ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Mr. Peter Obi, a leading presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has paid tribute to Nigerian workers on Workers’ Day, describing them as the backbone of the nation.
In a statement titled “Workers Are the Backbone of Every Nation”, the former Anambra State governor commended workers across the world, particularly Nigerians, whose daily sacrifices sustain families, communities, institutions, and the national economy despite severe hardship and uncertainty.
Obi lamented that those who teach, heal, build, farm, produce, transport, protect, and serve the nation are still denied the dignity and fair reward their labour deserves. He noted that Nigeria’s minimum wage no longer guarantees even the most modest standard of living, as inflation, rising food prices, transportation costs, and economic hardship continue to erode the value of honest work.
“No nation can truly develop beyond the strength, productivity, and wellbeing of its workforce,” Obi said, stressing that the progress of any society rests on the quality of its human capital. “When workers suffer, the nation suffers. When workers are empowered, the nation prospers.”
He further emphasized that beyond their labour, workers hold another powerful tool — their voice and their vote. Through democratic participation, he said, they can shape governance and determine the nation’s future direction.
Obi urged Nigerian workers to recognize their collective strength and to demand leadership built on competence, character, capacity, credibility, and compassion. He called on them to reject failure, corruption, ethnic division, and bad governance, and to help build a nation where hard work is respected and rewarded with dignity.
“A truly productive nation must be built on justice, fairness, and respect for labour. That is the Nigeria we must work together to achieve. With the support and participation of Nigerian workers, a New Nigeria is possible,” the statement concluded.
ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to avoid actions capable of causing division within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against “pulling down the roof” over political ambitions.
In a lengthy statement titled “2027: Don’t Pull Down the Roof,” Shettima appealed to party leaders, aspirants and supporters to embrace moderation, unity and internal democracy as political consultations intensify across the country.
According to the vice president, the growing political activities within the APC reflect a healthy democratic process, but cautioned that internal competition must not degenerate into hostility and destructive rivalry.
“We must remind ourselves that a political party is not a battlefield. It is a family. And even in the most spirited family, the roof must never be pulled down because one room appears warmer than another,” he said.
Shettima warned party faithful against allowing themselves to be manipulated by political interests, media narratives and divisive actors seeking to create tension within the APC ahead of its primaries. “There will always be those who whisper that one leader has been slighted, that one bloc has been excluded, or that one interest has been buried,” he said.
“These are familiar tricks in the theatre of politics. They are meant to provoke suspicion, inflame supporters, and turn comrades into adversaries before the real contest even begins.”
The vice president stressed that the true challenge for the APC would come after the primaries, noting that only a united party could secure victory at the general elections. “A fractured party may produce a candidate, but only a united party can produce victory,” he stated.
He called on party leaders to ensure fairness, transparency and inclusiveness in the conduct of the party’s primary elections, while urging aspirants and their supporters to accept outcomes peacefully.
According to him, endorsements and political preferences are part of democratic politics, but should not be used as instruments of intimidation or exclusion. “Preference must never become provocation. Influence must never become intimidation. Persuasion must never become exclusion,” he said.
Shettima further warned politicians against destroying political structures because of temporary setbacks, describing politics as “a long road” where patience and loyalty often yield future opportunities. “We cannot all win at the same time. For every ticket, only one candidate will emerge,” he noted.
The vice president also urged APC members to place national interest above personal ambition, saying Nigerians were closely watching how political leaders manage disagreements and internal contests.
“A leader who cannot manage disappointment cannot be trusted to manage power,” he added.
Shettima praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating the values of accommodation, resilience and coalition-building throughout his political career, saying the APC must emulate those principles.
He appealed to party stakeholders to close ranks after the primaries and focus on presenting a united front ahead of the 2027 elections. “Contest, but do not destroy. Disagree, but do not defame. Aspire, but do not divide,” he said.
“We will all have our season, but only if the house still stands.”
ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended the sale of the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Durosinmi Meseko, announced the extension while briefing journalists at the party’s national secretariat on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Meseko, the decision was reached during the NWC meeting of the ruling party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sale of forms was initially scheduled to end on Saturday, May 2, while the deadline for the submission of completed forms and accompanying documents was Monday, May 4, 2026.
Meseko said the extension became necessary due to the May 1 Workers’ Day public holiday and the high level of interest shown by aspirants.
