that the chapter will neither condone nor spare members who indulge in any form of anti-party activities,’ he said.

According to him, fraternising with rival parties or candidates outside the APC amounts to an ‘affront to our collective success.’

‘Anyone caught indulging in such activities wouldn’t be appropriately sanctioned,’ he added.

Kalejaye advised party members to close ranks and resist actions capable of creating divisions within its ranks.

He insisted that unity was crucial to achieving its target of at least one million votes for Tinubu in the state.

Kalejaye further warned that a coalition that backs Tinubu for president while fielding or supporting candidates from other parties for legislative positions could create confusion among voters and trigger electoral complications.

‘It is expedient to emphasise that a coalition which supports only the President on a platform, and other candidates on another, would lead to confusion and electoral crisis, even on the day of election,’ he said.

An ex-governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have prayed a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit challenging Bello’s emergence as the candidate of the APC for the Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 2027 National Assembly election.

Bello, APC, and INEC made their positions known in the separate responses they filed against the suit marked FHC/ABK/CS/1085/2026, filed by Chief Momoh Obaro.

Obaro is, among others, praying the court to declare that, having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast at the May 18 primary poll of the APC, he was the lawful winner whose name should be submitted to INEC as the party’s candidate.

He, therefore, prayed the court to restrain APC from forwarding Bello’s name as party’s candidate to INEC for the 2027 senatorial poll.

Obaro also sought an order of mandamus compelling the APC to forthwith recognize and forward his name to INEC as the duly and validly nominated candidate for the senatorial seat, among others.

In a supporting affidavit, Obaro alleged that Bello was not screened and cleared as an aspirant in the poll.

Bello, in his counter affidavit, denied withdrawing from the contest and urged the court to dismiss the suit.

In a preliminary objection filed by his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Bello wants the court to dismiss the suit as fundamentally defective and incompetent, and for vesting no jurisdiction in the court to adjudicate thereon.

He argued that the plaintiff’s written address failed to comply with the mandatory provision of Paragraph (7) of the Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026 (as amended), among other reliefs.

In a counter affidavit, Bello stated that, contrary to Obaro’s claim, he scored the highest number of lawful votes, while the plaintiff polled a distant third.

He said that while the plaintiff polled 188 votes, he scored 72,999 votes.

Bello argued that Obaro had failed to produce before the court the authentic and official result sheet by the duly constituted primary election committee.

He said he was screened, cleared, and certified and found qualified to contest in the poll, contrary to the plaintiff’s claim.

He said that after his declaration as the winner of the poll monitored by INEC, the party submitted his name as a valid candidate.

The ex-governor denied withdrawing from the election in his further counter affidavit.

The APC and INEC, in their responses, also urged the court to dismiss the suit.

On Monday, Obaro’s lawyer, A. T. Hassan (SAN), made his final submissions and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought by his client.

APC’s lawyer, Ibrahim Mohammed (SAN); Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN); and INEC’s lawyer, S.A. Omole, urged the judge to dismiss the suit.

Justice Inyang Ekwo has adjourned till November 19 for ruling on Obaro’s motion for amendment and judgment on the substantive suit.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, defended his description of traffic congestion in the state as a ‘lifestyle,’ saying the remark was taken out of context and misinterpreted on social media.

Hamzat made the clarification in a video shared on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Media, Wale Ajetunmobi, on X.

The deputy governor explained that he made the comment while speaking on storytelling and the creative industry at Podfest Naija 2026, using Lagos traffic to illustrate how commuters consume podcasts and other digital content during their journeys.

According to Hamzat, he described Lagos as ‘the city that tells its own story’ before discussing the role traffic plays in the daily lives of residents.

Reading from his speech, he said, ‘Anyone who has crossed Third Mainland Bridge at 6 pm going from VI to Mainland knows that Lagos traffic is not just a problem; it is becoming our lifestyle.’

