CBN: 30 Banks Have Recapitalised

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March 6, 2026

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has disclosed that 30 banks have met the new minimum capital requirements introduced by the apex bank two years ago.

Nigerians banks have until March 31 to meet the new recapitalization threshold set by the Yemi Cardoso-led CBN.

In a statement by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, Hakama Sidi-Ali, on Friday, the apex bank stated that several commercial banks had successfully raised their capital base through rights issues, initial public offerings and private placements, among other channels.

The statement read, “As of March 6, 2026, the recapitalisation exercise is progressing steadily. Thirty (30) banks have met the new minimum capital requirements applicable to their respective licence authorisations. In total, thirty-three (33) banks have raised additional capital through rights issues, initial public offerings, and private placements as part of the programme.”

According to the CBN, verifications are ongoing to ascertain the compliance of remaining banks to ensure they complied before the end of this month.

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“They Have Been Doing Everything To Make Sure That I Don’t Contest, But They Are Wasting Their Time” – Peter Obi

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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March 6, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party LP in the 2023 general elections and a chieftain of the opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Peter Obi, has said that he is not in any way scared of confronting the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, in any fair and credible election, even with its over 30 State Governors.

This is as the former Anambra State Governor reaffirmed his unflinching determination to be on the ballot in 2027 despite a plethora of obstacles placed on his way to frustrate him out of the race .

At an empowerment programme in Njikoka, Local Council in Anambra State, on Friday, Obi while vowing not to be intimidated by the large number of Governors in the APC , noted that he is ready to meet anybody in a free and fair contest.

He alleged that the powers-that-be have engaged in all manners of political shenanigans, including tinkering with and influencing the controversial amended Electoral Act, simply to frustrate him out of the presidential race.

“You all know that I am now in ADC. People have been asking me why I left Labour Party, and I told them that we have been in court in Labour Party over leadership, and we have been securing favourable judgment, but INEC refused to recognize us.

“But immediately I left on December 31,2025 ,they ( INEC) quickly recognized the orders they had been rejecting.

“You see all the things they have been doing including tinkering with the Electoral Act are being done because they don’t want me to contest the polls.

“But I want to tell them that with their 30 Governors, they should make the election free and fair ,and see who wins.

“I want to reassure you today that no matter what they do, I must contest the election.

” Let them declare a free and fair contest, bring the ball to the middle of the field, and declare it started, and let’s see what happens”, Obi added.

Decrying the excruciating economic hardships and the total collapse of structures in Nigeria ,Obi insisted that he is going into the presidential race with a clear vision and mission to retrieve the country from the principice .

“Nigeria has collapsed and is already lying on the ground. Nigeria is not working because many rich Nigerians are hungry and greedy. They have everything they need, but still scavenging for more .

This country is skewed against the poor, and that is why we are working to become President. We want a country where the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody.

“I have always said it that I am not desperate to be President of Nigeria, but desperate to see a Nigeria that works”, the ADC chieftain asserted.

Amb Reno Omokri: “Tinubu Is A Christlike Individual, I Will Market Nigeria To The Best Of My Ability”

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Ayodele Oni

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March 6, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Ambassador Reno Omokri, in what looks like an appreciation and acceptance letter, thanked President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for the new national call to duty.

In the piece, Omokri stated “I devote my life again and afresh to Nigeria to be faithful, loyal, and honest and to serve and market Nigeria to the best of my ability, so help me God.”

While showing appreciation he said “I sincerely thank President Bola Tinubu, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for my ambassadorial posting.

“This is a man with a heart of gold, and as I have previously said, the President is a most Christlike individual, with the capacity to forgive and forbear. Nigeria could not have had a better leader for the present time and for the next five years, by the grace of God.

“I accept this appointment and posting to the glory of God and for the betterment of Nigeria, even as I pledge my unalloyed loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the custodian of the Constitution and the Head of State of Nigeria.”

To his relations, Okri: “I once again thank my foster parents, Esijolomi and Omerewumi, who moulded me, as a piece of clay they received from God, into what I am today.

“Other than God, NO OTHER HUMAN BEINGS have been more responsible for making me into what I am today than these two angels, who in my mother tongue are referred to as my Olayemi.

“I thank my biological parents, both of whom are now deceased, Bemigho and Ochuko, through whom I came into this world. Even in death, I love you both.

“I thank my wife, Hana, who has filled me with such peace of mind since I met her, and has been an encourager and nurturer.

“May God bless my friend who sticks closer than a brother, Malam Nuhu Ribadu. Although I have said this publicly before, let me repeat it today.

“This is not hyperbole to me. If it were possible for all the goodness on Earth to be domiciled in a single human being, that person would be Malam.

“He is blind to religion, region, communion and ethnicity—a credit to Nigeria and humanity. Through him, God made it possible for me to be a Presidential spokesman. And today, without saying much, what I have left unsaid says it all.

