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NDC Sets Up National Reconciliation Committee For Post-Primary Crisis

2026-08-05T11:40:30.279+01:00

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has inaugurated a seven-member National Reconciliation Committee to address grievances among members and aspirants following its recent party primaries.

The committee is chaired by renowned political economist Prof. Pat Utomi, with public affairs analyst Buba Galadima serving as co-chair. According to a statement signed by NDC National Chairman Senator Cleopas Moses and National Secretary Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the committee will engage stakeholders nationwide to restore unity and strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Other members of the national committee include:

Mohammed Sani Takori (Vice Chairman)

Comrade Babatunde Alli (Secretary)

Mrs. Dudu Mamman Manuga

Hon. Salvador Adegoke Moshood

Alhaji Haruna Pai

To complement its work, three zonal sub-committees have also been constituted:

Northern Sub-Committee

Chair: Mainasara Sani Abubakar

Secretary: Fatima Musa Abba

Members:

Comrade Solomon Ndah, Dr. Tanko Yusufu, Arc. Dr. Toma Audu Gana

South-East Sub-Committee

Chair: Senator Victor Umeh

Secretary: Sir Patrick Akwara

Members:

Eze Chikamnayo, Dr. Patrick Ezie Chukwudi, Chief Isaac Chinaka Anumudu, Stefiny Amaka Eugene

South-South Sub-Committee

Chair: Senator Ben Birabi

Secretary: Senator Clever Ikisikpo

Members: Bishop Isaac Idahosa, Esther Archibong, Apostle David Stephen Okpon

The committees are tasked with reconciling aggrieved members, fostering cohesion, and ensuring collective support for NDC candidates across all levels. They are mandated to meet with aspirants, party officials, and stakeholders to resolve disputes arising from the primaries.

The National Reconciliation Committee will be formally inaugurated at the party’s secretariat in Abuja at noon on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Onaiyekan:You Don't Have to Resort to Forgery – Sam Amadi Berates APC

2026-08-05T11:28:45.051+01:00

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from circulating forged documents amid controversy over a fake statement allegedly issued by a Catholic youth body.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Amadi argued that the ruling party could defend its positions without resorting to forgery.

“Is it not possible for APC to stop forgery? You can make a powerful counter argument without resorting to forgery. Forgery is not good. Please stop,” he wrote.

His remarks followed a disclaimer by the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON), which distanced itself from a document titled “Our Faith Must Rise Above Partisan Politics” circulating online.

CYON clarified that the purported “Catholic Youth Association of Nigeria (CYAN)” named in the document does not exist. In a statement signed by its National President, Gosife Kizito Eze, National Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Maurice Mbeke, and National Secretary, Francisca A. Adesokan, the organisation described the publication as “false, fraudulent and unauthorised.”

The group urged Nigerians to disregard the document, warning that it was a deliberate act of impersonation aimed at misleading the public and Catholic faithful. CYON also said it reserved the right to pursue legal action against those responsible.

Ooni of Ife Donates ₦100m, Hilux to Support Sunday Igboho’s Security Network

2026-08-05T10:48:44.786+01:00

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has donated ₦100 million and a brand-new Hilux vehicle to strengthen the operations of the Iru Ekun Security Network, a community-based security outfit founded by Yoruba Nation advocate, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The donation was announced during a courtesy visit by Igboho and members of the security network to the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife on Tuesday. In a statement issued Wednesday by the palace, the monarch commended Igboho for his commitment to safeguarding Yoruba communities.

“I commend Chief Sunday Igboho for taking a bold step towards strengthening community security. Protecting our people is a collective responsibility that transcends political, religious and ideological differences. Every initiative genuinely designed to preserve lives and maintain peace deserves encouragement and support,” the Ooni said.

He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, business executives, and other Yoruba stakeholders to rally behind the initiative, stressing that unity remains the strength of Yorubaland.

Responding, Igboho described the Ooni as “the father of all Yoruba people worldwide” and expressed gratitude for the support. He revealed that plans are underway to convene a security summit involving traditional rulers across Yorubaland, subject to the Ooni’s approval, to discuss practical solutions to insecurity in the region.

NiMet Forecasts 3 Days of Cloudiness, Thunderstorms Nationwide

2026-08-05T10:44:40.122+01:00

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted widespread cloudiness and thunderstorms across the country from Wednesday through Friday.

In its weather outlook released in Abuja on Wednesday, NiMet said northern states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba and Adamawa would experience morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall. Later in the day, similar conditions are expected in Kaduna and the entire North-East.

For the North-Central region, patches of clouds are forecast with chances of light rains in the morning over the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau and Nasarawa. By afternoon and evening, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and other parts of the region.

In the South, cloudy skies are anticipated with light rains in the South-South during the morning hours, followed by moderate rainfall later in Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, the South-East and South-South.

NiMet’s Thursday forecast indicates thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across much of the North, while the North-Central region will see cloudy conditions with widespread thunderstorms. Moderate rains are also expected in Ondo, the South-East and South-South.

On Friday, thunderstorms with rainfall are predicted in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba during the morning, spreading across the northern region later in the day. The North-Central and southern regions will also experience cloudy skies with prospects of light to moderate rains.

