Category: Nigerian Tribune

Nineteen political parties in Kogi State have signed a peace accord ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging to conduct their campaigns and other political activities peacefully and in accordance with the law.

The agreement was reached on Tuesday during an engagement between the Inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security and political parties at the Kogi State Police Command Headquarters in Lokoja.

The 19 parties, out of the 22 political parties expected to participate, committed themselves to peaceful participation in the elections and vowed to refrain from actions capable of causing violence, disorder or disruption of the electoral process.

Under the accord, the parties and their candidates agreed to base their campaigns on policies, programmes, manifestos and issues affecting the people of Kogi State.

They also pledged not to use campaign platforms to promote hatred, ethnic or religious division, personal attacks, inflammatory rhetoric or incitement.

The political parties rejected the use, sponsorship or mobilisation of individuals and groups for electoral violence, intimidation, threats or disruption of political activities.

They further agreed to take reasonable steps to ensure that their supporters and campaign organisations conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process.

The parties also committed to respecting the independence and lawful functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other institutions responsible for administering and securing elections.

They pledged to cooperate with electoral and security authorities to facilitate peaceful elections while exercising restraint in public statements, speeches, broadcasts and social media communications.

The accord also prohibits the deliberate circulation of false information, inflammatory messages, threats or other content capable of provoking violence or undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

The parties agreed to respect the rights of rival political parties and candidates to campaign and participate in the electoral process without obstruction, harassment, threats or unlawful interference.

They also committed to protecting the rights of eligible citizens to participate freely in elections without intimidation, coercion, harassment or discrimination.

According to the agreement, no party, candidate or supporter shall unlawfully interfere with a voter’s freedom to choose a candidate of their preference.

On election results, the parties agreed to respect lawful procedures for the announcement and declaration of results, stressing that any candidate or party dissatisfied with an electoral decision should seek redress through available legal and constitutional mechanisms rather than resorting to violence or self-help.

The commitment, the parties stated, would continue beyond the declaration of results, with all political actors expected to discourage retaliation, reprisal attacks, destruction of property and other forms of post-election violence.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by officials of the Kogi State Police Command, INEC, representatives of other security agencies, civil society and election observer groups, as well as religious institutions.

The stakeholders urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to uphold the spirit of the accord in the interest of peace and credible elections in the state.

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested about 20 persons following Monday’s protest by youths demanding the release of Dahiru Mai Barewa.

The protest, which took place in parts of Sokoto metropolis, reportedly became confrontational after some of the protesters allegedly attacked security personnel and attempted to forcefully secure Mai Barewa’s release.

Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the arrests, saying the suspects had been charged to court.

‘About 20 persons were arrested, and they have been charged to court,’ Rufai said.

The demonstration followed a court order directing the re-arrest and remand of Mai Barewa, who is facing allegations of threatening to kill two Islamic scholars, Sheikh Musa Ayyuba Lukuwa and Malam Murtala Bello Assada.

The protesters reportedly blocked some roads and demanded Mai Barewa’s release, but security operatives moved in to restore order and prevent the situation from escalating.

Police sources said the intervention became necessary after the protesters allegedly attempted to take Mai Barewa from custody.

The case against Mai Barewa reportedly arose from a series of videos circulated on social media in which he was allegedly seen making threats against the two clerics.

He was said to have linked the alleged threat against Sheikh Lukuwa to comments attributed to the cleric concerning the parents of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In another video, he reportedly referred to disagreements with some authorities.

Assada had earlier said the alleged threats were reported to security agencies, claiming that Mai Barewa repeatedly threatened him and Sheikh Lukuwa in several videos.

The development has generated public debate in Sokoto, with some youths demanding Mai Barewa’s release, while others have called for the allegations to be subjected to due process.

The police, however, urged residents to remain peaceful and allow the courts to determine the matter, warning against actions capable of disrupting public order.

Following the intervention of security personnel, normalcy has returned to the affected areas of the state capital.

The Edo State House of Assembly has begun a legislative overhaul of the state’s secondary education system, moving to scrap a 38-year-old Bendel State law and establish a dedicated board for the administration of senior secondary schools.

