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Cabinet Reshuffle: ActionAid Nigeria Says Tinubu Should Have Increase Female Ministers

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Cabinet Reshuffle: ActionAid Nigeria Says Tinubu Should Have Increase Female Ministers

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has decried the non increment in ministerial slot to women after the newly announced cabinet reshuffling by President Bola Tinubu.

The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, in a statement on Thursday said the organisation “acknowledges the recent cabinet reshuffling, along with the disbandment and merging of some Ministries, as an effort towards recalibrating governance. While restructuring is within the President’s prerogative, this moment demands that government agendas are decisively aligned with the needs of citizens, with a focus on inclusivity, cost-efficiency, and competent service delivery.

“The ousting of three female portfolio Ministers and appointment of seven new portfolio Ministers, three of which are women, raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to advancing gender equality, youth engagement, social development and the fulfillment of the 35% Affirmative Action benchmark. In a country with an already low representation of women in both elective and appointed positions, this was a crucial opportunity for the government to advance gender parity.

“Appointing more women would have signaled a decisive step toward closing this persistent gap. Instead, this move reinforces systemic exclusion and undermines years of advocacy for gender inclusion.”

He added that: “The decision to replace underperforming Ministers highlights the President’s intention to ensure accountability, improve delivery and address the current situation in the country. However, it also raises critical questions about the original appointments: Why did these officials fail to deliver? What lessons have been learned about the pitfalls of appointing political cronies at the expense of governance? We urge the administration to ensure thorough capacity-building for the new ministers and to take decisive action to prevent a repeat of previous shortcomings. Investigating the root causes of the failures is essential to avoid the same governance lapses.”

He further said: “As this cabinet grows to become the largest since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, concerns about the rising cost of governance become even more pressing. Although some Ministries were merged or disbanded, the net effect has been an increase in the number of Ministers.

“We call on all newly appointed Ministers to resist the temptation to introduce new personal agendas that deviate from the mandates of their Ministries. Governance should be focused and aligned with public needs, particularly in critical areas such as poverty reduction, social protection, and humanitarian support. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction must act swiftly to revive key initiatives, such as the school feeding program and the national social register, to address the urgent needs of vulnerable populations.
ActionAid Nigeria urges the President to ensure that ministers follow the existing frameworks and strategic objectives of their Ministries. Policies and programmes must be people-centered, reflecting the current socio-economic realities of the nation.”

He said: “Citizens expect a government that prioritizes their well-being and delivers results efficiently and transparently.
In these challenging times, it is essential that governance reflects the principles of equity, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. We remain committed to holding leaders accountable to these standards and advocating for a government that works for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

Cabinet Reshuffle: ActionAid Nigeria Says Tinubu Should Have Increase Female Ministers

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Gombe Govt. prioritises economic growth, job creation in 2026 budget

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Gombe Govt. prioritises economic growth, job creation in 2026 budget

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, says his administration will prioritise economic growth, job creation and social welfare in 2026 budget.

Yahaya, who was represented by his deputy, Manassah Jatau, stated this on Thursday in Gombe, during the inauguration of a one-day citizens’ engagement on the 2026 budget.

He said the state government would increase investments in critical sectors and focus on consolidating ongoing reforms in 2026.

The governor said that his administration had made remarkable progress in areas such as fiscal responsibility, budget discipline, and public financial management reforms over the years.

According to Yahaya, the state is being ranked among the top states in Nigeria in transparency and ease of doing business in view of his administration’s progress.

“As we prepare the 2026 budget, our focus will remain on consolidating ongoing reforms and deepening investments in critical sectors that drive economic growth, job creation and social welfare.

“We are also committed to aligning our budget priorities with the State Development Plan and Nigeria’s National Fevelopment framework, as well as global commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said.

On the citizens’ engagements, Yahaya said the forum was a demonstration of his administration’s firm belief that good governance must be participatory, inclusive, relevant and responsive to the desire and priorities of the people.

“As a government that values transparency and accountability, we recognise that an effective budget is not merely a financial document.

“It is the roadmap for delivering the aspirations of our people and a reflection of our collective priorities as a state,” he said.

Yahaya assured that his administration remained resolute in promoting fiscal prudence, expanding the revenue base, adding that, “every naira spent delivers maximum value to the people of Gombe State.”

Yahaya urged citizens to contribute meaningfully to the design of the 2026 fiscal plan, stressing that their inputs would help shape decisions on how scarce public resources would be utilised.

Mr Salihu Baba-Alkali, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, reiterated government’s commitment to foster transparency, inclusiveness and accountability in budgeting process.

Also, Muhammad Magaji, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, said the engagement had given voice to the people in the state’s development process.

Magaji said the engagement played a major role in strengthening partnership between government and the people.

“When we work together, we can create budget that not only meets the immediate needs of the population but also lays a foundation for a prosperous and resilient Gombe State in years to come,” he said.

Gombe Govt. prioritises economic growth, job creation in 2026 budget

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The resurgence of coups and the uncertain future of democracy in Africa

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The resurgence of coups and the uncertain future of democracy in Africa

By: Zagazola Makama

The growing wave of political instability across Africa underscores the continent’s fragile democratic foundations and the deepening crisis of governance, legitimacy, and public trust. The recent developments in Madagascar and Cameroon illustrate how decades of poor governance, corruption, and military interference have converged to threaten democratic stability across the region.

