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The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, has survived an attempt by some aggrieved opposition lawmakers to remove him from office, following last-minute interventions by the House leadership and deep divisions within the minority caucus.

It was learnt that the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, played a crucial role in diffusing the tension after holding a meeting with the opposition lawmakers to address their grievances.

An opposition lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Speaker Abbas ‘gate-crashed’ into a meeting of the minority caucus at the National Assembly and pleaded on behalf of Chinda.

According to the source, the Speaker promised to personally intervene, and out of respect for his office, ‘Chinda was spared-at least for now.’

‘Chinda also pledged to turn a new leaf. He apologised for going to court and promised to withdraw the case,’ the source added.

Sources also told Daily Trust that cracks within the ranks of the minority members also weakened the push to oust Chinda.

‘Members of the opposition political parties were divided on the move to remove Chinda. While some were in support, others were not. Members, particularly those from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), pulled out, and that weakened their ranks,’ one source said.

On Monday night, some opposition lawmakers held an emergency meeting at the National Assembly to deliberate on Chinda’s fate.

However, the lawmakers who convened the meeting have yet to release any statement on its outcome.

Daily Trust learnt that the meeting failed to achieve its aim due to internal disagreements among the opposition members.

After Tuesday’s plenary, the minority lawmakers reportedly held another round of discussions, where they agreed to resolve their differences following the intervention by the Speaker.

Daily Trust reports that some aggrieved members had accused Chinda of poor leadership and failing to carry his colleagues along in decision-making within the caucus.

Chinda, a PDP lawmaker from Rivers State and a close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to obtain an interim injunction restraining any move to remove him from office amid the crisis.

He alleged that the move to unseat him was politically motivated and linked to his association with Wike.

In the suit, Chinda argued that the plot to remove him because of his relationship with the minister violates his right to freedom of association guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

However, sources revealed that the root of the crisis goes beyond political alignment.

They said many lawmakers were frustrated by Chinda’s alleged failure to convene a meeting of the minority caucus for nearly two years, a lapse that has reportedly fuelled dissatisfaction within the opposition ranks.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the Naira-for-crude oil sale agreement with local refiners as part of its broader policy to reduce the cost of fuel production and strengthen the domestic refining sector.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed this in Lagos at the 2025 Crude Oil Refinery Owners’ Association of Nigeria (CORAN) Summit.

Daily Trust reports that under the policy which started in 2024, local refiners, especially Dangote Refinery, would be supplied crude in naira instead of the foreign currency as a way of ensuring affordable fuel for Nigerians.

However, the policy has been hampered by inadequate crude supply to the refineries.

Dangote recently suspended sale of petrol in naira before it backtracked after the intervention of the Technical Committee on Naira for crude.

The Minister while reiterating this yesterday said the policy is a deliberate strategy to shield indigenous refiners from exchange rate volatility while supporting their growth and competitiveness.

‘The Federal Government remains committed to sustaining the Naira-for-crude sale arrangement as it mitigates exposure to fluctuating foreign exchange rates and reinforces our drive for indigenous refining,’ Lokpobiri stated.

He further emphasized that the government has continued to facilitate access to crude oil through the effective implementation of the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation (DCSO), stressing that no nation can achieve true energy independence without refining its own crude.

‘Every barrel of crude produced in Nigeria must contribute to meeting both our domestic and international obligations,’ he added.

On regional integration, Senator Lokpobiri announced that the Federal Government has launched the West African Fuel Reference Market initiative.

The move, he explained, aims to position Nigeria as a regional refining and petroleum products supply hub for the West African sub-region.

‘With increased local refining capacity, Nigeria will not only meet domestic demand but also serve as a dependable supplier of refined products to neighbouring countries – thereby reducing the region’s reliance on distant refineries and costly maritime imports,’ the Minister said

Founder of the Ile-Ogbo Golf Course, Engr. Olanrewaju Abel Adeleke, his wife, Barrister Udochukwu Adeleke, former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Khamis Tunde Badmus, have called for stronger private sector participation in promoting and developing sports across Nigeria.

