The All Progressives Congress (APC)’s National Secretariat in Abuja was attended by angry Ekiti State members on Friday.
Before the 2026 elections, the protesters demanded that the National Working Committee (NWC) hold a legitimate governorship primary election in the form of placards and chanting solidarity songs.
They objected to the alleged effort to impose a party-wide candidate in the state.
In some of the protesters’ placards, there were words like “We don’t want consensus,” “Women say no to consensus candidate in Ekiti,” and “Disqualification is political harassment.”
READ MORE: PDP Northern Stakeholders Support Turaki As Consensus Candidate for the National Chair
A consensus arrangement, in the opinion of the protesters, is a deliberate attempt to prevent other candidates from running for governor.
On Friday, members of Australia’s defense forces filed a class-action lawsuit alleging widespread and systematic sexual abuse, harassment, and discrimination.
The Australian government received a case involving abused women who could have been victims of abuse any time during the 21-year period November 2003 to May 2025.
The threat of sexual violence at work is frequently the biggest safety concern for female ADF personnel, according to attorney Josh Aylward of the law firm JGA Saddler.
The reports of sexual assault, harassment, victimization, rape, and physical threats, according to a statement from he said, “but even more disturbing are the brutal assaults against those women who dare file a complaint,” he added.
READ MORE:  , France Poised To Define Rape As Lack of Consent
All women serving during that time are enrolled in the case, which is being filed at the Federal Court in Sydney, unless they declare that they have not experienced the alleged abuse.
According to the company, the class action was expected to involve a large number of women.
The complaint was made known, according to the Australian Department of Defense.
A department spokesperson said that “everyone in the Defence industry has a right to be respected and deserves a positive workplace experience.”
The spokesperson continued, “There is no place in the Defence for sexual violence or misconduct.”
Defense acknowledges that work needs to be done.
“Desire for action”
Flag of Australia
Following an investigation into veteran suicide and defense, the government announced that it would implement “as a priority” recommendations relating to sexual violence in 2024.
A “comprehensive sexual misconduct prevention strategy” was also being developed.
One of the four lead applicants in the case claimed that after attending an on-base party, she allegedly awoke naked, hurt, covered in bruises, and had scratches after being informed that she had left with four service members.
According to a statement from JGA Saddler, she was sexually assaulted in a storage room.
The woman’s movements were restricted while the alleged perpetrator was free, according to the complaint.
She allegedly received abusive messages from service members, was later posted to a different base, and was also prohibited from using shared base amenities.
The defense force is “vicariously liable” for failing to protect women from sexual harassment while serving, according to the class action.
According to the legal team, repeated reports into sexual harassment, followed by commitments to cultural reform, “never” led to significant change.
Ola Olukoyede, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) executive chairman, claims that the commission has made unprecedented progress in the last two years.
Olukoyede disclosed the information on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference to celebrate his second year in office.
Between October 2023 and September 2025, he stated, “The EFCC has recovered more than 566 billion, several foreign currencies, and more than 1, 500 non-monetary assets.”
The EFCC Chairman, represented by the Director of Public Affairs, Commander of the EFCC, CE Wilson Uwujaren, said the Commission recovered ₦566, 319, 820, 343.40, $411, 566, 192.32, £71, 306.25, and €182, 877.10 during the period.
He claimed that the Commission had filed 10, 525 cases from more than 9, 000 petitions and 29, 240 investigations, which resulted in 7, 503 convictions.
Olukoyede referred to the accomplishments as concrete evidence of the EFCC’s renewed commitment to combating economic and financial crimes worldwide.
Ola Olukoyede, the new EFCC chairman,
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He revealed that the Commission recovered 1, 502 non-monetary assets, including 402 properties in 2023, 975 in 2024, and 125 so far in 2025.
He stated that the forfeiture of Nok University, now the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Abuja, and the final forfeiture of 753 duplexes in Lokogoma, Abuja, are two notable landmarks.
According to EFCC policy, some recovered properties have been given to government agencies for use as offices.
The anti-graft agency’s director revealed that there were 100 billion dollars invested in key national initiatives, including the Students Loan Scheme and Consumer Credit Scheme.
