Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Nigeria’s state-owned refineries were shut down because they were making losses, not because they could no longer refine crude oil, the outgoing President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, has said.

Addressing Labour Writers in Lagos, Osifo explained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had to stop the refineries from operating after it became clear that the cost of processing crude exceeded the value of the products.

‘So, the refineries were actually shut down, not that they were not functioning,’ he said.

According to him, the facilities were still producing some petroleum products, but their operations were not commercially viable. Continuing to process crude under those conditions, he said, would only lead to more losses.

He illustrated the situation with a simple example, saying: ‘If you put, let’s say, $5 million worth of crude, you feed it through, when the product comes out, you are supposed to get the product of, let’s say, $6 million worth.

‘But when you feed in that crude, what you now get at the end will not be like $4 million. So, you are losing money.’

Osifo said the experience showed that Nigeria needed to focus on making its refineries commercially viable rather than simply keeping them open.

He also supported plans to bring a Chinese company into the refineries’ ownership structure, arguing that increased private-sector participation could reduce government interference and improve efficiency.

According to him, PENGASSAN is advocating that private investors should acquire up to 51 per cent of the refineries, while the government retains 49 per cent, similar to the ownership structure of Nigeria LNG Limited.

‘They are going to buy some shares of the government from this refinery. So, for us, we are advocating that, because the company is a 3-in-1 company, let them buy up to 51 per cent. Let the government retain 49 per cent as it is in NLNG,’ he said.

He said private majority ownership would allow the refineries to take important operational and maintenance decisions without having to seek government approval.

‘What that is going to do is that the decision-making is going to leave the hands of government, so that if you want to do any maintenance, you don’t need to discuss it in federal council meetings anymore,’ he said.

Osifo argued that private investors were more likely to make decisions based on business realities and profitability rather than political considerations.

‘And because they are private people, they take business decisions, not decisions made from sentiment, emotions, or political leanings, but decisions that will grow the business,’ he said.

On the wider oil and gas sector, Osifo said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had introduced important reforms but warned that frequent policy changes could create uncertainty and discourage investment.

He noted that the PIA established the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), provided for the midstream and downstream regulatory framework and transformed NNPCL into a limited liability company.

It also introduced frameworks for host community development and frontier exploration.

However, he expressed concern about subsequent changes to some of the fiscal provisions of the PIA and the use of an executive order to alter provisions of the law.

‘For us, one of the ways to attract investment is for you to have some level of certainty,’ Osifo said.

He said investors needed to know the taxes, royalties and other financial obligations they would face before committing money to oil and gas projects.

‘But if I’m investing today and I’m doubtful that tomorrow the laws will change and the laws might not favour me, I will be a bit worried about how I carry out my investment,’ he said.

Osifo urged the government to allow the PIA and its regulatory framework to operate for a reasonable period before making major changes, noting that oil and gas projects require long-term investments.

‘In the oil and gas business, you don’t just invest today, and you think you will reap tomorrow. At times, for this investment, you start reaping even after the 30th year,’ he said.a

The Kogi State House of Assembly has condemned killings in Kupa District, Lokoja Local Government Area, that claimed at least 12 lives, calling on the National Security Adviser (NSA) to disband hybrid vigilante groups and recover their arms.

The Assembly acted on a motion moved by Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf, who said the violence stemmed from a clash between the Kupa Community Vigilante Group and a hybrid vigilante group after a member of the latter allegedly resisted a stop-and-search order, and opened fire. The hybrid vigilante member killed in that exchange was reportedly followed by a reprisal attack in Eguchidan, bringing the toll to three deaths in Eguchidan, six in Emiku and two in Abugi, alongside the initial fatality.

Yusuf said the Kogi State Vigilante Service, established under former Governor Yahaya Bello with Assembly backing to complement conventional security agencies, had seen its groups exceed their mandate and turn on one another. He said the Chief Imam of Kupa, Alhaji Gimba Aliyu, was among several people receiving treatment for gunshot injuries.

The Speaker commended Governor Usman Ododo for directing the deployment of security personnel to the affected communities, and noted the incident was the third major violent episode in Kupa, after the 2014 Ekpan-Abugi invasion and the 2015 Gugurugi mamassacre.

He urged the governor to disband existing vigilante structures in Kupa, recover all arms, and deploy forest guards recruited from trusted, terrain-familiar indigenes of the area.

The Assembly commended the Commander of 12 Brigade, Chari Megumeri Barracks, Lokoja, and the Kogi State Commissioner of Police for their response, and called for additional police deployment to the Abugi Divisional Police Office.

