BREAKING: Over one Million Imo people throop out to the streets of Owerri to Support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates. pic.twitter.com/3ZPJsnLaRF
SPECIAL INVITATION TO ONE MILLION MAN MARCH FOR APC
On behalf of the State Chairman, Chief Austine Onyedebelu and the entire State Working Committee, I wish to invite all Leaders, Stakeholders, pic.twitter.com/V91CWBCu1b
mycar: Abia State Governor Alex Otti explicitly confirmed that he advised Peter Obi to convert the funds into U.S. dollars. During a September 2026 interview on Arise News, Otti stated that he was the Chief Executive Officer of the now-defunct Diamond Bank when Obi served as the governor of Anambra State,
Otti explained that Obi initially intended to leave the state's accumulated savings in cash using Nigerian Naira. Otti advised him that the Naira would continually lose value due to currency depreciation. He recommended converting the funds into U.S. dollars to protect their long-term purchasing power. Following Otti's guidance, around $155 million was bought and subsequently invested. Otti confirmed he personally participated in the process, ensuring the funds were spread across three Nigerian commercial banks and invested in Eurobonds and Tier-2 capital instruments.
So, what is Oshiomhole talking about? With this known fact, everything else he said there was a lie.
This is what you get then you elect traders as state governors.
They are now converting allocations collected in Naira to Dollars so they can save it!
Are those allocations meant to be saved? Are they not expected to be used for capital and operating expenses?
You got allocation, instead of using it for developmental projects and taking care of your people, you are busy saving it so that you can boast later that you left so, so amount in Dollars for your successors?
If I may ask, where is the so-called money he claimed to have left, today?
No wonder most of them have continued to leave their region to go and "develop" other regions.
While the idea of having an African Credit Rating Agency was first proposed in 2017, recent advocacy and push by President Tinubu has now made it a reality.
The African Union (AU) has officially unveiled the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), an initiative approved by the AU in 2017, in a bid to tell “Africa’s own economic story.”
The agency was launched on Wednesday and broadcast live on X by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), an organ of the AU that coordinated the operationalisation of AfCRA.
Nairametrics previously reported that the launch event would take place in Port Louis, Mauritius, where the agency is headquartered.
AfCRA launches Africa’s economic voice The President of Uganda and Chairperson of the APR Committee of Focal Points, President Yoweri Museveni, represented by Uganda’s Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, stressed that Africa does not lack economic potential but is faced with bottlenecks, including inadequate resource mobilisation and underdevelopment of human resources, among others.
He stressed that Africa needs adequate and affordable capital, adding that the continent continues to experience “high borrowing costs” from global partners, which, according to him, are influenced by global rating agencies.
He opined that Africa should not avoid scrutiny but needs accurate assessments and a proper understanding of the context in which African countries are developing.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, stressed that AfCRA was created to objectively assess the risks facing African economies while remaining independent for the sake of its credibility.
The CEO of APRM, H.E. Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, stated that the rating agency emerged from a perception of Africa that does not reflect the true size of the continent’s economy.
She added that “Africa could no longer postpone the institutions required to tell its own economic story with rigour and credibility.”
According to her, AfCRA was not created merely to compete with existing international credit rating agencies, adding that its purpose was — and remains — to offer assessments that are “rigorously independent, materially unbiased, credible and firmly rooted in Africa’s true measure.”
Why Africa wants fairer credit ratings
AfCRA was initially scheduled for launch in September 2025 and is designed to provide an alternative African perspective to the dominant global rating agencies — Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Ratings and S&P Global Ratings.
The initiative emerged from growing concerns among African governments and policymakers over the way sovereign credit risks on the continent are assessed and priced by international agencies. Several countries, including Ghana and Zambia, have argued that repeated credit downgrades contributed to higher borrowing costs and worsened debt challenges.
More recently, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) criticised Fitch Ratings over its downgrade of the Afreximbank, alleging that the assessment reflected a misunderstanding of African financial institutions.
