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President Buhari Chairs Council Of State Meeting, Gowon, Abdulsalami, Jonathan Present (PHOTOS)

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ABN TV EDITOR
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President Buhari Chairs Council Of State Meeting, Gowon, Abdulsalami, Jonathan Present (PHOTOS)
PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 6. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, President of the Senate Dr Ahmad Lawan, Speaker Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Gen Yakubu Gowon, Former Head odf State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, former CJN Hoj Justice Belgore during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently chairing a meeting of Council of State at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ABN TV reports.

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 9. L-R; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Mrs Folasahde Yemi-Esan, SGF Mr Boss Mustaha, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN, President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, President of the Senate Dr Ahmad Lawan, Speaker Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023
PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 7A&B. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, President of the Senate Dr Ahmad Lawan, Speaker Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Gen Yakubu Gowon, Former Head odf State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, former CJN Hoj Justice Belgore during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023

The meeting which started at 10:12am after the rendition of the national anthem is being attended by former heads of state and presidents, including Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) and Goodluck Jonathan. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, joined online.

Others who join virtually include Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Abubakar Bagudu, Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, of Northern States Governors Forum, Simon Lalong.

READ ALSO: Buhari Appoints MD/CE For NSITF, Reconstitutes Board

The rest are governors David Umahi, Ebonyi, Yahaya Bello, Kogi, Ademola Adeleke, Osun, Abubakar Badaru, Jigawa, Dapo Abiodun, Ogun as well as Benue State deputy governors Benson Abounu, Nasarawa, Emmanuel Akabe, and Enugu Deputy governor.

Two former Chief Justices of the Federation, Alfa Belgore and Mahmud Muhammad are in attendance.

In attendance physically are Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan

Governors physically attending are: Taraba, Dairu Isiaku, Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, Borno, Babagana Zulum, Gombe, Inuawa Yahaya, Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak and Deputy Governor Bauchi, Baba Talla.

The National Council of State is an organ of the Nigerian government whose functions include advising the executive on policy making.

The meeting is expected to discuss national crises including petrol and naira scarcity, insecurity and others, ahead of the general elections.

Also present and awaiting their turn to brief the council are Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba, Commandant General, Nigerian Security, and Civil Defence Corps, Hammed Audi and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele on the preparation for the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections as well as March 11 governorship and state houses of assembly polls and new Naira notes respectively.

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 3B. L-R; Former President Dr Goodluck Jinathan, Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and President Muhammadu Buhari during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023
PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 1A&B. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, Former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan and Former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023
PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 00A&B. L-R; Former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, Former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon. and President Muhammadu Buhari during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023
PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 0A&B. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, Former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan and Former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 1A&B. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, Former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan and Former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023
PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING AB. L-R; Former President Dr Goodluck Jinathan, Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and President Muhammadu Buhari during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023

Supreme Court Affirms Ikechi Emenike As APC Guber Candidate In Abia

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Abia APC Guber Candidate, Ikechi Emenike, Other Party Leaders Pay Courtesy Visit On National Chairman (Photos)
Ikechi Emenike

The Supreme Court has affirmed Ikechi Emenike as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State.

A five-member panel of the supreme court led by Tijani Abubakar on Thursday affirmed the judgment of the court of appeal delivered in December 2022.

The Abia APC had held parallel governorship primaries that produced Uche Ogah and Emenike as candidates of the party.

READ ALSO: Atiku Will Defeat Peter Obi In Anambra – Campaign DG

On May 26, the APC declared Emenike the winner of the governorship primary in the state.

On November 11, Binta Nyako, a federal high court judge, sacked Emenike and ordered INEC to recognise Ogah as the party’s governorship candidate in the state.

Both APC and Emenike had filed separate appeals challenging the verdict delivered by Nyako.

Dan Eke, another aspirant, also filed an appeal challenging the judgment of the trial judge that recognised Ogah’s candidacy.

In December 2022, the court of appeal sitting in Abuja affirmed Emenike as the party’s candidate.

In the unanimous verdict, Olabisi Ige, who led the appeal court panel, read out the names of the party members sent by the APC national secretariat to conduct the governorship primary that produced Emenike, affirming that the exercise was valid.

Another candidate, Dan Eke, also filed an appeal in which he contested the trial judge’s decision to recognize Ogah’s candidacy.

