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Govt shrugs off AI’s blue senators link

The government played down an incident involving the TH-AI Passport project after a word-and-colour game linked “senators” with blue, the colour associated with the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT).

Deputy Transport Minister and BJT deputy leader Siripong Angkasakulkiat said on Wednesday that the incident showed users should understand how AI works and should not automatically treat its answers as facts.

The issue gained attention on social media after a user tested the AI system in the TH-AI Passport project by asking it to match words with colours.

When the term “senators” was entered, the system responded with “blue”, prompting jokes and political comments.

Many believe Bhumjaithai is closely aligned to a so-called blue faction of senators. The connection is not always portrayed in flattering terms.

The answer caused a stir on social media, with many users praising the AI as “being smart” and “having deep knowledge.” Others said they tried the same test and got the same result.

The original poster later shared a video to confirm the result was genuine and not edited.

Mr Siripong said he also did his own test using ChatGPT, asking it to choose a colour that best matched each word he entered. The system returned “banana-yellow, apple-red, senators-orange, Nantana-pink and Siripong-blue”, he said.

He said he was not an AI expert but grew up experimenting with the technology. He said AI responses depended on the information available to each system and how it processed the data.

Citing navigation apps as an example, he said they directed users to incorrect routes but became more accurate as more people used them and the systems learned from the data they received. Mr Siripong said the proper way to use AI is to ask questions, check the answers, and consider whether the responses made sense.

He added users should not simply believe what an AI system or other people tell them without checking the information or asking questions. “If you use it this way, you won’t become stupid. If you believe whatever it tells you, or whatever people tell you, without verifying or asking questions, then you will definitely be,” he said.

Government spokesman Dr Ekkapob Pianpises on Wednesday encouraged people to make fuller use of the TH-AI Passport, saying most AI users still rely on the technology mainly for basic information searches.

In a Facebook post, Dr Ekkapob said about 80% of AI users use the technology much like they use Google, while only 20% use prompts effectively to get more from AI systems.

He recommended Perplexity’s Sonar Deep Research, included in the TH-AI Passport, which can help with literature reviews and research summaries.

Residential market likely to face prolonged slump

The residential market has yet to recover, with the downturn expected to extend until next year due to a lack of consumer confidence, say property developers.

Pornarit Chounchaisit, president of the Thai Real Estate Association, said the market weakness is driven by a lack of confidence among both homebuyers and banks in mortgage lending.

“Some large developers say mortgage rejection rates have surged to 70%,” he said. “Some occupations that previously secured loans are now being rejected, such as freelance architects.”

Banks view the property market as sluggish and expect fewer new projects, reducing demand for architectural services, said Mr Pornarit.

Even salaried employees at some types of companies, such as IT startups, are facing greater difficulty securing mortgages as banks become more cautious amid weaker venture capital investment, with startup closures also leaving some office rental space vacant.

He said the lack of confidence was largely a matter of sentiment. Despite economic growth, consumers remain reluctant to make costly purchases such as homes when confidence is weak.

The US-Iran war, which has repeatedly shifted between escalation and de-escalation, is likely to hamper a recovery in the residential market during the second half, said Mr Pornarit.

“Lack of confidence is a global issue as geopolitical conflicts have also affected foreign demand,” he said.

Previously, when domestic sales were weak, developers could rely on foreign buyers. However, now the international market has also become quiet, said Mr Pornarit.

Although many view Pattaya and Phuket as markets that can still perform relatively well, he said Pattaya’s investment buyers were becoming more cautious.

Pattaya has attracted buyers seeking rental income, but they now need to consider the large amount of new hotel supply expected to enter the market, he said.

Meanwhile, Phuket has attracted strong foreign demand, luring Bangkok-based developers of all sizes to launch condominium and villa projects targeting these buyers.

However, the market has started to slow amid the government’s crackdown on nominee ownership, said Mr Pornarit.

“The market slowdown will carry over into next year because it is a result of this year,” he said. “Many listed developers can sustain operations for no more than a year.”

PRESSURE BUILDING

Some developers may only be able to survive until the end of this year and will need to downsize to reduce fixed costs, said Mr Pornarit.

Developers carrying large amounts of unsold inventory, particularly completed units held for more than three years, are facing growing pressure from holding costs.

These include land and building taxes, charged at 0.03% of the appraised value for unsold residential units held by developers for more than three years.

The tax burden also rises with each new land revaluation, as appraised values are generally adjusted upwards. Developers must also cover common-area fees, financing costs and maintenance expenses.

“These costs have to be reflected in selling prices, but raising prices is difficult when sales are already weak,” Mr Pornarit added. “Customers are also demanding discounts as the market slows.”

Kessara Thanyalakpark, managing director of SET-listed Sena Development, said the housing market was weaker in the third quarter, particularly this month.

“The housing market has yet to recover,” she said. “The growth in residential transfers in the second quarter may have given the impression that the market had recovered, but this was not the case.”

“The second-quarter figures were boosted by clearance sales, which cannot be used to justify a recovery in the market,” said Ms Kessara.

To help potential homebuyers find homes in their preferred locations and price ranges while enabling developers to reach qualified buyers and clear inventory, the Thai Real Estate Association has joined the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to develop a housing platform.

Initially aimed at BMA officers, the BKK Housing Matching platform has now been expanded to the general public and added a rent-to-own programme to make homeownership more accessible.

As of Sept 2, the platform had 3,912 users, 50 developers and 289 housing projects. A total of 60 units had been booked through the platform, four of which had already been transferred to buyers.

Azerbaijani Para swimmers reach European Championship finals

Azerbaijani para swimmers will compete in the finals again on September 10 at the Kocaeli 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships in Kocaeli, Turkiye.

Raman Salei, competing in the S12 category, qualified for the men’s 50-meter freestyle final after clocking 24.70 seconds in the heats.

Ali Valiyev, who competes in the S10 category, will take part directly in the men’s 400-meter freestyle final.

During the first two days of the championships, Salei finished fourth in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:03.55 and fifth in the 100-meter butterfly in 59.18 seconds.

Valiyev, meanwhile, finished eighth in the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2:32.99.