APRM maintained that AfCRA is built for the global market while complementing existing agencies and filling a gap in how African risk is understood and priced.
According to the mechanism, Africa’s capital market is worth about $4 trillion, yet less than 5% of instruments by value carry a rating.
According to APRM, AfCRA’s mandate spans sovereign, sub-sovereign and corporate issuers, including segments that remain unrated today.
Fitch, however, defended its methodology, maintaining that its ratings are based on globally consistent and transparent criteria.
To safeguard its credibility and independence, AfCRA, though emerging from an AU decision, will not be owned by African governments.
The agency is also expected to focus primarily on ratings for local-currency debt instruments.
Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank, represented by Senior Executive Vice President Denys Denya (Finance, Administration and Banking Services), said AfCRA would help correct a distorted perception of the African operating environment
“Why should Dangote Group, which is rapidly expanding its footprint across Africa, be confined by Nigeria’s credit ratings?
“Or why should major banks in South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and elsewhere, which have a presence in many jurisdictions in Africa, be limited by national ratings?” he asked. He maintained that AfCRA must set a new benchmark for Africa, maintain its independence and be wholly owned by Africans.
AfCRA was eventually launched by AU representatives, including APRM and the Mauritius government.
Tinubu backs Africa-owned credit ratings
The development came months after President Bola Tinubu advocated the creation of an Africa-owned credit rating agency, arguing that African countries continue to face excessive borrowing costs due to inaccurate assessments of their economic risks.
The launch followed renewed calls from African leaders for greater control over the continent’s financial narrative.
In an opinion article published by the Financial Times, Tinubu warned that the so-called “Africa premium” — the gap between perceived and actual risk — continues to inflate the cost of capital for many African economies.
He argued that Africa’s access to global capital markets remains heavily influenced by the decisions of Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Ratings and S&P Global Ratings, whose assessments often shape investor sentiment but may not fully capture local economic realities.
"We are very grateful to President Tinubu. I want to really affirm our gratitude to Mr. President for us in Bauchi, especially in the areas of security. The people of Bauchi are very proud of him.
"President Tinubu has done so well in so many aspects, especially in the area of finance, because the states are getting more.
"I went to him, and he responded in spite of my being in the opposition. He sent a high-powered military contingent under the National Security Adviser... They really removed over 100,000 people who were trying to destroy our peace, and today, all those who were overrun have returned to their places... Tell him we will never forget this goodwill he has done"
During a visit to Igbo traders in Lagos on October 3, 2026, NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi said locals have developed the city and shouldn't face unfair competition from Chinese merchants bypassing regulations.
Critics called the comments reckless, accusing him of favoring Igbo interests over national unity ahead of 2027 elections, while others warned of damaged community ties.
The backlash coincides with deadly clashes in Anambra State over land disputes and ongoing debates about Obi's gubernatorial record on state savings.
Lagos cannot attract Foreign Investors If Igbo Investors Developing Lagos Are Mistreated - Peter Obi 👇 See how Peter Obi is gaslighting his fellow Igbos in Lagos state, making them believe they developed Lagos State!
The Aguleri-Anam war in Anambra has taken another toll. The Peter Obi will saw on camera separating fight on the roadside won’t go home. pic.twitter.com/5ffQrah2nL
This girl that is saying all these things, I fear for her oooooh. 😢 How can a girl be this close to people involved in all this? Nawa ooo! Some girls truly get liver! 😳 But honestly, beyond everything happening, Aguleri and Umuoba, please oooooh, let peace reign. 🙏 We are one… pic.twitter.com/7QEwNM1aHk
— A na Egbu Achara 1 (proudly Igbo first Son) (@DaddyP121) October 2, 2026
Dear Aguleri and Anam, kindly remember that “ONYE GBULU NWANNE YA, ABURU ODOGBU”. Dear Charles Chukwuma Soludo, this is the situation of Anam and Aguleri today while you were busy celebrating independent at Awka, kindly intervene sir and put this yearly war to an end… pic.twitter.com/znzGJfVvfv
Anambra state AT WAR but Peter Obi and his gang of IPOB!DIOTS with terrorist tendencies are deliberately DEAF,DUMB and BLIND to talk about the WAR going on between people of Anam and Aguleri in Anambra state with more than 40 persons already slaughtered and more than 50 houses… pic.twitter.com/MNUbgdoEUq
A communal clash erupted between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam in Anambra State. Several houses were reportedly set ablaze, with many people feared dead and others injured.
