A heated confrontation broke out on Thursday between Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) during the screening of former presidential aide Reno Omokri for an ambassadorial role in Abuja.

The drama unfolded on the second day of the Senate’s ongoing assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s 65 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees.

Omokri, seated quietly in Room 301 of the Senate building, watched as two of the chamber’s most outspoken figures clashed over procedure and politics.

Clash Over Procedure

Tension rose when Oshiomhole began commenting on Omokri’s nomination.

“Look, I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning this list,” he said.

Ndume immediately interrupted, insisting that Senate rules must be respected.

“The procedure is that if there is a motion on the ground, it should be seconded. If it is not seconded, it’s dead,” he countered.

Oshiomhole refused to back down, raising his voice.

“Just allow me to continue (with what I am saying). Mr Chairman, you have allowed me. Please protect me,” he yelled.

Committee Chairman Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger North) attempted to restore calm, warning Oshiomhole that his time was almost up.

A composed Oshiomhole continued. “All right! Mr Chairman, I think I need to speak on this in the public interest, with particular reference to the nomination of Reno. We cannot pretend we have not heard stories,” he said.

Ndume snapped back, “There is no such petition before us. The Senate is not a joke!”

That sparked a sharp political jab from Oshiomhole. “When I talk, those who have not been governors should listen. You have to have that large heart for forgiveness. For me, President Bola Tinubu has shown real quality—that the fact that you criticised me during the election and abused me doesn’t mean I should not appoint you,” he said.

A visibly irritated Ndume responded, “You have never dreamed of being a senator when I became one.”

The Committee Chairman stepped in again, urging both senators to return to order. Omokri, throughout the exchange, remained expressionless as the chamber debated issues that could shape his fate.

Fallout From Earlier Screening Blunder

Thursday’s drama followed another controversy on Wednesday involving career ambassadorial nominee Emmanuel Adeyemi.

The respected diplomat, who had served in Hong Kong and France, shocked lawmakers when he failed to name all three senators representing his home state of Ekiti.

He confidently identified Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu but stalled on the third.

A member of his entourage attempted to search online for the name—Senator Cyril Fasuyi—prompting outrage.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong criticised what he described as falling standards among top-level nominees.

Oshiomhole and Senator Seriake Dickson supported his view, while Senator Yunus Akintunde, representing Bamidele, appealed for leniency.

Adeyemi is one of three nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.

SOURCE PAGE

By Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Authorities of the Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete has said about 82 out of the 8,119 graduands of the institution would receive First Class honours degrees during the 13th Convocation Ceremony of the University.

The ceremony would hold on Saturday at Malate in Moro local government area of the state.

Speaking at a pre convocation press conference at Malete on Tuesday, the vice chancellor of the institution, Professor, Luqman Jimoh, said, apart from this, 1,986 would receive Second Class Upper Division, 4, 195 Second Class Lower, 1,355 Third Class, 426 for Masters degrees and 82 for PhD.

Prof. Jimoh said the academic results of this year convocation showed that the lecturers and students are more committed to the academic excellence of the institution.

He stated the superlative achievement is also due to the readiness and seriousness exhibited by the students towards their academic learning in the school.

He also said that, “There has been significant academic growth since the last one year.

“The two other campuses of the Kwara State University have taken off , one in Osi in Ekiti local government area of the state and the other in Ilesha-Baruba in Baruten local government area of the state.

“Both staff and students of the faculty of Environmental Sciences and the faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences have been integrated in these communities with lectures and research activities ongoing for the 2025/2026 academic session.

“This, has facilitated the spread of the institution to other parts of the state with expected socio-economic benefits to the communities hosting them”.

On the issue of insecurity in the school, Prof. Jimoh said the management of the institution has collaborated with security agencies and the Moro local government council management so as to address the reported cases of insecurity in the institution.

He said that, “apart from this, the management has put in place a restriction policy on the movement of the students and other people around the campus till after 11 p.m and the restriction in the use of power generating sets after 12 p.m.

“Also, the University/Community joint security committee is still in place and working to ensure that we do not have a repeat of burglaries.