The agency warned that strong winds may precede rainfall in areas prone to thunderstorms and advised residents to secure loose objects, avoid driving during heavy downpours, disconnect electrical appliances, and stay away from tall trees.

NiMet further urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports for effective planning and encouraged the public to stay updated through its official channels.

Military Salary Increase Will Boost Anti-Insurgency Operations — Musa

2026-08-05T10:39:02.025+01:00

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has praised President Bola Tinubu for approving a salary increase of between 30 and 80 per cent for personnel of the Armed Forces, describing the move as a landmark boost to troop welfare and operational effectiveness.

In a statement issued Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, Musa thanked the President for what he called a “historic salary review” that reflects the administration’s commitment to frontline troops.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has once again demonstrated unwavering leadership and empathy for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line daily to preserve the peace and territorial integrity of our nation,” Musa said.

He noted that raising the annual personnel cost from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion shows the government’s resolve to ease financial hardship for military personnel and strengthen ongoing operations against insecurity.

“This subversion of financial hardship for our officers and soldiers will resonate across every theatre of operation from those confronting insurgency in the North-East to troops tackling banditry, oil theft and kidnapping nationwide,” he added.

The minister assured that the gesture would be met with renewed discipline, heightened operational effectiveness, and intensified efforts to restore stability across the country. He also reaffirmed the ministry’s support for Tinubu’s agenda of modernising military equipment, enhancing technological capacity, and improving welfare for personnel and their families.

The salary increase, announced Tuesday, takes effect from September 1, 2026, and will benefit about 250,000 personnel across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Under the new structure, privates to staff sergeants will receive an 80 per cent raise, warrant officers to colonels 50 per cent, while senior officers from brigadier-general to general will get 30 per cent.

PFIPC Scandal: Businessman Says He Paid Adeyemi ₦400m to Secure Contract

2026-08-05T10:14:06.610+01:00

Gbenga Collins, managing director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, says he gave Adeniyi Adeyemi N400 million to facilitate the award of a contract to renovate and furnish an apartment he claimed was his official residence.

Collins spoke on Tuesday when he appeared before the house of representatives ad hoc committee probing the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and the N1.3 billion allocated to the council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

Collins said he believed the council was a legitimate federal government agency because Adeyemi operated from an office at the federal secretariat in Abuja, used official vehicles with government number plates, and was surrounded by security personnel.

He said he first met Adeyemi in December 2024 when he introduced himself as the director-general of the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).

Collins told lawmakers that Adeyemi later informed him about plans to renovate his official residence and invited his company to execute the project.

The businessman said Adeyemi personally took him to inspect the property, accompanied by staff and security personnel.

He added that in April 2025, Adeyemi presented him with a contract award letter, scope of work and an agreement for the refurbishment project.

Collins said Adeyemi later demanded N400 million as proof of his company’s financial capacity and to facilitate mobilisation for the contract.

“I had to pay N400 million for the facilitation of that project to show my strength that I would be able to handle the project,” he said.

Collins said he raised the money from business associates who trusted him because he had personally visited Adeyemi’s office and believed he was dealing with a genuine government agency.

He claimed that the money was paid in five instalments between May and July 2025 into accounts belonging to World Entrepreneurs Limited and Sunshine Confectionery and Catering Services.

The businessman said the promised mobilisation never came, despite repeated assurances that payment would commence in August and later November 2025.

“My lawyer was the first person who told me that I had been scammed,” Collins said, adding that a petition was subsequently filed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

While admitting that he did not follow the public procurement law, Collins denied paying the money as a bribe, insisting he believed it was a condition for facilitating the contract.

He appealed to the committee to recover the funds from Adeyemi.

BACKGROUND

At the centre of the PFIPC scandal is Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu.

Adeyemi, the man accused of operating the agency, claimed the chief of staff issued his appointment letter — an allegation Gbajabiamila denied.

Adeyemi also said he borrowed N400 million to secure the PFIPC DG appointment and that his lenders have reported him to the EFCC.

Adeyemi was arrested on July 14 by operatives of the police intelligence response team (IRT) in Osun state, days after Gbajabiamila sued him for N15 billion over alleged defamation.

Some heads of government agencies had said Adeyemi submitted forged documents that led to budgetary allocations for the FCIPC.

On July 27, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, accountant-general of the federation, told the committee that Adeyemi hijacked a letter sent to the State House that could have revealed that documents used by the PFIPC were forged.

On July 29, Esther Walson-Jack, head of the civil service of the federation (HoS), said there was no due diligence in the verification of documents presented by the PFIPC before approval was granted for its staffing structure and recruitment waiver.

Politics turned you to emergency Catholic Church defender – Wike’s aide mocks Amaechi

2026-08-05T10:08:07.462+01:00

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, says politics has turned the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, into an emergency defender of the Catholic Church.

Posting on his X handle, Olayinka said Amaechi and his likes see everything as an opportunity to clamour for votes ahead of the 2027 elections.

He wrote: “Politics has now turned Rotimi Amaechi into an emergency defender of the Catholic Church.

“These clowns see everything as an opportunity for votes. Waiting for Pitobi too.

“Wike Helped him in 2007 and 2011. Wike defeated him in 2015, 2019, and 2023. Who’s he?”