Nigerian soldiers have reportedly arrived at the scene to restore peace.
A communal clash erupted between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam in Anambra State yesterday. Several houses were reportedly set ablaze, with many people feared dead and others injured. Nigerian soldiers reportedly arrived at the scene last night to restore peace.
But why should they do it in Lagos. Why not in Onitsha?
Ohaneze at 50, they have nowhere save to do it in the east but to come to yoruba land. Hear it from ijele. This people are there own brothers o. But na other regions they see as their enemies pic.twitter.com/VMTj31wrrT
It was a roll call of eminent Igbo sons and daughters at Dover Hotel, Ikeja, during the week as traditional rulers, political leaders, business captains, and cultural icons all gathered for a different kind of golden jubilee.
For its 50th anniversary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation founded in 1976, chose intellectual engagement and sober reflection over the usual drums and dances.
Present were Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti; Chairman of the occasion, Elder U.K. Eke; His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe; Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu IV, Enachioken of Abiriba; former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Prof. Okey Anueyiagu, who reviewed the book; Prof. Anya O. Anya; Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Chief Emeka Mba; Chief Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Odii, chief launcher; Ada Agina-Ude; Kanayo O. Kanayo; and many others.
The high point of the convergence was the unveiling of a 602-page book, “Ohanaeze at 50: The Burden of Memory, The Politics of Relevance,” written by Agbeze Ireke Kalu Onuma, Executive Director of the Ndigbo Lagos Foundation.
The book is a critical biographical reflection on the history, evolution, challenges and continuing relevance of Ohanaeze to the socio-political development of Ndigbo.
Its significance is even deeper because the author witnessed the birth of the organisation and has followed its trajectory for five decades.
Welcoming guests on behalf of the President-General of Ndigbo Lagos, Chief David Ogbodo said the event celebrates “ideas, knowledge, creativity, perseverance and the power of the written word.”
He described the book as more than a collection of pages, but a moment to ask hard questions: Have the objectives of the founding fathers been achieved? How does Ohanaeze compare with similar groups like Afenifere and the Arewa Consultative Forum?
He commended the author for “his courage, discipline and commitment, noting that the book “promises to stimulate discussion among readers.”
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Elder U.K. Eke, said the book was driven by “an urgent need for institutional renewal.”
"After 50 years, Ohanaeze stands at a historic crossroads. The author did not write to flatter our ego, but to provide a diagnostic mirror that challenges us to move from reactive agitation to structured, proactive and strategic regional governance,” Eke said
Delivering a speech titled Ohanaeze at 50: A Book That Holds Up the Mirror, Special Guest of Honour, Governor Alex Otti, said the book goes beyond the story of Ohanaeze.
“It is often said that a people who do not remember where they came from may struggle to determine where they are headed. This book is much more than a book about Ohanaeze. It is a book about memory, identity, leadership, responsibility and the future of a people,” he said.
At 50, an institution deserves celebration, but it also deserves reflection. Rather than merely recounting 50 years of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the author invites us to confront a more difficult question: What has Ohanaeze become, what should it be, and what must it do to remain relevant to generations of Ndigbo yet unborn?”
According to Otti, the book examines Ohanaeze’s triumphs and disappointments, leadership transitions, internal disagreements, relationship with political authority, and its struggle to define its place in a changing Nigeria.
“But perhaps the most important contribution is that it refuses to merely celebrate the past,” he noted.
“An institution cannot live indefinitely on the strength of its history. Heritage gives an organisation legitimacy, but relevance must be earned continuously.”
