Category: PM News

The price of cooking gas (LPG) has gone up sharply in many Nigerian cities such as Lagos, Ogun, and Ibadan due to scarcity.

The shortage was caused mainly by a three-day strike by oil workers, which disrupted gas supply across the country.

Prices also increased in other states like Port Harcourt, Cross River, Kano, and Kaduna.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) went on strike last week to protest the sacking of some workers at the Dangote Refinery.

Although the strike has now been suspended, the temporary halt in supply caused many gas stations to run out of stock and led to rationing.

In many places, the price of cooking gas has jumped from about ?1,000 per kilogram to between ?1,600 and ?1,800.

In Abuja, refilling a 12.5kg cylinder now costs between ?17,000 and ?18,750, depending on the area. In districts such as Wuse, Garki, and Kubwa, a kilogram of LPG sells for between ?1,350 and ?1,500. Some gas outlets in Jabi sell a 12.5kg cylinder for about ?17,000.

Many retailers in Abuja said they had run out of stock by Sunday morning, while those who still had gas raised their prices.

In Lagos and Ogun States, gas prices also increased sharply. A kilogram sold for ?1,000 in Lagos and ?1,100 in Ogun last week, but by the weekend, prices rose to between ?1,300 and ?1,800 per kilogram.

An attendant at Ogun Gas Station in Ifo said the shortage began last Tuesday when new supplies stopped coming. By Saturday, the old stock had finished.

A resident of Ogun State, Mrs. Adams Olywaseun, said she could not get gas from two stations and had to buy at a nearby retail shop for ?1,800 per kilogram. ‘I only bought 2kg to manage until the price comes down,’ she said.

In Lagos, Mr. Hassan Sanni said he noticed the scarcity on Thursday. ‘The last time, I bought gas at ?1,000 per kg, but this time, it was ?1,300,’ he said.

The situation in Ibadan, Oyo State, is similar. Residents said gas has been scarce since Friday, with many stations closed due to a lack of supply. Those still selling had long queues of buyers.

Prices at depots went up from about ?900-?950 per kg to ?1,000-?1,100. Retail shops now sell between ?1,300 and ?1,500, and even higher in remote areas.

At BOVAS Petroleum Station, a kilogram sold for ?1,070 on Saturday, October 4, compared to ?970 three weeks earlier.

In areas like Awotan and Apete, residents also reported difficulty finding gas. A retailer in Awotan said, ‘We don’t have gas now. The last one we sold went for ?1,400 per kg.’

Residents believe the crisis is linked to ongoing disputes between tanker drivers and Dangote Refinery.

One resident said, ‘I have never seen this kind of queue before. It may be because of the Dangote and tanker drivers’ crisis.’

Overall, the shortage of cooking gas continues to affect homes and businesses across the country as prices rise daily.

Nigeria has officially submitted a bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja, marking a bold and historic move to bring the world’s most prestigious motorsport event to West Africa for the first time.

If successful, the Abuja Grand Prix would signal the return of Formula 1 racing to the African continent after more than three decades.

The last time an African country hosted a Grand Prix was in 1993, when the Kyalami Circuit in South Africa welcomed the global racing community.

According to government sources, the proposal is part of Nigeria’s broader plan to diversify its economy through sports, tourism, and international partnerships. The bid enjoys strong support from both the Ministry of Sports Development and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which have promised world-class infrastructure and security for the event.

Sports analysts say the Abuja Grand Prix could become one of Africa’s biggest sporting spectacles, attracting thousands of visitors, boosting hospitality and transport sectors, and creating new opportunities for local businesses.

Motorsport fans across the continent have also expressed excitement over the news, describing it as a major step forward for African representation in global racing.

Formula 1 management is expected to review Nigeria’s bid alongside other countries before making a final announcement in the coming months.

If approved, Abuja could soon join the ranks of iconic Grand Prix cities such as Monaco, Silverstone, and Singapore, putting Nigeria firmly on the global motorsport map.