The call was made during the ‘Independence Golf Kitty 2025’ organized and sponsored by the LanreLeke Sports Academy, Ile-Ogbo, in Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun State.

Speaking at the event, Engr. Adeleke emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in advancing sports in Nigeria, noting that the government alone cannot drive the needed progress.

‘For Nigeria to compete effectively on the global stage, all hands must be on deck to support government at all levels,’ he said.

He explained that the LanreLeke Sports Academy, which started with only 20 members, now has 105 active participants and offers training in various sports including athletics, football, basketball, handball, and volleyball.

‘The Academy is sustained through membership subscriptions and sponsorships. While the government should create an enabling environment, it is private sector participation that will create more opportunities in sports,’ he added.

Prince Oyinlola commended the academy for its vision and consistency in promoting sports development, stressing that such grassroots initiatives are vital to producing global sporting icons.

‘There’s no magic to producing world stars except through efforts like this. With facilities like this, we can groom talents that will bring honour to Nigeria,’ he said.

Alhaji Badmus also lauded the academy’s contributions to local and international sports growth.

Barrister Udochukwu Adeleke, co-founder of the Academy, explained that the annual tournament marks Independence Day while promoting education, youth empowerment, and community service.

‘Many of our students are on scholarship. This is our way of giving back to society,’ she said.

President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has applauded the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) Golf Club for making history as the first in Nigeria to seamlessly merge cultural heritage with golf in celebration of the nation’s 65th Independence anniversary.

Runsewe described the event, themed ‘Swinging in the Depths of Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage,’ as a groundbreaking initiative that redefines how golf is perceived and celebrated across the country.

‘GEJ Golf Club has made history today as the first club in Nigeria to successfully bring culture into the golfing community. This is not just about memory; it is a message. It reminds us to love our country and use golf as a platform to tap into the benefits of our rich traditions,’ he said.

He praised the innovation as ‘a brand identity for golfing in Nigeria,’ stressing that it goes beyond sport to promote unity, peace, and patriotism.

‘By aligning this celebration with October 1st, GEJ Club is not just marking Independence Day; it is promoting peace, discipline, and a renewed sense of cultural pride,’ he added.

Runsewe emphasized that in a nation of over 250 million people, creative expressions such as this highlight the unifying power of sport. He noted that the GEJ Golf Club has not only elevated the standard of sporting innovation but also etched its name in Nigeria’s cultural and sporting history.

Vice President of the NGF and Captain of GEJ Golf Club, AVM Bgmibgmitawuza Solomon, said the idea stemmed from a desire to use sport as a vehicle for national identity and local content promotion.

‘With Nigeria marking 65 years of independence, we felt golf could be a unique way to celebrate,’ he explained.

According to Solomon, more than 80 percent of the players wore locally produced fabrics, while the post-game luncheon featured Nigerian dishes such as amala and tuwo, reflecting the government’s local content policy.

‘This is our way of aligning with the Nigeria-first agenda. I must commend the Chief of the Air Staff, whose support made it possible to host the event here at the Air Force Golf Club.

The initiative has created a model that can be replicated nationwide to not only promote golf but also preserve and celebrate Nigeria’s cultural heritage,’ he said.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the need for residents to pay their taxes, citing the resulting better road infrastructure and social amenities.

Wike, who stated this while flagging off the construction of the Mohammed Isa Road extension within the Asokoro District in Abuja on Tuesday, stressed that the ambitious infrastructure drive embarked upon by the FCT Administration (FCTA) was heavily dependent on the availability of resources.

He urged residents to pay their taxes and continue to support the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, which is committed to changing their lives.

He likened the provision of good infrastructure to ‘good soup,’ which cannot be provided without resources.

He said: ‘Pay us what you owe us. If soup is sweet, it takes money. If you don’t have the money to buy the various items when you are cooking the soup, it will look like ordinary water. But when you have money, all the ‘medemede’ (ingredients) will be there. Even if you are not hungry, but because the soup attracts you, you will be forced to be hungry. So, all these good roads, good drainage systems won’t be possible if you don’t pay your tax. So, try to pay your taxes so that we can provide more of these roads.’

