“Honourably resign” if you can’t fix insecurity, House of Reps tells Military, Security Chiefs

 

The House of Representatives on Tuesday told the Chief of Defence and other Security Chiefs to “honourably resign” if they cannot fix the deteriorating security situation in the country.

This, the House said, they should do if the insecurity persists and public confidence in the government’s efforts is not restored within a clearly defined period.

 

The House also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come up with a comprehensive and aggressive security strategy to flush out bandits, terrorists and kidnappers from their hideouts in Nigeria.

 

The call followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Representative Ibe Osonwa (Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia), during plenary on Tuesday.

 

The motion is titled: “A Call for Immediate Executive Action on the Surge in Banditry, the Daily Abduction of Schoolchildren and the Perilous Security Situation in Nigerian Schools and Places of Worship.”

 

Osonwa, however, reiterated calls on President Tinubu by several other sources to restore safety across the country amid worsening insecurity.

 

Expressing concern over the escalating wave of kidnappings, banditry, terrorism and attacks on vulnerable communities nationwide, Osonwa reminded the federal government of its constitutional responsibility to protect citizens, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

 

The lawmaker explained that the section as cited provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

 

He lamented the growing trend of attacks on schools, noting that “the abduction of schoolchildren across several parts of the country has disrupted education and deepened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.

 

According to him, thousands of children have been forced out of classrooms due to fear of attacks, while many families continue to grapple with the trauma of kidnappings.

 

Osonwa decried the systematic targeting of schools and places of worship by criminal elements, warning that institutions traditionally regarded as safe havens have increasingly become soft targets for bandits and kidnappers.

 

He said worshippers across the country now face the risk of attacks, abductions and killings while observing religious activities, which undermines citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

 

The lawmaker also painted a grim picture of the economic consequences of insecurity, stating that “many businesses have shut down, farming communities have been deserted and families plunged into poverty.”

 

Osonwa argued that the current security response appeared largely reactive and insufficient to stem the operations of criminal groups.

 

He warned that the apparent inability to decisively confront bandits and terrorists had created the impression that the government was losing control of parts of the country to criminal elements.

 

Following deliberations, the House condemned in “the strongest possible terms” the continued banditry, mass abductions and attacks on schools and churches across Nigeria.

 

The lawmakers resolved to transmit “an urgent and solemn appeal” to President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, “reminding him of his oath to protect the lives and property of Nigerians”.

 

The House specifically demanded the immediate deployment of “an aggressive, unrelenting and comprehensive security strategy” to dismantle bandits’ strongholds, secure vulnerable schools and places of worship.

 

They also pledged to ensure the unconditional release of citizens held captive by criminal groups.

 

The House also mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence and the Army to intensify oversight of the implementation of the resolutions and report back within two weeks for further legislative action. Globalupfront.

June 12: Atiku was part of the decision for rotational presidency — Akume

 

 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among the political leaders who agreed to the adoption of rotational presidency in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

 

Senator Akume made the clarification on Tuesday while responding to questions during the World Press Conference held in Abuja as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day Anniversary according to a statement on Tuesday signed by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The SGF recalled that the annulment of the June 12 election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history and won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, necessitated far-reaching political decisions aimed at preserving national unity and strengthening the country’s democratic foundation.

 

According to him, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met in Kaduna under the leadership of the late Chief Solomon Lar and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma to deliberate on the way forward, with power shift and the party’s presidential candidature featuring prominently on the agenda.

 

“It was a tough argument before the issue of rotational presidency was agreed on. At the end, we had to concede. We must do this. June 12 annulment had complicated the whole thing. It was finally agreed that we’ll be alternating between North and South.

 

“Atiku was one of the leaders at that meeting, which was convened by Chief Solomon Lar. He was part of that agreement,” Senator Akume stated.

 

The SGF explained that the decision to alternate presidential power between the North and the South emerged from the need to address the political consequences of the June 12 annulment and to promote inclusiveness and national cohesion.

 

Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Senator Akume described the annulment as a painful setback to the democratic aspirations of Nigerians, noting that the election was adjudged free, fair and credible.

 

“Abiola won that election round and square. That election was annulled by the military government. It was very painful because the people spoke and they spoke freely. They made their own choice,” he said.

 

He added that one of the most enduring lessons from the June 12 experience is the supremacy of the people’s will in a democratic society.

