The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has urged those criticising President Bola Tinubu and his administration to put a stop to their actions.

Matawalle, in a statement on Thursday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, observed that several of the criticisms against President Tinubu are coming from the North.

He, however, observed that Tinubu is working, and his economic policies are producing positive results across the country, hence the call for those criticising the President to desist and join hands with him in the task of nation-building.

The Minister said the turnaround would benefit all Nigerians in the long run.

“In the light of ongoing criticism, particularly from some quarters in Northern Nigeria, I urge critics to be positive in their narratives.

“I also call on citizens to remain steadfast in their support for the President and to reject divisive narratives.

“It is crucial for Nigerians to stand united behind Mr President, who is diligently working hard to revitalise our economy through series of effective policies, programmes and reforms,” he said.

Speaking on the controversial tax reform bills, Matawalle said President Tinubu is laying a foundation for a sustainable economy through his reform proposals.

The Minister said the tax reforms, when effective, would turn the country’s economy around positively, increase revenue generation for the government and lessen the tax burden on ordinary citizens and small businesses.

“By broadening the tax base and ensuring that everyone pays their fair share, President Tinubu is laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.

“These reforms will not only increase government revenues but also stimulate investment and job creation across various sectors,” Matawalle explained.

The Minister also commended the Tinubu government for its strides in security and military welfare.

According to him, the present administration has made giant strides in enhancing the capabilities of the Nigerian military through the provision of modern hardware and equipment.

He added that the welfare of military personnel has been made the priority by the Tinubu government, and the troops always receive their salaries and allowances on time.

He, therefore, urged everyone to recognize the positive changes taking place under the current administration and give it all the necessary support.

“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we are witnessing a renewed commitment to the safety and well-being of all Nigerians, and I encourage everyone to recognise the positive changes taking place,” the minister said.

There was an uproar at the house of representatives on Thursday after Ajang Iliya, a Plateau lawmaker, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Labour Party (LP).

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, read the defection letter of Illiya who represents Jos south/Jos east federal constituency on the floor of the green chamber.

The Plateau rep cited the leadership crisis in the LP as the reason he left the party.

Though a court has since recognised Julius Abure as the chair of the LP, a caretaker committee led by Nenadi Usman has claimed to be in charge of the party.

Illiya said there is a need to also align with the developmental policies of President Bola Tinubu.

“It is difficult to align with LP’s position on current issues,” his letter read.

But some opposition lawmakers expressed dismay over the development.

Kingsley Chinda, minority leader of the house, said the defection should be rejected because the lawmaker had not met constitutional requirements to defect to the APC.

Chinda said Illiya needed to join the APC at his ward in Plateau first.

The development came about a week after four LP reps defected to the APC.

The lawmakers were Chinedu Okere (Owerri municipal/Owerri north/Owerri west federal constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura federal constituency of Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Calabar municipal/Odukpani federal constituency of Cross River), and Esosa Iyawe (Oredo federal constituency of Edo).

The lawmakers attributed their defection to an alleged crisis in the LP.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed the use of computer-generated slips for voter accreditation during elections.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, disclosed this on Thursday at a meeting with the resident electoral commissioners (REC) on planning and reform learning from the experience of the 2023 general election.

Yakubu said the commission consulted widely internally with its officials and external stakeholders to identify 142 recommendations dealing with the general state of preparedness, voter management, voter education, public communication and the electoral legal framework.

The chairman said on the legal review, there are eight recommendations that require legislative action by the national assembly.

“Very soon, the commission will make a presentation to the joint committee of the senate and house of representatives on electoral matters as they continue to deliberate on electoral reform,” he said.

Yakubu said with the introduction of the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS), the use of the permanent voters’ cards (PVC) as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on election day should be reviewed.

“Those who already have the PVCs can still use them to vote, but going forward, computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the commission’s website will suffice for voter accreditation,” he said.

“This will not only save cost, it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters in order to disenfranchise them.”

He said the report also contains recommendations on early/special voting for the millions of Nigerians who do not vote at the moment on account of the roles they play during elections.