The move, which signals an attempt to bring Edo’s education laws in line with contemporary realities, followed the passage for second reading of a bill seeking to repeal the 1988 Bendel State Education Edict on Monday

The development is coming amid growing calls across the country for states to review outdated education laws and strengthen institutional frameworks for the effective management of schools.

Leading debate on the bill, the House Majority Leader, Hon. Ojezelle Osezua, said the continued operation of the old edict was no longer consistent with the realities of a rapidly changing society.

He argued that legislation must evolve with societal needs, stressing that laws should not be allowed to remain static when the circumstances they were designed to regulate had changed.

Osezua said the proposed legislation would provide the legal framework for the establishment of an Edo State Secondary School Board, which would be responsible for the administration of senior secondary schools in the state.

He explained that the proposed board would complement the functions of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), which oversees basic education, including primary and junior secondary schools.

According to him, separating the administration of senior secondary education from the existing basic education structure would provide greater focus and improve coordination, supervision and management of senior schools across the state.

Seconding the motion, the Minority Leader, Hon. Natasha Osawaru Idibia, said the proposed law would strengthen the administration of senior secondary schools and create a more effective institutional framework for the sector.

Hon. Maria Edekor and other lawmakers who contributed to the debate also backed the proposed repeal, stressing the need for the state to modernise its education laws.

Following the debate, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Education, chaired by Hon. Donald Okogbe, representing Akoko-Edo II Constituency, for further legislative consideration.

The proposed reform places Edo among states seeking to reshape their education governance structures in response to changing demands in the sector, with lawmakers expected to subject the bill to further scrutiny before its passage.

Meanwhile, the House received a letter from Governor Monday Okpebholo requesting the timely amendment of the Edo State Child Rights Law.

The governor’s request was referred for legislative consideration as part of efforts to update the state’s legal framework on child protection and welfare.

The Assembly also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late Chief Dan Orbih, a prominent Edo politician and former National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmakers paid tribute to Orbih and acknowledged his contributions to political development and public life in the state.

The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has rejected the suggestion that former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, cannot rescue Nigeria, arguing that his record in public office provides evidence of his capacity to address the country’s challenges.

POMR made its position known in a statement signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, on Monday, in response to recent comments by former Labour Party presidential running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who reportedly expressed doubts about the ability of any individual, including Obi, to rescue Nigeria from its systemic challenges.

Zekeri said Datti-Baba Ahmed’s position was understandable, given the severity of Nigeria’s problems, but argued that it should not be interpreted as evidence that Obi lacks the capacity to lead reforms.

According to him, Nigeria’s challenges are the result of years of mismanagement, corruption, waste and poor leadership, making it necessary for voters to distinguish between political promises and demonstrated capacity.

He said Obi’s administration in Anambra State offered evidence of his approach to governance, particularly in the areas of fiscal discipline, education, healthcare, infrastructure and human development.

‘Peter Obi does not approach Nigeria’s challenges as an experiment. His record in Anambra provides evidence of what he can do with limited resources when public office is treated as a responsibility rather than an opportunity for personal enrichment,’ he said.

POMR maintained that rescuing Nigeria would not be the work of one individual acting alone, but argued that the country needed a leader capable of assembling competent Nigerians and building institutions capable of delivering sustainable development.

Zekeri said an Obi-led administration would focus on strengthening institutions, tackling corruption, reducing waste, investing in production and restoring public confidence in government.

‘The question is whether Nigeria can elect a leader with the character, competence, prudence and courage to begin the rescue. We believe Peter Obi can, and will,’ he said.

He added that Obi should not be presented as a messiah but as a leader whose previous record demonstrated an understanding that public resources constitute a public trust.

SIX Nigerian banks have made the list of Africa’s 20 largest lenders by total assets, highlighting the growing scale of the country’s banking industry following a major recapitalisation drive.

Access Bank leads the Nigerian lenders with assets of $36 billion, ranking 12th on the continent. United Bank for Africa (UBA) follows with$33.27 billion, Zenith Bank with $32.01 billion, Stanbic IBTC Bank with $24 billion and First Bank of Nigeria with $17.2billion.

South Africa’s Standard Bank Group tops the continental ranking with $218 billion, followed by Egypt’s National Bank of Egypt at $186 billion and South Africa’s FirstRand at $162 billion. Absa Group, Nedbank Group and Egypt’s Banque Misr complete the next three positions with $135 billion, $99 billion and $94 billion, respectively.

