The newly appointed judges of the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have pledged to uphold judicial independence, integrity and impartiality while working to eliminate delays and improve the delivery of justice across the region.
The judges made the commitment at the opening of a five-day orientation programme held on October 19, 2026, under the theme, “Becoming an ECOWAS Judge: Judicial Excellence, Institutional Integration and Effective Adjudication.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the President of the Court, Justice Charlyne Brumskine, congratulated the new judges on their appointments and stressed the importance of understanding the ECOWAS legal framework, the Court’s jurisdiction and procedures, and its jurisprudence developed over more than two decades.
Brumskine identified judicial independence and integrity, collegiality, and effective adjudication as the three key priorities for the new college of judges.
She said public confidence in the Court depended on the fairness, impartiality and integrity demonstrated in the handling of cases.
The Court president also emphasised the need for rigorous deliberations, mutual respect among judges and consistency in judicial decisions to strengthen confidence in the regional judicial institution.
On the timely administration of justice, she called for measures to address delays and improve efficiency, noting that the Court’s judicial activities must align with its Strategic Plan for 2026–2030.
Brumskine further stressed the importance of sustained engagement with ECOWAS member states to improve compliance with the Court’s judgments.
She acknowledged the contributions of the Acting Chief Registrar, Dr Ousmane Diallo; the programme facilitator and former Vice-President of the Court, Professor Friday C. Nwoke; and other staff members involved in organising the orientation programme.
The newly appointed judges participating in the programme include Justice Désire Henri Aihou, Vice-President of the Court; Justice Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu; Justice Yaouza Ouro-Sama; and Justice Awa Bah.
Earlier, Diallo, in his welcome address, said the orientation programme was designed to facilitate the smooth integration of the newly appointed judges and their executive assistants into the Court’s institutional and operational framework.
He explained that the programme would familiarise participants with the Court’s organisational structure, departmental responsibilities, administrative procedures and coordination mechanisms.
According to him, the orientation would also clarify the respective roles of judicial, legal, administrative and support services while strengthening communication and collaboration among judges, executive assistants, departmental heads and other staff members.
Diallo said the programme was expected to improve participants’ understanding of the Court’s structure and support systems while fostering stronger professional relationships.
He added that the initiative would promote institutional continuity, operational efficiency and staff preparedness to support the judges in discharging their judicial responsibilities effectively.
The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin has fixed December 15, 2026, to hear an application challenging the joinder of ThisDay Newspapers in a N1 billion defamation counterclaim involving the former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Chief Lawson Omokhodion, and the university’s former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Onimawo Akhakhia.
The presiding judge, Justice Urho Erameh, adjourned the matter on Tuesday after hearing submissions from counsel to the parties over a proposed amendment of court processes and the newspaper’s status in the counterclaim.
The dispute originated from a N500 million defamation suit instituted by Akhakhia against Omokhodion and SME Media Limited over alleged libellous statements in a book authored by the former pro-chancellor.
In suit number B/1103/2023, Akhakhia is seeking N500 million in damages over alleged defamatory statements in the book, Lawson A. Omokhodion: Powered by Poverty—A Story of Adversity, Ambition, Diligence and Triumph, particularly a chapter titled Brazen Corruption in the Ivory Tower.
The former vice-chancellor alleged that the publication portrayed him as a thief, corrupt and dishonest person, as well as a fraudster, thereby damaging his reputation and exposing him to public ridicule, embarrassment and emotional distress.
Omokhodion subsequently filed a N1 billion counterclaim on April 12, 2024, alleging that Akhakhia had also defamed him in an interview published by ThisDay Newspapers on September 16, 2020.
The publication, titled Corruption: AAU VC, Council Chairman Trade Accusations, allegedly contained false and malicious statements capable of lowering Omokhodion’s reputation in the estimation of right-thinking members of society.
The former pro-chancellor maintained that the contents of his book were accurate and verifiable, while denying allegations that he purchased an official vehicle for N57 million during his tenure as chairman of the university’s governing council.
