Abba Moro, the senator representing Benue south, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have won the 2023 presidential election if it had not chosen Ifeanyi Okowa as the running mate of Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Moro said the choice of Okowa, the former governor of Delta state, as the opposition party’s vice-presidential candidate was a “serious mistake“.

This is coming on the heels of a comment by Okowa, who said he regretted being Abubakar’s running mate during the 2023 elections.

Okowa, who spoke on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, said his being the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate was against his people’s will.

On April 23, Okowa and Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former governor of Delta said his defection to the ruling party was in the “best interest of our people” and the need for the people of the state to “connect to Abuja”.

However, Moro said Okowa’s claim of regret after the PDP failed to win the presidential election in Delta state showed that his “soul” was not in the party.

“Given what we know now, with the hindsight that we have now, some of us think that the party would have won the election if other candidates, other than Okowa, had been picked as the vice-presidential candidate from the south,” the Benue senator said.

“I think there is an error of judgment on the part of everybody that was involved in the choice of Okowa as the candidate.

“How else would you characterise this scenario that a sitting governor, a former senator, and a presidential candidate of a party couldn’t deliver his state even to the presidential candidate?”

“And to think that two out of the senators from that state were from the opposition parties other than the PDP.

“So, I think that picking Okowa as the vice-presidential candidate in 2023 was a very serious mistake.”

Moro added that Okowa’s action showed a lack of commitment to the party.

“As it is now, you can safely conclude that we lost the election because of lack of commitment,” he said.

“Otherwise, how can you explain that shortly after losing his state, that ordinarily should have been a very easy pick for the PDP, instead of rendering an apology to the party and Nigeria, he’s now talking about regretting being on the ticket?

“His soul was not in the PDP. His soul was not in that election, and that is why we performed very miserably in Delta state.”

[TheCable]

Nigeria’s political system officially started in 1923 with the establishment of Herbert Macaulay’s Nigerian National Democratic Party. This was after the coming into force of the Clifford Constitution of 1922. Several political parties, such as the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (later changed to the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens), Action Group, Northern Peoples Congress, Northern Elements Peoples Union, and Union of Middle Belt Congress were later formed. Traditionally, Nigeria has been a multiparty democracy. Except for the two-party system brought by Military President Ibrahim Babangida, during the aborted Third Republic (1990-993), Nigeria has always had plural parties.

As of today, Nigeria has 19 registered political parties officially licensed by the Independent National Electoral Commission. However, many political watchers have started to raise the alarm that the country is sliding into a one-party state. What does that mean? Perhaps I should first say what it does not mean. A one-party state sometimes does not refer to the presence of only one political party, as is the case in the Republic of China, which is a communist state. Tanzania also once had a single political party before embracing multiparty democracy. Metaphorically, an official one-party state refers to a country with one dominant political party.

Legally speaking, Nigeria is a de jure multiparty democracy but a de facto one-party state. Given the mass defection of elected governors, federal and state lawmakers from opposition political parties into the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria is now a de facto one-party state because the remaining 18 are too weak to pose a serious electoral challenge to the dominant APC. This was the scenario that played out in this country between 1999 and 2015, when the Peoples Democratic Party held sway at the centre. The popular cliché then was PDP and others. When this reference was being made, Nigeria moved from three registered political parties to having 91 registered parties by 2011, before many of them were deregistered by INEC after the 2011 General Election, and 74 were left to contest the 2015 general election. Further deregistration by INEC, by the powers conferred on the commission by Section 225A of the Nigerian Constitution has led to a manageable 19 that we currently have now.

It is important to note that countries that are presumed to have a two-party system, such as Ghana, the UK and the US, are actually multiparty democracies. In the US, there are dozens of political parties. The two dominant parties are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Other parties, often generally termed “third parties”, in the US include the Green Party, Libertarians, the Constitution Party and the Natural Law Party. In the United Kingdom, the dominant political parties are the Conservative and Labour Parties. However, according to the BBC, there are several different parties in the UK, each with different ideas and policies. The largest parties include the Liberal Democrats, the United Kingdom Independence Party, the Green Party, the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru in Wales, and the DUP and Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland. In Ghana, the Electoral Commission indicated that there are 15 parties registered at the time of the 2024 general election. However, the dominant parties are the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party.

