₦airaland Forum

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been allocated a staggering N1,013,778,401,602 in the 2026 budget presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The allocation, one of the largest in the commission’s history, comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

This is contained in the details of the 2026 Appropriation Bill released by the Budget Office of the Federation.

President Tinubu had presented a 2026 Appropriation Bill of N58.18 trillion to the National Assembly.

The proposed budget, tagged, “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” projected total revenue of N34.33 trillion and total expenditure of N58.18 trillion, including N15.52 trillion for debt service.

While INEC has consistently cited the need for adequate funding to ensure credible elections, observers noted that the new allocation will be tested by logistical demands, including procurement of technology, voter education, and nationwide staff deployment.

Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 requires election funds to be released at least one year before the polls.

"The election funds due to the Commission for any general elections are to be released to the Commission not later than one year before the next general election", the section said.

In 2025, the National Assembly approved an upward review of the budget for INEC, increasing it to N140 billion from N40 billion initially proposed by the Federal Government.

The commission spent N313.4 billion for the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

But the commission in its 2023 General Election Report, said that out of the N355 billion approved for the conduct of the elections, the sum of N313.4 billion was only released as of September 2023.

For the 2019 election, the National Assembly approved N143 billion for the commission.

Furthermore, checks revealed that Nigeria spent about N108.8 billion to conduct the 2015 general elections.

The Guardian reports that Professor Bolade Eyinla, immediate past Chief Technical Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had in October projected that the commission may spend about N870 billion ($600 million) to conduct the 2027 general election.

Speaking at a Yiaga Africa 2027 Elections Scenarios and Election Manipulation Risk Index (EMRI) Retreat in Abuja, Eyinla noted that Nigeria’s elections are among the largest civil operations in peacetime, requiring significant financial, technological, and logistical resources.

According to him, the projected costs reflect the demands of a country with over 93 million registered voters, 176,846 polling units, and 1,558 electoral constituencies.

Eyinla said the projected amount is informed by previous election costs, saying that the 2015 elections cost N109 billion (US$662 million), 2019 elections N189 billion (US$619 million) and N355 billion (US$628 million) was spent on the 2023 elections.

According to him, after accounting for inflation, currency fluctuations, and operational expansion, the N870 billion projection for 2027 is realistic.

He added that on a per-voter basis, the cost is approximately US$6.72 per voter, which is within international norms for transitional democracies.

His words: "In comparative terms, the cost of conducting a general election in Nigeria is among the lowest in Africa. For instance, in Kenya, the cost per voter was US$25.9 in 2017 and US$14.9 in 2022; in Ghana, US$13.1 in 2016 and US$7.7 in 2020; in South Africa, US$5.1 in 2019 and US$7.1 in 2024; in the Democratic Republic of Congo, US$22 and US$14.37 per voter in 2023; and in Liberia, US$22 per voter in 2023. This comparison is no less striking with India, the world’s largest democracy, where the cost was US$8.5 per voter in 2019.

"Based on the prevailing US$ to Naira exchange rate at the time of each election, the cost of Nigeria’s previous three general elections was: N109 billion (US$662 million) in 2015, N189 billion (US$619 million) in 2019, and N355 billion (US$628 million) in 2023.

"Considering the current state of the economy, inflation, and the consumer price index from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), it is estimated that conducting the 2027 general election will require about US$600 million (approximately N870 billion), assuming INEC manages its resources prudently.

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, on Wednesday alleged that names of Boko Haram members were once discovered on the Nigerian Army recruitment list, warning that such infiltration is undermining the country’s security architecture.

Speaking during a special plenary session of the House convened to review the national security situation, Wase said former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Muktar Betara, could confirm the incident.

He said the development reflects the deep flaws in Nigeria’s recruitment processes, which have allowed individuals with criminal backgrounds to enter sensitive security institutions.

Wase, who revealed that he lost both a brother and a cousin to terrorists, said the infiltration of the system helps explain why criminal groups continue to operate freely in many parts of the country.

He added that insecurity has become so overwhelming that his surviving younger brother begged him to help secure a transfer out of their community.

He said: "My brother, former chairman of defense, and my very good friend, Betara, will bear with me that we have moments in when in the process of recruitment, we found in the list names of criminals. Boko Haram members were found in the list of Army.

"There has to be a thorough way of ensuring that when we are recruiting, those of us who are politicians should recommend people of good character and integrity. That's the only way we can solve this problem. You find a criminal in the system, and before you know it, whatever you do, you cannot have the problem resolved. So we must change the system and way of our recruitment.

Yes, as politicians, it's good to recommend. This is what we are here for. But when you are recommending, please recommend people of integrity, people that will meet standards and ensure that they give the best access to our country."

