President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Ganduje as Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) under the Ministry of Aviation.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

In addition to Ganduje’s appointment, the President named chairpersons for 41 federal organizations, alongside new leadership roles, including a Managing Director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a Director-General for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).

President Tinubu disclosed that board chairpersons are non-executive roles and urged appointees to avoid interfering in the management of the respective organizations.

Complete List of President Tinubu’s Appointments for Federal Boards and Agencies
1. National Youth Service Corps, Ministry of Youth Development – Hon. Hillard Eta (Chairman, Cross River)

2. Nigerian Institute of International Affairs – Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi (Chairman, Lagos)

3. Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Ministry of Aviation – H.E. Abdullahi Ganduje (Chairman, Kano)

4. National Sugar Development Council – Sen. Surajudeen Bashiru Ajibola (Chairman, Osun)

5. Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company – H.E. Sulaiman Argungu (Chairman, Kebbi)

6. National Agency for Great Green Wall – Sen. Magnus Abe (Chairman, Rivers)

7. National Teachers Institute – Barr. Festus Fuanter (Chairman, Plateau)

8. National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) – Raji Kazeem Kolawole (Director-General, Oyo)

9. Nigerian Institute of Educational Planning and Administration – Chief Victor Tombari Giadom (Chairman, Rivers)

10. Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria – Comrade Mustapha Salihu (Chairman, Adamawa)

11. Industrial Training Fund – Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo (Chairman, Gombe)

12. Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology – Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa (Chairman, Abia)

13. Sheda Science and Technology Complex – Sen. Abubakar Maikafi (Chairman, Bauchi)

14. Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria – H.E. Nasiru Gawuna (Chairman, Kano)

15. National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion – Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi (Chairman, Lagos)

16. Nigerian Postal Service – Chief D. J. Kekemeke (Chairman, Ondo)

17. National Inland Waterways Authority – Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar (Chairman, Sokoto)

18. National Steel Council – Prof. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar (Chairman, Nasarawa)

19. National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency – Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad (Chairman, Kaduna)

20. National Bio-Safety Management Agency – Mu’azu Bawa Rijau (Chairman, Niger)

21. Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Hon. Durosimi Meseko (Chairman, Kogi)

22. Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe – Hajia Zainab A. Ibrahim (Chairman, Taraba)

23. Nigerian Railway Corporation – Dr. Kayode Isiak Opeifa (Managing Director, Lagos)

24. Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti – Aare (Hon.) Durotolu Oyebode Bankole (Chairman, Ogun)

25. Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta – Mr. Abdullahi Dayo Israel (Chairman, Lagos)

26. Federal Medical Centre, Asaba – Dr. Mrs. Mary Alile Idele (Chairman, Edo)

27. Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja – Nze Chidi Duru (OON) (Chairman, Anambra)

28. Federal Medical Centre, Owerri – Hon. Emma Eneukwu (Chairman, Enugu)

29. Civil Defence, Immigration and Prisons Services Board – Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik Rtd (Secretary, Kano)

30. Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia – Mr. Uguru Mathew Ofoke (Chairman, Ebonyi)

31. Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa – Barr. Felix Chukwumenoye Morka (Chairman, Delta)

32. Federal Medical Centre, Yola – Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel (Chairman, Jigawa)

33. David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Ubuhu, Ebonyi State – Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu (Chairman, Imo)

34. National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency – Chief Edward Omo-Erewa (Chairman, Edo)

35. Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) – Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar (Chairman, Kaduna)

36. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State – Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori (Chairman, Borno)

37. Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, Kaduna State – Hon. Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)

38. Federal Medical Centre, Katsina – Dr. Abubakar Isa Maiha (Chairman)

39. Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) – Isa Sadiq Achida (Chairman, Sokoto)

40. Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu – Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan (Chairman, Zamfara)

41. National Building and Road Research Institute – Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa (Chairman, Nasarawa)

42. Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority – Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno (Chairman, Sokoto)

43. Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital – Augustine Chukwu Umahi (Chairman, Ebonyi)

44. Federal Scholarship Board – Engr. Babatunde Fakoyede (Chairman, Ekiti)

45. Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund – Hon. Shola Olofin (Chairman, Ekiti)

Former Senator Peter Nwaoboshi has said that Senator Ned Nwoko’s planned movement to the All Progressives Congress, APC, may be a ploy to destabilise the party in Delta state.

According to Nwaoboshi, Nwoko, who recently announced his intention to defect to the APC, is allegedly working with elements in the Presidency to dissolve the Delta State APC Executive Committee before the expiration of its tenure.