If we go by the political parties that have won presidential elections since the beginning of this Fourth Republic in 1999, there are only two- the PDP, which held sway from 1999– 2015 and the APC, which has won three general elections back-to-back in 2015, 2019 and 2023. However, like I said earlier, Nigeria is effectively a de facto one-party state from 2024 when the exodus of opposition political party chieftains into the APC began. Now, it is APC and others. Is this ideal for our democracy? Not at all. However, while the opposition political parties are quick to blame the APC for their woes, I beg to differ.

Many of the opposition political parties are in a self-inflicted intra-party leadership crisis. Take, for instance, the PDP has been facing an intractable leadership crisis since it lost power at the centre in 2015. After the electoral defeat, the party leadership set up Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s committee to look into the remote and immediate reasons it lost the presidency to the APC. This report has been largely unimplemented. Between 2015 and now, PDP has had four national chairmen. It was the former Governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Muazu, who led the party to the 2015 general election. The moment the party lost the presidency in 2015, Muazu was forced to resign. Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was brought in as the national chairman of the party. Soon after, he was shoved aside and the former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, was made to head a caretaker committee to midwife another congress and convention. This was challenged by Ali Modu Sheriff, who took the party to court. That litigation ended at the Supreme Court.

Prince Uche Secondus was elected to lead the party, but he soon fell out of favour with powerful interest groups within the party, and he was shoved aside three months before the end of his tenure. Dr Iyorcha Ayu was drafted in as the national chairman of PDP and he led the party to another electoral defeat in 2023. He was also pressured to resign when his Ward Executive in Benue State suspended him. Since the exit of Ayu, Ambassador Umar Damagun has been the chairman in an acting capacity since 2023. A new convention is being planned for later this year.

The same fate has befallen the Labour Party, with the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee being in a running battle with the Nigeria Labour Congress and some of the party stalwarts, including the presidential candidate of the party in 2023, Mr Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia, which is the only state won by the party.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party, which won the Kano State governorship election in 2023, has also been engulfed in a leadership tussle.

APGA’s leadership crisis was only laid to rest sometime last year after the Supreme Court judgement on who is the authentic leader of the party. It is trite that a house divided against itself cannot stand.

If the current one-party status of Nigeria is reversed, the opposition political parties will need to work assiduously to resolve their lingering intra-party crises. It took the merger of Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change, All Nigerian Peoples Party and a faction of APGA led by former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, to form the All Progressives Congress in July 2013. Factionalisation of opposition political parties has created a pathway for mass defection of their elected party members into the ruling APC, with the last being the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, who officially dissolved all the PDP party structures and elected members into the APC from PDP on Monday, April 28, 2025.

The argument that the APC government, including the presidency, is using the anti-corruption agencies and financial resources to induce members of the opposition to join the APC is not entirely true. In September 2011, former Governor of Lagos State and leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (now President), was docked before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, on allegations that he operated 10 foreign accounts while in office between 1999 and 2007. A three-count criminal charge was preferred against him by the Federal Government. The CCB in November of the same year dismissed the allegations, and he was discharged and acquitted. That was deemed to be a political witch-hunt under PDP, but did that make Tinubu join PDP? Why I cited this instance is that the popular belief is that many of those defecting into the APC want protection from prosecution for financial fraud or corruption allegations. I am not sure that joining the APC will be a bulwark against prosecution for corrupt practices.

Defections are carried out for multiple reasons, one of which could be a voluntary exit from the party for which they are elected because of intra-party crises. Other reasons could be to gain an advantage in seeking reelection, for political appointments, contracts, visibility, et cetera.

I admit that having a de facto or de jure one-party state is inimical to our democratic growth. However, having good governance goes beyond the party system in operation. China is officially a one-party state, but it is performing far better than Nigeria in economic and development terms. China is a technological giant and has a military might that its adversaries are unwilling to test. Of what immense benefit has our multi-party democracy been to us, with all the development indices pointing south? We face endemic corruption, insecurity, bad governance, a high cost of living, a high rate of unemployment and soaring poverty. As far as I am concerned, irrespective of the party system we run, the result should be a higher standard of living for the citizens. Any system that will deliver security and welfare to citizens will earn my support.

After spending quality time in the comfort of the Tinubu Presidency, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a descendant of a Mauritanian patriarch, who has held several senior positions in government, is back on his partisan regional political posturing on behalf of Northern Nigeria’s political establishment.

