Category: Politics

 

 

 

A National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission, May Agbamuche-Mbu, has taken over as the acting Chairman of the Commission.

 

This followed the formal handover of duties by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who is proceeding on a terminal leave.

 

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners.

 

Agbamuche-Mbu, a seasoned legal expert with over three decades of professional experience, and her appointment mark a significant moment for Nigeria’s electoral body as it continues efforts to strengthen democracy and ensure credible elections across the country.

Here are key things to know about the new Acting Chairman:

 

1. Early life and background

 

Born in Kano but originally from Delta State, Agbamuche-Mbu’s upbringing in northern Nigeria shaped her broad national outlook and commitment to unity. Her multicultural background reflects a blend of northern and southern influences that continue to guide her public service ethos.

 

2. Education

 

She attended St. Louis Secondary School, Kano, before proceeding to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where she earned her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1984. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985 and later qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales after completing studies at the College of Law, London.

 

Agbamuche-Mbu also holds a Master’s degree in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, as well as postgraduate qualifications in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law.

3. Professional experience

 

With over 30 years of experience, Agbamuche-Mbu has advised clients across the public and private sectors. Before joining INEC, she was the Managing Partner at Norfolk Partners, a Lagos-based law firm.

 

Between 2010 and 2011, she served as the sole solicitor on the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee, which evaluated major federal projects nationwide. In 2016, she was part of the Ministerial Committee that drafted the Roadmap for the Solid Minerals Sector.

 

4. Role in INEC

Agbamuche-Mbu was confirmed as a National Commissioner of INEC in 2016 and has since contributed to legal and policy reforms within the commission. Her elevation to Acting Chairman follows years of service dedicated to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.

 

5. Contributions to legal development

 

She is a certified arbitrator and former Secretary of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria). As editor of THISDAY LAWYER, she wrote over 120 editions of her widely read “Legal Eagle” column from 2014 to 2016, influencing public discourse on law, governance, and policy.

 

6. Personal life

 

Agbamuche-Mbu keeps her private life out of the public eye. While little is known about her family, her professional accomplishments have made her one of the most respected figures in Nigeria’s legal and governance circles.

 

Her appointment as acting INEC Chairman places her at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral body at a pivotal time, as the commission prepares for upcoming elections and continues implementing electoral reforms.

 

 

 

Lagos State kept its crown as Nigeria’s biggest sub-national revenue generator in 2024, as the National Bureau of Statistics released the Internally Generated Revenue at State Level 2024 report.

 

According to the report, announced on Monday via NBS X handle, 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory together produced ₦3.6 trillion in IGR.

 

This represents a 49.7 per cent rise from ₦2.43 trillion in 2023.

 

Top 5 IGR generators

Lagos — ₦1,261,556,415,048.56 (roughly one-third of total IGR).

Rivers — ₦317,303,986,832.38.

 

FCT — ₦282,364,055,025.74.

 

Ogun — ₦194,933,884,872.57.

 

Enugu — ₦180,500,141,598.36.

 

Bottom five

Adamawa — ₦20,298,222,818.56.

 

Taraba — ₦17,460,514,087.44.

 

Kebbi — ₦16,971,704,831.43.

 

Ebonyi — ₦13,177,829,475.63.

 

Yobe — ₦11,084,367,202.33.

 

Full list ranked highest to lowest

Lagos — ₦1,261,556,415,048.56.

Rivers — ₦317,303,986,832.38.

 

Fct — ₦282,364,055,025.74.

 

Ogun — ₦194,933,884,872.57.

 

Enugu — ₦180,500,141,598.36.

 

Delta — ₦157,785,188,072.55.

 

Edo — ₦91,153,908,548.19.

 

Akwa Ibom — ₦75,768,017,871.08.

 

Kano — ₦74,771,014,335.51.

 

Kaduna — ₦71,574,658,542.97.

 

Kwara — ₦71,197,075,565.91.

 

Bayelsa — ₦64,013,288,202.51.

 

Jigawa — ₦59,455,563,495.20.

 

Oyo — ₦65,287,038,267.92.

Osun — ₦54,767,865,323.88.

Cross River — ₦47,018,239,529.33.

