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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two individuals for allegedly collecting ₦603.4 million from Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye under the pretext of facilitating her appointment as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

The suspects are Gidado Ibrahim and Halimat Adenike Tejusho, who is currently on the run.

They were arraigned on Monday before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on an amended six-count charge bordering on fraud and obtaining money by false pretence.

According to the prosecution, the suspects allegedly forged a document bearing the letterhead “Presidential Villa, State House, Office of the National Security Adviser” to carry out the scam.

Part of the charge stated that between August and October 2024, within the court’s jurisdiction, the defendants allegedly obtained the sum of ₦603,400,000 from Yomi-Sholoye by falsely claiming they could secure her appointment as NNPC GMD, a claim they allegedly knew to be untrue. The offence is said to be contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.

Another count alleged that Gidado Ibrahim, sometime in August 2024 in Abuja, knowingly used the forged document as genuine, an offence contrary to the Penal Code Law.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the plea, the prosecution counsel, Y. Tarfa, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility. However, Ibrahim’s counsel, B. B. Alhaji, asked the court to remand his client in EFCC custody due to health concerns, pending the determination of his bail application.

The presiding judge, H. Muazu, adjourned the case to February 17, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

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Nigeria’s former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), is currently holding a closed-door meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

The meeting, still ongoing as of press time, is taking place at Babangida’s Hilltop Mansion in Minna, Niger State.

Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, was reportedly the first to arrive. He landed at the Minna International Airport and proceeded directly to Babangida’s residence at about 1:30 p.m.

Governor Makinde, one of the PDP governors who has remained aligned with the party, arrived shortly afterwards at approximately 2:10 p.m.

Details of the meeting have not yet been disclosed.

Source: The Eagle Online

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The Senate on Tuesday reversed its earlier position and approved both electronic and manual transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment to the Electoral Act.

Under the new provision, presiding officers are required to electronically transmit polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Results Viewing Portal (IReV). However, where electronic transmission fails, the hard-copy result sheet — Form EC8A — will serve as the primary means of collation.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), during an emergency plenary session in Abuja. The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro.

The amendment affects Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026.

Reading the revised clause before putting it to vote, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated:

“Presiding officers shall electronically transmit the results from the polling units to INEC’s IReV portal and provided that if the electronic transmission fails and it becomes difficult to transmit the results, the Form EC8A will be the primary means of collation.”

Explaining the motion titled “Rescission on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026,” Monguno said the Senate reconsidered its earlier rejection after fresh issues emerged during review of the bill.

He said the amendment was necessary to align the law with public expectations.

“This amendment is to bring our laws in line with the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians,” he said.

The Senate invoked Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) to rescind its earlier decision and recommit the clause to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration before passage.

Rowdy Session

The plenary became rowdy after Akpabio read details of the revised clause, as some lawmakers raised objections over certain wordings.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe called for a division under Order 70 to allow individual voting but later withdrew the request, which could have stalled the amendment.

The majority of senators subsequently voted in favour of the revised clause.

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President Bola Tinubu has again nominated former Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Dakingari, for appointment as an ambassador.

The renomination comes less than two weeks after Dakingari’s name was earlier submitted to the Senate and subsequently withdrawn amid controversy.

The President’s fresh nomination letter was read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.

In the letter, Tinubu said the appointment was made in line with the provisions of Section 171, subsections (1), (2)(c), and (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He appealed to the Senate to give the nomination prompt consideration and conveyed his highest regards to the Senate leadership.

The letter stated, in part, that the President was pleased to present Usman Dakingari for confirmation by the Senate as a career ambassador and expressed hope that the upper chamber would act expeditiously on the request.

Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening, directing the committee to report back to the chamber within one week.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Tinubu will not intervene again in the ongoing political crisis involving Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Wike made the statement on Tuesday while speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. His comments followed a fresh peace meeting brokered by President Tinubu between him and Governor Fubara at the Presidential Villa on Sunday night.

Addressing questions on the Rivers political impasse, Wike said the President stepped in as a father figure and peacemaker, but emphasised that such intervention should not become a regular occurrence.

According to him, the President has shown considerable goodwill toward the people of Rivers State by intervening in the dispute between the executive and the legislature.

“This is the second time Mr President has intervened,” Wike said. “By the grace of God, I believe this will be the last time.”

He added that he had directed members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to comply with the President’s directive, expressing confidence that they would do so without hesitation.

Wike further stated that he expects the crisis to be laid to rest permanently, noting that Nigerians should not continue to witness such political disagreements in the state.

