Latest News
FEATURES
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering an extension for the sale of its expression of interest (EOI) and nomination forms for the upcoming Anambra State governorship primary, following concerns over the party’s participation in the November 8 election.
Initially scheduled between February 26 and March 5, the sale of forms had been set at N5 million for expression of interest and N35 million for nomination.
However, sources disclosed to Daily Sun that due to the lack of interest from aspirants, the party is considering extending the deadline to March 12.
Reports suggest that no aspirants have purchased the nomination forms, largely due to the ongoing leadership dispute between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye over the position of PDP National Secretary.
The Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, had ruled in December that Ude-Okoye was the rightful nominee for the position, but Anyanwu has since appealed the decision at the Supreme Court.
Speaking to Daily Sun, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had resolved to extend the sale of forms. However, he refuted claims that no nomination forms had been sold.
“We want to give more room for people to participate. That is the essence of democracy,” Ologunagba stated. “It is not correct that people have not collected forms. If that is part of your story, then it will be fake news.”
He emphasized that extending the deadline was a routine practice and unrelated to the Supreme Court case over the national secretary position. The party is expected to release an official statement on the new deadline soon.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has revealed he rejected a prayer to be 140 years.
He made the revelation during a sermon.
He recalled how some of his followers prayed for him to live to different ages. He said when they prayed for him to reach 80 years, he responded with a hearty “Amen.”
Similarly, when they prayed for him to live up to 90, he accepted the prayer. However, when the number increased, his response changed.
He said: “When I was 70 years old, some children of mine began to pray for me. And they said, ‘Daddy, you will live to be 80,’ I said Amen. ‘You will live to be 90,’ I said Amen. They said, ‘You will live to be 100,’ I didn’t answer them.
“And then one fellow got excited and said, ‘You will live to be 120,’ I said na lie! What will God say I have done wrong? I have been here for 70 years, He will now keep me here for another 50 years? In this world?
“Where today you have electricity, tomorrow you don’t have? But there was one lady who got really excited, and said, ‘You will live to be 140,’ I said no be me.”
The outspoken son of the immediate-past Kaduna State governor, Bashir El-Rufai has on Monday displayed the logo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on his verified Facebook page amidst his father’s defection rumours.
Although, Bashir only posted the SDP logo without any written words.
El-Rufai
Bashir’s father, former governor Nasir El-Rufai has intensified consultations with influential and notable politicians across the country including former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar among others for the formation of a mega party or formation of coalition to defeat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 presidential elections.
El-Rufai has on different occasions denied defection rumour saying he is still APC member.
United States President Donald Trump has criticised the Joe Biden administration of allegedly misusing taxpayer funds, citing over $8 million spent on transgender-related experiments involving mice.
His remarks quickly sparked debate, with major news outlets fact-checking his claims.
However, a review of federally funded research projects confirmed that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indeed allocated millions to studies examining the effects of hormone therapy on mice.
According to available grant records, the NIH provided funding for various research projects related to gender and hormone therapy in animal models.
“These studies, conducted by research institutions across the country, explore topics ranging from reproductive health to immune responses in the context of hormone treatments,” the White House stated.
Among the projects funded are $455,000 for a study titled “A Mouse Model to Test the Effects of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy on HIV Vaccine-Induced Immune Responses,” $2.5m for “Reproductive Consequences of Steroid Hormone Administration.”
Researchers noted that “these mice manifest defects in ovarian architecture and have altered folliculogenesis.”
Also, $299,940 was also used for research on “Gender-Affirming Testosterone Therapy on Breast Cancer Risk and Treatment Outcomes.” The study compared breast cancer risk in female mice receiving testosterone therapy versus those that do not, $735,113 to examine the “Microbiome Mediated Effects of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy in Mice.”
Trump also alleged that Biden used $1.2m for a study on “Androgen Effects on the Reproductive Neuroendocrine Axis,” which investigated the role of androgens in reproductive hormone regulation using transgenic mice, and $3.1m for research on “Gonadal Hormones as Mediators of Sex and Gender Influences in Asthma.”
Scientists involved in the project stated, “We will study the contributions of estrogens to HDM-induced asthma outcomes using male and female gonadectomized mice treated with estradiol.”
In total, the projects amount to $8,290,053 in federal funding.
Trump’s remarks have added fuel to ongoing political debates about government spending and scientific research priorities. “The Biden administration is wasting millions on transgender experiments on mice while Americans struggle with inflation and rising costs,” Trump declared.
Meanwhile, media outlets and fact-checkers have responded by analysing the studies in question. While some experts argued that such research was essential for understanding hormone therapies’ broader medical implications, critics contend that taxpayer dollars should be directed toward more immediate public health concerns
The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has called Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to resign from office honourably within 48 hours or be impeached by the State House of Assembly.
Chairman of APC in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, made the call on Monday morning while briefing journalists at his private residence in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Okocha accused Fubara of insulting President Bola Tinubu, when he attempted to proffer a political solution to the crisis in the state.
He said: “As a political party, we are today advising the governor; there are two options, resign honourably or be impeached. That is the position of the All Progressives Congress. He has disrespected Mr. President and we told him that we cannot be here and have him to disrespect Mr. President.
