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March 31 Deadline: Two Appointees Resign From President Tinubu’s Govt

By
Ayodele Oni
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President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

Two appointees in President Bola Tinubu’s Government on Monday resigned their appointments to enable them Purdue their political ambition.

They are Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju who was until his resignation the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) from Ekiti state and Yusuf Tuggar,Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Tuggar resigned from his position to pursue his governorship ambition in Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tuggar, a member of the All Progressives Congress, reportedly submitted his resignation letter on Monday, barely 24 hours before the deadline set by the presidency.

Bola Tinubu had directed all political appointees with electoral ambitions to vacate their offices on or before March 31, 2026.

Sources close to Tuggar’s political camp in Bauchi State said supporters who attended the APC convention are optimistic that the minister will soon formally declare his ambition to contest the Bauchi State governorship election, citing what they described as growing grassroots and elite support for his candidacy.

Tuggar, a seasoned diplomat and politician, previously served in the House of Representatives, representing the Gamawa Federal Constituency between 2007 and 2011.

He later served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari before his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2023.

Also, Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju, officially tendered his resignation letter on Monday.

The resignation, effective March 31, 2026, marks the beginning of Olarewaju’s highly anticipated bid to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Ekiti North II Federal Constituency (Moba, Ilejemeje, and Ido-Osi) in the upcoming House of Representatives elections.

Reliable sources close to the lawmaker indicate that the resignation is a proactive step to ensure full compliance with Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, which mandates that political appointees must vacate their offices before participating in party conventions or primaries.

By stepping down now, Olarewaju clears the legal path to satisfy his growing grassroots base, to represent the constituency where he previously built a reputation for robust legislative engagement.

In his resignation letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Olarewaju expressed  appreciation for the opportunity to serve at the highest level of governance.

“It has been a profound honour and privilege to serve under Your Excellency’s leadership and contribute to the advancement of the administration’s legislative goals and the strengthening of Executive-Legislative relations,” the letter read.

Olarewaju further emphasized his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the experience gained while bridging the gap between the Presidency and the House of Representatives would be invaluable in his future service to the nation.

He reaffirmed his “unwavering loyalty” to the President despite his departure from the executive arm.

Poor Services: NCC Directs Network Operators To Reimburse Subscribers

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Telecom - MTN -GLO - Airtel - 9Mobile - Telecoms

By Ayodele Oni

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as part of efforts to strengthen subscribers’ protection against poor services delivery, has directed Mobile Network Operators to compensate subscribers in areas where network quality falls below approved standards.

This directive was handed down on Monday by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) through a statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha.

The NCC disclosed that with the step, subscribers would not be left to bear the impact of poor service delivery, noting that affected subscribers will receive compensation in the form of airtime credits.

According to the statement, “the NCC has directed Mobile Network Operators to compensate subscribers whose quality of service experience falls below specified targets in certain locations”, adding, “erring operators will compensate users directly for breaches of Quality of Service (QoS) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

“Compensation will be calculated based on subscribers’ average spending patterns and their presence in affected Local Government Areas.

“The tower companies have also been directed to reinvest fines imposed on them into infrastructure improvements, particularly in areas affecting service quality such as telecom masts”, it stated further.

NCC explained that the directive is part of a broader strategy to place consumers at the centre of Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem, emphasizing that telecom services are critical to economic activities, social interaction and access to digital opportunities.

The regulator warned that poor service quality negatively impacts productivity, business operations and public confidence, asserting that “we will continue to enforce compliance by ensuring operators invest in network resilience, expand capacity and upgrade infrastructure to meet growing demand.”

NCC recalled that Nigeria’s telecom sector “has faced persistent complaints over poor network quality, including dropped calls and slow data speeds and it was in response that the Commission introduced new Quality of Service regulations in 2024, setting strict performance benchmarks for operators, including call drop rates, call setup success rates, and network congestion levels.

“Under these rules, operators face penalties starting from about ₦5 million per infraction, with additional daily fines for continued breaches. Earlier this year, the Commission revealed that telecom operators could face penalties of about ₦12.4 billion for multiple violations, marking one of the most aggressive enforcement drives in recent years”, the regulator added.