“The Moro local government area of the state has also passed a bye law to provide a legal backing for the imposition of restrictions and we thank the local government for this proactiveness that has continued to ensure peaceful situation at KWASU”.

On the challenges facing the institution, Prof Jimoh said that, “The crossing from Shao to Malete through Jebba Road remain a serious challenge.

“The federal government’s intervention on the express way has not mitigated the dangers. Some commercial and even articulated vehicles drive against the traffic in a bid to cut down on the distance to drive to make the turn.

“This constitutes a major hazard for all users of that road. We urge our visitor to use his good office to facilitate a flyover bridge for safe crossing of the express road.

“Similarly, we request extensions to be existing intra- campus road network for ease access to facilities. Road infrastructure is beyond the ability of the University and this is why we call on our proprietor, Kwara state Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene in this area”.

SOURCE PAGE

By Idris Salisu, Gusau

Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, has challenged the Defence Minister for state Bello Mohammed Matawalle, for his claimed to have assisted him while he was a Governor in Zamfara state, said it was him who supported Matawalle as he made him to become a Governor in 2023.

Senator Marafa in a statement by the Chairman Marafa Support Group, Alhaji Surajo Garba Maikatako, said for Matawalle to claimed that he assisted Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa is a complete falsehood.

Maikatako, said the recent statements by Tukur Danfulani the state APC Chairman, claiming his principal Bello Matawalle assisted Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, is a complete falsehood as the truth about It has clearly shown.

He queried that, how can Tukur Danfulani has the audacity to challenge us to show where Matawalle helped Senator Marafa. “This is an inversion of reality. We are the ones who are supposed to ask where Matawalle helped Senator Marafa.

According to Maikatako, in the entire political history of Zamfara shows that, it was Senator Marafa who helped Bello Matawalle, adding that Allah made Matawalle Governor through Senator Marafa and whoever benefited from Matawalle’s government is a product of Senator Marafa.

“Senator Marafa brought the entire government of Bello Matawalle into existence. Matawalle himself acknowledged this and promised never to betray him, a promise he has now broken.”

“Now, Tukur Danfulani claims people are jealous of them. This is laughable. How can we be jealous of them? How can we envy what we ourselves created? He matawalle became governor through our principal senator Marafa. We are the source; they were the result. Their attempt to claim our success as their own is the ultimate sign of failure.

“Tukur Danfulani and his principal, Bello Matawalle, are failures. Their failure is political, moral, and now, historical. They have failed to honor a sacred debt, failed to uphold their promises, and now fail to even tell the truth about their own origins.

“While our principal, Senator Marafa, remains a fearless teller of truth, his former ally is shadowed by serious and specific allegations from credible sources—allegations he refuses to challenge in court. The people of Zamfara see this clearly.

“We do not envy failures. We stand on the solid ground of truth and principle with Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa.

The Chairman Marafa Support Group, therefore called on all supporters of Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa to remain calm and continue to abide by rules of democracy and fights where necessary to defend Senator Marafa’s political ideology.

The post Senator Marafa mocks Matawalle, says I made you to become a governor appeared first on Vanguard News.

SOURCE PAGE

A Catholic priest and one of the victims of the terrorist attacks at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State, on Thursday, narrated how the incident, which left over 40 worshippers dead and over 100 others in various degrees of injuries, occurred.

The priest, identified as “SSA” for security reasons, spoke while giving his evidence as 1st prosecution witness (PW-1) before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the terror attacks happened on June 5, 2022, at the church in Ondo State.

The Department of State Services (DSS), in a nine-count amended charge, is currently prosecuting five of the suspected terrorists before Justice Nwite.

The defendants include Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25 years), Al Qasim Idris (20 years), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26 years), Abdulhaleem Idris (25 years), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47 years).

The witness, while being led in evidence by DSS counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, told the court that the attack took place towards the end of the First Pentecost Sunday celebration service, which was attended by many worshippers.

The priest, who said he presided over the service, said that as the service was coming to a close, they suddenly heard a loud noise, followed by sporadic shootings, which created commotion and chaos among worshippers.