 

“The first lesson is that the voice of the people must always be supreme; it must be sacrosanct. That’s the beauty of democracy. We prefer the ballot to bullets,” he said.

 

Senator Akume expressed confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the country has learnt valuable lessons from the events of 1993 and would never allow a repeat of such an annulment.

 

“If an election is conducted very fairly, and one wins no problem. The actors at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are not young people, they were adults when this thing happened. If we were to take a poll at that time, over two thirds of Nigerians would have condemned that act of annulment.

 

“Fortunately, for us, those at INEC are men of honour and integrity, they  are well read that patriotic Nigerians, and they’re determined to also make a difference. Never again would such happen in this country.

You win, you win. When you lose, go back and prepare for another election. Look at the American example. President Trump lost to Joe Biden. He didn’t bring America down.

He went back prepared and came back and won. That’s the beauty of democracy.

 

“We have decided to embrace democracy. That is why, for 27 broken years, we are enjoying this freedom in a democratic setting.  We love the values and the morals of democracy, and there is no system that is as beautiful as democracy.

 

“It is under a democratic system that you can insult your president and to insult anybody and still go to bed, and you don’t receive a midnight knock on your door. Try it under a totalitarian regime.” Akume stated.

 

He urged political actors to embrace democratic principles, respect electoral outcomes and continue to strengthen the nation’s democratic culture.

 

The SGF further noted that Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule underscore the country’s commitment to democratic values, freedom of expression, the rule of law and peaceful political participation.

 

Reps summons Service Chiefs, Finance Minister over security spending

 

The House of Representatives has summoned the nation’s Service Chiefs and the Minister of Finance to appear before it and account for funds allocated and released for security operations amid worsening insecurity across the country.

The resolution followed the adoption of separate motions sponsored by Rep. Ibe Osonwa and Rep. Sulaiman Gumi during plenary, where lawmakers expressed concern over the escalating cases of banditry, kidnappings, attacks on schools, and assaults on places of worship.

Leading the debate, Osonwa recalled that the Constitution places the security and welfare of citizens as the primary responsibility of government, lamenting that the current security situation has continued to deteriorate despite huge budgetary allocations to the sector.

According to him, schools and worship centres, once regarded as safe havens, have increasingly become targets of attacks by armed groups.

“Schools, once sanctuaries of learning, have now become prime targets for ruthless bandits, while religious congregants are regularly attacked during worship services,” he said.

The lawmaker further noted that the persistent wave of kidnappings has worsened the country’s out-of-school children crisis, while many communities have been displaced and economic activities disrupted.

He said ordinary Nigerians increasingly feel abandoned as farms are deserted, businesses shut down, and families forced to pay huge sums in ransom to secure the release of their loved ones.

Osonwa questioned the effectiveness of the country’s security architecture, stressing that despite trillions of naira appropriated for security over the years, the response to emerging threats remains largely reactive and inadequate.

Also contributing, Gumi described the security situation in Zamfara State and other parts of the North-West as a humanitarian crisis. He cited the recent abduction of seven students of Kaura Namoda Polytechnic and disclosed that two senior lecturers of the institution remain in captivity despite ransom payments.

Following deliberations, the House resolved to invite the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, and the Minister of Finance to provide a detailed account of funds appropriated and released for security operations.

Lawmakers said the appearance would offer Nigerians an opportunity to understand how security funds have been utilised and the impact of such expenditures on the fight against insecurity.

The House also urged President Bola Tinubu to adopt a more aggressive security strategy and ensure the deployment of additional troops, equipment, and resources to Zamfara State and other affected states in the North-West.

In addition, lawmakers called for non-kinetic interventions involving the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, and Humanitarian Affairs to address the underlying socio-economic factors fueling insecurity.

The Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Army, Navy, Air Force, and other relevant committees were mandated to oversee the implementation of the resolutions and report back to the House within two weeks.

The lawmakers stressed that Nigerians deserve transparency, accountability, and measurable results from the enormous resources committed to securing the country. Authority.

Why ‘barking dogs’ are not capturing Peter Obi’s attention

 

BY Ike Abonyi.

Certain individuals are making a concerted effort to divert Peter Obi’s focus by attempting to capture his attention. The increasing frustration of these individuals is palpable.

 

What exacerbates their predicament is that their attempts to engage Obi are proving futile; instead, these efforts only seem to deepen his concentration on critical national issues, thereby intensifying their frustration and leading to further missteps. This mirrors the wisdom of elders who advise against digging oneself deeper into a hole. Such is the situation for those agitated by Peter Obi’s political influence.

