Category: PM News

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Professor Joash Amupitan, the newly nominated chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ‘prioritise and ensure the effective prosecution of politicians and their sponsors who are suspected to be responsible for electoral offences, including violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence during the general elections and off-cycle elections since 2015.’

SERAP urged him to ‘prioritise the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in 2027, in conformity with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations.’

SERAP also urged him to ‘ensure that any reform of the Electoral Act includes provisions for the timely prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies for violations of their fundamental rights.’

President Bola Tinubu had last week nominated Amupitan as the new INEC chair. If confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Mahmood Yakubu, who left the position last week, weeks before the expiration of his second term of five years.

In the letter dated 11 October 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: ‘Impunity for past electoral offences is a major barrier to free and fair elections in Nigeria. Mr Amupitan must demonstrate that INEC under his watch would not tolerate electoral offences in the country’s elections.’

SERAP said, ‘Unless the legacy of impunity for these grave electoral offences is combated and perpetrators, especially high-ranking politicians and their sponsors are effectively prosecuted and voters provided with access to justice, those contemplating electoral crimes will feel unconstrained in future elections.’

According to SERAP, ‘the general elections and off-cycle elections conducted since 2015 have been characterised by grave electoral offences, including violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence, making a mockery of INEC.’

The letter, read in part: ‘High-ranking politicians and their sponsors are rarely brought to justice for electoral offences, reinforcing a culture of impunity for violations of Nigerians’ democratic rights.’

‘There cannot be a fair electoral process if the body managing the electoral process fails to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies.’

‘No right is more precious in a democratic society than that of having a voice in the election of those who govern the citizens, and other rights, even the most basic, are illusory if unresolved electoral offences are not thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, and voters are not provided with access to justice.’

‘We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken upon your confirmation by the Senate and your assumption of office. Should you and INEC fail to act as recommended, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.’

‘The persistent failure by INEC leadership to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of electoral offences makes a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy and undermines public trust in the electoral body.’

‘The 2027 general elections and the off-cycle elections are crucial for the promotion and protection of the human rights of Nigerians.’

‘Ensuring accountability and ending the impunity of perpetrators of electoral offences would enhance Nigerians’ rights to participate in their own government including to vote in free and fair elections, as well as ensure respect for the rule of law.’

‘The effective prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies would serve a legitimate aim, namely, the proper functioning and maintenance of the democratic and electoral processes.’

‘It would also enhance the integrity of the electoral process and public trust and confidence in the ability of INEC under your leadership to impartially and independently carry out your responsibilities.’

‘The crisis confronting the country’s elections and lack of public trust and confidence in the electoral process can be addressed if impunity for electoral offences is combated through a transparent, credible and effective investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.’

Electoral offences are clearly contrary to the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and international standards.’

‘Persistent cases of electoral offences in the country’s elections gravely violate Nigerians’ right to vote, which is central to the effective participation of every citizen.’

‘The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”

‘Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act prohibit electoral bribery and undue influence before, during and after any election. Section 145(2) provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.”

‘Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance guarantee the right to political participation, including the right to vote.’

‘These human rights treaties to which the country is a state party contain broad provisions on the right of Nigerians to democratic elections.’

‘The right to vote is fundamental and is the essence of a democratic society, and any restrictions on that right strike at the heart of representative government. Nigerians should have the final say in the election of governmental officials.’

‘According to the African Union’s (AU) Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, AU member states including Nigeria must ‘take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging or any other illegal practices throughout the whole electoral process, in order to maintain peace and security.”

Nigeria’s Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and financial analysts have attributed the remarkable performance of the naira in September 2025 to a combination of monetary tightening by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), renewed investor confidence, and the growing influence of fintech in enhancing transparency and reducing speculative demand for foreign exchange.

During the month, the naira recorded one of its strongest performances in recent times, trading as high as ?1,400 to the U.S. dollar and maintaining stability below the ?1,500 mark for over two weeks.

Many traders have described the period as a ‘Naira boom,’ highlighting it as one of the most stable trading phases in months.

Speaking with Nairametrics, the President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, hailed the currency’s performance as exceptional.

