Blog

Many have been killed in Bunkasau village under Zarummai ward of Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The incident happened on Friday night by when armed bandits stormed the village.

A source told DAILY POST that the attackers invaded the village in large number of about 80 on motorcycles, sporadically shot at residents and abducted several people, mostly women. They also left with livestock belonging to villagers.

One of the villagers who pleaded not to be mentioned for security reasons said the attack occurred late night.

He explained that residents are still searching for missing persons after the attack.

He said, “l call on the federal and Zamfara governments to come to intervene by deploying security personnel to our area to restore peace.”

Zamfara state police spokesman, DSP Yazid Abubakar confirmed the incident, saying he could not ascertain the number of casualties.

He stated that the command has deployed adequate personnel to the area to restore normalcy and urged the communities to always cooperate by providing accurate information on the movement of bandits for prompt response.

Armed bandits kill many, abduct others in Zamfara village

The Abdulrahaman Mohammed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is back in control of the national secretariat of the party in Abuja,almost five months after it was sealed by the police.

Wadata House, as the building is popularly called,was unsealed yesterday for the resumption of party activities therein.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed,who confirmed the development  said the Legacy House also owned by the PDP was similarly unsealed and handed over to the leadership of the party.

The two buildings were sealed in November following a clash over the leadership of the party between the Tanimu Turaki led group and the Wike backed Caretaker Committee.

A Federal High Court in Abuja recently declared the Ibadan national convention that produced the Turaki-led national executive committee illegal.

The court also asked the police to unseal the properties  and hand them over to the Abdulrahaman Mohammed led-NWC.

Jungudo Mohammed  said the properties were handed over to Alhaji  Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara and the national secretary Senator Samuel Anyawu in “full compliance with court orders.”

He commended the police for their ” professionalism and adherence to the rule of law.”

He, however, warned that the PDP would “ not condone any act capable of causing obstruction, disruption, or breach of peace at the secretariat again.”

He advised individuals and groups to “conduct themselves within the bounds of the law, as security agencies have been duly alerted to take necessary action against violators.”

The reopening of the properties did not go down well with the  Turaki led faction of the party.

It accused the police of   aiding the takeover of the party secretariat by the Wike backed National Working Committee by reopening the building.

National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Comrade Ini Ememobong said in a statement that reopening the secretariat was contemptuous as the court order relied upon by the police for their action is already before the Court of Appeal.

He said:”It is on record that the judgment by Justice Abdulmalik that the police force is allegedly acting under has been appealed, and the police, as a party in that matter, is fully aware and has been served. “By their action, they have tampered with the res and that can render the judgment of the Court of Appeal nugatory, when it is eventually given. It is most shameful that those entrusted with protecting the law are those disobeying the law.

“While it is not surprising that the Police is acting in a clearly partisan manner, we were hopeful that they would act differently under the command of the new Inspector General of Police.

“From the inception of this imbroglio, the officers of the police force have consistently acted in a manner that leaves no one in doubt as to their support for the Wike-backed APC apologists and have continued to double down on their partisan interventions.

“As law-abiding citizens, we admonish our members to continue to maintain peace and not undertake any activity capable of breaching public peace, while we promise to take all necessary steps within the ambit of the law to protect the rights and privileges of the genuine members of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“The public should be assured that we are hopeful that soon this dark cloud of state-sponsored persecution and one-party compulsory drive will end and true democratic experience will return, in the interest of preserving the republic.

“Though pains may tarry in the night, joy and liberation will certainly come in the morning. Let us therefore bear this night with the hope that surely the morning is en route.”

The African Democratic Congress in Ogun State, ADC, has insisted that it remains united, structured, and committed to democratic principles.

This was contained in a statement by the party’s factional chairman, Femi Soluade, on Saturday.

DAILY POST reports that Soluade during the party’s state executive congress chaired by Moshood Salvador, at its secretariat was returned as chairman with Babatunde Adedeji as his Deputy and Agbebiyi Olusoji as the secretary, alongside other members of the State Executive Committee.