“It is most fitting that this posting to the United Mexican States comes as I begin the six-day climb to Mount Kilimanjaro to hoist Nigeria’s flag on the summit of Africa’s highest mountain.

“As I take each step, I am reminded of how God, in His infinite mercies, has used President Bola Tinubu to reposition Nigeria for greatness, such that in 2025, as recently revealed by both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Nigeria, a country with just 2% of the world’s population, was the sixth greatest contributor to global GDP.

“Nigeria is rising under the present administration, as demonstrated by the hosting of the largest single tourist event in Africa in 2025, Detty December, which attracted 1.2 million tourists to Nigeria in December 2025 alone, without a single death, robbery, or domestic incident.

“A sign that, though we may have localised challenges, Nigeria is a safe and secure destination for your holiday and investments, as well as a politically stable nation, and the only country in Africa where five former Presidents and Heads of State dwell in peace within the country with the incumbent President.”

I Don’t Need Obasanjo To Be Governor – Iyabo, Fmr. President Obasanjo’s Daughter

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Adesina Soyooye

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March 6, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, a daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that at 59 years, going to 60 years, she hardly needs the support of her father to aspire to any office she desires.

Professor Obasanjo who had given politics space in the past 15 years and relocated to the United States of America, recently returned, and decided to pitch her net with the All Progressives Congress, APC.

No sooner did she pitch net with the APC, than she declared interest in the Governorship seat of Ogun State. And she did not do that quietly. She began to fire from all cylinders, taking on anybody that has eyes on the job come 2027.

In an interview with Channels Television, Professor Obasanjo disclosed that her decision to contest the governorship election is a personal one, and not dependent on the endorsement of her father.

She noted that with her status in life, a stage where she can make independent decisions about her career and political future, she cannot depend on her father’s endorsement to get what she wants either in her career or in politics.

She counts herself lucky that at her age, she still has both her parents alive because many people of her age no longer have their parents alive. She says it is a privilege which has made her appreciate the presence of her parents even more.

She said: “I don’t need his (former President Obasanjo’s) support; I’m almost 60. As you’re looking at me now, I’m 59, so I think that at this age—and I tell people at my age—my friends that still have both parents alive are very few. So I consider myself lucky at this age to have both my mother and father alive, and I don’t think at this age, I should be consulting them for everything with my career move. So what I’ve said I know, and my mother will vote for me; that’s all I ask of them.”

FG Slams Contractor, Laments Poor Construction Of Keffi-Nasarawa Road

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 6, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

Wizchino Engineering Limited, the Construction Company handling the Keffi-Nasarawa-Toto-Abaji road project in Nasarawa State has been slammed by the

Federal Government.

The Federal Government had expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of work being done by Engineering firm, lamenting the slow pace of the construction work despite releasing funds to the contractor to ensure smooth progress of the job till completion.

The Federal Controller of Works in the state, Ishaku Mamri, noted that despite several efforts to make the contractor work according to specifications, they were still not giving the needed cooperation.

Mamri further told Journalists that after an inspection visit to ongoing Federal Government roads across Nasarawa State, it noted that the Contractor was not working to specifications, and has become a clog in the wheel.

He added that the road construction agenda of the Federal Ministry of Works is to ensure that all roads constructed are durable enough to serve Nigerians for many years.

He said: “To be honest, this set of contractors, I’m disappointed in them. The work is not done the way it is supposed to be done. When I give them a letter on what to do, they will not do it; they will do what they feel like doing. And I told them that this is not a banana republic.

“This is not our specifications. The ministry has laid down procedures for getting our work done, so you can’t do it anyhow. I had to explain the matter to my Director, that I don’t like the way they are doing this. We invited them for a meeting at the headquarters where they agreed that they were going to improve. But on coming back here, I have not seen any changes.”

Salihu Alkali, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nasarawa State Council, called on the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to revoke the contract awarded to Wizchino Engineering Limited over poor quality of work, slow pace of work, and substandard equipment, among others.

Alkali further expressed his displeasure over the slow pace of work and unprofessional handling of the road construction, urging the FG to revoke the contract in the shortest possible time and re-award it to a more competent contractor.

“This is a disservice to Nasarawa State and the Federal Government. Can you imagine using watering cans to pour bitumen on the road? Government spending should be accounted for,” he said.

In the same vein, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Mu’azu Adamu Gosho, said the road is of particular interest to the government and the people of Nasarawa State, noting that they are eager to witness its completion in record time.

He, however, frowned at the slow pace of work and other factors which indicate that the construction is not being done according to specifications.

It would be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Works has pledged to complete the ongoing 15-kilometre Lafia bypass stretching to Makurdi, which leads to the south-eastern region of the country, and lauded the speedy pace of the work and its quality.

