₦airaland Forum

The Zamfara Good Governance Network, ZGGN, has berated Governor Dauda Lawal over a viral video where he claimed that banditry in the state would end within two months if he had control over security agencies.

The group described the governor’s remarks as an insult to the Nigerian military and a betrayal of the people of Zamfara, accusing him of playing politics with lives after nearly three years in office.

The governor speaking in Hausa in the video that circulated widely this week said he had bought 150 vehicles for security agencies but could not direct their use, adding that orders could only come from Abuja.

He added that he had access to tracking devices that revealed the daily movements of bandits, insisting that if he had the authority to command the security forces, the menace would end in two months.

Reacting in Gusau on Friday, Murtala Abdullahi, president of the Zamfara Good Governance Network, described the statement as both reckless and shameful.

“This is a governor who campaigned on the promise of ending insecurity in Zamfara and rode on that sentiment to secure his mandate. Now, almost three years into his administration, he is telling the world that he can solve the problem in two months if only he had control of security agencies.

This is not just laughable, it is an affront to the gallant men and women of our armed forces who continue to make sacrifices in Zamfara,” Abdullahi said.

The group accused Lawal of deliberately undermining federal efforts to tackle banditry in the state, pointing to his own admission that he knows the exact locations of criminal gangs but has not shared such intelligence with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military high command.

“Governor Lawal has openly confessed to knowing where bandits are located and even claimed he can track their movements on his phone. Yet, rather than handing this information to the appropriate authorities, he is sitting on it, while innocent villagers are being massacred and abducted on a daily basis. That is nothing short of complicity,” Abdullahi declared.

He further accused the governor of hypocrisy, noting that while Lawal laments a lack of control over security agencies, he personally moves around the state with a heavily armed convoy, including personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other paramilitary outfits.

“Whereas he enjoys full protection with sophisticated equipment and military-grade vehicles, his comrades in arms are out there killing ordinary citizens. The governor has created for himself a cocoon of safety while failing to protect the very people he swore an oath to defend. His claim that he has no control is belied by the very visible security detail he commands daily within Zamfara,” Abdullahi said.

The ZGGN described the situation as a compromise too grave to ignore, warning that Zamfara could not continue to drift under a governor it accused of failing to provide leadership in the face of escalating violence.

“With this level of compromise, it is only wise that the President declares a state of emergency in Zamfara. This administration has failed woefully to deliver on its most basic duty, which is the protection of lives and property. The earlier the President acts, the better for the people of Zamfara who are being killed on a daily basis,” Abdullahi stated.

The group highlighted recent attacks that have left dozens dead and hundreds abducted in local government areas such as Bukkuyum and Kaura Namoda, arguing that the scale of bloodshed had reached intolerable levels.

“It is shameful that instead of providing solutions, the governor is busy issuing excuses. Just in August alone, more than 24 people were killed in Kaura Namoda, 16 injured, and 144 abducted. A week later, 100 villagers were taken from Bukkuyum, with two killed. What Zamfara needs is decisive leadership, not a governor who cries on camera while admitting he has the intelligence to end banditry but chooses not to act,” Abdullahi said.

The ZGGN called on civil society organisations, religious leaders, and community groups to raise their voices in demanding accountability from the governor, warning that silence in the face of repeated attacks would only embolden the criminals.

“Our people cannot continue to be sacrificial lambs on the altar of weak leadership. Governor Lawal must stop hiding behind excuses and start delivering results. If he cannot, then let the federal government step in to take control and rescue Zamfara from total collapse,” Abdullahi said.



Quite unfortunate, uncalled for – APC blasts Gov Lawal over security comments

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Zamfara State has frowned at what it described as the continuous outpouring of comments by Governor Dauda Lawal on the state’s security affairs.

Zamfara State APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris, in a statement he issued in Gusau on Thursday, described the governor’s comments as unfortunate and uncalled for.

“It is unfortunate for the governor and Chief Security Officer of the state to be saying that he is aware of the movement of every bandit’ kingpin’ and his gang operating in the state.

“Very unfortunately, the governor refused to give an intelligence report to the security agencies fighting the bandits, day and night.

“The APC as a party, we don’t know why the governor continues to overlook the issue of insecurity, giving bandits the chance to continue killing and abducting the innocent citizens,” Idris added.

DAILY POST reports that Governor Lawal had said insecurity in the state would be history within two months if given total control of the security agencies.

He claimed to know the location of a bandits’ leader, saying with his mobile phone he could show where the bandits are.

Reacting, the state APC said the governor again exposed how his hands have been soiled in supporting and harbouring the bandits terrorising innocent citizens in the state.

It also expressed worries about why the governor has never approached the Federal Government to partner with it in the effort to clear the state of bandits.

A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will win a second term in 2027, insisting that nothing stands in the way of his re-election.

Jibrin, who represents Bebeji/Kiru Federal Constituency of Kano State under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), stated this on Wednesday while speaking on Channels Television’s political programme Politics Today .

“I believe I cannot see anything that will stop him from winning the elections in 2027. There’s no two ways about it. I am a Tinubu person. I like him and he likes me. Irrespective of party affiliation, it has been a great relationship,” Jibrin said.

The federal lawmaker, a long-time ally of the president, also dismissed claims that Tinubu lacks support in northern Nigeria, warning that such assumptions were politically dangerous.

“Tinubu is not an orphan in the north. He has people in the north. Maybe they’re not talking as much as they should, but he has people,” he said.

“So, as much as you have people who want him out, you also have people who want him in. It would be a dangerous calculation for somebody to think Tinubu has no support in the northern part of the country.”

Jibrin argued that while opposition to the president exists, he continues to enjoy considerable backing across the region. He noted that as political events unfold ahead of the 2027 polls, more voices of support would emerge.

The lawmaker further rejected claims that the North has been politically short-changed, stressing that the region has held power for longer periods than the South.

He urged northern politicians and interest groups to face reality and avoid undermining their own representatives.

Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Hadi Sirika, has said some domestic operators, under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria, caused the collapse of the Nigeria Air agreement between the federal government and Ethiopian Airlines.

Sirika argued that while the agreement, which passed through the Federal Executive Council, FEC, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, was transparent, Air Peace, Azman and United Nigeria Airlines hindered the establishment due to the limited stake Nigeria would have had.

Speaking on Morning Brief, a Channels TV programme, the former minister, who promised to write a book on his time in office, urged the citizenry to invoke the Freedom of Information Act, FOI, to investigate claims that the agreement was fraudulent.

