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Mahmood Yakubu has said that his decision to bow out of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was to pave way for the appointment of a new chairman.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yakubu had, on Tuesday, stepped down and handed over to a national commissioner, Ms May Agbamuche-Mbu, as acting Chairman of the commission.

NAN also reports that the brief hand over ceremony took place during the commission’s regular consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Yakubu said that his bowing out would also enable the person taking over to quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities.

He said that he knew the enormity of the challenges ahead, having been privileged to serve the commission for 10 years, with only a few more weeks remaining for him to serve.

‘I have taken a decision and conveyed the same as provided by Section 36, Subsections 1 and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

‘In the interim, I am handing over to one of the most senior national commissioners by date of appointment.

‘Following consultation with other national commissioners, Ms May Agbamuchembu will serve in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman of the commission.

‘I hope that this will afford the appointing authorities adequate time to appoint a new chairman.

‘It will also enable the new chairman to quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities in Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex environment,” he said.

Yakubu expressed appreciation to members of the commission and RECs for the excellent working relations they shared.

He noted that since 2015, he had worked with 24 national commissioners and 67 RECs.

He said that he would forever cherish the support of successive secretaries and staff of INEC nationwide.

‘Together, we innovated and managed the commission’s enormous responsibilities, sometimes on the verge of breaking down,” he recalled.

Yakubu also appreciated the support of the National Assembly, political parties, the National Peace Committee, civil society, the media, the labour unions, security agencies, National Youth Service Corps and other stakeholders.

‘Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments as well as criticisms which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere,” he said.

He noted that over the years, INEC, under his watch, achieved a lot in responding to challenges and introducing many innovations.

Yakubu added that the commission also consolidated the biometric register of voters and replaced many of INEC’s manual processes with digital platforms and applications.

These, according to him, include the nomination of candidates, submission of polling and collation agents by political parties, accreditation of national and international observers, and the media for elections, voter accreditation and result management.

He added that with the support of development partners, INEC had introduced various technologies to improve diverse aspects of election management, such as the easy location of election facilities.

Others were management of collation and returning officers, virtual training of electoral staff, management of political parties’ finances and audits as well as the overall monitoring of elections using our Election Monitoring and Support Center, (EMSC).

Yakubu said while tremendous progress was made under him, a lot more still needed to be done.

He stated that the commission was already preparing for Anambra governorship election holding in November and the FCT Area Council election as well as Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2026.

He said that in addition to those off-cycle elections, INEC already commenced preparations for some of the major activities for the 2027 general elections, while awaiting the enactment of a new Electoral Act.

‘The bill is currently before the National Assembly. It is expected that electoral reforms contained in the new act will necessitate further review of our regulations and guidelines, as well as the manuals for elections.

‘Beyond these reviews, the commission needs to further clean up the voters’ register, review the locations of some of the polling units, and allotment of voters to them.

‘The management of party primaries is another major area of activity. You may recall that for the last general election in 2023, the Commission processed the nomination of over 20,000 candidates.

‘Furthermore, election logistics involving the procurement, production and transportation of huge quantities of materials by road, by air and by sea are monumental undertakings,” he said.

In her brief response, the acting INEC chairman, Agbamuche-Mbu, commended Yakubu for setting high record during his tenure as the commission’s chairman.

‘We acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements made by Yakubu during his tenure, in particular his hard work and dedication in serving our country meritoriously.

‘We wish you God’s guidance in your future endeavours. As you step down, we pray for greater success in whatever you set out to do.

‘We are confident that history will judge you very well,” she said.

Agbamuche-Mbu assured Yakubu that the commission would do its best to maintain and uphold the standards he had set.

‘I pledge to uphold the integrity of the commission and work with utmost professionalism, dedication and in unity with the honourable commissioners, the RECs, the directors, all the staff of INEC nationwide,’ she said.

The acting chairman also pledged to work with the stakeholders to ensure the success and growth of the commission.

Highlights of the occasion included presentation of presented two books entitled: ‘Election Management in Nigeria 2015-2025”, a compendium of all activities carried out in the last 10 years under his watch and’Electoral Technology 2015-2025”.

NAN reports that Yakubu, thereafter, signed his official handing over notes and presented them to Agbamuche-Mbu.