 

The public discourse has been inundated with vitriolic pronouncements from paid agents, who evidently anticipate a reaction. However, this reaction will not materialise, which is a source of their vexation. Obi appears indifferent to their clamour because a person on a significant mission, possessing wisdom, would not permit themselves to be sidetracked by the noise of barking dogs. Peter Obi comprehends that a traveller does not reach their destination by pelting every barking dog encountered along the path. Since entering national politics, his trajectory has been guided by substantive issues, recognising that the political landscape in this region is often fraught with manufactured controversies designed to derail one’s objectives. Consequently, those expecting Peter Obi to engage in such futile diversions will likely wait indefinitely. This is because Obi remains steadfastly committed to his mission and is acutely aware from the outset that certain distractions must be disregarded to achieve his goals. Obi is prepared to engage any Nigerian on substantive issues, which form the bedrock of his political approach, rather than participating in the clamorous and overcrowded arena of opportunistic political actors seeking undue recognition and financial gain.

 

In recent weeks, a coordinated onslaught of baseless accusations, misrepresentations, and fabricated controversies has been deliberately disseminated to target Mr Peter Obi. For observant individuals, the underlying motive of this sudden surge in political manoeuvring is evident: it is a classic distraction tactic. When those responsible for a nation’s well-being face scrutiny for their governance failures, their customary response is to create a common adversary and instigate artificial crises.

 

It is imperative at this juncture to state unequivocally that Peter Obi is neither distracted nor appearing to be drawn into the mire of transactional politics. Nigeria is currently grappling with existential economic and security crises. Food inflation has reached unprecedented levels, millions are descending into poverty daily, and insecurity continues to imperil lives. While children and educators are abducted from schools, the government, rather than declaring an emergency, engages in ostentatious displays of distributing vehicles and funds to sycophants.

 

Mr Obi firmly believes it is a profound disservice to Nigerians to expend energy on petty political squabbles when citizens are struggling for survival. His focus lies in identifying solutions, not in engaging in verbal altercations.

 

The reason these outlandish allegations against Obi consistently fail to gain traction is their fundamental lack of truth. Throughout his public and private life, Peter Obi’s guiding principles have been accountability, integrity, and the judicious management of public resources. No amount of orchestrated messaging can alter a history of integrity that Nigerians have witnessed firsthand.

 

While his detractors squander valuable time manufacturing controversies, Mr Obi’s schedule remains filled with activities that are genuinely crucial for Nigeria’s future. He consistently collaborates with experts on economic recovery, visits and supports educational and healthcare institutions nationwide, and advocates for fundamental governance reforms. He prioritises the discussion of ideas over personal attacks, as evidenced by his clear assertion: “Our focus is on Nigeria’s structural flaws—not political soap operas. You cannot fix a broken nation by fighting imaginary enemies; you fix it by confronting hunger, insecurity, and institutional decay.”

 

I implore the Nigerian youth, the media, and the general public to recognise these diversionary tactics and cease lending them any attention. It is crucial not to allow the narrative to be shifted. The discourse must remain centred on the escalating cost of living, the state of our economy, the safety of our communities, and the accountability of our leaders.

 

Peter Obi’s commitment to the Nigerian people is rooted not in political expediency but in a shared aspiration for a feasible, productive, and secure new Nigeria. This vision remains entirely intact and deserves the support of all who desire an achievable, egalitarian Nigeria, requiring collective effort.

 

The reason ‘barking dogs’ are not capturing Obi’s attention, much to their frustration, is precisely as outlined above. May Providence guide us.

 

Ike Abonyi is Editor @Large based in Abuja.

Peter Obi to Tinubu: “Where are our undeployed funds”, laments excessive borrowing without accountability

 

 

By Okey Muogbo

The 2027 Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has uncovered stark impropriety in President Bola Tinubu’s three-year reign and asks for an explanation.

 

Obi, who took a holistic look at the borrowing habit of the APC-controlled federal government from the Muhammadu Buhari era, wrote in his X handle on Tuesday that: “President Bola Tinubu’s administration has engaged in remarkably imprudent borrowing, escalating Nigeria’s total debt to approximately N200 trillion.

“This represents an increase of over N100 trillion within a mere three years, a stark contrast to the roughly N49 trillion accumulated during President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, which would have projected to around N80 trillion.

