The management and staff of NNPC Limited have welcomed the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bayo Ojulari, and the Board of Directors.

The PUNCH reports that President Bola Tinubu appointed Ojulari to replace Mele Kyari in the early hours of Wednesday while also restructuring the NNPCL board.

A statement by the company’s spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, on Wednesday, said the management and staff of the NNPCL thanked Kyari and the former board members for their services to the company.

“We extend our profound appreciation to the outgoing GCEO, Mr Mele Kyari, and the former Board Members for their selfless and dedicated service to the company and to the nation.

“Mr Kyari’s leadership and tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on NNPC Ltd., and we are sincerely grateful for his outstanding contributions.

“We wish him and all departing Board Members continued success and fulfilment in their future endeavours,” the statement read.

Ojulari’s appointment takes immediate effect.

Thirty-five states voted N214 billion for local security outfits, defence initiatives, and the purchase of arms and equipment in their 2025 budget, The PUNCH reports.

Despite the substantial funding allocated to eliminate insecurity, no fewer than 367 individuals have been killed during Yuletide and Sallah celebrations between 2019 and 2025.

The states’ budgets are contained in Open States, a BudgIT-backed website that serves as a repository of government budget data.

The massive vote, intended to bolster security nationwide, raises critical concerns about the efficacy of these measures, as citizens remain increasingly vulnerable to the tide of violence.

Although the responsibility for ensuring the safety of lives and property lies with the Federal Government, the increasing wave of kidnapping, robbery, and other forms of violence has compelled many state governors to set up their own internal security strategies to combat the menace.

However, these efforts have not yielded the desired results as criminals continue to operate with impunity, terrorising the citizens.

Last month, a total of 30 people were reportedly killed in a wave of attacks across Ondo, Benue, and Nasarawa, with the affected communities calling for urgent government intervention.

Nine surveyors were reportedly kidnapped in Ondo, while two residents were abducted, and four others suffered gun and machete wounds in Edo.

In Ondo, enraged women took to the streets of Akure recently, following the abduction of nine surveyors and the killings of villagers in the Akure North Local Government Area.

Armed assailants reportedly stormed the communities of Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun, leaving a trail of destruction and bloodshed.

Authorities recovered at least 14 bodies, while search efforts continued, with a report that 20 villagers were killed.

In Benue, violent protests erupted in Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government, after three members of the state’s Civil Protection Guards were ambushed and killed by suspected herders.

In Nasarawa State, a communal clash in the Farin Dutse community escalated into a full-blown crisis, leaving at least seven people dead, including a pregnant woman.

The conflict, which began as a dispute between local farmers and herders, quickly spiralled out of control, with houses, shops, and vehicles set ablaze.

The police have, however, arrested two suspects in connection with the violence, while patrols have been stepped up to contain the violence.

Last week, 16 men believed to be travelling hunters were brutally murdered in Uromi, Edo State.

The incident sparked a national outrage and fears of reprisals.

No fewer than 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings.

Checks revealed that in the first three months of 2025, at least 2,819 incidents of abduction were recorded, with 3,190 fatalities and 1,123 persons injured.

The incidents were recorded in 428 out of 774 local government areas.

A breakdown of the budgets showed that all the states approved the purchase of arms and security equipment.

Abia State allocated N554.58m for the purchase of security equipment and arms, signalling a commitment to enhancing its security apparatus.

Also, Adamawa State earmarked a significantly larger sum of N3.82bn for a similar purpose, marking a considerable allocation in the region.

Akwa-Ibom followed suit, setting aside N10.1bn for arms and ammunition procurement, Edo state allocated N849m while Anambra voted N2.73bn for its security needs.

Other states also made notable provisions for security, including Bauchi with N889.71m, while Bayelsa set aside N10.187bn.

Benue’s security budget stood at N1.46bn, while Ekiti and Cross River allocated N30m and N10m, respectively.

Borno’s budget for security was N1.92bn, and Delta allocated N2.84bn. Enugu saw one of the highest allocations in the Southeast, with N11.41bn dedicated to security.

Further north, Gombe’s security expenditure was pegged at N725.05m, primarily for the purchase of security equipment and funding the operations of its state defence ministry.

Imo, Governor Hope Uzodinma allocated N820.42m for its Homeland Security and Vigilance Ministry.

Jigawa and Kaduna made modest allocations of N40m and N40.74m, respectively.

Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi states also prioritized security, with Kano allocating N1.42bn, Katsina a substantial N5.28bn, and Kebbi the highest allocation among northern states with N21.81bn.

