₦airaland Forum

The Peoples Democratic Party has inaugurated a special legal team to challenge the results of Saturday’s election held across the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory.

As declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, candidates of the All Progressives Congress won five of the six chairmanship seats in the council elections.

The APC won the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kuje, while the PDP secured the chairmanship seat in Gwagwalada.

The exercise, conducted to fill six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats, was marred by widespread voter apathy and reported vote-buying.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Sunday, the party congratulated its winning candidates but alleged irregularities.

The party said its legal team would be headed by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq., and urged aggrieved candidates to act promptly.

“We specifically congratulate the chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors who have been declared successful by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“This victory, though less in number than we anticipated, is particularly gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics and brazen executive brigandage,” the statement read.

Ememobong further alleged misconduct during the polls.

“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets at polling units, intimidate voters and unduly influence the outcome of the elections.”

The statement added, “The incredible voter apathy in these polls is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026, where the people have completely lost faith in electoral outcomes conducted under this Act.

“These local council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027 if changes are not urgently made.”

According to results declared by INEC officials, Christopher Maikalangu of the APC was returned elected in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, after polling 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid votes cast.

The Returning Officer for AMAC, Andrew Abue, declared, “That Maikalangu of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”

The African Democratic Congress came second with 12,109 votes, while the PDP secured 3,398 votes.

The total votes cast stood at 65,197, with 2,336 rejected votes. AMAC recorded 837,338 registered voters and 65,676 accredited voters.

In the Bwari Area Council, Joshua Ishaku of the APC emerged victorious with 18,466 votes.

Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Mohammed Nurudeen, said, “That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”

The ADC polled 4,254 votes to place second, while the Zenith Labour Party garnered 3,515 votes to finish third. The election was conducted across the 10 wards of the council.

In Abaji Area Council, Umar Abubakar of the APC secured 15,535 votes to defeat his closest challenger from the Young Progressives Party, who polled 5,357 votes.

The[b] PDP candidate came third with 4,547 votes. Declaring the result, INEC Returning Officer Muhammad Usman said, “Umar Abdullahi Abubakar of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
[/b]
Similarly, in Kwali Area Council, the APC candidate, Nuhu Daniel, polled 17,032 votes to defeat Haruna Pai of the PDP, who secured 8,575 votes.

Also, the APC won the Kuje Area Council chairmanship election, with its candidate, Danjuma Shekwolo, emerging victorious. Shekwolo polled 17,269 votes, according to the official results.

Declaring the outcome, Returning Officer, Prof Nkiruka Odoh of the University of Abuja, said, “Shekwolo, having secured the highest number of votes and met all legal requirements, is duly elected and returned as Chairman of Kuje Area Council.”

Closely trailing the APC candidate, the PDP candidate, Zakwoyi Danlami, polled 15,824 votes, while the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Abdullahi Galadima, scored 4,305 votes.

The PDP’s lone victory came in Gwagwalada Area Council, where Mohammed Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat Yahaya Shehu of the APC, who secured 17,788 votes.

Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Philip Akpen, said, “That Mohammed Kasim of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”

Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance came third with 1,687 votes. Gwagwalada recorded 207,577 registered voters and 46,294 accredited voters, with 43,960 valid votes and 1,521 rejected votes.

INEC denies voter migration claims

INEC, on Sunday, announced that over 239,000 voters participated in the just-concluded FCT Area Council elections, representing about 15 per cent of the 1,680,315 registered voters.

In a statement signed by the Acting Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Wilfred Ifogah, on Sunday in Abuja, the commission expressed appreciation to residents of the FCT for their peaceful conduct and cooperation throughout the electoral process.

According to INEC’s Election Operations Dashboard, 45 per cent of polling units had opened for voting as of 8:30 am on election day, while all polling units were confirmed open by 10:00 am.

The commission, however, acknowledged that some voters experienced difficulties locating their designated polling units.

Addressing claims in some quarters that voters were migrated to new polling units, INEC denied the allegation, clarifying that no voter was transferred from their original units.

“Contrary to the claim in some quarters that some voters were migrated to another/new polling units different from their original polling units, the commission wishes to state categorically that voters were not migrated,” the statement read.

It explained that what was done was the creation of split polling units in locations with over 1,250 registered voters to reduce congestion on election day.

“The split units are located a few meters away from the original polling units within the same premises,” INEC stated.

The commission recalled that it displayed the voter register at designated centres and split polling units four days before the elections to enable voters confirm their details and polling unit locations.

It added that text messages and emails were sent to affected voters from Wednesday, February 18, through Saturday, February 21, 2026, to notify them of the exact locations of their split polling units.

“These were intended solely as reminders to assist them in identifying their current polling units,” the commission said.

INEC further disclosed that as of 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 22, 2026, 93 per cent of polling unit results had been uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal, allowing residents and other interested members of the public to access results from the six Area Councils.

While expressing concern over voter apathy, the commission noted an improvement compared to the 2022 Area Council elections, where 148,685 voters, representing 9.4 per cent of registered voters, participated.

“In the current election, over 239,210 voters voted, representing approximately 15 per cent of the 1,680,315 total registered voters in the FCT,” the statement added.

INEC attributed the delay in announcing the Kuje Area Council result to the difficult terrain in Kabi Ward, which slowed the final collation process.

The commission said the level of participation recorded across the six Area Councils reflects citizens’ continued trust in the democratic process and the electoral system.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has projected a landslide victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that traditional rulers and stakeholders in the area have reaffirmed their support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno.

Akpabio, who hails from Essien Udim, spoke to journalists shortly after the emergence of new APC local government officers through a consensus process.

He urged the newly elected party executives to sustain unity within the party and consolidate its grassroots structures.

According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, on Sunday, the Senate President congratulated the party faithful, describing the development as a reaffirmation of loyalty to both the President and the governor.

