Category: News

The Nigerian government has greenlit three major railway initiatives valued at approximately $2.99 billion, aiming to bolster infrastructure and stimulate economic activity in key urban areas. Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele made the announcement after a Federal Executive Council meeting led by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

These projects—the first phase of the Lagos Green Line rail, the Kano Metro City rail, and the Kaduna light rail—are designed to improve urban mobility, increase productivity, and enhance living standards, according to Oyedele. He emphasized that robust infrastructure is essential for economic progress and quality of life.

The chosen cities—Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna—were selected for their strategic importance as economic hubs where investments can yield maximum impact. Oyedele noted that a focused effort in these locations could achieve substantial results, comparing it to a scenario where ten percent effort yields ninety percent returns.

Funding for the projects will be managed by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated on behalf of the federal government, with contributions from counterpart funds. Oyedele, who recently succeeded Wale Edun, confirmed that the combined cost is estimated at $2.99 billion.

This approval highlights the administration’s commitment to prioritizing infrastructure development as a cornerstone of inclusive growth and sustainable urban transport systems.

The Lagos State Government has confirmed that the airlift of its pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj will commence on May 7. This announcement was made by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, through a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, Taofeek Lawal. The commissioner also revealed the formation of an ad-hoc committee tasked with managing all aspects of the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The committee, led by Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, was officially inaugurated at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja. Layode noted that about 1,600 intending pilgrims from Lagos will be transported in multiple phases, starting with an initial group of 345 on the first flight.

Flight Schedule and Baggage Allowance

The commissioner detailed the flight timeline: the second flight is set for Friday, May 8; the third on Sunday, May 10; the fourth on Tuesday, May 12; and the final flight on Wednesday, May 13. These dates adhere to the schedule provided by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Additionally, Layode announced that Flynas, the airline designated by NAHCON, has increased the baggage allowance. Each pilgrim can now check in two bags weighing 23kg each, bringing the total checked allowance to 46kg, while hand luggage remains limited to 8kg.

Committee Mandate and Composition

Addressing the committee members, Layode emphasized that their selection was based on competence and dedication. They are expected to ensure smooth planning and execution of all Hajj activities, covering logistics coordination, pilgrim welfare, accommodation, medical support, and other arising responsibilities. The appointments took immediate effect and will last throughout the 2026 Hajj operations.

Jebe expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, and the commissioner for the trust placed in the committee. He pledged full commitment to a successful Hajj exercise and appealed for continued ministry support. He also announced the sub-committees and their chairpersons: Musliudeen Maiyegun (Accommodation), Ajisegiri Ismail Ajibade (Welfare), Waheed Lolade Shonibare (Manifest, Visa, and Media), Alhaji Shakiru Gafar (Madinah/Muna and Arafat), Prof. Kabir Paramole (Dawah/Enlightenment), Alhaji Mojeed Sanni (Transport), and Alhaji Yusuf Ara (Luggage and Weighing).

Public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu has strongly criticized the Nigerian government for what he describes as religious favoritism following the launch of a massive ecumenical chapel at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, valued at N25 billion.

In a post on X late Wednesday, Shehu reacted to news that the Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria had officially begun building the worship facility. He pointed out that the project was inaugurated on April 26, 2026, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, along with Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, among other high-ranking officials and Christian leaders.

Shehu cited Akume’s description of the project as a “confluence of faith and progress” meant to address travelers’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. He also referenced Okoh’s remark that passengers require a space to regain calm before boarding their flights.

The commentator argued that the heavy presence of government officials at the flag-off signals full presidential backing. “For this project to be flagged off by the SGF and the Aviation Minister means the President is fully aware and has given his consent,” Shehu stated, adding that land allocation for the chapel likely involved key government figures.

He then raised pointed questions about religious equity: “When will Muslim travelers be given equally prominent and visible land space to build a mosque at the airport?” Shehu also asked whether the government would provide the same level of financial support to Muslims as it did to CAN, and whether Muslim ministers would be deployed for a similar groundbreaking ceremony.

Shehu warned that without equal treatment, the project risks being perceived as partial. He likened the situation to an unbalanced equation: “This N25 billion project is an equation with two variables—one known, one unknown. For the picture to become clear, the equation must be balanced, otherwise it remains the case of a mother in charge of the kitchen feeding her children first and starving the others out of hate.”

