*Protests rock councils over controversial list *Party defends consensus, denies allegations
Crisis is brewing within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the July 12 local government elections, as many chairmanship aspirants and party leaders have kicked against what they described as a plot to impose candidates.
The aggrieved members and leaders, drawn from various local government areas and local council development areas, accused key figures within the party of attempting to sideline grassroots democracy by handpicking candidates rather than allowing a level playing field.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission had, in April, released the timetable and guidelines for the commencement of the electoral process for the 57 council chairmanship seats and 376 councillorship positions spread across the state’s 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs.
The announcement came as the tenure of the current local council officials is set to end in July.
The PUNCH reported that the party pushed for the adoption of consensus in selecting candidates for the party’s council primaries, scheduled for Saturday (today).
Following the party’s decision, Saturday PUNCH gathered that party leaders in various LGAs set up internal committees to screen aspirants and streamline those to be adopted as consensus candidates.
However, the move has sparked outrage among some aspirants and party members, who allege that the process was being used to impose preferred candidates rather than allowing for fair competition.
The situation is said to have led to protests in some local councils, with party members alleging subversion of the democratic process.
In Ojokoro LCDA, a group of party leaders, under the auspices of Ojokoro Apex Council, reportedly screened three chairmanship aspirants, out of which one Mobolaji Sanusi, emerged as the consensus candidate.
Sanusi’s emergence was announced in a letter signed by former members of the House of Representatives, Ipoola Omisore and Adisa Owolabi, and addressed to the state APC chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi.
Attached to the letter was the signature page of the consensus resolution, showing the names of the party leaders and their signatures.
The signatories included the incumbent chairman of the LCDA, Idowu Tijani.
However, trouble started a few days later when one Rosiji Yemisi emerged as a chairmanship candidate from another screening conducted by a different group of party leaders.
A member of the group, who spoke with one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, accused the apex council of attempting to impose a “foreigner backed by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa”, on them as their chairmanship candidate.
He warned that imposing an outsider with no electoral history in Ojokoro would have negative consequences.
Protests also erupted in Yaba LCDA over an alleged plot to impose one Babatunde Ojo as the chairmanship candidate of the party.
A coalition of concerned landlords, electorates, and political stakeholders in the LCDA raised the alarm over a plot to replace the name of the aspirant who emerged top during the screening exercise with that of Ojo.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that another aspirant, William Babatunde, scored 85 per cent to emerge top while Ojo polled 65 per cent and came 11th out of the 14 aspirants screened.
The coalition, led by Amoo Ismail, petitioned the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, urging her and the President to intervene and prevent what they described as a repeat of past political imposition that hindered development in the area.
“It is important to emphasise that we have credible leaders within our community who are capable of selecting the most qualified candidate from the broad pool of aspirants. It is simply unjust and disheartening to the political stakeholders in the local government that a single individual continues to unilaterally impose a chairmanship candidate upon us.
“In light of this, we humbly implore Your Excellency, and His Excellency the President, to kindly intervene and consider alternative options that will better serve the interests of our community.
“A more inclusive and consultative approach, one that values the voices of grassroots mobilisers and other key stakeholders, will likely yield a more favourable outcome for both the local government and our great party,” the coalition said.
An aide to one of the aspirants, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused the party leaders in the LCDA of using the name of President Bola Tinubu to justify the imposition of candidates.
“They are going around telling us that the President has given the directive on who should emerge. This is false and disrespectful to the President, who is known to support internal democracy,” he said.
Lamenting the adoption of the consensus method, Opeyemi Ahmed, the media aide to the outgoing Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Dele Osinowo, accused some party leaders of imposition by single-handedly picking their preferred candidates.
Ahmed, in a now-deleted post on Facebook, said the situation, if not checked, might cost Tinubu his re-election bid.
“The party is not sincere with its guidelines; from direct to indirect to consensus. We can do better. Let’s give a sense of belonging to everyone. Tinubu needs to win Lagos, but if a few are writing names at the top and using fake strategy to call for consensus at the bottom, then Tinubu should be ready to lose come 2027,” Ahmed said.
Speaking on the issue, a chieftain of the party, Fouad Oki, issued a stern warning to party leaders, urging them to embrace internal democracy or risk electoral backlash.
He issued the warning in an open letter titled, “Lagos APC’s crisis of Democracy: Internal strife and the risk to President Tinubu’s stronghold”.
“The Lagos APC must choose democracy over cliques. If party managers still believe they know better than voters, permit me to remind you of the stakes: disenfranchised grassroots can sabotage not only council polls, but also general elections to come. Unity forged under injustice is brittle; lasting strength requires inclusivity,” he warned.
He added that the APC could either learn from previous political missteps and legal precedents in Lagos or repeat them and suffer the consequences.
“Let this op-ed be a rallying cry within the party: abandon the politics of imposition, honour the rights of members, and give Lagosians a real voice. Failing that, our party risks losing Lagos not to an opposition challenger, but to its own internal discord – a disaster that would echo all the way to 2027,” Oki concluded.
Reacting to the allegations, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, dismissed claims of imposition, insisting that the party had not concluded its primary processes and that consensus remained a legitimate and constitutionally recognised mechanism.
He noted that consensus had always worked for the party and helped manage post-primary fallout.
Oladejo said, “We have not concluded the process of the primaries, which will be held on Saturday. For those who have been able to reach consensus, there will be affirmation, but for those who have not reached consensus, their delegates will decide who their preferred candidates will be in their respective local governments.
“If we have not concluded the process, nobody can allege imposition. Then, where there is consensus, their leaders will need to sign off to indicate that they all agreed on a particular candidate. And when an aspirant is not happy, he can insist on going to the primary and, if he wins, good luck.
“Nobody is imposing anything on anybody; we cherish internal democracy in our party, and we have always strived on all of this. So, you cannot allege an imposition, even when the process has not been completed.”
Speaking on the reason for the party adopting consensus, he said, “As a party, we see ourselves as members of the same family. Consensus has always been easier to manage, whatever fallout might arise from the process of electing candidates for elections. So, consensus, over time, has worked for us and is recognised by our constitution.
“We have an internal mechanism for resolving conflicts or disagreements, and that machinery will be ignited to resolve whatever grey areas arise as a fallout of the primaries. I can assure you that we will take care of it as we have always done.”
Pat Utomi, professor of political economy, has berated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for denigrating his launch of a shadow cabinet.
Felix Morka, spokesperson of the APC, had referred to Utomi as an “intellectual drama king” after the professor unveiled his ‘Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government’.
In a series of posts on X, Utomi said the ruling party’s reaction shows that the government is afraid of scrutiny.
“Many years ago, Felix Morka sat in the back of my car with me as the driver sped to appointments,” he wrote.
“His mission was to urge me to do some of the things I am doing today. Now I am a drama king. Many playwrights would like that title. Think I love it. Will not dignify him with response.”
Utomi said the level of anxiety from the government over basic civic engagement is alarming.
“I have never seen a democratic government panic so much because citizens are getting together to make rational requests of how they are carrying out the agency function,” he said.
“Wow. There must be so much to hide, scrutiny frightens them. How did we sink so low?”
He said a mature government would have welcomed the initiative as part of the democratic culture.
“If Abuja people were smart, their response to the shadow cabinet would have been to say that as true democrats they welcome scrutiny and opening up of the public sphere to a robust marketplace of ideas,” Utomi said.
“Even those who thought the worst of the state of our democracy are shocked at the panic.”
On April 24, Utomi said he was working to mobilise 7.2 million Nigerians to converge on Abuja in protest against Nigeria’s political elite.
Utomi said the protest, tagged ‘Freedom Converge’, is aimed at reclaiming the country from “entrenched systems of state capture and self-serving leadership”
The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has said the Dangote refinery is not competing with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
According to a statement released by the NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, on Friday, Dangote stated this yesterday when he visited the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Bayo Ojulari, in Abuja.
The visit, Soneye said, was part of ongoing efforts to promote mutually beneficial partnerships and foster healthy competition between the NNPC and the Dangote refinery.
It could be recalled that there seemed to be an unhealthy rivalry between the state-owned energy company and the $20bn refinery until recently, especially with the supply of crude oil in naira.
Dangote recently alleged that some cabals were still fighting against his refinery, though he clarified that the cabals were the major marketers and not the new NNPC board.
Speaking at the meeting yesterday, Dangote pledged to collaborate with the new NNPC management to ensure energy security for Nigeria.
“There is no competition between us; we are not here to compete with NNPC Ltd. NNPC is part and parcel of our business, and we are also part of NNPC. This is an era of cooperation between the two organisations.” Dangote added.
The two firms agreed to deepen collaboration aimed at ensuring Nigeria’s energy security and advancing shared prosperity for Nigerians.
While congratulating the GCEO and the Senior Management Team on their appointments, Dangote acknowledged the enormity of the responsibility ahead, noting that the GCEO should be shouldering a monumental task, which he expressed confidence that, with the capable hands at his disposal in NNPC, the task is surmountable.
In his remarks, the GCEO, Ojulari, assured Dangote of a mutually beneficial partnership anchored on healthy competition and productive collaboration.
Ojulari highlighted the exceptional caliber of talent he met in the company, describing the workforce as dedicated, highly skilled, and hardworking professionals who are consistently keen on delivering value for Nigeria.
Expressing the company’s readiness to build a legacy of national prosperity through innovation and shared purpose, Ojulari said NNPC will sustain its collaboration with the Dangote Group, especially where there is a commercial advantage for Nigeria.
“Both executives also committed to being the relationship managers for their respective organisations through sustained productive collaboration and healthy competition, thereby envisioning limitless opportunities for both organisations,” the statement concluded.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) lacks the legal authority to regulate or interfere with how companies set prices in Nigeria’s free market economy.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the verdict in a suit filed by Multichoice Nigeria, the operators of DStv and GOtv, which challenged the FCCPC’s attempts to intervene in its subscription pricing.