He said, “My people have once again endorsed President Bola Tinubu. I am very satisfied with the exercise. This is very, very significant. They have done this before. It is not the first time the people of my local government have endorsed President Tinubu and Governor Eno.

“They have also said Governor Eno has done well, and they stand by him. The traditional rulers have equally said there should not be any form of consultation in their domain for the position of President outside Asiwaju Tinubu and the position of Governor outside Eno, and the people stand by that.”

Akpabio further expressed confidence in the electoral strength of the local government, noting that the area would deliver massive votes for the APC in 2027.

He added, “This is a very populous local government that is sure to give the President and the Governor over 180,000 votes based on the current voter registration. It was a very peaceful exercise. They have elected their officers for the council through consensus. I am very pleased to be a participant and a witness to this grand occasion.

“I thank Governor Eno for the peaceful ambience in the state. When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice. I will sit down there and watch my people rejoicing, and I say, congratulations to the APC for already winning a second term in Essien Udim Local Government Area.”

PUNCH Online reports that the endorsement comes amid early political positioning across states, as parties begin to consolidate their bases ahead of the 2027 polls, with key stakeholders leveraging local structures and traditional institutions to signal alignment and mobilise support.

Muhammadu Yahaya on Saturday participated in the Local Government Area Congress of the All Progressives Congress held in Gombe.

Speaking at the Gombe LGA APC congress at Idi Primary School, the governor reiterated his commitment and support for President Bola Tinubu, declaring that the APC remains solid, united and focused on delivering good governance.

He expressed confidence that, riding on what he described as its impressive record and expanding grassroots support, “the party is well-positioned to secure a decisive and resounding victory in the 2027 polls at all levels.”

Yahaya commended party faithful and stakeholders for their unity, discipline and commitment to the growth and consolidation of the APC across the state.

He noted that the smooth and peaceful conduct of the congress reflected the maturity, cohesion and strength of the party’s internal democratic processes.

The governor added that the APC remains a formidable political platform in the country, stating that “the ongoing congresses would further strengthen the party’s structure from the grassroots, deepen internal democracy and strategically position it for greater electoral successes.”

He reassured members that the APC-led administrations at both the state and Federal Government levels would continue to implement people-oriented policies and programmes aimed at improving citizens’ welfare and living standards. He urged supporters to remain steadfast and committed to the ideals of the party.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the State, LGA and Ward Congresses Committee in Gombe State, Dr Danjuma Dabo, announced that the party adopted a consensus arrangement for the congresses following consultations among stakeholders to promote unity and stability.

Dabo expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, describing it as peaceful, orderly and transparent, and noted that the process across the state adhered strictly to party guidelines.

He commended the calm atmosphere that characterised the congress and applauded party leaders and members for their cooperation, which he said contributed to the success of the exercise.

Similarly, the Supervisor of the Congress in Gombe LGA, Hon. Ado Umar, said all laid-down rules and procedures were followed, leading to the adoption of the consensus method that produced new party officials.

The congress was attended by party elders, leaders, stakeholders and members drawn from the 11 wards of Gombe Local Government Area, while similar exercises were conducted across other LGAs in the state.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of the Chief of Naval Operations of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Musa Katagum, who died on Thursday, after a protracted illness.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President condoled with the family of the deceased, as well as officers and men of the Nigerian Navy and the leadership of the Armed Forces.

“President Tinubu condoled with his family, officers and men of the Nigerian Navy, and the leadership of the Armed Forces over the loss.

“The President described Rear Admiral Katagum’s passing as a blow to the military and the country, given his vast experience and invaluable contributions to the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces as a whole,” the statement read.

The late senior officer served in several key positions, including Director of Presidential Communication, Command and Control Centre (PC4), and Chief of Intelligence of the Nigerian Navy.

He was appointed Chief of Naval Operations in November 2025.

The President commended the late rear admiral for what he described as his valour, leadership and commitment to mentoring younger officers.

Tinubu also prayed for the repose of his soul and comfort for his family and colleagues during the period of mourning.

PUNCH Online reports that Katagum died in Egypt, where he was receiving medical treatment, and had since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has said President Bola Tinubu’s recent Executive Order on the direct remittance of oil and gas revenues will strengthen inflows into the Federation Account and curb long-standing leakages.

The Commission, in a statement issued on Friday by its Chairman, Dr Mohammed Shehu, commended the President for what it described as a decisive intervention in the management of oil and gas revenues.

Shehu said the Executive Order directing the direct remittance of oil and gas revenues to the Federation Account was “a bold, constitutionally grounded, and fiscally transformative intervention aimed at restoring transparency, eliminating revenue leakages, and strengthening the revenue base of the three tiers of government.”

According to the statement, the Executive Order was signed pursuant to Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and anchored on Section 44(3), which vests ownership, control and derivative rights in all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in the Government of the Federation for the collective benefit of Nigerians.

The Commission noted that, prior to the order, certain structural and legal provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act created channels through which substantial Federation revenues were subject to multiple deductions.

It stated, “Before this Executive Order, several structural and legal provisions within the Petroleum Industry Act created channels through which substantial Federation revenues were subject to multiple deductions, including management fees, frontier exploration allocations, and other layered charges.

“These deductions significantly reduced net remittances to the Federation Account and constrained fiscal capacity across the federal, state, and local governments.”

RMAFC added that it had consistently advocated the review of statutory and regulatory provisions that created opportunities for revenue leakage, erosion or retention outside the Federation Account.

It referenced a recent retreat held on February 9, 2026, in Enugu State, where such concerns were discussed, noting that the Executive Order had now “decisively addressed these structural concerns.”

The Commission described the reform as timely, given the country’s fiscal pressures, including funding for security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, energy transition and economic stabilisation.

It said that by freeing revenues previously subjected to layered deductions and fragmented oversight, the Executive Order would enhance transparency, improve cash flow predictability and strengthen fiscal federalism.

