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2027: APC uploads 13 gov candidates, moves to heal rifts

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has submitted the nomination details of 13 governorship candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the August 8 deadline.

A senior APC official disclosed that the documents of five additional candidates were being processed by the party’s ICT department.

The official expressed confidence that the party would submit the details of all its 28 governorship candidates and their running mates before the deadline.

The party has, however, been unable to begin uploading the details of its state House of Assembly candidates because of technical difficulties with INEC’s nomination portal.

‘Our ICT team has already scanned and prepared the documents for immediate upload once the issues are resolved,’ the official said.

Among the candidates whose details have reportedly been processed are Obafemi Hamzat of Lagos, Solomon Adeola of Ogun, Umar Bago of Niger, Ahmed Wadada of Nasarawa and Yakubu Danladi of Kwara.

Others are Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Ahmed Galadima of Adamawa and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.

APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the party had begun moves to reconcile members aggrieved by the emergence of some candidates.

Ibrahim expressed confidence that the reconciliation committee would resolve the disagreements and unite the affected members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‘As for the disaffection that the emergence of some of these candidates may have caused, the reconciliation committee is working,’ he said.

‘We are hoping that, at the end of the day, all grievances will be resolved. All the aggrieved parties will come together and forge ahead.’

He also urged the candidates to remain loyal to the APC’s policies and campaign on President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

INEC opened its portal for the submission of governorship and state House of Assembly nominations on July 18. The exercise will close at 6 p.m. on August 8.

The commission will publish the candidates’ personal details on August 29, while the deadline for withdrawal or substitution is September 19.

First Gen powers more Araneta City properties

First Gen Corp. is injecting additional clean electricity to more properties under Araneta City Inc., the group behind the 35-hectare mixed-use property development in Cubao, Quezon City.

The Lopez-led power firm on Wednesday said that Araneta City has tapped First Gen anew to accelerate its shift to renewable energy.

For this new pact, First Gen will energize four additional properties in Araneta City: the 30-storey Cyberpark Tower 3 office building, the 22-storey mixed-use Aurora Tower, the former Fiesta Carnival site that is undergoing redevelopment and the remaining Fiesta Carnival Arcade.

The power supply totaling 3.4 megawatts (MW) will be sourced from First Gen’s 648-MW Unified Leyte geothermal power plants.

This came nine months after both parties sealed an agreement covering three other Araneta City properties: Ali Mall, New Frontier Theater and Manhattan Gardens.

This meets the power needs of more than 200 retail and service tenants in Ali Mall and New Frontier Theater, as well as the 18 residential towers of Manhattan Gardens.

‘We have been trying to tap renewable energy sources for the past years and we’re happy to be achieving our vision. Our BPO [business process outsourcing] locators have been asking us to source renewable energy. We look forward to growing our partnership with First Gen,’ said Araneta City senior vice president Antonio Mardo.

Araneta City was among the first to adopt the government’s retail competition and open access and retail aggregation program. These initiatives enable consumers to pick their own power providers.

‘Shifting to renewable energy is not just doing good for the environment, but also a means to manage business risks. We thank the Araneta Group for growing with us and allowing us to be their partner as they progress in their sustainability journey,’ added Carlo Vega, First Gen chief customer engagement officer.

First Gen has over 1,700 MW of combined generating capacity from 31 geothermal, hydro, wind and solar plants

MCL accelerates digital transformation amid changing reader habits

For decades, a newspaper arriving at a doorstep or a copy picked up from a roadside vendor defined how many Tanzanians started their day with news.

Today, that first source of information is increasingly becoming a smartphone.

The shift in how people consume information has forced media organisations to rethink their traditional models, and Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) is among the companies leading the transition by moving from a print-focused organisation to a digital-first content provider. Speaking during the Power Breakfast programme on Clouds FM radio station today Thursday July 23, 2026, MCL Executive Editor Mpoki Thompson said the changing habits of audiences had made digital transformation a necessity rather than a choice for media companies.

‘Today, we are no longer just a newspaper publishing company. We are a content company with digital at the centre of our strategy,’ Mr Thompson said.

MCL, the publisher of Mwananchi, Mwanaspoti and The Citizen, has expanded its platforms beyond printed newspapers, allowing readers to access news through websites, mobile phones and social media channels.

Mr Thompson said the transformation had changed the way audiences interact with news, removing geographical barriers that previously limited access to printed copies.

‘People no longer have to visit a newsstand to buy a newspaper. They can access our content through their mobile phones and various digital platforms, whether they are in Tanzania or anywhere else in the world,’ he said.

The digital shift, he said, has not only increased access to news but has also provided newsrooms with new ways of understanding their audiences through data analytics.

He said digital platforms allow MCL to track the type of stories readers are interested in, how long they spend engaging with content and the issues attracting public attention.

