Category: Daily Trust

Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to enforce the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy if elected president.

Atiku said his administration would ensure that funds allocated to the 774 local government areas (LGAs) from the Federation Account were paid directly to them, rather than being channelled through state governments.

His position was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, who said the former vice-president would uphold the rule of law and strengthen the financial and administrative independence of local governments.

The Supreme Court, on July 11, 2024, ruled that allocations from the Federation Account meant for the 774 local government councils should be paid directly to them.

The judgment followed a suit instituted by the Federal Government against the 36 state governors over the administration, funding and financial independence of local governments.

Despite the judgment, some states have yet to fully comply with the directive.

Atiku said that, if elected president, he would ensure strict compliance with the court’s decision and use local government autonomy to promote development at the grassroots.

‘My administration will respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are meant, and restore true federalism,’ the statement quoted Atiku as saying.

According to him, direct access to funds would enable local governments to deliver development projects and public services more effectively while bringing governance closer to Nigerians at the grassroots.

He also argued that greater financial independence for local governments would strengthen their ability to address security challenges, including crime and terrorism, while helping to reduce poverty.

Atiku, however, criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over what he described as its failure to enforce the Supreme Court judgment on direct payment of local government allocations.

He alleged that the administration had been reluctant to confront some state governors over the issue.

According to him, the funds were being retained as an ‘enticement’ for governors to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

‘Atiku acknowledges that the Supreme Court had ruled on July 2024 that local government funds should be paid directly to local governments,’ the statement said.

‘Yet, the current administration of President Tinubu has failed to enforce this judgment, seemingly to avoid confronting the gluttonous APC State Governors who previously controlled these funds, as an enticement to them to use the Local Government funds to buy votes for Tinubu in 2027 presidential election.’

The former vice-president said restoring genuine local government autonomy would be a key component of his administration’s approach to governance and federalism.

He maintained that allowing local governments to have direct access to their statutory allocations would improve accountability and ensure that resources intended for grassroots development were deployed for that purpose.

The issue of direct funding for local governments has remained a major subject of debate since the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment.

In December, President Bola Tinubu warned state governors that he could issue an executive order to enforce the direct allocation of funds to local governments if they failed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling.

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has rehabilitated failed sections of roads and restored an erosion-threatened bridge in Delta State as part of efforts to make federal roads safer and more motorable.

The agency said the interventions, including work on the 38-kilometre Kwale-Ebedei-Umutu Road and the Okumeshi Bridge section, were part of a broader commitment to keeping critical road links open, improving connectivity and facilitating the movement of people, goods and agricultural produce.

The development was disclosed on Wednesday during a routine monitoring visit by the FERMA management team to ongoing interventions in the state, led by the agency’s Special Assistant to the Managing Director, Engr. Dr Emeka Maduagwu.

On the Kwale-Ebedei-Umutu Road, FERMA’s Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer in Delta State, Kingsley Oshewe, said the agency had carried out direct-labour rehabilitation on sections between kilometres 21+000 and 24+000.

The work involved scarification, removal of failed pavement materials, filling with sharp sand and laterite, compaction, stone-base application, priming and asphalt surfacing. He said several sections had been successfully recovered.

The team also inspected the Okumeshi Bridge section at kilometre 15 between Ebedei and Umukuata communities in Ukwuani Local Government Area, where an embankment washout had threatened to cut off the carriageway.

FERMA responded by constructing a reinforced concrete retaining wall, backfilling the affected section with laterite and protecting the embankment with stone pitching against further erosion.

Oshewe said the intervention had restored the road to service and protected a critical link between communities.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as renewed commitment to road infrastructure, saying the administration’s investment and political will were giving the sector greater attention.

He also commended the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, and the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, for their leadership, while praising FERMA Managing Director, Engr. Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi, for providing focused leadership.

Maduagwu said FERMA would continue to monitor its interventions nationwide, stressing that critical road links must remain open and safe.

‘We are not where we want to be, but certainly we are not where we used to be. The journey is on and the direction is clear,’ he said.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully aware of the hardship Nigerians are facing as a result of ongoing economic reforms.

Speaking during the Nasarawa State All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House, Lafia, the governor said the President recognizes that while key economic indicators are improving, the impact has not yet reached ordinary citizens.

‘The President said these are the challenges, these are the issues,’ Gov. Sule told party stakeholders.