The PW-1 described June 5, 2022, as a memorable day of his life.

“This is so because it was the day when the violent attack was launched on us, myself and all the worshiping community of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

“It was an incident which led to the death of over 40 persons among us, while some of us became maimed; some of us, till this point, have permanent physical injuries.

“I recall that the attack was towards the end of the worship that day.

“I was the priest assigned to lead the community in worship, which is known as the holy mass.

“Towards the end of the mass, I was performing the last rites and the people of God had started singing the recessional hymn, the closing hymn.

“Suddenly, I heard a loud sound. I looked into the congregation, facing them.

“There was already a commotion, which for me, I thought somebody had fallen.

“But, I sighted two men from our congregation, these men were members of our community.

“They quickly locked the main entrance door and another elder in the church came to me in the sanctuary and said to me, ‘Father, we are under attack.’

“From this point, I heard the sporadic shooting of guns.

“This was still outside the church. This elder told me, ‘Father you have to leave.’

“At first, I was reluctant to leave the sanctuary.

“If not for anything, but at least, because of those children, who call me Father.

“So, taking my leave from the sanctuary, I and some adults moved some of these children into a safe place; this is an attachment to the church.

“When I was in this place (the safe place), I continued to hear the continuous shooting of guns and the use of about three explosives.

“The third explosive landed very close to the safe place, where I was with the children, with the effect which looked like the opening of the ground.

“The effect was like the ground opening to swallow us immediately.

“So, the attack continued. After a while, some of our church members came into this place (safe place) and notified us that those, who came to attack us have left.

“Moving out with the children, I saw my choir master shot at the chest.

“He called me to pray for him. I did, but I told him I have to move him to the hospital.

“When I got out, I saw some already dead on the floor.

“So, I shouted that if there is any of us, who could still drive, let us begin to move our brothers and sisters to the hospital,” the PW-1 said.

When asked if he counted the number of the dead, the witness said he couldn’t ascertain the number of those killed under the commotion that the attackers created in the church environment on that day.

“It was with that violent attack that I understood that proverb that says, ‘the one struck or hit by a vehicle does not wait to take note of the vehicle’s number plate.’

“So, I could not immediately count the number of those dead.

“Personally, I went two times to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo to take the casualties to the hospital.

“By the time I came the second time, there were already ambulances, both from FMC Owo and St. Louis Catholic Hospital, Owo, also moving the casualties to these two hospitals.

“The second time I got to FMC, the emergency ward was filled up with these casualties.

“The casualties were those that were killed and injured.

“With the wailing, weeping and crying from people, I couldn’t even drive again.

“The care and healing of those injured continued,” the witness said.

The priest said he was later invited to the DSS office in Akure, Ondo State, where he made a statement.

When he was being cross-examined by the defence lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammad, the witness said he could not ascertain the number of those who carried out the attack.

“With the commotion in the church, and my desire to rescue, especially the children, quickly as possible, I could not, and I did not identify or recognise those who carried out the attack.

“Therefore, I don’t know their number,” he said.

On how he could rescue the children, the witness said the children were at the foot of the sanctuary, where he was standing, when the attack started.

“As I said, with some adults, I moved with the children to a safe place.

“This safe place is the restroom, attached as a building to the sanctuary.

“From that building that is attached, you can move into the sanctuary and out of it,” he said.

Earlier at the commencement of proceedings, Adedipe informed the court that the charge had been amended to correct some minor errors.

He applied that the amended charge should be ready for the defendants, which was done, and the defendants all pleaded not guilty.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until January 13 and January 14, 2026, at 12:00 pm each day for the continuation of the hearing.

SOURCE PAGE

…FG projects N54.5trn for 2026

The Federal Government proposes a budget plan of about N54.5trillion for 2026 amid the ongoing implementation of the overlapping 2024 budget and the 2025 budgets.

The disclosure came as the Presidency forwarded the 2026-2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) to the Senate on Thursday.

The MTEF/FSP had already been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its December 3 meeting.

In 2025, the country budgeted N54.99trn.