Details later…

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has declared her support for the retention of real-time electronic transmission of election results, saying Nigerians deserve an electoral process that is transparent and truly reflects the will of the people.

The senator made her position public in a Facebook post on Tuesday, ahead of a crucial Senate session expected to revisit controversial amendments to the Electoral Act.

Her endorsement marks a significant shift as the Senate faces growing pressure to reverse its decision to remove the phrase “real-time” from provisions on electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026.

In her post, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she entered the Senate chamber carrying the hopes of Nigerians who seek stronger democratic safeguards in the country’s laws.

She described real-time electronic transmission of results as vital to enhancing transparency, protecting the integrity of the people’s mandate, and rebuilding public confidence in the electoral process. According to her, Nigeria’s democracy must evolve through systems that ensure every vote counts and every voice is accurately represented.

The controversy surrounding the removal of “real-time” from the bill has sparked widespread public backlash, with civil society organisations, opposition leaders, professional groups, and youth bodies warning that the change could weaken electoral safeguards.

Her intervention came in the wake of mass protests at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, where demonstrators—under the banner Occupy the National Assembly—condemned the Senate’s earlier decision. The protesters accused lawmakers of attempting to roll back electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Last week, the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, after a third reading. Central to the controversy is the deletion of the term “real-time” from clauses governing electronic transmission of results, which critics argue could open the door to result manipulation and post-election interference.

Although the Senate has repeatedly clarified that it did not ban electronic transmission of results, election observers and protesters insist that the absence of the explicit phrase “real-time electronic transmission” creates loopholes and undermines public trust.

The Senate is expected to further deliberate on the matter amid sustained public scrutiny and mounting calls for a reversal.

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A former Governor of Kaduna State and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims of a personal fallout with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he never had a personal relationship with the President.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Monday, El-Rufai said his support for Tinubu’s 2023 presidential bid was based on party loyalty and political arrangements rather than friendship.

“I was never Tinubu’s friend. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari of blessed memory,” he said.

The former governor explained that his involvement in Tinubu’s emergence followed consultations within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and broader political considerations ahead of the election.

“I was approached by certain Islamic stakeholders from the Southwest to support the emergence of a Southwest Muslim presidential candidate. That is how the discussions started,” El-Rufai stated.

He added that the zoning understanding within the APC after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure made a southern presidency inevitable.

“As governor of Kaduna and one of the founders of APC, I knew there was an understanding that after eight years of Buhari, power would return to the South. It wasn’t about Tinubu; he was merely an accidental beneficiary,” he said.

El-Rufai noted that once Tinubu secured the party’s ticket, he committed fully to the campaign in line with his political principles.

“It is a principle of mine to fight for the candidate of my party in every election, whether I like the candidate or not. The fact that he emerged as the party’s candidate meant I would give everything to ensure he won.”

However, he said disagreements emerged after the election, rooted in differing philosophies of governance and public service.

“We didn’t fall out; we didn’t find areas of agreement. I am in government to serve the public and deliver results, not to enrich myself or appoint cronies,” El-Rufai said.

According to him, the governing approach of the current administration sharply contrasts with his values.

“The philosophy of this government is contrary to everything I’ve been taught as a Muslim, a northerner, and a Nigerian. They came to govern the cake, to enrich themselves. We are different people, parallel lines that will never meet.”

El-Rufai further disclosed that his decision to reject a ministerial appointment from President Tinubu was based on those same principles.

“If I had accepted the ministerial position that was publicly offered to me, I would have resigned shortly after. Our fundamental philosophies of governance are worlds apart,” he added.

THE PUNCH

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A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has explained why he attended the “Occupy the National Assembly” protest alongside his son.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday in Abuja, Amaechi said he came with his son, a medical doctor, as a precaution in case the demonstration turned violent and participants sustained injuries.

The former Rivers State governor said his action also reflected his belief that leaders should be physically present during major protests and stand with the people rather than observe from a distance.

He called on Nigerians to rise up and urged opposition political parties to mobilise supporters to protest the Senate’s position on the Electoral Act amendment.

Amaechi accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of opposing mandatory electronic transmission of election results out of fear of losing elections.

“I believe the opposition parties should come out — PDP, ADC, everybody — to protest against the attempt of one party,” he said.

“If we come out and they say the opposition has hijacked the protest, what is the APC doing? Are they not hijacking? What are they afraid of? I thought they said they have 31 governors. Tinubu is not Jonathan. The only way a good politician will know he has done well is by the people.”