The company also sought protection from a previous lawsuit by lawyer Festus Onifade, which aimed to stop Multichoice from increasing its pay-TV prices.
Although the judge dismissed the suit as an abuse of court process—since a similar matter involving the same parties was already pending—he issued a clear and binding interpretation of the limits of the FCCPC’s powers.
Justice Omotosho held that the FCCPC, under current Nigerian law, cannot dictate or control pricing, citing Section 88 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA). He clarified that only the President of Nigeria has the constitutional authority to fix prices—and only under specific circumstances, such as when regulating essential goods or services.
He further ruled that any delegation of such presidential power to another body must be made through an official and gazetted instrument—something that does not currently exist for the FCCPC.
“The power to fix prices cannot be exercised by any other person or agency except the President,” the judge stated.
“If delegated, it must be via an instrument published in the official gazette. There is no such delegation before this court.”
Justice Omotosho also ruled that price controls, even if permissible, must apply to an entire industry and not single out a specific company unless there’s evidence of monopoly or market dominance.
He criticised the FCCPC’s action as discriminatory, noting that other operators in the same sector had not faced similar scrutiny.
“The FCCPC presented no proof that Multichoice holds a dominant position in the market, or that its price adjustments were excessive,” he said.
The court reinforced the principle of consumer choice in a free market, noting that customers are not compelled to subscribe to Multichoice services and can choose alternatives.
“This is a classic case of a willing seller and a willing buyer,” the judge noted. “The FCCPC’s role is to monitor for anti-competitive behaviour—not to police prices.”
Justice Omotosho also referenced an earlier ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT), which similarly upheld Multichoice’s right to set its own prices, describing the decision as “well-considered.”
In his concluding remarks, the judge stressed that any government intervention in pricing must adhere strictly to constitutional and legal processes, affirming that businesses operating in a free market economy are entitled to determine their own prices.
President Bola Tinubu says he is working with Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, for the growth of the state.
Tinubu on Thursday arrived in Anambra for his first official visit to the state since he became president.
During the visit, the president inaugurated the newly constructed Anambra government house, Soludo Fun City, and other projects.
While speaking at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Tinubu applauded Soludo for laying a good foundation in the state, adding that Anambra is on the rise.
The president said the massive infrastructural projects in the state aligns with Soludo’s vision for Anambra to become the Dubai, Taiwan, Silicon Valley of Africa.
Jokingly, the president asked Soludo, who he described as his friend, to get him a land in Anambra for him to build his retirement home.
“I have just commissioned two landmark projects—the Solution Fun City and the government house mini-city as part of the initial steps on the path towards your audacious vision of Anambra as African-Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley (ADTS),” Tinubu said.
“Together with the massive infrastructural transformation and human capital development, these are bold statements of vision and what leadership can achieve in such a short time.
“A few years ago, Dubai was largely a desert. Today, it is a global hub, because one man dared to dream. I remember when Soludo wanted to consolidate the Nigerian banks, and many said it was impossible.
“It was done and Nigeria became better for it. I also recall when we dared to tame the Atlantic Ocean, and many naysayers doubted it. But we made it happen. Anambra has huge potential and with Soludo, we can all work together to fast-track the vision.
“Going forward, we are not just friends: I am now a bona fide son of the soil — one of you, your own son! Maybe my friend and your governor, Charles Soludo, should find me a plot of land for my retirement home, after service.”
Two co-wives residing in Dakwa community, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have reportedly been hospitalised after they drank an herbal mixture with the intent to sexually arouse their husband, who is said to have taken a third wife, recently.
According to African Journals Online, the herb, popularly called ‘kayan mata’ in Hausa language, is one of the silent and emerging acts that threaten women’s health and lead to female genital mutilation in the country.
The herbs are said to be taken in order to arouse greater sexual desire in male partners.
The women, names withheld, allegedly took the herbs three days after their husband wedded a third wife from his home town in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
The husband in the centre of the herbal arousal story, Musa Muhammad, while confirming the incident to our reporter, said his two wives were rushed to a clinic in neighbouring Madalla town in Niger State, where they were diagnosed with damage in some of their organs allegedly caused by the herbs they consumed.
He revealed that the two women underwent surgery at the hospital and were discharged on Monday.
The husband further revealed that it was gathered that a herbalist usually supplied them with the liquid herb preparation which they mixed with milk before drinking, but that this time around, she gave them a different one, which was in powdered form.
“My attention was called from my main house that my two wives were not feeling fine because I passed the night at a different house where my new bride is residing.
“So, I rushed there and found them rolling on the ground, complaining of stomach pain. Initially, I invited a nurse from within the community who placed them on drip, but without any improvement. So, I took them to a clinic in Madalla town where they underwent a test and surgery.
“They were discharged after about a week there,’’ the husband narrated.
Muhammad further disclosed that a search to locate the female herbalist was on to get her investigated and save others from being her next victims.
A medical doctor, Mrs Taiye Anifowose, has warned women to desist from consuming such herbs, saying they could be dangerous to their organs.
Taiye, who is a gynaecologist, said such herbs could also affect their reproductive system in the long run.
She called for proper enlightenment by the relevant government agencies, families and communities’ leaders on the dangers associated with such herbs.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a new lawsuit against suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of mocking him in a satirical apology posted on social media.
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number CS/384/25 and dated May 7, seeks to compel the suspended Kogi Central senator to delete the post from all her platforms.
Akpabio is also demanding a written apology to be published in at least two national newspapers and an affidavit of compliance confirming she has met these conditions.
The satirical apology was shared on Facebook by Senator Natasha on April 27, in which she wrote, “Dear Distinguished Senate President Godswill Akpabio, It is with the deepest sarcasm and utmost theatrical regret that I tender this apology for the grievous crime of possessing dignity and self-respect in your most exalted presence.
“I have reflected extensively on my unforgivable failure to recognise that legislative success in certain quarters is apparently not earned through merit but through the ancient art of compliance — of the very personal kind.
“How remiss of me not to understand that my refusal to indulge your… “requests” was not merely a personal choice, but a constitutional violation of the unwritten laws of certain men’s entitlement. Truly, I must apologise for prioritising competence over capitulation, vision over vanity, and the people’s mandate over private dinners behind closed doors.
“I now realize the catastrophic consequences of my actions: legislation delayed, tempers flared, and the tragic bruising of egos so large they require their own postcodes. For this disruption to the natural order of “quid pro quo,” I bow my head in fictional shame.
“Please find it in your magnanimous heart — somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement — to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections.”
Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, argued that Senator Natasha’s post was a violation of a court order issued on 4 April, which barred both parties from making public statements regarding ongoing sexual harassment allegations until the conclusion of the case.
The United States of America’s National Transportation Safety Board has linked the unfortunate helicopter crash that killed the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, alongside his family, to ‘pilot’s spatial disorientation.’
The NTSB report further indicted the helicopter company, accusing it of “inadequate oversight of its safety management processes.”
This was contained in the NTSB final report unraveling the reasons for the helicopter crash in February 2024.
A preliminary report earlier showed that the helicopter, registered as N130CZ, crashed while operating under visual flight rules in what ultimately became instrument meteorological conditions, requiring different flight protocols and instrumentation.
According to the report, investigators determined the “probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control.”
The crash, which occurred near the California-Nevada border on February 9, 2024, claimed the lives of all six people on board, including Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.
The US accident investigators further reveal that the helicopter company failed to ensure pilots properly completed flight risk analyses, recorded maintenance issues, and followed required regulations before departure.
“The pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation while maneuvering the helicopter in IMC [instrument meteorological conditions], which led to his loss of helicopter control and the resulting collision with terrain,” the report stated.
Significantly, the investigation showed that the helicopter’s radar altimeter was non-functional prior to the fatal flight.
The report detailed that during an earlier flight, the pilot had texted the maintenance director about an issue with this critical instrument.
“A company mechanic performed some troubleshooting on the radar altimeter; however, he was unable to rectify the issue, and the radar altimeter remained non-functional.
“The mechanic reported that the pilot and the DOM [director of maintenance] were aware that the radar altimeter was not functioning, yet they departed at 1822 on the positioning flight to pick up the passengers,” the report noted.
The investigation further found that after arriving to collect the charter passengers, the pilot and flight follower exchanged messages but “did not discuss the status of the radar altimeter or weather conditions.”
Commissioner Raises Alarm As 18-yr-old Apprentice ‘Impregnates’ 10 Girls In Anambra
By Nafisat Abdulrahman
The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, has raised the alarm over a disturbing case involving an 18-year-old apprentice who allegedly impregnated 10 girls within a span of five months, including his master’s daughter and a salesgirl.
Obinabo made the revelation during a live video broadcast on social media on Wednesday, calling on members of the public to assist in finding a solution to what she described as a situation “beyond her capacity.”
The commissioner explained that the teenager was sent to serve as an apprentice under a businessman but was dismissed after just three months when it was discovered that he had impregnated both his master’s daughter and a salesgirl working in the same establishment.
“He was sent to learn a trade at the age of 18, and within three months of apprenticeship, he impregnated his master’s daughter and his salesgirl. He was sent packing,” Obinabo said.
According to her, the situation escalated after the boy returned to his village. In the two months that followed, he allegedly impregnated eight other girls.
“This boy returned to his village and within a short time, eight more girls were confirmed pregnant,” she said. “I want advice from the public because this one is beyond my capacity.”
Obinabo also shared that the boy’s mother visited her office to express deep concern over the situation.
“She told me, ‘Anytime I see a girl coming towards our house nowadays, my heart would jump. Please, I need help,’” Obinabo recounted the boy’s mother saying.
When questioned on how he managed to convince the girls to sleep with him, the teenage boy allegedly told Obinabo that he simply professed love and made promises of marriage.
