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No Ghost Workers In Suleja Local Govt – Chairman
At a time that both the federal and state governments are lamenting huge sums of money being paid to ‘ghost’ workers, the Chairman, Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, Hon. Ahmed Dikko Kassim has declared that there is no such situation in the area. Speaking in an interview with nationalTrail shortly after swearing-in his Special Advisers and Political Mobilizers at the local government headquarters, Kassim said what exists in the area is the issue of redundant workers. “After a thorough verification exercise, I discovered that there are no ghost workers in my local government, rather what we have is the issue of redundant workers and duplication of duties. “Recall that some time ago, some states created additional local government areas which were abolished by the National Assembly, Niger state was one of them and after the abolishment, the workers already recruited were absorbed by the existing local government. “From my findings, the only option left for me is to retrench those workers to be able to pay salaries and wages, but as a politician, I cannot do that because it could spell doom for the political party on which platform I won the election”, he said. Speaking further, Kassim who also used the occasion to mark his 100 days in office said currently
he spends over N86 million to pay salaries and wages of local government staff every month despite the fact that since he assumed office on February 11, 2016, no capital release has come to the local government. Attributing his success so far to God and his determination to fulfill his electioneering campaign promises to his people, he also disclosed that the local government is blessed with revenue generating sources which he said if properly harnessed, the local government can sustain its recurrent expenditure. Speaking on his new appointments, Hon. Kassim explained that he appointed 66 Political Mobilizers and 11 Special Advisers who he promised to pay from his pocket as a sacrifice to ensure an improved living standard for his people before the economy improves. The Chairman who said he was optimistic that the current economic hardship in the country would soon come to pass appealed to the people of Suleja Local Government Area and Nigerians in general to exercise patience with the Buhari administration because according to him, the expected change is already around the corner. Among the Special Assistants is a practicing Journalist, Abdullahi Abubakar Suleja who was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant on Inter Agency Relations as well as Mr. Chidiebere Anyamene whose portfolio is Special Adviser on Inter Tribal Matters.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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