According to the ruling party, Atiku, at the national conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria held in Abuja on Monday, warned that judicial involvement in electoral matters somewhat imperils the nation‘s democracy.

APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, flayed the former president for alleging that President Bola Tinubu was paying confident opposition leaders a whooping N50 million each to discombobulate opposition parties in the country.

“In the Atiku era as Vice President, particularly in 2003 and 2007, the PDP conducted the worst elections in our political history. We cannot possibly forget how Atiku’s PDP heavy-handedly captured most South-West states and vowed to remain in power for 60 years.

“It was in those same years that Atiku’s former boss and then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, infamously described the election as a „do or die affair“ in a desperate attempt to annex Lagos.

“If democracy was neither derailed nor endangered in those perilous days, is it now that elections are freer, fairer and more credible that Nigeria risks losing democracy?

“The judicial branch of government is a constitutional creation like the executive and legislative branches with its constitutionally defined powers to adjudicate disputes among citizens and between citizens and the state.

„Atiku cannot wish away or seek to abolish enshrined power of the courts to intervene in civil disputes, including electoral disputes, in cases where a litigant validly invokes the authority of the court.

“It is ironic that Atiku, Nigeria’s most prolific electoral litigator, would make such a ludicrous claim that judicial involvement in electoral matters threatens democracy.  His criticism of the courts and the electoral process rings hollow, given his long history of using the courts to further his political agenda. It is time for him to step back and let the democratic process unfold without his interference.

“Atiku‘s allegation that the APC-led administration was paying out 50 Million Naira to some opposition figures is simply bogus and laughable.  Atiku knows his political desperation is responsible for the PDP’s catastrophic disintegration. Peddling rumours and unsubstantiated allegations should be beneath anyone in the standing of an elder statesman, a former Vice President and a serial contestant for the exalted office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The bizarre suggestion by opposition figures like Atiku, Peter Obi, and recently, aggrieved leaders like Mallam Nasir El-Rufai that our great Party may be complicit in the internal corrosion of opposition parties is pitiful and only an incompetent alibi for their crass failure to manage their affairs.

They cannot govern their parties but tout their ability to rule Africa’s most populous country.

“As discerning citizens, Nigerians know better than to be distracted by the false alarm and hollow allegations of desperate politicians whose only goal is to shore up their political relevance in the 2027 general elections,“ he added.

Barely two weeks after the Tanker Explosion Killed 100 people at Dikko Junction, Niger state, another Tanker accident occurred in the Agaie local government area of the state.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the lone tanker was entirely gutted by fire, but two injuries were recorded, and no life was lost due to the accident.

It was learnt that the accident occurred between Lapai and Agaie Road immediately after the bridge separating the two towns.

An eyewitness account revealed that the driver and the conductor sustained minor injuries as the Road users and Residents of the villages along the scene of the accident stayed off the area for their safety.

Confirming this, the State command‘s Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Wasiu Abiodun said, “There was a lone fuel tanker accident with fire explosion along Agaie/Lapai road. The fuel tanker, with Reg.

No. DKA 03 A was driven by one Shamsudeen Dayabu of Matazun LGA of Katsina State on transit from Lagos to Kaduna and loaded with about forty thousand litres of PMS.“

“On reaching the Kusogbogi area of Agaie, the tanker lost control due to a busted front tyre and fell by the road into the drainage. As a result, the tanker caught fire, which affected the driver on the leg, and the motor boy was also affected.“

He said they were taken to a nearby hospital, saying, „No life was lost during the incident as the road was temporarily closed, but normalcy was later restored for road users.“

No fewer than 3,690 Nigerians are currently at risk of deportation from the United States of America.

This is part of the implementation of a broader strategy to enforce immigration laws under the Trump administration.

A document compiled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), has the breakdown of the number of non-citizens facing deportation by country of origin.

The data, as of November 24, 2024, shows that there are 1,445,549 non-citizens on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders.