 

Anambra — ₦42,689,648,058.74.

 

Abia — ₦40,009,340,912.93.

 

Katsina — ₦39,152,790,613.55.

 

Bauchi — ₦32,427,554,765.85.

 

Kogi — ₦32,012,618,177.80.

 

Niger — ₦34,660,234,106.71.

 

Ekiti — ₦35,213,748,270.98.

 

Plateau — ₦31,139,826,680.23.

 

Ondo — ₦31,251,840,302.79.

 

Borno — ₦27,803,527,850.21.

 

Zamfara — ₦25,455,960,759.33.

 

Imo — ₦25,270,602,765.46.

 

Nassarawa — ₦25,518,692,329.97.

Gombe — ₦20,724,823,840.00.

 

Sokoto — ₦20,845,754,441.54.

 

Benue — ₦20,434,774,732.75.

 

Adamawa — ₦20,298,222,818.56.

 

Taraba — ₦17,460,514,087.44.

 

Kebbi — ₦16,971,704,831.43.

 

Ebonyi — ₦13,177,829,475.63.

 

Yobe — ₦11,084,367,202.33.

 

The IGR calculated has two (2) broad categories of revenues: Tax Revenue and Ministries, Departments and Agencies’ (MDAs’) Revenue.

 

Taxes include PAYE, Direct assessment, Road taxes, Stamp duties, Capital gain tax, withholding taxes, Other taxes and LGAs’ revenue.

 

PAYE was the most tax revenue recorded during the period (₦1.86 trillion), representing 69.84 per cent of the total taxes collected, while capital gains tax was the least with ₦10.57 billion.

 

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, and the Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Saturday joined numerous dignitaries to pay their last respects to Mama Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at her funeral service held at the Church of Christ in Nations headquarters in Jos, the Plateau state capital.

 

Yilwatda’s mother died on Sunday morning, in August 2025, at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, aged 83.

 

President Tinubu, in his remarks, described the late Mama Lydia as “a mother of the community, a mother of the state, and a humanitarian.”

 

He recalled his past interactions with the Yilwatda family, noting his meetings with Ambassador Goshwe during the Social Democratic Party days.

Tinubu praised the APC National chairman as “a man of character and intellect” and commended the large turnout of governors, public officials, and dignitaries as a testament to the high regard for both the APC National Chairman and his mother.

 

“Let this day be one of joy and thanksgiving, even in mourning. The prayer of every mother is that her child succeeds—and you will. God will grant your prayers. Live a dedicated life, serve humanity, and remain faithful to God Almighty.”, Tinubu said.

 

The President further emphasized values of unity, contentment, and productive leadership, stating, “Hate is not an option for us. Love is what we must continue to preach—love for one another.”

 

Tinubu also highlighted his belief in religious freedom, saying, “We may differ in faith, but we pray to the same Almighty God, to whom we are all answerable.”

 

Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s presence, stating, “Your esteemed presence means so much to the immediate Yilwatda family and to the people of Plateau State in general.”

 

He thanked the President for his support in addressing insecurity in Plateau State, noting improvements in security conditions.

Mutfwang also appreciated Tinubu for appointing Prof. Yilwatda as APC National Chairman, likening it to an honor for Plateau State, reminiscent of former leaders like Chief Solomon Daushep Lar.

 

“While we are grateful for the honour of your presence at this solemn occasion, we also look forward to welcoming you again soon, Mr. President. We would be delighted if you could visit Plateau State again in the near future to see for yourself the extent to which we have keyed into your Renewed Hope Agenda with the resources available to us”, Mutfwang said

 

On his part, Senate President Akpabio praised COCIN’s contributions to the North Central region through schools, clinics, and health centers.

 

He referenced Prof. Yilwatda’s tribute to his mother, describing her as “a perfect portrait of the virtuous African woman, a true matriarch” who instilled values of humanity, diligence, compassion, and faith. Akpabio commended President Tinubu as “a unifier” who bridges faiths, regions, and political divides, evident from the diverse attendance at the funeral.

In his speech, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda expressed gratitude to God for extending his mother’s life beyond initial medical predictions by 47 years.