They include INEC officials, security personnel, ad hoc staff, observers and journalists who are deployed outside the places where they registered to vote.

“There are also recommendations in support of diaspora voting, the unbundling of the commission with the establishment of electoral offences tribunal and a separate agency to handle the registration and regulation of political parties,” he said.

“Similarly, the commission will step up action on voter access and distribution to polling units.”

Access Holdings says its banking subsidiary, Access Bank Plc, has entered into a binding agreement with South African-based Bidvest Group Limited for the acquisition of a 100 percent equity stake in Bidvest Bank Limited.

Sunday Ekwochi, Access Holdings’ secretary, announced the agreement in a corporate filing on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Thursday.

Access Holdings said the acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

“This agreement reflects the Bank’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in South Africa and consolidating on its position as the continent’s gateway to global markets as it seeks to optimise the benefits of recent acquisitions and accelerate its transition towards a greater focus on efficiencies,” the statement reads.

 

“Founded in 2000, Bidvest Bank is a niche and profitable South African financial institution providing a diverse range of services, including corporate and business banking solutions and diverse retail banking products.

“As of its financial year ended June 2024, Bidvest Bank reported total assets equivalent to $665 million and audited profit before tax of $20 million.

“Upon conclusion of this acquisition, Bidvest Bank will be merged with the Bank’s existing South African subsidiary to create an enlarged platform to anchor the regional growth strategy for the SADC region.”

 

‘ACQUISITION OF BIDVEST BANK WILL SUPPORT ACCESS BANK’S EXPANSION PLAN’

Commenting on the deal, Roosevelt Ogbonna, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer  (CEO) of Access Bank, said the acquisition supports the company’s ambition to expand across Africa and solidify its presence in key markets, with South Africa being a top priority. 

“It underscores our commitment to establishing a more resilient, diversified, and sustainable business model that leverages technology to meet evolving customer needs,” Ogbonna said.

“Bidvest Bank provides a unique opportunity to blend its strong local expertise with Access Bank’s robust trade and retail banking capabilities, creating a platform for long-term growth and value creation.”

On his part, Mpumi Madisa, chief executive officer of Bidvest Group, said he is pleased that Access Bank meets the objectives of the South African company, and provides reassurance for the continued sustainability and prosperity of the bank.

“The transaction aligns with Access Bank’s expansion objective to build the scale needed to become a major player in its market,” Madisa said. 

“By leveraging Bidvest Bank’s robust local capabilities and Access Bank’s established pan-African presence, the Bank will have increased capacity for intra- and inter-Africa trade, connecting businesses and creating new opportunities for regional integration.”

Madisa said the deal will enable the bank to advance, scale, and sustainably grow in today’s fast-changing, technology-driven, and highly competitive sector.

The World Bank has said until Nigeria has an efficient data-gathering process the fight against corruption and transparency in governance will continue to be affected.

The World Bank Country Director, Dr. Ndiamé Diop, stated this in Abuja at the AGORA Policy conversation on anti-corruption.

Represented by the Senior Bank Official, Debby Isa, Diop noted that Nigeria must get its data-gathering process right to avoid leakages.

“We talk about transparency, but to achieve transparent reports, you need accurate and reliable data. Right now, the data system involves numerous manual processes that allow for leakages, long compromising fiscal transparency,” Diop said.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Adele Jinadu, explained that the current method anti-corruption agencies are adopting in tackling graft would not achieve the desired result.

He condemned the country’s leaders’ attitude towards the law. He also warned against scapegoating some citizens in the guise of fighting corruption.

“We are dealing with a toxic environment where corruption pervades every institution. No matter the reforms, corruption is ultimately about morality. Our leaders consistently act contrary to the laws they pledge to uphold.

“The message is clear: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Let the sentinels on the watchtower remain awake. Nurturing such civic virtues is an indispensable guardrail against the culture of impunity in our political system,” Professor Jinadu said.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, decried that corruption is pervasive in all government offices at all levels.