Other lawmakers, including Olawumi Jacob, Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani, Enefola, Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin and Aliyu Maikudi, backed the motion, calling for stronger security measures. Idowu Ibikunle alleged that some hybrid vigilante members were collaborating with kidnappers terrorising communities in the state.

Presiding, Deputy Speaker Comfort Egwaba commended Governor Ododo’s prompt intervention in the Kupa crisis and in a separate kidnapping incident along the Itobe-Anyigba Road, in which victims were rescued, and thanked security agencies for their efforts.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said that his recent appointment of 4,800 Special Assistants from across the 195 political wards was to create opportunities for young people to participate in public service and grassroots governance.

He said it was part of his administration’s means to pursue youth engagement and employment initiatives,

The Edo Governor urged young people in the state to reject criminality, cultism, and violent acts

Governor Okpebholo, who urged the youths to embrace education, skills development, and entrepreneurship, said his administration was committed to creating opportunities for young people through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, security, and skills development.

He spoke in an address on the occasion of International Youth Day 2026.

Governor Okpebholo acknowledged challenges faced by young people, including unemployment, the rising cost of education, limited access to capital and the uncertainties associated with early adulthood.

Okpebholo tasked the youths not to allow the challenges to determine their future, saying, ‘Your present circumstances do not have to determine your future.

‘Youth can complement government efforts with determination, discipline, and a commitment to legitimate means of livelihood.

‘The government cannot do this alone. The future of Edo must be built with our young people, not merely for them.

‘There is honour in honest work. There is dignity in learning a trade. There is power in education, and there is lasting success in integrity,’ he said.

Governor Okpebholo said his administration was promoting youth employment through infrastructure projects, agricultural initiatives, and technology-driven ventures under its five development pillars of security, health, infrastructure, natural resources and agriculture, and education.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has removed Ebanehita Omonzane as chairman of Edo State Universal Basic Education Board.

No official statement has been released why she was removed, but a letter by Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, said Governor Okpebholo has nominated Ayewoh Oyakhilome as the new chairman of SUBEB.

Government sources said Ebanehita was removed two months ago.

She was reportedly asked not to resume.

Ayewoh is the fourth person to be named chairman of Edo SUBEB within two years of Okpebholo’s administration.

The governor first appointed Dr. Paddy Iyamu as SUBEB chairman, but later redeployed him as commissioner for Education.

In January last year, Okpebholo sworn in Onomen Briggs as SUBEB chairman.

Six months later, the governor replaced Briggs with Ebanehita as SUBEB boss, while Briggs was moved to head Board for Technical and Vocational Education (BTVE).

The letter nominating Ayewoh described him as a dedicated politician and a public administrator with passion for effective leadership.

It said Ayewoh served as executive chairman of Edo State Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA), ‘where he contributed to the administration and implementation of government programmes aimed at improving rural connectivity and infrastructure.

‘Accordingly, his name will be forwarded to the House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.’

The Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has said sustained military operations by troops have led to a 213 per cent increase in the number of terrorists and their associates surrendering in the North East Theatre of Operations.

The Command said the number of terrorists who surrendered in the past week rose by 213 per cent compared with the preceding week.

In a statement on Wednesday by its Acting Military Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni, the Command said the surge followed sustained ground operations against terrorist positions and logistics networks across the theatre.

It added that intensified attacks and disruption of supply routes were weakening the terrorists’ operational capacity and cohesion.

‘In a further manifestation of this emerging trend, two high-profile terrorist members surrendered to troops today, bringing with them arms, ammunition and other military items,’ the statement said.

‘The recovery of these weapons and ammunition further reinforces indications that sustained military pressure is having a significant effect on the cohesion, morale and operational sustainability of terrorist elements.’

The Command said the increasing defections suggested that terrorist groups were finding it increasingly difficult to retain fighters and maintain their operational structures.

The development came days after another group of terrorists surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion in Bama, Borno State.

The terrorists surrendered on August 7 at New Abaram following sustained military operations and internal disagreements within their enclave.

The military said the group was screened, while mobile phones and other items were recovered before they were handed over for further action in line with established procedures.

The Command attributed the rising number of surrenders to its multidimensional approach, combining offensive ground operations, precision engagements and the disruption of terrorist logistics and supply networks.

‘The increasing frequency of surrenders underscores the effectiveness of the Theatre’s multi-dimensional approach, which combines offensive ground operations, precision engagements and systematic disruption of terrorist logistics and supply networks,’ the statement said.

‘By denying terrorists the opportunity to freely maneuver, regroup and replenish, troops continue to restrict their operational options and undermine their ability to sustain terrorist activities.’

