By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, were officially sworn in for a second term in office on Tuesday. The inauguration ceremony took place at the newly renovated Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.

The oath of office and the oath of allegiance were administered by the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, at approximately 11:05 a.m. The governor and his deputy were accompanied by their wives and other family members during the ceremony.

The event was attended by a host of high-profile dignitaries. Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, were present to witness the inauguration. Other notable personalities expected at the event included elder statesmen such as former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku.

The newly refurbished Alex Ekwueme Square served as the venue for the ceremony, drawing a large crowd that included traditional rulers from all 179 communities in Anambra State, as well as monarchs from other parts of Nigeria.

Governor Soludo, who secured his re-election on November 8, 2025, under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), saw a strong turnout from party supporters. APGA members from all 326 political wards across the state mobilized to attend the event.

In light of the gathering, security was heavily reinforced across the state. Personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other security agencies were deployed to strategic locations to ensure order.

The governor and his deputy marked the conclusion of their first term on Sunday with an interdenominational thanksgiving service held at the International Convention Centre.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is set to be transferred to Kaduna to face a new corruption trial, authoritative security sources have exclusively disclosed to SaharaReporters.

The former governor, who remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), will be moved from Abuja to Kaduna for the impending proceedings, a senior security official confirmed on Tuesday.

“El-Rufai is to be transferred to Kaduna for a fresh corruption trial,” the source revealed .

Specific details regarding the charges or the timeline for the trial remain unclear at this stage.

The interim development follows a comprehensive legislative investigation by the Kaduna State House of Assembly into El-Rufai’s administration, which spanned from 2015 to 2023. The Assembly reaffirmed its findings in early 2026, stating it had uncovered serious irregularities in the handling of state finances, leading to the former governor’s indictment for financial mismanagement and misappropriation of funds .

Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Liman confirmed that the Assembly had “concluded its legislative probe… and forwarded its findings to appropriate authorities in line with constitutional provisions” .

The probe had previously sparked protests from civil society groups at the Assembly complex, demanding accountability and transparency. Demonstrators voiced concerns over alleged corruption and human rights violations during El-Rufai’s tenure.

Further intensifying the scrutiny, Governor Uba Sani, El-Rufai’s successor, has repeatedly raised serious allegations, claiming that ₦423 billion could not be accounted for during the former administration. Sani has also maintained that El-Rufai left Kaduna State with unsustainable debts, significantly complicating governance. Former officials under El-Rufai have dismissed these accusations as a “politically motivated smear campaign”.

Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters detailed how El-Rufai had accused ICPC officials of attempting to coerce him into abandoning politics as a condition for his release. The allegation is contained in a 30-page criminal complaint that directly names ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu and four other officials.

According to the court documents, the former governor claimed that operatives of the anti-corruption agency told him bluntly that his freedom depended on his willingness to quit political activities.

The claim, detailed in Paragraph 12 of the filing, states that while in detention, ICPC officers, allegedly acting on the authority of the commission’s leadership, made it clear that disengaging from politics was the price for his release .

Further revelations in the supporting affidavit, particularly in Paragraphs 22 to 24, allege that El-Rufai was repeatedly warned that persisting in political involvement would keep him behind bars, while a commitment to withdraw would secure his freedom.

The allegation now forms the crux of Count Six in the suit, where the embattled politician accuses the officials of wrongful confinement with intent to compel, an offence punishable under Sections 264 and 267 of the Penal Code. El-Rufai is urging the court to probe what he describes as a brazen abuse of power and a calculated attempt to strip him of his constitutional right to participate in Nigeria’s political process.

The Federal High Court in Abuja last week adjourned El-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit against the ICPC until March 25, 2026. He is seeking ₦1 billion in damages and has also asked the court to declare the search of his Abuja residence unlawful, restrain authorities from using seized evidence, and order the immediate return of all items taken.

The Nigeria Police Force, however, has urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the search was conducted under a valid warrant and in line with statutory powers. In a counter-affidavit, the Inspector General of Police defended the operation, accusing El-Rufai of attempting to use the suit as a shield to frustrate investigation and possible prosecution.

The police chief maintained that the force has statutory powers to detect, arrest, investigate, and prosecute offenders, adding that the search was conducted in line with a warrant issued by a competent court. The IGP also rejected El-Rufai’s claim that the warrant used for the search was invalid, insisting that it was lawfully issued and properly executed by officers.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria (GCSDN), a diaspora advocacy organization, has formally called on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to reject the designation of Mr. Reno Omokri as Nigeria’s next ambassador to Mexico.

In an official letter addressed to President Sheinbaum, the GCSDN outlined its strong opposition to the appointment, citing concerns over the nominee’s character, the controversial process behind his selection, and potential risks to bilateral relations. The letter was signed by the organization’s Global Coordinator, Comrade Frederick Odorige.

A central point of the GCSDN’s protest is the process by which Mr. Omokri’s nomination was confirmed in Nigeria. The group alleges that the appointment circumvented standard legislative protocol.

“Mr. Omokri was not subjected to the required screening by Nigeria’s National Assembly,” Comrade Odorige stated in the letter. “The process was expedited, allowing him to merely ‘take a bow and leave’—a practice that effectively bypassed substantive debate and a thorough vetting of his qualifications. This has led to widespread public condemnation of the appointment within Nigeria.”

The GCSDN further described Mr. Omokri as a divisive figure lacking the integrity and moral authority befitting a diplomatic post. The letter alleges a pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and opportunism.

“He is a self-seeking individual known for flippant and provocative public statements, which have frequently led to divisive altercations,” Odorige wrote. “To appoint such a personality as a diplomatic representative raises serious questions about the message it sends to the international community.”

The letter highlights a significant shift in Mr. Omokri’s political stance, suggesting his appointment is a political reward. The group referenced Mr. Omokri’s previous harsh criticism of President Bola Tinubu, including a televised interview on ARISE TV where he referred to the President as a “known drug lord,” claiming to possess documentary evidence from the United States.

“It is a matter of public record that Mr. Omokri has levelled grave accusations against President Tinubu,” the letter continued. “Given that he originates from the same ethnic background as the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, it is our belief that he has been politically co-opted. This appointment serves as compensation for abandoning his previous opposition and ceasing his public campaigns, including his advocacy for the release of abducted schoolgirl Leah Sharibu.”

The GCSDN alleges that the ambassadorial posting is designed to grant Mr. Omokri diplomatic immunity, thereby shielding him from accountability for what the group describes as his “despicable activities.”

The GCSDN warned that sending such a controversial figure could have detrimental effects on the diplomatic relationship between Mexico and Nigeria. The group cautioned that Mr. Omokri’s conduct might lead to actions that undermine the Mexican government and damage its international relations.

“We believe his presence in Mexico will be counterproductive. His history suggests a propensity for conflict that could lead him to organize secret protests or work against the interests of your government, thereby destabilizing the diplomatic harmony between our two nations,” the letter warned.

In its appeal, the GCSDN urged President Sheinbaum’s administration to exercise its sovereign right to refuse the acceptance of Mr. Omokri’s credentials, citing “diplomatic sensitivities, security concerns, and political considerations.” The organization concluded its plea with the proverb, “A stitch in time saves nine,” urging swift action to prevent future discord.

Copies of the correspondence were also forwarded to the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the President of the Mexican Senate, and the Mexican Embassy in Nigeria for their awareness and consideration.

The Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria is a diaspora-led organization focused on promoting good governance, security, and democratic principles in Nigeria.