
AFOLABI
2027: Persuade Jonathan, Saraki – Primate Ayodele to PDP
Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele on Monday advised the People Democratic Party, PDP, to persuade former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki to contest for the presidency if the party wants victory in 2027.
Primate Ayodele made it known that former PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar isn’t the party’s answer, adding that if he is allowed to contest again, PDP will be ‘buried’ finally.
In a statement he signed, he said the best Atiku can do is support a good candidate and the best person for PDP at the moment is Jonathan if at all the party wants to smell victory in 2027.
He advised that if Jonathan can join forces with Bukola Saraki, with the support of a coalition of opposition parties, there will be great chances for the party.
According to Primate Ayodele: “If PDP wants to near victory, they should persuade Goodluck Jonathan to contest under the party to wake them from their slumber.
“Atiku will not be an answer to PDP and if he comes out to contest again, it will be the final burial of PDP. He doesn’t have what it takes to remove Tinubu from office.
“I can only advise Atiku to support a good candidate and the best option for PDP now is Goodluck Jonathan. I said he shouldn’t contest before but as it stands, he is the only one who can assist PDP from its final burial.
“If he can join forces with Saraki, together with a coalition of opposition parties, PDP has chances at victory.”
Primate Ayodele made it known that Jonathan is scared.
He urged the party to give him the support he needed in order to agree to contest.
“If Jonathan is ready, he should be able to do all of these but he is scared.
“The fear of the unknown is troubling Jonathan. If the PDP can persuade him and give him all the backing he needs, he will be able to help the party survive,” he said.
Furthermore, Primate Ayodele explained that if Jonathan doesn’t contest, and without a coalition of opposition parties, President Tinubu will still retain his seat as Nigeria’s president.
Continuing, he described the person who can remove Tinubu as one who is desperate, financially stable, unrighteous, fearless, and rugged
He asserted that the 2027 election will not be for lazy people but for those who know what they want and are ready to pursue it till the very end.
“If this cannot happen, I don’t see anyhow any party wants to defeat Tinubu, it will be totally impossible. The person that will win Tinubu must be financially stable, spiritually inclined, must be desperate, must not be righteous.
“The election will be for somebody who is ready for anything, fearless, rugged, entirely serious, someone who has past good records, ready to waste money too because all of these are what Tinubu has.
“The 2027 election isn’t for righteous people, the person who wants to win must be ready to face anything and must be ready to listen to God’s divine instructions at all times.
“It’s not for lazy people but very determined people. You must also be ready to accept lies and truth together. Tinubu is too strong to be pushed aside,” he said.
Some PDP Governors joining APC soon – Jimoh Ibrahim
The Senator representing Ondo South in the national assembly, Jimoh Ibrahim, has claimed that some governors from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other opposition parties are planning to cross over to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Ibrahim said this while responding to questions on Channels Television.
He said many people had decamped to the party with some also expected in coming weeks.
Asked if it means well for the APC and the Tinubu government when people within the party openly criticize its policies, the lawmaker said: “That is one-sided argument. What about those from PDP that are joining us?
“You’re not looking at that. You abandoned it completely. You’re not talking about people who have come from the PDP to join us. How about Wike?
“Yeah, he said he’s a PDP. I mean, he’s serving in the APC government. How many people like that have been with us and how many governors cross to the APC.
“How many of them are planning to come? How many senators have now left and planning to come. Some Governors are planning to join APC of course, I don’t want to mention them so that I don’t embarrass people.
“But I can tell you that when I come next [to the programme], I’m telling you again…when I come back, next time you’ll see governor crossed to APC.”
Dangote Refinery: NNPC may reduce petrol price, as marketers with imported fuel suffer losses
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited may reduce premium motor spirit price in response to Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot price reduction.
The development comes as some petroleum marketers with imported fuel risk huge losses over Dangote Refinery’s price reduction.
National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, in a statement, hinted that NNPCL may reduce its ex-depot and retail prices of petrol in response to Dangote Refinery’s price reduction.
Dangote Refinery had on Saturday reduced its ex-depot price of petrol to N890 per litre from N950.
Reacting, Gillis-Harry believes that NNPCL may follow Dangote Refinery’s step to cut its fuel retail price to remain relevant in the petrol deregulated market.
“There is an evident possibility that the NNPC will reduce prices,” he stated.
The implication is that NNPCL, which currently sells petrol at N965 per litre, may reduce its price downward.
This is as DANGOTE Refinery and petrol distribution partners, such as MRS filling have slashed retail petrol to below N940 per litre nationwide.
Meanwhile, marketers have lamented that the Dangote Refinery petrol reduction comes with a negative impact on their businesses.
