The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Bernard Doro as Nigeria’s new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had forwarded Doro’s name to the upper legislative chamber for screening and confirmation in a letter dated October 21, 2025.

Doro’s appointment comes in the wake of the election of Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July, a development that created a ministerial vacancy in the humanitarian affairs portfolio.

During Thursday’s plenary session, senators deliberated on the President’s request before unanimously confirming Doro’s nomination through a voice vote.

With his confirmation, Doro is expected to oversee ongoing humanitarian interventions, coordinate poverty reduction programs, and strengthen the government’s response to social welfare challenges across the country.

*** Moves Prerogative of Mercy Secretariat to Justice Ministry

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the official instruments of clemency and pardon for selected individuals, completing the formal process of exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy.

The decision followed consultations with the Council of State and a review of public opinion, according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Under the review, individuals convicted of serious offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms were removed from the list of beneficiaries. Others who had previously been pardoned had their sentences commuted.

Onanuga said the review was guided by considerations of national security, the feelings of victims, the morale of law enforcement agencies, and Nigeria’s international obligations. He added that the concept of justice as a “three-way traffic” — involving the accused, the victim, and the state — informed the President’s decision.

The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.

In a related directive, President Tinubu ordered the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The President also instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new guidelines for exercising the power of mercy, mandating consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies to ensure that only qualified individuals benefit from future clemency exercises.

Tinubu expressed appreciation for the feedback received from stakeholders and the public, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to judicial reform and the improvement of Nigeria’s justice system.

The Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB), has once again demonstrated his characteristic leadership and commitment to party development by donating a brand-new 2025 model Coaster Bus to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ekiti State Executive Committee.

The presentation, described as a remarkable gesture of support and solidarity, underscores Senator Bamidele’s unwavering dedication to strengthening the party’s administrative capacity, enhancing mobility, and promoting unity among members across the state.

According to sources within the party, the new bus will serve as a vital logistical asset for the state secretariat, enabling smoother coordination of activities and improved communication between local government chapters and the state executive.

Party leaders and members have commended Senator Bamidele for his consistent contributions to the progress of the APC in Ekiti State and beyond. They described him as a dependable and visionary leader whose service-driven approach continues to inspire confidence and cohesion within the party structure.

Senator Bamidele, who also serves as the Chairman of the Southern Senators’ Forum, has over the years maintained a reputation for responsive leadership, philanthropy, and political maturity. His latest donation aligns with his broader vision of building a stronger and more effective APC that reflects the principles of good governance and grassroots participation.

In his usual manner, the Senate Leader emphasized that leadership must be about service, sacrifice, and empowerment, noting that his gesture was aimed at supporting the smooth functioning of the party machinery in the state.

“Our strength as a party lies in unity and effective coordination,” Senator Bamidele was quoted as saying. “This gesture is my modest contribution toward ensuring that our great party in Ekiti remains vibrant, mobile, and united in purpose.”

With this latest intervention, Senator Bamidele has once again reaffirmed his position as a pillar of support and a symbol of progressive leadership within the APC, both in Ekiti State and at the national level.