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Atiku: Snakes and monkeys should not swallow $1.07b health fund
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has warned public officials to ensure judicious use of the $1.07b appropriation for the health sector in the 2025 budget.
Atiku emphasized that Nigerians must not witness another episode of missing public funds being attributed to animals, saying, the money must not be swallowed by “snakes, termites, gorillas and monkeys.”
In a statement, Atiku noted that recent claims of missing public funds allegedly swallowed by different animals were never investigated or punished to serve as deterrence.
He stressed that against the backdrop of dwindling resources and withdrawal of support by donor agencies in certain areas of the country’s healthcare services, it is imperative that every kobo budgeted for the sector is well utilized.
“To this end, the Federal Government has to be deliberate about putting mechanisms in place for public audit and accountability in its US$1.07 billion budgetary appropriation in the health sector.
“We have read that the Federal Government has a plan to expend a whooping sum of $1.07 billion in the primary health sector. This amount is in addition to the N2.48 trillion, which had earlier been proposed for the health sector in the initial draft of the budget.
“This development gets even more troubling when the government equally announced that the $1.07 billion it is adding to the health sector at the sub-national level was mainly sourced through foreign loans and a fraction of it being provided through an international donor agency.
“In other words, Nigeria is expected to pay these loans back and it is required that the Nigerian people know the details of these loans and that its expenditure must be conveyed in a policy envelope that will explain how it will be spent.”
Atiku added, “For an administration that has been known to have a deficiency of trust in the administration of its humanitarian services, Nigerians cannot take the risk of accepting a shoddy explanation on a budgetary provision that lacks a mechanism of tracking how the money is to be expended.
“It is difficult for Nigerians to believe this current Federal Government given its proclivity to alternative truths – especially on their claims about investments in the social infrastructure.
“It is worrisome that the Tinubu administration continues to lie to Nigerians on the status of our tertiary hospitals when the sorry state of those hospitals lay bare for Nigerians to see.
“Just recently, the government began a campaign of improvements in the standard of our tertiary health institutions, but Nigerians know that these teaching hospitals often lack basic amenities such as access to a steady supply of electricity.
“Undoubtedly, the Tinubu administration has failed woefully in the health sector because of the poor funding of the sector. The major diseases in the primary health sector remain malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS treatment. “
Furthermore, the former vice president noted that “if President Tinubu’s administration meant well in its claim to prioritise the health of Nigerians, his government should explain how it plans to spend this intervention fund in addressing these diseases in the primary health sector.
“On the contrary, what the government announced in its panic response to President Donald Trump’s announcement of the cancellation of American aids for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria was a paltry N5 billion.
“If the Tinubu administration fails to provide a comprehensive framework to safeguard its purported huge investment in the health sector nor subject the appropriations to the scrutiny of the National Assembly, it may be safe to conclude that this is another episode of the administration committing a fraud in the name of public interest.”
….The Commission wants IGP to address use of excessive force by police
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN, has strongly condemned the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old Nigerian, Mene Ogidi, by a police officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, on April 26, 2026, in Efurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Dr. Ojukwu described the incident as “deeply disturbing and a direct assault on human dignity, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the rule of law.”
He stressed that no Nigerian should lose their life at the hands of those sworn to protect them, reiterating that every life matters and must be protected.
According to him, “the reported action of the officer involved is condemnable, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the principles of justice and a civilized society.”
The statement which was signed by Hajia Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, quoted Ojukwu to have expressed grave concern over the recurring incidents of excessive use of force by law enforcement officers and called on the Nigeria Police Force to take urgent and decisive steps to address the issue.
He specifically urged the police authorities to subject officers deployed on special duties to periodic mental and psychological evaluations to ensure they are fit to carry arms and engage with civilians responsibly.
Dr. Ojukwu further called for the immediate disciplinary action against ASP Nuhu Usman in line with extant laws and police regulations.
He also emphasized the need for the Nigeria Police Force to fully implement the recommendations of the Commission’s Panel on Police Brutality as a necessary step toward meaningful reform and prevention of future violations.
“The Commission demands immediate arrest and a transparent investigation into the incident, dismissal of the officer involved, and swift prosecution in accordance with the law.
We hereby call for adequate compensation and justice for the family of the victim,” he stated.
He warned that justice delayed only deepens public distrust in state institutions and undermines confidence in law enforcement.
The Executive Secretary assured that the NHRC will continue to monitor the case closely and will persist in its advocacy for accountability, justice, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Nigerians.
“Nigeria must never normalize brutality. Justice must speak louder than silence,” he concluded.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
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