“I asked the boy the magic he uses in luring the girls to bed, but he told me he always says he loves them and would like to marry them once he makes money,” the Commissioner stated.
Obinabo refrained from disclosing the name of the boy, his mother, or the community involved, citing the sensitivity of the issue. However, she urged members of the public to suggest possible interventions, asking whether the problem could be spiritual.
“This problem is beyond me because of the boy’s age and the number of pregnant girls involved,” she stated. “That’s why I need help to solve it.”
A former governor of Sokoto State, Dalhatu Bafarawa, has said political leaders in the country are losing a sense of patriotism which engenders national growth and development.
Bafarawa noted that shrinking opposition politics in the country poses a great threat to Nigeria’s democracy, saying he is worried to see opposition parties and politicians decimated into the ruling party for personal gains and not for the interest of the people.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa Service aired on Saturday and monitored by our correspondent in Bauchi, Bafarawa who recently resigned from partisan politics, said if things are allowed to continue to degenerate, it spells doom for both the country and its people.
“Northern governors and politicians are self-centered but pay poor attention to improving the welfare of their people,” he said.
He noted that the ball is now in the hands of the electorate who are now witnessing Nigeria retrogressing, adding that it is enough to make them wise and choose competent leaders in the next general elections.
Bafarawa insisted that he would not stop critiquing the current situation of the country, warning that everyone is guilty for the mess in the country.
Since March 18, 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency, there has been relative peace in Rivers State.
The eventual suspension of Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Ordu, and the entire Legislative Arm of government is the biggest setback that may likely affect the economy and other social fabrics of the state.
For close to two months, Fubara has been stripped of the paraphernalia of office as governor elected by his people in 2023.
Having understood what it means to stay inactive without political power for this long, the suspended governor has chosen to go full throttle to seek for genuine peace with his mentor, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
It was reported that on April 18, Fubara came down from his high horse and went to meet Wike in his Abuja residence to ask for forgiveness.
Why the suspended governor chose to meet with the Minister in the company of some respected Yoruba political leaders like Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and former Governor Segun Osoba, among others, other than the elders in Rivers State, is relatively understandable.
The FCT Minister believes that some of the elders in Rivers State were those stoking the embers of crisis between him and Fubara.
Political problems
These elders, nearly all of them, had political problems with Wike in 2023 because of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the run-up to the general elections.
After the PDP presidential congress, where Atiku emerged as the favorite to confront the APC candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Wike felt betrayed and refused to support Atiku.
A time was also when Wike thought he could be compensated with the running mate slot, again, PDP backtracked and went for Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, then governor of Delta State.
Okowa has since defected to the APC he contested against as the PDP vice presidential candidate.
Recall that the Atiku supporters had all abandoned Rivers and relocated to Abuja to give support to his dream of becoming the next President.
Wike was the man alone at home showcasing Fubara in the campaigns to become governor.
Some of the Atiku supporters openly condemned the choice of Fubara as governor, wondering what political sense Wike was mooting to play up a political neophyte as the next governor of a sensitive state like Rivers.
While Wike attempted to calibrate his political structure in support of Tinubu of APC, the likes of Prince Uche Secondus, a former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Sir Celestine Omehia, Rt. Hon Austin Opara, Senator Lee Meaba and Tele Ikuru, among others, formed a formidable political bloc against Wike in the state.
But when the table turned and Wike became the FCT Minister and relocated to Abuja, these elders took the reverse flight back to Port Harcourt and suddenly began to give Fubara the energy to stand up to a man who made him governor against all odds.
This set of politicians formed what looked like an iron cast structure for Fubara with a deliberate design to castigated Wike in the war against then governor.
This same bloc of politicians was alleged to have asked the governor to have a rethink in his implementation of the 8-point peace agreement initiated by President Tinubu. This presidential move could have, according to some analysts, ushered peace into the state a long time ago.
Nevertheless, in his wisdom, Fubara has come to clearly realize that only genuine peace devoid of intrigues can resolve the lingering political tension in Rivers.
This explains why he has chosen to walk the path of peace alone without the involvement of the Rivers elders.
Undoubtedly, the suspended governor has seen that Wike has what it takes to take the fight to its conclusion which was initiated to end in impeachment but the intervention of the president with the tool of state of emergency to stop what would have been the end of Fubara’s political career.
Wike has the financial war-chest. He enjoys the backing of Tinubu. He is a master strategist in all forms and shapes. Dealing with a man of this political caliber would only call for wisdom and that is exactly what Fubara chose to do even if it meant standing alone.
In his last media chat in Abuja, Wike had made it clear that if Fubara should genuinely apologize to him, he would let go. A fortnight ago, the governor made a trip to London enroute Frankfurt, Germany where he met with the president in a closed door meeting.
Details
The details of their discussion in that meeting were not divulged but close sources believe that it was the prelude to a symbiotic agreement for the betterment of Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 while Fubara returns as governor.
Having met with the president, Fubara never rested on his oars.
He went on a remorseful visit to Wike to let him know how sorry he was and begged for forgiveness. It is not clear what lies in the offing after the two high stake meetings.
But Nigerians are of the opinion that having shown sufficient regrets for his actions or inactions, Fubara deserves to be reinstated.
There are speculations that Tinubu, who is alleged to be under intense pressure by prominent Nigerians, may reinstate the suspended governor by May 29. “Everything is in the realm of speculations”, said Prince Ogbonna Nwuke, a former member of the House of Representatives.
“I think as a democrat, the president should use the May 29, which is a big day in our country’s political history, to convince the whole world that he is indeed a true democrat by reinstating Governor Fubara , his deputy and the House of Assembly”.
On her part, Ann Kio Briggs, spokesperson for Ijaw Republican Assembly, IRA, believes that reinstatement of Fubara on May 29 would make more sense to the people of the state.
“He has to be reinstated on May 29, being Democracy Day, so that the governor can join his colleague governors to celebrate his second year in office”.
Briggs explained that the entire Rivers people will appreciate Tinubu if he could “bring back our governor on May 29. That is our Democracy Day. It will bring a lot of succor to the people of the state who have suffered as a result of the crisis in the past two years”.
History
Corroborating the IRA’s spokesperson, the President of Ijaw National Congress, INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba, said Tinubu would make history if he reinstates Fubara on May 29 as with stringent lines drawn to demarcate power play between the two warring factions. “Fubara’s visits to the President and Wike are welcome developments. The president can make history by returning Fubara earlier than expected”, he said.
“Besides, he should make himself the president of all Nigerians, not to a particular person. Let the Minister mind his job in Abuja and allow the Rivers people to enjoy the governor they voted for.
“I am not interested whether Fubara wants to defect to APC or not. After all, our politicians do not have ideology. And the country is cascading to a one party state. “What we want is his return to power for the interest of Rivers people”.
For Dr. Joseph Ambakederimo, Convener of the South-South Reawakening Group, SSRG, “Fubara has shown that he is a man of peace. He has shown enough remorse and deserves to return to his duty post.
“The stakes are high. Expectations are also high. Nigerians are eagerly waiting to hear what Mr. President will have to tell us on Democracy Day.
“I know that the president won’t disappoint. Our prayer is that Fubara should be returned to power. I was privileged to meet with him recently in Port Harcourt and I saw a man who was ready to do anything for the sake of peace”.
Agreement
More than anything else, what is more worrisome to the Rivers people is the terms of agreement between the FCT Minister and the suspended governor for the return of peace in the state and his subsequent return to power.
There are speculations that appointment of commissioners must be shared in a formula that will give the Abuja bloc a comfortable stand.
This same formula will apply to the appointment of all offices when normal democratic institutions are restored. For local government elections which were earlier scheduled to be conducted on August 9, “the Minister’s interest will be highly protected”, a source privy to the arrangement hinted.
“The template has been set already. There is a change in the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.
“Interested contestants would be selected, it does not matter which political parties they belong. They will be there to serve the interest of those who nominated them”.
How then will Fubara’s second coming to office look like? Is he going to be a puppet governor who will dance whenever the string is pulled from outside the state?
What will be the political fate of the Atiku supporters (elders) when normalcy returns and Fubara returns to the saddle? All eyes are on May 29 while Nigerians sit on edge.
Facts have emerged on the genesis of the brewing rift between the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The seeming rift came to public attention on Tuesday, April 29, when Oba Owoade refused to stand up to greet the Ooni, who had approached to exchange pleasantries with him and other monarchs at a programme organised by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a video that went viral on social media, the Alaafin remained seated and greeted the Ooni casually, while other traditional rulers stood up to shake hands with Oba Adeyeye.
The video has been generating mixed reactions from the public.
However, Alaafin’s Personal Assistant, Kolade Oladele, dismissed the reactions, describing them as a deliberate attempt to sow discord among Yoruba traditional rulers.
He described the controversy as a distraction from more pressing issues affecting the region, including insecurity, economic hardship, and youth development.
However, Sunday PUNCH gathered from credible people familiar with the matter that the rift between Alaafin and Ooni started in March 2025 at the Oyotunji African Village in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States.
Oyotunji African Village is a unique intentional community established in 1970 by Oba Efuntola Adefunmi I.
It was founded as a cultural and spiritual haven for African Americans seeking to reconnect with traditional Yoruba heritage.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that Adefunmi was crowned by the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
After Adefunmi’s passing in 2005, his son, Adejuyigbe, succeeded him and was crowned by the same Oba Sijuwade as the leader of the community.
However, Adejuyigbe was stabbed to death in July 2024 by a 53-year-old woman identified as his sister, Akiba Meredith, during a domestic dispute.
Sources told our correspondent that the current Ooni had sent a team of monarchs to the Oyotunji Village to perform traditional rites following Adejuyigbe’s murder.
The team included the Salu Edunabon, Oba Adesoji Oladepo, the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, the Araba Agbaye, and the priest in charge of the Oranmiyan staff in Ife, Owa Iredumi.