“As millions of Nigerians grapple with the shock of this unsustainable debt accumulation, the situation is exacerbated by the government’s reckless approach to borrowing and a profound absence of accountability and transparency in the utilisation of these funds.”

 

Giving details, the former Governor of Anambra State said: “For instance, data from the Federation’s Budget Office reveals that the Bola Tinubu government borrowed N11.89 trillion in the first three quarters of 2025 (January to September), exceeding the planned borrowing target of N10.34 trillion by approximately N1.54 trillion.

“Under a responsible and accountable government, such an overshoot would necessitate rigorous scrutiny and explanation from relevant governmental bodies.

“Regrettably, this is not the reality under the current administration.

 

Compounding this issue, only N3.10 trillion of the borrowed funds was allocated to capital expenditure during the same January-September 2025 period.

“This constitutes a mere 17.66% of the N17.58 trillion earmarked for capital projects, leaving a deficit of roughly N14.48 trillion, or 82.34% of planned capital expenditure unfunded.”

Obi was not done with the revelation as according to him, “The most disturbing aspect of the financial management fiasco under Bola Tinubu is that there is no explanation or information regarding how the balance was utilised or deployed.

“The question that Nigerians are rightly asking and deserve an answer to is what happened to the balance? Was it deployed for recurrent expenditure/ consumption, for the entertainment of guests to Aso Rock or transferred to the Renewed Hope Agenda 2027 Election Campaign Fund?

“Nigerians deserve an answer on how our economy and resources are most unpatriotically managed!” Obi insisted.

Atiku to Babachir Lawal: You brought accusations, but forgot the proof

 

African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar has dismissed the latest allegations by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, describing them as an unfortunate cocktail of bitterness, conjecture, and political revisionism masquerading as public interest.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Nigerians who watched Mr. Lawal’s recent television interview were confronted with a curious spectacle: a man armed with outrage but bereft of evidence; rich in allegations but poor in facts. He noted that what was presented as a serious political intervention ultimately collapsed into an extended exercise in speculation and unsubstantiated claims.

 

“Mr. Lawal spent nearly an hour making grave accusations about the conduct of the ADC presidential primary. Yet he failed to produce a single piece of verifiable evidence. No document. No petition. No result sheet. No witness statement. No recording. Nothing. For a man who repeatedly insisted that proof was ‘everywhere,’ his performance was a masterclass in making extraordinary allegations without meeting the elementary obligation of substantiating them.

 

“He arrived with accusations. He left with accusations. In between, the evidence never arrived.

 

“Ordinarily, one would expect a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former National Vice Chairman of a political party to understand the elementary distinction between evidence and suspicion. Instead, Nigerians were treated to stories about unnamed callers, unnamed officials, unnamed witnesses, and unnamed conspirators. By the time the interview ended, the only thing in abundance was speculation.

 

One would have expected a higher regard for evidence from a man who once vigorously resisted being judged by mere allegations. Having demanded fairness for himself, Mr. Lawal should understand that accusations without proof are nothing more than prejudice dressed up as argument

 

“What the interview ultimately revealed was not a whistleblower exposing wrongdoing but a disappointed political actor struggling to come to terms with the failure of his preferred candidate. By his own admission, Mr. Lawal openly aligned himself with another aspirant long before the conclusion of the process. He campaigned for that candidate, promoted that candidate, and publicly believed that candidate should emerge victorious. Having failed in that objective, he now seeks to dress personal disappointment in the borrowed robes of moral outrage.

 

“Perhaps the most laughable contradiction in Mr. Lawal’s performance was his attempt to portray Atiku Abubakar as both politically irrelevant and politically omnipotent at the same time. According to his own account, Atiku was inactive, unpopular, and absent from the field. Yet Nigerians are simultaneously expected to believe that this same supposedly dormant politician somehow orchestrated a nationwide conspiracy across 8,809 wards.

 

“What makes this theory particularly absurd is that it requires Nigerians to believe that thousands of ADC members across the federation abandoned their own judgment and surrendered their votes to an invisible conspiracy directed by a man whom Mr. Lawal simultaneously describes as politically inactive. Such arguments are not merely implausible; they are insulting to the intelligence of party members whose democratic choices he now seeks to invalidate simply because they did not favour his preferred candidate.

 

“One is left to wonder whether Mr. Lawal was describing a presidential aspirant or a mythical political deity endowed with powers of omnipresence. Such theories belong not in serious political discourse but in the realm of fantasy.