The MTEF/FSP lays out the government’s spending plans across the next three years, usually incorporating the key revenue sources, oil production expectations, and the dollar/naira exchange rate, among others.

In a letter read to senators by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, President Bola Tinubu wrote, “As the 2026 budget of the Federal Government will be prepared based on the parameters and fiscal assumptions of the approved 2026–2028 MTEF and FSP, I seek the cooperation of the National Assembly for expeditious legislative action on the submission.”

For 2026, the document tallies Nigeria’s total revenue at about N34.33trn.

This implies that the government will have to shop for another N20 trillion to take care of the deficit, and a debt-servicing implication of around 15.9 trillion.

Crude oil production, the main revenue source, is put at 1.84million/bpd and benchmark of $64,85 per barrel.

The MTEF projects the 2026 recurrent/non-debt expenditure N15.27trn.

Other projections include a dollar/naira exchange rate of USS1/1,512 and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.68 per cent.

The 2026-2028 MTEF arrived at the National Assembly late, as Section 11(1)(b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 provides that the document should reach the Legislature not later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year.

It states, “The Federal Government after consultation with the States shall: (a) not later than six months from the commencement of this Act, cause to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly, for their consideration a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for the next three financial years; and (b) thereafter, not later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year, cause to be prepared a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for the next three financial years.”

The country faces some confusion arising from overlapping budgets from 2024 and 2025. 

At the moment, the capital components of the 2024 main budget and the 2024 supplementary budget are still running, having been extended to December 31.

Meanwhile, the implementation of the 2025 budget, especially the capital component, is being delayed until 2026.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

SOURCE PAGE

The Deputy governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, reportedly collapsed and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, the state capital today December 11.

Vanguard reports that the incident occurred around 1:30 pm while the deputy governor was in his office, prompting an emergency response. Eyewitnesses described him as being in a serious condition when he was taken to the hospital’s emergency unit.

The report states that Ewhrudjakpo is currently stabilized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at FMC. No official statement has been released regarding the cause of his health scare, but sources suggest it may be related to a cardiac emergency.

A source close to the deputy governor noted his demanding schedule, saying

“He’s a workaholic; he should find time to rest.”

Related

SOURCE PAGE

Some residents of the Agric-olope area of Ado Ekiti are calling for the urgent assistance of Governor Oyebanji after the roof of a government school in the area, St. Francis Catholic Nursery and Primary School, damaged their buildings after it was blown off during a rainstorm

The incident which happened during a heavy downpour on Sunday affected four buildings, leaving the owners helpless.

The victims confirmed that all efforts to get the support of the government have been unsuccessful as the government officials in  all the places visited, including the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, claimed that it was a natural disaster hence they should bear the damages.

Two women, whose houses were badly affected, explained that aside the roof, all their home appliances, documents and other valuables were drenched with water which got into the house through the damaged roof.

“The rain destroyed not just our roof but our windows too. We are struggling to survive and don’t know where to start,” one of the women said.

The victims called on the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji to intervene and provide support for them to cushion the cost of fixing their property.

Investigation by our correspondent as confirmed by some members of the community shows that the school which was blown off had just been inaugurated in 2023 but the building materials are suspected to be substandard.

SOURCE PAGE

• A young sickle cell patient has appealed for urgent financial assistance after her hospital suspended treatment and threatened to discharge her due to unpaid bills.
• She revealed that she has been hospitalized for nearly two weeks following a severe health crisis but can no longer access essential medication or medical supplies.
• Despite her worsening condition including a leg ulcer and stiffness in her other leg the hospital has told her she will be discharged in the morning solely because she cannot pay.

A heartbreaking video of a young woman appealing for urgent financial assistance has surfaced online, drawing widespread concern over her critical condition.

The woman, a sickle cell patient, explained that she fell seriously ill at the end of November and was rushed to the hospital after collapsing.

After spending nearly two weeks on admission, her treatment has now been paused because she cannot afford the required medications and medical supplies.

The most shocking part of her appeal is the hospital’s decision:

The woman revealed the hospital informed her she would be discharged by morning.