“The offences are there; the Supreme Court has agreed and even provided us with more evidences. The House of Assembly does not need to set up any committee again to investigate him.
“48 hours is too much to give him as ultimatum. He should just resign honourably.”
Details Later….
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Africa have aggressively cut their foreign debt, repaying $1.2 billion in 2024 to ease foreign exchange burden as they chart a path back to profitability.
Following the naira’s steep depreciation in 2023, both telcos suffered $1.56 billion in foreign exchange losses.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s unification of the country’s foreign exchange market in June 2023 triggered a sharp devaluation of the naira to 471/$ from 1043.09/$ by December 28, 2023, and 1512.3/$ by March 7, 2025.
MTN Nigeria declared its first loss after tax of N137 billion since its 2019 listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2023. Airtel Africa, which had 50.9 million subscribers in Nigeria as of March 2024, reported a loss after tax of $89 million for its full year ended March 2024, primarily due to FX headwinds in Nigeria and Malawi.
To mitigate further FX-induced losses, MTN and Airtel have aggressively cut FX liabilities. MTN Nigeria slashed its outstanding letters of credit (LC) dollar obligations from $416.6 million as of 31 December 2023 to $20.8 million by the end of 2024.
Airtel Africa, on its part, repaid $739 million in foreign currency debt over the last year, reducing its foreign currency debt exposure. Both companies believe that reducing their foreign currency obligations is key to strengthening their financial positions.
At the end of 2023, Olusegun Ogunsanya, the then-chief executive officer of Airtel Africa, stated, “We will continue to focus on reducing our exposure to currency volatility.
“Although this reduction resulted in realised foreign exchange losses, it has substantially strengthened our financial position and lowered the financial risks associated with the depreciation of the naira and its related finance costs,” MTN said in its 2024 results.
However, the debt reduction came at a cost, significantly impacting MTN’s financials. Despite reporting a record revenue of N3.36 trillion for 2024, it recorded a N400.44 billion loss after tax due to forex losses arising from the revaluation of foreign currency-denominated obligations.
It noted that it would have reported a profit after tax of N247.3 billion if not for the net forex loss.
Airtel Africa, on the other hand, recorded a 5.78 percent revenue decline to $3.64 billion from $3.86 billion in the nine months ending December 2024. However, its profit after tax grew 12,300 percent to $248 million from $2 million.
Both companies are shifting towards local debt as their appetite for FX debt wanes. Airtel Africa now holds 92 percent of its debt, excluding lease liabilities, in local currency, up from 79 percent a year ago.
Sunil Taldar, chief executive officer of Airtel Africa, noted, “Our capital structure remains robust with just 8 percent of OpCo debt in foreign currency — a substantial improvement over the last year.”
MTN has also restructured its loan portfolio, with 72 percent now in naira and 28 percent in dollars, compared to 56 percent naira and 44 percent dollars in 2023. Its total net debt dropped 29 percent to N591 billion by the end of 2024.
To finance operations locally, it raised N190 billion under its N250 billion Commercial Paper Issuance Programme.
On an investors’ call, Modupe Kadri, MTN Nigeria’s chief financial officer (CFO), noted that as of December 2023, the telco had an overall foreign exchange exposure of $1 billion, but it was reduced to about $300 million by the end of 2024.
Renegotiation of tower lease contracts
Beyond debt restructuring, telcos renegotiated tower lease contracts with infrastructure companies such as IHS, INT Towers Limited, and ATC Nigeria to curb FX and energy-related costs.
MTN’s renegotiation with IHS alone resulted in N113.8 billion in operational savings. Telcos are also increasingly adopting local solutions to minimise FX exposures and improve margins.
“We will focus on cost savings through our expenditure resiliency programme and implement localisation initiatives to further reduce foreign exchange exposure and operating expenditure and to improve financial resilience.
“We believe these efforts will help us maintain our competitive edge and drive additional growth in service revenues, support margin recovery, and restore our capital position,” said Karl Toriola, chief executive officer of MTN, during the telco’s investors’ call.
With the recent regulatory approval for a 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs, experts believe that this, combined with ongoing FX debt reduction efforts, will set the sector on a path to profitability.
[BusinessDay]
(Full List) 72 Tinubu’s Appointed Executives Yet To Receive Appointment Letters Since December
Admin
Three months after President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment of 72 new management executives for the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), the appointees are still waiting for their official appointment letters from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
Naija News gathered that the prolonged delay has allowed the caretaker officials overseeing the 12 River Basin Development Authorities to remain in office, despite the presidential directive.
‘We Have Been Left In The Cold’ – Appointees Express Frustration
One of the appointees, who spoke on condition of anonymity with Punch, lamented the lack of communication from the SGF’s office regarding their appointment letters.
He stated, “It’s sad that three months after the President pronounced our appointments, we have been left in the cold. There is no explanation from the SGF, who is supposed to issue our letters of appointment.
“We can’t access the SGF as we speak. There is no single word from him.”
Another appointee, equally frustrated, said the delay was hindering their contributions to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The appointee said, “The entire thing is confusing. We have a mandate to contribute to the actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President in the agricultural sector. But here we are waiting endlessly to hit the ground running.”