According to him, he formally sought partnership with Ethiopian Airlines because no domestic carrier had the capacity to compete with the mega carriers.

His words: “I think I was on either Channels or Arise during the controversy of Nigeria Air. First and foremost, it was a public private partnership, PPP, which was regulated by ICRC, which gave a certificate of the OBC and ABS, which participated actively in the process. It was not our process.

“It was the process of ICRC. It was not a bad deal. I read in the papers that I spent N100 billion or thereabouts, and it was lost in the process. That was a lie. Between 2015 and 2023, the total budget for the national carrier was N5billion. The total amount released was N3 billion. I left there with over a billion naira.

“Nearly a third of the N2 billion spent went into the consultancy that was used during the time and the balance of the money, of course, into staff that were hired. By the way, we went through every single step of the ICRC process, and we got it to the end.

“We had an airline, but some people (Air Peace, United and Azman) went to court to say we cannot establish an airline where we take five per cent. That was what stalled it. If there was no court case, and the government that came in had pursued the court case, by today, we will have an airline.

“Talking about Ethiopian Airlines. 95 per cent of all airlines operating within Africa are not African. British Airways, Qatar, Air France and others. Ethiopian Airlines has been running an airline for 79 years. They have made a statement of how to run an airline, and they are Africans.

“They came to partner with us to be able to open up the world to us. Today, the price of a ticket from Abuja to London is more expensive than Accra to London, and the reason is because we do not have a formidable airline with the capacity to continue to do so.

HardBishop:
Pls blame the yorubas, pls leave the igbos. They respectfully give the northerners the batten of leadership and pretend we south are one. Pls we igbos are on our own

Activist and political commentator, Deji Adeyanju, has challenged former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to proceed with legal action against him as promised.

In a post shared on social media, Adeyanju reminded Obi that the seven-day ultimatum he issued had expired. He insisted that Obi must not back down from his threat to sue, questioning why no court processes had been initiated yet.

“Peter Obi must sue me; he must not chicken out. His 7-day ultimatum expires today, where are the court processes?” Adeyanju wrote.

The public exchange stems from recent heated confrontations between the activist and Obi’s camp, with Adeyanju making strong allegations against the former governor.

Obi’s supporters have been vocal in demanding accountability, while Adeyanju has maintained a defiant stance, daring him to test the matter in court.

The vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party (2023 elections), Datti Baba-Ahmed, has faulted former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent allegation that the government is paying bandits, claiming that the former minister cannot absolve himself from the blame.

Baba-Ahmed, who made a guest appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using insecurity as a political tool.

Addressing recent allegations by El-Rufai that the government is paying bandits, Baba-Ahmed maintained that the former Governor is part of the guilty party and can’t absolve himself from any blame.

“El-Rufai cannot run away because he is part of it. “My grudge with Nasiru’s statement is that he was part and parcel of the APC from 2013. Like he told you, he was one of the architects of it all. All of a sudden, to come and absolve himself and call others, no. Nasiru is part and parcel of all that has been going on. We suffered, we are victims of Nasiru’s misrule in Zaria.”

“I am in so much pain, believe me. Nigeria should be a great country, yet we have people destroying us by the hour.

Insecurity has been part of APC’s game, and Nasiru is saying it. “I think he is right, the government has been paying them. Insecurity has been the APC’s way of staying in power.

That is my candid, firm opinion, strengthened by the kind of unfortunate comments like that of Nasiru, ” he said.

Nigerian singer Charles Oputa, aka Charly Boy, has dropped a bombshell that goes beyond the petty gbas gbos over his renamed bus stop.

The 74-year-old entertainer admitted that the whole drama around his bus stop being changed to “Baddo Bus Stop” almost pushed him into depression.

“Life is a bitch, then we die,” Charly Boy began, before revealing how he had to escape Nigeria briefly just to save his sanity.

According to him, he japa’d to Europe to visit his brother, Dr Alban, hoping to recharge and cool off. But even there, the man couldn’t find peace.

He confessed: “I was to spend 3 weeks recharging and rebooting. You can’t imagine, only after 10 days body begin scratch me, like say I forget something for Nigeria, the same environment wey dey give me sleepless nights sometimes. Couldn’t even do 2 weeks complete, I don run come back.”

Despite joking that it felt like “jazz”, the Area Fada got real with his fans.

“Depression na real matter. I was lucky enough to take a break and come back refreshed. But how many people get that kind privilege? Some people no even get where to run to. Dem dey stuck with their pain, smiling on the outside, but bleeding inside.”

He urged Nigerians to stop treating mental health as a weakness or taboo.

“If Area Fada fit admit say sometimes e dey choke, you too no need to pretend. Speak up, breathe, find your way back. Life go still test us, but make we no let am break us.”

The activist wrapped his note with hope: “My people, here’s wishing you a happier month. It shall be well with us.”

Ben Kure, a former political adviser to the ex-governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused him of diverting taxpayers’ money to pay bandits during his time in office.

Kure, now Managing Director of the Kaduna State Media Corporation under Governor Uba Sani, made the allegation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, describing the former governor’s handling of insecurity as questionable.

“Sometimes in December 2016, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, with an air of arrogance, said to the sitting that he had to pay herdsmen so that they would no longer commit mayhem or kill lives.

What was the result? It aggravated insecurity by more than a hundred per cent.

“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai prided himself on using taxpayers’ money to pay bandits and herdsmen. And what was the result? Untold loss of lives.

People were living in fear, they could not even sleep, go to their farms, or earn legitimate money to care for their families and children,” Kure said on Monday.

The former El-Rufai aide contrasted the current approach of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and Governor Uba Sani’s government, which he said had refused to give money to bandits.

According to him, the present strategy focuses on dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders and local stakeholders to de-escalate violence.

He said the current government started “appealing to the emotions and making them [Bandits] understand the reality and the value of life. It’s about dialogue.

“The government has been talking to them, traditional leaders, religious fathers and also stakeholders, because they know some of the people that are participating in this heinous crime, so they brought them and reversed their thinking so they saw the need to live in peace so there can be progress and development.”


El-Rufai’s Accusation

El-Rufai, appearing on Sunday Politics, accused both the federal and Kaduna State governments of “empowering bandits” through ransom payments and food supplies under what he mocked as a “kiss-the-bandits” policy.