In an interview on Channels Television yesterday, Amaechi had accused President Bola Tinubu of insulting the Catholic Church following the Presidency’s comment directed at the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan.

The war of words started after Tinubu met with the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria led by Onaiyekan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Catholic bishops had raised concerns over the state of the nation.

Onaiyekan said that Tinubu rejected their assessment of the country’s current situation.

Onaiyekan’s comment after the meeting ignited condemnation from the presidency.

2027: Nigeria headed for disaster, requires urgent intervention – Donald Duke

2026-08-05T10:01:53.185+01:00

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Donald Duke, has expressed the sense of urgency regarding the state of Nigeria, stressing the need for urgent intervention to avoid future disaster.

Duke made this remark on Tuesday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’

The former Cross River State Governor said he decided to return to politics because of the urgency of where citizens currently are in Nigeria, calling on the opposition to come together and change the direction of the country.

According to him, Nigeria’s leadership from when he was governor is not addressing the critical issues in the country.

“I returned to politics because of the urgency of where we are in Nigeria today. Disaster is looming if we don’t change the trajectory.

“You could be a spectator and make all sorts of analyses, or you could get involved. The direction the country is going requires urgent intervention.

“The folks who are in charge of the country today are generally my generation, as it were, and the president and I were the class of ’99. But the direction the country is going, I think, requires very urgent intervention.

“I’m not a member of the ruling party, as it were. So automatically, I’m in the opposition. Ideally, the opposition should come together,” he said.

I don’t respond to my subordinate – Amaechi fires back at Wike

2026-08-05T09:57:16.511+01:00

The African Democratic Congress, (ADC) vice presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has fired back at the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who said Atiku Abubakar picked him as running mate because of money.

Featuring in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television on Tuesday, Amaechi said he does not respond to his subordinate.

Wike during a media parley with selected journalists on Tuesday had said that Amaechi does not have political value in Rivers state.

Reacting, Amaechi said, “I don’t respond to my subordinate. Wike never hired me. By the time I finish mourning and go into campaign, anybody that insults me, I will insult him back.”

It will be recalled that Amaechi was a presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, but lost out to Atiku Abubakar in the party’s primaries.

Atiku later approached Amaechi after the exercise and later, the ADC announced Amaechi as his running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

2027: I’ve no favourite candidate – Sultan of Sokoto denies backing Tinubu

2026-08-05T09:52:46.646+01:00

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared that he has no favourite candidate in the 2027 presidential election.

Abubakar made the remark while denying reports of him urging Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

Abubakar insisted that he has no favourite candidate in the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Prince Bashir Adefaka, the monarch said as a father to all, it’s not possible to support one candidate over others either privately or publicly.

The statement reads partly: “The attention of the Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has been drawn to a report circulating on some social media platforms, creating the impression that the Sultan has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

“Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum.”

The monarch noted that such reports were malicious and an unpatriotic attempt to drag him into partisan politics for selfish interests.

He added: “The Sultan’s doors cannot be shut against anyone who comes to him, regardless of political affiliation or persuasion. His Eminence has consistently demonstrated that he is the father of all and will continue to relate with all Nigerians without discrimination.”

Religious leaders have right to criticise government - Rotimi Amaechi

2026-08-05T09:52:43.672+01:00

Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, says religious leaders have the right to criticise the government.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday while reacting to recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration by Catholic bishops, Amaechi said religious leaders should openly criticise the government.

He said even though President Donald Trump came after Pope Leo XIV, who spoke against the war in Iran, the Catholics in America warned Trump not to do so.

“If they don’t, who else can? Didn’t he listen to the Pope? The Pope was against the war,” he said.

“The Catholics in America said, ‘You can’t say that of our Pope.’… All I know is that the population of the Catholics is about 35 million, and you just can’t insult all of us like that. You can’t.”

The former Rivers governor said that when the Catholic Church criticised the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari over insecurity while he served as minister of transportation, the government listened.

“When the Catholic Church came after Buhari, I was in Buhari’s government. And I’m a Catholic. You know what we did? We all kept quiet and looked at what the issues they wanted us to address,” he said.

“And the issues that brought them out to the streets were insecurity. It’s worse now.”

Defending his record as a former minister of transportation, Amaechi said railway services operated more efficiently during his tenure

“By the time we left, there was a railway from Lagos to Ibadan. Four times a day. Today it’s only once,” he said.

“By the time we left, there was a railway from Kaduna to Abuja. Four to six times a day. Today it goes only once.”

On June 28, the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by Matthew Ndagoso, its president, visited Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

Tinubu also told the Catholic bishops that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is “neutral” and that his political opponents are “afraid of their own shadows and uncertainty in the companies they keep”.

However, John Onaiyekan, the cardinal and former archbishop of Abuja, on Friday, during the ‘Prime Time’ programme on Arise Television, said those around President Bola Tinubu are painting a “rosy picture” of the country to him, contrary to the true picture of the state of the nation.

He said the Tinubu-led administration appears determined to secure victory in the 2027 elections “by all means”.

Following his remarks, Daniel Bwala, special adviser to the president on policy communication, accused the cardinal of speaking from a political standpoint.

