Beneficiaries of Democracy now bent on destroying it -Peter Obi

By Okey Muogbo

Frontline presidential aspirant on the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi has lamented that those who benefitted from Democracy in the past are now bent on destroying it.

Obi stated this in his speech at the first National Convention of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC on Saturday 9, May in 2026 in Abuja.

Said he, “Today, the most painful aspect of our political existence is that many who once benefited from democratic governance have now become willing accessories to the destruction of democracy itself.

“Those who once fought for justice now openly celebrate electoral injustice. Those who once spoke against impunity now defend coercion, manipulation, intimidation, and outright political gangsterism, especially against opposition voices.

“What we are witnessing is not politics; it is a systematic assault on democracy and the will of the people.”

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party further lamented that: “Nigeria today stands at a dangerous crossroads.

“Our democracy is under severe threat. Our nation is drifting without direction, and our people are passing through immense suffering.

“Across the world, Nigeria is increasingly described as a failing and disgraced nation. This is not the destiny God ordained for our great country. It was not always so, and it must never be allowed to remain so.

“Across virtually every recognised indicator of good governance – accountability, political stability, rule of law, control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and the separation of powers – Nigeria continues to record alarming failures.

“The institutions that should protect the people are weakening daily, while the burden on ordinary citizens grows heavier with each passing moment.”

Giving details of the poor situation of majority of Nigerians, the former Governor of Anambra state said: “Today, over 140 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty.

“Tens of millions of young people remain unemployed or underemployed. Inflation continues to crush families. Businesses are shutting down.

“Farmers can no longer safely access their farms. Communities live in fear. In this month alone, hundreds of innocent Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity, while many others have been kidnapped, displaced, or thrown deeper into poverty.”

He also said that: “The most heartbreaking question confronting us is this: Who consoles the grieving mother whose child was abducted on the way to school?

“Who speaks for the father who can no longer feed his family despite working every day? Who defends the young Nigerian whose dreams have been destroyed by a nation that rewards connections over competence and corruption over character?

“Our present tragedy is not accidental. It is the direct consequence of years of deliberate sabotage by a political class that prospers by dividing the people and weakening the nation. Nigeria is not a poor country; rather, we are being looted into poverty.

“We have abundant human and natural resources, yet we remain trapped in deprivation because leadership has failed to place the common good above personal interest.”

The frontline presidential aspirant urged Nigerians to take a stand on how to remedy their misfortune.

“Our choice as a people is therefore clear: whether to surrender to despair and national decline, or to summon the courage to rescue our country and rebuild it on the foundations of unity, equity, justice, competence, and productivity.

“Where we are, national unity is no longer optional; it is a national necessity. We must rise above ethnicity, religion, region, and political divisions to recover the soul of our nation.

“With unity and effective leadership, Nigeria can become a productive and prosperous nation once again.

“We must deliberately support agriculture and manufacturing so they become the highest contributors to our Gross Domestic Product.

“Special strategic attention must be given to unlocking the enormous agricultural potential of Northern Nigeria and connecting it to industrial production across the federation. We must move decisively from a nation of consumption to a nation of production,” warning that: “We can no longer afford policies that foreclose our youth.

“With competent, compassionate and transformative leadership, we can defeat insecurity, reduce corruption, create jobs, tame inflation, improve education, and restore hope to millions of Nigerians.

“I remain convinced that a new Nigeria is possible, a Nigeria that is united, secure, productive, inclusive, and governed by justice and fairness,” he insisted

2027: NDC zones Presidency to South for four-year single term

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has zoned its presidential ticket for 2027 to the South.

The decision was approved via a motion by Rep. Afam Victor Ogene of Anambra’s Ogbaru federal constituency.

Delegates at the national convention of the Party in Abuja on Saturday adopted the motion without dissent.

After the South’s four years term which ends in 2031, the presidency automatically shifts back to the North.

NDC’s zoning formula represents an assurance to the weary North which is not ready for any arrangement that will not allow it regain the presidency latest by 2031.

It would also be a concrete attempt to wrestle power from the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who is the sole candidate of the APC for next January presidential election.

For Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), the resolution presents him the best opportunity to pick the NDC ticket.

