Nelson Ugwuagbo

More than 500 shops and stalls were destroyed in a fire that engulfed the popular Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan, Oyo State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed on Thursday.

The fire, which broke out around 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday in the Ibadan South West Local Government Area, caused extensive damage, with goods worth hundreds of millions of naira lost.

The South-West Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Kadiri Olanrewaju, revealed in an assessment report that many traders had recently restocked their goods, worsening their financial losses.

“No fatalities were recorded, but several individuals sustained minor injuries from smoke inhalation and shock while attempting to salvage their goods,” Olanrewaju stated.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started in the Plastic Merchants section of the market before spreading rapidly due to the flammable nature of the stored materials.

Emergency response teams, including the Oyo State Fire Service, private fire units from SWEETCO and SUMAL, market security personnel, and local volunteers, battled to contain the blaze.

However, firefighting efforts were hindered by the lack of a functional fire truck at the market’s fire station and an inadequate water supply. Despite these challenges, responders managed to prevent the fire from spreading to other sections of the market.

Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, visited the market to assess the damage and assured affected traders of immediate relief support through the State Emergency Management Agency and NEMA.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and are considering measures to prevent future occurrences.

NEMA has recommended several steps, including:

– Strengthening fire safety measures within the market.
– Equipping market fire stations with functional fire trucks and adequate water supply.
– Conducting regular fire drills and safety training for traders.
– Enhancing emergency response infrastructure.
– Establishing a well-equipped emergency response unit within the market.
– Strengthening partnerships between the Federal and State Governments and private organizations to – improve disaster response.
– The state government has pledged to provide emergency relief packages to help affected traders recover from their losses.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for a reassessment of the country’s political system, arguing that “Western liberal democracy” is failing Nigeria.

In his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, unveiled during his 88th birthday celebrations last week, Obasanjo criticized past and present leaders, describing many as “ill-prepared, satanic, and self-centered.”

He accused them of using public office for personal enrichment while leaving the country in worse conditions.

“How do you explain the situation of a governor who owed billions before election, yet within two years in office, without running any business, he cleared all his debts?” Obasanjo wrote.

He alleged that state resources were being misappropriated, with a fraction distributed among associates to prevent whistleblowing.

Obasanjo also took aim at the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing its policies as corrupt and wasteful.

He specifically condemned the N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, calling it an “example of misplaced priorities and corruption.”

“Typical examples of waste and corruption include the murky Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, on which the President has turned deaf ears to protests,” he stated.

He further criticized the construction of a new Vice President’s residence at a reported cost of N21 billion, calling it an unnecessary expenditure in a time of economic hardship.

The former president argued that Nigeria must move away from Western liberal democracy and develop a system better suited to its governance needs.

He proposed an alternative model, which he termed Afrodemocracy, emphasizing that Africa should adopt a political framework that aligns with its history and culture.

“If the West, where liberal democracy originated, complains about its flaws, then we should be wise enough to introspect and develop a system that works for Africa,” Obasanjo wrote.

His remarks have sparked debate over the country’s governance structure, as calls for political and economic reforms continue to grow.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has called on members of the State House of Assembly to prioritize the interests of the people and embrace peace to resolve the ongoing political impasse in the state.

Speaking on Thursday while commissioning projects in Okrika Local Government Area, Fubara emphasized the need for stability to enable effective governance.

“It is important at this stage that we all embrace peace,” he said. “The Supreme Court has made its judgment, and we have no option but to abide by it. By the special grace of God, we have started the process.”

He urged all political actors in the state to put past grievances behind them and focus on implementing the Supreme Court’s February 28, 2025, decisions.

“We are appealing to other parties: consider the interest of Rivers State. The only thing we owe this state is peace and development,” he added. “I am open any day, any time for total peace in our state because if I have to govern well, there is the need for peace.”

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has expressed willingness to collaborate with Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, made the declaration on Thursday during a courtesy visit by Obi to Bauchi.

Although the governor did not explicitly suggest a formal alliance between their parties, their discussions reportedly centered on governance, economic issues, and areas of mutual interest.