The Command said the development represented more than isolated individual decisions, describing it as ‘the cumulative impact of sustained pressure and the gradual erosion of terrorist capability, cohesion and willingness to continue the fight.’

It reiterated its commitment to maintaining military pressure on terrorist groups while providing channels for fighters and their associates willing to surrender.

The Command also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, while encouraging terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and take advantage of available surrender channels.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved another landmark policy shift in the nation’s oil and gas industry with the new reform expected to unlock $50 billion in deep offshore investments.

The reform under Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives (Tax Remission) Order, 2026, which replaces project-by-project negotiations with a transparent, rules-based investment framework was designed to restart Nigeria’s large, capital-intensive offshore developments that have remained stalled for decades.

The Presidency, which announced the approval yesterday, stated that the new transparent, rules-based investment framework would support next generation of deep offshore developments, beginning with the $10 billion Bonga South West project.

President Tinubu yesterday said the reform reflected his government’s commitment to attracting foreign and domestic investments by creating enabling environment for private sector development.

He said: ‘The countries that attract long-term investment are not necessarily those with the greatest natural resources. They are the ones that provide the greatest certainty. This reform reflects our determination to build an investment environment defined by clear rules, strong institutions and enduring partnerships.

‘We are creating the conditions for capital to flow, for Nigerian businesses to grow, for our people to prosper and for our natural resources to deliver lasting national value’.

He commended all stakeholders, including Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria Revenue Service, NNPC Limited, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, investing partners and others whose collaboration, technical expertise and commitment helped shape the framework.

The new framework followed President Tinubu’s engagement with Chief Executive Officer of Shell Plc, Mr. Wael Sawan, during which the President directed government to develop the next wave of measures required to unlock Nigeria’s deep offshore investment pipeline.

Rather than pursuing project-specific solutions, government transformed that directive into a comprehensive investment framework applicable across multiple categories of qualifying developments.

The Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives (Tax Remission) Order, 2026, provides transparent eligibility criteria, clear implementation processes and a durable investment architecture that provides greater certainty for investors while safeguarding long-term national value.

The approval also enables NNPC Limited, as government’s nominated counterparty under the Production Sharing Contracts, to proceed with the necessary amendments to eligible Production Sharing Contracts required to implement the framework.

A defining feature of the policy shift is its emphasis on Nigerian industrial capability with projects under the framework expected to maximise commercial and technical execution within Nigeria, thus strengthening domestic engineering, fabrication, marine logistics, technical services and project management.

‘The objective is not only to increase investment and production, but also to create skilled jobs, deepen local supply chains and position Nigeria as Africa’s regional hub for deep offshore project execution,’ the Presidency stated.

Outlining the underlying philosophy for his reforms, President Tinubu, who spoke at the Second West African refined Fuel Market Conference in Abuja, said his government has undertaken difficult but necessary reforms to create a more competitive energy market, strengthen the investment environment and reposition energy as an engine for economic growth.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, President Tinubu underlined the importance of transparency, collaboration, commercial pragmatism and constructive engagement with industry in order to build a competitive energy sector.

‘Strong regulation is not measured by the number of obstacles placed in the path of investment. It is measured by the clarity of the rules, the consistency of their application, the quality and timeliness of regulatory decisions, and the confidence the regulator inspires in citizens and investors alike.

‘Investor confidence is not built by lowering standards. It is built by establishing clear standards, enforcing them fairly and ensuring that credible investors can make long-term decisions with certainty. The task now is to institutionalise this approach and ensure that the market experiences it consistently,’ Tinubu said.

He described the conference as timely noting that West Africa’s energy challenge is entering a new phase.

The President said his ambition was to see Nigeria serving as a dependable anchor for a deeper, more competitive and increasingly integrated West African energy market.

‘In order to achieve this, every stakeholder represented here has a role. Financial institutions must develop funding structures that recognise the long-term value of energy infrastructure and support credible projects across the distribution chain.

‘Industry must invest, execute and provide the reliable transaction data required to build confidence in regional price benchmarks. Governments must create predictable policies and remove unnecessary barriers to cross-border trade. And regulators must protect the public interest while enabling investment, innovation and competition,’ Tinubu said.

According to him, the question now is no longer simply whether the region has the resources or refining capacity to meet its energy needs, the more important question is whether West Africa can build the infrastructure, financing systems, regulatory institutions and transparent markets required to move energy efficiently from where it is produced to where it is needed.

‘That is why the theme of this conference is so important. West Africa is not short of demand. We are not short of resources. What has constrained us is the fragmentation of our markets and the absence of sufficient infrastructure to connect supply, demand and capital across the region.