Presidency Deliberating On Political Complaints
A highly placed source within the presidency told Punch that the delay was intentional, stemming from political disagreements over the appointments.
The source said, “What happened is that those appointments are political positions. But some states complained about the appointees and protested to the SGF. So, the presidency has been restrategising on how to go about it.”
The source further revealed that some nominees, particularly from the North, were different from those initially submitted, leading to discontent among stakeholders.
According to the source, “It is a case of some persons being appointed from the North who are different from the names of nominees submitted. There are similar cases like that in other River Basin Authorities. So, they need to resolve these issues. I think that is actually where the problem lies.”
Tinubu’s Directive Yet To Be Implemented
President Tinubu had charged the appointees to use their wealth of experience to improve the efficiency of the River Basin Authorities, in line with his administration’s commitment to bettering the lives of citizens. However, the bureaucratic delay has stalled the implementation of this directive.
In Hadejia Jamaere River Basin Development Authority which has Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi as coverage areas, six new officials were engaged.
They included Mamman Aliyu – Chairman (Jigawa), Rabiu Bichi – Managing Director (Kano), Tijjani Isa – Executive Director, Planning and Design (Jigawa), Zainab Gamawa – Executive Director Agric Services (Bauchi), Baffa Abdulkadir – Executive Director, Engineering (Kano) and Musa Kwankwaso – Executive Director Finance (Kano)
Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority has six new appointees namely Odebunmi Olusegun – Chairman (Oyo), Dr Adedeji Ashiru – Managing Director (Osun), Ayo Oyalowo – Executive Director, Finance (Oyo), Dokunmu Oyekunle – Executive Director, Planning and Design (Ogun), Suleiman Oris – Executive Director, Agric Services (Lagos) and Julius Oloro – Executive Director, Engineering (Lagos)
Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority equally has six, which include Sanusi Babantanko – Chairman (Bauchi), Samuel Mahmud Mohammed – Managing Director (Taraba), Usman Bakare – Executive Director, Engineering (Taraba), Ibrahim Jalo – Executive Director Finance (Gombe), Isa Matori – Executive Director, Planning and Design (Bauchi) and Hamman Dikko – Executive Director, Agric Services (Adamawa)
Chad Basin Development Authority has Prof. Abdu Dauda – Chairman (Borno), Tijjani Tumsa – Managing Director (Yobe), Bashir Baale – Executive Director, Finance (Yobe), lliyasu Muazu – Executive Director, Agric Services (Adamawa), Mohammed Shetima – Executive Director, Engineering (Borno) and Vrati Nzonzo – Executive Director, Planning and Design (Borno).
Other River Basin Authorities include Benin-Owena with six appointees, Niger Delta (six), Upper Niger River (six), Lower Niger (six), Lower Benue (six), Anambra-Imo Basin with six, Cross River Basin (six) and Sokoto Rima Basin also with six executives.
[NaijaNews]
Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, visited ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and Pastor Tunde Bakare, in Lagos on Sunday.
Photographs of the Kaduna politician posing with Aregbesola and Bakare went viral on social media.
While El-Rufai’s discussion with the two politicians was not revealed, it is believed that the visits were part of his political scheming ahead of the 2027 general elections.
El-Rufai has in recent times been very critical of the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu.
The Kaduna politician blamed Tinubu for his rejection by the National Assembly during ministerial screening.
Aregbesola, a former ally of Tinubu, recently dumped the APC alongside his supporters in Osun State.
Bakare lost the APC presidential ticket to Tinubu ahead of the 2023 presidential poll and he has also been critical of the government of the day.
In recent times, El-Rufai, a chieftain of the ruling APC, has also been found hobnobbing with opposition politicians, including the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
His Sunday visit to Aregbesola and Bakare was disclosed by Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai’s media adviser, in a tweet on Sunday.
“Malam Nasir @elrufai was in Lagos today to visit Ogbeni @raufaregbesola and Pastor Tunde Bakare,” Adekeye wrote.
El-Rufai’s meeting with both men is coming days after visiting former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna.
The former Kaduna governor’s visit to Lagos has fuelled fresh conversations about his political future and possible strategic alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former minister of the Federal Capital Territory was recently in the news when he granted an interview on Arise Television, where he accused Tinubu of deliberately dropping him from his list of ministerial nominees.
He also slammed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for undermining the North over his alleged 2031 presidential ambition.
In the interview, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory hinted at leaving the ruling APC, saying the party had already abandoned him.
When asked if he would be supporting the President’s re-election bid in 2027, the Kaduna politician dodged the question, saying he wasn’t even certain if he would still be in the APC by then.
His perceived anti-party activities had made the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka query his true motive at the end of the just concluded National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.
When called for a reaction regarding El-Rufai’s recent visit to Aregbesola and Bakare, the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, initially declined, saying the party cannot continue to give his activities needless attention.
When pestered further, the Osun party chieftain said the former governor is the least of their worries at the moment.
He said, “We don’t have any comment. Anybody who wants to worry about his movements is free. So far he is a Nigerian, El-Rufai is free to visit anybody he likes.
“We have more serious work to do than to comment on anybody roaming around.”
