Author: Gabby

Vice President Kashim Shettima has shed light on why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose to keep the removal of fuel subsidies under wraps until after his inauguration. Speaking on Friday in Lagos during a Sallah visit to Tinubu alongside the Nigerian Governors Forum, Shettima explained that the president deliberately excluded the policy from his public speeches to avoid external pressure.

According to Shettima, Tinubu made the decision and guarded it closely, believing that if he had announced his intentions earlier, many would have tried to dissuade him. “You kept it a top secret,” Shettima remarked, adding that the move showcased courage, audacity, and foresight. He praised Tinubu for prioritizing long-term national gain over short-term political convenience.

The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the administration’s strategy for implementing one of its most controversial economic policies. By springing the subsidy removal as a surprise, Tinubu avoided intense lobbying and ensured that the decision was executed without delay.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has publicly identified a man accused of impersonating one of its officers. According to a statement released by the agency, the suspect is Haruna Mamuda, a former military member who was discharged from service.

In a video shared by the commission, Mamuda is shown alongside his driver, Salifu Olije Mustapha. The footage portrays the pair engaging in activities where they allegedly intimidated young individuals, claiming to be operatives of the EFCC.

Just three days prior, Mustapha was brought before Justice A.I. Akobi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kubwa, Abuja. He faced charges related to impersonation and false representation, as reported by DAILY POST. The driver was accused of pretending to be an officer of the commission.

The court has arraigned Mustapha on four counts concerning these allegations. The EFCC continues to investigate the case, aiming to curb such fraudulent activities that tarnish the agency’s reputation.

Prominent human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has firmly denied reports that she withdrew from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial contest under the banner of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In a statement shared via her verified X account, she urged media organizations to rectify their headlines, insisting that she never abandoned her campaign.

Yesufu, who co-convened the BringBackOurGirls movement, emphasized that she contested for her party’s ticket vigorously until the very end. She described the primary process as deeply flawed, where another candidate was declared winner despite irregularities. Rather than fragmenting the party over the disputed outcome, she chose to accept it for the sake of unity, especially with the more critical 2027 presidential election on the horizon.

“I did not quit. I did not step down. Correct your headline. Let no media house rewrite history. Posterity is watching,” she declared. She further explained that her decision was a strategic move to prioritize the larger goal of unseating the ruling party. Yesufu added that her focus now shifts to supporting the strongest presidential candidate in 2027, where she believes her energy is best invested.

The Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, has voiced sharp criticism against President Bola Tinubu for failing to deliver on key pledges made during the 2023 election campaign. Speaking at the funeral mass for Mrs. Christiana Onuabuchi Ekweozor, mother of APGA chieftain Dr. Augustine Azubuike Ekweozor, the bishop urged politicians to embrace accountability and selfless service.

Ezeokafor highlighted Tinubu’s broken promise to improve electricity supply within two years of assuming office. He noted that instead of addressing the nation’s power crisis, the president installed a state-of-the-art solar system at the presidential villa. “By doing so, the administration has signaled that there is no hope for enhanced power supply for ordinary Nigerians,” the bishop asserted.

He described the move as an impeachable offense in any civilized society, where leaders prioritize the common good over personal comfort. The prelate also decried the escalating insecurity and soaring cost of living, worsened by the removal of fuel subsidies. He questioned the government’s claim that subsidy savings would be reinvested in critical infrastructure, stating, “We see no evidence of these funds improving our daily lives.”

Calling on citizens to remain vigilant ahead of the 2027 elections, Ezeokafor urged them to elect leaders capable of transforming the country’s trajectory. He also eulogized the deceased as a devout Catholic and offered condolences to her family, including Dr. Azubuike Ekweozor, who thanked attendees for their support. The funeral drew a large gathering of clergy, business leaders, traditional rulers, and government officials, including Anambra State Assembly Speaker Somtochukwu Udeze.

Education advocate Alex Onyia has spoken out following the tragic death of a student at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). He asserts that he alerted the university administration to the dangerous conduct of the Man O’ War group on campus well before the incident occurred.

In a statement published on his official social media page, Onyia revealed that he had urged the institution’s leadership to dissolve the group and probe the allegations surrounding its operations. He expressed dismay that his advice was disregarded.

“Yesterday, a member of Man O’ War killed a student at FUTO by beating him to death. I had previously cautioned the university about the group’s violent behavior and recommended disbanding them and launching an inquiry. My warnings were ignored. Now a young life has been lost. I hold Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nnenna Oti responsible. Her inaction has blood on her hands,” the statement read.

Onyia’s allegations have sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the student’s death. The tragic event has raised concerns about campus security and the oversight of student organizations within Nigerian universities.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has openly criticized the proposal by state governors to set the minimum wage at N100,000, calling it utterly inadequate for the needs of Nigerian workers.

In a statement released on his official social media page, Sowore argued that such an amount cannot cover the basic cost of living in Nigeria, especially amid escalating expenses.

Sowore said: “Just hours after we called for a living wage, the governors came up with a N100,000 minimum wage proposal. They are fully aware that no worker can survive on that amount in Nigeria today. N100,000 can barely buy a bag of rice, not to mention rent, transport, healthcare, education, or utilities.”

He further accused the governors of being disconnected from reality, noting that they continue to push poverty wages while enjoying lavish lifestyles funded by taxpayers. “A minimum wage should uphold dignity, not force workers into perpetual hardship,” he added.

The activist’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions between labour unions and government officials over a new national minimum wage. Workers have been demanding a significant increase to reflect the current economic challenges, including inflation and rising costs of goods and services.

Sowore’s stance echoes the frustrations of many Nigerians who believe that the proposed N100,000 is a slap in the face, especially considering the high cost of living in urban areas. He emphasized that the government must prioritize the welfare of workers over political interests.

The debate over the minimum wage continues to stir controversy, with many calling for a more realistic figure that truly supports a decent standard of living.

A legal group, the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), has declared that the recent move by House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not lawful. Chinda recently clinched the APC governorship ticket for Rivers State in the party’s primary.

According to the lawyers, who include constituents from Chinda’s Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, the sole authority to announce a legislator’s defection during a House session rests with the Speaker. They assert that no such official declaration has been made regarding Chinda.

Drawing on Supreme Court precedents, ALDRAP maintains that the defection is invalid. The group’s statement, signed by Jesse Williams Amuga, Esq., emphasizes that a valid party switch requires the Speaker to announce it on the floor. They referenced the Supreme Court case Abegunde vs. O.S.H.A (2015) to support their position.

The lawyers further explained that under Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, the primary condition for a legal defection is that the legislator’s former party must be in a severe crisis rendering it non-functional. They argued that in April 2026, when Chinda defected, the PDP was not in such a state. They noted that the Supreme Court had earlier resolved the PDP’s leadership dispute by recognizing the faction led by Nyesom E. Wike, and the party successfully conducted its primaries, nominating Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate.

ALDRAP outlined the criteria set by the Supreme Court in the case Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Governor of Rivers State and Others for a valid defection: a crisis within the original party, a resignation letter submitted to that party, a membership card from the new party, and a formal announcement by the Speaker. The court also stressed the need for prior consultation with constituents.

The lawyers revealed that Chinda’s constituents had written to him in October 2025, opposing his planned defection and warning of recall proceedings under Section 69 of the Constitution. They have since filed lawsuits to have the Speaker declare Chinda’s seat vacant, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Oloyo vs. Egbe that only the Speaker can declare a seat vacant.