Tinubu Approves 30–80% Salary Increase for Armed Forces

2026-08-05T09:20:54.870+01:00

President Bola Tinubu has approved a significant pay rise for Nigeria’s armed forces personnel, with salary increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent.

The new package, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, will benefit about 250,000 service members. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday.

According to Onanuga, the increase is structured to favour junior ranks, with the highest percentage going to the lowest-ranking personnel. Officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant generals, and generals, will receive a 30 per cent raise. Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer will see a 50 per cent increase, while privates up to staff sergeants will enjoy an 80 per cent boost.

The adjustment raises the annual salary bill for the armed forces from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion, an increase of ₦264 billion.

President Tinubu linked the pay rise to the sacrifices made by troops in combating banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism across the country. He emphasized that troop welfare and military modernization remain priorities for his administration.

“The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation,” Tinubu said. He added that the government would continue to provide modern weapons and technology to strengthen the armed forces.

Reaffirming his philosophy on national security, Tinubu stated: “No nation can achieve greatness without security. We remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate threats and protect the lives and property of Nigerians.”

He urged personnel to see the pay rise as a gesture of appreciation, assuring them that together, Nigeria will prevail against forces seeking to destabilize the nation.

Canada Opens Workforce Priority Stream for Foreign Workers

2026-08-05T09:13:17.194+01:00

Ontario has officially launched applications for its new Workforce Priority Stream, offering eligible foreign workers a pathway to permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

Effective August 4, 2026, foreign nationals can now register an Expression of Interest (EOI) via Ontario’s e-Filing Portal, provided they have a qualifying job offer from an eligible employer.

According to the OINP, the stream features three distinct pathways:

Higher-skilled workers

Lower-skilled workers

Self-employed physicians registered to practise in Ontario and eligible to bill the province’s public health insurance plan (OHIP).

Candidates must link their EOI to a qualifying job offer created in the OINP Employer Portal. EOIs remain valid for up to 12 months, after which applicants must re-register if not invited.

Ontario explained that candidates will be ranked under a points-based scoring system introduced on July 20, 2026, with invitations issued through periodic draws. Invited applicants will have 17 days to submit a complete application, while employers must apply for approval of the employment position within 14 days.

Successful nominees will receive a provincial support letter to apply for a federal work permit while their permanent residence application is processed. Those under the higher-skilled and physician streams may also qualify for the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program linked to Express Entry, potentially expediting their PR applications.

The Workforce Priority Stream is the first pathway introduced under Ontario’s overhaul of the OINP, following the closure of previous streams on May 30, 2026. The province noted that additional pathways including a Priority Healthcare Worker Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream, and an Exceptional Talent Stream will be rolled out in the second phase of the program’s modernization.

NAF Bombs Terrorist Enclave in Borno, Neutralises 12 Insurgents

2026-08-05T09:00:10.079+01:00

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reportedly destroyed a suspected terrorist hideout in Borno State, killing about 12 insurgents during a precision airstrike under Operation HADIN KAI.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who reported the operation, said the strike was carried out on August 4 after intelligence revealed renewed terrorist activities around Chiralia, a forested area long used as a hideout due to its difficult terrain and natural cover.

According to Makama, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform was deployed around 11:40 a.m. to conduct armed reconnaissance. The aircraft identified suspected terrorists moving within the area alongside concealed structures believed to serve as shelters, logistics bases, and staging points.

“After confirming the targets, attack aircraft carried out precision strikes on the identified locations, recording direct hits on the concealed structures,” the report stated.

A post-strike assessment confirmed that the camp and its infrastructure were destroyed, with secondary explosions and fires suggesting that weapons and supplies stored within the enclave were also eliminated.

Military sources described the mission as intelligence-driven, highlighting improved coordination between aerial surveillance and precision strike capabilities. They noted that the operation would weaken the insurgents’ capacity by denying them safe havens and disrupting their ability to regroup or sustain logistics.

While the overall security situation in the North-East remains relatively calm, authorities warned that insurgent movements remain unpredictable. Troops are expected to continue sustained offensive operations against terrorist hideouts across the region.

Lagos-Calabar highway won’t go beyond Epe, Nigeria can’t afford it - Donald Duke

2026-08-05T08:43:17.086+01:00

Donald Duke, presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has criticized the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, insisting that Nigeria lacks the financial capacity to sustain it.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday, Duke described the project as “unnecessary,” arguing that government resources should instead be directed toward essential services such as electricity and healthcare.

“Nigeria cannot afford the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. I don’t think the road will go beyond Epe,” he said, adding that the project appeared more focused on land reclamation than genuine infrastructure needs.

Duke noted that an existing road already connects Lagos to Calabar, stressing that rather than embarking on costly new projects, government should repair and upgrade the current route.

He lamented the imbalance in public spending, pointing out that Nigeria’s healthcare sector received only ₦36 million in capital budget allocations last year, a figure he described as “pathetic” for a nation of 230 million people.

He also highlighted the chronic underfunding of the education system.

“The amount spent on that road could be better spent providing electricity or upgrading the healthcare system,” Duke emphasized.