Though Obi is the most visible southern presidential aspirant now, other southern politicians have the same green light to purchase and process nomination forms too.

Robbery attack: TCN declares “Force Majeure” on Offa 132kV Transmission Station

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Osogbo Region, has declared force majeure on its Offa 132kV Transmission Substation following a robbery incident at the facility.

Force majeure, a French term translates to superior force or superior power or uncontrollable events that prevent fulfilling contractual obligations such as accident, armed robbery attack, war, natural disasters, etc.

According to a statement by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager (GM), Public Affairs, the station was invaded by heavily armed men who forcefully gained access to the control room and held all personnel on duty hostage at gunpoint.

The attackers, the statement further said, ordered the operator on duty to open both the Offa and Ojoku 33kV feeders at exactly 12:45 a.m. on Thursday, 7th May 2026.

The hoodlums further demanded a total shutdown of the substation and that during the incident, control switches and relay buttons were tampered with, and the 40MVA transformer was opened at approximately 1:07 a.m., Mbah’s statement said.

“After the operation, the 40MVA transformer was restored at 1:13 a.m., the Offa 33kV feeder was restored at 1:14 a.m., and the Ojoku 33kV feeder was restored at 2:15 a.m.

“TCN regrets the inconvenience this incident may have caused and reaffirms its mandate to transmit bulk electricity efficiently to distribution companies’ load centres across the country”, the TCN statement concluded. Authority.

Inflation: Why oil prices decline may not ease Nigerians’ hardship – Experts

Nigeria’s inflation rate may remain stubbornly high in the coming months even if global oil prices begin to decline, as structural rigidities, exchange rate pressures, and what economists describe as “price stickiness” continue to limit the speed at which costs adjust downward across the economy.

Brent crude had hit a peak of over $125 per barrel early April as the U.S.-Iran war escalated. However, as of May 8, 2026, Brent crude is trading around $101–$102 per barrel as discussions continue between the warring parties.

Analysts say that even if tensions ease and crude oil prices eventually decline, Nigerians may not immediately feel relief because prices of goods and services in the economy tend to adjust upward rapidly but decline very slowly.

The development poses another threat to household purchasing power as prolonged inflation continues to erode real incomes and deepen economic hardship across the country.

What they are saying

The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, said Nigeria’s highly unionized and structurally rigid market environment contributes significantly to persistent inflation.

According to him, businesses are often reluctant to reduce prices once consumers have adjusted to higher costs.

“Since businesses operate for profit maximization, and there are hardly stiff competitions in highly unionized economies, businesses are reluctant to reduce the prices of goods and services when the initial cause of the inflation, usually the cost of energy, falls,” Yusuf said.

He noted that oil prices are only one component of the inflation equation.

“If the naira remains weak, or if distribution costs remain high, the effect of lower crude prices on inflation will be inadequate,” he added.

Yusuf also pointed to monopolistic market structures and the pricing of essential goods as reasons many businesses resist reducing prices even when economic variables improve.

A development economist at Adeleke University, Professor Tayo Bello, said Nigerians should not expect a direct or immediate drop in prices even if crude oil prices retreat significantly.

“Prices in Nigeria are downward sticky; they rise quickly when costs increase, but adjust slowly when those costs decline,” Bello stated.

He added that inflation expectations have become deeply embedded in the economy after years of persistent price increases.

Also commenting, economist at CashLinks, Paul Olaleye, said businesses are contending with several layers of operational costs beyond fuel prices alone.

“Even if one cost, like fuel drops, others remain high, making it difficult for firms to reduce prices,” he explained.

Olaleye said businesses are still burdened by elevated energy costs, insecurity, transportation expenses, rent, and exchange rate volatility.

According to him, prolonged inflation has also forced many firms to build future cost increases into current pricing decisions as a hedge against uncertainty.

More insights

A financial economist at Auchi Polytechnic, Zakari Mohammed, said companies also face operational and administrative costs whenever they attempt to reduce prices.

“Fine-tuning prices, especially downward, comes with managerial and operating costs such as relabeling, system updates, and renegotiating contracts. Many firms avoid frequent price changes unless absolutely necessary,” he said.