 

“More revealing, however, was Mr. Lawal’s astonishing confession on national television that if he ever needed money, all he had to do was call President Tinubu and the money would reach him before he got home. Nigerians heard him. Nigerians understood him. And Nigerians can draw their own conclusions from the implications of such a remarkable declaration.

 

“Increasingly, Mr. Lawal cuts the figure of a political mercenary, eagerly retailing narratives carefully designed to discredit Atiku Abubakar before Christian communities in the Middle Belt and other constituencies where the former Vice President continues to enjoy considerable goodwill. His latest crusade therefore raises legitimate questions about motive, especially when viewed against his own public declarations.

 

“The tragedy of Mr. Lawal’s intervention is that he appears to have become so consumed by bitterness that he no longer recognises the difference between evidence and speculation. Every outcome he dislikes is rigging. Every defeat is a conspiracy. Every disagreement becomes proof of manipulation. This is not the language of reason. It is the language of grievance.

 

“More unfortunate was his descent into reckless personal abuse. Unable to defend his allegations with facts, he resorted to insults. Yet history teaches us that insults are often the last refuge of those who have run out of arguments.

 

“Perhaps the most revealing moment of the entire interview was Mr. Lawal’s astonishing declaration that Atiku Abubakar has ‘absolutely nothing.’ Such a statement could only have come from a man blinded by animosity. Nigerians know Atiku Abubakar’s record. They know his role in the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, his contributions to economic reforms, private sector development, education, and national growth. They know that political relevance sustained across three decades and multiple political generations cannot be built on ‘nothing.’

 

“Indeed, the most devastating rebuttal to Babachir Lawal’s allegations came not from Atiku Abubakar, the ADC, or any member of the public. It came from Babachir Lawal himself. Given every opportunity to substantiate his claims, he left the studio exactly as he entered it — with accusations but without proof, with outrage but without evidence, and with bitterness but without credibility. By the end, Nigerians were left not with a scandal, but with a spectacle.

 

“Mr. Lawal is entitled to his opinions. He is entitled to his preferences. He is even entitled to his disappointments. What he is not entitled to are his own facts.

 

“As far as we are concerned, this is the final response to Mr. Lawal’s increasingly desperate attempts to remain politically relevant through sensationalism and character assassination. Nigerians have heard him. Nigerians have seen him. And Nigerians have judged for themselves.

 

“The facts remain unchanged. The truth remains intact. And no amount of bitterness can alter either.” Sunrisereporters.

TCN not problem of electricity sector -MD/CEO, lists strides, challenges facing the Power Sector

 

 

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz has made it clear that the TCN is not the primary constraint in Nigeria’s electricity sector.

Engr Abdulaziz made the clarification at the on-going four-day Parliamentary/Stakeholders’ engagement summit on power sector reforms in Nigeria.

The Summit which began on Monday in Lagos was the initiative of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee probing the Power Sector reforms and expenditure between 2007 and 2024.

Said Abdulaziz: “I wish to address a common misconception: that transmission is the primary constraint in Nigeria’s electricity sector. The facts tell a different story.

“According to NERC’s February 2026 Operational Factsheet, Nigeria’s installed generation capacity is 13,625MW. However, the highest power ever generated and delivered to the national grid was 5,801.84MW, recorded on 4th March 2025.

“On the same day, TCN also achieved a record daily energy delivery of 128,370.75MWh. Meanwhile, TCN’s transmission wheeling capacity stands at 8,700MW.

“The implication is clear: the national grid can currently transmit significantly more power than has ever been generated and supplied to it.

“TCN has consistently wheeled all available generation, demonstrating that the transmission network is ready to support higher levels of electricity delivery,” Engr Abdulaziz said.

The TCN MD/CEO also stated that the Company has made a lot strides in its efforts to improve the electricity sector in the country adding that the TCN welcomed the intervention by the legislators.

According to him: “Over the past few years, TCN has expanded the nation’s bulk wheeling capacity from about 7,000MW to 8,700MW, adding 1,700MW of transmission capability through strategic investments supported by the Federal Government and development partners.

“On March 4, 2025, the national grid achieved a historic peak transmission record of 5,801.84MW and a record daily energy delivery of 128,370.75 MWh—the highest ever recorded in Nigeria’s electricity industry.”

These milestones, the MD said underscore the growing strength and reliability of the transmission network.

