By Gift ChapiOdekina

Abuja -The House of Representatives, yesterday, moved closer to overhauling Nigeria’s electoral framework, by approving and amending key clauses of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill aimed at strengthening the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, tightening electoral procedures and addressing gaps exposed during recent elections.

The bill was considered clause-by-clause at plenary, with lawmakers adopting several provisions designed to enhance transparency, improve the conduct of elections and reduce post-election disputes.

Clauses 3, 5 and 6, which deal with preliminary provisions and key interpretations under the Act, were approved to align existing definitions with current electoral practices.

The House also adopted Clauses 10 and 12, reinforcing INEC’s authority over the organisation, supervision and management of elections, including logistics and deployment of electoral personnel.

The lawmakers approved Clauses 18 and 22 on voter registration and the compilation, maintenance and display of the voters’ register, with amendments intended to curb manipulation and ensure greater inclusion of eligible voters.

Significant amendments were made to Clauses 23 and 29, which relate to the nomination of candidates by political parties and the submission of candidates’ lists to INEC. The changes seek to clarify timelines, strengthen compliance and enhance INEC’s oversight of political parties.

Clauses 31, 32 and 34, bordering on party primaries, publication of candidates’ particulars and qualifications for elective offices, were also approved, as part of efforts to address pre-election irregularities.

Further approvals were recorded for Clauses 47, 50 and 54, which touch on voting procedures, voter accreditation and the use of technology in elections, reaffirming the legal backing for INEC’s deployment of electronic systems.

Clause 60, as amended, addresses the declaration of results, while Clause 62 strengthens provisions on the collation, transmission and custody of results to reduce disputes arising from election outcomes.

The House also adopted Clauses 64 and 65 on electoral offences and penalties, signaling a tougher stance against malpractice, including vote-buying and other violations of the law.

Clauses 71 and 73, dealing with election petitions and timelines for the resolution of disputes, were approved, while Clause 74 was adopted with amendments to further streamline post-election legal processes.

The post Reps amend Electoral Act, strengthen INEC powers, defer contentious clause appeared first on Vanguard News.

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The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) has once again demonstrated its leadership in advancing Nigeria’s circular economy with the successful completion of the 2025 Christmas Buyback Program in Somolu Local Government.

The event recorded strong community participation, significant recovery of post-consumer packaging waste, and heightened public awareness of responsible disposal.

The exercise, which was held at 20 Anifowoshe Street, Somolu, brought together over 240 residents, including youth groups, women, artisans, and local business owners.

Dignitaries and institutional stakeholders were also present, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, NESREA, LAWMA, the Department of Environment, Somolu Local Government and Community Development Council, FBRA member companies, and volunteers.

Following the formal welcome and stakeholder remarks, FBRA led attendees on a one-hour environmental awareness walk, engaging members of the community and sensitising households on the economic and environmental value of recycling.

By the close of the buyback session, FBRA had collected an impressive 1.8 metric tons of recyclable waste, including PET bottles, glass bottles, aluminium cans, used beverage cartons, and other post-consumer packaging materials.

These materials will be processed through Trashusers, FBRA’s collection partner for the exercise, ensuring they are channelled back into productive use within the circular economy rather than ending up in landfills or drainage systems.

The Somolu Christmas Buyback underscores FBRA’s commitment to supporting member companies in fulfilling their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandate, as highlighted by the Executive Director, Agharese Lucia Onaghise.

Through sustained grassroots engagement and community-driven initiatives, FBRA continues to champion responsible waste management practices and strengthen national recycling systems.

FBRA expressed appreciation to Somolu Local Government, community leaders, partners, and residents for their cooperation and enthusiasm, affirming its commitment to expanding environmental impact across more communities in Lagos and beyond.

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Burkina Faso has released 11 personnel of the Nigerian Air Force nine days after their detention, following what Nigerian officials described as intensive diplomatic engagements between Abuja and Ouagadougou.