Otti said the book raises fundamental questions about institutional renewal, generational transition, and the bond between leadership and the people, with a strong message for younger Igbo.
“The future of Ndigbo cannot be secured by nostalgia alone. It must be built through institutions that understand the aspirations of young people, embrace technology and innovation, engage the global Igbo diaspora, and translate cultural identity into economic, intellectual and political strength.
"As Ohanaeze turns 50, we should reflect on renewal — a point where an institution looks honestly at its past, learns from it, and summons the courage to imagine something greater,” Otti stated.
Lagos ADC Governorship Candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour was a speaker at this year's The Platform Town Hall programme.
In this video, he tried to reply to a participant who asked him a question in Yoruba language on how he will preserve the Yoruba culture if elected Governor of Lagos State.
Watch
I think this guy set a trap for GRV by asking the question in Yoruba, and he fell for it.
Nigeria has passed through its own Red Sea, Prosperity is Next--President Tinubu
TEXT OF INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, WITH THE THEME, FROM REFORMS TO PROSPERITY
My fellow Nigerians,
Sixty-six years ago today, our flag was raised, for the first time, over a free and sovereign nation. Since then, we have journeyed together as one nation, bound by our collective trust in the great promise of Nigeria: that a country of our size, our bountiful resources, our cultural diversity and, above all, our extraordinary people can build a giant in Africa; that in this blessed and fertile land we can build a united, strong and prosperous nation; a land of regional authority and global consequence.
Our journey has not always been easy. In truth, it has generally been too hard for too many. We have known moments of great hope and periods of profound disappointment. We have endured war, military rule, economic crises, insecurity and political upheaval. Yet through it all, Nigeria, with the indomitable spirit of its people, has endured.
It has endured through the efforts of the farmer who rises before dawn to work his land. The trader who opens her shop each morning, hopeful for a productive day. The teacher who believes in the children entrusted to her care and the young entrepreneur who refuses to surrender ambition to circumstance. We are grateful for the men and women of our Armed Forces and security services who place themselves in harm's way so that the rest of us may live in peace.
Through every difficulty, generations of Nigerians have continued to believe in one thing: that this country of ours will be better.
This faith, which sustains us all, is the inheritance of independence. Our founding fathers did not struggle merely for a flag, an anthem or a place among the nations of the world. Independence carried a larger promise: that Nigerians would have the freedom to shape their own destiny and build a nation capable of providing opportunity, dignity and a better life for its people. Sixty-six years later, Almighty God has made it our responsibility to deliver that promise.
Today, as we celebrate our independence, we must speak honestly about the journey so far, the choices we made, and the country we are determined to build from here.
For too long, the promise of Nigeria was undermined by choices that postponed difficult decisions and allowed deep economic distortions to grow.
By 2023, poverty was rising, and hope was nearly gone. The country's situation was darker than ever. We had no choice but to act.
Nigeria was like a sick patient who receives the terrible news that he has cancer. His doctor explains that the treatment will be difficult and painful, but that it offers a strong prospect of recovery. The patient has a choice. He can begin treatment, endure its discomfort and fight the disease. Or he can ask only for morphine, dull the pain and leave the cancer to spread.
For too long, Nigeria's leaders chose morphine while praying for a miracle that never came.
They focused on symptoms while allowing the disease to take hold deep within the fabric of our society. We spent enormous sums sustaining inefficient arrangements that were never intended to last. We hid from difficult truths and passed the consequences from one generation to the next.
When this Administration assumed office, we resolved to do things differently. We chose to excise the cancer. The reforms that followed were difficult. The side effects were real. Yet, we must never confuse the medicine with the disease.
Our reforms did not create the weaknesses in our economy. They confronted them. Now, as certain influential but regressive voices would have us abandon the treatment and return ourselves to the abuse of addictive subsidies, we must resist their siren song. We must remember why we began this journey and how far we have already come.
Three and a half years later, the evidence that Nigeria's economic outlook has improved is undeniable. Our economy has grown by over 4 per cent this year. Both oil and non-oil sectors have contributed to the renewed period of stable growth.