In the document titled Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship, Mexico and El Salvador are the top two countries, with 252,044 and 203,822 individuals, respectively, facing deportation. Nigeria, with 3,690 individuals, is among the countries with significant numbers of people at risk.

ICE is tasked with protecting U.S. national security by addressing cross-border crime and illegal immigration.

Reports indicate that Nigerians, along with other African immigrants, could be among the next groups targeted for deportation as Trump’s administration intensifies its efforts to clear the country of undocumented immigrants. The threat of deportation has created widespread fear among Nigerian nationals illegally residing in the U.S.

In a recent disclosure that has sent shockwaves across the Christian community, the General Overseer of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeome, spoke glowingly about Pastor Korede Komaiya, the General Overseer of The Master’s Place, describing him as “one of the most blessed pastors to have served and come out of Winners.”

Pastor Ibiyeome highlighted Pastor Komaiya’s exceptional results and divine favour.

He went further to call Pastor Komaiya a “master of time,” attributing his rapid rise and impactful ministry to his unique ability to align with God’s timing and purpose. He emphasised that no one who has left Winners Chapel, the ministry founded by Bishop David Oyedepo, has achieved the level of success and influence that Pastor Komaiya has attained.

This statement has sparked conversations about the significance of divine timing, faithfulness in service, and the power of God’s blessings in ministry. Pastor Komaiya, known for his dynamic teachings and transformative leadership, continues to inspire many with his journey from serving in Winners Chapel to leading a globally impactful ministry.

As the Christian community reflects on the insights, one thing is clear: Pastor Korede Komaiya’s story is a testament to the power of divine alignment, hard work, and unwavering faith. His journey serves as a reminder that when God’s timing meets human dedication, extraordinary results follow.

The Pa Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere, a prominent Yoruba sociopolitical group, has appointed lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi as its National Organising Secretary.

Naija News reports that the decision was made at a general meeting held at Adebanjo’s residence in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, on Tuesday.

This development was disclosed in a communiqué jointly signed by the Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye.

The statement read: “The General Meeting considered and approved the appointment of Barrister Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of the Afenifere.”

Farotimi’s new role comes shortly after Aare Afe Babalola, a renowned legal icon, agreed to withdraw a defamation lawsuit against him.

The suit stemmed from alleged defamatory remarks in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

Farotimi had been arraigned in an Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti and granted bail in the sum of ₦30 million.

His legal troubles drew public attention, particularly as they coincided with high-profile interventions by figures like the Ooni of Ife, which ultimately led to Babalola’s decision to withdraw the case.

The presidency has highlighted some major points articulated by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday during his speech at the Energy Summit in Tanzania.

The highlights of the President’s speech were shared on the X platform by his Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun.

Among other things, he noted that the Nigerian government fully supports the move to transform the energy capacity of Africa by bringing access to electricity to 300 million people by 2030.

The presidential media aide disclosed that Tinubu, in his speech, said Nigeria is heavily invested in renewable energy development as the federal government is in the final stages of developing an EV charging infrastructure across the country, with 100 electric buses already procured in the first phase.

Olusegun said the current administration attracted new investments totalling ₦6 billion in 2024 alone for energy-related projects.

He wrote: “Nigeria fully supports the objectives of the World Bank, African Development Bank, @RockefellerFdn, and @EnergyAlliance to transform the energy capacity of Africa by bringing access to electricity to 300 million people by 2030.

“⁠The African Development Bank has a $1.1 billion investment in Nigeria’s electricity sector which is expected to provide electricity for 5 million people by the end of 2026; while another $200 million Nigeria Electrification Project will provide electricity for 500,000 people by the end of 2025.

“Nigeria is heavily invested in renewable energy development as the federal government is in the final stages of developing an EV charging infrastructure across the country with 100 electric buses already procured in the first phase.

“⁠New investments totaling N6 billion were attracted in 2024 alone as the administration continues to provide incentives to those interested in investing in renewable energy, and oil and gas energy efficiency in the country.

“⁠Nigeria is looking forward to actualizing the Desert to Power program for which the African Development Bank has promised a $700m facility.

