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All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda has declared that no other party can match the ruling party in terms of its solid organizational structure and extensive nationwide presence.

He said the party’s 13 million membership strength would give it a decisive advantage over opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

Yilwatda spoke on the APC’s formidable base and winning capacity while receiving a pre-election fact-finding mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) led by former Sierra Leoneian Vice-President Victor Bockarie Foh at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

A statement by Abimbola Tooki Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy to the Chairman quoted Yilwatda as saying that years of deliberate political organization have placed the party in a strong position to mobilize voters across Nigeria.

Yilwatda said: ‘Our party is the largest political party in Nigeria. In terms of structure organization and membership no other political party comes close to us. We are approximately three times larger than the next political party in the country.’

The chairman said APC’s 13 million registered members across the country are backed by a verifiable database and membership identity cards linked to the National Identification Numbers (NIN) and voter registration details.

He added that APC can boast of over 261000 elected executive officers spanning ward local government state and national structures.

Highlighting the party’s elected representation as proof of national acceptance Yilwatda pointed out that APC holds 31of the 36 state governorship seats 88 seats of 109 in the Senate and 208 of 360 seats in the House of Representatives

He said the party also dominates most of the Houses of Assembly.

Yilwatda said APC remains the primary vehicle for aspirants nationwide recalling that over 7000 aspirants contested during the primaries.

He said while some unsuccessful aspirants defected to pick tickets in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) APC recorded very few post-primary court cases.

Yilwatda said APC has fielded candidates for all elective positions and inaugurated its campaign council adding that its candidate were uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.

The chairman urged the electoral commission to stick strictly to its published election timetable to ensure a fair transparent and predictable contest for all participants.

Yilwatda said: ‘We believe INEC should stick to its timetable. The rules must apply equally to every political party. The electoral process must be fair transparent and predictable without adjusting deadlines in a manner that gives any party an undue advantage.’

Yilwatda assured the ECOWAS delegation that the APC remains committed to democratic principles adding that it will not use its strength to intimidate or suppress opposing voices.

He directed attention to the anti-government demonstrations including the recent ‘Tinubu Must Go’ protests as proof that the democratic space is fully protected under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Yilwatda stressed: ‘Being the largest political party does not mean that we want to suppress anybody. We want a democratic environment in which every party can organize campaign and seek the support of Nigerians without fear.’

The Head of the ECOWAS mission Foh commended Yilwatda for the detailed presentation clarifying that the delegation’s assessment would rely strictly on scientific data collection observation and verification.

He said: ‘Our monitoring is scientific and our decisions on issues are based on scientific observation. We verify information before making any pronouncement and we use a robust application system to collect data. Our reports are therefore not arbitrary.’

Foh explained that the mission was engaging relevant stakeholders to obtain information and perspectives that would assist its assessment of Nigeria’s electoral environment ahead of the elections.

He expressed confidence that the engagement would contribute meaningfully to the mission’s understanding of the political landscape and the conditions for the conduct of the elections.

Foh said the session provided a valuable insight into Nigeria’s political readiness ahead of the polls.

The House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Institutions has proposed a 20 per cent investment limit on exposure to a single issuer as part of efforts to strengthen the management of trust funds and protect beneficiaries from financial losses.

The proposal is contained in the Trustee Investment Bill 2026 (HB 2762) which seeks to repeal and re-enact the existing Trustee Investment Act with provisions expanding permissible investment opportunities while introducing stricter safeguards against excessive investment risks.

The Chairman of the Committee Hon. Solomon T. Bob disclosed this on Monday during the public hearing on the bill at the National Assembly Abuja describing the proposed diversification requirement as a critical measure to prevent excessive concentration of trust assets in one investment.

Bob said the existing Trustee Investment Act which dates back to 1957 was enacted when Nigeria’s financial system was considerably less developed and the country’s investment opportunities were limited.

He noted that the financial landscape had changed significantly with Nigeria now having a capital market valued at over N80 trillion pension assets exceeding N30 trillion and several emerging investment opportunities including Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) infrastructure funds and green bonds.

‘Today we have a sophisticated capital market worth over N80 trillion pension assets over N30 trillion and new asset classes from REITs to Infrastructure Funds to Green Bonds. The world has moved. Our law has not. This hearing is to correct that’ he said.

According to him the proposed legislation is designed to bring the legal framework governing trust investments in line with contemporary financial realities while ensuring that trustees operate within clearly defined investment and accountability standards.

Under Clause 3 of the proposed bill the committee chairman said the investment universe would be expanded to accommodate corporate bonds equities collective investment schemes including Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and REITs infrastructure funds real property foreign investments through licensed custodians private equity regulated virtual assets and environmental social and governance (ESG)-compliant bonds.

He explained that the proposed expansion would provide trustees with a wider range of investment opportunities allowing them to diversify portfolios and potentially improve returns for beneficiaries.

However Bob said the proposed 20 per cent limit on investment in a single issuer under Clause 4 was intended to minimise concentration risk and prevent the exposure of entire trust portfolios to the financial difficulties of one institution.

