Category: Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigeria’s major opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticised the reported plan by the Federal Government to reintegrate repentant terrorists into society, warning that terrorism should not be treated as a “family affair” or a moral metaphor. The party said the move by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suggests a troubling lack of understanding of the nature and scale of the security threat facing the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said terrorism remains a sustained and organised campaign of violence against the Nigerian state and its citizens.

“It has taken lives, destroyed communities, displaced millions and undermined the foundation of security and economic stability in our country. To respond to such a threat with language that softens its meaning, and policies that prioritise rehabilitation ahead of accountability, is not compassion. It is weakness,” the party said.

The ADC argued that the government’s approach reflects inconsistency, noting that while it claims to be prosecuting a war against terror, it is also seeking to reintroduce former insurgents into society without clear processes for justice or safeguards for affected communities.

According to the party, there is no transparency on how individuals are assessed for reintegration, monitored after release, or how host communities are protected. It warned that reintegration without accountability sends the wrong signal to victims and could embolden others to take up violence.

“Reintegration without justice is not reconciliation; it is injustice. It sends the wrong signal to victims who are still waiting for closure and may encourage others to believe that the consequences of terror can be negotiated,” the statement added.

The ADC maintained that terrorism must be treated as an existential threat, insisting that those responsible for violent crimes must face the full weight of the law, stressing that the safety of communities and the rights of victims must remain central to any national response.

The party called for a clear, accountable and firm approach to national security, warning that Nigeria cannot afford mixed signals in the fight against terrorism.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Federal Ministry of Finance has denied claims of hidden spending and diversion of federation revenue, describing recent reports based on a World Bank publication as a misrepresentation of facts.

In a statement signed by the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, on April 19, 2026, the ministry said media reports and commentaries alleging “huge leakages” in Nigeria’s revenue misunderstood the findings of the latest Nigeria Development Update by the World Bank.

The ministry said claims suggesting that a significant portion of federation earnings is being diverted or classified as “hidden spending” reflect a poor understanding of the country’s fiscal system.

It clarified that deductions by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), which were cited in the report, do not constitute waste or missing funds.

According to the ministry, such deductions include statutory transfers, savings and investments, security-related expenditures, cost-of-collection charges, refunds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as transfers and interventions benefiting subnational governments.

It stressed that refunds and transfers to states and other tiers of government are legitimate fiscal transactions, including repayments of obligations and allocations backed by law.

The ministry also faulted what it described as the selective use of outdated data in some commentaries, noting that recent reforms highlighted in the World Bank report were largely ignored.

It said the World Bank acknowledged that reforms introduced in early 2026, including an executive order to safeguard the remittance of petroleum revenues, are already addressing concerns around deductions.

The reforms, it added, are expected to improve transparency and increase revenues available to all tiers of government by about 0.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product annually.

Highlighting the broader findings of the report, the ministry said Nigeria’s economic outlook remains positive, with growth becoming more broad-based across sectors.

It noted that inflation, though still high, is on a downward trend due to policy measures, while the country’s external position has strengthened with improved reserves and a current account surplus.

The ministry added that debt indicators have also improved, including a decline in the debt-to-GDP ratio for the first time in over a decade.

According to the statement, the World Bank did not conclude that Nigeria’s fiscal system is collapsing but rather emphasised that ongoing reforms are yielding results and should be sustained.

The ministry reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening fiscal transparency, improving revenue mobilisation and ensuring efficient public spending.

It also urged stakeholders, media organisations and the public to engage responsibly with fiscal information to avoid misinterpretations that could undermine confidence in the country’s economic reforms. 

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a formal notice to broadcasters across Africa’s most populous country over rising breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code in news, current affairs, and political programmes.

The directive, released by the Office of the Director-General through the Public Affairs Department, followed what the regulator described as a sustained increase in violations of the 6th Edition of the Code. The Commission said broadcast platforms are increasingly being used in ways that depart from their core obligation to inform the public with accuracy, balance, and professionalism.

The NBC warned that as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, it will enforce strict and uncompromising compliance with all provisions of the Code, particularly those relating to fairness, accuracy, balance, hate speech, incitement, and respect for constitutional institutions.

Highlighting key concerns, the Commission pointed to what it described as a growing crisis in anchor and presenter professionalism. It said there has been a noticeable departure from ethical standards, including instances where presenters express personal opinions as facts, fail to provide balanced perspectives, or allow inflammatory content during broadcasts.

The regulator also raised alarm over the misuse of broadcast platforms by political actors, noting an increase in content that promotes divisive narratives, incitement, and disrespect for national unity. It stressed that such practices violate provisions prohibiting hate speech, subversion of constituted authority, and content capable of inciting public disorder.

According to the Commission, broadcasters are expected to ensure that all sides to issues of public interest are equitably presented, preferably within the same programme, while maintaining professionalism in the coverage of sensitive topics such as politics, communal conflicts, and national security.

The NBC further stated that any anchor or presenter found to have expressed personal opinions as facts, bullied or intimidated guests, denied fair hearing to opposing views, or otherwise compromised neutrality will be deemed to have committed a Class B breach under the Code. The Commission reiterated its commitment to upholding broadcast standards and warned that violations will attract appropriate sanctions as the country prepares for a critical electoral cycle.