Shehu further stated, “With this Executive Order, the constitutional architecture of revenue remittance is strengthened. It closes structural leakages, eliminates duplicative deductions, and ensures that revenues due to the Federation are remitted transparently. This directly supports the Commission’s oversight and monitoring responsibilities.”

He added that the reform would significantly enhance the Commission’s ability to discharge its constitutional mandate under Paragraph 32 of Part I of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, particularly in monitoring the accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account.

RMAFC reiterated its support for the Federal Government’s public financial management reforms and pledged to work with relevant institutions to ensure effective implementation of the Executive Order and safeguard the integrity of the Federation Account for the benefit of Nigerians.

The PUNCH earlier reported that the federal, state, and local governments may receive additional revenue allocations of about N14.57tn following the recent Executive Order signed by President Bola Tinubu, directing that royalty oil, tax oil, profit oil, profit gas, and other revenues due to the Federation under production sharing, profit sharing, and risk service contracts be paid directly into the Federation Account.

This was based on an analysis of revenue inflows in 2025, drawing on monthly earnings submitted to the Federation Account Allocation Committee and obtained by our correspondent.

Based on estimates from 2025 remittances to the Federation Allocation Accounts Committee, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company is projected remit about N906.91bn in management fees and frontier exploration funds, while oil and gas royalties totalling N7.55tn and gas flaring penalties of N611.42bn collected by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission will now be remitted directly to the Federation Account.

The Senate on Thursday subjected the Federal Government’s economic team to about five hours of questioning over rising debt obligations, revenue projections and what lawmakers described as unrealistic budget assumptions.

The scrutiny followed deliberations on the proposed N58.472tn 2026 Appropriation Bill at an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun West).

Lawmakers queried oil production benchmarks, projected revenue, debt servicing costs and the implementation record of previous budgets, particularly capital releases to Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, told the panel that security spending had been prioritised under the proposed budget.

Edun said, “We all agree that security is to be prioritised. I can assure you that emergency funding has been given. Critical foreign payments for security equipment have been made at least twice this year that I know of, including as recently as yesterday.”

Edun described the projected oil production benchmark of 1.84 million barrels per day as a “stretch target,” explaining that it was intended to drive improved output.

“It is a stretch target so that the authorities do not settle for lower output. But as long as we do not spend what we do not have, we are within safe limits,” he said.

Responding to concerns over Nigeria’s debt profile, estimated at about N152tn, the minister said the challenge was the high cost of borrowing in international markets rather than the debt-to-GDP ratio.

“The problem is the pricing. Developing countries are forced to pay high interest rates in international markets. That is where the difficulty lies,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria is chairing the technical group of the G24, where issues of debt sustainability and rising interest rates are being discussed.

“When this administration came in 2023, we were paying heavily to stabilise the system. You cannot undermine interest rate mechanisms without consequences. If you do not maintain credibility, the exchange rate will move,” he added.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, warned against inflated revenue projections, saying budget efficiency depends on realistic assumptions.

“Budget efficiency is not in the quantum of the budget; it is in what you can carry out,” he said.


He explained that under the Petroleum Industry Act, government earnings from oil production are derived mainly from taxes and royalties, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company operates as a limited liability company.

“The only connection between the government and whatever is produced is the taxes and royalties paid. If production costs are high, the net revenue to the government is affected,” he stated.

In his remarks, Adeola said the executive must present credible projections, noting discrepancies between projected and realised oil revenues in previous fiscal years.

The senator said, “This document before us originated from the executive. The projections and challenges came from the executive arm, not the legislature. The gap between projected and realised oil revenue is wide.

“For example, how do we explain 18 per cent performance in one year and projections of 36.5 per cent the next year when actual performance is still below expectations?

“So the question is: Do we reduce the N58.472tn 2026 budget, or do we proceed and make adjustments? Debt financing is already high. If certain assets were disposed of and used to reduce debt, two things would happen: the overall debt stock would reduce, and future borrowing costs could also decline.”

Lawmakers also raised concerns over the funding of capital components in previous budgets.

The Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, assured the committee that outstanding capital payments under the 2024 and 2025 budgets would be processed before March 31, 2026.

“Regarding the 2025 budget, funding processes are beginning. Payments for outstanding 2024 capital projects start today. The financial management system is back online.

“For 2025, MDAs have been asked to upload their cash plans by Monday, after which payments will commence. We are ready to start, but the MDAs must complete their documentation requirements,” she said.

The session later went into a closed-door meeting before lawmakers adjourned further consideration of the bill.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the Nigerian judiciary and political class to place legacy and justice above personal interests.

He said the true measure of leaders lies in how their service ends.

Fubara spoke on Wednesday night at a state banquet held at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The banquet was in honour of Justice Obietonbara Owupele Daniel-Kalio, who recently retired from the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, and sent to newsmen.

Addressing a gathering of jurists, government officials, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries, the governor stressed the need for high standards in public service, noting that despite challenges, excellence can be restored through collective resolve.

“It is about us coming together, believing in setting a standard and not allowing our personal interests to override those standards. That is the only way we can restore the good old days,” he said.

The governor, who described the retired jurist as a model, charged younger lawyers and politicians to always uphold the primacy of truth and integrity in their careers and every other endeavour in life.

“The message tonight is about how a career ends. The conclusion of Justice Daniel-Kalio’s service brings honour to the state.

“It is a lesson for the upcoming young ones, and for those of us in politics. When we leave the stage, how will our story be told?

“It is not about winning now; it is about how it ends. We must strive to do the right things to defend the most important thing, and that is justice. Always stand on the side of truth so that, at the end, you will be remembered for what is right,” Fubara stated.

The governor remarked that though Justice Daniel-Kalio may have retired, he is not tired and remains strong enough to contribute to the development of Rivers State.