‘Refining capacity alone does not create energy security. A refined product only delivers economic value when it can be financed, stored, transported and distributed reliably. Without infrastructure, supply remains stranded. Without transparent pricing, investors price uncertainty rather than opportunity. Without regulatory coordination, borders become bottlenecks rather than gateways to trade.

‘Price transparency is therefore not simply a reporting exercise. It is essential market infrastructure. A credible regional benchmark cannot be declared into existence. It must be built on actual transactions, reliable data, sufficient market liquidity and confidence in the institutions that support it.

‘Our ambition should be that a product refined in West Africa should not have to leave West Africa before the market can credibly determine its value. Today, Nigeria refines the majority of the petrol we consume domestically. Imports have fallen significantly, while refined products produced in Nigeria are increasingly reaching markets across Africa and beyond.

‘But increased refining capacity also creates a new responsibility. We must build the pipelines, ports, storage facilities, coastal vessels, trucking networks and trading platforms required to move products safely and efficiently. We must expand access to trade and infrastructure finance. We must establish common product standards and strengthen cooperation between regulators, customs authorities and market participants,’ Tinubu said.

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi, has ordered the deployment of 10,210 personnel to reinforce security operations across Osun State ahead of the election.

According to a statement signed by the Corps’ Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the deployment began on Monday and includes personnel drawn from 10 State Commands, as well as specialised tactical and operational units.

The statement noted that the measure was part of the Corps’ commitment to ensuring that voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists, and residents participate in the electoral process without fear or intimidation.

Babawale explained that about 1,000 personnel each from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commands were deployed to Osun to reinforce the command-and-control structures already in place.

He added that specialised formations tailored to election security needs-including the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad, and the K9 Unit-would complement regular deployment through intelligence gathering, crime prevention, crowd control, and protection of critical assets.

For effective coordination, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, along with designated Assistant Commandants General (ACGs) and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to oversee the Corps’ operations.

Prof. Audi assured residents that the NSCDC would remain professional, impartial, and respectful of citizens’ rights throughout the electoral process.

‘As an agency responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and national assets, the safety and security of election materials, officials, and voters are paramount. Our personnel have been properly briefed to act professionally, neutrally, and respectfully. Any attempt to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election will be met with the full force of the law as prescribed in the Electoral Act,’ he said.

The NSCDC appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters, and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and allow the democratic process to run its course.

Property worth millions of naira has been destroyed in separate fire outbreaks involving a commercial bank, a bookshop and a one-storey commercial building in Awka and Onitsha, Anambra State.

The incidents occurred on Monday and Tuesday at Keystone Bank on Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, and a bookshop on Venin Ezeani Street, Awada, both in Onitsha, as well as a commercial building containing 10 shops on Ifite Road, Amaenyi, Awka.

Confirming the incidents, the Anambra State Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, said no lives were lost as firefighters successfully contained the fires.

Chiketa attributed the bank fire to a power surge that affected its network equipment, while the fire at the commercial building was suspected to have resulted from an electrical fault, possibly involving an overheated electric iron.

He said the state fire service received a distress call at about 9:08 am on Monday concerning the fire at Keystone Bank.

‘The crew on duty immediately mobilised to the scene, where they discovered that the fire had affected only the bank’s network equipment/room,’ he said.

Chiketa said the firefighters quickly contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building and surrounding structures.

He said no casualties were recorded in the incident.

On the fire at the bookshop in Awada, the Fire Chief said the service received a distress call at about 7:35 am and promptly deployed personnel to the scene.

‘Fire Service personnel promptly responded to the incident and worked to contain the fire. The cause of the outbreak remains unknown at the time of this report,’ he said.

According to him, firefighters remained at the scene until the situation was brought under control before returning to their station at about 1:10 pm.

On the Awka incident, Chiketa said residents reported the fire at about 12:05 pm on Monday.

He said firefighters found that the blaze had affected two shops on the first floor of a one-storey commercial building containing 10 shops.

‘The fire affected the roofing materials, portions of the walls and some property stored inside the affected shops,’ he said.

Chiketa said the fire was suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault, possibly involving an electric iron that was left plugged in and overheated.

He said firefighters successfully extinguished the fire, secured the scene and withdrew at about 1:05 am.

The Fire Chief urged residents, businesses and property owners to observe basic fire safety measures and avoid leaving electrical appliances unattended.

He also advised residents to report fire emergencies promptly to enable firefighters to respond before the situation escalates.

Chiketa further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with firefighters during emergencies to protect lives and property across the state.

MTN Nigeria, in partnership with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), through the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria and Deloitte Nigeria, has launched the 2026 Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge.

