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Rivers Assembly Probes Funds Released to PAMO University Since 2017

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate funds released by the state government to PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt, since the institution was established in 2017.

The investigation is aimed at determining the total amount of money the Rivers State Government has disbursed to the university over the years and establishing whether the funds were properly utilised for the purposes for which they were released.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Enemi George.

According to the statement, the probe was initiated pursuant to Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, constituted the committee to conduct an inquiry into the state government’s disbursement of funds to the university.

The committee is also expected to establish the number and identities of beneficiaries of the institution’s scholarship scheme, if any, as part of its mandate.

The statement partly read, “In line with section 128 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.

Martin Chike Amaewhule has constituted an Ad-Hoc Committee to conduct an inquiry into Rivers State Government’s disbursement of funds to PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS).

“The committee has been mandated to unravel how much funds the University has received from the Rivers State Government since inception in 2017;

determine whether such funds were adequately utilized for purposes they were meant for and ascertain the number as well as identities of all scholarship scheme beneficiaries if any, amongst other things.”

Members of the seven-man committee are Silvanus Nwankwo, Lemchi Nyeche, Henrietta Loolo, Peter Abbey, Napoleon Ukalikpe and Emilia Amadi.

The House directed the committee to complete its investigation and submit its report on or before September 30, 2026.

The probe comes after the Rivers State House of Assembly declined to approve the N6 billion proposed for PAMO University of Medical Sciences in the state’s 2026 budget.

PAMO University of Medical Sciences was founded by former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, who also serves as the institution’s Pro-Chancellor.

The Assembly’s investigation is expected to provide details of the financial relationship between the state government and the university, including the scale of public funding received since the institution’s establishment and how such funds were applied.

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Ogoni Youths Demand Bori State, Urge Tinubu to Implement Dialogue Report

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A coalition of Ogoni youth groups has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, insisting that the creation of Bori State must be given priority in the process.

The Coalition of Ogoni Youth Groups (COYOG) made the demand in a statement jointly signed by 17 youth leaders, including Chief Kpakol Kpakol of the Ogoni National Youth Congress and Gen. Ikeh Albert Jnr of the Khana Youth Assembly, on Saturday.

The coalition warned against attempts by politicians and other vested interests to hijack the dialogue process for personal or political gains, stressing that its outcomes must reflect the collective aspirations of the Ogoni people.

It described the dialogue as a collective struggle for justice, environmental restoration, political inclusion, resource control and sustainable development.

On the leadership of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, COYOG clarified that Professor Don Baridam remains its substantive leader, warning against attempts by individuals to assume authority outside the established structure.

Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, the coalition insisted that the dialogue process must remain inclusive and accountable, adding that its recommendations should translate into measurable benefits for the Ogoni people.

“The Ogoni dialogue belongs to the Ogoni people. Its outcomes must serve the Ogoni people. Its implementation must be transparent, inclusive and measurable,” the statement added.

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Dachung Bagos Wins APC Rerun Primary for Plateau Federal Constituency

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Former member of the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary election for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State.

Bagos defeated his challenger, Esther Simi Dusu, in the rerun exercise conducted across 11 wards on Wednesday, following a court order nullifying the previous primary election over alleged irregularities.

The Chairman of the APC Rerun Electoral Committee, Simon Elisha, announced the results on Thursday at the party’s state secretariat, Kalwa House, in Jos.

According to the results, Bagos polled 12,181 votes to defeat Dusu, who secured 2,495 votes.
Elisha said the rerun election was conducted in compliance with the court order and in accordance with the party’s guidelines.

“The rerun was conducted in compliance with the court order and in line with the party’s guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.

The rerun followed a decision by the High Court in Jos to nullify the earlier primary election over alleged irregularities in 11 wards within the federal constituency.

The affected wards are Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, Turu, Fobur ‘A’, Fobur ‘B’, Jarawan Kogi, Maijuju/Doss, Federe, Shere East and Shere West.

The court-ordered exercise was organised to address the irregularities identified in the previous primary election and determine the party’s candidate for the constituency.

With his victory, Bagos is set to represent the APC in the contest for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.

Bagos previously represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.

His emergence as the party’s candidate places him in contention for another term in the Green Chamber, subject to the outcome of the 2027 general election.

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Peter Obi Warns Those Terrorising Nigeria at Opening of NDC National Secretariat

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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned individuals he accused of terrorising Nigerians, declaring that his party would confront insecurity and intimidation if elected in 2027.

“Those who think they can terrorize this country, wait, we’re coming,” Obi said during the opening of the NDC’s national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday, October 26, 2026.

The remark came as the party formally opened its national headquarters and intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections. The event brought together Obi, his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NDC leaders and other party members.

Obi Puts Insecurity at the Centre of His Message

Obi’s statement signals that security is expected to feature prominently in the NDC’s campaign messaging ahead of the next presidential election.

Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency, kidnapping, armed attacks and communal violence in different parts of the country. These problems have affected communities, disrupted economic activities and generated demands for stronger protection of lives and property.

At the Abuja event, Obi presented his political project as an effort to change how government responds to the country’s challenges. Reports of his remarks also highlighted commitments to address corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.

However, the brief statement quoted above did not identify a particular group or individual as the target of his warning. It would therefore be premature to attribute the remark to a specific organisation or political opponent without further evidence.

NDC Opens National Headquarters Ahead of 2027

The secretariat opening marked another organisational step for the NDC as it builds its structures ahead of the elections.

The ceremony followed the party’s National Executive Committee meeting and formed part of a wider programme that included unveiling its National Campaign Council and presenting Certificates of Return to candidates contesting different offices.

Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, attended alongside National Leader Seriake Dickson, National Chairman Moses Cleopas and other party figures.

The new facility is expected to serve as the party’s administrative headquarters and a centre for coordinating its national political activities.

Security and Accountability in the 2027 Campaign

Obi’s warning comes as political parties begin defining their messages for the 2027 election, with security, economic hardship and public accountability among the issues likely to feature prominently.

For voters, the significance of security promises will depend not only on campaign statements but also on the policies, resources and implementation plans candidates present.

Measures to improve security can involve intelligence gathering, police and military capacity, coordination between federal and state authorities, criminal investigations, justice delivery and support for communities affected by violence.

Obi’s statement did not set out specific measures in the quoted passage. Further policy details would be needed to assess how the NDC proposes to address the different forms of insecurity affecting the country.

The remark nevertheless makes clear that the party intends to present security and protection from intimidation as part of its campaign message.

As the 2027 election approaches, the challenge for all political parties will be to explain how their proposals would be implemented and how progress would be measured.

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