Politics

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has asked former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, to appear before the commission for questioning over an alleged 14.86-million-dollar fraud case. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed this while responding to allegations by Sylva that the anti-graft agency had been politically influenced by the All Progressives Congress. The former governor was declared wanted by the EFCC in November 2025 over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving 14-million-859-thousand-257 dollars. The development came shortly after Sylva announced his resignation from the APC, accusing the party’s leadership of abandoning its founding principles and criticising the performance of the Federal Government. Sylva also alleged that the EFCC had become increasingly politicised, while insisting that he was prepared to face any consequences arising from his resignation. The former governor has denied allegations linked to a separate 13-count charge involving alleged treason, terrorism-related offences, conspiracy and money laundering. The case remains before the court, and he has not been convicted.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the policies had increased government revenue and improved the business environment. However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on the Federal Government to explain how the additional revenue generated from the reforms had benefited Nigerians. The ADC cited figures showing that subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms generated about N15.8 trillion in additional resources for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025. The party also questioned the use of N47.25 trillion reportedly distributed to states through FAAC during the same period. The party argued that despite increased government revenues, Nigerians had faced higher petrol prices, food inflation and rising transportation costs. It challenged the APC to show Nigerians the tangible benefits of the reforms ahead of the 2027 elections. Meanwhile, the Presidency defended the reforms, saying they had begun to restore investor confidence and create opportunities for businesses. Presidential aide Hafiz Abdullahi said entrepreneurs were gradually adapting to the new economic environment and benefiting from improvements in the foreign exchange market. APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda also warned against returning to fuel subsidy, arguing that doing so could reduce government revenues and affect funding for salaries, education, healthcare and infrastructure. Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, however, described the subsidy debate as a “scam” and argued that petrol could sell for about N200 per litre if Nigeria properly harnessed its crude oil resources and petroleum by-products.

A group of opposition politicians, known as G-100, had urged opposition leaders and presidential hopefuls to prioritise cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued by former APC chieftain Salihu Lukman, the group called on leaders including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and other opposition figures to work together despite their political differences. G-100 said a divided opposition could strengthen the incumbent government by splitting votes and resources. It urged the parties to approach their planned summit in Abuja with an open mind and place Nigeria’s interests above personal ambitions. The group said cooperation did not require political parties to abandon their identities or aspirations, but stressed that a united opposition would provide Nigerians with a stronger alternative in the 2027 elections.

The faction of the O’odua People’s Congress led by the late Dr Frederick Fasehun has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election. The group announced its support for Tinubu in Lagos on Saturday during its 32nd Founders’ Day celebration and the inauguration of a new National Executive Council. Speaking at the event, the re-elected OPC President, Wasiu Afolabi, said the organisation would work for Tinubu’s re-election, just as it supported his presidential bid in 2023. Afolabi said the OPC considered any Yoruba person occupying the presidency as a collective project of the organisation, adding that the group would continue to support Tinubu if the right conditions were provided. He also urged other regions to back the President’s second-term bid, saying this would allow Tinubu to continue with the reforms initiated by his administration. The OPC president further recalled the group’s origins in 1994, saying it was established by Fasehun following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late MKO Abiola. The chairman of the occasion, Wale Oshun, also described the OPC as an important organisation in Nigeria’s democratic struggle. He said the group’s continued existence and growth, eight years after the death of its founder, demonstrated the strength of Fasehun’s vision.

Experts have warned that corruption remains a major obstacle to Nigeria’s development, affecting governance, healthcare, security, infrastructure and education. Speaking in a report by Saturday Vanguard, the experts said the diversion of public funds had contributed to the poor state of critical infrastructure and public services. They also linked corruption in the health sector to shortages of medicines and equipment, poor healthcare delivery and preventable deaths. The experts said corruption could not be completely eliminated but could be significantly reduced through stronger institutions, digital systems, transparent procurement and strict punishment for offenders. They also called for greater public participation and accountability to prevent corruption from becoming accepted as a normal part of society.

A fresh dispute has emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, over its governorship ticket in Plateau State, with former governor Jonah Jang and the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, reportedly divided over a possible replacement candidate. The crisis came less than 24 hours before the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was expected to publish the names of governorship and State Assembly candidates for the 2027 election. The party reportedly submitted the name of its state chairman, Yakubu Ndam, as a placeholder after the purported suspension of Da Jonathan Sunday Akuns, who had emerged unopposed from the party’s direct primary in the state. NDC North Central National Vice Chairman, Barnabas Ejisi, and Ndam were said to have been working to find a substantive replacement for Ndam. The search reportedly led party stakeholders to former Plateau governor Jonah Jang, with efforts made to move Garba Sunday Biggs, a preferred candidate of Jang’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into the NDC. However, Jang reportedly rejected the proposal when Kwankwaso visited him at his Abuja residence to celebrate his 80th birthday. A close ally of Jang said the former governor recalled Kwankwaso’s alleged failure to support him during the 2015 contest for the chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, where Rotimi Amaechi defeated him by 18 votes to 15. The dispute was reportedly among issues being considered by the NDC’s Northern Zonal Reconciliation Sub-Committee, which was set up to address complaints and disagreements arising from the party’s primary elections and state structures. With INEC expected to release the final list of governorship candidates, it remained uncertain whether the NDC would field a candidate in Plateau State or leave incumbent governor Caleb Mutfwang of the All Progressives Congress, APC, with a less competitive re-election contest.

Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, Reno Omokri, has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his claim that President Bola Tinubu is 90 years old. Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, made the claim during a BBC interview published on Friday. He said he had evidence to support his assertion and promised to present it in court. Responding to the allegation, Omokri questioned its basis and referred to a photograph he said showed Tinubu with journalist and publisher Dele Momodu in London in 1996. Omokri argued that if Tinubu were 90 years old in 2026, he would have been 60 when the photograph was taken. He challenged Momodu to confirm the authenticity of the photograph and provide details about when and where it was taken, noting that the journalist was alive and could testify to its authenticity. Omokri also asked whether Tinubu appeared to be 60 years old in the photograph, urging Nigerians to examine the image and determine whether the person pictured appeared to be 60 or even 50 at the time. The ambassador-designate recalled Momodu’s previous accounts of Tinubu’s support for him during his years in exile under military rule. He said political differences should not prevent people from defending facts about individuals they had previously considered friends or benefactors. Omokri also criticised what he described as attempts to “age-shame” political opponents, arguing that the 2027 presidential campaign should focus on issues affecting Nigerians rather than disputed claims about candidates’ ages. He urged political actors to raise the standard of the election by focusing on solutions to the challenges facing the country. Tinubu’s publicly stated date of birth is March 29, 1952, which makes him 74 years old in 2026. Meanwhile, Atiku defended his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election, saying his age should not be used to question his ability to govern. The former vice president described himself as strong, healthy and agile, adding that contesting for the presidency was his constitutional right. Atiku also pointed to his experience and competence as reasons for seeking the presidency and promised to tackle insecurity within his first year in office if elected. He attributed Nigeria’s security challenges partly to inadequate manpower and equipment, which he said had weakened the country’s security architecture.

The Presidency has criticised former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his promise to reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected president in 2027. The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said Atiku’s statement was misleading because most of Nigeria’s land borders had already been reopened by the Federal Government. Dare said the government announced the reopening of most land borders on March 14, 2024, adding that President Tinubu also reopened the Kamba border in Kebbi State in February 2026. He therefore questioned which borders Atiku intended to reopen, urging the former vice president to explain whether he meant relaxing existing border controls and, if so, identify the specific measures he would remove. According to the Presidency, Nigeria needed to maintain effective border controls to prevent terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime while allowing legitimate trade and movement. Dare stressed that an open border did not mean an uncontrolled border, noting that modern border management involved immigration and customs operations, intelligence sharing, surveillance, technology and coordinated security efforts. The Presidency also cited the security situation across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, arguing that Nigeria’s borders remained particularly important in tackling terrorism and organised crime. It said border communities could be vulnerable to attacks because of difficult terrain, limited government presence and weak coordination, making effective border management an essential part of national security. The Presidency urged Atiku, as a former vice president, to provide Nigerians with a detailed alternative policy rather than campaign promises focused on reversing or renaming policies already being implemented. Dare said Nigerians deserved to know how any proposed administration would improve border surveillance, strengthen intelligence sharing, modernise customs and immigration services, deploy technology and enhance cooperation with neighbouring countries. The Presidency maintained that Nigeria’s borders should remain open to legitimate commerce and movement while being secured against terrorists and criminal networks. It added that the Tinubu administration remained open to scrutiny and should be judged based on measurable outcomes in areas including security, economic recovery, border management and citizens’ welfare.

Former Senate Leader and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ali Ndume, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing some officials of being “kakistrocrats” who dominate the presidency. Ndume made the remark on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where he urged President Tinubu to remove officials he considered incompetent before they caused further damage to his administration. He described the recent controversy involving an alleged fake government agency operating from the premises of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s office as evidence of poor oversight within the administration. According to Ndume, capable officials would have prevented such incidents from occurring. He, however, commended Tinubu for ordering the arrest of Nwabueze George, who was allegedly involved in operating the fake agency. Ndume maintained that the president needed to take stronger action against officials responsible for what he described as embarrassing lapses in the government.

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reaffirmed his commitment to restoring petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027. Atiku made the clarification on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the Osun State leadership of the ADC. He said comments by his media aide, Paul Ibe, suggesting that the proposed subsidy would eventually be phased out did not reflect his position. The former vice-president said he remained committed to restoring subsidy, arguing that Nigeria had enough resources to improve the welfare and purchasing power of its citizens. According to Atiku, his proposed policy would focus on easing the impact of rising fuel, transportation and food costs rather than returning to the previous system of subsidising imported petrol. He said the intervention would support domestic refining, reduce energy and transportation costs and improve Nigerians’ purchasing power. He also stated that the proposed subsidy would be targeted and designed to prevent abuse. Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the intervention would be capped, transparently budgeted and independently audited. He added that it would be gradually withdrawn as domestic refining capacity increased, fuel supply stabilised and competition improved. The debate over petrol subsidy has intensified ahead of the 2027 elections following its removal by President Bola Tinubu in May 2023, which led to a significant increase in fuel prices and living costs.