The airmen, comprising pilots and crew members of the Nigerian Air Force, were freed shortly after a high-level Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, concluded talks with Burkinabè authorities in the capital.

The development was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, as the release followed “sustained diplomatic engagement and dialogue at the highest levels.”

According to a statement sighted on X, the engagements included a meeting with Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, during which Nigeria pressed for the immediate release of its detained personnel.

Speaking after the breakthrough, Tuggar said the outcome underscored the importance Nigeria places on diplomacy and regional cooperation. “We engaged our brothers in Burkina Faso frankly and constructively, and we are pleased that our personnel have now been released,” he said, noting that Nigeria remained committed to resolving misunderstandings through dialogue.

The statement also clearly explained the circumstances surrounding the flight and assured the Burkinabè authorities of Nigeria’s respect for their sovereignty,” adding that the matter was handled “in a spirit of African solidarity.

Burkinabè officials, in turn, acknowledged the discussions and agreed that continued cooperation between Nigeria and Burkina Faso was essential, particularly as both countries confront shared security challenges in the Sahel.

The released air force personnel are expected to return to Nigeria after routine administrative procedures, while diplomatic sources said both sides agreed to strengthen communication channels to prevent similar incidents in the future.

ALSO READ: Reps probe detained military personnel, aircraft in Burkina Faso

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Friday present the 2026 Appropriation Bill before a joint session of the National Assembly.

Naija News reports that this was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, for the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Kamoru Ogunlana.

The statement read, “I am directed to inform you that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is presenting the 2026 proposed Budget to the Joint Session of the National Assembly at 2:00 pm, on Friday, 19th December, 2025.

“Consequently, all accredited persons must endeavour to be at their duty posts by 11:00 am, otherwise they would not be allowed access into the Complex for security reasons. Non-accredited persons should stay away from the National Assembly on that day.

“Except for the CNA, DCNA, CS, CHR and their Deputies, every other Member of Staff is required to park his/her vehicle at available spaces at the Annex or the new car park by NASS Gate.

“Please, ensure compliance by all those concerned.”

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A civil society group, Rights for All International (RAI), has sued President Bola Tinubu to force him to suspend Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), over allegations of corruption and living beyond his legitimate means.

The group filed the suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, calling for the investigation and prosecution of Mr Ahmed.

PREMIUM TIMES got wind of the suit after news later broke on Wednesday that Mr Ahmed and Gbenga Komolafe, the chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), resigned their positions.

President Tinubu has also named their replacements.

The suit followed recent allegations of corruption and abuse of office levelled against Mr Ahmed by Aliko Dangote, president and chief executive of Dangote Industries Limited.

Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group

Speaking at a press conference at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, on Sunday, Mr Dangote accused Mr Ahmed of economic sabotage, which he said was undermining domestic refining in Nigeria.

He accused the leadership of the NMDPRA of colluding with international traders and oil importers to frustrate local refining through the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products.

Mr Dangote claimed that Mr Ahmed was living beyond his legitimate means, stating that four of his children attend secondary schools in Switzerland at a cost running into several million dollars. He said such expenditure raised serious questions about potential conflict of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.

On Monday, he expanded his allegations, accusing Mr Ahmed of corruption and misappropriation of public funds, providing detailed figures for his children’s education abroad.

According to him, Mr Ahmed spent about $5 million on secondary education and upkeep over six years, and an additional $2 million on tertiary education, including $210,000 for Faisal Farouk’s 2025 Harvard MBA.

Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed

On Tuesday, Mr Dangote submitted a petition through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), calling for Mr Ahmed’s arrest, investigation, and prosecution for allegedly living above his means as a public officer. ICPC promptly confirmed the receipt of the petition and vowed to investigate the allegations.

Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday, Mr Ahmed denied the allegations. He said he was thankful that the person behind the allegations had taken it to a formal investigative institution, adding that he believed that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distil the issues and clear his name.

