The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) says the administration of President Bola Tinubu is more focused on the 2027 elections rather than on securing the lives and properties of citizens.

The party accused Tinubu’s government of being “indifferent” to the killings of Nigerians and destruction of properties in some parts of the country. 

A statement released by Falalu Bello, PRP national chairman, said Nigerians deserve a government that works for them, not the one “preoccupied with 2027 political manipulations”. 

“It is profoundly disheartening that while our people are being slaughtered, villages razed, and livelihoods destroyed, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC administration remains indifferent or unable to provide the security assurances promised to the Nigerian people,” the statement reads.

“Instead of deploying effective measures to protect lives and properties, the government seems much more preoccupied with political distractions — organizing high-profile meetings, conferences, and endorsements for the 2027 elections — thus diverting attention from the urgent security needs of the nation.

“The failure of the APC government to address these crises decisively shows a lack of political will, strategic planning, and commitment to the safety of Nigerian citizens. 

“PRP calls on the Federal Government to prioritize the security of the Nigerian people over political expediency. It is unacceptable that citizens are left defenceless while the government wastes critical time on political theatre.

“The lives of our compatriots—farmers, traders, women, and children—must be protected. We demand urgent, effective security measures, genuine commitment, and accountability from those entrusted with safeguarding Nigeria. 

“The people deserve a government that works for their safety, not one preoccupied with 2027 political manipulations. Nigeria’s security challenges require immediate and sustained action—not empty promises or political posturing.”

On June 14, over 100 people were killed in attacks by suspected herdsmen in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma LGA of Benue state.

The death toll from the massacre had reportedly risen to 200 by Sunday, sparking nationwide outrage.

Patrick Lumumba, a professor of public law and pan African activist, has advised the federal government to save N2 from every N100 earned from oil for future generations.

Lumumba spoke on Monday at the 4th African Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF) held in Abuja. 

He emphasised that African leaders’ intergenerational duty is to economically liberate the continent. 

The event, hosted by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), was themed ‘Leveraging African Sovereign Wealth Funds to Mobilise Global Capital for Transformative Development in Africa’.

Lumumba said African leaders have a duty to care for future generations and must reflect on their legacy, noting that despite Africa’s rich natural resources, the continent remains poor.

“What are you doing with the income you are realising now so that your children and children’s children will have something to inherit,” he said. 

“Ensure that out of every N100 that you sell oil for, we will keep two Naira for future generations. Let us make sure that our sovereign funds are invested in the continent of Africa.

“Let us unite and think of this generation and generations yet to be born through the creation of sustainable sovereign funds that will be Africa-wide. Let us make Africa great again because we were once great.” 

Lumumba further said time-bound approaches to decisions and policies are necessary for Africa to progress.

Sumaila Zubairu, chief executive officer (CEO) of the African Finance Corporation (AFC), said Africa’s capital should remain within the internal reserves of African countries and be directed into more productive sectors of the economy.

In his remarks, Obaid Amrane, chairman of ASIF, called for joint investment in logistical, digital, and social infrastructure to shorten supply chains, deepen intra-African trade, and build a resilient continent less exposed to global uncertainty.

Amrane said infrastructure is a major challenge in Africa, and solving it could boost productivity, enhance value chains in agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, and digital services, and promote inclusive prosperity.

“This is precisely why we will promote and foster transformative investment, as well as those that create decent jobs today while preserving our resources for future generations,” Amrane said.

“Africa’s sovereign capital is not only ready to fund its future, it is ready to shape it for the benefit of current and future generations.”

Segun Ogunsanya, chairman of the NSIA board of trustees, said Africa should prioritise local capital formation and invest in large-scale infrastructure projects in key sectors, while avoiding trendy investments that do not suit the continent.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE HOSTS ASIF 2025

Mohammed Manga, director of information and public relations at the ministry of finance, said Nigeria is hosting the 2025 edition of the African Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF) from June 15 to 17 through the ministry.

According to the director, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, declared the event open.

