Category: PM News

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has argued that persistent electricity shortages in rural communities are having consequences beyond economic hardship, linking the absence of power to early nights, limited social activities and population growth.

Fayose made the remarks in Abuja on Friday shortly after his inauguration as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Rural Electrification Agency, the Federal Government agency charged with expanding electricity access to underserved and unserved communities.

Speaking on the need to tackle Nigeria’s rural electricity deficit, Fayose suggested that the lack of power had significantly altered the social lives of people living in communities without reliable electricity.

According to him, darkness sets in early in many rural areas, leaving residents with few opportunities for recreation or social engagement outside their homes.

He argued that the situation encourages people to retire early and spend more time indoors, with limited alternatives for entertainment after nightfall.

‘After 7 o’clock, it gets dark there,’ Fayose said, stressing that residents in such communities often have little else to occupy their time.

The former governor went further to draw a link between the lack of evening recreational activities and population growth, arguing that when residents have limited alternatives at night, they are more likely to remain at home with their spouses.

‘Everybody is engaging their wives. And the population simply becomes double,’ he said.

Fayose maintained that expanding electricity access could transform the social environment in rural communities by extending productive and recreational activities beyond daylight hours.

He said improved electricity supply would make it possible for businesses, entertainment centres and other social activities to operate at night, giving residents alternatives to staying indoors.

‘When we address this electricity, there will be nightlife. There will be recreation outside your wife,’ he added.

Beyond the unusual social dimension of his argument, Fayose’s comments underscored the broader implications of Nigeria’s rural electrification challenge, particularly for communities where the absence of power affects economic activity, education, security and quality of life.

His remarks came as he assumed leadership of the REA governing board at a time when the Federal Government is pursuing wider electricity access for communities that remain disconnected from the national grid or receive inadequate power supply.

The new board was inaugurated by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, alongside other newly appointed officials.

Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Makinta were inaugurated as board members, while three other non-executive directors also joined the governing board.

Abba Aliyu was formally installed as the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency.

With Fayose now at the helm of the REA board, the agency is expected to intensify efforts to expand electricity infrastructure and improve access in rural and underserved communities across the country.

National leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has stepped up consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections, meeting the party’s state chairmen from the North-West and declaring that victory remains achievable.

The former Bayelsa State governor said the meeting reviewed preparations for the campaigns and the strategy required to deliver the party’s candidates across the zone.

In a post on his verified X handle, Dickson described the North-West as a critical region in Nigeria’s political calculations and urged party leaders, members and supporters to close ranks ahead of the elections.

‘It was a pleasure to host a strategic meeting of the national leadership of our party with the State chairmen of the North-West Zone, a very critical region in the politics of our country,’ he said.

Dickson also praised the party’s leaders in the zone, particularly its vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for what he described as their readiness to work for the success of the NDC.

‘I commend the leaders of the zone led by our Vice Presidential candidate, His Excellency Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for their commitment and readiness to work for the success of our party,’ he said.

According to him, the discussions were productive and strengthened the party’s confidence ahead of the polls.

‘The discussions were fruitful, and we remain confident that victory is achievable,’ Dickson added.

The NDC is fielding former Anambra State governor Peter Obi as its presidential candidate, with Kwankwaso as his running mate for the 2027 election.

A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has claimed that 34 and a half governors are already backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Galadima made the claim during the inauguration of the party’s national reconciliation committee, where he assessed the political alignment of governors ahead of the presidential contest.

According to him, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is the only governor who has openly distanced himself from both Tinubu’s camp and the opposition coalition.

The Senate has explained why the Federal Capital Territory will not be included in the proposed state police structure, saying Abuja lacks the constitutional institutions required to operate one.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the FCT has no governor or State House of Assembly and remains directly under the control of the Federal Government.

Adaramodu said the territory is administered by a minister who takes directives from the Federal Executive Council, while the National Assembly performs legislative functions for the FCT.

‘I have heard many people raise a lot of questions on why the Federal Capital Territory is not among the plan for state police. The FCT issue is different. It is under the Federal Government,’ he said.

