The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has declared that a coalition involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai and other political figures could deliver a swift and decisive victory over President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 presidential election.


The party predicts that such a coalition could conclude the election by 1 pm on election day, provided key conditions are met.

Hon. Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, told Vanguard in Abuja on Monday that the success of the coalition hinges on genuine commitment, unity, and the ability to harness widespread public discontent.

He emphasised that Atiku and Obi’s combined vote count of over 13 million in the 2023 election, compared to Tinubu’s 8 million, demonstrates the potential strength of a united opposition.

“If these talks are pursued sincerely and reach a logical conclusion, and if ego doesn’t get in the way among these gentlemen; Atiku, Obi, and El-Rufai, then Nigeria could indeed be looking at a winning team.

“If Atiku and Obi truly commit to this alliance, as it appears they are already doing, and with El-Rufai also playing his part, I don’t believe Nigerians would be opposed to such a coalition ticket.

“Ultimately, this would be a case of Nigerians versus Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC,” Osadolor said.

The PDP NEC member highlighted the rising levels of hunger, insecurity, frustration, and depression across Nigeria as critical factors that could drive voters to support the coalition.

The party chieftain argued that Nigerians are eager to remove the APC from power, citing historical precedents such as the ousting of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.


Zamfara APC demands immediate arrest of PDP women leader over alleged threats
“Let’s not forget: less than four years ago, these two gentlemen together received over 13 million votes, compared to the 8 million votes INEC allocated to Bola Ahmed Tinubu.


“So, if they join forces again, given the rising levels of hunger, insecurity, frustration, and depression in the country, I don’t see why they couldn’t conclude the election by 1pm on election day,” he stated.

The PDP leader also criticised the APC’s counter-strategies, including the release of funds to state governors for political patronage, as evidence of mismanagement and corruption.

He stated that such actions only deepen public anger and motivate Nigerians to vote against the ruling party.

“My response to that is simple: kudos to the federal government. Let them keep releasing more funds. After all, the money doesn’t belong to them; it belongs to the Nigerian people.

“So, the more they release, the more it highlights the heartlessness with which they treat public trust and public funds.

“No serious country hands out money for political patronage the way this government is doing. And let’s be clear; the political class makes up less than 10% of the Nigerian population.

“So how do you justify to the remaining 90% that this small group is misappropriating vast, almost unimaginable sums in naira and dollars, money meant for every Nigerian, born or unborn,” Osadolor asked.

For the coalition to succeed, Osadolor stressed the need for effective mobilisation and campaigning, particularly among the youth and marginalised groups.

He called on all stakeholders to set aside personal ambitions and work together to present a clear alternative to the APC.

“The more they do this, the more they infuriate right-thinking Nigerians and motivate them to vote the APC out quickly. I encourage the President to continue on this path, so that Nigerians remain determined to remove him in 2027.

“In fact, what the President should be doing at this point is compiling a list of his life’s achievements and finding a quiet vacation place to retire to, saving himself the humiliation that awaits him at the ballot box,” he added.

The PDP chieftain emphasised that with the right strategy and unity, the coalition could mark the end of the APC’s reign and usher in a new era for the country.

Canada has introduced stricter rules in its Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), raising concerns among skilled foreign workers, including many Nigerians, who now face greater risks of deportation due to tighter hiring conditions.

Under the new regulations, employers must raise wages for high-skilled foreign hires to at least 20% above the regional median wage.

Companies can now only fill a maximum of 10% of low-wage roles with foreign workers.

These reforms, which took effect between September and November 2024, are designed to prioritise Canadian citizens for available jobs.

The government has also reclassified an estimated 34,000 positions from the high-wage to the low-wage stream, exposing more foreign workers to stricter oversight, fewer benefits, and increased job insecurity.

Many employers, particularly in sectors like hospitality, construction, and agriculture, said the changes are forcing them to scale back foreign hires or avoid renewing contracts due to rising labour costs.

For temporary foreign workers, this means expiring permits without renewal and limited options to secure new qualifying job offers, both of which can lead to deportation.

The caps and wage hikes are also reshaping Canada’s reputation as a top destination for skilled international talents.

Critics warned the policies may deter future applicants, disrupt travel and seasonal employment sectors, and trigger a loss of much-needed labour.

While the Canadian government insisted the reforms protect domestic employment, businesses and migrant advocacy groups are urging for a more balanced approach that recognizes the vital role foreign workers play in sustaining the country’s economy.