He claimed that the initiative supports the federal government’s goal of providing affordable credit access and education to citizens.
High-Profile Disputes
EFCC
Additionally, the EFCC Chairman gave a list of numerous well-known criminal cases that were handled during that time.
Bello and the EFCC logo
Former governors Willie Obiano, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Darius Ishaku, Theodore Orji, Yahaya Bello, and former ministers Olu Agunloye, Mamman Saleh, Hadi Sirika, Charles Ugwu, and former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele are among them.
Olukoyede further disclosed that the Commission detained 792 suspects in Lagos in connection with money laundering and cryptocurrency ringleaders, including 192 foreigners who were detained and charged with a criminal offense.
On August 17, 2023, Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of CBN, addresses the FCT High Court in Abuja. Images courtesy of SODIq Adelakun
He said, “This development sent a clear message that Nigeria won’t allow its territory to become a haven for cybercriminals.”
He noted that Fred Ajudua, Haliru Bello Mohammed, former PDP Chairman Haliru Bello Mohammed, former NSA Sambo Dasuki, and former Ngozi Olojeme boss Ngozi Olojeme have all been the subjects of recent corruption cases brought to light by the EFCC.
Olukoyede also announced the establishment of a Task Force on Naira Abuse and Dollarization of the Economy, which, according to him, has made notable progress in sanitizing currency operations nationwide.
The Chairman of the EFCC emphasized that improving national welfare is a key component of the Commission’s recoveries as well as figures.
Chidi Odinkalu, a human rights lawyer, claimed that some politicians are sponsoring cults, which are responsible for the rising insecurity in the South-East.  ,
Odinkalu criticised those who claim the development is solely the result of the now-proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) interview on Channels Television on Thursday.
Odinkalu claimed that the notion that every issue in the South-East is an IPOB issue is absurd while acknowledging that separatist agitations contribute to the region’s insecurity.
“It’s absolutely not the case,” he added. Let me tell you that the South-East has the biggest security issue, in my opinion, not the IPOB, but cults, which are funded by politicians.
“Alright,” I say. You have no idea how terrible the problem of cults in the South-East is right now, according to the former head of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
READ ALSO: Chidi Odinkalu’s Integrity Can Be Tarnished By Multiple Principalities At INEC
‘Overblown’
His statement comes in response to rising insecurity in some South-East states, which security officials and observers have largely attributed to IPOB activities.
In recent years, gunmen have attacked security posts, tainted several officers, mutilated numerous residents, and destroyed properties in the area.
Odinkalu contends that the association between cultism and IPOB is “overblown” despite the possibility of connection.
He claims that IPOB cannot thrive in some South-Easterly communities, which disproves the claim that the organization is merely to blame for the insecurity in the five states.
Joash Amupitan, the new head of the Independent National Electoral Commission, has pledged to uphold the Constitution and the electoral laws of Nigeria.
He made this statement while speaking to journalists shortly after President Bola Tinubu sworn in at the State House in Abuja.
“I just took the oath of allegiance as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, as you may be aware.
In terms of the electoral system, he said to journalists on Thursday, “I reaffirm that I will defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman, addresses journalists following his swearing-in on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Amupitan added that the country’s Constitution had clearly mandated him to ensure fair, credible, and free elections.
I’ll involve all parties involved in this process, not just making sure it’s done. You need all stakeholders to succeed, he said, regardless of how success is measured.
READ MORE: INEC Chairman Amupitan Meets Headquarters To Take Over Office
He said he would speak after receiving briefings from national commissioners, but that he would not do so in the upcoming Anambra election.
A week after the Senate approved his appointment following a thorough screening on October 16, President Tinubu swore in Amupitan as INEC Chairman.
Later, the new chairman accompanied by his family and close friends to the INEC headquarters in Abuja to officially take office.
Amupitan has been the electoral body’s substantive head since 1999 when democracy first emerged.
“Keep Democracy Strong”
On Thursday, October 23, 2025, President Bola Tinubu sworn in Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman at the state house in Abuja.
President Tinubu appoints Amupitan to strengthen INEC’s institutional capacity and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process during the swearing-in.