He added that because Abuja does not have a governor or state legislature, it cannot operate under the same policing arrangement being proposed for the 36 states.

‘The federal capital does not have an assembly. It is the National Assembly that legislates for the FCT. This is why it can’t be different from what the Federal Government does. Therefore, the federal police are in charge,’ Adaramodu said.

The clarification comes as the Federal Government pushes ahead with plans for a new policing structure amid mounting calls for decentralised security across the country.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft Executive National Policing Bill on September 3 as part of efforts to provide an operational framework for the proposed system.

Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, had also unveiled a public information portal through which Nigerians can submit memoranda and position papers on the proposal.

Under the constitutional amendments being considered, state Houses of Assembly would have powers to legislate on the establishment, administration, funding and oversight of state police.

States would bear the primary responsibility for funding their police formations, although the Federal Government could provide grants or assistance on the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to approval by the National Assembly.

The FCT, however, would remain under the federal policing structure because of its unique constitutional status and direct administration by the Federal Government.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has linked the lack of electricity in rural communities to early nights and increased population growth.

Fayose made the statement on Friday in Abuja after he was inaugurated as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency board.

In a video shared by ARISE News on Saturday, Fayose said many people in rural communities had few recreational activities at night because of the lack of electricity.

According to him, most residents go to bed early because their communities become dark after 7pm.

He said, ‘Why don’t you address this issue of electricity? The people at that level have no alternative attraction. Nothing else matters to them. After 7 o’clock, it gets dark there.

‘Everybody is engaging their wives. And the population simply becomes double. The simple problem is because there is lack of electricity.’

Fayose said providing electricity in rural areas would give residents more options for entertainment and recreation outside their homes.

He added that improved electricity supply would encourage nightlife and allow people to spend more time outside their homes.

‘People go to bed early. Their mind is simply prepared that, well, if this is the only available recreation, let me remain here.

‘But when we address this electricity, there will be nightlife. There will be recreation outside your wife,’ he said.

Fayose spoke as he assumed leadership of the REA board, which is responsible for improving electricity access in communities that are not adequately served by the national power grid.

He was sworn in alongside other members of the REA governing board by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.

Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Makinta were also inaugurated as board members, alongside three other non-executive directors.

Abba Aliyu was formally installed as the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of worsening Nigerians’ purchasing power, saying many households are increasingly struggling to afford homes, vehicles and basic assets.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the latest Central Bank of Nigeria Household Expectations Survey showed that families were facing difficulties acquiring major household assets.

The former vice president described the survey as a reflection of the economic pressure faced by Nigerians, arguing that it contradicted claims of improved economic wellbeing.

According to the CBN survey cited by Atiku, buying conditions stood at 28.7 points for motor vehicles, 28.9 points for consumer durables and 30.0 points for buildings and landed property.

He said the figures showed that the economic challenges facing Nigerians had gone beyond food prices and were now affecting their ability to save, invest and acquire assets.

‘These are not figures manufactured by the opposition. They are the verdict of Nigerian households captured by the Central Bank under President Tinubu’s own government,’ Atiku said.

Atiku further linked the survey findings to rising food costs, citing the SBM Jollof Index, which estimated that preparing a pot of jollof rice for a family of five costs an average of ?29,578.

He argued that the cost represented a significant portion of the ?70,000 minimum wage, leaving many workers with limited resources for other essential needs.

‘What the figures tell us is simple: Nigerians are being priced out of decent living. A home is becoming a fantasy. A car is becoming a luxury. Household appliances are increasingly beyond reach,’ Atiku said.

The ADC presidential candidate also criticised the government’s focus on economic indicators such as GDP growth and foreign reserves, arguing that such figures must translate into improved living conditions for citizens.

However, the Federal Government has continued to defend its economic reforms, including petrol subsidy removal and foreign exchange market reforms, saying the measures are necessary to stabilise the economy, attract investment and create sustainable growth.

The administration has acknowledged the challenges caused by the transition period but maintained that the reforms are aimed at achieving long-term economic stability and improving opportunities for Nigerians.

Atiku maintained that the success of any economic policy should ultimately be measured by its impact on ordinary citizens and their ability to afford basic needs and improve their standard of living.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has said that President Bola Tinubu deserves praise for expanding infrastructure across the country.