The United Kingdom (UK), France and Canada have warned Israel against full military occupation of Gaza.

The warning was in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel’s statement on Sunday that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) would commence full occupation of Gaza until Hamas releases all Israeli victims.

 

In a joint statement on Monday, signed by Emmanuel Macron of France, Keir Starmer of the UK and Mark Carney of Canada, the leaders said they would not be silent and allow Netanyahu’s plan.

 

Naija News reports that the statement published by Canada’s Prime Minister, Carney, on his X handle, condemned Israel’s insensitivity to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Starmer, Macron and Carney said they would resist and stop any full military occupation of Gaza by Israel’s IDF.

It read: “We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate. We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. This must include engaging with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles. We call on Hamas to release immediately the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held since 7 October 2023.

The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.

Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.

We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.

We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank. Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.  We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.

 

We strongly support the efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It is a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term political solution that offer the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, ending Hamas’ control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution, consistent with the goals of the 18 June conference in New York co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. These negotiations need to succeed, and we must all work towards the implementation of a two-state solution, which is the only way to bring long-lasting peace and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve and ensure long-term stability in the region.

We will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority, regional partners, Israel and the United States to finalize consensus on arrangements for Gaza’s future, building on the Arab plan. We affirm the important role of the High-level Two-State Solution Conference at the UN in June in building international consensus around this aim. And we are committed to recognizing a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution and are prepared to work with others to this end.”

[NaijaNews]

Many people were feared dead on Monday following another tragic accident that occurred on the Karu Bridge, along the Nyanya-Keffi road in Abuja on Monday.

An eyewitness account revealed that the unfortunate crash was caused by a trailer and a vehicle conveying sachet water, popularly referred to as pure water, 24 hours after a terrible accident involving about seven cars claimed innocent lives at the same spot.

Emergency agencies reportedly turned up at the scene, but the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

The collision led to a heavy traffic gridlock on the usually busy route, with emergency services working to rescue victims and clear the obstruction.

The Guardian reports that last month, at least two accidents took place around the Karu Bridge, resulting in the deaths of several persons.

[Guardian]

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign, says there is nothing wrong in Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi meeting for talks.

On Monday, there were reports that Abubakar’s campaign team was offering Obi a running mate role ahead of the 2027 vote.

Obi was Abubakar’s vice-presidential pick in the 2019 election on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform. They lost the election to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Arise Television on Monday, Okonkwo said it is typical of politicians to negotiate and discuss at every turn.

“In politics, candidates have the choice to get into their own discussion and negotiation. My own take is that whoever believes he is qualified to be president should submit himself for a free and fair primary election,” he said.

“The toughness of the primaries will determine who has the capacity to face the tough challenge in the general election.

“I’m not in the league of people trying to persuade anybody to step down for anybody; that should be the decision of the candidate himself. So whatever Atiku and Obi are discussing should be left to them.”

Okonkwo also highlighted the need for opposition unity ahead of the next election.

He said a divided opposition in 2023 handed the presidency reins to the APC on a platter.

Okonkwo urged opposition parties to form coalitions that would offer Nigerians viable alternatives.

“The way forward is that the opposition should come together in a coalition, and when they come together, they would give Nigerians the alternatives in integrity, character and knowledge,” he said.

“The opposition must come together, set their houses in order and then take out this government that has become a scourge on the Nigerian people. There is a saying that your biggest teacher is your last mistake.

“In 2023, the opposition made a mistake of dividing itself, and a minority party that got about 37 percent of the votes now became the ruling party.”

Nigerians have continued to express frustration over the rising cost of living since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office.

Many lament that the prices of basic commodities and essential services have doubled—or in some cases, tripled—without any sign of relief in sight.

 
 

In the last one year, different federal agencies have increased the costs of obtaining essential government-issued documents, including international passports, driver’s licences, vehicle number plates and corrections to National Identification Number (NIN) data.

These increments are often justified by government agencies as “adjustments to reflect operational costs.”

These developments, many say, are placing an unbearable burden on the average citizen, already struggling with stagnant incomes, unemployment, and inflation.

Despite the increased fees, applicants also face long wait times and bureaucracy, deepening frustration among citizens who rely on these documents for travel, banking, and access to digital services.

Obtaining essential documents such as international passports and driver’s licences has become notoriously difficult, with processing times often stretching into weeks or even months despite full payment.