“What I will not do is to pay bandits, give them a monthly allowance, or send food to them in the name of non-kinetic. It’s nonsense; we’re empowering bandits,” El-Rufai said, adding that the policy was driven nationally by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). He insisted, “The only repentant bandit is a dead one. Let’s kill them all.”


ONSA debunks Elrufai's claim

But the Federal Government swiftly dismissed his claims. In a statement, ONSA described El-Rufai’s allegation as “baseless,” insisting that no arm of the administration had ever paid or incentivised bandits.

“At no time has the ONSA, or any arm of government under this administration, engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals. On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom,” the statement signed by Zakari Mijinyawa read.


Kaduna Government dismisses former Governor

The Kaduna State Government also rebuked the former governor, describing his remarks as “calculated, malicious lies designed to undermine security efforts, incite public anger, and legitimise criminality.”

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Suleiman Shuaibu, said El- Rufai’s comments were a direct threat to peace in the state, especially following the defeat of his political allies in the August 16 by-elections.

He stressed that security gains under Governor Uba Sani had been visible in troubled areas such as Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru and Kauru, with notorious bandit leaders eliminated and several members of Ansaru arrested.

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated Vice President Kashim Shettima on his 59th birthday, describing him as a loyal partner and dependable ally in the collective effort to build a more prosperous Nigeria.

He said he did not make a mistake in choosing him as his deputy.

This was contained in a statement issued by the President and shared by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

“Today, September 2, 2025, presents me with another unique opportunity to celebrate you, my brother, partner, and Vice President, as you mark another birthday,” Tinubu’s statement began.

He commended Shettima’s courage and resilience since joining him on the journey to reposition the country.

“Since we embarked on this journey, united by the shared vision of building a more prosperous nation, your courage, sense of duty, tenacity, determination, and belief in Nigeria’s greatness have remained unshaken.

“You served the people of Borno, your home state, excellently as governor for eight years and later as Senator representing Borno Central in the National Assembly.

“In both roles, you showed that leadership is service, not privilege, even in the face of immense challenges.

“However, your service to Nigeria, fueled by your passion for democracy, good governance, and economic development, has been even more remarkable,” he continued.

The President also expressed gratitude for Shettima’s support and partnership in governance.

“I deeply appreciate your vibrancy, loyalty, partnership, and support as my deputy. In choosing you then as a partner, I selected competence and other qualities that Nigeria could depend on.

“Every day, as Vice President, you have justified that choice by strengthening our work, bringing fresh perspectives, and upholding our commitment to Nigerians.

“Your dedication reassures me that I did not make a mistake in choosing you as my deputy.

“Together, we have begun to lay the foundations of the Renewed Hope Agenda. From securing new global partnerships across the Atlantic to driving food security and investment reforms at home, your partnership has been integral to our success.

“In the months ahead, as we unlock new trade corridors and deliver more schools, hospitals, and jobs, our partnership will continue to yield results that Nigerians can see and feel.

“We must continue to work towards the full realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which will foster prosperity in the country and enhance the living standards of our people,” the President added.

Tinubu further described his relationship with Shettima as one that goes beyond the demands of office, as he wished him well on his 59th birthday.

“Our relationship transcends official duties. It is a bridge across regions and traditions, united in purpose and service. You remind us of what is possible when Nigeria comes first — an example worthy of emulation by those who aspire to lead.

“On this occasion of your 59th birthday, I heartily wish you renewed vitality, wisdom and more years of impact. Happy birthday, Kashim, and many happy returns”, the President said.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has condemned former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent comments on the population strength of Southern Kaduna, describing them as “dangerous, divisive and a show of disdain” for the people of the region.

El-Rufai, while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, had argued that Southern Kaduna accounts for less than 25 per cent of the state’s population.

He insisted he had “no regrets” over his policies and actions toward the region during his eight years in office, saying leadership was about taking tough decisions rather than appeasing everyone.

“I don’t care. The people that think I am a fundamentalist don’t know me,” the former Governor declared. “I don’t tolerate nonsense; governance is not a joke.

When you are governing 10 million people as I did in Kaduna, you must discriminate between A and B. Nobody can blackmail me that because he is a Christian, the law doesn’t apply to him. Some of the closest people I worked with in government are from Southern Kaduna. They know that this is not true.”

But Hayab, in a statement on Monday, faulted El-Rufai’s claims, arguing that they were consistent with his history of pursuing policies that undermined peace and unity in the state.

He said attempts to downplay the population of Southern Kaduna were both insulting and misleading.

“El-Rufai’s population remarks showed disdain for Southern Kaduna,” Hayab stated.

“Such a position only exposed the depth of the former governor’s contempt for the people he once governed. No responsible leader should make comments that cast aspersions on the worth and dignity of an entire community.

”The cleric recalled that during a past census exercise, the figures from Southern Kaduna were so significant that a State Shariah Committee contemplated dragging the National Population Commission to court.

According to him, that incident alone exposed the demographic weight of the region.

Hayab also highlighted the vibrancy of family life in Southern Kaduna, noting that while many Christian families in the area are led by pastors who do not take multiple wives, it is common to find households with 15 to 23 children , a reflection of the region’s robust population base.

“The reality is that population distortions in Kaduna have not been about a deficit in Southern Kaduna, but rather the inflation of figures in other parts of the state,” he said.

The CAN leader further accused El-Rufai of thriving on division during his time as Governor, contrasting it with the relative calm and coexistence enjoyed in Kaduna under the present administration.

“This peace explains why the former Governor appears bitter and angry, as harmony among the people weakens the divisive agenda he once thrived on,” Hayab added.

He also used the opportunity to call for greater transparency in the conduct of future census exercises, urging the Federal Government and the National Population Commission to include both religion and ethnicity in the enumeration process.

According to him, this will prevent political actors from manipulating figures to suit their interests.

“Our nation’s unity can only be strengthened when all citizens are treated with dignity and truth is not sacrificed for political convenience,” Hayab said.

The clash of perspectives between El-Rufai and Hayab once again underscores the enduring sensitivity of population debates in Kaduna State, where historical grievances, ethno-religious divisions, and contestations over political representation continue to shape public discourse.

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has unveiled the first images of locally manufactured assault rifles, marking a significant milestone in the country’s push for indigenous military production.

The photos, now making rounds on social media, showcase Nigeria’s ambition to reduce reliance on foreign arms imports by producing high-grade weapons domestically. Security analysts note that this move could bolster the country’s defense capabilities amid growing concerns over insecurity and insurgency.