The former deputy speaker warned that Nigeria’s security crisis persists partly because some individuals benefit from the chaos, enabling criminals to move in convoys and operate with impunity.

Wase further lamented the politicisation of indigeneship and citizenship, describing it as one of the key issues dividing the country and calling for constitutional reforms to address the problem.

He noted that kidnapping has become routine, with about N5 billion reportedly paid as ransom in one year, while more than 30,000 people have been killed in Boko Haram-related attacks over time.

Wase urged lawmakers to take a holistic approach to the crisis, stressing that the scale of insecurity facing the country is more dangerous than many realise and requires urgent, coordinated action.

The Igbo Elders Consultative Forum has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration has failed to deliver any tangible development to the Southeast.

The elders warned that, given the current state of affairs, the All Progressives Congress (APC) may struggle to secure even 25 per cent of the votes in the Southeast come 2027.

Secretary General of the forum, Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, made the declaration in an exclusive interview with The Guardian on Monday.

He said the current APC administration has neglected the region's infrastructural and economic needs.

The don was responding to the argument by some Southeast politicians that President Tinubu has done enough for the region to deserve re-election.

For instance, during the 2025 Sallah celebration with the Ebonyi Muslim community in Abakaliki, capital of the state, Minister of Works David Umahi hailed the impact of President Tinubu in the Southeast and the entire country in general

Umahi credited Tinubu with reversing years of federal neglect in the Southeast.

"Before now, many Southeast states had no federal projects. But today, the federal presence is visible across the region. That is true national integration,” Umahi said.

But Nwekeaku dismissed such claims as dishonest and unrepresentative of the people’s sentiment.

The don insisted that in 2027, the Southeast will vote for merit, accountability, and good governance and not party loyalty.

He said: These politicians saying all that represent themselves. They are selfish. They don't represent the people. Now, I ask you, go to southeast. I just came back yesterday. I missed my flight.

"I came back by road. Every 100 meters, police checkpoint or military checkpoint.
Not one kilometer now. I'm saying 100 meters in the southeast. And the road is terrible.

"The road that would take one hour would take you four hours in the southeast. So, tell me the one that the government has reconstructed. Tell me any major project they have done.

"Is it the gas project they are doing? They marginalised the southeast. Nothing in the southeast. Is it the railway? Tell me, what are they doing that warrants these governors to say that the president is doing well? Instead of telling Mr. President the truth

"The igbos will vote for merit, accountability and good governance. If things continue like this I don't think the APC will get 25 per cent in South east come 2027. We are going to retire most of these politicians.

Nwekeaku also criticised politicians defecting to the ruling APC, saying their actions was self-serving and devoid of any genuine interest in the people they claim to represent.

He further criticised the worsening economic conditions under the APC-led government.

The don added: "Why are politicians defecting? Already two or three governors from PDP have defected to APC. Why are they defecting? Were they elected under APC? What are their reasons? Because they failed to put their house in order. And because a number of them have soiled their hands.

"That's why they are trying to escape any form of investigation and that's why they are defecting. It's not that they have any major plans for the people.

"Why are they defecting to APC? I want to ask you. What has the federal government done? What is the exchange rate of the Naira now? About 1,500 and something. If you go to the parallel market, N1,600, N1,000, almost N1,700. That is the exchange rate.

"This has made the Nigerian laborer the cheapest in the world. Whether you are a professor in Nigeria, a graduate assistant abroad, earns by far more than myself and any other professor. They tell you that the governors have more money now.

"The federal government said that they have increased the minimum wage to N70,000. Now, when the minimum wage was N30,000, N8,000 or N7,500 could buy you a bag of rice. Is that not true? Today, what they say they have increased, it cannot buy a bag of rice for you."

BlackViper:
I have my doubts about this issue.
Zamfara is one of the 12 Northern States where apostasising from Islam is treated as a criminal offence under their Penal Code.
I suspect that the fear of a backlash caused the Zamfara State government to panic and stage a huge cover up.

I blame the saharareporters journalist for not scanning copies of court documents relating to the case and uploading them on social media. That would have made it harder for them to lie about the case as they are doing now.

A bill seeking to make voting compulsory for Nigerians of voting age on Thursday scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.

Titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to Make It Mandatory for All Nigerians of Majority Age to Vote in All National and State Elections and for Related Matters,” the proposed legislation seeks to introduce compulsory voting for eligible Nigerians.

The bill which was first introduced by Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen in February proposes imposing a maximum of six months imprisonment or a fine of no more than N100,000 for Nigerians of voting age who fail to vote during elections.