He is seeking N1 billion in general damages and an order compelling Akhakhia and ThisDay Newspapers to publish an unreserved apology prominently in the newspaper.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to Akhakhia, Prof. Job Odion, informed the court that his client had filed an application on October 6, 2026, seeking leave to amend his statement of claim and file a reply to the counterclaim.
Responding, counsel to Omokhodion, Chief Kingsley Obamogie (SAN), said he had no objection to the proposed amendment, noting that the claimant intended to introduce additional facts into the proceedings.
However, Obamogie said the relevant processes should also be served on ThisDay Newspapers, which had been joined as a party to the counterclaim.
Odion questioned the propriety of the newspaper’s inclusion, arguing that his client was unaware of the legal basis for its joinder.
In response, Obamogie maintained that legal authorities supported his client’s decision to include the newspaper in the counterclaim.
After listening to both sides, Justice Erameh directed Akhakhia’s counsel to file a formal application if he wished to challenge the propriety of the newspaper’s joinder.
The judge observed that ThisDay Newspapers had already been joined as a party to the counterclaim and said the issue should be properly presented before the court for determination.
He subsequently adjourned the matter until December 15, 2026, for the hearing of the application concerning the newspaper’s status in the proceedings.
Speaking with journalists after the sitting, Obamogie said his client did not oppose the application to amend the claimant’s processes because it was intended to introduce additional facts.
He added that the court had directed that the relevant processes be served on ThisDay Newspapers in Lagos to facilitate further proceedings.
Odion also confirmed that Akhakhia had applied to amend his court processes, while the defendant had joined a Lagos-based newspaper in his counterclaim.
He said the court directed that ThisDay Newspapers be served with the relevant processes before the next hearing.
The case had earlier suffered a setback following the death of Akhakhia’s lead counsel, Chief Henry Ogbodu (SAN), resulting in an adjournment.
The House of Representatives has raised the alarm over devastating erosion threatening Odi Kingdom in Bayelsa State, calling on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to save lives, protect property and prevent the historic Ijaw community from further destruction.
The lawmakers warned that persistent shoreline erosion, reportedly aggravated by an earth tremor in 2025, had accelerated the destruction of residential buildings, public infrastructure and farmlands, exposing residents to displacement and worsening environmental degradation.
The concerns were raised in a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, who called for immediate and lasting measures to halt the erosion and protect the community.
Odi Kingdom, situated along the River Nun in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, is one of the historic settlements of the Ijaw people, with significant cultural, historical and economic importance in the Niger Delta.
The community also carries the painful legacy of the November 1999 military invasion, which resulted in extensive destruction of homes and properties. Residents have since worked to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
However, the latest erosion crisis threatens to reverse years of recovery, with the lawmakers warning that continued loss of land could jeopardise the community’s long-term survival.
Oforji lamented what he described as inadequate intervention by relevant Federal Government agencies despite the severity of the environmental challenge.
The motion warned that failure to take urgent action could deepen poverty, force residents from their homes and expose the community to further humanitarian and socio-economic hardship.
It also highlighted the wider implications of the crisis for Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta, where erosion and other environmental threats continue to endanger vulnerable settlements, infrastructure and livelihoods.
Invoking Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the lawmakers stressed that the security and welfare of citizens should remain the primary responsibility of government.
They consequently urged the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministries of Environment, Works, and Water Resources and Sanitation, alongside the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ecological Project Office and other relevant agencies, to conduct an emergency assessment of the affected areas.
The lawmakers also called for the immediate design and implementation of permanent shoreline protection, erosion control and land reclamation projects to prevent further destruction.
They urged the Federal Government to make adequate budgetary provisions for comprehensive erosion control, shoreline stabilisation and environmental restoration in Odi Kingdom.
To determine the extent of the damage and the interventions required, the House proposed a joint on-the-spot assessment by its Committees on Environment, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Ecological Funds, and Niger Delta Development Commission.
The committees are expected to report back to the House within four weeks with recommendations for immediate legislative action.
The proposed assessment is intended to establish the scale of the environmental damage and identify practical measures to protect homes, farmlands and public infrastructure from further destruction.