According to him, the steady improvement of the naira was driven by increased crude oil production, stronger investments in the energy sector, and stricter management of foreign exchange demand.

He noted that speculative trading had drastically reduced and that the so-called ‘black market’ had become less vibrant, with fewer people hoarding dollars.

Gwadabe explained that the increasing adoption of fintech platforms has made financial transactions faster and more transparent, reducing the need for domiciliary accounts.

He also credited the CBN’s Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) framework for promoting accountability and unifying the identity verification system across the banking sector. The NRBVN system, he said, now links individual BVNs, names, and company registration details, including those of non-residents.

This, in his view, has strengthened compliance with financial regulations and improved the country’s tax collection process under the new financial assets tax law.

He further stated that Nigeria’s efforts to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list have positively impacted the country’s financial reputation.

According to him, the coordinated work between the CBN, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and other agencies has enhanced Nigeria’s global image, with expectations high for a favourable FATF verdict in October 2025.

Gwadabe added that higher oil production-now around 1.8 million barrels per day-coupled with increased government revenue and sustained high interest rates, has also contributed to the naira’s stability. These developments, he said, have boosted investor confidence and helped moderate inflationary pressures.

Another BDC operator, Abubakar Ardo, attributed part of the improvement to increased dollar injections by the CBN through commercial banks and BDCs. He noted that this policy helped to ease panic buying and hoarding of foreign currency.

Ardo also mentioned that September traditionally witnesses a rise in diaspora remittances as families prepare for the back-to-school season, providing additional liquidity to both banks and BDCs.

An economist at the University of Abuja, Dr. Eugene Eke, observed that the naira’s strength was the result of coordinated monetary and fiscal actions that improved liquidity and investor confidence.

He commended the close collaboration between the Ministry of Finance and the CBN, adding that public statements by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, regarding improved fiscal transparency and compliance with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) also helped reduce speculative attacks on the naira.

Analysts have predicted that the local currency could maintain its stability through the final quarter of 2025 if policy discipline, fintech integration, and investor confidence remain consistent.

Gwadabe concluded that the coming months will determine whether the naira’s recovery will become a lasting trend or a temporary rebound, expressing optimism that with continued reforms, the currency could sustain its positive momentum.

According to CBN

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdul’aziz Maituraka, has predicted victory of the party at all levels during the 2027 General Elections.

Maituraka expressed his confidence at a meeting with youths groups, widows’ associations, former Councillors, and other APC supporters in Katsina on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that Maituraka is a Special Assistant to the Deputy Senate President and also Special Adviser to Gov. Dikko Radda.

He further affirmed that President Bola Tinubu would win the presidential election and Radda would secure re-election as the Governor of Katsina State.

Maituraka also applauded the role of women in the 2023 general elections, describing them as ‘promise keepers’.

‘Women contributed to the APC 2023 general elections’ victory, we encourage them to still do the same come 2027. What APC did in Nigeria can be widely seen by the citizens.

‘Don’t be deceived by the opposition. APC should be supported by all women in Katsina State. Radda is the best choice for Katsina.

‘The Katsina State Government had indeed played a significant role in taming insecurity. We have a good plan for the women to thrive in businesses,’ Maituraka said.

He, therefore, solicited the support and commitment of women, youths and groups to ensure the repeat of their support like they did in 2023.

According to him, their support will enable the candidates of the party to continue with the good work already in progress in the state and the nation as a whole.

Legendary French football icon and former Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has spoken about his long-awaited return to football management and the team he dreams of coaching.

Zidane, who has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, said he has not lost his passion for the game and remains eager to return to the dugout when the right opportunity comes.

‘For sure, I’m coming back as a head coach that’s part of my plan,’ Zidane said while speaking at the Festival Dello Sport. ‘My greatest desire is to become the head coach of the French national team one day. Let’s see how things turn out.’

The 53-year-old football legend, who led Real Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, has been linked with several top European clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Juventus, but has so far turned down all offers.

France’s current head coach, Didier Deschamps, has been in charge since 2012 and guided Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018.

However, reports suggest that Deschamps could step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which might create the perfect opportunity for Zidane to take over the national team he once captained as a player.