The Kocaeli 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships are being held from September 7 to 12, with 150 medal events on the programme.

The competition is part of the international para swimming calendar leading toward the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

States abuzz as APC, ADC, PDP, SDP open campaigns

Partisan activities surged across the six geopolitical zones yesterday as governorship and House of Assembly candidates kicked off their campaigns for the February 6, 2027 elections.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and other parties opened the competitive hunt for votes with rallies, meetings and the unveiling of campaign materials.

Yesterday was the opening day of campaigns as enshrined in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.

In Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Kaduna and Kano states, governorship candidates unveiled their manifestos at various events organised by their campaign structures.

Governorship candidates of the ADC in the Northwest geopolitical zone – with seven states, the highest number in the country – unveiled a unified governance blueprint at a meeting in Abuja.

The APC controls all the states in the zone.

Governors Abba Yusuf (Kano State) and Uba Sani (Kaduna State), both of the APC; Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu; and his Abia counterpart, Kelechi Anosike, were among those who began their campaigns.

Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly seats are ongoing, having begun on August 19. The presidential election will hold on January 16, 2027.

Two days ago, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), who spoke at a sensitisation workshop for electoral officers in Lagos, urged the candidates to avoid heating up the polity by restricting themselves to issue-based campaigns.

He also advised party leaders and candidates to conduct their campaigns in accordance with the guidelines released by the commission.

Northwest ADC candidates unveil unified blueprint

Former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), told reporters after the unveiling of the blueprint in Abuja that the governorship candidates were committed to ending economic stagnation in the region.

Malami, the Kebbi governorship candidate, said the ‘Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates Strategy Group’ would implement the ‘Regional Covenant for Security, Development and Shared Prosperity’ if the seven candidates are elected.

He said: ‘Our region is crisis-ridden. Over 16,000 lives have been lost on account of insecurity between June 2023 and August 2026, and more than 1,583 kidnapping incidents since January 2023 have taken over 10,000 of our people from their homes and farms.

‘Tens of thousands of households have been displaced, and more than 533,000 hectares of farmland in Zamfara and Katsina alone now lie abandoned. Our region also accounts for 45 per cent of Nigeria’s out-of-school children.’

Malami criticised the APC-led state governments across the zone, pointing out that despite receiving over N8.33 trillion in federal allocations between June 2023 and August 2026, the administrations had failed to provide accessible transportation, healthcare or quality education.

He added: ‘The level of looting witnessed across the Northwest under the current administrations is massive and unprecedented in the region.’

Furthermore, he committed that every ADC administration across the seven Northwest states would implement a minimum wage of N110,000 for workers upon taking office.

Malami is currently on trial over allegations of financial mismanagement during his tenure as AGF.

He has temporarily forfeited not less than 40 properties to the Federal Government.

Kaduna APC to focus on issues

Kaduna APC vowed to focus on issues and the achievements of Governor Uba Sani’s administration instead of attacking the opposition.

At a press conference in Kaduna, the Publicity Secretary, Mohamed Sani Haruna, said the party had met with publicity secretaries from the 23 local government areas to prepare them for the campaign.

Haruna said: ‘We intend to conduct our campaign without acrimony, without insult, in the best manner possible. We intend to conduct the election with respect for all contending parties and for the people of Kaduna State.

‘We are proud to sell the achievements of Senator Uba Sani as the governor of Kaduna State,’ Haruna said, identifying education, healthcare, sports and skills acquisition among sectors where the administration had recorded significant progress.

On education, the APC spokesman said the government had reduced tuition fees in Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions by 50 per cent and reintroduced scholarship programmes.

He said the measures were aimed at making education more accessible to ordinary residents.

Haruna added: ‘When he became the governor of Kaduna State, school fees for tertiary institutions in Kaduna State were beyond the reach of the common man. Senator Sani reduced tuition fees by 50 per cent for all tertiary institutions in the state. He did not stop there; he reintroduced scholarships.’

He urged the people to vote for the three senatorial candidates – former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani, former Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Kaduna North), and Senator Sunday Marshall Katung (Kaduna South).

‘Victory is certain for APC in Lagos’

Lagos APC, led by Cornelius Ojelabi, began its grassroots mobilisation across the pre-existing 20 local governments.

Ojelabi said the campaign would be anchored on continuity, consolidation, renewed progress and victory, adding that the party would present its vision for the future of Lagos State.

The chairman said the APC had entered the campaign with confidence, a well-established grassroots structure and a clear understanding of the importance of the elections to the continued development of the state.

Ojelabi said in a statement by his media aide, Omobola Akingbehin, that the election presented an opportunity for Lagosians to sustain the state’s current trajectory of development and progress.

He also reaffirmed the importance of the political legacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose leadership and progressive political tradition have played a defining role in the evolution of Lagos politics and governance.

He said the party would take its message directly to the people through extensive engagements across communities, wards, local governments, traditional institutions, professional groups, women and youth organisations, market associations and other critical stakeholders.

Ojelabi assured Lagosians that the APC campaign would be issue-driven and focused on the aspirations and expectations of the people, while respecting democratic values, the electoral process and the laws governing elections.

Anosike unveils 10-point welfarist manifesto

Anosike, who unveiled his manifesto to Abians, anchored it on a 10-pillar Welfarist governance philosophy, saying change was imminent.

Speaking as a guest on FLO FM Umuahia, which is connected to 12 radio stations, Anosike said, if elected, his administration would focus on 10 key areas, with the central promise: ‘People First, Abia Always.’

The 10-point welfarist programme includes agricultural welfare, coded as ‘Operation Feed Abia (OFA)’, with a pledge to make Abia food-secure and export-ready.

He said: ‘When Anosike becomes governor in 2027, you will be having three square meals to eat and things to chew in between meals. Never again will you go to bed with an empty stomach.’

Anosike promised to support farm settlements with ICT, sports and gaming facilities, bring back extension workers, mechanise farming and mandate local governments to assist farmers with tractors.

On economic welfare, he said his government would focus on cooperative economics and industrialisation, with a Traders Microfinance Bank to be established in Aba to provide interest-free revolving loans of N500,000 to N2 million to traders and artisans through registered cooperatives.