He said Tinubu directed governors to ‘go ahead and continue massive rural roads so it will help the people in the villages. Go ahead and provide water for these people. Go ahead and provide power to these people. Go ahead and engage in some kind of empowerment.’

He explained that despite improvements in foreign reserves, which have risen from under $30 billion to over $50 billion, and a capital market now worth hundreds of trillions, many citizens still feel no change.

‘If you tell somebody from Angwan Takpa that foreign reserve is over 50 billion dollars, he will tell you, ‘What does that mean?’ It means nothing to him,’ the governor said.

‘If you tell the person that the capital market is flying, he will tell you, ‘How does that affect me? I’m not concerned.”

To cushion the effect, Sule disclosed that $1 billion has been released by the Federal Government to relevant departments for direct interventions, including rural infrastructure, water, power, and empowerment programs.

On the state’s finances, Governor Sule said Nasarawa has witnessed significant improvement in federal allocations, rising from about ?13 billion to a record high last month.

This, he said, has enabled the government to undertake more projects without borrowing, and has necessitated a supplementary budget currently before the State House of Assembly.

‘Things have actually improved significantly, and that’s the reason why you are seeing all the work you are seeing without us borrowing anything from anywhere,’ he stated.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday revealed how its operatives across the country generated N1.38 trillion in revenue between July and August 2026.

It also disclosed that between July and August 2026, the service processed 9,322 export containers carrying agricultural produce, manufactured goods, solid minerals, and other items.

Abdullahi Maiwada, the Public Relations Officer of the Service, disclosed this at National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Abuja, venue for the joint security agencies spokesmen press briefing.

Giving an update on how the huge revenue came in, Maiwada explained that their activities were driven by technology, improved trade facilitation, and enhanced border enforcement.

Providing a breakdown of the revenue performance, Maiwada revealed that the service collected N784.65 billion in July and N595.58 billion in August 2026.

According to him, the Apapa Area Command set historic milestones during the period, recording a monthly revenue of N323 billion in July and a new single-day revenue collection record of N28.1 billion on August 18, 2026.

He said, ‘Revenue performance remained significant, with the Service generating N784,656,042,005.97 in July, and N595,581,420,186.23 in August, representing a combined revenue collection of N1.38 trillion over the period.

‘Furthermore, the Apapa Area Command recorded a historic N323 billion in monthly revenue in July, its highest ever, before setting a new single-day record of N28.1 billion on 18 August 2026, surpassing the previous daily benchmark of N20.1 billion set in September 2025’.

On trade facilitation, the Service processed 90,985 Single Goods Declarations-comprising 55,731 in July and 35,254 in August-alongside 8,873 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports across the two months.

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has endorsed the G-100 plan to create a united opposition front to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2027 presidential election.

The party stated that, as a responsible opposition group, it has become imperative to join forces with other ‘credible political forces in search of the country’s redemption.’

On Monday, the G-100 held a summit of opposition parties aimed at presenting a single consensus candidate to run against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP faction, explained that their decision to join the summit was ‘informed by the wailings of Nigerians groaning under the repressive Bola Tinubu-led APC Federal Government, and the compelling need to join forces with other credible political forces in search of the country’s redemption.’

Ememobong quoted the National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as saying: ‘Our participation is anchored on the promise that the process will be hinged on the philosophical underpinnings of transparency, equality, data-driven decisions, and egalitarianism.

‘Any result birthed by a process midwifed by these virtues will certainly offer Nigerians a credible leadership capable of alleviating the skyrocketing poverty and rising insecurity in the country.’

According to him, this development aligns with the party’s previously stated disposition to work with like-minded political parties and organisations desirous of salvaging the country from the many vices orchestrated by the ruling APC.

‘Our participation at the first meeting of the G-100 on August 31, 2026, is a further indication of our preparedness to contribute our quota in the quest for an all-opposition platform that will take power from the incumbent and rebuild Nigeria for the good of all Nigerians,’ the statement added.

The Federal Government has been urged to step up border security, surveillance, and regional intelligence cooperation to counter external security pressures threatening peace and stability across the country.

The call was made by Dr. Isa Yuguda, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the APC Professionals Forum, during the second edition of the forum’s Policy Roundtable on Tuesday in Abuja.