The rifles are said to be designed with modern features to compete with global standards, reflecting DICON’s efforts to enhance local technology and military self-sufficiency.

The development has sparked excitement among Nigerians, many praising it as a breakthrough in homegrown defense innovation, while others urge the government to ensure mass production, quality testing, and proper deployment to troops on the frontlines.

If mass-produced successfully, the Made-in-Nigeria rifles could become a game-changer for the nation’s armed forces and strengthen the country’s defense industry on the global stage.

The Kaduna State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has debunked claims by former governor Nasir El-Rufai that its structures in the state have been collapsed and fused into the African Democratic Congress, ADC, coalition.

Chairman of the party in the state, Adamu Idris, in a statement, described El-Rufai’s comment as “spurious and false,” insisting that the SDP remains intact and focused on repositioning itself as a credible opposition.

The party recalled that El-Rufai’s brief stint in the SDP was marked by internal wrangling and disruption, stressing that peace and stability have since been restored following his exit.

“Our structures are robust and alive across Kaduna State. We are committed to promoting the true interests of Nigerians and will not be distracted by El-Rufai’s attempts to sow division,” he said.

"It slammed the ex-governor, describing him as a non-democrat, self-serving desperado, unrepentant bigot and tyranny personified".

It assured supporters that it would continue to advocate for democracy and good governance while rejecting any attempts to undermine its unity and values.

DAILY POST recalls that El-Rufai and some opposition leaders announced over the weekend that the entire SDP structure in Kaduna had been dissolved into the ADC during a strategic meeting chaired by him.

Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West has stirred public debate with his emotional remarks about the Federal Government's supposed neglect of Nigeria’s retired football stars.

Taribo West, who played for AC Milan and Inter Milan in 1999, accused authorities of ignoring ex-footballers during their struggles. He cited the recent deaths of Peter Rufai and Christian Chukwu to illustrate his concerns.

Rufai, a former goalkeeper for the national team, died in Lagos last month after battling a long-term illness. His death occurred shortly after that of Christian Chukwu, another ex-Super Eagles captain and coach.

Rufai was buried on August 22, 2025, following a funeral mass, though controversy surrounded how the funeral was handled, raising concerns among former players.

West strongly criticized the lack of government support for iconic figures such as Stephen Keshi, Chukwu, and Rufai after their retirements. Fellow former players Augustine Eguavoen and Samson Siasia backed West’s claims and also blamed the authorities for failing to assist with Rufai’s funeral expenses.

In its defense, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released an official statement asserting that it had financially supported the families of both deceased players.

Meanwhile, online discussions surfaced regarding West’s career earnings, prompting various public reactions.

Reports from All Africa and PM News revealed that West earned £1.24 million (₦193 million) during his 1999 season at AC Milan—placing him among the highest-paid players globally at the time. Adjusted to the current exchange rate, this amounts to ₦2.7 billion.

While many people agreed with West’s criticism of the government, others believed his substantial past income should have made government aid unnecessary.

Nigeria is pressing ahead with the Nigeria–Equatorial Guinea Gas Pipeline, a cross-border project designed to transport stranded Nigerian gas to Equatorial Guinea for processing and export, Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has said.

Speaking on the federal government’s achievements in the gas sector, Ekpo described the pipeline as a “strategic collaboration” that would connect Nigeria’s gas resources to Equatorial Guinea’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, opening new export channels and reinforcing regional energy integration.

He disclosed this during a webinar on Thursday, August 21, themed “Catalyzing Investments for Nigeria’s Upstream Gas Sector: Global Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges”, held to mark his second year in office.

“This project exemplifies our commitment to regional energy interconnectivity and the monetisation of stranded gas assets,” the minister said.

In August 2024, President Bola Tinubu and Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo signed an agreement in Malabo on the Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project, reaffirming a partnership for mutual development.

The agreement covered legislative and regulatory frameworks for the pipeline’s establishment and operation, transit of natural gas, ownership structures, and guiding principles.

Once operational, the project is expected to give Nigerian gas producers access to Equatorial Guinea’s Punta Europa complex, which houses LNG, methanol, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export facilities.

The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader gas development strategy, which seeks to curb flaring, expand domestic use of LPG and compressed natural gas (CNG), and strengthen the country’s role as a reliable supplier to international markets.

Ekpo added that, alongside the Equatorial Guinea link, Nigeria remains committed to the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project with Niger and Algeria, while also advancing domestic industrial ventures such as the Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical plant.

Nigeria, which holds Africa’s largest proven gas reserves — estimated at more than 210 trillion cubic feet — has in recent years promoted gas as the country’s “transition fuel” to drive industrialisation, reduce dependence on oil, and support global decarbonisation goals.

The minister acknowledged, however, that challenges persist, including financing constraints, infrastructure deficits, and the need for stronger private sector participation. “What we now require is sustained investment and strategic partnerships to unlock the next phase of growth,” he said.

Lere Olayinka, the senior special adviser on media to the former governor of Rivers State and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike recently asked a curious question regarding the power tussle between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife.

According to the statements which were shared on his official X handle, he made reference to the abandonment of the Alaafin throne by Oranmiyan.

The recent power tussle between the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade and the Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi culminated in the issuing of a 48-hour ultimatum to reverse a Chieftaincy title conferred on a business tycoon.

However, in the aftermath of the brouhaha, a lot of mixed reactions were generated from the general public as many demanded to know the who was superior, giving that the issued ultimatum was not only ignored, but sarcastically downplayed.

Reacting, Lere Olayinka, the senior special adviser on media to the former governor of Rivers State and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike in a recent statement which was shared on his official X handle, asked a striking question that took many back to the root cause of the debacle.

According to his statements, Oranmiyan, the pioneer of the Alaafin monarchy abandoned his throne and went to Ile-Ife to fight for the Ooni throne. This, according to Lere Olayinka, meant that the Ooni throne was superior to Alaafin of Oyo.

"If the throne of the ruler of Oyo (Alaafin) is superior to that of the ruler of Ile-Ife (Ooni), why did Oranmiyan abandon the throne......?" He asked.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says the 113 kilometres (km) portion of the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline project has been inaugurated.

In its latest ‘Monthly Report Summary’ for July 2025, the national oil firm said the pipeline is currently transporting around 300 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d).

“[The] 113km portion of OB3 Gas Pipeline has been commissioned and is flowing about 300mmscf/d of gas from two gas producers,” the oil company said.

