NEWS
2027 General Elections: investigate retired Senior Civil Servants, Public Office Holders – Ndarani
Abuja, Oct.15, 2025 (NAN) A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mohamed Ndarani, SAN has called for the investigation of all retired Chief Executive Officers and Directors in MDAs as well as public office holders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ndarani who made the call at a news briefing on Wednesday in Abuja said the call was necessary as another set of elections and the accompanying electioneering campaigning are practically around already.
He suggested that retired civil servants should be barred from contesting for any elective positions for at least one year to give the anti-corruption agencies the opportunity to investigate them.
“People with political ambitions are already beginning to throw their hats into the ring all the way from the local government tier to the presidency.
“Among those expected to emerge as political gladiators are retired civil servants, or those who resigned from public service or political appointments.
“A most instructive question here however is, after they leave the service, what happens? Do they routinely get investigated with their post-service assets by the anti-corruption agencies juxtaposed with what they had when they joined public service?
He said it is mandatory for public servants to declare their assets under the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) but sadly, this is hardly the case, except there is reason to investigate the individual.
“In the first instance there are laws under the Electoral Act 2022 guiding the financing of election campaigns which has never been followed in Nigeria.
“Section 88(2-7) stipulates the limits allowed for election expenses. Everybody just pays lip service to this veritable check and potential block to the activities of corrupt officials.
“This explains the main reason why many of them while in public service, line their pockets by every possible means, in anticipation of their making a foray into politics.
“It is cause for great concern that we hardly ever hear of politicians being sanctioned for running foul of the provisions of the said section 88(2-7)’’.
He frowned at the reluctance and at times outright refusal by public officials to publicly declare and submit their Asset declaration Forms.
The learned silk argued that non-compliance with the provisions of the CCB is responsible for the high level of corruption in the public service of Nigeria.
“Sadly, our politicians have been known to flout these laws with total impunity. They spend humongous amounts of money and in the process, stand the rest of the electoral laws on their heads.
“The tendency for public servants in Nigeria to plunder the nation’s treasury with shocking impunity during their employment is alarming and this is because they want to contest for political offices after retirement.
“This gets progressively worse as the date of their disengagement approaches, they do this to amass vast amounts of money with which to fund their election campaigns.
“These elections usually see them work their way into lofty political positions that would further enhance their ability to further milk the nation, often with little or no accountability’’.
He said these politicians go into the political office with little or nothing to their names but they come out with huge assets and monstrous amounts of money stashed away.
“When the work their way into office, they plunder the treasury and divert money meant for constituency projects and other development projects into their personal accounts.
“This has to stop if Nigeria must make progress,’’ he advised.
He reiterated that all political office holders should also be investigated, whether they are coming back for second tenure or not to learn the sources of their current assets and incomes.
“This is especially necessary when they are found to have inexplicably amassed unusually huge amounts of funds and assets which could not possibly have accrued from gainful, legitimate endeavours.
“So anyone who retires from public service and almost right away jumps unto into partisan politics, deserves forensic examination.
“Although the Code of Conduct was put in place to checkmate the tendency for public office holders to loot the public treasury while in office, sadly, that doesn’t seem to have been effective enough’’.
He added that all heads of MDAs that are retired, or have been relieved of their jobs should also be investigated whether they are contesting or not.
“Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s development. It calls for stronger accountability measures to ensure that public resources are not wasted or diverted into a few private pockets.
“Nigerians deserve leaders who live modestly; account for every naira spent, and put the nation’s welfare above personal gain’’.
He advised Nigerians to play their part by holding leaders accountable and participating actively in civic life.
“We are now getting ready for the 2027 general elections. Anti-Graft agencies and INEC have enough time to investigate all the above mentioned interest groups, to curb corruption during and after elections.
“I humbly urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to apply the provision of section 315 of 1999 of the constitution (as amended) to reflect all my above legal opinion.
“This will save Nigeria from electing bad and corrupt leaders into political offices come 2027.
“I equally advise our president to create an enabling platform that will prevent retired public office holders from being able to use looted funds to contest elections,’’ he concluded.
NEWS
EID EL-ADHA 2026: Governor Dauda Lawal Urges Increased Prayers for Peace, Hails Return of Displaced Communities
As Muslims across the world celebrate Eid al-Adha 2026 yesterday, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has called on the faithful to intensify prayers for lasting peace in the state and Nigeria at large. The governor made the appeal in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, ahead of the Eid prayers.
Eid al-Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is observed annually by Muslims on the 10th day of Dhulhijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival commemorates the unwavering obedience and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), who was willing to sacrifice his son Isma’il in submission to Allah’s (SWT) command an act replaced by divine intervention with a ram.
In his address, Governor Lawal reflected on the spiritual significance of the season, noting that the sacrificial rite not only honours Prophet Ibrahim’s submission but also forms an essential part of the Hajj rituals for pilgrims currently in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
“I felicitate with the Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha 2026,” the governor said. “The sacrifice performed during Eid is symbolic of Prophet Ibrahim’s submission and is also part of the Hajj rites for pilgrims.”
The governor specifically called on residents of Zamfara, particularly those undertaking the pilgrimage, to remain steadfast in prayers for the state and the nation.
“We have made significant progress in the fight against banditry, which is why dispersed communities are now returning to their homes,” Lawal stated. He cited a recent milestone: “Last week, we successfully returned thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral community of Fegin Kanawa Village in Gusau Local Government Area after over a year of displacement.”
According to officials, the village had been abandoned due to repeated bandit attacks, forcing residents to seek refuge in overcrowded camps or host communities. The successful return of the IDPs marks one of the administration’s key achievements in its ongoing security and reconstruction efforts.