Hamzat said the statement was intended to explain the relationship between traffic, commuters and content consumption, rather than comment on road design or suggest that the government was satisfied with the state of congestion.

He questioned the connection drawn between his remarks and criticisms of the state’s handling of traffic, particularly comments by tech entrepreneur Tayo Oviosu and former governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

He cited Oviosu as saying, ‘Lagos traffic is caused by poor road design, not economic activities,’ while Rhodes-Vivour said traffic ‘should not be tolerated as a lifestyle’ and described it as ‘a major drain on productivity.’

Reacting to the interpretation of his remarks, Hamzat said, ‘That’s what I said. Now, how people correlate that to say design is incredible. Really incredible.’

He added, ‘So it seems to me that when people go on social media, they don’t read what people say. And that’s the problem.’

Hamzat said he decided to clarify the remarks publicly to ensure that the context of his speech was properly understood.

Meanwhile, Olusesan Daini, Director of the New Media Directorate for the joint PBAT-KOH Lagos State Campaign Council, also defended the deputy governor.

In a statement posted on X on Sunday, Daini said Hamzat’s remarks had been deliberately taken out of context and were not intended to celebrate traffic congestion or suggest that the state government was comfortable with the difficulties residents faced.

He said the deputy governor was explaining that traffic had become part of Lagos residents’ daily routines and influenced how they consumed information and conducted business.

‘Recognising that traffic has become part of daily life is not the same as accepting it as the ideal. It is simply acknowledging the realities of a rapidly growing megacity while working continuously to improve mobility,’ Daini said.

Daini also highlighted the government’s transport initiatives, including rail and water transportation, road construction, junction improvements, intelligent traffic management systems and the deployment of LASTMA personnel.

‘Those seeking to portray the Deputy Governor’s comments as insensitive have relied on an isolated phrase instead of the substance of his remarks. Public discourse is best served when statements are presented in their full context rather than through selective excerpts,’ he said.

The comments have continued to generate reactions on social media, with some users criticising the description of traffic as a lifestyle while others questioned the state government’s approach to congestion.

The governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Oyo State, Comrade Adebayo Titilola-Sodo, has rejected Governor Seyi Makinde’s choice of Bimbo Adekanmbi as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 election.

Titilola-Sodo, a former labour leader and Special Adviser to Makinde, said his decision to part ways with the administration stemmed from what he described as a breach of trust and differences over the administration’s direction.

He spoke on Monday at a forum organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, in Mokola, Ibadan, where he discussed his ambition for the governorship.

Titilola-Sodo said he would not support Makinde’s preferred candidate or collapse his political structure in favour of Adekanmbi.

‘Comrade Sodo is not the kind of person to hold forth for anybody. In fact, that is one of my major reasons for dissent with Governor Seyi Makinde, because without recourse to those who helped achieve the vision he’s celebrating today, he has chosen a successor,’ he said.

The AA candidate said he had worked with the administration to achieve some of its major accomplishments, particularly in workers’ welfare, which he described as one of its notable achievements.

He argued that those who contributed to the administration’s achievements should have been considered in succession discussions.

Titilola-Sodo said Adekanmbi was not part of the team that worked with Makinde from the outset, adding that he was disappointed that the governor did not select a successor from among those who contributed to the administration.

He said: ‘That successor, I was with the team when I was appointed for a specific purpose. I did not join the party. Maybe I would have joined the party if I were anointed as the successor. Because I know that we built this decent reputation together.’

Titilola-Sodo also disputed suggestions that he could eventually support the governor’s choice, saying his decision to contest the election was based on his political convictions and differences with the current direction of the administration.

He added, ‘That area, which is our area that nobody can challenge, the area of the welfare of workers and pensioners, we did it together. We did that area together; that area is the most successful sector that this government cannot say a sentence without referring to it.’

Recounting the administration’s inception, the AA candidate said his timely intervention saved Governor Makinde from an early confrontation with organised labour over the national minimum wage.