This forced discharge is not because she is recovering, but because she cannot pay her bills.

She also revealed her health has significantly worsened, stating she already has a leg ulcer and her other leg has stiffened due to complications, leaving her barely able to walk or move around to seek physical help.

In other news….. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has clarified that the Federal Government cannot legally regulate or fix domestic airfares, stressing that the sector has been fully deregulated since the Babangida administration.

Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, Keyamo stated:

“Government has absolutely no powers to fix prices for private enterprises. That is what deregulation means. But that does not mean we are leaving the airlines without engagement.”

The Minister acknowledged that high ticket prices are driven by significant structural costs for operators, including limited access to aircraft, unfavourable lease arrangements, lack of local maintenance facilities, and the persistent need for foreign exchange for mandatory C-checks abroad.

However, Keyamo announced a major positive development attributed to reforms under the Cape Town Convention: the return of a major international aircraft lessor after nearly two decades, granting a local carrier a dry lease at a rate three times cheaper than previous offers. He predicted this breakthrough will naturally lead to lower fares.

“With cheaper dry leases coming in, more airlines will have access to aircraft. More aircraft automatically means stronger competition. And competition is what brings prices down in any free economy.”

Keyamo expects passengers to begin seeing the impact of increased fleet capacity within the next few months to a year.

On the issue of multiple taxes and charges, Keyamo confirmed his ministry had received a regional advisory from ECOWAS but noted that taxation falls outside his jurisdiction. He said: “I cannot wake up one morning and abolish taxes. These revenues go into the Federation Account. The Finance Minister, the tax authorities, and other stakeholders must all be at the table.” He confirmed that operators’ concerns have been escalated to the relevant authorities, and discussions are ongoing.

SOURCE PAG

There was heated argument between senators Adams Oshiomhole and Ali Ndume during the screening of Reno Omokri for ambassadorial appointment on Thursday.

Both men appeared have different views about the eligibility of the Edo-born former presidential aide.

In a video captured from the screening being conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oshiomhole and Ndume were seen engaging in a shouting match over Omokri.

Oshiomhole was in total support of the nomination of Reno Omokri who, according to him, has shown he is a good Nigerian by always defending the country.

However, Ndume was of the opinion that the due process in screening nominees for the ambassadorial position must be followed.

“Until you are called, you cannot shut me down,” Oshiomhole told Ndume, who was trying to prevent him from speaking.

“I have the authority of the chairman. You’re not the chairman and cannot exercise the power you don’t have,” Oshiomhole continued.

“I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all we have seen people on television questioning this list.

“We cannot pretend we have not heard stories. For me, for the power of example, this man is a pragmatist. He is not detained by old feelings.

“This young man (Omokri) has shown that where he sees a compelling evidence in the interest of the Nigerian nation, he will not be ashamed to say that ‘I was wrong in my assumption’. From what I have seen, this man is working, and he deserved the support of all those who want progressive governance. Second side of the argument is that we have a President.

“I proudly said I was a governor, which is the head of a sub-national government, so when I speak, those who are not governors should listen.”

SOURCE PAGE

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has cleared the Ambassador-designate, Reno Omokri.

Naija News reports that Omokri, a former presidential media aide, was cleared on Thursday.

Omokri had appeared before the Senate after today after his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs had earlier cleared Ambassador-designate, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Fani-Kayode was cleared after his appearance before the Senate.

Fani-Kayode, who is also a former Minister of culture, was given the ‘bow-and-go’ privilege.

Also asked to “take a bow and go” during the ambassadorial screening on Thursday was ex-Minister of Interior and retired Army general, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

It was gathered that during the screening, after a brief introductions, former ministers, ambassadors and lawmakers were asked to “take a bow and leave,” in line with Senate tradition.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the continued use of the “bow and go” procedure for certain nominees, saying it is reserved for individuals with established and verifiable records of public service.

Speaking during the screening of non-career ambassadorial nominees, Bamidele explained that anyone who has previously served in the National Assembly automatically qualifies for the privilege,

He noted that their legislative history and public profile are already well known to lawmakers.

© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]

SOURCE PAGE