Many Nigerians, who lamented the high cost in obtaining these documents, alleged that some officials exploit the delays to run rackets, prioritising issuance for the highest bidders.

passport, data
passport, data

Revised fees for services

One of the most pressing concerns is the skyrocketing price of petrol. In May 2023, the price of petrol stood at N195 per litre.

By October 2024, it had surged to N1,030, marking an increase of about 488 per cent.

Although the price currently hovers around N910 to N930 at NNPC retail outlets, depending on the location, the spike has had a cascading effect on transportation, food prices, and other essential goods and services across the country.

Equally alarming is the hike in electricity tariffs. In April 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved a 240 per cent increase for Band A customers.

This saw electricity rates shoot up from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N225 per kilowatt-hour. The government argues that the increment is necessary to ensure improved service delivery and sustainability in the power sector.

Similarly, the telecommunications services have also become more expensive.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50 per cent increase in tariffs following requests from telecom operators who cited rising operational costs.

The average cost of calls rose from N11 to N16.5 per minute, while the price of 1GB of data jumped from N287.50 to N431.25. SMS charges were also increased from N4 to N6.

Presently, the minimum cost for a monthly data subscription across major network providers such as MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile is N1,000, a development that has hit students, small business owners, and digital entrepreneurs particularly hard.

In the transport sector, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in collaboration with the Joint Tax Board, recently announced a revised fee structure for driver’s licenses and vehicle number plates, effective from June 8, 2025.

The standard private and commercial vehicle number plates now cost N30,000, up from the previous N18,750. Fancy number plates now cost N400,000, double the old price of N200,000.

Articulated vehicle plates have increased from N30,000 to N90,000, while motorcycle plates rose from N5,000 to N12,000.

The cost of obtaining a standard three-year driver’s license now stands at N15,000, up from N10,000, while the five-year option increased from N15,000 to N21,000.

Similarly, obtaining or modifying a National Identity Number (NIN) has become more expensive. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) increased the fee for correcting date of birth information on its database from N16,340 to N28,574, a 75 per cent rise.

Other forms of data modification, such as changes to names or addresses, now attract a fee of N2,000 per transaction, up from N1,522. Reissuance of the NIN slip now costs N600, up from N500.

NIMC says the price review, coming after over a decade, is meant to align with current operational costs and industry standards.

The Nigerian Immigration Service also reviewed the cost of international passports upward. The 32-page booklet with a five-year validity now costs N50,000, up from N35,000, while the 64-page booklet with a ten-year validity rose from N70,000 to N100,000.

In an official statement, the Immigration Service said the adjustment was necessary to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport.

This means that Nigerians have witnessed increases in the cost of essential services and commodities, with petrol prices soaring by 488%, electricity tariffs up by 240%, telecom charges rising by 50%, vehicle number plate fees climbing as high as 200%, NIN modification costs increasing by up to 75%, and international passport fees jumping by over 42%, a wave of hikes that has deepened the financial strain on ordinary citizens nationwide.

The government insists that these changes are part of broader economic reforms aimed at reducing subsidies and enhancing service efficiency.

But citizens said the rising costs of essential services are coming at a time when many Nigerian workers are still struggling to earn a living wage.

Nigerians lament soaring prices of commodities, services

Speaking to Daily Trust, citizens from various walks of life described how the worsening economic conditions have severely impacted their ability to afford daily necessities and essential services.

Mohammed Auwal, a postgraduate student, said the prices of almost every commodity have surged and become unaffordable.

“Whenever we think of President Tinubu, the first thing that comes to mind is the cost of commodities and services. Many things have become unaffordable, from school fees to food and other basic needs.

“As a student, the increase in school fees has affected me badly. I now have to go the extra mile just to raise money to pay my fees,” he said.

Josephine Joseph, a hospitality manager, said the situation has forced her to change her daily lifestyle.

“Prices of commodities choke. You can’t even compare this to previous governments. There are many things I can no longer afford. You can’t even get N1,000 meat. The least you can get in my area is N1,500. Pepper starts from N500,” she said.

Halima Abba Waziri noted that the continuous increase in food prices is affecting households nationwide.

“People are struggling to afford basic necessities. A bag of rice or even a pack of spaghetti is now a luxury. The money I used to buy one pack of semovita can buy four packs back then. The economy is not encouraging, and there is no hope of change anytime soon,” she said.