The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Nigeria, with support from The Nippon Foundation (TNF), has hosted a series of Green Mega and Mini Field Days across five states, namely, Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano and Nasarawa, to promote climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices that enhance productivity, soil health, and farmers’ resilience to climate change.

According to a statement by the Association, the field events, held at SAA’s demonstration sites, showcased innovative practices that integrate maize and soybean strip cropping, conservation agriculture, and integrated soil fertility management.

Farmers also witnessed the benefits of biochar application, proper plant spacing, mulching, and the use of improved seed varieties, including Provitamin A maize and high-yielding soybean.

Speaking at the Mid-Season Review Meeting held at the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture in Makurdi, Godwin Atser, SAA Country Director, said the activities are vital tools for technology demonstration and farmer learning.

‘Field days are powerful platforms that catalyze knowledge of SAA’s approaches across the agricultural value chain.

‘They create opportunities for interaction with farmers and allow us to scale improved practices that drive productivity and resilience’, he said.

Atser urged SAA field officers to remain committed to delivering new technologies that enhance sustainable farming outcomes in the country.

In Gombe State, the Green Mega Field Day drew participation from farmers, partners, and government officials, including representatives of the State Ministry of Agriculture, traditional and religious leaders, and development organizations.

Barnabas Malle, Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, represented by Ibrahim Sajo, commended SAA’s interventions, describing them as transformative for rural communities.

‘SAA’s interventions have brought visible progress to our communities,’ he said. ‘Through this collaboration, we are raising a generation of farmers who understand sustainable intensification and climate-smart agriculture – key to ensuring food security and economic prosperity in Gombe State.’

One of the highlights of the events was a testimonial from Gloria Umaru Dangombe, a female farmer and host of one of the demonstration plots. She expressed delight at the impact of the new technologies on her farm.

‘The Provitamin A maize we planted has performed beyond our expectations,’ she said. ‘The mulching technique helped our soil retain more water, and the crops have grown much better. We are seeing real change in our fields and have more confidence in facing long dry spells.’

Across the participating States, the events featured interactive sessions, cultural displays, and field tours that encouraged peer learning and highlighted the success of participatory agricultural extension methods.

Each of the five states – Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, and Nasarawa – hosted one Mega Field Day, while Nasarawa held two. Several Mini Field Days were also conducted at the community level – ten in Gombe, twelve in Nasarawa, five each in Benue and Kano, and ten in Jigawa – to deepen grassroots engagement and ensure wider adoption of SAA-promoted technologies.

Through support from The Nippon Foundation, SAA continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda by promoting regenerative and market-oriented agriculture that delivers both economic and environmental benefits.

‘The Green Mega and Mini Field Days are part of our broader effort to build healthier soils, boost productivity, and secure the livelihoods of smallholder farmers,’ Dr. Atser added.

The events concluded with renewed commitments from farmers and stakeholders to expand the adoption of climate-smart technologies for a more sustainable agricultural future in Nigeria.

ýIyiola Omisore, former national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that governance is not a dancing matter but a serious responsibility that must be taken seriously by disciplined and competent leaders.

ýOmisore, stated this on Tuesday at the APC Secretariat in Osogbo when he formally announced his intention to contest the 2026 Governorship election under the APC.

ýAddressing a crowd of party faithful, the former deputy governor of the State, said his decision to contest stemmed from a commitment to restore seriousness, focus and development to the affairs of the State.

ýHe said, ‘People are expecting maturity governance, educational improvement, agricultural improvement, rural capital development, structural adjustment of the state, capital development, impartial policies, among others.

ý’Most importantly a very serious government, government is not a dancing matter, it’s a serious business and must be taken seriously by serious people.’

ýHe added that the gathering was meant to demonstrate the preparedness of committed APC members across the state, to ensure his emergence as the party’s flag bearer in the forthcoming primaries.

ý’This is to show preparedness of the core APC members in the state, to show how ready we are to ensure that I become the party candidate by God’s grace in December, and to further strengthen the belief of the people in the coming APC government in Osun State.

ý’APC chance in Osun 2026 governorship election is 100 percent, these are volunteers from the nook and cranny of the state, this is just within the party and not the public this is an internal politics, preparing us for the forthcoming primaries in December.

ý’This is also to show the strength of the rescue mission to ensure that we get the party ticket by God’s grace and win the governorship election’, he added.