‘The day our boss was sworn in at the Liberty Stadium, during his declaration on the podium, he said he was not going to pay minimum wage. Does anybody remember? Because, in his idea of federalism, nobody should be dictating to the next one what to pay as minimum wage.

‘Trouble started from there. Fortunately, I was not the only person there; all the Exco of NLC were there with me. Everybody heard that, well, your trouble continues.’

Sodo detailed how he privately reached out to the Governor to de-escalate the crisis before Makinde’s first official appearance at the state secretariat, leading to a crucial meeting where he offered strategic advice on labour relations and the constitutional boundaries of local government administration.

Extending his critique to the current administration’s stance on local government autonomy, Titilola-Sodo firmly defended his previous assertion that state resources meant for local councils are being ‘evacuated’ through centralised procurement and non-resident contractors.

‘When we say something is being evacuated, I’m using it in the parlance of the contractor handing in a job not being a resident of that place in which he is discharging the services. After work, every job, every contract has a profit margin… But if he came from, say, even Lagos… all his profit, he is taking it to Lagos. That is what I mean by evacuation.

‘By now denying those places the resources due to them, are we not evacuating the resources? … That Section 7 does not say that the functions of local government should be taken away from them and handled by somebody else. It only recommended oversight functions on them and not to take away their responsibility.’

Although the AA candidate commended the Makinde administration for some laudable feats, he insisted it could be better, given the resources available to the state government, both from the federal government and internally generated resources.

Outlining his manifesto for rural and agrarian communities across Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and Ogbomoso, Titilola-Sodo promised a shift from sole reliance on large-scale operators toward structured support for small- and medium-scale farmers through value-addition cottage industries.

‘The plan-and this will not be a full government outfit, but we will not leave it to the private operators alone-we’ll encourage the farmers in each zone such that in each local government, there will be at least one cottage industry. A place noted for mango production at its peak, there should be an industry there that will add value before the fruits, before the produce, is evacuated outside of the place.’

‘If they put themselves together, like maybe we have 10 farmers, the cottage industry will cost like N20 million-just for example-if they are able to raise N10 million among them, the government will add N10 million to it to ensure that that industry comes alive.’

Dismissing insinuations that his candidacy is merely a front or placeholder for other political interests, Titilola-Sodo maintained that his track record as a grassroots administrator uniquely positions him to offer Oyo State a truly decentralised, worker-friendly, and economically productive governance model.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Oyo NUJ, Comrade Yinka Adeniran, said the Chapel decided on the platform to give candidates an equal opportunity to sell their visions to the electorate.

He said Chapel members are professionals who do not belong to any political party and would make its platforms available to all parties willing to seize the opportunity, as a contribution to the development of the country’s democratic processes.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Monday, assured the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Hon. Milton Dick, that Nigeria will support his bid for the Presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Akpabio gave the assurance at the National Assembly when Hon. Dick visited Abuja to seek the support of the Nigerian Parliament’s leadership ahead of the election for the Presidency of IPU next month.

The Senate President told his guests that ‘on IPU, which is the reason why you came, I have taken note of your candidature for the Presidency of the IPU and of your experience within the organisation, including your service as Vice President of the Asia-Pacific group and Leadership of several IPU delegations.

‘The materials accompanying your visit also emphasise your commitment to impartiality, inclusion and parliamentary diplomacy. I must say that with you as President of IPU, IPU can only wax stronger; IPU can only improve.

‘It is important that we complement a woman Secretary-General that we have elected with a man like you who has always shown very serious commitment.

‘We are not saying that the African group in IPU will not have a divergent view. We have yet to meet. We are meeting on October 4, 2026. I will be there to ensure your candidature is accepted. The African group will meet. I assure you their decision will be in your favour.’

Akpabio said Nigeria attaches great importance to IPU as an institution for parliamentary dialogue, democratic development, peace, and international cooperation, and looked forward to hearing the candidate’s vision for the organisation and his thoughts on strengthening the voice of Africa, the Pacific, and developing countries within the IPU.