The latest intervention call comes amid previous concerns over erosion in Odi. In July 2023, the NDDC announced plans to commence the procurement process for a shore protection and erosion control project in the community following an inspection of affected areas by its management.
The renewed concerns have raised questions about the progress of earlier intervention plans and the need for sustained action to address the environmental threat.
For residents of Odi Kingdom, the crisis extends beyond the loss of buildings and infrastructure to the preservation of their ancestral land, cultural heritage and livelihoods.
The lawmakers’ appeal has placed renewed pressure on the relevant authorities to move beyond assessments and announcements to deliver adequately funded and sustainable projects capable of protecting the community from further erosion.
The Kebbi State Government has defended its decision not to pay pension, gratuity and other retirement benefits to the state’s first civilian governor, Alhaji Abubakar Garkuwan Yauri, insisting that the action is based on legal provisions rather than neglect by Governor Nasir Idris.
The government was reacting to allegations by the former governor that Idris had abandoned him and withheld his retirement entitlements.
Addressing a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, said the present administration had continued to demonstrate goodwill towards the elder statesman through financial assistance, medical support and other gestures.
According to him, the government has provided financial assistance to Garkuwan Yauri during Ramadan, Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, sponsored more than two of his medical trips to Egypt and named a hall at the Government House after him in 2025 in recognition of his contributions to the state.
The commissioner also disclosed that Governor Idris facilitated the appointment of the former governor’s son as a career ambassador and approved an upward review of compensation due to Garkuwan Yauri for a government construction project after he rejected the initial valuation.
Ahmed-BK added that the government had provided other forms of assistance that it would not disclose publicly out of respect for the former governor’s privacy and dignity.
He also rejected claims that Idris had deliberately cut off communication with the former governor, explaining that the governor personally contacted him during his governorship ambition to seek his blessings and prayers.
However, according to the commissioner, Garkuwan Yauri declined the request, citing his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ahmed-BK further said he had led senior government officials and media aides to the former governor’s residence in Kaduna on more than two occasions to convey the governor’s goodwill and maintain cordial relations.
He maintained that the government’s position on the pension dispute was guided strictly by the law and not by political considerations.
Why government says pension is not payable
The commissioner explained that Garkuwan Yauri governed Kebbi State from January 1992 to November 1993, a period of approximately 22 months, which the government said fell short of the minimum two-year service requirement for severance and pension benefits under the applicable provisions.
He recalled that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), in a letter addressed to the then governor and Speaker of the State House of Assembly in February 2010, directed that pension and gratuity for governors and deputy governors be administered in accordance with Sections 84(5) and 124(5) of the 1999 Constitution.
Ahmed-BK argued that the constitutional provisions cited by the commission did not extend to governors who served between 1991 and 1993, insisting that the 1999 Constitution did not provide for retrospective payment of such benefits to former governors who left office before its commencement.
“Successive administrations in Kebbi, long before the present one, therefore relied on these constitutional and statutory provisions to exclude Alhaji Abubakar Garkuwan Yauri from the payment of formal severance gratuity, pension and related entitlements,” he said.
To support the government’s position, Ahmed-BK cited the case of former Deputy Governor Suleiman Mohammed-Argungu, whose first tenure, lasting six months between December 2002 and May 2003, did not qualify him for gratuity because it fell below the required service period.
He explained that Argungu subsequently became eligible after serving three years and nine months during his second tenure, from May 2003 to February 2007, before voluntarily resigning.
The commissioner stressed that eligibility for retirement benefits must be determined by the applicable legal provisions and length of service rather than political affiliation, personal relationships or administrative discretion.
He urged the former governor to acknowledge development projects executed by the Idris administration in Yauri, his hometown, while calling on all parties to ensure that public allegations were supported by verifiable facts.
Ahmed-BK said the government would have preferred to avoid a public exchange with the elder statesman but considered it necessary to clarify its position to prevent what he described as a misleading impression of the administration’s relationship with the former governor.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the rule of law, responsible governance and respect for elder statesmen, insisting that the decision concerning Garkuwan Yauri’s formal retirement benefits should not be interpreted as a denial of the goodwill and assistance extended to him.
has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the multi-billion-naira pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, warning that the concentration of oil-sector contracts among a few individuals could fuel discontent across the region.
