The Click Report

Menu

THE CLICK REPORT

The pulse of 360 News
Audio
Search
Log In

Audio Brief

Listen to the latest top stories and editorial summary.

Politics

Governance, Politics

Abbas Sets Up Probe Panel Over Fake Agency Scandal Today

/

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, is set to inaugurate an ad hoc committee to investigate the controversial inclusion of the unestablished Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 Appropriation Act. The move comes amid fresh criticism over the exclusion of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, from the list of witnesses invited to appear before the committee. The inauguration and public hearing will be held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, in line with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the National Assembly to investigate matters relating to public institutions and the management of public funds. The committee, chaired by the lawmaker representing Kanke/Kanam/Pankshin Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Yusuf Gagdi, was constituted following a resolution of the House of Representatives. Its mandate is to investigate how budgetary provisions amounting to about N1.32 billion were allocated to the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an agency that had not been legally established. The investigation follows the arrest of Adeyemi Adeniyi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC and is accused of facilitating the inclusion of the agency in the 2026 budget despite its non-existence. The controversy intensified after Adeniyi reportedly alleged that he paid N100 million through intermediaries to Femi Gbajabiamila to facilitate the establishment of the agency. The allegation has been denied by both the Presidency and the Office of the Chief of Staff. According to the committee’s invitation, signed by Chairman Yusuf Gagdi, the hearing will bring together key government officials, civil society organisations, professional bodies, development partners, the media and members of the public. Those invited include the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Also expected to appear before the committee are the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Auditor-General for the Federation and the Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission. Other invited officials include the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector-General of Police. The committee also called on stakeholders, professional bodies, civil society organisations, relevant institutions and members of the public to submit memoranda relating to its terms of reference. Among its key responsibilities is determining how the PFIPC was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act despite lacking legal status. The panel will also trace the budget provision from the executive proposal through legislative consideration to identify the stage at which the allocation was inserted. However, the committee’s decision not to invite either Gbajabiamila or Adeniyi has drawn criticism from some quarters. The House of Representatives constituted the investigative panel amid growing public concern over alleged irregularities in the 2026 budget, particularly the allocation of more than N1.3 billion to an agency the Federal Government says has not been legally established.

Public Affairs, World Cup

FBI Says US Recorded No Major Security Breaches During World Cup

/

The Director of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, has announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded without any major security incidents, describing the tournament as the largest sporting event ever staged. In a post on his official X account, Patel praised the coordinated efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, saying the competition set new attendance records while maintaining a high level of public safety. According to him, the tournament was successfully hosted across the United States over 38 days without any significant security breaches despite the scale of the event. Patel noted that the World Cup was equivalent to hosting 78 Super Bowls, with 40 team base camps, numerous fan zones and celebrations held across nearly every state. He credited President Donald Trump for prioritising security preparations, stating that the White House FIFA Task Force was established about 16 months before the tournament to coordinate planning. The FBI director disclosed that the bureau deployed nearly 5,000 personnel from its headquarters, field offices and international offices across the 16 host cities, describing it as the agency’s largest deployment for a single event. According to Patel, the FBI also established a Joint Operations Centre, an International Police Coordination Centre and an Intelligence Coordination Centre to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing throughout the tournament. He further revealed that the bureau launched its first-ever counter-unmanned aircraft systems (counter-UAS) training programme for law enforcement officers ahead of the competition. Patel said security agencies intercepted and seized more than 700 drones that entered restricted airspace around World Cup venues during the tournament. He added that authorities simultaneously secured other major national events, including UFC 250, SAIL 250 and State Fair 250, while ensuring the World Cup concluded safely. Patel thanked the FBI’s federal, state and local partners, as well as FIFA, the Department of Homeland Security, the White House FIFA Task Force and its director, Andrew Giuliani, for their contributions to the successful security operation.

