Regarding infrastructure and public works, Kanu reported that direct-labor maintenance has touched 43 sites, including two finished projects: the 5.2-kilometer rainy-season repair of the Umuehim-Okpuala Ngwa Road connecting Isiala Ngwa North and South, and a 250-meter access road leading to the Chidi Ubani Memorial Hospital in Obingwa. While heavy rains have decelerated progress on the 26 ongoing road projects under contract, inspection teams are continuously verifying contractor adherence to required specifications. Furthermore, Kanu highlighted that the 2026 Abia Women’s August Meeting has transitioned into a powerful tool for grassroots economic empowerment, skill acquisition, and social protection across all 17 local government areas, aligning with the Governor and First Lady’s developmental vision.

In a separate update concerning public safety, Commissioner for Women Affairs Maureen Aghaukwa and Kanu revealed that state Sexual Assault Referral Centres documented eight sexual and gender-based violence cases involving survivors aged four to 25. With suspects ranging from family members and landlords to neighbors and employees—some involving repeated abuse—the state is actively furnishing medical, legal, and psychosocial support to survivors while collaborating with law enforcement to secure prosecutions. Other prominent attendees at the media briefing included Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Ferdinand Ekeoma and Chief Information Officer Gerald Illukwe.

Emphasizing that Nigeria functions as a constitutional democracy, the SCSN asserted that El-Rufai deserves his fundamental rights and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, regardless of his political standing. At the same time, the council clarified that its defense of due process does not mean it condones any wrongdoing, stating, “The Council does not, under any circumstances, support or condone criminality in any form by anyone. However, the pursuit of justice must itself be just”.

The organization cautioned that arbitrary or politically biased actions could damage public trust in state institutions and endanger democracy, urging officials to ensure transparency, fairness, and strict compliance with the Constitution. El-Rufai is currently defending himself against a nine-count amended charge from the ICPC involving abuse of office, fraud, money laundering, and contract irregularities, alongside a separate five-count DSS charge concerning the alleged unlawful wiretapping of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. While El-Rufai has maintained his innocence, the SCSN insists that his legal battles must be resolved entirely through a fair and transparent judicial process.