“The party has approved an extension of the timelines for the sale of aspirants’ Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, as well as the submission of completed forms for the 2027 General Elections,” he said.
He explained that the sale of forms will now close at midnight on Monday, May 4, while the submission of completed forms and accompanying documents has been extended to midnight on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (NAN).
ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The House of Representatives has directed 11 electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to refund N55.42 billion obtained under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), following findings that the scheme failed to achieve its intended objectives.
Lawmakers on Thursday adopted the report of the House Committee on Public Assets, giving the beneficiary companies a seven-month deadline to repay the loan to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Presenting the report before the House, the committee chairman, Uchenna Okonkwo, said the investigation uncovered significant gaps in the implementation of the metering intervention programme introduced in 2020.
According to him, the NMMP was designed to bridge Nigeria’s metering deficit, reduce estimated billing, promote local meter manufacturing and curb revenue losses in the power sector.
He listed the beneficiary firms as Abuja, Eko, Enugu, Ibadan, Ikeja, Jos, Kano and Yola electricity distribution companies, among the 11 DISCOs that received disbursements under the scheme.
Okonkwo said the committee engaged the CBN, Meristem Wealth Management, NESI-SSL, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and other stakeholders during the probe.
“The report indicates the programme, initiated in 2020, was to be implemented in three phases.
“N59.28 billion was earmarked for the 11 companies, repayable at nine per cent interest, with six per cent to financiers and three per cent to the CBN.
“The investigation revealed DISCOs received N55.42 billion, leaving N3.85 billion unaccounted for,” he said.
The lawmaker also raised concerns over a contractual clause granting Meristem Wealth Management 0.5 per cent of DISCO collections annually until 2030.
He disclosed that the company had already received N450 million for its services under the programme, a development the committee criticised.
The committee further recommended that the firm provide its corporate profile, ownership structure and a comprehensive report detailing its role in the implementation of the metering initiative.
Following the adoption of the report, the House approved the establishment of a joint loan recovery committee comprising the CBN and NERC to recover the funds from beneficiary DISCOs before the end of 2026. (NAN).
LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Lagos State Government has launched what it described as Africa’s first Flood Risk Insurance Policy aimed at providing rapid financial assistance to vulnerable residents affected by flooding across the state.
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu described the initiative as a major shift from reactive disaster response to proactive climate risk management, saying the programme was designed to protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure in flood-prone communities.
Speaking during the launch at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sanwo-Olu said the insurance policy would ensure support reaches flood victims swiftly and transparently whenever disasters occur.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the governor disclosed that the scheme would cover more than four million vulnerable residents across seven high-risk local government areas, including Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Kosofe, Ojo and Somolu.
According to the state government, the programme provides potential payouts of up to $7.5 million for each flood event.
Sanwo-Olu noted that beneficiaries would not pay premiums or complete complicated documentation processes, explaining that the initiative is fully funded by the state government using existing social registers, including the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency database.
He also urged the Federal Government and other states to adopt similar models to strengthen climate resilience nationwide.
Commissioner for Finance Abayomi Oluyomi described the initiative as a strategic fiscal protection mechanism capable of improving emergency response and post-disaster recovery.
He warned that Lagos remains increasingly vulnerable to climate-related threats such as sea-level rise and extreme rainfall, with projections suggesting climate inaction could cost the state up to $40 billion by 2050.
The commissioner disclosed that the German Government, through the InsuResilience Solutions Fund, would finance 90 percent of the insurance premium in the first year, while Lagos State covers the remaining 10 percent.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Oreoluwa Finnih, described the programme as a major milestone in promoting fiscal sustainability and climate resilience.
Finnih said the scheme would deploy satellite technology for transparency while covering pluvial, fluvial and coastal flooding.
The programme will also support direct household relief and restoration of damaged public infrastructure through integration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.
Representatives of the United Nations Development Programme, the European Union, the German Government, the World Bank and the African Development Bank attended the launch event alongside private sector insurance partners.
Officials said the initiative emerged from collaborations developed after engagements at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, as part of efforts to build a resilient and future-ready Lagos.
ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday restored the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, after setting aside an earlier order of the Court of Appeal directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
In its ruling, the apex court held that the preservative order issued by the lower court was unnecessary and improper, especially after the appeal before it had already been dismissed. Delivering judgment, Justice Mohammed Garba stated that there was effectively “nothing left” for the appellate court to preserve at the time the order was made.
