Category: Daily Trust

Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Burna Boy, has declared that the late Afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is the only musician he considers greater than himself.

The self-acclaimed ‘African Giant’ made the statement during a live streaming session with popular American content creator PlaqueBoyMax, where he spoke passionately about Fela’s enduring influence on African music and global culture.

In a viral clip from the stream, Burna Boy was seen dancing and singing along to Fela’s 1981 classic protest anthem, ‘Coffin for Head of State,’ before emphatically declaring: ‘He is the king. He is the only one greater than me.’

Burna Boy’s remark has since generated buzz across social media, with fans and music critics interpreting it as both an homage to Fela and a reaffirmation of his own confidence in his musical legacy.

The statement comes weeks after Burna Boy revisited the conversation around Fela’s influence on his artistry, clarifying that while the Afrobeat pioneer shaped his musical environment growing up, his own sound was not directly ‘inspired’ by Fela’s style.

‘Fela’s music was always around me as a child – it was part of the atmosphere,’ Burna Boy said in a previous interview. ‘But my sound came from my own experiences and evolution.’

Born Damini Ogulu, Burna Boy burst onto the Nigerian music scene with his 2012 hit single ‘Like to Party,’ from his debut album ‘L.I.F.E’ (2013). Since then, he has evolved into one of Africa’s most decorated and internationally recognized artistes, blending Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, and pop into a distinct genre he calls Afro-fusion.

His discography includes acclaimed albums such as ‘On a Spaceship’ (2015), ‘Outside’ (2018), ‘African Giant’ (2019), ‘Twice As Tall’ (2020), ‘Love, Damini’ (2022), and ‘I Told Them’ (2023).

Burna Boy’s 2020 album ‘Twice As Tall’ earned him a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2021, cementing his place on the global stage.

Continuing his prolific run, Burna Boy released his eighth studio album, ‘No Sign of Weakness,’ in July 2025, further solidifying his status as one of the most influential voices in contemporary African music.

With his latest declaration, Burna Boy once again underscores his deep respect for Fela Kuti’s revolutionary legacy – while confidently asserting his own dominance in the modern era of Afrobeat and global music.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump said he declared Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians.

A Country of Particular Concern (CPC) is a designation by the United States Secretary of State (under authority delegated by the President) of a country responsible for particularly severe violations of religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998 (H.R. 2431) and its amendment of 1999 (Public Law 106-55).

The term ‘particularly severe violations of religious freedom’ means systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied the claim.

Earlier this month, Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser to Trump for Arab and African Affairs, dismissed persistent claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria – insisting that terrorism in the country affects people of all faiths.

Speaking in Rome, Italy, during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government summit, Boulos countered allegations by some U.S. lawmakers who had called for Nigeria to be designated a ‘country of particular concern’ (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians.

At the time, Boulos emphasized that the violence in Nigeria was not religiously motivated.

‘Those who know the terrain well know that terrorism has no colour and no religion and no tribe,’ he said.

He went further to explain that militant groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS had killed more Muslims than Christians in Nigeria’s long-running insurgency.

‘We even know that Boko Haram and ISIS are killing more Muslims than Christians. People are suffering from all sorts of backgrounds. This is not specifically targeted about one group or the other,’ he stated.

Boulos acknowledged that deadly clashes between farmers and herders had claimed many lives, particularly in the country’s Middle Belt region, where many farmers are Christians. But he insisted the situation could not be classified as genocide.

‘But definitely it’s not something that we can say is specifically targeted about a specific group,’ he said.

The adviser described Nigeria as a ‘melting pot’ of diverse ethnic and religious groups, noting an almost even divide between Christians and Muslims.

‘This has never been a serious religious issue and should not be,’ he added.

Boulos also praised the Tinubu administration’s recent measures to curb insecurity, saying the U.S. welcomed Nigeria’s progress and would continue to support its efforts.

His comments came amid growing international debate on whether Nigeria’s sectarian violence amounted to targeted persecution – a claim Boulos firmly rejected, stressing instead the need for global cooperation to end terrorism in all its forms.

While scouring the streets of Facebook days ago, I stumbled on a post by Hon Ifunanya Nwanegwo, who happens to be the Chairman, Mbaitoli LGA, Imo state. In the post, she was appreciating the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) , Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for empowering ten people in the LGA to help them boost their small businesses.