Governor Lawal expressed gratitude to Allah for enabling the state to witness what he described as a “historic” achievement the airlift of pilgrims from Gusau International Airport, which has now resumed full operations after previous disruptions.
“We are committed to ensuring the safe return of all displaced persons to their homes. Such successes are only possible due to our collective prayers. I urge us to pray more, especially during sacred religious festivals,” he added.
The governor concluded his message with warm wishes: “I wish everyone a peaceful Eid celebration.”
Following the broadcast, Governor Lawal joined thousands of worshippers at the Gusau Central Eid prayer ground, where he observed the two-unit Eid prayer and listened to the customary sermon (khutbah). Security was notably heightened across the state, with checkpoints and patrols deployed to prevent any attacks during the celebrations.
Zamfara, like much of Nigeria’s North-West region, has faced years of insecurity fueled by banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes. The governor’s emphasis on prayer reflects a broader strategy that combines military offensives, community dialogue, and spiritual advocacy to restore normalcy.
At Wema Bank, we have spent the last few years reimagining what Children’s Day can look like for Nigerian children.What started as a celebration has evolved into an intentional platform designed to build confidence, encourage leadership, promote financial literacy and create meaningful opportunities for children across different age groups.This year, we have raised the bar even higher. At Wema Bank’s Children’s Day Special Event held on Monday, May 25, 2026, our One-Day MD/CEO, Chinmamanda Diamond Ozoakpata, used her first official act in office to unveil a series of new initiatives designed to reward, educate and empower children through our Royal Kiddies account and ALAT Xplore platform.From year-long cash rewards and celebrations of academic excellence to financial literacy materials and STEM challenges, here are the new incentives that were announced and how to qualify:1. Birthday Cash Gift (Royal Kiddies Account Holders)Wema bank is putting real money behind milestone birthdays. Active Royal Kiddies account holders turning 5 will receive ₦5,000, while those turning 10 will receive ₦10,000 automatically, as a birthday cash gift. The initiative runs from May 2026 to May 2027. Importantly, active account holders who already turned 5 or 10 before May 2026 this year will also receive their reward this month.To qualify: Your child must hold an active Royal Kiddies account and be turning (or have turned) age 5 or 10 within the qualifying window.2. ₦100,000 Reward for Top Common Entrance Students (Royal Kiddies Account Holders)In a move that directly ties financial reward to academic achievement, Wema Bank will reward the top 100 students in the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) with ₦100,000 each. This initiative commences in June 2026.To qualify: Your child must be among the top 100 performers in the NCEE and hold a Royal Kiddies account.3. Financial Literacy Book Launch – Money Adventures (Royal Kiddies Account Holders)Wema Bank officially launched Money Adventures, a financial literacy book created for children aged 6 and above, at the Children’s Day event. Designed to make money conversations simpler and more engaging for young readers, the book introduces children to foundational concepts around saving, money management and responsible financial habits in a fun, age-appropriate way. To qualify: To receive a copy of this book, your child must hold an active Royal Kiddies account or have their Royal Kiddies account newly activated.4. Evolve School Tour STEM Challenge (ALAT Xplore Account Holders)The Bank also unveiled the Evolve School Tour STEM Challenge. Designed for secondary school students aged 13–17, the programme will run across six schools nationwide with existing STEM programmes. Through hands-on STEM competitions and school engagements, the initiative aims to promote innovation, technology awareness, financial literacy and responsible savings culture. There will also be monetary prizes to be won at the end of the challenge.To qualify: Your child must be an ALAT Xplore customer, aged 13–17, and attend one of the participating schools with an active STEM programme.Over the last four years, Wema Bank has consistently treated Children’s Day as more than a calendar moment. From the One-Day MD/CEO initiative to school tours, leadership experiences and child-focused financial literacy campaigns, the Bank has continued to expand how it supports children meaningfully.Yet, this is the first time the bank has included a Children’s Day initiative that runs for an entire year. Combine that with a six-figure academic reward, a published financial literacy resource, and a nationwide school tour, and it becomes clear: this is the most comprehensive, most impactful package of benefits Wema Bank has ever delivered to its youngest customers. It signals a growing commitment by Wema Bank to create experiences for children that extend far beyond celebration and leave a lasting impact long after Children’s Day is over.
In a decisive move aimed at alleviating the economic burdens of retired public servants, Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, has officially approved increased monthly pension payments for all former workers from both state and local government offices. The approval follows an extensive financial review of retirees’ living conditions, with particular attention to those in lower-income brackets who have been disproportionately affected by the prevailing cost-of-living crisis.The decision was precipitated by the findings and recommendations of a special committee empaneled to evaluate the welfare situation of pensioners across the state. The committee’s report highlighted acute financial distress among aging retirees and called for immediate remedial action. In response, the state government has authorized a substantive upward adjustment in monthly pension stipends.This increment aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Minimum Wage Act of 2024, which explicitly recommended an additional monthly sum of at least N32,000 for pensioners. Governor Lawal has opted for full implementation of this advisory for all retired state and local government employees a policy intervention expected to benefit thousands of households across Zamfara. The state government has subsequently issued binding directives to all relevant agencies to ensure the expeditious and seamless disbursement of the enhanced payments without procedural delays.Speaking on the development, the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, characterized the policy as a tangible demonstration of Governor Lawal’s unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for both active and former government workers. According to the Commissioner, the administration operates on the principle that dignified retirement includes access to basic necessities and financial comfort. Beneficiaries across all local government areas have been assured of prompt payment once implementation commences.
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