The party during the swearing-in ceremony administered by the state legal adviser, Femi Aina, asserted that it has come to stay and will continue to grow stronger across all levels in the state.

However, DAILY POST reports that there was another state congress held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential library on Saturday.

The congress which also claimed to be the David Mark-led faction of the party, elected Emmanuel Famojuro as the new chairman.

Addressing the gathering, the chairman of the congress committee, Olatunji Soyinka, presented an harmonized list of the new executives, which he said reflected the agreement and decisions of all party leaders and sections of the ADC.

Reacting to this, Soluade described it as a kangaroo election, opining that it did not follow the constitutional procedure of the party, screened aspirants nor adhere to established guidelines.

“As such, the outcome of that assembly is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever” he added.

Meanwhile, the party implored all aggrieved members and stakeholders to sheath their swords and join hands with the duly recognized leadership to build a formidable and progressive party for the benefit of all.

Ogun ADC remains united, structured – Chairman, Soluade

It was a night of glamour wrapped around something far more personal as media personality and entrepreneur Toke Makinwa turned the spotlight on motherhood, resilience, and the quiet pressure many women carry to always appear put together, no matter what life throws at them. At the upscale Delborough Lagos, the unveiling of her new beauty […]

Concerns are growing over the preparedness for the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, as reports of resignations and defections continue to surface within political circles.

The situation has drawn attention to Governor Ademola Adeleke, with observers pointing to what they describe as slow campaign coordination and limited visible activity ahead of the polls.

Although, the Independent National Electoral Commission has already signaled the start of campaigns, the governor is yet to announce a Director General for his re-election bid, raising questions among stakeholders.

Speaking on the development, Yusuf Adegboye, Convener of the Osun Accord Liberation Movement, said in a statement issued on Saturday that, “The Accord Party is in a critical moment and there is no clear direction. People are confused. The silence is dangerous.”

Adegboye also warned that going into an election without a defined campaign structure could signal deeper issues.

“You cannot go into an election of this magnitude without a campaign structure. Failure to appoint a DG at this stage signals deep internal cracks,” he added.

Adding to the concerns is the resignation of Hon. Osunrotimi Ifeoluwa, a board member of the Osun State Council for Arts and Culture.

In his resignation letter dated April 10, 2026, he wrote, “I am writing to formally resign from my position as board member. I believed I was assigned this position to serve the people of Osun State and my constituency, but there is nothing to write home about. No empowerment, not a single opportunity coming out from the ministry to my constituency people.”

He added that despite their support during the last election, they hardly enjoy anything.

Meanwhile, there are increasing reports that some party members and appointees are leaving or aligning with other political platforms.

A source familiar with the situation said the trend is causing unease within the ruling camp.

“There is no coordination anymore. People are leaving because they don’t see a future here,” the source said.

Osun election: Resignation, defections deepen concerns over Accord Party readiness

 

Two weeks after Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, assured citizens of imminent relief from persistent outages, a cross-country check suggests that for many households and businesses, the reality has barely changed.

This came as recent announcement by President Bola Tinubu of the approval of N3.3 trillion for the settlement of outstanding debt in the nation’s power sector has been received with mixed feelings.

While some experts believe the statement in its entirety, others question its authenticity, describing it as a recurring narrative that has become a trend.

Adelabu had, on March 24, while addressing the media in Abuja, publicly apologised for the wave of blackouts that swept across the country, admitting that the situation had worsened living conditions at a time of intense heat.

He acknowledged the strain on homes, schools and industries, attributing the disruption largely to gas supply constraints and technical issues beyond the government’s immediate control.

“I want to apologise to Nigerians… for this temporary issue that is leading to hardship being experienced,” the Minister said, while promising that “two weeks from now, we should start seeing improvements in supply.”

But from Abuja to Lagos, and across several states, many Nigerians say the promised improvement has yet to materialise.

 Worsening situation

 In Utako, a district in Abuja, residents described a pattern of prolonged outages and brief, inconsistent supply.