Nigerians, especially those of voting age, have been urged to register for the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) as the registration window is time-bound and will soon close.

In a statement, Almuntaqim Empowerment, a faith-based non-governmental organisation, called on its members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mobilise their families and communities to participate actively in the ongoing registration exercise.

The organisation described the PVC not merely as an identity document but as a powerful instrument for amplifying citizens’ voices and shaping the outcome of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

It urged citizens to take the exercise seriously as a civic duty and a step toward national transformation.

‘We strongly emphasise that the PVC is not just an identification card – it is our most powerful tool in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to determine Nigeria’s leadership for the next four or eight years. Your voter’s card represents your voice, your power, and your right as a citizen,’ said the statement signed by Safunat Muhammad, National Secretary, on behalf of the Director General, Dr. Abdulakeem Ibrahim.

The group advised Nigerians without PVCs to register immediately at designated polling units. It also encouraged those with lost or damaged cards to apply for replacements at their local INEC offices.

‘We enjoin everyone to take this civic responsibility seriously. Registration is our duty as conscious citizens committed to positive change. The future of Nigeria depends on the choices we make today. Let us be present, prepared, and powerful in 2027,’ it added.

Almuntaqim Empowerment further reaffirmed its commitment to youth development, noting that alongside civic mobilisation, it will continue to run programmes in digital skills, vocational training, agriculture, construction, renewable energy, tourism and mining.

‘And as in private life one differentiates between what a man thinks and says of himself and what he is and does, so in historical struggles one must distinguish still more the phrases and fancies of parties from their real organism and their real interests, their conception of themselves from their reality’, Karl Marx

The ‘National Question’ in Nigeria is not an issue that will vanish from our discourse on nationhood after sixty-five years of independence. This is because the construction of both the edifice of state and the substance of nationhood is not a time-bound activity but a continuing effort at renewal and reaffirmation. The survival of any modern state is a delicate undertaking. It requires the ceaseless balancing of institutional structures with the people’s aspirations for justice, dignity, development and relevance.

In Nigeria, the reality of this effort has long been captured in the recurring debate over the ‘National Question.’ At its core, this is the puzzle of how diverse peoples, with distinct histories, cultures, faiths and aspirations, can live together in one political entity and share the burdens and blessings of statehood. It is a question that has defined Nigeria since 1914, when the North and South were forcibly amalgamated. It intensified at independence in 1960, deepened in the trauma of the civil war, persisted through decades of military rule, and continues to resonate in the rituals of our often-faltering and desultory democracy.

At the heart of this unresolved inquiry stands the National Assembly. Conceived as the supreme law-making body and the living symbol of our democracy, it ought to be the forum where Nigeria’s multiplicity converges into a consensus of reasoned opinion. The Assembly is not merely another branch of government. It is the embodiment of popular sovereignty, where elected members chosen by the people are expected to translate their mandate into laws, reforms and oversight that safeguard the republic.

In its bicameral form consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, it reflects the federal principle of separation of powers and amalgamation of interests. The House embodies the weight of numbers, ensuring that population translates into representation. The Senate guarantees equality of the states, giving even the smallest state a voice equal to the largest. This design was meant to harmonise Nigeria’s two contradictory impulses – the pull of diversity and the push for unity.

Yet, this arrangement has generated its own frictions. The Senate’s equal representation means that a state with millions of people carries the same legislative weight as one with barely a fraction of that population. It also means that the states with larger landmasses must have equal representation with those a fraction of their sizes. This incongruity has fed the feeling of imbalance and unfairness in representation and remains a thorny issue at the heart of the ‘National Question.’

It exposes the fragility of our federalism and fuels calls for restructuring, devolution and constitutional reform. The Assembly is expected to make decisive pronouncements on such matters, yet it has largely shied away from doing so. In theory, the legislature is designed to provide balance and equality in our democratic composition. In practice, it has too often mirrored the fissures of the larger polity. Instead of becoming the midwife of reconciliation and cohesion, it has become a mirror of division.