“⁠Other renewable energy projects in Nigeria include the Nigeria-Grid Battery Energy Storage System which is expected to provide electricity for an additional 2 million people and the distributed energy access via mini-grids and standalone solar systems that are expected to provide access to power to 16.2 million people; a project to be supported by the World Bank.”

Mrs Blessing, daughter of the Akwa Ibom State deputy governor, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, has died.

LEADERSHIP gathered the deceased, who recently got married about seven months ago, died from complications arising from childbirth in a Port Harcourt, Rivers State hospital.

Condolences from government officials, politicians and friends have been pouring in for the bereaved family in their moment of grief.

Nigerians are mounting a resolute challenge to the contentious 50 per cent increase in call and data tariffs, with telecom subscribers and advocacy groups escalating the matter to the courts following unsuccessful attempts to engage the Nigerian Communications Commission.

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers declared its intention to initiate legal proceedings against the telecom regulator on Wednesday, citing the NCC’s failure to address its demand for a reduction of the tariff hike to a more acceptable 10 per cent.

Announced last week Monday, the tariff hike—marking the first adjustment in over a decade—has ignited widespread concerns from critics like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

These groups, including NATCOMS, contend that the increase exacerbates already challenging economic conditions, disproportionately affecting low-income households and small businesses struggling to navigate rising inflation and a volatile economic climate.

Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, defended the tariff hike, describing it as a critical measure to ensure the survival and growth of the telecommunications sector while protecting consumer interests.

CEO Balsingh noted that the development underscores the regulator’s commitment to fostering sustainability and enhancing investment in the telecommunications industry for superior service delivery.

“The tariff adjustment reflects a balanced approach to ensuring the sustainability of the telecom sector while safeguarding the interests of consumers.

“The price increase, which was highly needed for the survival and continued growth of the industry, will enable us to continue investing in network infrastructure, expanding coverage, and delivering improved products and services that meet the evolving needs of our customers,” he said in a statement.

The operator said it remains committed to its mission of bridging the digital divide by offering reliable and affordable telecommunications services.

With Nigeria’s vibrant economy and dynamic population, the company believes the decision by NCC creates an environment conducive to innovation and growth, benefiting consumers and the industry alike.

“We are confident that this development will pave the way for even greater advancements in telecommunications services across the country,” added Balsingh. “Our focus remains on providing exceptional customer satisfaction while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the industry.”

The subscriber group, which represents 157 million Nigerians who rely on affordable telecom services, on Friday initiated talks via correspondence, requesting the NCC reconsider its stands within three working days. The regulator failed to do so.

NATCOMS President, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, who spoke to The PUNCH on Tuesday, revealed the NCC’s inaction to respond to its request, which has left consumers increasingly disillusioned by the rising cost of telecom services.

Ogunbanjo stated, “We gave them until the end of the day (Tuesday) to respond. Since we have not received any response, we are moving forward with the court process starting tomorrow (Wednesday).

The Director of Publicity at the NCC, Reuben Mouka, had not responded to questions put forward by our correspondent via text messages as of the time of filing this report.

Ogunbanjo said the letter sent to NCC highlighted the burden that the 50 per cent hike places on subscribers, especially those in lower-income brackets who rely on affordable communication services for their daily activities.

The NATCOMS President said, “Our National Secretary informed us that the NCC has until 11:59 pm today (Tuesday) to respond. They can still reply through their website, which is available 24/7, but with no word from them, we are left with no choice but to proceed with legal action.”

The association’s decision to move forward with court action is now imminent, with the plea letter scheduled to be released to the press tomorrow.

Adding to the mounting legal pressure on the NCC, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project also filed a lawsuit last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the government of President Bola Tinubu. The rights group described the tariff hike as “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable.”

In the suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025, SERAP is asking the court to determine whether the NCC’s decision to authorise the tariff hike violates Nigerians’ freedom of expression and access to information.

