By David Owei

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has stressed the importance of a strong and professional civil service to effective governance, saying permanent secretaries must serve as a critical bridge between political leaders and the bureaucracy.

Governor Diri, represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, stated this on Monday while declaring open a three-day executive training programme for permanent secretaries in Yenagoa.

The training, organised by the Bayelsa State Government in collaboration with the Nigeria Institute of Management (Chartered), has the theme, “Strategic Leadership and Public-Sector Governance for Effective Service Delivery.”

The Governor said his administration holds the civil service and bureaucracy in high esteem, maintaining that the “bureaucracy is expected to promote order, efficiency, fairness, accountability, proper record-keeping and institutional continuity.”

While urging permanent secretaries to provide professional advice to political leaders and work closely with directors and other professionals within their ministries, Governor Diri stressed the need for continuous learning.

Making reference to the managerial principles of the German political economist, Max Weber, the Bayelsa Chief Executive warned that public servants who failed to update their knowledge could become disconnected from current realities.

He equally urged the permanent secretaries to also recognise the contributions of directors and other officials in their ministries, saying effective administration could not be left to commissioners and permanent secretaries alone.

His words: “Until you have a strong bureaucracy, you can’t run a good government. We should ensure that we are intentional and conscious of that particular role. You are a bridge.

“There are people that are permanent secretaries today. They joined service maybe about 30 years ago, and they are still working with the old knowledge, you can’t fit in now. So, you really have to update through learning.

“Most of the times, you see that activities and decisions in some ministry are between the commissioner and the permanent secretary, or sometimes they add the DFA. You don’t assume you know it all. You must carry your directors and other officers along.”

In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Dr. Ebiye Wisdom Sawyer, said the training was coming at a time when citizens expected government institutions to be more responsive, transparent and efficient.

Dr Sawyer noted that permanent secretaries occupy a strategic position in the machinery of government, with responsibility for policy implementation, strengthening institutional systems and promoting professionalism in the public service.

He also urged the participants to embrace digital transformation and improve administrative processes, data management and access to government services.

According to Dr Sawyer, “Citizens expect government institutions to be responsive, transparent, efficient and capable of delivering quality services that positively affect their lives.”

“Strategic leadership requires more than the ability to manage routine administrative responsibilities. It demands vision, sound judgement, innovation, effective communication, accountability and the capacity to inspire officers towards achieving clearly defined institutional goals.”

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission, Hon. Perekiye Buruboyefe, urged the participants to open their minds and hearts to the knowledge to be offered during the programme, wishing them a successful training.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Management (Chartered), Dr. Sani Abubakar, expressed the institute’s commitment to ensuring that the training achieved its objectives, assuring the state government and participants of the institute’s support.

On his part, the Bayelsa State Director, Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr Jonathan Asigo, said the training would help permanent secretaries understand the guiding principles governing the conduct of public officers and enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Permanent Secretaries Forum, Dr Agadah Zuoboemi, noted that training the leadership of the civil service would have a wider impact on other workers, expressing hope that the trainees would apply the knowledge acquired to improve service delivery across their various ministries.

Present at the event were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. (Mrs.) Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai; Commissioner for Public Utilities, Engr. Karin Kumoko; Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei; and commissioners from the state civil service commission, among others.

By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and security agencies of complicity in a rising wave of political violence and voter intimidation across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said every Nigerian has a constitutional right to support any party of choice, and every registered party has a right to organize and campaign without fear.

“The Nigerian police is not APC police; it is the police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.

*Pattern of Attacks Documented*

Abdullahi said the ADC has documented incidents between July 2025 and September 2026 across Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi and Enugu states.

He recalled the attack on the ADC Secretariat in Benin in February during a political gathering, and gunshots at the residence of former Governor John Odigie-Oyegun where political leaders had gathered. He said the Edo Police Command confirmed the attack and promised investigation, but since February there has been “no arrest, no prosecution, and no report.”