ýAjibola Famurewa, the Coordinator Iyiola Omisore Movement, described him as the most experienced aspirant capable of returning the APC to power.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) collected N564.71 billion total revenue in the second quarter of 2025 out of N742.34 billion billed to customers.

The commission disclosed this in its 2025 Second Quarter Report obtained from its website in Abuja on Tuesday.

The report said that this translates to a collection efficiency of 76.07 per cent in comparison to the total revenue collected by all DisCos in 2025 First Quarter.

It said that the first quarter revenue was N553.63 billion out of N744.26 billion billed to customers, which translated to a 74.39 percent collection efficiency.

‘This means that at an aggregate level, DisCos recorded a 1.68 Percentage Point increase in collection efficiency between first quarter and second quarter 2025,’ it said.

The report also said that under the quarter being reviewed, Eko DisCo recorded the highest collection efficiency of 87.80 per cent.

‘Conversely, Jos DisCo recorded the lowest collection efficiency at 43.82 per cent.

‘A comparison of DisCos’ performance shows that Port Harcourt, Benin, Ikeja , Ibadan, Eko and Yola DisCos recorded improvement in collection efficiency between first quarter 2025 and second quarter 2025.

‘Conversely, the remaining five DisCos recorded declines in collection efficiency,’ it said,

The report said that Abuja and Jos had the most significant declines across the quarters.

On the outskirts of Bonwire, Kumasi, old weaver Mama Kofi folds a strip of vibrant Kente over her shoulder – midnight blue, gold, black zigzags, stitched with stories her mother taught her.

For decades, buyers offered lower and lower prices, telling her, ‘just add ‘Ghana-style” before selling abroad. She knew those copies could never carry the weight of the loom, the dye, the hand.

Then, September 30, 2025, came. At the La-Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, among Ghanaian officials, Kente artisans, musical interludes, and craftspeople, the Registrar-General’s Department, with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), declared Ghana’s iconic cloth the country’s first-ever Geographical Indication (GI) product.

Mama Kofi heard her loom’s voice recognised. From this point on, only the cloth woven in designated Ghanaian communities by traditional methods can be sold globally as authentic ‘Kente.’ Taglines like ‘Kente-style’ or ‘Kente lookalike’ won’t legally carry the weight of origin any more.

This wasn’t just a legal declaration. It was a reclaiming of heritage, identity, and economics for voices long unheard. But its ripples reach far beyond Bonwire – across borders, across looms, and across Nigeria’s textile heartlands.

Why This Matters: The Kente GI Equation

Authenticity and Reputation

A GI is more than words. It is intellectual property tied to place. It forbids misuse of the name ‘Kente’ for fabric not made in the eligible weaving communities in Ashanti and Volta using specified techniques. This ensures buyers globally can trust what they are buying.

Brand Value and Economic Upside

With legal protection, weavers can command better prices. The recognition elevates Kente from ‘pretty cloth’ to premium heritage good. Ghana’s weaving communities, numbering thousands (estimates vary, but Bonwire alone has hundreds of weaving families), now stand to benefit from both export markets and tourism.

Cultural Guardrails for Future Generations

The GI move safeguards not just fabric, but a lineage: how colours are chosen, motifs designed, weaving methods preserved. It ensures that Kente remains more than a costume for events; it remains a living heritage.

Nigeria’s Looms, Nigeria’s Losses

While Ghana acts, Nigeria’s textile crisis deepens. Some numbers:

Textile import bills skyrocketed to ?726.18 billion in 2024, a 297.8% increase over 2020’s ?182.5 billion.

Export growth in Nigerian textile articles did happen – from ?6.022 billion in 2020 to ?36.981 billion in 2024. Yet this pales beside the import flood and is heavily driven by currency depreciation rather than structural competitiveness.

The textile industry’s contribution to GDP is shrinking, and many mills have shut down. From over 180 textile mills some years ago, only about 20 remain active.

Under AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), Nigeria’s textile and apparel exports to the U.S. amount to $548,000 (2023) – about 0.01% of total apparel imports under AGOA.

Tall numbers. But behind them are women like Mama Kofi, weavers, dye pits, looms silent, traditions fading. Many young people leaving the craft.

What Nigeria Can Learn / Do

Ghana’s Kente GI is a live template. Here’s what Nigeria can do – not someday, but now:

Pass GI-]Specific Legislation for Textiles and Crafts

Nigeria needs a sui generis GI law or amend existing IP laws to explicitly cover fabrics, traditional textiles, handlooms, dye works, motifs.