Presenting the bill during Thursday's plenary session, co-sponsor of the bill and member representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, Daniel Asama, argued that compulsory voting would deepen democracy, strengthen civic engagement, and reduce voter apathy.

According to him, democracy thrives when citizens are actively engaged in the process of selecting their leaders and shaping the direction of governance.

He lamented Nigeria’s persistently low voter turnout, stating that it undermines electoral legitimacy and weakens democratic institutions.

"Voting is not only the right, but a civic responsibility. For global precedents, several democracies including Australia, Belgium and Brazil, for instance, have adopted mandatory voting for the positive outcomes in terms of political participation and public accountability. For electoral apathy and voter inducement, mandatory voting can significantly reduce the influence of vote buying as more citizens vote", the lawmaker argued.

In his contribution, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu supported the bill, saying it a good proposition and a step towards entrenching civic responsibility.

According to him, Nigerians are quick to condemn administrations, but slow to fulfil their civic obligations.

Kalu said: "In other climes that we have travelled to or lived, personally in Australia, it is actually an offence for you not to vote during elections. So it is a good proposition coming out from you and the person that partnered with you to sponsor this bill".

But the member representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, Awaji-Inombek Abiante questioned the bill’s practicality and enforceability.

According to him, “It is not just enough to legislate compulsory voting. How will it be enforced?

"There are people who register in this country and they are in Ghana, they are in the US, they are in Australia, they are in London. Who will provide the logistics for them to come? If you say it is compulsory, probably you will deny them a renewal of their passports. So how will they get to my village for instance", Abiante queried.

He warned against imposing penalties in a system still suffering with infrastructural deficits and questioned whether it would be fair to punish citizens who are unable to access polling units due to systemic challenges.

But Kalu, raising a point of order, cautioned
Abiante against irrelevant submissions, stressing that members must confine their arguments to the principle of the bill, not its implementation challenges.

"What we are discussing is whether or not it should be mandatory for citizens to participate in elections. When it is time for debate on the budget or economic policies of the country, we can go into all that. What we are talking regards to our electoral laws.

"It is good for Nigeria to show patriotism, that spirit of nationalism, participating in what is going on in your country, not just criticizing", the deputy speaker stated.

Abbas however clarified that there is no law without exemption, assuring that there could be exemption in certain cases.

Another lawmaker, Esset Udo representing Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Asutan/Ibesikpo Federal Constituency supported the spirit of the bill but expressed skepticism about citizens’ confidence in the electoral process.

He said: "It is a good and wonderful bill. Mandating citizens to vote is not the problem but a situation where citizens have lost confidence in the system. We should also make a law that will make vote count. The last election, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission and his officials gave all sorts of promises but we saw all what happened.

But Kalu shut him againt.

Again, Kalu shut down the comment, saying it as against the rules of the House.

Speaker Abbas, however, acknowledged Udo’s concerns and suggested that compulsory voting could actually help restore public confidence in leadership and governance.

Also speaking, member representing Albasu/Gaya/Ajingi Federal Constituency, Dr. Ghali Mustapha Tijjani described the bill as one of the best and most unique introduced this year.

After an exhaustive debate, the Speaker put the question to a voice vote. Though a section of the chamber shouted “nay” more loudly, Abbas ruled in favour of the “ayes.”

The bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative action.

Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, has compared President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms to the transformative leadership of Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew.

He also dismissed the rumours of cabal in the presidency insisting that President Tinubu is 100 per cent in charge of the governance of the country.

Dare who made the observation while speaking at Politics on Sunday program on TVC, noted that though Yew's three major decisions were contentious, they significantly improved Singaporeans' quality of life.

Lee Kuan Yew was the first and longest-serving Prime Minister of Singapore
from 1959 to 1990.

Widely regarded as the founding father of modern Singapore, Lee transformed the city-state from a small, resource-deficient British colony with high rates of illiteracy into the most prosperous country in Southeast Asia.

Under his leadership, Singapore developed a robust economy with one of the highest GDP per capita figures in Asia.

Dare, a former Minister of Sports, said it has come to a time when Nigerians must confront reality, stating that resources and revenue to the government are going down, while the population is increasing.

According to him, President Tinubu has come to change the narrative.

He said: "We have a lot of leakages in our system. And like I said, it must come to a time when you will need a leader to emerge.

"Let me give you Lee Kuan Yew's example, from 1953 to 1990. His story is well-told. When he came in, he took three major decisions that became extremely contentious, yet he stood his ground all through, working with the people, and not explaining, but also making sure that were improvements in the quality of life.