Debates on revenue allocation, taxation, constitutional amendment, or the creation of states and local governments, frequently degenerate into contests of sectional advantage. What is at stake in such deliberations is not always the national interest but the perceived survival or benefit of regions, religions or ethnic groups. The result is a chamber that amplifies discontents rather than transcends them.

A poignant absence in this picture is the proper recognition of Nigeria’s minority groups. The equal representation of ethnic nationalities should ideally be the foundation of our constitutional democracy. The failure to guarantee such inclusion has eroded confidence in the system and perpetuated a sense of alienation among many groups. Unless and until the Assembly addresses this dysfunctionality, the settlement of the ‘National Question’ will remain deferred perpetually.

This failure runs contrary to the spirit of Article 14 of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution, which envisaged a government composition reflective of Nigeria’s diversity so that no group dominates another. Yet more than two decades after the return to democracy in 1999, the Assembly has failed to make Chapter Two, especially its provisions on fundamental objectives and directive principles of the state, justiciable and enforceable.

In failing to do so, it has weakened one of the constitution’s most transformative promises. The economic dimension of this transformation is equally critical. Article 16 of Chapter Two makes it clear that Nigeria’s economy should be arranged to reflect the interests and meet the needs of all Nigerians. Yet successive governments, under the watch of the National Assembly, have failed to fulfil this mandate. Instead of focusing on how to transform these provisions into tangible policy and legislation, the legislature has occupied itself with endless constitutional tinkering that yields reports in volumes but delivering few meaningful reforms.

This has left fundamental issues unsettled especially with regards to who owns the country’s resources, how are they to be distributed, and how will wealth be equitably shared? The Assembly has been conspicuously hesitant to address these class questions and the broader issue of the ownership and control of the means of production. In the absence of clarity, the gulf between the privileged few and the rest of the citizenry has only widened, fuelling grievances that threaten national cohesion and stability.

The very essences of federalism which are equal representation and genuine devolution of powers, are constantly called into question by the Assembly’s ambiguity. Rather than becoming the crucible where corrective action is forged, it has been reduced to a theatre of patronage. Legislators too often prioritise constituency projects, committee privileges, or their personal survival over the structural transformation that Nigeria desperately requires.

The periodic constitutional review exercises have become rituals of postponement and diversion of resources. Nigerians have grown weary of reports that gather dust while grievances remain unresolved. And so, the ‘National Question’ keeps recurring in multiple dimensions – political, economic, cultural and security without hopes of it getting resolved. At this juncture, it is clear that the National Assembly has not fulfilled the responsibilities for which it was created.

Instead of answering the ‘National Question,’ it has become the stage where the unresolved contradictions of Nigeria are replayed without conclusion. Whether it can yet rise to its historic duty remains an open question of the ‘National Question’.

The Senate on Wednesday resolved to summon the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to brief the lawmakers on the coordinated federal response to insecurity in Kwara South.

The Senate also urged the federal government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South, near the forest belts of Ifelodun Local Government Area as a rapid response hub to tackle insecurity in the zone.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance

sponsored during plenary by Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (Kwara South).

The red chamber also called for immediate deployment of additional troops and special units to clear the forests and restore normalcy in affected communities in the senatorial district.

In his lead debate, Senator Yisa lamented the escalating insecurity in Kwara South, especially in Ifelodun LGA where he said bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have reached alarming levels in recent weeks.

He disclosed that the development has forced thousands of residents to flee their communities.

‘Further notes that within the last month, no fewer than twelve forest guards and local vigilante members were killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Oke-Ode, including Baale of Ogba-Ayo community.

‘Several other traditional and community leaders were among those slain in separate incidents in Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, Ganmu-Alheri, etc in Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti and Oke Ero LGAs.

‘Concerned that at least 142 persons have been kidnapped and over 70 killed in the last twelve months across Kwara South, with no fewer than 25 communities deserted due to recurring attacks-leading to severe humanitarian displacement and disruption of social and economic life,’ he said.

After a debate on the motion, the Senate mandated its Committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of affected areas and report back within two weeks.

It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons in Ifelodun and other affected LGAs.

The red chamber equally urged the federal government to compensate families of fallen forest guards and vigilantes who died defending their communities. The senators also observed a minute silence in honour of the departed.