Kwankwaso Formally Joins ADC In Kano

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Rabiu Kwankwaso Formally Joins ADC In Kano

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The former Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has formally joined the rank of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The Source reports that the former Governor of Kano State, had, on Sunday March 29, 2026, announced his resignation from the NNPP, citing recent events within the country’s political landscape which call for realignment as a major reason for his action.

The formal defection ceremony which was witnessed by the members of the ADC National Executive Committee, NEC, led by National Chairman Senator David Mark, former Labour Party LP Presidential Candidate Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Sokoto state, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal among others was preceded by Kwankwaso’s formal registration as party member at his Gidan Kwankwasiyya, on Milner Road Bompai area of Kano metropolis.

Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence had, in his resignation letter from the NNPP, given hint of his intentions to align with an alternative political platform that offers the opportunity to effectively change the nation.

His alignment with the ADC is perceived by not a few as a factor that is bound to significantly shape the political landscape of Kano state in the count down to the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, while speaking on a Channels Television programme on Monday, the NNPP spokesperson Ladipo Johnson, also informed that the NNPP was privy to all the discussions that culminated in  Kwankwasiyya resigning from the party and joining forces with the ADC.

According to Johnson, the defection of Kwankwaso to the ADC is part of the wider alliance between the NNPP and ADC .

He informed that the alliance will see the NNPP adopting the ADC presidential Candidate in 2027, and other national offices, fielding candidates only at the State level.

“The NNPP will continue to contest elections despite the exit of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. Although, at the level of the presidential contest, we will be aligning with the ADC, and maybe some of the national elections.  But, we are going to field candidates at the state level”, the NNPP spokesman stated.

733 Retired Ondo Workers To Receive N2.4 Billion As Gratuities

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ondo State Payment of Workers Pensioners

By Ayodele Oni

Eight years after retirement from active service, 733 ex workers of Ondo state government have cause to smile as N2.4 billion has been released to offset their gratuities.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday flagged off the disbursement of the amount as gratuities to pensioners, who retired from the state public service in 2018 and 2019, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of retired workers.

A statement by Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, stated that the ceremony, held at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Akure, marked what the governor described as a significant step towards restoring the dignity of retirees and addressing longstanding arrears owed to them.

Governor Aiyedatiwa explained that the exercise was not merely administrative, but a fulfilment of a moral obligation to those who had served the state diligently, noting that many pensioners had endured years of hardship due to delayed payments.

He stressed that retirement should be a period of rest and dignity, rather than uncertainty, adding that his administration was determined to honour the sacrifices of senior citizens by ensuring they receive their rightful entitlements.

The governor recalled that the promise to prioritise workers’ and retirees’ welfare formed a key part of his administration’s agenda, declaring that the ongoing disbursement reflected the government’s resolve to keep its word.

He disclosed that ₦2.4 billion had been approved to offset gratuity arrears for retirees of 2018 and 2019, despite competing fiscal demands, insisting that the government would always place what is right above convenience.

According to him, the administration inherited a substantial backlog of pension and gratuity liabilities, which came with stories of prolonged waiting, anguish, and, in some cases, loss of lives, as some beneficiaries did not survive to receive their dues.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, however, assured that his government remained committed to clearing all outstanding arrears, adding that necessary mechanisms had been put in place to ensure the backlog is addressed within the shortest possible time.

The governor emphasised that his administration would not politicise the welfare of the people, stating that the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State Council, could attest to the consistency in the release of intervention funds.

Reiterating his commitment to governance, he said the administration would continue to ensure the safety of lives and property while investing in critical infrastructure for the benefit of residents.

He also assured that other retirees yet to benefit would be attended to, urging senior citizens to take advantage of the Ondo State Health Insurance Scheme, which has been subsidised by the government to improve access to healthcare.

In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Pension Transitional Department, Dr Peter Akingbade, described the development as a major step towards clearing the backlog of gratuities, attributing the achievement to the commitment of the governor.