Map Origins and Code of Practice

Identify weaving regions (Iseyin for Aso-Oke, Abeokuta for Adire, etc.), document weaving techniques, materials, motifs. Create ‘books of specifications’ like Ghana did for Kente.

Empower Weaver Associations and Clusters

Local associations, craft guilds, state textile councils must be equipped to own GI processes: apply for protection, enforce use, educate members.

Protect Authenticity Legally and Commercially

Once GI status is secured, misuse (fake fabrics, ‘Kente-style’, ‘Aso-Oke inspired’) must be actionable. Use customs, IP offices, standards bodies to enforce.

Brand and Market Nigerian Textiles Globally

Use heritage, craftsmanship, origin story to build premium brands. Export, tourism, designer collaborations can project Nigerian cloths as luxuries.

Plug the Economic Leaks

Reduce import dependency, value addition at home, better export infrastructure. Nigeria needs to reverse trends: textile import growth is up ~300% over 5 years; exports up, yes, but still tiny. GI protection for key fabrics can shift this balance.

Portrait of Possibility

Imagine a world with these scenes:

A government-certified ‘Authentic Aso-Oke’ label worn by fashion influencers in Paris.

Tourists visiting weaving villages in Oyo, seeing dye pits and looms, buying directly from artisans.

Aso-Oke, Adire, Hausa weaves being exported under protected origin labels, commanding premium prices.

Nigerian designers, weaving communities, textile clusters celebrating authenticity, income rising, traditions breathing again.

Closing: Looms Reclaimed, Identity Insured

Mama Kofi takes her cloth off the loom. She holds it up – the colours deep, the pattern sharp. Shadows of imposter fabrics won’t fool the eyes anymore. With GI protection, her weave is hers alone.

Ghana’s Kente GI signals that fabric is law, heritage is economics, identity is global currency. Nigeria has everything it needs – fibre, hands, colours, stories. It just needs the courage to codify, protect, and tell.

The loom sings; the cloth carries stories. When Nigeria claims its fabrics, it claims its narrative – and its place among nations that weave heritage into prosperity.

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), Musa Garba-Maitafsir, says over 60 million adults in Nigeria lack basic literacy and numeracy skills.

He has also advocated improved funding for adult education in Nigeria.

Musa Garba-Maitafsir spoke in Kano on Tuesday at the opening of the 2025 Nigeria National Council for Adult Education (NNCAE) Annual National Conference.

The historic national event, holding at the Convocation Arena, Bayero University, New Campus, Gwarzo Road, Kano, opened on Monday and will run till Friday.

It has as theme, ‘The Future of Adult Learning in Nigeria: Leveraging the 5th Industrial Revolution for Inclusive, Equitable, and Sustainable Development’.

He said, ‘This is not just a statistic, it’s a call to action.

‘Adult education is no longer an afterthought or a remedial option; it is a strategic lifeline that empowers individuals.’

Garba-Maitafsir stated that in all the 774 LGAs, whether rural communities, informal settlements, or underserved communities, including hard to reach locations, adult education offers a vital second chance.

The NMEC boss added that education opens doors to dignity, economic inclusion, and lifelong learning.

He added, ‘Yet, in spite of its profound importance, this sector still struggles for recognition, adequate funding, and full understanding.’

According to Garba-Maitafsir, the theme reminds Nigerians on how crucial it is to reflect deeply on the path ahead.

He said, ‘We live in extraordinary times, marked by rapid technological change and complex social challenges.

‘Yet, within these challenges, there are many opportunities to uplift millions of adults who have been overlooked by traditional education systems.’

The executive secretary said there were many daunting realities like hunger, poverty, inequality, environmental concerns, insecurity and more.

Garba-Maitafsir, therefore, stressed the need to reposition adult education at the heart of the 5th Industrial Revolution and align it firmly with the SDGs, especially Goal 4.

According to him, it champions inclusive, equitable and quality education for all

He added, ‘Fundamental skills like reading, writing and Mathematics are the keys to unlocking personal empowerment and active citizenship.’

Garba-Maitafsir described the NNCAE members as the backbone of adult education in Nigeria.

He stated, ‘Your unwavering advocacy and tireless efforts have been a powerful force behind many innovations that have shaped the landscape of adult and Non-formal Education.

