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Folarin Kehinde

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BREAKING: Supreme Court sacks Abure as Labour Party’s National Chairman

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Supreme Court has set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which recognized Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to pronounce Abure as the National Chairman of the LP, having earlier determined that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.

The court ruled that issues of leadership are internal affairs of a political party over which courts lack jurisdiction and noted that Abure’s tenure had since expired.

The Supreme Court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman and one other, declaring it meritorious.

It also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the LP for being unmeritorious.

Details shortly.

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Business

AI, Key to Nigeria’s Next Fintech Evolution – ‘DeRemi Atanda

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Nigeria’s fintech sector has thrived on bold ambition and relentless execution, but as it enters its next phase, strategic intelligence is crucial. According to ‘DeRemi Atanda, Managing Director of Remita, artificial intelligence will play a pivotal role in unlocking new opportunities and shaping the future of the industry.

Atanda in its latest remita report explained that embracing AI strategically will not only enhance operational effectiveness, but also expand access to financial services, ensuring a more inclusive and resilient digital economy.

“Nigeria’s AI market is projected to reach USD $434.4 million by 2026, growing at a staggering 44.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), organisations must therefore position themselves to harness its transformative potential.

“For Nigerian fintechs with a long-term vision, the urgency to act has never been greater. The sector stands at a critical juncture where embracing AI is no longer optional but essential for sustainable growth, innovation, and competitive advantage.”.

“The leaders of tomorrow will be those who understand how to leverage the capabilities that new technologies like AI bring to the fore. The question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to do so in a way that delivers maximally”.

“AI should be a force multiplier – not just an isolated feature set” noted Uchenna Okpagu, Chief AI Officer, Remita. “Fintech firms that embed AI into their operational DNA, to transform security, scalability, and business intelligence, will be the ones to drive the next decade of financial transformation.”

In the same vein, deploying AI is not just about having the latest technology and keeping up with trends, it requires carefully structured implementation, risk assessment, and a commitment to responsible innovation.

“Our commitment to AI innovation is not just about business transformation, it is about strengthening Nigeria’s position as Africa’s fintech powerhouse,” Atanda stated. “Apart from the general insights shared, this report provides some insight into how we have leveraged AI over the years and reinforces our position as a thought leader in AI and fintech innovation.

With the right partnerships, policies, and execution, we can all create a Nigeria and indeed Africa where AI-driven financial services are accessible, efficient, and built to last.”

She however noted that with a legacy of pioneering payment innovations, Remita has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s most transformative payment solutions, setting the benchmark for secure and seamless payment transactions.

As fintech enters the AI-driven era, Remita is once again leading the charge with the launch of its report – Unlocking the Power of AI in Nigeria’s Fintech Sector.

Meanwhile, the report serves as an industry blueprint providing actionable insight for AI adoption in financial services, and equipping fintechs with practical steps to harness AI for business growth, operational resilience, and sustainable innovation.

Conceived as a critical resource for fintech leaders, the report provides industry players with insights to future-proof their operations and stay ahead of evolving global trends.

Nigeria’s fintech sector is expanding rapidly, commanding 52% of Africa’s total fintech funding and housing five of the continent’s nine unicorns as at 2024. According to industry data, the sector has played a significant role in doubling financial inclusion rates from 32% in 2012 to 64% in 2024 – a 100% increase in financial inclusion within a decade.

This momentum is underscored by Nigeria’s surging digital transaction volume, which grew by 16.7% between 2023 and 2024, reaching over 11.2 billion transactions valued at $713 billion (₦1.07 quadrillion) in 2024 alone. AI is setting the stage for more multi-dimensional growth in the fintech sector, propelling the industry to new heights.

As a pioneer in payments and digital finance, Remita is not just adopting AI, it is shaping the standards for AI integration in fintech. This strategy is part of the company’s vision to remain at the forefront of fintech innovation, driving forward-thinking solutions that empower businesses, governments, and individuals.

The future of fintech will be defined by those who build with intention, execute with precision, and adapt to the realities of an AI-driven world, concludes the report.