Akpabio also advocated strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and Australia, particularly in mining, agriculture, education, renewable energy, technology, security, and capacity building.

‘If you have businessmen in Australia looking for areas to invest in, this is one country (Nigeria) that no matter what you invest in, the population is there, the market is available, and you will make quantum profits.

‘I want you to take the message back to the business community in Australia that Nigeria is awaiting their coming and that you have come to open the door and that it will never be closed again,’ Akpabio said.

The Senate President said the two countries could also help to build a very strong parliamentary bridge between Africa and the Pacific.

Earlier, the visiting Australian Speaker said that when he decided to run for the Presidency of IPU, he was told that he had to come to Nigeria to understand Africa.

‘I know that Nigeria is the heart of Africa and your leadership is well known throughout the continent. On behalf of the people of Australia, we thank you for what you have done for democracy and we thank you for what you have done for the IPU.

‘Mr President, thank you to be honoured for being with you today. I thank you for allowing me to earn your support and l promise you if I’m elected or if I’m not elected, you have a brand new friend in Australia,’ Hon. Dick said.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has said Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is building solid infrastructure needed for the growth of the state’s economy.

The guild said Governor Mbah has demonstrated exceptional leadership in Enugu State.

The NGE spoke at the weekend during an interactive session with Mbah at the Government House in Enugu after a tour of several mega projects executed by the administration. The event held on the sidelines of this year’s All Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC) attended by over 300 editors, senior media executives and veterans.

NGE’s President Eze Anaba noted that Mbah’s infrastructural revolution was a clear testament to what a sub-national government could achieve when its leadership is visionary, altruistic, and deliberate.

‘There’s a solid infrastructure on the ground that will grow the economy, that will expand the state. If a sub-national like Enugu can deploy resources effectively and can be this dedicated in terms of infrastructure, in terms of dedication to governance, then there is hope for Nigeria.

‘We were here last year for the NGE biennial convention. We saw smart schools. We saw the ultramodern technical, vocational education and training college at GTC. We saw roads. We saw the modern transport terminals, the rehabilitated moribund industries and those nearing completion at the time. We saw pipe-borne water that people had not seen in years. We saw many projects.

‘Today, we saw the Enugu International Hospital completed. Today, we saw an incredible road network. That includes the 40-kilometre Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Umualor-Ikem dual carriageway that we were told would now serve as a new gateway to the Northcentral.

‘Today, we saw the fully resuscitated and functional state assets like the Hotel Presidential. Today, we saw one of the mega smart secondary schools that it has almost completed. We saw the massive tourism complex at Ngwo Pines, where they also bu ilt a zipline. We saw the ongoing integrated livestock hub, which the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said could take up to 40,000 cattle. Of course, we saw the ultra-modern Command and Control Centre that has helped the administration to drive down the crime rate significantly.

‘At the opening ceremony two days ago, you said that ‘Tomorrow is Here.’ And with what we saw today, I believe you.’

Noting the decision of some state governments to send their officials to understudy some policies, projects and programmes of the Mbah administration, Eze applauded the prevailing peer-review mindset among some state governors.

The NGE president said peer review would help states to develop faster, as governors learn from their colleagues’ areas of strength.

‘It is no mean feat for a governor to attract the respect, the regard of his colleagues,’ he stated.

Speaking at the gala to mark the end of the conference, a former governor of Ogun State and a media veteran, Chief Segun Oshoba, applauded Mbah’s infrastructural milestones, especially in the area of security.

The former governor urged other states to emulate Enugu in building hi-tech statewide surveillance systems.

Osoba cited the swift deployment of the state’s security assets to track down and capture kidnappers, who breached security at Affa in Udi Local Government Area, while also ensuring that the two hostages returned unharmed.

‘I was so confident that it can’t happen in Enugu and that the criminals would not go free. Thank you, Mr. Governor. You proved me right that there is no room for kidnappers in Enugu State.