The bill also seeks to strengthen the fiduciary obligations of trustees through Clause 5 by expressly incorporating the principles of loyalty prudence care and impartiality.

Under the proposed provision trustees would be required to exercise the same level of prudence expected of individuals managing their own financial affairs while prioritising the interests of beneficiaries.

The committee chairman further disclosed that Clause 6 would allow trustees to delegate certain investment responsibilities to professionals including fund managers and custodians while retaining responsibility for their selection supervision and performance.

He said the proposed arrangement was intended to accommodate the growing complexity of modern financial markets and enable trustees to benefit from specialised investment expertise without weakening accountability.

On transparency and accountability Bob said Clauses 7 and 8 would introduce requirements for fair valuation of trust assets and annual reporting to beneficiaries.

He explained that the provisions were designed to address possible abuses and ensure that beneficiaries had access to information about the management and performance of assets held on their behalf.

The proposed legislation also seeks to prohibit speculative dealings futures contracts and investments in unregulated schemes under Clause 10.

In addition Clause 11 would empower the Minister of Finance in consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other relevant regulatory authorities to make regulations necessary for implementing the Act.

Bob said the provision would allow the legal framework to respond to emerging developments in the financial market without requiring the law to be repeatedly amended whenever new investment products emerge.

Explaining the importance of the public hearing the committee chairman said the committee deliberately invited 12 key institutions whose activities involve the management regulation and advocacy of trust assets.

The institutions included the Ministries of Justice and Finance the Securities and Exchange Commission the National Pension Commission the Debt Management Office the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation as well as representatives of financial market operators estate administrators and civil society organisations.

He said their participation was necessary to ensure that the proposed law reflected the realities of the institutions expected to implement it and the interests of the individuals and organisations whose assets would be affected.

According to him the Securities and Exchange Commission was particularly important to the process because it was proposed as the host regulator under Clauses 2(2) and 11 of the bill.

He added that the National Pension Commission would provide perspectives on pension assets while the Debt Management Office and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation would contribute their expertise on public debt and financial stability.

Market operators estate administrators and civil society organisations were also expected to provide technical and practical recommendations on the proposed investment framework.

Bob disclosed that the committee had received eight memoranda ahead of the public hearing expressing the expectation that additional submissions would be made by stakeholders during the engagement.

He urged participants to focus their presentations on the appropriateness of the proposed expansion of investment categories the 20 per cent diversification threshold and whether lower limits should apply to higher-risk assets.

The committee also sought stakeholders’ views on whether the proposed fiduciary obligations were sufficiently robust whether trustees should have an explicit environmental social and governance duty and how the law could distinguish between the protection needs of small family trusts and large institutional trusts.

Participants were equally asked to identify possible areas of conflict between the proposed legislation and existing regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Pension Commission.

The chairman assured stakeholders that the committee would consider all submissions objectively stressing that the interests of ordinary beneficiaries must receive the same attention as those of large institutional investors.

‘I assure you this Committee will be fair transparent and thorough. No interest is too small. The widow in Sokoto whose husband left N2 million in trust deserves same protection as billion-naira pension fund’ he said.

He thanked the Speaker and leadership of the House members of the committee and its secretariat for their support in advancing the legislative process.

However Bob expressed displeasure over the poor attendance of government agencies and other institutions invited to a public hearing.

He lamented that only three of the approximately 12 institutions invited by the committee attended the public hearing accusing the absent institutions of failing to take the lawmaking process seriously.

The institutions that attended were the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the Association of Corporate Trustees. They made submissions and offered recommendations towards the proposed legislation.

The committee chairman said he was disappointed that most of the invited institutions ignored the invitation despite the importance of their contributions to the legislative process.

He stressed that lawmaking remained central to any meaningful effort aimed at advancing advocacy introducing reforms and improving the lives of Nigerians.

According to him initiatives aimed at addressing national challenges and improving citizens’ welfare would amount to ‘blowing hot air’ if lawmaking was not placed at their centre.

Bob emphasised that relevant institutions must take legislative engagements seriously noting that the National Assembly provides the platform for translating policy ideas advocacy and reform proposals into laws capable of delivering lasting change.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s trustee investment legal framework describing the existing law as outdated and inadequate to address the realities of the country’s evolving financial and capital markets.

Abbas said the investment landscape had changed considerably since the enactment of Nigeria’s Trustee Investments Act of 1957 with the expansion of capital markets the emergence of sophisticated financial instruments and new opportunities for investment and wealth creation making a review of the legislation necessary.

The Speaker who was represented by Hon. Dahiru Abubakar Sarki representing Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State said the proposed legislation presented an opportunity to establish a modern legal framework that would accommodate contemporary investment opportunities while strengthening the protection of trust assets and the interests of beneficiaries.

According to him the law governing the investment of trust funds carries responsibilities that extend beyond financial management as it concerns the protection of property preservation of family wealth and the security of individuals and institutions whose interests depend on the prudent management of entrusted assets.

‘Behind every trust may be the inheritance of a child the security of a widow the resources of a charitable institution or the accumulated wealth of a family. The law must ensure that these interests are adequately protected’ he said.