According to the sources, Oba Owoade, who was in seclusion at the time, called one of the traditional rulers and demanded that they vacate the village, claiming it was Oyo territory.
One of the team members said: “We were at Oyotunji Village on the directive and sponsorship of the Ooni to perform traditional rites after the killing of the traditional leader of the village.
“We spoke with the family and performed every necessary rite. We left Nigeria in March and returned in early April.
“I was in my room when Oba Owoade, who was still in seclusion then, called one of us and told him we should leave the place because the village belongs to him, claiming it is part of Oyo territory.
“I regarded that call as disrespectful. Oba Owoade should have done his research on who usually installs the Oyotunji leader in the US before calling us.”
“We thought that was all. During Oba Owoade’s coronation, he didn’t recognise the Ooni. Baba went with 38 traditional rulers from Osun.
“I challenge anyone to produce the clip where the Alaafin recognised the Ooni at the event.”
The source, however, said Ooni didn’t read any meaning into that.
“Till I am speaking with you, the Alaafin has neither called nor visited the Ooni to say ‘thank you’ after the coronation.
“Painfully, the first time they met after that was during Tuesday’s programme in Ibadan, and the Alaafin behaved in such a manner.
“Ooni is not in a supremacy battle with anyone because his position in Yorubaland is not disputable.”
Oladele, however, dismissed the monarch’s claims as baseless and untrue.
“They are creating things that don’t exist. We know that truth does not need defence, and it will always prevail,” he said.
Oladele said the Alaafin did not issue any directive to anybody regarding Oyotunji village, stating that Oba Owoade had been busy with the governance of Oyo Kingdom right from his seclusion.
He said: “Kabiyesi was at Ipebi, preparing himself for the governance of the most sophisticated town. So, he didn’t have time for such a thing.
“Even if there was any issue of that nature, Alaafin has always advised people to be patient and investigate matters thoroughly before acting.
“Without putting words in Alaafin’s mouth, the Oyotunji Village has its own history, beginning with the name itself.
“The founders of the community had their reasons for naming the place Oyotunji. However, what I know is that Alaafin has not given any direct verdict to anybody. He has been focused on governance and is committed to the development of Oyo Kingdom.”
On the claim that the Alaafin did not recognise the Ooni during the coronation and appreciate his presence, Oladele said: “People are just conjuring issues anyhow. We don’t even need to dissipate our energy on this issue because it is a fallacy.
“Why would the Alaafin raise a powerful delegation to invite the Ooni to the coronation and then not recognise him? How can anybody make such a claim?
“Let us have a direct complaint from the Ooni’s palace, maybe we can take the matter seriously then.
“In summary, it is the Oyotunji people who reached out to the Alaafin. Oba Owoade didn’t call them. Alaafin has no issue with the Ooni. I know there is no rift between the two respected traditional rulers.”
Wike Condemns ‘Sponsored Walkout’ On First Lady, Says ‘It’s Disturbing, Embarrassing
.....Accuses Fubara camp of dishonesty
By Igho Oyoyo
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has condemned Friday’s walkout on the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, by a group of women loyal to the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State.
The Minister, who apologised to the First Lady and President Bola Tinubu on behalf of the people of Rivers State, said “insult on anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria in an event is a direct insult on the office of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and as a leader in Rivers State, I apologise.”
A statement signed by Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, on Saturday, claimed that some women, led by some sacked Local Government Vice Chairmen had staged a walkout during the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme organised by the office of the First Lady of Nigeria, held at the EUI Event Centre in GRA, Port Harcourt, on Friday. The programme was meant to benefit 500 women in the state with various empowerment items.
According to the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media ton the FCT Minister, he said his principal, who is in China for official engagements, described the incident as “very disturbing and embarrassing,” cautioning supporters of the suspended governor to desist from ridiculing the State.
The Minister counselled the suspended governor to demonstrate honesty by being bold enough to tell President Tinubu what exactly he wanted, “rather than saying something today, and doing another thing tomorrow.”
He said; “It is not enough to be visiting people to plead for peace, those who genuinely want peace work and act for it.
“These are the same people pleading for peace, but at the same time doing things that are contrary to what they are pleading for.
“How can you say you want peace and at the same time, you are sponsoring people to insult everyone, including the President and his wife?
“All those shenanigans won’t bring peace, and I am sure they know that, because they are not sincere with their up and down pleadings for peace.
“As for me and those who subscribe to my leadership, we condemn in totality that yesterday’s show of shame and we apologize to our First Lady for the embarrassing conduct of those few women who do not represent the characters and ideals of the people of Rivers State,” the statement quoted Wike as saying.
Customers and stakeholders yesterday expressed concerns over commercial banks’ SMS transaction alert charge increment, further compounding their woes on the multiple charges.
The banks on Wednesday made the announcement of the increment vía messages sent to their respective customers, taking effect from Thursday, May 1, 2025.
“Dear Valued Customer, please be informed that effective Thursday, May 1 2025, the SMS transaction alert fee will increase from ₦4 to ₦6 per message. This adjustment is due to a recent increase in telecom rates as communicated by the telecommunication service providers,” the message read.
Daily Trust’s finding showed that the increment came on the heels of the approved 50 per cent increment by the federal government on telecommunications service providers to increase their tariffs across board.
Already, Nigerian banks impose various charges on their customers, including transfer fees, account maintenance fees, SMS alert fees, ATM withdrawal fees, and levies like the cybersecurity levy.
For instance, if a customer is sending money to another person using a different bank, this attracts three charges including the transfer fees or commission, Value Added Tax (VAT) on the transfer as well as an SMS charge. Then if the transfer is N10,000 or more, the receiving account is also charged N50 as electronic money transfer levy.
Many Nigerians migrated to fintechs to avoid some charges imposed by the deposit money banks until recently when the federal government implemented the EMTL charge on fintechs which means that any transfer from N10,000 and above, the receiving account would be charged N50.
What customers are saying over new charges?
Kayode Gabriel, a financial consultant, said, “I received the SMS notification from GTBank this morning, informing me that they’re increasing their SMS alert charges from N4 to N6 starting May 1. Honestly, it’s just another reminder of how everything keeps going up in this country—with no corresponding value or improvement in service.
“As someone who pays close attention to financial trends, I understand that the banks are trying to adjust to the rising costs driven by the new telecom tariffs and the general economic conditions. But still, it feels like customers are always bearing the brunt without being given sufficient alternatives or communication ahead of time.
“I’m already looking into banks or fintechs that offer free notifications through mobile apps or emails. At this point, we all need to be intentional about minimising avoidable charges.”
Shaba Victor, a resident of Akure, said, “Yes, the SMS alert fee used to be N4 and now GTBank says it’s going up to N6. Honestly, I’m not surprised. Once they increased the cost of calls and data recently, I knew it was only a matter of time before SMS charges would follow. It’s all connected.
“The thing is, these banks won’t miss any chance to push extra costs to the customers. Even if it’s just N2, when you add that across all your transactions in a month, it adds up. It may look small, but it makes a difference—especially now when everything is expensive.
“I don’t blame them completely though. The telecom operators increased their rates first, and the banks are only reacting. Still, it would have been better if they gave customers more options—like switching to app notifications or emails for free. Not everybody wants to keep paying for SMS they didn’t ask for.”
Another customer of a commercial bank lamented that given the consistency with which he carries out transactions on a daily basis, it means more money would be deducted as SMS alert charge.
“For instance, I was charged N1,148 as SMS alert fees for just one month. I received the notification yesterday. So going by the number of alerts I receive on a daily basis, it means I would be spending more on SMS alerts going forward. I will probably find a way around it,” he said.
Emmanuel Okon, another bank customer, said, “I just hope it would not take till eternity to immediately deactivate my SMS alert in any of the banks. I think this is the next step to take now to avoid this new increment.”
Stakeholders weigh in on new charges
In an interview with stakeholders, they acknowledged the rising cost of operation exacerbated by the country’s economy, however promising to slam telecom operators provided the increment does not match service delivery.
President, National Association of Telecom Subscribers, Deolu Ogunbanjo, said the banks’ SMS increment was borne out from the 50 per cent increment in telecom tariff.
He revealed that the increment to N6 could have been N5 if the proposed 35 per cent increment on telecom tariff was not jettisoned during the stakeholders’ engagement over tariff increase.
‘Banks should avoid sending debit, VAT messages separately’
“In February, NLC and some stakeholders, including the NATCOM, met with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and we agreed on a 35% increase.
“So, in that wise, it should have been N5 for SMS, if it was a 35 per cent increase but unfortunately, they ignored our calls and then they have now started charging a 50 per cent increase,” he said.
He described the increment as unfortunate, urging the banks to reduce sending debit and Value Added Tax (VAT) alerts separately.
The National President of Association of Telephone Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS), ATCIS-Nigeria, Prince Sina Bilesanmi, called for quality delivery, saying the increment was propelled by the 50 per cent increment on telecom tariff.
“You know the rate of the normal SMS has also increased, so I do not see any reason why banks should not increase their charges.
“But the question should be when they are charged, do they deliver based on the increased rate? ATCIS is in support of the 50 per cent that applies to voice, data and SMS,” he said.
‘Customers have option of deactivating SMS alert’
A bank customer, Adegbaju Adeolu, said he has deactivated receiving SMS alerts.
“I am quite indifferent about it. I never liked the idea of being charged for transaction alerts and it is why I disabled it a long time ago and this is just to avoid these additional charges which constitute a burden on me,” he said.
Another commercial bank, Union, also reiterated in the message sent to customers that they have the option of deactivating SMS alerts.
The bank said, “Our Telecommunication Service Providers have recently reviewed their service rates applicable to SMS notifications upwards. Consequently, effective Thursday, 1 May 2025, your SMS Transaction Alert Fee will increase from Four Naira (N4.00) to Six Naira (N6.00) per message. Please note that alerts to international phone numbers are subject to higher charges.