NNPC said the gas was sourced from Ashtavinayak Hydrocarbon Ltd (250 mmscf/d) and Platform, Chorus, and Xenergi Group (50 mmscf/d).

In the past, government officials had set dates for completion of the project — but it had missed deadlines.

In February 2024, Ekperikpe Ekpo, minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), said the OB3 gas pipeline will be completed in March 2024.


Similarly, in June 2024, Mele Kyari, former group chief executive officer (GCEO) of NNPC, announced that the gas pipeline project would be completed by August.


ADDITIONAL SUBCONTRACTORS DEPLOYED TO FAST RACK AKK GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

NNPC said additional subcontractors have been deployed to expedite completion of mainline works on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline and fast-track completion of the project.

“Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline: Additional subcontractors deployed to expedite completion of mainline works and fast-track project completion,” the report reads.

On June 26, Oilserv Limited, the project contractor, said the $2.8 million AKK gas pipeline project had crossed the River Niger after years of setbacks due to its “difficult terrain”.

Four days later, Oilserv said the pipeline is expected to achieve its mechanical completion by the end of 2025.

In July, Bayo Ojulari, the group CEO of the NNPC, said the $2.8 billion AKK gas pipeline project will revive industries in northern Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies are yielding great interest. Since taking office, he has implemented policies that are sustainable and beneficial to the Nigerian economy, one of which is the National Single Window (NSW).

Nigeria has always been a country of opportunity, but too often, those opportunities were lost in endless queues, paperwork, and delays. Anyone who has tried to move goods across our borders knows the struggle.

What exactly is this National Single Window project? Simply put, it is a digital platform designed to merge all trade-related processes into one system. For years, businesses have had to navigate different government offices, submit the same documents to different agencies, and wait endlessly for approvals.

The NSW changes that. With this system, importers, exporters, and other traders can submit permits, licenses, and customs documentation through a single portal.

National Single Window was officially launched in April 2024, with President Tinubu identifying it as a major policy priority. Previous attempts in 2009/2010 and 2012/2013 failed, but the NSW is now on track to go live in the first quarter of 2026.

This reform is backed by strong leadership, as exemplified by the work of Dr Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, who has been delivering inter-agency collaboration. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) are working together to ensure seamless integration

The project is also being implemented in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Their collective efforts are focused on meeting the 2026 deadline set by President Tinubu.

President Tinubu’s vision is about building a Nigeria that works. Removing the long-standing fuel subsidies was not an easy decision; it came with discomfort, but it freed up trillions of naira for more investments. Roads are being built and repaired daily, public facilities are being upgraded, and more money is flowing into education and healthcare.

This is the same man who addressed one of Nigeria’s long-standing problems with different exchange rates by bringing them together into one market-based rate. This reduced the gap between the official rate and the black-market rate, helped steady the naira, and cut the fiscal deficit. It also made it easier for businesses and investors, both in Nigeria and abroad, to plan and operate.

The National Single Window will save Nigeria billions of naira each year by cutting down delays, reducing corruption, and speeding up trade processes. Exporters will move goods faster, importers will avoid unnecessary demurrage charges, and small businesses will access global markets. This system benefits not only big companies but also farmers, manufacturers, and local traders by removing the difficulty that has slowed our economy for years.

In just two years, President Tinubu has proven that change is possible with his Renewed Hope Administration and unwavering conviction for national progress. With focus and determination, he is transforming the National Single Window from concept to reality, making trade simpler, faster, and fairer for every Nigerian trader.

Dr Zacch has distinguished himself as a visionary and dependable man in directing the National Single Window to progress. As chair of the project’s Steering Committee, he has secured the necessary legal framework, united key agencies, and driven the harmonisation of trade processes. His ability to balance strategic oversight with decisive action has not only advanced the project to a higher stage but also earned the trust of both local stakeholders and international partners.

President Tinubu is showing the nation what leadership looks like. He has been making decisions, staying true to his resolve, and working to lift Nigeria to greater heights. The National Single Window is one example of how he is turning ideas into solutions that improve the daily lives of Nigerians. He has given this project the political will it needs to succeed, showing that when a leader believes in the potential of his country, no challenge is too great to overcome. From one reform to another, step by step, life is getting better, and people can feel it. This is how Nigeria moves forward.

Atoyebi is the Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

A delegation from Vaalco Energy, an American independent oil and gas exploration and development company, has expressed interest in re-entering Nigeria through the acquisition of Svenska’s PSC interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 145.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, broke the news in a press statement, as the outcome of the delegation from Vaalco Energy visit to his office in Abuja.

A statement issued by his special adviser on media and communication, Nneamaka Okafor, noted that Nigeria is strengthening its position as a top global investment destination, welcoming international partners back to its oil and gas industry with competitive incentives and a renewed commitment to collaboration.

Lokpobiri was quoted as saying, “The Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is particularly interested in creating a better environment for companies that were once here but left for various reasons to return. We are prepared to offer incentives comparable to the best available globally.”

“An American independent oil and gas exploration and development company, which expressed interest in re-entering Nigeria through the acquisition of Svenska’s PSC interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 145.”

Commending Vaalco’s renewed interest, the Minister added:

“It is gratifying for us as a nation when those who have worked here become ambassadors, speaking of how friendly and conducive Nigeria is for business. We are glad to welcome you back.”

Vaalco Energy’s Managing Director, Pieter Van der Groen, said the company sees Nigeria as a key investment hub:

“We are here to seek regulatory guidance for acquiring Svenska’s interest in OML 145, but more importantly, to return to Nigeria and invest in a stronger way. As a New York Stock Exchange-listed company, we have access to funding to develop the assets we acquire. We are not here to sit on them; we are here to produce.”

Lokpobiri assured that Nigeria’s policies now provide clarity, fiscal stability, and investor-friendly frameworks that encourage long-term partnerships.

“Your renewed presence will help us ramp up production and achieve our national energy objectives. Together, we can build a future of shared growth and prosperity,” he concluded.

Since May 2023 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed subsidy on petrol, Nigerians have been groaning from the pains inflicted on them by the decision. The subsidy cut led to massive increase in the costs of transportation, food, consumer goods, house rents and other essentials for daily living.

On the flipside, governors of the 36 states and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) celebrate every month as the funds taken from Nigerians in the name of subsidy removal are channelled into the coffers of the states.

In 2024 alone, Nigerian governors collectively received N5.22 trillion—a 45.5 per cent increase from the previous year, 2023—while local governments also saw a staggering 96 per cent increase in their allocations. State governors still control local government funds despite the Supreme Court’s pronouncement against it in 2024.

