Sule: Nigeria Will One Day Have A Christian-Christian Presidential Ticket

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July 24, 2026

July 24, 2026 | Lafia

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State says Nigeria will eventually elect a Christian-Christian presidential ticket, arguing that the 1999 Constitution does not mandate religious balancing for elective offices.

The governor made the comment during an interview with TVC on Wednesday while discussing politics, governance and national unity.

“Nigeria will one day elect a Christian-Christian presidential ticket. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not state that you must have a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Muslim ticket,” Sule said.

He added that what matters most to Nigerians is competence, character and the ability to deliver, not the religious pairing of candidates.

The remark comes amid renewed debate over religious representation in politics, following the Muslim-Muslim ticket fielded by the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 presidential election.

Sule said political parties should be free to present candidates they believe can win and govern effectively, and that voters ultimately decide at the polls.

“At the end of the day, Nigerians will vote for people they believe can address insecurity, the economy and other challenges facing the country,” he said.

The governor urged politicians to focus on issues rather than sentiments, noting that nation-building requires leaders who can unite all faiths and ethnic groups.

The statement has already drawn mixed reactions on social media, with some backing the call for merit-based politics and others cautioning about sensitivity to Nigeria’s religious diversity.

Governor Otti Inaugurates New Smart School, Launches Free Digital Learning Hub

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Queen Madu

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July 23, 2026

*Otti Commissions Another Smart School, Unveils Free Digital Learning Hub*

_July 22, 2026 | Abia State_

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, on Wednesday commissioned another Smart School and unveiled a Free Digital Learning Hub as part of his administration’s push to modernize education in the state.

The new Smart School, located in [LGA], is equipped with e-learning facilities, solar power, ICT labs, smart boards, and internet connectivity designed to deliver 21st-century learning to public school students.

Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Otti said the project aligns with his administration’s goal of making Abia a hub for digital skills and innovation.

“Our children deserve access to the same quality of education available anywhere in the world. This Smart School and the Free Digital Learning Hub are deliberate steps to bridge the digital divide and prepare our students for the future of work,” Otti said.

The Free Digital Learning Hub will provide students, teachers, and residents with free access to computers, internet, coding classes, and digital literacy programs after school hours.

The Governor added that the initiative is part of a broader partnership with tech firms and development partners to train teachers, provide content, and ensure sustainability.

He also announced that more Smart Schools will be commissioned across the 17 LGAs before the end of the year, with priority on rural communities.

Commissioner for Education, Prof. Eme Okoro, said the hub will run free after-school programs in robotics, AI, graphic design, and software development for secondary school students.

Parents, teachers, and students who attended the event described the development as “a game changer” for public education in Abia.

The commissioning comes weeks after Governor Otti secured a $145m PPP deal for a solar manufacturing plant in the state, as the government pushes investments in education, energy, and technology.

BREAKING: Enugu Air Aircraft Skids Off Runway at Benin Airport, No Casualties

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Queen Madu

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July 23, 2026

July 22, 2026 | Benin City

A state-owned aircraft belonging to Enugu Air veered off the runway after landing at Benin Airport on Thursday, authorities have confirmed.

The incident, described by aviation officials as a “runway excursion,” involved one of the Enugu State-owned carrier’s Embraer regional jets with registration 5N-ENR.

In a statement posted on its official X handle, Enugu Air said the aircraft experienced the excursion after landing and that all 67 passengers and 5 crew members were safely evacuated.

“We confirm that all passengers and crew have safely disembarked and there were no injuries or casualties,” the airline stated.

Videos that surfaced online showed the aircraft off the runway and resting in nearby vegetation. Emergency responders were quickly deployed to the scene.

Enugu Air said the aircraft has been secured and the relevant aviation authorities have been notified. An assessment of the aircraft and circumstances surrounding the occurrence is currently underway.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has commenced a probe into the incident.

The airline warned that there may be temporary adjustments to some flight schedules and that affected passengers will be contacted directly.

“The safety of our passengers, crew, and operations remains our highest priority,” Enugu Air added.

CBN Holds Interest Rate at 26.50% Amid Middle East Tensions

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Queen Madu

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July 22, 2026

July 22, 2026 | Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has retained the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, at 26.50% following its Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The CBN Governor said the decision was driven by the need to balance inflation control with economic growth, against the backdrop of global uncertainties sparked by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The MPC noted that headline inflation eased marginally to 15.91% in June from 16.00% in May. However, members warned that rising global oil prices and supply chain disruptions could reverse the gains.

