What next for Muwanga-Kivumbi after stint in jail?

Within a space of 10 months, Muhammad Muwanga-Kivumbi has not only lost his Butambala County seat slot in Parliament, but also been incarcerated twice on charges that range from terrorism and inciting violence to managing an unlawful society.

When he was given bail in July by Justice Susan Okalany, the deputy head of the International Crimes Division, Muwanga-Kivumbi told his supporters how he is still energised and ready to lead a revolution that will upend President Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) regime.

‘If all constituencies had hardliners like Butambala, we would have overthrown this man. All people of all walks of life have been visiting me in jail. The priests from the Catholic sanctuaries in Butambala have been visiting me in jail. Even sheikhs from different mosques in Butambala have been visiting me,’ he said.

After making the speech on July 9, Muwanga-Kivumbi, a deputy president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), was intercepted by police on his way from Kampala to Butambala and later was abducted by security operatives. He was held incommunicado for a fortnight before being dumped at Nateete Police Station.

Later, he was charged with inciting violence at the Butambala Chief Magistrates Court. Yet when she granted Muwanga-Kivumbi bail, Aminah Wahab, the magistrate, forbade the former legislator from setting foot in Butambala unless it is for family meetings.

Stomach for a fight

In his speech after his latest release, Muwanga-Kivumbi seemed to have toned down in the sense that he didn’t talk about bringing down the regime.

‘Ruling through force is not a good idea. Those who are interested in leadership should talk to people the same way a man who is propositioning a woman does. You have dragged people into a bottle. You have put people in a safe house,’ he said.

When The Transcript met him, the Opposition stalwart said in no uncertain terms that fear should not be an option.

‘I have gone through things people generally fear. I lost dear ones during the election period and have seen the pain of orphans, widows and families who lost loved ones because they believed in our cause. I have also faced a terrorism charge, spent six months in prison and been held in a safe house. These experiences have strengthened my resolve,’ he said.

‘I believe this is a generational assignment. Every generation must stand up to its challenges or risk being remembered for failing its people. Keeping quiet may seem safer, but it amounts to surrender. Fear is an inferior product. […] Uganda has stood up to oppressive leadership before. History shows that governing through intimidation is not a lasting solution. You cannot bully a population while pretending to offer democratic elections,’ he added.

In his book, Muwanga-Kivumbi sees ‘the reliance on fear as a weakness and an opportunity for a new Uganda.’ The new Uganda that he envisages has ‘chosen non-violence’ over the ‘armed struggle’ the NRM chose.

‘We have chosen non-violence because we want to end an era of imposition, violence and terror without reproducing it. Non-violent change is slow and painful, but history does not show that people achieve change by abandoning their rights to speak, organise, assemble and mobilise,’ he told The Transcript, adding, ‘Our challenge is to move Uganda from fear to faith. An eye-for-an-eye approach risks taking us back to the same situation we want to overcome.’

He wants to see institutions rebuilt, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions which ‘was intended to provide an independent safeguard and ensure there was a proper basis for prosecution.’

When institutions designed to protect citizens are perceived to serve political interests, he adds, ‘public confidence suffers.’ The institutional breakdown reflects badly on the NRM because, per Muwanga-Kivumbi, ‘a resistance movement should stand for ensuring that past abuses never recur, not perfecting them.’

Elective politics

Muwanga-Kivumbi’s experience is not new to him because in the early 2000s he was a permanent fixture in various Ugandan jails. He had formed a pressure group christened Popular Resistance Against Life Presidency.

With police crushing his rallies, Muwanga-Kivumbi ran to the Constitutional Court and challenged Section 32 (2) of the Police Act which law enforcement officers invoked to stop the Opposition from holding rallies. Through his lawyer, Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, Muwanga-Kivumbi insisted that the Constitution permits peaceful and unarmed demonstrations. He further contended that the Constitution, therefore, spells out that it is the duty of the police to see that there is no breach of peace committed.

The Constitutional Court concurred and duly struck down the draconian provisions.

‘The justification for freedom of assembly in countries which are considered free and democratically governed in my view is to enable citizens together and express their views without government restrictions. The government must maintain proper channels and structures to ensure that legitimate protest whether political or otherwise can find a voice. Maintaining the freedom to assemble and express dissent remains a powerful indicator of the democratic and political health of a country,’ Justice Constance Byamugisha said in her lead judgement.

The jurist concluded that she found that powers given to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to prohibit the convening of an assembly or procession an unjustified limitation on the enjoyment of the fundamental right and that such limitation ‘is not demonstrably justified in a free and democratic country like Uganda.’ It was as result of this activism that voters in Butambala catapulted Muwanga-Kivumbi to Parliament in 2012 but still this wasn’t a straightforward victory.