What struck me the most wasn’t the post, but the comments that ensued. It was laden with emotion-laced testimonies of how the DSS boss has always been benevolent. Expectedly, my initial reaction was that this must have been a political move. However, it struck me that the name didn’t sound Igbo. In fact, he is Ijebu from Ogun state. And from my little knowledge of the Yoruba, I know that they are considered the most thrifty, if not the stingiest, of the Yoruba race.

When I enquired if this gesture was because his wife is from Imo State, I discovered that she isn’t. Therefore, I ruled out politics. This is humanity at play, combined with leadership, purpose and achievement of national security objectives. In that moment. I decided to dig a bit further to attempt the difficult task of unraveling the man, mystery and the motive.

While researching the background of Mr. Ajayi from colleagues, superiors and subordinates at the DSS, it dawned on me that the man has what I would describe as a ‘special place in his heart’ for the less privileged in the society. For instance, I got to learn that as far back as in 1994, when he was still a budding officer, Ajayi’s hobby was providing financial assistance to orphanages and leper homes in Akure, Ondo State. As he rose in rank and got transferred to other states, he improved on the scope of the support. Now, as the DG of the DSS, I heard, he carries out outreaches at orphanage homes across all states at different times of the year.

Friends and former colleagues describe Mr. Ajayi as an uncommon humanitarian. ‘He is led by principles of humanity, not of politics, nor religion nor tribe or any sentiment whatsoever, ‘ said one of his university classmates. While serving in Bauchi state, offered a now retired deputy director of the Service, Ajayi renovated a mosque at Tafewa-Balewa. He rebuilt the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) which was in near ruins, even as he reportedly renovated the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) church there.

He didn’t stop at providing assistance to churches and mosques. The DSS boss, I learnt, made it a point of duty to host Christian and Muslim leaders yearly as a means of fostering unity while also extending humanitarian assistance to them. He would feed those fasting during Lent and Ramadan, and provide assistance to any who met him for pressing issues.

As I dug deeper, I was struck by awe as to how a security chief could be so moved by passion for humanity to do all he did and is still doing.

In my home state, Kogi, where I served as Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to former Governor Idris Wada, I couldn’t but notice the impact Mr. Ajayi made in my state when he served as the State Director of Security. Even though his deployment came after that administration, while other neighbouring states struggled with insecurity, Ajayi, I learnt, largely succeeded in keeping Kogi safe, apparently using his unique style of engaging aristocrats and plebeians alike.

Aside occasionally empowering people, the DSS boss, I further learnt, had the habit of visiting hospitals and offsetting bills of indigent patients. He would support widows with empowerment programmes and offer scholarships to their children. From what I gathered, when selecting beneficiaries, Ajayi does not discriminate on the basis of tongue or creed.

From Bauchi to Bayelsa, and from Plateau to Rivers, and from Ondo to Kaduna States, I learnt, Ajayi’s benevolent fingerprints in orphanages and several humanitarian gestures are as clear as the day. In a clime where it is not uncommon for public officers, especially security chiefs, to seek to make the best of their postings, Ajayi chose to be different. He always gave back, in very special ways, to the indigents in the states he served.

In the course of my investigating this interesting man, I learnt that security may not just be about brandishing arms and ammunition. I got to learn that the DSS boss believes that humanitarian acts have proven to be a very efficient non-conventional method of maintaining peace and security. One of the driving forces of the DSS boss, noted a retired director of the Service, is in his belief that any intelligence service without human asset will be struggling as, according to the spy chief, human intelligence aka HUMINT is more effective. He reportedly believes that the collection of information from human sources through interpersonal contact is very effective.

I guess he believes that when an idle mind is meaningfully engaged, chances of indulging in criminality become slimmer. In the states he served across all the geo-political zones, Ajayi was able to use this unconventional approach to record successes. It, therefore, came as a little surprise that President Tinubu appointed him to head the DSS, and realize the National Strategic Security Plan.

