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INEC Fixes Dates for Bye-Elections, Nationwide Voter Registration

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Prof Mahmood Yakubu

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, August 16, 2025, for the conduct of bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states of the federation.

The elections will involve 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards, and 6,987 Polling Units.

The Commission plans to deploy 30,451 election officials for the exercise.

However, the Commission announced that bye-elections will not hold in Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State, due to the ongoing state of emergency, and in Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State, owing to a legal dispute regarding the declared vacancy by the State Assembly.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this in Abuja, during his continued series of regular consultative meetings with key stakeholders.

On day two of engagements, Yakubu met with leaders of registered political parties across the country.

In his opening remarks, the INEC, provided a comprehensive update on upcoming electoral activities, including the scheduling of bye-elections, the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), and preparations for the Anambra State Governorship election.

Prof. Yakubu emphasized the tight timeline for conducting the bye-elections, noting that party primaries are to be held from July 17 to 21, 2025, while submission of nomination forms via the INEC portal will begin at 9:00 a.m. on July 22 and close at 6:00 p.m. on July 26. Public campaigns are scheduled to run from August 2 to August 14, 2025.

The INEC Chairman also revealed that the Commission has approved the resumption of Continous Voters Register (CVR) at two levels: state-specific and nationwide.

“In Anambra State, ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, CVR will take place in all 326 Wards from July 8 to 17, 2025, running daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., including weekends.

“This window will allow new voters, those transferring registration, or seeking replacement of lost or damaged PVCs to update their status.

“PVCs from previous exercises will also be available for collection at registration centres.

“On a national scale, online pre-registration will resume on August 18, 2025, followed by in-person registration on August 25, 2025, across INEC’s 37 State and FCT offices and 774 Local Government Area offices nationwide.”

In his remark, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), reaffirmed the council’s dedication to promoting electoral integrity and democratic governance.

“IPAC is unwavering in its commitment to fostering electoral integrity, political stability and inspiring trust in electoral governance.”

He urged stakeholders to uphold the sanctity of the ballot and hold elected officials accountable as a means of strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

Dantalle highlighted the upcoming Anambra Governorship election as an opportunity for INEC to demonstrate technological advancement in election administration, particularly with the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in electoral governance to enhance transparency, reduce risks, and improve voter engagement.

He also commended INEC and the Federal Government for the ongoing construction of the new headquarters annex of the Commission, describing it as a significant step toward improving INEC’s operational efficiency.

The meeting was attended by National commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, aides to the INEC Chairman, and Directors from various departments within the Commission.

Court Sentences Gospel Singer, Oluwatimileyin Ajayi To Death By Hanging

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Oluwatimileyin Ajayi

By Akinwale Kasali

Justice Simon Aboki of the High Court, Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, killer of a National Youth Service Corps member, Salome Adaidu, to death by hanging.

The Gospel Singer killed his girlfriend and dismembered her body, claiming the deceased cheated on him.

Ajayi faced a one-count  charge of culpable Homicide contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria and punishable by death.

Many had thought that Ajayi killed his girlfriend for the purpose of making money ritual, but he said he committed the dastardly crime because she, allegedly, cheated on him.

Cornelius Adebayo: “I Mourn An Extraordinary Life” –  President Tinubu

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

I received the news of the passing of Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, a former academic and former Governor of Kwara State, with profound sadness.

During his extraordinary lifetime of 84 years, which was marked by an unyielding commitment to public service and progressive politics, C.O., as political associates fondly called him, was a strong voice and a leading light in Nigeria’s political firmament.

As a Senator in the Second Republic, he held aloft the banner of the Unity Party of Nigeria, led by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

In the 1983 general elections, his pedigree as a progressive politician shone brightly when he caused an electoral upset to win the governorship election in the old Kwara State as the second elected civilian governor.

During the dark days of military dictatorship that followed the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election won by late Chief MKO Abiola, Chief Adebayo was one of our leaders who cast aside every comfort and stood firmly in defence of democracy and the ideals of justice, fairness and equity.

Former Kwara Governor - Cornelius Adebayo
Late Former Kwara State Governor, Cornelius Adebayo

He spent several years in exile in Canada, a period that tested his resilience and commitment to his beliefs. Later, he returned to the country to join the politics of the 4th Republic.

I worked closely with him during our years in exile. He demonstrated rare courage, integrity, and perseverance during these difficult times.

Within the Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, he was a voice of reason and a stabilizing influence.

Chief Adebayo, who later served as the Minister of Communications and Transportation between 2003 and 2007, will be remembered for his patriotism and commitment to the progress of Kwara State and the Yoruba race.