Anosike also promised to establish three industries every year and provide entrepreneurship grants.

He promised to make healthcare services affordable through a health insurance scheme under which the government would pay 60 per cent of medical costs while citizens would pay 40 per cent.

Anosike said functional laboratories would be built in the 17 local government areas and primary healthcare centres would be properly equipped.

To motivate the workforce, the PDP candidate promised to pay N90,000 as the minimum wage for the least-paid worker, above the N70,000 benchmark.

SDP ready to take power, says chairman

SDP National Chairman Prof. Sadie Gombe said the party was determined to take power from the ruling APC.

He spoke at the National Non-Elective Convention held in Abuja, which was attended by delegates, state chairmen from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), senatorial candidates and over 1,000 State Assembly candidates.

Gombe urged party members to put behind them all legal and administrative distractions, emphasising that the party remained standing and united.

He said: ‘The SDP has passed through numerous challenges. We have faced obstacles at almost every turn, yet we remain focused.

‘Let us therefore put all distractions behind us. The SDP must come first in the 2027 elections: from the presidential election, the National Assembly election, the governorship elections in the 28 states, the senatorial election in the 109 senatorial districts, the House of Representatives election in the 360 constituencies, and indeed the State Assembly election in the 1,015 constituencies in the country. No individual is bigger than the political party, and no personal interest should ever be allowed to undermine our collective will.’

At the convention were Prince Adewole Adebayo and his wife, Princess Lillian; vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Usman Bugaje; Chairman of Chairmen, Comrade Olaniyi Ferrari; and former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Muhammad Abubakar Adamu, who is the SDP governorship candidate in Nasarawa State.

Governorship candidates from Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Kogi, Bauchi, Oyo and Borno states were also presented to the delegates.

Adebutu: I will defeat Yayi

Adebutu said he would defeat the APC governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi).

He promised to ‘liberate’ the state from poverty, insecurity, unemployment and what he described as years of poor governance.

Adebutu unveiled his campaign manifesto, tagged ‘ITURA DE’ (relief), at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta.

In a speech titled ‘A Call to Liberation’, the former federal lawmaker said the agenda would serve as the blueprint for his administration.

With him at the news conference was his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo.

He said: ‘With ITURA DE programmes, the seven cardinal pillars are designed to systematically eradicate entrenched poverty and restore power to the good people of Ogun State.

‘We shall dismantle the architecture of fear, aggressively securing every farm, highway and neighbourhood from lawlessness and also guarantee total freedom of choice of political leaning as a dividend of true democracy.’

Adebutu also promised to restore financial autonomy to local government councils, arguing that empowering the councils would create additional centres of development and bring governance closer to the people.

He said: ‘We shall also liberate our Local Government Councils from financial bondage, returning sovereign administrative power and resources directly to your communities.’

Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu (middle); his running mate, Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo(left) and other party chieftains, during the kick-off of the campaign in Abeokuta….yesterday

The PDP candidate emphasised his longstanding connection with Ogun State, saying his investments, businesses and social activities had established deep roots in the state.

Adebutu said: ‘For over 31 unbroken years, my roots, my wealth, my enterprises, and my sweat have been irreversibly planted in the soil of Ogun State.’

Running mate Alhaja Sowunmi-Kolapo also urged residents to support the party, promising that an Adebutu-led administration would provide relief from poverty and what she described as maladministration.

Yusuf calls for peaceful campaigns in Kano

Kano State Government called for peaceful campaigns focused on development and unity.

Addressing reporters at the Government House, Kano, the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said the commencement of campaigns provided candidates an opportunity to present their programmes, achievements and visions to the people.

He said: ‘On behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, we assure the people of Kano that our campaign will be peaceful, issue-based and focused on the development, unity and prosperity of the state.’

Bature urged governorship candidates and their supporters to embrace responsible campaigns and to ‘compete on the basis of ideas, policies, records and programmes, rather than insults, intimidation or violence.’

He said: ‘The people of Kano deserve a campaign where candidates explain what they intend to do differently and how they will improve the lives of citizens.’

Wali begins campaign, receives royal endorsements

Yobe APC governorship candidate Alhaji Baba Malam Wali commenced his campaign tour with visits to traditional rulers and communities across Yobe South and Yobe East.

He received royal honours and endorsements from stakeholders.

Wali visited Gudi, Tikau, Potiskum, Fune, Jajere and Ngelzarma emirates, where the traditional rulers, party leaders and residents received the APC delegation with a rousing welcome.

He was conferred with traditional titles by four emirs within a 24-hour period, in recognition of his relationship with the traditional institutions and his contributions to the communities.

At Gudi, the Emir, Alhaji Ismail Ahmad Dala Ibn Madugu Khaji II, conferred on Wali the title of Sarkin Yakin Gudi.

Also, the Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Abubakar Mahammadu Ibn Grema III, bestowed on him the title of Ajiyan Tikau, while his running mate, Saleh Samanja, was honoured as Turakin Tikau.

At Potiskum, the Emir, Alhaji Umaru Bubaram Ibn Wuriwa Bauya, conferred on Wali the title of Zanna Kaloma.

The candidate also visited Jajere Emirate in Babbangida, Tarmuwa Local Government Area, where he was received by the Emir, HRH Dr Mai Hamza Buba Ibn Isa Mashio, who conferred on him the title of Sardaunan Jajere.

The emirate also presented cows to Wali in keeping with Fulani tradition as a gesture of honour and goodwill. The conferment and presentation were announced by the Director-General of the Yobe State Bureau on Public Procurement, Hon. Samaila Mai Adamu.

Yobe APC inaugurates reconciliation committees

The inauguration held at the Wawa Hall of the Yobe State Government House, Damaturu, was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Idi Barde Gubana, who also chairs the party’s State Working Committee.

Aliyu, who served as Minister of Power under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, will lead the Yobe South Senatorial District Reconciliation Committee, alongside former Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Aliyu Saleh Bagare, as deputy chairman.

