Category: News

A coalition of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) stakeholders in Bauchi State has recommended the creation of a dedicated levy on businesses and institutions operating within the state to shore up financing for water and sanitation projects.

This initiative was among the key outcomes of the 2026 State WASH Joint Sector Review, a three-day gathering held from May 12 to 14 at Hazibal Suites in Bauchi. The event brought together representatives from various government bodies, local councils, development partners, civil society groups, private sector players, traditional and religious leaders, academia, media, and community organizations.

The final communiqué from the meeting called for the prompt establishment of a WASH Fund Basket, along with a donor roundtable to attract additional resources. Participants acknowledged that while strides have been made in expanding water supply and promoting sanitation and hygiene, the sector continues to grapple with insufficient funding, poor maintenance practices, low functionality of facilities, climate vulnerabilities, and unequal access to services.

They urged the Bauchi State Government to treat WASH as a critical public health and development priority through enhanced budgetary allocations, robust policy implementation, and sustained political will. Specific demands included the finalization of the Water Regulatory Commission and the Small Towns Water Agency under the Ministry of Water Resources, as well as the full corporatization of the Bauchi State Urban Water and Sewerage Corporation to boost efficiency and service delivery.

The communiqué also emphasized the need for stronger coordination and accountability among ministries, departments, and local councils in executing WASH programs. It called for revitalizing the WASH Media Network to intensify public awareness campaigns on hygiene and sanitation, and urged traditional and religious leaders to spearhead community-level efforts to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status across all local government areas.

Key priority actions for 2026–2027 include increasing the WASH budget, rehabilitating non-functional water schemes, scaling up hygiene behavior change campaigns, and accelerating Community-Led Total Sanitation programs. Stakeholders also set a target to reduce the state’s ODF reversion rate from 15% to 5% within one year. Additional commitments involve strengthening WASH data management systems, integrating climate resilience and disability inclusion, and promoting WASH interventions in schools and healthcare facilities.

To ensure accountability, quarterly progress review meetings will be held, and annual sector performance reports will be published. The communiqué was adopted on May 14, 2026, and signed by representatives from the Ministry of Water Resources, State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Bauchi State Urban Water and Sewerage Corporation, UNICEF, WaterAid, civil society groups, and media organizations.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) have been recognized as leading performers among Nigeria’s public institutions, according to the latest Fiscal Responsibility and Institutional Performance Report released by the Transparency Watch Initiative.

The report, published on Friday, evaluated federal agencies based on criteria such as fair practices, fiscal discipline, project execution, regulatory effectiveness, responsiveness to the public, and measurable impacts on national development goals.

Dr. Ifure Ataifure, head of the initiative, noted that the NCC continues to exemplify regulatory excellence in Nigeria’s public sector. He emphasized that the commission’s efforts in expanding digital access, ensuring communication network stability, advancing broadband penetration, and boosting economic productivity have made the telecommunications sector one of the nation’s most resilient growth engines.

Alongside the NCC and NEDC, other agencies that performed well include the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

The Nigerian government has finalized agreements and memoranda of understanding for eight significant road developments spread across various regions of the country. This announcement marks another step forward in the administration’s infrastructure modernization agenda.

At a signing event held at the Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja, officials, contractors, and stakeholders gathered to witness the milestone. Minister of Works David Umahi highlighted that these initiatives are part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to enhance road networks and stimulate economic growth.

Umahi noted that the initial 123-kilometer single carriageway section of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Super Highway, connecting Calabar through Ebonyi State to the Benue border, has already been secured. The newly signed segment extends 173 kilometers through Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, terminating at the Oweto Bridge.

He further revealed plans to procure a second carriageway spanning approximately 300 kilometers from Ndibe Beach to Oweto in Nasarawa State. This corridor is expected to drastically cut travel time between the South-East and Abuja, boosting regional commerce.

Umahi expressed confidence that the South-East region would show appreciation for these developments. He remarked that previous administrations rarely undertook federal projects in the area, but this administration is changing that narrative. He emphasized that the project would enable travel from any part of the South-East to Abuja within three to four hours, enhancing business activities.

The procurement process for the project involved five competing firms, with INFOUEST emerging as the successful bidder. A similar transparent approach was applied to the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project.

Addressing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi noted that initial skepticism has transformed into national pride. He stated that what some once doubted has become a source of admiration for the country. By November, motorists will be able to travel from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos through Sections One and Two, and part of Section Four, to Ondo State on completed stretches.

Sections 3A and 3B in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states are underway, while Section Five, covering 165.6 kilometers, has also started. Umahi described the highway as more than a road—it’s a long-term national investment built to last for decades with minimal upkeep.

HITEC Construction Company received praise for its speed and dedication, reportedly achieving up to one kilometer of road construction daily. The project costs include extensive drainage, reinforced pavement, and concrete works, with an average cost of N7.5 billion per kilometer for a standard carriageway.