Politics

UN Says Terrorists Are Adopting Drones, Crypto to Expand Attacks in Nigeria

/

The United Nations has warned that terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria and across the West African and Sahel region are becoming increasingly sophisticated, adopting technologies such as drones, encrypted communications and cryptocurrencies to strengthen their operations. The warning was delivered by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Simão, during a briefing to the United Nations Security Council. Presenting the Secretary-General’s report covering developments between November 29, 2025 and June 30, 2026, Simão said armed groups are expanding their operational capabilities while coordinating attacks across national borders. According to him, terrorist organisations are increasingly exploiting advanced communication technologies, drones and digital financial tools, making the security threat more difficult to contain. He noted that the activities of the groups are closely linked to transnational organised crime, with the aim of expanding territorial and economic control, weakening public confidence in government institutions and undermining social cohesion. The briefing came as the Security Council reviewed the political, humanitarian and security situation in West Africa and the Sahel, a region facing persistent terrorist violence, political instability and growing humanitarian challenges. It also followed the council’s decision to extend the mandate of UNOWAS until January 31, 2029. Simão said Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso continue to experience deadly terrorist attacks, kidnappings and heavy civilian casualties. He disclosed that about 6.8 million people have been displaced across the region, while another 1.28 million are refugees or asylum seekers, warning that women, children and young people remain the most affected by the crisis. He added that insecurity and funding shortages continue to restrict humanitarian access in many conflict-affected communities. The UN official stressed that military operations alone would not defeat terrorism, urging governments and international partners to address the underlying causes of violent extremism through poverty reduction, improved governance, education, employment opportunities and humanitarian support. Despite the worsening security situation, Simão pointed to encouraging signs of regional cooperation, including the reopening of the Kamba border crossing between Nigeria and Niger and continued progress by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission in implementing the 2002 International Court of Justice judgment on the two countries’ land and maritime boundary. He also noted renewed efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to operationalise its standby force, although financial constraints continue to limit its effectiveness. The UN warning comes weeks after the United States announced what it described as the largest seizure of terrorist equipment in Nigeria since the September 11, 2001 attacks. US Deputy Assistant and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, Dr Sebastian Gorka, said a joint operation with Nigerian security forces recovered a large cache of electronic devices and operational materials from jihadist groups and killed 199 militants during a single raid. Security Council members broadly agreed that terrorist networks in West Africa and the Sahel are becoming more sophisticated and increasingly connected to organised crime and illicit trafficking. Representatives from countries including the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Liberia, Pakistan and Burkina Faso stressed that security operations must be complemented by governance reforms, economic development, education, job creation and humanitarian assistance to tackle the root causes of instability. Council members also expressed concern over the growing role of drug trafficking, production and consumption in fuelling insecurity across the region, particularly in coastal West African countries, warning that young people remain the most vulnerable to its effects.

Politics

NRS Gives Large Taxpayers Until July 31 to Comply with E-Invoicing

/

The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, has directed all large taxpayers to complete migration to the National E-Invoicing and Electronic Fiscal System (EFS) by July 31, 2026, warning that companies that fail to comply will face regulatory sanctions. The directive, contained in a public notice personally signed by Adedeji, stated that the revenue agency has commenced compliance monitoring to assess the level of adherence among affected businesses. It warned that organisations yet to complete the migration before the deadline would be subjected to enforcement actions in line with existing tax laws. The directive forms part of the implementation framework for the National E-Invoicing and Electronic Fiscal System, also known as the Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS). In a statement issued by the Chairman’s Special Adviser on Media, Dare Adekanmbi, the NRS said the latest notice reinforces an earlier public notice released on February 17, 2026, which introduced a phased implementation timetable and made the adoption of the electronic invoicing platform mandatory for large taxpayers. According to the statement, the agency has moved beyond the sensitisation phase and is now actively monitoring compliance across eligible companies. It warned that any organisation found to be in default of the directive could face regulatory and enforcement measures as stipulated under relevant tax laws. The NRS urged all affected companies to immediately complete outstanding registration, onboarding, system integration, testing and validation processes, while ensuring they begin transmitting invoices through the e-invoicing platform before the compliance deadline. The public notice stated: “The NRS has already commenced compliance monitoring activities to assess the level of adherence to the e-invoicing mandate among large taxpayers. Consequently, any defaulting taxpayer may be subjected to appropriate regulatory and enforcement actions in accordance with the provisions of the relevant tax laws and regulations.” It added that the agency remains committed to supporting taxpayers to ensure a seamless transition to the new digital tax administration framework. The NRS defines large taxpayers as companies with an annual gross turnover of N5 billion and above, making them the first category of businesses required to adopt the electronic invoicing system. The agency disclosed that more than 1,000 companies had successfully complied with the directive as of the first quarter of 2026, reflecting growing adoption of the initiative among major corporate taxpayers. To achieve full compliance, affected organisations are required to complete registration and onboarding on the Merchant Buyer Solution, integrate their internal systems through approved Access Point Providers (APPs) or Systems Integrators (SIs), complete all validation and testing requirements, and begin transmitting invoices to the NRS platform in line with approved standards. They must also ensure that invoices received from suppliers carry valid Invoice Reference Numbers (RINs). The electronic invoicing initiative forms a key part of the NRS’s broader digital tax administration reforms aimed at improving transparency, strengthening tax compliance, reducing revenue leakages and enabling real-time monitoring of commercial transactions across the economy.