Apparently, due to the classified nature of DSS activities, I, understandably, couldn’t lay hands on some information I desired. Thankfully, by virtue of his becoming Director General, some of his activities have become public information which makes it easy to better understand his true nature. I remember that months ago, friends of the DSS boss donated an Islamic school to a community in Kaduna state. He had served in the state and, in 2009, directed the successful rescue of a Canadian lady and official of Rotary International.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of security to our daily lives. The earlier we begin to realize that all aspects of the society needs to be fully secured for us to make progress, the better we start appreciating people like Mr Ajayi who leaves no stone unturned in the quest to make Nigeria safer.

It goes without saying that a man’s true nature is exposed through his actions. The kind nature of the DSS boss perhaps is the reason he finds it easy to compensate individuals who were wrongly arrested by the Service. Apparently, only a kind, just and true man who expresses empathy towards the plight of others will go through the inconvenience of apologising and compensating suspects arrested or detained in error.

At this point some might be wondering, if with the DSS boss, charity is indeed beginning at home? In other words, if DSS personnel are also beneficiaries of Ajayi’s kindness. I cannot claim to have all the details. However, most serving and retired personnel of the DSS I interacted with say they’ve never had it so good. I hear they are better enumerated, personnel issues are prioritized, families of personnel lost in the line of duty are adequately compensated, wives and relatives of inactive personnel are empowered and most importantly, personnel of the agency are hopeful for a better future in the Service.

The humanitarian deeds of the DSS boss are too numerous to mention in a single piece as this. I’m happy to have come to realize that Ajayi is not just the Director General, DSS. He is a man who sees the hollowness in the hearts of the needy and goes overboard to support them and give them hope.

It is my sincere prayer that, some day, other leaders across the country will emulate this Good Samaritan who continues to build on a worthy legacy of kindness and service for humanity.

Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), a subsidiary of Thor Explorations Ltd and operator of Nigeria’s first commercial gold project, the Segilola Gold Mine in Osun State, has advocated responsible mining to leverage on the potential of the industry to boost economic development.

It participated as a Gold Sponsor at the 2025 Nigeria Mining Week (NMW), held in Abuja from October 13th to 17th, 2025

At the start of the week, SROL hosted its Second Annual Stakeholder Reception at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The event convened over 100 of the industry’s most influential voices, including policymakers, regulators, financiers, legal experts, and development partners.

Notable dignitaries in attendance included: Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development; Prof. Innocent Bariko, Director General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency; Engr. Simon Obadiah Nkom, Director General, Mining Cadastre Office; and Prof. Olusegun Omoniyi Ige, Director General, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA).

They were joined by senior representatives from Babalakin and Co., ENR Advisory, VUKA Group, Africa Finance Corporation, the Bank of Industry (BOI), and other key institutions shaping the future of Nigeria’s mining industry.

Speaking at the reception, Segun Lawson, CEO of Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), commended stakeholders who have supported Segilola’s journey from the start.

He said, ‘It took a lot of courage to build what we have. It takes courage to do things differently, to build mines not just for profit, but for people, the planet, and posterity.

At Segilola, we have chosen a path grounded in responsibility and driven by innovation, committing to a sustainable future for Nigerian mining.’

During the reception, guests engaged directly with the tangible results of SROL’s livelihood restoration programs, community-led initiatives designed to build resilient and diversified local economies. These efforts exemplify the company’s inclusive development model and its enduring commitment to sustainable growth.

As Nigeria’s mining renaissance gathers momentum, Segilola Resources Operating Limited said it stands at its forefront-proving that responsible mining can drive lasting transformation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing a credible, secure, and verifiable identity management system, describing it as fundamental to Nigeria’s national development.

Speaking at the State House during the launch of the NINAuth App – a mobile-based digital identity authentication application developed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) – the President said technology is central to his government’s drive for efficiency, transparency, and accountability in governance.

Tinubu announced that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will soon adopt the new application for staff and data verification.

‘Today’s official launch of the NIMC NINAuth App heralds a remarkable day in our nation’s digital public infrastructure journey as Africa’s largest identity database. This innovation marks yet another milestone in our collective pursuit of a digitally empowered Nigeria,’ he said.

He explained that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government is prioritising the modernisation of digital infrastructure to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure every Nigerian, regardless of background or location, has access to essential services without delay.

According to him, the app will position Nigeria among the world’s most technologically advanced nations by enabling seamless, secure, and inclusive access to services and opportunities while upholding the highest standards of data protection and national security.

