Economy
Borno: New Aspirants Begin Intense Lobbying To Succeed Zulum As Governor
Borno: New Aspirants Begin Intense Lobbying To Succeed Zulum As Governor
Borno: new aspirants begin intense lobbying to succeed Zulum as Governor. The political landscape of Borno State is heating up as new aspirants emerge from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), all eyeing the coveted governorship seat in 2027.
With Governor Babagana Zulum’s second and final term winding down, speculation and behind-the-scenes lobbying are intensifying across party lines.
Although the APC has maintained an unbroken grip on the state since 1999, evolving from the All Peoples Party (APP) to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and now APC, fresh contenders and returning political heavyweights are already positioning themselves for the next election cycle.
Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, currently serving as the Senate Chief Whip, is one of the contenders. He is considered a party loyalist with deep roots in Borno’s political establishment.
A lawyer by training, he served as a state commissioner and represented Marte/Monguno/Ngazai Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2023 before his elevation to the Senate.
APC insiders believe he may emerge as a consensus candidate among old party stalwarts.
Also in the race is Matawalle Kashim Imam, a former two-time governorship candidate under the PDP, Imam is now a staunch APC supporter and close ally of President Bola Tinubu.
Known for his significant financial support to the APC in Borno and Yobe States, sources say his reentry into the race could gain momentum with backing from traditional rulers and elder statesmen in Borno.
Also interested is Senator Abubakar Kyari, who is currently the Minister of Agriculture. Kyari is a longtime political associate of Vice President Kashim Shettima. He contested the APC governorship primaries in 2019 but stepped aside.
Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Commissioner for Justice is also said to be interested. Ka’Shehu was once seen as Shettima’s likely successor in 2019. Though sidelined then, he has remained active in politics and now chairs the Senate Committee on Special Duties.
He is widely respected for his fearless leadership and was instrumental in the organization of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) during the insurgency.

Zulum As Governor
Also mentioned is Alhaji Idrissa Mamman Durkwa, a finance and account expert who contested the APC governorship primaries in 2019 but decamped to PDP following what he described as a manipulated process.
He is now said to be in talks with younger, reform-minded politicians from both APC and PDP to form a coalition. However, internal crises within the PDP could hinder his path to a serious challenge.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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