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The Coalition for Tinubu-Okpebholo-Nigeria has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the opposition’s emerging position on petrol subsidy ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing it as a contradiction that requires a clear explanation.

The coalition said Nigerians deserved to know what had changed between Atiku’s position during the 2023 presidential campaign and the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s current proposal to restore some form of petrol subsidy if it takes power in 2027.

Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), repeatedly advocated the removal of petrol subsidy during the campaign.

In July 2022, the former Vice President described subsidy removal as ‘inevitable’, although he argued that it should be implemented through negotiations with organised labour and other stakeholders. Later that year, he said his administration would move on the subsidy question within its first 100 days.

At another economic forum in Lagos, Atiku said he would complete the phased removal of subsidy and redirect the resources to other sectors of the economy, describing the subsidy arrangement as a ‘fraud’.

But the ADC, the opposition platform with which Atiku is now associated ahead of 2027, has indicated that it would restore targeted petrol subsidy for low-income and commercial transport operators if it wins the next presidential election.

Reacting on Thursday, spokesman of the Coalition for Tinubu-Okpebholo-Nigeria, Mr. John Mayaki, said the apparent contradiction had created what he described as an ‘Atiku versus Atiku’ contest.

He said: ‘In 2022, candidate Atiku was emphatic. Petrol subsidy had to go. He described the arrangement as fraudulent and presented its removal as part of the economic surgery Nigeria required.

‘Today, the political platform with which he is associated is talking about bringing subsidy back. Nigerians are entitled to ask a very simple question: what changed?

‘Did subsidy suddenly become economically sensible, or did it become unacceptable only because President Bola Tinubu was the one who eventually summoned the courage to remove it?’

Mayaki said the coalition was not suggesting that politicians could never revise their positions, adding that changing economic circumstances could legitimately produce changes in policy.

He, however, maintained that such a major reversal must be accompanied by convincing explanations rather than campaign rhetoric.

‘If Atiku or his political platform now believes subsidy should return, Nigerians deserve the arithmetic,’ he said.

‘How much will it cost? Who qualifies? Where will the money come from? How will another subsidy regime avoid the leakages and abuses Atiku himself previously condemned?

‘And if the old subsidy arrangement was fraudulent when Atiku wanted to become President in 2022, Nigerians deserve to know what economic miracle has transformed its restoration into good policy four years later.’

The coalition said Atiku was within his rights to criticise the manner in which the Tinubu administration removed subsidy, including its timing, cushioning measures and the subsequent cost-of-living pressures.

It, however, argued that criticism of implementation was different from reversing the fundamental economic position Atiku had previously championed.

‘President Tinubu must be judged by the consequences and results of the reforms he implemented. Nobody disputes that,’ Mayaki said.

‘But Atiku cannot demand accountability from Tinubu while asking Nigerians to forget Atiku.

‘The newspapers remember. The television interviews remain. The internet remembers. Nigerians remember.

‘In 2022, the message was: remove subsidy. Ahead of 2027, the opposition conversation is increasingly about restoring subsidy.

‘The question is no longer merely Atiku versus Tinubu. On this issue, it is becoming Atiku versus Atiku.’

The coalition urged the former Vice President to state clearly whether he still stands by his 2022 position that petrol subsidy should be eliminated or has embraced the ADC’s proposed targeted restoration.

It added: ‘Nigeria is too important for economic policy to change according to the election calendar.

‘By 2027, Nigerians must know which proposition they are being asked to vote for – subsidy removal, subsidy restoration, or restoration today followed by removal tomorrow.

‘Until that explanation comes, what the opposition appears to be offering Nigerians is a subsidy on consistency.’

Nigeria’s D’Tigers will face a stern test as the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers enter the second round, with five tickets to the global showpiece in Qatar up for grabs.

The second round brings together 12 of Africa’s leading basketball nations, divided into Group E and Group F, with the fourth qualifying window scheduled for August 24 to September 1, 2026.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group E alongside Cameroon, South Sudan, Guinea, Tunisia and Cabo Verde, with the group’s games taking place in Radès, Tunisia.

D’Tigers will begin their campaign against Cameroon on August 27 before facing South Sudan the following day. Their final game of the window will be against Cabo Verde on August 30.

Other fixtures in the group will see Guinea face South Sudan and Tunisia take on Cabo Verde on August 27. On August 28, Cameroon will battle Tunisia, while Cabo Verde will meet Guinea. The final day of action on August 30 features Guinea against Cameroon and Tunisia versus South Sudan.

