General News
Diri presents N1.24trn 2027 appropriation Bill to Bayelsa assembly
Gil Oforma
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Tuesday, presented the state’s 2027 Appropriation Bill, based on a projected revenue of N1,242, 688,970,520,22,
to the House of Assembly for consideration and passage.
Presenting the “Budget of Assured Prosperity for Sustainable Growth and Development,” Governor Diri explained that the 2027 proposals were derived from broad stakeholder engagements involving traditional rulers, technical experts, the organised private sector and citizens across the state.
He also stated that it was a historic budget being the first as the state was beginning its fourth decade and presented at a time sustained investments were visible in all the local government areas.
He said: “Our fiscal priorities remain clear: roads and bridges that connect communities, better health and education services, reliable power and an environment in which businesses and families can thrive.”
Presenting the estimates, he said ₦840.791 billion representing approximately 68 per cent was proposed for capital expenditure while recurrent expenditure was put at ₦401.897 billion representing approximately 32 per cent.
He observed that the proposed budget was approximately 22 per cent larger than that of the 2026 fiscal year, which was N1.016 trillion.
Diri listed some strategic projects that would continue to receive priorty attention in 2027 as they were at advanced stages of completion.
They include the Ekeremor–Agge Road Phase I, Nembe–Brass Road Phase I, Akaba–Ayakoro Road with spur to Otuegwe 1, Glory Drive Phase 3, Agbere-Elemebiri Road, the 30,000-seater stadium at Igbogene, and the nine-storey state secretariat complex.
Diri expressed the conviction that with work progressing on the three senatorial roads, all local government headquarters would be connected to the state capital and boost socio-economic activities across the state.
“With work progressing on all senatorial causeways, we are moving closer to an ambition our people have held since the creation of the state: to connect the capital to every local government headquarters and open up access to our coastal communities. This will boost fisheries, marine and blue economy enterprises, and tourism.
“These projects demonstrate that our beautiful terrain should not limit our ambition. With resolve, sound planning and prudent management, Bayelsa is building what many once thought were impossible.”
Giving a breakdown of the sectoral allocations, Works and Infrastructure got the lion’s share of ₦422.84 billion followed by Education ₦126.97 billion and Sports ₦68.50 billion.
Also, Health was allotted ₦53.32 billion, Security ₦24 billion, Public Utilities ₦22.94 billion and Agriculture got ₦17.74 billion.
Diri charged the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to enforce coordination, transparency and accountability and ensure effective implementation of the budget.
According to him, government would continue to improve its model schools, support accreditation of programmes in tertiary institutions, strengthen science and technical education and introduce digital learning tools in schools.
He added that the administration would pursue the upscaling of its 60 megawatts independent power plant to 100 megawatts and prioritise water provision in 2027.
Also, he remarked that the allocation to the sports sector would enable government accelerate work on the stadium project as the state prepares to host the National Sports Festival.
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Ogbere, commended Governor Diri for the successful implementation of the 2026 budget, and appreciated him for his visionary leadership.
Hon. Ogbere described Diri as a peace maker, bridge builder and a leader who has constructed roads and bridges across 80% of all communities in the state, expressing confidence that the projects outlined were achievable.
The Deputy Speaker assured the governor of the 7th Assembly’s support and speedy passage of the budget while the Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou, moved a motion for the members to pass a vote of confidence on Governor Diri and the administration, which was unanimously endorsed by the lawmakers.
General News
Kaura wins APC re-run primary for Zamfara North after court nullifies earlier election

By Chinwo Aginta
Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura has won the All Progressives Congress primary for Zamfara North, securing the party’s ticket for the 2027 general election after a court nullified its earlier nomination process over reported irregularities.
Kaura polled 16,758 votes in Monday’s re-run, well ahead of Sahabi Alhaji Yau, who received 1,465 votes, and Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, who scored 1,447, according to results announced by the party’s senatorial primary election committee.