‘Your dedication has inspired where it once seemed impossible.

‘However, we all recognize there is still more work to be done ahead

‘Supporting the vision and mission of the Commission demands continued collaboration, creative situations, and a shared commitment to reaching every Nigerian adult and youth in need.’

Garba-Maitafsir also applauded them for their steadfast partnership and for being champions of change.

He continued, ‘Together, we can forge a future where no adult is left behind, where education truly becomes a lifelong journey accessible to all.

‘Thank you, and may this conference be wellspring of fruitful ideas and renewed determination.’

Forensic examination of a phone and WhatsApp chats in the $4.5 billion fraud trial of former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has suffered a major setback.

This was revealed on Tuesday at an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

The examination, meant to be conducted jointly by experts from the prosecution and defence, failed to proceed due to disagreements over execution modalities.

Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demands. His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, faces a three-count charge for unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.

The duo are charged with offences involving $4.5 billion and ?2.8 billion.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Emefiele’s Lead Counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had twice obstructed the court-ordered forensic process.

Justice Rahman Oshodi had on Sept. 15 ruled that the mobile device, marked ‘iPhone 2,’ and its WhatsApp contents, tendered as evidence by the EFCC, must undergo scientific examination.

The ruling followed a defence application seeking the test in the interest of justice, with experts from both sides participating.

Ojo informed the court that on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25, the scheduled dates for the exercise, nothing was achieved despite the presence of both parties and the court’s registrar.

He said the first obstacle was that EFCC officials claimed the phone could not be fully exposed to the joint team.

‘On the second day, even after the registrar clarified the order, EFCC representatives failed to produce the phone when Apple’s expert requested it,’ Ojo said.

He argued that unrestricted access was essential for the experts to perform their duties and urged the court to issue a fresh directive to ensure compliance.

Responding, EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said the initial forensic examination by the defence expert was flawed and breached standard procedures.

He claimed the expert lacked a physical laboratory or verifiable office and conducted parts of the analysis online, risking data integrity.

‘The implication of their request is that Exhibit E could be altered. The data might auto-sync, compromising its authenticity,’ Oyedepo said.

He added that the iPhone remained in flight mode and untampered with, insisting that any handling must follow proper forensic standards.

However, the defence urged the court to halt further testimony until the examination was completed, stressing that the WhatsApp chats were central to their case.

The court acknowledged the defence’s concerns and directed the prosecution to file the forensic report within 24 hours.

Justice Oshodi also ordered both parties to adopt electronic service of documents to avoid further delays.

The case was adjourned until Oct. 8 for continuation of trial.

The mortgage market in Nigeria will be getting a major boost as 20 new branches are on the way following Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Mortgage Bank’s N20 billion expansion plan which it unveiled recently.

The ambitious plan seeks to strengthen the bank’s role in Nigeria’s housing finance sector, with projections to open 20 new branches nationwide, grow its active customer base to 100,000 families, and scale its loan portfolio to N100 billion within the next three years.

Hayatudeen Auwal, the bank’s managing director, who disclosed this recently at the commissioning of the bank’s new head office in Abuja, explained that the strategy is aimed at expanding access to mortgage financing while sustaining the bank’s record of financial discipline.

‘We intend to establish at least 20 branches nationwide in the next three years, grow our active customer base to 100,000 families, and scale our loan portfolio to N100 billion, Auwal disclosed in a statement at the weekend, adding that, with the support of their chairman, the entire housing development financing window has been opened to support the bank.

According to him, the dream of bridging Nigeria’s housing finance gap and supporting the Federal Government’s housing delivery agenda was alive, revealing that he was proud to say they have not only sustained that dream, but also expanded it, turning vision into measurable progress.

‘Our key achievement is being the number one collaborator with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN),’ he said, announcing that the bank had already achieved significant milestones, including facilitating over N27 billion in mortgages for 3,427 Nigerians across the federation and enabling more than 6,000 citizens to access mortgage loans through the PENCOM retirement savings window.

He noted that the bank’s credibility rests on its consistency in meeting obligations, a factor that has earned it trust within the financial sector.

‘From the National Housing Fund (NHF), despite accessing a huge loan portfolio, we have never defaulted. We have never defaulted in making repayments, and we have never defaulted in meeting our objectives,’ he emphasised.

