Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has emerged as the new National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, pledging to reposition the party as a credible alternative to Nigeria’s dominant political forces.

In a statement following his election, Baba-Ahmed expressed appreciation to party members for entrusting him with the leadership role.

“Yesterday, my brothers and members of the PRP party elected me as the National Chairman of the party. I am grateful for the trust and confidence they have placed in me,” he said.

He used the opportunity to call on Nigerians—especially those disillusioned with the current state of the nation—to rally behind the PRP.

“Our PRP party is inviting good people those who fear God and are seeking solutions to the situation our country is in to join PRP. Our country is in a very bad condition, especially in the North,” he added.

The new chairman took a swipe at the country’s major political parties, accusing their leaders of prioritising power over the welfare of citizens.

“Our current leaders and their associates in the two or three major parties are not seeking solutions for the common people. What they want is power so they can continue to ruin our lives,” he said.

He further criticised the political class, alleging a shared pattern of self-interest.

“They are all the same, same origin, same behavior, same intentions. All they want is power,” he stated.

Baba-Ahmed urged Nigerians to support the PRP’s vision, insisting that the country’s challenges can be addressed with the right leadership.

“We are asking for your trust and support. Nigeria can be fixed, God willing, but only if we reject the oppressors,” he said.

Appealing to citizens committed to justice and accountability, he called for collective action to reshape the country’s political future.

“We invite God-fearing and responsible people who care about protecting the rights of the common people to join PRP so we can work together,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria’s lingering problems are the result of deliberate manipulation by political actors.

“People must first understand the traps set for us by politicians. Instead of seeking solutions, they divide us and set us against each other, while they sit comfortably enjoying our wealth,” he stated.

Reaffirming the party’s stance, he said PRP members are driven by sincerity rather than personal ambition.

“We in PRP are sincere. If we were only after positions or wealth, we would have already joined APC, ADC or PDP,” he said.

He concluded on a note of optimism, expressing confidence that Nigeria can be transformed with public backing.

“Trust us. God knows our intentions, and by His will, we will change Nigeria,” he said.

Nigeria’s National Assembly of Nigeria has approved a N68.3 trillion 2026 budget, significantly expanding the country’s fiscal plan and placing the weight of funding and execution squarely on the Federal Government.

The passage, which came three months after Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the proposal, represents about a 17 per cent increase on the initial estimate and over 24 per cent above the N54.99 trillion 2025 budget.

If assented to promptly, Nigeria’s fiscal cycle may shift to an April–March framework, raising further questions about adherence to budget discipline following delays that saw the 2025 budget only partially implemented by September.

The expanded budget underscores mounting fiscal pressures, with analysts warning that the deficit could climb as high as N34–35 trillion, driven by historically weak revenue performance and rising expenditure commitments.

A key component of the adjustment is the inclusion of N5.71 trillion in legacy capital obligations rolled over from 2025, alongside new spending aimed at accelerating infrastructure delivery and completing ongoing projects.

Despite the ambitious outlook, concerns persist over fiscal sustainability, especially as the government projects a deficit-to-revenue ratio of about 70 per cent—considered high for an economy already burdened by significant debt.

The Senate described the document as a “budget of consolidation,” insisting the increase followed due legislative scrutiny and was necessary to address funding gaps and emerging national priorities.

Speaking on the development, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Olamilekan Adeola, stated that the process was transparent and guided by formal executive requests.

He noted that the revised plan aligns with the administration’s reform agenda, adding that lawmakers ensured all additions were properly justified to avoid disruption to government operations.

The fiscal framework allocates N32.29 trillion to capital expenditure, N15.43 trillion to recurrent spending, N15.81 trillion to debt servicing, and N4.8 trillion to statutory transfers, making it one of Nigeria’s largest budgets on record.

To fund the plan, the government is banking on increased oil revenues, tax reforms, and external borrowing estimated at over N6 trillion, even as projections indicate that total public debt could approach N200 trillion.

While the government maintains that the budget will drive infrastructure expansion and economic growth, critics argue that rising debt levels and persistent revenue shortfalls could undermine its implementation.