He also called on President Bola Tinubu to issue a disclaimer disassociating himself from the project to maintain neutrality in the eyes of Muslim faithful.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign organization in Osun State has expressed strong confidence that its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, will emerge victorious over the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke, well ahead of the close of polls on election day. Oluwole Oke, the Director General of the APC campaign, made this declaration on Wednesday during the launch of an expanded campaign council comprising over 800 members, marking a significant step ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

Oke sharply criticized the current administration’s management of state resources, asserting that Oyebamiji is fully prepared to steer Osun away from what he described as a trajectory of decline under Adeleke’s leadership. He emphasized that the campaign council is unwavering in its mission to remove the sitting governor, stating unequivocally that Adeleke’s tenure is effectively over.

According to Oke, the campaign team has already initiated grassroots mobilization and local campaigns following the council’s formal announcement. He alleged widespread failure across key sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, and mining, claiming that public institutions are no longer operating effectively. Oke dismissed the current government’s focus on salary payments as a minimal expectation rather than an achievement, asserting that paying workers is a basic obligation, not a milestone.

The APC campaign chief underscored the party’s commitment to addressing pressing socio-economic issues such as poverty, unemployment, and governance challenges. He promised a suite of programs aimed at improving welfare and restoring what he called the state’s former glory. Oke confidently predicted that Oyebamiji would be declared the validly elected governor before 10:00 PM on August 15, 2026, reiterating the party’s track record in unseating incumbents.

The campaign council is structured into several committees, including Peace and Resolution, Contact and Mobilization, Women Mobilization, Media and Publicity, Youth and Civil Society, Social Engagement, Research and Strategy, Legal, Medical, Diaspora, Multiface Interface, Entertainment, and Non-Indigene committees, each led by designated chairpersons and secretaries to ensure a robust and coordinated campaign effort.

The newly inaugurated Action Peoples Party (APP) chapter in Imo State has strongly rejected reports that a Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara State, nullified the party’s congresses held nationwide. According to the party’s state Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Steve Nnadi, there is no valid court judgment or ex parte order from any court in Zamfara affecting the party’s activities.

Reports had claimed that Justice Hamza Mohamed invalidated all congresses conducted and supervised by the national leadership of APP under Barrister Uchenna Nnadi, which would have implications for the Imo State chapter. However, the party’s leadership insists these claims are false and intended to mislead the public.

The Imo State chapter of APP successfully conducted its congress on Sunday, April 2026, alongside other states, electing Hon. Ernest Njesi as state chairman and other officers. Ambassador Nnadi emphasized that the Federal High Court in Zamfara lacks the jurisdiction to hear the ex parte motion filed by an individual named Kelechi Anyanwu, who is not a member of the party.

The state Publicity Secretary labeled the reports as “fake news from the pit of hell” and accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Imo State of being behind the misinformation. He described the claims as the “cacophony and blabbing of an outgoing failed government” that should be entirely disregarded.

Ambassador Nnadi urged all APP members and the general public to ignore the reports, reaffirming that the party’s congresses remain valid and that no court has nullified them or deregistered the party. He called the legal action by a faceless individual an abuse of judicial process.

President Bola Tinubu has reportedly authorized the 31 governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to determine the fate of aspirants in their respective states ahead of the 2027 general election. This move, aimed at preserving party unity and cohesion, emerged from a closed-door meeting between Tinubu and APC governors.

During the meeting, Tinubu reaffirmed the party’s decision to allow states to adopt either consensus or direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act. Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, confirmed that the president ceded his executive power to the governors to conduct primaries. This development has sparked anxiety among federal lawmakers, particularly those not aligned with their state governors.

Lawmakers had previously met with Tinubu to request automatic tickets, but the president insisted that governors hold sway over aspirant selection. A House of Representatives member from the South-East noted that there is still time to resolve concerns through internal party mechanisms, adding that it is premature to conclude that lawmakers have been sidelined.

Political analyst Sumner Sambo, Political Editor at Arise News, revealed that some federal lawmakers regret their decisions, having counted on automatic tickets rather than facing primaries. He stated that many lawmakers now realize their support for executive policies may not guarantee nominations, with some admitting they would not have defected to the APC had they known automatic tickets were not assured.

