Category: PM News

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Rabiu Umar and Mainasara Illo as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) respectively.

The conformation of appointment of Umar as NMDPRA boss followed the presentation and consideration of a report by the Senate joint committees on Downstream Petroleum Sector and Gas during plenary in Abuja.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector, Abdulrahman Kawu, said the nomination complied with provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Kawu said the nominee possessed the technical competence, experience, and professional knowledge required for the position, adding that no petition was received against his nomination during the screening process.

He said that the joint committees cleared Umar after reviewing his credentials, records, and other relevant documents presented before lawmakers during the confirmation exercise.

The committees subsequently recommended that the Senate confirmed Umar as Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The Senate, sitting as the Committee of the Whole, considered the report and formally confirmed the nomination.

Also, confirmation of Mainasara Illo as NADC chief executive followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Joint Committee on Sports Development and Drugs and Narcotics on the screening of the nominee.

Chairman of the committee, Abdul Ningi, presented the report and moved the motion for its consideration, which was seconded by Sen. Diket Plang.

Presenting the report, Ningi said Nigeria had gained global recognition through the outstanding performances of its athletes in international sports competitions.

He said the establishment of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre was critical to protecting the integrity of Nigerian sports and ensuring compliance with global anti-doping regulations.

According to him, the centre will position Nigeria as a leading anti-doping hub in Africa and among countries with world-class testing and compliance systems.

The committee said that doping-related scandals had previously led to sanctions, athlete disqualifications, medal losses, and reputational damage for Nigeria.

It added that a functional anti-doping centre would help safeguard athletes, preserve Nigeria’s sporting image, and strengthen the country’s overall sports development framework.

The committee, in line with the Nigeria Anti-Doping Act 2025 and constitutional provisions, recommended the confirmation of Illo as Executive Secretary of the centre.

Following deliberations at the Committee of the Whole, the Senate unanimously confirmed his appointment.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the joint committees for their swift work and expressed confidence that the new leadership would strengthen Nigeria’s anti-doping system.The upper legislative chamber also confirmed the appointment of Francis Asogwah as a commissioner of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC).

Similarly, the Senate confirmed seven nominees as commissioners of the National Population Commission representing different states across the federation.

Those confirmed included Kolawole Alabi from Ekiti, Nasiru Muazu from Zamfara, and Usman Tuga from Bauchi State.

Others confirmed by the Senate were Isiaka Yahaya from Kwara, Sadiq Rada from Katsina, Suleiman Umar from Jigawa, and Chiso Datijo from Sokoto State.(NAN)

Rubio, who is also serving as the United States National Security Adviser, met privately with the pontiff at the Apostolic Palace in The meeting comes amid increasingly strained relations between President Pope Leo, the first American-born pope, has repeatedly called for peace and dialogue while criticising war and nuclear escalation, positions that have drawn sharp reactions from Trump in recent weeks.

According to the U.S. State Department, both sides discussed issues of mutual concern, including peace efforts in the Middle East, religious freedom and humanitarian challenges across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Rubio, a practicing Catholic, reportedly spent more than two hours at the Vatican during the visit, marking the first known meeting between the Pope and a senior member of the Trump administration in nearly a year.

The diplomatic engagement also comes at a sensitive political moment in the United States, where Trump’s criticism of the Pope has generated backlash among some Catholic voters and deepened concerns over deteriorating ties between Washington and the Vatican.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed June 19 to deliver judgment in a suit filed by PRNigeria Publisher, Yushau Shuaib, challenging his withdrawal from Senior Executive Course 47, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru-Jos.

Justice Binta Nyako fixed the date on Wednesday after counsel adopted their written arguments for and against the suit.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to Shuaib, Mr Teslim Adigun told the court that the plaintiff had filed a 43-paragraph affidavit, in addition to 14 exhibits and a written address in support of his claims.

Adigun urged the court to grant his client’s reliefs by declaring the withdrawal illegal and ordering his reinstatement into the course.

Responding, counsel to NIPSS, Mr P.A Akubo, SAN said the claims of the plantiff were exaggerated and prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Shuaib had dragged NIPSS to court to challenge his alleged unlawful withdrawal from the course after his admission had been approved and all required payments and conditions fulfilled.

Shuaib, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1329/2025, is seeking reinstatement into SEC 47 with full rights and privileges.

He also asked the defendants to pay him 1 billion in general and aggravated damages for alleged emotional and reputational harm.

He is also asking for 100 million as litigation costs.