Gov Adeleke Alleges EFCC Plan to Freeze State Accounts Ahead of Election

2026-08-05T08:39:00.491+01:00

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of plotting to freeze the state government’s bank accounts just days before the August 15 governorship election.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Osogbo by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on behalf of the governor.

Governor Adeleke described the alleged move as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the state’s finances and hinder government operations during a critical election period.

He warned that such actions could undermine democratic processes and the smooth running of governance in Osun.

The statement urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring them that the government would resist any attempt to cripple its financial activities ahead of the polls.

More Nigerian Filling Stations Likely to Cut Fuel Prices - Marketers

2026-08-05T08:32:35.394+01:00

Petroleum marketers in Nigeria have indicated that more filling stations across the country may reduce petrol pump prices in order to stay competitive.

Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, disclosed this in an interview with Daily Post on Tuesday.

His comments followed recent price reductions by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), MRS, and other retail outlets.

According to Gillis-Harry, the downward adjustment is linked to a drop in the landing cost of petrol.

He explained that as long as landing costs continue to decline, more retailers will likely lower their pump prices to attract customers.

“More filling stations are expected to review their petrol prices with favourable landing costs. Filling stations would want to remain competitive,” he said.

Currently, Dangote Refinery has set its gantry petrol price at ₦1,215 per litre, while depot owners have adjusted ex-depot prices to between ₦1,215 and ₦1,225 per litre.

Consumers in Abuja and surrounding areas are paying between ₦1,265 and ₦1,310 per litre.

This development coincides with a dip in global crude oil benchmarks, with Brent crude trading at $78 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate at $75 per barrel.

Kwankwaso Praises Catholic Bishops, Criticizes Tinubu Government

2026-08-05T08:29:14.039+01:00

Rabi’u Kwankwaso, vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has openly supported the Catholic Bishops following their recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

In a statement shared on his verified X account, the former Kano State governor commended the Bishops for what he described as “courage and patriotism” in highlighting Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

He rejected claims that their concerns were politically motivated, stressing that issues such as rising living costs, insecurity, unemployment, and poor access to education and healthcare reflect the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians nationwide.

Kwankwaso lamented that despite Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources, millions continue to face hardship and diminishing opportunities.

He urged leaders to adopt urgent, sincere, and people-focused solutions.Calling for constructive engagement with the Federal Government, he emphasized the need for accountability, good governance, and policies that prioritize citizens’ welfare and security.

“I commend the Catholic Bishops for their courage and patriotism. It is through such collective commitment and responsible leadership that we can build a more peaceful, united, and prosperous Nigeria. May Almighty Allah continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Kwankwaso wrote.

Police Probe AIG Moshood Jimoh Over VDM's Allegations

2026-08-04T20:11:10.916+01:00

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that it is investigating the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Moshood Jimoh, over allegations raised by social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.

The Force said the AIG had been invited for questioning as part of an internal administrative review, while the criminal matter linked to the allegations remains before a court.

It said it has also invited Otse to substantiate his claims.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said:

“The Nigeria Police Force notes recent public statements and social media commentary by Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), concerning the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, and an ongoing criminal matter. The Force wishes to place the following facts on record and clarify the status of both the judicial and administrative processes involved.”

The Force said the criminal matter referenced in the public commentary had been investigated and is now before a court of competent jurisdiction, following the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), adding that, as the matter is sub judice, its adjudication rests solely with the judiciary.

The Force stressed that it would not litigate the matter in the media or allow public campaigns to influence the judicial process, adding that: “The Force will not try this case in the media, nor will it allow its outcome to be shaped by public campaigns or commentary seeking to prejudge the officers or parties involved.

“Separately, and in line with its internal accountability mechanisms, the Force confirms that the Assistant Inspector-General, Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has invited AIG in charge of Zone 2, AIG Moshood Jimoh, for questioning in connection with the allegations raised.”

According to the statement, the Force CID, Abuja, formally invited Otse to appear at its office on July 30, 2026.

“These steps reflect the Force’s standing commitment to investigate all credible allegations of misconduct, regardless of the rank of the officer involved or the public profile of the complainant, through its established channels, including the Force CID, the Force Complaint Response Unit, and, where applicable, the Office of the IGP,” the statement added.

2027 election already concluded, North will give Tinubu 95% votes – Kaduna Gov, Uba Sani

2026-08-04T20:11:02.042+01:00

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has declared that the 2027 presidential election has already been concluded.

Sani assured that the North would give Tinubu at least 95 percent of the total vote in the 2027 presidential election.

He spoke during the flag off of 122km Kaduna-Birni Gwari road on Tuesday.

The governor noted that the people of Kaduna State are happy with Tinubu.

He said: “We have to be happy with what he has done for us and whether we like it or not, Kaduna is the capital of Northern Nigeria, everyone is proud of Kaduna.

“Kaduna’s development is a development for all the states of Northern Nigeria, so we are happy and grateful to the president for recognizing that Kaduna is the heart of Northern Nigeria.

“We will continue to support the president, I have no doubt in my mind that the 2027 election has been concluded, and we are given President Tinubu at least 95% of the total votes. There is no doubt about that and I stand to be challenged.