‘We are simplifying access, reducing bureaucratic interference, and closing the gaps where inefficiency and corruption can thrive,’ the President said.

Tinubu emphasised that a credible and inclusive national identity management system is vital to achieving the country’s developmental goals, noting that it underpins financial inclusion, social welfare delivery, national security, and evidence-based planning.

The president also urged citizens to embrace the new platform, commending NIMC for transforming identity management from a bureaucratic process into a technology-driven system aligned with global best practices.

Earlier, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said a secure national identity system is critical to driving development and strengthening national security.

‘Every nation that desires efficiency must first build systems capable of identifying, authenticating, and securing its citizens. Identity is not just an administrative requirement; it is the backbone of governance, national security, and service delivery,’ Tunji-Ojo said.

The identities of the 16 military officers allegedly detained in connection with the botched coup plot against the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration have been revealed amid an ongoing investigation into the incident by the military authorities.

The detained officers, according to Premium Times, an online news platform, include a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, a lieutenant, a lieutenant commander from the Navy (the naval equivalent of a major) and a squadron leader from the Air Force.

The Defence Headquarters and the presidency have dismissed the attempted coup plot, despite widespread reports linking it to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.

Sources with details of the ongoing investigations had earlier told Premium Times that 14 of the 16 detained officers are from the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two are from the Navy and the Air Force.

The medium quoted sources that 12 of the 14 army officers belong to the Infantry Corps, the army’s frontline combat unit whose troops primarily engage in ground battles. One officer is from the Signals Corps, which manages military communications, while another serves in the Ordnance Corps, responsible for procuring, storing, and maintaining weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other essential hardware.

List of detained officers

Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, with service number N/10321 , was born on January 3, 1974. He trained as an NDA cadet between 14 August 1992 and 20 September 1997 and is suspected to be the leader of the alleged coup plot.

As a member of Regular Course 44, Sadiq, an indigene of Nasarawa State, rose through the ranks, becoming a colonel in 2015 and a brigadier four years later. He belongs to the infantry corps.

Premium Times reports that it is not the first time Sadiq has made headlines for alleged gross misconduct. In October 2024, he was reportedly detained for ‘alleged diversion of rice palliatives, selling of military equipment, including generator sets and operational vehicles to scrap yards.’

Among other postings, the officer served as Commander of the 3rd Brigade in Kano and Garrison Commander of the 81 Division of the Army in Lagos.

Colonel M.A. Ma’aji is a colonel with service number N/10668. Born on 1st March 1976, the Nupe native from Niger State started training on 18 August 1995 and finished on 16 September 2000. Investigators suspect he played the role of a key strategist for the alleged coup plot, but the claim has not been verified.

A member of the infantry corps, Ma’aji was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2013, becoming a full colonel four years later. The 49-year-old officer was the Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army based in Okitipupa, Ondo State.

He took part in Operation Crocodile Smile II, a Nigerian Army military exercise conducted in 2017 to address security challenges in the Niger Delta and parts of the South West. He also served at Depot, Nigerian Army and later as Commander, Operation Delta Safe. He was a member of the 47 Regular Course of the NDA.

Lt. Colonel S. Bappah is a member of the Nigerian Army Signals Corps, with service number N/13036. He hails from Bauchi State in North-East Nigeria. He was born on 21 June 1984. The 41-year-old officer started his cadet training on 27 September 2004 and completed it on 4 October 2008. He is a member of the 56 Regular Course of the NDA.

Lt Colonel A.A. Hayatu, with service number N/13038, hails from Kaduna State. Born on 13 August 1983, he underwent his cadet training between 27 September 2004 and 04 October 2008. A member of the infantry corps, Hayatu also belonged to the 56 Regular Course.

Dangnap is from Plateau State. He was born on 1 April 1986. In 2015, he was court-martialed alongside 29 others for offences related to the fight against Boko Haram. The 39-year-old officer, with service number N/13025, began his cadet training on 27 September 2004 and completed it on 4 October 2008. Dangnap is an infantry corps officer and member of the 56 Regular Course of the NDA.

Lt. Colonel M. Almakura is a member of the 56 Regular Course. A native of Nasarawa State, he was born on 18 March 1983. The infantry corps officer with service number N/12983 trained as a cadet at the NDA from 27 September 2004 to 4 October 2008.