The context is that in the 1990s Muwanga-Kivumbi lost a bid to become Makerere University guild president and then he unsuccessfully tried in 2006 to wrestle Butambala County from NRM.

In 2011, Muwanga-Kivumbi, under the banner of the Suubi pressure group and the Democratic Party (DP), placed second, but was no match for NRM’s Faisal Kikulukunyu. That wasn’t the first time Kikulukunyu was being declared victor because in 2001 he had defeated Ibrahim Kaddunabi Lubega who had represented the predominantly Muslim constituency from 1996.

Kaddunabi bounced back in 2006, but four years later Kikulukunyu ensured that the former retired from elective politics into the insurance industry when he defeated him in the NRM primaries. This set off a showdown with Muwanga-Kivumbi. When the Electoral Commission (EC) declared Kikulukunyu winner with a marginal difference, Muwanga-Kivumbi successfully filed a petition on grounds that the victor had bribed voters.

Muwanga-Kivumbi then went on to win parliamentary elections in 2016 and 2021. Erias Mukiibi Sserunjogi, who had been a seasoned political writer and editor with this newspaper, brought Muwanga-Kivumbi’s reign to an end in January. Muwanga-Kivumbi claims ‘they rigged me out and put me in jail for six months, but I’m still alive.’

Speaking to the defiance, he says: ‘NUP has existed for about six years. I believe its work has helped expose the gap between the democratic image presented by the political establishment and the experiences of citizens. The party is not in hibernation. Some of its core members are in prison, while its president and another vice-president are outside the country. The challenges facing the Opposition extend beyond NUP.’

Fiscal discipline

Just as worrying as the reoccurrence of 1970s torture and so-called safe houses is the current economic outlook. In the 11th Parliament, Muwanga-Kivumbi led the Public Accounts Committee-Central. He was a fierce advocate of fiscal discipline, once demonstrating in a paper how Shs5 trillion can be saved from the same.

‘Districts have less discretion over their budgets than people often assume because much of the money goes towards wages, including salaries for teachers and health workers. Many infrastructure projects are managed by central government ministries,’ he told The Transcript.

‘We must examine expenditure on consultants, projects and public institutions. I previously questioned the cost of the Mpigi Expressway, arguing that the amount spent per kilometre required closer scrutiny. Government should also consider whether some expenditure could be redirected towards roads, medicines and other essential services. Fighting corruption requires consistent accountability, not selective scrutiny,’ he added.

On the current economic headwinds that the Shilling has walked into, Muwanga-Kivumbi says the proverbial ball is in the NRM’s court.

‘NUP is not in government, it is a government-in-waiting. Those currently responsible must explain how the country reached this position. The State has a responsibility to support citizens when economic conditions deteriorate. [The] government often cites imported inflation and external factors, but it must also have the capacity to cushion people against economic shocks,’ he told The Transcript.

‘Public finances are under pressure from debt and interest payments. We must examine whether borrowing is productive, how the money is spent and whether the country can meet its obligations without undermining essential services,’ he added.

Pointing to the passing of the Sovereignty Act, Muwanga-Kivumbi says the ruling elite should know that actions have consequences.

‘The legislation has consequences, including the potential to affect financial flows into the country. But we must examine the different sources of foreign exchange rather than attribute everything to one factor. Coffee exports have played an important role in recent years. Increased earnings following disruptions in other coffee-producing countries helped bring foreign currency into Uganda, although those conditions can change,’ he observed.

‘Tourism is another source of foreign exchange. Visitors want to travel to countries where they feel safe, trust the justice system and believe the rule of law is respected. Reports of political repression can damage a country’s image and discourage people from visiting or investing. Economic performance cannot be separated from governance,’ he added.

Rebuilding Public Trust in Government Borrowing: The Case for Scaling Up Sukuk Financing in Nigeria

The recent request by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly for approval to raise $20.52 billion and pound 1.045 billion in fresh external loans has once again brought Nigeria’s growing public debt burden into sharp focus. Although the President has justified the proposed borrowing on the grounds of the country’s enormous infrastructure deficit and the need to finance critical projects across various sectors of the economy, the announcement has understandably generated considerable concern among Nigerians.

These concerns cannot be dismissed as mere opposition to government borrowing. They must be viewed against the background of Nigeria’s debt accumulation over the past decade, the relatively limited visible impact of such borrowing on infrastructure development and the growing proportion of government revenue devoted to servicing existing debt. The fundamental question Nigerians are asking is whether borrowed funds are being efficiently deployed, transparently managed and translated into tangible developmental outcomes.