Oil theft is down. Inflation has fallen substantially from its peak. Our foreign reserves have been rebuilt, our foreign exchange market has stabilised, and in 2025 this country recorded its highest revenue from non-oil exports in its history, exceeding $6 billion. This is real money being made by real Nigerian businesses.
These are not idle claims. International observers, journalists, NGOs and multilateral institutions can see the change. Each has concluded that our reforms have strengthened Nigeria's economic stability and resilience. The private sector has long since delivered its verdict, and foreign direct investment continues to rise each year.
My fellow Nigerians, we have reached a turning point.
The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired. The central economic task before us has changed. For three years, our overriding purpose was to correct our nation's course.
Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity.
When I speak of prosperity, I do not speak merely of a larger economy, abstract numbers or better statistics. I mean something much more personal.
I mean a Nigeria in which the farmer can cultivate his land safely, produce more at lower cost, and earn a decent return for his labour. A Nigeria in which factories have reliable power, businesses can obtain credit, and young people can find productive work. A Nigeria in which food and transportation are affordable, education is within reach, and hard-working families can look towards the future with confidence.
This is the promise we must now fulfil.
Our priority is to bring down the cost of living. We will achieve this by lowering the cost of producing and moving the things Nigerians consume.
We have the land and people to feed ourselves. My government is therefore focused on expanding mechanised irrigation and dry-season farming, improving access to seeds and fertiliser, holistically increasing mechanisation, and investing in storage and transportation. We are building and completing the roads, railways and ports that connect farms and factories to markets.
Our logic is simple. When a farmer produces more cheaply, when fewer crops are lost between the farm and the market, when a manufacturer spends less on electricity, when a truck reaches its destination faster, and when the business environment fosters fair competition, all those savings will ultimately find their way into the price of goods in the market.
But prosperity requires more than cheaper goods. It requires productive work.
Nigeria is a young country. Millions of young Nigerians enter adulthood every year with talent, energy and ambition. Our responsibility is to ensure that this great demographic strength becomes an engine of production rather than a source of despair.
We are therefore placing jobs, enterprise, and industrial growth at the heart of our government's policies.
We will use our gas to power new industries. We will support businesses that work to bring factories back to life in our great industrial centres. We will expand digital connectivity into communities that have waited too long to participate in the modern economy. We will invest in the skills employers demand and support Nigerian businesses with the infrastructure and finance they need to grow.
I want to see more Nigerians making things. I want to see more Nigerian farms feeding our cities and supplying our factories. I want to see Nigerian businesses selling Nigerian goods to the whole world. I want young Nigerians building unicorns and creating opportunities for others here at home.
I am also conscious that millions of our fellow citizens cannot wait for tomorrow. Some Nigerian families still struggle today for the next meal, the next school fee, the next medical bill, or simply enough money to get to work. Their circumstances did not begin with the reforms of the last three years. Their struggle is the accumulated consequence of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient opportunity and institutions that too often failed those who needed them most.
We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course. We can build an economy that steadily lifts people out of poverty while ensuring that those who remain vulnerable are not abandoned along the way.
That is why we are strengthening direct support for the poorest households and improving the National Social Register so that assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.
It is why the Nigerian Education Loan Fund is ensuring that the child of a low-income family need not surrender the dream of higher education simply because his parents cannot afford the fees.
It is why CREDICORP is giving working Nigerians access to consumer credit, allowing people to acquire vehicles, solar systems, digital devices and other essential assets without first having to accumulate years of savings.
That is why, working with our states and local governments, we will continue to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education, and the essential public services poorer Nigerians depend on most. Since 2023, we have paid salaries and pensions on time and in full. We have reformed the national pension program to benefit retirees and the vulnerable.
These programmes are not substitutes for prosperity. They are a bridge to aid our nation's citizens on their path towards it. Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently.
We will defeat it.
It will take time. It will require discipline. It will require sustained growth year after year and the creation of millions of productive opportunities across our country.