The Concerned Niger Delta Patriots for Transparency and Resource Justice (CNDPTRJ) also called for a forensic audit of the contract, alleging that many oil-producing communities had been excluded from the economic benefits associated with the protection of the country’s petroleum infrastructure.
In an open letter to the President on Tuesday, signed by Comrade Maxwell Efe on behalf of the coalition, the group questioned whether Tinubu could secure widespread support across the Niger Delta if, as it alleged, the benefits of major oil-sector contracts remained concentrated in the hands of a few beneficiaries.
“Can Mr President win the entire Niger Delta region with the votes of only Tompolo and his self-serving allies?” the coalition asked.
The group, which said it comprised community leaders, youth organisations, environmental advocates and other stakeholders from oil-producing communities, argued that the Federal Government needed to adopt a more inclusive approach to contract allocation and pipeline security.
It maintained that communities whose lands and waterways sustain the oil industry deserved greater access to the economic opportunities generated by petroleum activities.
The coalition proposed a decentralised pipeline surveillance framework that would accommodate more ethnic nationalities, local organisations and host communities across the Niger Delta.
According to the group, broader participation would promote fairness, strengthen community ownership and address concerns over the concentration of responsibilities and financial benefits within a limited circle.
The coalition also raised allegations about the political activities of individuals it associated with the existing pipeline surveillance arrangement.
It claimed that resources linked to the contract were allegedly being channelled towards political interests outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), calling on the Federal Government to investigate the allegation.
The group alleged that Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and some of his associates had links with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which it claimed could help protect their interests if the country’s political leadership changed.
It further alleged that former militant figure General Adowei, whom it described as being closely associated with Tompolo, had emerged as the NDC’s Delta South senatorial candidate.
The coalition also claimed that a company allegedly operated by Tompolo and his associates was sponsoring political activities associated with the party in Kano State.
However, the letter did not provide independent evidence to substantiate these allegations.
The coalition nevertheless urged the President to investigate whether funds associated with the pipeline surveillance contract were being used to advance private or partisan political interests.
“At the heart of this scandal is the disturbing fact that the very man entrusted with protecting Nigeria’s oil pipelines and facilities is now allegedly linked to sponsoring political interests in parties that have vowed to dethrone Mr President in 2027,” the letter stated.
The group urged Tinubu to distinguish between genuine political support and relationships it alleged were driven by personal interests.
“We are the only true and loyal supporters of Mr President. Those who support Tinubu by night and sponsor opposition by the day must be identified, investigated and alienated from our treasury,” it said.
The coalition specifically called on the President to reject the renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, arguing that the arrangement required a comprehensive review.
It alleged that the contract had raised concerns about accountability, potential conflicts of interest and the concentration of economic opportunities.
The group called for a forensic audit of the contract’s expenditure and performance to determine whether it had delivered value for money and achieved its objectives.
It also proposed a Niger Delta Security Summit involving representatives of ethnic nationalities, host communities, youth organisations and other stakeholders.
According to the coalition, the summit should develop a transparent and sustainable framework for securing oil pipelines while ensuring that opportunities associated with the exercise were not monopolised by a few beneficiaries.
It argued that involving more communities in the protection of critical petroleum infrastructure could help address local grievances, promote economic participation and strengthen the security of national assets.
The coalition further raised concerns about an alleged relationship involving the Presidential Amnesty Programme and a private contractor operating in the pipeline surveillance sector.
It claimed that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Amnesty also served as a personal assistant to Matthew Tonlagha, the Chief Executive Officer of Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, which the group identified as a contractor working with Tantita on pipeline surveillance.
The letter, however, did not provide documentary evidence establishing the alleged relationship or showing that it breached any applicable regulations.
The coalition called for greater transparency in relationships involving public officials and private companies benefiting from government-related contracts.
It also alleged that oil and gas contracts were being concentrated among Tompolo and a small circle of associates, leaving many communities impoverished despite the Niger Delta’s contribution to national revenue.