May the immediate family he left behind, his political associates, the government, and the people of Kwara State find consolation in his legacy of impeccable service.


Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Demolition Of Obi’s Property: APC Crosses The Line

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Steve Osuji
Steve Osuji

By Steve Osuji

Brigandage. Barbarism. Primitivism. Parochialism. Provincialism. These and many more synonymous words raced through the mind when news broke about the demolition of a property belonging to the family of Peter Obi (PO).

This property, said to belong to the brother of PO, former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 elections, which was razed to rubble using stealth instruments of the Lagos judiciary has all the elements and pockmarks of the ruling party, APC, the Lagos State government and indeed, Aso Rock.

Ikeja GRA is probably the primest (!) piece of property on the mainland part of Lagos. Ikeja is also the administrative seat of the Lagos Government. It therefore stands to reason that every inch of land in Ikeja, especially the GRA area is assumed to be well noted and annotated in the Lagos land registry.

EXPRESSO can assert that no one can move a bulldozers into Oduduwa Street, in Ikeja GRA without the knowledge of the governor of Lagos State. In fact, Aso Rock is probably complicit in the barbarism of last Tuesday.

Peter Obi at the demolished building site
Peter Obi at the demolished building site

This column wagers straight away that the Lagos State government, nay, the Presidency is trying by all means possible, to demolish Peter Obi, the most potent opponent of Tinubu both in the 2023 presidential election and the coming one in 2027.

Obi is therefore, an endangered species; Obi is currently a high-risk element.

But suffice to say that this government needs no intel; it’s indeed a no-brainer and a tragic irony that Obi’s life and very survival is inexorably tied to the life and very survival of Nigeria! As it stands, there’s not one without the other. It is therefore incumbent upon the Tinubu administration to manage Obi like an egg of the most fragile kind.

The dubiously demolished property in question belongs to Next Foods, run by Obi’s younger brother.

It was reportedly purchased for N280m in 2011and it is imbued with every title document including Certificate of Occupancy (C-o-O) which is usually signed personally by state governors.

How on earth would a state high court rule in a multi-billion naira land matter without sighting a defendant and without the gumption to put a call to the land registry down the road?

At play here, of course, is neither law nor justice. It’s roguery at the least and political vendetta at it’s vilest.

PETER OBI’S OFFENCE: We wager that Obi is being harried because he dared to exercise his inalienable right in a country he is supposedly a citizen; he dared to contest election seeking to be president of Nigeria.

This is why he’s being treated like an outlaw; like a second class citizen in Nigeria. Obi is being treated like an outcast, worse than an illegal immigrant who has no right to property nor economic investment.

IT’S YET ANOTHER ATTACK ON NDIGBO:  Recall that Lagos State government moved to seize Villaska Lodge in Ikoyi, Lagos, the property owned by Sir Louis Ojukwu, the father of preeminent Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. It took a prolonged legal battle and a sustained wave of public opinion for Ojukwu junior to recover and enjoy a  property bequeathed to him by his famous father.

Since APC ascended to power in 2015, it has been an unveiled policy of Igbo diminution.

President Muhammad Buhari didn’t hide his disdain for Ndigbo. Even if he tried, several Freudian slips that revealed the dark recesses of his mind gave him away about Ndigbo.

For eight years, Buhari made sure Igbo got no reasonable federal appointments.

Worse, when he wasn’t enacting python dance military operations in the Southeast, he was describing the Igbo nation derogatorily as a dot in a circle, meaning they are sitting targets for easy decimation.

Buhari would link Nigeria’s rail network to Maradi in Niger Republic while neglecting the southeast in Nigeria.

Buhari seared the psyche of Ndigbo, leaving them with indelible gashes.

Ndigbo thought President Tinubu would be more enlightened and deal more fairly with them. If only for being co-southerners; or perhaps, to woo them and soften their hearts against second term votes.

No dice. Tinubu has so far shown Ndigbo uncommon hatred. Indeed, in pursuit of Igbo, he has broken every rule in the constitution pertaining to inclusion. Even a so-called APC state like Imo has no  senior minister.

The only Igbo minister in the Tinubu cabinet that makes any sense is David Umahi in the Works Ministry but he’s a certified house negro.

At every turn he would speak to his Igbo brethren as if they were Tinubu’s field negroes. In the midst of Tinubu’s shege, Umahi would tell his people that the president is the best thing that happened to them since they were created. Tufiakwa!

IGBOLAND: WHERE THERE’S NO LEADER: Igbo is being used as a toilet mop today because there’s not a leader left in the land. Since the demise of Dim Ojukwu, southeast has been bereft of a voice in national affairs.

