₦airaland Forum

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has disbursed N2.225 trillion as federation revenue for August 2025.

The revenue, which is regarded as the highest ever allocation to the three tiers of government and other statutory recipients, marks the second consecutive month that FAAC disbursements have crossed the N2 trillion mark.

Shared at the August 2025 FAAC meeting in Abuja, the revenue was buoyed by increases in oil and gas royalty, value-added tax, VAT, and common external tariff, CET, levies, according to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting.

A breakdown of the distribution shows that of the ₦2.225 trillion available for distribution, ₦1.478 trillion was attributed to statutory revenue, ₦672.903 billion originated from VAT, ₦32.338 billion was generated through the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and ₦41.284 billion resulted from Exchange Difference.

The communiqué disclosed that the total revenue for the federation that month amounted to ₦3.635 trillion. Out of this sum, ₦124.839 billion was subtracted to cover collection costs, and ₦1.285845 trillion was allocated for transfers, interventions, refunds, and savings.

From the statutory revenue of ₦1.478 trillion, the federal government got ₦684.462 billion, state governments received ₦347.168 billion, and local government councils were granted ₦267.652 billion. Additionally, ₦179.311 billion, which represents 13 percent of mineral revenue, was provided to oil-producing states as derivation revenue.

Out of the ₦672.903 billion available from VAT revenue, the federal government was allocated ₦100.935 billion, the states received ₦336.452 billion, and the local governments got ₦235.516 billion.

From the EMTL fund distribution totalling ₦32.338 billion, the federal government got ₦4.851 billion, while the states received ₦16.169 billion, and the local governments were given ₦11.318 billion.

From the ₦41.284 billion resulting from exchange rate differences, the federal government was allocated ₦19.799 billion. The states received ₦10.042 billion, and the local governments got ₦7.742 billion.

Additionally, ₦3.701 billion, representing 13 percent of the mineral revenue, was allocated to the oil-producing states as a derivation payment.

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has tackled activist and Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, over his comments, where he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”.

In a tweet on August 25, Sowore had described the President as a criminal, citing a video where Tinubu, during his visit to Brazil, said there was no corruption in Nigeria.

“This criminal @officialpbat actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!,” the tweet read.

Following the tweet, the Department of State Services filed criminal charges against Sowore for defamation, accusing him of using “false” statements that breach Nigeria’s Cybercrimes and Terrorism Prevention laws.

They also requested that social media platforms X and Meta remove the tweet, calling it a threat to national security and public order.

Sowore, however, refused to delete the tweet, saying the DSS was trying to silence dissent, and describing the DSS actions as “despicable.”

Speaking during the flag off of the construction of Arterial Road N1 in Wuye on Thursday, Wike said Sowore was “lucky” that Tinubu believed in the rule of law, noting that the activist may not be so lucky with someone else as the President.

“This is a country where somebody on social media will say Mr President is a criminal; nothing will happen. You say all kinds of things you want to say, but nothing will happen.

“No matter how you see people criticise Trump, have you ever seen any American citizen on social media, or in the public, say our President is a criminal? Have you heard that?

“But here, anybody can wake up in the morning and abuse the President, and we are happy. You are lucky you have a President who believes in the rule of law. You are lucky. Continue to be lucky. There are those you will meet that you won’t be lucky again,” Wike said.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has taken aim at the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, claiming that Obi is not a true ‘labour’ leader and that despite his wealth, there is “no record” of him funding public projects or floating a foundation.

Speaking on The Clarity Zone Podcast posted on Wednesday, Bwala argued that Obi’s philanthropic profile was overstated and not in line with his financial standing.

“Peter Obi is a billionaire, multi-billionaire. There is no record that Peter has floated a foundation. Or a school. Anything that has to do with public interest and funded so they can meet the needs of the masses. Not a single one,” he said.

He also dismissed reports of large donations credited to Obi, insisting, “He has never given beyond N50m, and even that one, I can tell you the circumstances behind it. He never gave N100m to anybody.”

Bwala further criticised the boreholes Obi reportedly supported in parts of the North after the elections, describing them as primitive.

“Do you know the type of borehole people gave them money to produce? Caveman days borehole — where somebody will climb and be bouncing like this before water will come out. This is the type of development in his mind. But Nigerians don’t know,” he alleged.

Beyond philanthropy, the presidential aide questioned Obi’s political alignment with the Labour Party, claiming the former Anambra governor had no history of supporting workers’ struggles or grassroots activism.

“Peter Obi is a capitalist by nature. He believes in free market economy. He’s a businessman. There is nothing resembling socialism around Peter Obi.

"But Peter Obi ran on the platform of Labour Party that is principally a socialist party. Tell me whether you have ever seen Peter Obi in any workers’ strike, protest or student unionism. Even during EndSARS, was he there? Yet, it is the same demographic he uses in campaigning,” Bwala said.

He described Obi’s 2023 campaign as populist, comparing it to the strategy of former United States President, Donald Trump. According to him, Obi merely tapped into youth anger to mobilise support.

“In the last election, Obi just saw that the youth were not happy and he rode on that anger. They even said, ‘we no dey give shishi,’ because once you ride on their anger, they sponsor themselves to fight your cause,” Bwala added.

Bwala also accused Obi of using church platforms during the campaign but abandoning them after the elections.

“He went to all the churches, met all the Pentecostal bishops. He was everywhere — Holy Ghost night, Holy Ghost morning, prophetic prayers. But after the election, I didn’t see him again. Like my church, we had Shiloh. I told my one of my pastors that Peter Obi no dey go Shiloh again,” he said.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has commended the federal government and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy over the recent suspension of the reintroduced 4.0 per cent Free-on-Board (FOB) charge on imports, which came into effect on August 4, 2025.

Similarly, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) yesterday commended President Bola Tinubu and Edun, for the timely suspension of the FOB levy.
The Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said yesterday that the suspension has brought instant succour and encouragement to the manufacturing community in Nigeria and is great news to the business community.

Ajayi-Kadir said: “The minister just saved our country from a self-inflicted price escalation that could have unsettled the widely acknowledged stability and repurposing this administration has achieved.”

He said the suspension also came “as a relief to our members and the broader manufacturing sector, which has been anxiously concerned about the imposition of the charge.”

Ajayi-Kadir also said MAN was confident that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in keeping with its ongoing commendable reforms, “will swiftly communicate the directive to all relevant commands, so that the charge will go off its portal, while we earnestly await the full restoration of the B’Odogwu platform.”

He said the reintroduction of the charge was quite concerning for members of MAN who were genuinely apprehensive that it would lead to a significant escalation in the cost of raw materials, machinery and spare parts that are not available locally and therefore have to be imported.