The court of appeal in Abuja confirmed Emenike as the party’s nominee in December 2022.

Olabisi Ige, who presided over the appeal court panel, read aloud the names of the party members appointed by the APC national headquarters to oversee the governorship primary that produced Emenike and affirmed the validity of the process in the unanimous decision.

Trump Disregards Congress’ Approval To Launch Strikes In Venezuela

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Victor Alade
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Trump Disregards Congress' Approval To Launch Strikes In Venezuela

US President Donald Trump asserted Thursday he does not need congressional approval to launch strikes on land against Venezuela despite criticism that he is already exceeding his constitutional authority with attacks at sea.

When a reporter asked whether he would seek authorization from the US lawmakers to hit drug cartels on land in the Latin American country, Trump said he’d have no problem doing that, although he cited concerns that politicians “leak like a sieve.”

“I wouldn’t mind telling them, but you know, it’s not a big deal. I don’t have to tell them,” he said in the Oval Office.

The United States has conducted multiple air strikes since September against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, causing at least 99 deaths and prompting heated debate about the legality of the operations.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claims the US campaign seeks regime change instead of its stated goal of stopping drug trafficking.

According to the US Constitution, while the president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, only Congress has the authority to formally declare war — a point raised not just by the Democratic opposition but also some lawmakers in the president’s party, although most Republicans have supported him.

“The president has failed to demonstrate the necessary authority under US or international law to conduct lethal military strikes on these boats,” Democratic representative Gregory Meeks said during a House debate.

“No one can credibly claim that these vessels, in some cases not even traveling to the United States and located thousands of miles from US soil, posed an imminent threat to the American people warranting the use of military force,” he said.

Experts say Trump could order limited military strikes inside Venezuela without Congress, but only temporarily and only if framed as defensive or limited in scope.

After the 9/11 attacks on the United States, Congress authorized the use of military force for US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which was also cited for counterterrorism operations in other countries.

Reps Approves Adjustment In Presidential Candidates’ Campaign Spending Limits To ₦10bn

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Victor Alade
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Reps Approves Adjustment In Presidential Candidates’ Campaign Spending Limits To ₦10bn

The House of Representatives has approved an increase in campaign spending limits for candidates seeking elective offices in Nigeria, doubling the ceiling for presidential candidates from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision was taken during Thursday’s plenary following a clause-by-clause consideration of a report recommending amendments to the Electoral Act 2022.

Under the approved changes, lawmakers raised the maximum amount a presidential candidate can spend on election campaigns from the ₦5 billion stipulated in the existing law to ₦10 billion.

The House also significantly increased spending limits for other elective offices. The ceiling for governorship candidates was raised from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion, while senatorial candidates can now spend up to ₦500 million, up from the previous ₦100 million.

For candidates seeking election into the House of Representatives, the campaign spending cap was reviewed upwards from ₦70 million to ₦250 million.

At the state level, the maximum amount for candidates contesting seats in state houses of assembly was increased from ₦30 million to ₦100 million.

The lawmakers also approved higher spending limits for local government elections. Under the amendment, candidates contesting for chairmanship positions will now be allowed to spend up to ₦100 million, compared to the previous ₦30 million ceiling. Similarly, the campaign spending limit for councillorship candidates was increased from ₦5 million to ₦10 million.

In addition to adjusting expenditure ceilings, the House approved an increase in the maximum amount an individual or organisation can donate to a candidate. The donation cap was raised tenfold, from ₦50 million to ₦500 million.

The amendments form part of ongoing legislative efforts to review the electoral framework ahead of the 2027 polls.

On Wednesday, the House approved a separate proposal mandating the real-time transmission of election results, signalling a broader push for electoral reforms.

The proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 will only take effect after concurrence by the Senate and assent by the President.

China Imposes 13% Tax On Condoms To Boost Birth Rate

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Victor Alade
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China Imposes 13% Tax On Condoms To Boost Birth Rate

China will impose a 13% value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives from January 1, ending an exemption in place since the nationwide VAT system was introduced in 1993.

The change, included in a VAT law passed in 2024 to modernise the tax regime, comes as Beijing intensifies efforts to raise its declining birthrate. VAT accounts for nearly 40% of China’s total tax revenue.