Morocco’s Attijariwafa Bank, with $87 billion, South Africa’sInvestec Group, $81 billion, andMorocco’s Banque Centrale Populaire, $60 billion, round out the top 10.

The ranking was compiled from data attributed to SandPGlobal Market Intelligence, company reports, African Business, The Banker and African Research. Figures are stated in US dollars.

The emergence of Nigerian banks among the continent’s biggest lenders comes as the industry completes a two-year capital-raising exercise to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new minimum capital requirements.

Analysts said the more immediate catalyst for Nigerian bank stocks could be the country’s return to the FTSE Russell Frontier Market Index on September 21.

Nigeria was removed from FTSE Russell’s equity benchmarks in 2024 after foreign investors faced difficulties repatriating funds. Its reinstatement is expected to trigger portfolio adjustments by index-tracking funds and increase demand for large-cap Nigerian stocks.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has commenced engagements with key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector as part of efforts to attract increased investment into the industry as well as boost revenue accruing to the Federation Account.

Led by the Chairman of the Commission’s Investment Monitoring Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Dr. Ekene Enefe said the engagement is aimed at briefing relevant government agencies on plans to organise an Oil and Gas Investment Summit in China, tentatively scheduled for the end of November 2026.

Speaking during the stakeholder engagement, Dr. Enefe explained that the Investment Monitoring Committee, one of the Commission’s constitutional committees, is responsible, among other functions, for monitoring Federal Government investments in the oil and gas sector and ensuring that the nation receives its appropriate revenues and accruals from the sector.

According a statement by Maryam Umar Yusuf, the Head, Information and Public Relations Unit of RMAFC, the Chairman noted that the Committee had recorded significant progress in monitoring the sector, including efforts that have resulted in the recovery of revenues and enforcement of applicable penalties against defaulting oil companies, particularly in relation to provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), including gas-flaring obligations.

He explained that the Commission had identified the enormous investment opportunities in Nigeria’s gas sector and considered it necessary to facilitate greater participation by investors in both the upstream and downstream segments of the industry.

‘We looked at the opportunities in the gas sector of the economy and felt that we need to intervene, especially in bringing investors to the sector, both upstream and downstream,’ Dr. Enefe said.

He disclosed that RMAFC had already engaged relevant institutions responsible for investment promotion and trade, including the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), to explore avenues for attracting investors into the sector.

Enefe further explained that the proposed summit was conceived as part of the Commission’s broader efforts to support the development of the oil and gas industry, increase investments and ultimately expand the nation’s revenue base.

He said RMAFC had briefed the Presidency on the initiative and had continued consultations with relevant government agencies towards ensuring a successful summit.

In the statement, the Chairman noted that China was deliberately chosen as the host country because of its significant role in the global energy and investment landscape. He added that consultations had already been held with the Nigerian High Commission in Beijing, including discussions with the Nigerian Ambassador and other stakeholders, who expressed support for the initiative.

He also disclosed that the stakeholder breakfast meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, is expected to bring together key government institutions and agencies in the oil and gas investment sectors.

Enefe said the meeting would provide an opportunity to formally brief stakeholders on the proposed summit and obtain their contributions towards its successful organisation. He also called on participating ministries and agencies to nominate representatives to serve on the planning committee for the summit.

The statement further stated that in response, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, expressed the Ministry’s support for the initiative, stressing the need for Nigeria to showcase the investment opportunities in the country to boost economic development.

The Minister emphasised that Presidential Executive Orders and the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act must be effectively implemented through coordinated action among relevant government institutions.

He highlighted the country’s substantial gas reserves, noting that the nation’s estimated 215 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves provide a significant opportunity to drive economic growth, strengthen the regional energy market and position Nigeria more prominently on the global energy platform.

The statement said the Minister reaffirmed that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources would work closely with RMAFC and other relevant agencies to ensure that the proposed summit achieves its objectives.’The time has come for us to really decide for our nation, work for our nation, put things in the correct perspective,’ the Minister stated.

Ekpo also assured RMAFC of the Ministry’s cooperation in the planning process and disclosed that a representative would be nominated to participate in the summit planning committee.

He commended RMAFC for the initiative and expressed confidence that the proposed investment summit would create opportunities for attracting new investments into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, thereby contributing to national development and increased government revenue.