It is sad that the class of leaders that has emerged since 1999 has been particularly poor.

Consider the likes of Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK), Chimaraoke Nnamani, Rochas Okorocha, Okezie Ikpeazu, Hope Uzodinma, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Sullivan Chime, etc.

OUK for instance was in the 1999 class of governors like Tinubu.

But did you see this same fellow who ought to be a Statesman in his own right going about donning  a stupid aso-ebi for Tinubu ’27, breathlessly gallivanting across the country begging to be noticed.

Talk of a total absence of self-esteem. None of the characters listed above can stand up and speak as an Igbo leader. After eight years as state governors, they morph into EKUKE, the mangy dog foraging from bin to bin. I weep when I see Okezie Ikpeazu trailing Nyesom Wike like he’s SA, Protocol.

Where are Igbo former Senators, Ministers, retired Generals, Justices, etc. Why have they gone into hiding? They don’t want to die, yet they are dead already!

It’s because of feckless leaders as listed above that Ndigbo are getting the short end of the stick in Nigeria. It’s the reason that APC is emboldened to demolish a property belonging to an Obi sibling.

Would APC dare to breach any property related to Atiku Abubakar or Rabiu Kwankwaso?

A village wag says if you act like a rat, pussycat would make a go at you!

LAST WORD: APC, Lagos State Government and indeed, Aso Rock are hiding behind a finger if they think Nigerians are fooled for a minute about their unveiled strategy to shock, awe and overwhelm Peter Obi as we race towards 2027.

But we shall close with the Igbo saying that, the tortoise shall always be held responsible should the mushroom grow an impaired ear. Meaning: APC is responsible for Peter Obi!


Osuji was an editor at The Guardian and Thisday.
Feedback:steve.*[email protected]
OSUJISTEVE/26.06.25

“40% Of Undergraduates Are Into Drugs” – NDLEA

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NDLEA Officials

By Akinwale Kasali

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Oyo State Command, has lamented the menace of drugs among   Undergraduates of Tertiary Institutions.

The Agency disclosed that about four to five out of 10 undergraduates are into drugs.

Olayinke Joe-Fadile, NDLEA Oyo State Commander disclosed this in Ibadan on Wednesday during the command’s rally in commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The day, also known as World Drug Day, is marked every June 26 to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.

The theme of the 2025 celebration is: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Circle”.

According to Joe-Fadile, the menace of drug abuse is getting more worrisome as statistics have shown that younger people are getting exposed to drug use and offences.

“We are intensifying efforts on our campaigns across primary and secondary schools, including tertiary institutions in the state, because the demography of people using drugs is getting lower by the day.

“We now can see children from age nine upward taking drugs.

“The statistics are also showing us that about four to five out of 10 undergraduates are into drugs,” he said.

He further stated that the 2025 campaign highlights the need for coordinated long-term action to break the cycle of organised crime and drug trafficking.

This, he said, could be achieved by addressing root causes, investing in prevention and building stronger health, education and social systems.

He noted that the Command had, in the last few months, arrested 150 persons for drug-related offences and burnt about 11 tons of different kinds of seized illicit substances.

Joe-Fadile cautioned that drug users could have their internal organs destroyed, leading to a slow and painful death.

He warned that the NDLEA would not relent in its efforts to ensure that manufacturers, producers, and sellers of illicit drugs in Oyo State face the full wrath of the law.

“We believe that every day is for the thieves, but one day is for the owner.

“NDLEA will soon knock at the doors of drug peddlers to pick them for prosecution and necessary legal trials,” he added.

He said that most traditional leaders in the state had been inducted as NDLEA ambassadors to carry out campaigns against drug abuse among their constituents.

“We have also discovered that many people respect and listen to religious leaders, hence we are collaborating with them, using their platforms to reach out to many people,” he said.

NAN reports that participants at the rally include officers from the Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Customs Service.

In addition were the Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Youth Service Corps, among others.

Ondo Police Command Probes  Se3ual Assault Of Minor By Traditional Chief

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Nigerian Police

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has stepped up investigation into an alleged involvement of a Traditional Chief in a se3ual abuse of a 12-year old girl.

Already, the National Association of Women Journalists, Ondo State Chapter, has demanded a transparent investigation into the incident.

The Chief, who is the Head of  Laaagba community, Ondo East Local Government Area of Ondo State,  Adeniyi Ifedayo, has already been arrested for the alleged ra3ing of the minor.

According to reports, the suspect lured the girl into his house and se3ually harassed her for two weeks before dumping her in Akure, the State Capital.

