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Seyi Makinde Declares For President in PDP/APM Alliance

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 14, 2026

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party backed by Seyi Makinde and the Allied Peoples’ Movement on Thursday strengthened opposition collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections by signing a Memorandum of Understanding in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The agreement was signed by Seyi Bamidele on behalf of the PDP faction, while Oladele Oyadeji signed for the APM. Governor Makinde and APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle also endorsed the pact on behalf of their respective parties.

The development comes as Governor Makinde also declared his intention to contest the presidential election.

May 14, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Energy DG, Mustapha Abdullahi over N500bn Fraud

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 13, 2026

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering offences involving an estimated N500 billion.

A source within the anti-graft agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly on the matter, disclosed on Wednesday that Abdullahi was arrested in Abuja and is currently in the custody of the commission.

According to the source, the alleged fraud is linked to funds amounting to about N500 billion.

“We have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for money laundering offences. He was arrested and is currently in our custody. The money involved is estimated at N500 billion,” the source said.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Abdullahi as Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria on October 24, 2023.

Further details are expected later.

May 13, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

Court Sentence Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman to 75 Years Imprisonment for Embezzling N33.8 Billion

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 13, 2026

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over a N33.8 billion money laundering and fraud case.

Mamman was convicted on all 12 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho sentenced the former minister to seven years imprisonment each on 10 counts, while counts four and five attracted three years and two years jail terms respectively.

The court ruled that the sentences would run consecutively and without the option of a fine, except for count four, where the convict was given an option of a N10 million fine.

Justice Omotosho also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from Mamman, alongside four high-value properties in Abuja linked to the proceeds of the crime.

The EFCC had arraigned Mamman in July 2024 on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and conspiracy. The anti-graft agency accused him of collaborating with ministry officials and private firms to divert N33.8 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.

May 13, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

FG to Borrow Fresh $1.25 Billion Loan From World Bank

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 12, 2026

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government is currently in advanced discussions with the World Bank over a proposed $1.25 billion loan aimed at supporting economic reforms, job creation, and investment growth, according to a document obtained by Leading Reporters.

The document, titled Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration, revealed that negotiations for the facility have reached a critical stage ahead of its expected presentation for approval on June 26, 2026.

According to the report, the loan has moved beyond the initial concept and appraisal phases, indicating significant progress in the approval process.

If approved, the facility would rank as Nigeria’s second-largest World Bank loan after the $1.5 billion Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation Development Policy Financing approved in June 2024.

The document identified the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the borrower, while the Federal Ministry of Finance is expected to serve as the implementing agency for the programme.

May 12, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

Senate, Reps Approve N1.75tn NDDC Budget for 2026

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 11, 2026

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Senate and House of Representatives has on Tuesday passed the N1.75 trillion 2026 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

They also approved the N2.285 trillion 2026 budget of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), with the Senate increasing the proposal by N84 billion from the N2.201 trillion initially submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March.

A breakdown of the approved budget shows that N165.775 billion was earmarked for personnel costs, N378.231 billion for overhead expenses, while N1.741 trillion was allocated to capital projects.

The House of Representatives also passed the N1.75 trillion 2026 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Presenting the report of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Austin Akobondu of Abia Central said the committee engaged with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and other relevant officials to finalise the budget framework and spending plans.

According to the report, capital expenditure accounts for 76.19 per cent of the total budget, overhead costs represent 16.55 per cent, while personnel costs make up 7.25 per cent.

The budget was approved during plenary at the Committee of Supply after lawmakers overwhelmingly supported it through voice votes.

However, some senators expressed concern over the absence of a detailed revenue profile to support the proposed expenditure for the 2026 fiscal year, which is expected to run from January 1 to December 31, 2026.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently announced the passage of the appropriation bill following majority approval by lawmakers.

May 11, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

Gunmen Kill 13 in Plateau Fresh Attacks

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 8, 2026

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

At least 13 persons have been killed following an attack by suspected gunmen on Ngbra Zongo community in Plateau State.

Several other residents were reportedly injured during the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday.

A resident of the community, Philip Alanga, told journalists in Jos that the assailants invaded the area around midnight, shooting sporadically and attacking residents with machetes and other dangerous weapons.

According to him, the attackers moved from house to house, throwing the community into panic as residents fled for safety.

“They came into the community around midnight and started shooting and hacking people to death. They moved from one house to another, attacking innocent people,” Alanga said.

He added that many residents sustained varying degrees of injuries, while several families escaped into nearby bushes to avoid being killed.

May 8, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

Jabi Lake takeover stands even if God comes down – Wike

by Folarin Kehinde May 6, 2026

written by Folarin Kehinde

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the intervention at Jabi Lake, a popular recreation park in Abuja, ordering a crackdown on substandard developments around the park.

The Minister said this in his reaction to the appeal of Rev Serah Omaku, Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja.