Providing a breakdown, Akingbade disclosed that 733 retirees would benefit from the exercise, comprising 391 retirees from 2018 and 342 from 2019, drawn from the mainstream civil service, teaching and non-teaching staff of secondary schools, and parastatals across the state.

He added that the process of gratuity payment is continuous, urging retirees yet to be verified to complete their documentation.

Akingbade also recalled that gratuities for 2015, 2016, and 2017 Batch B were paid in January 2026, with a total sum of ₦1,013,304,155.08 disbursed.

Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Prince Adeleye Adebanjo, a 2018 retiree, thanked God for granting the state a performing governor at this time and prayed that the Lord would bless the governor with long life and good health.

Tuggar, Foreign Affairs Minister, Resigns From FEC  To Contest For Bauchi Gov

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Yusuf Tuggar - Foreign Affairs Minister
Yusuf Tuggar

By Ayodele Oni 

 

Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from the Federal Executive Council, (FEC), as the March 31, 2026 deadline for political appointees seeking elective office is 24 hours away.

 

The anticipated move follows a directive by President Bola Tinubu requiring all political appointees with intentions to contest in the 2027 general elections to step down on or before March 31, 2026.

 

The directive was confirmed in a statement issued by Dewan Goshit, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

 

Tuggar’s expected exit comes shortly after the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2026 National Convention, where most members of the party’s National Working Committee were returned unopposed, further intensifying focus on cabinet members widely believed to be nursing political ambitions.

 

Political attention has now shifted to Ministers and other senior appointees who are yet to formally declare their intentions, but are considered strong contenders for elective positions ahead of 2027.

 

Sources close to Tuggar’s political camp in Bauchi State said supporters, who attended the APC convention are optimistic that the Minister will soon formally declare his ambition to contest the Bauchi State governorship election, citing what they described as growing grassroots and elite support for his candidacy.

 

Tuggar, a seasoned diplomat and politician, previously served in the House of Representatives, representing the Gamawa Federal Constituency between 2007 and 2011.

 

 He later served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari before his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2023.

 

The resignation deadline given appointees with political ambition is March 31.

PDP Governors Snub Wike-led PDP faction Convention

By
Ayodele Oni
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PDP Wike Faction

By Ayodele Oni 

 

Despite the boycott by Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde, Kabiru Turaki, and other factional members,  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has re-elected Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu as the national chairman and secretary, respectively.

 

Mohammed, Anyanwu and other members of the national working committee (NWC) were re-elected through consensus on Sunday during the elective national convention held at the velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

 

The national officers were re-elected after Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, moved a motion to dissolve the national caretaker committee.

 

Speaking at the convention, Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa, appealed to aggrieved members to return to the party.

 

“We are willing to forgive everyone. Come back, stay focused, and return to the PDP,” he said.

 

Bukola Saraki, former senate president, said the PDP remained vibrant and resilient.

 

“The PDP is alive, active, and here to stay. It is deeply rooted in this country and firmly in the minds of Nigerians.”

 

Kingsley Chinda, minority leader in the house of representatives, urged members to unite to reclaim power in 2027.

 

“We need to recover the power that we have lost. We must come together to recover our country. Every member has a responsibility.”

 

Abba Moro, senate minority leader, said members who rejected the peace efforts have all abandoned the party.

 

“Those who insisted there would be no peace in the PDP have all negotiated their way out of the party. We now have only two governors.” said. He commended Wike for remaining committed to the party.

 

“Wike has remained steadfast in the PDP. He must be commended,” Moro said.

 

In his remarks, Wike urged members to commit to rebuilding the party, adding that leadership required responsibility and dedication.

 

Wike, who expressed confidence that the party would field candidates in the 2027 elections,maintained that the PDP would reclaim its mandate from those who defected to other parties.

 

The opposition party is polarised into two factions. On Friday, the faction led by Kabiru Turaki asked the supreme court to restrain the Wike camp from holding the national convention.