Obi arrived at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport in Bauchi at around 10:00 a.m., where he was received by Deputy Governor Mohammed Auwal Jatau. He was accompanied by former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, among others, before proceeding to the Government House for a closed-door meeting with Governor Mohammed.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mohammed described Obi as a “foremost statesman” with deep economic expertise, political vision, and a strong commitment to good governance. He emphasized the need for unity among opposition parties to address Nigeria’s challenges.

“We in the PDP, as the chairman of my colleagues, the governors, have always admired him. We have always shown interest because behind the scenes, I have been meeting him,” Mohammed said.

“This is not the first time. In fact, I was going to meet him in Abuja, but out of his humility, he decided to come here.”

The governor acknowledged Obi’s role as a key figure in Nigeria’s opposition, stating that collaboration could help bridge political divides, strengthen governance, and address poverty and ignorance.

“As for me, I am ready to work with Peter Obi to ensure we close ranks, bring good governance to the country, and give a vibrant opposition with knowledge, vision, and sincerity,” he added.

Obi, in his remarks, described his visit as part of wider consultations aimed at addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. He stressed the importance of cooperation across party lines to drive national development.

“We must invest in critical areas to pull people out of poverty and reduce criminality. The North is a critical component if we are going to get it right in this country,” Obi stated.

He also criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for what he described as a focus on trivial issues rather than addressing urgent concerns such as hunger, poverty, education, and healthcare.

“It is time to preoccupy ourselves with discussions that affect the people. That is why I am here,” Obi said.

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following recent controversies surrounding the Red Chamber.

The motion was moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele under Orders 40 and 51, emphasizing the need for clarity, adherence to legislative rules, and a renewed focus on governance.

The controversy stems from the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, over allegations of gross misconduct and violations of Senate rules. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, described her suspension as an injustice and reported the matter to the United Nations’ Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on Tuesday.

However, the Senate, in a response to the IPU on Wednesday, clarified that her suspension was unrelated to the sexual harassment claims but was based on disciplinary infractions.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Bamidele acknowledged heightened public interest in the case due to the allegations but insisted that the Senate had not, at any point since August 2023, been formally notified of any sexual harassment complaints. He stated that the matter before the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee was strictly about breaches of legislative rules.

“I want to make it clear that the matter referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges had nothing to do with sexual harassment. The Senate President did not preside over any case related to such allegations. What was addressed was a flagrant disregard for Senate rules, and we followed due process as guided by the Constitution,” he said.

Bamidele defended the Senate’s authority to regulate its internal affairs, including disciplinary actions such as suspensions, arguing that such measures were necessary to maintain order and legislative integrity. He dismissed claims that the Senate acted beyond its constitutional rights, stating that suspension remains a critical tool to prevent disorder within the chamber.

Regarding international reactions, Bamidele clarified that the IPU acted within its own rules and that any statements made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan at the IPU meeting were in a personal capacity, not as an official delegate representing Nigeria.

“We need to move past the events of the last two weeks and focus on our legislative responsibilities, including electoral reforms, economic recovery, and tax reform bills,” he added.

Addressing concerns raised by Civil Society Organizations, Bamidele acknowledged Nigeria’s ongoing challenges while urging the public to be objective in their assessments.

“We have heard you, but we need to concentrate on our work. If we choose to remain silent on this matter going forward, know that it is intentional. Please be objective in your analysis and save energy for genuine cases of sexual harassment,” he stated.

Following deliberations, the Senate passed a vote of confidence in Akpabio’s leadership, commending the handling of the situation.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over Thursday’s plenary session, emphasized the need for lawmakers to focus on their oversight functions, particularly in light of the recently passed budget.

He further noted that the matter is now before the courts, urging the Senate to allow the legal process to take its course.

Angry market women in Ondo State took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the abduction of nine surveyors at Owode Ilu-Abo in Akure South Local Government Area.

The women, holding placards, expressed their growing concerns over the worsening security situation in the state. The protest led to a blockade at the governor’s office, causing significant traffic gridlock in Akure for several hours.

The protesters called on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims, who were reportedly at Owode Ilu-Abo for work when they were kidnapped by suspected bandits.