Fans across France and beyond continue to hope that one of football’s greatest midfielders will soon return to the sidelines this time to lead his country to even greater success.

Erling Haaland stole the show in Oslo as Norway dismantled Israel 5-0 in a World Cup qualifying match, with the Manchester City striker netting a hat-trick to mark yet another milestone in his dazzling international career.

The match was played amid heightened security and political tension, with pro-Palestinian protests forming outside Ullevaal Stadium and sections of the crowd jeering Israel’s national anthem as Palestinian flags and banners were displayed.

Despite the charged environment, Norway maintained firm control throughout.

Haaland’s night had a rocky start. He missed two penalties early on, first saved, then a retake also denied by Israel’s goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, before finally finding his rhythm.

But once he broke the seal, there was no looking back. He scored in the 27th minute, then again in the 63rd and 72nd to complete his treble.

Norway’s dominance was further bolstered by two own goals from Israel’s Anan Khalaili and Idan Nachmias in the first half.

Altogether, the margin told a story of total control.

By scoring his hat-trick, Haaland also crossed the 50-goal threshold for Norway, reaching 51 in 46 appearances, a meteoric scoring rate that underscores his place among the modern greats.

With that goal tally, he extends his dominance in European qualifying, now with 12 goals in six Group I matches.

Norway now sit atop the group with six wins from six games and a whopping +26 goal difference, inching ever closer to a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Italy, in second, now face an uphill battle to close the gap.

Speaking after the match, Norway’s Antonio Nusa said: ‘We played a solid match today. There’s still work to do, but we’re enjoying this moment.’

While Haaland’s brilliance was the headline, the match encapsulated more than just sporting glory. The protests, the booing of anthems, and the tension in the air showed how deeply sport intersects with global politics.

Yet on the pitch, Norway’s unity, structure, and attacking threats made the difference.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has approved a final reopening for a period of 48 hours to enable tertiary institutions yet to complete their student verification exercise for the 2024/2025 academic year to do so.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday by Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director, Strategic Communications of the Fund.

Oluwatuyi said the portal would be accessible from 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12, to 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

The extension, she said was intended to ensure that all eligible students were duly captured and verified by their respective institutions as part of the ongoing 2024/2025 NELFUND loan application process.

‘Institutions are strongly advised to make full use of this final opportunity.

‘Failure to complete the verification process within the stipulated period will result in the affected institutions forfeiting participation in the current loan cycle.

‘A situation that will regrettably disadvantage their students who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the loan scheme,’ she said.

She added that in the interest of transparency and accountability, the list of defaulting institutions would be published.

Oluwatuyi reiterated the Fund’s commitment to fostering equitable access to higher education through the efficient, transparent, and inclusive management of the scheme.

Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) still owes him $26,000, representing two months of unpaid salary from his time as national team coach.

Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, the former Nigerian international said that although he could easily win a case against the NFF at FIFA, he has chosen not to pursue legal action out of patriotism and respect for his country.

Oliseh, who managed the Super Eagles between 2015 and 2016, explained that he has received several calls and advice from well-meaning Nigerians urging him to take the matter to the world football governing body. However, he insists that taking such a step would be misunderstood by the public.

‘Till today, I am the only Nigerian coach who voluntarily resigned from the national team job. The NFF still owes me two months’ salary, which is $26,000.

Many people have encouraged me to go to FIFA or court to claim what is mine, but I won’t take my fatherland to a western court. If I went to FIFA, I am sure I would win.

The sad part is that the media would twist the story and write, ‘Oliseh takes Nigeria to court,’ instead of saying, ‘Oliseh takes NFF to court.”

Oliseh’s remarks highlight the long-standing issue of unpaid wages and poor treatment of local coaches by football authorities in Nigeria. Despite his grievances, he maintained that his love for the country outweighs any personal loss.

The 51-year-old, who captained the Super Eagles to victory at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups, said he prefers to move forward positively rather than engage in a public dispute that could embarrass the nation.

‘For me, Nigeria gave me everything. I played for my country, captained my country, and coached my country. I would rather focus on the good memories than allow money to come between me and my fatherland,’ he added.