Abbas observed that the existing legal framework had failed to keep pace with developments in the financial sector stressing that reform was both necessary and timely.

He however cautioned that the proposed reform must strike a balance between protecting trust assets and allowing trustees to generate reasonable returns for beneficiaries.

He warned that an excessively restrictive investment framework could deny beneficiaries legitimate opportunities for wealth creation while inadequate regulation could expose their assets to imprudent investment decisions and avoidable risks.

‘The challenge is to strike the right balance between preserving trust assets and enabling reasonable returns on investment. An excessively restrictive framework may deny beneficiaries legitimate opportunities for growth while an inadequately regulated one may expose their assets to imprudent decisions and avoidable risks’ he said.

The Speaker said HB 2762 sought to address these concerns by replacing the existing framework with a more comprehensive regime for the investment of trust funds including an expansion of permissible investment opportunities to reflect contemporary financial realities and the need for greater diversification.

He nevertheless insisted that increased investment flexibility must be accompanied by stronger safeguards clearly defined fiduciary responsibilities effective risk management and appropriate regulatory oversight.

Abbas emphasised that trustees must remain accountable to the beneficiaries whose assets they manage warning against any attempt to use the proposed expansion of investment opportunities to justify reckless financial decisions.

‘The governing principle must remain unmistakable: trustees hold assets for the benefit of others not for their personal advantage. Their decisions must therefore be guided by prudence integrity transparency and an overriding commitment to the interests of beneficiaries’ he said.

He added: ‘Modernisation must never become a licence for speculation or a justification for exposing trust property to unreasonable risks.’

Beyond protecting individual and institutional beneficiaries the Speaker said the proposed reform also had significant implications for Nigeria’s economic development particularly in mobilising long-term domestic capital for infrastructure development expansion of productive capacity and enterprise growth.

He noted that Nigeria required substantial long-term capital to address its infrastructure deficit and stimulate economic activities adding that a credible framework for managing trust investments could contribute to deeper capital markets and more effective mobilisation of domestic resources.

However he maintained that the economic benefits of the proposed legislation must not come at the expense of the rights and financial security of beneficiaries.

‘Nigeria needs substantial long-term capital to address its infrastructure deficit expand productive capacity and stimulate enterprise. A credible framework for managing trust investments can contribute to deeper capital markets and more effective mobilisation of domestic resources. But this economic objective must always be pursued without compromising the rights and security of beneficiaries’ he said.

Abbas urged stakeholders participating in the public hearing to bring their professional experience and technical knowledge to bear on the proposed legislation identifying investment categories diversification requirements fiduciary obligations professional delegation regulatory oversight and beneficiary protection as critical areas requiring the committee’s attention.

He said the objective should be to produce legislation that was contemporary in outlook practical enforceable and capable of standing the test of time.

The Speaker also reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th House of Representatives to reforming Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework to support national development noting that effective lawmaking required rigorous scrutiny informed debate and meaningful engagement with stakeholders.

‘Effective lawmaking requires more than good intentions. It demands rigorous scrutiny informed debate and meaningful engagement with those who will implement the law and those whose interests it is intended to protect’ he said.

He commended the sponsor of the bill and the Committee on Capital Market and Institutions for advancing the legislative process assuring participants that their submissions and recommendations would receive the attention they deserved.

Abbas said the success of the proposed reform would ultimately depend on its ability to inspire confidence protect assets and deliver lasting value to beneficiaries.

‘Ultimately the success of this reform should be measured not simply by the investment opportunities it creates but by the confidence it inspires the assets it protects and the lasting value it delivers to beneficiaries’ he said.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Joash Amupitan said on Monday that fabricated election results fake announcements of cancelled polls and AI-generated impersonations of electoral officials could trigger public disorder and undermine confidence in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the opening of the National Summit on Electoral Information Integrity themed ‘Beyond the Ballot: AI FIMI and the Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections’ Prof. Amupitan said the commission’s primary concern is that while technology evolves at the speed of light the truth often travels at the speed of trust.

According to him ‘AI-enabled manipulation- from synthetic audio of election officials to ‘deepfake’ videos of candidates- can trigger real-world disenfranchisement and civil unrest. The challenge is not just the ‘fake news’ itself but the ‘Liar’s Dividend’ where the mere existence of AI makes voters doubtful of what is actually true’.

According to him the growing sophistication of artificial intelligence has created new vulnerabilities that could allow malicious actors to manipulate electoral information and sow confusion even before votes are counted.

He said mischief-makers determined to cause confusion and unrest may deliberately target the period when candidate responses are not available especially the last 24 hours before election day when campaigns are expected to end.

He called for an emergency response system involving the electoral commission security agencies media organisations fact-checkers and technology companies to identify and counter false information before it causes widespread damage.

The INEC Chairman warned that the credibility of the 2027 elections could be threatened not only by physical interference at polling units but also by digital operations that can mislead voters discredit candidates and create doubts about official electoral procedures.

According to him fabricated audio recordings manipulated videos and false digital announcements could be deployed at critical moments to exploit gaps in communication and verification.

One such concern he said is a scenario in which manipulated audio or documents falsely announce results or claim that elections have been cancelled in strategically important constituencies.