PDP Faction Declares Wike Leader As Saraki, Lamido, Makarfi, Akpoti-Uduaghan, Moro Back Him (Full List Of NWC Members)

By
Adesina Soyooye
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PDP Convention 2026 - Saraki and Markafi in Attendance

By Adesina Soyooye 

 

Without prejudice to the ongoing Court cases the factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike can walk with their shoulders high. Wike himself should walk like he has springs attached to his heels. He seems to have not only defeated the other faction of the PDP led by Kabiru Turaki, he has successfully blanked them out of every consequence.

 

On Sunday, May 29, the Wike faction successfully held its elective Convention  and filled up all the offices for the National Working Committee. But that is not the surprise. The surprise is that Wike has been crowned the Leader of the PDP. At least two people who spoke at the Convention held in Abuja  confirmed him as the Party’s Leader – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and a former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose.

 

Yet, the most surprising was the high profile attendance at the Convention – especially, those before thought to be with the Turaki faction – former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Senator Abba Moro, Senator and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

 

There were also former Jigawa Governor, Sule Lamido, Abia State former Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ok Chinda and many more.

 

The new National Leaders who were produced by consensus are: •Abdulrahman Mohammed, who was Chairman of the National Caretaker Working Committee, now confirmed  the party’s substantive National Chairman. 

 

• Deputy National Chairman (South): Aaron Chukwuemeka

 

• Deputy National Chairman (North): Yusufu Nya Akirikwem

 

• National Secretary: Samuel Anyanwu

 

• Deputy National Secretary: Kolawale Olabisi

 

• National Treasurer: Odeyemei Mackson Oladiran

 

• Deputy National Treasurer: Lado Dan Marke

 

• National Financial Secretary: Eyim Donatus Henry

 

• Deputy National Financial Secretary: Grema Kyari

 

• National Organising Secretary: Umar Mohammed Bature

 

•Deputy National Organising Secretary: Efere Augustine

 

•National Publicity Secretary: Jungudo Haruna Mohammed

 

• Deputy National Publicity Secretary: Egwu Goodluck Chidiebere

 

• National Legal Adviser: Kamaldeen Ajibade

 

• Deputy National Legal Adviser: Aloysius Chinemelu Uba

 

• National Auditor: Osuoha Okechukwu Donatus

 

• Deputy National Auditor: Adaba Ozohu Seri Yatu

 

• National Women Leader: Adenike Adedayo Ogunshe

 

• Deputy National Women Leader: Hauwa Ahmed Shinge

 

• National Youth Leader: Ibrahim Bala Aboki

 

• Deputy National Youth Leader: Momoh Dejhi Eugene Bashir.

 

If all things are equal, they will be in office for the next four years.

Six Ogun Lawmakers Defect From PDP To APC

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
APC and PDP



By Akinwale Kasali 

 

Ogun State House of Assembly is now wholly occupied by members of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

 

This  follows the defection of six Lawmakers who were elected to the Assembly on the platform of the embattled Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling  APC.

 

With this development, the 26-member Legislature is now entirely made up of APC lawmakers.

 

It would be recalled that after the 2023 elections, the APC secured 17 Seats in the Assembly, while the PDP won Nine constituencies.

 

Five months after their inauguration into the 10th Assembly, precisely in November 2023, the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos nullified the election of Babajide Owoduni of the PDP who represented Ikenne State Constituency.

 

The Court, subsequently, declared Kunle Sobukola of the APC the winner of the March 18 State Assembly election in the constituency.

 

The verdict reduced the number of PDP lawmakers from Nine to Eight.

 

In 2025, two PDP Lawmakers, Rasheed Kashamu (Ijebu North I)  and Lukman Atobatele (Abeokuta South I), defected to the APC, leaving six members in the party.

 

The remaining six PDP lawmakers have now joined the APC, giving the party full control of the Assembly.

 

The defectors include Lukman Adeleye (Odogbolu), the Minority Leader; Bello Oluwadamilare (Sagamu I); Lawal Samusideen (Ogun Waterside); Adesanya Oluseun Samuel (Ijebu North-East); Owode Waliu Ifedolapo (Ijebu East); and Dickson Kolawole Awolaja (Remo North).