Other members of the Yobe South committee include Senator Alkali Abdulkadir Jajere, Barrister Abubakar Bala Ajeje, Hon. Ibrahim Umar, Alhaji Adamu Abdu Chilariye, Alhaji Baba Hardo Potiskum, Alhaji Ayuba Mugaddas, Hon. Adam Arjo Kayeri, Alhaji Yunusa Kukuri, Hajiya Halima Joda and Alhaji Danjuma Mai Taya.

Aliyu expressed appreciation to the Yobe State Government and APC leadership for entrusting them with the responsibility of rebuilding unity within the party.

He pledged that the committees would approach the assignment with commitment and fairness, stressing the importance of resolving grievances and restoring confidence among party members ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former minister said the responsibility was an opportunity for members of the committees to contribute to the stability and progress of the party, particularly at the grassroots.

Inaugurating the committees, Deputy Governor Gubana commended the appointees for accepting what he described as an important responsibility, urging them to place the collective interest of the APC above personal considerations.

He charged the committees to remain committed, united and resolute in carrying out their mandate, particularly in reconciling members who became aggrieved following the party’s congresses and primary elections.

According to him, the assignment is to ‘reconcile, harmonise, integrate and unite’ party members in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

The Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Chiroma Buba Mashio, urged the committees to take their reconciliation efforts to the grassroots.

Mashio advised members to engage party supporters at the ward level in order to properly understand their grievances and identify practical solutions to the challenges confronting the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Fix the system not the taxpayer: Rethinking ‘Pay Now, Argue Later’

Kenya’s Tax Appeal debate isn’t going away. It continues to resurface. Although it was quietly dropped in Parliament, the proposal to amend Tax Procedures Act (TPA) has persistently reappeared in successive Finance Bills since 2024, and the Finance Bill, 2027 may prove no exception.

It seeks to require taxpayers to pay the disputed principal tax, in whole or in part, before filing an appeal against a decision of the Tax Appeals Tribunal (‘Tribunal’ or ‘TAT’), the High Court, or the Court of Appeal.

The latest attempt floated through a supplementary order paper during the Finance Bill, 2026 debate may have been shelved, but the policy question it raises remains far from settled. Currently, the Commissioner is restricted from issuing agency notices against taxpayers who have active appeals before the Tribunal, the High Court, or the Court of Appeal.

At face value, the logic is compelling. The Government is under mounting pressure to raise more revenue in an increasingly tight fiscal environment. While the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) exceeded its target in the 2024/2025 financial year collecting about Sh2.57 trillion, performance in the current financial year tells a more nuanced picture.

As per the Statement of Actual Revenues and Net Exchequer released by the National Treasury and Economic Planning in May 2026, collections stood at Sh2.174 trillion against an original estimate of Sh2.627 trillion, reflecting shortfall of about Sh453 billion.

Kenya’s economy grew by 4.7 percent in 2024 and is estimated to have moderated to 4.6 percent in 2025. While this reflects relative resilience, the mild deceleration underscores broader macroeconomic pressures that can dampen revenue performance.

The challenge is not delayed tax disputes, rather it points to a combination of ambitious revenue targets and structural constraints within the economy. In that context, it becomes necessary to ask whether proposals such as ‘pay now, argue later’ are addressing the real problem or merely shifting the burden onto taxpayers.

Proponents of the proposal argue that requiring upfront payment would secure revenue, discourage frivolous disputes, and enhance fiscal predictability. However, beneath this surface logic lies a deeper constitutional and economic tension. Article 47 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to administrative action that is expeditious, efficient, lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair. It is not a hollow promise.

It is a safeguard against administrative overreach. Conditioning the right of appeal on prior payment risks undermining that guarantee. Access to justice cannot meaningfully exist where the ability to be heard depends on one’s financial capacity.

In practical terms, the implications are stark. Tax disputes often involve substantial sums, with significant implications for business liquidity.

A prepayment requirement could effectively prevent businesses from pursuing legitimate appeals, not because their cases lack merit, but because they lack liquidity. The result is not efficiency, but exclusion.

In many cases, businesses may be forced to resort to external financing to meet such upfront tax demands. This introduces additional borrowing costs, increases the cost of doing business, and diverts capital away from productive investment. Over time, such pressures can undermine competitiveness and discourage formal sector growth.

More critically, such a policy approach sidesteps the real problem: systemic inefficiency in tax dispute resolution.

While the Tax Procedures Act and the Tax Appeals Tribunal framework prescribe timelines for procedural steps such as filing objections and appeals, they do not impose strict statutory deadlines for the Tribunal to determine cases. In practice, disputes can take years to conclude as they move through the Tribunal, High Court, and Court of Appeal.

Rather than addressing these delays, the prepayment proposal would shift the burden onto taxpayers. It effectively asks them to finance the inefficiencies of the system.

Even more problematic is what happens after the dispute. Section 47 (2) of the TPA provides for refunds of overpaid taxes, but recent amendments introduce a critical caveat: where refunds are not processed within six months from the date of ascertainment, the amounts shall be automatically applied to offset existing or future tax liabilities.

This has institutionalised the use of refund adjustment vouchers (RAVs), meaning taxpayers may not receive cash even after succeeding in their appeals. For businesses without immediate tax liabilities, this strains cash flow and undermines confidence in the system.

If the objective is to unlock revenue trapped in disputes, then the solution lies not in restricting access to appeals but in fixing the structural inefficiencies that cause delays in the first place. A more balanced approach would begin with institutional reform.

As a short-term measure, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms should also be strengthened to encourage early settlement of tax disputes, reducing the burden on the courts altogether.

During the 2025/26 financial year, the KRA resolved 993 tax disputes through ADR, unlocking Sh35.062 billion in revenue, according to its Annual Revenue Performance Report. The achievement underscores the effectiveness of ADR in expediting dispute resolution, strengthening taxpayer relations, and facilitating the timely collection of revenue that might otherwise remain tied up in prolonged litigation.

At a broader level, sustainable revenue mobilization will depend on expanding the tax base and supporting economic growth. Bringing more taxpayers into the formal tax net, while fostering an enabling environment for businesses to grow, would reduce the pressure to rely on aggressive or potentially unconstitutional enforcement measures.

