Headlines

Gov Shettima Risks Alamieyeseigha Treatment

Published

10 years ago

February 1, 2016

How EFCC Visit Caused Scare In Borno

ALAMIEYESIGHA Members of the Borno state House of assembly may be under pressures to initiate moves for the impeachment of Governor Kashim Shettima, reminiscent of the late Diepriye Alamieyeseigha saga in Bayelsa state, to pave way for his investigation and prosecution over the alleged mismanagement of the state resources, and alleged hobnobbing with Boko Haram elements.
Sources revealed that, last week’s scare caused by the reported visit of EFCC officials to Borno state may not be unconnected with such moves being made to get the Borno lawmakers, who have been virtually pocketed by the governor, to sign an impeachment notice, as a way of getting the Governor out of the way.
We learnt that an alliance of top Borno stakeholders have concluded plans to facilitate Governor Shettima’s impeachment, as a way of removing the immunity under which he hides and bring him to book for the squander of over N600 Billion that accrued to the State Government and the 28 Local Government Areas.
Going by the online reactions to last week’s reported visit to Borno state by ati graft operatives, it is immaterial whether it happened exactly the way it was reported last week or not, but the fact remains that there is a general growing dissatisfaction with the manner the resources of the state are being plundered.
Governor Kashim Shettima’s hurried return to Abuja, barely after twelve hours of his return to the state after a three weeks sojourn in Abuja, may not be unconnected with the rumours making the rounds, that, the issues with the state House of Assembly may not be unconnected with the rumoured moves to remove him.
Our correspondent reports that there has been no love lost
between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor following the failure of the Borno helmsman to give convincing account of the management of the finances of the state and his alleged involvement with boko Haram elements.
While Governor Shettima runs from pillar to pole trying to secure the support of fellow governors and the APC national leader, Bola Ahmed tinubu, reports reaching us indicate that there is palpable scare amongst top Borno state Government officials, including members of the Borno state House of Assembly, who in one way or the other may have soiled their hands in corrupt activity over the past four years.
Investigations reveal that, with all the denials last week that members of the Assembly did not flee from the complex following reports of the advent of EFCC operatives, our correspondent reports that most top Government officials have fled Maiduguri, with the governor leaving as hurriedly as he returned to Maiduguri the previous day, ostensibly to continue his search for a soft landing with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Sources told our correspondent that the Governor has remained highly rattled by reports Last week that EFCC officials were in the state to investigate allegations of financial impropriety, running to the tune of N6oo Billion, even as members of the Assembly behind whom he hides to commit some of the offences, were themselves reported to be on the run.
As it is, Government work is at a virtual standstill due to the absence of most top officials, and the general paucity of funds that have been affecting ministries. Reports indicate that ministries are being owed three years arrears of overhead cost, while all capital projects have been abandoned for lack of funds.
There were rumours in Maiduguri on Sunday that the Accountant general of the state, along with eight serving and former commissioners have again been summoned to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, in continuation of an ongoing investigation into alleged corrupt conducts, for which unless the governor is put out of the way, getting to the roots of the matter may prove difficult.
nationalTRAIL invites readers to go through the online reactions to the reported probe of Borno Government officials to be able to gauge the mood of people in the state.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

2 days ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

2 weeks ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.