Nigeria head into the window ranked fifth of the six teams in Group E, sitting on seven points, one behind Tunisia and two adrift of joint leaders South Sudan, Guinea and Cameroon, who are level on nine.

Nigeria will enter the decisive window with a strengthened 12-man roster featuring several established players, including NBA guard Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu and Chima Moneke. The roster also includes Caleb Agada, Stan Okoye, Ike Nwamu, Udoka Azubuike, Efe Abogidi, Ebuka Izundu, Manny Obaseki, Jordan Ogundiran and Paul Dibal.

Nigeria will head into the qualifiers with a favourable record against two of their opening opponents. The D’Tigers have faced Cameroon four times, winning three of those encounters, while they boast a perfect record against South Sudan, having emerged victorious in both previous meetings.

Cabo Verde has proved a tougher opponent, however: the sides have met six times, with Nigeria managing just one win, making the final group game a crucial test.

David Fizdale will lead the team as head coach, assisted by Dan Craig, Quinton Crawford, Deji Akindele and Dapo Adegbile.

Group F, staged in Dakar, Senegal, features leaders Senegal alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Angola, Egypt and DR Congo.

The qualification process resumes after the August window for a fifth and final phase in February 2027, after which the top two teams from each group, plus the best third-placed side, will secure places at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.

For D’Tigers, the objective is clear but challenging: negotiate the three-game window successfully, build on their favourable record against Cameroon and South Sudan, and finally get the better of a Cabo Verde side that has had their measure for years.

The Coalition for Good Governance in Africa (CGGA) has commended the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Chris Ona Najomo, for his leadership and efforts to strengthen regulation in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

In a statement issued on Friday by its President, Mohammed Kudu, the coalition said Najomo should not be held solely responsible for the broader challenges facing the industry, arguing that aviation requires coordinated efforts by regulators, airlines, airport operators, government agencies and other stakeholders.

The group said its assessment of Najomo’s tenure emphasised safety oversight, consumer protection, regulatory efficiency, and efforts to create a more predictable environment for investment.

It also highlighted his more than four decades of experience in aviation, including previous roles within the NCAA and the airline industry.

CGGA said the NCAA’s efforts on aircraft financing and investment were particularly significant, citing Najomo’s engagements with global financiers and lessors to reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s aviation market and its commitment to international regulatory frameworks.

The coalition noted that at the Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit in April, Najomo identified capital, confidence and capacity as key pillars for the sector’s growth and reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to enforcing the Cape Town Convention and IDERA framework.

Kudu said Najomo’s reforms should be assessed within the broader effort to improve the industry rather than against every challenge experienced by passengers and operators.

‘Our assessment of Capt Chris Ona Najomo’s stewardship shows regulatory leadership focused on strengthening the systems within its mandate. From safety oversight and consumer protection to regulatory predictability and efforts to attract investment into aircraft acquisition, there are clear indications of an administration working to improve the operating environment.’

The coalition said it was unfair to make the NCAA director-general the sole explanation for challenges involving several institutions and stakeholders across the aviation value chain.

It also commended Najomo for promoting engagement with industry stakeholders and international partners, describing sustained collaboration as essential to addressing longstanding constraints in the sector.

CGGA stressed that the NCAA’s regulatory responsibilities were distinct from those of airlines, airport managers, air navigation service providers and other government institutions involved in aviation operations.

The group urged stakeholders to avoid allowing legitimate disagreements to develop into prolonged confrontations that could undermine efforts to improve Nigeria’s aviation sector.

‘The aviation industry needs a collaborative approach at this stage. Stakeholders have every right to raise concerns and demand accountability, but such engagement should be constructive and directed towards solutions. We believe the reforms being pursued by the Federal Government and the regulatory steps under Capt. Najomo should be given the opportunity to translate into sustainable gains. The interest of the travelling public and the long-term development of Nigerian aviation must remain greater than individual or institutional disagreements,’ Kudu said.

The coalition said the government’s efforts to create a more investment-friendly aviation environment would require consistency and cooperation from all actors.

It pointed to the NCAA’s continuing emphasis on regulatory standards and the implementation of international aviation frameworks as important steps towards improving investor confidence and supporting the growth of Nigerian airlines.

CGGA also urged the NCAA to maintain its focus on passenger protection, safety regulation and enforcement, while calling on airlines and other operators to comply with established rules.