The National Deputy Organising Secretary of the party, Nze Chidi Duru also expressed the belief that El-Rufai has the freedom to mingle and associate with whoever he wants.
He said, “You remember that he once visited Aregbesola when he was governor. But at the end of the day, returned and supported Mr President. In recognition of that, there is freedom of association, which is very important. And it is good that he is exercising it to the highest.
“There is no restriction with respect to that. So I don’t think any meaning should be read into his recent visits other than a meeting of friends. At the end of the day, if it leads to something beyond that, we then need to make demands.
“So it is not every visit that we should give political colouration or gain. I am not even thinking about it. It is like me going to visit a political friend and it then becomes a national issue. If there is something that comes out of such association, we can then comment about it.”
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved that the earlier postponed party’s zonal congress in the South South Zone will now hold on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP in a statement also said the NWC has approved the shifting of the South West and North Central Zonal Congresses from the earlier scheduled date of Saturday, March 22, 2025 to Saturday, April 12, 2025.
PDP said the zonal congresses will hold simultaneously in Port Harcourt, Rivers State (South South Zone); Ibadan, Oyo State (South West Zone) and Jos, Plateau State (North Central Zone) to elect the executives officers and national ex-officio members for the respective zonal chapters in line with the constitution and guidelines of our great party.
The NWC also “Charges all aspirants, leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members of our party in the respective zones, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the media to note the scheduled date of Saturday, April 12, 2025 for the zonal congresses for South South, South West and North Central zof our party and be guided accordingly.”
[DailyTrust]
The six months suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her allegations against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has drawn debates on gender, power, and political fairness in Nigeria.
Though the Senate had said her suspension was not related to her fight with Akpabio but due to her alleged incessant violation of the senate rules, many Nigerians, particularly those from the north have continued to raise concerns on the place of women in Nigerian politics.
While some view the current development as a reflection of the challenges female politicians face, others see it as a political dispute with broader implications for the Senate’s integrity.
On March 6, 2025, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing violations of legislative decorum.
The Senate’s ethics committee reported that she engaged in unruly behavior, made disrespectful remarks against Senate leadership, and defied committee summonses.
Specifically, she was accused of refusing to sit in her assigned seat, speaking without recognition, and making abusive comments. These actions were deemed violations of Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).
Akpoti-Uduaghan, prior to her suspension, submitted a petition accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative functions.
However, the Senate’s ethics committee dismissed her petition, citing procedural rule violations.
Also, Akpabio publicly denied the allegations, stating that he had never harassed Akpoti-Uduaghan or any female senator.
Shortly after this, the Senate announced Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension, leading to speculation that it was a retaliatory move to silence her.
Reacting to the allegations of bias on Saturday, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele issued a statement insisting that Akpoti-Uduaghan was not suspended because of her petition but for her consistent misconduct and blatant disregard for Senate rules.
He urged the public and the media to disregard false narratives suggesting that the suspension was linked to her petition against Akpabio.
He emphasized that the decision was necessary to restore order and maintain the integrity of the Senate.
The timing of her suspension, coming shortly after her sexual harassment petition, has led to widespread public skepticism.
Many Nigerians, including opposition politicians and activists, believe the action was politically motivated and aimed at silencing her.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the suspension, describing it
as suppression.
Atiku argued that the decision undermined the principles of fairness, representation, and gender inclusivity.
“Women should be empowered to fully participate in governance, not stifled,” he stated.
Also, organisations such as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) criticised the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, calling it an unconstitutional move that undermines democracy and legislative independence.
The criticism continued with organisation like the Coalition for Women in Governance and the Women in Management, Business, and Public Service who threatened to mobilise women for a massive protest if the decision was not reversed.
This prompted a response from the Federal Government on Friday, stating its intention to intervene in the crisis.
Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Iman Suleiman-Ibrahim, described the situation as unfortunate, emphasizing the need to protect female representation in the Senate.
“In the last Assembly, we had nine female senators. We don’t want to see a decline in that number,” she said.
“We will work towards resolving this issue peacefully by engaging all stakeholders and urging them to temper justice with mercy.”
However, harassment allegations in the Nigerian Senate are not new. One of the most controversial incidents occurred in July 2016, during a closed-door session of the Senate, when a heated exchange ensued ybetween Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Reports indicated that Melaye, who was representing Kogi West at the time, allegedly threatened to assault and impregnate Tinubu, who was then representing Lagos Central.
According to multiple sources, Melaye was quoted as saying he would “beat up” and “impregnate” her, remarks that were widely condemned as sexist and inappropriate.
Tinubu, who is now Nigeria’s First Lady, accused Melaye of making threatening and demeaning comments toward her. She described the incident as an act of verbal assault and intimidation, claiming that Melaye even attempted to physically attack her during the altercation.
Melaye, however, denied the allegations, insisting that he never physically assaulted Tinubu.
He argued that his words were taken out of context and dismissed the controversy as a political disagreement rather than an issue of harassment.
Despite the outrage that followed the incident, no disciplinary action was taken against Melaye, and the Senate did not officially sanction him.
Women leaders react to Akpabio-Natasha controversy
Hajiya Fatima, the All Progressives Congress (APC) women leader in Kano, in an interview with DAILY POST described the controversy as unfortunate and damaging to the image of women in politics.