The Vice President and the spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, Hammed Fashola and Chinedu Ukadike, respectively, said that marketers who bought fuel at the old price would be forced to sell at losses due to the latest Dangote Refinery price cut.
According to Fashola, the immediate negative impact on some petroleum marketers is that they would have to sell at losses.
“When this happens (Dangote Refinery petrol reduction), the only option a marketer has is to bring down the price. Because if you don’t do that, the competition will set in,” he stated.
On his part, Ukadike stressed that “that is why marketers fear lifting fuel because of the price scare. They will not want to suffer collateral losses.”
Meanwhile, some marketers are of the view that Dangote Refinery made the strategic move to cut its petrol price because of the lower landing cost of imported PMS.
Consequently, marketers who imported at N970 per litre, higher than the latest Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot price of N890, will be forced to sell at losses.
“So, if you have a N950 product with you, within two to three days, you will not have an option but to bring it down due to the Dangote Refinery’s petrol price of N890 per litre.
“That is the situation marketers are facing now, but we have to cope with it. It is the marketer who bears the losses,” Fashola stated.
DAILY POST recalls that petroleum products retailers, PETROAN, announced that they have started lifting fuel and other petroleum products at Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
38 years-old prophet arrested for alleged defilement of 12-year-old girl
A 38 years old prophet of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, identified as Abimbola Oluwafemi, has been arrested for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl under the guise of performing spiritual cleansing ritual in Ijebu Igbo area of Ogun State.
DAILY POST learnt that Oluwafemi during the ritual at a riverbank around 2:00pm, allegedly took advantage of the minor.
Confirming his arrest to DAILY POST, on Sunday, the police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, said the child’s mother, a member of the church reported the incident at the Ijebu Igbo division of the command.
According to Odutola, the mother said the prophet had deceitfully convinced her that a spiritual bath was necessary to avert a prophesied calamity in her daughter’s future.
“She stated that the prophet had deceitfully convinced her that a spiritual bath was necessary to avert a prophesied calamity in her daughter’s future. Tragically, during this so-called ritual at a riverbank around 2:00 PM, the suspect allegedly took advantage of the minor.
Upon receiving the report, officers from the Gender Department of the Ogun State Police Command swiftly arrested the suspect.
The survivor was taken to Medicare Hospital, Ijebu Igbo, where medical evidence is being gathered to aid the ongoing investigation.
Odutola, however, disclosed that preliminary findings indicate a disturbing level of neglect and lack of parental caution, as the mother had entrusted her child to the suspect without due diligence.
“ Investigators are also examining the prophet’s background, including his claim of leading a congregation of about 100 members, for similar fact evidence” she added.
Meanwhile she urged parents to remain vigilant and protect their children from individuals of questionable character, especially those who exploit religious beliefs for financial advantage
Full List Of 2025 Annual Grammy Awards Winners
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, celebrated outstanding achievements in the music industry over the past year.
Hosted by Trevor Noah for the fifth consecutive year, the ceremony honoured a diverse array of artists and genres.
Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, clinched the Best African Music Performance award for her hit single “Love Me JeJe.”
This marks her second Grammy win, following her previous award in 2023. “Love Me JeJe,” released on April 26, 2024, is a reimagined version of Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic, blending Afrobeats with contemporary R&B elements.
Here is the complete list of winners at the 67th Grammy:
Best pop solo performance
Beyoncé – Bodyguard
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso – WINNER
Charli xcx – Apple
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Best dance/electronic music album
Charli xcx – Brat – WINNER
Four Tet – Three
Justice – Hyperdrama
Kaytranada – Timeless
Zedd – Telos
Best rock performance
The Beatles – Now and Then – WINNER
The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)
Green Day – The American Dream Is Killing Me
Idles – Gift Horse
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
St Vincent – Broken Man
Best rap performance
Cardi B – Enough (Miami)
Common and Pete Rock featuring Posdnuos – When the Sun Shines Again
Doechii – Nissan Altima
Eminem – Houdini
Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar – Like That
GloRilla – Yeah Glo!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER
Best rap song
Rapsody featuring Hit-Boy – Asteroids
¥$ [Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign] featuring Rich the Kid and Playboi Carti – Carnival
Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER
GloRilla – Yeah Glo!
