Category: Local

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed ongoing efforts by opposition leaders to form a coalition against him ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing those involved as “political IDPs” — internally displaced politicians. Speaking during a one-day working visit to Nasarawa State on Wednesday, Tinubu urged his supporters to ignore the coalition plans, claiming that the opposition figures are only plotting their own political downfall. “Just don’t pay them any attention. They are the political IDPs. Don’t give them a home. The hope is here,” the President said while commissioning multiple projects across the state. Tinubu also commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for what he termed impressive development efforts, assuring him of continued federal support to foster growth in the state. During the visit, Governor Sule appealed to the President for accelerated oil and gas exploration in Obi Local Government Area, where over a billion barrels of hydrocarbons were reportedly discovered in 2023. He emphasized the potential of transforming Nigeria into a major refining hub, similar to Saudi Arabia, through integrated oil and gas development. Meanwhile, political realignments are gaining momentum as key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, are reportedly in talks for a unified front in 2027. Last month, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, confirmed ongoing consultations during a live interview on Politics Today.

The internal crisis plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Wednesday as 11 members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) publicly rejected the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary. Earlier in the day, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, announced Anyanwu’s return to office, describing it as a “painful decision.” He also declared the postponement of the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting initially slated for June 30, 2025, replacing it with a caucus meeting. However, in a swift and coordinated response, 11 senior NWC members issued a joint statement rejecting both decisions. According to them, Damagum acted beyond his authority, as only the NEC has the constitutional power to determine such matters. “The pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman have no foundation,” the statement read. “No organ of the party, including the NWC, has the authority to override NEC resolutions.” The signatories include top party figures such as Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja; Acting National Secretary, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo; National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba; and National Treasurer, Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, among others. The NWC members emphasized that the 99th NEC meeting had explicitly referred Anyanwu’s case to the upcoming 100th NEC meeting. They affirmed that the June 30 meeting remains on schedule and binding on all party organs and members. They also accused Damagum of undermining the party’s constitution, stating: “The NEC is the highest decision-making body of the party after the National Convention. Any attempt to vary its resolution is unconstitutional and therefore null and void.” The controversy comes after a meeting between party leaders and INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, raising speculation about the political motivations behind Damagum’s announcement. As tensions grow within Nigeria’s main opposition party, stakeholders and observers are watching closely to see whether the crisis will derail plans ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Cornelius Adebayo, a former Governor of Kwara State and ex-Minister of Communications, has passed away at the age of 84. The elder statesman died in the early hours of Wednesday, marking the end of a long and distinguished career in public service. Born on February 24, 1941, in Igbaja, now within Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Adebayo was a respected figure in Nigeria’s political landscape. He entered national politics in 1979 as a Senator under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and was elected Governor of Kwara State in 1983, although his tenure was cut short by the military coup that year. He later served as Minister of Communications during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s civilian administration, where he contributed to the modernization of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. Reacting to the news, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed deep sorrow, describing Adebayo as “an administrator par excellence.” The Emir highlighted the former governor’s contributions to the state’s development and his legacy of integrity and service. A condolence message issued by the Emir’s Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, extended sympathies to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the people of Kwara, Adebayo’s family, and political associates. The Emir offered prayers for the peaceful repose of Adebayo’s soul and for strength and comfort for his family during this difficult time.

A heated debate erupted in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday over the confirmation of nominees to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), with lawmakers clashing over the appointment of Michael Odey, a Cross River State native, as chairman. The controversy emerged during deliberations on the report of the Senate ad-hoc committee on the emergency rule in Rivers State. Lawmakers raised concerns over ethics, constitutional interpretation, federal character principles, and political impartiality in a state currently under emergency governance. Despite stiff opposition from senators across party lines, the Senate confirmed Odey’s appointment along with six others: Lezaasi Torbira, Arthur Nwafor, Godfrey Mbudiogha, Joyce Akaniwor, Olive Bruce, and Chidi Halliday. The nominations, earlier submitted by President Bola Tinubu, were screened by an 18-member ad-hoc committee chaired by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central). During plenary, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) led the dissent, questioning why a non-indigene was chosen to head a sensitive state electoral body. “There is no logical reason why a Rivers man cannot chair this Electoral Commission,” he argued. Supporting him, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) called for moral responsibility beyond constitutional legality, warning against undermining local trust. “We are supposed to be guided not just by the Constitution, but also by conscience,” he said. Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) raised concerns over political optics, especially given that the Rivers State administrator is also from Cross River. “We are looking at ethics. Six members are from Rivers—why not the chairman too?” he asked. In defense, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) insisted that constitutional provisions take precedence over regional sentiments. “Any Nigerian can be appointed anywhere. We swore to uphold the Constitution,” he maintained. Senate Leader Bamidele emphasized that the appointment complied with constitutional eligibility requirements, stressing Odey’s educational qualifications and neutrality. “Rather than grandstand, if we disagree with the court, we should legislate,” he said. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin echoed this sentiment, citing similar appointments in other states. “The Head of Service in Abia is from Edo, and nobody complained because it came from a Labour Party governor. But now that it’s APC, it’s an issue,” he said. The Senate ultimately dissolved into the Committee of the Whole and adopted the report, confirming all seven RSIEC nominees despite lingering divisions over federal character and political balance.

Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, has formally defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises and leadership instability within his former party. His defection was announced during Wednesday’s plenary session and conveyed in a letter read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In the letter, Senator Imasuen stated that his decision followed wide consultations with constituents, political associates, and supporters in Edo South. He explained that the move aims to align him with the Federal Government’s development-oriented initiatives and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. Imasuen criticized the Labour Party’s internal wranglings, saying the situation had stifled his ability to deliver effective representation and democratic dividends. He noted that the APC offers a stronger national platform with the political structure necessary to fulfill his mandate. Welcoming the senator to the ruling party’s caucus, Senate President Akpabio jokingly remarked, “You will no longer Labour in vain.” With this defection, the APC now holds 69 seats in the 10th Senate—just four shy of a two-thirds majority—further strengthening its legislative influence. Current Senate Composition (10th National Assembly):APC – 69PDP – 30Labour Party – 4SDP – 2NNPP – 1APGA – 1 Two seats remain vacant, bringing the total occupied seats to 107.

In a bold move to regain market share and cushion the effects of economic pressure on customers, MultiChoice Nigeria has announced a 50% reduction in the price of its DStv decoder, slashing it from ₦20,000 to ₦10,000. The company revealed the price cut on Tuesday as part of its “We Got You” campaign, aimed at boosting subscriber numbers and offering greater value to loyal customers. This comes amid a reported loss of 1.4 million subscribers between March 2023 and March 2025, following a series of price hikes over the past year. John Ugbe, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, said the initiative is designed to reward customer loyalty and increase access to the platform’s diverse content. “We want to ensure our customers feel appreciated and have access to the best entertainment every day. This campaign is about making premium content more accessible and showing that DStv has something for everyone—not just football fans,” he said. Beyond sports, MultiChoice is encouraging subscribers to explore drama, movies, kids’ content, and news, as part of its strategy to position DStv as a daily value platform. Additionally, the company introduced a free upgrade promotion running from June 16 to July 31, 2025. During this period, subscribers who pay for their current plan in full will receive a complimentary upgrade to the next package tier. The price slash and promotions appear to be a response to customer backlash over three price hikes within a year—April 2023, November 2023, and May 2024—that triggered mass subscription cancellations and legal challenges from consumer rights groups. MultiChoice says it remains committed to delivering affordable, high-quality entertainment despite economic headwinds.

In a landmark event for West Africa’s maritime industry, the Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) on Friday welcomed the Kota Oasis, the first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container ship to berth in the region. The Singapore-flagged, eco-friendly vessel is owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL) and marks a significant step towards greener shipping in Nigeria. With a length of 260 meters and a Gross Registered Tonnage of 78,501, the Kota Oasis boasts a capacity of 8,350 TEUs. It is powered by dual-fuel technology, enabling operation on both LNG and diesel, and is equipped with advanced exhaust gas recycling systems to minimize methane emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. OMT Managing Director, Mr. Nicolo Scannavini, hailed the vessel’s arrival as a transformative moment for Nigerian maritime trade. “This vessel will be a game changer for trade connectivity between Asia and Nigeria. It’s an engineering marvel and a statement of intent for cleaner, greener shipping.” OMT currently hosts major global shipping lines such as PIL and MSC, and is actively expanding its international partnerships. Scannavini also commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), under Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, for facilitating the vessel’s successful docking. Mr. Dhruv Kohli, PIL’s Regional Head of Operations and Logistics, emphasized the vessel’s environmental and operational significance: “The Kota Oasis is part of PIL’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Its deployment in Nigeria underscores our strategic focus on the South West Africa trade corridor.” Kohli highlighted the vessel’s 40,000-horsepower engine, which will strengthen direct trade links between Nigeria, Singapore, and China. Deputy Comptroller John Ejeh of the Nigeria Customs Service (Onne Port Command) pledged continued support for smooth trade facilitation at the port. “We remain committed to OMT, PIL, and other stakeholders to ensure ease of doing business.” The historic berthing attracted top officials from the NPA, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigeria Immigration Service, and other regulatory bodies, all of whom commended the milestone and reaffirmed their support for sustainable maritime innovation in Nigeria.

A violent kidnapping in Okut, located in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, has resulted in the deaths of three individuals: a prominent local businessman, a vigilante officer, and one of the suspected kidnappers. According to sources who spoke to SaharaReporters, armed men — believed to be of Fulani origin — invaded the residence of Alhaji Dauda Ismaila, a well-known businessman and farmer, at about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. The assailants reportedly fired multiple gunshots into the air to cause panic before abducting Alhaji Dauda and fleeing into the nearby forest. A local vigilante group swiftly mobilised and tracked the kidnappers deep into the bush. A fierce gunfight broke out during the rescue attempt, leading to the deaths of one suspected kidnapper, Alhaji Dauda, who was hit in the crossfire, and a vigilante officer who was part of the pursuit. “One of the kidnappers was shot and killed, but tragically, Alhaji Dauda was also caught in the crossfire and died on the spot,” a source disclosed. “A member of the vigilante team was also killed in the shootout.” The Joint Task Force has since launched a manhunt for the remaining attackers and has pledged to bring them to justice. This incident adds to a worrying trend of kidnappings in the area. On May 31, a resident of Shiya community was abducted and released only after a ransom was paid. Earlier, in February, another attempt resulted in the death of Alhaji Fatai Olowogbo, who succumbed to gunshot wounds. Residents say kidnappings have become a regular occurrence, stoking fear and disrupting daily life. Community leaders are calling for urgent intervention by security agencies and the government to restore peace in the area. Efforts to reach Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Police Command, for an official response were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.