The plaintiff is also praying the court for perpetual injunction restraining NIPSS from further harassment or intimidation.

After taking all the arguments, Justice Nyako fixed June 19 for judgment.

Earlier, the judge asked the plaintiff to return the key to the hostel accommodation he had in his possession.

The plaintiff had contended that he was holding unto the key on the grounds that the sum of 18.3 million he paid for the course covered accommodation for the entire duration, and the hostel suite was allocated on that basis.

He argued that his participation in the programme had not been lawfully terminated, noting that the legality of his suspension and withdrawal remained a central issue for determination by the court.

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Senate on Thursday rescinded the earlier amendments to Orders 2(2) and 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), retaining previous rules after the emergence of constitutional concerns.

However, the revision was accompanied by warning to Sen. Adams Oshiomhole who had fiercely opposed the amendment during the plenary on Wednesday.

The senate had recently amended the standing rules, restricting principal leadership positions exclusively to lawmakers serving, at least, second terms.

The revised provisions stated that only serving 10th Senate lawmakers re-elected during the 2027 elections would qualify to contest principal officer positions.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), moved the motion for rescission and re-committal of Orders 2(2) and 3(1) during plenary proceedings on Thursday in Abuja, with the Minority Leader, Abba Moro (Benue South), seconding it.

Bamidele said further legislative and constitutional reviews revealed possible conflicts with provisions of Nigeria’s Constitution, particularly Section 52, necessitating immediate parliamentary corrections.

He said that the senate retained authority to revisit, rescind and recommit previously concluded matters to protect legislative integrity, parliamentary convention and legislative practice.

The senate subsequently rescinded its earlier decision regarding amendments to Orders 2(2) and 3(1) of the senate standing orders and retained previous provisions.

Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, described the motion as straightforward and necessary for ensuring compliance with constitutional provisions.

“This is a very straightforward motion; it’s just for us to go in conformity with the constitution. I thank the leader for being observant and up to his game as the leader of the senate by making this observation.

“It is something that is very clear and we don’t need any debate in respect of this,” Barau said.

In a swift reaction, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole criticized the manner through which the initial amendments were passed, insisting that the lawmakers rushed the process without allowing extensive debates.

“The way we rushed the rules, because certain people wanted certain things concluded, is one flaw to this process.

“That is just the point I want to make. Next time, we should allow for robust debates,” Oshiomhole said.

Bamidele raised a point of order under Rule 52(6), cautioning senators against revisiting concluded matters without presenting substantive rescission motions before the senate.

“If His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Adams Oshiomhole had any problem with the decisions that were taken with respect to the amendment two days ago, what he was expected to do was to bring a substantive motion for rescission to be debated on the floor of this parliament.

“The drama witnessed in the chamber the previous day had overshadowed substantive legislative business,” he said.

Bamidele stated that the disruptions witnessed during previous proceedings overshadowed substantive legislative business, insisting that the senate would not permit unnecessary drama during future deliberations in the chamber.

“Regardless of what was done in this hallowed chamber yesterday, what became the news out of this hallowed chamber was that unnecessary drama, and we are not going to allow this to continue,” he said.

The senate also rescinded its earlier decision on the National Identity Management Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2026 and recommitted it to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration.

Moving the motion for the rescission, leader of the senate, said upon review, certain fundamental drafting and substantial issues were identified in the long title.

Bamidele noted that specific provisions of the bill, particularly clauses 4(6), 8(j), 35-40 and the exemplary memorandum for passage, needed legislative reconsideration.

The senate, thereafter, recommitted to the committee of the whole and passed the bill.

(NAN)

By Olaoluwa Vincent AjayiNew Daily PrimeEconomics Writer

The National Assembly’s approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s $6 billion external loan request has reopened a question many Nigerians are already asking: if fuel subsidy has been removed, why is the country still borrowing?

It is a fair question. Nigerians were told for years that subsidy was one of the biggest drains on public finances. So, after its removal, many expected government borrowing to slow down. Instead, the country is still seeking loans, while public debt continues to rise.

Figures from the Debt Management Office show that Nigeria’s total public debt stood at about 153.29 trillion as of September 30, 2025. There are also concerns that the debt could rise further as the government funds budget deficits and infrastructure projects.

For ordinary citizens, this debate is not just about figures. It is about transport fares, food prices, school fees, rent, business costs and salaries that no longer carry the same value. Many people want to know why they are still making sacrifices if the government is still borrowing.