‘The advantage of digital platforms is that we can closely track what our audiences are reading, how much time they spend on different stories and who they are. These insights enable us to produce content that our audiences want,’ he shared.

Mr Thompson further added that the information gathered through digital platforms had become an important tool in helping the newsroom produce journalism that responds to public needs while maintaining its accountability role.

‘As the Fourth Estate, our responsibility goes beyond reporting problems. We identify the challenges facing Tanzanians and produce stories that contribute to finding solutions while holding duty-bearers accountable,’ he said.

However, as the demand for faster digital news continues to grow, Mr Thompson said MCL had remained focused on protecting the principles of professional journalism, including accuracy, fairness and balance.

‘Everyone wants to be the first to break the news on different digital platforms or websites but being first is not more important than being accurate,’ he said.

To maintain credibility, Mr Thompson said MCL had established an editorial process where every story passes through several levels of review involving reporters, editors, sub-editors and publishing teams.

He said the system ensures that information published across MCL platforms meets the company’s standards for accuracy and reliability.

‘The responsibility is to make sure that the information we give our audiences is truthful, accurate, balanced and accountable,’ he said.

According to Mr Thompson, he shared that the company’s investment in digital transformation would continue as the media industry undergoes major changes driven by technology and changing audience expectations.

He said MCL had already positioned itself as a pioneer in Tanzania’s digital media space after becoming the first media company in the country to introduce digital subscriptions.

Meanwhile, MCL Head of Digital Innovation Siael Macha said audience behaviour had played a major role in shaping the company’s digital strategy.

She said today’s readers want news that is immediate, accessible and presented in formats that allow them to interact with information.

‘Our audience wants news at their fingertips, delivered quickly and in a format that allows them to interact with it,’ Ms Macha said.

Ms Macha further added that MCL had also incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) features into its digital platforms to make news more accessible, including tools that allow users to listen to articles while carrying out their daily activities.

‘The AI-powered features can read stories aloud, allowing users to keep up with the news while driving, walking or carrying out other daily activities,’ she said.

She said the use of emerging technologies was part of MCL’s wider effort to ensure journalism remains relevant and accessible in an increasingly digital world.

Breaking: Tension as Enugu Air Plane skids off Runway in Benin

Enugu Air has confirmed that one of its aircraft was involved in a runway excursion after landing at the Benin Airport on Thursday, with all passengers and crew safely evacuated and no injuries or fatalities recorded.

In a public notice issued after the incident, the airline said the aircraft veered off the runway after touchdown but stressed that everyone on board disembarked safely.

‘We confirm that all passengers and crew have safely disembarked and there were no injuries or casualties,’ the airline stated.

Enugu Air said the aircraft has been secured, while the relevant aviation authorities have been notified in line with established safety procedures.

According to the airline, an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the runway excursion and assess the condition of the aircraft.

The incident is also expected to cause temporary adjustments to some flight schedules.

Enugu Air assured affected passengers that they would be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance.

‘As a result, there may be temporary adjustments to some flight schedules. Passengers affected by any changes will be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance,’ the statement said.

The airline reaffirmed that the safety of its passengers, crew and operations remains its highest priority, adding that it would continue to provide updates through its official communication channels as more information becomes available.

A runway excursion occurs when an aircraft departs the runway surface during takeoff or landing. Such incidents can range from minor events to more serious occurrences, depending on the circumstances and resulting damage.

No further details were immediately available on the cause of the incident or the extent of any damage to the aircraft.

Beyond the N210trn frenzy: How Dankwambo is restoring due process

When the National Assembly flagged a N210 trillion figure in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s financial statements, the country erupted. Citizens were angry, headlines were fierce, and many called for heads to roll. At a time Nigerians are facing real economic hardship, the figure was bound to spark outrage.

Yet in that charged moment, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chose a different path. Not emotion, but evidence. Not sensationalism, but substance.

It was a defining test. The eyes of the nation were on him. The pressure to join the condemnation was immense and the temptation to use it for political showmanship was real. He resisted both. He insisted the committee would be guided by facts, professional analysis and due process, not by the court of public opinion.

That courage is not surprising to those who know him. Dankwambo is not just a politician. He is a former two-term Governor of Gombe State and a former Accountant-General of the Federation. His career has been built on financial discipline and public sector integrity. He brought that same rigour to this probe. He understands that complex financial statements require technical understanding before conclusions, and that accountability without fairness is just persecution.

The figure itself needs context. The inquiry was triggered by audited statements from 2017 to 2023, which contained about N103 trillion in accrued expenses and N107 trillion in sundry receivables. Put together, they created the now infamous N210 trillion. There were also questions around N3.8 trillion in alleged duplicated subsidy deductions, N5 trillion booked as direct production costs and N5.9 billion in incorporation costs during the transition from NNPC to NNPCL. All deserved scrutiny. Dankwambo ensured they got it.

