• [File photo] David Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said he will visit the Benin-Asaba federal highway today in response to the widespread complaints, protests and severe gridlock caused by the deteriorating condition of the road.

Umahi disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony for the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, according to a video shared on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze.

The minister said that he would meet with independent engineers, the concessionaire handling the project and the state government to find a solution to the worsening situation.

“On Tuesday, we are off to Benin-Asaba. I want Nigerians to be assured that when we get there, we’ll solve that problem,” Umahi said.

He explained that the poor state of the road was linked to the Federal Government’s attempt to involve the private sector in road development through concession arrangements.

“It’s not caused by Ministry of Works; it’s caused by, you know, our attempt to involve private sector in road development, as it’s done in other places,” he said.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) will hold its 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, on September 24 and 25.

The flagship annual gathering is expected to attract more than 500 editors from across the country and distinguished guests to discuss critical national and global issues with social, economic and political implications. It comes ahead of the 2027 general election.

The theme is “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” with the sub-theme “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.” His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, will chair the conference.

Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony on September 24 from 2pm. Prof. Auwal Yadudu of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability.” Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah will also address the conference.

Ombudsman and Public Protector of ThisDay Newspapers, Kayode Komolafe, and veteran journalist and civil rights campaigner Owei Lakemfa will jointly present on “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”

On September 25, immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, will speak at 9am on “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.” Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Prof. Chinyere Okunna, will address “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance.” Founder and Chief Medical Director of Save A Life Hospital, Port Harcourt, Dr. Richard Okoye, will speak on “The Human Side of Journalism: Managing Stress, Deadlines and Personal Wellbeing.”

Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media at Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA, Prof. Farooq A. Kperogi, will examine the sub-theme on detecting and debunking AI disinformation around elections.

An Executive Session is scheduled for 12:30pm on the second day, during which editors will engage governors, political party leaders and heads of government agencies on issues of national importance.

According to a statement by NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, the conference will provide a platform for editors and stakeholders to examine pathways for advancing democratic governance, promoting national development and strengthening nation-building through responsible journalism. It will also allow media leaders to interrogate challenges facing democracy and the media’s role in safeguarding credible elections, public trust and democratic values.

President Bola Tinubu has constituted the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections, with himself as chairman and Vice President Kashim Shettima as vice chairman.

According to a State House statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), former Zamfara State governor Senator Abdulaziz Yari will serve as Director-General of the campaign. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is the secretary.

APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda will also serve as vice chairman. National Secretary Senator Ajibola Bashiru and Hadiza Bala-Usman are deputy and assistant secretaries respectively.

The council’s body of advisers includes Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni have been named deputy directors-general for the South and North. They will work with Senators Bamidele Opeyemi and Jibril Barau in the two zones.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole is deputy director-general in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff is deputy director-general for administration. James Abiodun Faleke returns as deputy director-general for election planning, coordination and monitoring.

Zonal directors under Faleke are: Senator Olushola Adeyeye (South West), Dr Ngozi Olejeme (South South), Senator Uche Ekwunife (South East), Muntaqha Rabe (North West), Ahmed Muhammed Ketso (North Central) and Senator Sani Danladi (North East). Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat and Audu Maikori are secretaries of the election planning directorate.

Muiz Adeyemi Banire heads the legal directorate, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies. Other members include Prince Lateef Fagbemi, former governor Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris Malagi will coordinate the media and strategic communication directorate alongside Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga and Lanre Issa-Onilu. Coordinating deputy directors are Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala and Felix Morka. Abdulaziz AbdulAziz, Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke and Frederick Nwabufor are coordinating secretaries, while Segun Dada returns as Director of New Media with Solomon Arowolo as secretary.

Five spokespersons, led by Dele Alake, have also been appointed: Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda.

President Tinubu charged members of the council to work tirelessly for the party’s victory in the January 2027 elections and urged directors to involve other party members not formally listed.

“We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. We are definitely out of the dark tunnel and are now at the cusp of reaping the benefits of a prosperous economy that will benefit all Nigerians.

As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet—let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards,” the President said.