In a related move, lawmakers also approved an extension of the 2025 capital budget implementation to June 30, in a bid to ensure completion of ongoing projects.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned Nadabo Energy Limited’s CEO, Abubakar Ali Peters, over an alleged N1.4 billion fuel subsidy fraud dating back to 2012.

Peters was brought before Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, following the reassignment of the long-running case after the retirement of the previous trial judge.

The anti-graft agency slammed the defendant and his company with 27 counts bordering on fraud, forgery, and obtaining funds under false pretences through the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF).

According to the prosecution, Nadabo Energy allegedly secured about N978.4 million from the Federal Government in April 2012 by falsely claiming subsidy payments for the importation of 19.4 million litres of petrol from a Swiss firm.

However, investigations by the EFCC revealed that only about 6.5 million litres were actually imported, exposing a wide discrepancy between declared and verified volumes.

The commission further alleged that forged documents, including a marine insurance certificate purportedly issued by Staco Insurance Plc, were used to support the inflated claims.

Peters pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.
Following his plea, prosecuting counsel S.K. Atteh urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant, but the defence opposed the move, citing that Peters had been on bail since December 2012 and had consistently complied with court conditions.

Ruling on the application, Justice Ijelu ordered that the defendant should continue on his existing bail, while directing his sureties to reappear and reaffirm their commitments at the next hearing.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to May 19, 20, and 21 for trial commencement.

The case, which has dragged on for over a decade, is part of a broader crackdown on alleged abuses in Nigeria’s fuel subsidy regime, a sector long plagued by claims of fraud, inflated import figures, and forged documentation.

Earlier proceedings saw testimonies from investigators and key witnesses, including former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa, who pointed to inconsistencies in shipping and financial records tied to the subsidy claims.

At one stage, a former defence counsel described the defendant as “a threat to national security” and sought to withdraw from the case, alleging attempts to frustrate the trial.

Despite multiple legal battles and interlocutory appeals—including a dismissed appeal at the Court of Appeal in 2018—the case has continued to move through Nigeria’s judicial process, with the prosecution insisting it has sufficient evidence to secure conviction.

Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, has resigned from office in compliance with a presidential directive requiring political appointees seeking elective positions to step down.

His exit was confirmed in a statement issued by his media aide, paving the way for his governorship ambition in Gombe State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

In his resignation letter, Alkali expressed gratitude to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, highlighting what he described as notable achievements in the transportation sector during his tenure.

“I am deeply grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the privilege to serve our great nation. As I step down, I do so with a sense of fulfilment over the progress recorded in the transportation sector, and with renewed determination to continue serving the people in a greater capacity,” he said.

The presidency has accepted his resignation and commended his service, according to the statement.

Alkali’s departure signals the beginning of what is expected to be a keenly contested governorship race in Gombe, as political realignments gather momentum ahead of the elections.

His resignation follows a similar move by Yusuf Tuggar, who also stepped down to pursue the governorship of Bauchi State, reinforcing a growing trend among cabinet members eyeing elective offices.

Governor Bala Mohammed has revealed plans to dump the Peoples Democratic Party and align with the African Democratic Congress, citing deepening internal divisions within his current party.

The Bauchi State governor made the disclosure after a closed-door meeting with an ADC delegation led by Babachir Lawal at the Government House.

According to him, repeated efforts to resolve the lingering crisis in the PDP have failed, prompting the move to seek a more stable political platform ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“We are very conscious of the timeline we are finalising this move by Thursday so that we can be able to be on the same page and not excluded from participation,” he said.

Explaining why he ruled out the ruling All Progressives Congress, the governor noted that he and his political allies were neither courted nor welcomed by the party.

“We are not wanted in the APC because we are not being approached. We tried to get there, but certainly, most of the people around us prefer ADC and or other parties than APC,” he stated.

He added that joining an opposition platform appears to be a more strategic and acceptable option at this stage.

“If they said we should go to the APC, we will go but I think the preference is to go to the opposition party,” he said.

“As of now, ADC appears to be a very welcoming and acceptable platform. However, we have not concluded discussions. We are engaging stakeholders to ensure we do not make mistakes,” he added.