Zainab Yetunde said that while the cost of living keeps rising, salaries have remained the same.

“The prices keep increasing despite the implementation of the minimum wage. It’s not easy. I now save money before making purchases and have to prioritise everything. I no longer have any savings,” she said.

Fatimah Sagir, a mother of school-age children, expressed her distress over the rising cost of living, saying she can no longer afford essential items for her children, let alone deal with the cost of services.

“I used to buy data regularly, but I’ve had to stop because of the cost. Everything has gone up; we simply can’t keep up anymore,” she lamented.

“Since the present administration came in, there have been a lot of changes in almost all areas of economic and social life. Prices have increased by almost 40 per cent,” said Okeke Chima.

“The cost of renewing car license has gone up, cost of passport. I cannot afford anything anymore,” he said.

Tinuke Abiola, from Osun State, said her drivers’ license has expired and she cannot renew it because she does not have the money to do so. “I have a lot of expenses I am dealing with. I cannot add this to my budget for now,” she said.

Adamu Abdullahi from Niger, expressed concern that in the two years of this administration, all Nigerians have witnessed is a hike in essential services. He lamented that there has been no respite from any quarters.  “When are we going to start reaping the benefits of these reforms”, he asked.

They called on the government to urgently address the rising cost of services, as the economic hardship continues to take a toll on the population, particularly low-income earners.

New minimum wage unrealistic – Expert

Dr. Yusha’u Aliyu, a member of the Institute of Professional Economists and Policy Management, attributes the rising cost of basic services in Nigeria to a combination of inflationary trends and a series of harsh economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration since 2023.

He said, “The economy is suffering from stagflation, an unusual combination of high unemployment and high inflation, which has eroded the purchasing power of individuals and affected overall living standards.”

Dr. Aliyu noted that the current economic reality in Nigeria has rendered workers’ wages largely unrealistic and inadequate. He argues that the combination of steep price hikes in essential services and aggressive government reforms has significantly eroded the value of wages, even with the recent increase in the national minimum wage.

“In theory, increasing the wage rate should improve workers’ consumption capacity, but in Nigeria’s current economic climate, that logic doesn’t hold,” Dr. Aliyu stated, noting that many workers still earn the old N30,000 minimum wage, while even those in federal institutions who receive the new N70,000 wage find it hard to keep up with daily expenses. “The cost of food, electricity, transportation, telecommunications, and even basic identification services like passport renewal or NIN modification has shot up dramatically”, he noted.

Dr. Aliyu emphasised that the wage increment has not translated into improved living conditions or consumption patterns. “What we see is that despite the wage increase, workers are consuming fewer goods and services than before. Their purchasing power is shrinking because inflation continues to rise faster than income,” he said.

While defending the rationale behind some of the policy decisions, Dr. Aliyu emphasised that the timing and simultaneity of the reforms have deepened economic distress. “Policies like the removal of fuel subsidies, floating of the naira, and a hike in the monetary policy rate were implemented almost simultaneously, leading to a cascading effect on the prices of commodities and services,” he explained. He likened this to planting and harvesting crops out of season, suggesting that the natural sequencing of policies was ignored.

He noted that the removal of the PMS subsidy and the depreciation of the naira drastically raised transport and logistics costs, which in turn inflated prices across the board, from passports and driver’s licenses to telecom tariffs and electricity. “The reforms were economically necessary, but their clustered implementation without corresponding buffers for vulnerable populations has made them socially unfair,” he added.

He said that although the policies may yield long-term benefits, their short-term consequences are severe. For Nigeria to reverse its inflationary trend, Dr. Aliyu recommended ramping up local refining capacity, stabilising the naira, halting further hikes in borrowing costs, among others.

[DailyTrust]

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says the country’s banking sector remains resilient and safe.

In a statement on Monday, Hakama Sidi-Ali, acting director of corporate communications at the CBN, dismissed recent media and online reports suggesting instability in the operations of “a regulated financial institution”.


The apex bank described the reports as misleading and urged the public to disregard unverified claims.


“The CBN wishes to categorically reassure the public, depositors, and stakeholders that the Nigerian banking sector remains resilient, safe, and sound,” the statement reads.

“Like all other regulated institutions, the institution referenced in these reports is held to stringent regulatory requirements, and there is no cause for concern regarding the safety of depositors’ funds.”

