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Saraki Assembles Sans To Battle Police Over Invitation

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The Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Rafiu Ibrahim , has said a team of senior legal experts will handle the allegation of complicity in the Offa robbery saga levelled against the President of the Senate , Bukola Saraki, by the police .

The police have insisted that Saraki is needed to make certain clarifications on the statement of the suspects arrested in connection with the robbery despite the legal advice from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , which absolved the Senate President of any complicity in the act .

But Ibrahim , who is among the 14 senators , who defected from the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that Saraki’ s lawyers , who are mainly Senior Advocates of Nigeria , were already brainstorming on the case .

The Senator ’ s clarification appears to be an indication that the Senate President may not honour the police invitation and would rather ask his lawyers to handle the matter.

His declaration came on the heels of the insistence of the Force PRO, Moshood Jimoh , that Saraki still had a case to answer notwithstanding the fact that a team of investigators grilled the Senate President last week in his office .

Ibrahim said , “ The Senate President has a very strong legal team of many senior advocates of Nigeria who are already working on the issue. He has a legal issue with the police and he will take the case up legally . ”

He explained that the executive arm of government bungled a fresh strategy that was being coordinated by Saraki aimed at reconciling aggrieved federal lawmakers with the APC leadership when the police reportedly barricaded the Senate principal officers’ homes in Abuja .

He said , “As we were strategising on how to convince our members to let us reconsider our stand and shelve our plans to defect , the police brought a letter by 8 pm on Monday , asking the Senate President to appear before them by 8 am on Tuesday.

“ The following day, very early in the morning, the EFCC went to the house of the Deputy Senate President , Ike Ekweremadu , blocked his house and successfully ensured that he did not go out.

“Simultaneously , some policemen were also at the home of the Senate President with a specific instruction to prevent him from leaving his house . Those who could carry out such actions could as well kill the principal officers or bomb their houses.

“ My concern at the moment is to ensure that the Senate President is alive . The agents of government are getting desperate just to actualise their plans. ”

Ibrahim added , “ Their plan was to ensure that the two of them were not available for plenary on Tuesday so that some senators could remove Saraki and Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively .

“ However , God , in his infinite mercies and powers , used some people to disorganise their plans by helping Saraki to preside over plenary on Tuesday. It was God , nothing else .

“ We adjourned abruptly on Tuesday because the federal authorities deployed armed policemen who laid siege to the residences of our presiding officers.

“ If they can put the SP and the DSP under house arrest , what stopped them from arresting senators on the streets of Abuja and institute frivolous litigation against them ?”

The senator added that members ’ defection on the floor of the National Assembly chambers would be in phases . ”

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Benue Governor Alia Appoints 10 Aides, Assigns Youth, Revenue and Community Roles

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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has approved the appointment of 10 new aides to serve in various capacities across his administration.

The appointments were announced on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula.

According to the statement, the new appointees are expected to bring their experience and expertise to their respective offices and contribute to the administration’s development agenda.

Those appointed include Kelvin Atsem as Principal Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation, Ulaha Paschal Aondolumun as Special Assistant on Community Relations, and Terhemen Ndiisaa as Principal Special Assistant on Politics.

Others are Galim Terhide, appointed Special Assistant on Revenue; Ankpo Tarvershima, Special Assistant on Sanitation; and Job Tseagh, Principal Special Assistant on Power.

Lubem Mbabov, Terwase Aondoakaa and Charles Tema were also appointed Principal Special Assistants on Community Engagement.

Governor Alia charged the appointees to familiarise themselves with his administration’s blueprint and ensure their activities align with its policies and guiding principles.

He urged them to demonstrate commitment, integrity and dedication in carrying out their responsibilities, stressing that the interests of Benue State must remain their priority.

The governor also expressed his expectation that the new officials would contribute meaningfully to service delivery and the implementation of government programmes.

The latest appointments come days after Alia approved 23 other appointments to fill vacant positions left by officials who resigned from his administration. He also constituted a five-member Benue State Primary Healthcare Board as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare administration.

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Makinde Loses Budget Commissioner, Two Other Appointees Ahead of 2027 Elections

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Three political appointees serving under Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have resigned from their positions, adding to a series of departures from the state government ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The officials are the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Oluwaseun Ojo; Special Adviser on Budget and Economic Planning, Simeon Adegbola Oyeleke; and a member of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Sunday Olugbenga Falana.

Their resignations were communicated on Monday, November 2, 2026, with all three officials indicating that their decisions would take immediate effect.

Ojo conveyed his resignation in a letter addressed to Makinde through the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde. He referred to his appointment letter dated June 22, 2026, but did not disclose the reason for leaving the position.

The former commissioner thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in him and the opportunity to serve Oyo State.

Similarly, Oyeleke, a former two-term member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and former local government chairman, tendered his resignation in a letter dated November 2.

Unlike Ojo, Oyeleke gave an explanation for his decision, stating that he was no longer comfortable with the working environment in the administration.

He said the circumstances had made it difficult for him to effectively pursue and fulfil the aspirations of his people while serving in the government.

Despite his decision, Oyeleke appreciated Makinde for his leadership, encouragement and support, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the administration’s policies and development programmes.

Falana, who hails from Ogbomoso, also resigned his appointment as a member of OYSIEC through a letter addressed to the governor via the Chief of Staff.

He did not state the reason for his departure but described his experience serving on the state’s electoral management body as worthwhile and expressed appreciation to the governor for the opportunity.

The latest resignations come weeks after the departure of Makinde’s Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, who stepped down in October after serving in the position for more than five years. The former Director-General of the state’s Due Process Office, Tara Adefope, also resigned around the same period.

Other officials have reportedly left the administration in recent months, including political appointees and members of the governor’s advisory team.

The developments are taking place as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, the three latest appointees did not collectively attribute their resignations to the forthcoming elections.

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NACC Introduces Nigerian Entrepreneurs to US EB-5 Investment Programme

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The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) has introduced Nigerian entrepreneurs, business executives and investors to an investment programme that offers eligible foreign nationals a pathway to permanent residency in the United States.

The chamber organised an executive roundtable in Lagos on October 22, 2026, to explain the requirements and opportunities under the US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme. The engagement was themed “Exploring the U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme: A Strategic Pathway to U.S. Permanent Residency and Global Mobility.”

According to the chamber, the session was designed to help participants understand how qualifying investments can provide a route to US permanent residency, alongside opportunities for international business expansion.

The EB-5 programme allows eligible foreign investors to apply for permanent residency by making qualifying investments that meet requirements established by US immigration authorities. These include conditions relating to job creation and other applicable investment criteria.

The event was hosted by NACC National President, Alhaji Sheriff Balogun, while Moussa Ndiaye, Vice President of Business Development and Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at U.S. Immigration Fund, spoke on the programme and how prospective applicants could navigate its requirements.

Grace Adeyemo, chairperson of the chamber’s Trade and Investment Committee, also participated in the discussion. The roundtable was sponsored by U.S. Immigration Fund and brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs and prospective investors interested in learning about investment-linked immigration options.

The NACC said the initiative formed part of its broader efforts to promote investment education, encourage international business engagement and strengthen economic relations between Nigeria and the United States.

The chamber added that it would continue to provide platforms for business networking, investment facilitation and bilateral trade cooperation.

However, participation in the programme does not guarantee permanent residency. Prospective applicants must meet the relevant investment, job-creation and immigration requirements set by US authorities.

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