 

“Between January 2024 and November 2025, TCN commissioned 82No. transformers, adding approximately 8,500MVA of transformation capacity nationwide, while also delivering key substations and transmission line projects that have improved grid reliability, redundancy, and operational flexibility across all geopolitical zones.

“TCN has also mobilized over US$1.4 billion in development financing from the World Bank, AfDB, JICA, and AFD to support transmission expansion and modernization projects nationwide.

“In parallel, the company is advancing grid digitalization through the implementation of a nationwide SCADA system, which will provide real-time network visibility, faster fault management, improved dispatch efficiency, and the foundation for future smart-grid operations”, Abdulaziz further disclosed.

 

These achievements, he went on, demonstrate TCN’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure, enhancing grid reliability, and positioning the sector to support future growth in electricity generation and delivery.

He listed a number of challenges facing the electricity sector in Nigeria insisting that the problems needed coordinated national response.

“First, vandalism and sabotage of transmission infrastructure continue to disrupt power supply, increase repair costs, and undermine investments in the sector. Protecting electricity infrastructure requires stronger security measures, community cooperation, and stricter legal deterrents.

“Second, persistent encroachment on transmission Rights-of-Way creates safety risks, hinders maintenance activities, and constrains future network expansion. This calls for coordinated action among federal, state, and local authorities, supported by a stronger legal framework.

“Third, expanding the grid to support Nigeria’s long-term electricity needs requires substantial capital investment. While TCN has several critical projects ready for implementation, financing constraints, foreign exchange pressures, and counterpart funding requirements continue to affect project timelines.

“Fourth, unlocking Nigeria’s full generation potential requires coordinated investments across the entire value chain. While TCN has expanded transmission capacity to 8,700MW, increased generation dispatch, adequate energy supply to power plants, and stronger distribution networks remain essential to delivering more electricity to consumers.

“Fifth, the long-term sustainability of the sector depends on a financially viable electricity market, supported by cost-reflective tariffs, improved revenue collection, stronger payment discipline, and a stable regulatory environment that encourages investment.

“Finally, land acquisition and community engagement challenges continue to affect the timely delivery of transmission projects.”

According to the MD, streamlined processes, fair compensation mechanisms, and structured stakeholder engagement would significantly accelerate infrastructure development.

“These challenges”, he went on, “are sector-wide and require coordinated action by government, regulators, security agencies, market participants, communities, and development partners”, assuring that TCN remains committed to playing its part in building a stronger, more reliable, and more resilient electricity sector for Nigeria.

The TCN MD/CEO who was represented by GM Transmission Services Engr. Ali Sharifai, assured that the TCN fully supports the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 and all government initiatives aimed at improving electricity supply.

 

“As a committed partner in sector transformation, TCN brings over US$1.4 billion in active development financing, a workforce of more than 5,000 professionals, and over five decades of operational experience in managing Nigeria’s national grid” adding that: “the challenges facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry are resolvable through coordinated legislative and executive action.

Senate to fast-track constitution amendment for state police, transmit bill to state assemblies this week

The Senate has scheduled amendments to the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police in Nigeria. Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said the bill will be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for further legislation after passage at the National Assembly.
In a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Monday, Bamidele said all stakeholders across the federation “are on the same page with the National Assembly on the establishment of State Police.” He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all state governors are aligned with the National Assembly on the proposal.
Bamidele explained that the National Assembly will isolate the state police aspect from the ongoing constitutional amendment and pass it into law due to its national exigency. He said there is no need for further delay as the desire for state police is a popular one.
He disclosed that the legislative week beginning Tuesday will be crucial for the Senate, as the issue of state police will top their agenda. “It is going to be the subject we will be dealing with this week,” he stated.
Recall that Section 214 (1) of the 1999 Constitution currently provides that “There shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force.” The proposed amendment seeks to change this by providing for state-level policing.
Bamidele revealed that there have been series of meetings in the last one week involving Senate Committee Chairman on Constitution Review Senator Barau I. Jibrin, House Committee Chairman Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General, Chief of Staff Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Inspector-General of Police Mr. Tunji Disu and other stakeholders. The consultations are approaching completion.
He said the bill will be isolated from other constitutional amendment bills so it can be voted on as soon as possible and transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly. Two-thirds of state assemblies must approve it before the president can assent to it. “The state assemblies are also waiting for this bill to come,” he noted.
Bamidele expressed confidence that President Tinubu is ready to assent to the bill immediately it reaches him. Gbajabiamila had earlier disclosed that the president will receive a comprehensive report on the proposed creation of state police as consultations on the constitutional framework approach completion.