Onanuga stated this during an inspection tour of the Makurdi-Otukpo-Obolo-Affor-Enugu dual carriageway by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team.

The team led by Onanuga is being conducted round completed and ongoing federal and state infrastructure projects across Benue State.

Speaking to newsmen along the corridor, Onanuga described the expressway as a landmark project that would strengthen connectivity, boost commerce and foster national integration.

‘From what we have seen so far, even though we have not even completed this road, it has shortened the travel time between Makurdi and Otukpo.

‘From what I gathered, the road was so bad that from Makurdi to Otukpo it used to take about three hours. But now, just about one and a half hours or so, we are in Otukpo.

‘So, this is a commendable project and I think President Bola Tinubu deserves a lot of applause for touching almost every part of Nigeria, giving them one road or bridge or one infrastructure or the other,’ he said.

Onanuga added: ‘This road is linking the North Central and the South East for you.

‘If you are able to link all parts of Nigeria, it shows you that we are improving the connectivity across our states.

‘This will no doubt boost, not just passenger traffic, also business as people will be able to move goods across all the borders, all the state borders’.

Speaking on the project, the Federal Controller of Works, Benue State, Mukaila Danladi, said the 258-kilometre dual carriageway had been divided into five sections to facilitate construction.

He explained that the project traverses Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi and Enugu states, forming a strategic transport corridor linking major economic and commercial centres across the regions.

According to the controller, about 178 kilometres of the highway fall within Benue, while the section under

inspection covers 50 kilometres on each carriageway, totalling 100 kilometres.

Danladi said construction had progressed to about 86 kilometres of binder course on both carriageways, describing the achievement as significant in spite of prevailing weather-related challenges.

He attributed the slower pace of work to the rainy season, noting that some earthworks could not be undertaken under unfavourable weather conditions common during construction.

The controller, however, said work had not stopped, with contractors concentrating on hydraulic structures and drainage installations along the alignment pending improved weather conditions.

He reiterated the Federal Government’s assurance that the project would be delivered within the 48-month contract period, with completion expected by December 2027.

Danladi recalled that the highway is the second phase of the Abuja-Akwanga-Nasarawa-Makurdi corridor, extending the dualisation from Makurdi through Otukpo and Obollo-Afor to Enugu.

He said the project is funded through a combination of the China EXIM Bank loan and Federal Government counterpart funding, while China Harbour Engineering Company is executing the works.

The highway is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel time, ease movement of agricultural produce and strengthen trade and economic integration across the affected states.(NAN)

A 25-year-old Kano woman, Maimuna Idris, has been remanded in a correctional centre after she pleaded guilty to cutting off her boyfriend’s manhood.

The the victim is identified as Ashiru Sani.

Idris, who resides in Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa was arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano on Friday on a two-count charge of attempted culpable homicide and causing grievous harm.

The Prosecution Counsel, H.A. Sani-Buhari, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on July 27 at Badawa Quarters, Kano.

Sani-Buhari said that on the same date at about 12:50 p.m., the Badawa Police Division received a report from the management of Durbar Hotel, Badawa, Kano, that the defendant allegedly attacked her boyfriend with a sharp knife.

She said earlier, at about 11:00 a.m., the defendant allegedly severed her boyfriend’s manhood after discovering his intention to marry another woman.

‘The victim was immediately rushed to Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital, Kano, for medical treatment,’ she said.

The defendant, however, pleaded guilty to the charges.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 229 and 248 of the Penal Code.

The Judge, Magistrate Sadiya Usman, ordered the remand of the defendant in a correctional centre and adjourned the matter until September 9, for further mention. (NAN)

Police operatives have killed one Ojiogu Elumah Martin, alias ‘Acid’ a suspected gang kingpin who allegedly masterminded the murder of Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, a traditional ruler and five others in Ohaji/Egbema community of Imo State.

Police operatives had earlier arrested four suspects over the killing of the traditional ruler who was the Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, and five others.

‘Acid’ was arrested following actionable intelligence by operatives of the Special Tactics Squad, Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID), CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer said in a statement on Saturday.