Ekwa Mbuk, one of the affected residents, expressed frustration over what he called a worsening situation.

“So why are we at Utako District subjected to darkness for another night? The heat is sickening. This constant power outage is messing up the quality of life of your customers. Do you care? Please give us light,” he said, in a complaint directed at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.

He added that the power supply in the area had been erratic, with entire days passing without electricity, followed by only a short period of restoration.

“Since last night, no light… we’ve had only an hour of light. Are we getting what we’re paying for?” he asked.

 Classifications

 Similar sentiments echoed in Lagos, where Iyke Oscar questioned the rationale behind tariff classifications that promised extended supply.

“Why are we still paying as Band A, if we can’t have light up to 24 hours?” he asked, pointing to the growing disconnect between billing structures and actual service delivery.

 Familiar pattern

 Across the states, the accounts follow a familiar pattern.

In Delta, Abednego Emonena dismissed the situation bluntly: “Electricity in Nigeria is still a joke.”

In Ondo, Akin Muyiwa said residents in Akure had all but given up on the expectation of stable supply. “We don’t know what’s called electricity,” he remarked.

From Imo, Mary Blossom reported that parts of Owerri had experienced a near-total blackout for weeks. “For the past four weeks, no light,” she said.

In Edo State, Diana Efe described outages stretching into days. “This is the fifth day we haven’t seen electricity since rain fell,” she noted, while another resident, Aino, said communities were left with barely two hours of supply daily.

Elsewhere, the frustration is tinged with resignation. In Ekiti, Mr. Awo Adekunle summed it up: “No light, we just dey pay bill.”

Cynthia in Ogun State pointed to a pattern tied to weather conditions. “Once rain falls, no light for the next 12 hours, sometimes 24 hours,” she said, suggesting that infrastructure fragility continues to worsen outages.

For some, the situation has become almost surreal.

Abolanle Ajirowo wondered aloud whether official assurances referred to a different reality. “Maybe there’s another Nigeria we don’t know about,” she said.

 Structural problem

 Behind these reactions lies a deeper structural problem. Nigeria’s electricity generation has continued to hover around 4,000 megawatts, far below what is required for a population of over 200 million. Per capita electricity consumption remains between 144 and 165 kilowatt-hours, according to data from the International Energy Agency, placing the country well below the African average of 617 kWh.

The implications are visible in daily life. With grid supply unreliable, households and businesses are forced to rely on alternatives such as generators, inverters and solar systems. These come at significant cost, effectively creating a parallel, self-funded energy system.

 Power bank rental 

 “Electricity remains unreliable, forcing people to depend on generators, inverters, or solar setups,” said Obinna Eze. “So you pay for electricity, even when it’s not consistent.”

In a sign of how deeply the crisis has reshaped everyday economics, new micro-businesses have emerged to fill the gap.

Power bank rentals, for instance, are now available in parts of Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Imo and Lagos, offering temporary relief for phone charging and small devices at daily or weekly rates.

For now, the Federal Government maintains that improvements are on the way, tied to the repair of critical gas infrastructure and enforcement of supply obligations among producers.

Adelabu had expressed confidence that restored gas flow, particularly from facilities linked to major operators, would stabilise generation.

Yet, as the deadline he set passed without clear nationwide improvement, public patience appears to be thinning.

What remains is a familiar cycle of promise and delay, with millions of Nigerians still waiting, often in the dark, for a power sector turnaround that has long been anticipated but remains elusive.

Experts speak on N3.3trillion for power sector

 Meanwhile, the announcement by Tinubu of the approval of N3.3 trillion for the settlement of outstanding debt in the power sector has been received with mixed feelings.

While some experts believe the statement in its entirety, others question its authenticity, describing it as a recurring narrative that has become a trend.

Sunday Vanguard findings reveal that prior to the latest declaration by the President, Adelabu, the Minister of Power, had announced the disbursement of the same amount in 2024, while the Debt Management Office (DMO) had already securitised about N4.5 trillion for the settlement of the same power sector debt.