The government believes that the road would ease chronic traffic congestion through the Lafia metropolis.

Mamri further disclosed that the the road project, which was initially awarded with a completion period of 48 months, is already at 92.6 per cent completion, noting that it would be ready for commuters by the end of March 2026.

He stressed that the project had undergone a series of engineering integrity assessments by professional regulatory institutions, and commended the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for his commitment to quality and speedy completion of ongoing works across the nation.

Attack On Rivers ADC Office: Amaechi Warns Against Heating Up The Polity, Says “We Are Marching To Aso Rock”

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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March 6, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Immediate past Minister of Transportation, and a chieftain of the opposition Coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress, has cautioned political actors and supporters against indulging in acts capable of stoking tension and crises ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State who spoke in Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital on Friday, amidst the unprovoked attack on, and the razing of the ADC office in his home town Ubima , Ikwerre Local Council, by suspected hired hoodlums , also warned against escalating the tension and the charged political atmosphere of Rivers State, irrespective of political differences.

The Source reports that some suspected armed thugs had on Thursday night invaded the Ubima community, firing indiscriminately, after allegedly setting up illegal road block looking for vehicles carrying ADC materials including banners.

The hoodlums allegedly invaded and razed down the Ubima Ward ADC office on Friday morning, threatening to deal ruthlessly with any ADC members or supporters on sight.

The attack on the ADC office came just hours before the arrival of Amaechi who was billed to conduct his e-registeration exercise at the burnt party office.

ADC office Burnt in Rivers State — Burnt ADC office in Rivers State

Addressing hundreds of party supporters and loyalists, Amaechi one of the ADC chieftains who have signaled their interest to contest the 2027 presidential polls, while condemning the incident ,also, called on security agencies to swiftly move to unravel those behind the dastardly act, with a view to bringing them to justice.

The is as he described the destruction of the party’s office and the facilities therein as a clear threat to political freedom and democracy both in Rivers state and the country at large.

He also cautioned against allowing crisis, and violence to be the defining characteristics of the political landscape of Rivers state.

He appealed for calm among his teeming followers ,most of whom came to witness his formal registration at the ADC’s office .

” I have been a Governor, and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people. The people will begin to protect themselves because they don’t want to die .

“Our role is to be calm ,to be peaceful . We are steadily marching to Aso Rock . What they are doing is just mere distraction . What they are doing, I dare say will not put food on your table .

” We are hungry. And if you are hungry ,tell them that you are hungry . There are just a few people who are stealing our money, and they are saying we should keep quiet” Amaechi stated

Despite the orchestrated plot to stall the e-registeration exercise of the party , Amaechi expressed happiness that he has successfully registered ,and the exercise set to progress unhindered.

Gunmen Kidnap Pastor’s Four Children, 12 Others In Kubwa, Abuja

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Adesina Soyooye

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March 6, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

An unprecedented Kidnap incident has hit Kubwa, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja when gunmen stormed the satellite town.

The gunmen made away with 16 people. They include the wife of a local vigilante commander and four children of a Pastor, according to reports by SaharaReprters.

The gunmen, according to eye witnesses, stormed residential areas of Kubwa in the early hours of March 6, 2026, and targeted multiple families. Among those taken were women and children. One of the women taken, according to sources, ìs wife of a community vigilante leader and four children of a Pastor. They carted their victims away in vehicles.

Efforts are on the way by members of the Community, Vigilante groups and security agents to rescue them.

Police Clears Interior Minister Tunji Ojo Of Certificate Forgery, Says He’s Clean

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Ayodele Oni

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March 6, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has been exonerated of allegations of altercations and falsification of his National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), and West African School Certificates by the Nigerian Police.

The Police High Command on Friday dismissed the allegations of forgery, alteration, falsification and unlawful production of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, certificate levelled against the Minister, describing them as baseless.

Speaking on the allegations, the Force Public Relations Officer, (FPRO), Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the Police, after a thorough investigation into the matter found the allegations to be untrue.

“It has been established that there is no evidence whatsoever of forgery, alteration, falsification or unlawful production of the minister’s NYSC certificate,” he said.

According to him, “after an exhaustive investigation into the allegations, it has been established that there is no evidence whatsoever of forgery, alteration, falsification or unlawful production of the minister’s NYSC certificate.

“The NYSC was contacted, and it was verified that the certificate was duly issued by the corps to the minister. The allegations are therefore unfounded.

Earlier, on Thursday, youth and civil society groups staged a protest over the alleged certificate forgery by Dr. Tunji-Ojo.

The demonstrators accused the minister of providing conflicting information regarding his NYSC records, a development they said raised serious concerns about integrity in public office.

Addressing journalists during the protest in Abuja, one of the demonstrators said the minister had yet to publicly clarify the allegations.

