By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Chris Ngige, former Minister of Labour, and as well former governor of Anambra State, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Fred Chukwuelobe, the ex-Minister’s media aide, confirmed this in an update on Thursday morning.

Chukwuelobe gave the real situation of things while reacting to reports that Ngige, who was governor of Anambra, had been abducted.

“I have been receiving calls in the past hour from friends and journalists seeking the veracity of the news making the rounds that His Excellency, Dr. Chris Ngige, former governor of Anambra state and immediate past minister of labour and employment, ‘has been kidnapped, Ngige is with the EFCC. He was not ‘abducted’ or ‘kidnapped’,’” he posted on Facebook.

It is unclear why the agency detained Ngige as the anti-graft agency is yet to react to the development as of the time of filing this report.

Ngige is the second ex-President Muhammadu Buhari-era minister to be detained by the EFCC in recent times.

Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, is also in custody.

Malami had disclosed that he was being probed over recovery of “Abacha loot”.

“The EFCC informed me that its inquiry relates to an alleged duplication in the recovery of the $310 million Abacha loot, which by accrual of interest rose to about $322.5 million as at the time I eventually succeeded in recovering the funds for the federal Government and, flowing from that assumption, two allegations were majorly raised, namely; abuse of office, and Money laundering,” he had said in a statement.

He, however, described the allegations as baseless, illogical and wholly devoid of substance, saying they would collapse, when subjected to facts and elementary logic.

Kano State Governor, Governor Yusuf Approves Appointment of Prof. Amina Bayero as VC, Northwest University Abba Kabir Yusuf, has confirmed the appointment of Professor Amina Salihi Bayero as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Northwest University for a five-year tenure beginning Monday, 1st December, 2025.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday.

The approval follows a recommendation by the University Council after a rigorous selection process.

Governor Yusuf, as Visitor to the University, commended the Council Chairman and members for their dedication to merit and integrity throughout the exercise.

He also requested prayers for Allah’s guidance upon the new Vice Chancellor as she assumes the responsibilities of her office.

Prof. Amina Salihi Bayero is a distinguished scholar of Analytical Chemistry and the first female PhD holder in Chemistry from Bayero University Kano.

She has served in several academic and administrative capacities, including Head of Department, Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Deputy Vice Chancellor at Yusuf Maitama Sule University.

She is widely respected for her research contributions, leadership qualities, and commitment to mentoring young scientists.

Her appointment is expected to strengthen academic excellence and promote greater gender inclusion in higher education across Kano State.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), a coalition of distinguished national leaders, has submitted a petition to the House of Representatives urging immediate and comprehensive electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group emphasizes the critical need to restore public trust, which it warns has deteriorated to a historic low.

The petition, addressed to the Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, was presented by a delegation of MCE’s leadership. The coalition’s prominent members include:

Pat Utomi – Chairman, Interim Steering Council

Dr. Usman Bugaje – Deputy Chairman (North)

Femi Falana, SAN – Legal Counsel

Oby Ezekwesili – Former Minister of Education

Ayuba Wabba – Former NLC President & Co-Chair

Bilikisu Magoro – Member

Nkoyo Toyo – Deputy Chairman (South)

In their submission, the MCE leaders stated that confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system is at its lowest ebb, necessitating swift and decisive legislative action to ensure the integrity and credibility of future polls.

The Movement calls on the House of Representatives to prioritize this matter as an issue of urgent national importance.

They cited persistent insecurity, vote buying, voter intimidation, logistical breakdowns and irregular deployment of technology as key factors undermining credible elections.

According to the movement, only firm legislative action can prevent a repeat of the widespread dissatisfaction recorded in recent electoral cycles.

They said the stakes are too high to ignore as the country approaches another critical national vote.

The coalition listed priority reforms that lawmakers must address immediately to include strengthening the Electoral Act, enforcing electronic transmission of polling unit results, tightening penalties for election offences and bolstering the independence of the electoral commission through predictable funding and improved capacity building.

It also called for an independent audit of all election technologies, including BVAS and IREV, and demanded more opportunities for women, youth, persons with disabilities and Nigerians in the diaspora.

The group further urged the National Assembly to ensure that all election disputes were resolved before inauguration and to end pre-election judicial interventions that distort the process.

The petition pressed lawmakers to make party defections by elected officials a direct ground for loss of office and fresh elections.

It argued that such a measure would strengthen accountability and stabilise the party system.

The coalition said Nigeria has reached a critical turning point that requires courage from the legislature.

It warned that the credibility of the 2027 elections depends on reforms that must be enacted without delay.

MCE leaders, through its media coordinator, Comrade James Zena I, pledged to support the National Assembly through technical input and public engagements to ensure the proposals are fully considered.

But they added that the movement will not hesitate to mobilise citizens nationwide if lawmakers fail to act on what they described as the clear demands of Nigerians.

“We are ready to work with the National Assembly to deliver credible reforms. But if these demands are not acted upon, we will have no choice but to mobilise citizens across the country in defence of their democratic rights.”

At the time of filing this report, the request has formally been submitted at the National Assembly for consideration already.