He has reunited with his friend, Prof. Usman Yusuf, and they are yet to be joined by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the third member of the tag team with an exaggerated sense of the Northern Nigerian political machine that has gone past its sell-by day.

The trio do not realise that the military that used the 1979 and 1999 constitutions to structure Nigeria to consolidate the political gains that Premier Ahmadu Bello wrought for Northern Nigeria in the First Republic no longer scares Southern Nigerians. The histrionics of old no longer work, and today’s politics requires cooperative and negotiated engagement between both regions.

As is his wont, Baba-Ahmed is trying his best to stare down the Southern Nigerian political establishment as the “magical” 2027 general elections approach. His ostensive focus is on the interests of the Northern Nigerian masses. But Northern Nigerian political elites, like their Southern counterparts, only secure sinecures for themselves.

Maybe Baba-Ahmed should remember that the North started ruling Nigeria from 1957, when Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the chief minister and prime minister from 1960 to 1966, and Gen. Yakubu Gowon ruled for nine years before Gen. Murtala Muhammed’s short-lived rule and Shehu Shagari’s four-year tenure.

The North continued ruling again from the time of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Sani Abacha and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who consolidated the political structure that already gave Northern Nigeria undue advantage over the South.

After nearly 40 years, they handed over to former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the beginning of the Fourth Republic. He handed over to Umaru Yar’Adua, who yielded to President Goodluck Jonathan, who was browbeaten by the North to hand over to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Between 1957 and 2025, the North ruled for about 50 years. And now, the Baba-Ahmed chorus is angling to take the power from the South, which has just held power for 18 years. From the look of things, a president of Northern extraction in 2027 may be ruling Nigeria up the Niger River.

Nigeria’s politics is never about the interests of the masses of Nigerian citizens but the economic fortunes of the political elite, whose major concerns are the sinecure positions that will give them access to portions of Nigeria’s commonwealth.

Nigerian politicians have no ideological identities or even programmes for the people. That went with the Obafemi Awolowos of the First Republic. Today’s politicians switch political parties mainly on whim and political expediency.

The current rally, especially of some Northern Nigerian political elements, to form coalitions against the presumed ambition of President Tinubu to run for reelection in 2007, is fuelled by regional sentiments and not any altruistic intentions for Nigeria.

Strange bedfellows, who threw shades against each other, are now joining political parties that they had rejected as unviable, or collaborating to form unholy alliances. People who defended political positions with the zeal of evangelists suddenly turn around to defend diametrically opposing points of view.

Some of them hope to achieve a merger on the scale of the ruling All Progressives Congress that emerged from Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for People’s Congress, All Nigeria People’s Party and breakaways from People’s Democratic Party and All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Sometimes they do it for “stomach infrastructure” gains. At other times, it is to escape prosecution (or political persecution) from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. In other words, most Nigerian politicians only look out for their own good.

President Tinubu appears to be doing his own political calculations in a manner that is ripping apart the political house of cards that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, former Secretary to the Federation Babachir Lawal (and possibly former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi) are putting together.

Former President Obasanjo has encouraging words for this coalition: “For Tinubu to be defeated (in 2027), there is the need for a powerful unified coalition… Neither Atiku, Obi nor Kwankwaso can defeat Tinubu on their own. If they do not unite, they will fail again.”

Indeed, the Southern Nigerian counterpart of the Northern political establishment has started its own realignment ahead of 2027. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his immediate predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, have led PDP stakeholders in their state to the ruling party, APC.

Observers think many more such moves are expected in the coming months, if not weeks. These moves further show that Nigeria’s politicians do not quite play the politics of ideology or principles, but of expediency.

Okowa’s exit from PDP sends a Nunc Dimittis to former Vice President Atiku’s quest for the presidency and probably supports the position of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who preferred a Southern presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.

Observers say that the move of the Delta State PDP stakeholders was inevitable after former Delta State Governor James Ibori, godfather of Delta State politics, allowed his daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, to contest as a member representing Ethiope East/Ethiope West in the House of Representatives on the platform of the APC.

Are these moves made in the interest of the people of Delta State (or Southern Nigerian people)? Not really. The intention is to position the stakeholders for access to the power and commonwealth of Nigeria, though the defectors claim that their move was made to advance the security, welfare and development of Delta State.