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Central Bank
Business

Introducing N5000, N10,000 denomination fake – CBN

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has denied introducing new N5,000 and N10,000 notes.

CBN described the reports as false.

There has been widespread reports that the CBN had unveiled the high-denomination bank notes to enhance cash transactions.

The report said the apex bank was set to introduce the new notes to reduce cash-handling costs and improve liquidity management.

Some of the reports attributed the introduction of the new notes to a supposed Deputy Governor, Dr Ibrahim Tahir Jr.

It was reported that the new notes would be released from May 1, 2025.

However, posting the reports on its X page, the CBN wrote: “This content is NOT from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Kindly note that the official website of the CBN is cbn.gov.ng.”

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Headlines

BREAKING: Tinubu sacks NNPCL boss Kyari, names Ojulari as replacement

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

In a sweeping reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited board, President Bola Tinubu has removed the chairman, Pius Akinyelure and the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.

Consequently, the President appointed Bashir Ojulari as the new CEO, effective from April 2, 2025.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed the development in a statement he signed in the early hours of Wednesday titled, ‘President Tinubu reconstitutes NNPC limited board, appoints new Chairman, Group CEO.’

President Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.

The new 11-man board has Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman,” the statement reads.

Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Ajiya as the chief financial officer last November, has been appointed to the new board.

Six board members, non-executive directors, represent the country’s geopolitical zones.

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Headlines

BREAKING: Senator Natasha Alleges: ‘Akpabio Ordered Yahaya Bello to Kill Me’

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the Red Chamber, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of instructing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to kill her.

She also alleged that the current governor, Usman Ododo, is complicit in the plot.

The revelation comes amidst a plot to recall her from the national assembly.

Last week, some constituents from Kogi Central submitted a recall petition against her to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The commission is expected to verify the signatures attached to the petition. According to INEC regulations, the recall process requires more than half of the registered voters in the senatorial district to sign the petition. If this threshold is met, a referendum must be conducted within 90 days.

Under INEC’s recall guidelines, if the petition garners sufficient support, the commission will issue a public notice specifying the time, date, and location of the referendum.

Given the complexity and cost of a recall process, political analysts suggest that the move to unseat Akpoti-Uduaghan may be politically motivated and backed by influential figures.

The recall effort follows a series of controversies involving the senator, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” after a dispute with Senate President Akpabio.

Addressing her supporters during a rally in her hometown of Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, Kogi State, on Wednesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the attempt to recall her was plotted by Akpabio in connivance with other leaders in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

She said, “Let me say this now. On the 14th of March at 10:30 p.m.—mind you, two days before that, on the 12th—Akpabio spoke to Governor Ododo to recall me. But he told him it would be impossible because the masses are with her, the people are with her. But Akpabio was not satisfied.

“He then called for Yahaya Bello. And it was actually Senator Asuquo (Asuquo Ekpenyong, Cross River South) from Cross River who drove Yahaya Bello from Hilton Hotel. I was informed of everything. And when I got to know—hold on. The meeting was in two parts. He told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it. Of course, money changed hands that night.

“The second thing he told him was that he should try and kill me. I didn’t make this public, but I wrote to the IG of Police. And Akpabio told Yahaya Bello—I am standing on what I’ve said. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, that it should be done here so it will seem as if it’s the people that killed me here. I didn’t make that public, but we did notify the security agencies of that.”

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Headlines

Hold Akpabio, Bello, Ododo responsible if anything happens to me – Natasha

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday, urged Nigerians to hold Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, responsible if she and her supporters are attacked.

Akpoti-Uduaghan raised the alarm in a post via her official Facebook.

She said, “My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our peaceful Sallah celebrations today.

“However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Òdodo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible.”

Her warning comes a few hours after she vowed in a statement to go ahead with her scheduled visit to her constituency for the Eid-el-Fìtr break and the rally planned for her homecoming.

The senator also urged her supporters to disregard speculations making the round that she has cancelled her scheduled visit.