“Every contract relating to oil and gas is unjustifiably being awarded to Tompolo and his few allies, leaving the majority of Niger Delta people in abject poverty and misery,” the group alleged.
The coalition urged the Federal Government to ensure that the management of the country’s petroleum resources reflected the principles of equity, accountability and broad-based economic participation.
It warned that failure to address the grievances could deepen dissatisfaction among communities that believe they have been excluded from the benefits of oil production.
The group maintained that pipeline security should not be treated solely as a security responsibility but also as an opportunity to promote inclusion, local economic participation and sustainable peace.
It cautioned that concentrating surveillance contracts among a limited number of beneficiaries could reinforce perceptions of unequal treatment and weaken confidence in the government’s commitment to Niger Delta development.
The coalition appealed to Tinubu to consider the interests of communities across the region before deciding the future of the existing contract.
“The eyes of the region and the entire nation are on you, Mr President,” the letter stated.
“History will judge whether you stood on the side of entrenched interests or chose the path of bold reform needed to secure our oil assets for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
The group said it remained willing to engage with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to promote peace, fairness and development across the Niger Delta.
It reiterated that a transparent and inclusive pipeline surveillance framework would help address local grievances while ensuring the security of the country’s petroleum infrastructure.
Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a fresh attack on President Bola Tinubu, declaring that Nigerians are trapped in an “Egypt” of hunger, insecurity and economic hardship under his administration.
Atiku’s criticism followed Tinubu’s comparison of fuel subsidy relief to asking Moses to return to Egypt. The former Vice-President accused the President of using biblical references to defend policies whose consequences, he argued, had worsened the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the President’s remarks showed a disconnect from the realities facing families battling rising food prices, transportation costs and other living expenses.
“Bola, you are the Egypt Nigerians are desperate to escape,” Atiku declared.
He accused Tinubu of presenting fuel subsidy removal as an achievement without adequately addressing its impact on household incomes, businesses and the wider economy.
“At least Pharaoh knew he was holding people captive. Tinubu watches families cut meals, workers spend their salaries on transport and businesses struggle to keep their lights on, then tells them a story about Moses,” he said.
Atiku maintained that Nigerians needed practical policies to reduce the cost of living rather than historical or religious analogies to justify economic decisions.
According to him, a mother struggling to feed her children cannot pay for food with metaphors, while workers require affordable transportation to earn a living.
Proposes support for locally refined fuel
The ADC presidential candidate outlined his proposed approach to reducing fuel costs, saying he would introduce limited and budgeted support for verified petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold within the country.
Under the proposal, he said imported fuel would not qualify for the support, while independent auditors would monitor expenditure to ensure transparency and prevent abuse.
“My proposal is clear: give limited, budgeted support only to verified petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians. Imported fuel gets nothing,” he said.
Atiku said the success of the policy would be measured by its impact on pump prices, insisting that public expenditure must translate into tangible relief for consumers.
“If it does not lower that price, it has failed its purpose,” he added.
Cites Yar’Adua on insecurity
Atiku also criticised the Tinubu administration over persistent security challenges, including attacks, abductions and other violent incidents, arguing that the President must take responsibility for protecting lives and property.
He rejected comparisons between the current administration’s security record and that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, insisting that the responsibility for tackling insecurity rested with the incumbent government.
The former Vice-President was responding to a comment attributed to a Tinubu campaign official who reportedly questioned what Nigerians expected the President to do when Buhari, a retired general, had been unable to eliminate insecurity.
Atiku countered that the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua demonstrated that a civilian leader could take decisive action against security threats.
“Let me remind them that President Yar’Adua was not a sergeant, yet he stamped it out,” he said.
He argued that Nigerians expected the government to confront armed groups, secure the release of abducted persons and restore confidence in the safety of roads, schools, farms and communities.
According to Atiku, the administration should explain its strategy for addressing insecurity rather than rely on comparisons with previous governments.
“The lives lost under his watch are not an argument about his predecessor. They are an indictment of his own leadership,” he said.
Faults police welfare, pension
The former Vice-President also raised concerns about the welfare of serving and retired police officers, particularly their salaries, healthcare and retirement benefits.