But there is no doubt that these moves are significant steps to reaffirm the resolve of Southern Nigerian politicians who want the presidency to remain in Southern Nigeria, no matter the skirmishes of the Northern Nigerian political establishment to change the narrative.

The PDP, still the main opposition political party, is being steadily decimated as a result. And the seeming insurrection by the CPC faction of the ruling APC, led by Shehu Malami, a Northerner and former Attorney General of the Federation, is being put down most cleverly.

If the Obidient Movement successfully registers its members on its online portal, as it has been announced, it might mean that the inventoried votes will be warehoused only for Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition and are therefore unavailable for another presidential candidate, especially from the North.

With all these, Baba-Ahmed, Yusuf and their co-travellers would be demonstrating a lot of commonsense if they join their so-called Northern voting clout to that of Southern Nigeria to ensure that whoever becomes president in 2027 is a Southerner, even if they do not want President Tinubu to return.

Yusuf says the current Muslim-Muslim presidency has not served him. Well, Vice President Kashim Shettima is not from his North-West Nigeria. Baba-Ahmed, who could not resist throwing shade at former President Buhari, thinks President Tinubu should step down for the younger generation.

 Both men should, however, ensure that ethnic Yoruba Nation agitators and their Indigenous People of Biafra counterparts, who are watching the developments with keen interest, are not thinking of exiting Nigeria if a Northerner becomes President in 2027

Daniel Chukwueloka Monyei, a final-year Law student from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, emerged victorious at the recently concluded Innovate Conference 2025, taking home the coveted $2,000 grant prize with his innovative waste plastic-to-paint conversion business.

The event, which reached its climax on Saturday, April 26, 2025, saw five finalists compete for the prize money.

The finalists included Anesi Lifestyle, Mercysweet Foods, Softway Finance, Suftly, and P2P (PLASTIC 2 PAINT) – Monyei’s enterprise that ultimately claimed the top spot.

The “Innovate Pitch & Grant” program, an initiative by Crosspoint Church, aims to empower young Nigerian entrepreneurs and professionals through competitive pitching, business mentorship, networking opportunities, and a platform for showcasing groundbreaking ideas.

Speaking to the press at the event, Convener of Innovate and Lead pastor at Crosspoint church, Ladipo Soyombo emphasized the importance of supporting young talents: “Innovate is a means to foster the innovative spirit shared among Nigerian youth. We are committed to creating value for young people to benefit from. There’s youth disconnection within the economy, yet our youth have the potential, talent, and passion to drive innovation in society. Innovate was born out of our commitment to bridge the gap between Nigerian youth and economic opportunities. What we’re witnessing today is the manifestation of what happens when we create platforms that nurture innovation. The disconnect between our youth’s immense potential and their access to resources has been a longstanding challenge in our economy. Through initiatives like this, we’re actively working to transform Nigeria’s brightest minds into job creators rather than job seekers.” 

Keynote speaker Kola Aina, founder of Ventures Platform and a prominent investor across Africa’s startup ecosystem, stated the need to invest in initiatives like Innovate. “What we’ve seen today represents the future of Nigeria’s economy. These young entrepreneurs are creating solutions to our most pressing challenges. All people of means, government agencies, and established corporations must recognize their social responsibility to support these dreamers with capital, mentorship, and market access. Innovation thrives where support exists, and today’s event demonstrates the incredible outcomes possible when we invest in our youth.” 

Upon receiving the grant, Daniel Chukwueloka Monyei, CEO of P2P, shared his vision: “The future of P2P is that for every liter of paint purchased, you’re actually helping save the planet, you’re saving the world, and this is what we believe. The future of P2P basically involves producing more paint and eliminating more plastic. This support from Innovate will help us scale our operations and impact more communities across Nigeria.”

Monyei’s winning business model addresses two critical issues in Nigeria – plastic waste management and access to affordable paints. By implementing a community-based collection system and innovative processing technology, P2P creates an environmentally sustainable solution while offering cost-effective products to the market.

What set P2P apart in the competition was not only its innovative approach but also its remarkable impact. To date, the company has upcycled over 250 tonnes of plastic waste and prevented over 190 tonnes of CO2 emissions, significantly reducing environmental pollution across Nigeria. The company projects it will process up to 500,000 tonnes as operations scale. P2P’s paint products feature mosquito-repellent properties that remain active for six months while maintaining their glossy finish for years, addressing both environmental and public health challenges simultaneously.