In a statement released on January 20, 2025, Nwaoboshi described the move as a “grave threat” to the unity and stability of the APC in Delta State. “It is unacceptable and disrespectful to the democratic principles that the APC stands for,” he said. Nwaoboshi added that the alleged plan undermines the rights of duly elected officials and violates the party’s constitution.

The Delta State APC Executive was elected to serve a specific tenure, and Nwaoboshi warned that dissolving the structure prematurely would lead to chaos. “Such a move has the potential to jeopardize the party’s ability to field candidates in the 2027 general elections,” he cautioned. He called on all party stakeholders to resist any such attempts, stating that the party must prioritize its stability to achieve electoral success.

Nwaoboshi, who represented Delta North Senatorial District from 2015 to 2023, criticized Nwoko for attempting to dictate terms within the APC despite not being a member. “If Nwoko genuinely wants to join the APC, he must follow the same process as every other member—build relationships, respect the leadership structure, and adhere to the party’s democratic processes,” he asserted.

He also accused Nwoko of being motivated by self-interest rather than a genuine commitment to the people of Delta State or the APC’s principles. Nwaoboshi described Nwoko’s history of party-hopping as evidence of his opportunism. “His interest in the APC appears driven by personal gain rather than the party’s ideals,” he stated, warning against allowing such tendencies to disrupt the party’s internal harmony.

Nwaoboshi further urged the national leadership of the APC and the Presidency to ignore any calls from Nwoko to dissolve the Delta State APC Executive. He described such a proposal as unconstitutional and an affront to the party’s democratic ethos. “The leadership must remain steadfast and uphold the party’s constitution rather than succumbing to the whims of individuals seeking to destabilize our party,” he emphasized.

The former senator also cautioned Nwoko against meddling in the internal affairs of the Delta State APC, warning that such interference would meet stiff resistance. “We will not be intimidated by his antics. The APC is a democratic institution, and we will defend its integrity against any attempt to destabilize it,” he declared.

Nwaoboshi reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the unity and principles of the APC in Delta State. He called on party members and stakeholders to stand firm and resist any actions that threaten the stability and integrity of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Witnesses of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, gave testimonies on how irregularities allegedly marred the Sept. 21, 2024, Edo governorship election in three Local Governments (LGs) of the state.

The PDP and its candidate in the election, Dr Asue Ighodalo, are challenging the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Gov. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.

Being led in evidence by Abiodun Owonikoko, PDP counsel in the petition, one of the witnesses, Kennedy Osifo, tendered agents’ copies of the election results for 76 polling units.

The polling units are in Ward II of Ikpoba Okha local government area, where he alleged four electoral irregularities.

According to him, the irregularities were observed when the agents’ copies were examined alongside the certified true copies of the results of BVAS accreditation report obtained from the INEC’s IREV portal.

He said that the discrepancies had been highlighted in his witness statement on oath, which he urged the tribunal to adopt in evidence in the case.

Osifo, who said that he was the PDP local government collation officer in the poll, alleged that the INEC relied on incorrect scores to announce the election’s final result.

When cross-examined, Osifo said that his testimonies were based strictly on the two documents and not on contacts with the agents.

On his part, Adebayo Ogedegbe alleged cases of irregularities in 45 units across Akoko-Edo LG of the state.

Ogedegbe, the party collation officer for the local government, testified that INEC computed incorrect scores that negated the records in the certified true copies in 41 of these units.

The witness alleged overvoting in the four other units, seeking to tender the agents’ copies of the results of these units in evidence to corroborate his claims.

For Owan West LG, Lucky Aroye tendered agents’ copies of results in nine units where he also alleged overvoting.

Aroye said that there were no prior recordings of sensitive materials in seven units of the LG, urging INEC to adopt his statement on oath as evidence in the case.

When asked if the witness was able to visit all the units in the local government as the collation officer, he said there was no way he could have done that, considering the number.

Meanwhile, messers Kalu Agabi, Onyechi Ikpeazu, and Ukala, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), counsels to INEC, Okpebholo, and the APC, objected to the admissibility of the tendered documents.

The lawyers, however, reserved their grounds to the final written addresses.

Justice Wilfred Kpochi, the chairman of the tribunal, in his ruling, said that the documents were provisionally admitted in evidence.

Kpochi adjourned the sitting until Wednesday for continuation of hearing.

(NAN)