Governors are not in denial about the fortune they receive from the Federation Account as a result of the subsidy removal. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma admitted as much in January when he said, “It [subsidy removal] is a direct blessing; it is not a disguise to the sub-nationals because more monies are now coming to states, and state governments must do things to show citizens that they can do these things because they now get more monies as a result of the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government.”

The funds from subsidy have indeed been a blessing to state governors, but they have not, in any meaningful way, improved the lives of ordinary Nigerians – from the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja to the 36 states.

Primarily, the funds should have been redistributed in a manner that would ease the impact of the subsidy removal on Nigerians. This has not been done. Only 10 out of 36 state governors have begun paying the N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants in their states.

It follows, therefore, that most civil servants in Nigeria are forced to bear the brunt of inflated costs for everyday goods while surviving on meagre and unrealistic salaries. To make matters worse, there is no visible government intervention in health care as citizens pay out-of-pocket for medications.

Nigerians in rural areas lack access to qualified medical doctors. The education sector is in shambles—public schools are starved of basic teaching aids, laboratories, libraries and qualified teachers. Roads, both state and federal, are in deplorable conditions, and peasant farmers—who produce the bulk of the food Nigerians consume—are left to their own devices to fend off bandits and procure inputs at unaffordable prices.

In essence, Nigerian governors are failing to invest the excess funds in sectors and institutions that would benefit the Nigerian people. Many state governors throw vast sums of money into what they consider to be legacy projects—projects that bear their signature and offer opportunities to line their pockets from the public treasury.

Notable among such vanity projects are the construction or renovation of government houses at exorbitant costs. Other states build fanciful flyovers where they are neither needed nor useful. A rough estimate by experts puts the funds being squandered on government houses and flyovers at about N200 billion.

These are the vanity projects that Nigerians can see with their own eyes, but behind the scenes, governors funnel even more money into phantom and fictitious projects that remain invisible to the public.

It is clear that when President Tinubu initiated the removal of fuel subsidy, he did not think through how the excess funds would be reinvested for the public good. He may have viewed the channelling of huge sums to governors as the politically expedient move to secure his re-election in 2027, but in other climes, such windfalls are invested in sovereign wealth funds to cushion future economic crises.

Other ways of utilising such funds include subsidising public transportation, improving hospitals, equipping primary health centres and ensuring access to affordable health care. The funds could be used to renovate schools, hire qualified teachers and provide learning materials; build and maintain roads, bridges and public transport systems to enhance mobility and commerce; or even upgrade electricity and water supply systems, especially in rural areas.

They could be invested in sectors that could create jobs, like public works, mechanised agriculture, feeder roads construction and the like.

Most state governors engage in reckless spending because the arm of government that should keep them in check is either asleep at the wheel or has been hypnotised by the governors themselves. Section 128 empowers the Houses of Assembly to investigate any person, authority, ministry or government department charged with executing or administering laws, especially in the disbursement or management of public funds.

Governors of states fall squarely within this category. Section 129 empowers the Assembly to summon witnesses, issue subpoenas and compel the production of documents, while Section 188 provides for impeachment proceedings if corruption or fraud amounts to gross misconduct. Our Houses of Assembly must wake up to their responsibilities—they are the voice of the grassroots and must hold state governors accountable to the people.

We call on the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to come together and articulate how the excess funds should be applied. The body has a think tank capable of studying how such funds are used for the public good in other societies and advising our governors accordingly.

The current trend—where governors live recklessly, burn public funds on overseas junkets, launder state funds to acquire properties in Abuja, Dubai and Europe and bask in luxury—spells doom for the people. Our governors must be called to order.

The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, has commended President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the establishment of a new 80-bed maternal and child healthcare facility in Ugbuwangue community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The specialist hospital, tagged Renewed Hope Mother and Child Specialist Hospital, Ugbuwangue, was constructed by the Federal Government through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking at the official commissioning on Tuesday, where the hospital was formally handed over to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, the Olu said the facility was a “cherished and appreciated” project that would transform healthcare access in the community.

“Without health, there is no wealth. Wealth is meaningless without health,” the monarch said. “The hospital, without any doubt, will ultimately change the Ugbuwangue community. It is therefore well cherished and appreciated.”

He, however, urged residents to be good custodians of the facility, stressing that “the access must be clear all the time, 24/7, because cases can arise where people will have to get here in a hurry, and there should be no hindrance on their way at all.”

Also speaking, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described the project as “a beacon of hope” and praised the Federal Government for aligning with Delta’s M.O.RE Agenda.


“This project is not just a physical structure; it is a critical step forward in achieving health-related sustainable development goals. By investing in healthcare, we are investing in the future of our State,” the governor said, while assuring stakeholders of proper integration of the hospital into the state’s healthcare system.

On her part, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the facility “represents a vital step in Nigeria’s journey towards achieving Goal 3 of the SDGs, good health and well-being for all.”


“What makes today even more special is that this project is being commissioned under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a vision grounded in social inclusion, equity, and the acceleration of national development outcomes,” she added.

Warri South council chairman, Comrade Isaac Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, hailed the project as “a live demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda in Warri,” saying it would reduce the area’s high maternal and child mortality rates

Acting Medical Director of FMC Asaba, Dr. Ekeneam Omo, who received the facility on behalf of the centre, pledged that every patient “will be treated with dignity, empathy, and excellence.”

He disclosed that the hospital comes with emergency, female, paediatric, neonatal, and labour wards; an intensive care unit; a modern theatre; a laboratory; consulting rooms; staff accommodation; and an alternative power system. He, however, appealed for additional land and equipment such as digital X-ray and CT scan machines to expand services.

The AEC Unity Network Limited says it has completed the initial stages of designs and studies for the 470-kilometre Abuja-Lagos greenfield super highway project.

Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, Kenny Martins, chairman of the construction company, said AEC is now awaiting approval from the federal executive council (FEC) to commence construction work.

He noted that once completed, the road will allow commuters to travel from Lagos to Abuja in “four hours”.

Martins said the project is estimated to cost between $4 billion and $5 billion, and is expected to be delivered within four years.

“With the support and cooperation of our advisors, consultants and other stakeholders, we can say without being immodest that we have concluded the preliminary aspects of the project designs, studies and approvals,” he said.