RAI’s suit

Buoyed by Mr Dangote ‘s allegations, RAI on Wednesday, filed its suit seeking among others, a declaration that Mr Ahmed allegedly acted corruptly, accepted kickbacks, and operated foreign accounts to fund his children’s education beyond his lawful earnings.

The suit filed by the group’s lawyer, Okere Nnamdi, also sought an order compelling President Tinubu to suspend Mr Ahmed immediately.

Alongside Mr Tinubu, others joined as defendants in the suit include the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Mr Ahmed himself, the NMDPRA, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

The group asked the court to compel the ICPC, EFCC, and the CCB to investigate and prosecute Mr Ahmed without delay for alleged offences, including breach of the public officers’ code of conduct, bribery, and money laundering.

Additionally, the group requested an order of mandamus directing all relevant agencies to act quickly to investigate and hold Mr Ahmed accountable. It also urged the court to issue any other orders it deems appropriate to safeguard public interest and uphold transparency, accountability, and good governance.

The plaintiff relied on Paragraphs 1, 6, and 8 of the Fifth Schedule, Part 1 of the Nigerian constitution and raised the question for the court to determine if Mr Ahmed had not lived beyond his legitimate earnings as a public officer.

It maintained that Mr Ahmed placed his personal interests above his official duties by allegedly accepting cash and in-kind benefits, described as “kickbacks,” from petroleum importers while issuing import licences.

The group also cited Paragraph 3 of the Fifth Schedule, Part 1 of the 1999 Constitution,” in urging the court to determine the question if Mr Ahmed had not “corruptly operated and maintained foreign bank account(s)” to pay his children’s school fees abroad while serving in various public roles, and whether he has, by doing so, violated the code of conduct for public officers.

READ ALSO: NMDPRA’s CEO disowns ‘response’ to Dangote allegations, clarifies position

The group also asked the court to determine whether Mr Ahmed as a public officer for several years, “can afford to pay his children foreign school fees amounting to over seven million US dollars” from his legitimate earnings, and whether he “corruptly enriched himself with taxpayers’ money” while using his position for personal gain.

RAI also asked whether the court does not have the power to direct anti-corruption agencies to investigate and prosecute Mr Ahmed for alleged bribery, corruption, and money laundering.

‘Suit in public interest’

In an affidavit filed sworn by lawyer Samuel Ekeji Ifeanyi and filed in support of the suit ssaid the case is of public interest. It added that it aims to promote the rule of law, accountability, transparency, and good governance. It also said it instituted the suit in public interest.

The document added that Nigerians continue to suffer the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, which it described as “primarily removed because of corruption that marred the subsidy sags.”

The affidavit referred to the petition by Mr Dangote to the ICPC, in which he claimed that Mr Ahmed is living above his legitimate earnings as a public officer. He said Mr Ahmed “paid his children’s school fees abroad, worth over $7 million, using public funds and money obtained through corrupt practices in issuing petroleum import licences.”

It argued that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian prohibits corruption and called on President Tinubu to immediately suspend Mr Farouk pending investigation and prosecution.

The suit has not been assigned to a judge or scheduled for hearing.

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A video making the rounds on social media has captured the moment a Nigerian lady recounted her ordeal after forgetting her passport during a trip.



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‎A Nigerian male banker has shared a warning message received from a customer ahead of the 2026 tax reform.

‎It’s worth noting that the tax reform is set to kick in on January 1 2026.

‎The law introduces a zero‑percent band for the first ₦800,000 of personal income, which means most people earning up to about ₦100,000 a month won’t pay PAYE .

‎Details Of The Message

The screenshot shared by the banker, identified on TikTok as @ikenga,showed the customer’s warning to bank staff ahead of the tax reform.

According to the viral chat, the customer, whose identity was not disclosed explained what would happen to the banker, if the new tax reform affected his account.