The initiative, which is in its third edition, is designed to support young innovators and entrepreneurs in developing practical solutions to environmental challenges while contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s green economy.

The 2026 edition is themed ‘Nature meets innovation: unlocking Africa’s green economy’ and is open to young innovators, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprise founders between the ages of 18 and 35.

Participants are expected to develop solutions addressing environmental challenges in Nigeria across four key areas: climate change, climate-smart cities and urban resilience, community conservation, and pollution.

According to the organisers, the challenge is aimed at providing young Nigerians with a platform to turn innovative ideas into practical, scalable solutions that can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Applications are open to individuals and teams of up to three members. Ten finalists will be selected to participate in a four-day boot camp and pitch event in Lagos.

The finalists will undergo a human-centred design process designed to strengthen their business skills, improve their presentation abilities and refine their solutions for greater impact.

The programme will end with a final pitch before a panel of industry experts, with the top three winners sharing a ?10 million prize pool. The first-place winner will receive ?5 million, while the second and third-place winners will receive ?3 million and ?2 million respectively.

The winners will also gain access to industry experts, support platforms and networks to help scale their innovations. Nigeria’s winners will further represent the country at the Africa PachiPanda Finale, where they will compete against national champions from other African countries.

Speaking on the initiative, Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria, said the programme reflects the need to combine environmental responsibility with economic development.

‘As a business deeply connected to the communities we serve, we recognise that environmental responsibility and economic development must go hand in hand,’ Okigbo said.

He said the challenge would give young Nigerians an opportunity to develop solutions to local environmental problems while strengthening youth entrepreneurship and supporting long-term sustainability.

‘We are excited to see how young people across the country will respond to this year’s theme and demonstrate that eco-innovation can be a powerful force for positive change,’ he added.

Also speaking, Dr Joseph Onoja, Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, said young people should be at the centre of efforts to develop innovative solutions for environmental challenges.

‘Innovation works best when young people lead it. By backing the PachiPanda challenge, we are handing the next generation the tools to protect nature and the confidence to act,’ Onoja said.

Dr William Tsuma, Chief Innovation Officer, UNDP Nigeria, said the initiative would encourage young innovators to develop solutions to real-world challenges.

‘Innovation for development is at the heart of what we do. When young innovators co-create solutions to real problems, they drive inclusive growth and push us closer to a sustainable society for all,’ he said.

Deloitte West Africa’s Chief Growth Officer, Bernard Orji, said the organisation would support participants in developing their ideas into viable ventures.

‘Great ideas need sharpening to succeed. Through our collaboration, we will help these young innovators pressure-test their thinking, build commercial confidence, and turn promising concepts into ventures that can scale and last,’ Orji said.

Applications for the 2026 Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge opened on July 29 and will close on August 28, 2026.

The boot camp and pitch event are scheduled to hold in Lagos from October 19 to 22, 2026.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by MTN Nigeria and its partners to promote youth innovation, environmental sustainability and the development of solutions capable of supporting Nigeria’s transition towards a greener economy.

A former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, has explained the reason for endorsing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, in Osun State.

According to the former SSG, the belief that the election of the APC’s governorship candidate would enshrine good governance necessitated that members of the Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state endorse Oyebamiji’s candidature for Saturday’s polls.

Akinbade and others who belong to the Turaki group of the PDP, led by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in the state, had on Sunday in Osogbo, adopted the APC gubernatorial candidate as the contender to be supported for Saturday’s election.

In a release, the erstwhile Secretary to the Government said their choice of Oyebamiji, popularly called AMBO, was based on several factors, including his experience in both private and public service, as well as his deep knowledge of the state and its people.

‘His calmness, laced with the needed experience in various capacities he had served, richly places him poles ahead of his contenders. Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji has all it takes to turn around Osun State,’ he noted

According to Akinbade, the fact that they have decided to support the APC flag bearer despite being of PDP, shows their desire to have the best for the state and its people.

‘Just like former Governor Oyinlola stressed, our endorsement of Alhaji Oyebamiji for the coming Saturday’s gubernatorial election does not in any way mean that we have left the PDP. Our decision to go through this route is for the good of the state and its people,’ he stressed.

Akinbade assured that their members across the state have been mobilised to vote en masse for the APC, expressing the optimism that he was sure that the Ikire-born financial expert would emerge victorious at the polls.

‘Already, our supporters across the state have been steadied for the election. We shall be peaceful in our conduct so as to ensure that there are no hitches that would warrant negativity,’ the PDP stalwart pointed out.

While appealing to the APC gubernatorial candidate to be focused if he wins the election, Akinbade urged the people of the state to allow the election to be held without any destruction of lives and property.