He added that opposition parties and civil society organisations would continue the protests even if Senate President Godswill Akpabio and President Bola Tinubu ignore the demands.

Amaechi also compared current economic conditions with the Muhammadu Buhari administration in which he served.

“It is worse now than it was then. In Buhari’s time, at least, even though we were planning to remove the subsidy, we had better plans for citizens,” he said, alleging that corruption has increased under the present administration.

Asked whether President Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election, Amaechi replied, “Let’s wait and see,” adding that it would be impossible for the incumbent to win.

“The will of the people must prevail,” he said.

PUNCH Online reports that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also joined the protesters on Monday, supporting calls for electoral transparency and credibility.

The protest comes amid controversy over the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be mandated to transmit results electronically in real time from polling units.

While many Nigerians want real-time electronic transmission made compulsory, the Senate argues the provision should remain discretionary, citing logistical and infrastructural challenges.

Lawmakers insist they did not scrap electronic transmission entirely, but protesters say removing the “real-time” requirement could create loopholes for manipulation.

THE PUNCH

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In over 60 years, Nigeria’s existing land administration systems, fragmented and heavily paper-based, have slowed down major investments, limited access to credit, and left billions of dollars in economic potential locked away as “dead capital.” This has not only stifled housing delivery and infrastructure development, but also weakened Nigeria’s ability to plan her cities effectively, improve agricultural 
productivity, and generate sustainable revenues for national and state 
governments.

Against this persistent malaise, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the Honourable Minster of Housing & Urban Development, idealized the Nigeria Land Registration, Documentation and Titling Programme (NLRDTP), a flagship reform determined to change the unfavorable reality. Anchored in the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, NLRDTP is designed to modernize land administration, enhance tenure security, boost internally generated revenue, and empower citizens — especially women, youth, and marginalized groups. 

By combining state leadership with strong federal support and national 
coordination, NLRDTP will establish harmonized processes, digitize records, and deliver secure, verifiable land titles at scale. The NLRDTP is a systemic transformation that will touch lives in every community across Nigeria, boost investor confidence, and lay a strong foundation for inclusive economic growth. 

Through this reform, Nigeria will have unlocked billions of dollars in dead 
capital, strengthen the property tax base for states, facilitate access to 
affordable mortgage finance, reduce land-related disputes, and create an enabling environment for housing, agriculture, and industrial development. Just as importantly, the Nigeria Land Registration, Documentation and Titling Programme (NLRDTP) will ensure that women 
and vulnerable groups have equal access to land rights, helping to address long-standing inequalities and fostering a more just and equitable society. 

A key deliverable of this reform will be changing the lives of everyday 
Nigerians, who have been badly affected by Nigeria’s fragmented land 
systems — from small business owners unable to access loans because they lack formal titles, to families caught in disputes over unregistered land, to states losing valuable revenue due to incomplete land records. 

NLRDTP is a bold and comprehensive solution to these long-standing 
challenges. In totality, this initiative is more than a technical upgrade; it is 
an economic and social empowerment tool. It is by far, the most inventive 
and economic boosting reform of the Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. By working hand-in-hand with state governments, 
professional bodies, development partners, and communities, the Federal Ministry of Housing & Urban Development, will not only digitize land records and issue secure titles, but also restore public trust in the land
administration process. 

Let us go back a bit; across the global community and in the most developed nations, efficient, transparent, and accessible land administration is fundamental to sustainable development. It is the bedrock upon which housing delivery, infrastructure expansion, agricultural productivity, and economic growth are built. Nigeria’s ability to fully harness the potential of land has been constrained for too long by fragmented systems, manual processes, and inconsistent records. Today, less than 5% of land in Nigeria is formally titled — meaning that the vast majority of citizens, communities, and businesses lack the legal certainty needed to unlock the full value of their land. 

This situation has profound consequences amongst which are:

• Economic Dead Capital: The World Bank estimates that Nigeria has 
over $150 billion in “dead capital” — land and property assets that cannot be used as collateral or leveraged for productive investment due to unclear or insecure titles. 

• Low Investor Confidence: Domestic and foreign investors face uncertainty in land transactions, discouraging investment in housing, agriculture, industry, and infrastructure. 

• ·Revenue Loss for States: Without accurate, up-to-date land records, states are unable to maximize revenue from property taxes, land use charges, and formal land markets. 

• Social Exclusion: Women, youth, and residents of informal settlements are often left without legal recognition of their rights, increasing their vulnerability to eviction, displacement, and economic marginalization. 