Subsidy Was Not the Only Problem

Nigeria still has low revenue, high debt-service costs, weak infrastructure, foreign exchange pressure and a large budget deficit. In simple terms, the country still spends more than it earns. Removing subsidy reduced one heavy burden, but it did not suddenly repair years of fiscal pressure.

This was the government’s strongest argument in the President’s letter to the Senate on March 31, 2026. The letter said borrowing was still needed to support budget implementation, fund development, invest in priority infrastructure projects and refinance expensive debts. Part of the approved loan is expected to support infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port.

The Real Problem Is Wasteful Borrowing

A country can borrow to build roads, ports, rail lines, power projects, schools and hospitals. These are investments that can support trade, create jobs and attract investors. But when borrowed money is poorly managed or used mainly for consumption, it becomes a burden on future generations.

The Tinubu administration has set a target of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030. That target will not be achieved by speeches alone. Nigeria needs stable policies, better infrastructure, stronger revenue collection, private-sector growth and investor confidence. These require money, discipline and time.

The Real Source of Subsidy Funding

Fuel subsidy was introduced decades ago to keep petrol prices low. For many years, the government paid part of the cost so citizens could buy fuel below the market price. At first, it looked like direct support for the people. Over time, it became one of the biggest drains on public revenue.

Money that could have gone into roads, hospitals, schools, power and security was used to keep petrol prices low. State governments also received less money because subsidy payments reduced the amount available for sharing. The World Bank said petrol subsidy removal could save Nigeria about 2 trillion in 2023 and more than 11 trillion by the end of 2025.

Taiwo Oyedele, who is now the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, had earlier argued that Nigeria’s fiscal position was under severe pressure. The Central Bank also reported that Nigeria recorded a balance of payments deficit of $3.34 billion in 2023 before posting a surplus in 2024.

Nigeria also relied heavily on Central Bank financing through Ways and Means advances. The Debt Management Office said the inclusion of 22.7 trillion in securitised Ways and Means advances was a major reason Nigeria’s public debt rose sharply in 2023.

That means subsidy and other spending pressures were not always being paid from surplus money. Nigeria was borrowing, using Central Bank support and pushing future obligations forward. That path was dangerous. If subsidy had continued without reform, debt servicing could have swallowed more government revenue. There would have been less money for salaries, security, roads, hospitals, schools and other basic needs.

Still, the pain Nigerians are facing cannot be dismissed. Transport fares have risen. Food prices remain high. Small businesses are struggling. Workers are under pressure. Many families are cutting down on basic needs. The government may be right that subsidy had to go, but citizens are also right to demand proof that their sacrifice is not being wasted.

That is where accountability comes in, Nigerians deserve to know the interest rate on the new loans, the repayment period, the projects to be funded, who will monitor the spending and how the money will improve jobs, infrastructure and living standards.

The issue now is not borrowing alone. It is trust. The Tinubu administration can argue that it inherited a difficult economy and is trying to prevent a deeper crisis. That argument has weight. But Nigerians will judge the government by results, not promises.

Fuel subsidy may have been too costly to continue. Borrowing may also be necessary to fund growth. But both policies will only earn public support if they produce visible results.

The real test is simple: will the borrowed money build an economy strong enough to repay its debts, create jobs and improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians?

Channels Television has strongly responded to allegations by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over claims that the broadcaster benefited from controversial land allocations in Abuja’s Guzape district.

The media organisation, during its breakfast programme The Morning Brief aired on Thursday, described the minister’s remarks as inaccurate and misleading, insisting that its Abuja headquarters was legally acquired nearly two decades ago and not part of any questionable land deal.

The controversy began during Wike’s monthly media chat on Wednesday when the minister confronted a Channels Television reporter and accused some journalists and media organisations of benefiting from land allocations in the Federal Capital Territory.

According to Wike, several staff members of the station allegedly owned plots of land in Abuja, suggesting that media organisations were not neutral in their coverage of the FCT Administration.

“Have you seen the list of those to whom we allocated land? It’s because these ones became public. Do you know how many people working at Channels TV that have land? Did you come here to interview for free? I am not going to pay for the live interview,” the minister stated during the heated exchange.

Reacting to the allegations, the station’s anchor, Kayode Okikiolu, clarified that the land housing Channels Television’s national headquarters in Guzape was officially allocated to the company on March 6, 2007, by the FCT Administration under a previous minister.

He explained that the land was granted strictly for commercial purposes and that all statutory payments, fees, and charges attached to the allocation had since been fully settled.