On 11 October 2025, Madagascar descended once again into military rule following a coup led by Colonel Michael Randriannirina, commander of the elite Corps d’Administration des Personnel et des Services des Armées Terrestres (CAPSAT). The coup, staged in the capital city, Antananarivo, came after weeks of public protests and defections within the military, with demands for President Andry Rajoelina’s resignation.

As in previous interventions, the junta cited corruption, economic hardship, and poor service delivery particularly in electricity and water supply as justifications for their action. Rajoelina’s whereabouts remain uncertain amid reports that he fled aboard a French military plane. Despite the country’s top court directing the junta to organize elections within 60 days, Colonel Michael has declared a two-year transition period before elections are held.

The coup has drawn cautious reactions from the international community. The African Union, United Nations, and Western governments have called for restraint, while France suspended flights to Madagascar and the United States advised its citizens to shelter in place. The crisis signals the re-emergence of military dominance in Malagasy politics, reminiscent of the 2009 coup that first brought Rajoelina to power, raising fears that Colonel Michael’s youthful leadership could easily devolve into authoritarian rule.

Meanwhile, Cameroon’s 12 October 2025 presidential election has deepened tensions in an already volatile polity. President Paul Biya now seeking an unprecedented eighth term faces mounting opposition, with rival candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary declaring victory and urging Biya to concede. The ruling party, RDPC, has dismissed such declarations, emphasizing that only the Constitutional Council can certify results. Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, further warned that any parallel announcement of results would amount to high treason.

The polls were marred by widespread allegations of vote-buying, irregularities, and intimidation. The RDPC’s sweeping victory in earlier senatorial elections reflected its entrenched control over state institutions. Compounding this is the deepening Anglophone crisis, where fighting between government forces and separatist groups continues to displace thousands. Civil society restrictions, NGO suspensions, and arrests of human rights defenders have further undermined democratic space, raising questions about the credibility and transparency of the entire process.

The election’s outcome will significantly shape Cameroon’s political trajectory. With Biya’s advanced age and the regime’s dependence on coercive control, growing frustrations among the youth and opposition may lead to renewed protests or even attempts at military intervention.

These crises in Madagascar and Cameroon unfold within a broader continental pattern of democratic decline. The failure to dismantle existing juntas in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso combined with the unresolved war in Sudan has emboldened new actors to seize power through unconstitutional means. Eight military regimes now govern across Africa, signaling a regression to the pre-2000 era of chronic coups.

The underlying causes remain consistent: corruption, poverty, insecurity, and elite manipulation of institutions. Militaries across the region continue to view themselves as the ultimate guardians of national stability, stepping in where civilian administrations appear weak or compromised. The inconsistent and often selective responses of regional bodies and international partners have further undermined deterrence, emboldening coup plotters and deepening cynicism toward global democratic norms.

From Madagascar and Cameroon to the recent foiled coup plot in Nigeria, where the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) under the leadership of the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, successfully foiled a deadly violent coup plot aimed at toppling the federal government and democracy. Thanks to the military.

The pattern of instability reveals how corruption, weak institutions, and elite power struggles continue to erode democratic norms and threaten regional stability. Democratic governance and human rights across Africa are now at a crossroads. The continent’s modest gains over the last two decades are being rapidly reversed, with state fragility and authoritarian resurgence threatening regional peace and development.

To arrest this decline, African leaders must prioritize good governance, transparency, and inclusive economic reform to rebuild public trust. Regional organizations like the African Union and ECOWAS must adopt consistent, non-selective sanctions against unconstitutional regimes, while international partners should focus on strengthening democratic institutions rather than individual rulers.

The future of democracy in Madagascar and Cameroonian and indeed across sub-Saharan Africa depends on leaders’ willingness to uphold constitutional order, respect term limits, and deliver tangible socio-economic progress. Only through sustained political accountability and people-centered governance can Africa break the recurring cycle of coups and restore faith in democracy.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad
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JNIM claims first attack in Kwara, four months after announcing new brigade

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JNIM claims first attack in Kwara, four months after announcing new brigade

By: Zagazola Makama

Al-Qaeda–linked militant group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for an attack in Kwara State, its first in Nigeria, four months after announcing the establishment of a new brigade in the country.

According to intelligence sources, the attack reportedly occurred in the northern part of Kwara, along the border corridor linking Niger and Kogi States.

JNIM, which operates mainly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, announced in June the creation of a new brigade for Nigeria, raising concerns about a possible southward expansion of jihadist influence.

Zagazola said that the claim aligns with earlier intelligence warnings of cross-border infiltration through smuggling routes connecting Benin Republic and Niger.

“JNIM’s latest statement describes the attack as the debut operation of its Nigerian brigade. If verified, this would indicate a dangerous evolution of the regional threat landscape,” the source said.

Security operatives in Kwara, Niger, and Kogi States should intensify patrols and surveillance in response to the development, with reinforcements deployed to border communities.

Military and intelligence agencies should work to identify possible linkages between JNIM operatives and local extremist networks.

The incident comes amid heightened regional insecurity and the continued fragmentation of terror groups across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.

JNIM claims first attack in Kwara, four months after announcing new brigade

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