Leading reporters had reported how the preacher knelt on the pulpit, pleading with Wike not to repossess the land.

A video of the Pastor’s appeal went viral on social media.

But speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike dismissed the Pastor’s concerns, insisting that enforcement action at Jabi Lake was guided by law, not sentiment.

“You talk about the woman kneeling down and begging. I’m not carried away by such emotions. Begging to do what? Who owns Jabi Lake? How does it become your own? First of all, I came on board; that place was given to a company that said they wanted to turn it into an entertainment place, but they have turned it into shanties.”

One of these days I went there and said, ‘This can’t be; there is a hotel, and who would come to stay in that hotel when there are shanties all over?’ You don’t know if there are criminals.”

He stated that the allocation had been revoked and would be reassigned to investors with the capacity to develop the site, adding that strict conditions would guide the new arrangement.

“You cannot allocate land and leave it for that long with nothing to show. We revoked it. Now we want to give it to people who are ready to develop it,” Wike said.

“We will reallocate the land with clear conditions. If there is no development within the specified time, we will take it back.

“To the woman who was crying, if she likes, let her call God to come down. What is my business? How does Jabi become hers? Is it an individual or government property? We are trying to make sure investors develop this land for the interest of all of us.”

Wike said several plots around the lake, initially allocated for high-end developments, had remained undeveloped for over a decade and had since deteriorated into makeshift settlements.

The minister confirmed that the FCT Administration had begun revoking such allocations, signalling a tougher stance against land speculation in the capital city.

“You must sign to develop within a given period. If you fail, the land returns to government. It is as simple as that,” he added.

Wike, however, rejected suggestions that the exercise is intended to restrict public access to the lake, clarifying that the focus is on reclaiming misused or abandoned land.

“We are not taking anything from the public. We are reclaiming land from those who failed to do what they were supposed to do or who converted it to unauthorised uses,” he said.

He also decried the distortion of approved land use, citing instances where recreational spaces were converted without authorisation.

May 6, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

Fuel Scarcity Looms As Dangote Refinery Hikes Fuel Price to N1350

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 6, 2026

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Fresh concerns over a possible fuel scarcity looms after Dangote Refinery increased its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), to N1,350 per litre.

The new price reflects a N75 hike from the previous rate of N1,275 per litre, marking the refinery’s first adjustment for the month of May.

This latest increase comes just seven days after an earlier price review, which saw the ex-depot price rise from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.

Also with heightened tension between the USA and Iran on the strait of Hormuz, many stakeholders fear that the price of PMS could increase futher.

May 6, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

IGP scraps SWAT nationwide

by Folarin Kehinde May 5, 2026

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Olatunji Disu, has announced a major operational reform within the Nigeria Police Force with the creation and nationwide deployment of the Violent Crime Response Units (VCRUs), replacing the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams.

Disu disclosed this on Tuesday during an emergency meeting with Commissioners of Police and senior officers at the Force Headquarters, stating that the newly established VCRUs would operate across all 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory.

He explained that the units, which evolved from the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) structure, would be under the direct supervision of state Commissioners of Police, who will bear full responsibility for their conduct and operational outcomes.

According to the IGP, the VCRUs have undergone intensive training in tactical operations, intelligence gathering, human rights compliance, and rules of engagement. He emphasized that the units would rely strictly on credible intelligence and not be deployed arbitrarily.

A key feature of the reform, he said, is the integration of civilian oversight into the operations of the units to ensure transparency and accountability.

Disu also used the occasion to condemn the recent extra-judicial killing of a suspect in Effurun, Delta State, describing the act as unlawful and a violation of professional policing standards. He confirmed that the officer involved and members of his team had been dismissed, while the case has been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for further action.

“The Nigeria Police Force under my leadership has zero tolerance for extra-judicial actions. Accountability will be pursued to its logical conclusion,” he stated.

On community policing, the IGP directed Commissioners to engage regularly with community stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society groups, to build trust and enhance intelligence gathering. He also ordered that Commissioners make their contact details accessible to community leaders to strengthen communication channels.

As part of broader reforms, Disu mandated an immediate and comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition across all commands, describing it as a critical step toward preventing misuse and improving operational readiness.

Highlighting recent achievements, the police chief revealed that in April 2026 alone, the Force arrested 28 suspected terrorists, 85 kidnapping suspects, 51 murder suspects, 62 armed robbery suspects, and 54 individuals linked to cultism. He added that 189 kidnapped victims were rescued nationwide within the same period.

May 5, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

17 Reps Dump ADC for NDC

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 5, 2026

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

No fewer than 17 members of the House of Representatives have defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

The defections were formally announced during plenary on Tuesday, marking a significant shift in party alignment within the lower chamber.

In a related development, Leke Abejide also defected from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding to the growing list of lawmakers changing political platforms.

Those who moved to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, and Munachim Umezuruike.

May 5, 2026 0 comments

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