• Poor Urban Planning: Weak land governance undermines urban management, infrastructure planning, and climate resilience efforts. 

Founded on a state-led, federally supported, nationally coordinated 
approach that respects the constitutional authority of state governments over land while providing them with the technical, financial, and institutional support needed to digitize and streamline their land systems, 
Nigeria Land Registration, Documentation and Titling Programme (NLRDTP) will achieve the following:

• Strengthen tenure security for individuals, communities, and businesses. 
• Enable more effective urban planning and sustainable land use. 
• Facilitate mortgage lending and credit markets through bankable 
titles. 
• Boost states' internally generated revenue (IGR). 
• Promote gender equity and inclusion in land governance. 

In essence, the NLRDTP is not just a land reform programme — it is an 
economic transformation initiative, a governance reform effort, and a social inclusion strategy rolled into one. Its successful implementation will unlock Nigeria's land economy, empower citizens, attract investment, and lay a solid foundation for housing, infrastructure, and agricultural expansion across the federation, and for this, we say well done Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, for being Nigeria’s most innovative and progressive Minister of Housing.
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A new citizen-powered programme, COLE2Crea8, has been announced to transform creativity into jobs, enterprise, and inclusive economic growth across all 319 wards of Rivers State.

Operating under The COLE’ctive Initiative, the platform reframes the creative sector—spanning arts, fashion, music, film, and digital content—as vital economic infrastructure. Inspired by the vision of Mr. Tonye Patrick Cole, it moves creativity from informal activity to a structured driver of opportunity.


“Creativity is not a side economy—it is a serious driver of jobs, identity, and opportunity,” stated Mr. Cole. “COLE2Crea8 connects talent to structure, markets, and growth.

”The ambitious statewide framework aims to engage 319,000 creatives, establish a network of enterprise hubs in every ward, and integrate creative marketplaces into digital platforms. It focuses on bridging the gap between artistic talent and sustainable livelihood through training, visibility, and business support.

A programme representative emphasised its economic intent: “It builds bridges between talent, enterprise, and markets.

”Early participants highlight the shift. “This platform treats creatives as entrepreneurs,” shared one creative entrepreneur. “It helps us move from talent to sustainable income.

”By embedding creative enterprise into civic and economic systems, COLE2Crea8 positions the creative economy as a cornerstone for jobs, youth opportunity, and shared prosperity in Rivers State.
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Gunmen have kidnapped nine worshippers from St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State.

The abduction reportedly occurred on Sunday night while the victims were observing a vigil within the church premises.

Confirming the incident on Monday, a former councillor representing Ukwuenyo Ward in the Ado Legislative Council, Emmanuel Udah, described the attack as a deliberate and well-coordinated assault on the church.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Channels Television, Udah said the worshippers were abducted at a time they were praying, unarmed, and most vulnerable, in what he called a violation of a sacred place meant for peace and refuge.

He added that the incident has left residents of the area deeply traumatised and living in fear, noting that many no longer feel safe.

Udah called on security agencies and relevant authorities to urgently strengthen security measures and halt the recurring attacks across Benue State.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command said its tactical units, in collaboration with local vigilantes, have been deployed to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the victims.

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Pressure has continued to mount on the National Assembly to approve mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as part of the ongoing Electoral Act amendment process.

This comes as the Senate is set to reconvene for an emergency plenary session today amid growing public demands for the inclusion of the provision in the amended law.

The upper chamber had adjourned plenary for two weeks last Wednesday after passing the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026 through third reading, to enable lawmakers engage heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the defence of their 2026 budget proposals.

However, a memo dated February 8 and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, announced the emergency sitting.

Odo stated he acted on the directive of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Although the memo did not specify the purpose of the session, strong indications suggest it is linked to widespread reactions trailing the amendment bill.

Controversial clause

Public attention has focused on a contentious provision — the removal of the phrase “real-time”from sections dealing with electronic transmission of election results.

While the Senate has issued clarifications insisting it did not reject electronic transmission outright, critics argue the absence of the words real-time electronic transmission weakens safeguards against manipulation and post-poll interference.

Obi leads protest at National Assembly

On Monday, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and 2027 hopeful, Peter Obi, led hundreds of demonstrators to the National Assembly Complex in Abuja to protest the development.

The protest, tagged “Occupy the National Assembly,” was organised by the Obidient Movement, National Opposition Movement and other pro-democracy groups.

Carrying placards reading “Our votes must count,” “No to electoral fraud,” “Protect democracy now,”and “Stop betrayal of the ballot,” the protesters marched from the Federal Secretariat to the Assembly complex.