Nigeria’s public debt statistics provide sufficient grounds for this concern. As at June 30, 2026, the country’s total public debt stood at ?166.79 trillion, comprising domestic debt of ?91.59 trillion, representing 54.91 per cent, and external debt of ?75.20 trillion, equivalent to $54.52 billion, representing 45.09 per cent of the total. This represents a phenomenal increase from the ?11.24 trillion public debt stock recorded in December 2014.

While part of this increase reflects naira devaluation, and the securitization of previously accumulated obligations, the scale of the expansion over a relatively short period raises legitimate questions about debt sustainability and the developmental returns on borrowed resources. More importantly, Nigeria’s debt challenge should not be assessed exclusively through the conventional debt-to-GDP ratio. Although this ratio may appear moderate by international standards, the more immediate fiscal constraint is the country’s capacity to generate sufficient revenue to service its obligations. Debt service has, in recent years, consumed an exceptionally high proportion of government revenue, averaging in excess of 70 per cent over the period under consideration. This leaves progressively less fiscal space for infrastructure, education, healthcare and other essential public services.

The composition of Nigeria’s debt portfolio also raises important questions about the extent to which borrowing has been linked to productive investment. The Federal Government’s domestic debt stock outstanding by instruments as at June 30, 2026, stood at ?86.99 trillion. Of this amount, discretionary FGN Bonds accounted for ?64.84 trillion, representing 74.53 per cent of the total, including ?22.11 trillion in securitized Ways and Means advances. By comparison, FGN Sukuk outstanding amounted to only ?1.19 trillion, representing 1.37 per cent, while FGN Green Bonds accounted for a mere ?47.36 billion, or 0.05 per cent. The overwhelming dominance of conventional government securities, particularly instruments that are not necessarily tied to specific infrastructure projects, contrasts sharply with the relatively insignificant contribution of instruments specifically designed to finance identifiable developmental investments. This is not to suggest that all conventional government bonds are unproductive or that their proceeds cannot finance capital expenditure. Rather, it highlights the need to rebalance the debt portfolio towards financing instruments that establish a clearer connection between borrowed funds and identifiable development projects.

The external debt portfolio presents a related challenge. Of Nigeria’s external debt stock of $54.52 billion, Eurobonds account for a significant proportion, amounting to about $18.55 billion. Although Eurobonds provide access to international capital markets and can help diversify the sources of government financing, they are generally not structured around specific infrastructure assets or projects. Their proceeds may be applied to broad budgetary purposes, depending on the terms of the issuance and the government’s stated financing objectives.

Furthermore, Nigeria faces substantial future Eurobond repayment obligations. The outstanding repayment schedule includes a $1.5 billion bullet repayment falling due in November 2027, followed by significant annual maturities from 2028 through 2034, before repayments resume in 2036 and continue into 2051. These obligations underscore the importance of carefully managing the country’s refinancing and foreign exchange risks. They also reinforce the need to reconsider the composition and structure of future external borrowing rather than continually relying on conventional debt instruments without sufficient attention to the developmental use of their proceeds.

It is against this background that greater consideration should be given to Sukuk as an alternative and complementary instrument for financing Nigeria’s infrastructure requirements. Properly structured Sukuk provide an opportunity to link the raising of funds to clearly identified assets and development projects, thereby creating a financing framework in which the purpose of borrowing is more transparent and the application of proceeds can be more effectively monitored. This makes Sukuk particularly relevant to a country seeking to address a significant infrastructure deficit while simultaneously rebuilding public confidence in government borrowing.

Nigeria is not starting from scratch in this regard. The Federal Government introduced its Sovereign Sukuk programme in 2017, and successive issuances have been deployed principally towards the construction and rehabilitation of federal roads across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory. The programme has demonstrated that Sukuk can mobilize substantial domestic financial resources for identifiable infrastructure projects. At the subnational level, Osun State issued an ?11.4 billion Sukuk in 2013 to finance the construction of 26 schools, while Lagos State subsequently accessed the Sukuk market to finance road infrastructure. These experiences demonstrate that Sukuk is a financing instrument that can be deployed by both federal and state governments, irrespective of the religious composition of their populations.

The results achieved through the Federal Government’s existing Sukuk programme provide an important basis for scaling up its use. The roads financed through successive issuances demonstrate the practical connection that can be established between public borrowing and physical infrastructure delivery. However, with outstanding Federal Government Sukuk accounting for only about 1.37 per cent of the domestic debt portfolio, its current scale remains too small to make a transformational impact on the country’s infrastructure deficit.

An important consideration is that Sukuk financing is not limited to the domestic capital market. Both domestic and foreign loans can be sourced through Sukuk structures. The Federal Government could therefore explore international sovereign Sukuk denominated in US dollars, euros or other suitable currencies to mobilize long-term financing from international banks, conventional institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and other global investment institutions. The proposed external borrowing of $20.52 billion and pound 1.045 billion offers an opportunity to examine whether a significant proportion of the financing requirements could be raised through international sovereign Sukuk rather than relying exclusively on conventional external loans.