“The Western bypass is ongoing from the Abuja junction to the Kawu motorpark and that is also a construction undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Works under the able leadership of Tinubu.

“We are resuming the construction of Eastern bypass which is extremely very critical for our people, it will resume according to my conversation with the Minister in the next two weeks by the grace of God, so all these are things the president is doing for the people of Kaduna State.”

The governor maintained that Tinubu is doing what no past president has done in Northern Nigeria.

“About two weeks ago, I came out boldly and said no president in the history of Nigeria has done what Tinubu did for us here in Northern Nigeria and I challenge anyone to come up with anything contrary to what I have said.

“Tinubu has done a lot, only now my brother and friend, Masari stood here and mentioned most of the projects that Mr President is doing in Northern Nigerian; again, the Minister came up here and confirmed all those projects.

“Let me ask a question, why was it that other leaders were not doing what Tinubu is doing today for Northern Nigeria, was it that Northern Nigeria was not a priority or that was not their concern? We thank Tinubu for the love for the North and humanity,” he added.

‘They sprayed me fake dollar at my wedding’ – Peller laments

2026-08-04T20:10:43.469+01:00

Nigerian skit maker and content creator, Peller, has raised the alarm that he was sprayed with fake dollar during his recent wedding with Jarvis.

Peller made this revelation in video, where he explained that some of the Nigerian currency handed to him was genuine.

The content creator, however, alleged that some of the dollar cash he received turned out to be fake.

“I went to the bank, and the Nigerian money was genuine. I saw that a lot of people gave me Nigerian currency. Yes, they gave me Nigerian currency, and that is good. I know the people who gave me genuine money; if I see them, I will recognise them.

“When they came, I saw them. They gave me fake money. I got home, I was feeling like a millionaire and used the money to make a video. ‘Hello, hello,’ and then I realised it was fake. I can’t talk.

“Since I went to change dollars yesterday night, I haven’t talked about the dollars since this morning, not even tonight. Is it by force to spray money,” he asked.

According to the skit maker, he was able to recognise some of the people who gave him genuine Nigerian currency, but claimed that other money he received was fake.

He equally stressed that he discovered the alleged fake notes after returning home and using the money while making a video.

DMO offers two savings bonds, sets minimum investment at N5,000

2026-08-04T19:03:11.029+01:00

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has opened two federal government savings bonds for subscription at N1,000 per unit.

In a notice on Monday, the DMO announced the offer of a two-year bond due August 12, 2028, at an interest rate of 13.963 percent per annum, and a three-year bond due August 12, 2029, at 14.963 percent per annum.

The agency said the offer opened on August 3 and will close on August 7, with settlement scheduled for August 12.

According to the debt office, interest will be paid quarterly on November 12, February 12, May 12, and August 12 throughout the life of the bonds.

“The savings bond is priced at N1,000 per unit, with a minimum subscription of N5,000 and additional investments in multiples of N1,000, subject to a maximum subscription of N50 million,” DMO said.

The agency said the bonds are listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), qualify as liquid assets for banks’ liquidity ratio calculations, and enjoy tax exemptions under the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA) and Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) for eligible investors, including pension funds.

The office said the securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government and charged upon the general assets of Nigeria.

Hackers hit Zenith Bank, steal customers’ information

2026-08-04T18:56:40.649+01:00

Hackers have hit the database of Zenith Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest financial institutions, stealing customers’ information.

Zenith confirmed the attack in an email to customers on Tuesday.

The bank said the hackers accessed limited customer information, “including email addresses and phone numbers, during a cyberattack that forms part of a broader global attack on organisations across different sectors”.

The lender stressed that the incident involved only limited customer information, adding that its banking services and digital channels remain secure and fully operational.

The bank said it is investigating the attack, noting that its incident response protocols and other cybersecurity measures were immediately activated after the breach was discovered.

“As a precaution, we encourage our customers to remain vigilant against phishing emails, text messages, or phone calls, and to never disclose their password, PIN, One-Time Password (OTP), or other security credentials to anyone,” the bank said.

Zenith Bank said it remains committed to protecting customers’ information and thanked them for their continued trust, adding that investigations into the incident are ongoing.

In August 2024, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) reported experiencing a similar incident.

The commercial bank said there were attempts to compromise its website domain, but customers’ data was not affected.

The latest attack comes months after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) warned the public of cyber hack attempts to gain access to personal accounts of Nigerians.

The CBN said the hackers were circulating fraudulent messages and emails falsely claiming to originate from the bank.

According to the financial regulator, there were misleading messages circulating, designed to deceive Nigerians and compromise their personal information.

The regulator said the fake communications, which include emails and online messages, often prompt recipients to click suspicious links while spreading false claims about the bank’s leadership, licensing activities, and policy decisions.

Tinubu only leader with courage to fix Nigeria now – Wike

2026-08-04T18:56:36.948+01:00

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Tinubu remains the only credible leadership option for Nigeria, insisting that no other potential presidential contender has demonstrated the courage or capacity to confront the country’s long-standing economic challenges.

Speaking at his monthly media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, Wike defended Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, describing the decision as the boldest taken by any Nigerian president in decades.

According to him, while the reforms have imposed temporary hardship on Nigerians, they have strengthened the finances of state governments, improved infrastructure funding and ended the era when states depended on bank loans to pay workers’ salaries.