The founder of the first female-owned tech and innovation hub in Northern Nigeria, Blue Sapphire Hub, Maryam Gwadabe has lamented that the region is still lagging behind in adopting digital technologies.

She said many people have smartphones but are not maximizing the potentials of the devices in their daily lives.

This has been the focus of the hub since its establishment over a decade ago to expand the digital footprint in Northern Nigeria especially among women believed to be disadvantaged.

The CEO stated this during the Digital Community Fair organised by the hub as part of its Accelerating Digital Adoption in Northern Nigeria (ADAN) project in Kano.

She said, ‘We all have smartphones, but many of us only use them for TikTok or Instagram. Digital adoption means using these tools to transform our lives, businesses, and communities.

‘This fair is about showing you what’s possible. It is a call to action for Northern Nigeria to become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs,’ she added.

The tech CEO also urged communities to shift from passive digital consumption to active participation in the digital economy, adding that Northern Nigeria must learn to leverage digital tools for innovation and economic growth.

Daily Trust reports that Blue Sapphire Hub is the first-female owned innovation center in Northern Nigeria which began operations in 2014.

The hub is focused ‘on developing sustainable solutions and building entrepreneurial communities for scalable impact.’ Its community is made up of innovators, entrepreneurs, freelancers and dare dreamers who leverage the power of tech and innovation to identify and solve the most pressing societal challenges.

The hub stated that innovation and Technology are at the heart of the work it does, adding, ‘We believe in breaking barriers, disrupting and challenging stereotypes in order to create positive change. We provide a launchpad for Innovators and support young entrepreneurs to thrive.

‘We provide Incubation programs, Capacity building services, Consultancy and Product Development for startups, government organizations, NGOs and companies respectively.’

So far, over 10,000 have benefited from its tech programme while over 12 tech-driven start-ups have been supported, in addition to creating 3000 jobs through the ecosystem.

Similarly, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the state has reopened 26 entrepreneurship institutes that were previously closed to help cater for the demands of the state’s population.

The Governor who was represented by the Director-general of the newly established Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA), Bashir Abdu Muzakkar, said the state is committed to ensuring that the youths, whom he said are 65 percent of its population, are prepared for the 21st century opportunities.

Organized by Blue Sapphire Hub and funded by UK International Development, the two-day fair drew hundreds of participants and showcased startups potentials particularly in the ICT and digital economy.

Meanwhile the hub has hosted a job fair aimed at connecting over 200 young talents with prospective employers and key stakeholders.

The event, also held in Kano, brought together job seekers, recruiters, government officials, and development partners in a bid to foster meaningful engagement and promote enterprise development.

Speaking at the event, a representative of Blue Sapphire Hub, Sani Sulaiman Sidi, said the fair was designed to bridge the gap between opportunities and talent, especially among northern youths, whom he said often lack access to basic job-seeking skills.

‘This job fair is a platform of hope and possibility. We want young people to see what skills are in demand, learn them, and connect with employers. It is not just about degrees anymore, it is about equipping yourself with relevant tools like IT, AI, digital marketing, and project management,’ he said.

Sidi emphasised that hubs like Blue Sapphire are creating safe spaces for learning and innovation, urging youths to take advantage of such platforms to upskill and stand out in a competitive job market.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7 command (covering the FCT and Niger State), AIG Victor Olaiya, has stated that the ongoing enforcement regarding the use of tinted vehicles is non-negotiable within the zone.

AIG Olaiya, who spoke during his familiarization visit to the Niger State Police Command on Monday, emphasized the need for strict enforcement of laws governing the use of tinted vehicle permits by motorists.

According to a statement by the Zone 7 Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Halima Mohamed, AIG Olaiya stressed that while enforcement remains non-negotiable, officers must not use it as a tool for extortion or to intimidate citizens.

He charged police personnel to always prioritize their personal safety while discharging their duties, noting that an officer must be alive and well to effectively protect lives and property.

The AIG also conveyed the assurances of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, that the Force Headquarters remained committed to improving the welfare of police officers nationwide.