They were, however, stopped at the entrance by security personnel comprising the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

‘Credible elections non-negotiable’ — Obi

Addressing journalists, Obi warned against undermining electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We must dismantle this criminality and prove that we are now a nation that shows light in Africa,” he said.

He insisted Nigerians would not accept glitches in future elections and urged lawmakers to pass amendments guaranteeing transparency.

“What we want is an electoral process that is transparent from beginning to finish. Whoever wins, we will accept. So why bring confusion?”

Protesters vow sustained action

National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said protests would continue until real-time transmission is restored.

“If there is no electronic transmission of results, there will be no election. Our elections must be credible.”

A member of the National Opposition Movement, Ike Bishop Okoronkwo, argued electronic transmission would curb manipulation during collation.

“Somebody sits somewhere and mutilates results. That must stop,” he said, urging strict punishment for electoral tampering.

He dismissed claims that Nigeria lacks capacity for nationwide transmission, citing the widespread use of Point-of-Sale terminals across the country.

Political groups back demand

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jackie Wayas, said Nigerians were united in demanding credible elections.

“We’re here demanding one thing — real-time transmission of results in 2027.”

Activist Randy-Peter Akah also vowed continued demonstrations until lawmakers act, invoking the spirit of the June 12, 1993 election.

“In 2027, our votes must count,” he said.

The protesters pledged to continue peaceful demonstrations until the National Assembly amends the bill to explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results.

DAILY TRUST

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The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has resigned from his position following mounting allegations of misconduct and financial irregularities.

A staff member of the commission disclosed that the resignation came after the NAHCON board submitted a petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking his removal.

“Yes, he was forced to resign by the presidency following the petition against him. The commission has faced several controversies since his appointment. The presidency will announce a replacement soon,” the source said.

According to a report in Daily Trust, the chairman’s last official engagement was last week when he received Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.

The petition  titled “Vote of No Confidence in the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman”— was dated January 19, 2026, and signed by all eleven board members.

The board stated that its decision followed prolonged internal observations and repeated efforts at corrective engagement, noting that persistent leadership failures had compromised the credibility, stability and operational effectiveness of the commission.

The petition accused the chairman of financial indiscipline, lack of transparency and repeated expenditure of funds as well as the award of contracts without board approval and beyond budgetary limits.

“These actions constitute grave breaches of financial governance and are compounded by the fact that the chairman is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” the petition stated.

The board further alleged that several Hajj-related contracts were awarded in violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act and due process, undermining transparency, fairness and value for money while exposing the commission to legal, financial and reputational risks.

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has sharply criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio, blaming him for the controversy surrounding the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, El-Rufai dismissed suggestions that the Senate as an institution is responsible for the contentious amendment, arguing instead that the fault lies with Akpabio’s leadership.

“The problem is not the Senate. Akpabio is the problem,” El-Rufai said, adding that, “by every standard, he is a scumbag.”

He further alleged that the Senate President is serving the interests of powerful political forces, describing Akpabio as a mere “lapdog” to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to El-Rufai, senators opposed to the amendment must unite and take a firm stand against it when the National Assembly resumes.

“The senators must come together, protest, and stop it from happening,” he said.

El-Rufai also dismissed the honorific title often accorded to senators, stating that his long-standing relationship with Akpabio dates back to the 1990s and gives him the moral authority to speak plainly about him.

“I don’t see him as ‘distinguished.’ We’ve known each other since the 1990s. I’ve watched our journeys, so I’m qualified to call him exactly what he is.” 

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The Nigerian naira recorded fresh gains against the US dollar at the official market on Monday, closing at ₦1,354.25 per dollar.

This marks an appreciation of ₦11.93, representing about a 0.8 per cent increase from Friday’s closing rate of ₦1,366.19 per dollar, according to figures released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The renewed strength of the naira highlights improving stability in the foreign exchange market, a development widely linked to recent policy reforms introduced by the CBN.

In recent weeks, the local currency has maintained a steady upward trend, slipping below the key psychological threshold of ₦1,400 per dollar earlier this month and sustaining its recovery.

As of February 2, the naira traded at roughly ₦1,384.50 per dollar, reflecting a consistent improvement from January levels, which remained above the ₦1,400 mark.

Meanwhile, the naira exchanged at about ₦1,454 per dollar in the parallel market last week, indicating a premium of roughly 6.4 per cent over the official rate. This gap has narrowed sharply from previous highs of more than 60 per cent prior to the implementation of the recent reforms.