He added that the company is ready to begin construction “as soon as we receive FEC approval for the project take off, and the flagging off of the project by the president and commander-in-chief”.

“We have brought our financiers, advisors, and consultants to this event to demonstrate to everyone our readiness, ability and capability as well as our willingness to execute the project and provide for our country the nearest and best link by road between the federal capital, Abuja and Lagos,” Martins said.

“The superhighway will also facilitate easier and cheaper means of commuting by road between the two great cities to the glory of God and the benefit of our countrymen and women.

“The superhighway will be strategic in several ways, because it will not only open up the villages through which the super highway will pass, it will also provide a much more convenient alternative for those who are only travelling to any of the states through which the super highway passes, which include, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Niger and Abuja.”

Martins also unveiled plans to construct a spur along the superhighway in order to connect travellers heading to Ondo state, subject to future approvals.

“We are already in talks with the government of Niger State to construct a Spur in Niger State to link the Baro Port to increase its viability,” he added.


PROJECT TO BE EXECUTED WITHOUT SOVEREIGN GUARANTEE

Martins explained that when discussions around the project began six years ago under the previous administration, the initial funding model required the federal government to provide a sovereign guarantee for a significant portion of the financing.

However, due to the country’s already high foreign debt exposure, he said this option was ruled out.

Instead, Martins said, by mutual agreement with the federal government, “we opted to execute the project without the usual sovereign guarantee but a hybrid of guarantees that would enable our financiers to have the confidence that their funds will not be in any danger whatsoever”.

Elizabeth Ebi, group managing director of Futureview Financial Services Limited, serving as financial advisor and co-fund arranger, said the project is “ready to go” once it receives approvals from FEC and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

Also speaking, Gbadebo Adenrele, managing director (MD), said the company played a key role in facilitating access to funding.

In January, the company reaffirmed its status as the officially recognised concessionaire for the super highway project and high-speed train projects.

The Federal Government has officially commenced the process of reviewing the nation’s revenue allocation formula to meet current realities.

Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Bello Shehu announced the commencement of the review process at a press conference at Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Monday.

There are indication that the new formula would give more funds to the states of the federation.

Sources in the commission disclosed that government was planning to increase total allocation to the states to between 30 and 40% from the current formula which allocates 52.68%, 26.72% and 20.60% to the Federal, State and Local Governments, respectively.

Stakeholders at the briefing urged the government to push more resources to the sub-national, especially for infrastructure projects, including provision of electricity.

The Federal Government is already relinquishing 5% of its tax revenue to the states as contained in the recently signed national tax laws.

The RMAFC chairman said the aim of the review was to produce a fair, just, and equitable revenue-sharing formula that reflects the current responsibilities, needs, and capacities of the three tiers of government — Federal, State, and Local Governments —in line with the constitutional roles.

Dr Shehu said the Commission will carefully assess the needs, service delivery obligations, fiscal performance, and developmental disparities.

“Let me state clearly that this review will be inclusive, data-driven, and transparent. It will involve broad-based consultations with critical stakeholders, including the presidency, national assembly, state governors, ALGON, the judiciary, MDAs, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, the organised private sector, and development partners,” he stated.

The last review of the Revenue Allocation Formula was carried out in 1992; however, there were several executive orders from May 2002 to date to modify the formula to reflect emerging socioeconmic realities.

The Commission restated its commitment to integrating cutting-edge research, empirical data, and international
practices in its analysis.

According to a report by Daily Post, on Monday, August 18, 2025, popular Islamic scholar, Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, has sparked heated debate after warning that Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, is allegedly operating in Nigeria. He claimed the presence of the agency could trigger secret killings of Muslim leaders across the country.

Speaking through his social media page, the cleric alleged that the situation is a ticking time bomb.

He warned that allowing Mossad to establish any kind of influence in Nigeria amounts to inviting danger into the nation’s security system.

Dr. Gumi further linked his concerns to past events. He pointed to the sudden death of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, suggesting that his death was not ordinary.

According to him, Abacha’s passing shortly after hosting late Palestinian leader, Yasir Arafat, in Abuja, raises serious suspicion.

The outspoken preacher asked why Nigeria would open its doors to what he described as “a genocidal apartheid government.” He argued that such a decision could destabilize the country and weaken its sovereignty in the long run.

He issued a direct caution to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that whoever advised him to support the partnership had misled him.

Gumi stressed that Nigeria stands to lose more than it can ever gain from such a controversial collaboration.

According to him, the government must rethink its alliances before it is too late.

He noted that security cooperation should never come at the expense of national unity, independence, and the safety of its citizens.

“How can this genocidal apartheid government have a footing in Nigeria?” he queried, warning that President Bola Tinubu was “ill-advised” on the matter.
According to Gumi, any such collaboration “will cost him (Tinubu) a lot more than he may gain”.

The Federal Government says the Calabar-Ebonyi Trans-Saharan Superhighway, when completed, will unlock economic opportunities, boost regional integration and enhance connectivity across different regions of the country.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris disclosed this when he led the Federal Government delegation on the inspection of projects in Abakaliki on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idris went to see the ongoing work on the 118km Calabar–Ebonyi section of the Trans-Saharan Superhighway alongside media heads in the Information Ministry.

The Superhighway is being constructed by Infouest Nigeria Ltd at a cost of ₦445 billion with a rigid concrete pavement.

The minister described the superhighway as “one of the signature projects” being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“The construction of the 700-metre, 12-span bridge on the superhighway will address decades-long flooding challenges in the N’dibe Beach area and restore access for affected communities.

“This project when completed, will connect Calabar, Ebonyi, Benue, Nasarawa, and Abuja and unlock economic opportunities, boost regional integration and enhance connectivity and prosperity across different regions of the country.

“For the first time, Ebonyi State is hosting multiple major federal government projects simultaneously; a testament to the administration’s commitment to equitable development,” Idris said.

He urged contractors to uphold quality and expedite delivery, assuring citizens that the government remained focused on infrastructure that tangibly improved lives and livelihoods across the country.

NAN reports that the Minister and his team were in the South-East for a project tour and citizens engagement with the people of the region especially Enugu and Ebonyi.

Senators on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), need just one more seat to form 2/3 majority of membership of the 10th Senate with their current 72 in number from 59 in June, 2023.

This is as the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) which had only one seat from Abia South Senatorial District in 2023 , increased to two on Sunday with victory of its candidate, Emmanuel Nwachukwu from the Anambra South senatorial election conducted on Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Number of APC Senators in the Senate increased from 71 to 72 on Sunday with the victory of its candidate in the Edo Central Senatorial election, Dr Joseph Ikpea.