He reiterated MAN’s commitment to working with the government and the NCS to streamline trade processes, reduce the cost of doing business at the port and enhance fiscal transparency.

“This is the best way to guarantee an efficient and friendlier trade facilitation ecosystem for the business community and by extension the overall wellbeing of the Nigeria citizenry.

“Overall, we were convinced that the reversal was necessary in order to give a boost to the efforts of the government at reducing the costs of local production, deepen domestic value chain addition and economic diversification.

“As an association representing the interests of manufacturers across various sectors, MAN believes that this decision will have a positive impact on the sector, enabling businesses to remain competitive and grow.

“We applaud the government for listening to the concerns of stakeholders and taking swift action to redress the issue.”

MAN, however, called for the conduct of an inclusive and independent assessment to ascertain the adequacy or inadequacy of the subsisting charges (7.0 per cent surcharge and 1.0 per cent CISS) and the possible implications of the introduction of a higher charge on the delicate inflation trend, the cost of living for about 230 million Nigerians, and the struggling manufacturing sector and the economy at large.

“We further recommend that the government should organise an inclusive stakeholders’ consultation to determine the appropriate level of charges that will guarantee the efficient performance of NCS; be in line with prevailing trends and quite importantly, promote increased productivity.

“We urge the federal government to continue implementing policies that promote industrialisation, reduce the cost of doing business, and encourage domestic production by eliminating various binding constraints that hamper manufacturing growth and economic development,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

He added that MAN remained committed to working collaboratively with the government to create conducive business environment that fosters sustainable economic growth and development.

In a related development, AON, stated that the suspension was a clear demonstration of Tinubu’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment, protecting critical sectors of the economy, and promoting sustainable growth.

The levy, the Association stated if implemented, would have had severe consequences for airlines in Nigeria, leading to higher operating costs, further straining an industry already contending with multiple economic challenges.

AON, in a statement, particularly lauds Edun for his exemplary leadership as a listening Minister who has shown deep patriotism and responsiveness by heeding the concerns of stakeholders.

According to the body, “His decision reflects a strong commitment to carrying out the mandate of the President with diligence, sensitivity, and fairness to all sectors of the economy.

“This bold and thoughtful intervention will go a long way in safeguarding the aviation sector, protecting jobs, reducing inflationary pressures, and ensuring that Nigeria remains competitive in the global business environment.

“AON reaffirms its commitment to working closely with the government to strengthen the aviation industry and contribute to the realisation of President Tinubu’s vision for economic growth and national development.”

The naira continued its recent upward trend on Tuesday, appreciating to N1,484.14/$1 on the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), up from N1,497.47/$1 on Monday, according to data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Forex analysts attribute the strengthening of the naira to relatively low demand for dollars and CBN interventions, supported by healthy external reserves.

In a review of last week’s forex activity, Cowry Asset Management Limited noted:

“The foreign exchange market recorded stronger performance for the naira across key trading segments. At the official Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) window, the local currency appreciated by 0.89% week-on-week to close at N1,501.50/$1, buoyed by improved liquidity and sustained dollar inflows.

Likewise, the parallel market posted a 1.85% gain, with the naira strengthening to an average of N1,510/$1. This broad-based uptick reflects renewed trader confidence and a moderation of speculative pressures in the informal market.”

Analysts at Commercio Partners attributed the rally to a combination of stronger demand for the Naira, reduced speculative trading, and improved foreign reserves.

“Nigeria’s external reserves stood at $41.66 billion on September 11, 2025 and have consistently grown in recent weeks, reflecting a healthier external position for the country. With reserves strengthening, speculative activity subsiding, and oil earnings supporting inflows, many market watchers believe the naira’s current rally has a stronger foundation compared to previous cycles of volatility,” the company said.

Reforms instituted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to entrench transparency, accountability and improve Dollar access in the FX market are also expected to prop up the local currency.

The analysts added that the naira is expected to maintain its appreciation trend in the coming week, supported by steady dollar inflows, continued CBN interventions, and stronger external reserves.

They warned, however, that renewed speculative activity could trigger short-term volatility.
They also noted that bearish global oil demand forecasts may keep prices under pressure, but Nigeria’s resilient Bonny Light production and gradual reserve build-up provide buffers to sustain near-term currency stability.

British actor Idris Elba has described Lagos as “the most amazing city in the world,” praising the Nigerian megacity’s energy and creative talent.

Elba made the comments to ETalk TV on the red carpet at the TIFF Tribute Awards held on September 7.

In a video making rounds on social media, the award-winning actor reflected on his time in Lagos while filming Dust to Dreams.

“Lagos, if you have never been there, is the most amazing city in the world. I had a great time. The talent there is incredible,” he said.

The actor said he left the city with “a wealth of incredible memories.”

The award-winning actor also reflected on one of his standout experiences, seeing British singer, Seal (Henry Olusegun Samuel), step into an acting role while embracing his Nigerian heritage.

“I got to have Seal acting. He has acted before but this is one he is acting in his accent. You know, his Nigerian heritage. That was a real blessing,” Elba noted.

Elba revealed that a key moment came during a music performance connected to the project.

“One of the big standout moments there is this really amazing song that we wrote for the film and they performed it at the end of the song. Seal and a lovely artiste called Konstance, ” he said.

The Hollywood star has long expressed admiration for African creativity and has consistently highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence on the global stage.

President Donald Trump is seeking $15 billion in damages from The New York Times and Penguin Random House in a defamation lawsuit that alleges the newspaper and publisher engaged in a campaign to damage his reputation ahead of the 2024 election.

Alleging that the Times has become a "leading, and unapologetic, purveyor of falsehoods,".

Trump's attorneys argued that a series of articles about Trump -- including a report that Trump's former chief of staff John Kelly warned the president would rule like a dictator, an article about the making of "The Apprentice," and a report about the controversy that has followed Trump -- amounted to libel.

Filed in the Middle District of Florida, the lawsuit names The New York Times and Times reporters Peter Baker, Russ Buettner, Susanne Craig, and Michael Schmidt as defendants. The lawsuit also names Penguin Random House -- the publisher of Craig and Buettner's book "Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success" -- as a defendant.

US President Donald Trump announced Monday that he has filed a $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit against The New York Times.

"Today, I have the Great Honor of bringing a $15 Billion Dollar Defamation and Libel Lawsuit against The New York Times, one of the worst and most degenerate newspapers in the History of our Country," Trump wrote on the US social media company Truth Social’s platform, which he owns.