The group said meaningful improvement in aviation would not come from regulatory action alone, but from sustained cooperation among the regulator, government, operators, investors and passengers.

‘We call on all stakeholders to sheath their swords and allow the positive steps being taken by the administration to cascade into meaningful gains for the country. Nigeria needs an aviation sector that is safe, efficient, competitive and capable of supporting economic growth. That objective will not be achieved through blame trading. It will be achieved through responsible regulation, compliance, investment and cooperation,’ the statement said.

Following the tragic death of more than 100 artisanal miners in a devastating gold-mine collapse in Zamboye, Central African Republic (CAR), the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) has issued a continental call to action, demanding immediate reforms to end the human toll of unregulated mining operations.

In a statement in Abuja on Friday, AMSG chairman, Dr Dele Alake, described the incident as a profound tragedy that ‘Should trouble the conscience of our continent.’

Expressing solidarity with the bereaved, Alake emphasised that behind the alarming numbers are individuals whose absence leaves irreplaceable gaps in families and local communities.

‘These were not just miners. They were our brothers, fathers, uncles, sons, and indeed, breadwinners,’ Alake stated. ‘On behalf of the African Minerals Strategy Group, I extend my deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Central African Republic… We stand in solidarity with them at this moment of grief.’

While addressing the broader ramifications of informal extraction across the continent, the AMSG Chairman warned that illegal operations inflict far-reaching damage-robbing African states of critical revenue, causing severe environmental degradation, and fueling illicit trade networks.

However, he stressed that the loss of human capital remains the most destructive fallout of all.

‘This tragedy is again a painful reminder that behind every statistic about illegal mining are human beings-young men and women trying to earn a living, support their families and escape poverty,’ Alake noted, adding firmly: ‘No mineral is valuable enough to justify the loss of a human life.’

To prevent similar disasters in the future, the AMSG advocates a dual-track policy across member nations: clamping down on illicit networks while offering legitimate avenues for small-scale miners to transition into safer environments.

The member representing Esan West/Esan Central/Igueben Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Marcus Onobun, has urged lawmakers in Edo State House of Assembly to reject a bill seeking to repeal the House of Assembly and Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law in Edo State.

He said it was during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki that Edo Assembly domesticated Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution, guaranteeing financial independence for state legislatures and judiciaries.

The former Edo Assembly Speaker, in a statement, said: ”No state action should now seek to reverse this democratic progress.’

He said the move to repeal the Financial Autonomy Laws contravened the fundamental principle of the separation of powers.

Onobun noted that a robust democracy relied on three co-equal branches.

He said: ‘Stripping the legislature of its financial autonomy destroys this vital system of checks and balances. A financially dependent parliament risks becoming a mere appendage of the executive, severely limiting its capacity for strict accountability, oversight and effective representation.

‘As a former Speaker, I urge the House to reject this proposal and protect its institutional integrity. Financial autonomy is a constitutional mandate, not a political privilege. Our democracy thrives best when the legislature remains truly independent.’

But Speaker of Edo Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, said the laws were not to be repealed but amended to strengthen project monitoring.

He said the House was not reversing the autonomy.

‘We are not reversing the autonomy. We are all beneficiary of the autonomy. The proposed amendment is focused on the capital project aspect of autonomy.

‘What we are trying to do, we are looking at the capital side of it, like the project. Some persons discovered that most projects are not executed.

‘So for us to have a good understanding of the purpose for which we got the autonomy, especially on the side of the project party… what we are thinking is that we want to create a form of an agency,’ he added.

Idiaye said the agency would be responsible for monitoring release of funds, execution and supervision of capital projects for both arms.

‘That all projects will be passing through that agency. They will be monitoring. As it is now, there is no proper monitoring.

‘So we want to have an agency that we want to amend. So that they will be the one monitoring the release of funds, the execution, the supervision. And when you finish, you bring your certificate, take it to the agency.

‘What we are saying is that the amendment is not going to affect the financial aspect of it. It is the operational side of it that it will affect. I don’t even want to say the capital,’ he concluded.

Geregu Power Plc has announced the full settlement of its outstanding bond obligations, as the company’s Chairman, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, assuring investors and other stakeholders of the board’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations.

He described the development as an important step towards strengthening investor confidence and preserving shareholder value.

Speaking on the settlement, Yari said the board remained committed to meeting the company’s obligations to bondholders and trustees.

‘Our Board is fully committed to meeting Geregu’s financial obligations to its bondholders and trustees. I am pleased to confirm that payment has just been effected in line with our obligations,’ he said.