Politics, Public Affairs

Senate Pushes Back on ‘Repentant’ Terrorist Policy

/

The Senate has echoed the concerns of many Nigerians over the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant Boko Haram members, arguing that the programme has outlived its usefulness and should be discontinued. The controversial Operation Safe Corridor (OSC), introduced in 2016 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was designed to encourage insurgents to surrender, undergo rehabilitation and eventually return to society. While conceived as a pathway out of violent extremism, critics argue that the initiative has increasingly undermined justice and public confidence. One of the major concerns surrounding the programme is the difficulty of determining whether former insurgents are genuinely repentant. Many Boko Haram members were indoctrinated into extremist ideology from an early age, making it nearly impossible to accurately assess the sincerity of their rehabilitation. Even where remorse exists, critics maintain that it should not replace accountability under the law. Rather than prioritising justice, the programme has often been perceived as allowing former fighters to bypass prosecution and return to the same communities that suffered from their actions. Victims of terrorism and families who lost loved ones are left to live alongside individuals linked to killings, kidnappings, destruction of property and other atrocities, raising questions about fairness and national healing. There are also concerns that the policy could send the wrong message to potential recruits by suggesting that those who participate in terrorism may eventually benefit from rehabilitation and reintegration instead of facing the full consequences of their actions. At a time when Nigeria continues to battle insurgency, banditry and kidnapping, critics warn that such perceptions could weaken deterrence. Beyond the issue of justice is the question of public safety. While participants in Operation Safe Corridor undergo screening and rehabilitation, experts have consistently noted that debriefing does not necessarily guarantee complete de-radicalisation. Communities receiving former fighters often shoulder the responsibility of living with individuals whose commitment to abandoning violent extremism cannot be independently verified. Against this backdrop, the Senate has called for a review of the policy and urged the Federal Government to suspend the programme. Lawmakers argued that surrendered insurgents should first undergo proper investigation and prosecution, with clear distinctions made between minors forced into the conflict, low-level recruits and those responsible for serious acts of violence. Those found guilty of crimes, they maintain, should be prosecuted through the judicial system and held accountable before any consideration is given to rehabilitation or possible leniency. Critics insist that Nigeria’s fight against terrorism must be built on justice, accountability and the protection of innocent citizens rather than policies perceived to reward former insurgents. They argue that lasting peace can only be achieved when perpetrators of violent crimes are held responsible for their actions, while victims receive the justice they deserve. For many observers, the Senate’s position reflects growing public frustration with Operation Safe Corridor and underscores increasing calls for the Federal Government to rethink its approach to counter-insurgency, placing greater emphasis on justice, deterrence and national security.