But for the first time in decades, we embark on this task from a position of strength; with an economy whose fundamental direction has been corrected. We confronted the difficult choices we faced and have laid the foundations for lasting prosperity. Rather than fail the promise of a better future for our children, the time has come for us to build that future.
The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity. An age in which the promise of this great nation must finally become the lived experience of Nigerians from all walks of life.
We have travelled through difficult years together. We have made hard decisions together. And now, still together, we must build the country those decisions have made possible.
I believe deeply in what lies ahead.
I believe in the millions of ordinary men and women whose work, courage and determination have always been the true strength of our country. The road ahead will still demand much from us. But we now travel it with firm footing, a clear direction, and renewed hope in our collective future.
Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back. Let us go forward together, with faith in ourselves, faith in our country, and faith that the sacrifices we have made will yield their reward.
The Promised Land before us is a Nigeria of abundance and opportunity; a nation where prosperity is broadly shared, where every child can dream beyond the circumstances of his birth, and where our country's immense promise is finally reflected in the lives of our people.
Our destination is in sight. Our foundations are strong. Our direction is clear. So let us go forward. No looking back.
Happy Independence Day, my fellow Nigerians. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Summary of this post The policy is indeed good news for Nigeria and Nigerians that the country has been removed from Tanzania’s Referral (Referred) Visa Category.
1. Travel becomes simpler and faster. Citizens no longer need the extra special clearance from the Commissioner General of Immigration (or Zanzibar equivalent).
2. They move to the ordinary/standard visa process (e-visa or regular application), which has shorter processing times and fewer extra requirements.
3. There is less risk of delays or uncertainty caused by the referral review.
4. Travelers can book flights and accommodation with more confidence, without the previous strong advice to wait for special approval first.
5. It signals improved bilateral relations or reduced security concerns regarding travelers from Nigeria.
This afternoon, the above news was pushed to the frontpage of Nairaland and I was amazed and disappointed at the ignorance of majority of the comments that greeted the news. I am disappointed at the ignorance and arrogance of the guys on Nairaland.
It is not only appalling but a sad indication that whether we like it or not, the so-called #OlodoUprising is here and indeed a bomb expected to detonate at any time in the country.
It is sad that despite that we are in the era of AI, folks can not consult this readily available tool to seek what "referred visa category" means before rushing to embarrass themselves and their families in the public arena.
Anyway, I have decided to create this post for the purpose of those who may want to know the meaning of the policy and its implication for Nigeria and its citizens.
Referred Visa Category: What does it means?
In Tanzania, the “Referred Visa Category” refers to a special group of nationalities and persons whose visa applications cannot be issued routinely or on arrival. They require prior special clearance/approval from the Commissioner General of Immigration (mainland Tanzania) or the Commissioner of Immigration (Zanzibar) before a visa can be granted.
Key features 1. Applicants from these countries cannot get a visa on arrival.
2. The application is “referred” (sent for higher-level review and security/administrative clearance) to immigration headquarters.
3. Processing takes longer than a standard e-visa or ordinary visa.
4. Approval is not automatic.
Who falls under the Referral Visa Category Nationals of specific countries (the official list is reviewed and can change). Recent official and embassy sources commonly include: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz Republic), Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Somaliland, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and others.
What is the implication of a country being being removed from Referral Visa Category When a country is removed from Tanzania’s Referral (or Referred) Visa Category, the main implication is that its nationals no longer need special prior clearance from the Commissioner General of Immigration (or the Zanzibar equivalent). They move to the ordinary/standard visa process.
Practical effects for travellers from that country
1. No more referral clearance required — Applications no longer go through the extra headquarters-level security/administrative review that previously applied.
2. Faster and simpler process — Travellers can apply for a standard e-visa or ordinary visa through the normal online portal (or at designated points) without the longer referral timeline. The previous advice to apply at least two months in advance and wait for special approval no longer applies.
