Politics

-President Bola Tinubu has signed a bill extending the implementation of the capital component of Nigeria’s 2025 budget from September 30 to December 31, 2026. The Appropriation Amendment Bill was passed by the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 29, before the President assented to it. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the extension would give government ministries, departments and agencies more time to complete ongoing capital projects. This is the fourth extension of the 2025 capital budget. It was initially scheduled to end in December 2025, but was later extended to March, June and September 2026. The latest extension comes despite President Tinubu’s earlier promise to end overlapping budget cycles and close outstanding capital liabilities by March 2026.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned till October 13 the hearing of an application by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress to amend their suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election. The suit, filed against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission, was before Justice Inyang Ekwo. Counsel to the plaintiffs told the court that all parties had been served with the relevant court processes. The case centres on an alleged discrepancy involving the name on a National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate submitted to INEC and the President’s official name. The court had earlier allowed the plaintiffs to serve Tinubu through the APC after difficulties with personal service. INEC has also challenged the competence of the suit, including issues concerning the plaintiffs’ legal standing and alleged abuse of court process. Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned the matter to October 13 for hearing of the motion to amend the originating summons.

President Bola Tinubu is calling for at least two permanent seats for Africa on the United Nations Security Council, with veto powers. Tinubu made the demand in his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima. He also called for five non-permanent seats for Africa, arguing that the current structure of the Security Council reflects the balance of power from 1945 rather than today’s world. Tinubu said Nigeria was ready to take on greater responsibility in international peace and security, citing its contributions to peacekeeping and mediation across Africa. He also called for stronger international cooperation against terrorism, organised crime, cyberattacks and illicit financial activities. On climate change, the President said developing countries should be allowed to industrialise and expand energy access while receiving adequate support for cleaner development. He said Nigeria remains committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 through its Energy Transition Plan. Tinubu also called for responsible use of artificial intelligence, saying the technology could transform sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture and governance. He urged international partners to work with Nigerian youths to direct AI towards development and human progress. The President further called for reforms to the international financial system, including greater access to concessional financing and debt sustainability frameworks that recognise the needs of developing countries.

The proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police has been transmitted to the Oyo State House of Assembly for consideration. The bill seeks to allow states to establish their own police services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the federal police service. The proposed amendment was passed by the Senate in June and the House of Representatives in July, and has now been sent to state assemblies for consideration. Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State House of Assembly is expected to begin considering the bill when lawmakers resume plenary on Monday, September 28. The Speaker, Danladi Jatau, said the assembly received the bill from the National Assembly on September 18. He said lawmakers would scrutinise the proposal and take the necessary legislative steps before deciding on further action.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has denied claims that the Federal Government gave the state 50 billion naira to upgrade the Ibadan International Airport. The claim was made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike during a television programme earlier this week. Makinde says the airport upgrade is being funded entirely by the Oyo State Government. His media aide, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, also said a presidential approval for the project stated that it would be carried out at no cost to the Federal Government. The state says the ongoing work includes runway expansion, improved aviation lighting and navigation systems, apron upgrades and the construction of a new international terminal. Makinde has also called for mining responsibilities to be devolved to state governments, with the Federal Government retaining oversight.

President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria this weekend. The Presidency says Tinubu has remained in contact with developments in the country and continues to direct government affairs while away. It says the President recently ordered an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the NSCDC in Minna, Niger State. Vice President Kashim Shettima has been representing Tinubu at some official events but is currently in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The Presidency says Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, will continue to represent the President at other official engagements. Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned who is constitutionally exercising presidential powers while both Tinubu and Shettima are outside Nigeria. Atiku cited Section 145 of the Constitution, arguing that Nigerians should be shown the formal declaration transferring presidential authority to the Vice President as Acting President.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is asking President Bola Tinubu to explain his absence from the United Nations General Assembly for the third consecutive year. Tinubu has sent Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, after also being absent in 2024 and 2025. Atiku questioned whether Tinubu’s past legal controversies in the United States had influenced his decision not to attend. However, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, says there is no cause for concern, noting that more than 60 per cent of countries listed to speak at the session are represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers. Ibrahim said Tinubu is currently in France on annual leave, while Shettima and the Foreign Affairs Minister are adequately positioned to represent Nigeria. The UN General Assembly’s high-level General Debate begins in New York as world leaders and senior officials gather to discuss global diplomatic, economic and security issues.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has distanced itself from a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council announced by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party says no individual, candidate or support group has the authority to create or announce a campaign structure in its name without approval from its National Working Committee. NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, says the campaign council announced by the movement did not come from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media. The council, unveiled three days earlier, named the movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, as its head and included coordinators and directors across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, the FCT and the 36 states. The party has also announced disciplinary action against Ughulu, citing what it describes as repeated disregard for the party’s authority. However, Ughulu says the OK Movement is an independent political group working for its candidates and is not controlled by the NDC.