He said the kidnap kingpin was arrested in a series of operations conducted between 2nd and 6th August, 2026, targeting members of the criminal syndicate linked to the incident by the operatives.

‘The operations culminated in the early hours of 6th August, 2026, when operatives located the hideout of a suspected gang kingpin, identified as Ojiogu Elumah Martin, alias ‘Acid’, in Ohaji/Egbema.

‘The suspect engaged the operatives in a gun duel and sustained injuries during the encounter, which subsequently led to his death. One AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from the scene,’ Iniedu said.

The police spokesperson said that Acid was identified as the leader of the criminal syndicate linked to the attack of 10th April, 2026, in which the monarch and five others were killed along the Asa/Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema, while returning to Owerri.

‘Four suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the incident, while two others reportedly died during previous encounters with the Police,’ he said.

Iniedu added that efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and establish the full extent of their involvement and recover further operational intelligence and exhibits.

‘The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring that all persons found to be connected with the crime are brought to justice and that every effort is made to bring the investigation to a logical conclusion,’ Iniedu concluded.

The High Court sitting in Ifo, Ogun State, has ordered accelerated hearing in a suit arising from a disputed transaction involving the proposed acquisition of assets of Dolphin Steels Nigeria Limited, a company currently under receivership.

The suit, marked HCF/146/2026, was instituted by Prodigy Finance Limited against Zenith Bank Plc and Mr. Olugbenga Ajala, Receiver/Manager of Dolphin Steels Limited.

Justice Ogunfowora gave the order on Monday, August 3, 2026, while delivering a ruling in the matter.

The court noted that although the claimant had stated in its pleadings that the principal contractual sum paid by it had been refunded, its claims for damages arising from the alleged breach of the agreement would have to be established during trial.

Consequently, the court declined an application for an injunction but ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive case in the interest of justice.

The judge abridged the time within which the defendants are to file their respective defences to 21 days, while the claimant was given seven days to respond to the defences, if any.

The matter was adjourned to September 7, 2026, for commencement of pre-trial conference.

The disputed transaction

The case followed an agreement concerning the proposed sale of assets belonging to Dolphin Steels Nigeria Limited, which is under receivership.

Prodigy Finance Limited had approached the parties with an interest in acquiring the company’s assets, including its land, buildings, plant, machinery and scrap materials.

According to documents filed in court, a letter dated May 13, 2026, stated that upon payment of 75 per cent of the agreed purchase price, possession of the property would be handed over within 48 hours, while title documents would be released upon full payment.

The total purchase price was put at ?2.25 billion.

The claimant said it subsequently paid ?1.7 billion, representing about 75.6 per cent of the purchase price, into the designated receivership account on May 25, 2026.

However, according to the claimant, possession was not handed over within the period contemplated in the agreement.

The claimant also alleged that an executed copy of the Contract of Sale was not returned to it despite the document having been signed and forwarded by its solicitor.

In a letter dated June 10, 2026, Prodigy Finance requested clarification on the status of the transaction and sought confirmation of when possession of the assets would be handed over.

Transaction terminated

The dispute took a different turn when the Receiver/Manager subsequently communicated the termination of the transaction and proposed a refund of the ?1.7 billion paid by Prodigy Finance.

The Receiver/Manager stated that the decision was taken on the instruction of the bank in its capacity as creditor controlling the receivership estate, and that the payment had been made contrary to an earlier agreed payment structure.

Prodigy Finance, however, rejected the termination and the proposed refund, insisting that the payment was made pursuant to the understanding reached by the parties.

The claimant subsequently wrote to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, stating that it did not accept the refund and maintained that the transaction should be completed.

The company also demanded specific performance of what it described as the contractual obligations arising from the transaction.

Following the disagreement, Prodigy Finance commenced the present proceedings, claiming, among other reliefs, damages for alleged breach of contract, misrepresentation, recovery of funds, interest and costs.

The defendants are yet to present their respective defences, following the court’s order abridging the time for filing their responses.

The substantive issues in dispute are therefore expected to be determined during the hearing of the case.