Nwifuru Approves ₦150,000 Christmas Bonus for Ebonyi Workers

Governor Francis Nwifuru announces ₦150,000 Christmas bonus for Ebonyi civil servants, promises free and fair local government elections. Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has approved a ₦150,000 Christmas bonus for all categories of civil servants in the state. The governor made the announcement on Sunday during a church service at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki, describing the bonus as part of his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare. Governor Nwifuru noted that the decision was taken despite limited revenue accruing to the state over the past year, adding that his government remains focused on prioritising the well-being of its workforce. Speaking on the forthcoming local government elections in Ebonyi State, the governor assured aspirants of a level playing field, stressing that he has no preferred or anointed candidate. “As far as I am concerned, the will of the people must prevail. The people must choose their representatives without interference from any quarters,” Nwifuru said. He also reiterated his directive that political appointees seeking elective positions in the council elections must resign their appointments in line with existing electoral laws. “It is not my duty to pick who becomes chairman of any local government area. Any appointee contesting for chairmanship in the next council election must resign as stipulated by law,” the governor stated.

Six Nigerian Governors Get New Appointments

Six Nigerian governors have been appointed as zonal coordinators for the All Progressives Congress. The six governors were officially inaugurated by Ganduje at the APC national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday. They are Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Bassey Otu (Cross River), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Uba Sani (Kaduna) and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe). After their oath-taking ceremony, the APC national chairman announced that the governors have the mandate to initiate periodic interfaces with other members of the Progressive Governor’s Forum within their zones and the leadership of the party. According to the former Kano governor, Sanwo-Olu will coordinate the party’s activities for the South-west zone while Uzodimma takes charge of the South-East. Otu will be in charge of South-South while the trio of AbdulRazaq, Sani and Buni coordinate the affairs of North-Central, North-West and North-East regions. He said, “We are here to mobilise the demand of the people and to form an agenda for the party and the government. We also need to disseminate information on what the government is doing down to the people. “To do that, we have narrowed down our activities to geopolitical zones. So, in all this, there must be a governor that will oversee, motivate, and encourage all within that zone. That is the only way that we can move forward quickly. “Therefore, we need you (newly inaugurated coordinators) to mobilise other governors of the zones to effectively and physically participate in party activities within and outside the zone. Also, consult with the governors on issues that will further enhance the progress and unity of the party and assist the APC on resource mobilisation in the zones.”

Akeredolu Remains Ondo State Governor, Says Tinubu

In a bid to restore calm and political stability in Ondo State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing crisis between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, announcing Akeredolu’s continuation as Governor.  The decision came after a high-level meeting with Ondo State stakeholders at the Presidential Villa at the weekend. A statement released by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, clarified the President’s stance, dismissing speculations about the invocation of the doctrine of necessity to appoint Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor.  The Presidency emphasized that Akeredolu retains his position as the state’s Governor, reaffirming Aiyedatiwa’s role as the Deputy Governor. Following extensive negotiations involving the President, representatives of both factions, federal and state lawmakers, and APC officials in Ondo State, Tinubu urged all parties to prioritize peace, fostering commitments toward reconciliation. As a result of these deliberations, Governor Akeredolu will continue as the Chief Executive of Ondo State, maintaining the current administration’s stability.  The announcement also ensures the uninterrupted functions of the State Executive Council, while preserving the leadership of the State’s House of Assembly and the APC Chapter in Ondo State.