The state government, he said, would seek further ways to tap into his wealth of knowledge and experience and urged him to be available whenever the state calls on him to share his expertise.

Fubara expressed appreciation to the guests for their presence during what he described as a significant period for his administration and acknowledged their support when it mattered most.

“Our vision and desire here is to ensure that Rivers State continues to grow from strength to strength.

“It hasn’t been easy, but I feel very humbled and privileged to say that those of you here today, celebrating one of your own, are very special to us in Rivers State. We can’t pay you for doing that, but God will reward you,” he said.

In her welcome address, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Vera Sam-Dike, said the event was designed to honour an illustrious son of the state and a jurist of exceptional integrity who served with loyalty, fairness, and commitment to the rule of law.

She described Justice Daniel-Kalio’s retirement as both the end of an era and a celebration of a career that upheld justice while positively impacting many lives.

Mrs Sam-Dike praised the retired jurist’s courage, wisdom, and intellect and said the banquet was a token of appreciation and a wish for a peaceful retirement.

Responding, Justice Daniel-Kalio thanked the governor for what he called a rare show of love and candour in organising such a state reception in his honour.

He described his years on the Bench as deeply rewarding and stressed that the judiciary remains a stabiliser of any sane and progressive society.

Justice Daniel-Kalio is the immediate past Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division.

MT:
Tonight, Arsenal lost the league

Popular socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has called on the people of the South-East to support with President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections in order to secure the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Reacting on Wednesday to a viral video where a South-East monarch urged the President to either release Kanu or return him to Kenya, the celebrity barman praised the monarch for taking the message directly to the seat of power.

He noted the monarch’s physical presence in Abuja was necessary to ensure the President heard the plight of the South-East.

Writing in Pidgin, Cubana Chief Priest wrote, “God bless you, Your Royal Highness for partaking in Nigeria. If Your Highness did not participate in Abuja, how Asiwaju wan take hear this message. If to say dem no record this video play for una, them for call his royal highness sell out say him don go collect money.”

He urged the region to “align” with the current administration rather than maintain a stance of opposition, saying, “Alignment is key, we no fit fight government, Asiwaju go free MNK. His Royal Highness don put am for Baba body. Let’s get along with Nigeria.”

The socialite further urged the South-East to reconsider its political stance ahead of the next elections, stating that Tinubu won the 2023 election without significant votes from the region.

Addressing the 2023 elections, he reminded his followers that President Tinubu emerged victorious without the majority of the South-East vote, suggesting that a repeat is likely in the future unless the region changes its approach.

He also suggested that active support for the current administration could be the “best stake” for the Igbo people to eventually produce a president.

He wrote, “Last election, Tinubu won without South-East, it’s clear he will win again. So why not give him the votes so he can do what we ask of him in return.

“Hopefully, he will hand over power to an Igbo man. He made Buhari president, a Hausa man. He made himself, a Yoruba man president. What makes you think he won’t make an Igbo man president if we clearly support him for one more term?

“Igbo best stake is on Asiwaju. Just think it out. Man has the best political structure in the country to win election make we no waste our votes.”

PUNCH Online reported on Tuesday that a traditional ruler from the South-East, Dr Lawrence Agubuzu, the Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom, urged Tinubu to release Kanu, or return him to Kenya, where he was arrested, warning that his continued detention was fuelling agitation among youths in the region.

Melagros:
COMRADES, I will be happy if I can get that link on Nairaland that sometimes ago captioned Nigerian Police as the most corrupt/ worst police in Africa/ world

Sometime ago last year, the WhatsApp account of my friend whom I hold in high esteem was hacked, and the hacker defrauded me to the tune of 200k, after my conversation with my friend. Then I discovered that I was scammed!

However, in order to unravel the identity of the fraudster, then I reached out to the receiving bank and also to my bank for the account to be linked, after that, both of the banks advised me if I want to know who the fraudster is, I should make a formal entry at the police station since banks don't release the information of their customers to the third party. But, the police through the court order can produce who the criminal is

After harking to the piece of the advice, I went to the police station (Elelenwo station, picture below) and made an entry, then the IPO assured me that the fraudster will be apprehended, that this is a simple case, that there's an officer (a tracker) who specialises in handling such cases, so he linked me up with the so-called tracking officer (name below) then the so-called tracking officer booked an appointment with me. After asking of my bank details, he logged on to Google and brought out a certain phone number and claimed that this was the number which was used to defraud me, so to know who the culprit is, it will cost me: 15k (cash) for entry, plus 30k for mobilisation of officers, plus another 15k for a job well done. Without further ado, I made the payment

Do you know one funny thing? The so-called tracking officer didn't know that I am also an experienced car/vehicle tracker (I track vehicles for companies) anytime I asked for an update the fraudster in uniform would googled an image and sent it to me, not knowing that he is dealing with an expert, he would also be telling me cock and bull story blah blah blah blah

After all the drama, this year I decided to escalate the matter at the station, guess what, the police sided with their colleague. When I proved to them that I am also a tracker and their colleague is nothing but a fraudster and I threatened to take legal action against the fraudster in uniform, then all of them washed their hands off the case

A traditional ruler from the South-East on Tuesday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, or return him to Kenya, where he was arrested, warning that his continued detention was fuelling agitation among youths in the region.

The monarch, Dr Lawrence Agubuzu, the Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom, made the appeal during the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

“Bring this man out. If we don’t want him in Nigeria, return him to Kenya or London where they took him from.

“Please do something about this. We cannot make progress in this country if we don’t tell ourselves the truth,” Agubuzu told the President.

The summit, themed “The Role of Traditional and Religious Leaders in Advancing the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” was convened to deepen community engagement in health sector reforms. It also featured the signing of a compact by traditional and religious leaders committing to champion healthcare delivery within their domains.

However, the event took an unexpected turn during goodwill messages when Agubuzu pressed the President on Kanu’s fate.

