Category: PM News

A new Nigerian mobility platform, HABRide, is set to enter Lagos’ competitive e-hailing market in November 2026, targeting one of the sector’s most persistent challenges: balancing affordable fares for passengers with sustainable earnings for drivers.

The company’s entry is coming as the economics of urban transportation remain under pressure, with fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance and other operating costs squeezing transport operators while rising fares continue to weigh on commuters.

HABRide said it plans to differentiate itself through a pricing model tailored to local market realities, with greater emphasis on fare transparency, route accuracy and driver profitability.

According to the promoter of HABRide, Otunba Hakeem Alobo-Bakare, the platform is also seeking to address what it identifies as a gap in the treatment of detours and route changes. It argues that inaccurate metering can leave drivers bearing additional operating costs, while rigid fare structures can make journeys unnecessarily expensive for passengers.

The company believes a more responsive pricing mechanism could help bridge the gap between the interests of the two sides of the e-hailing market.

‘Fairer’ pricing, however, will not be HABRide’s only competitive proposition.

The platform is building its service around technology, safety and multiple booking channels, including conventional app-based requests, WhatsApp booking and one-tap ride dispatch.

Its WhatsApp booking model will allow users to request rides through a chatbot, share their location and have the system identify and dispatch the nearest available driver.

For elderly passengers and users requiring emergency assistance, HABRide plans a one-tap booking feature that uses GPS to identify the passenger’s location without requiring the user to manually input pickup and destination details.

Safety is another major component of the platform’s offering. HABRide plans mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) verification for drivers and real-time tracking of rides.

Its proposed emergency feature includes a panic button capable of triggering audio and video recording, alerting emergency services and notifying a passenger’s nominated emergency contact.

The company is also exploring low-data and offline booking capabilities, an initiative that could improve access for users operating in areas with weak or inconsistent internet connectivity.

But HABRide’s business model extends beyond conventional ride-hailing.

The platform plans to accommodate different categories of vehicles, including passenger cars, dispatch motorcycles and pickup vans. This will allow it to operate across passenger transportation, courier services and logistics, potentially creating multiple revenue channels within a single mobility ecosystem.

For drivers, the company is positioning the platform as a broader income platform rather than simply a ride-dispatch service.

HABRide said it intends to introduce empowerment initiatives and pursue partnerships that could support employment opportunities for drivers. It is also considering hire-purchase arrangements that could improve access to electric vehicles.

Such initiatives could become increasingly relevant as Nigeria’s transport sector looks for ways to reduce exposure to fuel-price volatility and rising vehicle operating costs.

The platform is also introducing a digital wallet that will allow passengers to pre-fund transportation expenses and automate ride payments. HABRide said relatives living abroad could remotely fund the wallets of family members in Nigeria, including elderly passengers, potentially creating a new model for sponsored transportation.

Despite the breadth of its proposition, HABRide faces a significant competitive test.

E-hailing is fundamentally a network business. Platforms require a sufficient concentration of drivers to guarantee short waiting times and competitive fares, while drivers need consistent passenger demand to justify remaining active on a platform.

This makes driver acquisition, passenger retention and service reliability critical to HABRide’s commercial prospects.

The company will also need to demonstrate that its proposed pricing structure can remain attractive to consumers without undermining driver earnings or the platform’s own financial sustainability.

For Lagos, Africa’s most commercially significant urban centres and Nigeria’s largest concentration of technology-enabled mobility services, HABRide’s entry could intensify competition around fares, driver incentives, safety and service innovation.

The November launch will therefore provide an early test of whether a locally designed mobility platform can gain meaningful market share by addressing the economics of both sides of the e-hailing equation.

Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, has revealed that he left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) because he lost confidence in the party’s leadership structure.

Daura, who recently moved from the ADC to the All Progressives Movement (APM), said the absence of effective leadership within the party was the major reason behind his decision.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the former intelligence chief said his assessment of the ADC changed after joining the party.

According to him, a political organisation cannot achieve its objectives without strong leadership and discipline.

‘Basically, two things changed. The first was my discovery that the choice of ADC was somehow not a very correct one, and the reason being lack of leadership,’ Daura said.

He added that poor leadership often creates indiscipline, making it difficult for any organisation to succeed.

‘Where there is no leadership, by my training, there is not likely to be discipline. And if there is no discipline, there is no way organisational goals can be accomplished. So that was my reason for opting out,’ he stated.

Daura’s exit from the ADC comes as opposition parties continue to reposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several political movements seeking to build wider alliances.