He warned that such falsehood could provoke unrest disrupt the coalition process and weaken public confidence in the commission.

According to him ‘Collation and Result Announcement’ are particularly sensitive stages of the electoral process and fabricated information targeting these operations could have consequences beyond the reputations of individual candidates.

‘The casualty is not merely candidate reputation-it is citizen trust in the democratic process itself’ Amupitan said.

He said the commission’s concern is that conventional communication and fact-checking procedures may be too slow to counter digital falsehoods that spread rapidly across social media platforms adding that issuing formal rebuttal hours after a fabricated video had circulated widely might not reverse the damage already done.

He said ‘When a manipulated video achieves viral saturation within thirty minutes of release a formal text rebuttal issued three hours later struggles to undo the cognitive damage’

He called for clear procedures specifying who should detect suspicious content verify its authenticity escalate the incident and issue an authoritative response.

He stressed that under the proposed arrangement fact-checkers and independent journalists would have direct access to designated INEC communication officials to verify election-related claims within minutes not hours.

He also stressed the need for social media companies to establish fast-track channels to review and appropriately handle demonstrably manipulated content that violates their rules on electoral interference while telecommunications providers and media organisations should maintain channels to promptly disseminate verified alerts to the public.

Amupitan maintained that the threat of information manipulation could emerge at different stages of the electoral cycle from voter registration and campaign activities to polling collation and the announcement of results.

He said ‘Before elections malicious actors could circulate fake operational directives fraudulent registration portals and misleading claims about updates to the voters’ register.

‘During campaigns fabricated audio recordings or videos purporting to show candidates making controversial statements could be released at moments when there was little time for verification or response.’

He cited the 2023 Slovak parliamentary election when an AI-generated audio recording purporting to implicate a political party leader in vote buying circulated shortly before voting.

The example he said illustrated the difficulty of countering manipulated information when it spreads during particularly sensitive electoral periods.

Amupitan maintained that educating citizens about deepfakes was important but insufficient without institutional arrangements that can respond rapidly to coordinated digital manipulation.

He said the commission should work with civil society organisations and other stakeholders to teach voters how to distinguish authentic electoral information from fabricated content including through short audio messages in local languages and Pidgin English.

He cautioned however that efforts to counter misinformation must not become a justification for suppressing political opposition independent journalism or legitimate public criticism.

He said measures to address foreign information manipulation and synthetic electoral fraud must be transparent proportionate and subject to legal accountability.

‘The goal is not to police opinion regulate political debate or restrict citizens’ freedom of expression’ he said.

He stressed that the objective was to protect the authenticity of election information while preserving Nigerians’ right to participate freely in political debate.

Amupitan said the summit should produce practical commitments rather than another declaration without measurable implementation.

He identified clear inter-agency escalation procedures institutionalised fact-checking channels and simulation exercises as priority outcomes needed to test Nigeria’s readiness for AI-driven electoral information crises.

He said the integrity of the 2027 elections would depend not only on the security of polling units and electoral materials but also on the reliability of the information voters receive before making their choices.

The All Progressives Congress (APC)- Presidential Campaign Council(APC-PCC) yesterday said President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 ”you will have electricity ” campaign promise to Nigerians was being taken out of context especially by political opponents.

The council explained in a statement by its spokesperson Dele Alake that the deliberate steps taken by the President to end longstanding hiccups in the power sector were testaments to his determination to keep to the promise.

Alake who is also the Solid Minerals Development minister listed liberalisation of the sector metering infrastructure and market stability as some of the interventions by the Tinubu administration.

He therefore enjoined the Nigerian public and political commentators to evaluate the promise in full context and against the backdrop of the structural achievements over the past three years.

But shortly after the admonition African Democratic Party Congress(APC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar faulted Alake saying Nigerians have continued to contend with outages rising tariffs and high cost of alternative power supply.

Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi and the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate Seyi Makinde had also capitalised on recurring power outages to flay Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

The president had while meeting with the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Lagos as APC candidate for the 2023 poll said: ‘Whichever way by all means necessary you will have electricity and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore.

”A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term don’t vote for me unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.’

Clarifying the comment Alake argued that recent public debates deliberately omitted the President’s explicit qualification-that he would present a clear account of his performance and reasons for any outstanding challenges before seeking a mandate for a second term.

‘A fair assessment of the pledge should consider the full statement alongside the administration’s record since 2023. This record should be assessed against measurable improvements in electricity supply metering infrastructure and market stability’ Alake stated.

‘While fixing the power sector crisis remains unfinished the President is working consistently to deliver on his promise to Nigerians and his commitment to face the challenges head-on has never diminished.’

Highlighting policy milestones the APC- PCC spokesperson recalled that the President signed the Electricity Act (2023) within two weeks of assuming office effectively liberalising the sector and empowering subnational governments to generate transmit and distribute power.

States like Lagos Enugu Abia Ekiti Oyo Kaduna and Niger have since established state regulatory bodies to attract private capital.