He accused the newspaper of becoming a "mouthpiece" for the Democratic Party.

"I view it as the single largest illegal Campaign contribution, EVER. Their Endorsement of Kamala Harris was actually put dead center on the front page of The New York Times, something heretofore UNHEARD OF!" he said.

Trump also criticized the newspaper for engaging in a "decades long method of lying" about him and his allies.

"The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, NOW!" he said.

The suit is being brought in the state of Florida, Trump said.

"Today, the Times is a fullthroated mouthpiece of the Democrat Party. The newspaper's editorial routine is now one of industrial-scale defamation and libel against political opponents," the lawsuit claimed.

Trump's lawyers allege that The New York Times and Penguin Random House sought to not only damage the president's "hard-earned and world-renowned reputation for business success," but also hurt his chances of winning the 2024 election.

"President Trump brings this suit to highlight that principle and to clearly state to all Americans exhausted by, and furious at, the decades of journalistic corruption, that the era of unchecked, deliberate defamation by the Times and other legacy media outlets is over," the lawsuit said.

A New York Times spokesperson said the lawsuit has no merit.

"It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting," the Times spokesperson said.

"The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics. We will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favor and stand up for journalists’ First Amendment right to ask questions on behalf of the American people."

Penguin Random House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News.

"President Trump's transcendent ability to defy wrongful conventions has been vividly reflected in his successful undertaking to restore integrity to journalism, and repair the immense damage caused by legacy media outlets such as the Times for the better part of a decade," the lawsuit said.

In July, Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal after the Journal reported that Trump allegedly sent disgraced financier Jeffery Epstein a bawdy letter in 2003 that was included in a book made for Epstein's 50th birthday, which Trump has denied.

In response to that suit, a spokesperson for Journal owner Dow Jones said,

"We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.

BBNaija star, Tacha, has tackled social commentator, Scott Iguma, over his recent attack on the Lagos state government.

In a video he posted today, Scott called out the state government over the bad road leading to Ikate-Elegushi, a highbrow area in the state where according to him, people pay millions of dollars and billions of Naira to purchase a property there.
Showing the deplorable state of the road leading to the area, Scott said

‘’So you mean I will buy a property in Ikate for N2 billion and this is the entrance I will use to go to my N2 billion house? We are insane in this country. If we see this kind of things as normal, then we are all insane in this country.

And if you see this as tribalism, then you are more than insane. Honestly! Sometimes I wish we could go back to the days of Governor Fashola when Lagos was clean, when there was environmental sanitation and awareness in Lagos.''

He went on to call out Governor Sanwo-Olu saying that Lagos became very dirty under his watch as governor.

Reacting to his video, Tacha, in her response on Twitter referred to Scott as a content creator, urged him to shift attention to his home state and showcase how its highbrow areas look instead of repeatedly singling out Lagos.

She also said that critics like him rarely know what is happening in their local governments yet prefer to focus on Lagos.

‘’All these content creators! Everyday Lagos state Lagos state! One will think “Lagos state” is the only state in Nigeria Oyah post “highbrow” area in your own state and you’lld be no where to be found.. doubt you even know who your local govt chairman is.. sighs.''

The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the Senator David Mark- led interim leadership of the African Democratic Congress to appear before it on September 15, to explain why the Independent National Electoral Commission should not be restrained from recognising their authority.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on September 4 after refusing an ex-parte application filed by a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, Nafiu Gombe. Gombe, who is laying claim to the party’s chairmanship, had sought an interim injunction to stop Mark’s faction from parading themselves as party leaders.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 and dated September 2, the plaintiff asked the court to prevent INEC from recognising Mark and his allies as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, pending the determination of the substantive matter.

The defendants in the case include the ADC, Mark, former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola (Interim National Secretary), INEC, and former ADC National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.

Justice Nwite declined to grant the ex parte relief and instead ordered that the defendants be put on notice. He further directed them to appear on September 15 to show cause why the plaintiff’s application should not be granted.

The case is one of several legal battles triggered by disputes within the ADC, following INEC’s recent recognition of the Mark-led National Working Committee. In a separate suit, ADC members Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila are challenging the legitimacy of the interim leadership.

They argue that the appointment of Mark, Aregbesola, and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi (Interim National Publicity Secretary) violated the ADC’s 2018 constitution, which does not provide for interim leadership positions.

According to them, only a properly convened National Convention or NEC meeting can dissolve or replace the executive committee.

The plaintiffs further contend that handing over the party’s leadership to Mark and others contravened a December 2022 judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako.

The crisis was sparked by the announcement of a coalition—backed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—that adopted the ADC as its political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Following the announcement, Chief Nwosu dissolved existing party structures to pave the way for the coalition’s new leadership framework. The matter resumes on September 15. Meanwhile, the ADC has dismissed reports that the court granted an injunction against Mark and Aregbesola.

In a statement on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi, said some political actors, after failing to stop INEC from recognising the new leadership, had resorted to spreading fake news. He explained that INEC had, on Wednesday, officially recognised Mark and Aregbesola as the party’s leaders, contrary to reports that the court had restrained them.

Abdullahi said the ruling delivered by Justice Nwite clearly refused the plaintiff’s ex-parte application, directed that the defendants be put on notice, ordered them to appear before the court to show cause why the application should not be granted, and adjourned the matter to September 15, 2025, for hearing.

He described reports suggesting otherwise as a deliberate distortion of the court’s ruling. According to him, political jobbers “having failed to stop INEC from acknowledging the leadership change in ADC, are now resorting to fake news.

This shows that these agents of destabilisation will stop at nothing, including misrepresenting court rulings, in their desperate efforts to sow confusion and weaken opposition parties.” He urged the media and the public to remain vigilant against misinformation.

A lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of illegally deporting five African immigrants to Ghana, making the 16-hour journey in “straitjackets,” in an attempt to avoid court orders that blocked them from going back to their home countries.

A federal judge on Saturday said it appeared the Trump administration was making an “end run” around those court orders by first sending them to Ghana — which then could send them to countries where they face torture, persecution and death.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the government to provide assurances that Ghana would not send the immigrants elsewhere in violation of those court orders.

One day earlier, Chutkan said the Trump administration had, “with a wink and a nod,” deported those African nationals in an apparent attempt to have Ghana prepare to send them elsewhere.

“What you’re doing, what appears to be happening, is truly disingenuous,” she said Friday.

A lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C. on Friday accuses administration officials of enlisting Ghana’s government “to do their dirty work.”

“Despite the minimal, pass-through involvement of the Ghanaian government, [the Trump administration’s] objective is clear: deport individuals who have been granted fear-based relief from being sent to their countries of origin to those countries anyway, in contravention to the rulings of U.S. immigration judges and U.S. immigration law,” according to the complaint.