The former DSS boss also spoke on his earlier decision to pursue the Katsina State governorship seat, explaining that the move was influenced by appeals from community leaders concerned about insecurity in the state.

He said elders in Katsina approached him because of his background in national security and urged him to offer himself for leadership.

‘Even when I wanted to aspire to governorship, it wasn’t really my own making,’ Daura said.

He explained that the worsening security situation in the state was a major reason stakeholders encouraged him to contest.

Daura said his decision to respond to the call from his people did not diminish his identity or experience, adding that he remained committed to serving whenever called upon.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the abandoned Ikpoba River Hotel as a temporary facility for the newly established 83 Division of the Nigerian Army in Benin.

The facility, located opposite the Ikpoba River in Temboga community, Upper Mission, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, is currently undergoing rehabilitation ahead of the division’s operational take-off.

The hotel project was originally approved by the late Brig.-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia, former Military Governor of the defunct Mid-Western State, between 1967 and 1975.

About 20 three- and four-storey buildings constructed as part of the project, alongside the Ikpoba River Dam, were subsequently abandoned by successive administrations.

The abandoned site later became overgrown and was reportedly used as a hideout by hoodlums and other criminals.

Okpebholo, who inspected rehabilitation work at the facility on Monday, said the temporary barracks would be ready within two weeks.

‘The new Division is coming to Edo State, so work is already in progress. Cleaning of the environment is already ongoing, while the existing structures are being worked on,’ he said.

‘The barracks and everything will be ready in the next two weeks. We are sure of progress, and a lot of work will be done here.’

The governor said the ongoing work included environmental sanitation, rehabilitation of existing structures and other preparations required for the military’s occupation of the facility.

He added that the contractor had assured him of deploying additional bulldozers to accelerate the work.

‘This will enhance the pace of work and ensure the quick delivery of what we expect here,’ Okpebholo said.

He explained that the rehabilitation of existing buildings would proceed alongside other construction activities, adding that the state had alternative temporary office spaces available should the Army require them.

Also speaking, Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, said the inspection followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive, conveyed through the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for the operationalisation of the 83 Division.

Balogun disclosed that a team from Army Headquarters had inspected the facility several days earlier as part of efforts to implement the directive.

‘Between the last time we came here, about four or five days ago, and now, we have seen tremendous work ongoing in that regard. I want to thank the Governor for that, and we believe that within the shortest possible time, this place will be ready for the immediate operationalisation of the division as pronounced,’ he said.

President Tinubu had earlier approved the establishment of four new Army divisions – 5 Division in Makurdi, 9 Division in Ilorin, 10 Division in Jalingo and 83 Division in Benin.

However, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has appealed for the relocation of the 83 Division to Delta State, arguing that it would better serve Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states and strengthen the protection of oil facilities in Delta and Bayelsa.

The Niger State Police Command has arrested 21 suspects in separate operations targeting thuggery, possession of dangerous weapons and armed robbery in parts of the state.

The arrests followed raids on identified criminal hideouts and trouble spots, while police operatives also recovered locally made weapons and other suspected illicit items.

Among those arrested is 20-year-old Yusuf Musa, a resident of Angwan-Kadara, Maitumbi, Minna, who the police described as a suspected armed robbery and house-breaking operative.

According to the command, Musa was apprehended with items allegedly stolen from residents, while efforts are underway to arrest his alleged accomplice, identified as 22-year-old Danjuma, and recover the remaining property.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrests and gave details of the operations.

Abiodun said, ‘On 1st September, 2026, at about 12.30am, Police operatives attached to Chanchaga Division stormed some identified blackspots around Angwan-Dakoko, Angwan-Kwakwa, Angwan-Gwari at midnight and 12 miscreants were arrested.

‘During the raid, one Victor Solomon, 25 years a.k.a Tumbeleke bearing one sharp dagger, and Osama Saidu Baushe, 17 years was caught with one sharp sword. All suspects are in custody for further investigation and prosecution.

‘On 5th September 2026 at about 2.50pm, Police operatives attached to Maitumbi Division also arrested a notorious armed robbery/house breaking suspect, known as Yusuf Musa, 20 years of age and of Angwan-Kadara, Maitumbi.

‘During interrogation, he confessed that on 4th September, 2026, at about 01.20am, he conspired with one Danjuma 22 years of age, and of Dana area of Maitumbi, and broke into a house behind Dana where they carted away the following items: One smart TV, One orthopedic bed and 17pcs of new shirts.

‘Others were: 11pcs of trousers, five pcs of caps, bed sheets, extension sockets, 3kva generator, shoes, pressing iron, iron rods, solar street lights and cameras,’ Abiodun stated.