‘The engagement underscores RMAFC’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration, promoting investment in strategic sectors of the economy and ensuring that Nigeria maximises the revenue potential of its natural resources for the benefit of all tiers of government and the Nigerian people’ the statement noted.

Zamfara State Government and the United Nations (UN) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their partnership to promote sustainable development and improve the well-being of residents across the state.

The commitment was made during a high-level strategic engagement on the Zamfara-United Nations Partnership.

The Zamfara delegation was led by the Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Bello Auta, while the UN delegation was headed by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Muhammed M. M. Fall, who represented the Assistant Secretary-General at the engagement.

The meeting followed the visit of the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, to Zamfara in April 2026, which provided an opportunity for both parties to explore areas of collaboration and identify opportunities for deeper engagement.

The latest strategic meeting further underscored Governor Dauda Lawal’s commitment to strategic governance, effective partnerships and sustainable development in the state.

Members of the Zamfara delegation included the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Professor Yahaya Zakari; the Commissioner and Attorney-General of the State, Dr Abdul’aziz Sani, SAN; Permanent Secretary, Multilateral and Donor Agencies, Saadatu Abdu Gusau; as well as directors and other officials from relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

The engagement is expected to strengthen cooperation between Zamfara State and the United Nations in areas that will support development priorities and improve the living conditions of the people.

Nigeria’s technology and telecommunications ecosystem is set to welcome policymakers, industry leaders, investors, innovators and development partners as the Telecommunications and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) holds the second edition of its Innovators Makers Challenge (IMC) Conference and Innovation Exhibition.

The event, scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, is expected to spotlight technology-driven solutions capable of advancing sustainable development and national competitiveness.

Sponsored by IHS Nigeria, the conference will bring together high-level stakeholders from Nigeria and beyond, including technology CEOs, financial institutions, investors, development organisations, innovators and thought leaders.

Other partners include Hydrogen, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), LBS Sustainability Center (LBSSC) and MTN.

According to TTSWG, the maiden IMC, held in 2023, attracted more than 300 physical attendees and 759 registrants and featured 17 innovations, establishing the platform as a significant avenue for sustainability-focused entrepreneurship.

Three years after its debut, IMC 2.0 is expected to expand its focus across a broad range of sectors, including AgriTech, EnergyTech, HealthTech, FinTech, ClimateTech, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, education, smart cities, digital governance, logistics and mobility.

Speaking on the initiative, Lead Consultant at the TTSWG Secretariat, Bankole Oloruntoba, said the 2026 edition would build on the foundation established by the maiden event while significantly expanding its mandate.

‘TTSWG is not only building on the success of the 2023 foundation, we are scaling up significantly this year,’ Oloruntoba said.

He added that the programme would prioritise solutions with market validation and measurable economic, social and environmental impact.

A major attraction of the event will be the IMC Quest Pitch Competition, where the top five growth-stage startups emerging from the IMC Bootcamp will pitch their ideas before a panel of judges.

The top three winners will receive a combined N9.2 million in seed funding, with the winner receiving N7 million, the first runner-up N1.2 million and the second runner-up N1 million.

The organisers said the winners would also undergo a six-month post-competition incubation programme designed to improve accountability, investment outcomes and long-term business growth.

Other activities include a three-day IMC Bootcamp, business clinics offering legal and business consultancy, and an innovation exhibition featuring more than 20 startups, technology firms, research projects and development organisations.

The event will also witness the launch of the Telecommunication and Technology Citizenship Awareness Roadmap (TATCAR) 2023-2026, highlighting developments and best practices for responsible growth in Nigeria’s technology and telecommunications sector.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a six-zone nationwide tour to assess its operational preparedness for the 2027 General Elections, with the South-West Zonal Interactive Meeting held on Monday, 7th September 2026 in Lagos.

Declaring the meeting open at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the engagement marked a shift from the previous practice where zonal preparations were coordinated mainly through headquarters directorates.

According to him, the tour will cover all six geo-political zones ahead of the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, 16 January 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections slated for Saturday, 6 February 2027.

Prof. Amupitan, who was accompanied by National Commissioners and Directors, said the Commission would engage directly with Electoral Officers and administrative staff, whom he described as critical to the conduct of elections at Local Government Areas, Registration Area Centres and polling units.