“Transaction Alerts are essential as they help you monitor and control your account activities in real time. We encourage you to retain your subscription to this service.
“If you would like to opt out of receiving Transaction Alerts via SMS, please update your preferences by completing the Transaction Alert form available on our website.”
Professor of Economics, Ndubisi Nwokoma, in a recent chat with our correspondent said the multiple charges imposed on banking transactions are limiting the trust Nigerians have with the financial institutions.
He said, “The charges on the bank are quite enormous and the returns are very little. Many people don’t want to use banks these days; some people prefer cash payment because any money for any transaction that takes place, the receiver actually gets less than the value,” he said.
Nigerians would now pay more for the National Identity Numbers and other services as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) announced a upward review of its service fees.
The new service charges, which will be revealed, today, May 2, 2025, is the first adjustment in over ten years, as it seeks to align with current economic realities and sustain efficient service delivery.
Recall that the National Identity Number (NIN) Enrolment and Issuance of NIN Slip is offered free of charge as well as the national e-ID Card Issuance (first issuance).
However, NIN slip reprint attracts N500; Modification of Biodata (excluding Date of Birth): N500 per field; Modification of Date of Birth: N15,000 and third-party verification services, attracts N5,000.
The revised pricing structure, which takes effect immediately, will be published on NIMC’s official website on May 2, 2025. It applies to NIMC’s range of services and products, including those offered through its licensed Front-End Partners.
The Commission emphasised that while the fees have increased, the goal is to preserve service quality, maintain affordability, and ensure transparency.
NIMC, in a press statement, released on Thursday, and made available to LEADERSHIP, warned all partners to strictly adhere to the newly approved rates, stressing that any Front-End Partner caught charging beyond the official prices will face severe penalties, including suspension or revocation of their license.
“We remain committed to providing secure, reliable, and fairly priced identity services for all Nigerians. We encourage the public to report any cases of overcharging to our Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit,” NIMC said in a statement.
In a related development, NIMC’s director general/CEO, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and all supporting agencies for their continued commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s identity infrastructure.
Comrade M. B. Muhammad, one of the victims who was abducted from a Kaduna-bound train in 2022, has narrated his encounter with one of his kidnappers at a mosque in Kaduna State.
According to him, the encounter happened a few days ago when he stopped at a Shema Mosque near Bakin Ruwa Junction in Rigasa community, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna.
Identifying the kidnapper as Abubakar, the comrade said he was shocked after seeing him inside the mosque.
In a social media post, he wrote: “Last night, after praying the Isha’i prayer at Shema Mosque near Bakin Ruwa junction in Kaduna, by the will of God, just as the imam ended the prayer, I ran into one of the men who kidnapped us aboard the AK-9 train that was attacked on March 28, 2022, during the Abuja–Kaduna journey.
“His name is Abubakar. He told me he has repented and left terrorism behind. He now works as a motorcycle (okada) rider.
“After a lengthy conversation with him, I learned that some of the kidnappers have been killed, while others have continued with their acts of terror.
“In the end, I told him I forgave them, and I gave him some charity because of the state I saw him in. Oh Lord of all the worlds, guide us all and guide them too,” he said.
Daily Trust correspondent met with Comrade Muhammad at his office within Kaduna Metropolis and he confirmed authenticity of the post.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to depart Abuja, on a two-day official visit to Katsina State, on Friday.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement on Thursday, disclosed that during the visit, the President will meet with key stakeholders to assess the security situation in the state.
As part of the visit, President Tinubu will also honour an invitation to attend the wedding of the governor’s daughter before returning to Abuja.
According to Onanuga, “During the visit, the President will meet with key stakeholders to assess the security situation in the state.
“He will commission the Katsina Agricultural Mechanized Centre and a 24KM dual carriageway completed by Governor Dikko Umar Radda.
“President Tinubu will also honour an invitation to attend the wedding of the governor’s daughter before returning to Abuja,” he said.
Days after carrying out sweeping changes in the management team, Bayo Ojulari, the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, has removed the managing directors of the three refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri.
This sweeping move, TheCable understands, is aimed at halting “continued value erosion” in Nigeria’s refining sector.
The previous management, led by Mele Kyari, spent billions of dollars on revamping the refineries but insiders say they are far from delivering optimal output.
Ojulari, who replaced Kyari four weeks ago, is working on a broader initiative to assess the true state of NNPC’s refineries and explore the most efficient management models going forward, according sources in the know of the decision.
“The primary objective of the restructuring is to halt the ongoing loss of value in the short term and to develop a credible, long-term strategy that will restore and maximize value for the federation,” a source said.
Ojulari has also inaugurated a high-level assessment team led by the executive vice president, downstream, Mumuni Dagazzau, to embark on an immediate operational assessment tour of all NNPC refineries to determine their current status and provide recommendations.
TheCable reported on Monday that the NNPC terminated the services of a number of senior staff members.
Bala Wunti, former chief of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), and Ibrahim Onoja, managing director of the Kaduna Refinery, were asked to leave.
Lawal Sade, the chief compliance officer and former managing director of NNPC Trading, was also affected.
Over 200 employees have been impacted, marking the beginning of what may be a series of staff changes.
There are increasing calls for the probe of Kyari’s tenure as GCEO
The Kano State government has disclosed that 240 of its employees are receiving double payments while 217 others are operating under the same Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Dr Sulaiman Wali Sani, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civil Service Matters and Chairman of the State Coordinating Committee, said the discovery followed a biometric verification exercise and the work of two standing committees – one on state payroll and another on local government payroll.
Sani, who represented the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) at the briefing, said the revelations were part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the state’s civil service and fulfill Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s campaign promise of ensuring prompt and full payment of workers’ entitlements.
“Inherited shortcomings in the payroll system have continued to disturb the government. We discovered that 240 employees are drawing double salaries while 217 individuals are operating under the same BVN, suggesting possible cases of ghost workers or identity manipulation,” Sani said.
He added that a total of 1,335 workers had also failed to report for verification for over six months, raising further concerns about the authenticity of many names on the government’s payroll.
In his remarks, Alhaji Umar Idi, Chairman of the Local Government Standing Committee, revealed that a recent audit uncovered 247 questionable names on local government and primary healthcare payrolls, including retirees, deceased persons, and cases of unauthorised staff elongation.
“Out of these 247 workers, only eight appeared before the committee to confirm their employment status. The remaining 239 names have been flagged for deletion, saving the government a total of N27,824,395 monthly,” he explained.
Dr Sani emphasised that the government’s motive was not punitive but corrective, aiming to ensure that genuine workers and pensioners continue to receive their full salaries and entitlements without arbitrary deductions.
He added that with the payroll cleansing exercise, workers should expect even more transparent and efficient salary payments.
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Friday, said Nigerians are paying electricity tariffs that are more than the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 that was approved by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The NLC also said that inflation has eroded the new minimum wage, as it cannot take workers home at the end of the month.
Ajaero lamented that the tax regime introduced by the current administration, especially the tax on salaries, was almost higher than the N70,000 new minimum wage.
He said that the exorbitant prices of rents and transportation have rubbished the new wage approved for Nigerian workers.
The NLC President said, “We have fought battles on minimum wage, and we are still fighting on it. We have fought battles on fuel subsidy and we are still fighting battles on tax regimes. It is a period where tax on your salaries is almost higher than the minimum wage increase on your salaries. It is a period we need to sit and reflect on our survival.
“What are those things that affect us most? The social safety nets that are obtainable in some developed economies of the world we need to fight for them. Very important, the cost of living index. We need to look at it. How does it affect an average worker?
“The manner in which the minimum wage was implemented – me, Osifo and others – we fought and got the N70,000 minimum wage, but how was it implemented? In the local government, for teachers, for workers, in the formal and informal sectors of the economy.
“Whatever we got in terms of minimum wage has been eroded by inflation. The landlords have taken it all; the transporters have taken it; electricity tariff is more than our minimum wage; the tariff on telecom is going high by the day.”
According to him, there was need for the NLC and TUC to stand united and revive their relationships with Nigerians and players in the civil society space to collectively fight the numerous issues affecting workers; else, workers would not be able to survive the current situation they have found themselves in.
“It is a period we need to reenact our relationship with not just the trade union movement but our civil society allies and the mass of Nigerian people.
“The NLC is extending their hand of fellowship to the TUC for us to work together, hand in hand, for the interest of Nigerian people and workers. History beckons that if we fail to work together, we will all perish. At this point in time, we have to work on those things that affect us most.
“An assembly of this nature is such that we should look at our survival strategies. If you do this, and we are ready to work with you, history beckons to show that we can, at a time when we have a difficult situation, and we work together as a movement to rescue the workers of Nigeria.
“The challenges that the workers face here are not a drill; they are real challenges that require a robust, strong trade union to be able to face hands-on,” Ajaero added.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says it has arrested 22 Nigerians for allegedly being connected to financially motivated sextortion schemes that have led to a rise in suicides among American teenagers.
In a statement released on its official website, the FBI said the suspects were arrested during a first-of-its-kind global operation in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from Nigeria, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Out of the 22 suspects arrested, the FBI said, “approximately half were directly linked to victims who took their own lives”.
The US agency said it has observed a 30 percent increase in sextortion-related tips between October 2024 and March 2025 compared to the previous year.
“According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or IC3, there were over 54,000 victims in 2024, up from 34,000 in 2023,” the statement reads.
“Over the last two years, there have been nearly $65 million in financial losses due to this crime.
“Most of the victims are boys aged 14 to 17, and more than 20 minor victims have died by suicide.
“Given the alarming rise and similarities of these cases, the FBI opened investigations across the country with the goal of bringing answers and closure to grieving American families.
