General
Lagos Assembly Screens Six Governor’s Nominees
By Dipo Olowookere
Six nominees of Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for both the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency and the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) have undergone screening. The exercise was conducted on Tuesday by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Nominated and screened for the position of General Manager, Lagos State Public Procurement Commission was Mr Onafowote Fatai Idowu, who was born on January 16, 1957.
He attended University of Ibadan and studied agriculture, biochemistry and nutrition. And started working at the Lagos State Agriculture Development Project. He later became Programme Secretary, State Food Security Programme
Mr Idowu also supported Lagos State Public Procurement as a Technical Adviser and he has been acting as General Manager of the commission since May 2016. He is a certified procurement manager, who has worked under World Bank project in the sector.
Speaking during his screening, the General Manager-designate agreed that insurance bond is important for procurement, adding that the fund given to any contractor ought to be protected.
“They could get bond from banks or insurance companies. I support the ongoing reform in the House of Assembly on public procurement.
“Initial payment for contracts could be between 20 and 40%. It could be low for projects that involved a lot of money. Financial capability is part of consideration. 20% could be low, but it should range between 20 and 40%,” he said.
Mr Idowu added that he started acting as the GM of the commission as a child of circumstance, when the immediate past General Manager resigned.
Also yesterday, the House also screened nominees for the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).
Nominated and screened for the position of the Chairman of the board of TESCOM was Mrs Elizabeth Olabisi Ariyo, who was born in 1956, and attended United Missionary College, where she obtained a Grade 2 Teachers Certificate and taught in Ilesha, Osun State.
She also went to the University of Lagos from 1982 to 1986 to study English Language and thereafter started working with the Lagos State School of Basic Studies in 1986, and later worked as an inspector, planning officer and state Primary Education Board.
Mrs Ariyo became a Permanent Secretary in 2015 and retired in 2016.
On pension, she said that she will monitor payment of pension of teachers, adding that there is presently no central body. It
Also screened to be a member of the commission was Mr Jacob Mahonu Ashaka, who was born in 1958 in Topo, Badagry.
In 1976, he proceeded to Government Teachers Training College, Badagry for Grade 2 Certificate and was employed as a teacher.
In 1981, he went to Lagos State College of Education and graduated in 1984. He went back to teaching in 1985 after his NYSC Programme.
He worked at Agboju Secondary School for nine years. He later gained admission to the Lagos State University for first degree and went back for Masters Degree programme in Education Science and Administration in 2001.
Another nominee screened for TESCOM was Mrs Sidikat Titilayo Smith, who was born in 1954 and attended the University of Lagos, where she studied Biology Education. She was also cleared by the House for the position.
Mr Adeleke Oluwaseun Kara was also screened to be a member of TESCOM. He went to the Federal College of Education, Okenne, and later taught at Teachers College, Ikorodu before going to the University of Ibadan to study Guidance and Counselling.
The fifth nominee screened for TESCOM was Mrs Hadijat Hassan Kuburat, who was born in 1965 and attended Lagos State University, where she studied Political Science and later got Masters degree and is undergoing Phd Programme at the University of Ilorin.
Meanwhile, a Bill for a Law to amend the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (2016) was read for the second time.
Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, and Human Rights, Mr Tunde Buraimoh, stated that the bill needs overhauling and that the citizens must be made to know the importance of security.
He said that the House has a responsibility to ensure that the agency works well and made to achieve its aim.
The Majority Leader, Mr Sanai Agunbiade also added his voice to the need to review the bill, which he said considered the issue of vigilante.
He said that members of the corps have power to conduct search or to arrest any erring member of the public.
Mr Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu Constituency 1) and Mr Yishawu Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti Osa 2) also spoke on the matter, while the bill was later committed to the House Committee on Information, Publicity and Strategy, headed by Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuosho. The committee was ordered to report back to the House in two weeks.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has approached the court against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged N800 billion campaign fund diversion.
The organisation is seeking to compel the electoral body to investigate allegations that about N800 million from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations was diverted by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to finance political and campaign activities.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, but no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the claims that the governors channelled public funds into a dedicated campaign account allegedly meant to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The organisation is also requesting an order compelling INEC to demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC on any contributions made to such a campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.
In addition, SERAP wants the electoral commission to commence a comprehensive review of compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by political parties and candidates, particularly regarding campaign financing and the sources of political donations.
According to SERAP, the allegations raise fundamental concerns about transparency in political financing, electoral fairness and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to participate freely in democratic governance.
The organisation argued that opaque campaign financing remains a major avenue for corruption and weakens public confidence in democratic institutions.
It maintained that the alleged misuse of public funds for political purposes threatens the credibility of the 2027 general election and undermines public trust in the electoral process.
In the suit filed by its lawyers, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Kehinde Oyewumi, SERAP argued that the reported diversion of public resources for campaign activities warrants immediate action by INEC under its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
The group stated: “The abuse of state resources for electoral advantage undermines democratic integrity and public trust. Fairness, transparency, and accountability in political or campaign finance are essential safeguards against corruption, state capture, and undue influence in democratic processes.”
SERAP further argued: “The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
The organisation said large-scale public financial allocations, combined with weak oversight and limited transparency, provide sufficient grounds for INEC to activate its investigative powers.
Referring to Section 91 of the Electoral Act, SERAP noted that the law empowers INEC to regulate political donations, enforce contribution limits, demand disclosure of funding sources and impose sanctions where violations occur.
The organisation explained that political parties found to have exceeded donation limits risk fines of up to ₦10 million and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who exceed prescribed limits are liable to penalties amounting to five times the excess contribution.
SERAP also contended that campaign financing derived from public resources distorts electoral competition and violates constitutional principles guaranteeing free, fair and transparent elections.
According to SERAP, INEC has a constitutional duty to ensure compliance with campaign finance regulations and to investigate allegations that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted the deadline for political parties to submit the names and credentials of candidates seeking to contest the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The electoral body announced that parties now have until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, to complete the process, extending the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.
Under INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general election, political parties were expected to upload the names and personal particulars of their presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the initial cut-off date.
Explaining the decision, INEC said the extension followed appeals from political parties that had encountered difficulties meeting the deadline.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the request was formally conveyed through the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
According to him, IPAC sought additional time on behalf of parties that were yet to complete the submission of their candidates’ details through the commission’s portal.
“The decision to extend was based on an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, on behalf of political parties who were unable to upload the names and personal particulars of their candidates within the scheduled timeline,” Mr Haruna stated.
INEC noted that the extension is intended to give all eligible parties a fair opportunity to comply with the requirements of the electoral process while remaining within the framework of the law.
The commission also urged political parties to utilise the extra period to finalise and upload all required information ahead of the revised deadline.
“The commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” the statement added.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
