Gov. Fintiri’s defection will boost APC’s chances of winning in 2027 – Dr Girei

Dr Salihu Bakari Girei, Gubernatorial aspirant under the platform All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 described the defection of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to the ruling party as a welcome development for the APC in the state.

Girei said that his defection is coming at the right time to galvanise the party’s victory in 2027 General Elections at the national and sub national level.

Dr Girei who is one of the founding fathers of the APC in the state disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Yola.

He said, Fintiri joined APC at the right time considering his outstanding performance in the state which he said was in line with President Tinubu’s transformation agenda.

He added that the defection would add value to the APC family and also help deliver dividends of democracy to the ordinary people that are yearning for good governance as well as to fast-track development.

He said Fintiri has performed credibly well, in line with his 10-point agenda for the state to justify the people’s trust in his leadership and administration.

Dr Girei further lauded President Bola Tinubu for his effort and strategy in addressing Nigeria’s challenges for and ensuring rapid development.

He said, “President Tinubu is very strategic in addressing Nigeria’s challenges and many now understood that Mr President meant well for this country and has turned the fortune of the country around for good.”

According to him, records have shown that the dollar has crashed, the economy stabilized, security improved, food is affordable and issues of strikes are no more among others.

Bakari-Girei said, all these are factors that naturally attract people joining the APC across the country for more development in the country.

He queried those saying that President Tinubu is turning the country into a one-party system, recalling that the PDP once had 30 governors and no one complained.

“Today people have decided to join APC because of many factors initiated by the President Tinubu administration that naturally attracted people to join APC and support Mr President.”

He pointed to President Tinubu’s history as governor of Lagos, where opposition platforms continued to function, as evidence of his commitment to multi-party democracy.

He also appreciated the foresight of the President for appointing Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser who has invested much in APC in the state.

He further urged unity and understanding of all APC stakeholders in the state for the progress and success of the party at all levels.

Gov. Fintiri’s defection will boost APC’s chances of winning in 2027 – Dr Girei

Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS Moves to Boost Enforcement of Judgments with High-Level Talks in Republic of Guinea

By: Michael Mike

The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS will hold a high-level bilateral meeting in the Republic of Guinea from March 2 to 4, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen the enforcement of its judgments across Member States.

The three-day engagement, organised in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States, is expected to bring together the Court’s delegation, Guinea’s Competent National Authority (CNA), senior government officials, and representatives of civil society to address persistent challenges in implementing the Court’s rulings.

At the heart of the meeting is the push to close the gap between judicial decisions and their execution at the national level. While the ECOWAS Court continues to deliver landmark judgments on human rights, governance, and community law, enforcement remains a critical concern in several jurisdictions. The Guinea dialogue is aimed at building a more effective, coordinated, and transparent enforcement framework.

Discussions will focus on practical strategies to improve compliance rates, streamline procedures, and strengthen collaboration between national institutions and the regional court. Participants are expected to review existing bottlenecks, share best practices, and identify sustainable solutions that can enhance uniformity in enforcement mechanisms across the sub-region.

The programme will include a dedicated forum examining the current status of enforcement of the Court’s judgments in Guinea, alongside presentations on the Court’s enforcement processes and the national legal landscape. Civil society organisations will also engage directly with the Court in a bilateral dialogue designed to promote accountability and inclusive participation.

Beyond the technical sessions, the Court’s delegation will pay courtesy visits to key government figures, including the Minister in charge of ECOWAS Affairs, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Finance, the President of the Supreme Court, and the Speaker of Parliament. Meetings are also scheduled with the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission and the President of the Bar Association.

The delegation will be led by the President of the Court, Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, and will include Vice-President Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Honourable Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara, as well as directors and other officials.

Similar bilateral meetings have previously taken place in the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, reflecting the Court’s broader strategy to institutionalise cooperation and reinforce the authority of its judgments throughout West Africa.

As ECOWAS marks five decades of regional integration, the Guinea engagement signals a renewed determination to ensure that the decisions of its judicial arm are not only pronounced but fully implemented—strengthening the rule of law and deepening trust in regional justice systems.

Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS Moves to Boost Enforcement of Judgments with High-Level Talks in Republic of Guinea

NSCDC Mourns Female Officer Who Died During Abuja Training Simulation Accident

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has expressed deep sorrow following the death of Assistant Superintendent of Corps Ogbodo Ene Victoria, who died after sustaining mortal wound during a tactical simulation exercise in Abuja.

The tragic incident occurred at the NSCDC National Headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory during a training exercise organised to mark the 2026 edition of World Civil Defence Day. The exercise, which focused on tactical rescue operations for kidnapped school children, was conducted by the Female Strike Force as part of preparedness demonstrations for emergency response scenarios.

According to officials, the officer was immediately rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital – Gwagwalada following the accident. Despite medical intervention, she was later pronounced dead, as doctors struggled to stabilise her condition after the incident.

The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, described the death as a painful loss to the service, expressing shock over the unfortunate event. He extended condolences to the family of the deceased officer, her colleagues, and members of the corps across the country.

The Commandant General has directed a high-level delegation from the NSCDC headquarters to visit the bereaved family and convey the organisation’s sympathy and support. He also assured that the corps would provide a befitting burial for the fallen officer, in addition to ensuring that all entitled service benefits are paid to her family in accordance with public service regulations.

While urging officers and personnel to remain committed to their duties, Audi encouraged them not to be discouraged by the tragedy, describing the incident as a reminder of the risks associated with emergency and rescue operations. He called for prayers for the family of the deceased and for the continued safety of personnel across all formations of the service.

The NSCDC leadership acknowledged that the accident could have been avoided if stricter safety protocols and better coordination had been observed during the training simulation. The command therefore advised personnel to strictly adhere to operational safety standards during future exercises, particularly given the hazardous nature of security and rescue training activities.

The corps reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening workplace safety measures while continuing its mandate of protecting lives and critical national infrastructure.

The incident has sparked renewed discussions within security and emergency response circles about the importance of safety oversight during tactical training exercises, especially those involving high-risk operational simulations.

Authorities say internal investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident will continue in order to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

NSCDC Mourns Female Officer Who Died During Abuja Training Simulation Accident