Business, Energy, Politics

NUPRC Rebuilds Investor Confidence in Nigeria’s Oil Industry

/

Six months into her tenure as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan is driving reforms aimed at strengthening regulatory certainty, improving operational efficiency, accelerating decision-making, and enhancing transparency. The early results are becoming increasingly visible, with higher oil production, renewed investor confidence, and stronger interest in Nigeria’s licensing regime. The 2025 licensing round recorded encouraging participation, attracting not only indigenous oil companies but also major international oil companies (IOCs) and, for the first time, significant interest from international independent operators. The development is seen as a sign of growing confidence in Nigeria’s upstream sector. Speaking on the outcome, Eyesan said the level of participation reflects renewed faith in the industry. “The level of participation tells me people have faith in the industry. Not just Nigerian companies, but IOCs and international independents. That is a signal. The question now is whether we build on it, and that depends entirely on whether the regulatory environment continues to move in the direction we have set,” she said. Nigeria’s upstream performance has also improved significantly. In June 2026, combined crude oil and condensate production reached 1.735 million barrels per day (bpd), exceeding the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota of 1.5 million bpd by four per cent. It also marked the country’s highest crude output since April 2020. Production has risen steadily throughout the year, climbing from 1.62 million bpd in January to 1.48 million in February, 1.54 million in March, 1.66 million in April, 1.7 million in May, and 1.735 million bpd in June. According to the commission, the increase was driven by improved operational stability, completed maintenance activities, and the absence of major infrastructure disruptions. Gas production also recorded gains, reaching 7.93 billion cubic feet (bcf) per day, up from 7.88 bcf/d in May 2025. Non-associated gas production slightly exceeded associated gas for the first time, reflecting increased investment in dedicated gas projects. Domestic gas supply rose to a record 2.18 bcf per day, while gas flaring declined to 0.57 bcf/d, representing 6.9 per cent of total production, in line with Nigeria’s target of ending routine gas flaring by 2030. Eyesan said the increase in domestic gas supply demonstrates that the sector is delivering greater value to Nigerians. “This is not only a production story. It is a story about an industry beginning to serve the country, it sits inside more gas reaching Nigerian homes, Nigerian industry and Nigerian power. The numbers matter. What they represent matters more,” she said. Before joining the commission, Eyesan spent three decades at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), where she held several senior positions, including Executive Vice President, Upstream, and Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer. She also led efforts that doubled NNPC subsidiary production from 150,000 to 300,000 barrels per day and played a key role in resolving the long-running Production Sharing Contract (PSC) dispute. Upon assuming office, she identified three key priorities for the commission: increasing production and revenue, improving regulatory efficiency and predictability, and promoting safe, transparent and sustainable operations. To strengthen engagement with industry players, the commission established the Chief Executive Operators Leadership Forum, bringing together the NNPC, Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) and other stakeholders every month to address production challenges, approval timelines and infrastructure integrity. The commission has also accelerated the digitisation of its operations, covering correspondence, permits, reporting systems and financial processes, while introducing a 90-day programme to fast-track field development plans, well interventions and rig mobilisation. In March, NUPRC signed the PEL5 agreement with SeaSeis Geophysical Limited and TGS to conduct broadband 3D seismic acquisition across 11,700 square kilometres offshore the Eastern Niger Delta. The project is expected to improve exploration decisions by providing higher-quality geological data. According to Eyesan, improved data quality is essential to attracting new investment. “Exploration is fundamentally driven by confidence in data and processes. PEL5 is about ensuring that the subsurface case for Nigeria’s offshore acreage is made as compellingly as it can be and that investors have the data quality they need to make decisions with confidence,” she said. The commission is also working to reduce regulatory bottlenecks by collaborating with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority to create a single-window reporting system, eliminating duplicate compliance requirements for operators. “When you have multiple laws, you will likely have higher costs because each law comes with its own fees and charges. The only way to safeguard investments is to reduce the cost of operating here,” Eyesan noted. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently commended the commission for improving transparency in oil and gas data, with Statistician-General Adeyemi Adeniran highlighting the importance of NUPRC’s data in compiling Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Looking ahead, the commission remains focused on achieving the Federal Government’s target of producing two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels daily by 2030. Eyesan described the goal as an engineering and investment challenge that requires international expertise alongside local capacity. “We are rushing against time. If we are serious about ramping up production, we cannot rely solely on in-country resources. We need to bring in people who have done this at scale internationally and be honest about whether our processes are designed to attract them,” she said. The commission plans to expand international independent participation in future licensing rounds, particularly for deepwater projects that require significant technical expertise and investment. As part of its climate commitments, NUPRC has directed upstream operators to adopt measurement-based methane and greenhouse gas reporting by January 2027, replacing estimation-based reporting with verified emissions data in line with Nigeria’s net-zero target by 2060 and methane reduction goals. The commission is also finalising service-level agreements that will establish publicly available timelines for regulatory approvals, strengthening accountability and investor confidence. Eyesan believes developing skilled manpower remains critical to sustaining long-term growth in the industry. She noted that investment declines following the Petroleum Industry Act slowed talent development across the sector, stressing that rebuilding technical capacity will be essential to achieving

Politics

Minimum Wage Review: NLC Says It’s Prepared for Major National Protest

/

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to push for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage and the introduction of a national minimum pension to improve the welfare of retired workers. NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, disclosed this during the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja. Ajaero said discussions on workers’ welfare must also include the wellbeing of pensioners, stressing that retirees deserve to live with dignity after years of serving the nation. “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement,” he said. He revealed that the Congress is preparing for a nationwide campaign to secure a new national minimum wage, adding that the labour movement would also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. “It is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service. We will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension,” Ajaero said. According to him, it is unjust for retirees who dedicated their productive years to national service to live below the poverty line due to inadequate pensions. “We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he added. Ajaero urged pensioners to remain united and prepared for the advocacy ahead, describing the newly commissioned Legacy House as more than a physical structure. “This Legacy House should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead,” he said. He also stressed the need for unity among workers and pensioners, noting that organised labour must remain united in defending their collective interests and ensuring government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees. The NLC president further called for the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension system that guarantees retirees financial security and a decent standard of living. “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve,” Ajaero said.