Toyin Arowosafe, a market leader, told reporters that the kidnappers had contacted them and demanded a ransom of N100 million. Despite attempts to negotiate the ransom down to N50 million, the kidnappers rejected the offer.

Arowosafe confirmed that the surveyors were abducted on Tuesday of the previous week. Comfort Afolabi, one of the protesters and a relative of one of the victims, also affirmed that the kidnappers had demanded N100 million.

Bola Taiwo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters, addressed the protesters and reassured them that the state government is actively working to resolve the situation. He expressed optimism that the victims would be released soon and urged the protesters to remain calm.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, challenging the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State.

In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, the apex court ruled that the appeal was “baseless, frivolous, and lacking in merit,” and consequently upheld the decisions of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Ajayi had sought to nullify Aiyedatiwa’s victory, alleging that the deputy governor, Owolabi Adelami, was ineligible due to accusations of forgery, impersonation, and using a false identity. However, both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal dismissed Ajayi’s case on procedural grounds, reinforcing Aiyedatiwa’s legitimacy as governor.

Ajayi filed the legal challenge on June 7, 2024, claiming that Adelami’s eligibility was compromised due to the alleged falsification of documents. During the initial proceedings, the defendants, including Aiyedatiwa, Adelami, the APC, and INEC, argued that Ajayi lacked standing to file the suit and that the case had exceeded the constitutionally mandated 14-day window for such challenges.

On December 2, 2024, the Federal High Court dismissed the case, stating that the allegations of forgery required substantial evidence that could not be presented through an originating summons. The court also ruled that the petition was “statute-barred” as it was filed after the legal deadline.

The Court of Appeal upheld this ruling on January 18, 2025, and imposed a fine of ₦500,000 on Ajayi.

With the Supreme Court’s final verdict, the legal dispute over the Ondo State governorship election has now been resolved, affirming Aiyedatiwa’s victory.

At least three separate groups staged demonstrations at the assembly entrance, expressing support for Akpabio leadership and endorsing the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).

The protesters accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to blackmail the Senate following her removal as chairperson of the Committee on Local Content. They voiced their approval of the disciplinary action taken against her, chanting slogans and displaying banners backing the Senate’s decision.

Security operatives were on the ground to monitor the situation as the demonstrations unfolded peacefully.

Oil marketers have raised concerns over the negative impact of fluctuating petrol prices on their businesses, warning that the instability threatens their survival.

The President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gilly-Harris, highlighted the issue during an interview on Channels Television’s Business Morning on Tuesday. He noted that the recent volatility in fuel prices has put significant financial pressure on retail outlets.

The concerns follow an ongoing price competition between the Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). After Dangote Refinery reduced its ex-depot price by ₦65, retail pump prices at its filling stations dropped from ₦925–₦930 to ₦860 per litre. In response, NNPCL also slashed prices at its retail outlets, intensifying competition between the two major players in the sector.

Gilly-Harris stated that the frequent price changes have made it difficult for retailers to sustain their businesses.

“In our consistent weekly reviews, we have seen that the level of losses and the possibility of many of us going out of business are becoming glaring,” he said.

He added that while marketers strive to ensure affordability for consumers, the unpredictable price swings make it difficult to remain financially stable.

“The challenge is that we buy products at a certain price, and before the close of business, the price drops. There should be a mechanism to regulate price fluctuations to prevent negative impacts on the industry,” he said.

Gilly-Harris emphasized that businesses can only survive by maintaining minimal profits to cover operating costs. He expressed concerns about purchasing fuel at ₦880 per litre, only for the price to drop to ₦840–₦870, making it difficult for retailers to recover their investments.

Speaking on price regulation in the downstream sector, he noted that PETROAN members have the capacity to import or buy locally refined products. However, he stressed that they would not operate at a loss.

“We have always implemented stakeholder agreements, and we have the capacity to import or purchase locally refined products. But with prices fluctuating without clear business consultations, we urge the NMDPRA and the Consumer Protection Agency to take action and work with stakeholders to ensure a stable market and pricing system,” he said.

Oil marketers are calling for regulatory intervention to prevent further disruptions in the sector and ensure price stability for both businesses and consumers