Represented by Mrs. Adjoke Liman, Olukoyede called for attitudinal change.

He assured that the commission would continue to intensify its fight against graft.

“Corruption remains a huge enterprise involving theft of public resources at all levels of government. Public skepticism and the ease with which public funds are siphoned without warning systems hinder the fight,” he said.

Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Public Communications and Media to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has stated that his principal is qualified to contest elections in 2027.

Bwala insisted that Tinubu would not be distracted by people’s comments about the 2027 poll.

He stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“So, the time for politicking is not yet, and when that time comes, we are going to be ready for everyone.

“The president’s agenda, which is working well, is what will naturally endear Nigerians to vote for him for the second term.

“He is more than eminently qualified constitutionally to contest for the second term in office, and God willing, if God gives him life and health, we do hope that he will run his cause as provided by the Constitution,” he said.

Bwala said the APC is not bothered by the victory recorded by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana’s presidential election.

The presidential spokesperson said Tinubu’s administration has gained public trust, noting that Nigerians are witnessing its impactful efforts, “focusing on everyday realities beyond political affiliations”.

“They don’t actually care whether you are white or black-skinned or whatever, as long as what matters to them on their dinner table is dealt with,” he said.

The national grid has collapsed for the eleventh time in 2024, leading to a nationwide blackout.

Data obtained from the Nigerian system operator’s portal showed that the grid recorded zero megawatts (MW) as of 2pm on Wednesday.

Confirming the collapse on its X page, Abuja Electric Distribution Company (AEDC) said the system failure at the grid happened at 1:33pm.

“We wish to inform you that a system disturbance occurred on the national grid at 1:32pm today causing power outage across our franchise areas,” AEDC said.

“While gradual restoration of power supply has commenced, be assured that we are coordinating closely with relevant stakeholders to restore power fully as soon as the grid is stabilized.”

Also, Friday Adakole, head, corporate communications, Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), on Facebook, said the current outage affected all feeders.

“The current outage being experienced within our franchise States is a result of loss of power supply from the national grid,” Adakole said.

“The loss of power supply from the national grid occurred this afternoon at about 1333 hours of today, Wednesday, 11th December 2024, hence the loss of power supply on all our feeders.

“We hope to restore normal power supply to our esteemed customers as soon as the grid supply is restored back to normalcy.”

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had yet to confirm the incident at the time of the report.

On February 4, Nigerians experienced the first national grid collapse.

The national grid collapsed again on March 28, April 15, July 6, and August 5.

Another blackout was recorded on October 14, October 15 and October 19.

On November 6, another grid collapse was recorded and 72 hours later, the grid collapsed again.

Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, had on October 17, said the frequent system failure at the national grid is inevitable due to the outdated infrastructure.

The minister also said the country will continue to experience grid disturbances until there is a complete overhaul of the system.

Adelabu said more investment in power infrastructure will prevent future collapses.

Jarrett Tenebe, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, has defended Monday Okpebholo, governor of the state.

On Tuesday, Okpebholo stuttered before lawmakers while reading figures from his 2025 budget proposal.

The governor said the N605 billion appropriation bill represents a 25 percent increase from the 2024 budget.

“The Edo state Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million…” Okpebholo began, his hands unsteady and voice quivering in the rarefied assembly.

“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me.”

Okpebholo’s admission elicited laughter and murmurs in equal doses from the lawmakers.

Defending the snafu, Tenebe said Okpebholo struggles with figures because he does not know how to steal public funds.

In a video, the state’s APC chair said unlike a handful of politicians from Edo, Okpebholo is no kleptomaniac.

“The social media has been agog with the governor’s budget presentation about mistake on N605 billion and the rest of it all,” Tenebe said.

“It’s a normal thing. People make such mistakes. I don’t know figures… and that’s how to know original and innocent people.

“Monday Okpebholo is not a thief and he is not familiar with figures. Anybody who wants to talk and continue to talk is nonsense.

“He is the governor of the state, he is performing and he’ll continue to perform and anybody who does not like his face should go to hell and burn to ashes. Period!”