Politics
Water project: Lawan denies ordering arrest of critic
Senator Ahmad Lawan of the Yobe North district has denied ordering the arrest of a constituent, Ishe’u Ibrahim Jadda, who criticized his Gashua water supply project.
In a statement released on Saturday, Ezrel Tabiowo, media adviser to the Yobe senator, stated that Lawan, the former Senate President, “has never used, and will never use his position or influence to silence dissent or intimidate his critics.”
The senator’s stance follows a media report that he was responsible for the arrest of Jadda over his comments on the water project.
According to Tabiowo, the water project in Gashua, a town in Yobe State, facilitated by senator Lawan had been commissioned and handed over to the state government by the federal government.
However, the media aide did not clarify whether the project is currently operational.
The statement said the publication is reckless and untrue, describing it as a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of a statesman whose entire public service has been marked by unwavering commitment to the rule of law, democratic ideals, and the protection of citizens’ freedom of expression.
He said, “To be clear, Senator Ahmad Lawan, an experienced legislator and former Senate President, has never used and will never use his position or influence to silence dissent or threaten his critics.
“His long-standing record as a lawmaker, even during his years in opposition, speaks to a man who respects divergent opinions and upholds the sanctity of democratic engagement.
“Throughout his tenure in the National Assembly, he has championed transparency, accountability, and open dialogue, even when subjected to the harshest criticisms from Nigerians.
“It is instructive to recall that as President of the 9th Senate between 2019 and 2023, Senator Lawan presided over a chamber where robust debates and opposing views were not only tolerated but encouraged.
“He faced lots of criticism yet remained committed to good governance, consistently placing the well-being of the people above personal or political interests.
“To claim that someone of his integrity would engineer the arrest of a constituent for exercising their constitutional right to free speech is not only ridiculous but also an insult to his long standing record of principled public service,
“The Gashua Water Supply Project, recently inaugurated and transferred to the Yobe State Government by the Federal Government, was championed by Senator Lawan in response to a public health crisis that has claimed numerous lives.
“Gashua, located in the Yobe North Senatorial District, reports one of the highest incidences of kidney disease, which medical professionals have attributed to contaminated water sources.
“Far from being intimidated by criticism, Senator Lawan values constructive feedback as a crucial means of enhancing the effectiveness of public service.
“Allegations of his involvement in any form of repression are entirely unfounded and appear to be a deliberate effort to undermine the real progress being achieved in Yobe North.”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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