Homeland Security has denied that the deportees were in straitjackets. Lawyers for the Department of Justice argued that immigration courts had issued final orders to remove all of the deportees, and that the State Department was working with Ghana to ensure they wouldn’t be sent anywhere only to be tortured or persecuted.

But one of the plaintiffs has already been deported from Ghana to his native Gambia, where federal judges in the United States had previously determined he could not be sent, according to ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt.

Justice Department lawyer Elianis Perez argued that Judge Chutkan had no power to control how another country treats deportees.

She noted the Supreme Court this summer ruled the administration could continue sending immigrants to countries they are not from, even if they didn’t get their day in court to raise fears of torture or persecution.

Gerlent compared the latest case to that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who the Trump administration mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite court orders prohibiting it, and then argued it couldn't get him back.

After orders from federal judges and the Supreme Court directed the administration to “facilitate” his return, Abrego Garcia eventually came back to the United States — only to face a human smuggling charges in Tennessee, as the Trump administration revives another attempt to deport him.

“This appears to be a specific plan to make an end run around these obligations,” Chutkan said of the administration shipping the immigrants to Ghana.

“What does the government intend to do? And please don’t tell me you don’t have any control over Ghana because I know that,” she said.

Chutkan later issued an order giving the administration until 9 p.m. Eastern time to file a declaration detailing how they were trying to ensure the other immigrants weren't improperly sent to their home countries from Ghana.

The administration resumed a policy of deporting immigrant detainees to so-called third countries in July, starting with the tiny African nation of Eswatini.

Trump’s administration threatened to deport Abrego Garcia to four different countries within the span of less than two weeks, beginning shortly after he was released from federal custody in Tennessee only to land in an immigration detention center in Maryland a few days later .

Immigration officials outlined a plan for his removal to Costa Rica if he agreed to plead guilty to human smuggling charges. If he didn’t, he would be sent to Uganda.

Officials suggested he could be sent back to his home country of El Salvador if he successfully reopens a case for asylum in the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials then said he will be sent to Eswatini.

Ghana agrees to accept several Nigerians, other deported West Africans from US

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) has called on the commitment of Nigerians to break what it calls the bondage of bad leadership in the country since 1999.

ADA stated that Nigeria had battled more of the same issues in the past 26 years -bankruptcy, political instability, social unrest, disunity, violence and retardation- in the hands of successive leaderships, retarding its growth.

ADA, which is one of the 14 political associations granted provisional approval for registration last Friday as political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said it offered the platform to Nigerians of all strata to embrace in 2027 to make the desired change for progress.

According to the association, one way of making progress is to reject the politicians “recycled” by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027.

“Some of us have long been in the trenches to ensure that this bondage is broken. To this end, we have been able to mobilise like-minded patriots across the country to register a political platform under which to achieve this noble aim. Hence, our formation of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).

“We thank God that our efforts have started bearing fruit as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given ADA a provisional approval.

“ADA is not just another party; it is the moral rebirth of our nation! It is the rallying point for every patriotic Nigerian elite who still believes in truth, justice, service and sacrifice. This is our chance to salvage democracy and rebuild Nigeria.

And we call on all patriots to join forces with us under the ADA platform, not just to rescue the country but to also get her to thrive”, one of the association’s promoters, Dr Umar Ardo, stated in a release made available to Nigerian Tribune in Abuja on Sunday.

ADA particularly appealed to the conscience of young Nigerians, advising them to reject the same leadership structure that had denied them employment opportunities, but preferring to use them to perpetrate electoral violence in the build-up to another round of elections.

It stated further, “To the youth of Nigeria, who make up the overwhelming majority of our population, the future belongs to you, but it will not be handed to you on a silver platter. For too long, the political class has used you as foot soldiers of violence, pawns in their selfish games and victims of exploitation.

“They have denied you jobs, stifled your dreams, destroyed your future and condemned you to a life of frustration. They turned your energy into instruments of destruction instead of engines of progress. ADA is here to reverse this betrayal.

“Our manifesto is built mainly on you. Not as symbolic tokens, but as the real custodians of the future. ADA’s manifesto envisions a Nigeria where youth are transformed into enterprising self-entrepreneurs, into skilled pools of professionals, soldiers, innovators, scientists, administrators, engineers, educators, athletes, doctors, IT experts, lawyers, farmers, builders, pilots, creators, etc.”

ADA also said it placed great value on women, promising to address all the cases of neglect and suppression of political participation that gender had faced over time.

“The ADA is committed to reversing this anomaly, as no nation can rise while sidelining half of its citizens. ADA recognises that the path to national rebirth lies in inclusivity – and women are indispensable partners in building a just, prosperous and united country.

“Where women are given opportunity, they have excelled as true nationbuilders. Women bring integrity, compassion, resilience and a strong sense of service into governance. Across education, healthcare, agriculture, entrepreneurship and even peacebuilding, women have proven their capacity to drive national development.

“By empowering women politically and giving them a seat at the decision-making table, Nigeria can reduce corruption, strengthen social cohesion, unlock innovation and accelerate economic growth. This is exactly what ADA has lined up for our women”, it said.

To fully refocus Nigeria, ADA argued that the country must go for a completely new set of leaders.

It went on, “The hour of decision is now. Nigeria cannot afford another wasted election cycle. 2027 must not be business as usual. The recycled politicians of APC, PDP and sundry have forfeited every moral right to lead this country. They have failed, and failed woefully.

“Their continued grip on power is a death sentence for Nigeria’s survival as a nation. But a new dawn is possible if the patriotic elites, men and women, and the Nigerian youths unite under one banner, the ADA banner!

“Together, we can birth a political renaissance rooted in justice, sacrifice, innovation, unity and service. And together, we can pull our people out of the kilter, restore trust in governance and rebuild the moral fabric of our nation.”

The Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has denounced as ‘spurious and fabricated’ allegation that the commission’s Chairman/CEO Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa is discriminatory in addressing the welfare of the Ndigbos in the Diaspora.

A statement by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, described the claims by one Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro purportedly by the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as ‘mere conjecture based on a calculated machinery aimed to distract the NIDCOM boss’.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Management of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has been called to a spurious and fabricated allegation against the person of our very able and amiable Chairman/CEO, Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa (OON) as well as the Commission written by one Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who purportedly claims to be the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, raising a false and an unpatriotic alarm on the activities of the Commission as well as its Chairman/ CEO alleging falsely and ignorantly that both the Chairman and the Commission were selective in championing the welfare of the Ndigbos in the Diaspora.