While stating that she has a statutory function in her capacity as the lawmaker representing her constituents, the embattled senator encouraged her supporters to troop out en masse to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr with her.

On Monday, the Kogi State Government banned rallies and public gatherings in the state over ‘security reports’.

The government also stopped fishing and other activities, arguing that they recently resulted in the loss of two lives in Kasemiya, Katubo and Umozu Ette, all in Kogi Local Government Area in Kogi West.

The Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo said the move was to prevent any form of security breach.

As of the time of filing this story, one of the Kogi senators named, Bashir Haroon, shared a live feed showing hundreds of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters, comprising mainly women singing and drumming in anticipation of her return.

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Senator Natasha
Headlines

Senator Natasha Breaks Restrictions, Lands by Helicopter at Homecoming Rally

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has defied a state-imposed ban on rallies and movement restrictions to make a dramatic entry into her hometown in Kogi Central, arriving at the venue in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State by helicopter.

POLITICS NIGERIA previously reported that a large crowd of supporters had gathered in anticipation of her arrival, holding placards and chanting slogans in solidarity with the senator.

The senator had on Tuesday morning warned that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, and former Governor Yahaya Bello should be held responsible if any violence disrupts the Sallah celebrations.

“My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our PEACEFUL Sallah celebrations today. However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Ododo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible,” she wrote on her verified Facebook page.Nigerian cultural tours

Despite calls from the police to cancel the rally, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained firm in her decision to meet with her constituents. She dismissed rumours of a canceled trip and urged her supporters to disregard misinformation.

The senator, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate for allegedly violating legislative rules. Additionally, she faces a potential recall, allegedly backed by figures from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akpoti-Uduaghan has been at the center of several controversies, including a recent accusation against Akpabio of sexual harassment.

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Headlines

JUST IN: Bobrisky Arrested by Nigerian Immigration

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Controversial Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky has been allegedly arrested by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

This was disclosed in a post made by Bobrisky on his Instagram account on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Raising an alarm over his arrest, the crossdresser said he is yet to be informed by the officials why he is being detained.

He wrote in the post, “Guys, have just been arrested by immigration in Nigeria. I don’t know what I do o.”

It is also not clear whether the crossdresser was arrested in Lagos, Abuja or any otehr part of the country or where he was headed prior to the arrest by the NIS officials.

More details soon…

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Headlines

Emir Sanusi II Defies Police Ban, Leads Hawan Nasarawa Durbar Procession

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, has led the traditional Hawan Nasarawa Durbar despite a police ban on the event. The historic procession, a key part of Kano’s rich cultural heritage, took place amid heightened tensions.

The police had earlier prohibited the Durbar, citing security concerns, but Emir Sanusi II proceeded with the revered tradition, drawing massive public support.

Traditionally, the event features the Emir and his entourage riding on horseback in a grand procession from his palace to the Government House to pay homage to the governor.

Held on the third day of Shawwal, Hawan Nasarawa is a significant highlight of Eid celebrations in Kano.

However, this year, Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Bakori issued a ban on all durbar activities, citing security threats.

In response, Emir Sanusi II opted to conduct the Hawan Nasarawa in a motorcade rather than the usual horseback procession.

The Emir, accompanied by his entourage, departed the palace in a grand motorcade and proceeded to the Government House, where Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf received him, maintaining the longstanding tradition.

Notably, this year’s event also saw a deviation from the usual route traditionally taken during the procession.

Despite these changes, the Emir’s motorcade was cheered on by a joyous crowd as it made its way to the Government House.

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Senator Natasha
Headlines

Police Warn Senator Natasha Against Returning Home

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The police have asked Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan to cancel her planned Sallah rally in the Central Senatorial district of Kogi State.

The State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye made this known on Tuesday in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP William Aya.

According to the statement, the Kogi police boss said the rally is against the proclamation on ban on political gathering by the state government issued on Monday.

The statement said, “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.

“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.

Despite the Monday proclamation by the state government banning political gathering or rallies, Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to continue with her “homecoming”, adding that she’s only coming to the state to celebrate Eid Fitr with her constituents.

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