As a medium- to long-term reform, Kenya should consider establishing specialized tax divisions within the High Court and corresponding benches in the Court of Appeal, similar to the Constitutional and Judicial Review, Land and Environment divisions.

While this would require time, dedicated resources, and significant institutional investment, the long-term gains in efficiency, consistency, and quality of tax jurisprudence would be substantial. Given the highly technical nature of tax law, dedicated judicial expertise would significantly improve the speed, quality, and consistency of decisions.

This is not a novel proposition. Leading jurisdictions treat tax disputes as a specialised area of law requiring dedicated judicial structures.

The United States of America operates a separate Tax Court with judges experienced in tax matters, while the United Kingdom has established a dedicated Tax Chamber within its tribunal system. Similar specialised tax courts exist in Canada and across parts of Europe. These systems demonstrate that judicial specialisation is a proven tool for improving efficiency and ensuring consistent, high-quality decisions.

Equally important is the introduction of clear statutory timelines for the determination of disputes at each level of appeal. Predictable timelines would reduce delays, accelerate revenue collection, and eliminate the need for coercive prepayment measures.

Ultimately, the recurring reintroduction and withdrawal of the prepayment proposal suggest a policy solution in search of the wrong problem. The Government is right to be concerned about delayed revenue. But requiring taxpayers to pay before they are heard risks undermining constitutional protections, distorting business operations, and eroding trust in the tax system.

There is a better way. Fix the system, not the taxpayer. A tax system that is efficient, predictable, and fair will always collect more because it commands compliance, not compulsion. That is the reform Kenya truly needs.

Siquijor LGUs seek ‘real solutions’ as plastic waste piles up

Local governments in Siquijor are seeking more support to deal with mounting plastic waste as tourism grows and existing waste recovery facilities struggle to accommodate what is being collected on the island.

Lhermie P. Areja, municipal environment and natural resources officer of the municipality of Siquijor, said the local government had been segregating and collecting plastic packaging but was running out of space to store it.

‘Ang dami na pong basura na na-generate dito sa Siquijor, particularly single use plastic bottles coming from Coca-Cola, Nature Spring and other companies,’ Areja said.

(We already have a lot of waste being generated here in Siquijor, particularly single-use plastic bottles from Coca-Cola, Nature Spring and other companies.)

‘We have been segregating and collecting their plastics packaging, but now we have nowhere to put them – our recovery facilities have already filled up. Paano po ba iyon makukuha kasi punong-puno na talaga ang LGU. What are we supposed to do, where should we put them?’

(How are these going to be collected when the LGU is already completely full?)

Areja raised the issue during the ‘Taking Back Paradise’ forum organized by Oceana on Sept. 8, where local officials, community members, environmental groups and other stakeholders discussed possible ways to address the island’s waste problem.

Plastic waste, tourism grow

A recent Waste Assessment and Brand Audit (WABA) conducted by the Mother Earth Foundation (MEF), Oceana and Break Free from Plastic (BFFP) found that more than 70% of Siquijor’s waste is biodegradable and can be addressed through composting and biodigesters.

A portion, however, consists of single-use plastic packaging from major corporations.

Citing the Extended Producer Responsibility Act (Republic Act No. 11898), which requires covered enterprises to recover plastic packaging they introduce into the market, forum participants called on these companies to help collect and divert plastic waste from the island

Froilan Grate, executive director of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), said local governments were already implementing segregation and collection programs but faced limits in dealing with the volume of residual plastic waste.

‘To their credit, Siquijor’s local officials have been diligently implementing waste segregation programs at the grassroots level – educating communities, setting up materials recovery facilities, and pushing for discipline at the barangay level,’ he said.

‘Yet despite these earnest efforts, the sheer volume of single-use plastics flooding the island far exceeds their capacity to deal with and manage them responsibly. Even with segregation in place, the residual plastic waste continues to pile up – a stark testament that no amount of local discipline can fully solve a crisis created by continuing plastics use and production,’ he added.

Group pushes reuse, refill

Participants instead recommended expanding reuse and refill systems, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sector, drawing from Quezon City’s experience with similar programs.

They also cautioned local officials against turning to thermal waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerators as a solution to the island’s plastic waste problem.

Local parish representatives, civil society groups and academic experts who joined the forum raised concerns about the facilities’ operating costs and the potential release of toxic emissions and ash that could harm Siquijor’s environment and, in turn, its tourism appeal.

Areja said the local government was willing to work with reuse systems.

‘With this, our LGU, especially the Office of Environment and Natural Resources, is committed to work with reuse systems,’ Areja said. ‘Because we saw this as one of the solutions to prevent the further increase in plastic bottles.’

The call comes as Siquijor’s tourism industry continues to grow.

Krisma Rodriguez, Negros Island regional director of the Department of Tourism, said the island recorded a 17% increase in tourist arrivals, from 241,529 in 2024 to 282,269 in 2025.

‘A growing tourism economy naturally increases consumption and waste generation. Unless this growth is managed carefully, the very resources that attract visitors can gradually become the casualties of our own success,’ Rodriguez said.

Jorge Emmanuel, a scientist who has evaluated dozens of WTE incinerators, said such facilities could pose health and environmental risks.

‘By releasing toxic emissions that will impact the health of communities and tourists, WTE incineration will destroy Siquijor’s reputation as an island of healing and traditional healers. The pollution associated with WTE will also persist in the environment and affect generations yet unborn.’

Von Hernandez, vice president of Oceana, said the island’s response should focus on reducing single-use plastics rather than relying on disposal after the waste is generated.

‘Tourists come here for the beaches and clear waters, not floating sachets and plastic trash. Investing in reuse and refill infrastructure is the surest way to safeguard the beauty of the island, protect local livelihoods, and keep Siquijor competitive as a premier destination,’ Hernandez said.

Hernandez also urged the island to institutionalize reuse and refill systems as part of its response to the growing waste problem.

The ‘Taking Back Paradise’ forum was organized by Oceana with the Mother Earth Foundation and Break Free from Plastic, with support from the Department of Tourism and GAIA.