She acknowledged that the issue could discourage more women from joining politics, especially in Northern Nigeria, where cultural and religious factors already limit female participation.
“Allegations like this paint a negative picture of women in politics. It reinforces the wrong perception that women cannot handle leadership positions without facing harassment or intimidation,” she said.
However, Fatima noted that the APC had made efforts in the past to support women’s inclusion, particularly under the administration of former Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
“During Ganduje’s time, women were given more opportunities. But things have changed now, and we need more policies to encourage women,” she added.
She recalled that during Ganduje’s tenure, his wife advocated a 60-40 representation policy favoring women. Which means that women should be higher than the men in positions because women are trustworthy and even the votes come more from women.
Hajiya Fatima emphasized that when a woman is determined to accomplish something, she does it well. She noted that since women play a significant role in election campaigns and contribute to electoral victories, they should not be sidelined when political positions are being allocated. Unfortunately, she added, that is not the case today.
Also, Hajara Ado Alhaji, the NNPP women leader in Shanono Local Government Area, acknowledged that harassment and intimidation were common tactics used to sideline women in politics.
She, however, revealed to DAILY POST that having spent over 30 years in politics without significant progress, she attributed the challenges faced by female politicians to favoritism and party politics.
“I have been in politics for decades, but I still don’t know where I stand. The system favors those with connections, not those with capacity,” she lamented during an interview with DAILY POST on Wednesday.
Political analyst speaks on Akpabio-Natasha’s controversy
Hassan Ibrahim, a political analyst, in an interview with DAILY POST described the controversy between Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as a troubling development with serious implications for the integrity of the Senate and public confidence in the institution.
“This issue is not just about two individuals,” Ibrahim stated.
“It has the potential to cast a shadow over the entire Senate as an institution. The Legislature is a key arm of government, elected by the people to make laws and represent their interests. When such allegations emerge especially involving the Senate President, it raises serious concerns about the sanctity of the Senate and the democratic process.”
Regarding Senator Natasha’s allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, Ibrahim noted that the claims must be handled carefully to avoid undermining public trust.
“These are heavy allegations. Whether true or false, they need to be addressed urgently to clear any doubts and ensure that the institution remains credible,” he said.
“Sexual harassment allegations like this can make things even harder for women in politics. If such issues keep coming up, many women especially from the North will be discouraged from participating due to societal and family pressures,” he explained.
Despite this, he commended Senator Natasha for speaking out.
“What Natasha did by bringing this issue to light might encourage more women in politics to speak up about their experiences,” he said.
Ibrahim further highlighted the financial burden as a major obstacle for women seeking political offices.
“Politics in Nigeria is very expensive. The cost of nomination forms alone is discouraging. The major political parties, especially the ruling APC and the main opposition PDP, have set their nomination fees so high that many women cannot afford them,” he noted.
He also pointed out that even women who can afford the costs are often discouraged by party politics. “Even if a woman buys the form, there is always the fear that she won’t be nominated because of godfatherism and internal party politics,” he explained.
Beyond financial barriers, Ibrahim emphasized that women in politics face intimidation and harassment.
“A lot of women who contest elections face threats and intimidation. Some are pressured into making compromises. That is why many capable women shy away from politics,” he said.
When asked why Northern Nigeria has fewer female politicians compared to the South, Ibrahim pointed to cultural and educational barriers.
“In the North, women are traditionally expected to stay within the domestic sphere, limiting their exposure to public life. Even highly educated women often avoid politics due to societal restrictions,” he said.
He emphasized that education and economic empowerment are key to increasing women’s participation.
“Without education, women cannot play any key role in politics. The good news is that more Northern women are now attending schools, but we need to do more to encourage their involvement in governance,” he stated.
He praised the Jigawa State governor’s policy of providing free education for females from primary to tertiary levels, describing it as a positive step toward creating a level playing field for women to compete and participate in politics.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce policies that support female politicians.
“INEC should ensure that political parties reserve a certain number of positions for women. This will help increase female representation in government,” he added.
“Political parties should also consider granting waivers for female politicians. Additionally, parents should instill leadership qualities in their daughters from an early age, encouraging them to believe that they can excel and even outperform their male counterparts,” he concluded.
[DailyPost]
More...
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has discontinued the naira-for-crude deal with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other local refineries, TheCable understands.
The development could trigger an uptick in the pump price of petrol as local refineries — including Dangote — will now rely on international suppliers for feedstock, gulping huge costs in dollars.
The NNPC reportedly told the refineries it has forward-sold all its crude, although production is now said to be higher than when the deal commenced.
Nigeria officially commenced the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira to local refineries on October 1, 2024.
The move was meant to improve supply, save the country millions of dollars in petroleum products imports, and ultimately reduce pump prices.
However, multiple sources said the initiative will be suspended until 2030.
A high-level source confirmed that the NNPC has notified Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other local refiners that it will no longer provide crude oil to them, as it has forward-sold all of its crude supplies until 2030.
Despite recent attempts to bolster domestic refining capacity, the country has spent “over $4.3 billion importing 6.38 billion litres of premium motor spirit (petrol) and automotive gas oil (diesel) in just five months”, industry sources said.