“We have not heard from him. He has not come out to clarify to the public whether what is being said is right or wrong,” the protester said. “In similar situations, some public officials have resigned from offices when faced with such allegations.

” We want accountability, and we want everyone to be treated equally. What is good for one person should be good for all. If other ministers could resign over similar issues, we do not see why he should still remain in office.”

The protesters warned that failure to properly address the allegations could further erode public trust in government institutions, particularly among young Nigerians.

“We want a better Nigeria, and accountability begins at home,” another protester said.

“If a situation like this involving Tunji Ojo is allowed to continue unchecked, it could escalate and undermine the credibility of public institutions at the federal level,” he added

A Human Rights Activist had earlier sought and got an order of the court to investigate the certificates of the minister.

Kidnapped Monarch, Father Of Fmr. Ebonyi Dep. Gov., Killed By His Abductors

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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March 6, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Ebonyi State Police Command on Friday March 6, 2026, informed that His Royal Highness, Eze Francis Igwe, the abducted father of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State Chief Eric Kelechi Igwe, has been killed by his abductors.

The Source reports that Eze Igwe ,the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike in Ikwo Local Council of Ebonyi State was last Sunday ambushed and kidnapped by some armed hoodlums riding on motorcycles while on his to a Church service.

Since his abduction, the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, in concert with security agencies had been making frantic efforts to locate and rescue the Monarch.

However, the State Command spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, while confirming the death of the Monarch, informed that two of the suspects apprehended by security operatives confessed that the Monarch has been killed.

According to Ukandu, following the unfortunate abduction of the traditional ruler, the Police deployed tactical and intelligence assets, leading to the arrest of two suspects.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed that the Monarch has been killed.

“They further volunteered to lead operatives to their hide out, and assist in recovering the Monarch’s remains”, the police stated.

According to the Police spokesperson , the gang members opened fire on sighting the operatives close to their camp.

“In the course of the confrontation, one of the hoodlums was neutralised while others fled the scene”, Ukandu added.

However, seven other suspects, he revealed, were later arrested bringing the total number of suspect now in custody to nine.

The corpse of the murdered Monarch, he added, has been recovered ,and deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.

Ekiti Gov. Election: Abuja Court Affirms Oluyede As PDP Flagbearer

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Ayodele Oni

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March 6, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the candidacy of Dr. Wole Oluyede as the official flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) for the upcoming June 20, 2026, Ekiti State Governorship election.

In a ruling delivered on Friday, Justice Umar found significant merit in the reliefs sought by the applicant, effectively quashing the previous exclusion of the party from the electoral process.

The court chastised the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) refusal to publish the PDP candidate’s name, describing it as “illegal and unlawful.”

Specifically, the court frowned at the exclusion of Dr. Oluyede, who was the Governorship candidate of the PDP in Ekiti, and directed the Commission to immediately recognise the candidate and include his name on the list of candidates and the logo of the party on the ballot for the Ekiti Governorship elections.

It further granted an order of perpetual injunction preventing the Commission from further rejecting or excluding the candidate from activities related to the forthcoming Governorship elections in Ekiti State.

Key Judicial Declarations:

• Illegal Exclusion: The court declared that INEC acted outside its legal powers by neglecting to publish the PDP candidate’s name following the party’s primary process.

• Mandatory Inclusion: The court issued an Order of Mandamus, compelling and directing INEC to immediately include and publish Dr. Wole Oluyede’s name on the official list of candidates for the Ekiti polls.

• Lack of Discretionary Power: The judgment clarified that INEC has no legal authority to unilaterally disqualify or refuse the publication of a candidate submitted by a recognized political party without a valid legal basis

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the PDP has hailed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja presided by Honourable Justice Umar, which granted all the reliefs sought by Dr. Oluwole Oluyede and the Peoples Democratic Party in the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/40/2026 against the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Dr. Oluyede was presented with a certificate of return by the National Chairman of the Party, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2026 Governorship elections in Ekiti.

However, INEC, under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN, flagrantly and unlawfully refused to include his name on the list of candidates, citing an existing court injunction restraining from doing so.

The candidate and the party approached the court to question the legal authority of the Commission to act in the manner it did.

A statement by the party’s spokesman,

Ini Ememobong, stated that “We welcome this judgment as a confirmation of the reality in Ekiti and acknowledge that indeed justice has been served.

“Furthermore, we admonish INEC to act within the confines of the law and refrain from unbridled partisanship.

“The Commission is aware of several judgments to the effect that it cannot exclude lawfully nominated candidates, as in the instant case.

“They should remember the historic negative roles which past electoral commissions played in the collapse of democracy in the past republics and consciously act in favour of protecting multi-party democracy, and not otherwise.

“With this over, the path to victory in the Ekiti Governorship election is clear, and we charge our members to hit the campaign trail with their message of redemption through the candidature of Dr. Oluwole Oluyede.”