"I must tell you, Mr President, that personally I don’t feel very happy because you were not here in the morning when the Ooni of Ife gave the opening remarks and was encouraging us to work as one,” he said.

The Enugu-based monarch questioned the sincerity of the unity message, alleging that the same royal father was arranging to confer a high traditional honour on Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Igboho, whom he described as Kanu’s counterpart in the South-West.

“The ball is in your court. Bring this man out.

“If we don’t want him in Nigeria, return him to Kenya or London where they took him from,” he added.

The monarch warned of growing restlessness among South-East youths, saying traditional rulers were losing credibility over the unresolved Kanu issue.

“Some of us here are being asked to go and work, but the young people in the South-East are so agitated they can even beat us.

“They see us as sell-outs. We come to Abuja; they may think we come to collect money and then we keep quiet,” he said.

Kanu, 58, a British-Nigerian activist and founder of the proscribed IPOB, has been at the centre of one of Nigeria’s most protracted and politically sensitive legal battles.

He was first arrested in Lagos in October 2015 for treasonable felony over his separatist broadcasts on Radio Biafra. He was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja and detained for over a year before Justice Binta Nyako granted him bail in April 2017 on health grounds.

Following a military raid on his Afaraukwu, Umuahia home during Operation Python Dance II in September 2017, Kanu fled the country. The court subsequently revoked his bail, and the Federal Government proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organisation.

In June 2021, the Federal Government announced his re-arrest and return to Nigeria from Kenya, a move his legal team described as an extraordinary rendition.

In October 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged him and ordered his release, ruling that the rendition invalidated the charges. However, the Supreme Court overturned that decision in December 2023 and directed that he stand trial at the Federal High Court.

On November 20, 2025, Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty on seven terrorism-related counts and sentenced him to life imprisonment, alongside concurrent prison terms on other counts. He was later transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the summit as the first comprehensive engagement with traditional and religious leaders since health sector reforms began over two years ago.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the World Health Organisation and the World Bank, as well as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, delivered the keynote address, urging traditional and religious leaders to support the National Community Food Bank Programme scheduled for nationwide rollout in April.

The summit also featured the launch of the second cohort of the National Health Fellows programme and the signing of a compact aimed at strengthening community participation, transparency, and accountability in healthcare delivery.

President Tinubu later delivered remarks at the afternoon session of the summit.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday unveiled Nigeria’s Industrial Policy 2025, urging relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure its swift implementation.

The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, launched the policy at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.

According to Tinubu, the policy serves as a roadmap for re-engineering Nigeria’s industrial base, unlocking value across sectors, and placing production, competitiveness, and job creation at the centre of the nation’s economic strategy.

He emphasised that policies rarely fail at conception, but at execution.

Addressing the deficiencies in Nigeria’s industrial landscape, Tinubu lamented that the country had long grappled “with fragmented value chains, high production costs, infrastructure gaps, policy inconsistency, and insufficient coordination between government and industry.”

He added, however, that “this stops now,” noting that the Industrial Policy 2025 directly acknowledges these challenges.

He said, “We have realised that industrialisation is not a wish you think about; it is an action you perform.

“More than that, we must remind ourselves that this task demands coherence across energy, trade, infrastructure, finance, skills, and innovation. It requires partnership between government and the private sector.”

The President stressed that the success of the policy would be measured by tangible outcomes.

“This administration will not measure success by the number of documents we produce.

“We will measure success by the number of factories that open their gates at dawn, by the jobs created for our young men and women, by the exports that leave our ports bearing the mark of Nigerian excellence, and by the value retained within our own economy.”

Outlining the policy’s focus areas, Tinubu said it prioritises strategic sectors based on the nation’s comparative and competitive advantages.

“It advances value chain development so that Nigeria moves steadily from exporting raw materials to producing finished goods.

“It integrates our micro, small, and medium enterprises into the heart of industrial growth, because prosperity must not be exclusive.

“It aligns infrastructure and energy with industrial ambition, for factories cannot run on policy alone. It strengthens skills, technology, and innovation to prepare our people for the industries of today and tomorrow.”

He called for increased private sector participation, urging businesses “to invest with confidence and responsibility, to deepen local value chains, to create jobs and transfer skills, and to partner with government in building a productive economy.”

Tinubu commended the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, “for his disciplined leadership and clarity of purpose in driving” the policy.

He noted that the minister has demonstrated that leadership is “not about noise, but about substance, coordination, and follow-through.”

He also praised technical teams, industry stakeholders, manufacturers, investors, and practitioners for shaping the policy “into a document grounded in reality and informed by experience.”

Earlier, Enoh described the launch as a turning point aimed at building an industrial Nigeria that produces, competes, and prospers.

Speaking, Business mogul and Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, thanked the federal government for the progressive policy, highlighting that Nigeria is the only country in Africa where the private sector is larger than government.

He added that domestic manufacturers welcome the policy and expressed confidence that “the naira, this year, will be at ₦1,000 to $100.”

Dangote noted that many investors are willing to invest in Nigeria due to exchange rate stability and economic reforms, stressing that protection of indigenous industries is crucial: “If there is no protection, there is no way any industry will thrive here.”

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Fall, expressed confidence that the launch marked a step toward inclusive economic growth.

He highlighted the ongoing partnership between the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and Nigeria, aimed at transforming the country into a key player in regional and global value chains.

President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Francis Meshioye, commended the President on the launch and pledged full support to ensure the policy’s effective implementation, backing the promotion of indigenous entrepreneurship enshrined in the policy.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has inaugurated a Fire Marshal Club and conducted a Safety Walk to strengthen community participation in fire prevention and emergency response across the state.

The development was announced in a statement issued by the Lagos State Government on Sunday.

The awareness walk commenced from the Service Headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, through the Ikeja Fire Station, and returned to the headquarters to sensitise residents on fire safety and encourage proactive community involvement.