“The unilateral decision by the NCC to authorise telcos to hike telecom tariffs by 50 per cent is arbitrary and inconsistent with constitutional guarantees,” SERAP said in its filing.

SERAP is also seeking “an order of interim injunction restraining the NCC, its officers, agents, privies, assigns, or any other person or persons acting on its instructions from further implementing, enforcing and doing any act to give effect to the decision of the NCC authorizing telecom tariff hike by 50 percent.

While telecom operators justify the hike, which is supposed to take effect in February as a necessary step to sustain their businesses, many are also planning to expand their infrastructure to improve services.

Several major players have outlined plans to invest in network upgrades, better coverage, and more reliable connections, all aimed at making the higher tariffs more justifiable in the eyes of consumers.

These moves are part of broader efforts to adapt to the increasing demand for digital services as Nigeria’s telecom sector continues to grow.

However, analysts caution that the tariff hike alone may not solve the sector’s underlying issues. Despite the price increase, telecom companies continue to struggle with volatile exchange rates, which add pressure to their already strained financial models.

The fluctuating value of the naira against the dollar makes it difficult for telecom operators to plan long-term investments and cover operational costs, even with a tariff hike.

Stakeholders support hike

However, several Federal Government agencies and industry stakeholders, including Finance Minister Wale Edun and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have voiced their support for the tariff adjustment.

They argue that the hike is a necessary step toward addressing the operational challenges faced by telecom operators and have called for corresponding improvements in service quality to justify the increase.

On Monday, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued a statement calling on telecom operators in the country to improve their service delivery and support the government in automating its services.

The Director-General of LCCI, Chinyere Almona, urged the regulators on operational cost efficiency for businesses to help drive down their production costs.

“Looking beyond the hike, the operators and regulators need to settle down into delivering quality services to drive operational cost efficiency for businesses and support the automation of government services.”

Defending the adjustment, Finance Minister Wale Edun emphasised the need to account for rising inflation and operational costs that have accumulated over the past 12 years.

He said this during an interview on Arise News at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week.

“There is a need to reflect the fact that over 12 years, there has been a rise in costs, there has been inflation, and that needs to be reflected,” Edun stated. He described the hike as a balancing act, aimed at enabling telecom operators to maintain sustainability while safeguarding consumer interests.

Edun further highlighted the government’s primary objective of ensuring that telecom operators deliver efficient services. “We don’t want dropped calls. We want good quality services from them. And at the same time, we want them growing, employing people, and adding to the country’s GDP,” he said.

Last week, Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayor, told The PUNCH that many systems within the telecom sector are outdated and equipment requires optimisation.

“We are actively working on improving the cost-mile experience significantly,” he said. Our goal is long-term sustainability—no telecom operator wants to provide poor service quality. Every minute of uptime contributes to revenue, and it’s crucial that we show tangible improvements in user experience and deliver something better to subscribers.”

MTN, the biggest operator, noted that the development is a significant milestone in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the telecom sector while empowering millions of people and businesses and contributing to the country’s overall economic development.

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, stated, “This tariff adjustment represents an important step towards addressing the impacts of the prevailing economic challenges on our business and industry.

“It will enable us to maintain the critical investments required to deliver reliable, high-quality services to Nigerians. We remain committed to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and driving inclusive growth for all stakeholders.”

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has initiated legal action against activist Omoyele Sowore over comments he made on social media, referring to Egbetokun as an “illegal IG.”

Sowore is facing three charges related to Cybercrime under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

According to the charges, filed in a suit marked FCH/ABJ/23/25, Egbetokun accused Sowore of intentionally and knowingly sending messages through his verified Twitter account, where he referred to the IG as “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.”

 The police allege that these publications were false and aimed at causing a breakdown of law and order.

Count one of the charge sheet reads, “That you, Omoyele Sowore, on December 13, 2024, did intentionally send messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ calling the Inspector General of Police ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun,’ knowing it to be false and intending to cause a breakdown of law and order.”

In count two, Sowore is accused of making threats intended to incite Nigerians against the Nigeria Police Force and damage the reputation or property of the IG or the force.