Investor interest is already high, with several parties seeking to toll completed sections to recoup funds before tolling begins. Umahi highlighted that only a visionary like President Tinubu could undertake such transformative projects.

On the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Section IV covering the Oyo axis spans 360 kilometers. Umahi stressed that these legacy projects are spread across all six geopolitical zones, reflecting the president’s national focus.

Progress on the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road was also noted. President Tinubu insisted on concrete pavement for durability, aiming for a century-long lifespan. Funding for these projects will comprise 30 percent counterpart funding from the government and 70 percent from loans, with tolling and strategic land acquisition ensuring returns.

The signed projects include: Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Super Highway Section II (Ebonyi State Border–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa); Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway Section IV (Oyo State); Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Section V (Akwa Ibom State); dualisation of Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road Section II (Gombe–Biu); reconstruction of Mando–Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna by J. Patel and Sons; dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo/Ogun by JRB Construction; construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road in Osun by Truecrete Solutions; and construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road in Osun/Oyo by Peculiar Ultimate Concerns.

Permanent Secretary Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan described the ceremony as the culmination of procurement and the start of project implementation. Contractor representative Dany Abboud of HITEC assured timely delivery and quality, pledging to complete projects within 36 months and exceed the standards set on Coastal Highway Section One.

Stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress in Osun State have called on party leaders to ensure that the selection of senatorial candidates for the 2027 general election follows due process. This appeal was made during a meeting held in Iwo on Thursday, convened by APC leaders from the Osun West Senatorial District.

AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere, a former House of Representatives member who represented the Iwo/Ayedire/Ọla-Oluwa Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2019, voiced his concerns over what he described as attempts to force a candidate on the party without adhering to democratic principles. He stated that initially, party leaders informed aspirants that only one nomination form would be procured to designate a consensus candidate. However, this decision was later reversed, and all aspirants were subsequently instructed to purchase their own forms after consultations with the party secretary and other key stakeholders.

“During the meeting, we were asked to share our views on the candidate allegedly handpicked by the leaders. I made it clear that the approach was unjust. At first, they insisted that a single form would suffice for their preferred candidate, but later they contacted us and advised everyone to obtain forms. We verified this directive with the party secretary and other leaders before proceeding,” Amere explained.

He emphasized that there was no provision for a consensus arrangement, noting that the National Working Committee of the APC had already mandated that all senatorial aspirants must participate in the primary election scheduled for Monday. “The national leadership reaffirmed yesterday that all senatorial candidates must go through the primary election. There is no such thing as a consensus candidate. We will comply with the NWC’s directive because it takes precedence over any decision made at the state level or elsewhere,” he added.

Amere also highlighted that similar situations were reportedly unfolding in other senatorial districts across the state, and he urged fellow aspirants to resist any attempt to deny them a fair contest.

Another aspirant, Peter Taiwo, who also spoke at the gathering, said the meeting was organized by APC leaders to discuss the adoption of a preferred candidate. According to him, many aspirants rejected the proposal, insisting that the Electoral Act and party guidelines require the consent of all contestants before a consensus candidate can emerge. “We made it clear to the leaders that we are not satisfied with the arrangement. By law, all aspirants must willingly agree before a consensus candidate can be adopted. Once any contestant objects, the party must conduct a primary election,” Taiwo stated.

He further revealed that since most aspirants opposed the leaders’ decision, preparations for the direct primary election on Monday were already underway, in line with the NWC’s directive.

Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has issued a stern caution to Governor Dapo Abiodun, advising him to avoid crossing certain unacceptable lines. Daniel asserted that the current comfort Abiodun enjoys is built on the foundation of his own prior efforts.

Speaking in an interview on TVC News’ Beyond The Headlines with Nifemi, the former governor reacted to the construction of an airport in Ogun State, a project he initiated. He dismissed the idea that building the airport was a monumental achievement, describing it as the simplest phase of the entire process.

“Your Excellency, you will soon be a former governor,” Daniel said, addressing Abiodun directly. “I recall telling you that the young man trailing you everywhere would eventually undermine your administration. I won’t name him. I hope you now realize that many of these troubles were avoidable if you had done the right things. Look at what’s happening in Ekiti State—there are lines you simply do not cross in this game.”

Daniel emphasized his own record of service, stating, “I served the state meritoriously. If Dapo Abiodun is enjoying anything today, it is the fruit of our labor. Yes, he awarded the airport contract, but that was the easiest part. The money was already there. We ran up and down conducting environmental assessments, handling design, acquiring land, and engaging stakeholders with little or no funding. We did everything, including obtaining the license. Does he know what I went through to get that license? How many presidents I had to meet? He came to me clueless, and I handed him the license. He awarded the contract and is now profiting from it, boasting about building an airport. How is that fair?”

