Nelson Ugwuagbo

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday unanimously resolved not to join any coalition or merger as the 2027 elections approach.

The PDP Governors’ Forum meeting, held in Ibadan, Oyo State, was attended by key governors, including Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa.

Governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom were represented by their deputies.

In a communiqué read by the Governor of Bauchi State and the forum’s Chairman, Bala Mohammed, the forum noted the “nationwide speculations about possible mergers of parties, groups, and/or associations” and resolved that “the Forum will not join any coalition or merger.”

Equally, the forum emphasised that “the PDP, as a major opposition party, welcomes any parties, persons, or groups that are willing to join the party with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027.”

The governors reiterated their positions regarding the party’s national secretary, stating, “The Forum reiterates its position taken in Asaba regarding the National Secretary of the party.”

They recommended that the deputy secretary temporarily act as national secretary “pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive secretary from the Southeast zone at its next meeting.”

The communiqué also expressed solidarity with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stating, “We restate our commitment to stand with him until the end amid the challenges posed by the declaration of a state of emergency in his state.”

Addressing the worsening security situation in the country, particularly in Borno, Katsina, and Edo States, the forum expressed alarm, stating, “The Forum finds alarming the worsening security situation in the country.”

The PDP governors called for a “review and reorientation of priorities and strategies,” emphasising the need for a bottom-up approach to tackle security breaches effectively.

A coalition of women groups on Monday staged a protest in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in support of the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu in the state.

Dressed in white, the women marched from the Garrison Flyover to Isaac Boro Park, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “State of Emergency is Constitutional” and “We Don’t Want Fubara.”

The demonstration was led by Ifeyinwa Aguma, a former Commissioner for Social Welfare in Rivers State and an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The protesters expressed support for Ibok-Ette Ibas, who was appointed by President Tinubu as the administrator of the state following the declaration of emergency rule. They urged him to continue his work in the state.

Monday’s protest follows a similar demonstration last week by women who declared their support for the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.

President Tinubu had last month declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the ongoing political crisis. He suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

Citing security reports and recent pipeline explosions in the state, the President described the emergency declaration as “inevitably compelling.”

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that 180 candidates who attempted to cheat during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) mock exercise will face severe sanctions, including the cancellation of their results.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this known on Thursday while monitoring the mock examination at a Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre in Bwari, Abuja. According to him, the candidates were caught after making payments to a fraudulent website set up by the board as part of its strategy to expose examination malpractice.

“We have opened our own rogue website. As of this morning, about 180 students have paid into it. Attempting to cheat is already an infraction, and we are going to deal firmly with them. Their results, both UTME and Direct Entry (DE), will be cancelled,” Oloyede said.

He added that the board’s decision is aimed at sending a strong message to candidates and institutions encouraging malpractice. Oloyede also warned students against giving out their registration details, stressing that UTME is not a school-based examination and should not be manipulated by third parties.

“Some of these schools want to brag that their students scored high marks, but we are fully aware of these tactics. We are doing everything possible to stop such practices,” he stated.

Oloyede advised candidates to avoid fraudulent websites and individuals claiming to provide exam questions or shortcuts, noting that some candidates paid as much as N30,000 for fake services.

Meanwhile, over 211,000 candidates sat for the 2025 UTME mock examination nationwide on Thursday. The results of the exercise are expected to be released on Friday.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-gantry price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) to N865 per litre. This marks a N15 decrease from the previous price of N880 per litre, which was in effect as of Wednesday.

The new pricing was communicated to marketers and customers through an official notice issued by the refinery on Thursday morning.

This latest price adjustment reflects Dangote Refinery’s ongoing efforts to stabilize the downstream petroleum market and provide relief to consumers amid fluctuating fuel costs. The reduction is expected to positively impact the cost of transportation and industrial operations, which rely heavily on diesel.

Eleven governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have filed a suit at the Supreme Court challenging the powers of President Bola Tinubu to suspend the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.

The suit, instituted on Tuesday by the state governments through their respective Attorneys General, also seeks the apex court’s interpretation on the legality of the president’s alleged declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The plaintiff states include Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa.

The governors are urging the Supreme Court to determine whether the president has the constitutional authority to suspend any elected structure of government in a state, particularly the office of a governor and deputy governor, or replace them with an unelected nominee under the guise of a state of emergency.

In the summons predicated on eight grounds, the plaintiffs posed several legal questions to the court. These include whether President Tinubu’s alleged actions align with the provisions of Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188, and 305 of the 1999 Constitution, particularly concerning the suspension or interference with a state’s executive offices.

They also queried whether the suspension of a State House of Assembly can be lawfully carried out under Sections 1(2), 4(6), 11(4) & (5), 90, 105, and 305 of the Constitution as part of a state of emergency declaration.

Furthermore, the plaintiffs challenged the constitutionality of what they described as a “threat” by the federal government to suspend state executives or legislatures using emergency powers, stating that such actions contradict constitutional provisions and the principles of federalism.

The defendants named in the suit are expected to file an appearance within 14 days from the date of service.

