Works Minister Umahi Urges South-East Leaders to Highlight Tinubu’s Achievements

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), cannot win the 2027 presidential election.
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Umahi made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on its nationwide inspection of federal roads.

The minister urged political leaders in the South-East to educate residents about what he described as the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the region.

According to Umahi, increased awareness among the people would reduce support for Obi.
“The more we educate our people, the less votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi cannot win in 2027.

“It is important for the leaders of the South-East to be bold, vocal and speak to our people, the Igbos, about what President Tinubu has done and is doing for the Igbos.”

Umahi also backed Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, over his support for President Tinubu, saying individuals should be free to express their political preferences.

“I support the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his boldness in supporting the President. People should stop insulting supporters of the President; people should be allowed to support him,” he said.

The minister further maintained that the Federal Government had demonstrated its inclusion of the South-East through appointments and infrastructure projects.
“No other President has done what President Tinubu has done for the South-East, whether by appointment, inclusion or projects,” Umahi said.

Speaking on infrastructure development, he stressed the importance of roads and bridges to economic growth.
On the financing of major projects, Umahi said the Federal Government would provide 30 per cent of the required funding, while the remaining amount would come through loans to be repaid from toll revenue.
He also expressed concern over vandalism and reckless driving along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Umahi

According to him, some people had been removing materials used for road demarcation and manhole covers, while some motorists were driving at excessive speeds.

Earlier, NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the association’s North-West road tour covered Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
He said the students inspected several federal roads, including the Kano-Maiduguri, Kano-Katsina, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Mando-Birnin Gwari, Sokoto-Badagry and Illela-Dukamaje roads.
According to Afeez, the roads connect more than 10 tertiary institutions.

He said NANS was impressed by the scale, quality and pace of work observed during the inspection but recommended the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College, Kaduna, to improve students’ safety.
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Governor Eno Assures Seplat Energy of Sustained Partnership, Investment Protection

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has assured investors of his administration’s continued support and partnership, stressing that the state remains committed to protecting investments and creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
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Governor Eno gave the assurance when he received the management of Seplat Energy, led by its Chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Uyo.
The Governor congratulated the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Effiong Okon, on his appointment and assumption of office, noting that his new position carries responsibilities beyond the interests of Seplat Energy to also contribute to the development of Akwa Ibom State.

He commended Seplat Energy for its sense of responsibility and collaboration with the state government, particularly its engagement with host communities.

Governor Eno urged the company to sustain its efforts and develop more initiatives capable of improving the welfare of its host communities and contributing to the overall development of the state.

He attributed the peaceful atmosphere in Akwa Ibom to deliberate collaboration among the government, security agencies and residents, assuring Seplat Energy that his administration would continue to work with the company to sustain peace and create an enabling environment for investment.
The Governor also commended Senator Udoma, whom he described as one of the great sons of Akwa Ibom, while expressing confidence in the new management of Seplat Energy to achieve its objectives and make a greater impact across its host communities.

Earlier, Senator Udoma commended Governor Eno for what he described as visionary and impactful leadership in the state.
He explained that the delegation was at the Government House to formally introduce the company’s new CEO, Engr. Effiong Okon, to the Governor and strengthen the relationship between Seplat Energy and the state government.

In his remarks, Engr. Okon expressed delight at returning home to contribute to the development of Akwa Ibom while also discharging his responsibilities to Seplat Energy.

Umo Eno

Other members of the Seplat Energy delegation included the Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Chioma Afe; Managing Director, Offshore Operations, Ikponwonsa Ogunwonyi; Vice President, Human Resources, Emo Udobong-Ntia; and Vice President, Joint Venture Operations, John Itsueli.
Members of the Governor’s team at the meeting included the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor to the Governor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; members of the State Executive Council and other government officials.
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How Bauchi Accountant-General Transferred State Funds to Private Company – Witness Explains

Trial of the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Muhammed Jaja continued on Monday, September 21, 2026 at the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu with a witness revealing how Jaja diverted state funds to a private company.
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Jaja is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC , alongside Aliyu Abubakar, Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga and Muhammed Aminu Bose, for alleged corruption.

The defendants are being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended five-count charge of money laundering, diversion of public funds, and criminal misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1,635,270,350.9 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-five Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty Naira, Nine Kobo).

Prosecution counsel, Ekele E. Iheanacho, SAN told the court that the matter was for trial before calling in the first witness, PW1 to testify in the court. The prosecution witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa, UBA, said her line of duty include among others receiving requests from law enforcement agencies, responding to enquiries and any other duty assigned to her by the bank’s Chief compliance officer.

The EFCC produced the state account statement and written statement of the bank to support its claim in the court.

It is alleged that the defendants, as signatories to Bauchi State sub-treasury accounts transferred monies from the state Sub-Treasury Accounts to JASFAD Resources Enterprises managed by the first defendant, Aliyu Abubakar.

When the prosecution counsel asked the witness to explain the transaction that happened on 29 October 2024, as well as further transactions, she said, “My Lord, on the 29 of October 2024, we have three credit transfers into the account of JASFAD from the Sub-treasury Bauchi Account. We have a transfer of N13,144,500, we also had a transfer of N17,169,300, and there is a transfer of N46,030,500.

Providing details of the transactions in the account, the UBA staff said: “On the seventh of November 2024, we had a credit transfer of N17,886,250, but the teller’s details were not captured. It just showed that transfers were made. On 15 November, we had two credit transfers transferred by order of the Sub-treasury, Bauchi Account the amount is N12,215,000 and N16,919,750 respectively.

“ On 19 November, 2024, we had another transfer by order of the sub-treasury Bauchi account for N90,373,550. On November 22,2024, we had a credit transfer from sub-treasury Bauchi account for N140,087,500. Then on 24 December, 2024, we had two credit transfers by order of sub-treasury Bauchi Account, the first one is for N24,192,000 and the second transfer is N48,892,500. On 27 December, 2024, we had two credit transfers by order of sub-treasury Bauchi account into JASFAD, the first is N335,040,000 and the second transfer is for N300,000,000.

“On the 31 December, we had two transfers by order of the Sub-treasury Bauchi Account of N14,285,527.20k. The second transfer is for N26,975,000.

“On 25 February, 2025 we had a credit transfer by order of sub-treasury, Bauchi Account to JASFAD Resources of N19,840,000, and N13,020,000. On March 3, 2025, we had a credit transfer by order of sub-treasury, Bauchi account for N16,105,223.70k. On March 5, 2025, we had a credit transfer of N56,642,500. On March 7, 2025, we had a credit transfer of N45,923,790, on March 10, 2025, we had a transfer of N11,253,500. On March 12 2025, we had two credit transfer from sub-treasury Bauchi account to JASFAD Resources Enterprises, the first transfer is for N49,280,000, the second transfer is for N30,720,000, while on March 14, 2025, we had a credit transfer by order of sub-treasury, Bauchi account of N28,262,500.”

EFCC

The witness informed the court that on 25 February, 2025, there were two credits from the Sub-treasury Bauchi account to JASFAD Resources account. According to the witness, the first transfer was of N19,840,000 while the second transfer was for N13,020,000. She said “On December 27, 2024, there were three transfers, the first one is N335,040,000, the second one is N300,000,000 while the third is N26,975,000.

Counsels to the defendants said they would take another date to cross-examine the witness.

Justice Egwuatu thereafter adjourned the matter to October 22, 2026, for continuation of cross examination of the witness and continuation of trial.
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