Different Sukuk structures could be deployed depending on the nature of the projects. Al-Ijarah Sukuk could finance existing or identifiable infrastructure assets through leasing arrangements, while Al-Istisna Sukuk could be used to finance the construction of new infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and power facilities. Al-Musharakah could support commercially viable infrastructure investments involving partnerships between government and private investors. The flexibility of these structures makes it possible to develop a diversified infrastructure financing programme rather than rely on a single financing model. A carefully designed international sovereign Sukuk programme could also attract investors who might otherwise not participate in Nigeria’s conventional Eurobond issuances, thereby broadening the country’s financing options and investor base.

More importantly, the appeal of Sukuk lies in its potential to strengthen transparency and accountability in the utilization of public borrowing. One of the principal reasons for public scepticism towards government borrowing is the perceived disconnect between the amounts borrowed and the infrastructure outcomes delivered. Nigerians are increasingly concerned that governments accumulate enormous debt obligations without providing sufficient information about the projects financed, the amounts disbursed, the physical progress achieved and the economic returns generated. This perception has weakened public confidence in borrowing as an instrument of development. Sukuk can help change this narrative, provided that its project-linked features are supported by effective institutional and contractual safeguards.

Each issuance should identify the projects to be financed, their locations, approved costs, implementing agencies and expected completion periods. The proceeds should be paid into dedicated, ring-fenced accounts and released only against verified project expenditure. Independent technical auditors should certify work completed, while periodic public disclosures should provide information on funds raised, amounts disbursed, outstanding balances and actual physical progress. Where appropriate, special purpose vehicles should be established to administer the transactions and provide clear reporting and governance arrangements.

This approach is also consistent with the spirit and objectives of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007. The Act establishes important principles for responsible fiscal management, including the requirement that borrowing be undertaken for capital expenditure and human development, subject to the applicable statutory conditions. Section 44 specifically provides that government borrowing should be applied only to capital expenditure and human development, while the Act also provides for transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.

Indeed, Sukuk can provide a practical financing mechanism for advancing these objectives by establishing a more visible connection between the resources mobilized and the capital projects for which they are intended. However, Sukuk should complement, rather than substitute for, full compliance with the Act. The fact that a loan is raised through Sukuk does not automatically establish that the borrowing satisfies the statutory requirements. Proper project appraisal, legislative scrutiny, debt sustainability analysis, procurement compliance and expenditure monitoring remain indispensable.

There is also a compelling case for state governments to embrace Sukuk more actively. Given the enormous infrastructure requirements at the subnational level, state governments should explore domestic Sukuk issuances to finance roads, schools, water projects, markets and other essential public infrastructure. States with viable revenue-generating assets or identifiable public infrastructure projects could develop their own Sukuk programmes, subject to the necessary legal approvals, credit assessments and investor requirements.

This would deepen the domestic capital market, provide institutional investors with additional investment opportunities and reduce exclusive dependence on conventional bank loans and government bonds. It would also encourage greater discipline in project selection, preparation and implementation, since successful Sukuk issuance requires clearly defined underlying transactions and credible financing arrangements.

By and large, the issue is not whether borrowing by the government should stop altogether. A country with enormous infrastructure deficits and development aspirations cannot reasonably expect to finance all its requirements from current revenue. Borrowing, when properly structured and prudently managed, can be an important instrument of economic transformation. The more fundamental issue is the quality, purpose, structure and accountability of the borrowing. Nigeria must move away from a debt management approach that places disproportionate emphasis on how much money can be raised towards one that gives equal, if not greater, attention to what the money will finance, how it will be spent and what measurable economic and social benefits will accrue to citizens.

The proposed $20.52 billion and pound 1.045 billion external borrowing should therefore provide an opportunity for a fundamental rethink of the country’s financing strategy. Rather than a complete resort to conventional loans, the Federal Government should undertake a serious assessment of the proportion of its proposed infrastructure financing that can be mobilized through international Sukuk.

The National Assembly, in considering the proposed borrowing plan, should also request a comparative assessment of conventional external loans and Sukuk, including their respective costs, repayment obligations, foreign exchange implications, underlying asset requirements and accountability mechanisms. This would enable legislators to consider not only the amount Nigeria intends to borrow but also the financing structures that can best support the delivery of the projects for which the borrowing is intended.

It goes without saying that Nigeria does not necessarily have a shortage of financing instruments. What it urgently needs is a financing framework that restores confidence in the relationship between public borrowing and public benefit. Scaling up Sukuk, in both domestic and international capital markets, offers an opportunity to achieve this objective. The relatively small Sukuk issuances undertaken so far have helped finance identifiable road infrastructure and demonstrated the instrument’s practical relevance to Nigeria’s development needs. A substantial expansion of the programme could make a much greater contribution to infrastructure development, while broadening the investor base and strengthening project-level transparency.