 

He portrayed his mother as a resilient and determined woman who worked tirelessly, selling akara and pap, running a shop, and managing market sales despite her health challenges.

 

Yilwatda highlighted her mother’s selflessness, noting she handed over her earnings to his father, who then distributed them as if they were his own.

 

“To His Excellency and all dignitaries, thank you for giving me a shoulder to cry on,” Prof. Yilwatda said.

 

He humorously declared himself President Tinubu’s “first son,” jokingly displacing the Governor of Niger State, who had earlier offered himself as the President’s son, asserting his veto power as APC Chairman to “collect his party card” if he doesn’t submit.

 

Our Correspondent reports that the remains of late Mama Lydia were later conveyed to the Kanke community, Kanke Local Government Area, for internment.

 

 

Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has reacted to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s statement that he would step aside from the 2027 presidential race if a younger aspirant defeats him in the African Democratic Congress primaries.

 

PUNCH Online earlier reported that Atiku, in an interview with BBC Hausa, stated that he would withdraw from the race and support a younger candidate if he was defeated in the ADC primaries.

 

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party added that he would support and mentor such a flagbearer.

 

“If I run for office, and a young man defeats me, I will accept that. The party we have joined now prioritises youth and women,” Atiku had said.

The former presidential candidate, however, could not confirm whether he would contest the presidency again.

 

“This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following,” Atiku said.

 

Sani, in a post via his official X handle on Thursday, said it would be extremely difficult to defeat the former vice president in a party primary.

 

He wrote, “His Excellency the Waziri reportedly said he would step aside if a younger candidate wins the primaries… The keyword here is PRIMARIES… It’s easier for a camel to pass through the hole of a needle than to beat the Waziri in primaries. Party delegates are a special breed of people.”

 

 

The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour Nigeria has commended the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for rescuing 24 victims of human trafficking and apprehending five suspected traffickers in Abuja.

 

The commendation was contained in a statement signed by NACTAL National President, Mr Abdulganiyu Abubakar, and made available to journalists on Thursday in Sokoto.

 

Established in 2005, NACTAL is a coalition of over 150 NGOs working to protect children and vulnerable persons from exploitation.

 

Civil society groups such as NACTAL play a critical role in supporting NAPTIP’s mandate.

Abubakar described the rescue as a demonstration of NAPTIP’s professionalism and commitment to the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.

 

He stressed that trafficking, abuse, and exploitation are grave crimes that strip victims of their dignity and fundamental rights.

 

“NACTAL seizes this opportunity to commend NAPTIP’s effectiveness in the operation that secured the freedom of 24 victims and the arrest of five suspected traffickers,” the statement partly read.

 

The NACTAL president, however, called on the agency to expedite prosecution processes to ensure justice for survivors. He cited the case of Bashariya, a victim allegedly trafficked, abused, and exploited in Sokoto State, stressing that swift trials would not only deter offenders but also reassure survivors of justice.

While pledging NACTAL’s continued collaboration with NAPTIP, Abubakar reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working with government institutions, civil society groups, regional bodies, and international partners to strengthen prevention, protection, and prosecution mechanisms in the anti-trafficking fight.

 

He further noted that NACTAL serves as Nigeria’s representative within the West African Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling, emphasising the group’s resolve to sustain cross-border collaboration in tackling the menace.

 

Nigeria remains a trafficking hotspot in West Africa, with victims often recruited for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour, and cross-border smuggling.

 

According to NAPTIP’s 2023 report, over 2,000 victims of human trafficking were rescued across the country, with many intercepted en route to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

 

In June 2024, PUNCH Online reported that NAPTIP rescued 34 victims, mostly young women, from traffickers in Lagos, while in April 2024, the agency secured the conviction of three traffickers in Abuja. The agency has consistently highlighted trafficking routes through Edo, Delta, Kano, Sokoto, and Ogun States, describing them as high-risk corridors.

The organisation has collaborated with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Organisation for Migration, and the ECOWAS Commission on regional anti-trafficking campaigns.

By commending NAPTIP’s recent rescue operation, NACTAL stressed that sustained collaboration and timely prosecution would be vital to consolidating gains and protecting vulnerable Nigerians from traffickers.