Bere-Mont group flaunts enduring education legacy at 35 as Charles Dale clocks 20

The Bere-Mont group has flaunted its education development and empowerment records that seem to have shaped the Niger Delta zone. The group placed its record in the public space at the kickoff of its man anniversaries ongoing in Port Harcourt including 48 years in existence.

Speaking, Victoria O.R. Diete-Spiff, the managing director of the group, said what the group was marking was in truth, not one anniversary but four; four milestones, four seasons of growth, all belonging to one family – Bere-Mont Group.

‘The first is Bereton Montessori School, 48 years old this year, having been first constituted in September 1978. Bereton is our root; the place where this entire journey started, and where generations of children have taken their very first steps in early years, primary, and secondary education.’The second is Bere-Mont Group itself, 35 years old, the corporate organization founded to run Bereton, protect its values, and carry them into new institutions.

‘Everything you see under our name today grew from the decision, 35 years ago, to build Bere-Mont as the structure that would hold this vision together.

Students of Charles Dale Memorial International Secondary School in Port Harcourt

‘The third is Charles Dale Memorial International School (boarding), 20 years old, established in 2006 to extend our reach into international-standard education and open a wider world to our students.

‘And the fourth is Camp Global, just three years old, our youngest addition, and proof that even after 35 years, Bere-Mont is still building, still innovating, still finding new ways to develop the whole child through experiential and global learning.’

The MD said four they were unveiling anniversaries, four different ages, but one connected story. ‘Bereton gave us our roots. Bere-Mont gave those roots a home and a structure. Charles Dale gave us global reach. And Camp Global is giving our children new wings.

‘Each institution feeds into the next, and together they form the full journey a Bere-Mont child can take: from their very first classroom to a truly global stage.

‘It is that journey; what our children actually achieve as they move through it, that our school heads will now bring to life for you.’

At a press conference to tell the many stories that make one story, the MD invited the school heads, Ayotomi Fasuyi, principal of Charles Dale Memorial International School, and Gabriel Ezeka, head of secondary school at Bereton Montessori, to share their major milestones and achievements.

Speaking next, Elfrida Diete-Spiff Omole, the Executive Director of the group, said the story begins even before Bere-Mont itself. ‘Bereton Montessori School was first constituted in September 1978 (48 years ago) out of a simple but powerful conviction: that every child deserves an education that does not just fill the mind, but shapes character, nurtures talent, and prepares them to stand confidently anywhere in the world. For years, Bereton carried that conviction quietly and faithfully, one classroom at a time.

‘As that work grew, our founders saw the need for something more: a corporate home that could carry the vision further, protect it, and expand it beyond a single school. That is how Bere-Mont Group was born, 35 years ago; the organization established to run Bereton, and to carry the same values of excellence into new institutions in the years ahead.’

From that foundation, she stated, the growth has been deliberate. ‘In 2006, we expanded further, establishing Charles Dale Memorial International School to extend our reach into international-standard education. Then Bereton Montessori Secondary School in 2017. And more recently, Camp Global joined the family in 2024, bringing new dimensions of experiential learning to our children. Each addition was never a departure from where we began; it was the same roots, reaching wider.’

Giving insights into the international reach of the group, Fasuyi, principal of Charles Dale Memorial International School, noted that their students sit for a wide range of examinations, from the Cambridge IGCSE and OSSD to IELTS, SAT, ACCA FIA, WAEC and the UTME, and that they excel. ‘Our learners are regular names on the British Council Outstanding Learners list, repeatedly earning Best in the World and Best in the Country honours across different subjects.’ She personally is a British Council Action Research Grant awardee.

‘At the International STEM Olympiad in the Netherlands, in Spain and, just this year, in Rome, our students have returned home with gold after gold. In 2025, Julio Ojiaku was named Best in the World in Coding, and this year alone our students have picked up further gold in the Plane Challenge and in Mathematics.

‘Our learners have been crowned state and national champions in the Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics Olympiads, won the AISEN debate this year, and taken top honours in national art, writing and spelling competitions.’

Gabriel Ezeka, Head of Secondary School, gave hints from Bereton Montessori early years, primary and secondary school, that tend to answer many questions about the gaps that the Bereton system has filled in the Niger Delta.

Ejike Onyeke, team lead of brand, business and communication talked about names that seem to stand above others and become part of a society’s memories. ‘For many of us, Bereton is one of those names.

This is how the Bere-Mont group has helped the region fight its way out of educational backwardness to global leadership.

Nigeria’s New Deep Offshore Incentive Framework: What the 2026 Tax Remission Order means for stakeholders

Nigeria’s deep offshore petroleum sector is entering a potentially significant new phase of investment. The development of the Bonga Southwest project, estimated at approximately US$20 billion, illustrates both the scale of capital required to develop Nigeria’s deep offshore resources and the importance of a competitive and predictable fiscal framework in securing Final Investment Decisions (‘FID’).

In March 2026, NNPC Limited announced that Presidential approval had been secured for a targeted fiscal incentive intended to unlock the Bonga Southwest project.

Against this backdrop, the Federal Government has now introduced the Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives (Tax Remission) Order, 2026 (the ‘Order’). Made on 6 August 2026 under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (‘PIA’) and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, the Order establishes a new incentive framework for qualifying deep offshore oil and non-associated gas developments, adopting the incentive structure established under the Notice of Tax Incentives on Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Production, 2024 (the ‘Notice’) issued by the Minister of Finance in February 2024.

For holders of existing or future deep offshore Petroleum Mining Licences, Greenfield Project Developers, and PSC Contractors, the significance of the Order goes beyond the headline tax credits. It introduces production tax credits, supplementary incentives and a potential reset of the profit oil sharing scale, while imposing important conditions relating to FID timing, project classification, Nigerian content, project economics, technical costs and tax-credit utilisation.

Key Highlights of the Order

Establishment of Standard PTC and Supplementary PTC

The Order creates two principal categories of production tax credit:

a. Standard Production Tax Credit (‘Standard PTC’), which applies automatically to qualifying project developments subject to the conditions of the Order; and

b. Supplementary Production Tax Credit (‘Supplementary PTC’), which may be granted on a case-by-case basis to qualifying projects.