‘Keep it up, Governor Mbah. I will keep reminding the President that other governors should do what you are doing in Enugu State in the area of security and other areas,’ Osoba stated.

Mbah thanked the media executives for taking out time to see some of the projects.

The governor noted that the projects were deliberately designed to fulfil his campaign promise to grow Enugu State’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion and make the state the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism, and living.

‘But for us, what you saw – the security, the transport, the investments, tourism, and all that – are all interconnected. They are mutually reinforcing. They’re all designed to achieve a common objective.

‘When we took office, we laid out a few things. One was to grow the economy of the state exponentially. We also undertook to eradicate poverty and also to create a state where people can live, work, invest, and build futures. And all you saw was connected to actualising those promises,’ he said.

All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all the 17 local government chairmanship seats in the council elections held in Enugu State at the weekend, according to the results declared by Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC).

ENSIEC Chairman, Prof. Christian Ngwu, announced the results yesterday at the commission’s headquarters in Enugu, formally bringing the council elections to a close.

The party also won 17 chairmanship seats

in Yobe State in the elections held on Saturday.

Prof. Ngwu declared the 17 candidates elected chairmen of their local governments, with all the winners emerging on the platform of APC.

The results showed Ugochukwu Nwanjoku won in Aninri; Okolo Joseph in Awgu; Beloved Anike in Enugu East; Onoh Ibenaku in Enugu North; and Caleb Ani in Enugu South.

Others are Vitalis Ngwu, Ezeagu; Martin Amadieze, Igbo Etiti; Chris Simon, Igbo Eze North; Ugo Ukwueze, Igbo Eze South; and Ani Emeka, Isi-Uzo.

Mike Ogbuekwe, an engineer, was declared winner in Nkanu East, while John Ogbodo emerged in Nkanu West and Jude Chinedu Asogwa won in Nsukka.

In the remaining local governments, Anyaegbudike Greg emerged winner in Oji River; Ezeoha Innocent in Udenu; Agu Hyginus in Udi; and Ezeukwu Chijioke in Uzo-Uwani.

Ngwu hailed the people of Enugu State for their participation in the elections, noting that the citizens’ involvement gave meaning to the electoral process.

He also commended the security agencies, civil society organisations and the media for their contributions to the successful conduct of the elections.

Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YSIEC) has declared the candidates of APC winners of the 17 chairmanship seats in the state.

The Executive Chairman of the commission, Dr Ibrahim Yabani, announced the results yesterday in Damaturu.

He said the exercise was conducted across the 178 electoral wards, and 10 parties participated in the election.

Yabani said APC’s Musa Dagona won the election in Bade Local Government with 54,312 votes; Lawan Bukar in Bursari with 24,331 votes; Bukar Adamu in Damaturu with 18,465 votes; Abdulmumin Usani in Fika with 61,326 votes; and Alhaji Baba-Goni Bade in Fune with 74,411 votes.

He also declared Mohammed Musa winner in Geidam with 35,832 votes; Dala Mala in Gujba with 27,900 votes; Dayyabu Ilu in Gulani with 35,999 votes; Umaru Aguya in Jakusko with 47,653 votes; and Umara Mohammed in Karasuwa with 39,320 votes.

The chairman further declared Idriss Mai Bukar winner of the election in Machina with 24,092 votes; Samaila Musa in Nangere with 37,780 votes; Mohammed Malami in Nguru with 45,836 votes; Salisu Muktari in Potiskum with 58,705 votes; Mohammed Musa in Tarmuwa with 19,500 votes, Zanna Zakaria in Yunusari with 35,848 votes; and Adam Jibrin in Yusufari with 31,930 votes.

Flash floods have ravaged several parts of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, submerging homes, roads, estates, markets and business premises and forcing residents to flee their houses.

The flooding, largely attributed to persistent heavy rainfall, left residents stranded in several parts of the city, with some moving mattresses, cooking utensils, and other valuables to safer locations.