The move follows years of policy “carrots” after China abandoned its one-child policy, including allowing up to three children per couple, IVF discounts, cash subsidies, and extra paid leave for newlyweds. Still, the prospect of pricier contraceptives has drawn online ridicule. “What is wrong with modern society? They are truly going to extreme lengths just to make us have children,” one Weibo user wrote.

The new law also offers tax breaks for childcare and “marriage introduction services.” This year, the government earmarked 90bn yuan ($12.7bn) for its first nationwide childcare subsidy—3,600 yuan annually for each child under three—and announced plans to expand national health insurance to cover all childbirth-related expenses.

Despite incentives, demographic pressures persist. The birthrate in 2024 edged up to 6.77 per 1,000 people but remains far below historical levels, while an ageing population has driven overall population decline for at least three years. Reports of officials contacting women about menstrual cycles have heightened concerns that authorities may be shifting from incentives to “sticks.”

Experts say the tax is largely symbolic. “Now that China’s birth policy has shifted to encouraging births and no longer promotes contraception, it is reasonable to resume taxing contraceptives,” said He Yafu, an independent demographer in Guangdong. “However, this measure is unlikely to have a significant effect on increasing the fertility rate.”

Yun Zhou, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, said the tax signals “what desirable family behaviour should be,” warning that if access to contraception became harder, “the brunt of the negative effects will be borne by women, particularly by disadvantaged women.”

Revenue gains are expected to be modest. Lee Ding of Dezan Shira & Associates estimates the measure will raise about 5bn yuan annually—tiny against China’s 22tn yuan public budget. “We do not believe revenue generation is the primary motivation behind extending VAT to contraceptives,” Ding said.

US Homeland Security Suspends Green Card Lottery

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Victor Alade
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US Homeland Security Suspends Green Card Lottery

US homeland security chief Kristi Noem suspended a green card lottery on Thursday, saying it was used by the suspect in a mass shooting at Brown University.

Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national, is accused of bursting into a building at the Ivy League school on Dec 13 and opening fire on students sitting exams, killing two and wounding nine.

He is also accused of killing a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) two days later.

Noem wrote on social media that Neves Valente “entered the United States through the diversity lottery immigrant visa program (DV1) in 2017 and was granted a green card.”

“At President Trump’s direction, I am immediately directing USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) to pause the DV1 program to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program,” Noem wrote.

“This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country.”

Neves Valente was found dead by suicide after a days-long manhunt, police said on Thursday evening.

The US green card lottery grants up to 55,000 permanent resident visas annually to people “from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States,” according to the State Department.

To qualify, applicants must have at least a high school education or two years of training or work experience.

They also go through a vetting process that includes an interview.

Reps Amend Electoral Act, Approves Strict Penalty For Vote Buyers

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Victor Alade
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Reps Amend Electoral Act, Approves Strict Penalty For Vote Buyers

The House of Representatives has approved far-reaching amendments to the Electoral Act, introducing stiffer penalties for vote buying and selling, including a minimum of two years’ imprisonment or a N5 million fine, or both, alongside a 10-year ban from contesting elections.

The decision was taken during the clause-by-clause consideration of the report of the House Committee on Electoral Matters at the Committee of the Whole, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.

Under the amended Clause 22 (a and c), individuals involved in the buying or selling of votes and voter cards now face significantly tougher sanctions than previously provided, where penalties were capped at N500,000 or a maximum of two years’ imprisonment.

In a move aimed at enhancing the transparency and credibility of elections, the House also adopted an amendment to Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act, mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to electronically transmit results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) in real time, alongside physical collation of results.

The new provision states that result transmission must be carried out simultaneously with physical collation, strengthening safeguards against manipulation.

Lawmakers further amended the sanctions for presiding officers who deliberately breach procedures on counting, announcement, and transmission of polling unit results. A new Section 60(6) prescribes a minimum fine of N500,000 or at least six months’ imprisonment, or both, for any presiding officer who willfully contravenes the provisions.

The House also approved a clause mandating the release of election funds to INEC at least one year before a general election, in a bid to enhance early planning and efficient conduct of polls.

To curb electoral fraud, lawmakers increased penalties for multiple voter registration. Under the amended Clause 12(3), offenders now risk a minimum fine of N100,000 or at least one year’s imprisonment, or both.

