Category: Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Federal Ministry of Works has announced a special television broadcast showcasing major infrastructure projects completed in the North-West, South-West and South-East regions under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between May 2025 and May 2026.

The announcement was contained in a public notice issued on Friday by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works on Media.

According to the statement, the documentary highlights the vision, progress, impact and strategic significance of key infrastructure projects completed and ready for commissioning across the three geopolitical zones.

The ministry said the broadcast forms part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure that supports economic growth, national integration and improved living standards.

Members of the public were encouraged to tune in to the programme to gain insight into the projects and their expected contributions to national development.

The documentary is scheduled to air on major national television stations on Saturday.

Broadcast Schedule:

• Channels Television – 8:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

• NTA Network – 10:30 a.m.

• TVC News – 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Arise News – 7:00 p.m.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned four major Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure projects across Lagos, Abuja, and Owerri, marking a significant expansion of Nigeria’s clean transport network.

Delivered under the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), the projects form part of the federal government’s accelerated response to subsidy reforms and its strategy to expand domestic gas utilisation, reduce transport costs, and promote cleaner fuels.

At Ojota, Lagos, Tinubu inaugurated the Portland Gas CNG Mother Station, with a daily dispensing capacity of 96,000 standard cubic metres, alongside a 54-metric-tonne storage facility and a CNG Daughter Station in Kubwa, Abuja. He also commissioned the IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC) refuelling station, the flagship of Lagos State’s clean transport rollout, anchoring a network of 15 stations across the metropolis.

In Abuja’s Jahi District, the President unveiled the High-Capacity CNG Daughter Booster Station, developed by Rolling Energy Limited in partnership with MDGIF. The facility, described as the most advanced in West Africa, features high-speed dispensers, a 1,000 standard cubic metre-per-hour compressor, and a 3,200 cubic metre cascade storage system.

At the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Tinubu commissioned the FEMADEC CNG Daughter Station and Conversion Centre, the flagship of the 20 Universities CNG Ecosystem Initiative under the SPROUT Programme, designed to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on students and staff.

The FUTO facility includes a Vehicle Conversion Workshop, Training Centre, and CNG-powered buses and tricycles for campus transport. It also supports the Presidential CNG Initiative for Electric Vehicles (PiCNG-EV).

To ease public access to CNG conversion, the government partnered with CrediCorp, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, and the National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) to offer structured consumer credit under the Credit Access for Light and Mobility (CALM) Fund, with financing rates as low as 9% and repayment spread over six months.

Speaking at the virtual commissioning, Tinubu said the projects mark a turning point for clean transport in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is a gas nation. Our energy future will not be borrowed. It will be built from what we have,” he said. “Lagos moves the country, and when Lagos can fuel itself with our own gas, at our own prices, the whole country benefits.”

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the rollout as a decisive step in operationalising Nigeria’s Decade of Gas agenda, noting that the country sits on over 210 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves.

“Properly harnessed, this resource can fuel our industries, power our homes, move our vehicles, and lift millions of our people out of poverty,” Ekpo said.

Executive Director of MDGIF, Oluwole Adama, said the projects demonstrate what is possible when government, regulators, investors, and technical partners unite around a shared purpose.

“They show that real progress happens when vision is translated into action,” he said.

Tinubu thanked the National Assembly, the NMDPRA, and joint venture partners for their roles in delivering the projects, describing them as proof of Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable energy and economic transformation.

ASABA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has announced his victory in the Delta Central Senatorial primary election of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), held across the eight local government areas of the senatorial district.

Omo-Agege disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday and titled, “Victory for Democracy – The People Have Decided, and It Is Loud and Clear.”

According to him, the primary election was successfully conducted across Delta Central and produced a result in his favour, without providing poll result figures. “Thanks, Delta Central, for reposing so much confidence in me. For your love, your support, your commitment, your passion and dedication, I say thank you,” he said.

The former Deputy Senate President urged his supporters to remain focused on the next phase of the political process, which he described as the general election campaign.

He expressed confidence that his supporters would work together to secure victory in the 2027 election. “We are OK,” he stated.

Omo-Agege’s declaration comes days after he formally joined the NDC following his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued on May 28, he said his decision followed weeks of consultations with constituents, political associates and stakeholders across Delta State.

He said the discussions convinced him that Deltans were seeking leadership that prioritises accountability, inclusion and service delivery.

Omo-Agege also credited discussions with prominent NDC leaders, including Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Moses Cleopas, Governor Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for influencing his decision to join the opposition party.