The victim, who is currently recuperating in a health facility, narrated her ordeal, stating that a commercial motorcycle rider lured her to the mo3narch’s house.

She alleged that the Baale kept her in his house for two weeks, feeding her pap while se3ually assaulting her daily.

NAWOJ, Ondo Chapter has condemned the alleged abuse, urging the Ondo State Government and Security Agencies to ensure the suspect faces the full weight of the law.  In a statement, the association said:

“NAWOJ demands transparency and accountability in the investigation and prosecution of the case, standing with the victim and her family.

“NAWOJ demands a transparent and accountable investigation and prosecution process. The association urges the authorities to ensure the suspect faces the full weight of the law.

“NAWOJ calls on parents, guardians, and communities to be vigilant in protecting children from abuse and exploitation.”

The association emphasized the need for the government to strengthen laws and policies that safeguard children’s rights and hold perpetrators accountable.

The Area Commander of the Ondo Area Command of the Nigeria Police, Mr. T. Y. Pickson confirmed the incident and the transfer of the case to the State Police Command in Akure for further investigation.

Also, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the arrest of the suspect, stating that the case has been transferred to the State Police Headquarters for thorough investigation

Funeral Rites For Arit, Nosa Igiebor’s Wife, Begin

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Arit Igiebor

By Adesina Soyooye

The funeral rites for Mrs Arit  Adesuwa Igiebor,   popular as Kingsize, begin today, Thursday, June 16, 2025.

Arit was the beloved and devoted wife of Nosa Igiebor, accomplished Journalist, fearless Columnist, and President, Tell Magazine.

The lovely Arit, a blue blood, passed on March 30, 2025 at the high profile Duchess Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, after a surgery, a product of a domestic accident.

A great wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and devoted Christian, according to a funeral program signed by her husband for the family, a Service of Songs and day of Tribute in her honour for her homeward journey  to eternal rest, will be held Thursday,  4.00pm at Classique Events Centre, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.

That will be followed on Friday, 27th June, with a Lying-in-State at her residence between 8.00am and 10am, quickly  followed by a Funeral Service at the Chapel, Ikoyi Vaults & Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos.

On Saturday, 28th June, a celebration of her rich and positive life will be held at Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Mrs Igiebor was a successful entrepreneur and the proprietor of the popular Kingsize Restaurant.

She passed at the age of 70 years, leaving behind her devastated husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, several other relations, and friends.

Fidelity Bank Promotes 12% of Workforce, Increases Salaries by 20% Across Board

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Fidelity Bank Plc

Fidelity Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s top-tier financial institutions, has promoted 376 employees following its recently concluded annual performance review exercise. This represents approximately 12% of the bank’s workforce, underscoring its management’s deep appreciation for the pivotal role played by staff in recoding the highest growth by percentage volumes in the banking industry with  210% increase in its Profit Before Tax (PBT) which grew from N124.3 billion in 2023 to N385.2 billion in 2024.

The announcement, which was recently communicated internally, comes on the heels of a 20% across-the-board salary increase implemented in June 2025—a gesture that reflects the bank’s commitment to staff welfare. It is worth noting that this follows a similar salary adjustment carried out in November 2024.

Under the leadership of Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Fidelity Bank has consistently outperformed market expectations. In 2024, the bank recorded the highest share price growth of 116%  in the industry following the completion of its Public Offer which  was  over subscribed by 238% .

In recognition of the banks stellar performance, global rating agency, Fitch Ratings recently upgraded Fidelity Bank’s National Long-Term Rating from ‘A(nga)’ to ‘A+(nga)’ in a further endorsement of the bank’s financial strength and prudent management. The upgraded ratings reflects improved profitability metrics and robust capital buffers, reinforcing the bank’s sustained upward trajectory.

“You Are Totally Ignorant, Your Sense Beclouded By Allure Of Party Money”, Wike Berates Damagun

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Nyesom Wike and Iliya Damagun

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Minister of the  Federal Capital Territory, FCT,  Nyesom Wike, has berated the National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for waiting to be prodded by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC before giving effect to a Supreme Court judgment.

The Source reports that the Apex Court had, a few months ago, ruled on the lingering crisis within the PDP over the position of its National Secretary.

The duo of Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Hon Ude Okoye had all laid claim to the position which the former had earlier vacated to pursue his Imo state gubernatorial ambition.

The Supreme court verdict, however, rather than decisively resolving the impasse further complicated the struggle with the ruling subjected to varying interpretations by interested parties.