In another adjustment, the House extended the deadline for political parties to submit their list of candidates to INEC from 180 days to 210 days before an election, allowing the commission more time for processing.

The House further approved provisions allowing the use of electronically generated voter identification, including downloadable voter cards with unique QR codes, or any other identification prescribed by INEC, for voter accreditation and voting.

Consideration of the remaining clauses of the Electoral Act amendment bill is still in progress.
Briefing journalists after the consideration, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balongun, said that the House has shelved plans to repeal the Electoral Act 2022, resolving instead to pursue targeted amendments after far-reaching reform proposals failed to secure broad consensus among lawmakers and key stakeholders.

The Electoral Bill 2025 was initially introduced as a bill to repeal the Electoral Act 2022 and enact a new electoral law. According to the committee, the proposal was driven by the desire to build on recent electoral gains and address emerging challenges in Nigeria’s electoral system.

Among the major reforms canvassed were provisions for early voting, inmate voting, replacement of the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) with more technology-driven or downloadable voter accreditation mechanisms, and adjustments to election timelines.

However, the committee said those proposals did not enjoy sufficient support across both chambers of the National Assembly or among stakeholders consulted during the process.

“As the legislative process progressed, it became evident that many of these far-reaching proposals did not command the support of the majority of members across the two Chambers, nor did they enjoy sufficient consensus among key stakeholders,” the committee chairman said.

Tinubu Direct Govs To Handover LG Allocation

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Victor Alade
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Tinubu Direct Govs To Handover LG Allocation

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the 36 governors to hand over local government allocation to the councils in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment.

The President said there would not be an autonomy to councils without a funded mandate.

Speaking at the 14th APC National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President said he had assured the United States and the European Union that Nigeria will establish state Police to tackle insecurity challenges.

He also advised governors and party leaders to be flexible in their actions and ensure that they get involved in what happens in their various places including the rural communities.

He said: “You must yield and continue to promote, tolerate and be flexible, get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to local government level.

“I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads. I was bragging to tell you that we will definitely pass a state police to improve security. They asked me if I’m confident, and I say, yes, I have a party to depend on. I have a party that will make it happen.

“And if at this level we fail, God forbid, we will not fail. I think the reconciliation, the accommodation, the flexibility, is in your hand, all of you, and we are the majority. We are the leaders.

“Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgment. What can we do with it? And how well we can position our country and our party.

“To me, the local government autonomy, is and must be effective. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate, we will give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s the compliance of the Supreme Court. Take leadership seriously.”

The President commiserated with the government of Bayelsa State on the death of the deputy governor and prayed that his soul rest in peace.

He also called for the inclusion of more women in the caucus and asked that provision should be made towards that.

Speaking earlier, the national chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, hailed what he described as a surge in the party’s national acceptance, citing recent high-profile defections, an electronic membership registration drive and plans for a new national secretariat in Abuja.

He said it was his first of such gatherings since emerging Chairman in July.

Yilwatda thanked President Tinubu for support and urged stakeholders to rally behind the party’s expansion agenda ahead of planned congresses and the next national convention slated for March 2026.

He told caucus members that the APC leadership was consolidating structures nationwide through a membership drive, while also crediting the President’s leadership with strengthening party cohesion and public confidence.

He listed a number of governors and political actors he said had recently joined the party, while also claiming that the APC now enjoys an “overwhelming majority” in both chambers of the National Assembly.

Yilwatda said, “Recent political development underscored APC’s pan-Nigerian character, including significant defections that have further expanded our influence, particularly several high profile individuals and groups who have defected to our party, especially from the opposition parties.

Yilwatda also announced what he described as an internal organisational milestone: the activation of an electronic membership registration system, which he said would improve transparency, data integrity and internal democracy.

The APC National Caucus is a high-level strategic meeting of the party’s top leadership.

It typically brings together the President, Vice President, national chairman, members of the National Working Committee, APC governors and other key stakeholders to align on political and organisational issues ahead of broader deliberations at the NEC.

Notably, the six governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who recently defected to the APC were present at the caucus meeting, including Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno and Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas.

Both the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas spoke on the importance of working together and giving every member equal opportunity.

Akpabio noted that govenors are leaders of the party in the states and should be accorded the respect.