The warning message reads below……

Good evening Mr Ikenga, I hope this new I’m hearing about this tax won’t affect my account.

If I find one naira from my account eh, your name go be sorry. No even try near estate gate that whole week. Thank you.

Meanwhile, the post’s comment section has been flooded with TikTok users sharing their thoughts and opinions.

Reactions Traiing Below….

@heissamiey, “He don warn you like that , you go think say Na play 😂

@Dammysola & Mum, “You better no let it reach his account😂”.

@Better_in_Data👩‍💻🤖:  “I support your customer no sha near Estate gate😂😂.😂😂

See below……

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Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members nine days after their detention in the West African country.

The release followed high-level diplomatic intervention by the federal government of Nigeria.

The pilots were freed shortly after a Nigerian delegation led by the minister of foreign affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, =concluded engagements with Burkinabè authorities in Ouagadougou.

The delegation also held talks with President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso.

Senior officials from the ministries of foreign affairs and defence, as well as the NAF headquarters, were part of the delegation.

The delegation was mandated to pursue a peaceful and constructive resolution of the matter through dialogue.

A senior official familiar with the mission said the engagement aimed to foster mutual understanding, de-escalate tensions and secure the release of the detained personnel.

“The mission points to Nigeria’s preference for diplomacy and neighbourly engagement. It was a confidence-building visit designed to strengthen trust and reaffirm shared responsibilities in addressing the complex security challenges confronting the Sahel,” the official stated.

The source said the delegation reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and adherence to international aviation and military protocols.

According to the official, Nigeria also conveyed its commitment to regional security collaboration, dialogue and respect for international norms.

The source noted the long-standing history of cooperation between Nigeria, Burkina Faso and other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

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By Michael P. Okom

My attention has been drawn to an article by one Professor Abiodun Ojo of ABUAD on the subject: The New Certificate Craze: How Politicians Are Quietly Eroding Academic Standards In Nigerian Universities.

The distasteful write up is making its ignominious rounds on Social Media. The author made a couple of tendentious, spurious, frivolous and false allegations about the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin O. Kalu, with respect to his PhD, recently obtained in the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, his Alma Mater. By raising doubt about Dr. Kalu’s PhD, he invariably casts aspersions on those who superintended over his academic attainments. In addition, he has also impugned, lampooned and besmirched the integrity and reputation of the senior academia who run the Graduate Programme of the Faculty. Ipso facto, it behoves this writer, as one of those involved, to visit this space and set the records straight.

To start with, it is supremely intriguing and optimally preposterous for a professor to so flagrantly and hastily go public with such grave and weighty allegations (with serious implications), without doing as much as a scintilla of verification, which would have provided him with all the information that would have saved him the embarrassment of espousing such hideous falsehood in the public domain. By the way, if the professor was as punctilious as he would want us to believe, why did he not do what any academician would naturally do; conduct some basic research/findings?

This writer taught Dr. Kalu at the LLB, LLM and PhD levels and supervised his LL.M thesis. He (this writer), has been Head of Department twice, Dean of the Faculty, immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, and currently, Director of Alumni Affairs (which particularly gives him sound locus standi to issue this riposte in defence of Dr.Kalu, a distinguished and stellar Alumnus. The writer is also an ordained clergyman of the Church of God in Christ, Memphis, Tennessee, actively involved in the work of the Gospel.

For the avoidance of every shred of doubt, it is sublimely expedient to let the public know that Dr. Kalu was admitted into the PhD Programme of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar in the 2022 session. He concluded his course work at the end of that session, after writing the first and second semester exams. This writer taught his class International Economic Law, and I hereby attest that he submitted his first and second semester written seminar papers and duly made his oral presentations, under my watch. During the second year of his PhD programme, he made his Mini Proposal and Main Proposal defences. During his third session, (2024/25) he made his Internal and External defences. His External Examiner was a Rev. Father professor of impeccable academic credentials and moral rectitude. Furthermore, it is pertinent for the public to know that the University of Calabar has a well established and unimpeachable international reputation.
As for the Faculty of Law UNICAL, it does not bend rules for anyone.

