News Politics August 24, 2026 JUST IN: Obi backs petrol subsidy removal, says mismanagement of proceeds not enough to reverse policy

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has reiterated his support for the removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that alleged mismanagement of the proceeds from the policy should not be used as justification for its reversal.

Obi made his position known on Monday while speaking at a conference organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The former Anambra State governor said the removal of petrol subsidy, in itself, was not necessarily the problem, stressing that the major concern was how the resources and savings generated from the policy were being managed by the government.

According to Obi, returning to the subsidy regime would amount to addressing the wrong problem, rather than tackling the alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability surrounding the funds saved from the policy.

He maintained that government must ensure that resources freed from subsidy removal are transparently managed and channelled into productive sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, education, healthcare and other areas capable of improving the welfare of Nigerians.

Obi’s latest comments come amid continued debate over the economic consequences of the petrol subsidy removal, which has contributed to higher fuel prices and increased the cost of transportation and other essential goods and services.

The Federal Government has consistently defended the decision to remove the subsidy, arguing that the policy was fiscally unsustainable and that the resources previously spent on subsidising petrol could be redirected to development projects and social interventions.

However, critics have continued to demand greater transparency over the savings from subsidy removal, particularly as Nigerians grapple with the rising cost of living.

Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has increasingly focused his political messaging on economic management, accountability, production and prudent use of public resources ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His latest position therefore places emphasis not on restoring the subsidy regime, but on ensuring that the government properly manages the funds generated from its removal and delivers tangible economic benefits to Nigerians.

Entertainment News August 24, 2026 Nollywood mourns as veteran actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ Is laid to rest

Tears and mourning enveloped Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as family members, colleagues, friends and admirers gathered to bid a final farewell to veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

The 66-year-old thespian was buried in his hometown according to Islamic rites, barely 24 hours after his death.

Footage from the funeral showed mourners carrying the actor’s remains to the burial ground, where prayers and other Islamic funeral rites were observed.

The burial attracted several prominent figures in the Yoruba film industry, including veteran actors Jide Kosoko, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin and Toyosi Adesanya.

Other colleagues, including Ireti Osayemi and Bisi Omo Logbalogba, were also present to honour the late actor and support his family during the difficult moment.

Ogogo’s longtime friend and colleague, Yinka Quadri, was visibly emotional at the funeral as he wept while mourners consoled him.

Actor Bola Oyin-Adejobi, speaking to journalists ahead of the burial, paid tribute to the late thespian and prayed that he would attain Al-Jannah Firdaus.

Ogogo’s death was announced on Sunday by fellow veteran actor Jide Kosoko, who revealed that his remains would be taken to Ilaro for a lying-in-state ceremony before his burial.

The Ilaro Muslim Community subsequently announced the funeral prayer for the veteran actor.

His death came shortly after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, appealed to the public for assistance with their father’s medical treatment.

Kaira had revealed that doctors treating Ogogo, who was battling stage-four cancer, had informed the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered due to his condition. The family subsequently began exploring alternative treatment options.

Ogogo was one of the prominent figures in Nigeria’s film industry, particularly in Yoruba-language cinema, where he built a remarkable career spanning decades.

His passing marks the end of an era for many fans and colleagues who remember him not only for his acting talent but also for his lasting contribution to the growth and popularity of Yoruba Nollywood.

News Politics August 24, 2026 Kwankwaso faults inclusion of Zacch, budget office DG in APC campaign council

Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised the inclusion of senior government officials Zacch Adedeji and Taminu Yakubu in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 general election.

The APC on Saturday unveiled a 108-member campaign council for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, naming former Zamfara State governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, as director-general and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as secretary.

The party also appointed Yakubu, director-general of the Budget Office of the Federation, as treasurer, while Adedeji, executive chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), was named deputy director of fundraising.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Kwankwaso said the appointments raise questions about the neutrality and independence expected of public institutions responsible for managing the country’s finances and revenue.

According to him, officials heading critical government agencies should be able to operate above partisan politics in order to maintain public confidence.