“Information gathered by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit (CEOU) allowed the FBI to work collaboratively with all 55 of our field offices to identify nearly 3,000 victims of financially motivated sextortion.
“It was during these investigative steps that the commonality of perpetrators residing in Nigeria began to grow and paint a larger, more international scope of this crime.”
According to the FBI, the Nigerian suspects arrested during the operation codenamed “Operation Artemis” allegedly posed as young women on social media, building trust with teenage boys before coercing them into sharing explicit content.
The agency said the perpetrators would then demand payment via gift cards, mobile payments, or cryptocurrency while threatening to make public the content, adding that in many cases, the harassment continued even after money was paid, leaving victims ashamed and hopeless.
“As a result of Operation Artemis, a Nigerian man was extradited to the U.S. in January and charged with causing the death of a South Carolina teenager who took his own life after being extorted by the suspect posing as a woman,” the FBI said.
“Additionally, two men were extradited from Nigeria to the United States last year to face charges related to the sextortion and death of a young man in Pennsylvania. These subjects will now be held accountable in the American justice system, with more subjects still awaiting extradition in Nigeria.”
Kash Patel, FBI director, said, “Operation Artemis exemplifies the FBI’s never-ending mission to protect our most vulnerable and to pursue the heinous criminals harming our children—no matter where they hide.”
“This operation highlights the critical need for international cooperation to address this growing threat, and it’s a fight we can’t take on without our valued partners across the globe.
“We hope this message encourages parents and guardians to continue to educate their children about online safety and serves as a reminder of the FBI’s relentless pursuit of keeping our children safe.”
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, on Friday, re-elected Comrade Festus Osifo as its National President for a second term in office.
He was returned un-opposed at the congress’ first Quadrennial Delegates Conference held in Abuja.
Osifo, who will now lead the union from 2025 to 2029, pledged a more vigorous pursuit of workers’ rights, welfare and union expansion.
Speaking after his re-election, Osifo expressed deep gratitude to the delegates for the renewed mandate and promised to “work day and night” in advancing the interests of Nigerian workers.
The TUC president also outlined agenda for his new term, including intensified advocacy for better remuneration, increased state subventions, and the establishment of national secretariats across all states.
He also vowed to challenge private sector employers who resist unionisation, stating that the congress will take the battle to them.
Reflecting on the strength of the newly elected 19 members of National Administrative Council, Osifo described them as “men of timber and calibre,” representing diverse sectors from construction to civil service.
“We will no longer beg for fair treatment; we will demand it, with strategy, with strength, and with solidarity.
“This is not a time to be quiet; this is a time to be bold, to speak truth to power, and to build a future that honors labour,” he declared.
Festus Osifo first assumed leadership of the TUC in 2022.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared four individuals wanted for their alleged involvement in a fraudulent scheme linked to an online trading platform known as Crypto Bridge Exchange, popularly known as CBEX.
In a public notice issued by the Commission on Friday, the suspects include Seyi Oloyede, Emmanuel Uko, Adefowora Oluwanisola, and Adefowora Abiodun Olaonipekun.
In the notice signed by the Head of Media & Publicity for the Commission, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to tackling financial crimes, especially in the increasingly exploited crypto space.
They are accused of defrauding unsuspecting investors through the crypto platform.
According to the EFCC, Oloyede and Uko were last traced to No. 166, Idimu Egbeda Road, Lagos State.
Meanwhile, Oluwanisola and Olaonipekun were last known to reside at 13, Jimoh Odutola, Ogungpa, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The commission has urged members of the public with any useful information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects to reach out to the EFCC through its offices in Ibadan, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, or Abuja.
PUNCH Online reports on Thursday that the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the EFCC the authority to arrest and detain six individuals allegedly linked to CBEX fraud involving over $1 billion.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Thursday following an ex parte application brought by the EFCC and argued by its counsel, Fadila Yusuf.
Those named in the court motion include Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim..
Surrounded by local adversaries and with his party losing grassroots support, Mr Obovrevwori decided to flee the PDP to the APC.
After months of media speculation, Delta State Governor Sheriff Obovrevwori on Wednesday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), abruptly severing a control the main opposition party held on the oil-rich South-south state for 26 years.
The pioneer state chairman of the party, James Manager, announced the defection after a meeting of the governor with PDP leaders and stakeholders at the Government House, Asaba.
“Some consultations have been going on and the climax of these consultations is what you are seeing today. We have discussed and have disagreed to agree, and it is a unanimous agreement,” Mr Manager told journalists.
“If you look very well, the current PDP state chairman was in the meeting, the governor was there, the deputy governor, the speaker, the immediate-past governor, all of these persons were in the meeting. The National Assembly members, and even the House of Assembly members. The who-is-who in Delta state was in the meeting to make this decision.”
Mr Manager attributed the seismic political development to the protracted national leadership crisis in the PDP and its possible implication for the party in the next general elections.
“Few days ago, there was a resolution taken by the PDP Governors’ Forum at Ibadan. Almost all the governors were there and they resolved that they are not going into coalition with any other party.
“But as disadvantaged as the PDP is now, with about 11 governors, how do you go into a contest with an Incumbent president? You think you can win? That particular resolution killed the spirit of so many PDP members.
“We lost elections in 2015 as a result of a merger, which even included splinter groups from the PDP. There are also other reasons.
“Today, Senator Anyanwu is the national secretary of the party, tomorrow its another person. The party must be in a position to go into an election to win. So, you see, that it is becoming very funny. The PDP is truly in trouble.
“I am the pioneer state chairman of the PDP but you cannot be in a boat that is already capsizing because I am a riverine man.
“Looking at issues the way they are, we have come to the inevitable conclusion to do something else. It is a collective decision for so many reasons.”
Unstated reasons
The stated fears about the implications of the leadership crisis of the PDP do not seem far-fetched. However, even more, worrisome for Mr Obovrevwori and his associates were local political developments eroding his reelection prospect.
One of these developments is the continued disaffection of the first Fourth Republic governor of the state, James Ibori, with the incumbent governor.
Mr Ibori has kept a distance from Mr Obovrevwori since the then-Speaker of the state legislature defeated his candidate in the bitterly fought 2022 PDP governorship primary.
Mr Obovrevwori proceeded to win the general election without the backing of the biggest name in Delta PDP, Mr Ibori. However, the former governor’s closeness to President Bola Tinubu makes him a more dangerous adversary.
With the president also having other powerful political enforcers in the state like Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, in his camp, and the governor losing a counterweight through the death of Ijaw leader Edwin Clark, Mr Obovrevwori decided that being on Mr Tinubu’s side is crucial for his survival.
This is against the backdrop of the turmoil in the state PDP that led to the defection of leaders like its only senator, Ned Nwoko, who has become more influential in the Anioma zone since former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa from the same zone left office at the end of his second term in 2023. Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday night, Mr Nwoko said he and other APC leaders were ready to welcome the new decampees to the ruling party and work harmoniously with them.
Mr Okowa’s ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been mentioned as another factor that predisposed Delta PDP leaders to a deal with the governing party.
It is not clear if the anti-graft agency would close its file of the former governor’s alleged sleaze, even though a former national chairman of the party once said all sins are forgiven with membership of the APC.
However, the most important factor behind Mr Obovrevwori’s movement was the realisation that the PDP had become jaded in Delta State after a lengthy rule.
The party that governed the Nigerian economic strategic states since 1999 lost the 2023 presidential election in the state despite the sitting governor, Mr Okowa, being on the PDP ticket as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate. The Labour Party won the state handily with 55 per cent of the vote to the PDP’s meagre 26 per cent.
The PDP also lost two senatorial seats to the APC, although it won eight of the 10 House of Representatives seats and the governorship election with 55 per cent of the vote.
This was a precipitous fall for a party that used to mark Delta as a safe bet.
Surrounded by adversaries like Messrs Ibori, Nwoko, and Tompolo, and with his party losing grassroots support, Mr Obovrevwori decided to flee the PDP to the APC.
His new party may not be more popular in the state. However, it at least offers him the sympathy of the federal government and a respite from attacks from the president’s local friends and sympathisers
Since the implementation of Donald Trump’s Tariff Policy, especially, on Africa, more than 70% of shipments sent from Nigeria to the U.S. via airport have either been refused entry or placed on hold.
The chief commercial officer, AAJ Express Logistics Limited, Ini Daniel, who disclosed this yesterday, noted that this alarming trend has caused substantial delays, creating immense challenges for shippers and importers operating in the U.S. market.
According to him, “Nigeria’s exporters are grappling with unprecedented challenges in shipping goods to the United States following the full enforcement of Trump’s new tariff regulations on April 2nd, 2025. Reports reveal that cargo and courier companies are facing severe difficulties with clearance into the U.S., resulting in a crisis for exporters.
“The turmoil has been felt acutely within the airline industry, where carriers are now forced to offer significant discounts or even free returns due to the chaos surrounding tariff enforcement. Adding to the frustration, exporters are left in a fog of confusion, as officials have not provided clear explanations for the refusals.”
Stating that, this dilemma is not unique to Nigeria; as exporters from various European nations, China, and other African countries are similarly affected by the new regulations, in the light of the current circumstances, he advised Nigerian exporters to temporarily suspend shipments to the U.S. until clearer guidelines are established from U.S. Customs.
With uncertainty hanging in the air, exporters are anxiously awaiting clarity on demand and hope for a resolution that will allow them to resume smooth trading operations with the United States.
Despite lobby from the North for the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to step aside to allow for unbiased investigation into various allegations of high-handedness and favouritism in the discharge of his duties as Chairman of National Assembly, there are indications that President Bola Tinubu is not ready to leave the number three citizen to his fate.
This was as North Central women praised Sen Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) for her courage and resilience in the face of “coordinated acts of intimidation”, including her suspension from the Senate, an alleged assassination plot and a recent robbery attempt.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that Akpabio displaced her from the chairmanship of the Local Content Committee and her usual sitting position because she turned down his advances.