"First, he said let's have English language as a unifier language." He was attacked all through. Second, he said, pay civil servants, public servants, massive salaries which was very important. The third thing he did was to ask that they bring the best people, experts from anywhere around the world, the best expert in energy, power, in education to build the backbone infrastructure needed for Singapore's development.

"Those three decisions were so contentious, but he stayed the course. This president will stay the course because he has seen the data, and he knows that what Nigeria needs now is fixing. I'm sure Nigerians will come to terms with this development and, in no distant future, will start to see the impact. Already, we're seeing it. You look at the CNG.

"You look at NELFUND; it's extremely successful. You look at credit cards; as it is, more than 11,000 civil servants have gotten their money on the lowest interest rate you can ever get, four per cent. This president is at work for this country. This president deals with statistics and data but also understands that, to some extent, there are certain decisions that have to be taken now; if not, this country will suffer for it."

On the issue of Cabal, Dare explained that the idea of cabals are just a few persons who hold key positions that the President needs to meet daily for briefings.

"I think we’ve become so comfortable with the idea of the cabal, and you must understand how the idea of the Cabal, the people they call the Cabal, are the people that are holding the key sectors of the economy.

“These are people who are advisors, who must advise the President on trends, who must put critical data in front of him, and they have access to him. How does access turn you into a member of the cabal? The Minister of Finance, for instance, sees him (Tinubu) on a constant basis to show him all the indicators so that they can see it, they must have constant meetings.

“So what is happening is that this idea of cabal has a negative connotation that we entrench, I think that notion should change, because any government you have 5 to 7 people who are holding key positions and who must brief the President on a constant basis, that access is what people think makes them a cabal.

"The President is 100 per cent in charge and he has always been from day one, and he has shown it when the CBN cybersecurity tax came up, the president canceled it because he dealt with what the facts are.

On the tax reform bill before the National Assembly, the Presidential Aide said the president has acted within the ambits of the law by passing allowing the legislative process to take its course.

He explained that the tax reform bill when signed into law, will be critical for reforms in the various sectors of the economy

Dare noted that developed nations who were at the same level with Nigeria in the past, adopted painful tax reforms which aided them in their economic transformation.

“I think it’s absolutely important, because when you look at the four bills right now, at the National Assembly, and they are just bills, they’re not acts yet, that means there’s still an opening to have conversations around the bills, take out some things, readjust certain elements of it, and bring it back.

“I think it’s a remarkable bill and it’s critical for the reforms, the larger reforms in various sectors that the President is working on. When you look at the Nigerian tax bill, the overall bill. You look at the joint tax bill, you look at that for revenue, then you look at the tax administration.

“The President’s preference is to have a de jure approach to it, not a de facto, because even if you do it outside of the legislature, then he must have contravened Nigeria’s constitution. So being a president that understands the law and the Constitution says it’s already there, let’s have the representatives of the people from across the country, let them deliberate on it.

“The people, the governors, Nigerians, can send in whatever comments they have, whatever deviation they have, and then that can be processed, I think that is the best way.

“I think it’s the right way to go, because any other path will bring a crisis, when you look at the tax very well, it targets posterity, not poverty. Look at the revenue tax, for instance, you can keep 100% of the taxes within your domain, that brings about control of your taxes, but also a level of responsibility at the level of state,” he said.

Judekenny:
This list means there's no longer secret in Government

Taylor90:

Taylor90:
Lies

SmartPolician:
A few days from now, the authentic list will be published.

So, what do people typically benefit from sharing FAKE NEWS?

I don't think I have gotten a reasonable answer to this question.

Tinubu appoints Wike Minister of FCT; Umahi, Works; Keyamo, Aviation
*Niger Delta Affairs scrapped

President Bola Tinubu has appointed former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and Senator Dave Umahi as the Minister of Works.

This is just as the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs appears to have been scrapped as it was not on the ministerial list, while there is no one for now as the senior Minister of Petroleum.

The list was announced to journalists by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelae.

According to the list, Mr. Wale Edun is the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, while Bunmi Tunji is the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is Bosun Tuani; Ishak Salaco, Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management,

The Minister of Power is Adedayo Adelabu; Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare, Tunisia Alausa; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, and Minister of Transportation, Adegboyega Oyetola.

Other portfolios are Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite; Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy, and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

The Minister of Youth is Abubakar Momoh; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; Minister of State, Gas Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo; Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, while Senator John Enoh is the Minister of Sports Development.

The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru; Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of State Education, Yusuf T. Sunumu; Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed M. Dangiwa, and Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, Abdullah T. Gwarzo.

Others include, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Mairiga Mahmoud; Minister of State, Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello M. Goronyo; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyar, and Minister of Education, Tahir Maman.

