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President Tinubu Issues Direct Order to Governors: Comply with Supreme Court, Pay LGAs Directly

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Senator Bola Ahamd Tinubu

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has issued a direct instruction to state governors to ensure immediate compliance with the Supreme Court ruling on Local Government Area (LGA) financial autonomy.

The directive mandates the direct payment of statutory allocations to LGAs, circumventing state government controls.

Speaking Thursday night at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House, President Tinubu emphasized that genuine autonomy is contingent upon financial independence.

The president said LG autonomy cannot exist without financial independence, insisting that councils must receive their allocations without interference.

“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” Tinubu said.

“We will give them their money directly, that is the truth, that is compliance with the Supreme Court, take leadership seriously.”

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He urged governors and party leaders to embrace reconciliation, flexibility and grassroots engagement, noting that leadership must go beyond state capitals to rural communities.

Tinubu also said he had assured the United States and the European Union of Nigeria’s commitment to establishing state police as part of efforts to address insecurity.

“I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads,” Tinubu said.

“I told them confidently that we will pass state police to improve security, I have a party that will make it happen.”

The president commiserated with the government and people of Bayelsa state over the death of the deputy governor and prayed for the repose of his soul.

Tinubu also called for increased female representation within the APC caucus.

Speaking earlier, Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the APC, said the party was witnessing growing national acceptance, citing high-profile defections and recent electoral victories.

Yilwatda said the party’s electronic membership registration exercise would run through January, with January 30 set as the deadline for members to be registered ahead of party congresses.

He said the APC, with the support of Tinubu, has secured land in Abuja’s Central Business District for a new national secretariat, adding that architectural designs were already underway.

The APC chairman said the party now enjoys an overwhelming majority in both chambers of the national assembly, attributing the development to Tinubu’s leadership and recent defections.

Yilwatda listed governors who have joined the APC from opposition parties and said the trend reflects the party’s pan-Nigerian character.

He also briefed caucus members on ongoing constitutional amendment efforts, preparations for the FCT area council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, and recent victories in by-elections.

In attendance of the national caucus meeting were President Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, vice-president, APC governors, members of the national working committee, leaders of the national assembly, and recently defected governors.

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Hon. Lanre Oladebo Felicitates Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa on His 50th Birthday

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The Member of the House of Representatives representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency, Hon. Lanre Omoleye Oladebo, has congratulated the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

In a congratulatory message, Hon. Oladebo described Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa as a distinguished parliamentarian, accomplished public servant and valued colleague whose dedication to legislative duties and commitment to national development remain worthy of commendation.

He noted that attaining the age of 50 is a remarkable milestone, providing an opportunity to reflect on a life defined by service, achievements, leadership and meaningful contributions to society.

Hon. Oladebo also expressed his personal appreciation for the celebrant’s friendship, collegiality and commitment to the business of legislation, noting that his wealth of experience, intellectual capacity and dedication continue to add significant value to the National Assembly.

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The statement reads:

It is with great pleasure that I join your family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers in celebrating you as you attain this remarkable milestone of 50 years.

Your journey has been marked by dedication, resilience, intellectual capacity and an unwavering commitment to public service. Beyond being a distinguished parliamentarian, you have been a dependable colleague and a leader whose friendship I deeply value.

As you celebrate your Golden Jubilee, I pray that Almighty God grants you renewed strength, sound health, greater wisdom and abundant grace to continue your service to humanity and our dear nation.

May this new chapter of your life bring you greater accomplishments, fulfilment and lasting impact. May the years ahead be even more rewarding than those behind you.

“Happy 50th birthday, my dear Chairman and distinguished colleague. I wish you many more years of good health, happiness, peace and impactful service.”

Signed:
The Media Team
Office of Hon. Lanre Omoleye Oladebo

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Akpabio Petitions DSS, Demands Probe Into ‘Anti-north Statement’ Attributed to Him on Social Media

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate an alleged anti-north statement attributed to him and circulated on social media.

The petition to the DSS was written on behalf of the senate president by Chinedu Akubueze, his chief of staff.

According to the petition, Akubueze called for an urgent investigation into the creation and coordinated dissemination on Facebook and other digital platforms of what he described as a “manifestly false, inflammatory and dangerously divisive statement” attributed to Akpabio.

The alleged statement, circulated alongside Akpabio’s photograph and designation, reads: “Northerners, You Will Be the Ones to Suffer the Most, If You Allow Tinubu to Lose the Election”.

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Akpabio’s chief of staff maintained that the senate president “did not make this statement”.

He said no date, venue, speech, interview, video, audio recording, official statement or credible news report had been produced to authenticate the alleged remark.

“The graphic carries no identifiable publisher’s mark or verifiable source,” the petition reads.

“It appears to have been deliberately manufactured and presented as an authentic quotation for the purpose of deceiving the public, provoking regional resentment against the President of the Senate and portraying him as threatening the people of Northern Nigeria.”

According to the petition, a preliminary examination of publicly accessible Facebook records identified some of the earliest traceable accounts that amplified the alleged fabricated graphic.

It listed Abdullai Musa, who reportedly posted the graphic in a Facebook group called Sheikh Muhammad bin Uthman Group 24, and Uzoma Chilaka, whose Facebook post reproduced the graphic alongside commentary credited to Boniface Uzoma Chilaka and Engineer Ibrahim Umar Ammar.

The petition said the individuals should not be presumed guilty before an investigation but described them as “material persons of interest” because of their alleged roles in circulating the material.

“Their publication records, device communications and the provenance of the image should, therefore, be investigated in accordance with the laws,” it said.

In the petition, Akubueze urged the DSS to investigate the source of the graphic and identify its designer, original uploader, sponsors, intermediaries and network through which it was distributed.

He said the investigation was necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the creation and circulation of the alleged statement and prevent further dissemination of what he described as inflammatory content.

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NFF Appoints Eguavoen as Interim Head Coach of Super Falcons

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Augustine Eguavoen has been appointed the interim head coach of the Super Falcons.

The former Super Eagles head coach will lead the Falcons for their 2028 Olympic Games double-legged qualifier against Comoros in October.

Eguavoen will be assisted by Christopher Danjuma, head coach of Nasarawa Amazons, alongside a supporting cast that includes Ayisat Yusuf, a former Super Falcons defender; Olatunji Baruwa, former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer.

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The Falcons will kick off their Olympic qualifying campaign in the second round against Comoros, with both legs taking place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on October 9 and 13.

Nigeria had received a bye into the second round as one of the top-ranked teams, while Comoros qualified after a 30-0 aggregate victory over Sudan.

Falcons must navigate four rounds of two-legged knockout ties to secure of Africa’s two slots for the women’s football event at the Olympics. A win over Comoros will advance the team to the third round in early 2027 to face either DR Congo or Morocco.

Eguavoen will be handling women’s football team for the first time in his managerial career.

His appointment comes a few weeks after Justine Madugu was sacked as Falcons’ head coach alongside his technical crew.

The dismal follows the Falcons failure to qualify for the 2027 women’s World Cup.

The first time the team will miss the World Cup since its inception in 1991.

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