Communication expert Nduka Odo from Peaceland University criticized Tinubu’s directive as a threat to democratic principles. He questioned whether democracy exists when governors decide who contests, warning that the move could tighten control within the party hierarchy. Odo added that the Electoral Act’s restrictions on party defection at this stage make the situation more difficult for affected politicians.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is not available for purchase, and it will present a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2027 general elections. This declaration was made by Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s former presidential aspirant, during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

Kachikwu’s statement came in response to a court ruling that prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from acknowledging any congresses conducted by the faction led by David Mark. He described the nullification of conventions by the Federal High Court in Abuja as illegitimate, labeling them as kangaroo gatherings.

According to Kachikwu, the recent court decision on factional congresses has effectively thwarted attempts to take over the party. He emphasized that the verdict validated his earlier warnings about individuals trying to seize control of ADC for personal gain. “The ADC is not for sale,” he asserted. “Our party will field a presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections. Those who attempted to hijack our party have been expelled through the same back door they entered.”

Kachikwu praised the court for upholding the rule of law and protecting the party’s integrity. He called on party members to remain united as they prepare for the elections, promising a transparent and democratic process to select their candidate.

The Yobe State All Progressives Congress (APC) Critical Stakeholders’ Forum has thrown its weight behind former Secretary to the State Government, Baba Malam Wali, as its preferred aspirant for the 2027 governorship election. This was disclosed in a statement signed by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni, after the stakeholders’ gathering held Wednesday in Abuja.

The forum lauded Wali as a well-experienced bureaucrat possessing the necessary skills, composure, and temper for effective administration. According to the statement, the former SSG has played an active role in successive governments in the state over many years, making him an ideal candidate to carry forward the state’s development agenda.

“The party, at its stakeholders’ meeting last week, agreed to produce its candidates through the consensus mode of election,” the statement further noted. It also highlighted that Governor Buni and the forum’s chairman, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, reiterated the party’s dedication to continuous dialogue aimed at fostering unity within the party.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has accused certain members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to sabotage the upcoming governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026. In a statement released on Wednesday through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor claimed that opposition figures are resorting to undemocratic strategies out of fear of losing the poll.

The statement highlighted that internal assessments and opinion surveys conducted between late 2025 and March 2026 reportedly show the APC’s popularity dipping below 30 percent, while Adeleke’s approval rating stands between 68 and 72 percent. This, according to the governor, indicates that the people of Osun have rejected the APC, pushing the opposition to desperate measures.

“Having seen clearly that Osun people have rejected them, they are now resorting to anti-democratic means in a last-ditch effort to secure power,” the statement read. It further alleged that recent comments by Akin Ogunbiyi regarding President Bola Tinubu’s stance have unsettled factions within the Osun APC, particularly those aligned with former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, leading to heightened tensions and what Adeleke described as desperate political maneuvers.

The governor also accused the opposition of attempting to destabilize other political parties and pushing for their deregistration after failing to gain control. However, the Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, dismissed the allegations as baseless and a sign of anxiety within the governor’s camp. Olabisi stated, “This is simple arithmetic. Those eminent politicians in their camp have all left. Look at Wole Oke, Fadahunsi, Ajilesoro, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi and many others. So, what is left of their party? Apart from the fact that their party is unpopular, it is also spineless. The people of Osun should discountenance Adeleke because he doesn’t know what he is saying.”

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has reassured party members that the party will fully participate in the 2027 general elections, despite ongoing legal disputes. Speaking on Wednesday night after a briefing from the party’s legal team on a recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, Mark expressed strong confidence in overcoming all litigation.

“You have nothing to fear regarding the various lawsuits before the party,” Mark stated. “I assure you that we will prevail in every case and will appear on the ballot for all elections.” He emphasized the party’s readiness to exhaust all legal avenues, adding, “We are fully prepared for these cases and will act within the law to resolve every situation.” Mark pledged to personally guide the party through the judicial process.

The ADC has already filed an appeal and a motion for a stay of execution against the court’s decision, demonstrating its resolve to challenge the ruling. Mark’s comments come as the party ramps up preparations for the 2027 elections, a crucial period for strengthening its political position. Party officials believe this development will boost confidence among members and reaffirm the ADC’s commitment to remaining a significant political force.

Earlier, the legal team briefed Mark and other leaders on the implications of the court judgment and outlined strategies for the upcoming cases.