Mohammed added that Nigeria’s large informal sector further slows price adjustments.

“Pricing is less transparent and often arbitrary in the informal economy, making downward price adjustments slower and inconsistent,” he noted.

“Once consumers adjust to higher prices, businesses are less incentivized to reduce them, especially if demand remains relatively stable.” Nairametrics.

Defamation is not a crime’ — NBA warns against abuse of police powers

Nigerian Bar Association has raised alarm over what it describes as the increasing misuse of criminal law in matters that should ordinarily remain within the realm of civil litigation, warning that the trend threatens constitutional freedoms and undermines the justice system. Following its National Executive Council meeting in Awka, Anambra State, NBA expressed concern over the growing practice of using police powers to settle disputes involving defamation, reputational injury and social media publications.

The association’s reaction comes amid reports that some individuals were arrested over viral social media claims alleging that businessman and United Bank for Africa chairman, Tony Elumelu, had divorced his wife. UBA Group had denied the reports, describing the publication as false and defamatory while confirming that arrests had been made in connection with the incident.

In a statement released after the meeting, NBA said it had observed a disturbing pattern in which law enforcement agencies were increasingly being drawn into disputes that should be resolved through civil legal procedures rather than criminal prosecution. According to the association, while defamatory publications may expose individuals to legal consequences, the proper remedy under the law remains civil defamation proceedings and not arrest, detention or criminal charges.

NBA stressed that the criminalisation of civil disputes poses a direct threat to fundamental constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, personal liberty and fair hearing. It warned that the use of police powers in such cases could create a chilling effect on lawful public discourse and discourage citizens from expressing opinions or engaging in open conversations online.

The association further called on law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and ensure that criminal procedures are not improperly invoked in matters that do not constitute recognised criminal offences under Nigerian law. It also demanded the immediate release of individuals arrested solely in connection with publications where no lawful criminal offence has been established.

The debate has intensified in recent years over the growing use of the Cybercrimes Act against journalists, critics and social media users accused of spreading false information or damaging reputations online. Civil rights advocates and legal experts have repeatedly argued that many of these disputes are better handled through civil litigation rather than criminal prosecution, warning that continued abuse of such laws could weaken democratic freedoms and public trust in law enforcement institutions.

The NBA’s warning comes amid growing controversy over the use of police powers and cybercrime laws in disputes involving online publications and alleged defamation. Recall that in May 2024, investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism was detained by police over a report linked to alleged financial misconduct involving a government official, triggering widespread criticism from media and civil rights groups. Also In August 2022, human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore faced renewed police scrutiny over comments made online, while several bloggers across different states were arrested under cybercrime-related allegations tied to defamation and “false publication.” Legal experts and rights advocates argue that such disputes are increasingly being criminalised through the use of police powers and provisions of the Cybercrimes Act, even though defamation and reputational injury are traditionally civil matters meant for the courts rather than arrest and detention. Newsscroll.

Health engine of national progress – Obi, gets Bishop’s pledge of prayer-support

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has continued to underscore the importance of health as a development catalyst for any progressive nation.

Obi, who visited the Anglican Church Hospital in Kubwa, Abuja, on Friday, said that when health and education are positioned as the engines of national progress, it creates a feedback loop that accelerates economic growth, social stability, and human capital.

According to Obi, health is the foundational layer of human capital. Without physical and mental well-being, investments in education and infrastructure yield diminishing returns.

Obi said that a healthy child learns more effectively, leading to a more skilled future workforce. Obi donated N10m to support the development of the hospital.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of the hospital, the Anglican Bishop of Kubwa, Rt. Rev. Duke T. Akamisoko, commended Mr Obi for his spirit of charity which he is doing all over Nigeria.

The bishop said that the Church will follow him with prayers in his political pursuit since Nigeria will be well in his hands.

Obi also visited the hospital clinic and commiserated with some patients.

2027: How I’ll reduce poverty by 60%, tackle insecurity, create jobs in four years – Hayatudeen

Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, on Thursday vowed to eradicate poverty, tackle insecurity, and create jobs across the country within four years if elected president in 2027.

Hayatu-Deen made the pledge after officially picking up his presidential nomination form at the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday night amid a large turnout of supporters, party members, youth groups, and well-wishers.

The economist and former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group became the first aspirant to obtain the ADC presidential nomination form ahead of the party’s presidential primary.

He was presented with the form by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, as supporters at the secretariat chanted solidarity songs and called for leadership focused on economic recovery, security, job creation, and reducing the rising cost of living.

Speaking shortly after receiving the form, Hayatu-Deen said the 2027 election must focus on rebuilding Nigeria’s economic and security foundations.

“Nigerians are tired of living in fear. They are tired of watching businesses struggle, jobs disappear, and the cost of basic necessities rise beyond what ordinary people can afford,” he said.

“This election cannot be about politics as usual. It must be about how to secure our communities, rebuild confidence in the economy, create jobs at scale, and make life more affordable for millions of Nigerians.”

The presidential aspirant said insecurity remained one of the greatest threats to national development, warning that no country could prosper when citizens and businesses operate in fear.

“We cannot build prosperity in an atmosphere of fear and instability. Security is the foundation upon which every strong economy is built,” he stated.

Hayatu-Deen also promised to implement policies aimed at lowering the cost of doing business, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.

Addressing journalists after picking up the form, he said democracy gives every eligible Nigerian the right to contest for office, insisting that Nigerians would ultimately decide who leads the country in 2027.

“The owners of this country are the Nigerian people. In every democracy, citizens are responsible for choosing their leaders,” he said.

On his agenda, Hayatu-Deen said his administration would prioritise job creation, reduction of the high cost of living, and ending insecurity.

“I would like to eradicate at least 60 per cent of the poverty affecting this country within four years because over 136 million Nigerians are living below the poverty line. That is totally unacceptable,” he declared.

He also expressed confidence ahead of the ADC presidential primary, saying his decades of experience in business, economic management, and public policy had prepared him to govern Nigeria effectively.

Hayatu-Deen said he would abide by whatever mode of primary election the party leadership adopts, whether direct primaries or consensus.

Food prices increase in March 2026 – NBS

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says prices of eggs, beans, garri, onions, ginger and other food items witnessed a month-on-month increase in March 2026.

The NBS said this in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for March 2026 released in Abuja on Wednesday.

The report said that the average price of eggs (a crate of 30 pieces) decreased by 20.12 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N7,670.56 recorded in March 2025 to N6,127.63 in March 2026.

“On a month-on-month basis, the price of a crate of egg increased by 2.00 per cent from N6,007.35 in February 2026.”

Similarly, the report said that the average price of 1kg of brown beans decreased by 49.39 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N2,616.26 in March 2025 to N1,325.85 in March 2026.

“On a month-on-month basis, however, the price increased by 1.41 per cent from the N1,307.44 recorded in February 2026”.

It also showed the average price of 1kg of white garri decreased by 41.19 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N1,362.96 in March 2025 to N801.4 in March 2026.

However, on a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 1.38 per cent from the N790.62 recorded in February 2026.

The report said that the average price of 1kg of onion decreased by 19.63 per cent from N1,434.85 recorded in March 2025 to N1,153.14 in March 2026.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of onions increased by 1,59 per cent in March from the N1,135.12 recorded in February 2026.”

The report said the average price of 1kg of fresh ginger increased by 20.46 per cent from the N4,600.23 recorded in March 2025 to N5,541.25 in March 2026.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of ginger increased by 0.61 per cent in March from the N5,507.43 recorded in February 2026.”

However, it said the average price of one litre of palm oil decreased by 4.71 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N2,511.77 recorded in March 2025 to N2,393.38 in March 2026.

“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 0.27 per cent from N2,386.96 recorded in Feburary 2026.”

On state profile analysis, the report showed that in March 2026, the highest average price of a crate of eggs was recorded in Taraba at N6,999.00 while the lowest was recorded in Niger at N5,610.04.

It said that Oyo recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans at N1,937.20 while the lowest was in Taraba at N745.

According to the report, Abia recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1,075.45, while the lowest was reported in Plateau at N513.78.

The report said the highest price on 1kg of onion bulb was recorded in Abia at N2,115.67 while Kwara recorded the lowest price at N684.38.

The NBS said that the highest average price of 1kg Onion bulb was recorded in Abia at N2,300.76 while the lowest price was recorded in Kwara at N829.91.

It said Ekiti recorded the highest average price of one bottle of palm oil at N2,801.95, while Abia recorded the lowest at N2,012.54.

Analysis by zone showed that the average price of a crate of egg was highest in the South-East at N6,521.47, followed by the North-East at N6,375.91.

“The lowest price was recorded in the North-West at N5,908.61.”

The South-West and South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans at N1,770.57 and N1,762.49, respectively, while the lowest price was in the North-West N851.11

It said the South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N942.68 followed by the South-East at N942.04, while the North-Central recorded the lowest at N670.16.

The NBS said also that the South-East and South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of onion bulb at N1,714.81 and N1,266.80, respectively.

The North-Central recorded the lowest average price of 1kg of onion at N907.76.

Newspot.

I can walk you out of Senate for challenging my authority, Akpabio warns Oshiomhole

By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka

The Senate plenary turned rowdy on Tuesday after Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole engaged in a heated exchange during proceedings.

The confrontation began when Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, attempted to raise a point of order while Akpabio was calling for the confirmation of the Votes and Proceedings of the previous legislative day.

Akpabio proceeded without acknowledging the senator, prompting Oshiomhole to repeatedly interrupt by shouting “point of order” from his seat.

Efforts by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno to restore calm proved unsuccessful as Oshiomhole continued to disrupt the session.

Akpabio then issued a formal warning to the former Edo governor, citing provisions of the Senate rules that govern conduct within the chamber and its corridors.

“The rules and laws governing the Senate Chamber, including its corridors and passages, are clearly defined,” Akpabio stated during the exchange.

He reminded lawmakers that the Senate President is empowered to sign warrants, subpoenas, resolutions, and other official documents issued by order of the Senate, and is also responsible for enforcing debate rules.

“The Senate President is tasked with maintaining order during debates and giving rulings on points of constitutional order when they are raised,” Akpabio added, noting that he also holds a casting vote in the event of a tie but does not vote otherwise.

“Most importantly, he has the authority to interpret the rules. This is clearly stated,” he said, stressing that members must understand Senate procedures before raising contentious issues.

Akpabio concluded with a direct warning to Oshiomhole, stating that any member who becomes unruly would be asked to leave the chamber, and described it as a final caution.

TCN to AEDC: You lied on claim of transmission fault on Lokoja axis

By Okey Muogbo

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says a claim by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) that faulty lines along Lokoja axis was responsible for power outages in parts of Kogi state recently was not true.

The rebuttal was contained in a statement on Wednesday by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager (GM), Public Affairs of TCN.

Mbah’s statement said: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) wishes to formally refute another public notice issued by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on 5th May, 2026, in which AEDC attributed the power outage affecting Zango, Shetima, Apansede, Phase I, Phase II, Crown Estate, and surrounding communities in Kogi State to a technical fault on TCN’s network.

“TCN states unequivocally that all feeders at the Lokoja Transmission Substation serving the aforementioned areas are fully operational. As of the time of this statement, there is no outage, fault, or scheduled maintenance activity on any TCN transmission infrastructure within the Lokoja axis.

“The Company’s network in the region remains stable, and bulk power is being transmitted to AEDC at the required capacity for onward distribution to end consumers.

“TCN therefore dissociates itself entirely from the fault referenced in AEDC’s notice and rejects any suggestion that its infrastructure is responsible for the disruption being experienced by electricity consumers in the affected communities.”

The statement went on to say that: “While TCN remains firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and collaborative service delivery across the electricity value chain, it calls on all sector partners to exercise due diligence before attributing supply disruptions to third parties.

“Publishing inaccurate or unverified claims not only misrepresents the facts but risks undermining public confidence in the broader power sector.

“TCN reaffirms its dedication to maintaining a reliable transmission network and will continue to engage constructively with all stakeholders in the interest of improved electricity supply to Nigerians,” Mbah’s statement concluded. Sunrisereporters.