The Supreme Court consequently vacated the directive and ordered that the substantive leadership dispute be returned to the Federal High Court for hearing on its merits. The ruling effectively restores the David Mark‑led structure, including former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, who serves as National Secretary, pending the outcome of the substantive suit.
The court emphasized that preservative or status quo orders can only be issued where a valid subject matter requires protection. “Giving such an order in an appeal it had already dismissed was unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” it held.
The decision carries significant implications for the ADC’s internal leadership contest ahead of political realignments and preparations for the 2027 general elections. The crisis had triggered legal battles among rival factions over control of the party’s national structure.
As of press time, the certified true copy of the judgment had not yet been released. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar welcomed the ruling, describing it as a firm affirmation of David Mark’s leadership, while warning against complacency. He urged supporters to remain vigilant, stressing that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
The ADC also congratulated members nationwide, calling the judgment a clear affirmation of its legitimacy under Senator Mark and Ogbeni Aregbesola. The party commended the unanimous five‑man panel of the Supreme Court, while warning that attempts to weaken opposition voices persist. It vowed to remain resolute in its mission to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative and urged members and supporters to stay vigilant.
ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has criticized the borrowing pattern of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, alleging that many of the loans obtained by the Federal Government fail to meet both legal requirements and economic prudence.
Obi argued that the scale of borrowing under the current administration has not been matched with clear evidence showing how the funds would improve Nigeria’s productive capacity or the welfare of citizens.
In a statement released on Thursday and titled “When Borrowing is Leprosy and Cancerous,” the former Labour Party presidential candidate warned that debt becomes dangerous when used for consumption rather than productive investment.
“Borrowing is not only a leprosy, but a killer cancer when it is borrowed for consumption and not production as it is in Nigeria today,” Obi said.
According to him, borrowing for consumption gradually weakens a nation’s economic health, damages its reputation and undermines its long-term autonomy.
“One of the major ‘leprosy’ afflicting Nigeria today is not just debt, but debt without productivity — debt that is not tied to measurable economic value, jobs, growth, or improved living standards for the Nigerian people,” he stated.
Obi maintained that no serious economy borrows recklessly, stressing that countries only borrow with discipline, defined objectives and sustainable repayment plans tied to productive investments.
Citing provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, Obi noted that any government seeking to borrow is legally required to specify the purpose of the loan and provide a cost-benefit analysis detailing its economic and social benefits.
Quoting directly from the law, Obi said: “Any government in the Federation or its agencies and corporations desirous of borrowing shall specify the purpose for which the borrowing is intended and present a cost-benefit analysis detailing the economic and social benefits.”
He argued that many of the loans secured by the current administration do not adequately demonstrate how they would stimulate economic growth or improve the lives of Nigerians in measurable terms.
The former governor further warned that Nigeria’s rising debt servicing obligations could severely constrain future economic growth and limit government capacity to invest in critical sectors.
“What matters is not debt-to-GDP as much as debt-to-debt servicing ratio because the latter constrains our capacity to finance the sectors that drive human development and economic growth,” Obi said.
He added that when borrowed funds are poorly utilized, the country is left servicing debts that neither generate revenue nor enhance future productive capacity.
“If the money is wrongly spent as we do in Nigeria currently, it becomes double jeopardy because you are using current revenue to service debts that did not add to revenue or improve capacity for more production in the future,” he stated.
Obi concluded by insisting that governments must go beyond merely defending loans and instead ensure transparency, accountability and tangible benefits to citizens. “A responsible government does not merely defend borrowing; it explains it, justifies it, and most importantly, ensures it works for the people,” he said.
ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has received the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Adeleye Falade, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, using the occasion to announce fresh presidential approval for a major road project in Rivers State.
According to a statement issued by Francis Nwaze, FIPMD, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister (Media), on April 30, 2026, the meeting focused on the completed Bodo‑Bonny Road and the next phase of development linking it to the East‑West Road, a critical route for movement of people and goods in the Niger Delta.
Speaking during the visit, Umahi revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, CON has approved the dualisation of the 8.9‑kilometre road connecting Bodo‑Bonny to the East‑West Road. The project will be built with concrete and will include two flyovers, solar‑powered streetlights, and modern monitoring systems.
He explained that part of the funds saved from the Bodo‑Bonny Road project has already been redirected to install solar lights and tree planting along the axis. Umahi stressed that the Tinubu administration is committed to constructing durable roads designed to last decades, while also enhancing safety and boosting economic activity.
