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The Kano State House of Assembly has constituted a 12-member committee t01o screen the Deputy Governor nominee, Murtala Sule Garo…

The post Kano Assembly sets up 12-member panel to screen deputy gov nominee appeared first on Tribune Online.

The federal government, states and local government councils shared a total of N2.036 trillion as Federation Account revenue for March 2026.

The figure was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bala Mokwa.

According to the statement, the total distributable revenue comprised N1.320 trillion in statutory revenue, N515.391 billion from value-added tax (VAT), and N200 billion as augmentation.

A communiqué from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that gross statutory revenue rose to N1.699 trillion in March, up by N137.914 billion from the N1.561 trillion recorded in February.

In contrast, VAT revenue dipped slightly, with N664.425 billion generated in March compared to N668.450 billion in the previous month—a decrease of N4.025 billion.

From the total distributable revenue of N2.036 trillion, the federal government received N789.159 billion, state governments got N657.596 billion, and local government councils were allocated N468.826 billion. Additionally, oil-producing states received N120.759 billion as 13 percent derivation revenue.

A breakdown of the N1.320 trillion statutory revenue showed that the federal government received N632.260 billion, states got N320.691 billion, and local councils received N247.239 billion. The sum of N120.759 billion was also shared to benefit states as a derivation.

From the N515.391 billion VAT pool, the federal government received N51.539 billion, states got N283.465 billion, and local governments received N180.387 billion.

Similarly, from the N200 billion augmentation, the federal government got N105.360 billion, states received N53.440 billion, and local councils were allocated N41.200 billion.

The statement further noted that revenue from Companies Income Tax (CIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Stamp Duties (SDT), and Excise Duty recorded significant increases during the period.

However, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), oil and gas royalties, import duty, and Common External Tariff (CET) declined, while VAT recorded a marginal drop.

FAAC shares N2.04tn to FG, states, LGs as March revenue

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Modupe Adelabu as the new Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council (NECO).

The announcement was made on Wednesday through the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
He said the appointment forms part of broader efforts to reform and strengthen leadership within key education institutions.

Adelabu is a specialist in educational administration and a retired academic of Obafemi Awolowo University. She has held several senior positions in both academia and public service.

She served as Deputy Governor of Ekiti State from 2013 to 2014. She also chaired the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) between 2018 and 2021, where she contributed to policy development and oversight of technical education.

Her new role at NECO is expected to strengthen the council’s leadership and support ongoing efforts to improve the credibility and standards of national examinations in Nigeria.

Tinubu appoints Modupe Adelabu as NECO Board chairman

According to a report published on Wednesday in Berlin, the figure marks a significant rise from 40 million recorded in 2010, based on data from Eurostat and the UN Refugee Agency.

The post Immigrants in Europe reach record high of 64.2 million in 2025 appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dismissed reports of a leadership split within its ranks and denied allegations regarding diversion of funds meant for persecuted Christians in Northern Nigeria.

In a statement signed on Wednesday in Abuja by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association described the claims as “false, malicious, and deeply defamatory.”

“There is no truth to the narrative that the body has been divided along Northern and Southern lines. CAN remains one united and indivisible body. There is no split, no secession, and no division within our structure. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and should be disregarded,” Okoh said.

Addressing the financial allegations, the association clarified that it had neither received nor managed the specific relief funds mentioned in the reports, adding that no money had been diverted under any circumstances.

The President expressed concern over the public propagation of these claims by Rev. Isaac Omolehin, the founder of Word Assembly Ministry, Ilorin. He noted that the allegations were made without evidence and could potentially undermine national cohesion and Church unity.

The can leadership further frowned at the inclusion of prominent Christian leaders, including Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, and Pastor William Kumuyi, in the “unwarranted” narrative.

“CAN will not tolerate the spread of falsehoods or any attempt to malign the Church. We issue a firm and final caution to Rev. Isaac Omolehin and any other individuals or groups who misuse their platforms to disseminate unverified or defamatory claims to desist immediately,” CAN added.

The association warned that it would be compelled to take legal action to protect its integrity if the dissemination of such misinformation continued. It urged the public and the international community to disregard the claims and rely only on official channels for verified information. The association reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and the welfare of believers affected by insecurity across the country.