Oil prices climbed above $91 per barrel on Wednesday after threats to shipping in the Red Sea and escalating hostilities between Iran, Israel, and US forces. The CBN said these developments pose risks to Nigeria’s import bill and exchange rate stability.

Analysts said holding the rate steady gives room for the impact of previous hikes to fully work through the economy, while avoiding further pressure on businesses and consumers.

With inflation still well above the CBN’s target band, the bank said it will continue to monitor global and domestic developments closely and act as needed.

The next MPC meeting is scheduled for September 2026.

NNPC Hikes Petrol Price Again as Marketers Worry Over Dangote’s Dollar Sales

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Queen Madu

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July 22, 2026

July 22, 2026 | Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, again, sparking fresh concern among Nigerians and fuel marketers.

The latest adjustment comes amid growing anxiety in the downstream sector following reports that Dangote Refinery has switched petroleum product sales from naira to dollars.

Industry sources said the price hike reflects rising global crude costs and pressure on the foreign exchange market. Independent marketers said the move will further strain businesses already battling thin margins.

The development is also tied to global market disruptions. Oil prices rose above $91 per barrel on Wednesday after Houthi threats in the Red Sea and escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Analysts say the shift to dollar-denominated sales by Dangote Refinery could deepen forex pressure and lead to more frequent price changes at the pump if NNPCL matches the pricing model.

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday kept interest rates at 26.50%, citing global uncertainties from the Middle East war as a key factor.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and other civil society groups have called on the federal government to urgently provide relief measures, warning that repeated fuel price increases are worsening cost-of-living pressures.

NNPCL has not released an official statement on the new pump price template. Motorists in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt reported queues at some stations on Wednesday morning as consumers rushed to buy ahead of further adjustments.

Abia Secures $145m PPP Deal for Solar Manufacturing Plant

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Queen Madu

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July 19, 2026

July 17, 2026 | Umuahia

The Abia State Government has signed a Public-Private Partnership agreement to attract a $145 million solar manufacturing investment into the state.

Governor Alex Otti announced the deal on Thursday in Umuahia, saying the project will be sited in the Aba Special Economic Zone. He described it as part of the administration’s push to position Abia as a hub for clean energy and industrial growth in Nigeria.

Under the PPP arrangement, the state government will provide land, tax incentives, and regulatory support, while the private investors will fund, build and operate the solar manufacturing facility. The plant is expected to produce solar panels, inverters, batteries and other components for both domestic use and export.

Otti said the investment will create over 2,000 direct jobs and more than 5,000 indirect jobs during construction and operations. He added that it will also reduce Abia’s reliance on the national grid and support the state’s energy reform agenda, especially for SMEs in Aba and other industrial clusters.

“This is not just about electricity. It is about jobs, about industry, and about making Abia the energy capital of the Southeast,” the governor said. “With reliable power, our factories can run 24 hours and our products can compete globally.”

The investors, a consortium of local and foreign renewable energy firms, said the project will have an initial production capacity of 500 megawatts per year, with plans to scale to 1 gigawatt. They cited Abia’s business-friendly policies, access to ports, and growing SME base as key reasons for choosing the state.

The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Kingsley Opara, said the state is also working on mini-grid and embedded power projects to complement the manufacturing plant and ensure steady supply to communities.

Stakeholders in Aba’s manufacturing sector welcomed the deal, saying stable and cheaper power will lower production costs for shoe, garment and steel businesses in the city.

Work on the facility is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with phase one targeted for completion in 2028.

Appeal Court Restores INEC 2027 Election Timetable

By

Queen Madu

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July 17, 2026

July 17, 2026 | Abuja

The Court of Appeal has restored the 2027 election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, setting aside a Federal High Court judgment that had earlier nullified parts of it.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, the appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to interfere with INEC’s constitutional powers to organize, undertake and supervise elections in Nigeria.

The panel ruled that INEC acted within its mandate under the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 when it released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections. It said political parties and other interested parties seeking to challenge the timetable must do so through the proper legal channels and at the appropriate time.

INEC had in 2025 published timelines for party primaries, campaigns, and the conduct of presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections slated for 2027. A group of political actors later approached the Federal High Court, arguing that some timelines were too short and violated internal democracy provisions.

The Federal High Court in an earlier ruling nullified aspects of the timetable. INEC appealed the decision, describing it as an encroachment on its independence.