A senator from one of the northern states loyal to Tinubu confided in The Guardian that the President refused to consider valid points marshalled by some of his colleagues on why the Senate President should step aside to pave the way for a dispassionate investigation into various accusations against him.
He stated: “The President was reminded of the many baggage that trailed Akpabio’s nomination at the inception of the 10th Senate, including his insults on the National Assembly during an investigate hearing into the Niger Delta Ministry and the missing N1.4 billion from Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as the report of the audit panel he (Akpabio) instituted, which was sent to him as Niger Delta Minister.
“We saw the latest allegations as a confirmation of the growing discontent against the Senate President and felt that the image of the 10th National Assembly has been badly battered. But, to our dismay, the President did not want to entertain any suggestions for Akpabio to step aside, even for one day,” the APC senator stated.
A South East senator, who also pleaded anonymity, noted that though there had been, of late, small talks against Akpabio’s handling of Senate affairs, “how would our northern colleagues believe that Tinubu can sacrifice the Senate President at this time?”
But, when contacted, acolytes of the former Edo State governor said if Oshiomhole was eyeing the Senate Presidency, it must be for the next dispensation, stressing that some senators had been feeding the Senate President with the speculations to cause bad blood between the two South South senators.
The subtle moves for a shift in the Senate leadership come on the heels of the public assertion by the founder of the Citadel Global Community Church, Tunde Bakare, that the Akpoti-Uduaghan and Rivers emergency rule issues showed that the Tinubu administration was on a downward slide.
THE women’s commendation was contained in a statement issued in Makurdi, Benue state, yesterday, by the Chairperson of North Central Women Front (NCWF), Mrs Mary Adamu, who described Akpoti-Uduaghan as a beacon of bravery and a defender of truth.
According to the statement, the attacks targeted at Akpoti-Uduaghan were deliberate efforts to undermine progress in Kogi Central and to deter her from facilitating appointments and development projects to her constituency.
“Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan is a symbol of courage and determination. We are incredibly proud of her,” Adamu declared.
The NCWF did not hold back in its criticism of the leadership of the 10th Senate, accusing it of inciting public resentment and promoting hate through its handling of the senator’s suspension
A two-time member of the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye, has said that he aimed to beat popular British professional boxer, Anthony Joshua, to stupor in a boxing match.
It was not clear at press time whether the flamboyant Kogi State-born politician was just joking or if there was a celebrity boxing match involving the duo in the offing.
Melaye, a politician and businessman, is 51-year-old and he is well-known for his collection of expensive cars. He was at different times a member of the House of Representatives and Senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly.
While Anthony Joshua, known as AJ, is 35-year-old. He held the unified world heavyweight championship twice between 2016 and 2021. At regional level, he held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles from 2015 to 2016.
As an amateur, Joshua represented England at the 2011 World Championships, winning the super-heavyweight silver medal. He also represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, winning gold. In 2014, a year after turning professional, he was named Prospect of the Year by The Ring magazine.
In 2017, his victorious fight against Wladimir Klitschko was named Fight of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Taking to his Facebook page on Wednesday morning, Senator Dino Melaye posted: “My target is beating Anthony Joshua to the stupor,” alongside a video of his boxing training session.
LEADERSHIP recalls that a recent celebrity boxing match between two controversial singers – Habeeb Okikiola, a.k.a Portable, and Speed Darlington, a.k.a Akpi – ended in favour of Portable.
As part of measures to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship in the country, the Lagos State government on Tuesday revealed that it has subsidised the public transport fare with N14.9bn to ease commuters’ burden.
This was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, during the 2025 ministerial briefing to mark the second year of the second term of the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, led administration in office held at the state government Secretariat located in Alausa, Ikeja area of the state.
Flanked at the briefing by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, Special Advisers to the Governor on Transportation and Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, among others, Osiyemi said the State Government established the Lagos Bus Service Limited (LBSL) to save commuters’ time and money and enhance socioeconomic development of the state.
Osiyemi said, “LBSL moved 60,882,000 passengers from May 2019 to February 2025. LBSL currently moves over 42,266 passengers daily, averaging 1000 daily bus trips.
“LBSL average fare for February was N542.66 while informal public transport fare was N1,097.73.
“Since inception, the LBSL average fare has been N261.67 cheaper than the average fares in Lagos. LBSL has implicitly subsidised fares for the Lagosians transported to an estimated sum of N14.9 billion.”
The commissioner further explained, “LBSL Driving School produced an additional 144 drivers for 3,537 certified high-capacity bus drivers as of 18 March 2025.
He added, “Public transport is safer than private cars in terms of accident rates and severity. Public transport enhances the overall safety and security of passengers. Public transport moves more people with fewer vehicles. Reduces Congestion — Public transport reduces traffic congestion and travel time.”
Harping on the state government’s bus reform initiative through the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, LAMATA, Osiyemi disclosed that an additional three rolling stocks are expected in May to enhance service delivery with the increasing number of passengers on the Blue Line Rail.
He said, “The State Governor inaugurated the Blue Line Rail in the state in December 2022. The first phase of the infrastructure works for the rail project (Marina to Mile 2) has commenced operation.
“The Blue Line is one of seven Lagos metro rail lines, spanning from Marina to Okokomaiko. The first phase has already commenced with commercial passenger operations and has transported more than two million passengers.
“The full Line is 27km from Marina to Okokomaiko. Construction of phase 2 from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko started in December and is expected to carry 500,000 passengers daily.”
The Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Dr. Biodun Fatoyinbo, has set social media ablaze with his recent statement during a service, boldly declaring that “No genuine COZA member can ever struggle.”
The comment has set tongues wagging on social media, especially among Nigerian Christians and observers of the mega church’s influence. Many believed that this was not just a statement—it’s a reflection of the supernatural grace and success COZA is known for.
LEADERSHIP reports that this is coming days after Pastor David Ibiyeomie, the founder/presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries with its headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had appeared in a viral video saying Jesus hates the poor, a statement that equally caused a buzz on social media last week.
Reacting on X (formerly Twitter), popular user @SamsonUgoChuks tweeted: “For real, there’s this special grace of wealth, excellence and influence that’s strongly associated with this COZA Mandate.”
The tweet quickly gained traction, with many COZA members and supporters echoing the sentiment, while others raised questions about the realities of struggle, faith, and success in modern Christianity.
One social media used replied to the tweet. @James__Ade: “Facts only. From the moment I joined COZA, my life took a different turn. I see the results every day—this grace is real!”
The viral moment has once again placed COZA at the center of public discussion, highlighting the ministry’s firm belief in prosperity through purpose, kingdom excellence, and the empowering presence of God.
As reactions continue to pour in, one thing remains clear—COZA’s message of abundance and bold declarations of faith continue to shape the faith journey of many across Nigeria and beyond.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited generated N336.37bn from crude oil sales in the first quarter of 2025, with Dangote Petroleum Refinery accounting for over 32 per cent of the transactions, according to findings by The PUNCH.
The details were contained in internal documents from the NNPCL, submitted at the Federation Account Allocation Committee meetings, and obtained by The PUNCH on Monday.
The documents showed that crude supplies to Dangote refinery amounted to N107.44bn within the three-month period.
The crude was sold at unit prices ranging from $74.87 to $80.34 per barrel, using exchange rates between N1,501.22/$ and N1,562.91/$.
The PUNCH further learnt that the transactions were executed using exchange rates recommended by the African Export-Import Bank.
One of the documents seen by The PUNCH read, “The Dangote domestic lifting is payable in naira based on Afrexim Bank advised exchange rate.”
The sales formed part of the naira-for-crude deal introduced by the Federal Government to ensure domestic crude supply to the 650,000-barrel-per-day Lagos-based refinery.
As part of moves to reduce the strain on the US dollar and guarantee the price stability of petroleum products, the FEC in July 2024 directed the national oil company to sell crude oil to Dangote refinery in naira, rather than in the US dollar, for an initial phase of six months.
The sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira to local refineries commenced on October 1, 2024, to improve supply, save the country millions of dollars in petroleum products imports, and ultimately reduce pump prices.
However, in March, Dangote refinery said it had temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in naira.
The refinery said the decision to halt sales in naira was “necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in US dollars”.
After an initial delay, the Federal Executive Council eventually directed the full implementation of the suspended naira-for-crude agreement with local refiners.
It stated that the initiative with local refineries is not a temporary measure, but a “key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining.”
Following the continuation of the naira-for-crude deal, the Dangote refinery announced a further reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol.
The refinery slashed its ex-depot price to N835 per litre, marking its third price cut in less than six weeks.
The latest adjustment reflects a 3.5 per cent decline in the ex-depot rate, as the refinery continues to lower costs to reflect the naira-denominated crude supply framework agreed under the renewed naira-for-crude arrangement.
Findings by The PUNCH showed that seven cargoes were delivered to Dangote refinery, totalling 915,821 barrels sourced from the Okwuibome field operated by Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company under Production Sharing Contracts.
The Okwuibome oil field, operated by SEEPCO, is a significant onshore asset located in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. SEEPCO, a subsidiary of the Sandesara Group, has been instrumental in developing the field, contributing to Nigeria’s crude oil production through its operations.
The PUNCH earlier reported that the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, said it would take action to address SEEPCO’s alleged anti-labour practices.
The board also recalled how Sterling Oil had repeatedly violated its local content directives, stating that it would not fail to sanction firms that flagrantly flout the provisions of its laws.
The members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, led by their President, Mr. Festus Osifo, staged a protest at SEEPCO’s headquarters on Victoria Island, Lagos, over the company’s alleged anti-labour practices and expatriate abuses.