ADC Nominates Tubo, Badawi As Borno Transitional Committee Chair, Secretary

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Victor Alade
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ADC Nominates Tubo, Badawi As Borno Transitional Committee Chair, Secretary

Following alignment and realignment towards the forthcoming 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has nominated Hon. Adamu Usman Tubo as the Transitional Committee Chairman, while Hon. Sunusi Lawan Badawi emerged as the Secretary.

Tubo hails from Southern Borno Senatorial District, while Badawi is from Borno North Senatorial District.

According to a circular signed by the party’s office of Assistant National Organizing Secretary, as well as North East Organizing Secretary, Hon. Mohammed Abba Kyari indicated that prominent members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC Labour Party LP, Social Democratic Party SDP, and New Nigeria People Party NNPP, among others who jumped ship and joined the coalition movement emerged as leaders aims to reposition the ADC for better.

Too numerous to mention amongst them who emerged as leaders and members in their respective zones are former APC Chietftain and past Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Mattawali Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, former APC Gubernatorial Aspirant and Southern Borno Senatorial Aspirant under the platform of the APC in 2023 general elections, Alhaji Idris Mamman Durkwa, former Senatorial Candidate for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 2023, Alhaji Attom Magira, former House Minority Leader and APC Governorship aspirant in 2019 Barrister Mohammed Kumalia who also contested on the platform of the PDP as Borno Central Senatorial District in 2023, Former Speakers of the House of Assembly in state, Rt. Hon. Bukar Kachallah and Rt. Hon. Bulama Fugu, youth stakeholders such as we Hon. Sheriff Banki, Hon. Abba Haruna, Hon. Abba Masta among others.

Already, it was gathered that the said circular dated 18th December, 2025, with an address No: Plot 121 Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja which had gone viral was also copied to the office of the National Chairman and Secretary, as well as the National Organizing Secretary of the party last Thursday 18th December, 2025, Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Barrister Chinedu Odigbo respectively.

The Circular reads: ” I, the Assistant National Organizing Secretary/North East Organizing Secretary, Hon. Mohammed Abba Kyari hereby forward the list of the Borno State Transitional Committee for your necessary action.

“The committee will be led by HON. ADAMU USMAN TUBO from Borno South Senatorial District as Chairman, while HON.SUNUSI LAWAN BADAWI serve from Borno North Senatorial District as secretary.

“The members of the committee were selected strictly based on the criteria and consideration of
Political Backgrounds, Local Governments, Federal Constituencies, and Senatorial Districts.

“Please find attached the approved membership list and accept my highest regards.

“Yours faithfully,Hon. Mohammed Abba Kyari Assistant National Organizing Secretary/Northeast Zone Organizing Secretary”. He stated.

Aiyedatiwa’s Proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port To Benefit Nigeria, West Africa

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Victor Alade
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Aiyedatiwa's Proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port To Benefit Nigeria, West Africa

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port will serve as a major hub for international trade, benefiting not only Ondo State but Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.

The governor spoke after receiving the revalidated licence for the project from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola.

Aiyedatiwa said the state government is fully prepared to commence the project, describing the port as critical infrastructure that goes beyond state-level use and positions Ondo as a gateway for international business and maritime operations.

He noted that the deep sea port is designed to support industries, commerce and the broader economy, with facilities capable of accommodating businesses across Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

According to the governor, the port has a natural draught of about 18 metres, which would allow very large vessels—larger than those currently operating in Lagos ports—to berth easily.

He explained that the port’s depth and size would eliminate the need for trans-shipment, as vessels would be able to sail directly into Ondo State waters.

Aiyedatiwa said the project would have far-reaching economic benefits beyond cargo handling, stressing that once construction begins, the state would witness increased human and commercial activities.

He added that the influx of investors, financial institutions and humanitarian service providers would also boost hospitality and related sectors in the state.

The governor expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for fast-tracking the revalidation of the port’s licence, describing it as a significant step toward realising the long-awaited project.

IPMAN Urges Members To Patronise Dangote Refinery’s Affordable PMS Supply

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Victor Alade
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IPMAN Urges Members To Patronise Dangote Refinery’s Affordable PMS Supply

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called on all its members nationwide to patronise the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, noting that the refinery already offers the best affordable price for all marketers, even as free delivery commences in January 2026.