All said, government borrowing should not merely create additional liabilities for future generations; it should create enduring assets that improve productivity, expand economic opportunities and raise living standards. Sukuk, properly structured and transparently administered, can help Nigeria move closer to that objective.

Uche Uwaleke, a financial Economist, is Director of the Nasarawa State University Institute of Capital Market Studies and President of the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria. He is also a member of Daily Trust Board Of Economists.

Uzodimma vs Okorocha: CSOs Urge Judiciary to Avoid another Embarrassment

A coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations (CSOs) has urged the judiciary to use the ongoing court case involving Governor Hope Uzodimma to restore public confidence in the courts.

The coalition said Uzodimma had claimed he won the Imo West senatorial race through Option A4, while the APC’s national leadership stated in a submission to the Federal High Court that he had emerged through a consensus arrangement.

The coalition also cited the 2020 Supreme Court judgment that declared Uzodimma the winner of the Imo State governorship election, displacing Emeka Ihedioha.

‘That ruling drew widespread criticism. Uzodimma is now involved in another legal dispute, this time with former governor Rochas Okorocha.’

The group said previous disputes over Imo State’s governorship had seriously damaged the judiciary’s reputation.

It also referred to reports that several Nigerian judges had been denied U.S. visas.

‘The statement was issued in Bauchi, Bauchi State. It was signed by Job Samuel Danfulani of the Centre for Public Integrity, John Samuel Nangi of Nigeria Integrity Watch, and Mohammed Ibrahim Sumaila of the Northern Council of Nigeria. Other signatories were Abdullahi Salisu of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum and Hassana Mohammed of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa.’

The coalition also commended Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, stating that more judges of his caliber are needed in the judiciary.

Despite alleged pressure and lobbying, Justice Egwuatu resisted temptation and upheld justice.

‘For his steadfastness, he deserves both commendation and a national award.

2027: Makinde more competent than Tinubu, others – Daura

Vice-Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Alhaji Lawal Daura, has described the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, as the most competent and credible for the 2027 Presidential election.

Daura said this is as a result of Makinde’s ‘unmatched performance’ as governor of Oyo State.

The APM Vice Presidential candidate also reassured Nigerians, the North in particular, that the Makinde/Daura administration will be a four-year all-inclusive, transitional government of national unity that would focus on resetting Nigeria’s economy, education, security architecture and socio-political space.

Daura spoke at the weekend while receiving leaders of the Northern Patriotic Front (NPF) who were at the APM Presidential Campaign Headquarters in Abuja to bestow an award on Makinde and to register their support to him ahead of the January election.

The APM Vice Presidential candidate particularly thanked the region for its commitment towards the campaign, stressing that ‘Makinde ranks above other Presidential candidates on performance, national vision, productivity and service delivery.’

He urged Nigerians to eschew ethnic sentiments and focus on the antecedents, public service record of candidates, stressing that anyone seeking to lead the country must be prepared to account for their stewardship and contributions to national development.

Daura said, ‘I was happy when you said that you went to Oyo State and you have confirmed the quality of governance and unprecedented development by our Presidential candidate. So, I throw a challenge that any who is still doubting whether our candidate is the most competent to be elected as President to examine his antecedents and performance.

‘Before venturing into politics and eventually becoming governor of Oyo State, he had established himself as a successful businessman and a man with considerable experience in finance.

‘Beyond his personal integrity, we should also examine his record in public office. What has he achieved? Look at his performance. His transparency and accountability set him apart.

‘We in Nigeria are confronted with enormous challenges, particularly poverty and poor governance. We cannot afford to continue supporting leadership without examining what individuals have done with the opportunities entrusted to them.’

Daura stressed that anyone aspiring to lead Nigeria must be ready to account for their achievements, management of public resources and contributions to the development of the people, noting that leaders who openly demonstrate accountability in public office deserve serious consideration.

He also commended the Northern Patriotic Front for ‘advocating people-centered democracy’, urging political parties, politicians and other stakeholders to promote public enlightenment to enable Nigerians to make informed choices at the polls.

Speaking earlier at the meeting, President of the NPF, Alhaji Ali Abacha, pledged the support of political stakeholders in the north, adding that the region is at home with Makinde’s candidacy, his reset Nigeria message and his commitment to four years transitional government.

He said Makinde’s performance in Oyo has distinguished him as the most competent of the presidential candidate which informed the decision of stakeholders in the north to support his Reset Nigeria agenda.

Abacha also commended Makinde for choosing Daura, a security expert as his running mate, adding that such reassures the nation of a commitment to tackle insecurity in the country.