Major A. J Ibrahim, with service number N/13065, hails from Gombe State. Born on 12 June 1987, the Infantry Corps officer trained between 27 September 2004 and 4 October 2008. He was a member of the 56 Regular Course and became a captain in 2013.

Major M.M. Jiddah is an indigene of Katsina State. He was born on 9 July 1985. He trained between 27 September 2004 and 4 October 2008. Jiddah, with service number N/13003, is an infantry Army officer and a member of the 56 Regular Course.

Major M.A. Usman is a Nigerian Army major with service number N/15404. He was born on 1 April 1989. He hails from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A member of the 60th Regular Course, the infantry officer trained as a cadet at the NDA between 16 August 2008 and 14 September 2012.

Major D. Yusuf is a member of the Ordnance Corps. He was born on 26 May 1988. As a member of the 59th Regular Course, Yusuf, with service number N/14753, trained at NDA between 7 July 2007 and 8 September 2012. The officer hails from Gombe State.

Major I. Dauda joined the army through the Direct Short Service Commissions. Born on 26 November 1983, the infantry officer with service number N/13625, trained between 5 June 2009 and 27 March 2010. Dauda, who hails from Jigawa, is a member of Short Service Commission Course 38.

The remaining officers, whose details are still sketchy, are: Captain Ibrahim Bello, a member of the Direct Short Service Commission Course 43 with service number N/16266, who was born on 28 July 1987; Captain A. A Yusuf with service number N/16724; Lieutenant S.S Felix with service number N/18105; Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi, a naval officer with service number NN/3289 and Squadron S. B Adamu, an Air Force squadron leader with service number NAF/3481.

Daily Trust gathered that aside these persons, others have been picked up taking the number of persons under probe to 42. It was also gathered that an ex-governor from the southern part of the country was involved in the plot. And on Wednesday, an aide to the former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, confirmed that military personnel raided his residence. The aide, Julius Bokoru, who said no reason was given for the raid on the home of the former governor, also denied the involvement of his principal in the alleged coup plot.

150 players from 30 teams yesterday served-off the first Abiru Mixed Team Table Tennis Championships inside the Molade Thomas-Okoya Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos.

The championship sponsored by SAIL Empowerment Foundation saw the inclusion of two teams from Togo and Benin Republic, a reflection of the expansion of the championship to West Africa.

The tournament will end on Saturday, November 1.

Speaking at the press conference to launch the event, Senator Mukhail Abiru, emphasised the tournament’s alignment with his youth development philosophy.

‘Our youth development philosophy goes beyond classrooms and computer labs. The discipline, focus, and teamwork that make great innovators are the same traits that define great athletes.

‘It was on this belief that we launched the Senator Abiru Mixed Team Table Tennis Championships in 2024, the first of its kind in Africa, as a platform to celebrate excellence, inclusion, and community spirit through sports,’ he said.

He added that this year’s edition marks an exciting leap forward, saying the total prize money has been increased by over 37 percent-from N4 million last year to N5.5 million.

President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Africa), Wahid Enitan Oshodi commended the Senator for his continued support and sponsorship of the tournament.

‘We are grateful to the senator for his commitment to youth development and for keeping his promise to stage this event. We hope more stars will emerge from this tournament as we look forward to exciting matches over the next three days,’ he said.

The President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Adesoji Tayo, described the tournament as a bold and innovative step in African table tennis.

Meanwhile,in the matches played yesterday, Lagos 1 Club pairing Surmer Qudus and Aishat Rabiu sealing a commanding 3-0 win.

They defeated Tidjani and Fatima Ahmed of Olaaj TT Club 11-5, 11-7, 11-5 in the mixed doubles, thrilling spectators with sharp teamwork and pace.

In the singles, Lagos 1’s Matthew Kuti overcame Olaaj TT Club’s Olutayo Olatunde 3-1, winning 11-3, 11-6, 12-14, 11-7 to maintain momentum.

Bose Odusanya also secured victory for Lagos 1, edging Amina Lawal 3-0 in a closely-fought match.