 

It was gathered that the defecting PDP lawmakers reportedly attended the recently concluded APC National Convention in Abuja, where they formalised their defection to the APC fold.

“False, Mischievous,  I Have Not Resigned  From Politics” – Atiku

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar



By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed claims suggesting that he has resigned from active partisan politics.

 

This is as he alleged underhand and sinister moves aimed at undermining the African Democratic Congress,  ADC, by some vested interests.

 

The Source reports that there  have been widespread speculations suggesting that Atiku, one of the prominent progenitors of the ADC, and a Presidential hopeful, has abandoned his ambition, as well as quit active politics.

 

According to reports, the former Vice President was said to have disclosed his resignation from active partisan politics at an ADC stakeholders parley recently.

 

However, while denying the alleged retirement, the Atiku Media office, in a statement on Monday, March 30, 2026, accused the Federal Government and its hirelings of being behind the spread of such rumours.

 

According to the team, the  ultimate aim is to distabilize the ADC and undermine the capacity of the opposition camp to challenge the unpopular administration at the centre.

 

The Media team emphasized that Atiku, in recent times, has never held any gathering with any ADC stakeholders or  group, describing the purported resignation claims as not only false, but misleading and mischievous.

 

“The only recent engagement he (Atiku) had was with stakeholders of the ADC in Adamawa State last Thursday.

 

“An issue as fundamental and consequential as exiting active politics cannot, and would never be communicated through rumours, faceless sources, or third-party fabrication. Such a decision, if ever taken, would be formally conveyed through the Atiku Media Office.

 

“This latest falsehood bears all the hallmarks of a coordinated disinformation campaign designed to create confusion, dampen momentum, and mislead the Nigerian public” Atiku’s Media office stated.

 

The statement alleged that only the Government and its agents who are desperately looking for ways to cling to power, amidst rejection by the people, could have sponsored such an unfounded and baseless rhetorics.

 

This is as it called on all supporters of the former Vice President ,as well as those of the ADC to disregard the false narrative of his resignation from active partisan politics.

Plateau Shootings: Police Confirms 14 Deaths, Leaders Insist  27

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nigerian Police

 

By Ayodele Oni 

 

Death toll from the sporadic shootings by  terrorists on a motorcycle in Plateau State, Sunday evening, has been put at 14.

 

Some community leaders have disputed police claim insisting that not less than 27 persons were  killed.

 

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed on Monday that 14 people were killed when gunmen attacked the area at about 8:30 p.m. 

 

According to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, an initial 12 victims — 10 men and two women — died at the scene, while two additional bodies were recovered during a search operation on Monday morning.

 

Alabo said security operatives combed nearby bushes while pursuing the attackers, who fled after the assault. 

 

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah, led a team of senior officers and tactical units to the community alongside other security agencies to restore calm.

 

Authorities say joint operations are ongoing to track down the perpetrators, with intensified efforts aimed at making arrests. The bodies of the victims have been deposited in a mortuary, and investigations are continuing.

 

However, community leaders dispute the official figures, describing the toll as significantly higher. 

 

Barrister Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, said at least 27 people were feared dead.

 

Mwantiri claimed that 14 victims were killed on the spot, while 13 others later succumbed to injuries in hospital. He noted that the bodies had been returned to the community.

 

Condemning the attack, the youth leader described it as another tragic incident in a series of recurring security challenges in the state. He called on authorities to ensure those responsible are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.

 

Police have appealed to residents to provide credible information that could assist in ongoing investigations.

 

The people had earlier Monday morning defied the 24 hours curfew imposed by the state government to protest against the killings, insisting that curfew cannot solve the prevailing security situation.

 

Joyce Lohya Ramnap, Commissioner for Information and Communication, had in a statement, stated that “The Plateau State Government in conjunction with security agencies wishes to inform the general public of the imposition of a 48 hour curfew within Jos North Local government Area with immediate effect,commencing from 12 midnight of 29th March, to 1st April, 2026.

 

‎”The government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang strongly condemns this barbaric and unprovoked attack on innocent citizens and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

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