He said the gathering brings together sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, and policymakers from 17 African nations, with support from strategic partners such as China Investment Corporation and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Manga said the summit also marked the launch of the ASIF Investment Platform, a flagship vehicle designed to unlock high-impact, cross-border investments in infrastructure, renewables, manufacturing, and healthcare.

The director added that for Nigeria’s private sector, ASIF 2025 signals a new era, de-risking mega-projects, anchoring blended finance, and creating fertile ground for investor-led growth across Africa.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) says premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, should be between N700 and N750 per litre at retail stations.

Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Festus Osifo, president of PENGASSAN, said petroleum marketers are exploiting Nigerians through inflated petrol prices.

“If you go online and check the PLAT cost per cubic metre of PMS, convert that to litres and then to our naira, you will see that with crude at around $60 per barrel, petrol should be retailing between N700 and N750 per litre,” he said. 

Osifo also urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to enforce a transparent pump pricing template to prevent exploitation.

He said the call became necessary, seeing that petroleum marketers have continued to exploit Nigerians through inflated fuel prices, even with the decrease in the price of crude oil.

According to the association’s president, despite crude oil selling for $60 per barrel, petrol pump prices remained as high as between N850 and N900 per litre, leaving consumers at a loss.

“The unjustifiable pricing is due to NMDPRA not being able to carry out its oversight duties effectively,” he said.

“It is the function of the regulator to ensure that Nigerians are not exploited.

“So we call on NMDPRA to have a platform where they can publish what the price ranges should be.

“So, we call on them to be allowed to carry out that responsibility. We call on them to do everything possible to ensure that Nigerians are not exploited.

“If this trend continues, it means that if the crude price comes down to $50 per barrel, we will not see appreciable gains.”

‘RECURRING SHUTDOWNS OF NIGERIA’S REFINERIES DUE TO POLITICAL MOTIVES’

Osifo further criticised the recurring shutdowns of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, saying the shutdowns are driven more by political motives than operational challenges.

He said the inefficiencies plaguing Nigeria’s refineries, especially the Port Harcourt refinery, may not be due to technical shortcomings but stem largely from political interference.

Osifo noted that despite billions of naira totalling $2.5 billion sunk into rehabilitation efforts over the years, the nation’s refineries have remained largely unproductive, with shutdowns frequently occurring under questionable circumstances.

He also reiterated the call on the federal government to adopt PENGASSAN’s recommendations made 15 years ago.

According to Osifo, the recommendations of the NLNG model, where the government holds 49 percent and private investors hold 51 percent should be adopted.

“We all understand the politics that comes in when it comes to national assets management,” he said.

“That is why in the past 15 years or more, we have called on the government consistently to apply the NLNG model in the management of the refineries because the model works.”

On the upstream sector, Osifo welcomed the recent executive order aimed at reducing operational costs.

He highlighted the burden placed on companies by the need to independently secure oil installations due to insecurity.

Osifo added that the union had reached a resolution with Sterling Oil Company following disputes over expatriate staff hiring practices.

The National Vice Chairman (North East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Salihu, has explained why Vice President Kashim Shettima was not included in the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Salihu said including Shettima in the endorsement would have meant that Tinubu had already chosen his running mate for the 2027 election.

“It would have been inappropriate to endorse the Vice President along with the President because it would pre-assume that he is the running mate,” Salihu said.

The omission of Shettima happened during a North-East APC stakeholders meeting held in Gombe on Sunday, where the region endorsed President Tinubu for re-election but left out the Vice President.

The omission of Vice President Kashim Shettima also comes amid growing speculation about his political future

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that politically exposed persons (PEPs) in Nigeria are using internet fraudsters, popularly known as ‘yahoo-yahoo boys’, to launder billions of naira in stolen public funds into offshore accounts.

This shocking disclosure was made during a media briefing at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday by the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

Olukoyede, who has spearheaded the agency’s anti-corruption efforts since assuming office, emphasised that the involvement of politicians in these illicit activities highlights systemic corruption within Nigeria’s political and governance systems.