Earlier, Abdul Humaru introduced the NLNG team, noting the visit was to present the new CEO and pay a courtesy call.
In his remarks, Falade thanked the Federal Government for its support, particularly on the Bodo‑Bonny Road, which he said has already transformed life for residents and businesses.
He expressed readiness for continued collaboration on the new project, describing the approval as vital to maximizing the benefits of the completed road.
ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing iron-clad security across Enugu State, highlighting the deployment of advanced security technology and surveillance infrastructure as part of efforts to safeguard lives, property and investments.
Mbah said security has remained central to his administration’s governance strategy since assuming office, explaining that the government has invested heavily in surveillance drones, security cameras, a state‑of‑the‑art Command and Control Centre, and supporting infrastructure to ensure round‑the‑clock monitoring across the southeastern state.
He noted that the issue of security is the biggest elephant in the room. “If we are going to realis our dream of growing this economy exponentially, we have to address it. Business don’t undertake security risks. Government, your primary responsibility is to provide security. We understood that clearly from day one,” he said.
According to the governor, the security architecture introduced by his administration is the first of its kind in Nigeria and is designed to provide sustainable, technology-driven policing and rapid emergency response capabilities.
In a broadcast reviewed by our correspondent, Mbah outlined his administration’s security achievements, noting that the state has deployed more than 150 distress‑response squad vehicles and established a Command‑and‑Control Centre with round‑the‑clock surveillance of identified hotspots across Enugu State. He emphasized that the scale of these measures is unmatched by any other state.
He added that security agencies operating within the state had also been equipped with modern communication gadgets to improve coordination and operational efficiency.
The governor further revealed that security operatives in the state had been fitted with body cameras — a development he described as the first by any state government in Nigeria — to promote accountability and ensure that security operations are conducted within the confines of the law.
“We have spared no effort in building a security network that is fit for purpose, so that Ndi Enugu and businesses can feel safe, protected and confident,” Mbah said.
Political and economic analysts have praised the governor, who campaigned under the “Tomorrow is Here” mantra, for what they described as responsible and responsive leadership focused on economic transformation and institutional reforms.
Mbah’s broader economic vision is aimed at transforming Enugu into a major hub for business, tourism and quality living, with a target of increasing the state’s Gross Domestic Product from $4.4 billion to at least $30 billion within the next four to eight years.
Since assuming office, the governor has pursued a series of ambitious projects, including the Enugu Air initiative, Smart Green Schools, innovation and technology hubs, rural road construction and urban renewal programmes aimed at stimulating sustainable economic growth.
In the first quarter of 2026, the Enugu State Government inaugurated the Enugu Haier Factory, a $20 million Foreign Direct Investment project by Haier Global Business Group in partnership with the state government.
The factory, located in Enugu, is expected to position the state as a production hub for smartphones, tablets, computers, smart boards, Android televisions, education and health technologies, as well as renewable energy solutions.
Under the arrangement, the state government provided land for the facility and is expected to serve as its largest customer through the purchase of 25,000 all-in-one desktop computers and 300,000 tablets for deployment across the state’s 260 Smart Green Schools.
Mbah described the investment as a major milestone in his administration’s efforts to reposition Enugu as a preferred destination for industry, technology and innovation-driven growth.
Vice President of Haier Group, Sun Yongle, said the facility will initially produce about 200,000 units annually across ICT, medical equipment, and renewable energy product lines, with plans to expand the workforce to more than 200 employees.
ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu has expressed her profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following her appointment as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement issued on April 30, 2026, she said: “I am truly honored to step into this new position, and wish to express my most profound appreciation to our Nation’s President. Your Excellency, I am truly humbled by your trust and confidence in my abilities.”
Odumegwu‑Ojukwu noted that she looks forward to contributing to the continued success of the administration’s 4D Foreign Policy Priorities under the Renewed Hope Agenda, as well as advancing Nigeria’s citizen diplomacy imperatives. She reaffirmed her commitment to promoting Nigeria’s national interests on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa’ar, has extended his congratulations to Odumegwu‑Ojukwu, expressing optimism about deepening relations between Israel and Nigeria. “I look forward to working with Minister Odumegwu‑Ojukwu to advance cooperation between our respective countries,” Sa’ar said.