He noted that lessons from recent off-cycle elections, including the Osun State Governorship Election, would guide preparations for 2027, adding that a nationwide election across 36 states and the FCT requires higher standards of coordination and logistics.

The Chairman identified voter apathy, public trust, and misinformation as key challenges, and stressed the need for professionalism and neutrality by staff in line with Section 26 of the Electoral Act.

On voter registration, Prof. Amupitan disclosed that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) conducted in three phases between August 2025 and July 2026 recorded 10,772,421 new registrants, pending verification through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

He said the third phase introduced an Online Registration Portal for the first time, and that the Printable Permanent Voter’s Card technology deployed in Osun is being considered for wider use under Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act. He added that the National Register of Voters is approaching 100 million, and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensure eligible voters are not disenfranchised due to PVC collection bottlenecks.

On election technology, the Chairman said the Commission is refining its Result Management Systems, including the eEC8A, to improve the transmission and verification of results from polling units to the national collation centre.

Prof. Amupitan also announced that the Commission is finalising a new welfare package for staff, Commission Members and Resident Electoral Commissioners. This includes the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure, CEMBSS, effective 1 January 2026, and a 150 per cent increase in overhead allocations to states effective 1 July 2026.

In his welcome address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, said hosting the first zonal engagement reflects the need for early preparation, competent personnel and effective coordination. He noted that the South-West presents a diverse electoral environment that requires attention to logistics, technology and stakeholder engagement.

The Director, Planning and Monitoring, Mrs. Helen Ajayi, said the meeting focused on four objectives: assessing state-level preparedness on logistics, ad-hoc staff recruitment, technology, security, training and voter education; identifying operational challenges; providing updates on voter registration, PVC collection and ICT deployment; and aligning staff with the Commission’s Code of Conduct and operational guidelines.

The session featured presentations and discussions on voter registration, electoral technology, staff conduct, logistics, and situation reports from RECs in the South-West states.

The Lagos meeting is the first leg of INEC’s zonal readiness tour as the Commission intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will deploy a real-time operational tracker to monitor election preparations across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the 2027 General Election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Monday, 7th September 2026, while declaring open a two-day Strategic Operational Workshop for Administrative Secretaries at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Prof. Amupitan said the workshop is expected to produce a standardised Excel-based Administrative Secretary Master Operational Tracker Template. The template will be linked to the Commission’s Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) dashboard and the Election Project Plan (EPP).

He noted that the Commission previously did not have a uniform system for tracking the operational duties of Administrative Secretaries, and described the new tool as a step to address that gap.

According to him, the tracker will provide Resident Electoral Commissioners, Supervising National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission and Headquarters with immediate updates on material distribution, ad-hoc staff training and state-level readiness.

‘This will enable us to move from reactive responses to proactive management,’ he said.

The Chairman added that the tool is designed to remain in use beyond 2027 as part of the Commission’s onboarding and operational framework for Administrative Secretaries.

He said the initiative is part of broader preparations as the National Register of Voters approaches 100 million.

The workshop, he noted, is reviewing five operational areas: Continuous Voter Registration, logistics and material management, electoral technology, ad-hoc staff optimisation, and financial compliance.

Prof. Amupitan said the Commission is building on experiences from recent off-cycle elections, including the Osun State Governorship Election, where logistics and technology worked effectively. He stated that INEC is working to replicate that standard nationally with six months left to the 2027 polls.

In his remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, said the workshop came at a critical time in the Commission’s preparations. He commended the European Union, through the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria, EU-SDGN, implemented by Development Alternatives Incorporated, DAI, for supporting the exercise.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, said the workshop is aimed at ensuring that Headquarters and all states work from the same Election Project Plan. She added that Administrative Secretaries are being updated on new policies, technology and administrative procedures ahead of 2027.

Mrs. Oriaran-Anthony said each state delegation is expected to leave with a logistics risk register, an ad-hoc staff recruitment and deployment plan, a three-month stakeholder engagement plan, and the new tracker template.

The workshop was organised by the Office of the Secretary to the Commission with support from DAI-EU-SDGN. Participants included National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, the Director-General of the Electoral Institute, Directors from Headquarters, and Administrative Secretaries from the 36 states and the FCT.