He assured that the NPF would continue to work hard to ensure the success of the Makinde-Daura ticket in the 2027 Presidential election.

Betta Edu Takes Tinubu’s Re-election campaign to Calabar traders

Co-Director of the women Directorate for the Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Betta Edu, has taken the re-election campaign message of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, to more than 5,000 market women and small-business owners in Calabar, while 500 petty traders received financial support of ?50,000 each.

The outreach, which brought together women mobilised from different markets across Calabar, also featured an empowerment initiative undertaken on behalf of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to provide financial assistance to women engaged in petty trading and small-scale businesses.

Each of the 500 beneficiaries received ?50,000, amounting to a total financial intervention of ?25 million, to support their businesses, replenish stock, improve their purchasing power and strengthen their livelihoods.

For many petty traders whose businesses operate on limited capital, the intervention is expected to provide additional working capital and an opportunity to expand their daily trading activities.

Edu, who is the Co-Director of the Women Mobilisation Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, also presented various gift items and consolation prizes during the event. These included deep freezers, blenders, toasters, luxury dresses and additional financial grants, which participants won through a dance competition organised as part of the outreach.

The event attracted over 5,000 market women drawn from different markets across Calabar, with discussions also centred on the political mobilisation of women ahead of the 2027 general election and support for the APC at both federal and state levels.

The gathering was characterised by dancing, celebrations and prayers for President Tinubu. One of the participants, expressing appreciation during the event, declared: ‘Mr President, thank you. God bless you. Cross River will vote for you and sweet Prince!’

Addressing the participants, Edu urged the women to sustain grassroots engagement in their respective communities by reaching out to neighbours, fellow traders and households to sensitise them on the APC’s political agenda ahead of the next election.

She specifically encouraged them to maintain contact with those they had mobilised and work towards securing support for the party across all levels of government.

‘You must hand-hold every woman you have spoken to and ensure the vote for APC from top to bottom in the next election, please,’ she told the participants.

Lagos showcases startups, digital economy ambitions at GITEX Nigeria

The Lagos State Government has showcased its technology ecosystem, emerging startups and investment opportunities at GITEX Nigeria 2026, using the international technology event to strengthen partnerships and promote the state’s ambition to become Africa’s innovation capital.

The Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST), led by Commissioner Olatunbosun Alake, coordinated the state’s participation at the event, held at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The two-day programme featured a technology exhibition, the Future Economy Conference and a Startup Festival, bringing together government officials, technology entrepreneurs, investors and international stakeholders.

A welcome dinner ahead of the programme attracted representatives of Lagos, Katsina, Jigawa, Ondo, Kwara, Delta, Borno and Ogun states, alongside founders, investors and diplomatic guests.

Speakers included Sam Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who represented the governor; Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre and Chief Executive Officer of KAOUN International; and representatives of the Moroccan Consulate. Alake also highlighted opportunities within Lagos’ innovation ecosystem.

At the opening of the Lagos programme, Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat described Lagos as a ‘consequential city’, saying the decision to host GITEX reflected the state’s growing influence in Africa’s technology landscape.

Hamzat reiterated the government’s ambition to position Lagos not only as Nigeria’s commercial capital but also as Africa’s innovation capital. He cited the presence of nearly 1,000 active startups as evidence of the ecosystem’s potential, while emphasising the need for sustained investment in infrastructure, talent, policy and implementation.

Throughout the event, MIST showcased startups, technologies, partnerships and investment opportunities to potential investors and international collaborators.

The Governor’s Special Adviser on Innovation, Technology and Broadband Development and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Ganiyu Oseni, stressed that infrastructure and policy must advance together to support a competitive digital economy.

He identified connectivity, electricity, digital identity and talent development as critical requirements, urging investors to establish operational bases in Lagos rather than treat the state merely as a market.

Oseni also called for Nigeria to move beyond adopting foreign technologies and develop home-grown solutions in digital finance, tokenised assets and cross-border settlements that could compete across Africa and globally.

More than two dozen startups and technology companies participated in the exhibition, covering artificial intelligence, financial technology, cybersecurity, education technology, agriculture and logistics.

Among the companies seeking investment and market opportunities were Sidebrief, DawnAI, RollaPay, Hyperspace Technologies, Sowota and Climatrix AI.

The second day placed greater emphasis on financial technology through FDX Nigeria by GITEX, which examined digital payments, banking, financial inclusion, digital assets and cross-border finance.

A major highlight was the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Pitch Programme, organised in partnership with TechQuest STEM Academy and MIST. The initiative provided selected entrepreneurs with an opportunity to present their businesses, products and growth strategies to investors and other ecosystem stakeholders, strengthening the funding pipeline for Lagos-based innovators.