On financial interventions and legacy obligations Alake said that the Tinubu administration has tackled over N6 trillion in accumulated legacy debts from 2015-2025 by establishing a N4 trillion bond programme to settle verified debts owed to 21 Power Generating Companies (Gencos) and Gas Companies (GasCos).

The first two tranches of the bond scheme according to him have already raised over N1.2 trillion thereby improving cash flow and enabling operators like Geregu Power Plc to make fresh capital investments in transformer capacity and plant upgrades.

Alake also detailed progress under the Presidential Metering Initiative which has metered over 1.5 million customers to date in a bid to close the country’s 7 million metering gap. He added that the Rural Electrification Agency has continued to expand solar power installations across universities hospitals and rural communities.

On grid infrastructure the APC-PCC spokesman pointed to ongoing execution under the Siemens-backed Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) which was restructured under an Acceleration Agreement signed in December 2023.

Following Federal Executive Council approvals for substation upgrades across key industrial load centres the administration approved an additional batch of project contracts in June 2026 for eight new substations and four major upgrades.

Acknowledging the commercial delicate balance between cost-reflective tariffs and social protection Alake explained that the introduction of service bands has helped stabilise distribution companies financially while curbing federal tariff subsidies.

‘Fixing the electricity market and power sector is ongoing work’ he added. ‘President Tinubu has not deviated an inch from his commitment. As he seeks Nigerians’ mandate for a second term in office he will proudly present his scorecard in the power sector and clearly tell Nigerians what remains to be done.’

But the ADC presidential standard bearer Atiku challenged the Tinubu administration to demonstrate measurable improvements in electricity supply insisting that laws bonds and project announcements cannot substitute for reliable power.

Atiku through the Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) Phrank Shaibu argued that three and a half years after Tinubu promised steady electricity and an end to estimated billing households and businesses still struggle with erratic power supply and the financial burden of using alternative sources

He said: ‘The APC should spare Nigerians the spectacle of celebrating paperwork while homes and businesses remain in darkness. After three and a half years families still struggle to keep their homes lit.

‘Traders and small business owners spend scarce resources on alternative power yet struggle to keep their businesses alive.

‘Nigerians are billed for electricity they cannot rely on. President Tinubu promised steady power and an end to estimated billing. That promise has not been kept.’

The former vice-president also criticised the electricity band system arguing that consumers pay different tariffs without corresponding improvements in supply.

Citing Band A tariffs of about ?209.50 per kilowatt-hour in many areas before value-added tax Atiku said electricity costs have become an additional burden for households and businesses.

‘No family should have to weigh the cost of electricity against the cost of food. No business should be left to pay more while receiving less’ he said.

He called for clarity on the Federal Government’s plan to end electricity subsidies from 2027 questioning the implications for household and business bills.

Atiku proposed working with state governments and regulators to abolish the existing band system and introduce what he described as a fairer more affordable framework that would hold electricity companies accountable for the power they deliver.

He also faulted the Federal Government’s multitrillion-naira bond programme to settle legacy debts arguing that debt repayment should not be presented as an expansion of generation capacity.

‘Paying old debts is not the same as building new power infrastructure. Bonds cannot be presented as a substitute for power in people’s homes’ he said.

Atiku further alleged that the Tinubu administration had not built new electricity generation infrastructure of its own to expand the country’s power capacity.

He raised concerns about value-added tax on electricity and the five per cent surcharge provided for certain fossil fuels including petrol and diesel under the Nigeria Tax Act arguing that Nigerians needed clarity on the prospect of additional energy costs.

The ADC candidate maintained that policy changes and financial interventions should be judged by their impact on electricity supply.

‘Dele Alake’s statement cannot light a home. Signing a law is not electricity. Raising a bond is not electricity. Approving a project is not power delivered. Nigerians cannot cook study work or sustain a business on announcements’ he said.

Atiku argued that Nigerians ‘ do not need the APC-PCC to interpret the President’s words for them.”

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has warned against creating a new security outfit that will usurp the constitutional functions of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Kalu said this during the consideration of a Senate Bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Mines Ranger Service (NMRS) to prevent and combat illegal mining artisanal mining and other crimes.

The Deputy Speaker expressed concern about the provisions of one of the clauses in the Bill which he said was already contained in the Police Act.

A robust debate centred on Clause 23 of the Bill which deals with the power to obtain information and members expressed concern about the provision.

But Kalu queried the scope of powers granted to the proposed service asking if Mine Rangers were being positioned to perform police duties.

He said: ‘These rangers are they going to be performing the work of the police? I was thinking they will arrest and hand over to the police for investigation. That is not what I am seeing in Clause 23. I am worried about Clause 23: Power to obtain information.’

The clause states: ‘For the purposes of carrying out the powers conferred on the service under this Bill the Commander-General or any other officer or employee of the service authorised in that behalf shall have a right of access to all records of any person or authority affected by this Bill for the specific purpose of discharging his duty under this Bill.’

Kalu said the service was going to be given the power of investigation if the Bill was passed as presently drafted adding that such powers ordinarily reside with the police.

He said: ‘That is investigation. It is the police that have the right to go into the records of individuals. Are you telling me that a mining ranger can when they are invited against you or your properties or your premises have access to your private information? I thought it is the police that is given the right to do that.’