Speaking at the event, the Controller General of the Service, Margaret Adeseye, said although fire incidents remain a concern in Lagos, there has been a slight reduction in recorded cases between 2024 and 2025.

“While fire outbreaks may not be completely eradicated, they can be significantly minimised through collective responsibility, strict compliance with safety measures, and active community engagement,” she said.

Adeseye described the Fire Marshal system as “a globally recognised, community-based volunteer structure that strengthens fire prevention efforts,” adding that the establishment of Fire Marshal Clubs in markets, commercial hubs and communities across the state would greatly enhance emergency preparedness and response.


She stated that members of the Club would receive adequate training and the necessary knowledge to prevent fire outbreaks and respond appropriately during emergencies.

Also speaking, the General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, Mr Femi Giwa, stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in emergency management in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda.

He said trained Fire Marshals would serve as vital links between their communities and emergency responders, especially through the use of designated toll-free emergency numbers.

Fire safety expert and health and safety advocate, Dr Julius Agbo, commended the initiative, describing it as “a strategic support system for the State Government.”

He noted that research shows “about 95 per cent of fire incidents and accidents are caused by unsafe human actions,” underscoring the need for continuous public education and behavioural change.

The government said the inauguration of the Fire Marshal Club marks another step in its commitment to protecting lives and property through prevention, partnership and improved emergency response.

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has appealed to Nigerians to join hands with him to rescue the country from what he described as the shackles of bad governance.

The former Anambra State governor said the “Operation Rescue Nigeria” project was not about him as an individual but about the collective destiny of future generations who would bear the consequences of decades of poor leadership.

Obi, who spoke in Uyo on Saturday at the OBIDIENT Conference and official declaration for the African Democratic Congress, with the theme Activating the PO Effect in ADC, urged Nigerians to set aside their differences and unite ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He emphasised the need for proper transmission of election results, insisting that the country must get it right in 2027.

“Nigeria must get it right in 2027. Election results must be transmitted online in real time, and whoever fails to transmit results will be held liable. Democracy must work. I appeal to you to join hands with me to rescue this country,” he said.

Obi explained that he left the Labour Party when it became clear to him that the Independent National Electoral Commission would not recognise the party’s leadership and that the Federal Government did not want him on the ballot.

"I left the Labour Party when I got informed that as long as I remain in the party, INEC will not recognise its leadership, that the Federal Government doesn’t want me on the ballot. But I want to assure you that I will contest the coming election even if it is held in their bedroom, and if they don’t want to transmit the results, we will transmit them for them,” he said.

He alleged that the current administration had accumulated more loans than previous governments, warning that young people would bear the repayment burden.

“The current administration has collected more loans than every other administration, and most of these loans will be repaid between 2045 and 2050, when most of the people who plunged the country into this indebtedness are no more,” he added.

Obi assured supporters that his administration would prioritise heavy investment in education and healthcare if elected, noting that many great nations achieved progress through deliberate investment in human capital.

He added that he would work to lift people out of poverty as a strategy to reduce criminality.

The former governor said he planned to tour the entire country, including higher institutions, to understand the real challenges on the ground. He stressed that those supporting his ambition must place priority on the future and the well-being of citizens.

He also promised to fight corruption, saying the menace would be reduced significantly if leaders and their families stayed away from it.

“When I became governor of Anambra State, I advised my wife to forget the office of First Lady, against advice, because we were not elected together. I approved over 100 Certificates of Occupancy of government lands, but have none for myself or my family. If you find any, petition me to the appropriate authority,” he said.

Also speaking, the coordinator of the OBIDIENT Movement worldwide, Tanko Yunusa, urged Nigerians to mobilise across the country for the 2027 general election.

He asked supporters to channel their energy into the African Democratic Congress as the vehicle for transformation and victory.

In his remarks, the Akwa Ibom State coordinator of the OBIDIENT Movement, Dr Ben Smith, urged members to remain united, warning that divisions or factions could derail the vision of a new Nigeria.

“The 2027 presidential election is not about an individual but about a generation, jobs for the youths, security for our families, dignity for workers and hope for every Nigerian,” he said.

A former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, on Sunday called for a comprehensive investigation into the eight-year administration of ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, alleging financial impropriety, abuse of office, and widespread hardship during his tenure.

Sani made the call at a press conference in Kaduna, urging security and anti-corruption agencies to probe what he described as the mismanagement of public funds running into hundreds of billions of naira between 2015 and 2023.

He specifically called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to act on the reported indictment of the former governor by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

“The EFCC must swing into action and ensure that every allegation raised by the House of Assembly is thoroughly investigated. No one should be above the law”, Sani said.

The former lawmaker alleged that the state experienced hardship, insecurity, demolitions, and human rights violations under El-Rufai’s leadership, describing the era as one of the most difficult in the state’s history.

“Between 2015 and 2023, our state went through enormous challenges. There were demolitions that displaced people, rising insecurity, and policies that inflicted pain on ordinary citizens,” he continued.

Sani also questioned what he termed El-Rufai’s democratic credentials, alleging that journalists, activists, clerics, and community leaders were arrested or detained during the administration.

He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of political activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, who has been missing since 2019.


“We cannot talk about justice and accountability without addressing unresolved cases like that of Dadiyata. Security agencies must redouble their efforts,” Sani added.

The senator’s remarks followed recent comments by El-Rufai during an interview on Arise TV, where the former governor criticised the current administration.

Describing the criticism as contradictory, Sani noted that El-Rufai had actively campaigned for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections.

“You cannot market a candidate to Nigerians as the best option and later turn around to attack the same government. That is political inconsistency,” he said.

Sani further claimed that the former governor had lost political relevance before leaving office, citing what he described as the ruling party’s performance in parts of Kaduna during the last general elections.