Governance

Shettima Travels to Sierra Leone for ECOWAS Leaders’ Summit

/

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha. According to the statement, Shettima will join Heads of State, political leaders, business executives and other stakeholders from across West Africa and beyond at the summit, which will be held at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Freetown. The summit is expected to deliberate on key policy issues, adopt strategic resolutions and reaffirm the commitment of ECOWAS leaders to promoting peace, democracy, economic growth and regional integration across the sub-region. The statement noted that the gathering forms part of the ECOWAS mid-year statutory meetings and will bring together Heads of State and Government, ministers, senior government officials and regional institutions to advance the bloc’s shared priorities. These priorities include strengthening regional security, promoting democratic governance, deepening economic integration, expanding trade, improving infrastructure and advancing sustainable development. The ECOWAS summit is also expected to provide a platform for leaders to address emerging political and economic challenges facing West Africa while exploring measures to enhance regional cooperation and collective prosperity. According to the statement, Vice President Shettima will return to Abuja after concluding his official engagements in Sierra Leone.

Governance, Politics

Tinubu’s BCDA Appointee at Centre of Presidency Power Clash

/

Three weeks after President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment of Dr Abdulrazak Namdas as Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has been accused of withholding his appointment letter. The development has sparked a leadership crisis within the agency, as the immediate past chief executive, Dr Dakorinama George, continues to perform official duties despite the President’s directive appointing a new head. The Presidency had, on June 26, announced Namdas’ appointment through a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement said Namdas, a former spokesperson for the House of Representatives, was appointed to replace George, who had resigned to contest an elective position in his home state. The statement read in part: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas as the new Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency. Dr Namdas replaces Dr Dakorinama Alabo George, who resigned to contest for an elective post in his home state. “President Tinubu also announced the appointment of Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon as Executive Director, Strategy and Commercial, of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company. He also reappointed Mr Chukwuma Umeoji as Executive Director, Corporate Services, of the NDPHC. The appointments take immediate effect.” However, more than three weeks after the announcement, Sunday PUNCH gathered that Namdas has yet to assume office because the formal appointment letter conveying the President’s directive has not been issued. Meanwhile, George has continued to occupy the office, preside over official engagements and represent the agency at high level government meetings. One such engagement took place on July 9, when George met with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, in Abuja to seek intervention for the release of funds for BCDA projects. A statement published by Rivers-based news platform, Port Harcourt Force, alongside photographs from the meeting, repeatedly described George as the Executive Secretary of the agency. According to the statement, George congratulated the minister on his appointment and appealed for the timely release of budgetary allocations for ongoing infrastructure projects in border communities across the country. He was also quoted as saying the BCDA had facilitated a proposed $2 billion Chinese investment in a livestock processing hub in Maigatari, Jigawa State, and was working with security agencies on plans to establish a Border Communities Intelligence Corps. The continued discharge of official duties by George has raised questions over who currently exercises lawful authority over the agency. Speaking during an interview on Trust TV monitored by Sunday PUNCH on Thursday, APC chieftain Hamman Yero alleged that the delay was caused by the SGF’s failure to transmit the President’s appointment. He questioned why Namdas had yet to receive his appointment letter despite the Presidency’s public announcement. “This is a mandate given to the President by Nigerians. On whose mandate is the SGF acting?” Yero asked. “If the President directs that Namdas should be appointed and the SGF keeps the appointment letter without releasing it, then serious constitutional and administrative questions arise.” According to him, once a presidential appointment is approved, the process should seamlessly move from presidential approval to the issuance of an appointment letter through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “It is the Chief of Staff who normally transmits presidential approvals to the SGF for implementation. Is the Chief of Staff aware that Namdas has still not received his appointment letter? If he wasn’t aware before, he certainly should be aware now,” he added. Yero also dismissed reports suggesting that George’s appointment had been restored, arguing that the lingering uncertainty raised broader concerns about compliance with presidential directives. The controversy mirrors a similar leadership dispute that occurred at the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) in October 2023. At the time, President Tinubu appointed Tola Odeyemi as Postmaster-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST after removing Sunday Adepoju. Days later, NIPOST announced that Adepoju had been reinstated, creating confusion over the agency’s leadership. The crisis escalated when workers locked the agency’s headquarters in Abuja and resisted Odeyemi’s resumption before the Presidency reaffirmed her appointment. She eventually assumed office on October 16, 2023, bringing the dispute to an end. Sunday PUNCH also learnt from multiple sources within the BCDA that George never fully relinquished control of the agency after resigning to pursue the APC governorship ticket in Rivers State. One senior official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, alleged that George quietly returned to the agency after losing the APC governorship primary. “He resigned to contest the governorship. After losing, he simply returned and resumed activities without any formal handover,” the source claimed. The official further alleged that George continued to enjoy strong political backing within the administration. According to the source, George’s continued presence at the agency is linked to his relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, under whom he served as Rivers State Commissioner for Works. “It was Wike who nominated him for the BCDA appointment in 2024. That relationship explains why he has remained influential despite his resignation,” the source alleged. Sunday PUNCH could not independently verify the claim. However, one of George’s allies dismissed the allegation as mere speculation. “Wike is also an appointee of the President and cannot wield such powers,” the ally said. When contacted, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga maintained that the President’s decision remained unchanged. “As far as I know, the President has not changed his mind. Namdas remains the Executive Secretary of the agency. “All these things they are talking about, they don’t know what they are talking about. The President has not changed his mind about the appointment of Namdas as the head of that border agency,” he said. Asked why Namdas had yet to assume office, Onanuga explained that the issuance of the appointment letter falls under the responsibility of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “His appointment has been communicated to the