The federal government has intensified efforts to actualise the implementation of the National Single Window at the nation’s ports by 2026.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said the policy aims to create a unified digital platform that harmonises documentation, minimises human contact, and ensures full transparency in the cargo clearance process – describing it as a potential game changer for port operations.

Shettima stated this on Thursday during the second meeting of the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the goal is to reduce the average cargo clearance time from 21 days to less than seven days by the end of 2026, and to make Nigerian ports rank among the top three most efficient trade gateways in Africa.

‘By the end of 2026, we aim to reduce average cargo clearance time in Nigeria to under seven days and to position our ports among the top three most efficient trade gateways on the continent.

‘The forthcoming implementation of the National Single Window in the first quarter of next year will be a game changer – a single platform that harmonises documentation, minimises human contact, and brings full transparency to the cargo clearance process,’ he said.

The vice president directed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other relevant agencies to develop a roadmap for an effective weights and measures framework.

The framework, he explained, will ensure accuracy in trade measurements through regular inspections, prevent fraud, and protect consumers in line with international best practices.

Shettima expressed concern over the long cargo dwell time at Nigerian ports, which currently averages 18 to 21 days, compared to five to seven days in Ghana and four days in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

He said the administration’s target is to make cargo clearance faster, more efficient, and globally competitive through enhanced collaboration among agencies and improved technological systems.

Speaking earlier, the Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Audu, highlighted the negative impact of inefficient port operations on Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking. She stressed the need for collective action by all stakeholders to make the ports more transparent and efficient.

Audu acknowledged the progress made by the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee, describing it as a platform that fosters inter-agency collaboration and reflects a shared commitment to positioning Nigeria’s ports as globally competitive trade hubs.

The Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, underscored the importance of synergy among stakeholders, noting that true efficiency at the ports can only be achieved through collaboration and partnership.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives following the defection of six more lawmakers on Thursday, just weeks after attaining the same status in the Senate.

Five members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Enugu State and one Labour Party (LP) lawmaker from Plateau State announced their defection to the APC during plenary, further boosting the ruling party’s numerical strength in the Green Chamber.

The two-thirds majority threshold in the 360-member House is 240. With the latest defections, the APC now commands 243 seats, while the PDP has dropped to 72. The LP holds 21 seats; the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), 15; All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), 5; African Democratic Congress (ADC), 1; Social Democratic Party (SDP), 2; and Young Progressives Party (YPP), 1.

The Senate had earlier attained a similar supermajority following waves of defections since midyear.

At the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023, the APC had 175 seats in the House, while the combined opposition parties collectively held 182 – giving them a slim edge at the time. However, a steady stream of defections over the past year has reversed that balance, consolidating the APC’s dominance in both chambers as lawmakers realign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

New defectors

The five Enugu lawmakers who defected are Hon. Nnolim John Nnaji (Nkanu East/Nkanu West), Rep. Anayo Onwuegbu (Aninri/Awgu/Oji River), Rep. Oke Martins (Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani), Rep. Obetta Mark Chidiebere (Nsukka/Igboeze South), and Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu).

They were joined by Hon. Daniel Asama of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, Plateau State, who announced his defection from the LP to the APC.

Speaking on behalf of the Enugu caucus, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji said the decision was guided by a collective resolve to align with Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, whom he described as ‘a visionary leader committed to transforming the state and connecting it to the national development agenda.’

‘Today, we stand before you filled with joy, conviction and purpose,’ Nnaji said. ‘With your blessing and in line with our collective decision to stand firmly with our visionary governor, we formally announce our defection to the All Progressives Congress.’

He described the move as ‘a bold step into the future,’ intended to reposition Enugu for greater participation in national politics.

‘For too long, our dear Enugu State has remained in opposition, watching from the sidelines as others shaped the destiny of our nation. That era is over,’ he said, adding that joining the APC would help attract more federal presence, infrastructure projects and youth empowerment to their constituencies.

Nnaji commended Governor Mbah’s leadership and called for unity across political divides, saying politics should be a tool for service rather than division.

Implications of APC’s two-thirds majority

The APC’s two-third majority in both chambers has major implications for lawmaking, constitutional amendment and power dynamics within the National Assembly.

For constitutional amendments, under Section 9 (2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), any bill seeking to alter the Constitution must be supported by at least two-thirds of all members of each chamber and ratified by two-thirds of the 36 state assemblies (24 states).