House Leader Julius Ihonvbere said the provision could be subject to amendment where necessary but defended the need for preliminary investigative powers.

‘Well they are subject to some amendment if necessary. But if they do not carry out preliminary investigation of those they accost in the illegal mining they cannot brief the police adequately for prosecution in the law court. So they are not taking over the role of the police’ Ihonvbere said.

For Kalu there was a need to avoid conflict of mandate stressing that the Ranger Service should be under the police in terms of investigation hierarchy.

‘The Chairman is worried about Clause 23 so that there will be no conflict with regard to the mandate of the Nigeria Police and the Rangers. In the order of hierarchy the Rangers should be under the police in terms of investigation.

‘So they are carrying out the duty of the Nigeria Police which the Constitution and the Police Act in this case have given to the police; there will be a conflict’ Kalu said.

Ihonvbere argued that the clause was intended to prevent wrongful arrests citing recent incidents where persons not engaged in illegal mining were arrested.

‘In the recent incident there were persons who were arrested who were not even engaged in illegal mining. I think that clause simply tries to give the rangers the opportunity to separate the criminals from innocent persons and then proceed with the proper regular process under the police’ he said.

But maintaining his position Kalu said any arrest on reasonable suspicion should automatically activate the mandate of the Nigeria Police as provided in the Police Act.

‘I believe that when there is a reasonable suspicion and an arrest is conducted those arrests should be the activation of the mandate of the Nigeria Police as allowed by the Police Act. Anything contrary to that will be usurping the office of the Nigeria Police.

‘I have a problem with that so that we don’t end up creating something that will work against the ground norm of our country which has recognised in this case the police’ he said.

Consequently the House resolved to step down the Bill for further legislative engagements.

‘We will step this Bill down for further legislative engagements. Bill stepped down by the leave of the House. I am not impressed by the drafting of the Bill because clause 23 doesn’t make so much sense to me. Thank you’ Kalu ruled.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has promised not to suppress opposition voices as Nigeria heads into peak of campaigns for the 2027 general election.

To prove his seriousness Otti directed that public facilities in the state should not be closed to the candidates and members of opposition parties.

Addressing his supporters at Umuahia Township Stadium during the flag-off of the Labour Party’s campaign he also promised that his administration would not demolish any property of individuals for being in the opposition.

The governor expressed confidence that his achievements would guarantee him a second tenure saying: ‘I have since given an order and I am repeating it here that opposition parties should not be restricted from using public facilities including this stadium.

‘Never again will anybody’s fence be demolished for being in the opposition.’

Otti who recalled how a fence belonging to his supporter was demolished by the previous administration in the state said such a vindictive measure would not be applied by his administration against his challengers and their supporters.

The governor charged LP stakeholders to deliver the party in their localities.

He said ‘The request for another term was aimed at consolidating the multi-sectoral gains recorded by his administration in the last 41 months.

‘Our service to Abia State is the greatest honour of our lifetime; we are grateful to our people for their support and commitment to our administration’s development agenda.’

Otti said the enthusiasm demonstrated by supporters at the campaign takeoff reflected their determination to see the sustainment of the state’s ongoing transformation.

According to him his quest for re-election is not based on entitlement but on the need to continue providing responsive and accountable governance to the people.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly Emmanuel Emeruwa said the next House of Assembly in the state should be dominated by the Labour Party to avoid impeachment plots against the governor.

The growing call by some political actors for media organisations to engage in the announcement of winners of elections has been described by ….as an invitation to anarchy.

Speakers at a forum in Abuja which included media executives and representatives of civil society organisations(CSOs) said it was in order for media houses and others to participate in collating election results but not assume the role of announcing winners.

The forum tagged: ‘Dialogue session with media executives on the compliance with the national peace accord’ was organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) with support from the European Union (EU) the International Press Centre (IPC) the Kukah Centre among others.

Executive Director of the IPC Lanre Arogundade argued that it was wrong to ask media organisations to declare winners of elections because of the divergence in media allegiance in the country.

Arogundade who warned about the confusion such practice could cause said: ‘If we do that we will have Kenya 2007 in our hands.’

Speaking on the topic ‘The media as a partner for electoral peace and accountability’ the IPC boss pointed out that the media have the capacity to contribute to efforts aimed at promoting national unity peace and cohesion and mitigate violence during the 2027 elections.

He however noted the media would do better in this regard if the whole society assumes the responsibility of creating a peaceful atmosphere during election season.

Arogundade added: ‘Crucially too the media needs the support of the rest of the society to get it right during the elections adding that it has now become the responsibility of all to defend journalists’ rights to adequate protection welfare and resources while they perform their responsibilities.

Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) Akin Akingbulu argued that contrary to what people might be saying ‘my take would be that because elections are counted and documented in the appropriate electoral forms the appropriate institutions get copies of these results.

‘Copies are also pasted at polling units. Polling officers agents of parties and other relevant officials get copies. So the results are already in the public space. So anybody can tally such results.

‘In my opinion it is constitutionally right for people to collate results especially if they were present in those polling units’ he said.