“The leadership of critical public institutions demands neutrality, integrity and public confidence. It is therefore legitimate to ask whether the responsibilities of senior officials entrusted with managing public revenue and national finances can appropriately coexist with senior partisan campaign roles,” Kwankwaso said.

He further described the composition of the campaign council as troubling given the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.

Kwankwaso pointed to rising food prices, unemployment, insecurity and the pressure on businesses and farmers, arguing that millions of Nigerians continue to struggle while essential sectors such as education and healthcare remain under strain.

He urged Nigerians to reject what he described as “continued oppression” and demand governance that is accountable and focused on improving the welfare of citizens.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate also appealed to Yari to reconsider his decision to lead the APC campaign council, saying the former governor understands the challenges facing the people of Zamfara and the wider North-West.

Kwankwaso argued that Yari, having served as governor of Zamfara, would be familiar with the effects of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, displacement and the destruction of livelihoods in the region.

“I therefore will be surprised if, in his good conscience, he will lead a campaign whose principal objective is to secure the continuation of a government under which many of the people he once governed, and other innocent Nigerians, remain trapped in these challenges,” he said.

Kwankwaso further framed the 2027 election as a contest between Nigerians struggling with hardship and those he accused of benefiting from the system responsible for the country’s current challenges.

He said the election would be “a struggle between the oppressed Nigerian masses and those who have benefited from, defended and sustained the system responsible for their hardship.”

News Politics August 24, 2026 Ndume to opposition move beyond Tinubu’s certificate — sell your ideas to Nigerians

Senator Ali Ndume, a former Senate Leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged opposition parties to stop dwelling on President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials and instead focus on presenting Nigerians with credible policies and alternative ideas ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, said opposition presidential candidates should concentrate on explaining how they would govern differently and address the country’s economic and security challenges.

His comments come amid renewed debate among some opposition figures over President Tinubu’s educational credentials, particularly the absence of entries for his primary and secondary education in documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Tinubu’s submission lists a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, obtained in 1979, alongside copies of his certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

Ndume Defends Tinubu’s Qualification

Ndume argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not specifically require a secondary school certificate as the only qualification for meeting the minimum educational requirement to contest the presidency.

According to him, the 1999 Constitution provides that a presidential candidate must have been educated to at least “school certificate level or its equivalent.”

“The constitution only establishes a minimum educational threshold, but it does not insist on the particularity of a secondary school certificate as the only means by which that threshold can be met,” Ndume said in a statement.

‘Focus on What You Can Do Better’

The senator described the continued focus on Tinubu’s certificate as a distraction from issues that should dominate the 2027 election campaign.

Ndume challenged opposition parties and their presidential candidates to explain what they would do differently if elected and how their policies would improve the lives of Nigerians.

“The narrative around his certificate, in my opinion, is distracting,” he said.

“What opposition parties’ presidential candidates and their spokespersons should focus on are their alternative economic policies, if they have any. What can they do better than President Tinubu? They should come out and tell Nigerians.”

He urged opposition parties to scrutinise the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and record on insecurity while also offering practical alternatives to voters.

“It is his economic policies and how his administration has been able to tackle insecurity with landmark success that they should try and interrogate,” Ndume said.

2027 Campaign Should Focus on Performance

Ndume further argued that with Tinubu having spent more than three years in office, the president’s performance should be at the centre of the 2027 political debate.

“He has been in office for over three years now. So, how can the narrative around his certificates be the focus of his challengers?” he asked.

The senator called on opposition parties to raise the quality of political discourse and move the 2027 campaign “beyond the mundane.”

He said Nigerians should be presented with competing ideas, economic programmes and clear solutions to the country’s challenges rather than campaigns dominated by controversies over academic credentials.

As political parties prepare for the 2027 presidential election, the debate is expected to increasingly centre on the economy, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and other issues likely to shape voters’ decisions.