The NNPC is said to be among the entities still importing products, an act backed by the recent deregulation of the downstream sector.
Another source said at a time when Nigerians are hoping for further price reductions, “the NNPC unilaterally decided to end the naira-for-crude initiative”.
TheCable has contacted the NNPC for comments.
While the Dangote refinery has declined to comment on the NNPC’s recent move, an official said the company will carefully assess its options and decide on the appropriate course of action.
The decision to stop the naira-based crude supply might lead to volatility in the foreign exchange (FX) market, thereby eroding recent gains, according to market analysts.
THE TROUBLED CRUDE-FOR-NAIRA DEAL
In October 2024, the federal executive council (FEC) approved the allocation of 450,000 barrels of crude intended for domestic consumption to be sold in naira to Nigerian refineries, with the Dangote refinery serving as a pilot project.
Under the scheme, the NNPC was expected to supply 385,000 barrels per day of crude oil to the Lekki-based refinery.
However, the national oil firm has been accused of consistently failing to meet the allocation.
In November 2024, the refinery said the crude-for-naira initiative was faltering, as it was still unable to secure adequate supplies.
“We need 650,000 barrels per day, (state oil firm NNPC Ltd) agreed to give a minimum of 385,000 bpd but they are not even delivering that,” Edwin Devakumar, the vice-president of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) had said.
He further described the NNPC’s supply as “peanuts”.
• Lagos directorate tops commission’s 4,111 convictions with 685
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said the over N50 billion recovered from fraudsters in 2024 was among the funds invested into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this information is based on the EFCC’s 2024 statistical report made available to reporters yesterday in Abuja.
NAN also reports that NELFUND was established through the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 3, last year.
The initiative is a programme established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to break financial barriers in higher education.
In its report, the anti-graft agency described its activities in 2024 as its greatest achievements, especially its largest single-year asset recovery since its establishment in 2003.
The statistics indicated that the N50 billion granted to NELFUND by the Federal Government was sourced from the monetary recoveries of the EFCC.
“Such monetary recoveries include N364.6 billion; $214.51 million; 54,319 euro; 31,265 euro; Canadian dollar (CAD) $2,990 and Australian dollar (AUD) $740.00.
“Others are: the French franc (CFA) 7,821,375, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Dirham 170, Saudi Arabian 5,115 Riyals, Japanese W73,000,105 Yen, Ghana’s cedi (GH¢) 225 and South Africa’s 50,000 Rands,” it said.
According to the commission, some of the monetary recoveries have been reinvested by the Federal Government in initiatives that provide significant benefits to the Nigerian people.
The anti-graft agency attributed its success to the dedication of its officers and the enabling environment provided by management and stakeholders.
Also, the EFCC has said it secured 4,111 convictions in 2024 – its highest in its 22-year history.
These were from 15,724, petitions, 12,928 investigations, and 5,083 prosecutions.
Leading the pack is the Lagos Zonal Directorate with 685 convictions from 3,224 petitions, 2,454 cases investigated, and 786 cases filed in court.
This is followed by Enugu with 516 convictions from 545 cases prosecuted and Ibadan with 501 convictions from 786 prosecutions.
Others are Benin with 412 convictions, Ilorin with 230, Kaduna with 273, Gombe with 147, Kano with 148, Abuja with 140, Makurdi with161, Maiduguri 95, Port Harcourt 185, Sokoto 108 and Uyo with 220 convictions.
Also last year, the commission recorded its best-ever performance since its inception in 2003 with the single largest asset recovery ever, and significant money forfeitures.
An appraisal of the commission’s operations in the last 12 months shows that since January 2024, the EFCC recorded unprecedented volumes of, and breakthroughs in cases involving Advance Fee Fraud, Money Laundering, and Cybercrime, among others, across all its Zonal Directorates in the country.
The EFCC monetary recoveries for the year include N364,597,370,151.35, US$214,513,439.55, UK£54,318.64, 31,265, Euros, CAD$2,990 and AUD $740.00.
Others are CFA7,821,375, UAE DIRHAM 170, RIYALS 5,115, W73,000, 105 Yen, GH¢225 and RANDS 50.
Recovered assets in 2024 include the forfeiture to the Federal Government of over 750 duplexes and other apartments in late 2024, which is the single largest recovery by the Commission since its inception.
The assets include 173 vehicles, cash sums of N9,477,977,318.78, $2,605,858.30 and UKP1,600.
Others include cryptocurrencies of 13.37BTC worth about $572,992.86; ETHEREUM worth $13,353.06, GREEN SATOSHI token worth $6, 1,002.547631, among others.
The rest are 378 electronics, one factory, one hotel, two gold chains, 14 parcels of land, petroleum products and 70 tons of unidentified solid minerals.
According to the commission, some of the monetary recoveries have been reinvested by the Federal Government in initiatives that provide significant benefits to the Nigerian people.
An example is the N50 billion granted to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) from the recoveries.
Apart from contributing to various developmental projects, enhancing public welfare and promoting sustainable growth across the country, the initiatives also contribute to improving the quality of life for Nigerians and support the country’s long-term development goals.