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Indigenes of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia from the Kunav bloc in Vandeikya Local Government Area have announced plans to resist his re-election bid ahead of the 2027 governorship race, citing alleged poor governance and escalating insecurity across the state.

The group, made up of six governorship hopefuls from various political parties, made the announcement during a joint press briefing held over the weekend in Makurdi. The event was themed “Benue at 50: Reflection, Responsibility and the Future We Must Reclaim.”

Speaking to journalists, the aspirants — Professor Dennis Ityavyar, Hon. Joseph Waya, Professor Paul Angya, Professor Terhemba Shija, Rt. Hon. Dominic Terkaa Ucha and ESV Godwin Ityoachimin — argued that despite substantial financial inflows and the powers vested in the state government, Benue has continued to drift as it marks its 50th anniversary.

They pointed to recurring attacks on communities, inconsistent salary payments, deteriorating infrastructure and weak institutional capacity as signs of leadership failure. The group noted that Benue generated about ₦20.43 billion in internally generated revenue in 2024, approximately 0.56 per cent of total subnational revenue, which they said does not reflect the state’s vast agricultural potential.

The aspirants further claimed that although the state received more than ₦400 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) within the same period, several ministries, departments and agencies remained poorly funded, while transparency in public finance management was lacking.

They also raised concerns over rising insecurity, referencing a recent attack on the Abande community market in Mbaikyor ward of Kwande Local Government Area, where at least 17 people, including a mobile police officer, were reportedly killed.

According to them, repeated attacks in Guma, Logo, Ukum, Apa, Makurdi and Kwande local government areas, alongside the growing number of internally displaced persons, highlight the urgent need for more inclusive and proactive leadership in the state.

In response, the governor’s spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, described the claims as politically driven, misleading and malicious. He maintained that Governor Alia’s administration has carried out reforms in public finance management, civil service efficiency, security coordination and infrastructure development.

Kula added that the government has blocked revenue leakages, eliminated payroll fraud, revived abandoned projects and made investments in agro-industrial development, education and community-based security initiatives, urging critics to engage constructively rather than politicising the state’s security and humanitarian challenges.

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State and immediate-past Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne, has urged residents of the state to stay alert and continually demand accountability from the administration of Governor Alex Otti, especially over what he described as recurring financial inconsistencies and lack of transparency.

Prince Ikonne made the call on Monday while speaking on a monitored radio programme in Abuja, where he said he was shocked by the inclusion of ₦210 million in the Abia State budget allegedly set aside for the purchase of a photocopier, a development the state government has attributed to a “typographical error.”

The Abia State government had, in a statement by the State Ministry of Budget and Planning, debunked the claim that it budgeted ₦250 million for the purchase of a photocopier at its Lagos Liaison Office, describing the allegation as “misleading and the result of a formatting error in the 2026 budget document.”

However, Ikonne said it was troubling that an administration headed by a governor who presents himself as a seasoned banker and former bank chief executive, with a background in finance, accounting and figures, could repeatedly make such significant “errors” in official financial records.

“This is exactly how Abia money is written off. If Abians had not paid attention and raised questions, this whopping sum would have quietly disappeared,” Ikonne stated.

He questioned how a government that prides itself on being managed by technocrats could make what he called random and expensive mistakes, recalling a previous incident in which about ₦1.2 billion was reportedly described as a typographical error in the procurement of Hilux vehicles.

Prince Ikonne also raised concerns about other figures in the budget that residents may have overlooked during the two and a half years of Governor Otti’s administration, warning that the issue already exposed might represent only a portion of deeper financial irregularities.

“The Otti administration is fast gaining notoriety for financial inconsistencies, padding, and attempts to siphon the common patrimony of Ndi Abia under the guise of errors,” he said.

Ikonne expressed disbelief that ₦210 million and ₦12 million could be confused, and questioned the type of photocopier that would cost even ₦12 million. He compared the situation with business centres along Pound Road in Aba, where large volumes of documents are handled daily, noting that such centres do not use photocopiers close to that price, let alone a government liaison office with minimal paperwork.

He further accused the government of being insensitive to the state’s resources despite the huge funds being received from the Federal Government as a result of the policy of Mr President.

The APC chieftain also queried the status of the budget that had already been presented and passed, asking how the discrepancies would be addressed as implementation begins.

He also expressed concern over major projects allegedly funded with large sums, including claims that about ₦100 billion has been spent on smart schools yet to be seen, as well as the ₦7 billion recreational centre, which he said exists largely on social media.

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