Kogi’s allocation was N11.06bn, while Kwara set aside N37m for its security operations.

In the southwest, Ogun State made a substantial provision of N4.81bn for security.

Amotekun, the regional security outfit, received a significant portion of N1.79bn, with Safe-Corps also getting N459.62m.

On the other hand, Ondo State budgeted N7.07bn, with N7.06bn going to Amotekun’s operations.

Osun and Oyo states allocated N1.525bn and N4.88bn, respectively, for security.

Plateau’s security budget was pegged at N7.36bn, while Rivers State made the largest allocation for security in 2025, with an impressive N39.82bn set aside for security equipment.

Sokoto’s security budget stood at N10.57bn, Taraba set aside N4.15bn, Yobe allocated N50m and Zamfara, N32.29bn.

President Bola Tinubu, at a security conference, said a well-governed state is better equipped to address internal challenges and should not depend on federal agencies for safety.

He averred that the sorry state of the local government system has contributed to the developmental setbacks and the country’s inability to tackle the prevailing security threats.

“Sadly, the state of our local government system in Nigeria is a cause of concern, as its degradation and incapacitation have continued significantly and have contributed significantly to our developmental setback and our inability to effectively address the prevailing national security threat.

“We find ourselves trapped in a paradoxical situation where the very areas most affected by security classes are rendered powerless and unable to mount any meaningful resistance or defence.

“Local governments are the frontline defenders against insecurity, as they are closest to the people and possess intimate knowledge of their community’s needs and challenges. This is why some are advocating for community policing as a panacea to end security challenges,” he noted.

Meanwhile, attacks on both Christian and Muslim communities have left over 367 individuals dead between 2019 and 2025 during festive periods.

The incidents occurred in Edo, Rivers, Plateau and Benue, among others.

The figures were sourced from the Nigeria Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations and media reports within the period under review.

However, the number was not definitive as many of the incidents are under-reported.

 The greatest carnage so far occurred in December 2023 when over 150 people were killed in coordinated Christmas Eve attacks in Plateau State.

In December 2024, 47 lives were lost on Christmas Day in Benue. Militants ambushed Christians returning from Christmas morning services, killing 11 people in the Kwande LGA of the state.

A few days earlier, on December 22, 2024, armed men stormed the Gidan Ado community in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving 15 people dead.

The trend of targeting Christian worshippers continued into the New Year when gunmen in Rivers State murdered at least 14 churchgoers as they returned from midnight services in January 2025.

Also, in the same month, suspected militants killed three Christians in a late-night attack on the village of Sha in Bokkos, Plateau State.

In December 2020, the Boko Haram terrorist group launched a brutal Christmas Eve attack on Chibok village in Borno State, killing 11 people and kidnapping seven others, leaving the community in shock and despair.

That same year, a Christmas music carnival in Benue turned violent when police allegedly opened fire on fun-seekers, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.

The Muslim faithful have also suffered deadly assaults, though attacks during the festive periods are uncommon.

In August 2019, the Sallah festivities were overshadowed by tragedy as 75 Shiite members lost their lives during their Ashura processions in Sokoto, Kaduna, Gombe, and Katsina State.

 On August 15, 2021, 23 people returning from a Muslim festival were killed in Jos, Plateau State.

More recently, on March 27, 2025, a mob in Uromi, Edo State, killed 16 hunters travelling to Kano for the Eid celebrations.

The President of the Ijaw Nation Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a careless speaker who could say anything under the influence of alcohol.

Prof Okaba said this in response to Wike’s claim that the Ijaws are a minority ethnic group in Nigeria.

Wike recently made a controversial comment while addressing journalists about the political crisis involving him and Siminalayi Fubara, an Ijaw man who succeeded him as governor of Rivers State.

Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Professor of Sociology dismissed Wike’s remark as a careless comment.

Prof Okaba explained that the Ijaws are among the four largest ethnic groups in Nigeria and that their territories extend beyond the country’s land areas.

He said, “The person you’re talking about (Wike) could say anything under the influence of alcohol and later debunk it; he is a very careless speaker. These are basic demographics that are well-known. Ijaws are not the fourth largest; they are one of the four largest. 

“Most times, we look at the land mass, the land mass in terms of space cannot exist outside a water space. So the boundaries of the Ijawland or may be Nigeria beyond land; it goes into the rivers. So from wherever that is a boundary of Nigeria, all that River spots belong to the Ijawland.”