Your nomination and confirmation show the Executive and Legislative confidence in you.
In 25 years, our democracy has advanced significantly. Our electoral process must remain impartial, credible, and free to keep it strong. Therefore, I ask that you take steps to improve the security of our elections and strengthen the institutional framework of INEC.
Amupitan arrived at the State House earlier in the day, exchanging greetings with onlookers, and wearing a white agbada and gold cap.
Electoral Legitimacy
The 58-year-old law professor was subjected to extensive inquiries during his Senate screening about how he intends to restore Nigeria’s electoral legitimacy and implement meaningful reforms.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Amupitan promised to give reforms that boost voter confidence and promote transparency prioritization.
“We must conduct elections where even the loser can congratulate the winner and declare, “You won fairly and well. When that occurs, voters’ confidence will naturally be restored, he said.
Following his screening on Thursday, October 16, 2025, professor of law Joash Amupitan (fourth-right) received his confirmation by the upper chamber.
Amupitan also refuted reports that he was a member of President Tinubu’s legal team at the upcoming presidential election.
He reiterated his impartiality to lawmakers by saying, “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any of the parties.”
Three new commissioners and eight permanent secretaries have been sworn in by Katsina State governor Dikko Radda, who urged them to view their appointments as solemn obligations to serve the state’s citizens with integrity, accountability, and a sense of duty.
Yusuf Jibia, Aisha Malumfashi, and Sirajo Abukur are just a few of the commissioners who took the oath.
The Permanent Secretaries are: Nasiru Ladan (Kaita LGA), Yusuf Ahmed (Katsina LGA), Aminu Ibrahim (Katsina LGA), Dasuki Ibrahim Abubakar (Malumfashi LGA), Lawal Abashe (Matazu LGA), Ado Yahaya (Sabuwa LGA), Sani Rabi’u Jibia (Jibia LGA), and Aminu Ibrahim (K
The governor emphasized that the swearing-in ceremony occurred as his administration was reviewing its performance after two and a half years in office in an effort to improve the civil service and improve its ability to respond to citizen needs.
Top government officials, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and the appointees’ families attended the ceremony, which took place on Thursday at the Katsina Government House Council Chamber.
Governor Radda characterized the occasion as “a renewal of commitment to good governance, accountability, and effective service delivery.”
“This administration has been in power for almost two and a half years. Therefore, he said, “It is time for us to reevaluate what we have done so far and reposition people in various capacities to strengthen the system.”
Governor Radda praised the new commissioners’ ability, moral character, and public service record.
The Governor praised Jibia’s decades of experience in various leadership positions, including those of the local government commissioner, commissioner, and chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Board, and described him as “the oldest politician in the cabinet.”
He has done everything and been everywhere. His extensive experience, thorough knowledge of governance, and dedication to the public service will continue to benefit us, the governor said.
Update: Tinubu Swears In Amupitan As INEC Chairman
He also praised Aisha Aminu for her outstanding contribution to Katsina State’s governance and entrepreneurship.
Radda recalls her tireless efforts during his campaign and her impressive accomplishments as the era’s first director general of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), where she gave a lot of young entrepreneurs and small business owners a boost.
In order to continue benefiting from her experience, innovation, and commitment to youth and women empowerment, he said, “I decided to elevate her to the position of Commissioner” in light of her performance and my desire to see more women in government.”
Abukur was praised by the governor as a long-time political associate and a representative of young leadership spirit. He recalled Sirajo’s outstanding work as KASROMA’s leader, who helped to improve road maintenance and construction across the 34 local governments.
Radda emphasized that “we need to recruit young people into government so that we can harness their creativity, drive for development,”
Governor Radda also emphasized the value of diversity, arguing that Sirajo’s appointment shows that Rimi Local Government Area, which hasn’t had a commissioner since the return of democracy, is represented fairly and representative.
He stated, “As fate would have it, it is now time for Rimi to be represented in the cabinet,” underscoring his commitment to fair appointments in all sectors.
Governor Radda described their appointments as part of his ongoing effort to professionalize the state civil service, referring to the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries. He demanded that they follow a strict schedule, follow-through, and effectively support policy implementation.