Speaking on national security under the theme ‘Dissecting the Renewed Hope Deliverables and Achievements,’

Dr. Yuguda highlighted that while the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has increased funding and modern equipment for defense forces, external factors continue to complicate internal security operations.

Dr. Yuguda noted that instability in neighboring West African countries, combined with porous border corridors, has enabled armed groups and criminal syndicates to cross into Nigerian territory, perpetrating violence and infiltrating local communities.

‘Nigeria continues to confront serious security challenges arising partly from instability in some neighbouring countries, porous borders, and the cross-border movement of armed groups and criminal networks into Nigerian territory, ‘ Dr. Yuguda said.

‘These external pressures have complicated the Federal Government’s security efforts and, in some instances, enabled terrorist and criminal elements to infiltrate communities and perpetrate violence.

‘ The former Bauchi State Governor attributed recent operational gains in security to fiscal headroom generated by major economic reforms-specifically the removal of the petrol subsidy, which has freed up over ?15 trillion for federal and state allocations. Dr. Yuguda emphasized that a substantial portion of these saved funds has been directed into defense infrastructure, equipping the armed forces and security agencies to better safeguard lives, property, and critical national assets.

To consolidate current progress and neutralize cross-border threats ahead of the 2027 political cycle, the APC Professionals Forum recommended key operational priorities for the administration including border strengthening, regional security cooperation and enhanced intelligence gathering.

Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has felicitated Vice President Kashim Shettima on the occasion of his 60th birthday, describing the milestone as a celebration of ‘a life consecrated to excellence, service and nation-building.’

In a goodwill message issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Linus Obogo, to commemorate the Vice President’s 60th birthday, Governor Otu extended his ‘profound felicitations’ on behalf of the Government and the good people of Cross River State, saying the occasion offered Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on a life marked by ‘remarkable accomplishments, uncommon courage and enduring patriotic service.’

Otu said Shettima’s journey into national leadership was particularly inspiring because it was built upon a foundation of professional excellence, intellectual depth and public-spiritedness. He described the Vice President’s transition from the banking profession into public service and, ultimately, the nation’s second-highest office as ‘a remarkable odyssey defined by discipline, astuteness, enterprise and an abiding commitment to the greater good.’

According to the Governor, Shettima’s years in the banking sector provided him with a formidable grounding in financial management, strategic thinking and institutional leadership, attributes which he said have remained evident throughout the Vice President’s public career. ‘From the banking profession to the highest echelons of national leadership, Your Excellency has demonstrated that excellence in one sphere can be transformed into uncommon value in another,’ Otu stated.

The Governor further celebrated Shettima’s record of service in Borno State and at the national level, noting that his leadership has consistently reflected ‘intellectual sophistication, courage of conviction and a profound understanding of the complexities of governance.’

He said the Vice President’s capacity to navigate difficult national questions with composure and statesmanship had continued to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.

Otu described the Vice President as ‘a patriot of considerable depth and a statesman whose contributions transcend the boundaries of political office,’ stressing that his commitment to national cohesion, economic prosperity and institutional development had earned him respect across political and regional divides. ‘Your Excellency, your public life represents a compelling testament to the power of knowledge, experience and service deployed in the cause of nation-building,’ he said.

Reflecting on the significance of the 60th birthday, the Governor said the milestone was more than a commemoration of age, describing it as ‘a luminous moment to honour an accomplished life and an enduring legacy.’ He added: ‘At 60, you stand not merely as a beneficiary of the passage of time, but as a custodian of experiences, accomplishments and lessons that continue to enrich our national journey.’

Governor Otu prayed that Almighty Allah would continue to grant the Vice President ‘resplendent health, abiding wisdom, renewed strength and divine grace’ to discharge the responsibilities of his high office. He also wished Shettima greater fulfilment in the years ahead, saying, ‘May the chapters yet unwritten in your life be adorned with peace, profound fulfilment and abundant blessings.’

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday remanded a 34-year-old man, Segun Falola, to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, for allegedly abducting and defiling a teenage girl.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs C.M. Kushanu, declined to take the defendant’s plea.

She ordered that he be remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre until Sept. 30, pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The defendant, a driver who resides at 1, Adepoju St., Alakuko, Lagos, is being tried for abduction and defilement.

The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the offences were committed between April 3 and April 24, in the Alakuko area of Lagos.

