The House of Representatives is preparing to honour its outgoing Clerk, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, as he approaches mandatory retirement from the National Assembly Service on February 8, 2026, after attaining the statutory retirement age.

The National Assembly Service Commission announced on January 21 the appointment of Kamoru Sidi as Acting Clerk of the House of Representatives effective February 9, 2026, to succeed Danzaria following his retirement.

Sidi, who previously served as Director of Administration in the National Assembly, brings extensive experience in parliamentary management and legislative operations to the position.

The Commission’s decision formally ends Danzaria’s tenure as one of the most transformative Clerks in the history of Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber, marking the conclusion of a distinguished career dedicated to strengthening parliamentary governance.

Dr. Danzaria, a native of Yelwa-Yauri in Kebbi State, has been widely praised for his professionalism, transparency and commitment to institutional excellence during his stewardship of the 10th House of Representatives.

Under his leadership, the House witnessed significant strides in administrative efficiency, including the comprehensive digitization of parliamentary documents and procedures that improved accessibility and transparency in legislative operations.

Colleagues and legislative experts have described Danzaria as the “unseen engine” of the parliament, whose behind-the-scenes work ensured the seamless operation of legislative machinery while lawmakers remained the visible faces of the institution.

His strategic thinking, meticulous planning and ability to bridge gaps among various stakeholders created an environment where legislative duties were executed with professionalism despite the complex administrative system governing the chamber.

Throughout his tenure, Danzaria maintained high standards of transparency and accountability, earning respect and admiration from lawmakers, administrative staff and the broader legislative community at a time when allegations of corruption and inefficiency have eroded public trust in governance.

A critical aspect of his legacy has been anticipating challenges and proactively addressing them, demonstrating deep understanding of the legislative agenda’s long-term implications while aligning the House’s administrative functions with its legislative priorities.

By fostering an environment focused on institutional re-engineering, Danzaria helped create a more efficient, responsive and citizen-centric parliament where lawmakers could concentrate on their primary mandate of legislating for national progress rather than being burdened by bureaucratic impediments.

His approach to bureaucratic reform ensured that administrative systems served as catalysts for meaningful change, supporting bills that enhanced national development and positioning the House for greater effectiveness in its constitutional responsibilities.

Lawmakers have credited Danzaria with providing invaluable guidance on legislative procedures, parliamentary ethics and institutional best practices, noting that his departure represents the loss of significant institutional memory and expertise.

The outgoing Clerk’s commitment to staff development was demonstrated through numerous training workshops focused on legislative work ethics, behavioural conduct and modern parliamentary practices aligned with global standards.

Danzaria consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining secrecy on official government documents, reminding staff that the 1962 Oath of Secrecy Act remains in force to demonstrate the premium placed on confidential information.

As his retirement approaches, tributes have poured in from across Nigeria’s political landscape, with many describing him as a rare public servant whose quiet but impactful contributions laid the foundation for a more prosperous and equitable society.

The House of Representatives is expected to hold a formal valedictory session before Danzaria’s departure, providing an opportunity for Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, principal officers and members to pay tribute to his exceptional service and dedication to parliamentary excellence.

Kamoru Sidi will inherit a well-organized and digitally-enhanced administrative structure, positioning him to build upon the solid foundation established by his predecessor while navigating the evolving challenges facing Nigeria’s legislature.

North Central youths have unveiled a dedicated support platform endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections, adding another regional voice to the growing wave of youth mobilization across Nigeria.

The North Central Youths Support Group for Tinubu 2027 announced its formation alongside plans for a formal public inauguration scheduled to take place at the Tinubu Support Group Office at No. 2 Kainji Crescent, off Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.

Former House of Representatives member Hassan Omale Atayoma will lead the organization as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, bringing legislative experience and familiarity with federal governance to the movement.

Atayoma, who currently serves as Executive Director of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, oversees programs linked to water resource management, agriculture and infrastructure development, experience that supporters believe will enhance the group’s administrative efficiency.

The organization has also appointed Comrade Isa Daniel (Prof) as Advisor. He presently serves as Deputy Director of Organising at the APC National Secretariat, a position associated with party coordination and nationwide mobilization.

Political backing for the initiative includes Hon. James Abiodun Faleke as Grand Patron, whose role is expected to provide mentorship, strategic counsel and national visibility for the youth movement.

Organizers have positioned the platform as a vehicle for youth-led advocacy, political engagement and grassroots mobilization across the North Central geopolitical zone comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The group pledged commitment to peace, unity, democratic principles and policies aimed at economic growth, job creation and sustainable national development under Tinubu’s leadership.

The North Central endorsement follows a similar declaration by the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum, which raised ₦200 million to purchase President Tinubu’s APC nomination form for the 2027 elections.

At a high-level youth engagement held in Abuja on Monday, NNYLF National Leader Murtala Gamji announced that the forum had unanimously decided to support Tinubu’s second term, citing achievements in security, agriculture, infrastructure and youth empowerment.

“We believe in the unity of Nigeria and in the agreement that the South should complete its eight years before the North comes in,” Gamji stated, adding that northern youths would stand by President Tinubu as he completes a second term.

The ₦200 million cheque was presented to Director-General of the Tinubu Support Groups, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, who described it as a generous and impactful contribution demonstrating northern youth faith in the president’s leadership.

Similarly, Kogi State youths on Sunday presented a ₦100 million cheque to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to cover the cost of Tinubu’s APC presidential expression of interest and nomination forms.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Aridaya Anebei, said the donation represents the collective resolve of young people across Kogi’s 21 local government areas to back President Tinubu for a second term.

Governor Ododo described the endorsement as neither emotional nor symbolic, but a deliberate and collective decision rooted in youth assessment of Tinubu’s leadership, citing gradual naira stabilization, increased food availability and improved fuel affordability.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria has also declared nationwide support for Tinubu, with President Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo pledging to mobilize 40 to 60 million youth votes to guarantee victory in 2027.

However, barely one week after its grand opening, part of Tinubu’s campaign office in Makurdi, Benue State, was demolished by officials of the Benue State Urban Development Board, sparking controversy and raising questions about the challenges facing pro-Tinubu mobilization efforts in some North Central states.

Despite the setback, organizers of the North Central Youths Support Group have expressed confidence that their grassroots network and leadership structure will effectively deliver the region’s youth vote for President Tinubu’s re-election.

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has sparked fresh controversy after stating that he has the constitutional power to revoke the land allocated to Onitsha Main Market and repurpose it for public use, including building a school. The governor made the remark while addressing market leaders amid the ongoing dispute over the continued Monday sit-at-home observed by traders in the state.
Soludo recently ordered the closure of Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders allegedly complied with sit-at-home directives despite the state government’s ban on such actions. He described the practice as “economic sabotage” and warned that the government would no longer tolerate disruptions to commercial activities in Anambra, one of Nigeria’s major economic hubs.
According to the governor, the Land Use Act empowers the state to revoke land allocations for overriding public interest, adding that affected owners would be compensated and could challenge the compensation in court if dissatisfied. He further warned that shops that remain closed could be sealed, fined, or taken over by the government and reassigned to willing traders.
The decision has generated mixed reactions, with critics accusing the government of punishing ordinary traders and worsening economic hardship, while supporters argue that enforcing a full business week is necessary to restore economic stability and investor confidence in the state. Some lawmakers and stakeholders have also urged the governor to adopt dialogue and caution, citing potential losses and unrest from prolonged market closures.
As tensions continue, the development highlights the broader struggle between government authority, security concerns, and economic survival in the South-East, with Onitsha Main Market—one of West Africa’s largest commercial centres—at the centre of the storm.