3. Still need a visa (in most cases) — Removal from the Referral Category does not make the country visa-free. Citizens still generally need to obtain a regular visa before travel or (where available) on arrival, following standard rules and fees.
4. Visa on arrival may become available — Depending on the specific nationality and current rules, they may now be eligible for visa on arrival or ordinary e-visa options that were previously blocked.
5. No need to delay travel plans for clearance — Travellers are no longer strongly advised against booking flights or accommodation until special approval is received.
6. Host/invitation letter requirements ease — The stricter supporting documents and security bond often demanded for referral cases are typically no longer mandatory (though a clear purpose of visit is still expected).
IS IT A GOOD OR BAD NEWS FOR NIGERIA AND ITS CITIZENS
It is good news for the nationals of the country that has been removed from Tanzania’s Referral (Referred) Visa Category.
Why it is positive?
Travel becomes simpler and faster. Citizens no longer need the extra special clearance from the Commissioner General of Immigration (or Zanzibar equivalent).
They move to the ordinary/standard visa process (e-visa or regular application), which has shorter processing times and fewer extra requirements.
There is less risk of delays or uncertainty caused by the referral review.
Travellers can book flights and accommodation with more confidence, without the previous strong advice to wait for special approval first.
It signals improved bilateral relations or reduced security concerns regarding travellers from that country.
What it does not mean It does not make the country visa-free. Most people still need to apply for and obtain a normal visa. Entry is still subject to normal immigration rules and the final decision of the officer at the port of entry.
When Tanzania removed Nigeria from the Referral Visa Category, it was widely reported as a positive step that made travel easier for Nigerians while keeping standard visa requirements in place.
Bottom line: Removal from the Referral Visa Category is welcome news for people from that country who want to visit Tanzania. It reduces bureaucracy and makes the process more straightforward.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ended his working vacation and has already departed Paris, France, for the homeward journey to Nigeria.
President Tinubu’s aircraft is expected to touch down at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, later this evening.
The Nigerian leader chose to fly to Lagos first to honour the memory of Chief MKO Abiola, the martyr of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
On Independence Day, the President will attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola, the winner of the June 1993 election, at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections.
President Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation. He spent one week in London before heading for Paris.
While in Paris, he attended a private dinner with President Emmanuel Macron. He also met with business leaders, including Mr Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose media and digital interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
On Monday, he also met with the Chairman of First Holdings, Femi Otedola.
Last week, President Tinubu witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World to build a Gateway deep seaport in Ogun Waterside and create a Blue Marine Economic Zone in the area.
DP World, one of the world’s leading ports and logistics operators, plans to invest $7 billion for the seaport and the economic zone.
President Tinubu will return to Abuja after his political engagements in Lagos.
Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President, (Information and Strategy) September 29, 2026
nlfpmod: All This Firepower for One Man? The ‘Igbo Billionaire’ Video Sparking Debate Trending video of a man dressed in traditional Igbo attire being escorted by heavily armed private security through a luxurious mansion before entering a black Rolls-Royce, with multiple high-end vehicles visible.
Who is the man?
That is how they put themselves in tr0uble. Instead of him to quietly enjoy the rewards of his drug-push1ng, he is exposing himself to NDLEA.
On Thursday, 24 September 2026, the Supreme Court of Nigeria (seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro) unanimously allowed INEC’s appeal, set aside a 16 July 2026 Court of Appeal decision, and restored the Federal High Court’s earlier judgment dismissing a challenge by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The Court held that Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 are not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It awarded ₦2 million costs against the ZLP. The same day, it also dismissed related appeals by the Social Democratic Party (on the merits) and the Youth Party (struck out as incompetent for being filed one day out of time).
What the restored provisions require:
- Section 77(5): Only persons whose names appear in a political party’s membership register submitted to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention may participate in that exercise.
- Section 77(6): Parties must use the membership register submitted to INEC for primaries, congresses and conventions (they cannot use a different one).
- Section 77(7): A party that fails to submit its register within the stipulated time cannot field a candidate for the election.