Thus, some analysts view statements from the Presidency as mere sound bites aimed at scoring political points at the expense of Nigerian citizens, their businesses, and the economy at large.

While Nigerians suffer epileptic power supply, an estimated N40 trillion is lost annually due to poor electricity supply.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator, an agency of the Federal Government, had, a couple of weeks ago in a report, stated that persistent outages continue to impose high costs on businesses and households, many of which are forced to generate their own electricity.

According to the report, reliable electricity remains one of Nigeria’s most important economic priorities, stressing that power outages cost the country up to $29 billion annually.

Converted at the prevailing exchange rate of N1,385 to a dollar, this translates to roughly N40.1 trillion in yearly losses to the economy.

The operator added that the burden extends across all sectors, noting that businesses, manufacturers, and households spend billions each year generating their own electricity.

The shortfall in supply has continued to deepen electricity shortages, pushing homes and businesses to rely increasingly on alternative energy sources amid rising operating costs and harsh weather conditions.

The trajectories

 Adelabu, on March 29, 2024, was quoted as saying on his Facebook page: “During my recent visit to the Egbin Power Plant, I reiterated that we have conducted a thorough diagnosis of the challenges currently facing our power sector in Nigeria. These challenges range from infrastructure limitations to supply chain constraints, and we are taking urgent action to address them and enhance power supply across the country.

“To this end, the Federal Government is fully committed to implementing proactive measures. Starting in April, we will prioritise the settlement of outstanding debts owed to power plants like Egbin Power. By doing so, our goal is to provide incentives for the continuous operation of these crucial facilities and to enhance their overall efficiency.”

Also, on October 7, 2025, the Minister was quoted as saying, “To stabilise the market, Mr. President has approved a N4 trillion bond to clear verified GenCo and gas supply debts.”

However, the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme follows Tinubu’s approval of a N3.3 trillion payment plan to settle legacy debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025.

According to a release last Sunday, implementation has begun, with 15 power plants signing settlement agreements totalling N2.3 trillion.

The Federal Government said it had already raised N501 billion to fund these payments.

Of the amount, N223 billion was said to have been disbursed, with further payments underway.

Stakeholders, in the meantime, have questioned whether earlier approvals were effectively implemented or merely political statements, noting that three years down the line, no significant actions have been taken, while records of grid collapses continue to plague the country’s national grid.

Presidency report

 A document tagged, ‘A Financial Reset for Nigeria’s Power Sector: The Presidential Financial Reforms Programme (2015-2026) – a chronological overview of efforts to resolve the power sector’s liquidity crisis and transition to a sustainable market-based framework,’ shows the origins of the N4.7 trillion debt, outlining a decade of tariff shortfalls, liquidity constraints, and structural inefficiencies which led to massive outstanding obligations across the power value chain.

It states: “The vicious cycle of liquidity shortfall—unpaid debts to GENCOs leading to arrears for gas suppliers—has constrained generation and rendered the sector non-bankable, culminating in a N4.7 trillion deficit.”

It notes that in 2024–2025, despite the N4.7 trillion claimed by GENCOs, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) established a N4 trillion cap, stating: “The FEC approved a settlement framework with a prudential ceiling of N4 trillion to ensure fiscal discipline.”

However, on its verification and negotiated settlement deal, the report said: “N3.3 trillion: The final negotiated figure, after rigorous verification, reduced the initial N4.7 trillion claim by 30 per cent through the removal of inflated, unsupported, or non-compliant charges.

“The market-based settlement mechanism includes cost-reflective tariffs, accelerated metering, and improved operational efficiency to prevent future debt accumulation.”

GENCOs reality, denial

 While some GENCOs expressed confidence in the programme, others argued otherwise, noting that past experiences may have eroded trust in the system.

Speaking on the development and the impact of the N3.3 trillion on the power sector, Executive Director of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Dr. Joy Ogaji, said: “We only have it on paper.

