News
Tinubu unperturbed by criticisms from Atiku, El-Rufai, Amaechi – Jimoh Ibrahim
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) at the weekend said President Bola Tinubu remains untroubled by recent criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Amaechi had urged Nigerians to be vigilant in defending their mandate during the 2027 election, warning that politicians, including the current President, would not easily relinquish power.
El-Rufai, on his part, criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a “zero-man show.”
He also called on opposition parties to unite and form a coalition to challenge the ruling party and protect democracy.
Atiku accused the Presidency of offering a N50 million bribe to opposition parties to undermine their structures ahead of the 2027 election, though most political platforms denied the allegation.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ibrahim dismissed the concerns, asserting that Tinubu was unfazed by the criticisms.
“Is El-Rufai saying that Tinubu doesn’t have legitimacy now and in 2027? If the answer is no, what are you worrying yourself about?” Ibrahim questioned. “If Atiku says people give bribes, he needs to provide evidence. We deal with empirical evidence to do reaction. We don’t react by narratives.”
He emphasised that the legitimacy of governance remains intact despite opposition sentiments.
“The key point is that the opposition will say whatever they want to say. But that does not take away the legitimacy of governance. I don’t think Tinubu is bothered by all the comments and sentiments that have been expressed,” he added.
Addressing El-Rufai’s criticism, Ibrahim said: “El-Rufai was in the National Assembly to be cleared as a minister and answered questions. At the end of the day, he didn’t get the ministerial appointment, probably because of some challenges or whatever happened.
“Another time, he claimed he had never applied to be a minister. If you don’t apply to be a minister, who forced you to come to the National Assembly? It’s not about whether he was treated fairly or not. It’s about the issue of security.”
The senator also questioned the motives of those criticising the current administration, suggesting they were mainly aggrieved party members and candidates who lost in the 2023 election.
He further dismissed fears about defections from the APC, noting that for every member who leaves, more join from opposition parties. “Look, when I contested the governorship election in Ondo State and didn’t get the ticket, did I gather a storm and destroy the government?” he asked.
Highlighting the influx of new members, he said: “This argument is one-sided. What about those from the PDP who have joined us? How many governors have crossed to APC, and how many of them are still planning to come? How many senators have left there?”
When asked if more Governors were considering joining the APC, Ibrahim affirmed: “Of course. A sitting governor is planning to come to the APC. I don’t want to mention names so that I don’t embarrass people.”
Recalling a previous prediction, Ibrahim concluded: “When I came here the last time, I told you Donald Trump would win the US election. You shouted at me.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has appointed Alhaji Onsachi Musa ldris, as the Senior Special Assistant on Procurement.
Idris, who became the Director, Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Procurement in July 2021, retired from the civil service today, April 24, 2006.
A statement on Friday, by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, described Idris as a seasoned public servant with over 30 years of experience in administration, finance, and public sector procurement management.
He rose to the position of Director, Common Services (Procurement) in August 2019 and was later redeployed to the Department of Procurement as Director FCT Procurement in July 2021, where he played critical roles in overseeing procurement processes and ensuring compliance with
regulatory standards.
Over the years, Idris has gained extensive experience across key administrative and Procurement functions, contributing to institutional efficiency and service delivery.
The appointment takes immediate effect.
Residents of Kubwa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the construction of roads, especially in the satellite towns by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, under the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
One of the residents, Prosper Onyenaucheya, who spoke during the minister’s inspection of the ongoing construction of Kubwa-Gbazango road, otherwise called Arab Road on Friday, praised the Federal Capital Territory Administration under the leadership of Wike, for prioritizing projects that directly impact communities.
During the inspection, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the road projects, which include Karu township roads, Apo-Karshi road and Kubwa – Gbazango road, otherwise called Arab Road, noting that many of them will be commissioned during the third anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration.
The Minister also reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to opening more roads across the FCT and making Abuja cleaner and more organized through sustained infrastructural development and urban renewal.
Addressing the FCT Minister in Kubwa during the inspection, Prosper Onyenaucheya said; “You are doing a very wonderful work and the work is going fast.
“We want to thank you for the speed of the light with which the work has been going on here. Thank you very much Mr Project. We have felt your presence.
“The truth is that you have helped to promote the scorecards of our President. You are doing well. I know that Nigerians will miss this administration because of your work.”
Fielding questions from journalists after the inspection, Wike assured that the Karu township roads will be among the projects to be inaugurated as part of the third anniversary of the President.
He also commended Abdul Val Nigeria Ltd, the contractor handling the Karu Road, stretching from Karu Interchange to Customs Clinic Junction, saying; “You can see that the job is going on well. What impressed me so much is that it is being handled by a local contractor, and you can see the quality of work being done there.
“The contractor has demonstrated that if they are given the opportunity, our local contractors can also complete with the foreign ones.”
On the Kubwa – Gbazango road, the minister said with the assurance being given by the contractor, the road will also be among those to be commissioned in June, this year.
The Federal Government has approved an increase in peculiar allowances and other welfare benefits for civil servants.
Nigeria’s Head of the Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, in a move expected to increase the take-home pay of civil servants and boost the morale of the government’s workforce.
Walson-Jack said the increment affects workers under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).
This is targeted at ensuring a broad-based impact across all cadres of the civil service.
According to her, the allowances have been structured to reflect across all grade levels, leading to better earnings for senior and junior officers.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has approved a review of some key allowances for civil servants.
Some of them include duty tour allowance (DTA), estacode, and book allowance.
The head of service said almost all allowances in the Public Service Rules have been revised.
One key reform is the approval of 100 percent DTA, which is for civil servants attending approved training programmes irrespective of whether travel is involved or not.
She said, “Even if you are based in Abuja and attend training within Abuja, you are entitled to full DTA.”
Apart from salary-related adjustments, the Federal Government has also introduced an exit benefit scheme for retiring civil servants under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The scheme, which provides 100 per cent of a retiree’s full emoluments as an exit package, in addition to their pension, takes effect from January 1, 2026.
For the head of service, the move is part of efforts to enhance dignity in retirement. She maintained that no public servant should leave service without adequate financial support.
The Federal Government equally confirmed the operationalisation of the Employee Compensation Scheme, aimed at financially protecting workers who suffer job-related injuries or death.
Nigeria’s latest reforms followed an increase in calls from labour unions for improved welfare for civil servants as the cost of living continues to soar, putting more pressure on workers.
It comes about two years after the Federal Government approved a salary rise of between 25% and 35% for civil servants on the remaining six consolidated salary structures.
The salary structure includes the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS), and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).
Support for Oyo Workers
In the meantime, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced a ₦10,000 monthly transportation support fund for civil servants in the state to cushion the impacts of the rising costs of living.
Makinde said this will run for an initial period of three months. According to him, the move is part of the Oyo government’s response to prevailing economic pressures, particularly the rising cost of transportation.
The governor said it will help lessen the financial burden on civil servants in the state and ensure uninterrupted service delivery across ministries, departments, and agencies.
“This support is a direct response to the realities our workers are facing,” Makinde said. “We understand that transportation costs have gone up significantly, and as a government, we must act to ease that burden.”
The transport allowance took effect in March, 2026.
Wike Appoints Musa Idris As Senior Special Assistant On Procurement
FCT Residents Hail President Tinubu Over Construction Of Satellite Towns Roads
FG increases allowances for Civil Servants
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