The former lawmaker said his senatorial ambition was driven by what he described as growing calls from constituents for his return to the National Assembly.

He criticised the state of infrastructure and public services in Delta State, citing poor roads, underfunded healthcare facilities, overcrowded schools and unemployment despite the state’s oil wealth.

Omo-Agege pledged to champion transparency, accountability, job creation, agricultural development and improved access to healthcare and education if elected.

He also called for greater unity among Delta North, Delta South and Delta Central senatorial districts, arguing that a united Delta State would have a stronger voice at the national level.

The former Deputy Senate President urged eligible voters to participate actively in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Your PVC is stronger than money, intimidation or propaganda. Protect it, use it and use it wisely in 2027,” he said.

ABUJA (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria is “moving forward again” after three years of sweeping economic reforms, saying the sacrifices made by citizens since 2023 have begun to yield visible progress.

In a nationwide address marking the third anniversary of his administration, Tinubu reflected on the tough decisions taken to end fuel subsidies, unify exchange rates, and restore fiscal stability, describing them as “difficult but necessary choices” that prevented a deeper national crisis.

“Had we refused to act, our nation would have drifted toward fiscal breakdown, worsening poverty, and severe economic uncertainty. Together, we chose reform over ruin and decisiveness over hesitation,” he said.

The President acknowledged the hardship Nigerians faced due to rising living costs but assured that the reforms were laying the foundation for sustainable growth.

“Your sacrifice has not been in vain. Nigeria has stabilised and is moving forward again,” he said.

Tinubu highlighted major gains in public finance and investor confidence, noting that the stock market had surged from ₦30 trillion in 2023 to ₦160 trillion in 2026, with companies reporting record profits. He listed ongoing infrastructure projects covering 2,700 kilometres of highways, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, and Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, alongside rail modernisation and rural access roads.

In the oil and gas sector, he said reforms had attracted billions in new investment, with the $5 billion NLNG Train 7 project nearing completion. Local refining capacity and domestic gas utilisation, he added, were improving energy security and reducing dependence on imports.

Tinubu said his administration was clearing legacy debts in the power sector, expanding transmission infrastructure, and investing in renewables to “power Nigeria into a new era of industrial growth.”

“No modern economy can grow in darkness. When power improves, businesses expand, industries grow, jobs are created, and families prosper,” he stated.

He reported that agricultural programmes had supported millions of farmers through improved seedlings, fertilisers, and mechanisation. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund had disbursed ₦282 billion to over 1.5 million students, while the Renewed Hope Housing Programme was delivering 10,000 housing units across 14 states and the FCT, creating 300,000 jobs. Tinubu also cited progress in healthcare revitalisation and the expansion of health insurance coverage for vulnerable Nigerians.

The President reaffirmed his commitment to youth development, saying Nigeria’s young population was “the engine of the nation’s future.”

“You are not a problem to be managed. You are the engine of Nigeria’s future,” he said, pledging continued investment in digital skills, innovation, and enterprise support.

He noted renewed confidence in the telecommunications sector, with operators expanding networks and digital access nationwide.

Tinubu said security agencies had intensified operations against terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, improving safety in many communities. He promised continued investment in intelligence, logistics, and technology to reclaim the authority of the state.

“This government will not relent until every Nigerian can live, work, travel, and dream in safety,” he vowed.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain united and hopeful, stressing that national renewal required discipline, sacrifice, and shared purpose.

“We must choose hope over despair, unity over division, and nation-building over narrow interests,” he said. “Nigeria belongs to all of us—no region, faith, or group should feel marginalised or forgotten.”

He concluded with optimism about the country’s future, saying Nigeria was “passing through a test” but would emerge stronger and more prosperous.

“Let us continue this journey together. Let us build a Nigeria that is secure, prosperous, inclusive, and respected worldwide,” Tinubu said.

ABEOKUTA, Nigeria (NPA) — Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the third anniversary of his administration, commending his leadership and commitment to national reforms.

Abiodun, in a statement he personally issued, said the government and people of Ogun State joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating the President on what he described as a significant milestone.

The governor praised Tinubu’s leadership over the past three years, saying the President had demonstrated courage, vision and determination in steering the country through critical reforms aimed at building a stronger foundation for sustainable economic growth, national development and shared prosperity.

“His unwavering commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda continues to inspire confidence in a brighter future for Nigeria,” Abiodun said.

The governor also commended Tinubu for what he described as his exemplary leadership, resilience and patriotism, while expressing appreciation for the President’s support for Ogun State and the country.

Abiodun, who is in the final phase of his second term as governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ogun East Senatorial District, said Tinubu’s leadership style remained a source of inspiration.