Count three involves a statement Sowore allegedly made on December 20, 2024, which said: “The illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force, Kayode Egbetokun, will make the next #ENDSARS inevitable! He is working tirelessly towards it. Just a matter of time. #EgbetekunMustGo #Revolution.”

The police alleged that Sowore’s messages were aimed at causing unrest and undermining the authority of the police.

Sowore is set to appear before Justice Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja today (Wednesday).

His legal team, led by Marshall Abubakar, confirmed that the charges will be heard in court.

Deji Adeyanju, a political activist, stated that the charges represent an abuse of the legal process, promising a strong response in court.

Sowore was arrested on Monday after refusing to accept bail conditions set by the police following allegations of obstructing public officers and cyberstalking.

The charges have been brought in the context of ongoing tension between Sowore and the Nigerian authorities, particularly after a viral video he posted in December that alleged police extortion at a checkpoint in Lagos.

Sowore’s refusal to meet bail conditions, which included providing a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor and surrendering his passport, led to his detention at the IRT detention facility in Abuja.

The ruling All Progressives Congress has knocked former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for accusing the APC of poor leadership and encouraging opposition parties to set aside their differences and form a united front ahead of the 2027 election.

This was as the Presidency accused the APC chieftain of treachery over how he had been dragging the Federal Government and the ruling party recently.

El-Rufai had described the state of governance and opposition in the country as a “national emergency” at a national conference in Abuja on strengthening democracy in Nigeria on Monday.

The former governor also lamented the lack of internal democracy and active party structures within the APC, saying, “I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show.”

El-Rufai urged political parties to set higher standards for candidates and delegates, noting that the constitution’s minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate should not suffice for party nominations.

Reflecting on the APC’s foundation, El-Rufai said the ruling party was originally established to combat corruption, rebuild the economy, and enhance security.

He, however, said the goals had been abandoned.

The APC chieftain, therefore, urged opposition parties to unite and form a broad coalition to challenge the ruling party and protect democracy.

He alleged that the crises within the opposition parties were being orchestrated by sponsored mercenaries.

“There are internal mercenaries in the PDP, hired and motivated to destroy the party. The Labour Party is also facing similar issues. Peter Obi himself told me, ‘I don’t know what’s happening in the party I contested with.’

“There seems to be a deliberate project to destroy opposition parties. This is dangerous. For those of us who lived half our lives under military rule, we know what it is. We don’t want military rule, but we also don’t want civilians behaving like the military in their babbarriga and suits.

“This is a national emergency, and we must act before history repeats itself,” El-Rufai appealed.

The Presidency has since reacted to his scathing criticism.

Reacting via a post on his official X account, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, expressed disappointment, saying El-Rufai’s remarks would have been different if he had been in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

He tweeted, “My Senior brother if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position?

“History is replete with examples. It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam, a Ji soron Allah mana.”

Similarly, the National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, said El-Rufai would have done well by channelling his concerns and observations to the party leadership instead of always seeking to denigrate it in public.

Ibrahim, however, added that the former governor is entitled to his opinion.

He said, “The beauty of democracy is that it gives people the right to express their own opinion. El-Rufai, as an individual, party member, former governor, ex-minister, and a well-respected politician, is entitled to his opinion. But that is not to say that is exactly what is happening in the APC.

“It’s all a question of views, perspectives and circumstances surrounding issues. I wouldn’t want to go deep into the internal issues of the party, and the position of El-Rufa today with regards to the party. But I can assure you, the APC is a listening party. The APC, under the leadership of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, gives people the chance to ventilate their views.

“If there is any grouse or any misunderstanding, he always gives people the chance to come and talk. So, El-Rufai knows best how to channel this complaint, and if there are certain things he wants done to sanitise what he feels is going wrong, he knows what to do. I can assure you, the party will give him the listening ear.”

Meanwhile, opposition parties in the country have backed El-Rufai, saying the ruling APC has abandoned its campaign manifestoes and promises to Nigerians