Prof Okaba explained further that the Ijaws are the most populous ethnic group in the Niger Delta region, spreading across six states. 

“We are not minorities, in fact, we are the most populous and most indigenous ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta, that’s a fact that is well known. Ijaws are in six states,” he maintained.

Apart from Bayelsa State, he stated that the Ijaws are indigenous to many communities in Abia, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Rivers State, adding that Wike’s comment was a deliberate distortion of fact.

“They are in Abia. 26 communities in Abia State are indigenous Ijaw people. So we felt that was a deliberate distortion. In Delta State, we have more than four local government areas; even in Rivers State, we have 10 and a half local government areas, and Ikwerre has three. Forget about those who distorted political census figures; when the time comes for real counting, we shall know them. Ijaws are in Ondo State; they are in Edo State, he submitted.

The academic, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu not to allow one individual to destroy his efforts to ensure democracy in Nigeria, stating that Wike is nothing outside government.

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by the Action Alliance (AA) party challenging the outcome of the state’s September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.

The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, ruled against the petition filed against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The Action Alliance (AA) and one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje had filed a petition before the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

Omoaje had, in the petition, asked the Tribunal to declare the declaration of Okpebholo and APC as winners of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as illegal, unlawful, unconditional, and null and void due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

He also alleged corruption and that Okpebholo and APC did not win the majority of lawful votes in the election.

Omoaje further alleged that AA was not allowed to nominate a lawful governorship candidate for the election, having not signed the nomination form as the National Chairman of the party.

However, the APC countered the allegations, stating that the petitioners, who claimed there was over-voting, had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove their case.

The APC argued that in order to prove over-voting, the petitioner needed to call polling unit agents, eyewitnesses who could testify to the alleged irregularities.

The APC’s legal team contended that the AA had failed to meet this requirement, urging the tribunal to dismiss the case as it lacked merit, jurisdiction, and competence.

In response, the tribunal agreed with the APC’s defense and struck out the petition, citing the petitioners’ failure to present sufficient proof of their claims.

Additionally, in one of its rulings, the tribunal noted that only the candidate who contested the election is legally entitled to challenge the outcome. Since the AA’s candidate did not contest the election, the tribunal held that the AA, as a party, lacked the standing to challenge the result.

The Tribunal also held that Omoaje’s grievance against the election was that he was not recognized as the National Chairman of the Action Alliance for the purpose of nominating candidates for the poll. However, it was held that his claims had no basis in the Electoral Act of 2022.

Booker’s marathon speech required him to stay on his feet without taking a break, echoing the famous filibuster scene from Smith Goes to Washington (1939).

His effort surpassed the previous record set by Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

“Strom Thurmond’s record always… really irked me,” Booker later told MSNBC.

“That the longest speech on our great Senate floor was someone who was trying to stop people like me from being in the Senate.”

A Defiant Stand for Democracy

As Booker approached the record-breaking moment, Democratic lawmakers filled the chamber in support, while most Republicans remained absent.

Citing his mentor, civil rights leader John Lewis, he encouraged Americans to embrace “good trouble” before yielding the floor.

Despite the physical strain, Booker maintained his composure, even injecting humor into the moment.

“I want to go a little bit past this and then I’m going to deal with some of the biological urgencies I’m feeling,” he joked.

Criticizing Trump’s Leadership

Booker, a former presidential candidate, began speaking at 7:00 PM Monday and continued until 8:05 PM Tuesday.

While his speech did not technically block Senate proceedings, it became a rallying cry for Democrats concerned about Trump’s administration.

He condemned the president’s aggressive policies, including radical budget cuts and executive overreach, particularly criticizing Elon Musk, Trump’s top advisor, for dismantling government programs without congressional approval.

“Unnecessary hardships are being borne by Americans of all backgrounds. And institutions which are special in America, which are precious and which are unique in our country, are being recklessly — and I would say even unconstitutionally — affected, attacked, even shattered,” Booker stated.

He further warned that Trump’s leadership had severely harmed American democracy.

“In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy,” he said.

Still, he encouraged Americans to remain hopeful: “The power of the people is greater than the people in power.”

Enduring the Physical Challenge

After the speech, Booker shared how he managed the grueling experience.

“My strategy was to stop eating. I think I stopped eating Friday and then to stop drinking the night before I started on Monday,” he explained.

While the approach helped, it came with drawbacks.

“Different muscle groups start to really cramp up,” he admitted, adding that dehydration made the challenge even tougher.