In view of the foregoing, this writer hereby asseverates thus:
1) Rt. Hon. Benjamin O.Kalu did this PhD in three academic sessions. He did not skip any seminars or exams and he has course mates who are alive and can be contacted.

2) His PhD thesis was supervised by a most erudite and cerebrally endowed professor of international repute, who recently served as a Justice of the Gambian Court of Appeal.

3) The Faculty of Law UNICAL Graduate Board has a well known reputation for its “NO SACRED COWS” stringent policy, which has been consistently upheld and was applied a few sessions ago when a serving Governor did his LLM in the Faculty, when this writer was Dean. In fact, some furore ensued in the University when the Governor came for lectures with his convoy and Social Media went agog.

It is pertinent to assert that during his PhD programme, Dr. Kalu was objectively assessed on his seminars and defences and was adjudged by the Faculty Board and examiners to be a sound scholar, deserving of a PhD. He is definitely not a laid-back armchair or cavalier budding academic because in addition to his seminars and LLM/PHD theses, he has 11(eleven) publications in local and international journals to his credit. All his seminars, exams and defences were done in personam and there are no lack of witnesses to this.

As the Director of Alumni Affairs of the University, yours truly hereby states that the University and the Faculty are proud of Dr. Kalu. In fact, the University is so proud of him that he was invited to deliver the Keynote lecture at the University’s 50th anniversary celebration earlier in the year.

By virtue of all that has been stated so far, it ought to be beyond conjecture that the allegations by Professor Ojo are not only false but also redolent with caprice and crass disregard for the prudence, objectivity and forensic veracity that academicians are known for. As the reader may have observed, specific details as to names and dates have been excluded for the simple reason that this is not a response to an official or judicial inquiry. The details and evidence are available should the matter come to that juncture.

In conclusion, when false statements are made while the truth is just a handbreadth away, it stands to reason that malice might be the sole motive. Disseminating information for malicious purposes does not serve any useful purpose in the society. As the Bible has pungently stated in Matthew 7:12, do unto others what you want others to do unto you. (Paraphrased).

*Professor Michael P. Okom is a former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), former Dean, Faculty of Law and Currently, Head of Alumni, University of Calabar. He wrote from Calabar, Cross River State in Defence of the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR.

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Multiple explosions on Wednesday rocked Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo State

The News Agency of Nigeria correspondent reports that multiple explosions occurred in three different areas of Auchi at about 6:30pm on Wednesday.

NAN observed that the first blast occurred along Igbei Road, the second at the Igbo Shade area near an AP filling station, while the third explosion occurred along the Auchi–Okene Road, close to Winners Junction.

Properties worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed, including buildings and shops, across the three affected areas.

As of the time of filing the report, the cause of the explosions was unknown, and the number of deaths or casualties could not be ascertained.

An eyewitness, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said the explosions occurred almost simultaneously in different parts of Auchi.

The eyewitness added that the blasts appeared to have been coordinated.

The eyewitness described the incident as allegedly planned attack on the Auchi community and stressed the need for a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences.

NAN further reports that a fuel tanker fell along the expressway, prompting residents to scramble to scoop fuel.

It took the intervention of the Police Area Commander in Auchi, who mobilised officers to the scene to prevent a possible explosion as the crowd continued to grow.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in Edo, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the explosions to NAN.

Ikoedem said, “The incident occurred at about 6:30pm following the fall of a fuel tanker along the road.”

She explained that “spilled fuel seeped into underground tunnels, which later ignited and caused three explosions in different parts of the Auchi community.”

According to her, officers from the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters and the Area Command were mobilised to the affected areas and successfully cordoned them off to prevent loss of lives.

(NAN)

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