Best alternative music album
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Wild God
Clairo – Charm
Kim Gordon – The Collective
Brittany Howard – What Now
St Vincent – All Born Screaming – WINNER
Best country solo performance
Beyoncé – 16 Carriages
Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay
Kacey Musgraves – The Architect
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Chris Stapleton – It Takes a Woman – WINNER
Best country duo/group performance
Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan – Cowboys Cry Too
Beyoncé featuring Miley Cyrus – II Most Wanted – WINNER
Brothers Osborne – Break Mine
Dan + Shay – Bigger Houses
Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Best melodic rap performance
Jordan Adetunji featuring Kehlani – Kehlani
Beyoncé featuring Linda Martell and Shaboozey – Spaghettii
Future and Metro Boomin featuring the Weeknd – We Still Don’t Trust You
Latto – Big Mama
Rapsody featuring Erykah Badu – 3:AM – WINNER
Best dance pop recording
Madison Beer – Make You Mine
Charli xcx – Von Dutch – WINNER
Billie Eilish – L’Amour de Ma Vie (Over Now Extended Edit)
Ariana Grande – Yes, And?
Troye Sivan – Got Me Started
Best dance/electronic recording
Disclosure – She’s Gone, Dance On
Four Tet – Loved
Fred Again.. and Baby Keem – Leavemealone
Justice and Tame Impala – Neverender – WINNER
Kaytranada featuring Childish Gambino – Witchy
Best R&B performance
Jhené Aiko – Guidance
Chris Brown – Residuals
Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)
Muni Long – Made for Me (Live on BET) – WINNER
SZA – Saturn
Best traditional R&B performance
Marsha Ambrosius – Wet
Kenyon Dixon – Can I Have This Groove
Lalah Hathaway featuring Michael McDonald – No Lie
Muni Long – Make Me Forget
Lucky Daye – That’s You – WINNER
Best comedy album
Ricky Gervais – Armageddon
Dave Chappelle – The Dreamer – WINNER
Jim Gaffigan – The Prisoner
Nikki Glaser – Someday You’ll Die
Trevor Noah – Where Was I
Best R&B song
Kehlani – After Hours
Tems – Burning
Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)
Muni Long – Ruined Me
SZA – Saturn – WINNER
Best progressive R&B album
Avery*Sunshine – So Glad to Know You – WINNER – tie
Durand Bernarr – En Route
Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World
Kehlani – Crash
NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge) – Why Lawd? – WINNER – tie
Best R&B album
Chris Brown – 11:11 (Deluxe) – WINNER
Lalah Hathaway – Vantablack
Muni Long – Revenge
Lucky Daye – Algorithm
Usher – Coming Home
Best folk album
American Patchwork Quartet – American Patchwork Quartet
Madi Diaz – Weird Faith
Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future
Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings – Woodland – WINNER
Best música urbana album
Bad Bunny – Nadie Sabe lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
J Balvin – Rayo
Feid – Ferxxocalipsis
Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan – WINNER
Young Miko – Att.
Best metal performance
Gojira, Marina Viotti and Victor Le Masne – Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!) – WINNER
Judas Priest – Crown of Horns
Knocked Loose featuring Poppy – Suffocate
Metallica – Screaming Suicide
Spiritbox – Cellar Door
Best African music performance
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Asake and Wizkid – MMS
Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay – Sensational
Burna Boy – Higher
Tems – Love Me JeJe – WINNER
Best rock song
The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)
St Vincent – Broken Man – WINNER
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
Green Day – Dilemma
Idles – Gift Horse
Best rock album
The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards
Fontaines DC – Romance
Green Day – Saviors
Idles – Tangk
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds – WINNER
Jack White – No Name
Best alternative music performance
Cage the Elephant – Neon Pill
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Song of the Lake
Fontaines DC – Starburster
Kim Gordon – Bye Bye
St Vincent – Flea – WINNER
Best global music album
Matt B Featuring Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Alkebulan II – WINNER
Ciro Hurtado – Paisajes
Rema – Heis
Antonio Rey – Historias de Un Flamenco
Tems – Born in the Wild
Best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording
Various Artists; Guy Oldfield, producer – All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words
George Clinton – …And Your Ass Will Follow
Dolly Parton – Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones
Jimmy Carter – Last Sundays in the Plains: A Centennial Celebration – WINNER
Barbra Streisand – My Name Is Barbra
Best country song
Kacey Musgraves – The Architect – WINNER
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay
Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Best song written for visual media
Luke Combs – Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma from Twisters: The Album
’N Sync and Justin Timberlake – Better Place from Trolls Band Together
Olivia Rodrigo – Can’t Catch Me Now from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Jon Batiste – It Never Went Away from American Symphony – WINNER
Barbra Streisand – Love Will Survive from The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Best música Mexicana album (including Tejano)
Chiquis – Diamantes
Carín León – Boca Chueca, Vol 1 – WINNER
Peso Pluma – Éxodo
Jessi Uribe – De Lejitos
Songwriter of the year, non-classical
Jessi Alexander
Amy Allen – WINNER
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Raye
Producer of the year, non-classical
Alissia
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Ian Fitchuk
Mustard
Daniel Nigro – WINNER
Best musical theater album
Hell’s Kitchen – WINNER
Merrily We Roll Along
The Notebook
The Outsiders
Suffs
The Wiz
Reps didn’t demand N480m bribe to approve varsities’ budgets – VC
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Gusau, Prof. Muazu Abubakar, has dismissed allegations that members of the House of Representatives Committee on University Education demanded N480m to approve federal universities’ 2025 budgets.