A cornerstone of P2P’s success has been its community engagement model, working in partnership with 35 women and the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Agency (KEPA) to collect plastic waste, providing economic opportunities while educating communities about environmental sustainability. Additionally, P2P trains schoolchildren about the dangers of plastic to the environment and has trained over 14 at-risk youth in artistic and vocational painting skills, equipping them to become professional painters now engaged by P2P and others seeking skilled painting services. This dual approach to social and environmental impact was a key factor in the judges’ decision to award P2P the grant.

Joining Monyei in leading P2P’s innovative approach are Abdulfattah Omisanya as Chief Marketing Officer, Idakwo Ramatu as Chief Operating Officer, and Abdulmalik Yahya serving as Chief Technology Officer. This diverse leadership team brings complementary expertise to drive the company’s mission forward.

The Innovate Conference 2025 brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, industry experts, and investors, providing a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and growth opportunities for Nigeria’s next generation of business leaders.

Manager to Juju legend King Sunny Ade (KSA), Dayo Adegeye, has dismissed rumors that the music icon was abducted.

In a statement on Tuesday, Adegeye described the claims as “malicious” and aimed at damaging KSA’s reputation.

He said, “We want to assure the public that King Sunny Ade is safe and sound. There is no truth to the kidnapping rumor.”

He added, “The King of World Beats, King Sunny Ade, is not abducted or kidnapped by anyone. The Adegeye family and King Sunny Ade’s team are working diligently to put an end to the rumor and protect his reputation.”

Dayo issued the statement after KSA’s daughter, Damilola Esther, raised alarm on Instagram, accusing him of holding their father captive and mismanaging his bookings.

She wrote, “Dad told my brother that he wants to go home. Where is he? Where are his phones? He has not been online or picking his calls. Where is he?”

Another post read, “I want Dayo (manager) apprehended. I want him to provide all the money they have been stealing from him. He has a UK visa, thinking he can run.”

Damilola also demanded an investigation into her brother’s handling of KSA’s business affairs.

As of the time of filing this report, King Sunny Ade had yet to issue a public statement.

[Guardian]

Chairmen of the eight branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State have strongly condemned a recent query issued to the Port Harcourt Branch chairman of NBA, Cordelia Eke, by the Administrator of the State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), through the State’s Ministry of Justice.

The query which was signed by the Director of Administration in the Ministry of Justice, Ebiriemg Deresima, and dated April 25, accused Eke of “serious misconduct,” alleging she co-authored a communique criticising the Ibas for “severe and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity” and for actions deemed unconstitutional, including the dismantling of democratic institutions and attacks on peaceful protesters in the State.

The sole administrator claimed Eke’s actions violated the Public Service Rules and were unbecoming of a civil servant.

But, in a joint press statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the NBA branch chairmen described the allegations against one of them as an attempt to intimidate her and stifle dissenting voices among legal professionals in the State.

They clarified that Mrs Eke did not issue the controversial communique in her capacity as a civil servant, but rather as the elected chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of NBA, in line with her constitutional mandate within the NBA.

The NBA chairmen argued that their collective statements — including the one referenced from April 9 — were issued following formal deliberations within the association and reflected the position of all NBA branches in the State.

They also noted that their views aligned with those of the NBA at the national level, as articulated by the Association’s President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.

The NBA chairmen further criticised the query as part of a broader effort by the Sole Administrator to suppress free speech and dismantle democratic norms under the guise of maintaining peace. They asserted their duty to uphold the rule of law and vowed not to be silenced in the face of intimidation.

“The query to our brother Chairman is nothing but a ploy by which the Sole Administrator seeks to intimidate her into discontinuing her functions and duties as Chairman of NBA Port Harcourt Branch, and an attempt to intimidate lawyers in Rivers State and by extension other good people of Rivers State from standing up and speaking against executive rascality and impunity,” they said.

“It must be noted that the main objective of the Nigerian Bar Association is the promotion of the rule of law thus, as watchdog of the society, it is our duty to speak truth to authority on behalf of lawyers and the general public and cannot be intimidated to shy aware from this sacred responsibility.

“Consequently, we, the Chairmen of NBA Branches in Rivers State, condemn in its entirety the query issued to our Brother Chairman of NBA Port Harcourt Branch and demand an immediate withdrawal of the same.