“The Commission would have dismissed such a frivolous allegation (moreso as it does not believe he represents the authentic Ohaneze ) and not waste its precious time responding but there is a necessity to clarify issues and set the records straight for posterity.

“NIDCOM is an establishment set up to engage and see to the welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad irrespective of sex, age, ethnic, religion and political affiliations. The Commission under the dynamic leadership of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has been living to expectations since its establishment over six years ago.

“Its activities, which is glaring for any discerning person with positive mindsets to see, is unprecedented and has positively brought issues relating to the diaspora to the front burner.

“The Commission sees the allegations which are not categorical and not specific in nature, as mere conjecture based on a calculated machinery aimed to distract the NIDCOM boss.

“Reacting to the same allegation, Chief Chibuzo Ubochi, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Europe and Coordinating Chairman of NIDO Worldwide, and a proud titled Igbo man, stated thus:

“I have had the honour of working closely with Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa over the years. Her unwavering dedication to public service commands deep respect. Within our diaspora community, she is affectionately known as Mama Diaspora, a name earned through her consistent care and advocacy for Nigerians abroad, regardless of tribe or state of origin.

“I have seen the reshared post and am concerned by the attention it has attracted and the potential for division it may inadvertently be causing.

Speaking from direct experience, I can affirm that Mama Diaspora has always championed unity, inclusion, and the empowerment of all Nigerians in the diaspora. Her commitment transcends ethnic and regional lines, and she continues to work tirelessly to ensure that every Nigerian abroad is treated with dignity and respect.

“At NIDO Worldwide, our guiding ethos is to uphold, value, and respect one another. I therefore appeal to all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to remain focused on the principles that unite us, rather than those that divide.

We are stronger together as One People, One Diaspora Family, with One Homeland: Nigeria. Above testimonial from an Ndigbo Chief and a Diasporan aptly summarised it all.

“In all our operations, engagements and interactions with Nigerians in the diaspora, there is no such instance of segregation, selective treatment based on ethnic or religious background.

“From time to time, the Commission comes to the rescue and aid of any Nigerian in distress irrespective of ethnic background and religious affiliation.

“It is on record that the Commission had specifically intervened in the cases of distressed Nigerians miners in Central Africa Republic, Mali, Ghana, Libya, Morocco, Lebanon, Iraq, South Africa UK, Canada, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia ,Bosnia Herzegovinia, Ukraine , Sudan and several other countries.

“Crime has no federal character and any Nigerian who commits a crime would serve the penalty while the numerous Nigerians worldwide excelling in their fields of endeavour would always be celebrated.

“In the words of Mark Twain, “ a lie can make its way around the world before the truth can even put on its shoes.”

“Let anyone make no mistakes that the nuisance of ethnic bigotry is a dangerous albatross, and one we have been burdened with since our independence as a nation. To politicise this flammable issue today demeans our humanity as a nation.

It is past time to elevate our discourse, reject balkanization, and set an example that leaves our children a unified Nigeria.

“We cannot remain trapped in archaic ethnic rivalries and divisions. We are not crabs in a barrel—we are proud Nigerians , at home and abroad, with a duty to join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a united and prosperous Nigeria

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the last general election, Dumebi Kachikwu, has suggested that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, gave a parting ‘shot’ at President Bola Tinubu by recognizing the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC. Kachikwu specifically stated that he knew that the INEC chairman was going to give the President ‘a big middle finger’ to show his displeasure towards the president.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, Kachikwu argued that Yakubu should not have made pronouncements concerning the ADC while several cases involving the party were still pending in court.

The statement comes after the INEC on Thursday gave its backing to the David Mark led ADC’s leadership, publishing their names on the Commission’s portal. However, Kachikwu criticised Yakubu, describing him as the worst and biggest mistakes Nigeria had ever made as a country.

He said: “And I believe in the Nigerian judiciary. I believe that ultimately they will decide the outcome of this case.

“I have never had any faith in the INEC Chairman’s ability to do anything concerning this, because it’s one of the worst, the biggest mistakes we’ve made as a country. I’m glad that he’s leaving, but we know that the court will ultimately decide and will see the outcome.

“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything otherwise. I knew that, as the chairman was leaving, I knew that he was going to give the President a big middle finger and he was going to do anything to show his displeasure towards the president.

“And that’s what he did. I’ve said this. I knew that this was what he was going to do, and he did it. Of course, he waited just a few weeks before leaving so he could do it. And then, I mean, of course, no remorse, nothing anybody can say to him. But he’s gone.

“And again, you will see the politics in Nigeria. I mean, when people have had dealings and have things that they have done that they are hiding, nobody who can afford to say anything to him because they can’t afford to expose each other. And so, he has done what he has done.

“Unfortunately, my party, the party of Nigerians who are trying to see how they can rebuild Nigeria, we are the victims here. And when two elephants are fighting, the grass is the victim.”

The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2023 elections, Dumebi Kachikwu has stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission was “irresponsible” to recognise the leadership of former Senator David Mark as the party’s national Chairman.

He made the statement on Thursday while the Politics Today programme aired on Channels Television.

The PUNCH reports that INEC had on Wednesday officially recognised David Mark as the party’s National Chairman, with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary, and Dr. Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer, among others.

Kachikwu, however, argued that the new leadership was on “borrowed time”, noting that the recognition given by the outgoing INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, was irresponsible.

“Nigerians as a whole know that the David Mark-led faction of the ADC is on borrowed time. What we saw from the INEC chairman yesterday was another irresponsible act from the outgoing chairman of INEC.

“It is a norm that when you have cases that are in court, you respect those cases that are in court, and you shouldn’t do anything that will affect the outcomes of those cases.

The courts are sitting on our matter with David Mark and co next month, and Nigerians will see the rulings after the courts sit,” he stated.

The former presidential candidate also stated that he didn’t believe that the coalition had anything new to offer Nigerians, as all of the coalition members were former government officials who failed to provide good leadership during their time in office.

“If they (coalition) had leadership that we could look to and say these guys did well for Nigeria, Nigerians today would not be complaining.

“Nigerians today will not be saying that this country is a failed nation, but the reason why they are saying that Nigeria is a failed nation is because these guys all failed,” he said.

“So, what are they trying to do? Which nation are they trying to rebuild? Nation that they destroyed? Absolutely not!. These guys are people who cannot stay outside of political office, who don’t have anything that they do for a living, and the only thing they need to do is to come back to political office so that they can start feathering their nest again and taking care of their friends and family,” he added.

