IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the dismissed Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, to approach the court and defend himself rather than making unsubstantiated claims in the media.

According to Vanguard, Yunusa-Ari, who reportedly fled the country following the controversy surrounding the Adamawa governorship election, recently criticized his dismissal. He claimed to have evidence supporting his decision to declare the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, as the winner of the 2023 governorship election.

During his trial last year, Yunusa-Ari was said to have gone into hiding, as revealed by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), CSP Moses Jolugbo, in his testimony before the Adamawa State High Court. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Usman Suleiman, who represented him in court, stated that Yunusa-Ari was not in the country but had taken refuge in Niger Republic.

Reacting to his recent remarks, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated that since Yunusa-Ari had returned from hiding, he should present himself in court to answer the charges against him.

"Our attention has been drawn to the interview granted by the former REC of Adamawa State, Mr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari. There is nothing new in what he said," Oyekanmi stated.

He further emphasized that the 2023 Adamawa governorship election had already been conclusively determined by the judicial process, from the Election Tribunal to the Appeal Court, and ultimately settled by the Supreme Court.

INEC declined to comment on Yunusa-Ari’s conduct during the election, citing ongoing litigation at the High Court in Yola. Oyekanmi added, "Now that he is back in the country, the appropriate place for him to prove his innocence is in court, not through a press conference." 

NLC President Joe Ajaero has stated that governors lack the power to ban labour unions, as union activities fall under the exclusive legislative list in the Constitution. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Lokoja, he criticized governors for residing permanently in Abuja, neglecting governance in their states.

Ajaero’s remarks were in response to former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello’s proscription of labour unions in state-owned institutions. He emphasized that unions are registered nationally and cannot be banned by state governments.

During the visit, the NLC provided 10 CNG buses to ease transportation challenges for Kogi workers. Workers also demanded action on issues such as salary increments, housing, and teacher shortages.

Ajaero stressed that Kogi is important to the labour movement, as both the governor and deputy governor have union backgrounds. He assured workers that their grievances would be addressed. 

The Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, seeking the removal of 27 members of the State House of Assembly over their alleged defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Musa Uwani-Aba-Aji dismissed the case after Fubara, through his lead counsel, Yusuf Ali (SAN), withdrew the appeal, citing that events had overtaken the matter.

The Rivers State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), did not oppose the withdrawal request. Consequently, the Supreme Court struck out the suit and ordered Fubara to pay N4 million in costs to the Assembly and its Speaker.

Following the court’s decision, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ken Njemanze stated that the ruling had effectively cleared the path for the 27 lawmakers to fully resume their legislative functions.

The development means that actions taken by Governor Fubara in the absence of the 27 lawmakers, including the presentation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets to only three legislators, are now deemed invalid.

The Court of Appeal had earlier dismissed Fubara’s appeal on the same issue on October 10, 2024, while the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, had nullified the passage of Rivers State’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four lawmakers loyal to the governor.

Justice Omotosho had ruled that the governor’s actions, including presenting the budget without the majority of the lawmakers, partially demolishing the Assembly complex, and withholding funds, were unlawful. He also ordered the immediate reinstatement of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Assembly and directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to deploy security operatives to the legislative complex.

The Supreme Court’s decision further reinforces the legal standing of the pro-Wike legislators, effectively settling the political dispute in the Rivers State Assembly. 

The total personnel costs for state governments in Nigeria surged from N2.036 trillion in 2024 to N3.87 trillion in the 2025 approved budget, reflecting an increase of 90.23% due to the new N70,000 minimum wage and a rise in political appointments.

Key Takeaways:

Budget vs. Actual Payment: In 2024, states allocated N2.8 trillion for salaries but only disbursed N2.036 trillion, leaving a shortfall of N764 billion.

Dependence on Federal Allocations: 27 out of 36 states now require federal funding to meet salary obligations, up from 24 states in 2024. Only 9 states can pay salaries independently.

Highest Payroll Increases: Niger (311.5%), Cross River (202%), and Taraba (162%) saw the most significant hikes.

Lagos had the highest personnel cost, increasing from N225.1bn to N401.1bn.

Other states like Rivers, Kano, and Oyo also saw substantial rises in their wage bills.

Labour Unions’ Ultimatum: The NLC has demanded full implementation of the minimum wage by December 1, 2024, but several states have yet to comply.

Criticism of Governance: Economists and analysts warn that the growing wage bill, bloated civil service, and political patronage strain state finances. Many states are urged to cut unnecessary expenditures, address ghost workers, and improve internally generated revenue (IGR).

Despite promises of cost-cutting by the federal and state governments, critics argue that excessive political appointments and unnecessary ministries continue to drain public funds, worsening economic struggles. 

The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has lifted its ban on gas cylinder use in student hostels, now permitting only 3kg cylinders for cooking.

Announcing the decision during an orientation ceremony for new students on Sunday, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Sa’id Umar, stated that the policy adjustment followed a review to align with practices in other institutions.

“We will only allow 3kg gas cylinders in the hostels. Any student caught using a larger cylinder will have it confiscated,” Prof. Umar cautioned.

He also revealed that the Student Affairs Division, in partnership with the Student Union Government (SUG), has established safety guidelines for gas cylinder use and hostel management.

Meanwhile, Bauchi State’s Federal Fire Service spokesperson, Umar Lawal, emphasized the risks of fire outbreaks, noting that 90 percent result from carelessness, negligence, and ignorance. He advised students to avoid overloading electrical appliances and to strictly follow safety protocols to prevent fire incidents. 

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has indefinitely postponed the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The adjournment, announced on Monday, comes after Kanu maintained that Justice Nyako should not preside over his case due to her previous recusal.

Earlier, Kanu had been ordered to appear before the court on February 10, 2025. However, in January, he filed a petition against Justice Nyako with the National Judicial Council, accusing her of judicial misconduct.

Shortly after, the IPOB leader demanded that his case be transferred to the South-East if no other judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja was willing to handle it.