According to him, the violence has intensified in recent days:

– In Rivers State, three days ago in Community Ward One, Odual LGA, home of the ADC vice presidential candidate, an attack on members preparing for a meeting led to the killing of a member identified as Kamadiyoi.
– In Enugu, armed men disrupted an opposition gathering with injuries recorded.
– In Kogi State, about five days ago, thugs suspected to be acting for the APC attacked ADC members in two wards, leaving several hospitalized.

*Inciting Rhetoric*

Abdullahi also pointed to what he called inciting rhetoric from APC members, saying it started with President Bola Tinubu’s statement that “all is fair in politics,” which he said has provided a “philosophical background” for thugs to act.

He listed:
– A commissioner, Kosain Abuba, who allegedly threatened amputation of arms against those who refuse to vote APC.
– The Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Danjuma Shekulo, who allegedly told residents to vacate the council if they will not vote APC.
– Senator Fadehusin Francis in Osun, who allegedly called on supporters to “look out for members of opposition and kill them,” and later claimed it was metaphorical.
– An APC woman leader who allegedly said women whose husbands do not support APC should divorce them.

“What we are saying is that a record of repeated violence against lawful political activity demands serious government response, which we are not seeing. So it’s either government is sanctioning what is happening, or they are saying that they are powerless and incompetent to stop it,” Abdullahi said.

*ADC’s Demands and Next Steps*

The party demanded that the Inspector General of Police provide a public account of all investigations into political violence. It said it maintains a central record with dates, locations, witness accounts, photos, videos, medical reports and police complaints.

Abdullahi said the party will preserve evidence and engage the National Human Rights Commission, the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, the African Union and international human rights bodies, while protecting witnesses.

He also warned international observers, including ECOWAS, that assessment of 2027 should not be limited to election day.

“Look around Abuja; the only posters and billboard you see is that of the ruling party,” he said, alleging that states now charge up to N200 million for billboards to shut out opposition. “The election is not free and fair if opposition parties cannot campaign freely.”

Addressing President Tinubu directly, Abdullahi asked him to withdraw or clarify his “all is fair in politics” statement:

“You need to come out to say you actually did not incite violence… You have that duty to the Constitution.”
Fielding questions on the allegation that the Federal Government is sponsoring the attacks?
bdullahi said the party is not making a direct accusation of sponsorship in every case, but noted that “where attacks occur around announced meetings, the opening of party offices, movement of certain political leaders… the authorities must examine whether adequate preventive arrangements were made.” He added that the failure to investigate and prosecute gives cause to believe the government is either sanctioning it or is incompetent to stop it.

On What ADC will do if attacks continue? Will you resort to self-defence?*
He stressed that the ADC stands for non-violence and that National Chairman Senator David Mark has directed that no candidate should engage in divisive rhetoric. However, he warned: “We are not crying. We are only serving notice, because when the state refuses to protect citizens, citizens have the right to embark on self-help before the condition degenerates into that… We cannot control how people will respond when they are being attacked.”

Are you saying you may not accept the 2027 election result?*
Abdullahi said the integrity of 2027 is already being undermined by denial of campaign space and intimidation. “We are not going to wait for you to come on election day and tell us that voters arrived on time, materials arrived on time, there were no incidents anywhere, and tell us that the election is free and fair… This will form the basis whether we accept the outcome of the 2027 election.”

On What concrete evidence the party has
He said the party has compiled witness accounts, photographic and video evidence, medical documentations and records of complaints submitted to law enforcement. “We are keeping records. We are documenting every single incident. All those who hide under the authority of the state today… no matter how long it takes, they will face the consequence.”

He added,”We want to know where they have promised us that they are investigating, it’s about time we know the results of those investigations. People have been killed, people have been maimed, properties have been burned and destroyed.”