From day one, he made it clear this would not be a platform for vendetta or media trial. Every entry would be subjected to professional scrutiny. That is not weakness. That is the strength of a leader who knows the credibility of an institution depends on the integrity of its process.

That principle was clear when the committee invited Dr. Bala Maijama’a Wunti, former Group General Manager of NAPIMS. Dankwambo did not treat him as an adversary but as a professional who could help the committee understand complex accounting.

Wunti’s clarification was critical. He told the committee that after reviewing the 2023 audited statements page by page, he found no evidence that N210 trillion was missing. The N107 trillion was sundry receivables, money owed to NNPCL by third parties. The N103 trillion was accrued expenses, money NNPCL owes others. Under global accounting standards, the two cannot be added together to suggest missing funds. One is what you are owed, the other is what you owe.

He also explained that NNPCL’s reporting is more complex than a regular company because it functions at once as a commercial entity, custodian of national oil and gas assets, and a strategic national institution.

On the N5.9 billion incorporation cost, Wunti clarified that actual statutory payments to CAC and FIRS were about N2.45 billion. The higher figure came from how the transaction was captured in different books, because one arm paid on behalf of government shareholders while another reflected it separately.

The defining moment came when Dankwambo asked Wunti directly whether he had seen any evidence of N210 trillion missing. Wunti’s response was unequivocal: ‘I have gone through this document page by page. I have not found where N210 trillion was mentioned. There was no reported fraud or money missing throughout the period under my stewardship.’

Dankwambo did not dismiss or celebrate the testimony. He said members would scrutinise the submission alongside the audited accounts before deciding if further clarification was needed. No headline chasing. Just verification. That is leadership.

This approach matters beyond the hearing room. The world watches Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Unresolved allegations and premature conclusions create uncertainty and scare investors. Transparent, fair and professional investigations build confidence. By handling the matter with maturity, Dankwambo reassured both Nigerians and the international community that Nigeria’s oversight institutions can be firm and fair.

The committee also made clear its work supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda. The intention was never to undermine government but to strengthen accountability. Had the committee succumbed to the frenzy, it would have damaged the same government it seeks to support.

This is the standard Nigerians should demand from all oversight bodies. Not headlines, not hysteria, but professionalism. Senator Dankwambo has shown that oversight can be rigorous without being reckless, and firm without being unfair.

As the committee continues, the nation can watch with renewed hope. When facts lead, justice follows. When evidence guides, truth prevails. Dankwambo has set a standard worth emulating across every institution of the Nigerian state.

Cops declare alleged threat at Tacloban school a false alarm

Police have dismissed a reported online threat against a Grade 6 pupil of the Sto. Niño Special Education (SPED) Center here as a false alarm, the latest in a series of incidents that have heightened security concerns in schools across the city following a deadly campus shooting last month.

The Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) said the alleged threat was reported on Wednesday afternoon after a teacher informed authorities that a threatening message had been sent by Facebook Messenger to a Grade 6 student from an account using the name ‘William Velasco.’

Police immediately coordinated with the school’s teachers and principal to verify the report and gather evidence.

After conducting an investigation, the TCPO said it found no actual external threat against the student, the school, or its personnel.

The incident came a day after an online threat targeting Leyte National High School, also in Tacloban City, prompted heightened security measures and alarm among students and parents. But authorities said face-to-face classes did not need to be suspended.

The incidents have occurred less than a month after a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on June 22 that left three students dead and 20 others injured, prompting authorities to intensify security measures and closely monitor threats directed at schools.

The TCPO urged parents to closely supervise their children’s online activities and provide guidance on the responsible use of social media.

Police also warned that making false reports or issuing threats, even through social media, is a serious offense that can disrupt public order and may result in legal liability

2027: Dickson vows NDC will survive ‘anti-democratic forces’

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has vowed that the party will overcome what he described as legal and political schemes by anti-democratic forces.

Dickson, in a statement posted on his verified X account on Wednesday, said Nigeria’s democracy and multiparty system must survive ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Bayelsa State governor said the NDC was confronting ‘legal and contrived shenanigans’ but expressed confidence that the crisis would eventually pass.

‘Nigeria’s democracy must survive. Multi-party democracy must survive no matter the different odds we may face in the course of returning Nigeria to the right course,’ he said.

Dickson expressed confidence that the judiciary would uphold the law and resist attempts to use the courts to undermine the country’s democratic process.

He also accused unnamed political figures whom he had previously supported of using government institutions to remove people from office, victimise innocent citizens and spread unfounded allegations.

Dickson alleged that the individuals had repaid the support extended to them, their families and communities with ‘wickedness and evil.’