France has been thrown into fresh political turmoil as Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu resigned on Monday, barely weeks after taking office, marking yet another major setback for President Emmanuel Macron.

The Elysee Palace confirmed that Macron has accepted Lecornu’s resignation, deepening the political deadlock that has gripped the country since last year’s snap parliamentary elections produced a hung parliament.

Lecornu, who was appointed just last month as Macron’s fifth prime minister in two years, stepped down only hours after unveiling his new cabinet on Sunday. The lineup, largely unchanged from that of his predecessor, Francois Bayrou sparked outrage in the National Assembly, where lawmakers from all political camps threatened to vote it down.

The 37-year-old, once hailed as one of Macron’s most trusted allies and a rising technocrat, had faced mounting criticism from both the left and right. Many viewed his cabinet as too right-leaning, while others accused him of lacking the political strength needed to navigate France’s deeply divided parliament.

Lecornu’s brief tenure followed the downfall of Bayrou, who resigned in September after losing a confidence vote over his controversial austerity plan to cut billions from public spending.

His exit sparked a new wave of unrest across France, with protesters taking to the streets under the banner of the ‘Let’s Block Everything’ campaign, a growing anti-Macron movement that has drawn comparisons to the Yellow Vest protests.

Riot police have struggled to contain violent demonstrations in cities including Paris and Montpellier, as anger over Macron’s leadership continues to spread.

Lecornu, a former defense minister and longtime loyalist, was initially seen as a safe pair of hands, a figure without presidential ambitions and known for his ability to manage crises quietly behind the scenes. But his short-lived premiership now leaves France facing yet another leadership vacuum at a time of deep political and social unrest.

The Elysee has yet to announce who will replace Lecornu as prime minister.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the E1 Lagos Grand Prix would further boost tourism, innovation, and international recognition for Lagos as a forward-looking and dynamic city.

Speaking at the event during the final race of the championship on Sunday, the Lagos State Governor noted that the all-electric powerboat competition, the first of its kind in Africa, aligned with Lagos’ vision of promoting sustainable initiatives and environmentally responsible investments

Sanwo-Olu commended the organisers and partners of the E1 Series for selecting Lagos as the first African host city of the championship.

He said the event was as a testament to the state’s innovation, creativity, and commitment to sustainability.

Sanwo-Olu said the occasion reflected Lagos’ progress and its drive towards clean energy and future-focused development.

‘Hosting the E1 Grand Prix is not just about sport. It is about innovation, environmental responsibility, and putting Lagos on the global map for future-focused development,’ Sanwo-Olu said.

He said the successful hosting of the event underscored Lagos’ readiness to attract and support global sporting and technology-driven initiatives.

The governor added that the E1 Lagos Grand Prix would further boost tourism, innovation, and international recognition for Lagos as a forward-looking and dynamic city.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed marked his 67th birthday on Monday with a humble message, seeking forgiveness from anyone he may have wronged in the course of his public service.

In a heartfelt post on his official Facebook page, the governor said his birthday was not one for elaborate celebration, but a moment of quiet reflection and gratitude to God for His mercy and guidance.

‘As I mark my 67th birthday, I am filled with profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for His mercy and guidance throughout my journey in leadership and public service,’ he wrote.

The governor, who has been in the political spotlight for decades, said he used the occasion to reflect on his actions and renew his commitment to fairness and equity.

‘I humbly seek forgiveness from anyone I may have wronged, knowingly or unknowingly, and I reaffirm my commitment to continue leading with fairness, equity, and a deep sense of responsibility,’ he added.

Mohammed expressed appreciation for the goodwill messages and prayers from family, friends, and the people of Bauchi State, saying their support continues to strengthen his resolve to serve better.

‘Looking ahead, my resolve remains unshaken: I will leave Bauchi better than I met it. With God’s help, we will continue to expand access to education, healthcare, and critical infrastructure,’ the governor said.