Asked whether he would join forces with the ADC led by Mark to reform the party, and present a strong opposition at the 2027 polls, Kachikwu said,

“Are you saying that my generation, your generation, the generation after us, don’t have anything worthwhile to offer in service to the fatherland? I believe we have Nigerians who have got what it takes to save this country.”

Traditional rulers in the South East have strongly condemned the coronation of individuals as Eze Ndigbo or Obi of Igbo outside Igboland, insisting that such practice is alien to Igbo culture and tradition.

Reacting to the recent action of a self-acclaimed Obi of Lagos , Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Emmanuel Okeke , described the development as unacceptable.

He stressed that Igbo tradition does not permit anyone to bear the title of Eze Ndigbo or Obi of Igbo in another man’s land, warning that such titles undermine the sanctity of the traditional institution.

“Eze is our heritage. If anybody wants to be the leader of Ndi Igbo in the diaspora, he can answer Onye Ndu Ndi Igbo . But we have said it several times that we don’t want to hear Eze Ndigbo or Obi of Igbo again. It is not in our tradition,” Okeke stated.

The monarch explained that only those coronated properly by their communities in Igboland can bear the title of Eze. According to him, any other form of coronation outside Igboland has no traditional legitimacy.

In the same vein, the immediate past Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Ndubuisi Nwabeke, described the practice as illegal and absurd, calling for its total abolition.

He argued that an Eze must preside over a community within Igboland, with clearly defined territory and traditional authority, not in states or cities outside the region.

“This thing called Eze Ndigbo in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, or anywhere outside Igboland should not be encouraged. It must be abolished because it portrays disrespect to the Igbo traditional rulership system,” Nwabeke said.

He recalled that the South East Council of Traditional Rulers had long advised Igbo residents outside their homeland to designate their leaders as Onye Ndu Ndigbo (Leader of Igbo People) rather than Eze Ndigbo.

“An Eze should rule over a community that has a map, a constitution, and people of that lineage. No one can be an Eze in another man’s land.

Tenants in urban areas cannot claim to have palaces in foreign lands,” he added.

The traditional rulers therefore urged Igbo communities in the diaspora to respect their host states and cities, while preserving the integrity of the Igbo traditional institution by abolishing the controversial titles.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu will address the 80th Session of the high-level General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday, September 24.

A revised provisional list of speakers obtained by the correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria from the UN headquarters in New York showed that Tinubu would be speaking on the second day of the event.

The Nigerian leader is scheduled to deliver his address to other world leaders during the afternoon session, around 8:30 pm local time (approximately 2:30 pm Nigerian time).

Tinubu would be the 17th world leader to speak on day two of the general debate, according to the provisional list.

He will be joining the gathering of 195 world leaders made up of 98 heads of state, five vice presidents, 44 heads of government, and four deputy prime ministers.

The others are 37 ministers, one crown prince, and four chairs of delegation to speak at the general debate.

The President of Brazil, Luiz da Silva, would be the first world leader to present his address to the 78th session, as is tradition.

He will be followed by the U.S. President, Donald Trump, the traditional second speaker, being the host country.

Sources at the UN told NAN that the list was being updated and the Nigerian leader’s speaking slot might change if he did not attend the general debate in person.

According to the UN traditions, heads of state are speakers on the first and second day, while vice presidents speak from the third day.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu in 2024 and spoke on the first day of the debate, maintaining Tinubu’s slot, which diplomats said was very unusual as per tradition.

The rare feat was credited to the goodwill that Nigeria enjoys among the international community and the diplomatic manoeuvring of the Nigerian diplomats at the UN.

Movses Abelian, Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management, said the current “revised list reflects changes in the level of representation (upgrades and downgrades) and reflects exchanges among Member States.”

“Please note that this list will continue to be updated until the start of the General Debate as changes are communicated by Member States,” Abelian added.

The theme of the general debate of the 80th session of the General Assembly is “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights.”

NAN reports that the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) opened on Tuesday, September 9, with the inauguration of a new president, Annalena Baerbock of Germany.

Baerbock called on member states to unite in addressing global crises, from war and poverty to climate change, taking her oath on the original 1945 Charter and pledging to lead with courage and inclusiveness.

A former Foreign Minister of Germany, Baerbock, becomes only the fifth woman in history to preside over the General Assembly. She accepted the Assembly’s ornate gavel from her predecessor, Philémon Yang of Cameroon.

The high-level General Debate will be held from September 23 to September 29.

The theme for the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly is “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights.”

The high-level week will kick off on September 22 and run through September 30, during which world leaders will gather to attend the general debate and a series of conferences.

These include the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the UN, the SDG Moment, and the High-level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women.

The others are the Conference on Palestine and the Two-State Solution, the Climate Summit, and the High-Level Meeting to Launch the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, among others.

Nigeria’s federal government has gazetted new tax reform laws, effective January 2026, introducing sweeping incentives and reduced rates.

The federal government has gazetted Nigeria’s new tax reform laws, with full implementation scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.

Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, confirmed the development in a post on X on Monday, noting that the move marks a major milestone in the government’s drive to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system.

The gazetted laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 (NTA), the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025 (NTAA), the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 (NRSEA), and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025 (JRBEA).

“Nigeria’s tax reform laws have been published in the official gazette,” Oyedele announced.

Outlining the major provisions, Oyedele explained that the reforms introduce a zero percent tax rate for small companies, defined as businesses with an annual turnover not exceeding ₦100 million and fixed assets below ₦250 million.

He added that the corporate tax rate for large companies will be reduced from 30 percent to 25 percent , with the commencement date for the new rate to be set by President Bola Tinubu on the advice of the National Economic Council (NEC).

Oyedele also highlighted new measures including: High thresholds for top-up tax – An exemption threshold of ₦50 billion revenue for local firms and €750 million equivalent for multinationals, Economic development incentive– A percent annual tax credit for eligible investments in priority sectors.

In addition, taxpayers will have the option of paying taxes on foreign currency transactions in naira, using the prevailing exchange rate in the official foreign exchange (FX) market.

“The NTA and NTAA will commence on 1st January 2026 while the NRSEA and JRBEA have a commencement date of 26 June 2025 to ensure readiness of the relevant institutions ahead of full implementation in 2026,” he stated. While also sharing a download link to the gazetted laws.

President Bola Tinubu had signed the four tax reform bills into law on June 26, 2025, paving the way for their gazetting.

Speaking at the time, Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, said the reforms were designed to improve business growth and boost the purchasing power of Nigerians.

Former presidential spokesman and journalist, Reuben Abati, on Tuesday dismissed remarks by former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye that President Bola Tinubu’s administration may start taking loans from Nigeria’s leading Fintech companies, Opay and Moniepoint.