- Section 84(2): Nomination of candidates is to be by direct primaries or consensus.
(These had been partly voided by the Court of Appeal on the ground that they improperly restricted parties’ constitutional freedom to choose candidates/members.)
Key legal implications for INEC, parties and the 2027 elections
1. Final and binding confirmation of the provisions
As a Supreme Court decision, it is final. The challenged sections remain fully operative. INEC’s regulatory authority over party membership registers and the method of candidate nomination is affirmed. Parties must comply going forward; non-compliance can result in inability to field candidates or challenges to the validity of primaries/nominations.
2. Stricter control over party membership and primaries
- Parties must maintain accurate, up-to-date membership registers and submit them to INEC on time.b
- Only registered members (as at the 21-day cut-off) can vote or participate in primaries/congresses/conventions.
- This reduces last-minute “membership inflation,” “imported” delegates, or use of unofficial lists, and strengthens INEC’s oversight role.
- Direct primaries (or consensus) are the prescribed routes, limiting other methods that might have been used previously.
3. Impact on candidate nomination and potential disputes
- Parties that fail to submit registers properly risk being barred from fielding candidates.
- Primaries conducted with non-compliant registers or ineligible participants can be challenged, potentially leading to disqualification of candidates or nullification of nominations.
- Defections and late joining of parties become more legally sensitive: a person who switches parties after the relevant register has been submitted (or is not on the submitted list) may be ineligible to participate in that party’s primaries. Commentators have noted this could raise questions for recent high-profile defectors, though the judgment itself does not automatically cancel any existing candidacies.
4. Broader electoral framework for 2027
The ruling clears legal uncertainty ahead of the 2027 general elections and reinforces the Electoral Act 2026 framework. It prioritises statutory regulation of internal party processes over an absolute claim of party autonomy under Sections 221/222 of the Constitution (the ZLP’s main argument). This aligns with a pattern of judicial support for clearer, more enforceable rules on party democracy and INEC’s supervisory powers.
5. Practical consequences for political parties
- Immediate need to audit and properly submit membership registers.
- Higher administrative burden and risk of litigation if registers are incomplete, inaccurate or submitted late.
- Smaller or newer parties (and those that previously relied on flexible membership practices) may face greater compliance challenges.
- Successful compliance strengthens the legitimacy of nominated candidates and reduces post-primary or post-election court challenges on these grounds.
6. Impact on 2027 Coalition Building: Political figures looking to form alliances or merge parties will have to finalize party migrations and register consolidations well ahead of official primary deadlines, as informal or retroactive membership additions are now legally invalid.
7. Reduction in Post-Election Litigation: Historically, vague membership lists led to endless pre-election disputes over delegate authenticity and primary validity. Tying candidate eligibility strictly to early, verified registers significantly narrows the grounds for pre-election lawsuits challenging nomination legitimacy.
In summary, the judgment strengthens INEC’s hand, tightens statutory requirements around party membership lists and candidate selection, and removes the temporary invalidation of those rules. Political parties preparing for 2027 primaries must now operate strictly within the restored provisions or risk exclusion or successful legal challenges. The decision is final and applies nationwide.
ARISE News to Host Osun Governorship Town Hall with Adeleke, Oyebamiji, and Salaam on August 11
ARISE News Channel will host a special town hall on Tuesday, August 11, featuring the three leading candidates in the Osun governorship race. The candidates are Governor Ademola… pic.twitter.com/vq3N7cZI6S
Alhaji Alkhasim Batayya, NDC Senatorial Candidate for Kano South, yesterday received new members from the APC in Tarai Ward, Kibiya LGA further strengthening his growing support base for Obi-Kwankwaso pic.twitter.com/eBPLBiw7BN
— Peter Obi Grassroots Commentary (@PO_GrassRootM) August 9, 2026
You see RED CAPS and you still call them APC members. You have been scammed!
Politics › Re: Videos: One Million-man March For Tinubu In Imo State by Af0nja2(op): 4:01pm On Oct 10