He commended Governor Uba Sani for what he termed improvements in security, particularly a reduction in kidnappings, and urged residents to support ongoing peace initiatives.

Ahead of 2027, Sani declared his support for Tinubu and Sani, while maintaining that Nigerians retain the right to choose leaders based on competence, integrity, and commitment to national unity.

However, former governor Nasir El-Rufai has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in previous public statements, maintaining that his administration implemented reforms aimed at improving governance and fiscal discipline in Kaduna State.

The African Democratic Congress has vowed to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress in Yobe State and at the national level in the 2027 general elections.

A[b] former Minister of Police Affairs and ADC leader in Yobe State, Adamu Waziri, made the declaration on Monday while commissioning the party’s zonal and local government secretariats in Damaturu, Tarmuwa, and Bursari Local Government Areas of the state.
[/b]
According to Waziri, the commissioning of the secretariats is part of a wider strategy to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures and position the ADC as a credible alternative to the APC.

He said the party has been working hard to prepare for a successful national convention and primary elections, which will further consolidate its strength ahead of the 2027 polls.

“Our party is determined to challenge the status quo and, by God’s grace, we are going to change it. We are laying the groundwork across Yobe and beyond. This is a new chapter for politics in the state,” Waziri told journalists.

The former PDP Board of Trustees member noted that the party’s top priority is to convince Yobe residents and Nigerians, especially the youth, that the ADC offers practical solutions to the country’s most pressing problems.


He added that the party is focusing on outreach programmes, public engagement, and policy discussions to win the confidence of the electorate.

Waziri also announced that a nationwide membership registration and validation exercise will commence within the next two weeks.

He explained that this exercise will precede the local government and state congresses, as well as the party’s non-elective national convention.

The move is aimed at boosting participation, ensuring transparency, and positioning the ADC for a strong performance in the 2027 elections.

The ADC leader concluded by urging supporters to remain committed and engaged.

He said the party is ready to take its message to all corners of Yobe State and across the country.

The Kwara State House of Assembly has passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill approving a total budget of ₦656.5 billion, representing an increase of ₦10.5 billion over the initial proposal submitted by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The budget was passed on Friday after the House considered and adopted the report of its Committee on Finance and Appropriation during plenary.

Announcing the passage, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, said the upward review followed a thorough scrutiny of the estimates to ensure fiscal realism and effective implementation in the interest of Kwarans.

According to him, “The revised budget reflects the House’s commitment to ensuring that government spending aligns with developmental priorities and economic realities.

“A breakdown of the approved budget shows that recurrent expenditure has increased to over ₦409.6 billion, representing an upward adjustment of about ₦10.5 billion from the initial estimate submitted by the executive,” he said.

The Speaker disclosed that capital expenditure allocation has also been raised to ₦271 billion, up from ₦254 billion, to strengthen funding for key infrastructure and development projects across the state.

He explained that the adjustment was necessary to fast-track critical projects and enhance service delivery in line with the administration’s development agenda.

Danladi-Salihu further revealed that debt servicing for the 2026 fiscal year now stands at ₦14.2 billion, slightly higher than the earlier projection.

“The House carefully examined the budget in line with constitutional provisions and resolved to approve a realistic and implementable budget that will bring maximum benefits to the people of Kwara State,” the Speaker said.

He added that the legislature would continue to exercise its oversight responsibility to ensure prudent implementation of the budget and accountability in public spending.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved a minor reshuffle in the State Executive Council.

The changes were contained in a letter dated January 29 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, and made available to journalists on Friday.

The letter reads, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved a minor reshuffle in the Edo State Executive Council.

“This is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen governance, enhance service delivery, and promote greater efficiency in the administration of state affairs.

“In furtherance of this decision, the following changes have been approved: Vincent Osas Uwadiae, Commissioner for Oil and Gas Resources, is hereby redeployed to the Ministry of Lands and Housing as Commissioner.

“Secondly, Yakubu Oshiorenua, Commissioner for Lands and Housing, is appointed as Chief of Staff to the Governor, Governor’s Office.

“Also, Gani Audu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, is nominated to resume as Commissioner for Oil and Gas Resources, subject to confirmation by the Edo State House of Assembly.”

According to the letter, the minor cabinet reshuffle takes effect from January 30, 2026.

“His Excellency expresses confidence that these strategic adjustments will further enhance coordination, policy implementation, and effective governance in Edo State,” the letter concluded.

PUNCH Online reports that Okpebholo’s administration has emphasised inclusive governance, security, and infrastructure development as key priorities since taking office.

The Senate on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the collapse of a critical bridge and failed sections of the Okija Spur Road in Anambra State, warning that prolonged inaction could further endanger lives and worsen economic hardship in the affected communities.

Specifically, the upper chamber urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to undertake an immediate engineering inspection of the collapsed old bridge and all failed sections of the Okija Spur Road, while initiating emergency measures to restore at least, temporary and safe connectivity.

The Senate also mandated its Committee on Works to oversee all intervention activities concerning the Okija Spur Road, the collapsed old bridge, and the completion works on the new bridge.

These resolutions followed the consideration of a motion titled “Need for the rehabilitation of Okija Spur – Ihembosi – Ukpor – Ebenator – Ezinifite Road”, sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Nwachukwu (APGA, Anambra South) during plenary.

Presenting the motion, Senator Nwachukwu said the Okija Spur–Okija through Afor Ukpor to Ebenator and Ezinifite Road remains one of the most critical intra-regional corridors in Anambra South Senatorial District, serving as a major link for commerce, agriculture, education, health care access and other socio-economic activities across several communities.

He told the Senate that the old bridge along the route collapsed on March 5, 2025, “completely shutting down movement, endangering lives and severely disrupting economic and social connectivity across the affected communities.”

