The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike, scheduled to begin today, 12 January. It said the suspension of the strike is due to fresh commitments from the federal government and key health sector stakeholders.

The association announced the decision after a virtual emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on Sunday, saying the suspension would last until 25 January, when it plans to review progress made on its demands.

The development comes days after the National Industrial Court of Nigeria issued an interim order restraining NARD and its members from embarking on the planned strike, pending the hearing of a substantive motion fixed for 21 January.

In a communique signed by its Secretary-General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD said the decision to suspend the resumption of the strike was “strategic and conditional,” allowing time to assess progress made through engagements with key government institutions.

The association said it resolved to halt the resumption of its Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) following “firm commitments” from critical stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and other agencies involved in health sector administration.

It also cited the involvement of the National Assembly, the State Security Service, and direct presidential intervention led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

“This suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting commencing 25 January 2026,” the communique said.

On 9 January, the National Industrial Court, Abuja, restrained NARD, its members, agents and privies from embarking on the planned nationwide strike.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the interim order while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by the federal government and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The court barred the association from “calling, directing, organising, participating in or embarking upon any form of industrial action,” including strikes, picketing or work stoppages, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice fixed for 21 January.

NARD was granted liberty to apply to vary or discharge the order.

The association, however, did not reference the court order in its statement announcing the suspension of the strike resumption.

Immediate-Past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), is facing a fresh investigation over the arms and ammunition found in his house.

The Nation learnt that the arms were uncovered at his Kebbi country home by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a search.

The anti-graft agency, it was further learnt, handed them over to the Department of State Service (DSS) for a comprehensive probe because it is not within its remit to do so.

The number of arms and ammunition could not be immediately ascertained, but it was gathered that they are high in number to attract a full DSS investigation.

Malami, who was granted bail last week along with his sons – Abdulaziz, Abiru-Rahman, and others – is still in the Kuje correctional centre, having been unable to perfect his bail conditions.

But, sources said he might be taking things slowly to stall the DSS investigation into the weapons found in his house.

“The former minister is being separately investigated for allegedly having arms in his house in Birnin Kebbi. The inventory of the shock find has been handed over to the DSS.

“It is now left to Malami to explain to the DSS how he came about the arms. That’s why he is yet to perfect his bail conditions. He is holed up in prison to avoid arrest by the DSS.

“DSS operatives are within the precincts of Kuje Correctional Service to invite Malami. He got wind of their presence and raised the alarm. But the law must take its course.”

Another source within the EFCC said Malami had yet to meet his bail conditions.

“By our records, the ex-AGF is still in custody. We saw all manners of fake clips on social media on his purported arrival and rousing reception in Kebbi State,” the source said.

The source added: “The investigation into Malami’s activities during his tenure began when former EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu was in office.

“Investigation continued through the administration of another Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Chukkol, to the present Executive Chairman. Chukkol, who works in the agency, was in charge briefly before Olukoyede’s appointment.

“There is nothing vindictive about his investigation since 2019. It is an inherited case, and the ex-AGF knows this.”

Olukoyede confirmed that he inherited the Malami case during an interview last night on a national television.

A Federal High Court in Abuja last week ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 assets linked to Malami and his two sons.

The assets have been valued at N213, 234,120,000.

The court has, however, given Malami and the sons or any other claimant a 14-day leave to show proof that the assets were legally acquired.

Failure to present legitimate claims within 14 days may lead to the permanent loss of the assets to the Federal Government.

The court’s order was based on the invocation of the Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture Clause in the EFCC Establishment Act.

The EFCC had applied to the Federal High Court to seize the suspicious properties in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Birnin-Kebbi.

Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the south-east have endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, pledging to mobilise bloc votes across the region for the ruling party in the 2027 general election.

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, alongside Peter Mbah of Enugu and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, led the endorsement.

“What could be more momentous than a motion that heralds the adoption of President Tinubu as the consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, given the growth and stability our economy has witnessed under the Renewed Hope administration, which has in turn stimulated progressive expansion across other critical sectors,” Uzodimma said.

The endorsement was announced at the south-east APC stakeholders’ meeting tagged ‘Izu Umunna’ in Enugu.

Party leaders, lawmakers, and elders from the zone resolved to fully align with the ruling party at the centre.

They described the decision as a shift towards pragmatic and interest-driven politics.

In a statement by the media office of the Enugu governor, the leaders said they would resist the balkanisation of the region’s votes by individual ambitions.

They warned that such actions had historically weakened the south-east’s bargaining power at the national level.

Uzodimma, chairman of the South-East governors’ forum, said the region could no longer afford political isolation.

He said Tinubu had placed faith in the south-east ahead of 2027.

“Politics is pay as you earn,” Uzodimma said.

“No zone can produce a president alone. If we continue to vote provincially, we will remain on the sidelines of national power.”

Uzodimma recalled that the zone contributed about six per cent of votes to the APC in the 2023 presidential election.

He said the figure weakened the region’s influence compared with other zones that delivered between 34 and 54 per cent of votes.

The Imo governor said the APC now controls three of the five south-east states.

He said the party’s representation in the Senate has increased from six to eight seats.

Uzodimma added that the APC’s seats in the House of Representatives in the region have grown from eight to 23.

“These numbers give us hope, but they also give us a challenge. The growth among leaders must reflect at the ballot box in 2027,” he said.

Mbah described the endorsement as a “paradigm shift grounded in pragmatism”.

He said the decision was driven by tangible gains accruing to the region through alignment with the federal government.

Mbah cited the revival of the eastern railway corridor, gas and energy projects, and the concession of the Enugu airport.

He said the interventions would position Enugu as an international gateway to the south-east.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is beyond a political slogan,” Mbah said.

“It is about aligning vision at the centre with delivery at the states.”

Nwifuru expressed confidence that all South-East governors would be APC members by 2027.

He urged party leaders to embrace reconciliation and manage the influx of new members effectively.

A motion endorsing Tinubu for a second term was moved by Pius Anyim, former Senate president.

The motion was seconded by Ken Nnamani, another former Senate president.

“If you cry in the rain, nobody notices you. If you want to avoid the rain, you must stand under a shelter,” Nnamani said.

At the end of the meeting, a communiqué signed by governors and stakeholders declared Tinubu the APC’s sole presidential candidate for 2027.

The communiqué rejected what it described as ego-driven and divisive politics.

Leaders pledged to deploy human, material and political resources to deliver bloc votes for Tinubu across the five south-east states.

Other attendees included Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Ikedi Ohakim, senators, lawmakers and party elders from the zone.