Auwal stressed that housing finance remained central to achieving the government’s broader economic vision, commending President Tinubu, who has challenged Nigerians to envision a $1 trillion economy. ‘We believe the housing sector is well-positioned to contribute to that goal. With the effort and commitment of our chairman, the bank will play its part in achieving it,’ he said.

As part of its growth agenda, the bank is also preparing to launch a Diaspora Mortgage Project to help Nigerians abroad own homes back home, while exploring partnerships with pension funds, insurers, and international development agencies.

Auwal disclosed that the bank was making efforts to secure a national banking licence. ‘We are aiming to become a national bank. The Central Bank of Nigeria has already been informed and has given us a checklist of outstanding requirements. With our commitment, we are confident that, before long, FHA Mortgage Bank will attain national bank status,’ he assured.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has been called upon to contest the 2027 Presidential election in order to bring a total turnaround to the economy of the country and the welfare of its teeming people.

This call was made on Tuesday by Local Government Secretaries, Chiefs of Staff to Local Government Chairmen, Supervisory Councillors and Special Assistants from all the 33 Local Government Areas of the State, who converged on the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, for a solidarity rally.

The Local Government appointees pointed out the massive transformation of Oyo State on Governor Makinde’s watch, tasking the governor to present himself to deliver the good governance, which Oyo State has been enjoying in the last six years and some months, to the entire country.

According to the appointees, who thronged the Secretariat in hundreds and were received on behalf of the Governor by Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal the Deputy Governor of the State at the frontage of the Governor’s Office, Governor Makinde has proven his leadership mettle over the years.

Ayodeji Oladepo, the Chairman of Oyo State Supervisory Councillors’ Forum speaking on behalf of the ýpolitical supporters, said Governor Makinde had demonstrated his leadership ability and would be able to bring transformative governance to the country for the benefits of all citizens.

He assured of the forum’s readiness to mobilise support for the governor’s presidential bid in 2027.

In his response, the Deputy Governor, who received them, thanked them and commended them for their thoughtfulness.

ýHe affirmed that Governor Makinde is eminently qualified to be the President of Nigeria, adding that the governor has significantly raised the standard of governance in the state and that he would bring his excellent performance to bear on national leadership.

ýHe assured the political supporters that the Governor would respond to their request at the appropriate time.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after receiving the crowd of supporters, Lawal said: ‘Well, you saw the crowd. I didn’t know they were coming. But having seen how lively, enthusiastic and happy they were, I could not but come out to address them in spite of the fact that the governor is otherwise engaged.

‘The main reason they came, according to them, is to urge our governor to come out to contest for the Presidency. It is a legitimate call because, by all standards and by all means, the governor is eminently qualified.

‘Like many other people, they have come out from the 33 local government areas of Oyo State and it shows clearly that these people genuinely wish our governor well.

‘The choice entirely is the governor’s, but that is what they wish, and I have told them that the message will be delivered to the governor.

‘I know that, at the appropriate time, the governor would respond to the yearnings and the callings of the people.’

In response to ongoing reports of violence, Senator Ted Cruz has introduced new legislation, and a group of U.S. lawmakers is urging the State Department to officially redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). The Nigerian government strongly denies allegations of religious persecution.

Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Lawmakers introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 and urged the Senate to redesignate Nigeria.

Their key rationale is to address ‘egregious violations of religious freedom’,; halt violence against Christians and other religious minorities by Islamist terrorist groups (Boko Haram, ISIS-WA, Fulani militants) and end the enforcement of blasphemy laws.

The Nigerian Government denies allegations of religious persecution and targeting Christians. Instead, Nigeria considers that violence originates from terrorism and banditry, not religious targeting; emphasises religious diversity in key appointments, and states that attacks also affect Muslims.

The Push for ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Designation

Alongside the legislative effort, there is a concurrent push for the U.S. State Department to officially label Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

Historical Context: The U.S. previously designated Nigeria as a CPC in December 2020 under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. This designation was removed in 2021 by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Current Pressure: In March 2025, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended that Nigeria be reinstated on the CPC list. Following this, a group of Republican senators, including Ted Cruz, wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to advocate for this redesignation, which would grant the President authority to impose specific penalties on Nigeria.

Potential Impact: A CPC designation would place Nigeria in a category with countries such as Eritrea, Iran, China, and North Korea, and could lead to targeted sanctions or other diplomatic measures.