With its current numbers, the APC can easily push constitutional amendment bills through the National Assembly, though state-level approval remains a necessary hurdle.

Also, as it relates to impeachment of the president or vice president, Sections 143 (4) and (9) of the Constitution require a two-thirds majority in both chambers to remove the President or Vice President for gross misconduct. The APC’s current dominance effectively shields the presidency from any impeachment attempt, as opposition lawmakers lack the numbers to initiate or sustain such a move.

For removal of presiding officers, Sections 50 (2)(c) and 92 (2)(c) of the Constitution provide that the Senate President, Speaker or their deputies can only be removed by a two-thirds majority of their respective chambers. This means the current presiding officers, backed by the APC’s overwhelming majority, are largely secure from any impeachment effort.

In the case of declaration or extension of state of emergency, Section 305 (6) of the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority of each chamber for the President to declare or extend a state of emergency. With its supermajority, the APC-controlled legislature can readily approve such a request, granting the executive greater leverage in national security or political crises.

It will be recalled that during the past debates on the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the Senate initially stalled due to an inability to muster a two-thirds majority, while the House of Representatives only approved it after a careful procedural compromise.

Now, with the APC holding decisive control in both chambers, the ruling party is positioned to drive key legislative decisions with limited resistance from the opposition.

Analyst warns of consequences for democracy

Commenting earlier on the growing dominance of the ruling APC and its increasing control of the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections, a political scientist, Professor Gbade Ojo, warned of serious consequences for Nigeria’s democratic future.

‘What we are witnessing is the continuous expansion of the ruling APC. While that may appear to signify political strength on the surface, the implications for democracy are deeply concerning,’ he said.

‘When a ruling party in a democracy controls the parliament to the extent of holding a two-thirds majority, it becomes a form of subtle dictatorship. There are no effective checks and balances.’

He cautioned that in such a scenario, the National Assembly risks losing its independence and turning into a rubber stamp for the executive.

‘The legislature becomes a ‘Yes Ma, Yes Sir’ institution. Lawmakers will compromise. The executive can push through borrowing plans, even after removing fuel subsidies, as is currently the case, and the legislature will not act as a check. That is a dangerous trend for our fragile democracy,’ he said.

‘Our prayer is that this democracy does not relapse into dictatorship. As the saying goes: power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’

Ojo also blamed the growing imbalance on the weakness of opposition parties, describing it as a ‘self-inflicted injury.’

‘The opposition has failed to put its house in order. The absence of internal democracy and lack of discipline are their biggest undoing,’ he said.

Ojo lamented what he called the ideological emptiness of Nigerian politics.

‘In an ideal democracy, no two parties should be ideologically identical. But in Nigeria, there is complete ideological fluidity. Everyone is simply fighting for survival, not based on principles or values.’

He warned that unless the opposition repositions itself by restoring internal discipline and forging a clear ideological identity, Nigeria’s democracy would remain dangerously one-sided.

A truck driver, Wisdom Fwanshak, has been reportedly killed around Cashow Farm in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.

The driver was originally from Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Some truck drivers, who witnessed the incident, told Daily Trust that it occurred on Sunday when the truck was en-route from Taraba to Aba.

The truck was unexpectedly attacked by hoodlums who hit him on the head with a stone.

Mahmud Jafar, spokesperson for the National Union of Road Workers (NURW) in Plateau State, confirmed the incident and described it as one too many.

He noted that many drivers have fallen victim to various forms of attacks by hoodlums in the eastern part of the country.

‘The truck was on its way to Aba when the incident happened,’ Jafar said. ‘The hoodlums hit the victim with a stone on the head. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. This has become a daily occurrence, especially in Imo State.

‘Whenever we drive on the roads in the eastern part of the country, we are not treated like rightful citizens of this country. Our members are being killed regularly. We are law-abiding citizens, and we report these problems to the government, but the situation persists,’ Jafar explained.

Jafar recalled that several members had been lost and trucks burned so far that year, and he called on the federal government to take drastic measures to prevent further occurrences, which he described as threats to national security.

The spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, DSP Okoye Henry, did not respond to calls and SMS.

Sources from the victim’s family confirmed that the corpse has been taken back to Plateau for burial.