 Banditry: Stop stereotyping ethnic groups, Obi pleads

 

 

The 2027 Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has risen against what he calls  “Media Framing of Crime Along Ethnic Lines”, describing it as divisive and unfair to the tribes involved.

 

Writing on his X handle this Monday morning, the former Anambra State Governor said, “As an Igbo man, I have endured stereotypes, judgment, and labelling solely based on my ethnic origins.

 

“This is not an isolated Igbo experience. Most Nigerians have, at some point, been reduced to their ethnicity rather than recognised for their true character.

“I understand the pain of the ordinary Fulani man today, often unfairly judged by the actions of criminals he does not support, has never met, and who are not representative of his people.

Borrowing from experiences abroad, the former Governor of Anambra state said: “Even in America, such unjust labelling fueled the civil rights movement and prompted Martin Luther King Jr. to declare that people should be judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.”

He insisted that: “Every Nigerian ethnic group is known for its unique traditions, occupations, skills, and strengths. Crime, however, has no ethnicity.

“A thief is a thief. A terrorist is a terrorist. A kidnapper is a kidnapper. They are bad actors, not representatives of any people. They must be identified, arrested, and punished according to the law. We must decisively abandon the dangerous practice of blaming entire ethnic groups for the actions of a few criminals.

” It is unjust, it breeds hatred, and it damages our national unity.”

Obi went on urging Nigerians: L”et us proudly celebrate our diverse cultures, talents, and contributions, rather than falling prey to stereotypes and prejudices that politicians and divisive interests exploit for their gain.

“A new Nigeria must emerge—one where no citizen is condemned because of tribe, religion, or birthplace.

“We can cherish our cultural roots while standing united by justice, mutual respect, and hope for a better future.

“We are capable of this. A new Nigeria is within our reach,” Obi insisted.

Iyabo Obasanjo defects from APC, gives reasons

 

Former Senator representing Ogun Central and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing what she described as repeated disrespect, exclusion and unfair treatment by the party leadership in Ogun State.

Her decision was contained in a resignation letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi.

 

The development comes just weeks after she stepped down from the race for the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.

 

Prof. Obasanjo, an Associate Professor of Epidemiology based in the United States, expressed dissatisfaction with the consensus arrangement that produced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the APC governorship candidate.

 

According to her, she had accepted the idea of a consensus process and was ready to support any candidate that emerged through it. However, she claimed that she was not consulted before the final decision was announced.

 

She also alleged that some of her supporters were denied access to the venue where the candidate was unveiled and were intimidated during the exercise.

 

Despite her concerns, the former senator said she decided to put the interest of the party first and publicly congratulated Adeola on the day he emerged as the consensus candidate.

 

She disclosed that after the exercise, the senator reached out and requested a meeting with her supporters. During the meeting, three requests were presented, with an assurance that a response would come within one week.

 

According to her, more than two months have passed without any feedback, a situation she said confirmed a pattern of neglect.

 

Explaining her decision to leave the ruling party, Obasanjo stated, **”I agreed to support whichever candidate emerged through a consensus process, but I was not consulted before Senator Adeola was presented as the consensus candidate. Some of my supporters were denied access to the venue and intimidated. Nevertheless, I accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Senator Adeola that same night.

 

“Following his emergence, Senator Adeola requested a meeting with my supporters. During that meeting, three requests were made and he promised to respond within one week. More than two months later, no response has been received.

 

“The treatment I have received since then has reflected a consistent pattern of rejection and disrespect. When disrespect is the only dish served, then one should leave the table. I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not welcomed.”

 

Although she expressed disappointment over her experience in the party, the former lawmaker thanked President Bola Tinubu, the Ogun APC chairman, Chief Sanusi, and members of the Ogun Central Senatorial leadership for the support and courtesies extended to her while she remained in the party.

 

Prof. Obasanjo only returned to active politics earlier this year after formally joining the APC in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State. Her return sparked political discussions across the state after campaign billboards bearing her image surfaced in Abeokuta, signalling her intention to contest the 2027 governorship election.

 

Recall that  Politics Nigeria had earlier reported that Iyabo Obasanjo suspended her governorship ambition after the APC adopted Senator Solomon Adeola as its consensus candidate for the 2027 Ogun governorship race. Reubenabati.com.