The situation involves deeply conflicting narratives. To form a balanced view, you may consider:

The Scale of Violence: The statistics cited on violence against religious communities are highly contentious but remain central to the argument of U.S. lawmakers.

Complex Drivers of Conflict: The Nigerian government and some analysts caution against a solely religious framing, highlighting other factors such as resource competition, weak governance, and widespread criminality.

Geopolitical Context: This issue occurs amid other diplomatic tensions, such as recent U.S. restrictions on visa terms for Nigerians. However, U.S. officials state that the visa changes are based on technical and security benchmarks.

2. Failed presidential visit sparks political fireworks in Abia State

The cancelled visit of President Bola Tinubu to Abia State on October 3, 2025, has led to significant political fallout, creating a public dispute between the state government and opposition figures, and sparking various claims about the reasons behind the cancellation.

Different parties involved have provided conflicting explanations for the cancelled visit, which has intensified the political controversy.

The Abia State Government officially announced the visit, stating the state was preparing to welcome President Tinubu to commission several road projects in Aba.

The Presidency explained a last-minute schedule change due to the President’s attendance at a funeral in Plateau State. Some reports suggest APC stakeholders advised against the visit because Governor Otti has not joined the APC.

The Abia State Government stated that the Governor personally asked the President to delay the visit because he (Otti) needed to be in Abuja for his Attorney-General’s SAN inauguration.

The contending parties are the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu, and Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, the media aide to Governor Otti.

Kalu first accused the Abia State Government of insufficient gratitude and recognition for the president’s contribution to infrastructure renewal in Abia State through his policies of subsidy removal, which increased funds to states. He alleged that Abia State receives N38 billion monthly from the FAAC allocation.

Kalu then vowed that the APC would take over Abia State in 2027 from the Labour Party.

Ekeoma responded by discussing Abia’s FAAC receipts, the increased employment of civil servants, and an additional 5,000-plus teachers for public schools. He stated, ‘Abia’s 2025 Year-to-date FAAC allocation (8 months), including LGA, stands at 125 Billion Naira. Meanwhile, if we were to go by Kalu’s false claim of a monthly sum of N38 billion, it would have been N304 billion. Should a Deputy Speaker of a Federal Legislature be associated with such bare-faced lies?’

Project Legitimacy and Broader Criticisms

The commissioned projects, especially the Port Harcourt Road, have become a focal point of criticism from the opposition.

Cost Controversy: The Abia APC Renaissance Group alleged that the 5.8-kilometre Port Harcourt Road was reconstructed at a ‘staggering’ cost of N36.5 billion, a sum they claim is grossly overpriced compared to an earlier bid of N9 billion.

Broader Grievances: Critics have also pointed out other issues, including Governor Otti’s refusal to move to the official Government House, concerns over the treatment of Abia civil servants’ wages despite increased federal allocations, and allegations of mismanagement of funds intended for public school renovations.

The event has transitioned from a simple project commissioning into a significant political event, clearly outlining the battle lines for the upcoming 2027 elections in Abia State.

Governor Alex Otti

Deputy Speaker HOR Benjamin Kalu

3. More engagements over PENGASSAN versus Dangote Refinery

A week after its resolution, the PENGASSAN strike action against the Dangote Refinery continues to generate intense debates.

Analysts blame an increase in the price and shortage of domestic cooking gas on the action.

Influential citizens and groups also joined in condemning PENGASSAN for the action. Notably, among them is Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a renowned former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

Oshiomhole described the nationwide shutdown as an unnecessary escalation from a simple dispute with one company to a ‘secondary’ solidarity action. He argued that the action harmed innocent Nigerians and other businesses and risked the jobs of individuals who were not involved. He suggested that new, large-scale investors like Dangote Refinery need time to mature and become stable, ensuring good jobs, and that aggressive labour action too early could ‘cripple’ the business.

Beyond Senator Oshiomhole’s comments, the dispute between PENGASSAN and the Dangote Refinery has drawn reactions from a wide range of stakeholders, including business associations, regional socio-political groups, and economic experts.

Business associations, such as the Nigerian Employers Consultative Group and the Centre for the Promotion of Enterprise, as well as economic analysts and regional groups like the Arewa Consultative Forum, joined in condemning the strike.

While the Arewa Forum viewed it as a security threat, analysts emphasised the negative impact on the economy.