Author: Gbenga Olaleye

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for what he described as “responsible leadership”, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to restore lasting peace and development in Ogoniland. Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, conveyed the president’s message on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt. Ribadu led a high-powered presidential delegation aimed at advancing dialogue and confidence-building around peace initiatives and the possible resumption of oil exploration activities in Ogoni communities. Speaking during the visit, the NSA said President Tinubu was pleased with Governor Fubara’s approach…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has called on Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling station selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of ₦739 per litre, as it intensifies efforts to stabilise the country’s downstream oil sector. In a statement released on Sunday, the refinery announced the commencement of nationwide petrol sales at ₦739 per litre, a move it said is aimed at easing the financial burden on consumers and curbing persistent fuel price volatility. The product is being distributed exclusively through more than 2,000 MRS filling stations across Nigeria, backed by…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2026 budget proposal, describing it as a “debt trap disguised as reform” and warning that it relies heavily on excessive borrowing and unrealistic revenue projections that could further mortgage Nigeria’s future. In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said the ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill entrenches what it called a pattern of fiscal irresponsibility under the Tinubu administration. The ADC argued that rather than addressing Nigeria’s worsening economic challenges, the proposed budget deepens the country’s fiscal crisis. President…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to appear before its investigators or be represented by counsel to substantiate a petition alleging corruption against the immediate past Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed. Sources within the anti-graft agency confirmed that Dangote is expected to honour the invitation on Monday, December 22, or send his lawyer, Mr Ogwu Onoja (SAN), to formally adopt and defend the allegations contained in the petition. The ICPC has reportedly constituted a special panel of senior investigators to…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks and non-bank acquiring institutions to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for transactions carried out with foreign-issued cards exceeding $200 per day, as part of measures to strengthen payment security in the country. The directive was contained in a circular dated December 18 and signed by the Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department at the apex bank, Mrs Rita Sike. The circular was addressed to all deposit money banks, payment service banks and non-bank acquirers operating in Nigeria. According to the new guidelines, MFA will be mandatory for withdrawals and online…

The Ekiti State Government has approved the payment of N458.8 million as severance benefits to former political office holders at the local government level across the state. The approval was disclosed on Sunday by the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr Folorunso Olabode, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti. According to him, the beneficiaries are political office holders who served in the 16 local government areas of the state between 2022 and 2023. Olabode explained that the severance package covers a wide range of council officials who held political appointments during the period under review. These include vice chairmen,…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate suspension of Nigeria’s recently introduced tax laws, alleging that critical sections were modified after approval by the National Assembly and assent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the alleged alterations as a grave constitutional breach and warned that the development raises serious concerns about the centralisation of power by the Executive. The ADC’s reaction followed a point of privilege raised on December 17 by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) during plenary at the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Lagos State to spend the end-of-year holidays, following official visits to Borno and Bauchi states as part of a three-state tour. The President arrived at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Saturday, where he was warmly received by Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, senior government officials and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Earlier reports had indicated that President Tinubu departed Abuja on Saturday for the tour, which combined official government engagements with social and condolence visits across the northern states. In Borno State, the President…

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has accused the Federal Government of presiding over what he described as the forging of laws, warning that the development poses a serious threat to constitutional governance, public trust and the rule of law. In a statement titled “Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws”, posted on his official X handle on Saturday, the former Anambra State governor alleged that there are documented discrepancies between bills passed by the National Assembly and the versions eventually published and implemented by the executive arm of government. According…

The Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning to terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, declaring that they will face stiff resistance in 2026 and that no part of its area of responsibility will be allowed to serve as a safe haven for criminal activities. The warning was issued on Saturday by the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier-General Adebisi Onasanya, during the brigade’s annual ascent of Aso Rock in Abuja. The exercise traditionally marks the conclusion of the formation’s training activities for the year and serves as an opportunity to review operational performance and readiness.…