The programme also featured the launch of MINT Africa by GITEX, a platform focused on the future of finance on the continent.

Oseni maintained that Nigeria had the talent, market scale and entrepreneurial capacity to lead Africa’s digital financial transformation, provided infrastructure, regulation and investor confidence developed alongside innovation.

Adeboye: I Carried Placard Against Insecurity, Not Jonathan

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has challenged the circulation of claims that he protested against former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He insisted that the photograph being used to support the allegation was taken during a prayer exercise in 2020, long after Jonathan left office.

Adeboye said the controversy reflected the danger of publishing information without establishing its historical context.

He accused a journalist of turning a religious exercise against insecurity into an alleged political demonstration.

The cleric spoke during the church’s November Thanksgiving Service on Sunday.

He said he had no reason to deny carrying a placard but rejected the interpretation being attached to the photograph.

The spiritual leader argued that Jonathan’s presidency ended in May 2015, whereas the procession in question took place in February 2020, during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

‘Jonathan ceased to be president in 2015. I carried the placard five years into the second term of Buhari,’ he said.

The photograph showed Adeboye holding a placard with the inscription, ‘All Souls Are Precious to God’.

It was said to be during a prayer walk in Lagos organised to draw attention to killings and worsening insecurity in the country.

The exercise was part of a three-day fasting and prayer programme declared by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

They called on churches to seek divine intervention over the country’s security challenges.

During the event, reports said the procession started from the RCCG national headquarters in Ebute Meta, proceeded towards Atan Cemetery in Yaba and returned to the church.

Adeboye said the exercise was in response to a directive from the CAN chairman asking churches to organise prayer walks around their premises.

‘The chairman said all churches should do a prayer walk near their churches. That’s what I did,’ he explained.

He said the photograph had recently been presented as evidence that he once mobilised against Jonathan’s government.

He described the account as a distortion that could have been avoided through basic fact-checking.

Recounting the publication, the cleric said he was initially amused by the allegation but became concerned that it was accepted and circulated without anyone checking its accuracy.

He quoted the report as portraying him as a wicked person because he allegedly carried a placard against Jonathan.

‘True, I carried a placard. I can’t deny that. It was important. It was a prayer walk. We wanted to pray,’ he said.

Adeboye also questioned the standard of journalism that allowed an old photograph to be presented without establishing when and why the event occurred.

Drawing on his exposure to journalism studies in the 1960s, he reminded practitioners that investigative reporting required journalists to go beyond appearances and verify the circumstances surrounding a story.

‘I remember in those days in the Department of Journalism, when you go there and you take a course, they talked about something called investigative journalism.

‘That things don’t appear as they may seem. Investigate, if you have a story, before you take it to the press’, he said.

Addressing members of the creative industry, he lamented that the report had gained traction without anyone making the effort to establish the facts.

‘I’m talking to those of you in the creative industry. Nobody checked,’ he said.

Nigerian midfielder knocked unconscious in Spain

A Nigerian midfielder was knocked unconscious by his opponent during a division 2 league match in Spain.

Quadri Liameed was representing Sabadell against Albacete when the incident occurred on Saturday night.

Liameed was hit on the head by Albacete’s Jose Corpas who was attempting to volley a loose ball in the air.

The unfortunate Corpas hit Liameed who landed on the floor unconscious, and was rushed to the hospital for further treatment.

Sabadell revealed that Liameed regained consciousness at the hospital and was undergoing further observation and tests.

Following a 2-1 loss to Albacete, Sabadell revealed that the 24-year-old midfielder had been discharged from the hospital.

Tests returned no further medical issue, and he will return to Sabadell with the team.

‘The best of the news has arrived! Quadri Limeed has received medical discharge after all the tests have come out well and will return tonight to Sabadell!

‘We want to thank the medical services of Albacete for the help received at all times.’

Liameed has been a key player for Sabadell this season, featuring in all of the club’s 12 league matches.

He has provided three assists as Sabadell are nine points off the top in the race for La Liga promotion.

Campaign Flag-off: ADC vows to resist intimidation

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has confirmed that its presidential campaign flag-off will take place in Sokoto State on November 4, 2026, vowing to resist any attack on candidates, party members and offices.

The party said no threat, intimidation or unlawful obstruction would prevent it from exercising its constitutional right to organise political activities and campaign for its candidates in the state.

The crisis between the political parties started when the ADC accused suspected All Progressives Congress, APC thugs of attacking women participating in the party’s rally, alleging that some sustained injuries while others had their mobile phones snatched.

There were also allegations that the APC-led state government had booked all available hotel rooms across the state to prevent the ADC from hosting its presidential campaign flag-off.