“Asiwaju is the only person we have now. He has not done everything, and nobody says he has, but he has shown the courage to take decisions others refused to take. Give him credit for that,” Wike said.

The minister argued that Nigerians should not expect an economy weakened over many years to recover within a short period.

“When problems have accumulated for over 15 years, people expect them to be solved in one year. It doesn’t work that way. Healing takes time, but it will happen,” he said.

Wike described the fuel subsidy regime as “a cancer,” recalling that as governor, he had to rely on bank borrowing to meet salary obligations because of declining allocations to states.

“The fuel subsidy consumed over ₦3 trillion at a time. Today, states receive more money. Pensioners are being paid, governors no longer queue before bank managers to borrow money just to pay salaries, and there are more resources for infrastructure,” he said.

He maintained that leadership is defined by the willingness to make difficult decisions rather than by popular sentiment.

“Everybody agreed that subsidy was a scam, but no president had the political will to remove it. President Tinubu took that decision. No decision is 100 per cent perfect, but leadership is about taking responsibility,” he added.

Ogun moves to scrap 24-hrs wait before reporting missing persons

2026-08-04T18:55:37.892+01:00

The Ogun State Government has proposed a new legal framework that abolishes the widely observed practice of waiting 24 hours before reporting missing persons, saying immediate action is critical to improving rescue efforts.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, made this known on Tuesday during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, monitored by DAILY POST in Abeokuta, explaining one of four criminal justice bills approved by the Ogun State Executive Council for transmission to the House of Assembly.

He disclosed that The Missing Persons Bill, among the GLOVES Bill is intended to streamline police responses, providing a unified legal framework for investigating missing persons cases.

According to him, the proposed Missing Persons Bill seeks to remove delays that often hinder investigations and rescue operations.

“You probably would be aware of this practice where people will report others as missing only to be advised to wait for 24 hours or 48 hours before coming. That now is being outlawed. There’s now a duty to report as early as possible,” he said.

The Attorney General added that research has consistently shown that the first 24 hours after a disappearance are crucial in locating missing persons.

“Research has shown that the first 24 hours are crucial in cases of missing persons,” he added.

Ogungbade explained that the proposed legislation would impose penalties on individuals who fail to promptly report the disappearance of persons whose whereabouts they are reasonably expected to know.

“And where a person who ought to report for example, a father who knows his child is missing, or a mother who knows her daughter, or somebody whose presence or location they should know is missing, fails to do so, it carries a penalty under this law”

He disclosed that his office receives numerous reports of missing persons across all age groups and lamented that existing laws do not adequately empower law enforcement agencies to respond quickly.

He cited unresolved disappearance cases, including that of a former student who reportedly went missing after leaving Olabisi Onabanjo University to visit her boyfriend in Sagamu, as well as another woman who disappeared in Ota.

According to him, investigators often encounter significant delays in obtaining banking, telecommunications and other records needed to trace missing persons.

“It’s been one challenge or the other getting access to data that would help law enforcement to track their movements” he lamented.

To address these challenges, Ogungbade said the proposed law would establish stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police Force and the judiciary to enable faster access to vital records during investigations.

“There will be collaboration between my office and the Office of the Commissioner of Police that expressly is stated in the bill and also with the judiciary. This bill makes provision for the police or any law enforcement agency to apply ex parte to get certain records from service providers. But then in extreme cases, the police can write directly to the person holding those records to make them available under penalty of law,” he said.

He explained that the bill would also introduce rapid response protocols for child abduction cases, including immediate alerts to transport unions, motor parks and other relevant agencies once a child is reported missing.

“My office will be working in concert with the commissioner of police of Ogun state, putting certain people on standby. Because in most cases, when you steal a child, you firstly have to transport that child outside of Ogun state. So there’ll be protocols in place, for example, alerting all major car parks, alerting transport unions,” he said.

Ogungbade expressed confidence that the proposed legislation would set a new standard in Nigeria’s fight against ritual killings and human sacrifice, describing it as a far-reaching intervention capable of addressing the menace more effectively.

Police arrest four officers in Imo over viral video of suspect forced into vehicle boot

2026-08-04T18:55:19.914+01:00

The Imo state police command says it has arrested four officers captured in a viral video seemingly manhandling and shoving a young man into the boot of a vehicle.

The incident occurred on Sunday, along Human Race Road in Nekede, Imo state.

In a statement, Henry Okoye, spokesperson of the command, said Audu Bosso, commissioner of police in the state, ordered an immediate investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Preliminary findings revealed that the four personnel captured in the viral video comprised two police officers attached to the Nekede Divisional Headquarters and two Supernumerary Police Officers,” the statement reads.

“They were conducting an operation at a suspected drug trafficking location along Human Race Road, Nekede, during which two suspects were arrested.

“Substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa were recovered from one suspect, who admitted to selling illicit drugs in the area.”

Okoye said the command condemned the officers’ conduct despite the outcome of the operation.

“Notwithstanding the outcome of the operation, the Imo State Police Command unequivocally condemns the unprofessional conduct of the personnel as captured in the viral video,” the statement added.