But on Wednesday, the party hierarchy,

after emerging from a trouble-shooting meeting with the electoral umpire opted to reinstate Anyanwu who  is widely perceived as Wike’s ally as the party’s Secretary.

According to the Acting National Chairman Iliya Damagun, accepting back Anyanwu as the PDP’s National Secretary was a very difficult decision which the party had to take in order to move on.

The meeting between the party and INEC ,was necessitated by the need to resolve all gray areas so as to get INEC’s nod for its crucial NEC meeting scheduled for June 30.

The INEC, based on the absence of the signature of  Senator Anyanwa as a co-convener of the NEC, refused to endorse it, a development which  prompted the Acting National Chairman to lead a high powered delegation of the party to a meeting with the Electoral body on Tuesday.

But reacting to the reinstatement of his ally Anyanwu on Wednesday, Wike widely seen as one of the architects of the party’s crisis ,while welcoming the development ,however described the party leadership as largely ignorant of the law

According to him, such gross act of ignorance is both legally unnecessary and politically embarrassing.

“I heard it (Anyanwu’s reinstatement) when the acting National Chairman of PDP was directing the National Secretary to resume .

“The National Secretary has been doing his work. So you can’t direct him to resume .

“The National Secretary having been duly elected never at a anytime vacated his position ,and so did not require reappointment from anybody and a revalidation to continue to carry on his duties

“The law does not recognize ignorance. That you are ignorant of the law is not an excuse.

“It is hugely disappointing that party officials would wait until being pushed by INEC to implement a matter that had long been settled by the country’s highest court”, Wike noted .

He expressed serious concern that “the National Chairman has allowed  over bloated ego and the lure of party funds to becloud his sense of reasoning and judgment”, the FCT Minister stated

Senate Confirms Heads Of Rivers State Electoral Body, Says “Any Nigerian Can Work Anywhere”

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Michael Odey

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Despite strident opposition from some  Senators, the Senate, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, proceeded to ratify the nomination of Michael Odey as the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.

At the sitting of the Committee of the Whole, the Senate also confirmed  the nomination of members of the State’s Local Government Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, as well as the passage of the state’s 2025 1.48trillion appropriation bill.

The Special Ad-Hoc Committee, headed by the Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, had last week, after openly expressing doubt about the appropriateness and otherwise of appointing a non-Rivers State indigene, gone ahead to recommend Odey from Cross Rivers State, for  confirmation as head of  the RSIEC.

The Committee had cited a non-violation of any known Nigerian laws, including the Constitution, as a major reason for its action.

However, at Wednesday’s session presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, Senators Abdul Ningi, Ali Ndume, Abba Moro, and others ,vehemently opposed the move to appoint Odey, who is from the same State as the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral rtd Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the RSIEC Chairman.

The opposing Senators warned against offending  the sensibilities and sentiments of the Rivers State people, despite the State being under an emergency rule.

They separately and collectively cautioned against any move that can potentially worsen the  precarious situation in the State,much so taking into consideration that the state is under an opposition party PDP.

” Are there no qualified people in Rivers State anymore? Let it be on record that ,I Senator Abdul Ningi, stood against this decision even if it will not stop the confirmation, the Bauchi State Senator stated.

Similarly, in his contribution, Senator Moro who is the Minority Leader ,called on the All Progressive Congress APC led Federal Government to thread cautiously on the present situation in Rivers state.

“Rivers is under emergency rule. So this decision raises a lot of questions. The State is ordinarily not under APC .

“Let it be known that we have some concerns about what is going on in Rivers state”, Senator Moro from Benue noted.

However, their objections and fears were dismissed by the Deputy Senate President who insisted that the appointment will stand since it has been established that no law is being contravened .

Citing the case of Abia state where an Edo citizen is the Head of Service, Senator Barau backed an earlier argument by Senator Mohammed Monguno that any Nigerian can constitutionally hold any office in any parts of the country.

“Any Nigerian can be appointed to any position in any State of the country. This right is guaranteed by the Constitution .

“I can even serve as the Governor of Benue Stateif the people of the State elect me to be their Governor”, Moguna stated.

This is as the Senators also approved the State’s 2025 budget.

Following the declaration of emergency rule in the state on March 18,2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after suspending the Governor, his Deputy and the State Lawmakers for an initial period of six months, the burden of making laws for the good governance of the state now rests on the two chambers of the National Assembly.

The House of Representatives which had earlier okayed the state’s budget is expected to harmonize its position with that of the Senate in the days ahead .

The Senate also confirmed the members of the State’s electoral umpire , that of the Primary Healthcare Management,and the Local Government Service Commission.