He disclosed that a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police had told him he received a monthly pension of ₦29,000, describing the amount as inadequate to meet basic living expenses.
Atiku further alleged that some serving police officers were drawing on their pension savings to support their families, raising questions about the financial pressures facing personnel responsible for public safety.
He questioned how officers could be expected to perform effectively under dangerous conditions when their own welfare and financial security remained uncertain.
The ADC candidate called on Tinubu to act on the proposed Police Exit Bill and review the salaries of serving police personnel, drawing attention to salary adjustments made for members of the Armed Forces.
“Bola, answer the retired officers asking for a pension they can live on. Act on the Police Exit Bill and review serving officers’ salaries, as was done for members of the Armed Forces,” he said.
He maintained that police officers deserved adequate remuneration, access to healthcare and retirement benefits that would enable them to live with dignity after years of service.
Atiku argued that the government must ensure that officers entrusted with protecting Nigerians were not forced to sacrifice their families’ welfare and future financial security.
‘Make life affordable again’
The former Vice-President said the challenges confronting Nigerians extended beyond fuel prices to include insecurity, inadequate welfare for security personnel and the broader struggle to maintain a decent standard of living.
He urged the President to prioritise policies capable of delivering affordable energy, safer communities and improved welfare for security personnel.
“Stop pointing to Egypt as though it lies behind us. For millions of Nigerians, Egypt is the hunger, fear and indignity they are living through under you,” Atiku said.
He reiterated his commitment to policies aimed at reducing the cost of living, improving security and strengthening the welfare of police officers.
“Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again,” he declared.
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has led Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign, and a high-powered delegation to the palaces of the Emirs of Katsina and Daura to seek support for the President’s re-election bid in 2027.
The visits formed part of consultations with traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders aimed at strengthening political engagement and mobilising support for Tinubu ahead of the next general elections.
Presenting the delegation to the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Dr Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, Governor Radda reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing confidence in continued support for the President and his administration.
“Katsina remains an APC state, and we are committed to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in view of the initiatives and programmes his administration has introduced under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Radda said.
The governor stressed the importance of traditional institutions in promoting peace, unity, political stability and community development.
He commended the Emir of Katsina for his leadership and contributions to peaceful coexistence, development and the welfare of residents.
Speaking during the visit, Yari said the delegation had come to pay homage to the traditional ruler and solicit the support of the emirate and the people of Katsina State for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
“We are here to pay homage and seek the support of the Emirs and the people of Katsina State for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.
Yari explained that the visit was part of broader consultations with traditional rulers and other influential stakeholders to strengthen political engagement ahead of the polls.
He described traditional rulers as important partners in promoting peace, unity and constructive engagement between political leaders and their communities.
In his response, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Dr Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, welcomed the governor, Yari and other members of the delegation, expressing appreciation for their recognition of the traditional institution.
The monarch urged political leaders to prioritise citizens’ welfare, promote peaceful coexistence and sustain development initiatives.
He also called for stronger cooperation between government and traditional institutions to address challenges confronting communities.
Radda recalls Buhari’s political legacy in Daura
At the palace of the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, Governor Radda highlighted the historic relationship between Daura and the APC, tracing the bond to the emergence of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We have come to this historic Emirate to pay homage to our traditional ruler and seek support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Radda said.
He noted that Daura had maintained a longstanding relationship with the APC since Buhari’s emergence as a major political figure, adding that he had benefited from the goodwill and political support of the people during previous party primaries.
Radda also commended Tinubu for his contributions to national development and support for the people of Katsina State.
The governor praised the President for standing by Buhari through his final days and burial, describing the gesture as an expression of friendship and solidarity.
He further lauded the Emir of Daura for his leadership and contributions to peace, unity and development, stressing that traditional institutions remained vital to political stability.
In his remarks, the Emir of Daura thanked the delegation for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of respect for the traditional institution.
The monarch expressed support for Tinubu’s administration and commended Radda’s efforts to promote development and improve the welfare of the people of Katsina State.
He stressed that cooperation between political leaders and traditional institutions was essential to sustaining peace, unity and development across the state.