“We pray that Almighty God grants him continued wisdom, strength, sound health and divine guidance as he continues to lead our dear country to greater heights.

“Congratulations, Mr President,” the statement added.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) – The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming winners have emerged from its primary elections, describing the information as false and misleading.

The party clarified that its primaries are scheduled to be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, making it impossible for any authentic results or winners to have emerged.

In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC urged Nigerians to disregard the purported results and rely only on information released through official party channels.

“With our primaries yet to take place, it is impossible and illogical for any primary results or winners to have emerged when the primaries are yet to take place.

“We strongly urge the public and all well-meaning Nigerians to completely disregard the fake NDC primary results and false rumours currently circulating. Any result that does not emanate from official party sources should be disregarded,” the statement read.

The party reiterated its commitment to conducting a transparent and credible primary process and appealed to supporters and registered members to remain vigilant against misinformation.

Meanwhile, the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, has welcomed former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, into the party.

Dickson disclosed that both politicians have been granted waivers to participate in the party’s senatorial primaries in their respective districts.

“I am also pleased to announce that the NDC has not only received them warmly but has equally granted them waivers to contest in the senatorial primaries in their respective districts tomorrow. I wish them both the very best of luck,” he said.

According to him, the development followed weeks of consultations aimed at strengthening the party’s presence in the South-South region and across the country.

He called on party members to extend maximum support and cooperation to the new entrants as the party continues to expand its political base.

Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that Omo-Agege formally joined the NDC days after resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his intention to contest the Delta Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections on the platform of the opposition party.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Omo-Agege said his decision followed weeks of consultations with constituents and political associates.

“Across all these engagements, one truth stood out: Deltans want leadership that listens first, acts with integrity, and delivers results that can be seen and felt in daily life,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to NDC leaders, including Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Moses Cleopas, Governor Peter Obi, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for their roles in discussions that culminated in his defection.

According to him, their commitment to building a credible and people-centred political alternative convinced him that the NDC offers the best platform for Delta State and Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has questioned the feasibility of implementing a ₦500,000 minimum wage for workers in the country, warning that such a policy could plunge Nigeria back into an era of borrowing to pay salaries.

In a post on his verified Facebook page titled, “Is a ₦500,000 Minimum Wage Realistic?”, Omokri argued that Nigeria’s public sector wage structure makes the proposal financially unsustainable.

According to him, Nigeria currently has about two million civil servants, a figure that rises to three million when military, police, and paramilitary personnel are included. He added that with pensioners factored in, the number climbs to about four million beneficiaries.

Omokri stated that implementing a ₦500,000 minimum wage would cost the country at least ₦2 trillion monthly, describing the estimate as conservative since many workers and pensioners earn above the minimum wage threshold.

“So, the actual monthly wage bill will be closer to ₦4 trillion, if not more,” he said.

He questioned where Nigeria would generate the estimated ₦36 trillion annually required to sustain such a wage structure in the public sector.

“Please bear in mind that the total revenue collected by the Federal Government of Nigeria is projected to be less than ₦30 trillion per annum. Again, please fact-check me,” he added.

The former presidential aide warned that if the government commits all its earnings to salaries, little or nothing would be left for infrastructure, healthcare, education, defence, and other critical sectors.

“What about roads, hospitals, schools, social services, and defence? If we are spending all our income paying salaries and even borrowing because our annual revenue will not cover our wage bill, then we will not have any funds left for capital expenditure,” he said.

Omokri further noted that President Bola Tinubu had ended the practice of borrowing to pay salaries, cautioning against policies that could reverse those efforts.

He argued that a ₦500,000 minimum wage would leave the government with only two options — borrowing or downsizing the workforce.

“So, may I appeal to presidential candidates to be a bit more realistic and circumspect about the promises they make to the electorate? You may mean well, but please think things through so you can be true to yourself,” he said.

Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that the African Action Congress (AAC) renewed calls for a living wage of at least ₦500,000 monthly for Nigerian workers.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the opposition party insisted that Nigerian workers deserve wages that go beyond survival and should also enjoy proper allowances, especially in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, security, and emergency services.

“Police officers, soldiers, teachers, doctors, nurses, and all public servants who keep society running must be rewarded with dignity, fair compensation, and improved welfare. A nation cannot progress while its workers remain trapped in poverty,” the AAC stated.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Deputy Senate President Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has formally joined the National Democratic Congress (NDC), days after resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his intention to contest the Delta Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections under the opposition party.