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News Politics August 24, 2026 Former Adamawa Gov Bindow returns to APC ahead of 2027 elections

Former Adamawa State Governor, Senator Jibrilla Umar Bindow, has returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending his brief political sojourn outside the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Bindow formally rejoined the APC on Sunday after completing his re-registration at his polling unit in Mubi, Adamawa State, in a move that could reshape political alignments in the state as parties begin preparations for the next electoral cycle.

The former governor, who governed Adamawa between 2015 and 2019, said his decision to return followed extensive consultations with political associates, supporters and trusted confidants.

He also disclosed that he consulted Vice-President Kashim Shettima, whom he described as a brother and close confidant, before making the decision.

Bindow’s return comes at a time when political parties and major stakeholders are already repositioning ahead of the 2027 elections, with the APC seeking to strengthen its structures and consolidate its presence across the country.

Why Bindow Left APC

Bindow was elected governor of Adamawa State on the APC platform in 2015 after defeating the incumbent administration’s candidate in an election that marked a major political breakthrough for the party in the state.

He secured the APC governorship ticket again in 2019 but lost his bid for a second term to Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His relationship with the APC subsequently deteriorated, particularly following the party’s internal political developments ahead of the 2023 elections.

Bindow eventually resigned his membership of the APC in January 2023 after losing the party’s governorship ticket.

His departure came amid wider realignments within the party as politicians across the country responded to the emergence of candidates for the 2023 general elections.

Return After Political Realignment

Bindow’s return to the APC signals another major political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.

Before his latest return, the former governor had explored other political options and expressed interest in contesting the Adamawa governorship election in 2027 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He, however, withdrew from the race in May, paving the way for his latest political decision.

Explaining his return to the APC, Bindow said his decision was not driven by personal ambition or an attempt to create another political faction, but by a desire to contribute to the strengthening of the party.

He also emphasised that he had consistently respected party discipline and had avoided actions that could be interpreted as working against the interests of the party.

“I am back to the APC not to divide, but to contribute; not to fight, but to build; and above all, to work with the party and its candidates toward victory,” he said.

Meeting With Tinubu

Bindow also referred to his recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the encounter as “pleasant and memorable.”

Although he did not disclose details of his discussions with the President, Bindow’s comments indicate that his return to the APC followed engagements with senior political figures at the national level.

He pledged to support APC candidates in Adamawa State and work towards the party’s success in the 2027 general elections.

The former governor said his priority was now to contribute to the party’s growth and electoral fortunes rather than pursue personal political interests.

Shettima Consultation

Bindow also confirmed that he consulted Vice-President Kashim Shettima before taking the decision to return to the APC.

Shettima, who hails from Borno State in the North-East, has maintained longstanding political relationships across the region, while Bindow was also a prominent APC figure in Adamawa during the party’s formative years in the state.

Bindow described the Vice-President as a “brother and confidant,” suggesting that their discussions played a significant role in his decision to return to the ruling party.

His re-entry could therefore have implications beyond his personal political career, particularly as the APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its structures in the North-East ahead of 2027.

Implications for Adamawa Politics

Bindow’s return is expected to generate fresh conversations within the Adamawa political landscape.

The former governor remains an influential figure among APC members and supporters in the state, having previously led the party’s administration for four years.

His return could strengthen the APC’s efforts to rebuild its grassroots structures in Adamawa, where the PDP has maintained significant political influence.

The former governor’s decision also comes against the backdrop of growing political realignments ahead of 2027, with politicians across the country moving between parties and political platforms as preparations for the elections gather momentum.

For the APC, Bindow’s return provides an opportunity to bring back a former governor and prominent party figure who has experience in grassroots mobilisation and governance.

For Bindow, the move marks a return to the political platform on which he rose to become governor and could place him at the centre of future negotiations and mobilisation efforts within the party.

With the 2027 elections still ahead, it remains to be seen what specific role Bindow will play in the APC’s campaign structure in Adamawa. For now, the former governor has made his position clear: he intends to work with the party, support its candidates and contribute to its efforts to secure electoral victory in 2027.

News Politics August 24, 2026 Atiku accuses Tinubu govt of favouring oil firms over Nigerians

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Federal Government of applying a double standard in its petrol subsidy policy, alleging that petroleum companies receive generous fiscal incentives while ordinary Nigerians continue to bear the burden of rising fuel prices.

Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the allegation in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

He questioned the government’s decision to abolish petrol subsidies while continuing to offer tax credits, concessions and other incentives to investors in the oil and gas sector.

According to Atiku, Nigerians were told that removing the subsidy was necessary to reform the economy, but the government allegedly takes a different approach when dealing with major oil investors.

“Nigerians were told there was no alternative and that enduring this pain was the necessary price of economic reform. But when major oil investors knock on Tinubu’s door, the sermon changes,” he said.

Atiku specifically cited the Federal Government’s deep offshore oil and gas incentives framework, which he said provides eligible projects with production tax credits of between $3 and $4.50 per barrel, with additional incentives capable of taking the total benefit to as much as $11.50 per barrel under certain conditions.

He therefore questioned why government intervention was considered undesirable when aimed at helping consumers but acceptable when it benefits investors.

“So, what exactly is Tinubu’s objection: government intervention itself, or government intervention for Nigerians?” Atiku asked.

Atiku Questions ‘Subsidy-Free’ Claim

The former vice-president also challenged the Federal Government’s claim that petrol subsidy had been completely eliminated.

He referred to the audited accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which, according to him, recorded about N4.84 trillion in energy-security expenses and related shortfalls in 2023 and approximately N7.13 trillion in 2024.

Atiku said NNPCL had attributed part of the expenditure to the gap between the exchange rate used to determine the regulated PMS ex-coastal price and the prevailing exchange rate when import obligations were settled.

He questioned why such huge public funds were still being spent to bridge pricing gaps if Nigerians were already paying market-driven petrol prices.

“So, where exactly did the subsidy go?” Atiku asked, arguing that changing the terminology to “under-recovery”, “shortfall” or “energy security” did not change the fact that public resources were being used to cover the difference between the economic cost of petrol and its selling price.

‘We’re Not Returning to the Old Subsidy Regime’

Atiku also clarified his position on his proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

He said his proposed intervention would not amount to a return to the previous open-ended and opaque subsidy system.

Instead, he said his administration would introduce a targeted and capped programme that would be transparently budgeted and independently audited, while linking the intervention to increased domestic production.

He also proposed measures aimed at expanding refining capacity, promoting competition and improving the purchasing power of households.

“You cannot subsidise capital and criminalise relief for citizens. You cannot offer cushions upstairs and call suffering downstairs reform,” Atiku said.

The ADC candidate further called for greater transparency surrounding tax credits, remissions and other incentives granted to petroleum companies.

He demanded disclosure of the beneficiaries of such incentives, the amount of government revenue forgone and the investments delivered in return.

Atiku also argued that Nigerian investors should have equal and transparent access to similar incentives.

He maintained that the success of economic reforms should ultimately be judged by whether they improve the living standards of Nigerians rather than by the level of hardship citizens are forced to endure.

His comments come days after he said he would restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

President Bola Tinubu has, however, criticised Atiku’s position, describing the former vice-president as “ignorant of governance and the economy.”

News Politics August 24, 2026 2027: Otuaro urges IYC to mobilize support for Tinubu’s re- election

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has called on the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to intensify its mobilisation efforts in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office, saying the President’s re-election is in the strategic interest of the Ijaw people and the wider Niger Delta region.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator Presidential Amnesty Programme , Mr Igoniko Oduma Stated that Otuaro made the call when the newly inaugurated 10th leadership of the IYC, led by its President, Dr Doubra Okotete, paid a courtesy visit to the PAP Administrator at his office in Abuja at the weekend.

The PAP boss urged the new IYC leadership to prioritise unity, peace and collective interests as the 2027 general elections approach, warning that the region must guard against internal divisions and political distractions that could undermine its ability to advance its interests at the national level.

He specifically appealed to the council to rally Ijaw youths and other stakeholders behind President Tinubu, arguing that continued engagement and strategic partnership with the Federal Government would serve the long-term interests of the Niger Delta.