[TheNation]
Nigeria’s petrol imports surged in 2024, doubling despite an increase in domestic refining capacity, highlighting the country’s continued reliance on imported fuel, according to findings by The PUNCH.
The latest data from the foreign trade statistics report of the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the cost of petrol imports rose by 105.3 per cent to N15.42tn in 2024 from the N7.51tn recorded in 2023.
This sharp increase in fuel import expenditure came at a time when expectations were high for a decline in reliance on foreign supply following significant investments in local refining.
The commencement of operations at the 650,000-barrel-per-day capacity Dangote Petroleum Refinery last year and ongoing revival efforts at the other local refineries were expected to reduce import dependence.
However, existing data suggests that these refineries have yet to reach full production capacity to meet domestic demand.
Over the past five years, Nigeria’s petrol import bill has steadily risen. In 2020, the country spent N2.01tn on fuel imports, more than doubling to N4.56tn in 2021.
By 2022, the figure further increased to N7.71tn before slightly declining to N7.51tn in 2023. However, in 2024, fuel import expenditure surged to an all-time high of N15.42tn, marking the largest petrol import bill in Nigeria’s history.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that despite the commencement of petrol production by three major refineries in Nigeria, oil marketers had continued to import and distribute the product nationwide.
Marketers imported 2.3 billion litres of petrol between September 11 and December 5, 2024. The continued importation of petrol is contrary to a public announcement by some group of marketers who earlier stated their intention to halt petrol imports and focus on domestic supply.
The local refineries are the 650,000 barrel per day capacity Dangote Petroleum Refinery located in Lagos and the 210,000bpd capacity Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State. PHRC currently produces from its old plant with a capacity of 60,000bpd.
Also, the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company commenced operations in December 2024. PHRC and WRPC are both under the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
The PUNCH also reported that despite improved domestic refining capacity in Nigeria, major oil marketers have continued to import refined petroleum products, as they imported 6.38 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) in the past five months.
But independent marketers and retailers, through their various associations, kicked against the development, as the importation of these commodities gulped about N6tn, a development that further piled pressure on the country’s forex.
The Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, earlier said that importation promotes competition, helping drive down the price of PMS.
Commenting on fuel importation, he explained, “What importation does for us is that it contributes to the market’s competitiveness. The price movements you are enjoying and the market competition are the result of importation. Importation is useful.
“We want local refining. Let’s be clear. We want local refining. What ensures that we have the most competitive price is that locally refined fuel prices have to compete with imported prices. That is what keeps our prices at the pump as low as possible,” the MEMAN leader asserted.
The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, on Sunday, asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara to channel his invitation to the members properly and not through social media.
The reaction followed the invitation to the Assembly to a meeting with the governor at the Government House, on Monday (today).
Fubara, through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said the meeting, scheduled for 10 am, was expected to address key issues, including the provision of sitting space for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.
The 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the former governor, Nyesom Wike, may, however, reject the invitation except their condition is met by the governor.
One of the lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende who represents Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, blasted the governor for inviting the Assembly members via social media.
Opuende urged the governor to communicate with them appropriately, adding that it was surprising that Fubara would call them after he had told them at several fora to “dey their dey.”
He stated, “It is time for us to determine our dey. When the ‘dey your dey’ started, our principal said the time for our own ‘dey your dey’ will come. Now, our ‘dey your dey’ has come.
“Dey your dey make we dey our dey. How can you wire a letter and post it on social media and expect us to honour it? You know we are not kids. The governor should properly write to the Assembly. That’s all. Thank you.”
Similarly, some former local government chairmen who served during the tenure of Wike were also seen in a viral video, singing and mocking Fubara over the invitation extended to the Assembly members.
A former chairman of Ikwerre LG, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, with scores of other dancing and singing in a mocking manner, asked the governor not to disturb the Speaker, Amaewhule.
They sang repeatedly, “Dey your dey, make I dey my dey, dey your dey, nobody worry Amaewhule.”
Following the Supreme Court judgment affirming their legitimacy, the lawmakers, in their first sitting, urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget. They also demanded that he submit nominees for commissioner and other appointments, insisting that those currently serving in the cabinet lacked legal backing.
Additionally, they summoned the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to appear before them on Monday.
However, the requests were ignored, as Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, stated that the government was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment before taking action.
The CTC was eventually released on Thursday evening and widely published in national dailies on Friday.
In a bid to establish a relationship and woo the lawmakers, the SSG, Danagogo, wrote a letter addressed to the Speaker, Amaewhule, on Sunday, titled, “Meeting between the Governor of the Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Danagogo stated in the letter that the meeting became necessary following the governor’s receipt of the CTC of the Supreme Court judgment.
The letter said the discussion would centre on the provision of a space for the lawmakers to be sitting, presentation of the 2025 budget, among others.
The statement read, “I hereby write in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5 March 2025 to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court judgment, and has, therefore, directed me to invite you and your colleagues – the honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly, to a meeting to discuss:
“Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings, payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members;
“Presentation of budget and sundry matters. Any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the state.
“Sequel to the above, I hereby humbly invite the Rt. Hon. Speaker, and all the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting with the Governor as follows”
The invitation of the lawmakers by the governor came as the 72-hour ultimatum given to the RSIEC chairman to appear before the House expires today.