APC had before Ipea’s victory from the bye-election in Edo Central, increased from 70 to 71 in number with defection of Senator Aliyu Wadada Ahmed (Nasarawa West) from Social Democratic Party (SDP) into it.

Road to 2/3 majority for Senators on the platform of APC had through gale of defections, fast tracked in plenary on July 23, when through separate letters, Senators Francis Fadaunsi (Osun East), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East) and Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South), dumped their former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Recalled that the four Senators in their separate letters , attributed their defections from PDP to APC to unending crisis rocking the party with attendant factionalization which according to them made PDP to be a sinking ship that can no longer take them to the centre where desired dividends of democracy can be delivered to their constituents.


The defectors in their letters also attributed their defection to the development – driven programmes and policies of the APC government under President Bola Tinubu.

Defection of the four Senators also reduced the number of PDP Senators in the 10th Senate to 28 from 36 it had at the beginning in June 2023.

Also, Senators on the platform of Labour party which were 8 at take off in June 2023 , have reduced to 5 , just as those on the platform of New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP) , have also reduced to 1 from two , similar fate suffered by SDP penultimate week with defection of Senator Wadada from it to APC.

The current configuration of membership in the 10th Senate is 72 Senators for APC , 28 for PDP , 5 for Labour Party , 2 for APGA , one for Social Democratic Party (SDP) and one for NNPP, totalling the required 109 Senators.

In what can be described as flexing of financial muscles, the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, are engaging in vote buying in the Onitsha North 1 State Constituency by-election in Anambra State.

While APGA is working to install a replacement for the late lawmaker, Hon Justice Azuka, ADC is fighting to help the deceased lawmaker’s wife, Mrs Justina Azuka, to replace her husband.

Despite being regarded as a small electoral contest, the Onitsha North 1 by-election has proven to be a tough one, as the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo, is striving to prove a point with the election in a bid to show popularity ahead of the governorship poll in November.

On the other hand, ADC is using the election to test its strength especially as one of the coalition leaders, Mr Peter Obi, is from the state and has also thrown his weight behind the widow.

In the Omagba area, APGA agents were giving out as much as N10,000 to each voter to secure votes, while the ADC is giving out N5,000.

A source, Mr Ikechukwu Orji, who witnessed the development, said: “So far the election is going well, I have not witnessed any violence but here in Omagba and Osuma wards, we have seen party agents openly canvassing for votes.

“It is not a hidden thing, APGA is paying N10,000 per vote while ADC is paying N5,000.”

Another source who refused to disclose his name said the money “is surely coming from both Soludo and Peter Obi”, insisting that the candidates themselves do not have such money to spare.

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, says the results of Saturday’s by-elections in the South-East state show that the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are “dead” and “non-existent” in the state.

The governor stated this on Sunday during an event in the Nanka area of the state to celebrate the victory of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Saturday’s by-elections.

Soludo threw a jab at one of his predecessors, Peter Obi, who backed ADC candidates in the by-elections, saying the ADC does not exist in the state.

“ADC does not exist in Anambra. We showed it yesterday (Saturday). Labour Party is dead,”

Soludo said to the cheers of his partymen, who were adorned with different APGA paraphernalia emblazoned with the symbolic cock logo of the party.

The governor said the ADC opposition coalition wanted to use the by-election in Anambra to test its popularity, but “the people spoke overwhelmingly with over 75%. APGA is our movement”.

Obi, a member of the Labour Party, has identified with the ADC coalition seeking to trounce President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election. The Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate is seeking to become president in 2027, but Soludo has opposed the former’s single-term bid.

In Saturday’s by-elections in the state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu the winner for Anambra South Senatorial District.

Nwachukwu scored 90,408 votes to trounce Azuka Okwuosa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 19,847 votes and ADC’s Donald Amangbo, who got 2,889 votes.

Nwachukwu would replace Ifeanyi Ubah, the Anambra South Senator, who died in July 2024.

Also, INEC declared APGA’s Ifeoma Azikiwe the winner of the by-election for the Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly.

In his address to APGA members on Sunday, Soludo said Onitsha North Constituency “happens to be the constituency of the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party. That’s his state constituency; he lives in Onitsha”.

“And all of them came. The senator representing the zone came. The senator representing Anambra Central threw himself into the ring.

Members of the House of Representatives threw themselves into the ring. It looked like this was an allied force. Who were they coming against? The people. But the people of Anambra spoke.

“They wanted to use it as a test case for the new concoction called ADC in Anambra, but that election was won by APGA; we won with about 77%, a very emphatic statement. The signal we sent was that both ADC and Labour Party are dead in Anambra,” Soludo said.

Soludo, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is seeking re-election as Anambra governor on the APGA platform in the November 8, 2025, governorship poll in the state.

The Anambra governor recently visited the president in Abuja and said he has no apology for his over 20-year friendship with the first citizen.

Sheriff, a two-term governor of Borno State and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), arrived at Aso Rock in the evening and was received warmly by the President. While details of their private discussions were not made public, sources at the villa said the meeting was cordial and focused on matters of national interest.

The visit underscores Sheriff’s continued engagement in the political space, as well as his relationship with the President. Observers note that such high-level meetings are common among political allies and senior figures in the ruling party, especially as the administration navigates key policy challenges.

Sheriff, who remains an influential political figure in the North-East, has been a regular visitor to the Presidential Villa in recent years, often offering insights on security and development issues affecting the region.

Multiple reports claim the convoy of the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai , was stoned during an African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign in Zaria.


The alleged attack was also confirmed by social media users:

@HighChiefOkoro said, " Nasir El-Rufai was stoned and rejected by the Kaduna people in Zaria yesterday. This is a very huge disgrace and a warning sign to the Coalition that the people cannot be fooled. The Northerners are not gullible people, they will wait till 2031."

@zaMusbeyNe_ said, "This is what happened to Elrufa'i in Zaria yesterday. Nasiru Elrufa'i's tenure will always be remembered as a dark era in Kaduna State history. job losses, corruption, fake promises, poor governance, unnecessary demolitions, and crimes against humanity."

@BanjiComr said, "El-Rufai, Nigerians are not foolish. You can't become a saviour because you're two years out of office after eating govt money for over two decades. Northerners are not fools. Now, they have told you in plain language even in Zaria that "We No Dey Do, We No Like You".