According to him, “the new bridge over the Ulasi Stream, which has been under construction for over a decade, is only about 70% completed, with pillars erected and deck components fabricated, but not installed, leaving the structure non-operational and the corridor effectively impassable.”

Senator Nwachukwu further expressed concern that the collapse of the old bridge, coupled with the incomplete status of the new bridge and the deteriorated condition of several portions of the Okija Spur Road—particularly between Ukpor and Ebenato—has heightened safety risks, increased transportation costs and compounded hardship for residents and road users.

He observed that the urgent completion of the new bridge and immediate intervention on the collapsed old bridge now represent the most critical steps required to restore movement, pending the full rehabilitation of the remaining failed portions of the road.

The lawmaker emphasised that swift federal intervention is necessary to stabilise the corridor, restore access, support local livelihoods and prevent further deterioration of the infrastructure.

In his remarks, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, directed the Committee on Works to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA to ensure that the project is completed promptly, noting the need to improve safety along the corridor amid concerns over the activities of kidnappers and bandits.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, observed that while Nigerians are ready for the polls, the party’s leaders are still unprepared to face the challenge, largely due to disunity.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during the public presentation of his memoir, titled The Loyalist, Abdullahi also urged opposition leaders to come together, cautioning that disunity could weaken their chances of success.

Since July, under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, the ADC has been working to strengthen its structures nationwide and build trust among Nigerians.

A former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, joined the party in July, followed by a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, in November, and Peter Obi on December 31, all signalling their intention to seek the party’s presidential ticket. Additional aspirants are expected to declare their candidacies in the coming weeks.

Supporters of the declared presidential aspirants have expressed differing views on zoning, with many of Obi’s backers insisting that the ticket should be zoned to the South, maintaining that the coalition must settle for the former governor or no one at all.

In response, Abdullahi on Saturday urged supporters of the party’s presidential aspirants to avoid a “must-be-my-candidate” mindset, warning that such divisive loyalty could weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.

The ADC National Publicity Secretary emphasised the need for supporters to back all aspirants collectively, stressing that unity is crucial for strengthening the party’s presidential bid.

While delivering his vote of thanks at the book launch, Abdullahi also revealed that many Nigerians who support certain aspirants have been attacking him on social media.

He stated, “For 2027, Nigerians are ready. But I don’t think we are ready. We are not coming together enough. We are not holding hands enough. Nigerians look at us; they see different enclaves and different entities. They see competition rather than cooperation.

“I know I am talking myself into trouble again. I have been under fire in the last three days by some of the passionate supporters on Twitter. But I will keep saying this, because of Nigeria, this country, has no substitute, has no alternative. So I want to use this opportunity, please. Because more than I appreciate all the money you have pledged, I was telling my wife that maybe I should actually be a full-time writer, because it appears to be more lucrative.

“But more than I appreciate all the money, more than the money, I beg you—our leaders, I beg you. Nigerians are waiting. I was in Delta some weeks before the end of last year. The people at the airport who recognised me came to me and said, ‘Please, we know you. You people must not fail.’ And I get that everywhere I have gone. I’m sure you also get it.

“I am making this appeal: please, come together more. Let our followers direct their passion into the ADC. Let them know there is only one party, and our mission is bigger than anything—any individual or individual ambition. This is what I’m begging. So it is my hope that if this is the only thing that this gathering this afternoon is able to achieve, Alhamdulillah."

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ayodele Arise, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies have had a positive impact, despite criticisms from opposition figures.

Arise, who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, said this on Friday during a parley with journalists.

The APC chieftain stated that the removal of fuel subsidy, which initially attracted widespread criticism, had helped free public funds previously cornered by a few individuals and redirected them to critical sectors.

He also commended the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, saying it had improved access to education for indigent but brilliant youths.

He said, “As far as I am concerned, from my position as a business person, the decision of Mr President has benefited a lot of Nigerians. It has moved our economic growth positively, as shown by the statistics we have seen.

“Inflation has come down drastically, and we now have money to fund institutions like NELFUND. The President does not want anyone to say they could not go to school because of school fees.

“Prior to Tinubu becoming president, we noticed varsity students in a full year programme spent six, seven years for four years course. But since the President came, attention has been given to demands and grievances of bodies like ASUU, NASU, and we have seen people graduating after four years like their colleagues who have gone abroad to study.”

Arise said improved engagement with university unions had reduced disruptions in the academic calendar, noting that students were now more likely to complete four-year courses within the stipulated time.


According to him, this has helped to curb brain drain, as Nigerian students can now graduate on schedule like their counterparts abroad.

He also said Tinubu’s push for local government autonomy was aimed at driving development at the grassroots.

“Mr President has insisted that local government funds should stay with the local governments for grassroots development, where the majority of the population lives,” he said.

Arise added that direct access to funds would enable councils to improve infrastructure such as roads, primary schools and healthcare facilities, while also creating jobs in rural areas.

He said the subsidy removal had made more funds available to local councils and described the policy as a courageous move that ended years of abuse in the subsidy regime.

Arise further noted that the Federal Government was developing refineries in the solid minerals sector to support miners and boost exports, adding that the President’s policies were beginning to translate into broader economic benefits.

“If people are getting some benefits, they should speak out and say things are getting better,” he said.

unclejb2:
$9m at work. Baba druggie should try harder

Thundafireseun:
This case is normal…. I travelled to Abuja on a business trip and asked my girlfriend to help hold my HOUSE KEY …

A friend of mine who was transferred from Lagos to Asaba asked me if he could stay in my house and I said he could collect my key from my girlfriend…

I realized later that my friend was lashing my girlfriend in my own house 😳…..

Case 2 …. I had one girl that wasn’t my serious girl my friend asked if he could toast my girl.. I said yes because we were not serious about our relationship….
I gently walked away into my room so he could make his moves… When I walked back into my living room less than 5 minutes later my friend was lashing this girl in my palor 😳😳😳