He disclosed that investigations have uncovered how PEPs collaborate with these fraudsters to open cryptocurrency wallets and transfer stolen funds abroad to purchase luxury items such as cars and houses.

Olukoyede stated, “When they (politically exposed persons) steal money in billions, they give it to these boys; they open crypto wallets, and from there, the money goes abroad.

“Most of these politically exposed persons identify these boys, lodge them in hotels, and the boys open accounts for them to take the money abroad.”

The EFCC chairman also expressed concern over the growing criminal activities of these fraudsters, which now extend beyond cybercrime to include banditry, kidnapping, and ritual killings. He noted that when their scams fail, they resort to violent crimes, further endangering the safety and security of Nigerians.

“The most dangerous aspect of it is not just about yahoo-yahoo; some of these guys are into banditry and kidnapping. When they don’t see people to scam on time, they resort to these vices,” Olukoyede explained.

In addition to their criminal exploits, Olukoyede lamented that the activities of these fraudsters have brought national shame to Nigeria, tarnishing the country’s reputation on the global stage.

He revealed that Nigerians travelling abroad are often subjected to heightened scrutiny by immigration officers due to the notoriety of these cybercriminals.

He said, “If you travel abroad with your green passport and stand in the queue among so many people, you will discover that by the time you present the passport, the people (immigration officers) will look at you with some reservation.

“That is, if they don’t take you aside to carry out some special scrutiny. That is a national shame that some young Nigerians (yahoo-yahoo boys) have caused for us.”

Olukoyede also highlighted the alarming involvement of young Nigerians in these crimes, attributing it to a lack of belief in hard work and the allure of quick wealth. He disclosed that the EFCC recently arrested a 22-year-old who had laundered over ₦5 billion for politically exposed persons within 18 months, despite having no prior legitimate employment.

“We arrested a 22-year-old; he had a turnover of over ₦5 billion within 18 months. We discovered that he laundered money for politically exposed people. A boy who has never worked in his life,” Olukoyede revealed.

The EFCC chairman called on Nigerians to view these fraudsters beyond just cybercriminals, warning that their activities pose a significant threat to the nation’s future. He stressed the need for collective action to address the root causes of these crimes, including unemployment and the erosion of moral values among the youth.

“Are those the people we want to hand Nigeria over to? “Is that the nation we want to build?” he asked.

Olukoyede also commended the EFCC’s recent successes, including the recovery of over ₦365.4 billion and the securing of 4,111 convictions in 2024. He attributed these achievements to the dedication and professionalism of the agency’s staff and pledged to surpass these records in the coming year.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the killing of over 200 Nigerians, including women and children, in coordinated attacks across Benue State, blaming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

Speaking on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, described the attacks as ‘another horrifying chapter in Nigeria’s history under an unresponsive APC administration

Ologunagba’s criticism comes amid mounting public outrage and grief over the spate of killings, particularly in central and northern regions of the country.

“It is clear that the assailants marauding communities in various States of our country are being emboldened by President Tinubu’s lethargic approach to security. The APC has failed to decisively confront the situation, given its reported connections with terrorist interests,” he stated.

Ologunagba said the party was alarmed by reports that terrorists and bandits carried out coordinated attacks on several communities in Benue, killing hundreds of defenceless citizens without any meaningful resistance.

He accused President Tinubu of failing to demonstrate the leadership expected of a Commander-in-Chief, arguing that the President has remained distant and reactive in the face of national tragedies.

“Instead of decisive action, President Tinubu has remained largely aloof and resorted to passing the buck, with his aides issuing lame press statements without urgent presidential action to guarantee the security of citizens,” he said.

The PDP further accused the Tinubu administration of prioritising political activities and its 2027 re-election agenda over the protection of lives and property.

“President Tinubu should be held responsible for the killings in Nigeria, having not demonstrated the will and commitment expected of a Commander-in-Chief in the fight against terrorism in our country,” the party stated.

Despite its strong criticism of the government, the PDP commended the country’s security forces for their sacrifices and gallantry under what it described as ‘an underperforming Commander-in-Chief.’