Amaewhule had, during plenary on Friday, said the Assembly had taken legislative notice of Fubara’s failure to forward names of his commissioner nominees to the House for screening.
Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Johnson, failed as his mobile line was not connecting as of the time of filing this report.
APC hails invitation
The development was hailed by the Chief Tony Okocha-led All Progressives Congress and the Emeka Beke-led faction, loyal to former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.
The Okocha faction, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described Fubara’s invitation to the lawmakers as a welcome development.
The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Chibuike Ikenga, disclosed this during a telephone chat with our correspondent on Sunday.
Ikenga expressed the hope that the move would lead to a resolution of the crisis between the two arms of government in the state.
He stated, “Our position as a party is to the effect that whatever will bring lasting peace to Rivers State is what we support.
“And the two sides, the executive and the legislature, should make all these overtures to engender confidence building which of course will lead to a final resolution of this crisis.
“The Supreme Court had already put a nail on it, but interpersonal relationships between the leaders of the two arms of government are encouraged. There are overtures expected from the two sides which have quarrelled for close to two years.
“That the Rivers State House of Assembly had written letters to the governor and the governor has also responded and the governor has written, inviting them as part of the follow-up of the earlier letter, we welcome all these processes and procedures that will lead to final resolution.”
Also, the Chief of Staff to the Beke-led APC, Chizi Entire, described the development as a win-win situation.
He commended the governor for keeping to his promise of implementing the Supreme Court judgment.
“The letter written by the governor to the Assembly shows that he is a man who believes in the rule of law and who can also maintain his stand and do what he says. This is the first move to ensure orderliness in the state. The governor sees that the people matter and not him.
“So making peace with the lawmakers is the best thing he can achieve for now. When it is achieved, I think the state will move forward.
“The Supreme Court has recognised the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly and the governor does not have any option but to obey the judgment of the Supreme Court.
“It is a win-win. Nobody is a loser and nobody is a winner,” he said.
Ex-LG chairs
Former chairmen of Ijaw-dominated local government areas in Rivers State have condemned threats by non-state actors over the political crisis in the state.
Some groups had threatened to disrupt oil production and cause a crisis in the state if Fubara was impeached.
The former campaign coordinators for Fubara in their various local government areas called on the police, the Department of State Security and other security agencies to enforce the judgment of the Supreme Court in the interest of the people.
The former members of the Association of Local Government Nigeria said Fubara failed to take the opportunity offered to him by the presidential intervention to end the crisis.
The Ijaw leaders, who said they remained the substantive chairmen of their local government areas, following their aborted tenure extension, said they heaved a sigh of relief that the Supreme Court had ended the crisis.
“Unfortunately, our attention was drawn to both subtle and frontal threats to the government, instigated by some individuals and organisations, who ostensibly are beneficiaries of the crises.
“It’s even worse that they use the Ijaw identity to fuel the embers of violence and intimidation against the Federal Government.
“In this category are organisations such as the Ijaw National Congress and some renegades of the Ijaw Youth Council.
“These organisations stated publicly that the Ijaws will resort to violence against critical national oil infrastructure if Governor Fubara is impeached.
“This implies that these pro-Ijaw ethnic organisations have not read the Supreme Court judgment they so condemn,” the LG chairmen said.
The statement was signed by Daniel O. Daniel, Abua/Odual; Dr Rowland C. Sekibo, Akuku Toru; Dr Erastus C. Awortu, Andoni; Onengiye George, Asari Toru; Michael John Williams, Degema; Chief Vincent Nemioboka, Ogu Bolo; Akuro Tobin, Okrika; Tamunotonye Douglas, Vice-Chairman, Port Harcourt City and Ubile Jack, Vice-Chairman, Ahoada West.
They said: “We condemn those empty threats and urge the Federal Government and Nigerians to disregard such comments which project the Ijaws in a bad light.
“Moreso, it is a fact that these threats attack the sensitivity of people from other ethnic groups in Rivers State who also voted for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“We have also seen videos and press statements of supposed stakeholders, including Prof Benjamin Okaba, Alhaji Mujaheed Asari Dokubo threatening the energy security of the Nigerian state if attempts at implementation of the judgment lead to the impeachment of the governor.”
The ex-LG chairmen queried: “Did the judgment call for Fubara’s impeachment? The simple answer is no. Where were these persons who claimed to be fighting the so-called Ijaw fight when the governor truncated the tenure and seized the allocation of the LGAs including those of us who are fellow Ijaws?
“Where were they when he stopped the salaries of the Assembly members and even made conscious attempts to use the courts to impeach them, including 10 Ijaw sons? They were all unconcerned because they were benefitting from the crisis and are not ready to stop benefitting from it.”
The ex-council bosses assured Nigerians that they would mobilise the support base to protect oil installations situated in their respective communities.
“We call on Governor Fubara to obey and ensure the full compliance with the decisions of the Supreme Court.
“As everybody is aware, impeachment is a profound constitutional prescription to penalise any erring governor or president in a presidential system of government.
“The Ijaws should at this point ensure that their beloved son does not carry out any act that will necessitate the deployment of this constitutionally approved procedure to check his excesses,” the statement read.
[Punch]