“Channels Television has now released an official rebuttal to the statement made by the FCT minister that Channels is making money from the land allocated to it in Guzape. That is not correct. The property which houses our national headquarters in the Guzape area of Abuja was allocated to CTV on March 6, 2007, about 19 years ago, and all required payments were duly made,” the station said.

The broadcaster also addressed comments regarding payment for live coverage of the minister’s media chat, stressing that such broadcasts involve huge operational and logistical expenses.

Okikiolu explained that television stations deploy outside broadcasting vans, technical crews, camera operators, and production staff for such live events, making payment for airtime and coverage a standard professional practice in the broadcasting industry.

“We gave full disclosure that the media chat was a live broadcast. To get that coverage to viewers, stations deploy outside broadcasting vans and crews of six or more personnel. If we are to dedicate one to three hours of airtime to such coverage, naturally there are costs involved, and clients receive value for what they pay for,” he added.

The station further reaffirmed its commitment to editorial independence and investigative journalism, saying it would not be intimidated or distracted from asking difficult questions in the public interest.

“We will continue to ask the right questions, just as we did yesterday. We will not allow any form of deflection. The trust we have built over the last 30 years is rooted in credibility, professionalism, and balanced reporting,” Okikiolu stated.

On the broader issue of land allocations to journalists and media practitioners in Abuja, Channels Television called on the FCT Administration to publish full details of beneficiaries and ensure transparency in the allocation process.

The broadcaster urged the minister to publicly disclose who received land allocations, the purpose of such allocations, and whether all necessary payments were made in accordance with the law.

Honourable Obi Aguocha, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, has warned that the ongoing fragmentation within the opposition parties could give the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) an undue advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an interview, Aguocha, a prominent figure within the Labour Party (LP), pointed out that the failure of opposition figures to unite after the 2023 elections has weakened their collective political strength, making them more vulnerable to the ruling APC.

“The opposition is at a disadvantage now,” Aguocha stated, emphasizing that the inability of key political players to stay united has made it harder to present a solid challenge to the APC in the upcoming elections. “I would have wished that when they all went into ADC as a political family, they would have found common ground to accommodate each other. But unfortunately, that didn’t happen,” he added.

Aguocha, who remains a key player in the LP, also expressed disappointment over the growing political fragmentation, particularly the defections of prominent politicians like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the New Democratic Congress (NDC). He suggested that these political moves, while they may reflect personal ambitions, have ultimately weakened the broader opposition bloc.

“Moving about to different political platforms now they are more disadvantaged than staying together,” Aguocha remarked, underlining the missed opportunity for opposition parties to rally around a single presidential candidate for 2027.

When asked about the potential for a renewed opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 elections, Aguocha responded firmly: “I don’t think so. The Obidients have moved on, and Kwankwasiyya has moved on with Obi and Kwankwaso. Those staying with Atiku are comfortable where they are.”

Despite these divisions, Aguocha believes that the LP still has a chance to build momentum ahead of the 2027 elections. He pointed to the success of Governor Alex Otti in Abia State, describing him as a model of good governance, transparency, and accountability. According to Aguocha, Otti’s performance has set a new standard for what can be achieved through effective leadership, and this has boosted the LP’s credibility.

Humphrey Abah, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Police Affairs, has lashed out at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his interpretation of court judgments regarding the ongoing leadership crisis within the party.

Responding to Wike’s recent statements about the PDP’s leadership structure, Abah accused the FCT Minister of selectively interpreting the Supreme Court ruling to suit his position, suggesting that the PDP should focus on organizing for electoral success, rather than getting bogged down by internal disputes.

Wike had previously claimed that the Supreme Court’s judgment had ended the leadership crisis within the PDP, insisting that the ruling had settled the dispute over the party’s legitimate leadership. In contrast, Abah argued that Wike’s reading of the judgment was one-sided and politically motivated.

“Wike is selectively reading those judgments to suit his position. We are reading holistically, we are not selecting,” Abah stated in an interview. He emphasized that the PDP remains committed to legal and constitutional processes, choosing not to engage in confrontations but rather following due process to resolve its issues.

Abah maintained that the PDP’s focus should be on winning the 2027 elections and not on perpetuating internal conflicts. He stressed that the party’s priorities must remain clear: strengthen its structure, ensure proper organization, and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming elections.

“Rather than get distracted by personal disputes, our energy should be spent on how to organize and win elections,” Abah said, dismissing the ongoing disputes within the party as unnecessary distractions.