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) says the continued non-utilisation of the official residence built for Vice President Kashim Shettima, nearly two years after its completion and commissioning, has vindicated the serious reservations it earlier expressed over the project.
HURIWA recalls that it had questioned the wisdom of committing several billions of naira to the construction and completion of a massive residential edifice for the Vice President at a time when millions of Nigerians were battling poverty, unemployment, insecurity and deteriorating living conditions.
The association had particularly expressed concern that the project was being pursued by an administration that had simultaneously imposed difficult economic reforms on Nigerians through the removal of petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira, developments that significantly affected the purchasing power of citizens.
HURIWA had described the project as an “intolerable error of judgment”, arguing that the priority of government at a time of widespread hardship should be the welfare of citizens and reduction in the cost of governance.
As Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, stated at the time:
“It is an intolerable error of judgment that the government embarked on such white elephant projects as the completion of a multi-billion naira mansion for the Vice President at a time when millions of Nigerian households are experiencing multidimensional poverty.”
“Why build such a massive mansion for the Vice President when the country is among the poverty capitals of the world? When you reduce the cost of governance, it becomes easier to take care of the citizens.”
HURIWA says the subsequent development surrounding the residence has made those concerns even more compelling.
The project, originally awarded in 2010 at about N7 billion and abandoned for several years, was revived under the Federal Capital Territory Administration and eventually completed at a cost that reportedly rose to about N21 billion, with additional public funding of approximately N22 billion reportedly committed to the project and associated works.
The facility was commissioned in June 2024, with the Federal Government presenting its completion as part of efforts to ensure that inherited projects did not become wasted public investments.
Yet, almost two years after its commissioning, the Vice President has continued to use Akinola Aguda House as his official residence.
For HURIWA, this development raises a fundamental question: what exactly has happened to the enormous public resources committed to a building that was specifically intended to serve as the official residence of the Vice President?
The association says it is particularly troubling that after such massive expenditure, questions are still being raised about the suitability of the facility for occupation.
If the funds committed to the project covered everything necessary to make the building suitable for the Vice President to move in, then the continued non-use of the facility raises legitimate questions about the adequacy of the project execution and the management of the public funds committed to it.
HURIWA believes that the situation should not become an excuse for another round of government expenditure.
The association therefore advocates that no further public funds should be committed to the mansion without a transparent explanation to Nigerians of why the billions already spent have not achieved the intended objective.
If the facility is still considered unsuitable for the Vice President after the enormous expenditure already incurred, HURIWA says that would raise serious questions about the prudence and judgment behind proceeding with the project in the first place.
The association says Nigerians should not be asked to continually pay for decisions that were made without sufficient regard for economic realities and public interest.
HURIWA is equally concerned that the controversy surrounding the residence should not be allowed to degenerate into speculation over unverified claims. What Nigerians need is a transparent account of the project: the original contract sum, variations, additional allocations, total expenditure, scope of work and the reasons the facility has remained unused for its intended purpose.
More importantly, HURIWA believes that the situation now presents an opportunity for government to turn an expensive and underutilised public asset into something that directly benefits ordinary Nigerians.
The association therefore advocates the conversion of the Vice President’s residence into a General Hospital for low-income earners, unemployed Nigerians and other vulnerable residents of Abuja.
HURIWA says such a conversion would provide a constructive public purpose for an edifice on which enormous taxpayers’ resources have already been expended.
At a time when many Nigerians struggle to access affordable and quality healthcare, the association believes that transforming the facility into a public hospital would give citizens a tangible benefit from an expenditure that has already generated widespread concerns over public-sector priorities.
HURIWA stresses that this advocacy is not targeted at the office or person of the Vice President. Rather, it is a call for responsible management of public assets and a reconsideration of how government can derive maximum public value from resources that have already been committed.
The association maintains that public expenditure should ultimately serve the public good.
Where billions of naira have already been spent on an asset that is not serving its original purpose, government should look beyond the original intention and consider how the asset can be repurposed to address the pressing needs of the Nigerian people.
For HURIWA, a General Hospital serving poor and vulnerable Nigerians would be a far more meaningful legacy for the controversial edifice than allowing it to remain an expensive, underutilised monument to questionable public expenditure.