The fresh election followed a Court of Appeal decision in Sokoto upholding a Federal High Court ruling in Gusau that invalidated the previous primary and ordered the APC to conduct another exercise.
The committee’s announcement brings an end to the court-ordered contest over the party’s nomination in the senatorial district, with Kaura emerging ahead of the two other aspirants.
Announcing the results, committee member Sani Abdullahi said Kaura secured the highest number of valid votes and fulfilled the requirements for nomination under the APC constitution and electoral guidelines.
The committee said 19,608 delegates were accredited from a register of 23,257, while 19,292 valid votes were recorded.
The result sheet was signed by the committee’s chairman and secretary on November 2, formally returning Kaura as the APC candidate for Zamfara North.
General News
DSS dismisses Atiku’s claims, says two operatives hurt while protecting Sokoto ADC guber candidate;
The Department of State Services (DSS) has punctured a claim by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that it is recruiting protesters to create disorder in Sokoto State and provide an excuse for imposing a curfew to stop the party’s campaign rally.
In a statement on its official X handle, the secret police said it was surprised that Atiku could make such claim days after two of its operatives suffered injuries and were hospitalised while protecting the ADC governorship candidate in the state, Mannir Daniya, from a mob attack.
According to the DSS, after safely evacuating the Sokoto ADC governorship candidate, the politician later called personally to appreciate the State Director of the Sokoto Command and even requested for reinforcement from the DSS.
The Service recalled that on 2nd March 2026, it arrested one Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State, for threatening to attack the National Democratic Party (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
The DSS stated that it successfully prosecuted Udeme in a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, and that he is currently serving a two-year sentence in prison.
The statement read in full:
“The attention of the DG Department of State Services (DSS) has been been drawn to allegation by elder statesman and ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji ATIKU ABUBAKAR that, DSS is organizing protests in Sokoto State.
“For the Records, DSS Operatives deployed to Sokoto ADC Governorship Candidate; Mannir Daniya, evacuated him to safety unhurt on 31st October 2026 when attacked in Sokoto. Two (2) DSS operatives were assaulted during the incident and are still being treated in the hospital. The governorship candidate called personally to appreciate the State Director of Sokoto Command and even requested for reinforcement from the DSS.
“Though these operations to protect all Political Parties is at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoralize our gallant operatives who are risking their lives in the line of duty, the DGDSS has still ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the elder statesman.
“The Service also use this medium to reference a similar allegation by AAC Presidential Candidate Omoyele SOWORE that, the Service was involved in an attack on him in Ekiti State. In this regard, we thank the Police for swift investigation and a preliminary Report on the cause of the incident; “altercation”, coupled with the arrest of eleven (11) suspects. We await the outcome of Police investigation and will not dissipate energy on the matter.
“The Service will continue to remain accountable under the present DG,” the statement concluded.
General News
2027: Bauchi Gov thumps down for thuggery, demands transparency
Abu Umar
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has on Tuesday vowed that his administration will not tolerate any breach of peace, political thuggery or disruption of stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Mohammed stated this while addressing members of the State Executive Council in Bauchi.
He said his administration’s collaboration with security agencies has restored peace, allowing citizens to farm, go to school and live freely, and warned that such peace must not be compromised for politics.
“As we approach the election cycle, our security apparatus must remain hyper-vigilant. We will tolerate no breach of peace, no political thuggery and no disruption to the stability of our dear state,” he declared.
The Governor said the government will continue to support security agencies with accommodation, vehicles and logistics to maintain impartiality and effectiveness.
He also warned against last-minute abuse of due process as political temperature rises, insisting that adherence to public procurement laws and financial regulations must be watertight.
“We will leave behind an administration defined by transparency, not last-minute lapses in due process,” he said.
The Governor directed that no bureaucratic delays or lackadaisical attitudes should be entertained, stressing that time is of the essence to solidify his Bauchi Project agenda.
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