Yari assured bondholders and shareholders that the board would continue to take necessary measures to protect their interests while maintaining high standards of corporate governance.

The company also disclosed that it was working with relevant parties to resolve legacy administrative matters that predated the current board.

It said the issues would not affect its capacity to meet its bond obligations.

The Geregu chairman further reaffirmed the board’s support for the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly efforts to transform the power sector.

He said the company would continue to contribute to Nigeria’s power sector through reliable power generation.

Geregu Power said it would provide formal confirmation of the settlement upon completion of the payment process and continue to keep bondholders, trustees and other stakeholders informed of material developments.

The company added that it remained focused on sustainable and efficient power generation as part of its contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

Nigerian musician and professional keyboardist Temitope Adeoye, popularly known as Temi Comic, brought Afro-fusion to the Nigerian Cultural Day celebration in Plymouth, United Kingdom.

The event, organised by Toskel Community Heritage and Culture CIC on August 8, 2026, brought together members of the Nigerian community and other participants to celebrate Nigerian music, heritage and cultural identity in the diaspora.

Temi Comic was among the performers at the event, where he shared the stage with veteran Nigerian musician Jesse King ‘Buga’ in a performance that blended contemporary musical expression with traditional African influences.

His performance showcased the keyboard’s versatility beyond conventional harmonic accompaniment, incorporating melodic phrases, rhythmic accents, and harmonic textures.

Playing alongside Buga, whose style draws from contemporary highlife, Afro-jazz, and traditional African influences, Temi Comic adopted a collaborative approach, responding to the music and complementing the vocalist.

‘Playing alongside Buga was a very special experience for me. There is so much history and culture in his music, so as a keyboardist you have to listen carefully and understand where the music wants to go,’ he said.

He described the performance as an opportunity to learn from an established musician while exploring the connection between different generations of African musicians.

‘What I enjoyed most was the musical communication. Sometimes you don’t need many words between musicians. You listen, you respond, and you allow the music to lead you. Playing with Buga reminded me of that,’ he said.

Temi Comic said his approach was centred on supporting the vocalist and other band members rather than dominating the performance.

‘For me, playing with an experienced artist like Buga is about listening. You cannot just play because you know how to play. You have to understand the artist, understand the rhythm and know when your sound should come forward and when it should step back,’ he said.

He described the collaboration as evidence of music’s ability to bridge generational differences and create opportunities for younger musicians to connect with established practitioners.

‘It was rewarding because you realise that music has no generational gap. When the rhythm is right, and everybody understands the language, experience and youth can meet naturally,’ he said.

Reflecting on the performance, Temi Comic said working with Buga reinforced the importance of continuous learning among musicians.

‘I left the performance feeling inspired. Performing with Buga showed me that there is always more to learn, especially when you are working with someone who has carried African music for so many years,’ he said.

The Nigerian Cultural Day also highlighted the role of cultural events in preserving and promoting Nigerian identity among communities in the diaspora.

For Temi Comic, the performance demonstrated how contemporary musicians can engage with African musical traditions while introducing new sounds and approaches, highlighting the ability of Nigerian music to evolve across generations and borders without losing its cultural roots.

Child rights experts and social workers have called for stronger action to curb the exploitation and abuse of children engaged in domestic work.

They warned that emerging forms of abuse require better-equipped protection systems and frontline responders.

The call was made on Tuesday at a capacity-building workshop organised by the CeCe Yara Child Advocacy Centre for frontline child protection professionals in Lagos.

The workshop, held at the LCCI Conference Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, focused on practical child welfare strategies, professional development and measures to improve the response to cases of child abuse and exploitation.

A gender justice and child protection expert, Mrs Alexis Sanya-Kawa, said continuous learning, mentorship and regular evaluation were essential for professionals working to protect children. Mrs Sanya-Kawa urged child rights practitioners to invest in their personal and professional development, noting that improved capacity would translate into better outcomes for vulnerable children.

She described Lagos State as proactive in its response to child abuse and other forms of violence, urging other states to replicate systems that have strengthened child protection efforts in the state.

‘Lagos State is very proactive in responding to issues of child abuse and other forms of violence against persons. I would like other state governments to replicate the systems that are in place within Lagos State,’ she said.

According to her, the establishment of special courts, forensic laboratories and other mechanisms had strengthened the state’s response to abuse, but more attention was needed to ensure effective implementation.