He noted that his administration had already exceeded public expectations in several key areas but promised to build on the current momentum.

Mohammed concluded his message by urging Bauchi residents to stay united and optimistic as the state continues to forge ahead.

When the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, declared that the title ‘Iyaloja-General’ is alien to Benin tradition, he was not merely defending an institution, he was protecting the soul of a civilisation. His pronouncement was a necessary reminder that cultural sovereignty is not a political accessory, and no individual, no matter how well connected, has the mandate to rewrite centuries of indigenous order.

At the heart of the recent controversy is Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the self-styled Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, who reportedly sought to extend her influence to Edo State by appointing a so-called Iyaloja-General over all markets in the state. Such ambition, however, collides directly with the traditional hierarchy of the Benin Kingdom, where each market is governed by its own Iyeki-women who serve not just as traders’ leaders, but as custodians of sacred oaths and local deities associated with market life.

The Benin monarchy predates Nigeria by nearly a millennium. Its governance system, from the Uzama to the Iweguae and Igiohon, is built on well-defined roles sanctioned by culture and divine ancestry. The Iyeki institution is no different, every market in Benin operates under its own spiritual and administrative order. There is no concept, nor any historical precedent, for a ‘General’ market leader presiding over all others.

To attempt to superimpose such a structure is not innovation; it is cultural imposition. It is, quite frankly, an act of administrative arrogance and historical ignorance. It reduces an ancient system of self-regulation to a political patronage network controlled from outside Edo borders.

Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo’s national title, Iyaloja-General, may find legitimacy within the Yoruba socio-economic context, where the office emerged organically within market unions and later assumed a political hue under her late grandmother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji. But Benin is not Lagos, and Edo’s traditional market system is not a franchise of the Lagos market association.

Every cultural space has its rhythm. To extend the Iyaloja-General concept to Benin, without regard for its distinct cultural laws, is to trespass on the sacred. It is akin to appointing an Emir in Oyo or installing an Oba in Sokoto, a direct insult to the cultural geometry of Nigeria’s federation.

The Oba’s intervention, therefore, was not an act of defiance but of preservation. His Majesty’s reminder that every Iyeki is selected by the market community and presented to the Palace for confirmation reaffirms the structure that has kept Benin’s market system stable for generations. It is a system where spiritual responsibility and community accountability coexist.

Attempts to distort this structure under the pretext of ‘national coordination’ must be viewed for what they are: a creeping politicisation of traditional institutions. Such trends, if unchecked, risk turning revered cultural titles into instruments of influence rather than service.

Nigeria’s beauty lies in its diversity, in the ability of each ethnic nation to maintain its unique traditions while coexisting in a shared republic. Respecting those differences is the bedrock of national cohesion. Cultural unification by decree, especially when driven by political proximity to power, is not unity; it is colonisation by culture.

Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo may continue to exercise her authority where it is culturally legitimate. But in Benin, tradition reigns supreme, and the word of the Oba is law. The Benin Palace has spoken with clarity and dignity and that voice deserves not just obedience, but deep national respect.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi could form the strongest opposition team against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections, according to Demola Olarewaju, Special Assistant on Digital Media Strategy to Atiku.

Speaking on the Mic On Podcast, Olarewaju said that a partnership between Atiku and Obi could give Nigerians the benefit of both leaders’ ideas, describing it as a kind of ‘co-presidency.’

‘I think the best option is to have both of them on one ticket, so Nigerians can enjoy their combined leadership,’ he said.

Olarewaju praised Atiku as a loyal and consistent politician who always supports others even after losing elections.

‘He lost the 2011 primaries to Goodluck Jonathan but still worked for him and helped deliver Adamawa State.

That’s who Atiku is,’ he explained.

He also stressed the need for more youth involvement in politics, noting that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) plans to give 35 to 50 percent of its leadership positions to young people and women.