The Order is directed at project developments, rather than an entire lease or contract area, as the Standard PTC is to be determined separately for each approved project development.

This is particularly important for investors considering acquisitions, or developments within existing deep offshore leases. The fact that a lease qualifies as a deep offshore lease does not, by itself, mean that every activity undertaken within it will qualify for the incentives.

a. Standard PTC

For qualifying deep offshore oil developments, the Order provides a Standard PTC calculated from the commencement of production. Although, the Notice does not contain the term ‘Standard PTC’, the Oil and Gas Production Tax Incentives align with the benefits provided under the Standard PTC, but only to the extent of the period within which a Final Investment Decision (‘FID’) should be taken. While the Notice requires the FID to be taken between the Effective Date and 1 January 2029, the Order extends this to 31 December 2029.

The Order limits computation of Standard PTC to crude oil produced and sold solely from the project development, reflected only in the Contractor’s profit oil entitlement.

Its significance for Stakeholders lies in the direct improvement of the production economics.

The Order also creates a separate Standard PTC for marketable non-associated gas sold from qualifying projects identical to the position under the Notice.

b. Supplementary PTC

The Order empowers the Nigeria Revenue Service (‘NRS’) to grant a Supplementary PTC on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the economic profile of the relevant project. This is an innovation with no equivalent under the Notice.

For oil developments, the combined Standard PTC and Supplementary PTC cannot exceed US$11.50 per barrel, while the aggregate credit for non-associated gas developments is capped at US$8.00 per barrel of oil equivalent.

The Supplementary PTC introduces fiscal flexibility for projects whose economics may not be supported under the Standard PTC alone.

For qualifying greenfield projects seeking the Supplementary PTC or Profit Oil Reset, FID must be taken on or before 31 December 2029, subject to limited extensions for force majeure. Investors approaching the deadline should ensure that their corporate approvals, financing arrangements, EPC or construction commitments and other relevant documentation are sufficiently developed to demonstrate that a valid FID has occurred.

The Order also requires notification of FID to the Commission within 30 days where the lessee wishes to benefit from an incentive, which is a practical compliance point for project closing checklists.

2. The Profit Oil Reset

This relief, unavailable under the Notice, addresses a structural issue under PSCs.

A contractor’s share of profit oil generally reduces as production milestones are reached under the applicable sliding scale. Meaning a new development within an existing contract area may face a less favourable profit oil allocation because production from other fields has already caused the sliding scale to graduate.

The Order addresses this issue by permitting an eligible project development to restart the profit oil sliding scale at 70:30 in favour of the contractor, notwithstanding that existing production elsewhere in the contract area has already moved the PSC to a higher step.

This could materially improve the economics of a new deep offshore development and is particularly relevant to a new greenfield development within a mature PSC area where the historical production performance of other assets could adversely affect project economies.

However, the Profit Oil Reset is not available to every project. The applicable sliding scale must already have progressed beyond the 70:30 contractor-government split, and the project must be ring-fenced for cost recovery and tax purposes, and satisfy the other eligibility requirements for the incentive as stated in paragraph 8 and 9 of the Order.

The relevant PSC, development structure, field development plan and contractual allocation mechanisms should be carefully reviewed before an investor assumes that the Profit Oil Reset will be available.

3. Technical cost of development

The Order recognises the potential for abuse of the reliefs by qualifying development projects. Where a development project’s unit technical cost of exceeds the benchmarked cost levels as determined by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (‘NUPRC’), in a provision carried over from the Notice, the applicable tax credit may be reduced by 10%.

Contrary to the assumption that higher project costs attract higher relief, a project exceeding its cost benchmark will instead suffer a reduced tax relief. The cost elements considered will be specific to the relevant project development. The implication is that cost control of all elements must be a constant priority.

This provision functions as an encouragement for cost-efficiency. While the NUPRC recognises that certain expenses will be incurred in the structuring and operationalisation of a development project, those expenses must remain proportional and reasonable.

4. Claw-Back and Recovery of Incentive

The Order includes an anti-abuse safeguard applicable to the Supplementary PTC. Where the NRS determines that an applicant obtained, utilised or benefitted from this tax credit through false statements, misrepresentation, incorrect data, or any other means which breaches an approval condition, it may withdraw the approval and recompute the tax payable to recover the amount wrongly benefitted.

Penalties may extend beyond repayment of the improperly received credit to penalties and interest prescribed under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 and other applicable legislation. The Applicant or any person deemed responsible may also be the subject of separate criminal, civil, administrative or regulatory actions.

There is a continuing compliance obligation which must always be fulfilled by all parties involved. The NRS retains the right to ascertain fulfilment of eligibility requirements at any time, so investors and applicants must be thorough in confirming the accuracy of their Supplementary PTC applications.

5. Tax Credit Surplus

Tax Credit Surplus may occur where the tax liability falls below the tax reliefs which have been granted in respect of a development project. Any surplus may be carried forward, but only for a maximum period of four years, after which any unutilised tax credit shall be rendered ineffective. Formerly, the Notice allowed the excess to be carried forward for a maximum of three years.

This surplus cannot be transferred or assigned, neither can it be set-off against the tax, liability, arising from a person or project outside of the qualifying project development which has been approved.

The Order provides some flexibility to developers, and comfort to investors knowing that this no-transferrable relief need not be fully utlised immediately.

A further restriction applies across the Order. Tax credits under the Order cannot be combined with the production allowance incentives provided under the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 or the Associated Gas Framework Agreement (AGFA). This restriction, mirrored in the Notice, ensures that no development project enjoys multiple tax credits simultaneously and requires the Developer to choose the incentive best believed to suit the project development.

Conclusion

The Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives (Tax Remission) Order, 2026 represents a significant attempt to address one of the central challenges facing Nigeria’s deep offshore petroleum sector: the economics of developing capital-intensive projects under increasingly competitive global investment conditions.

The combination of Standard PTCs, potentially substantial Supplementary PTCs and the Profit Oil Reset provides investors with multiple mechanisms through which the economics of qualifying projects may be improved.