In a bid to counter mounting criticism from prominent northern figures such as former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Senator Ali Ndume, the Presidency has released a comprehensive list of President Bola Tinubu’s appointments since assuming office.

The list, unveiled by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, details 134 federal appointments across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, revealing a complex picture of regional distribution that has ignited fresh debates about fairness, competence, and ethnic favoritism.

The data shows that the North collectively secured 71 appointments, slightly edging out the South’s 63. Breaking it down further, the North West leads with 36 positions, followed by the North Central with 25, and the North East with 24. In the South, the South West dominates with 29 appointments, while the South South secured 22, and the South East trails significantly with only 16.

The Presidency has touted this as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to national unity, with Dare emphasizing in a statement that “President Tinubu is a detribalised leader” who prioritizes merit over tribal affiliations.

However, a closer look at the list reveals a stark reality: while the North may have a numerical advantage, the South West—Tinubu’s home region—holds a disproportionate share of the country’s most powerful and influential positions.

Key roles such as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy (Wale Edun), Central Bank Governor (Olayemi Cardoso), Chief of Army Staff (Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja), Inspector General of Police (Kayode Egbetokun), and Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Olanipekun Olukoyede) all hail from the South West. Notably, the region has no Ministers of State—junior ministerial roles—indicating that its appointees occupy only senior, high-impact positions.

Critics argue this concentration of key portfolios in the South West undermines claims of equitable distribution. “The South West holds all the key positions,” observed X user @Udoh_D
in a widely circulated post. “SW region has no Ministers of State; all appointees are full senior ministers. Compare that to 16 for the South East—mostly minor roles. It’s clear where the power lies.”

The South East’s paltry 16 appointments have drawn particular outrage, with many accusing Tinubu of bigotry against the region.

Unlike the South West’s commanding roles, South Eastern appointees are largely relegated to less influential positions, such as Minister of State for Finance (Dr. Doris Anite Uzoka), Minister of State for Labour (Nkeiru Onyejiocha), and a handful of special assistants and managing directors of lesser-known agencies.

The highest-profile appointment from the region, Minister of Works (Sen. Dave Umahi), stands out as an exception rather than the rule.

Senator Ndume, a vocal critic from Borno South, has repeatedly warned that Tinubu’s appointments violate the federal character principle enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution, predicting political repercussions if the imbalance persists.

The Presidency has fired back, with Dare arguing that Tinubu’s selections are based on “merit, integrity, and geographical spread,” not “tribal arithmetic.” Yet, the list’s release appears to be a calculated move to appease northern elites like Ndume and El-Rufai, who have expressed discontent over perceived marginalization.

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has commenced an energy audit across universities and medical institutions nationwide as part of efforts to assess and address the energy needs of these establishments. The audit is scheduled for completion before the end of the year.

The initiative is part of a broader national drive to invest in renewable energy technologies and smart technology solutions. According to the Commission, these investments are critical to accelerating Nigeria’s development, ensuring sustainability, and attracting foreign direct investment.

Highlighting global precedents, the ECN referenced Morocco’s Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex—the world’s largest concentrated solar farm—which has contributed significantly to energy security and job creation in the region. The Commission noted that Nigeria holds immense potential to replicate such achievements, particularly in the northern region where solar intensity is highest.

“Security and job creation are two intertwined issues that technology can help resolve,” the Commission stated, citing the examples of Israel and the United States, where renewable energy supports security infrastructure such as AI-driven surveillance and drone technology. The Commission suggested that Nigeria could adopt similar strategies, including the use of solar-powered security cameras in high-risk zones and technology-driven agricultural solutions to address youth unemployment—a major contributor to insecurity.

With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 25, the ECN emphasized the importance of training programs in sustainable technologies such as solar panel installation, smart agriculture, and energy management. Such programs, it said, would not only generate employment but also help tackle the nation’s persistent power deficit.

The Commission also highlighted the role of renewable energy in enhancing education and national development. It pointed to countries like Finland and South Korea, which have leveraged digital tools and smart classrooms powered by renewable energy to transform their educational systems. The ECN envisioned a future in which rural Nigerian schools have uninterrupted electricity from solar microgrids, enabling students in remote areas to access digital learning platforms.

Speaking on the federal government’s support for the energy sector, the Director-General of the ECN expressed satisfaction with the innovative policies, strategic partnerships, and intentional financing enabled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the “Renewed Hope Administration.” He also commended the role of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, led by Honourable Minister Chief Uche Nnaji, for its commitment to advancing energy solutions in the country.

The Director-General further announced a major federal government initiative aimed at bridging the gap between energy supply and demand through renewable sources. According to him, the federal government has recently appropriated funds to the ECN for the “Solarisation of Critical Infrastructure Across the Country.”

The ECN will oversee the full implementation of this project, which will benefit universities, teaching hospitals, and other public institutions. Under the initiative, solar hybrid mini-grids with capacities of up to 2 megawatts will be installed in federal government institutions and hospitals across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).