Despite the challenges confronting the NDC, the former governor said he was encouraged by the growing number of Nigerians joining the opposition party.

According to him, leaders, young people, women and other citizens have continued to register and participate actively in the party’s activities.

Dickson said he had worked with other party leaders to strengthen the NDC nationally and position it as a credible political alternative.

He maintained that the current political crisis would not derail the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

Orange warning in effect for high temperatures on Thursday

An orange warning for high temperatures issued by the Department of Meteorology is in effect today, Thursday, with the maximum temperature expected to reach around 44 degrees Celsius inland.

Specifically, the warning is valid from 12:00 to 17:00 (local time).

According to the Department of Meteorology, the maximum temperature is expected to rise to around 44°C in inland areas and around 33°C in the higher mountainous regions.

’I’m president at home’ – Fashola rules out presidential bid

Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has ruled out contesting for the presidency of Nigeria, declaring that he is satisfied with his achievements in public service.

Fashola gave the blunt response during an interview with TVC News on Wednesday.

Asked whether he would contest for president, the former Minister of Works replied: ‘No.’

When pressed further about his possible interest in leading Nigeria, Fashola smiled and said: ‘President of what? I’m president at home.’

Reflecting on more than two decades in government, Fashola described his public service career as an extraordinary privilege.

‘My journey has been an unimaginable privilege, and I hope that it, in some way, inspires another generation about the possibilities of this country,’ he said.

He noted that Nigeria had produced numerous stories of people rising from humble backgrounds to positions of influence.

Fashola also said he would not attempt to influence how history remembers his tenure as Lagos governor or federal minister.

‘Let history write whatever history wants to write. It is not in my place,’ he said.

The former governor refused to revisit speculation surrounding his preferred successor ahead of the 2015 Lagos governorship election.

He declined to say whether he supported the current Lagos Deputy Governor and APC’s 2027 governorship candidate, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, or former Lagos Attorney-General Olasupo Shasore.

Fashola confirmed that he remained a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council but said former public officials must avoid interfering with the government.

‘There is a thin line between intervention and interference,’ he said.

Speaking on national issues, Fashola warned that persistent attacks on the judiciary could erode public confidence in the courts and weaken democratic institutions.

He also called for a vibrant opposition capable of challenging the government constructively and improving governance.

Fashola advocated greater national consensus on taxation, foreign policy and legislative oversight, urging professionals and young Nigerians to participate actively in shaping public policy.

On Lagos flooding, the former governor said the state’s coastal location made flooding inevitable but manageable.

He blamed indiscriminate waste disposal for worsening the problem and called for stronger cooperation between the government and residents.

Fashola also backed the creation of state police but cautioned that it would not provide an instant solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.

Senate okays Yuguda as AMCON board chairman

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Lamido Yuguda for appointment as the Chairman of the Board of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

The resolution of the red chamber followed its consideration and adoption of the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions that screened Yuguda for the appointment.

The chairman of the Committee, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East) presented the report during plenary.

President Bola Tinubu had forwarded Yuguda’s nomination to the Senate on July 9, 2026, for confirmation in accordance with the provisions of the AMCON Act.

With the Senate’s approval, Yuguda assumes the chairmanship of the board of one of Nigeria’s most critical financial institutions, established in 2010 to stabilise the banking sector following the 2008-2009 financial crisis by acquiring non-performing loans from deposit money banks and helping preserve confidence in the country’s financial system.

Over the years, AMCON has played a central role in preventing the collapse of distressed financial institutions, restructuring troubled assets and recovering outstanding debts from obligors, as part of efforts to safeguard financial stability and minimise the long-term cost of banking sector interventions.

A seasoned economist and financial regulator, Yuguda comes with more than four decades of experience in banking, financial markets and public sector management to the position.

He began his career at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 1984 as a Senior Supervisor in the Foreign Operations Department before serving as an economist in the Africa Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 1997 to 2001. He later returned to the CBN, where he rose to become Director of the Reserve Management Department before retiring from the apex bank in 2016.

Yuguda then served as Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 2020 to 2024, overseeing reforms aimed at strengthening investor confidence, enhancing market transparency and deepening Nigeria’s capital market. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.

In March 2026, President Tinubu nominated him as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Senate confirmed the appointment in April, citing his extensive experience in financial regulation and economic management.

His confirmation as AMCON Board Chairman comes at a time when the corporation continues efforts to accelerate the recovery of outstanding debts, resolve legacy assets acquired during the banking sector intervention and strengthen Nigeria’s financial system.

The Senate’s approval completes the confirmation process, paving the way for Yuguda to provide strategic oversight of the corporation as it advances its mandate of promoting financial sector stability and supporting the resilience of Nigeria’s banking industry.

Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned plenary sittings till September 15, 2026. The adjournment is to enable Senators to observe their annual vacation of about six weeks.