With the Appeal Court’s decision, the commission said it will proceed with preparations for the 2027 polls in line with the restored timetable. The chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission remains committed to credible, transparent and timely elections.

Political parties have been urged to align their activities with the reinstated schedule, which includes party congresses and primaries beginning in the second quarter of 2026.

Legal analysts said the judgment reinforces INEC’s autonomy and limits judicial interference in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku Questions ₦6.44bn World Cup Budget Linked to PFIPC Scandal

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Queen Madu

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July 17, 2026

July 17, 2026 | Abuja

Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has raised questions over a ₦6.44 billion budget allegedly earmarked for the 2026 World Cup under the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC.

Atiku’s comments come amid growing scrutiny of PFIPC after police uncovered what authorities described as a forgery syndicate operating under the name. The EFCC has linked the group to 34 bank accounts and alleged fraudulent activities carried out in the name of the federal government.

The ₦6.44 billion World Cup budget, according to documents circulating online, was said to have been proposed by PFIPC for Nigeria’s participation and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Atiku said the figure raised red flags given the lack of transparency around PFIPC’s mandate and operations.

In a statement on Thursday, Atiku asked the federal government to explain how PFIPC arrived at the budget, who authorized it, and why a body not recognized in the national budget structure was handling World Cup preparations. He also demanded an independent audit of all funds linked to PFIPC.

The development has added to pressure on the government following the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, filing a ₦15 billion defamation suit against one Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly paraded himself as “DG of PFIPC.” Gbajabiamila denied any link between the presidency and the group.

Security agencies said investigations into PFIPC are ongoing. The police described it as a “presidential foreign intervention” entity allegedly used to defraud individuals and organizations.

The Ministry of Sports has not commented on whether it recognizes any PFIPC role in World Cup planning. The Nigeria Football Federation said all official preparations for the 2026 tournament are being handled through established government channels.

Civil society groups have called for a full probe into PFIPC and any budget lines tied to it, warning that unvetted bodies should not be allowed to commit public funds.

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties Linked to Ex-AGF Malami

By

Queen Madu

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July 15, 2026

July 14, 2026 | Abuja

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgment on Wednesday following an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The court held that the EFCC had shown the assets were reasonably suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of crime and not from lawful income.

The judge said Malami, who served as Justice Minister from November 11, 2015 to May 29, 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, failed to rebut the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired through unlawful activities. The court dismissed arguments that some of the properties belonged to the larger Malami family in Kebbi State, stating that the issue was not ownership but the legitimacy of funds used to acquire them.

The ruling was made under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act. It followed an interim forfeiture order granted on July 1, which gave interested parties 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited. That deadline expired on Tuesday.

The EFCC had initially sought the forfeiture of 57 properties it said were traced to the former minister. The court, however, found credible evidence establishing genuine ownership of nine of the listed properties and ordered the final forfeiture of the remaining 48. Assets listed include a luxury duplex in Abuja, a university campus, an agro-allied factory, hotels, schools, filling stations and other buildings mostly located in northern Nigeria. The properties were earlier valued at over N212 billion.

Malami is currently facing 16 counts of money laundering and conspiracy before the EFCC. He has pleaded not guilty.

The court directed that the forfeited properties be permanently seized by the federal government.

Reps Withdraw State Police Bill, Say Executive Proposal Will Be Adopted Instead

By

Queen Madu

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July 14, 2026

July 14, 2026 | Abuja

The House of Representatives has withdrawn the State Police Bill and said it will now work with an executive proposal on policing reforms.

House leaders announced the decision during plenary on Tuesday, noting that the move is to avoid duplication and ensure alignment between the legislature and the executive. They said the executive proposal is expected to provide a more comprehensive structure for state-level policing while addressing concerns around funding, oversight, and constitutional amendments.

The State Police Bill had sparked wide debate. Supporters argued it would help tackle kidnapping, banditry and other crimes at the community level. Critics raised concerns about possible misuse by state governors and the cost of implementation.

The House said it will review the executive proposal once it is formally transmitted to the National Assembly. Lawmakers added that any new policing model must include clear safeguards, accountability mechanisms, and collaboration with existing federal security agencies.

The withdrawal comes amid renewed calls for security reforms following recent abductions and attacks in several states. On Monday, troops of Operation Enduring Peace rescued seven travellers abducted along the Riyom highway in Plateau State.

Civil society groups have urged the National Assembly to ensure public consultations before passing any new policing law.

This is a developing story.