The Order is also notable because it seeks to link fiscal support to actual investment and production. The incentives are directed at qualifying project developments, particularly greenfield projects, and are conditioned on FID, Nigerian content, cost discipline, economic disclosure and continuing compliance.

For investors, this creates a more attractive proposition, but it also requires a more sophisticated approach to due diligence and project structuring.

The immediate opportunity is clear. Nigeria has substantial deep offshore resources, and projects such as Bonga Southwest demonstrate the scale of investment that can be unlocked when fiscal and commercial constraints are addressed. If the implementation guidelines provide the clarity contemplated by the Order, and if the incentive approval process operates predictably and transparently, the framework could materially improve Nigeria’s competitiveness for deep offshore capital.

The Order should be viewed not merely as a tax incentive, but as a new project-development and investment framework. Investors considering entry into Nigeria’s deep offshore sector should assess the incentives from the outset of project structuring, rather than as an afterthought once the project has already been designed.

Ozioma Agu is a Partner at Stren and Blan Partners and supervises the Firm’s Energy, Finance and Infrastructure Sector. Anjoreoluwa Boluwajoko and Olaore Akinyemi are Associates in the Firm’s Energy, Finance and Infrastructure Sector.

Stren and Blan Partners is a full-service commercial Law Firm that provides legal services to diverse local and international Clientele. The Business Counsel is a weekly column by Stren and Blan Partners that provides thought leadership insight on business and legal matters.

Philippines generates $290 million sales from Hong Kong fruit expo

The Philippines generated $290.71 million in export sales from its participation in the 2026 Asia Fruit Logistica event in Hong Kong, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The DA said exhibitors raked in $222.75 million in booked sales and $70.4 million in sales under negotiation during the Sept. 2 to 4 event. Products included Cavendish and Cardaba bananas, durian, mangoes and dragon fruit.

Delegates were also able to sign a $2.44-million supply and purchase agreement for Cardaba bananas.

‘Because of this exhibition, two contracts were signed, one with a Hong Kong-based and a New Zealand-based company for the export of Cardaba bananas,’ DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said in a briefing.

During the event, the DA was able to meet with representatives of logistics and shipping services companies to explore preservation technologies that would allow fruit exports to stay fresh during transit.

The initial collaboration will center on dragon fruit, with possible expansion to other crops. A virtual training is also being prepared for DA offices and agencies involved in handling high-value crops, research and standards.

Meanwhile, a Philippine delegation will fly to Rome to further promote locally produced crops to foreign markets.

‘This October, the DA will fly to Rom for the Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative,’ De Mesa said, with officials pitching mango, seaweeds, coffee and cacao, among others.

The HIH Initiative is a program implemented alongside the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank.

It targets to generate P1 billion in private sector investment and highlight the export potential of high-value crops.

The DA has been pushing to expand the export market of locally produced fruits to plug the country’s $11 billion annual agricultural trade deficit.

We won for APC without appointments; now we must do more – Kogi appointees

The political appointees from Lokoja Local Government Area have pledged to mobilize support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo, and all All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections.

The resolution was reached on Wednesday during a strategic meeting convened by the Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya MD Farouk.

The meeting was attended by special advisers, senior special assistants, directors-general, and chairmen and members of boards and commissions from Lokoja LGA.

Addressing the gathering, Farouk stressed the need for unity and cohesion within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said following the APC’s victory in Lokoja in the 2023 elections and the conclusion of post-election litigations, the major challenge facing the party in the LGA was managing internal dynamics rather than opposition from other parties.

Farouk also said most opposition party members in Lokoja had defected to the APC, adding that the development had strengthened the party’s chances of securing a bigger victory in 2027.

‘We won Lokoja in 2023 when we were not appointees. The opportunity to serve is a privilege, and the reward for that privilege must be more votes for the APC,’ the commissioner said.

He urged aggrieved party members to embrace forgiveness and work together, while calling on appointees to engage their constituencies and build support for the party.

The commissioner challenged the LGA to double the votes secured by the APC in 2023 and lead in voter turnout during the forthcoming local government elections.

He said achieving the target would strengthen Governor Ododo’s re-election bid.

‘We want Lokoja LGA to lead in the conduct of the LG elections, deliver President Tinubu and all APC candidates, and make the governorship election for Gov. Ododo a seamless win,’ he stated. ‘The challenge for us in the APC is how to double the votes. Our strategy must improve on what we used in 2023.’

Farouk also appealed to members to contribute to party funding and mobilization, announcing that meetings of Lokoja appointees would be held regularly until after the January 2027 elections.

He described Lokoja as ‘a no-go area for any opposition political party.’

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Kogi State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (KOSOPADEC), Hon. Suleiman Ndalaye Abdullahi, said the appointment of Lokoja indigenes by Governor Ododo had placed a responsibility on them to work together.

‘We are appointees because Gov. Ododo is Governor. Lokoja is fortunate because of its diversity. We must see that as an advantage and our strength,’ he said. ‘If we work in unity, winning Lokoja will be seamless. We must begin to preach the many reasons why the APC should win for Tinubu and Ododo with a landslide.’

Other speakers, including Alhaji Attai Bozy, Bala Justice, Hajia Fatima Allahdey, and Abdulazeez Otaru, pledged to mobilize support for the APC in the local government and 2027 general elections.

Members also used the interactive session to discuss challenges and strategies for securing victory for the APC.

The meeting featured the inauguration of a five-member strategy and funding committee chaired by Hon. Amami Galadima, Member, Governing Council, College of Education, Ankpa.

The committee was tasked with developing mobilization strategies and funding modalities for the APC campaign in Lokoja LGA.

Dignitaries at the meeting included Hon. Abdulrahman Dangana, Speaker of the 4th Assembly; Hon. Shiru Lawal; Hon. Kassim Isiyaku; and other APC stakeholders and appointees of Governor Ododo from Lokoja.

The appointees said improved strategy, unity, and grassroots engagement would enable Lokoja LGA to deliver the highest number of votes for the APC in Kogi State in 2027.