The party also accused operatives of the Sokoto Marshall and Community Guards of attacking its governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, while returning from the airport after accompanying Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

The ADC alleged that the attack resulted in the destruction of the windscreen of one of the vehicles in his convoy.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Governorship Campaign Council, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, on Sunday during a press conference at the party’s secretariat in Sokoto called on relevant authorities to investigate reported attacks on the party’s governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, members of its women wing and the party’s office, and ensure that those responsible are brought to book.

He also urged security operatives to remain professional and apolitical in the discharge of their duties, stressing the need to provide a peaceful and secure environment for all political parties to conduct their activities.

‘The ADC’s presidential campaign flag-off, now scheduled for November 4, 2026, will proceed. No threat, intimidation or unlawful obstruction will deprive the party of its constitutional right to organise political activities and campaign for its candidates,’ he said.

The party called on its supporters across the country to remain calm, peaceful, disciplined and law-abiding, assuring that it would not be provoked, promising that the party would continue to pursue accountability through lawful means.

The press conference was attended by ADC’s governorship candidate, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, his running mate, Bello Isa Ambarura, and other party chieftains.

Earlier, the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state had dismissed the allegations of intimidation, describing them as fabricated claims intended to attract public sympathy and divert attention from the ADC’s political challenges.

The state APC Chairman, Alhaji Haruna Adiya, said the allegations were part of what he described as a propaganda campaign against the state government.

He also faulted what he described as inconsistencies in the ADC’s account of the incident, arguing that while the party’s media aide reportedly claimed that security personnel prevented Dan’iya from entering Sokoto metropolis, the candidate’s statement indicated that he had visited different locations in the city to pay condolence visits and attend to other engagements.

The APC chairman also dismissed claims that security personnel were deployed to restrict ADC members from entering the state, explaining that Sokoto was preparing to host a major traditional title conferment ceremony scheduled for Sunday.

He said the event was expected to attract prominent personalities and visitors from different parts of the country, making adequate security arrangements necessary.

Adiya maintained that the deployment of security personnel was aimed at protecting residents and visitors attending the ceremony and had nothing to do with the political activities of the ADC.

He further urged the opposition party to address its internal challenges rather than blame the APC and the state government for its political difficulties.

He urged the opposition party to substantiate its allegations and focus on presenting policies and development plans to the electorate rather than engaging in what he described as manufactured controversies.

INEC Targets Dec 15 For Publication Of Final Voters’ Register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed December 15 2026, for final publication of the voters’ register.

Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Commission, disclosed this at the South-South Zonal Interactive Meeting with INEC Staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, this weekend.

He also reacted to concerns over allegedly AI-generated photographs appearing on the Commission’s preliminary voters’ register, saying the records are being examined for possible corrective action.

Amupitan said the Commission was reviewing the photographs and would take necessary steps based on verified findings.

He urged Nigerians to participate in the ongoing display, claims and objections process to identify irregularities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC chairman urged eligible voters to scrutinise the preliminary register and report suspected errors.

He stressed that public participation was important to ensuring the credibility and accuracy of the final document.

He said the final voters’ register was scheduled for publication on December 15, 2026.

Amupitan’s response comes amid concerns over the authenticity of some photographs uploaded on the preliminary register published online by the Commission.

Questions have been raised about possible irregularities in the voter registration records.

He disclosed that the South-South geopolitical zone had 15,823,550 registered voters, with Rivers State accounting for 3,736,434.

He assured Nigerians that INEC would ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised through administrative negligence or logistical failures during the 2027 elections.

On preparations for the polls, Amupitan said the Commission was strengthening its technological capacity, including preparations for the deployment of 57,000 newly procured Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.

He added that INEC was auditing its electronic result management systems to strengthen transparency in the transmission of results through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

The chairman also identified the peculiar geographical features of the South-South, particularly its creeks, coastal settlements and riverine communities, as major logistical challenges requiring special arrangements.

He disclosed that the Commission had finalised a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime Transporters Union to facilitate the timely and secure transportation of election personnel and materials to difficult-to-access communities.

On election security, Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s collaboration with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He stressed the need for intelligence-led planning and adequate protection for voters, electoral materials and personnel.

He warned that anyone who threatens or attacks electoral officials, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed for election duties, would face the full weight of the law.

The INEC chairman also cautioned electoral officers against partisanship, negligence, absenteeism and financial impropriety, saying such conduct would attract disciplinary action.

He said the Commission was assessing its operational readiness through field engagements, drawing lessons from recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, FCT Area Council elections and 16 by-elections.

Amupitan further highlighted staff welfare measures introduced by the Commission, including the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), enhanced salaries, hazard and field allowances.

He also disclosed that INEC had increased monthly overhead allocations to its state offices by 150 per cent, with the adjustment taking effect from July 1, 2026.