Ademigbuji alleged that the defendant abducted the victim, a 14-year-old girl, while she was on her way from Alakuko to Agege, lured her into a house and sexually assaulted her.

The prosecutor added that the defendant was arrested after the victim’s phone was tracked to Oyo State, where he had kept her.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 137 and 268 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)

The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) has announced plans to launch the maiden edition of the Oba Saheed Elegushi Open Golf Championship as part of efforts to deepen competitive golf and create more opportunities for Nigerian players.

NGF President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, disclosed this at the second Nigeria Golf Federation Stakeholders and Golfers Summit in Abuja, which brought together representatives of more than 46 golf clubs and other stakeholders.

Runsewe said the championship would honour His Royal Highness, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, while providing a platform to promote the sport and strengthen the competitive golfing structure in the country.

He also called for stronger collaboration among golfers, clubs, government, sponsors and private-sector investors to unlock the potential of Nigerian golf.

Oba Elegushi, who was the Royal Father of the Day, welcomed the honour and commended the federation for bringing stakeholders together to deliberate on the future of the sport.

‘I am delighted to be part of this important programme, and I commend the NGF for creating a platform to collectively discuss the future of golf,’ he said.

The monarch urged golfers to remain united and uphold the ethics and values of the game, stressing that Nigeria possesses the population, talent and private-sector capacity to build world-class golf facilities.

He challenged Nigerians to invest more in domestic golf infrastructure rather than spending heavily travelling abroad to play.

‘We have Nigerians who believe in golf and have the capacity to invest. If we come together, we can develop our own facilities to international standards,’ Elegushi said.

According to him, sustained investment in golf infrastructure would not only improve the standard of the sport but also create opportunities in sports tourism, employment and the wider economy.

Expressing appreciation to the NGF for naming the tournament after him, Elegushi pledged his support towards its success.

‘I will do everything within my capacity to make the tournament a success and ensure it becomes one of a kind in Nigeria,’ he said.

He further promised to mobilise relevant stakeholders to help establish the championship as a prestigious fixture on Nigeria’s golfing calendar.

Runsewe said the Open would give golfers an opportunity to compete at a high level while advancing the federation’s broader development agenda. He urged corporate organisations and potential sponsors to support the tournament and other initiatives targeting the growth of Nigerian golf.

The summit, themed ‘Finding the Fairway: Sustainable Growth and Youth Development,’ examined grassroots development, youth empowerment, governance, infrastructure and Nigeria’s international competitiveness.

Governor Dauda Lawal participated in the 2026 CEO Forum, focusing on linking capital to opportunities and aligning business strategies to promote investment and inclusive economic development in Zamfara State.

The governor delivered the Special Policy Address on Tuesday at the event organized by the Global Compact Network Nigeria.

This year’s event, held in Lagos, focused on the theme ‘Financing a Dignified Future: Aligning Business Action, Policy and Capital.’

The forum is an exclusive CEO Roundtable and Leadership Dialogue that brings together chief executives, senior government officials, industry leaders from sectors such as oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure, as well as trade commissioners, diplomats, and international development partners.

Governor Lawal spoke on how states compete for increasingly selective private capital and what distinguishes an economic opportunity from an investable proposition.

He provided insight into how Zamfara State, under his leadership, is working to bridge that gap in ways that support both investor confidence and meaningful economic outcomes for its people.

The forum aims to provide a platform where business leaders, government officials, and investors can work together to better align their decisions and unlock productive investment and inclusive economic growth.

This year’s event focused on connecting capital to opportunities by identifying where promising businesses, sectors, and projects struggle to access funding and what can help attract investment.

Defining the Dignity Dividend, on the other hand, explores how investment and growth can translate into better jobs, stronger businesses, increased productivity, local value creation and wider economic participation.

Securing Actionable Commitments identifies specific actions and partnerships that institutions represented in the room can advance over the following 6-12 months.

Other notable speakers included the CEOs of First Bank Group, Access Bank, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Nigerian Exchange Group, Chellarams Plc, SecureID Group, Greenwich Merchant Bank Plc, and others.

The organizers said the session will culminate in a live showcase of the Business Value and Sustainability Platform (BVSP) – a light-touch, standing coalition of business, capital, and policy actors designed to carry the conversation forward, including by shaping Nigeria’s private-sector contribution to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week.