In a statement released later, Booker acknowledged that he was “tired and a little hoarse” but remained resolute in his message.

A Symbolic Protest

With Democrats in the minority in both the Senate and the House, lawmakers have struggled to counter Trump’s efforts to shrink government, increase deportations, and dismantle political norms.

Fellow Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock commended Booker for his effort.

“I just want to thank you for holding vigil for this country all night,” he said.

Throughout his speech, Booker not only criticized Trump’s policies but also recited poetry, discussed sports, and engaged with colleagues to keep the momentum going.

“If you love your neighbor, if you love this country, show your love. Stop them from doing what they’re trying to (do),” he urged.

His record-breaking speech now stands as a defining moment in Senate history

Popular Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, also known as 2Face or 2Baba, on Wednesday, stormed the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

He arrived at the tribunal with his new lover, Natasha Osawaru, who is the lawmaker representing Egor Constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly.

The tribunal is set to deliver judgement on the petition the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, filed to nullify the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Osawaru, who is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Edo State Assembly, was elected on the platform of the PDP.

In January, 2Face announced his separation from his wife, Annie.

His subsequent proposal to Natasha the next month gained widespread attention.

Since then, the singer and the lawmaker have been spotted together in public on multiple occasions, including shopping outings and social engagements.

The Edo lawmaker recently updated her Instagram bio to reflect the singer’s surname, Idibia.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has again faulted the Rivers’ state of emergency.

Naija News reports that Obi said the political crisis in Rivers State did not require the action of a state of emergency.

In an interview with Arise News, on Tuesday, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party said even though he had issues with his successor, Willy Obiano, he allowed him to govern.

“You cannot take the action that has been taken in River State for what happened. There’s a clear path to dealing with that issue. River State, for the past two years, has become ungovernable for obvious political reasons and interests, which shouldn’t be in a democratic environment. It’s clear. It shouldn’t be. I have been a governor, and I have left government, had issues with the person that replaced me, with my successor.

“But, for God’s sake, the state is far more important than anybody. We have a governor who has been sworn in as a governor, he should be allowed to govern,” he said.

Responding to a question from the anchor, Charles, whether he subscribed to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi‘s allegation that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State to intimidate governors ahead of 2027, Obi stated that it was unfortunate.

He added that if that is what President Tinubu was trying to do, it showed the country has no democracy.

“Well, for me, what happened in the Rivers State is very unfortunate, and is impacting very negatively to the little or remaining democratic space we had. It eroded a lot from there. So, as for intimidating the governors for 2027, it shouldn’t be. The governors are going to seek re-election. You’re going to seek re-election. You’re going to seek re-election based on what you’ve been able to do, your performance, on Nigerians. The governors just have one vote. It is because of what I told you that it is not a democratic country that you are trying to intimidate the governors,” he stated.

When Charles pressed further whether he believed the President’s action was to intimidate governors ahead of 2027, Obi responded, “I believe so. I believe so.”

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has said Peter Obi’s style of politics may not be enough to defeat President Bola Tinubu in an election.

Adeyanju stated this while responding to the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party’s analyses of President Tinubu’s nearly two years in office, on Tuesday.

Naija News reported that Obi condemned the hardship in the country and also faulted the situation of Nigeria’s democracy under Tinubu.

On his ? handle on Wednesday, Adeyanju wrote: “Peter Obi is on Arise talking calmly and gently about Nigeria. Nigerians acting like they are not aware sef. In today’s Nigeria, Obi is only good for beautiful speeches and motivational beautiful stories about China, etc. Only extremely rugged folks can contest against Tinubu.”

Meanwhile, a former member of Peter Obi and Ahmed Datti’s presidential campaign organization, Fabian Onunaku has responded to criticism of Obi’s interview by Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala.

Naija News reported that Bwala said the former Governor of Anambra’s analyses of Tinubu’s policies were lacking in facts. He added that Obi had yet to recover from his loss in 2023.

Reacting, Onunaku responded: “You can spin it all you want, but Peter Obi spoke about what the people feel and live every day. He spoke truth to power, something that even you will not understand, since you have swallowed your own vomit to become a defender of the indefensible. All the presidential spokesmen in the world cannot change that. Your employers might be happy with you for insulting Obi, but you can’t fool the Nigerian people. The more you insult him, the more his support base increases. You people have absolutely nothing to offer Nigerians.”