The senator’s remarks underscore growing tensions between the two political figures, with Daniel calling for respect and recognition of his foundational contributions to the state’s development.

In a significant political shift, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has announced his withdrawal from the contest for the Sokoto South Senatorial District seat in the upcoming 2027 elections. The decision clears the path for Faruk Yabo, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, who has been endorsed as the consensus candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Tambuwal, who previously served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, was a presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) banner in the 2023 elections but stepped aside in favor of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. His latest move signals a strategic realignment within the ADC, which also unveiled Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, Tambuwal’s former deputy during his tenure as governor, as its consensus governorship candidate for Sokoto State in 2027.

The ADC’s endorsement of Yabo and Dan’iya marks a coordinated effort to consolidate support ahead of the general elections. Political observers note that Tambuwal’s withdrawal could reshape the dynamics in the senatorial race, potentially reducing intra-party conflicts and boosting the ADC’s chances in the region.

According to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Magaji Mato, anyone planning to buy nomination forms from a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party should think twice. He made this warning during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday.

Mato argued that the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on the PDP leadership crisis failed to recognize any specific faction as the legitimate leadership. This means no group can claim sole ownership of the party without further court backing.

He stressed that aspirants purchasing forms from any faction are doing so at their own peril. If a rival faction or another political party challenges the legitimacy of such candidates in court, they may have a strong case.

The ideal path, according to Mato, would have been for the PDP Board of Trustees to call all warring factions together and seek reconciliation before moving forward with party primaries. However, he doubts this is possible given the fast-approaching deadlines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission for candidate submissions.

Mato warned that any faction acting under the PDP name without additional judicial support will likely end up in court defending its candidates. He concluded that the ongoing sale of forms may serve a purpose known to the faction leaders, but buyers should be aware that their candidacy could be invalidated.

The Labour Party has officially announced the formation of an eight-person committee tasked with screening candidates vying for various positions in the upcoming 2027 general elections. This development was confirmed in a statement signed by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, and National Secretary, Iheanacho Obioma, which was released to journalists in Abuja on Friday.

According to the statement, the committee was established under the provisions of Articles 20(1B)(d), 20(2)(d), and 27 of the party’s constitution, alongside the electoral guidelines governing primaries scheduled for 2026. Senator Nenadi Usman will lead the screening panel, which includes Mrs. Oluchi Okpara, Mohammed Salisu, Mrs. Martina Umana, Mrs. Deborah Yusuf, Chibuzo Okereke, and Dr. Olu Ayewo. Iheanacho Obioma will serve as the committee’s secretary.

The primary mandate of the committee is to oversee the screening of all aspirants seeking nomination for presidential, governorship, and National Assembly seats. Additionally, the panel is responsible for evaluating and recommending qualified candidates for the primaries. Its terms of reference also include verifying the authenticity and completeness of submitted documents, ensuring compliance with statutory and party eligibility criteria, and adhering to guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The committee’s work is expected to be guided strictly by the party’s constitution, its 2026 electoral guidelines, and the Electoral Act of 2026. This move marks a critical step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections, aiming to ensure a transparent and credible candidate selection process.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Speaking through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described El-Rufai’s ongoing detention as particularly harsh and unwarranted, especially as Nigerian Muslims prepare for Eid al-Kabir, a period meant for compassion and unity. He called the situation a grave violation of fundamental rights and democratic norms.

Atiku argued that El-Rufai’s confinement represents a troubling misuse of state machinery to target political rivals, undermining the rule of law. He stressed that any government that claims to uphold justice must treat all citizens equally, regardless of their political affiliations.

“The credibility of a democracy is tested not by how it favors allies, but by how it protects the rights of its critics,” Atiku stated, emphasizing that selective enforcement of the law is a form of injustice.

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since his arrest, and the commission has opposed his bail application in court. Atiku’s call adds to growing pressure on the federal government to ensure due process and uphold constitutional guarantees of liberty and fair treatment.

Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, who ran for governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State during the 2023 elections, has formally announced his intention to contest again in 2027. He asserted that this time, his mandate will not be taken away.

Speaking after submitting his nomination forms and successfully passing the PDP screening panel in Abuja, Odii emphasized that Ebonyi urgently needs capable leadership. He pointed to rising poverty and insecurity in the state despite increased federal allocations, arguing that the current administration has failed to improve living standards or boost the economy.

Odii stressed that democracy requires a strong opposition, and any government that suppresses dissent is dictatorial. He dismissed criticisms about his origins, stating that he is an Ebonyi State citizen first, not defined by clan or local government. He vowed to reject identity-based politics and focus on development.

Expressing confidence in securing the PDP primary, Odii assured the party and his supporters that their mandate would be protected in 2027, unlike the previous election. He called for unity and constructive opposition to drive progress in Ebonyi.