“My appeal to the IYC is that nothing should divide us. 2027 is already here. Let us back the President and mobilise for him to win a second term.

“We should not allow anybody to cause division among us or trade us for a new hope. It is within the Ijaw strategic national interest to support the President to secure victory,” Otuaro said.

PAP’s Peacebuilding Efforts

Otuaro also used the occasion to commend the IYC and other stakeholders across the Niger Delta for what he described as their consistent cooperation and support for the peacebuilding initiatives of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

He said the cooperation of traditional leaders, youth organisations, community stakeholders and other well-meaning individuals had contributed significantly to the efforts to sustain peace and stability in the region.

According to him, the support has become particularly important as the PAP implements reforms aimed at strengthening human capital development, education, empowerment and other interventions designed to provide young people of the Niger Delta with opportunities for a better future.

“Many well-meaning stakeholders of the Niger Delta, including the IYC, are in support of the direction we have taken.

“Their support and cooperation have been massive and encouraging, working together with the Office to sustain peace and stability, and preparing generations for a greater tomorrow in the Niger Delta through huge scholarship opportunities,” he said.

The Administrator noted that the peace and stability currently being consolidated in the region could not be sustained by government alone, stressing that cooperation among government institutions, youth organisations and community stakeholders remained essential.

Scholarship Expansion

Otuaro also highlighted the expansion of the PAP scholarship programme as one of the major areas of intervention under his administration.

He disclosed that about 8,700 Niger Delta youths are currently studying in institutions within Nigeria, while more than 270 beneficiaries have been deployed to universities and other higher institutions outside the country.

He added that the programme had continued to expand, with 93 beneficiaries deployed in January and May, while another 150 beneficiaries were scheduled to be dispatched to institutions abroad in August and September.

According to him, the expansion of the scholarship programme is part of a broader strategy to equip young people from the Niger Delta with the education, skills and qualifications required to compete effectively in an increasingly competitive global environment.

He said the initiative was also designed to contribute to long-term peace by addressing some of the underlying socioeconomic challenges confronting young people in the oil-producing region.

The PAP Administrator said only a few individuals, whom he described as selfish interests, remained unhappy with the reforms and the “sanity” that had been introduced into the programme, particularly in the area of scholarship administration and the deployment of beneficiaries to reputable onshore and offshore institutions.

Otuaro said the reforms were being implemented in the overall interest of the Niger Delta and future generations of the region.

Tinubu, Ribadu Back PAP Reforms

The PAP Administrator further stated that President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had expressed satisfaction with the programme’s efforts to consolidate sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.

He said the Federal Government was particularly encouraged by the progress being recorded in the education and human-capital development components of the programme.

Otuaro maintained that the peacebuilding efforts of the PAP were not only about addressing immediate security concerns but also about creating sustainable opportunities that would reduce youth restiveness and strengthen the region’s human capital.

He thanked the IYC leadership for the courtesy visit and reiterated that maintaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta remained a collective responsibility.

IYC Commends Otuaro

Earlier, the IYC President, Dr Doubra Okotete, explained that the delegation’s visit was primarily to acknowledge what he described as the “unprecedented success” recorded by the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the areas of education and empowerment of Niger Delta youths under Otuaro’s leadership.

Okotete commended the PAP Administrator for his commitment to the development of young people in the region, particularly his efforts to expand access to quality education through the scholarship programme.

He also praised what he described as the judicious application of funds under the programme, saying the initiative had enabled thousands of Niger Delta youths to access educational opportunities that would otherwise have been difficult to obtain.

The IYC President expressed the council’s readiness to strengthen its relationship with the Presidential Amnesty Programme and collaborate with the office in areas that would further promote peace, youth development, education and empowerment across the Niger Delta.

He said the new IYC leadership was prepared to explore additional areas of partnership with the PAP in order to advance the interests of the Ijaw people and the wider Niger Delta.

The meeting underscored the growing importance of collaboration between government institutions and youth organisations in sustaining peace, expanding economic and educational opportunities and ensuring that the Niger Delta remains a key partner in Nigeria’s national development.