The regulator said strong supervisory mechanisms are in place to safeguard the financial system, including frameworks for early warning signals and risk-based supervision.


The bank said the tools would help identify and address potential issues before they escalate.

It also cautioned against the spread of sensational information, encouraging Nigerians to rely only on official sources for updates on the banking sector.


“We urge the public to disregard sensational or unverified claims and rely solely on official channels for information about the financial system,” CBN added.

The CBN reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a secure and stable financial environment, pledging to continue evolving its regulatory strategies to protect depositors and the wider financial ecosystem.

“The CBN remains dedicated to fostering a secure banking environment where depositors can be fully confident in the safety of their funds,” the bank said.

The apex bank also promised to continue to monitor and adapt strategies to safeguard the financial interests of all Nigerians and stakeholders in the financial system.

Human rights lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has faulted the proposed bill seeking to make voting mandatory in Nigeria, stating that he would rather be imprisoned than obey such a law.

Agbakoba, who made this declaration on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television on Monday, condemned the attempt of the National Assembly to enforce compulsory voting, arguing that it fails to address the root causes of voter apathy in the country.

“Look at the ridiculous one in the National Assembly about voting being compulsory. If that bill were to pass, I would say, ‘Agbakoba, we will not obey it.’ I’ll plead conscientious objection. I’d rather go to prison for six months than to obey it,” he said.

The senior lawyer questioned the rationale behind the bill, saying, “Why would the National Assembly want to impose compulsory voting? Why don’t they reverse the question and say, Why are Nigerians not interested? What is the apathy about?”

According to him, voter disengagement stems from years of exclusion and unfulfilled political promises, not a lack of civic responsibility, adding that exclusion is at the heart of Nigeria’s democratic failure.

The rights lawyer, while looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, maintained that he has noticed a troubling pattern, warning that democracy in Nigeria cannot succeed if it continues to serve only a select elite.

When asked whether the real issue is the attractiveness of public office and the consistent failure of leadership, Agbakoba restated that Nigeria’s political failure is the core reason behind low voter turnout.

DAILY POST reports that the bill, which. scaled second reading in the House of Representatives, seeks to mandate voting for all Nigerians of eligible age in national and state elections.

The bill is jointly sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and a Labour Party lawmaker, Daniel Asama Ago.

[DailyPost]

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disqualified six registered athletes from competing at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun.

In a statement on Tuesday by Kehinde Ajayi, NSC media director, the commission said the athletes’ disqualification was due to “doping issues”, which is “in line with global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency ( WADA) code.”

The disqualified athletes are Ogunsemilore Cynthia representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing, Omole Dolapo Joshua representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing, Ayabeke David Opeyemi representing Bayelsa state in Gymnastics, Kareem Shukurat representing Lagos state in kickboxing and Animashaun Sofia representing Lagos state in para powerlifting.

Bukola Olopade, the director-general of NSC, advised all the participating states to take note of this and reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that every athlete competes very clean.

“The issue of anti-doping is one important mandate of the Commission to ensure that Nigeria is devoid of drug problems at both domestic and international competitions,” he said.

“We are happy now that the National anti-doping law has finally been passed by our Sports-loving President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the ripple effect of such a landmark feat must swiftly be felt in our Sports, starting with the current Sports Festival.”

The 22nd National Sports Festival holds in Ogun state from May 16 to 30.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have reportedly arrested an alleged notorious bandit and kidnapper in Sokoto during the screening of intending Muslim pilgrims.

According to Daily Trust, the suspect, identified as Sani Galadi, was arrested on Monday at Sultan Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto, after he was trailed by the operatives.

The arrest comes about 24 hours after security forces nabbed a suspected bandit and kidnapper at the hajj camp in Abuja.


A source at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) told TheCable that the suspect, identified as Yahaya Zango, is linked to multiple kidnapping incidents in Abuja and Kogi.

TheCable learnt that Zango was arrested by security operatives, including the DSS, on Sunday during the screening of intending pilgrims.

On May 12, NAHCON completed the airlift of intending pilgrims in four states to Saudi Arabia, while 64,188 Nigerians are expected to take part in this year’s pilgrimage.

There has been an uptick in violent attacks in the northern part of the country, with military bases not spared.

On Friday, Christopher Musa, the chief of defence staff, said the military has procured new equipment to strengthen efforts against insecurity, including the resurgence of insurgent attacks.

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