‘Nigerians need a party that values the energy and creativity of young people – including Gen Z and even Gen Alpha,’ he added.

Olarewaju further said that Atiku is open to stepping down for a younger candidate if he loses in the primaries but remains the strongest opposition contender for now.

‘The best and strongest opposition ticket for 2027 would be a partnership between Atiku and Obi,’ he concluded, adding that their shared political views make such a team both possible and powerful.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has started verifying residents affected by the recent demolition in Oworonshoki.

The process is part of plans to compensate and relocate those who lost their homes.

According to LASBCA, the verification aims to confirm who the real victims are, check ownership documents, and assess the level of damage before any help is given.

The exercise includes reviewing documents, visiting sites, and interviewing affected residents to prevent false claims.

Officials explained that only people who can show legal proof of ownership or tenancy for properly approved buildings will be eligible for compensation.

Those who built on restricted areas like canals or drainage paths will not be considered, as such structures are against state laws.

Community members have welcomed the move, calling it a fair step toward justice.

However, they asked the government to make the process transparent to avoid favoritism or political interference.

LASBCA said the verification will be completed within a set period, after which compensation and relocation will begin.

The agency added that the demolition was part of Lagos State’s flood control and urban renewal efforts, meant to protect lives and key infrastructure in high-risk areas.

Police have confirmed the death of one person and arrest of five others in a deadly clash between rival cult gang groups in Onireke and Isashi areas of Badagry, Lagos State.

A locally made pistol, two pump-action guns, 52 live cartridges, two expended cartridges, a Toyota Avalon (KTU 610 JB), a laptop, phones, and other weapons were also recovered by police operatives who responded to distress call following the violent clashes, spokesperson for Lagos Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi said in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

According to the statement, the suspects, aged between 28 and 43, were apprehended during a coordinated operation that prevented further violence and restored calm to the communities.

Adebisi said Police responded to a distress call around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday reporting a clash between rival cult groups in Onireke and Isashi,’ Adebisi stated.

She said the tactical team and detectives of Lagos Police Command swiftly arrived at the scene, rescuing three victims who were taken to hospital for urgent medical care.

‘Sadly, one of the victims was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty at Badagry General Hospital,’ she added.

Adebisi noted that police raided the area, leading to the arrest of five suspects allegedly involved in the attack and killing.

The spokesperson said the suspects are in custody and will face prosecution after investigations are concluded.

She added that efforts are ongoing to arrest other cult members still at large, with intensified patrols and surveillance to prevent reprisal attacks.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives’ professionalism and swift response.

Jimoh reaffirmed the command’s determination to eradicate cultism and related crimes across Lagos State.

The commissioner urged residents of Lagos to remain law-abiding, security-conscious, and to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has opened up about the emotional struggles she’s faced since moving to England, admitting that she feels lonely and often breaks down in tears.

In an emotional chat with Versus on its Nothing Off the Table series, the 23-year-old said life in Brighton has been far from easy despite her growing success on the pitch.

‘Since I moved to Brighton, almost every day I cry because I feel lonely. I miss my family, my teammates, my coaches – they always try to check up on me to make sure I’m okay,’ Nnadozie said.

She explained that most people only see the glamour of professional football but rarely understand the struggles that come with it.

‘It’s not really easy. Sometimes people just think you come out on the pitch to play, but they don’t really know what goes on behind,’ she said.

The Nigerian shot-stopper, who helped the Super Falcons clinch their record 10th WAFCON title earlier this year, credited the warmth and unity of her new teammates for helping her settle into life in England.

‘The only thing that helps is having people who really care about you. Going to pre-season with the team also helped me a lot. The unity and everything I saw in the team were really good,’ she added.

Nnadozie, who has been widely praised for her leadership and composure between the sticks, remains one of Nigeria’s brightest exports in women’s football – and her emotional honesty has now sparked conversations about the mental toll of moving abroad for young athletes.