In a letter dated January 27 and addressed to the committee’s chairman, Abubakar Fulata, the VC refuted media reports suggesting that lawmakers pressured vice-chancellors to pay N8m each as a condition for approving their allocations.
He noted that the report specifically mentioned a “stubborn vice-chancellor” believed to be him and stated that while he initially intended to ignore the claims, he decided to respond to prevent any misleading narratives from being accepted as fact.
“The attention of the Federal University, Gusau, has been drawn to a trending online report titled Investigation: Nigerian Lawmakers Demand N480 million from Universities to Approve 2025 Budget.
“We categorically state that no member of the university team present at the budget defence was part of the information circulated in the media. We urge you, Mr. Chairman, and your esteemed committee members to disregard this malicious and sensational report, which aims to mislead the public and undermine constructive journalism.”
Abubakar commended the committee for its support, describing the budget defence session as “robust, friendly, and engaging.”
Similarly, Fulata had earlier dismissed the allegations at a press briefing, insisting that they were an attempt to discredit the committee’s efforts to enhance Nigeria’s education sector.
“It is absurd for anyone to suggest that lawmakers demanded even a ‘kobo’ as a precondition for approving budget proposals,” Fulata said, stressing that the report sought to mislead the public about the activities of the committee and the 10th House of Representatives.
In a statement last Wednesday, the spokesman for the House, Akin Rotimi, described the media report (not by The PUNCH) as a deliberate attempt to smear lawmakers’ reputation.
Rotimi said, “The 10th House of Representatives is firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest ethical standards in all its legislative activities. These values form the bedrock of our operations. It is, therefore, imperative to address the baseless and sensational allegations in the report, which appear to be part of a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of the House and erode public trust in this hallowed institution.”
Denying the media report, the House spokesman said it “lacks any diligent investigative effort as they would want people to believe, and instead, amplifies fabricated narratives by individuals seeking to evade accountability.”
Many Killed As Suspected Herdsmen Attack Ebonyi Community
Suspected herdsmen on Sunday attacked the Amegu Nkalaha Community in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, killing an unknown number of people and burning numerous houses.
The Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the attack to Channels Television, stating that police have deployed operatives to the area.
While confirming the attack, Ukandu noted that the number of casualties is still being investigated.
“Yes, an attack occurred and police are responding to the situation. The command is still working to determine the precise number of people killed in the incident,” he said.
The chairperson of Ishielu local government area, Ifeoma Agwu, also confirmed the attack, adding that the process of recovering bodies and taking them to the morgue is ongoing, making it difficult to determine the exact number of fatalities at the moment.
“We are taking the victims’ bodies to the mortuary right now. I cannot talk much on it now. We will give more details later”.
While the motive for the attack remains under investigation, some residents suggested that it may be connected to the recent killing of cows belonging to herdsmen in the area.
A community member, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that the cows were killed by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the forest.
The source also stated that there has been tension in the community following the killing of the cows, and that stakeholders have been working to prevent retaliatory attacks.
‘Why Tinubu May Not Survive 2027 Election’
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, says the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu may be his greatest undoing if he tries to be reelected in 2027.
Gabam listed some of the unpopular policies of the Tinubu administration including the sudden removal of petrol subsidy, unification of forex rates, electricity tariff hike, and telecoms tariff hike, amongst others.
“He (Tinubu) needs to review some of his policies, he needs to rejig his cabinet if he wants to leave a legacy that by two years. And I don’t see him surviving another election with the same kind of policies going on,” Gabam said on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
The SDP boss said with less than two years in office, the demonstrations against the Tinubu government were akin to those against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.
“Protests against Jonathan started two years (into his administration), and he couldn’t survive it. And there will be no president in history who has spent money to be reelected in the history of Nigeria like President Jonathan. So, if people are thinking that they will use money, they are mistaken. You will only rig while you are popular,” he said.
The SDP chair flayed the Tinubu government over its “hostilities” with opposition voices, saying the administration should make moves to amend the constitution for Nigeria to be a one-party state.
