Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations of systemic mismanagement of security votes by state governors since 1999.

SERAP also urged Buhari to instruct Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly track and monitor spending of security votes by the 36 state governors.

The body said: “Probing the spending of security votes and ensuring accountability for any cases of corruption would improve the ability of your government to deliver on promises to ensure the security of Nigerians.

The organisation recalled that Buhari, in his 2022 new year message, raised concerns about persistent insecurity in certain parts of the country and promised to remain resolute in giving utmost attention to the problem.

The Bishop of Anglican Communion, Kaduna Diocese, Timothy Yahaya, has told President Muhammadu Buhari that he had “lost grip on good governance in Nigeria, just as political leaders are now behaving as if they are no longer accountable to the people.”

In his New Year message to the citizens, the cleric reminded the Buhari administration that, “if they escape account of man, they cannot escape the account of God.”

Yahaya regretted that the President had “failed to deliver on the promises he made over six years ago while running for the presidency.”

Reviewing the fight against corruption, insecurity and the economic policies of the current administration, he argued that the situation had gone worse.

General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG Worldwide), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to heed counsel by tagging bandits terrorists.

The cleric, who presided over a New Year service, yesterday, at the church’s headquarters in Ebute-Metta and later spoke through the Assistant General Overseer, (Admin. & Personnel), Pastor Johnson Odesola, noted that Nigerians had been traumatised enough, as they “cannot freely move in their own country for the fear of bandits, kidnappers among others that have drawn international sympathy.”

Adeboye advised Buhari to do more on security by curbing the activities of the hoodlums, demanding accountability and regular updates from the service chiefs on insecurity in the country.

He also urged the Nigerian leader to ensure that his administration remains very sensitive and proactive to security reports.

The clergy assured Nigerians that 2022 “is a year of progress and joy for as many that would draw closer to God.”

Veteran Roberto Bautista Agut upset world number eight Casper Ruud on Monday to give Spain their second straight win at the ATP Cup, a record matched by Hubert Hurkacz’s Poland.

The 33-year-old Bautista Agut is the lead singles player for his country in the absence of 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and has stepped up in style.

After crushing Chile’s world number 17 Cristian Garin in Sydney on Saturday, he backed it up with a battling 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Ruud, the first Norwegian to win an ATP Tour title.

It ensured Spain won the tie with an unassailable 2-0 ahead of a dead doubles rubber after Pablo Carreno Busta made a quick start when he dismissed Norway’s 345th-ranked Viktor Durasovic 6-3, 6-3 in just 69 minutes.

Former Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa is dead.

A family source, who confirmed the death, said Tofa passed in the early hours of Monday at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano after a brief illness.

Tofa died 29 years after contesting and losing a presidential election against late Chief Mashood Abiola, an election that was botched by the military junta of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

The death of the elder statesman and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) early went viral on social media last Friday but was later put to rest by the family source who confirmed that the business tycoon was only critically sick then.

The burial arrangement is to be announced but the deceased may be buried today in line with Islamic rites.