“We commend the courage of our gallant security personnel who continue to risk their lives to defend our country, even without adequate support,” Ologunagba said.

The main opposition party extended condolences to the families of those killed and urged security agencies not to relent in their duties despite current challenges.

“Our Party deeply commiserates with the families of the victims of the senseless killings in Benue State and other parts of our country,” the PDP added.

THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, on Monday, raised the alarm that worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s oil-producing areas, especially in the waterways, is forcing multinational oil companies to divest from the country, despite newly introduced cost-saving incentives by the Federal Government.

PENGASSAN has also called for the introduction of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, models in the management of refineries in the country by bringing in certified investors.

This is as it has said that some refineries are shut down based on politics and not operational problems.

Briefing journalists in Abuja, the President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Festus Osifo, said that while the recently signed Upstream Petroleum Operations Cost Efficiency Incentives Order (2025) by President Bola Tinubu was commendable, it failed to address the root causes of the high cost of production, which he said is most notably, insecurity.

He said: “The reason, the chief reason, the majority of the oil and gas operators, the international oil and gas companies started leaving Nigeria is principally because of insecurity.

“The cost of securing facilities, the cost of securing infrastructure in the Nigerian oil and gas industry became prohibitive. That is why they found places like Mozambique, Guyana, Angola, and Congo much more attractive.”

The Executive Order, signed in May, introduces performance-based tax credits up to 20%, for upstream companies that meet defined industry benchmarks for cost efficiency.

While PENGASSAN acknowledged the effort, Comrade Osifo insisted that without government-backed security, the real issue would remain unresolved. 

“For one offshore installation, you have a minimum of three or four security vessels, manned by naval personnel, paid for by the companies daily. That’s not the case in countries like Ghana, where the government provides this protection.”

He urged the government to take full responsibility for safeguarding oil installations, emphasising that oil companies should not bear such heavy security costs, which he described as “running into hundreds of millions of dollars per annum.”

The PENGASSAN president also raised concerns over fuel pricing transparency.

He said despite significant reductions in global crude oil prices from $80 to around $60 per barrel, Nigerians did not enjoy a proportionate drop in petrol pump prices.

According to him: “When crude was at $60 per barrel, we should have been buying petrol at N700 to N750 per litre, not N900. Nigerians were exploited during that period.”

He called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to “do everything possible to ensure Nigerians are not exploited.”

PENGASSAN further recommended that the Federal government adopt the NLNG partnership model for the country’s ailing refineries, particularly the Port Harcourt refinery, which was recently shut for maintenance.

Osifo said the model would see the government hold minority stakes while allowing experienced private investors — particularly international oil firms — to take majority control.

“This model has worked for NLNG. So, why can’t we replicate the same structure in the management of our refineries to eliminate political interference and promote efficiency?” Osifo queried.

He also touched on recent developments in local content enforcement, revealing that PENGASSAN had signed an agreement with Sterling Oil Company aimed at limiting expatriate dominance and ensuring Nigerian workers are trained to take over jobs.

On the occasion of Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Osifo reminded the federal government that the true spirit of June 12 lies in delivering good governance and improving citizens’ welfare.

“Democracy should bring food to the table, quality healthcare, access to education and jobs for Nigerians. After 26 years of uninterrupted democracy, we should not still be grappling with necessities,” he stated

Awka- A 10-year-old has mistakenly killed his father, Inspector Okolie Amechi, with a gun assigned to the Police officer.

The state Police command, which said it was due to an accidental discharge, expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the son was unaware of the state of the AK 47 rifle assigned to the Inspector, adding that he pulled the trigger and struck the Inspector on the back, while the bullet hit his second child on the hand.

“Regrettably, Inspector Amechi was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty at the hospital, while the second victim was said to be responding to treatment”, Ikenga said.

He added that the AK-47 rifle has been recovered, while the remains of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue.

The command, while wishing the second victim a quick recovery, consoles the family and friends of the late Inspector

Nigeria’s inflation rate dropped to 22.97 per cent in May 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics has said.

The figure represents a decline of 0.74 percentage points when compared to the 23.71 per cent recorded in April 2025.