Those present during the visits included Katsina Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe; Director-General of the Tinubu/Dikko Campaign Council, Arch. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; members of the state executive council and other senior government officials.
The presidential campaign delegation also included former Katsina governors Aminu Bello Masari and Ibrahim Shema; former Borno governor Ali Modu Sheriff; former Imo governor Rochas Okorocha; former Zamfara governor Ahmed Sani Yarima; former Jigawa governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; and other prominent political figures.
Journalist and Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kehinde Bamigbetan, has faulted a report by British newspaper, The Telegraph, on former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nigeria’s mining sector, describing its arguments as contradictory.
Bamigbetan, in a rejoinder to an article by Gordon Rayner published on October 18, 2026, questioned the report’s claims concerning Britain’s national security interests and the dispute involving Jupiter and its Nigerian partners.
He argued that the controversy was rooted in the revocation of mining licences belonging to Basin Mining Limited and Range Mining Limited over alleged failure to pay statutory fees to the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office.
According to him, Basin Mining Limited owes N1.223 billion in outstanding fees, equivalent to approximately £691,368, while penalties continue to accrue and legal proceedings to recover the debt are underway.
Bamigbetan also questioned the basis of concerns about Blair’s involvement in advising the Nigerian government, citing denials by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) and the Federal Government that the institute had a contract to advise Nigeria.
He maintained that Jupiter should pursue its grievances through established legal channels, including the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), rather than resort to international publicity over the dispute.
The special adviser accused Jupiter of attempting to portray itself as a victim of government action, arguing that the revocation of the licences followed alleged breaches of statutory obligations by its Nigerian partners.
He further alleged that Jupiter’s promoter, Steve Davis, had relied on political connections over the years while resisting regulatory requirements in Nigeria’s mining industry.
Bamigbetan said the situation changed in August 2023 when the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, assumed office and intensified efforts to enforce compliance with the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act 2007.
According to him, the minister discovered substantial unpaid statutory fees owed to the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office despite government investments in the Electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (EMC+), an automated system designed to improve mining licence administration and service delivery.
He said the government subsequently notified affected operators and published the names of defaulters in the official gazette before revoking licences in line with applicable regulations.
Bamigbetan disclosed that at least 1,663 mining licences were revoked in November 2023 as part of the exercise.
He added that the government opened a three-month restitution window to allow affected operators to present complaints and explain circumstances that might warrant reconsideration.
However, he alleged that Davis discouraged his Nigerian partners from taking advantage of the opportunity and instead threatened to use his international connections to frustrate the Federal Government.
Bamigbetan further accused the businessman of mounting an international publicity campaign across Australia, Canada, the United States and Europe to challenge the government’s actions.
He also alleged that the dispute featured in narratives circulated during President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to the United Kingdom in March 2026, which he claimed were intended to damage Nigeria’s image before Western governments and audiences.
The presidential aide insisted that the dispute should be viewed within the context of the government’s efforts to enforce mining regulations, promote accountability and recover outstanding statutory payments from operators.
He urged journalists to exercise caution when reporting claims made by parties involved in commercial and legal disputes, stressing the importance of independent verification before publication.
Bamigbetan argued that conflicting claims surrounding the dispute required careful scrutiny to avoid misleading the public or undermining Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic interests.
He is a journalist and Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
***Award recognises her contributions to geoscience, mineral exploration and Nigeria’s solid minerals development
The Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, has bagged an honorary fellowship from the Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists (NSEG) in recognition of her support for the society and commitment to developing Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Shinkafi received the Honorary Fellowship Award at the opening ceremony of the NSEG’s 5th Annual International Conference held on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Raffles Suites Hotel, Rabah Road, Kaduna.
Her election into the Class of Honorary Fellows followed a decision of the society’s council at its 80th meeting held on September 26, 2026.
The recognition highlights the growing importance of collaboration between institutions providing financial support for mining activities and geoscience professionals whose expertise is vital to mineral discovery, exploration and sustainable resource development.
Under Shinkafi’s leadership, the SMDF has continued to pursue initiatives aimed at unlocking funding for Nigeria’s mining industry, with particular emphasis on mineral exploration, research, investment mobilisation and the sustainable utilisation of the country’s mineral resources.