He said, “Nobody can talk to a governor, he will abuse you, he’s an emperor, you dare not talk to him, you dare not advise him. The same thing applies to the current government. The moment you advise them, they see you as an enemy.
“They forget that some of the political parties stood by INEC at the point of announcing the election (results) because we don’t want anarchy to ensue.”
SDP Not Bankrolled By APC — Chair
Gabam also denied claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) pays political parties N50m bribe, saying that will compromise the watchdog role of the opposition.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had last week said the APC government paid opposition parties N50m bribe to weaken their leadership ahead of the next election. Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the allegation at a national conference on strengthening democracy last week.
Reacting, the SDP chair said, “It’s not true. For me as SDP, I cannot speak for other political parties. There is no single transaction between SDP, the Federal Government or agent of the Federal Government or representatives of the Federal Government. There is none. Never.
“We are not designed to compromise institutions; we are trying to build institutions. The moment you compromise institutions, you won’t have the audacity to speak because your conscience has been compromised and you have compromised that institution.
“If the government does not want opposition, they can as well amend the constitution so that we can have a one-party system.”
Tems wins ‘Best African Music Performance’ at 2025 Grammy Awards
Tems has won the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category at the 67th Academy Grammy Awards for her song ‘Love Me JeJe’.
The prestigious award event was held in the early hours of Monday morning at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, United States.
The songstress edged out fellow Nigerians in a strong field of nominees — including Yemi Alade, Asake, Wizkid, Davido, Lojay, and Burna Boy — to secure the coveted award.
In her acceptance speech, the singer, who seemed elated, said: “Wow, dear God. Thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team”.
“Tomorrow is my mum’s birthday and this is her first Grammys. I just want to thank you ma because she has really done a lot for me and my brother.
“Happy birthday, mum. And I want to thank my team. Muyiwa, Wale, my beautiful stylist, and lovely girls… I love you guys.
“Thank you so much. To God be the glory. Honestly, He has changed my life so much”.
Tems, however, lost the ‘Best R&B Song’ award to US singer SZA. She also lost her third nomination in the ‘Best Global Music Album’ category for her project ‘Born In The Wild’ to Matt B’s ‘Alkebulan II’ featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Also in the category was Rema for ‘Heis’ album.
This is not her first Grammy Award win.
In 2023, the Afrobeats singer won the ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ category for her role in ‘Wait for U’, the 2022 hit song by Future featuring Drake
Telcos will commence full introduction of new tariffs soon, says ALTON
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) says telecommunications companies (telcos) will commence the full introduction of new tariffs in March.
On January 20, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted approval for telecommunications companies (telcos) to implement a 50 percent tariff hike.
Three days later, Wale Edun, minister of finance, said the tariff in the telecommunications sector would undergo periodic reviews.
Speaking to journalists at a forum with telecoms executives, Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON, said the telcos will issue their tariffs differently and are currently filing, reviewing, and obtaining approvals from the regulator.
“So we are now following what is called the regulatory requirement, regulatory steps of filing, review and obtaining approvals,” Adebayo said.
“As soon as those approvals come through, different players will introduce new rates as the time comes.
“I’ll say over next week, we start seeing some improvement in the prices.
“Over the next month, we should start seeing some total introduction in what the new rates will be like, but it’s important that we’ve come to a point where what has to be done has to be done for the sector to survive.”
Also, Adebayo said the tariff adjustment is essential for the survival of the telecommunications sector, stressing that the government should not rely on the sector to subsidise others.
“The other side of it is that the sector cannot be the subsidy for other sectors,” he said.
“So you can’t say because cost of garri and pepper and okro has gone up, we now have to subsidise people’s living by providing services that are sold at lower than cost. It’s a matter of time before we start seeing the negatives.
“I think it is important that we need to charge rates that are sustainable and we can’t stand as a subsidy for the problems of people in other sectors, which is not the problem caused by the operators.
“Government cannot outsource that problem to their network operators to solve for the public.
“The government needs to provide adequate palliatives to help people live, and our services cannot be used for those palliatives.”
‘PROGRESS MADE IN RESOLVING USSD DEBT’
Regarding the N250 billion unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) debt with banks, Adebayo confirmed that progress is being made towards a final resolution.
“I must thank all the stakeholders for the effort that has gone into talking about that,” he said.
“The implication is to say that when we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, progress is being made, and the complex matter of USSD debt is being resolved.”
Additionally, Adebayo said the tensions in the sector have reduced, and concerns have declined as the industry moves closer to a final resolution.
On January 15, the NCC directed telcos to disconnect the USSD codes assigned to nine banks should they fail to pay their outstanding USSD debts