In a statement personally signed by him on Thursday, May 28, 2026, Omo-Agege described his decision as the outcome of “weeks of reflection, wide consultations, and honest conversations” with his constituents and political allies.

“Across all these engagements, one truth stood out: Deltans want leadership that listens first, acts with integrity, and delivers results that can be seen and felt in daily life,” he said.

Omo-Agege expressed gratitude to the leadership of the NDC, including Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Moses Cleopas, Governor Peter Obi, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for engaging him in discussions that led to his defection. He said their commitment to building a credible, people-first alternative convinced him that the NDC was the right platform for Delta State and Nigeria.

“The NDC represents the kind of leadership our people deserve — inclusion, accountability, grassroots participation, and true federalism,” he stated. “It is a platform where public office is treated as a duty to the people, not a privilege for a few.”

The former Deputy Senate President emphasized that his return to the Senate was not driven by personal ambition but by the renewed call from his constituents for effective representation.

“This is not about me. It is about the mandate you entrusted to me in 2019 and the renewed call from our people for my return to the Senate,” he said. “That call is loud, consistent, alive, and urgent. I cannot ignore it, and I will not betray the trust you have placed in me.”

Omo-Agege lamented the state of infrastructure and public services in Delta, citing collapsed roads, underfunded health centers, overcrowded schools, and high unemployment despite the state’s vast oil wealth and federal allocations.

“Too much of Delta’s wealth sits in CBN accounts while our people suffer from bad roads, collapsed hospitals, and abandoned communities. This is not governance. It is a failure of leadership and a betrayal of public trust,” he said.

He pledged to champion transparency and accountability, insisting that the NDC was built for such a moment.

“Change requires a platform committed to discipline, transparency, and service. The NDC stands for accountability, justice, inclusion, and true federalism. It is the only platform strong enough to challenge the cycle of failure and return power to the people,” he declared.

Omo-Agege vowed to replicate his grassroots mobilization strategy that once made the APC competitive in Delta State, promising to strengthen the NDC from the ward level upward, register new members, and prepare credible candidates for the 2027 elections.

“We did it before for the APC when many said it was impossible. We mobilized at the grassroots, organized our people, and changed the political equation. I bring that same resolve and experience to the NDC,” he said.

He outlined his legislative priorities, including fair allocation of federal projects, job creation, support for small and medium enterprises, agricultural productivity, and improved access to healthcare and education.

“I will not go to Abuja to warm the bench. I am going to fight for Delta Central,” he said. “Every kobo released to Delta State must be accounted for and applied to projects that improve the lives of our people.”

Omo-Agege also called for unity among the three senatorial districts — Delta North, Delta South, and Delta Central — stressing that a divided Delta weakens the state’s influence at the national level.

“A divided Delta is a weakened Delta. When we speak with one voice, Abuja listens,” he said.

Beyond his senatorial ambition, Omo-Agege said the NDC would field credible candidates for the governorship and other elective positions, adding that Nigeria itself needed a “reset” through leadership that restores hope, protects citizens, and respects the rule of law.

“This is more than an election cycle. It is a defining moment for Delta State and Nigeria — a choice between continuing with a system that rewards mediocrity or choosing a new direction built on accountability and service,” he said.

He urged youths, women, elders, and traditional rulers to mobilize ahead of the 2027 elections, emphasizing the power of the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) as the ultimate tool for change.

“Your PVC is stronger than money, intimidation, or propaganda. Protect it, use it, and use it wisely in 2027,” he said.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The African Action Congress (AAC) has renewed calls for a living wage of at least ₦500,000 per month for Nigerian workers, insisting that the country’s workforce deserves more than mere survival wages.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the opposition party said the proposed wage should be backed by proper allowances for critical sectors such as healthcare, education, security, and emergency services.

“Police officers, soldiers, teachers, doctors, nurses, and all public servants who keep society running must be rewarded with dignity, fair compensation, and improved welfare. A nation cannot progress while its workers remain trapped in poverty,” the AAC said.

The party’s position aligns with growing public advocacy for a ₦500,000 minimum wage, which campaigners argue would cover basic needs — food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and education — while boosting productivity and national development.

According to the proposal, workers in high‑risk and essential sectors should receive additional monthly allowances ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000, depending on their responsibilities. Police officers and soldiers would earn the highest allowances due to the risks associated with public safety and national security.

Supporters of the plan say the measure would strengthen the economy, reduce poverty, and recognise the sacrifices of those who sustain essential services.

The AAC’s stance adds momentum to ongoing national debates over wage reform, as labour unions continue to press for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s pay structure amid rising inflation and living costs.