One of the fund’s key interventions is the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE), an SMDF-funded programme designed to provide financial support for early-stage mineral exploration, critical minerals development and research and development.
The programme is intended to tackle a major funding challenge in the mining sector by supporting exploration and research projects at their early stages, when they may struggle to attract conventional private-sector investment.
Through EMERGE, the fund seeks to unlock Nigeria’s mineral wealth, promote local value addition and help promising mining projects become ready for investment.
The SMDF also recognises that building stronger geoscience capacity is essential to reducing exploration risks, improving geological information and identifying commercially viable mineral deposits.
To achieve these objectives, the fund is committed to working with professional associations, research institutions, government agencies, exploration companies and development partners to strengthen Nigeria’s mineral exploration ecosystem.
The collaboration is expected to contribute to the development of a more competitive mining industry and support the sustainable exploitation of the country’s solid mineral resources.
The SMDF said Shinkafi’s recognition by the NSEG underscored the importance of professional collaboration in advancing mineral exploration and promoting the sustainable development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
The announcement was signed by Idowu Jokpeyibo, Head of the Corporate Communications Department of the Solid Minerals Development Fund.
***Urges Rivers people to back Tinubu, says massive votes could attract more benefits
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has urged supporters of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to throw their weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying the state stands to gain more federal appointments and infrastructure projects.
Wike made the call on Monday during a meeting with Fubara’s supporters and youth leaders in Port Harcourt, where he appealed to political stakeholders to bury their differences and unite behind Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Rivers State governor said the state could strengthen its influence at the federal level by delivering substantial votes for the President.
“All I want to hear in this state is Tinubu and nothing but Tinubu. If we play the role we are playing now, and we are one of the first three states that get the highest number of votes, we will get more of the appointments,” he said.
Wike argued that Rivers State should take advantage of its relationship with the Federal Government to secure more opportunities for its people, particularly the youths.
He cited infrastructure projects, including the Bonny road, as evidence of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to development in the state.
According to him, his political efforts are aimed at ensuring that Rivers remains relevant in national decision-making and is not sidelined in the distribution of federal opportunities.
“I am not going to be governor again; this is for your own interest. I want this state to grow. I want this state to play an important role in the politics of Nigeria,” he said.
The FCT minister also called for reconciliation among political groups, acknowledging that disagreements often accompany political realignments.
He said reconciliation committees were working to address grievances and ensure that members who felt excluded were given an opportunity to participate in the emerging political arrangement.
Wike urged youth leaders to return to their respective local government areas, mend broken relationships and prepare for the formation of campaign committees ahead of the 2027 elections.
Fubara’s supporters pledge loyalty
Earlier, former Port Harcourt mayor, Ezebunwo Ichemati, who spoke on behalf of Fubara’s supporters, pledged the group’s readiness to work with Wike and other stakeholders to mobilise support for Tinubu and candidates associated with the Rainbow Coalition.
Ichemati described the meeting as a turning point in efforts to reconcile political factions in Rivers State following the crisis that divided their camps.
He likened the reconciliation to a family resolving its differences and deciding to move forward together.
“Every family has its own peculiarity in problems. What matters most is that the family comes together, the children watch what has divided them, and decide to move forward,” he said.
Ichemati acknowledged Wike’s influence in Rivers politics and credited both the FCT minister and Governor Fubara with contributing to the reconciliation process.
He also said Fubara was aware of and supported the meeting with Wike.
According to him, the grassroots youth network that played a role during the political crisis would now help mobilise support for the coalition.
“The state has been held back for a very long time. Now that you are bringing this peace initiative down to the youths, who are the foot soldiers, I want to assure you that we commit ourselves to join our brothers in the Rainbow Coalition,” he said.
He added that the group was prepared to demonstrate its commitment through grassroots mobilisation and electoral support.
The meeting comes as political stakeholders intensify consultations and alliance-building ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Rivers State emerging as a key arena for political mobilisation.
The Senate has warned seven nominees for executive positions in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector against corruption, administrative sabotage and inefficiency, saying any...