Others with nowhere to go were seen seeking higher ground within their compounds, while navigating the floodwaters to carry out essential daily activities.

Homes, offices, markets, hospitals and estates, as well as areas under flyovers, were reportedly overwhelmed by rising floodwaters.

The situation also disrupted academic activities, with students and pupils in some of the worst-hit areas unable to access their schools.

Several major roads became impassable as floodwaters trapped vehicles and left commuters stranded.

Among the areas badly affected were Rukpokwu, Rumuokwuta, Obiwali Road, Peter Odili Road, Eneka, SARS Road, Aba Road, Eliozu, Ozuoba and NTA Road.

In some communities, residents watched helplessly as floodwaters entered their living rooms, destroying property and household belongings.

Some affected residents were seen crying and appealing to the government to declare an emergency and intervene urgently.

The flooding also disrupted social activities, with wedding guests reportedly stunned at the weekend when floodwaters submerged a reception venue.

Heaps of refuse and sewage floating on the floodwaters have further heightened fears of a possible outbreak of diseases among residents.

A resident, who spoke in confidence, called on the government to launch an emergency flood-control programme to tackle the disaster.

She said, ‘I respectfully appeal for an immediate assessment of these areas and a coordinated flood control programme.

We need more than an emergency approach during a rainy season like this. We need properly connected drainage systems, desilting and widening of major drains, clearing of blocked waterways and culverts, adequate water outlets, and regular maintenance.

‘The Local Government Councils should also identify and document flood hotspots within their areas and work with the State Government on permanent interventions.

When the rains stop, the water may disappear, but the underlying problem remains. Let us fix the drainage infrastructure before the next major rainfall.’

Another resident, Tina Ugbo, blamed the development on indiscriminate house construction and encroachment on waterways in the city.

She said, ‘They have sold lands in Port Harcourt, and sadly, many of our waterways have also been encroached upon. People have knowingly and unknowingly built homes and businesses on areas meant for water to flow.

‘Now, the consequences are devastating. Families are being forced out of their homes, businesses are being destroyed, roads are becoming impassable, and people are left stranded, frustrated and helpless.

‘I saw the flood this morning, and honestly, I was speechless. Seeing people struggle to get home and protect what they have worked so hard for is heartbreaking.

‘We need urgent action, proper drainage, restoration of waterways and a lasting solution to this recurring disaster. My prayers go out to everyone affected. May God protect our people and provide help where it is needed most. Port Harcourt needs help. The people need help.’

Another resident, Meshack Uyi, took to Facebook to vent his frustration, blaming both the people and government for the recurring flooding.

Uyi wrote, ‘Port Harcourt does not flood because it rains. Port Harcourt floods because leadership has failed. Yes, people are responsible for their actions, but governments are responsible for creating systems that make things work.

‘This is Port Harcourt, the heart of Rivers State, the Garden City. If flooding is allowed to happen here, then nowhere is safe. I’ve lived in Port Harcourt for over 20 years, and Port Harcourt has flooded every single year. Governments have changed, but the problem hasn’t. The solutions exist. So why are we still making excuses?

‘For decades, governments have looked away while wetlands were sold, waterways were encroached. Planning authorities approve what should never have been approved, while enforcement agencies conveniently look the other way.’

Uyi called for immediate action, saying it was time for stakeholders to stop making excuses over the recurring disaster.

He said, ‘Declare and permanently protect buffer zones along every major waterway. Demolish every illegal structure obstructing drains and waterways, regardless of who owns it or which party it supports. The law cannot be for the poor alone.

‘The same applies to the thousands of unauthorised containers, kiosks, and structures choking our streets and drainage channels. We cannot continue sacrificing an entire city for political patronage.

‘The government must take responsibility for proper waste, drainage and flood management. Floodwaters do not recognise political parties. They do not distinguish between rich and poor. Water obeys only nature. It is time for the leaders to do the same.’