The association also expressed delight over a recent agreement by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to begin the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) – also known as petroleum – products directly to registered IPMAN members, in a statement signed and issued by the IPMAN National President Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima.

At a press conference held in Abuja yesterday on recent happenings in the oil & gas sector, IPMAN also applauded the support of the Chairman of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Aliko Dangote towards the Federal Government, which it noted has become evident in the regular reduction of the petroleum pump price.

According to Shettima, “the association has the highest percentage of the supply chain of the PMS downstream sector, controlling over 80% of the PMS retail market. We therefore declare that there will be no gap or scarcity in PMS supply to Nigerians.

“We are also excited at the recent agreement by the Dangote Refinery to begin the supply of PMS products directly to registered IPMAN members, and its free delivery to our filling stations anywhere and everywhere in Nigeria which will commence in January 2026.

“This will again, certainly lead to further decrease in the pump price of the products at our filing stations. Therefore, I am calling on all IPMAN members nationwide to prioritise patronising the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, as they already offer the best affordable prize for all marketers today”, the statement added.

The IPMAN boss noted that “At IPMAN we have no doubt as to the viability of the oil and gas policies being initiated by the Federal Government, and we have ceaselessly called and sought for enhanced cooperation across all levels of governance in the oil and gas sector. Hence our repeated persuasion to always partner the Dangote refinery, to ensure the steady availability of PMS products.

“The focus of the Dangote & IPMAN partnership, has always been geared towards making life better for Nigerians. And of course, this blooming partnership would never have been possible without the pragmatic leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his sound judgment in readjusting the leadership of the NMDPRA and the NUPRC.

Our position has always been to deepen domestic refining in order to eradicate imports of petroleum products. Continuous import is NOT an acceptable parallel business model, because issuing import licenses recklessly distorts market dynamics, drains foreign exchange, enthrones poverty, destroys jobs, and scares potential investors away,” Shettima added.

The association congratulated the new heads of the oil & gas regulatory bodies, and reminded them of the long outstanding bridging claims owed its members totalling over N190 billion. “We specifically call on the NMPDRA new leadership to immediately make this debt a cause for serious concern as he assumes his new position”, the statement added.

NIPC Gets $10bn investments, Over 5,000 Jobs In 2025

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Victor Alade
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NIPC Gets $10bn investments, Over 5,000 Jobs In 2025

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) says it collated 29.91 billion dollars as investment announcements for 2019.

Nigeria attracted investment commitments worth about $9.88 billion in 2025, with projects facilitated by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) generating over 5,000 direct jobs across key sectors of the economy, signalling renewed investor confidence.

Deputy Director, Depar-tment of Investment Promotion, Emmanuel Longza, NIPC, disclosed this in a document presented during a media parley with journalists in Abuja.

According to the document, the investments included $150 million from Chinese projects in Katsina, $500 million for the Oyo Integrated Agricultural Park, $150 million Green Mining Fund, over $5.2 billion from the Bauchi Investment Summit, about $331 million from the Katsina Investment Summit, roughly $50 million from AfCFTA deal-room negotiations, $2.5 billion investment interest by JBS in livestock, and the $1 billion Green Imperative agricultural mechanisation programme.

The report added that these figures exclude a mix of firm commitments, memoranda of understanding, announced investments and indicated interests, which together represent about $11.5 billion in potential investment value from 120 to 135 leads.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NIPC, Mrs. Aisha Rimi, said the investments created 5,432 jobs in the second and third quarters of 2025, largely in manufacturing, ICT, agro-processing, renewable energy and other productive sectors.

Represented by the Director of Strategic Services, Abubakar Yerima, Rimi said the jobs were supported by the Pioneer Status Incentive scheme, with plans underway to transition to the Economic Development Incentive framework by January 2026.

She said the One-Stop Investment Centre processed business registrations within 48 hours, handled thousands of investor enquiries and facilitated the incorporation of nearly 100 companies, alongside faster visa and permit processing.

Rimi also highlighted expanded global engagements with Brazil, Sweden, BRICS partners and Japan, as well as rising investor interest in the dairy and livestock value chain aligned with the National Livestock Transformation Plan.

Looking ahead, she said the Commission would deepen digital transformation, strengthen subnational competitiveness and enhance investor aftercare to convert investment interest into projects that create jobs and boost revenue.

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