CAN Denies Leadership Tussle, Diversion Of Relief Funds is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has pegged its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at N51 million and the governorship form at N21 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The faction’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, revealed the details in an election timetable released to journalists on Wednesday.

According to the schedule, the group plans to submit its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission on April 21, 2026, and formally notify the commission of its primaries a day later.

The document indicates that the expression of interest form for all offices is fixed at ₦1 million, while nomination fees differ depending on the position being contested.

Aspirants for State Houses of Assembly are expected to pay ₦2 million, House of Representatives ₦3 million, Senate ₦5 million, governorship ₦20 million, and presidential hopefuls ₦50 million.

Sales of the forms are slated to commence on April 27 and end on May 4, with May 9 set as the deadline for submission of completed applications.

Screening for State Assembly, National Assembly, and governorship aspirants will take place on May 11, while presidential aspirants will be screened on May 12.

The presidential primary election is scheduled for May 18, while governorship primaries will hold on May 27. Primaries for the House of Representatives are fixed for May 21, Senate primaries for May 23, and State Assembly primaries will run between May 21 and May 24.

All appeals are expected to be concluded by May 30, 2026.

Bature added that female aspirants would only be required to pay the expression of interest fee for their chosen positions.

The PDP continues to grapple with an internal rift that has split the party into two camps—one led by Kabiru Turaki and backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and another led by Abdulrahman Mohammed with the support of Wike.

Multiple lawsuits arising from the factional dispute remain before the courts. At the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday, justices indicated that a date for judgment would be communicated to the parties.

2027: Wike-backed PDP fixes presidential form at N51m, gov N21m

The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned six military officers, including retired senior personnel, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 13-count charge over an alleged failed coup plot aimed at overthrowing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Court documents show that the charges include treason, terrorism, and conspiracy to wage war against the state. The defendants are accused of planning to storm the Presidential Villa, seize power, and topple the government.

The arraignment is currently ongoing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, leading the prosecution team.

The court briefly stood down proceedings to provide an interpreter for the sixth defendant, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sanni, after his counsel informed the court that he only understands Hausa and Arabic. The matter later resumed, and the charges were read in open court.

Court proceedings show that all the defendants are present except former Minister of Petroleum Timipre Sylva, who is reported to be at large.

The arraignment follows investigations by the Defence Headquarters into the alleged plot, which led to the arrest of at least 16 military officers in October 2025. Reports indicate that additional arrests were later made as the investigation expanded.

Those charged include a retired army general, serving and retired officers, a retired naval captain, and a serving police inspector. The government said the action forms part of efforts to address indiscipline and security breaches within the armed forces.

Defence Headquarters spokesman Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba had earlier confirmed that investigations had been concluded and that those found culpable would be arraigned before appropriate judicial authorities under the Armed Forces Act.

The case has attracted significant attention since the initial arrests were announced. Some families of detained officers have raised concerns over delays in judicial proceedings.

Proceedings are ongoing at the Federal High Court, with the matter expected to continue as the court moves into plea taking and further hearings.

FG Arraigns Coup Plotters As Sylva Absent In Court is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, has directed officers to stop the practice of searching citizens’ mobile phones, stating that such actions are not allowed under existing policing rules.

He gave the directive in a video shared by News Central TV on Tuesday, where he stressed the need for professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights during police duties.

Fatai added that officers should not be concerned about being filmed while carrying out their lawful responsibilities, noting that accountability applies to both law enforcement personnel and members of the public.

“When we know that what we are doing is the right thing, we shouldn’t entertain any fears of anybody recording us. You can record us. We can record you as well. It’s on both sides. So we are not entertaining anybody.

“Anybody can record any police officer at his duty post. In as much as the police officer is doing the right thing, he has nothing to fear about recording. So yeah, anybody can record us while we are carrying out our lawful duty,” he said.

The police chief reiterated that operatives have been expressly warned against inspecting mobile phones during stop-and-search operations, insisting that their focus should remain on vehicles and related security checks.

He stated: “Our men have been warned not to search any phone from any individual. We are there to search the vehicles.”

Fatai explained that such checks are mainly aimed at verifying occupants of vehicles to ensure they are legitimate passengers and not victims or accomplices of criminal activity.