Akingbulu added that any political party that participates in any election but does not collate results cannot be regarded as a political party.

He said: ‘What I did not support which is not lawful is the declaration of results because the Electoral Act 2026 gives that function to the election management body that is INEC.

”My expectation is that yes whether it is civil society whether it is the observers or other groups as they get the results why not? You can collate.’

He however stressed the need for the people to be vigilant and ensure they were up and doing with the months left before the next set of elections in the country.

A former National President of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Wahab Odusile noted the key role of the media in sustaining societal peace and advocated that media owners and journalists should be made to commit to promoting peace during elections.

‘The media too should be held accountable for the need to promote peace. We are called Nigerian journalists because we have a country called Nigeria.

‘We should be committed to peace. We should not use our pen to bring the country out of existence’ he said.

Executive Director of the Kukah Centre who is also a member of the NPC Attah Barkindo said the event was intended to ensure the involvement of the media in his organisation’s efforts to promote peace during and after electioneering in the country.

Barkindo argued that the duty of creating a peaceful atmosphere during electioneering activities in the country is not solely that of his group but a collective responsibility of everyone including the political players themselves and the media.

He blamed relevant state agencies for failing in their responsibility to prosecute politicians who violated peace accords after signing.

He said: ‘The peace accord has been annotated to link it with the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act but people still violate it.

‘In the past we have collated data of people who have violated the peace accord. We have information and data on violations of the Electoral Act; on violations of the Constitution in relation to elections.

‘We handed this data and information to INEC and the police who are paid with taxpayers’ money; they don’t do anything. But people keep coming for the Peace Committee.’

A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled judgment for January 27 next year in the terrorism trial of alleged terrorists’ negotiator Tukur Mohammed Mamu.

Justice Mohammed Umar chose the date on Monday after lawyers to the prosecution and defence made their final submissions.

Prosecuting lawyer David Kaswe while adopting the prosecution’s final address said: ‘We respectfully adopt our written address as our oral submission and argument in proof of the case against the defendant.

‘We urge my lord to agree with us that we have discharged the burden of proof placed before us and to convict the defendant as charged.’

Defence lawyer Johnson Usman (SAN) equally adopted the defendant’s final and reply addresses and urged the court to acquit his client.

He said: ‘We adopt these two addresses and we humbly urge this honourable court to graciously acquit and discharge the defendant on all the counts preferred by Federal Government as same having not been proved in any manner.’

Usman told the court that the prosecution has failed to produce the licence of the rifle allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence by security operatives despite the defence’s repeated demands.

When the judge asked by the judge if he was talking about the licence that had since expired Usman said the defence’s contention was that the licence had not expired as at the time Mamu was arrested.

He said even though the prosecution took custody of the rifle and the licence its failure to produce the licence in court has raised serious issues of doubt.

Usman urged the court to resolve the issue in favour of his client adding:’My lord if my vehicle licence expires and my car is parked at home the Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) cannot come and arrest me that my licence has expired.’

Responding Kaswe faulted Usman’s position recalling that the licence and the rifle had already been tendered before the court.

Kaswe said: ‘My Lord the record of this court shows that we have tendered the licence together with the arms on the day the PW-5 (fifth prosecution witness) an exhibit keeper was led on evidence.’

He added that the court grant the request when.the prosecution applied for a safe keep of the rifle and other exhibits.

Usman however thanked the Department of State Services (DSS) in whose custody the defendant was being kept for granting his family access to him as ordered by the court.

‘My lord I thank the current regime of DSS for the access given to the defendant’s family. When they do well we should praise them. My sincere gratitude to the DG DSS’ he said.

Mamu was arrested on September 7 2022 by Egyptian security officials at the Cairo International Airport on reasonable suspicion of financing Boko Haram terrorism activities.

He was alleged to have convinced the terrorists to discuss ransom payments with individual families of the hostages of the train attack instead of the Chief of Defense Staff Committee set up by the Federal Government for his personal financial gain.

The defendant was said to have been nominated by the terrorists that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound train sometime in March 2022 which took scores of persons hostage.

Mamu was alleged to have collected ransoms on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorists from families of hostages confirmed the amount and facilitated the delivery of same to the terrorists.

He was initially arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing. The prosecution later amended the charge by including seven more counts relating unlawful possession of firearms without valid licence and money laundering.

Mamu was re-arraigned on June 1 on a 17-count amended charge to which he pleaded not guilty.

In the count one of the charge marked; FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023 the defendant was alleged to have sometime about March 28 2022 in Kaduna gave support to the Boko Haram terrorist group.

He was alleged to have instigated the terrorist group to boycott the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee set up by the Federal Government to negotiate the release of the hostages (victims) of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack to enhance his act as the negotiator for the payment receipt and delivery of ransom payment from the families of the hostages.

In count two he was alleged to have undermined and obstructed the CDS Committee set up to negotiate the release of the hostages of the attack.