The police spokesman said additional arrests were made during separate operations in Kpakungu and Marikichi.

He disclosed that six suspects were arrested during a raid around Angwan-Kanawa in the Kpakungu area on 24th August.

Abiodun said, ‘On 24th August, 2026, at about 9.30pm, Police operatives attached to Kpakungu Division conducted a raid operation around Angwan-Kanawa, Kpakungu area and the following suspects were arrested: Sani Ibrahim, 18 years of age, and of Darus-salam;

Abdulkareem Hassan, 20 years of age, and of Barkin-Sale; Salmanu Ishaq, 18 years of age, also of Darus-salam; Nasiru Mukhtar, 18 years of age, of Angwan-Daji; Suleiman Yusuf, 18 years of age, of Darus-salam; and Abdulsalam Shuaibu, 18 years of age and of Darus-salam.

‘The suspects were arrested with suspected cannabis, one cutlass, two scissors, a black bag containing several illicit items.

‘Similarly on 25th August, 2026, at about 11pm, three other suspects were arrested at Marikichi area, and they are: Ibrahim Mohammed, 18 years; Mustapha Abdulkadir, 20 years; and Mustapha Mohammed, 19 years; all of Marikichi area.

‘They were arrested during a fight among themselves where Mustapha Abdulkadir used a cutlass to inflict a serious injury on Ibrahim Mohammed’s right hand. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, and all have been charged to court for prosecution.

‘On the same date, at about 9.30am, information was received from Gada village, Bosso LGA that a locally made pistol was sighted at a mining site at Dogon-Ruwa village. Police operatives moved to the location and the said pistol was recovered. The exhibit is under investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the pistol,’ he stated.

Abiodun said the command was continuing its investigation into the various cases and intensifying efforts to apprehend Danjuma.

He added that the police were also working to recover the property allegedly stolen during the house-breaking incident.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to introduce a real-time monitoring system to track its preparations for the 2027 General Election across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday during the opening of a two-day strategic workshop for Administrative Secretaries held in Lagos.

Amupitan said the commission would develop a standard operational tracker that would provide up-to-date information on election preparations, including the movement of materials, training of ad hoc personnel and the level of readiness in each state.

According to him, the system will be connected to INEC’s Election Monitoring and Support Centre dashboard as well as the commission’s Election Project Plan.

He explained that the initiative was designed to improve coordination and help the commission move from responding to problems after they occur to preventing them before election day.

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

The INEC chairman noted that the commission previously lacked a uniform system for tracking the operational responsibilities of its Administrative Secretaries across the country.

He said the new system would allow Resident Electoral Commissioners, supervising National Commissioners and INEC headquarters to have immediate access to information on the progress of preparations nationwide.

Amupitan added that the tracker would remain part of INEC’s operational framework beyond the 2027 election cycle.

The development comes as INEC prepares for an election expected to involve a voter register approaching 100 million registered voters.

The commission said the workshop would focus on key areas including Continuous Voter Registration, logistics management, electoral technology, recruitment of ad hoc staff and financial compliance.

Amupitan also said INEC was applying lessons from recent off-cycle elections, including the Osun State governorship election, where he claimed logistics and technology systems performed effectively.

He added that the commission’s goal was to achieve the same level of efficiency nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former Katsina Senator Bello Mandiya has died at the age of 62.

Mandiya, who represented the constituency in the Senate between 2019 and 2023, died on Monday, September 7, 2026.

His death was announced in a statement by Ibrahim Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda.

Radda expressed grief over the death, describing the former senator’s passing as a major loss to both Katsina State and Nigeria.

‘I received with shock and deep sadness the news of the death of Senator Bello Mandiya. His passing is a great loss to Katsina State and Nigeria,’ the governor said.

Mandiya previously served as Chief of Staff to former Governor Aminu Bello Masari before entering the National Assembly.

Radda described him as a dedicated public servant whose contributions spanned both the state and federal levels.

‘Senator Mandiya dedicated part of his life to public service and served our people with commitment. His contributions will remain remembered,’ he added.

The governor also noted that Mandiya’s experience in government formed an important part of his legacy.

‘His experience and service at both the state and federal levels remain part of his legacy,’ Radda said.

Radda offered his condolences to Mandiya’s family, former Governor Masari, the people of Katsina South, his political associates and friends, as well as members of the Ninth Senate.

‘I pray Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus. May Allah give his family and loved ones the strength to bear this painful loss,’ Radda added.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused the Benue State Government of allegedly preventing his convoy from reaching communities affected by recent killings in the state.