“We consider the issuance of this query to our brother Chairman as an unfortunate act the Sole Administrator has decided to use to suppress freedom of speech and constitutional rights of the good people of Rivers State against his various incidences of dismantling of peaceful democratic institutions already in existence in Rivers State and other acts and actions capable of causing breach of peace instead of maintaining the peace which was the primary claim for his appointment as Sole Administrator in Rivers State. We condemn in its entirety the query issued to our colleague and demand its immediate withdrawal,” the NBA chairmen added.

The press statement was signed by Dr. Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire, Chairman, Ahoada Branch; Simple Dioha, Esq., Chairman, Isiokpo Branch; Abiye Abo, Esq., Chairman, Degema Branch; Dr. N. A. Duson, Chairman, Bori Branch, and Dr. Celestine Nwankwo, Chairman, Okehi Branch.

They reaffirmed their commitment to resist any harassment or persecution targeting NBA leadership, lawyers, or the wider public in Rivers State.

[Leadership]

The Corporate Affairs Commission has issued a six-week ultimatum to all businesses operating in Nigeria with unregistered names or acronyms, warning that failure to comply with registration requirements may result in prosecution and possible imprisonment.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the CAC on Tuesday titled, “Public Notice: Carry on Business in Nigeria Under an Unregistered Name or Acronym.”

The development comes amid the collapse of the fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme known as “CBEX,” which defrauded Nigerians of approximately N1.3 trillion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had emphasised that although ST Technologies International Limited—promoter of CBEX—was registered with the CAC, it was not licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission to operate as an investment platform.

In the statement posted on its social media platforms, the CAC informed the general public that it is a criminal offence under Section 863 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, to carry on business in Nigeria as a company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or under a business name without registration. It is also an offence to operate under a name (or acronym) other than the one registered under the Act.

The public was further advised that Section 729 of the Act requires every registered company to display its registered name and registration number at every business location.

The statement read, “The Commission wishes to inform the General Public that it is a criminal offence under Section 863 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 to carry on business in Nigeria as a Company, Limited Liability Partnership, Limited Partnership or under a Business Name without registration under the Act or by a name (or acronym) other than the name (or acronym) by which the business was registered under the Act.

“The General Public should note that Section 729 of the Act requires every Company registered under the Act to state its name as registered and its registration number outside every place where it carries on business. In addition, the Company is required to state its registered name and registration number on all its official publications, including its letterhead, signage(s), marketing and publicity materials.”

The CAC emphasised that non-compliance with business registration requirements may result in prosecution and a conviction that carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment.

The statement continued, “In particular, the general public should note the provisions of Section 862 (1) of the Act, which state that any person who, in any document required under the Act (including the aforementioned official publications of a company), knowingly makes a false statement in any material respect commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of two years, in addition to a daily fine imposed on the company for every day the offence continues.”

In light of the above, the CAC stresses that all companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, and business name proprietors must comply with the provisions of the Act within six weeks of this notice.

Failure to comply will result in enforcement actions, including prosecution, the CAC stressed. Stakeholders are advised to visit the CAC website: http://www.cac.gov.ng for updates.

“In view of the foregoing, every Company, Limited Liability Partnership, Limited Partnership and Business Name proprietor(s) is hereby required to ensure full compliance with the above requirements of the Act within six weeks of this notice failing which the Commission shall take all necessary steps (including prosecution) to enforce compliance,” it stated.

Following the collapse of the CBEX scheme, the EFCC clarified that possession of a Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering certificate does not equate to legal authorisation to operate in Nigeria.

In a statement released, the EFCC noted that although ST Technologies (not CBEX) is registered with SCUML in accordance with Section 17 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, this does not authorise it to offer investment services.

[Punch]

President Bola Tinubu has approved the redeployment of four Federal Permanent Secretaries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is part of ongoing efforts to reposition the Federal Civil Service for improved performance and service delivery.

Mrs Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), announced the redeployments in a statement by Mrs Eno Olotu, Director of Information and Public Relations, in her office in Abuja on Tuesday.

Walson-Jack said that the exercise was aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, fostering innovation, and aligning the service with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

She listed the affected Permanent Secretaries and their new postings as follows: Dr Mary Ogbe – Redeployed from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to the Ministry of Regional Development.