Count three accused him of receiving ransom payments in the sum of $120000.00 on behalf of the terrorist group from families of victims of the attack contrary to Section 21(3)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

He was also alleged to have committed an offence preparatory to or in furtherance of act of terrorism when he exchanged voice note communications in relation to acts of terrorism with Baba Adamu the Boko Haram spokesperson.

Mamu was accused of dealing in terrorist funds in the sum of $269200.00 and N25690500 in counts six and seven which were allegedly found in his possession.

He was said to have committed an offence of dealing in terrorist property contrary to Section 23 (1) (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition).

The defendant was equally alleged to be dealing in terrorist funds in the sum of 1840 Indian Rupees 1700 Egyptian Pounds and 115 UAE Dirham in counts 11 12 and 13 which were found in his possession.

Counts 14 and 15 accused Mamu of money laundering offences in the sum of N25690500 and $269200.00 allegedly found in his possession.

In count 16 the Federal Government accused him of unlawful possession of firearms when he allegedly had in his possession a Delta Magnum pump action firearm without a valid licence.

Mamu was also accused of unlawful possession of firearms when he had in his possession about 47 cartridges (ammunitions) without a valid licence sometime about March 28 2022.

The alleged offences according to the prosecution are contrary to Section 3 of the Fire Arms Act CAP F.28 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 28 of the Fire Arms Act CAP F.28 LFN 2004.

Troops of the Nigerian Army 14 Brigade Headquarters attached to 143 Rangers Battalion Ovim Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State have apprehended 19 suspected pipeline vandals.

Among the suspects is a man who claimed to be a serving police sergeant who was arrested without identity card.

The arrest our correspondent gathered was effected during an intelligence-led operation along the Nkwonta axis of Isuikwuato Local Government Area of the state.

The operation reportedly followed approximately three months of sustained intelligence gathering surveillance and tactical planning underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting critical infrastructure combating criminal activities and safeguarding public and private property.

The suspects were reportedly apprehended while attempting to load underground pipeline materials onto a heavy-duty trailer.

The operation sources from the 14 Brigade headquarters Ohafia said demonstrates the importance of sustained intelligence efforts operational patience and tactical preparedness in addressing suspected criminal activities.

It was also said to reflect the Battalion’s commitment to responding to security threats through deliberate planning and coordinated action.

The successful apprehension comes amid growing concerns over vandalism in Isuikwuato following warnings by the Executive Mayor of the local government area Hon. Chinedu Ekeke about the destruction and theft of valuable public assets.

The suspects were said to be in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The operation highlights an important contribution by the Nigerian Army’s 14 Brigade 143 Rangers Battalion to ongoing efforts to protect public assets deter infrastructure-related crime and strengthen security in Isuikwuato Local Government Area.

Speaking in an interview the Assistant Director Army Public Relations 14 Brigade Nigerian Army Ohafia Captain Mazinho Attah said that the operation also reinforces the importance of professional military service credible intelligence tactical discipline and integrity in the collective effort to create a safer environment for residents and businesses.-

The Ogun State Electricity Regulatory Commission (OGSERC) has begun full regulatory operations in the state ordering all electricity operators licensees and service providers to register with the commission within 30 days or face sanctions.

The directive which affects operators across the electricity value chain sets Tuesday December 2 2026 as the compliance deadline.

Major electricity distribution companies including the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Eko Electricity Distribution Company and Ikeja Electric as well as their subsidiary companies operating in Ogun State were also covered by the directive.

Industrial commercial and private entities involved in electricity undertakings within the state were also instructed to register.

The Commission listed electricity generation distribution transmission supply and trading companies among those required to register.

It also extended the directive to mini-grid off-grid embedded generation and captive power operators as well as electrical contractors installers and other service providers.

A statement by the Chairman of OGSERC Engr. Jide Onakoya warned that operating an electricity-related business in Ogun State without obtaining the necessary registration and licence from the state regulator would violate the Ogun State Electricity Law.

He explained that the development followed the transfer of regulatory oversight of the state’s intrastate electricity market from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to the state.

According to him the transfer was also backed by the Ogun State Electricity Law enacted by the Ogun State House of Assembly in accordance with the Electricity Act 2023 as amended.

Onakoya said the commission was now fully empowered to regulate electricity-related activities within Ogun State adding that all operators must comply with its registration requirements.

He said ‘By this announcement all licensees operators developers and service providers in the electricity value chain in Ogun State are hereby required to register with OGSERC.

‘This exercise backed by law is critical to ensuring safety standardisation consumer protection and an enabling environment for investment in the state’s power sector.’

The Commission warned that no operator would be exempt from the requirement and that conducting electricity business without appropriate registration and licensing from OGSERC was illegal under state law.

It therefore directed affected businesses and operators to begin the registration process at its headquarters on the fifth and sixth floors of OPIC Tower Oke-Ilewo Abeokuta.

Alternatively operators can initiate the process via its official email address.

OGSERC said all affected entities must complete the process within 30 days of the announcement warning that failure to meet the December 2 deadline would attract sanctions prescribed by law.

The Commission however said its regulatory intervention aimed to establish a transparent efficient and reliable electricity market capable of protecting consumers promoting investment and strengthening Ogun State’s position as one of Nigeria’s major industrial centres.