‘We have the special courts, we have the forensic lab, we have things that ensure that abuse is curbed. But what we need to do is ensure that we strengthen implementation,’ she added.

The founder of CeCe Yara, Mrs Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, said child abuse through exploitative domestic work was assuming new dimensions, requiring stronger interventions from government, communities and child protection professionals.

Ajayi-Kayode also warned that frontline workers handling abuse cases were vulnerable to burnout and vicarious trauma if they were not adequately equipped and supported.

‘We have child helpline counsellors, lawyers and case workers. If they are not well equipped and not well taken care of, they will burn out,’ she said.

She called on community members and victims to speak out against the abuse and exploitation of children, stressing the importance of early reporting and intervention.

Also a counsellor and mental health psychologist, Ms Gloria Joaquim, emphasised the importance of mental wellbeing among child protection professionals.

Joaquim led participants through sessions on wellness therapy and body movement healing, urging activists and social workers to prioritise self-care as part of effective professional practice.

‘Your mental wellbeing is very important. Respond with intentionality,’ she said.

She noted that effective stress management could improve decision-making among professionals who routinely deal with traumatic cases involving children.

Participants, including the Chief State Counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Bureau of Public Defender, Mrs Azeezat Ajaga, pledged renewed commitment to strengthening the protection of vulnerable children.

The workshop was sponsored by The Freedom Fund with support from the United States Government and was designed to strengthen the capacity of child protection professionals to prevent abuse, respond to exploitation and support survivors.

Former Kano State Governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged Nigerians to back the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket in the 2027 general elections, saying the country was at a critical crossroads.

In a message on his X handle, Kwankwaso said rising food prices and living costs had pressured families, while millions of young Nigerians were without jobs and businesses struggled with high operating costs amid insecurity.

‘Too many families have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violence,’ he said, stressing the need to secure farmlands, schools and communities.

He called for urgent investment in education and healthcare, improved infrastructure, stronger institutions and greater transparency in managing public resources, adding that the country is endowed with the people and resources to build a prosperous, secure nation.

‘What we need is leadership with the competence, courage and commitment to put the interests of Nigerians first,’ Kwankwaso said.

Explaining his alliance with former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, Kwankwaso said the partnership was driven by national interest rather than region, religion or personal ambition. He said their partnership was built on a vision where government serves the people and every citizen has a fair chance to prosper.

He urged young people, women, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs and professionals to join the movement, calling on Nigerians to reject divisive politics and demand accountability and results from public office holders.

Kwankwaso described the 2027 election as an opportunity for Nigerians to choose a new direction, urging support for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket and other NDC candidates while appealing for peaceful, issue-based campaigns.

‘Together, we can build a stronger nation and Nigeria will be OK,’ he said.

The campaign organisation of former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has rejected claims that the former police chief lacks a political platform to contest the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election.

The organisation was reacting to comments attributed to the Nasarawa State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Aliyu Bello, questioning Adamu’s platform for the election.

In a statement on Friday signed by its Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Otaru Douglas, the campaign described Bello’s position as ‘false, laughable and born out of panic’.

It said Adamu remained in the governorship race and had secured a platform through his membership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

According to the campaign, Adamu left the APC after what it described as a controversial governorship primary and joined the SDP to give voters an alternative political platform.

‘Adamu’s defection from the APC, following the charade called a primary election, was a strategic move to a credible and people-oriented platform – the Social Democratic Party (SDP),’ the statement said.

The campaign expressed confidence that Adamu would win the 2027 election, citing his alleged growing support across the state.

It also criticised Bello’s handling of the APC governorship primary, alleging that the exercise had been condemned by party members and stakeholders across the state’s 13 local government areas.

‘The governorship primary he supervised as State Chairman has been widely condemned by party members and stakeholders across the 13 LGAs as lacking transparency, fairness, and internal democracy,’ it alleged.

The organisation accused the APC chairman of resorting to personal attacks against Adamu and urged him to focus on the party’s fortunes.

‘We are therefore calling on Dr Aliyu Bello to stay in his political lane and face his party’s dwindling fortunes,’ Douglas said.

The campaign said Adamu’s agenda remained focused on transparent governance, improved security and development, adding that criticism from political opponents would not affect his decision to contest under the SDP.

It further said ‘no amount of intimidation and media blackmail’ would alter what it described as the resolve of Nasarawa voters ahead of the election.

The organisation warned that further attempts to ‘disparage, defame, or malign’ Adamu would attract a ‘firm, proportionate, and decisive political response.’