Mohammed also blamed the protracted crisis in the PDP on both internal disagreements and external interference, alleging that Nyesom Wike has played a role in deepening divisions within the party.

He disclosed that he had held consultations with key political actors, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a bid to find a resolution, but the situation remains unresolved.

Earlier, the visiting delegation said the move is part of a broader strategy by the ADC, under the leadership of David Mark, to consolidate opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections and offer Nigerians an alternative political direction.

Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has declared that the African Democratic Congress is poised to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing emerging opposition alliances and voting trends from the last poll.

Melaye, in a social media post, described recent defections into the ADC as a sign that Nigeria’s “redemption” is near, particularly pointing to the move by Rabiu Kwankwaso from the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

He argued that Kwankwaso’s strong voter base—especially in Kano—combined with a potential coalition involving Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, could tilt the balance against the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Backing his claim with figures from the 2023 election, Melaye noted that Kwankwaso secured 997,279 votes in Kano State alone—more than the total votes polled by Tinubu across 11 states, including Bayelsa, Delta, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo.

He further stressed that opposition candidates—Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso—collectively garnered 14.5 million votes, representing about 64 per cent, compared to Tinubu’s 8.7 million votes, or 36 per cent.

“Do you know that the opposition votes, that is, Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso, polled 14,582,740, representing about 64%, while Tinubu got 8,794,726, representing about 36%?

“Do you know that in the 2023 elections, Tinubu won in 12 states while the opposition won in 25 states, including the FCT?” he said.

Despite the APC currently controlling 31 states through its governors, Melaye argued that such dominance does not necessarily translate to electoral victory, recalling that the party controlled 22 states before the 2023 election but won only 12.

He maintained that with more time to organise ahead of 2027, opposition forces have a stronger chance of consolidating their gains.

“Well, the moving of Kwankwaso to join Atiku, Peter Obi, Dino Melaye, (Rotimi) Ameachi, Nasir El-Rufai, Malami, Rauf (Aregbesola), Kashim Imam and SIA (Senator Ibikunle Amosun) in ADC is not just a mere political alignment but a political earthquake.

“These are empirical evidence, numbers not just rhetorics and social media wishy wishy,” he stated.
“Redemption is here,” he concluded.

Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has declared that the African Democratic Congress is poised to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing emerging opposition alliances and voting trends from the last poll.

Melaye, in a social media post, described recent defections into the ADC as a sign that Nigeria’s “redemption” is near, particularly pointing to the move by Rabiu Kwankwaso from the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

He argued that Kwankwaso’s strong voter base—especially in Kano—combined with a potential coalition involving Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, could tilt the balance against the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Backing his claim with figures from the 2023 election, Melaye noted that Kwankwaso secured 997,279 votes in Kano State alone—more than the total votes polled by Tinubu across 11 states, including Bayelsa, Delta, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo.

He further stressed that opposition candidates—Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso—collectively garnered 14.5 million votes, representing about 64 per cent, compared to Tinubu’s 8.7 million votes, or 36 per cent.

“Do you know that the opposition votes, that is, Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso, polled 14,582,740, representing about 64%, while Tinubu got 8,794,726, representing about 36%?

“Do you know that in the 2023 elections, Tinubu won in 12 states while the opposition won in 25 states, including the FCT?” he said.

Despite the APC currently controlling 31 states through its governors, Melaye argued that such dominance does not necessarily translate to electoral victory, recalling that the party controlled 22 states before the 2023 election but won only 12.

He maintained that with more time to organise ahead of 2027, opposition forces have a stronger chance of consolidating their gains.

“Well, the moving of Kwankwaso to join Atiku, Peter Obi, Dino Melaye, (Rotimi) Ameachi, Nasir El-Rufai, Malami, Rauf (Aregbesola), Kashim Imam and SIA (Senator Ibikunle Amosun) in ADC is not just a mere political alignment but a political earthquake.

“These are empirical evidence, numbers not just rhetorics and social media wishy wishy,” he stated.
“Redemption is here,” he concluded.