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NSITF Ag MD dragged to NASS, ICPC over nepotism

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NSITF Boss

 

From Ahmad Nakano

A petition against the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Kelly Nwagha, has been tabled before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC).

 

The Acting MD is being accused of nepotism and other dubious practices regarding the reinstatement of the sacked staff of the Fund.

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A group, The Social Justice Initiative (T.S.J.I), which tabled the petition before the commission dated 8th October 2020, said the need for “an external investigation into this matter,” informed their decision to approach the anti-corruption agency.

 

Signed by the Executive Secretary, Azikiwe Chianu, it accused Nwagha of “using his office and position for gratification.”

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The petition, which has the acknowledgment stamp of ICPC, said the issue has since been on the public domain, including the National Assembly Committee on Public Petition, which is awash with requests for reinstatement from many members of staff dismissed by the past administration.

 

It added that “Dr. Kelly Nwagha was appointed in June 2020 as Acting Managing Director of the NSITF. Prior to his appointment, many staff of the NSITF had their appointments terminated for various offenses.

 

“A notable case amongst these was that of about eight (8) members of staff of the NSITF (Mararaba branch) whose appointment was duly terminated under the previous management after internal investigations found them complicit in the forgery of official documents to obtain personal loans from a Microfinance bank.

 

“These members of staff had their appointments terminated after they were found guilty by a duly constituted disciplinary committee of having breached some of the conditions of service of the NSITF.”

 

The petition stated that the appointment of Nwagha, however, saw some of the dismissed staff found their way back into the Fund.

 

“We are aware through reliable information that some of the eight members of staff dismissed by the previous management have been reinstated into the service of the Fund through the backdoor,” it said.

 

T.S.J.I, whose motto is: Good Governance Through Transparency & Accountability, said the reinstatement was conducted via personal ties.

 

It said some of the dismissed staff, “who have close and personal ties with Dr. Kelly Nwagha are being reinstated at an alarming speed.”

 

Nwagha, the group said, has been “actively cherry-picking” those staff and reinstating them back “without recourse to due process.”

 

It, therefore, urged the commission to investigate with a view to ensuring that the Acting MD.discharges his duties in an open and transparent manner, devoid of sentiments and personal interests

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APC Extends Membership Registration, Reschedules Congresses and Convention

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a revised timetable for its internal activities, extending its electronic membership registration and rescheduling upcoming congresses and its national convention.

The decisions were reached during the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party outlined the key changes.

The electronic membership registration exercise has been extended from January 31 to February 8, 2026. According to the statement, the extension follows requests from party stakeholders and is intended to allow more supporters and members to register or validate their membership.

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Furthermore, the schedule for party congresses has been adjusted. Ward congresses are now set to hold on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while the National Convention has been rescheduled for March 27–28, 2026.

The statement also clarified that some states would be excluded from the forthcoming state congresses. Osun State, Ekiti State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are exempted due to upcoming elections, while Rivers State is excluded because of the subsisting tenure of the current party executive committees in the state.

Additionally, the NWC confirmed the constitution of a National Convention Planning Committee. The party noted that further details regarding the adjusted timetable and the composition of the planning committee would be communicated in due course.

These changes mark a significant recalibration of the APC’s internal electoral calendar as it prepares for its national convention and subsequent political engagements.

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Turaki-Led PDP Faction to Appeal Court Ruling, Affirms Legitimacy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced it will appeal a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that refused to grant its request for an order of mandamus. The court, in its Friday judgment, stated that granting the order would amount to reviewing decisions of courts of equal jurisdiction—a ruling the faction described as “not unexpected.”

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the faction confirmed it has directed its legal team to file an appeal immediately and take all necessary legal steps to defend its standing.

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Despite the legal setback, the faction asserted that its leadership, which emerged from the PDP’s Ibadan convention, remains legally intact and unaffected. The statement called on members to stay calm and resolute, assuring them there is “absolutely no cause for alarm” and that the party’s “rebirth movement remains firmly on course.”

The development is part of an ongoing internal dispute over leadership and legitimacy within the PDP, with rival factions seeking judicial affirmation. All eyes are now on the appellate courts, whose decisions could significantly influence the party’s structure and direction ahead of future political activities.

The faction expressed confidence that higher courts would ultimately uphold its position, stating it “awaits the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.”

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Fayemi Denies Alleged Closed-Door Meeting with Kwankwaso

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has denied reports claiming that he held a closed-door meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence.

Fayemi, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, dismissed the report in a statement issued by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, describing the claim as false and urging the public to disregard it.

The report, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, was shared by several social media handles alongside an old video clip showing Fayemi greeting Kwankwaso at his residence.

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According to the statement, the former Ekiti governor had met Kwankwaso only once in the past year and not in any private political setting.

“Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said.

It added that, “At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post.”

The former governor acknowledged that he and Kwankwaso have been friends since their time as governors, but stressed that their relationship is personal and non-partisan.

He noted that the friendship is “based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the progress of Nigeria, rather than on any political alignment.”

Fayemi also cautioned against attempts by political actors to attach partisan interpretations to private relationships, noting that many of his friends and associates are either not involved in partisan politics or belong to different political persuasions.

The statement added that Fayemi’s associates “span the entire spectrum of Nigeria’s political terrain.”

It, therefore, reaffirmed the former governor’s commitment to national unity, principled engagement, and responsible public discourse.

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