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled an illegal internet fraud training facility, known as a “Yahoo School,” in the Iju area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Tuesday, stated that four principal suspects were arrested alongside six trainees.

According to him, among the trainees was an underaged boy identified as Minachi Udochukwu.

Hundeyin noted that preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects recruited the trainees from Anambra State, engaged them in internet fraud, and confiscated their earnings.

The statement read in part, “During the successful operations, the police detectives arrested four Yahoo experts who were running the notorious school, namely Chibuike Ihejika, 23; Stanley Ihejika, 22; Obiora Oyediba, 26; and Emmanuel Oyedibe, 25.

“The other six suspects are their criminal trainees, all of whom were undergoing training in cybercrime and fraud: Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom, 20; Okeke Kwufrochikwu, 26; Uchenna Obeji, 26; Minachi Udochukwu, 12; and Chinedu Ukachukwu, 23.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects of the facility recruited their trainees from Anambra State, engaged them to commit internet fraud and other related crimes.

“The proceeds from their fraudulent activities were being confiscated by the principal suspects.”

While the command warned the owner of the facility to turn himself in at the State Criminal Investigation Department, it assured all that all suspects would be charged to court for prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation into the case.

The statement further revealed that Ugochukwu had been provided with medical care after healing marks of injury believed to have been sustained during the training was found on his body

“In line with due process of the law, the underage suspect among them, Minachi Ugochukwu, 12 years old, with healing marks of injuries on his body allegedly inflicted on him by the main principal suspect to compel him into the commission of the criminal acts, is being given medical attention and kept in protective custody till his relatives are identified and reunited with him,” Hundeyin stated.

The command also warned parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and wards to prevent them from being exploited, lured, or compelled into falling into criminal activities.

It, however, called on members of the public who have fallen victim to the fraudulent activities of the criminal syndicate to come forward to the SCID, Yaba, with their complaints.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, also commends the police personnel involved in this operation for their dedication and professionalism that resulted in this success.

“The CP Jimoh assures all Lagosians that the Command remains resolute and committed to combating all forms of crimes and criminalities, including cybercrime tagged ‘yahoo,’ etc.

“He urges residents to report every suspicious activity or incident to the police in their localities for prompt action,” the statement added.

The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has praised the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano, acknowledging his sterling leadership qualities, deep understanding of Islamic principles, and contemporary perspectives.

Yusuf, while receiving the Emir and his entourage on the traditional Hauwa Nassarawa homage at the Government House on Tuesday, stated that Sanusi’s return to the palace was a result of his exceptional leadership skills and commitment to the welfare of the people.

“Since he came, he has been leading us in prayers, unlike many Emirs. When we look at formal education, he has all it takes to be everywhere. An emir who loves his people,” Yusuf said.

The Governor further emphasized that Sanusi, since his reinstatement, has worked diligently to unite the emirate council and various Islamic sects, while also leading efforts against social vices in Kano. This, Yusuf highlighted, demonstrates Sanusi’s multifaceted leadership approach, combining traditional wisdom with a commitment to modern social challenges.

Governor Yusuf used the occasion to spotlight his administration’s developmental projects and reaffirmed his goal of transforming Kano into a mega city.

He mentioned that his efforts are not only focused on infrastructure but are also aimed at ensuring that local government administration aligns with the needs of the grassroots to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach all corners of the state.

“The impact of our developmental projects is becoming visible, and we are extending similar efforts to the local governments to ensure that every citizen enjoys the benefits of governance,” Yusuf added.

Emir Sanusi II Commends The Government For Reinstatement

Emir Sanusi II, in his address, expressed his gratitude to the government and the state House of Assembly for reinstating him to the throne.

He praised the state for its remarkable strides in human development, noting that the progress in education, infrastructure, and healthcare under Governor Yusuf’s leadership is commendable.

The Emir also urged local government chairmen to step up their efforts to improve living conditions at the grassroots, ensuring that the benefits of governance reach the most underserved communities.

“The local government chairmen must intensify their efforts towards ensuring better living conditions for the people,” Sanusi said.

In keeping with tradition, Emir Sanusi II participated in the 1903 traditional Hauwa Nassarawa homage, a highly regarded cultural practice.

However, due to the security concerns surrounding large public gatherings, Naija News reports that the Emir chose not to participate in the usual horse procession, opting instead to travel in a vehicle convoy to the Government House.

Sanusi also made a conscious decision to avoid the regular state road routes to the Government House, further ensuring the security of his movement and avoiding any potential conflicts.