On a year-on-year basis, headline inflation fell by 10.98 percentage points from 33.95 per cent recorded in May 2024.

This was disclosed in the Consumer Price Index report for May 2025, released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday.

The report read, “In May 2025, the Headline inflation rate eased to 22.97 per cent relative to the April 2025 headline inflation rate of 23.71 per cent.

“Looking at the movement, the May 2025 Headline inflation rate decreased 0.74 per cent compared to the April 2025 Headline inflation rate.”

It shows that the decline in the inflation rate was largely driven by a slowdown in the rate of increase in the average prices of goods and services.

According to the report, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate stood at 1.53 per cent in May 2025, lower than the 1.86 per cent recorded in April.

This indicates that while prices continued to rise, they did so at a slower pace compared to the previous month.

Food inflation remained a major driver of overall inflation. The food inflation rate stood at 21.14 per cent year-on-year in May, a sharp drop from 40.66 per cent recorded in the same month last year.

The NBS attributed the sharp annual drop to the change in the base year, following the CPI rebasing.

On a month-on-month basis, however, food inflation rose to 2.19 per cent in May from 2.06 per cent in April, driven by increases in the prices of yam, cassava, maize flour, sweet potatoes, fresh pepper, and ogbono.

Urban inflation stood at 23.14 per cent year-on-year, lower than 36.34 per cent in May 2024.

Monthly urban inflation was 1.40 per cent in May, slightly higher than the 1.18 per cent recorded in April.

Rural inflation also dropped to 22.70 per cent year-on-year from 31.82 per cent in the corresponding period of 2024.

On a monthly basis, rural inflation slowed to 1.83 per cent from 3.56 per cent in April.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile agricultural produce and energy, dropped to 22.28 per cent in May from 27.04 per cent recorded in May 2024.

Month-on-month core inflation also declined to 1.10 per cent from 1.34 per cent in April.

An analysis of the divisional contributions to the headline inflation showed that food and non-alcoholic beverages remained the highest contributor, accounting for 9.20 percentage points.

Other major contributors include restaurants and accommodation services (2.97 per cent), transport (2.45 per cent), housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (1.93 per cent), and education (1.42 per cent).

The report also showed that on a month-on-month basis, Bayelsa recorded the highest rise in headline inflation at 9.11 per cent, followed by Bauchi at 4.85 per cent and Borno at 4.42 per cent.

On the other hand, Kaduna, Jigawa and Edo recorded the steepest monthly declines, with -6.75 per cent, -4.40 per cent and -2.94 per cent respectively.

For food inflation, Borno State recorded the highest year-on-year rate at 64.36 per cent, followed by Bayelsa at 39.85 per cent and Taraba at 38.58 per cent.

The slowest increases were recorded in Katsina (6.90 per cent), Rivers (9.18 per cent), and Kwara (11.31 per cent).

On a monthly basis, Bayelsa (12.68 per cent), Cross River (11.15 per cent) and Anambra (9.10 per cent) posted the highest food inflation rates, while Katsina (-5.42 per cent), Jigawa (-4.02 per cent) and Kaduna (-3.27 per cent) recorded declines.

Despite the statistical relief provided by the CPI rebasing, the persistent monthly increase in food and essential commodity prices continues to impact the cost of living across the country.

Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal are not backing down in their efforts to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, with a fresh proposal reportedly in the works.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in a post on Monday, Osimhen recently rejected a move to Al Hilal just 10 days ago. However, the club remains determined to land the Napoli forward and is preparing a new offer to tempt him.

Romano wrote, “Al Hilal are not giving up on Victor Osimhen as they want to submit [a] new proposal to the player. Osimhen rejected 10 days ago but Al Hilal insist.”

The race for Osimhen’s signature remains open, with several top European sides monitoring the situation. Galatasaray and unnamed Premier League clubs are reportedly still in contention, while Serie A side Juventus have also reignited contact in recent days.

Osimhen, one of the most sought-after forwards in world football, continues to draw interest following his standout performances for Galatasaray last season.