Elections, Politics

Conflicting Appeal Court Judgments Raise Questions Over INEC’s Powers

/

An evidently disturbing development played up yesterday in the judiciary after two Appeal Courts handed down conflicting judgments on the powers and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The first Court of Appeal, Abuja, upturned the judgment of a Federal High Court, which nullified part of the election guidelines of INEC for the conduct of the 2027 general election. A three-member panel of the appellate court in a unanimous judgement held that the trial court was wrong in nullifying the guidelines, which did not in any way violate the 1991 Constitution nor the Electoral Act. Yet, another three-member panel of another appellate court also sitting in Abuja struck down Sections 77(5), (6) and (7), as well as 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, for being inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution. The affected sections regulate membership registers of political parties and the procedure for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 general election. Justice Mohammed Umar had in a judgement delivered on May 20, voided the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities of INEC, for the 2027 general election by a Federal High Court in Abuja, on the grounds among others that the timeframe “imposed” by INEC on political parties to submit their membership register, conduct primaries, and same names of candidates for the 2027 general elections, “is inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026”. Umar voided the time-table while delivering judgement in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2016, and filed by the Youth Party. The plaintiff in the suit dated and filed on March 11, by its counsel, J. O. Olotu sought for several reliefs, including a declaration that upon a proper consideration and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 29, 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the powers of the INEC to receive notice of party primaries and the personal particulars of candidates, and its duty to attend, observe and monitor such primaries, does not extend to fixing or prescribing the timetable within which political parties may conduct their primary elections for the purpose of nominating candidates for the 2027 general elections. Dissatisfied, the electoral umpire approached the appellate court to set aside the verdict of the trial court. However, delivering judgement on Monday, Justice Adebukola Banjoko, who delivered the lead judgement read by Justice Okon Abang, faulted the trial court for invalidating the administrative discretion of INEC. “The law gives INEC powers to conduct elections in the country. There was no deposition or threat that the respondent was prevented from conducting its primaries,” he said, adding that the respondent could only invoke the powers of the court where there are heavy threats to its participation in the election. Justice Abang explained that where INEC acted within its power, the courts could not get involved. “The declarative reliefs granted by the trial court were wrongly granted and they are hereby set aside”, Abang declared. INEC in its appeal dated May 25, 2026, and filed by its counsel, Alex Izinyon, prayed the court to set aside the judgement, claiming that the trial court erred in law when it failed to pronounce on the jurisdictional issue of the suit being hypothetic and academic, and a denial of fair hearing to the appellant. The lawyer specifically stated that the lower court erred in law when it held: “It is clear from the wording of Sections 29(1), 82, and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the following can be understood. Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 mandated political parties to submit the names of candidates first in the prescribed forms of the candidates who emerged from its valid primaries, which such political party intended to sponsor at the elections, not later than 120 days before the date of the General election.