Oliseh remains one of Nigeria’s most respected football figures, known for his strong principles and deep sense of patriotism.

President Bola Tinubu will on Sunday, October 12, depart Abuja for Rome, Italy, to attend the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government-Level Meeting, which will focus on tackling the worsening security crisis in West Africa.

This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga on Saturday.

Onanuga said the high-level summit, scheduled to begin on October 14, will convene African leaders, senior military and intelligence officials, as well as representatives from intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, to deliberate on emerging threats undermining peace and stability in the subregion.

Launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan, the Aqaba Process serves as a global counter-terrorism platform co-chaired by Jordan and the Italian Government.

It seeks to strengthen international collaboration against terrorism and organised crime networks that have increasingly destabilised parts of Africa.

Onanuga stated that the 2025 edition will address the spread of extremist groups in the Sahel, the growing nexus between terrorism and organised crime, and the rising overlap between land-based insurgencies and maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to the Presidency, discussions will centre on practical strategies to counter terror threats both on land and at sea, enhance regional intelligence sharing, and tackle online radicalisation by disrupting digital platforms used for terrorist propaganda and recruitment.

During the visit, President Tinubu is also expected to hold bilateral talks with other world leaders aimed at reinforcing security cooperation and developing collective responses to West Africa’s cross-border challenges.

The President will be accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; and other senior government officials.

The Aqaba Process remains one of the most influential multilateral efforts promoting global unity in countering violent extremism and ensuring long-term stability in vulnerable regions.

Igarra, Ososo, and Okpe are Yoruba-speaking communities in Edo State. Their affinity to Ondo State is not only linguistic but also cultural. Kwara is almost entirely Yoruba despite the Emirate of Ilorin. Bayo Ojulari, GMD of NNPCL; the recently appointed Chairman of INEC, Ojo Amupitan; and Senators Dino Melaye and Smart Adeyemi – genetic evidence proves that Kogi State has a large and prosperous Yoruba ethnicity. Within the Southwest, Ondo State has Ese Odo Local Government dedicated to Ijaw-speaking people. They are a riverine nationality dwelling in the geographic Southwest, many of whom do not speak Yoruba, nor can they read or write the Yoruba alphabet.

The intercalation of ethnic groups across state boundaries is not peculiar to the Yoruba. There are Fulani tribes indigenous to Benue, Plateau, and Taraba in spite of the carnages. Hundreds of thousands of Igbo, separated from their Arochukwu kith and kin by the Niger Bridge, reside in Asaba, Agbor, and other purely Igbo settlements in Delta and Benue States. We shouldn’t even talk about the anomaly faced by the Ikwerre in Rivers State, who are unmistakably Igbo in tongues and names.

These fringe dwellers – whether in Kwara, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Benue, Taraba, or Kogi – face the affliction or prejudices of the majority. Bayo Ojulari would not be accepted as Yoruba and allowed to cream off the region’s share of the milk when positions are zoned to the Southwest. He would be reminded that he’s a northerner. Senator Dino Melaye is culturally suspected by the Ibadan Yoruba and politically denied as a double-dealer if he’s nominated for an INEC position despite his sonorous Yoruba hymns. In the same manner, the Igbo would still have felt cheated and unsatisfied if Rotimi Amaechi, an Ikwerre, had been elected as President of the Republic of Nigeria in 2023.

Those who pigeonhole persons according to their ethnicity (on social media) are often the most educated class. The objection to Prof. Ojo Amupitan SAN selection to head INEC because he’s Yoruba is a textbook example. It insultingly reduces the scholarship and competence of a man like Prof. Amupitan because of his ethnicity. It is akin to believing that Ade Olawale, a professor of law teaching at Ahmadu Bello University, would fix the scores to be more benevolent to Ajoke Adeniyi, a research student, because she’s Yoruba. That mindset is primordial and barbaric. It is why the private sector develops at cheetah speed while our public sector crawls.

The discussion of the Amupitan situation throws up two questions. Firstly, how should we be classified? Should state of origin be jettisoned for ethnicity? Perhaps the Constitution should be tweaked to officially recognize the nation’s ethnicities and classify us into those boxes. By that measure, the Ijaw in Ondo State would not be politically deceived into thinking they are Yoruba, Southwesterners, and not Izon.