The Minister of Interior is, Sa’Idu A. Alkali; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf M. Tuggar; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam; Minister of State, Steel Development, U. Maigari Ahmadu; Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu A. Audu, and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris.

Attorney-General, Minister of Justice
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon B. Lalong; Minister of State, Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Govermental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, and Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.

Going by the portfolios, the Northwest has 10 ministers, five senior and five ministers of state; North Central has six senior ministers out of nine ministerial positions.

The Southwest has seven senior ministers and two ministers of state. The Northeast has six senior ministers and one minister state, but no person yet for Kaduna state, which is expected to occupy the Environment and Ecological Management Ministry.

The South-South has five senior ministers and two ministers of state, while the Southeast has four senior ministers and one minister of state.

The ministerial retreat may likely take place next week, likewise the swearing-in of the ministers, which may take place before the retreat.

The ministry of Petroleum has three ministers; two ministers of state and the senior minister, which was not announced.

smokinloud:
You didn't even bother to check the veracity of the news. Typical ibodie.nt!.

Knocks NLC, TUC for rejecting subsidy removal

The Lamidi Apapa faction of the Labour Party (LP) has asked the presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi to step down his case at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), noting that he (Obi) is not showing any seriousness.

The faction said the call became necessary following the event that happened in the Tribunal on Thursday where the court stepped down hearing the petition filed by Obi and the Labour Party against the election of President Bola Tinubu.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, Factional National Publicity Secretary of the party, Abayomi Arabambi, maintained that Obi has not been able to provide any concrete evidence to back these claims since PEPT began sitting.

He alleged that Obi went to court to challenge the victory of Tinubu because he (Obi) and his co-travellers had different intentions against the wishes of the Nigerian masses who freely offered their support to the Labour Party.

He stated: “We have followed with keen interest the shameful developments and approach by the so-called legal team assembled by Peter Obi challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and we have, like many Nigerians, come to the conclusion that Obi is not only taking Nigerians for a ride but would continue to waste the hard-earned resources donated by Nigerians for this purpose to even enrich himself the more.

“Obi attempt to cage the sense of thinking of Nigerians by trickily obtaining money from them to fund the court process making them believe that there is something for him at the end of the day that must stop now.

“All of you here who have been following this case can recall that the day we had an altercation in court with Abure’s group, INEC announced that Peter Obi could not pay for CTC form EC08 and other documents to be for the election. That now compelled them to only present only thirty per cent of the materials they would need for the hearing at the Election Petition Tribunal.

“How would any right-thinking person go to an election tribunal with only thirty per cent of your documents where not of all them would be accepted or agreed to be tendered by other political parties?

“Three days ago, they said two of their counsels were sick and yesterday they could not even file a single process with the array of SAN with Obi. This is what we have been saying that they are just trying to hoodwink the public, deceiving the Obidients and giving them false hope that they have something at the tribunal.

“It’s evident from the attitude displayed by them when they wrote a letter to INEC that Obi could not pay N1.5 million. Who are they deceiving? Counsels were sick? Just two out of how many of them and they stalled a court process when time is already against our party. Yesterday, the court had to give them a stand down of ten minutes to file their process. They came back and they could not do anything. You heard what the court told them. They are wasting the time of the court and they are not serious.”

Arabambi while declaring that the court has confirmed the fear of the Apapa faction, said the faction had raised alarm from the onset and has now been vindicated.

“That’s why we have consistently maintained that Obi is not serious. He came into the party with nothing. He didn’t fund the election, he didn’t fund the party, and he didn’t do anything for the party. He only came to mess of the entire process and to deceive Nigerians that he has something to offer to them.

“Labour Party is thereby calling on him to step down his selfish ambition and stop messing up the party if he has nothing serious to present to the tribunal”, he added.

Speaking on fuel subsidy removal, Arabambi knocked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for rejecting the new pump price of petrol.

He insisted that the position of the Labour Party on the removal of fuel subsidy during the campaign has not changed, saying “We cannot reverse that position because it was not our candidate that won the presidential election.”

He added: “Whatever we have agreed on during our campaign, and as a party that promotes peace, equity and justice in Nigeria, then we can’t be found approbating and reprobating at the same time. Our Position is that, once Obi said he would remove fuel subsidy from his first day in office, the same organized labour who stood in that position must not be seen working in cross purpose on the same thing that Tinubu, Atiku and even Obi said they were going to do.

“Obi said Subsidy was an organized crime that must be stopped. NLC can’t call for any strike. If they do, it is obvious that they are just being mischievous for a reason best known to them or maybe they have something against the President that they should come out open to tell Nigerians. That is our position as Labour Party.”