Also, Faruk Yabo, who moved from the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

Dr Emeka Obi is transferred from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Development to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, while Mr Ogbodo Nnam is posted from the Special Duties Office in the Office of the HCSF to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

The Head of Service described the redeployment as a routine administrative procedure meant to reinvigorate the civil service by deploying top officials to strategic areas of need.

She charged the Permanent Secretaries to bring their experience to bear in their new assignments and ensure effective and seamless service delivery.

According to her, all handover and takeover processes are to be concluded on or before May 2.

Walson-Jack reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a world-class civil service that upholds professionalism and drives national development.

[Vanguard]

When Spanish football fans speak of a “remontada,” they remember the electrifying nights when FC Barcelona staged miraculous comebacks against overwhelming odds. In Imo state’s evolving political landscape, a similar narrative is taking shape. Former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, who served from 2007 to 2011, is now preparing for his own remarkable comeback—a political remontada—with his sights firmly set on returning to the Douglas House in 2027.

When Ohakim first assumed office on May 29, 2007, he stepped into leadership with a bold agenda and a vision to transform Imo State. His administration initiated major infrastructural projects, including the construction of critical road corridors, modern market complexes, healthcare improvements, school renovations, agricultural enhancements, and rural development programs. His tenure symbolized a period of ambition and strategic groundwork.

Yet by May 2011, when he left office, many of these signature projects remained incomplete, leaving Imolites with a sense of unfulfilled potential. While Ohakim exited with significant accomplishments, a lingering sentiment remained that the final whistle had been blown too soon, cutting short a transformative vision that was still unfolding.

Unlike many former leaders who recede into political oblivion, Ohakim has maintained a strong public presence over the years. Through consistent community engagements, open support for subsequent administrations when necessary, and relentless advocacy for the continuation of his original infrastructure blueprint, he has stayed deeply connected to the grassroots.

His relevance today is anchored in a broad coalition that cuts across traditional elders, youth organizations, and emerging entrepreneurs. Ohakim has not only kept the memories of his first tenure alive but has also evolved his vision by partnering with digital economy experts to reimagine governance models, strengthen infrastructure maintenance plans, and integrate e-governance systems into public service delivery.

More recently, Ohakim has embarked on strategic tour across various communities in Imo State, gathering feedback, reaffirming old alliances, and forging new ones. His renewed interactions with religious leaders, traditional rulers, market associations, and youth bodies have helped reignite a spirit of optimism around his aspiration. In a political environment often characterized by disconnection, his direct and personal approach stands out and resonates with a populace hungry for genuine leadership.

Political observers liken Ohakim’s unfolding strategy to the successful comebacks of Nigerian governors like Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano)—leaders who returned to power by rebuilding coalitions and refining their initial agendas. Ohakim has spent the intervening years nurturing alliances across party lines, forging new partnerships with private sector leaders, and positioning himself as a bridge between experience and innovation.

At the heart of his 2027 campaign is the powerful theme of “unfinished business.” Testimonials from farmers, traders, youths, students, and other stakeholders who once benefited from his interventions now underscore the argument for a second opportunity to complete and expand upon his vision.

One unavoidable challenge to Ohakim’s comeback is the ongoing debate over the Imo Charter of Equity. Stakeholders from Owerri Zone have long advocated for power rotation to their region, arguing that equity demands it. However, supporters from Okigwe Zone counter that their mandate was prematurely cut short in 2011, giving their quest for a full eight-year term a legitimate foundation.

With political leaders increasingly emphasizing that “those who seek equity must come with clean hands,” there is a growing acceptance that competence, experience, legacy, and the ability to deliver may ultimately outweigh zonal sentiments in determining the next governor of Imo State.

As the countdown to 2027 begins, many Imo indigenes are rallying behind Ohakim, clamouring for him to be given the chance to “finish what was started.” His success will depend largely on his ability to harness the strength of his grassroots network, defend his past achievements, present a visionary and executable agenda, and inspire a broad coalition of hope across the state.

More critically, Ohakim’s return bid seems to be gathering momentum at a time when Imo citizens are increasingly demanding leaders with proven competence and one who can continue the good works of the present administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma rather than making mere political rhetoric. With some of the present challenges facing the state, many Imolites believe that revisiting an experienced hand like Ohakim offers a safer path to stability, continuity and progress.

If he succeeds, Ohakim’s political remontada may not just complete an unfinished story—it could redefine what political comebacks look like in Nigeria.