“We are there to know who and who is inside the vehicle and to be assured that the people have boarded the right vehicle and not the vehicles of these hoodlums who will take them to destinations where they are not supposed to be,” he added.

Police prohibit officers from searching mobile phones – Lagos CP

Lagos State recorded more than N1.7 trillion in internally generated revenue, IGR, in 2025, further consolidating its position as Nigeria’s highest revenue-generating state and setting a pace for others to emulate.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting of the Joint Revenue Board in Lagos, where he urged state governments to strengthen their Internal Revenue Services to improve revenue mobilisation and support development.

The 2025 figure represents a 39 per cent increase from the N1.2 trillion generated in 2024, reflecting steady growth driven by reforms, digital transformation, and improved tax compliance.

Sanwo-Olu attributed the performance to deliberate policies that grant revenue agencies operational independence, adequate funding, and institutional support.

“It is only when you give revenue agencies what they need and allow them to work independently that you can fully harness their expertise,” he said.

He explained that Lagos’ revenue expansion has been underpinned by investments in digital tax infrastructure, widening of the tax base, and initiatives aimed at strengthening public confidence in the system, noting that IGR now constitutes a substantial share of the state’s budget.

According to the governor, the improved revenue profile has enabled the state to fund key infrastructure and social programmes under its THEMES+ agenda, targeted at over 24 million residents.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Joint Revenue Board, Zacch Adedeji, commended Lagos for its sustained performance, describing it as the outcome of long-term reforms initiated over a decade ago.

He noted that the state’s annual revenue had grown from less than N94 billion prior to the 2007 reforms to over N1.7 trillion in 2025, adding that the gains have translated into visible development outcomes.

Adedeji cited major projects such as the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge, the Abijo Agro Food Hub, and the Tolu Schools Complex, as well as ongoing rail mass transit development, as examples of how improved revenue mobilisation supports infrastructure and economic growth.

Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Ayodele Subair, attributed the achievements to consistent government backing, including investments in systems, personnel, and operational capacity.

He described Lagos as a benchmark for efficient tax administration and expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among states would enhance revenue performance nationwide.

The development comes amid calls by stakeholders at the meeting for greater harmonisation of tax systems across the country to boost efficiency, transparency, and overall economic growth.

Lagos generates over N1.7trn IGR in 2025 – Sanwo-Olu

Tension flared in Sokoto on Wednesday as a coalition of political parties and youth groups staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, demanding the immediate resignation of the commission’s national chairman Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan over alleged bias and injustice.

The protesters, operating under the Coalition of Political Parties and comprising members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party, and other registered parties, accused the INEC leadership of working in the interest of certain political actors to the detriment of others.

Addressing journalists during the demonstration, one of the protest leaders said the group was in Sokoto in solidarity with Nigerian youths to press home two key demands which include the immediate resignation of the INEC chairman and intervention by the Federal Government.

“We are here to demand the resignation of the national chairman. We are also calling on the Federal Government, both the executive and legislative arms, to ensure he exits that position honourably”

He alleged that the commission’s leadership was acting the “bidding of its employers,” claiming that certain interests were being favoured to dominate the electoral process.

The protesters further decried what they described as the unjust removal of a political party from INEC’s portal, insisting that such actions undermine democratic principles and political inclusiveness.

In a charged remark, the activist urged security agencies to exercise restraint, noting that both citizens and security personnel face similar economic realities.

“We are all Nigerians. We go to the same markets and buy at the same prices. If they are deployed to disperse us, we are ready. This is a struggle for democracy,” he added.

The demonstration, however, remained largely peaceful as security operatives monitored the situation around the INEC premises.

Responding, the INEC Head of General administration and procurement Hussaini Tanko Yahaya who received a protest letter from the group assured them that their grievances would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.

“We have received your letter and will acknowledge it accordingly. All the issues raised will be taken up with the commission,” an official said.

He said that the commission remains committed to addressing concerns through appropriate channels.

The protest comes amid growing political tension and heightened scrutiny of electoral processes ahead of future elections in the country.

Coalition Protests At INEC Office In Sokoto, Demands Amupitan’s Resignation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper