Dangote faces price war as NNPC backs fuel imports

 

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has told the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that petroleum products from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE are sold at “significantly high and fluctuating market prices”, warning that granting the refinery’s requests could hand it monopoly control of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

 

The national oil company stated this in a counter-affidavit in opposition to Dangote refinery’s originating summons in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/857/2026 before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.

 

Similarly, marketers under the aegis of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria supported the NNPC, saying competition must be allowed in the petroleum sector to prevent what it called price exploitation, saying multiple sources privy would bring about a reduction in fuel prices.

 

In the counter-affidavit, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the NNPC asked the court to dismiss or strike out the suit on grounds that it was incompetent, premature, disclosed no cause of action, and constituted an abuse of court process.

 

Dangote tackles importers

 

The PUNCH reports that the Dangote refinery had challenged the issuance of petrol import licences to marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

 

The PUNCH reports that the NMDPRA recently approved licences for the importation of over 700,000 metric tonnes of petrol despite claims that the Dangote refinery now supplies more than 90 per cent of the nation’s daily PMS consumption.

 

The Dangote refinery had dragged the Attorney-General and the NNPC before the court, asking it to void import permits granted by the NMDPRA to fuel importers, arguing that the licences violated existing regulations and an earlier court order to maintain the status quo.

 

Dangote had accused the NNPC and others of sabotaging the $20bn investment, especially by denying it crude supplies and resorting to fuel importation when it has the capacity to produce what the country needs in terms of petrol, diesel, and others.

 

NNPC responds

 

Responding, the NNPC said it would raise a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit and the refinery’s locus standi. “The plaintiff’s suit is premature; the plaintiff lacks locus standi,” the affidavit said.

 

The state oil company declared that Dangote refinery’s petroleum products were already expensive and subject to price swings dictated by commercial interests. “The plaintiff’s petroleum products are already sold at significantly high and fluctuating market prices, dictated by its commercial interests,” the company said.

 

NNPC accused the refinery of forum shopping, saying, ”The institution of multiple actions by the plaintiff in respect of substantially the same subject matter and reliefs constitutes an abuse of court process and amounts to forum shopping.”

 

The company argued that the Dangote refinery had earlier filed a similar action before the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024 against the NMDPRA and six others over import licences and levies before later withdrawing the case and instituting another action in Lagos.

 

NNPC maintained that there was no evidence showing the refinery could independently satisfy Nigeria’s petroleum product demand. “There is no credible, independent, or verifiable evidence before this honourable court establishing that the plaintiff presently satisfies the petroleum product demands of Nigeria,” NNPC argued.

 

The national oil company added that the refinery failed to provide independently verified evidence establishing the country’s actual daily consumption needs or proof of its ability to guarantee an uninterrupted nationwide supply.

 

“The plaintiff has failed to place before this Honourable Court any comprehensive or independently verified evidence establishing the actual daily national consumption rate of petroleum products in Nigeria or the plaintiff’s ability to guarantee uninterrupted nationwide petroleum supply independently,” it was said.

 

NNPC also argued that the refinery’s production claims were insufficient to justify restricting imports, stressing, “The plaintiff’s alleged production figures are selective, incomplete, and incapable of establishing nationwide product sufficiency.”

 

The company stressed that fuel supply obligations go beyond refining capacity alone, as they necessarily involve logistics, strategic storage, product evacuation, distribution, haulage, transportation, and strategic reserve management.

 

NNPC warned that depending on a single operator for national fuel supply would endanger Nigeria’s energy security. “Reliance on a single supplier within the petroleum industry poses grave risks to national energy security,” it was stated.

 

The company added that restricting imports in the manner sought by the refinery could trigger severe supply crises nationwide. “Restricting importation channels in the manner sought by the plaintiff would expose Nigeria to severe risks of petroleum shortages, supply disruptions, price instability, distribution failures, and national energy crises,” the affidavit read.

 

NNPC further told the court that any operational interruption, shutdown, or disruption affecting the Dangote refinery operations in Nigeria would result in severe petroleum shortages if alternative importation and supply channels are eliminated.

 

The company accused the refinery of attempting to edge out other participants in the downstream supply chain. It warned that granting the refinery’s requests could create monopoly control in the petroleum sector.

 

“The reliefs sought by the plaintiff are aimed at substantially restricting or eliminating other participants within the petroleum importation and supply chain. The grant of the plaintiff’s reliefs would effectively expose Nigeria’s petroleum sector to monopoly control and undermine competitive participation within the industry,” the affidavit stated.

 

NNPC warned the court that a monopoly in the sector would hurt consumers and destabilise the economy by distorting market competition, undermining pricing stability, reducing supply flexibility, and exposing the Nigerian economy to “substantial risks”.

 

The company defended the continued issuance of import licences by regulators, insisting they were lawful and necessary for energy security and market stability, saying this does not contravene Section 317(9) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

 

The oil company told the court that Section 317(8) of the PIA merely gave regulators discretionary powers regarding backward integration policy and did not impose a mandatory ban on imports.

 

“Section 317(9) of the Petroleum Industry Act expressly contemplates the issuance of import licences to companies with active local refining licences or proven track records in international crude oil and petroleum products trading.

 

“Section 317(8) of the Petroleum Industry Act merely provides that the Authority may apply a Backwards Integration Policy in the downstream petroleum sector, thereby conferring discretionary powers on the regulatory authorities rather than imposing a mandatory prohibition on petroleum importation,” it added.

 

NNPC specifically defended the roles of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the NMDPRA in the dispute, saying, “The 2nd Defendant, NMDPRA, NUPRC and other relevant agencies of government have not frustrated the plaintiff in the execution of its business objectives or refinery operations in any manner whatsoever.”

 

NNPC also denied allegations of sabotage and deliberate denial of crude oil supply to the refinery. “The government and the 2nd Defendant have not deliberately denied the plaintiff a crude oil supply,” the company stated.

 

It added, “Contrary to the plaintiff’s allegations, the 2nd Defendant has not sabotaged the plaintiff’s refinery operations.”

 

According to the affidavit, crude oil supply arrangements are influenced by “operational realities, commercial arrangements, security considerations, production levels, logistical constraints, and contractual obligations.”

 

The company insisted that all actions relating to importation, licensing, supply, and distribution were undertaken strictly in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, market realities, and national interest considerations.

 

NNPC further argued that the refinery was only one of several operators in the industry and could not override the rights of other participants, saying it is the supplier of last resort.

 

The latest court battle is the second significant legal confrontation yet between Dangote refinery and major government oil agencies since the commencement of operations at the multibillion-dollar Lekki-based refinery owned by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.

 

The Dangote refinery withdrew the 2024 suit following the Federal Government’s intervention. The dispute is rooted in disagreements over petroleum importation, crude oil supply arrangements, market competition, and the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act following the deregulation of Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.

 

Since the removal of the petrol subsidy in 2023, fuel prices have been largely determined by market forces, forcing marketers, importers, refiners, and regulators into intense competition over supply control and pricing.

 

The Dangote refinery had once been attacked by some marketers over incessant petrol price reductions, which they said impacted their sales negatively. The refinery, which commenced petrol production in 2024 after years of delay and huge capital investment, has repeatedly pushed for stronger government support for local refining and restrictions on fuel imports, arguing that continued importation undermines domestic refining capacity.

 

The refinery had earlier accused regulatory authorities of issuing import licences despite local refining output being able to meet domestic demand.

 

However, NNPC, oil marketers, and regulators have consistently maintained that Nigeria still requires multiple supply channels because of distribution challenges, emergency supply considerations, strategic reserve obligations, and uncertainties surrounding nationwide consumption levels.

 

Marketers back NNPC

 

It was gathered that the NMDPRA and some marketers are planning to join the suit.

 

Speaking, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, stated that while every corporate organisation has the constitutional right to seek legal redress, the downstream petroleum sector must continue to encourage healthy competition, market stability, and energy security in the overall interest of Nigerians.

 

According to him, competition remains a critical pillar “for ensuring product availability, price moderation, efficiency, and sustainability within the petroleum distribution value chain”.

 

He emphasised that Nigeria’s energy market must not be allowed to tilt towards monopoly, regardless of the scale of investment or refining capacity of any single operator.

 

The PETROAN boss reiterated that Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector must remain open, competitive, and balanced in order to “prevent supply shocks and protect consumers from artificial scarcity or price exploitation”.

 

Gillis-Harry acknowledged the significant investment made by the Dangote refinery and commended its contribution to local refining capacity, job creation, and reduction in fuel import dependence.

 

However, he stressed that a liberalised downstream market remains essential, where multiple operators can function fairly under the regulatory supervision of the Federal Government. He said one of the benefits of healthy competition in the downstream petroleum sector is the “reduction in fuel prices through competitive pricing”.

 

He outlined the disadvantages of monopoly in the sector, including arbitrary and exploitative pricing, limited choices for consumers, and reduced efficiency due to a lack of competition.

 

Gillis-Harry, therefore, reaffirms that the issuance of import licences is not only lawful but also a regulatory necessity provided by law to prevent scarcity and ensure continuous fuel availability across Nigeria.

 

Refiners oppose imports

 

The Crude Oil Refineries Association of Nigeria had also challenged fuel importers and clashed with marketers over the continued importation of refined petroleum products.

 

The CORAN Publicity Secretary, Eche Idoko, recently told our correspondent that commitment to the sector should be measured by capital invested and long-term risk exposure, not trading activity.

 

“Who has truly demonstrated faith in Nigeria’s downstream sector—local refinery companies or petroleum importers? The answer is not ideological. It is grounded in evidence, capital behaviour, and long-term commitment,” CORAN stated.

 

The association said local refinery companies had demonstrated belief in Nigeria by committing capital to fixed industrial assets located within the country. “Local refinery companies—spanning large-scale, mid-scale, and modular refineries—have demonstrated belief in Nigeria’s downstream sector by committing capital to fixed industrial assets located within the country,” it said.

 

CORAN described refining as one of the most capital-intensive and risk-exposed segments of the petroleum value chain, saying investors must contend with construction and commissioning risk, crude oil supply uncertainty, foreign exchange volatility, power, logistics, and evacuation constraints, and regulatory and policy inconsistency. Punch

 

Children’s Day: Invest in education for a secured and assured future – Atiku

As the nation celebrates yet another Children’s Day, which coincides with this year’s Eid-ul Adha celebration, it is important to understand that the boundless joy and impactful future of every child lies in the decision and sacrifices their parents and political leaders make today.
The former Vice President of Nigeria, and presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, made this assertion on Tuesday through his Media Office in Abuja.
The ADC presidential aspirant reiterated his famous quote: “Education is the bedrock of a nation”, reminding the nation that investing in the education of our younger generation especially, the children remains the viable path to a secured and an assured future of any nation.
“So, as we celebrate with our children today, let’s honour them by pledging to keep them in schools, keep them safe in schools, get them busy with books in their hands, and dreams in their hearts, by investing in their education.
“When we teach a child to read, we give them a voice. When we help them to learn, we give them power. Let’s build and uplift individuals, families, communities and the entire nation by giving them voice and power through investments in their education”, Atiku said.
The Waziri Adamawa, noted that education remains the most valuable investment we can make in the life of a child both as parents and leaders, urging continued commitment to upholding every child’s right to not just learn but a quality one at that for the progress of our society.
To the celebrants, the children, he charged them to keep learning, keep asking the important  questions, and keep believing, because the world needs their brilliance to strike the right notes.
“Let’s keep the children learning. Today’s vision is from that child that had books in their hands yesterday.”
As the nation celebrates yet another Children’s Day, which coincides with this year’s Eid-ul Adha celebration, it is important to understand that the boundless joy and impactful future of every child lies in the decision and sacrifices their parents and political leaders make today.
The former Vice President of Nigeria, and presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, made this assertion on Tuesday through his Media Office in Abuja.
The ADC presidential aspirant reiterated his famous quote: “Education is the bedrock of a nation”, reminding the nation that investing in the education of our younger generation especially, the children remains the viable path to a secured and an assured future of any nation.
“So, as we celebrate with our children today, let’s honour them by pledging to keep them in schools, keep them safe in schools, get them busy with books in their hands, and dreams in their hearts, by investing in their education.
“When we teach a child to read, we give them a voice. When we help them to learn, we give them power. Let’s build and uplift individuals, families, communities and the entire nation by giving them voice and power through investments in their education”, Atiku said.
The Waziri Adamawa, noted that education remains the most valuable investment we can make in the life of a child both as parents and leaders, urging continued commitment to upholding every child’s right to not just learn but a quality one at that for the progress of our society.
To the celebrants, the children, he charged them to keep learning, keep asking the important  questions, and keep believing, because the world needs their brilliance to strike the right notes.
“Let’s keep the children learning. Today’s vision is from that child that had books in their hands yesterday,” Atiku concluded

ADC presidential primary: Atiku wins in 8 states declared so far

 

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is leading other aspirants in the on-going presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as results from 8 states have shown.

The election is also being contested by a former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; and a renowned economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

Gombe, Abia, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Osun, Taraba and Yobe States’ results have been published and Atiku is maintaining a commanding lead so far.

 

Gombe State’s Returning Officer, Prof. David Agbu, said that Atiku polled 139,334 votes. Amaechi came in a distant second with 1,150 votes, while Hayatu-Deen secured 464 votes.

 

 

In Abia State, Atiku scored 25,153 votes against Amaechi’s 18,339 votes and Hayatu-Deen’s 3,264 votes while in Ebonyi State, the ADC National Vice Chairman (Diaspora), Fred Onwe, announced that  Atiku secured 15,300 votes, while Amaechi polled 2,200 votes and Hayatu-Deen managed 200 votes.

 

 

Atiku polled 68,823 votes in Sokoto State, leaving Amaechi with 292 votes and Hayatu-Deen with 319 votes while in Zamfara State, Atiku obtained 60,500 votes. Hayatu-Deen scored 436 votes, while Amaechi secured 191 votes.

 

Atiku won in Osun State with 12,321 votes, defeating Hayatu-Deen, who polled 4,000 votes, while Amaechi came third with 679 votes.

 

Also in Taraba State, the former VP polled 48,523 against Amaechi’s 25,150 votes, and Hayatu-Deen’s 8,369 votes and in  Yobe State, Atiku won with 44,841 votes, according to the Chairperson of the Electoral Committee, Hajiya Ma’am Kyari.

 

She said that Amaechi secured 300 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 365 votes.

 

Why Peter Obi’s political fame is not an online fad -Media Office

 

 

The Media Office of Peter Obi said it has again noted the deliberate attempt to tag the meteoric political rise of our principal an online movement—often characterised by the highly vocal, youth-driven “Obidient” digital phenomenon.

In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, the Office said “These bellyaching critics frequently dismissed it as a mere flash in the pan or an internet fad.

 

“But the Obi Media office is here to show them a deeper look at political and economic data on Obi revealing that this online trend is heavily anchored in tangible historic antecedents.

​“The digital enthusiasm is essentially a reaction to a proven track record in private corporate governance and public fiscal management which none of his opponents can display.

 

 

​In Corporate Governance and Financial Prudence

 

​Long before entering politics, Obi established a reputation in the private sector for asset management and corporate discipline.

  • ​The Fidelity Record: He remains notably recognised as the youngest individual to hold the position of Chairman at Fidelity Bank, Nigeria. His corporate career spanned executive roles across multiple financial and logistics firms.
  • ​The Transition to Public Policy: When his online supporters advocate for “cutting the cost of governance,” they are echoing his corporate philosophy. In office, he famously converted private-sector cost-minimisation strategies into state policy, dismantling bloated executive apparatuses.

 

 

In The Anambra State Metrics (2006–2014)

 

​The core data justifying the online momentum stems from his two tenures as Governor of Anambra State. His administration utilised the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS), mapping state development directly to Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

​The table below breaks down the key performance indicators from his administration that form the bedrock of his modern political profile:

 

 

*The Digital Alignment*.

 

​The alignment between Obi’s actual antecedents and the modern online trend boils down to three primary socio-economic pillars:

​The ” *Go and Verify”* Mandate: The internet movement adopted this catchphrase because Obi’s public policy claims—unlike typical political rhetoric—were easily cross-referenced with public records, central bank data, and independent peer reviews (such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum state assessments).

 

 

  • ​ *The Anti-Corruption Narrative:*

 

In a political landscape defined by systemic leakages, an antecedent of leaving measurable fiscal surpluses makes his digital platform highly attractive to a youth demographic desperate for structural transparency.

 

 

  • ​ *Human Capital Focus:*

 

His current online advocacy—criticising high borrowing thresholds, public office luxury spending, and declining per capita metrics—is deeply authentic because it mirrors the exact frugal, education-first policies he executed a decade prior.

​Ultimately, therefore, Peter Obi Media office is insisting based on empirical evidence adduced above and supported by the figures below that the online trend is not a synthetic social media fabrication but the digital amplification of a pre-existing blueprint of governance that stands out in Nigeria’s modern political history.

​ 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻_Here’s a paraphrased version of the text in a standard tone:_

 

 

“**Key Achievements of Obi’s Tenure by 2014**

 

**Fiscal Contributions:**

He left behind certified assets totaling #75 billion and around $500 million in cash and sovereign bonds for his successor.

 

**Education:**

Anambra faced challenges with low enrollment of male children and inadequate infrastructure. He restored schools to missionary management and provided direct funding, resulting in Anambra achieving the top position in WAEC/NECO performance rankings.

 

**Security and Infrastructure:**

The region of Onitsha and its surroundings experienced high crime rates and poorly developed road networks. He constructed over 658 kilometres of both urban and rural roads and systematically supported local vigilante groups to enhance economic stability.

 

**Public Integrity:**

The state often had confrontations with anti-corruption agencies. Throughout his tenure and afterwards, he maintained an unblemished record, with no post-office legal issues from the EFCC or security agencies related to fund misappropriation,” the statement concluded.

Court clears Jonathan for possible 2027 presidential comeback

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit seeking to stop former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election, ruling that the ex-leader remains constitutionally eligible to seek office again if he chooses.

Justice Peter Lifu also imposed a combined N21 million fine on the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, describing the suit as frivolous and an abuse of court process. The court awarded N20 million in favour of Jonathan and another N1 million in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The plaintiff had argued that Jonathan was constitutionally barred from contesting again because he had already been sworn in twice as president following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 and his subsequent election victory in 2011. He relied on Sections 1 and 137(3) of the Constitution, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, lacked the authority to accept Jonathan’s nomination for the 2027 election.

However, Justice Lifu held that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to file the suit because he failed to show any personal injury or loss connected to Jonathan’s possible ambition. The judge also said previous rulings by the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had already settled the issue in Jonathan’s favour.

Jonathan’s lawyer argued that the constitutional amendment being relied upon could not apply retroactively against the former president, who last contested an election in 2015. He described the case as politically motivated and cited earlier decisions including Andy Solomon v Jonathan and Cyracus Njoku v Jonathan, both of which upheld Jonathan’s eligibility.

The Attorney-General of the Federation supported Jonathan’s position and asked the court to dismiss the matter entirely. Government lawyer Maimuna Lami-Shiru also opposed a separate application asking Justice Lifu to withdraw from the case over alleged bias, describing it as baseless and without merit. The judge dismissed the recusal request before proceeding with the substantive suit.

Although Jonathan has not publicly declared interest in the 2027 race, speculation over a possible comeback has intensified in recent weeks. A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party reportedly backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde recently announced Jonathan as its preferred presidential candidate for the next general election.

Jonathan has neither accepted nor rejected the endorsement, but Tuesday’s ruling is expected to fuel fresh political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Newsscroll

Atiku: Democracy has come to stay

The former Vice President of Nigeria and leading presidential aspirant in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has said that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.
The former Vice President made the assertion on Monday shortly after casting his vote at the Ajiya Ward Polling Unit in Jimeta Yola, Adamawa State.
The ADC presidential primary took place simultaneously yesterday in 8,809 Wards across the 36 states and the FCT.
 Atiku cast his vote amidst a cheering crowd of ADC party faithful who turned out to vote, Monday afternoon.
“The large turnout of voters is a clear indication of how party members are willing to participate in the ADC internal democratic processes”, the former Vice President said, adding “I have no doubt that democracy has come to stay.”
Voting started shortly after Atiku one of the three ADC aspirants (the others being former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatudeen) arrived the venue from Abuja.
The returning officer for the election Hon. Umar Jada, earlier announced that Ajiya ward, had unanimously endorsed the candidature of Atiku Abubakar.
Voting started with the Waziri Adamawa leading a long queue of voters, at the end of which 3,220 votes were cast in favour of Atiku.

Tinubu’s borrowings in 2 years surpass Nigeria’s previous loans in 55 years

 

A damning new report has exposed the staggering pace of Nigeria’s borrowing, revealing that the President Bola Tinubu administration has accumulated more debt in just 24 months than the nation incurred during its first 55 years of independence.

Dele Oye, Chairman of the Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics, raised the alarm over the country’s unprecedented fiscal trajectory.

According to data from the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt reached N159.28 trillion as of April 2026, meaning every single Nigerian now effectively owes N670,000. Oye warned that without immediate fiscal discipline, the country’s public finances face long-term paralysis.

 

Oye contrasted Nigeria’s current fiscal crisis with its economic high point in 2006, when President Olusegun Obasanjo wiped out $30 billion in Paris Club debt, leaving the country briefly debt-free.

The trajectory since then highlights a rapid escalation. Nigeria accumulated N12.06 trillion in its first 55 years of independence up to 2015. During the subsequent Buhari era, debt exploded by 620 percent to N87.38 trillion, heavily fueled by Central Bank’s Ways and Means money printing. The Tinubu administration has since added an additional N65.9 trillion in just two years, which is more than five times the total debt accumulated in Nigeria’s first five decades of independence.

 

While government officials frequently point to Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio of 35.5 percent, which sits comfortably below the International Monetary Fund’s 55 percent distress threshold and looks healthier than South Africa’s 78.8 percent or Kenya’s 65.6 percent, Oye warns that this is a dangerous distraction.

 

He cautioned that the number that actually matters is the debt service-to-revenue ratio, which measures how much of every Naira earned goes straight to paying creditors. Nigeria’s ratio stood at 116.8 percent in 2024, easing only slightly to 113 percent in the first quarter of 2025. In January 2025 alone, Central Bank data showed the Federal Government paying out N696.27 billion in debt service against total retained revenue of just N483.47 billion, representing a crushing 144 percent coverage ratio in a single month.

 

Despite the grim numbers, Oye insists Nigeria has the tools and talent to avert disaster, provided there is political will. He outlined five non-negotiable prescriptions to salvage the economy, starting with the digitization and broadening of tax collection to expand the revenue base. He also called for strict enforcement of the Fiscal Responsibility Act with criminal sanctions for violators, alongside an immediate restructuring of Eurobond maturities before the heavy redemption wall hits between 2027 and 2029. Furthermore, Oye advised channeling future oil windfalls into a constitutionally protected stabilization fund and decentralizing revenue generation by empowering states to create wealth rather than relying entirely on monthly federal allocations from Abuja. Newsscroll.

ADC urges unity, discipline ahead of presidential primaries today

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on its presidential aspirants, delegates, and party members nationwide to uphold unity, discipline, and democratic principles ahead of the party’s presidential primaries scheduled for today (Monday).
ADC is the only party with three presidential aspirants including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and an economist Dr. Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the forthcoming exercise as a defining moment not only for the party but also for Nigerians seeking a credible political alternative.
According to the party, the conduct of participants throughout the primary process would reflect the leadership values the ADC intends to promote.
“The ADC remains proud to stand today as the only truly democratic party in Nigeria, because it is the only political party whose choice of presidential candidate is determined through open primaries,” the statement said.
The party urged aspirants, their supporters, delegates, and members to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly before, during, and after the exercise.
“This election must reflect the values we claim to represent as a party committed to transparency, internal democracy, national unity, and the rule of law,” Abdullahi stated.
The ADC acknowledged that disagreements and competition are natural features of democratic contests but stressed that the broader objective of offering Nigerians alternative leadership should take precedence.
“At the end of this exercise, there will be no winners or losers within the ADC family. The ultimate objective is to emerge stronger, more united, and fully prepared to offer Nigerians the competent and credible leadership they deserve,” the statement added.
The party also assured members that adequate arrangements had been made to guarantee a transparent, credible, and fair primary process.
“History will judge us, not merely by who emerges as candidate, but by how we conduct ourselves in this defining moment. We call on every member of our great party to rise to the occasion,” the statement concluded.
The ADC’s presidential primaries which will take place in all the 8,809 electoral wards in the country.
The party resorter to an open primary election as aspirations failed to reach a consensus in line with the Electoral Act 2026 as amended. Authority.

Obi rejects recurring, malicious anti-North accusation, calls it political manipulation

 

 

Peter Obi’s media office said it has noted the ongoing, baseless, and wholly malicious claims aimed at misrepresenting the governance record of Mr. Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, particularly concerning his interactions with individuals from Northern Nigeria during his time in office.

In a statement in Abuja on Sunday, the Office said: “It is regrettable, yet unsurprising, that political opponents—unable to confront Mr. Obi’s unmatched record of accountability, fiscal responsibility, and developmental progress—have once again resorted to the outdated and harmful tactics of ethnic and regional division.

“To clarify for the sake of informed Nigerians, we emphatically state: The recurring myth that Mr. Obi “repatriated” Northerners or specifically targeted Northern traders and beggars during his governorship is utterly unfounded.

“In truth, during Obi’s leadership, there was a compassionate social welfare initiative focused on assisting destitute individuals and unaccompanied minors from various states who faced severe vulnerability in Awka and Onitsha.

“There was never any form of “expulsion” or ethnic cleansing; instead, a structured social rehabilitation program benefitted individuals from across the nation.”

Putting the records straight, the Office said: “In contrast to the harmful narrative being propagated by those peddling discord in the political arena, Mr. Obi’s administration fostered an exceptionally strong, brotherly relationship with the Northern and Muslim communities in Anambra State.

“Records from his eight-year tenure demonstrate that even during times of significant national ethno-religious strife, Mr. Obi served as a protector for the Northern community, particularly in regions like the Onitsha Hausa Quarter (Ama Awusa).

“He worked diligently to prevent any retaliatory attacks on Anambra territory, earning considerable respect from local Northern leaders.

“Additionally, the Obi administration, which has been unjustly criticized, actively supported and sponsored Muslim residents in Anambra for their pilgrimage to Mecca, ensuring they received the same level of respect and governmental support as the Christian majority.

“Under Obi’s stewardship, Northern traders and livestock merchants in markets such as Amansea were provided with safe environments to operate, free from government-backed harassment or extortion.

“These accounts can be verified by anyone willing to fact-check, including those who challenge this narrative. The Hausa Fulani community in Onitsha and Awka can corroborate these facts.

“We understand the motivations behind this continued smear campaign; it relates to Obi’s transformative vision for the North as Nigeria’s key economic driver.

“Those attempting to create discord between Mr. Obi and the Northern populace are evidently threatened by his message of national productivity that aims to elevate those in poverty.

“Mr. Obi has consistently and openly asserted that Nigeria’s future lies in the untapped, fertile lands of Northern Nigeria. His vision focuses on shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to one of production, turning the North into Africa’s food hub and an agricultural powerhouse.”

The Office argued further that: “It is ironic that a leader who perceives the North as Nigeria’s most significant economic resource is being mischaracterized as its enemy by individuals who only engage with the region during election cycles.

“The Peter Obi media office does not intend to overlook this, even though the falsehood is apparent and the facts speak for themselves. As Joseph Goebbels once remarked, “A lie told once remains a lie, but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.” This falsehood will not endure, as Peter Obi possesses a vision for the geopolitical North that no other current Nigerian leader can match,” the Office concluded. Sunrisereporters.

Ganduje joins NDC, picks National Assembly form

Abdulaziz Umar Ganduje, eldest son of the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has obtained the nomination form to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). ‎

According to reports, Abdulaziz is seeking to represent the Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado Federal Constituency of Kano State. ‎ ‎The development has sparked fresh  political interest in Kano, especially as Abdulaziz is widely regarded as a loyal member of the Kwankwasiyya political movement despite his father’s longstanding influence in the APC. ‎Politics

A viral video circulating on social media showed Abdulaziz in a discussion with the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, shortly after obtaining the nomination form.

He was reportedly seen briefing the former governor on his political ambition and readiness for the contest ahead of the next general election. ‎ ‎
The move marks another dramatic twist in the long-running political rivalry between Ganduje and Kwankwaso, two influential Kano political figures whose once-close alliance collapsed years after they jointly dominated the state’s political landscape. ‎ ‎

Abdulaziz has reportedly remained politically distant from his father’s camp for years, consistently identifying with the Kwankwasiyya movement. ‎ ‎

His political alignment attracted wider public attention following a controversial dispute involving his mother, Professor Hafsat Umar Ganduje, whom he once petitioned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged failed agreement. ‎

Interestingly, Abdulaziz is now seeking the same House of Representatives seat contested by his brother, Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, on the platform of the APC in the 2023 general election. Umar lost the election to the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) despite the political influence wielded at the time by their father, who was then governor of Kano State. Newsmakers.