The final whistle may still be a few years away, but one thing is clear: the game has already begun.

Obinna Nwachukwu writes from Onuimo in Imo state

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed recently resigned his appointment as Political Adviser to the President in the Vice President’s Office. The former Publicity Secretary of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, who has been a critic and vocal voice against bad governance, in this interview, revealed that he never had a place in the Bola Tinubu administration.

He also speaks on the 2027 election, why Nigerians should not trust the drivers of the planned coalition and what is expected of Nigerians. Excerpts:

As a Political Adviser to Mr. President, in the office of the vice president, what were some your experiences?

I did my job as best as I can when I worked with the Vice President.

I believed the administration could have used people like me better, we were never in the mainstream of policy design, policy implementation, policy monitoring, mitigation of aura, steps and errors, building bridges with the communities and more importantly giving advice consistent with my mandate which is to give advice on political matters, I don’t think the administration had enough interest in what we could do.

But to the degree that I was available and I was there, I did my best and at the the end, I found that I really had no place in the administration. Many things that I could have advised on were going on, it didn’t look like my advice was necessary and I also disagreed with many of the things that were going on and the best way to deal with this kind of thing is to leave. But I left, I expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve my country through the administration. I got to respect a lot of people in the government, forgive me if I don’t mention names. And ifI am also to be honest with you, I was disappointed that the administration has an opportunity to correct the ills and mistakes of the Buhari administration and it hasn’t, that’s all.

Can we know some of the pieces of advice that you gave to the government as political Adviser that were ignored?

No, maybe perhaps you read my open letter to the President wrongly. I never said I gave advice which were ignored. I said those who were involved in advising government or implementing the policies of the government were not of the calibre and the quality that an administration like President Tinubu’s, which was dealing with a very bad inheritance and which faced a lot of challenges which has created its own challenges, should have.

It wasn’t formed by the realities on the ground and he (Tinubu) and the presidency itself was isolated to be available to be advised, I think that was the point I made.

What are the areas you think that if the government takes positive steps to address will improve the lives of the citizenry?

I think they need to review their entire mandate, they should look at Nigeria as it is now and not just simply push out press releases and press statements.

They are spending a huge amount of energy celebrating, getting people who have brought the country to its knees to now join them. If this government thinks that getting defectors from parties that have failed the country, people, who have failed the country who are now looking for refuge and getting them to join their party, they are making a terrible mistake.

The future doesn’t look healthy with the APC which is overburdened by its own liabilities as well as the liability from other parties. They should look at where they are now. They still have two years, they can work very hard but the most important advice I gave in my open letter is that President Tinubu should work very hard to address the current challenges, to find younger people, more energetic people, people with the vision to fix the country.

People who recognise the fact that the future belongs to them and assure them. And then create a generation of politicians that will take over from him and people like him who just live in a small room called APC. All these huge number of people who have questions to answer on the way they run this country, have no business asking us to trust them again. They should look for younger people, people with more experience, people with more knowledge, people with the vision and passion to fix Nigeria. Those are the people I think President Tinubu should encourage his party to entrust the responsibilities .

As a seasoned politician are you ready to join the coalition so that the country will perhaps get it right?

Let me correct you, I am not a seasoned politician, I have been a public servant, what other people call as a technocrat virtually all my life. I have also been a critic of poor and bad administration. I am not interested in joining any coalition of people who have wrecked the country and who are looking for refuge and other opportunities to continue to do what they were doing before, I am not interested in that kind of politics.

Nigerians bear the brunt of any good or bad government, as the 2027 election draws near, what is your advice to them?

I will tell them to open their eyes and be very careful. 2027 will be a very, very important and decisive election. It will determine whether we will continue to sink under the incompetence and indifference of the last 12 years, eight years of Buhari and now four years of Tinubu, or we want to recreate Nigeria and re-engineer it so that it can address the problems of insecurity and poverty and deterioration of inter community relationship.

Nigeria can survive and can overcome its problems but it certainly cannot do so under the present leadership or the kind of coalitions of all these politicians who are desperately clinging to power, making it to appear as if the future belongs only to them. The future belongs to Nigerians. Nigerians should be very careful, they should not be carried away by all this business of North and South, ethnicity and religion. Everybody is a victim of the same problem created by the same people who are now asking us to trust them, they should not trust them.