Secondly, would we ever advance to a state where the competence and capacity of candidates for public office would override zonal or ethnic considerations? This is a tall ambition even for liberals. There’s too much leeway for mutually assured suspicion among the major tribes. For instance, my preference for Bola Tinubu in 2023 was deemed a protection of my Yoruba ethnicity, and there’s no hyssop that can wash me clean of that in the eyes of others. Nevertheless, that’s not a good way to conclude things. Reductionism of political choices and offices to patronising kinship and ethnicity blots out excellence and promotes mediocrity.

Affirmative action, educationally disadvantaged states, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), quota systems are lawful or constitutional measures to ensure the even growth of subgroups within a nation. They consolidate the reality that there are interests and diversities that must be encouraged and protected. Sadly, in the quest to protect endangered species among the minorities sandwiched between the majority, Bayo Ojulari gets blackmailed as NNPCL GMD by fellow northerners for taking what is meant for ‘true northerners’; and President Bola Tinubu is crucified for selecting Ojo Amupitan, a bona fide northerner whose genes and ancestry are Yoruba. To buttress the dilemma, Isaac Kekemeke, lawyer, former Attorney-General of Ondo State, and deputy national chairman of the APC, is Ijaw from Ondo State. If he gets elected as President in 2031, would he be seen as fulfilling the slot for the South-South, where he ethnically belongs, or as a Yoruba president where he geographically resides?

Conclusion

In the tapestry of Nigeria’s nationhood, where ethnic threads weave inextricably through state boundaries, the stories remind us that identity is not a rigid cage but a fluid continuum. Yet, as the fates of Bayo Ojulari, Ojo Amupitan, and countless others illustrate, we persist in wielding ethnicity as an instrument to slice opportunities, fuel suspicions, and perpetuate a zero-sum game that elevates mediocrity over merit. The two pivotal questions raised by the essayist – how to classify our multifaceted selves, and whether competence can ever eclipse zonal parochialism – demand not just constitutional tweaks but a profound cultural reckoning. Ultimately, Nigeria’s advancement hinges on transcending this primordial barbarism, where the educated elite on social media sharpen ethnic daggers. Imagine a republic where Rotimi Amaechi’s Ikwerre heritage does not bar Igbo acceptance, where Isaac Kekemeke’s presidency unites rather than divides geopolitical slots, and where political choices like President Tinubu preferences are judged on vision, not kinship. By jettisoning reductionist lenses and embracing a competence first ethos tempered by inclusive safeguards, we can forge a nation where diversity is not a cross but a pedestal.

The Federal Government has approved the recruitment and deployment of over 20,000 health workers across public hospitals in Nigeria.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, announced this during the launch of the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery in Abuja. He said 60% of those to be employed will be nurses and midwives, who form the backbone of hospital care.

According to him, the government is investing heavily in the health workforce to close the gap between the number of health workers available and the high demand for healthcare services.

Pate explained that under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) reforms, 69,000 frontline health workers have been retrained in all 36 states. He added that President Bola Tinubu had given approval for waivers to speed up the recruitment process.

The new five-year plan aims to strengthen education, create better career paths, expand leadership opportunities, and retain skilled health professionals in the country.

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who attended the event, said the policy provides a clear roadmap to improve the nursing and midwifery professions and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry, Daju Kachallom, said the plan focuses on four main areas:

Upgrading nursing and midwifery education to meet local and global needs.

Ensuring fair pay and job satisfaction.

Empowering nurses to take leadership roles.

Promoting quality healthcare delivery nationwide.

Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr. Ndagi Alhassan, said the country now produces over 115,000 nurses every year, up from 23,000 in the past. However, he noted that finding jobs for many of these trained professionals remains a challenge.

To address this, the government plans to work with local communities to train and employ nurses who will serve in their hometowns, reducing unemployment and migration.

At the event, Prof. Pate,Senator Banigo, and Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila were recognized as Ambassadors of the Nursing and Midwifery Profession.