Abati said loans from Opay and Moniepoint is not the kind of money the Tinubu administration needs.

Melaye had accused Tinubu’s administration of recklessness while faulting the President’s claim that the country had met its revenue projections for 2025.

However, Abati while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, said:

“Dino Melaye is a chieftain of the ADC, an opposition party, so you do not expect that he would praise the Tinubu’s administration.

“He is a very articulate and outspoken personality, so he is accusing the president of borrowing. Now let’s look into the details, President Tinubu said ‘we have met revenue projections and are making a lot of money from non-oil and we are not borrowing from Nigerian banks’.

“I’m surprised that Melaye is talking about borrowing from MoniePoint and Opay. I don’t think that is the kind of money the Nigerian government will be looking for in terms of capacity.

“The other claim that he made that Tinubu has a yacht paid for by Nigerian taxpayers and it’s between Monaco and wherever. That is not true, when this issue of yacht came up, it wasn’t the Tinubu administration that talked about yacht, it was the Buhari’s administration in the 2023 Supplementary budget.

“At that time when the controversy came up and people were saying why yacht for the President? The Navy came forward and said it was a vessel they used for Naval operations that was named Presidential yacht and not for President Tinubu, so it’s not something that was purchased for luxury but you know in politics, you can bring up anything that is sensational.”

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, and the 32-member House of Assembly will return to office on September 18.

Indications that the suspended governor, his deputy, as well as the state lawmakers will return to office were rife last week after a closed-door meeting between the President and the Sole Administrator in the Presidential Villa, where Ibas was given a matching order to submit a comprehensive handover note of his six-month emergency rule before his 10-day vacation ends.

Sources told Nigerian Tribune that indications of Fubara’s imminent return emerged last week following a closed-door meeting between the President and the Sole Administrator at the Presidential Villa.

Ibas was reportedly directed to prepare a comprehensive handover note covering all funds inherited from the suspended government, revenues accrued during the emergency rule, and expenditures on projects.

Presidency sources also disclosed that Fubara’s reinstatement is tied to strict conditions. A source said,

“He is expected to serve out his current term and vacate office without seeking re-election in 2027. He has also accepted Wike’s leadership and agreed that the FCT Minister will nominate candidates for all PDP local government elections across the state.”

In addition, Fubara is said to have agreed to pay all outstanding allowances and entitlements of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers suspended from the House of Assembly. In return, the legislators are expected to cooperate with him to complete his tenure.

The source said, “On his return, the suspended governor will also pay all outstanding allowances and entitlements of the 27 lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, who were suspended from the state assembly. In exchange, the lawmakers will cooperate and work peacefully with the governor to enable him to complete his tenure.”

Recall that on February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered judgment on eight consolidated appeals regarding the Rivers crisis. The apex court ruled that the 27 lawmakers who allegedly defected “are still valid members of the state House of Assembly and cannot be prevented from participating in proceedings of that House.”

The court further held that “a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution,” warning that the collapse of the legislature amounted to despotic governance.

While declaring the emergency rule on March 18, 2025, Tinubu lamented the political stalemate in the state.

“The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy,” the President said in his nationwide broadcast.

He added, “Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of Section 305 of the Constitution… to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025.”

By September 18, the six-month period prescribed in the declaration will elapse, paving the way for Fubara and other suspended officials to return to their offices.

Supporters of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of the 2027 presidential election, have begun reaching out to opposition heavyweights, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi, in a bid to form a grand coalition strong enough to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.

With the APC hierarchy already backing Tinubu for re-election, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zoning its presidential ticket to the South, the 2027 contest is shaping into an all-Southern affair. Party insiders who spoke with Vanguard said top PDP leaders, particularly from the North, have been mounting pressure on Jonathan to throw his hat into the ring.

For weeks now, a host of PDP top shots, especially from the North, have been pressuring Jonathan to join the race.

Before then, some PDP bigwigs had also been wooing former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential standard bearer of Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, to return to the PDP.

Obi left the PDP in 2022 to join LP and clinched the party’s presidential ticket. Obi is among a host of opposition politicians supporting a grand coalition to square against the APC in 2027.

He is also among those backing the African Democratic Congress, ADC, coalition that has the likes of former Rivers State governor and immediate past Transport Minister, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; former Senate President, David Mark; former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola; and former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai.

Asked at various times if he would return to the PDP or join the ADC, Obi who has been strident in his criticisms of the Tinubu administration, pointedly said he is for any move that will save the country from the APC.

Among Southern politicians nursing the ambition of confronting Tinubu are Mr Peter Obi; Mr Rotimi Amaechi; and Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde.

Jonathan’s exploratory visits

Sources told Vanguard, yesterday, that as part of his extensive consultations, former President Jonathan’s camp has started reaching out to key aspirants and has met Obi “to step down for Jonathan.”

There were speculations last night that Jonathan had met Obi in person to discuss the issue but sources close to the former Anambra State governor said no such meeting had been held.

“It is true that Jonathan’s people want Obi to step down for him but Jonathan himself is yet to meet Obi. I can assure you that Obi is committed to his cause of rescuing Nigeria,” the source said.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over what it described as a “false and malicious” social media post against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a letter dated September 7, 2025 by Uwem Davies on behalf of the Director-General of the Service, Sowore was asked to retract his comment on X (formerly Twitter) and tender a public apology within one week.

The DSS accused Sowore of referring to the President as a “criminal” in a post on August 26, 2025, where he allegedly mocked Tinubu’s statement in Brazil on corruption. The Service said the post was “repugnant, derogatory and capable of inciting public disturbance.”

According to the letter, Sowore must issue an unequivocal retraction on the same platform, publish apologies in at least two national dailies and two television stations, and send a representation to the DSS headquarters in Abuja or via email.

The agency also copied the United States Embassy in Abuja, notifying it of the development.

The DSS said Sowore’s comments had the potential to lower the President’s standing before Nigerians and the international community, warning that they could trigger disunity, insurrection, or a breakdown of law and order.

“Persons of your status who are campaigning to lead this country must exercise restraint and responsibility in their speech,” the Service stressed, adding that it would not hesitate to take lawful measures if Sowore failed to comply.

The Service maintained that its mandate includes ensuring Nigerians are not deceived by false propaganda, noting it would “explore all lawful means” to counter misinformation capable of undermining national unity.

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi has claimed that human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju is a supporter of President Bola Tinubu.

The claim followed Adeyanju’s constant attacks on the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Peter Obi.