Osifo criticised the management of Sterling Oil for abusing the expatriate quota system, which he said led to discrimination against skilled Nigerian workers in the oil and gas sector.
He accused the company of discriminatory practices, monopolising jobs that Nigerians are qualified to perform with the Indian nationals.
The NCDMB expressed delight that PENGASSAN served as a whistleblower over the alleged expatriate quota abuse by the management of Sterling Oil, assuring the union and the general public that it would investigate the matter exhaustively and take necessary actions.
The board confirmed that it had “sanctioned SEEPCO a few years ago for gross violations of the NOGICD Act.” It added that it had recently started engaging with the company for the same reasons.
Sterling Oil was reported to have sought an out-of-court settlement and committed to addressing compliance issues and undertaking remediation in 2020.
It reportedly completed the training of 40 Nigerians in 2022; however, the employment commitment was not fulfilled. The NCDMB said it has requested statutory submissions from SEEPCO and scheduled a performance review session for March 2025.
Amid the scandal, the company’s field’s output plays a crucial role in the country’s oil sector, with its crude being supplied to refineries, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The documents obtained by The PUNCH showed that the due dates attached to the transaction invoices ranged from 16 January to 22 March 2025.
The earliest due date in the record was 16 January 2025, tied to two liftings made aboard Gulf Loyalty on 2 December 2024. The first of the two cargoes carried 99,737 barrels at a unit price of $74.8738 per barrel, yielding $7.47m, which was converted to N11.67bn at an exchange rate of N1,562.91.
The second cargo moved 50,000 barrels at the same unit price, with a dollar value of $3.74m and a naira equivalent of N5.85bn. Two further shipments were due on 7 February 2025. These were lifted on 3 January 2025 aboard the vessel Almi Voyager.
The first involved 216,584 barrels priced at $80.34 per barrel, generating $17.40m and converted to N26.82bn at an exchange rate of N1,541.36. The second shipment moved 49,500 barrels at the same unit price, generating $3.97m and converted to N6.13bn.
The remaining three transactions had due dates set for March 2025. Two of them, lifted on 15 February 2025 aboard Sonangol Kalandula, had a due date of 22 March 2025.
The first carried 50,000 barrels at $75.895 per barrel, with a value of $3.79m, which translated to N5.69bn at an exchange rate of N1,501.22.
The second, the largest single shipment in the period, involved 300,000 barrels at the same price, amounting to $22.77m and generating N34.18bn.
The final entry, also lifted aboard Sonangol Kalandula, was recorded with a Bill of Lading dated 15 February 2024 but had a due date of 21 March 2024. The 150,000-barrel cargo generated $11.38m and was converted to N17.09bn at the same exchange rate.
In total, the 915,821 barrels sold within the due date window of 16 January to 22 March 2025 were worth $70.54m in foreign-currency value and N107.44bn in naira. The exchange rates used ranged between N1,501.22 and N1,562.91 to the dollar, based on recommendations by Afreximbank for naira-based trade settlements.
The naira-for-crude policy was designed to conserve foreign exchange, support the naira, and prioritise crude supply to domestic refineries. The Dangote Refinery is the biggest beneficiary of the initiative so far, having received multiple cargoes under the scheme.
Although the policy experienced a temporary suspension in March 2025 following the expiration of the initial agreement, government officials have confirmed ongoing efforts to renew and restructure the deal.
A technical subcommittee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Finance, NNPC Ltd, and the Dangote Refinery has been established to refine pricing models, address currency flow imbalances, and ensure continuous delivery under revised terms.
The PUNCH further learnt that the NNPCL realised over N228bn from the sale of crude oil sourced from Egina, Erha, and Forcados Blend fields within Q1 2025 from other PSC transactions not linked to Dangote Refinery.
NNPCL exported 1.95 million barrels of crude to foreign refiners, earning $151.44m or N228.93bn at the recommended exchange rates.
According to documents seen by The PUNCH, four separate transactions were executed through NNPC Trading under standard PSC terms, involving crude liftings between December 2024 and February 2025.
The first of the four transactions occurred on 24 December 2024, with a cargo of 400,000 barrels of Egina crude lifted aboard Baghdad under Invoice PSC.12.24.010.
The shipment, with a due date of 28 January 2025, was priced at $77.8338 per barrel, generating a sales value of $31.13m. Using the provided exchange rate of N1,477.22 to the dollar, the naira-equivalent amounted to N45.99bn.
Another significant sale involved 550,501 barrels of Erha crude lifted on 6 January 2025 aboard Aquafreedom, under Invoice PSC.01.25.007, and due for settlement by 10 February 2025.
The cargo was priced at $74.9038 per barrel and valued at $41.23m. At an exchange rate of N1,491.49, the transaction yielded a naira equivalent of N61.50bn.
On February 4, 2025, NNPC Trading lifted 12,000 barrels of Forcados Blend crude aboard Almi Voyager, under Invoice PSC.02.25.011.
The crude was sold at $76.405 per barrel, generating a total value of $916,860. The exchange rate used for this conversion was N1,535.82, resulting in N1.41bn in naira revenue. The due date for this shipment was set for 11 March 2025.
The highest volume transaction in the period was the lifting of 990,158 barrels of Egina crude aboard Apache on 20 February 2025, with a due date of 27 March 2025.
This cargo, priced at $78.935 per barrel and valued at $78.15m, was converted at an exchange rate of N1,535.82, bringing in a total of approximately N120.04bn.
The cumulative revenue from these four shipments totalled approximately $151.43m, yielding over N228.94bn in naira.
All crude grades sold—Egina, Erha, and Forcados Blend—were lifted under the PSC regime from fields operated by TUPNI (Total), ESSO (ExxonMobil), and Pan Ocean.
The PUNCH learnt that for these four transactions, the exchange rate was provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The documents further showed that foreign export sales were presented at lower exchange rates, ranging between N1,477.22 and N1,535.82, compared to the higher rates used for domestic supplies to Dangote Refinery, which peaked at N1,562.91/$.
The disparity reflects ongoing volatility in the official exchange rate and highlights the pressure on NNPCL to balance foreign exchange earnings with domestic energy supply obligations.
A man has reportedly divorced his wife at a police station in Minna, Niger State, shortly after she was arrested by security operatives during a raid on a hotel.
A security operative, who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the woman was among several people apprehended during a clampdown on hotels suspected to be hideouts for sara-suka gang members and drug dealers.
According to him, her marital status only became known after she was brought to the police station and the relatives of those arrested were contacted.
He said, “Following the recurring youth restiveness and attacks on innocent citizens, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, after going round Minna recently, directed security operatives to go after the youths causing the unrest and stopping innocent citizens from going about their businesses.
“We embarked on the operation at some hotels suspected to be their hideouts. During the operations, many suspects were arrested, including women. And to our surprise, a man came to say that one of the women was his wife and instantly, he divorced her three times.
“We didn’t know that she was married and did not know what took her there because police had not yet conducted investigation about the suspects when the husband came to the station.”
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has revealed that over N10 million has been raised in just four days for Quadri Alabi, alleging that the police falsely claimed Alabi was 18 years old to prosecute him in court, even though he is only 17.
Effiong revealed this during an interview on Monday with Channels TV, where he and Alabi were both guests.
Alabi was arrested and charged in connection with a violent street fight in the Amukoko area of Lagos earlier this year. However, Magistrate Adetola Olorunfemi later freed him following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins.
Speaking on national TV, Effiong explained that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Amukoko Division subjected Alabi to an internal police trial, along with Inspector Odigbe Samuel and other officers. He described their actions as part of an “evil, sinister, oppressive, and corrupt scheme” to frame a teenager for armed robbery, instigated by rogue ‘area boys.’
According to Effiong: “The boy sitting next to me, Quadri Alabi, as you know, went viral in 2023 during one of Peter Obi’s campaign tours. He spontaneously jumped in front of the convoy, raised his hand, and the photo went viral. That moment changed his life. Donations were made, and he gained some popularity.
“Unfortunately, with that fame came harassment. Local area boys began extorting him, saying he hadn’t ‘settled’ them. They even told his mother to buy a cow, cook rice, and throw a feast for the community. When she refused, the threats continued.
“This is actually the second time these same individuals, with support from the Amukoko Police, targeted him. The first time, he was quietly detained. The second time, in January, he was returning home from work when he was arrested by area boys, specifically known as Leggy and Baba Waris, who accused him of ignoring them despite the money he had received from Peter Obi.
“They handed him over to the police, claiming he was involved in a street fight. His mother was told the same. She even confronted one of the area boys, who admitted it was about the money.
“Shockingly, he was detained for a full week before being taken to court on January 27. The DPO, CSP Ismaila Ulaniro, kept him in custody illegally during this period.”
Effiong continued: “They finally took him to the Magistrate Court in Apapa, alongside four adult men he had never met before. The police accused them of armed robbery said to have occurred on January 22 at 10 p.m. No identification parade was conducted, and there was no evidence linking him to the crime.”
On the issue of age falsification, Effiong said: “The police falsely claimed he was 18 in court documents. Why? Because if they had said he was 17, the court would have treated the matter differently—possibly not even remanding him in a regular prison. The magistrate noted this during the hearing but said the only information provided showed him as 18, so she had no reason to question it.”
Alabi himself recounted the experience: “I was just at the entrance of my house when the police came and arrested me. The area boys pointed me out. At the station, I was the youngest there. I was locked up with older men. They asked me what I did, and I said nothing. Before the arrest, the area boys had already taken my phone and the money in my pocket.”
Regarding the donations, Effiong added: “I can confirm that we’ve raised over N10 million in just four days for Quadri. The goal is to relocate him from Amukoko and to secure a source of income for his mother, who is a petty trader. This shows the strength of the Nigerian spirit.”
Politics › LG Elections: Revolt In Lagos APC Over Imposition by Islie(op): 7:37am On May 10, 2025