On the issue of the PDP’s leadership, Abah reiterated that the party’s organizational strength was rooted in its constitutional processes, pointing out that it had several statutory bodies, such as the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT), that had the authority to manage party affairs.

In a further rebuke to Wike, Abah argued that the ongoing tensions within the party should be resolved through legal channels, not through public confrontations or political maneuvers.

.. Three hotels in Delta, Abuja, multi-billion assets linked to syndicate

By Ayorinde Oluokun

A Nigerian billionaire international drug baron identified as Amadi Simon has been arrested in Switzerland in a coordinated operation involving the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Lagos Country Office, and law enforcement partners from Switzerland, France, and Greece.

His alleged his co-conspirators identified as 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi were also arrested in Anambra and Delta states respectively.

Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA revealed the arrests in s atatement issued in Abuja on Thursday.

Babafemi said the Simon was arrested on Tuesday 28th April 2026 following months of intelligence and investigations across multiple jurisdictions linking him to the laundering of hundreds of billions of Naira in proceeds of drug and financial crimes across Europe and Nigeria.

He added that in addition to the arrests, the NDLEA, in collaboration with its international law enforcement partners, has also traced multi-billion assets linked to Amadi’s transnational criminal network in Nigeria and abroad.

The NDLEA Spokesperson said the operations of Amadi in Nigeria included a complex scheme of front and shell companies; pass-throughs and delegates; and the use of numerous traditional and cryptocurrency accounts to conceal and launder illicit funds.

Babafemi said Jovi Hotel at 1 Isiayei Street GRA Phase1, Asaba, Delta State; Jovi Hotel and Suites at 4 Orikeze by Deeper Life Road, Agbor, Delta State as well as Jovi Apartment at Jamieson Court Mabushi, Abuja which were linked to Amadi Simon as proceeds of illicit drug funds have also been impounded,

He added that while several bank accounts and crypto currency addresses used by the Amadi-led cartel to conceal hundreds of billions of illicit funds have also been identified and blocked.

Speaking on the coordinated efforts of the NDLEA, the United States DEA, and other international partners, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the success of the multi-country and multi-year operations has sent a clear message that the NDLEA maintains “a zero-tolerance policy toward crimes that jeopardize the safety of the Nigerian people, the integrity of our national reputation, and the stability of our economy.”

He expressed gratitude for the support received from the US-DEA to crack and dismantle Amadi’s transnational criminal network, adding that the U.S. Mission to Nigeria has continued to partner with the Agency to combat narcotics trafficking through training in intelligence, evidence collection, case management, and tactical operations as well as the provision of critical equipment. He assured that NDLEA will continue to expand its cooperation with the United States and other international partners.

“The NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes, regardless of where they attempt to hide. Built upon a foundation of strategic partnership, unwavering integrity, and dedicated professionalism, the NDLEA is committed to ensuring that Nigeria is neither a haven for drug traffickers who profit from illicit substances nor a sanctuary for their criminal proceeds”, Marwa stated.

Controversy has erupted around former BBNaija star Isabella George, after an explicit video allegedly featuring her surfaced online.

The video, which is rapidly circulating on various social media platforms, shows the 2025 season contestant in a compromising position, sparking outrage among fans and followers alike.

The Rivers State native, who gained attention during her time on the reality show for her bold and confident personality, has not publicly addressed the matter or issued a statement regarding the video’s authenticity. As the footage continues to spread, social media users have expressed concern, particularly over the potential impact on her personal life and her young child.

One fan, @FloxyBaee, tweeted:”Kaii, my only pity and concern is towards her son. No child will want to see such things about their mother online.” Another user, @StelxyG, wrote:”That Isabella BBNaija masturbation video flying around is so disgusting. Please stop sharing it.”

While the alleged video has garnered significant attention, some supporters of the former housemate have insisted that it is old content, claiming the material predates her time in the BBNaija house.

They also accuse rival fan bases of using the footage as a weapon to target the reality star amid ongoing online debates.

This latest controversy follows Isabella’s memorable moments on BBNaija, including her intimate encounter with fellow housemate Kayikunmi during a Saturday night party in August 2025. The pair’s make-out session, which aired live, drew significant public interest and sparked widespread discussion at the time.

While the leaked video continues to dominate social media, Isabella has yet to address the allegations publicly. As is customary in such situations, the reality star’s silence has only fueled speculation, with fans demanding clarity on the issue.