DAILY POST reports that the controversial lawyer had in a series of posts on X warned that if the coalition of opposition leaders field Obi for the 2027 election, he (Deji) would vote for Tinubu.

His stance had fueled speculations that he may be silently working for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, but the lawyer had since denied that.

Reacting to one of his provocative posts against Obi, Amadi wrote on X,

“You are a Tinubu supporter; I am an Obi supporter. You have a good (personnel) reason for your support. You are within your right”.

Sharing the post, Deji said Amadi’s “tears are tasty”, insisting that if Obi should secure the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, a party adopted by the coalition, he would not hesitate to cast his vote for APC.

He wrote, “Your tears are tasty the Doc, my able lecturer. I will openly vote Tinubu with my full chest if the opposition makes the mistake of presenting your candidate.

“I will help Tinubu secure a second term the way you guys helped him in 2023 by dividing opposition votes.”

shortgun:
Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu’s estimated net worth at the time of his demise was clearly stated in my original post...
He was the richest post-independence Nigerian as documented by many credible Authors.
The only reason I made this post is to set the record straight and to debunk Reno Omokri lies.
Omokri has many handles on this forum and I won't be surprised if this handle is one of them

At his passing in 1966, Ojukwu's net worth was estimated at $4 billion to $40 billion in today’s terms, making him Nigeria’s first billionaire.

shortgun:
The links I posted are all from credible sources including a Forbes feature that acknowledged Sir Louis Ojukwu as a billionaire. So why are you arguing against established facts?

The Federal Government has announced plans to launch two new communication satellites, NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital transformation, national security, and economic growth.

The move, spearheaded by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat Ltd), will replace NigComSat-1R, which has been operational since 2011 and is now expected to remain active until January 2028 following a lifespan extension.

Speaking at a one-day media training in Abuja, Engr. Tope Yosoof said the two High-Throughput Satellites (HTS) will deliver expanded coverage across West, Central, South, and parts of East Africa.

With 77 transponders on multiple bands, the satellites will support broadband connectivity, national security, education, media, agriculture, offshore operations, and smart city applications.

Yosoof explained that the project will run on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with a Request for Proposal (RFP) already issued to attract global manufacturers and service providers.

Managing Director/CEO of NigComSat Ltd, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, emphasized the role of the media in shaping public understanding of space technology and Nigeria’s digital ambitions.

“Our digital transformation depends not just on engineers and policymakers, but also on how the media tells our national tech stories,” she said.

President of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), Blessing Olaifa, described the training as a “game-changer” and urged for greater budgetary support to enhance NigComSat’s media engagement.

With NigComSat-2A and 2B, Nigeria aims to reposition itself as a leading space-faring nation in Africa, while boosting ICT access, creating jobs, and driving inclusive growth.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State has cautioned former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against what it described as “habitual knee-jerk reactions” to national issues, urging him to adopt a more constructive approach to opposition politics.

The party’s spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, issued the statement while responding to Obi’s recent comments questioning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s private vacation and its purported link to the country’s security challenges.

Oladejo argued that Nigeria deserves a credible and responsible opposition, not what he termed “a professional complainer-in-chief,” noting that Obi’s unrelenting criticism of the president reflects more of political desperation than genuine patriotism.

“Must Peter Obi comment on everything?” he asked. “Nigerians are not deceived. His constant moralising of the President’s every move is less about patriotism and more about seeking cheap relevance.

By attempting to paint himself as the nation’s conscience, he trivialises governance and reduces complex issues to social media talking points.”

The APC spokesperson maintained that President Tinubu remains in full control of state matters despite being on a short vacation, stressing that modern governance allows leaders to remain fully briefed and connected with their security and intelligence teams at all times.

“Mr Obi knows this, but he prefers posturing over pragmatism. Leadership also requires knowing when to speak, how to speak, and when silence is the better choice. Unfortunately, Obi appears to believe that his political relevance depends on reacting to every government action or inaction, regardless of context or consequence.”

He advised Obi’s aides to pay closer attention to how their principal engages with the public, warning that constant agitation and reactionary remarks risk damaging his image as a statesman.
While emphasising that the APC-led administration is focused on economic recovery, national security, and restoring confidence in public institutions.

Oladejo accused Obi of offering “nothing beyond soundbites, sermons, and perpetual complaints,” without concrete policy alternatives.
“Peter Obi’s comments amount to noise, not leadership or patriotism,” he said. “If he has meaningful contributions to make, let him present them responsibly.

Otherwise, silence is an honourable option. For us in the APC, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our focus remains on governance, not political theatre.”

Human rights activist, Mahdi Shehu has accused Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, of showing open bias in her charity interventions under the Renewed Hope project, saying her actions appear to favor Christian communities over Muslims.

In a post shared on X on Sunday, Shehu described Mrs. Tinubu as a seemingly biased mother whose approach to relief distribution risks deepening divisions rather than uniting Nigerians.

[b]“Her body language, her numerous charitable spendings, and her visits to disaster locations all show that the Renewed Hope project is tilted too heavily towards her Christian community,” he wrote.

“These open biases do not raise hopes but rather dash hopes, create more divisions and hate which ultimately destroys unity, harmony and cohesion.”

Shehu claimed that disaster victims in states like Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kogi, where Christians form a majority, have received swift visits and generous donations running into billions of naira from the First Lady.

By contrast, he argued, Muslim-majority states such as Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger have either been overlooked or given what he called peanuts in cash and drops of reliefs.

According to him, “Disaster victims, mostly Muslims, are watching a mother visibly tilted towards her chosen and preferred children.”

“These open biases do not raise hopes but rather dash them, creating more divisions, hatred, and ultimately destroying unity and harmony.”

Backing his criticism with biblical references, Shehu cited Psalms 25:8 and Isaiah 32:1-5 to call for fairness and justice in leadership.
Shehu concluded by urging the First Lady to reflect deeply on her role.

ultraviolet27:
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The only non yoruba tribe in ondo state are the apoi ijaw who reside in the riverine areas,all the other yoruba sub tribe are fully foruba with their roots from ife
Akoko people of ondo state are full yorubas not edo please their ancestors migrated from ife they are even related to the ekitis they take education seriously eat pounded yam as their staple food I as an ekiti woman even understand their dialects more.perhaps you are referring to the Akoko Edo people of Edo state that's different even those ones bear yoruba names too but they don't speak
yoruba

Ikale people(Ondo,Ile-oluji,oke Igbo)are also full yorubas with their roots from Ile ife same with the ilaje people and I don't think ikale people are predominantly light skinned that should be people from owo,ifon,ore,Ido ani,imeri axis