“The manner in which one of the suspects was arrested and forced into the boot of a vehicle is unacceptable, inhumane, and completely not in conformity with the Standard Operating Procedures, Code of Conduct, and professional ethics of the Nigeria Police Force.”

The police spokesperson said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a detailed and impartial investigation.

He added that disciplinary procedures had commenced against the officers involved and that the outcome of the investigation would be made public upon completion.

Okoye said the commissioner of police reassured residents of the command’s commitment to combating crime “while ensuring that all policing operations are conducted professionally, lawfully, and with due respect for the rights and dignity of every individual”.

PETROAN Explains Why Fuel Pump Prices Dropped Across Nigeria

2026-08-04T18:05:13.048+01:00

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has clarified the reasons behind the recent reduction in petrol prices at filling stations nationwide.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Post, PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, attributed the downward adjustment to a drop in the landing cost of petrol.

He explained that when the cost of importing the product falls, retail prices naturally follow suit.

“You cannot just project fuel prices up or down arbitrarily. It is the landing cost that determines the price. If it reduces, we are morally bound to reduce pump prices but not to the point of running out of business,” Gillis-Harry stated.

In Abuja, filling stations operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and MRS recently cut prices by between ₦36 and ₦40 per litre, bringing pump rates down to between ₦1,265 and ₦1,299.

This adjustment came after depot owners lowered their ex-depot prices to compete with Dangote Refinery’s ₦1,215-per-litre gantry price.

The development highlights the competitive dynamics in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, where refiners and marketers are adjusting strategies to remain viable amid fluctuating costs.

FG Orders Universities to Expel Students Linked to Kidnapping

2026-08-04T17:56:18.073+01:00

The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts across the country to dismiss any student found guilty of kidnapping or related crimes after a proper investigation.

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa gave the directive during a meeting with the governing council and management of the Federal University of Lafia in Abuja.

He also instructed heads of tertiary institutions to improve intelligence gathering on campuses and work more closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.

The minister said institutions must not allow criminal activities to take root on campuses.

“If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture. Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such individuals must be dismissed. Our campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements,” he said.

Alausa further said that Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe, but noted that recent isolated cases involving students outside campuses show the need for stronger security measures.

He added: “We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education. While our campuses remain safe, we must continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and work closely with our security agencies to ensure that students are protected both within and outside our institutions.”

The minister revealed that he recently met with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), to develop a coordinated strategy to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative and improve security for students nationwide.

He also restated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that government institutions must not negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that doing so only encourages criminal activities.

To improve campus security, Alausa said the Federal Government would support security projects in tertiary institutions through the 2027 TETFund intervention programme.

The projects will include perimeter fencing and other security facilities, while institutions needing additional electricity will benefit from the expansion of the Energising Education Programme through more solar power infrastructure.

During the meeting, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Lola Akande, highlighted challenges facing the institution, including inadequate hostel accommodation, power supply and insecurity.

She disclosed that some students were suspected of involvement in kidnappings carried out outside the campus and stressed that the university strongly opposes paying ransom to kidnappers because it encourages further crimes.

ISWAP suffers major blow as five bomb experts die during failed operation in Borno

2026-08-04T17:56:14.753+01:00

Five suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, including four alleged bomb-making specialists and a medical officer, have reportedly died after an improvised explosive device, IED, exploded while they were assembling it in Borno State.

The incident was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the report, the explosion occurred at Maina Daya Village in Marte Local Government Area, situated between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno.

Makama reported that those killed included Usman Dan Fulani, who was identified as an ISWAP medical officer, alongside two foreign Arab nationals said to be IED technicians and two other suspected ISWAP bomb-making experts.

“The explosion reportedly occurred while the group was assembling improvised explosive devices for deployment,” the report stated.

According to the report, preliminary intelligence suggested the suspected terrorists were preparing explosives for attacks along key military supply routes within the Sector 1 area of Operation HADIN KAI.

Security sources, according to Makama, believe the deaths could disrupt ISWAP’s bomb-making operations and temporarily weaken the group’s ability to carry out roadside IED attacks in the Marte–Monguno axis.

The report further stated that military authorities have directed troops to intensify patrols, cordon-and-search operations and offensive missions across Monguno, Marte and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the group from regrouping or rebuilding its operational capability.

Makama added that security operations remain ongoing across the area as authorities continue efforts to verify the incident and intensify pressure on insurgent hideouts.

Amotekun Rescues Two Fulani Herders from Kidnappers Den in Ondo-Edo Forest

2026-08-04T17:46:44.809+01:00

Security operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, have rescued two Fulani herders abducted by kidnappers in the Owo axis along the Ondo-Edo boundary.

The victims, identified as Abubakar Umaru and Abdulahi Umaru, were seized while grazing their cattle.

Their parents raised the alarm after the boys failed to return home, prompting Amotekun to launch a search operation.

Commander of Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, explained that his men combed the Abuja Forest, a dense area linking Ondo and Edo for several hours before locating the kidnappers’ hideout.

The herders were freed, while their cattle were also recovered.According to Adeleye, the kidnappers fled upon realizing that security personnel had surrounded the area.

He emphasized that the swift response was crucial in saving the victims and disrupting the criminal operation.