Obi made the allegation on Tuesday after his convoy was reportedly blocked along Gboko Road, near the Air Force Base, shortly after his arrival in Benue State.

The former Anambra State governor said he was in the state to commiserate with victims of insecurity and show solidarity with affected communities, but was unable to proceed with the planned visit.

According to Obi, he was informed that youths allegedly sponsored by the state governor blocked the road to stop him from gaining access to the area.

‘I am here in a place where people have been killed. I am here to commiserate with them, but now I have been told that youths sponsored by the governor have blocked the road and made sure I do not go in,’ Obi said.

Expressing disappointment over the incident, the NDC candidate questioned why political differences would prevent a condolence visit to communities affected by violence.

‘I have been standing here since. We cannot have a country like this. It does not make sense to me. The rascality is totally unacceptable,’ he said.

Obi said the people of Benue needed support and empathy amid ongoing security challenges, adding that anyone wishing to visit victims should be allowed to do so.

‘People are being killed every day in Benue. People want to condole them and show that they are with them. I came here only to be told we cannot go in,’ he added.

The Benue State Government had yet to respond to the allegation at the time of filing this report.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the August 15 Osun State election, Adebayo Adedamola, has denied filing any petition challenging the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Adedamola said neither he nor his lawyer filed or authorised any case against Adeleke at the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Osogbo.

His reaction followed the display of petitions at the tribunal on Monday.

One of the petitions, marked EPT/OS/GOV/02/2026, was reportedly filed in Adedamola’s name against Adeleke, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Accord Party.

However, speaking in an interview with TVC on Monday, Adedamola said he was not aware of the petition and had not instructed his lawyer to challenge the election result.

‘There’s no petition filed by me or my counsel. So, I don’t know where they manufactured the petition they submitted at the tribunal,’ he said.

The PDP candidate also said he had not received any message from his lawyer or the party leadership about plans to challenge the election result.

According to him, there was no meeting where a decision was taken to go to court over the election.

‘There has never been any meeting where a decision has been reached to challenge the decision of the court,’ he said.

Adedamola explained that he had no reason to challenge Adeleke’s victory because he had supported the governor even before the election.

He recalled that the PDP held a press conference on August 13, two days before the election, where the party publicly backed Adeleke.

Adedamola also revealed that he voted for Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party.

‘I even voted for Governor Adeleke of the Accord Party.

Why would I now change today and be filing any petition against him?’ he asked.

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the attack on Peter Obi in Benue State.

Sowore described the incident as unacceptable and warned those behind it that they were ‘toying with fire.’

In a statement shared on his verified X account on Tuesday, Sowore said he had watched videos of what appeared to be a blockade and attack on Obi as he tried to enter Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Suspected thugs had reportedly blocked a major access road, preventing Obi from entering the city.

Obi had earlier explained that his visit to Benue was for humanitarian purposes and was not related to campaign activities.

Sowore accused agents of the Benue State Government and the Bola Tinubu administration of being behind the incident.

‘I strongly condemn these acts of political brigandage by agents of the state government and the Tinubu regime. This is totally unacceptable,’ he said.

He added that no presidential candidate should be stopped from moving freely or campaigning through violence, intimidation or the use of thugs.

‘No candidate should be prevented through violence, intimidation or state-sponsored thuggery from campaigning freely anywhere in Nigeria,’ Sowore said.

He warned those responsible to stop such actions immediately, saying they could threaten the democratic rights of Nigerians.

‘Those behind these cowardly attacks are toying with fire and threatening the democratic rights of all Nigerians. They must desist immediately before it is too late,’ he said.

The political disagreement surrounding Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition has deepened after his new party, the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), responded to criticism from his former Labour Party running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.

The NDC’s Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, urged Baba-Ahmed to accept Obi’s decision to move forward with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate ahead of the 2027 election.

Agada accused Baba-Ahmed of repeatedly attacking Obi since the former Labour Party presidential candidate announced his new political direction.

In a statement shared on X, the NDC spokesperson said Obi had already made his choice and urged Baba-Ahmed to respect the decision.

‘Datti needs to move on. Obi has made his decision, and Datti should respect it,’ Agada said.

The reaction followed recent comments by Baba-Ahmed, who had argued that none of the major presidential contenders, including Obi, could fix Nigeria if elected in 2027.

Baba-Ahmed, who served as Obi’s running mate during the 2023 presidential election, had questioned the ability of leading political figures to address the country’s challenges.

Responding, Agada defended Obi’s political record and said the NDC candidate had the capacity to improve the lives of Nigerians if elected.

He also claimed that the NDC would deliver better living standards than the current administration, urging Nigerians to support the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.