“Yes, N3.3 trillion is what the government said it has approved, but we do not have details of what it covers or whether it includes the period from 2015 to 2024.

“The news we all have is political. Claims that it is up to date are questionable because reconciliation of invoices from 2015 to March 2025 has not been completed.

“The invoice for March 2025 was not included, and possibly February 2025 was also excluded due to the 45-day billing cycle.”

On solutions, another operator who spoke anonymously said: “Power sector issues need to be categorised.

“Yes, this is a pre-election period, so it is easy for the government to push liquidity solutions for compiled debts.

“But we must not deny that the debt claimed by GENCOs exists.

“All contractual terms, including interest on delayed payments, must be honoured.

“The GENCOs took loans when the exchange rate was about N155 to the dollar, but today it is over N1, 300. Who bears the difference?”

The source also pointed to a lack of transparency in billing and collection systems, calling for reforms and stronger oversight.

Others see things differently

 Another source said: “I believe the government is sincere. The money will be paid, and fidelity to contracts is important. Government-imposed haircuts should not become the norm.”

Also reacting, energy economist and Executive Director, Emmanuel Egbigah Foundation, Prof. Wumi Iledare, said: “The power sector is not just underperforming—it is financially strained.

“Over N4 trillion in legacy debt continues to choke the entire value chain.

“What’s worse is that past solutions have been mostly stopgaps, addressing liquidity issues without fixing structural problems.

“At the core are non-cost-reflective tariffs, weak contract enforcement, and poor institutional coordination.

“The result is a cycle of debt recycling, not resolution.”

Electricity becoming a campaign issue – CPPE

 For his part, Dr. Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), said: “This is a pre-election period, and electricity is becoming a campaign issue. The government will likely make strong efforts to fulfill its promises.

“However, unless structural challenges are addressed, the sector may relapse. The key is ensuring the sector generates its own liquidity and attracts capable investors. Tariff reform is inevitable, though it must be gradual to avoid undue hardship.”

A step in the right direction – Independent Power

 However, reacting, Managing Director of First Independent Power Limited, Mr. Seyi Sobogun, described the development as a critical step toward restoring stability.

“We welcome the progress made so far. Addressing legacy debts is crucial to improving system performance,” he said.

He noted that the N501 billion bond issuance, which was fully subscribed, reflects growing market confidence.

“We remain committed to working with stakeholders to strengthen the sector and improve electricity supply nationwide,” he added.

Vanguard 

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government has officially commenced the full automation of Electronic Physical Planning Process System, EPPPS, and land administration processes, outlawing the manual processing of planning permits across the state.

The initiative, is part of measures to modernise urban governance, reduce the incidence of building collapse, and enhance ease of doing business, among others in the State.

Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, announced this during a press conference on Friday, held in Alausa, Ikeja.

According to Babatunde, the transition to EPPPS, a web-based platform, is designed to streamline the processing of planning permissions, authorisations to commence construction works, and stage certifications.

The initiative, he stressed aligns with the vision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commitment to deploy technology in improving service delivery, transparency, and operational efficiency within the built environment sector.

“The full automation of our planning permit process commenced on April 1, 2026. Let me be unequivocally clear: the manual processing of physical planning permits has been completely discontinued and outlawed in Lagos State.

“Anyone processing planning permits manually from this date is engaging in an illegal activity,” Babatunde stated.

The Special Adviser revealed that the state has achieved 100 per cent training and retraining of personnel, alongside complete deployment of computer systems and internet connectivity across all district offices of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA,

He noted that once applicants receive planning approvals through the EPPPS platform, they can seamlessly proceed to apply for authorisation to commence construction works and stage certifications, thereby ensuring end-to-end digital service delivery.

To ensure compliance, Babatunde announced the establishment of a task force under his office to monitor adherence to the new system and enforce the Governor’s directive.

Beyond EPPPS, the government also introduced the Certified Accredited Programme (CAP)—a strategic Public-Private Partnership aimed at strengthening the capacity of LASBCA.

The programme allows accredited private professionals to collaborate with the agency in monitoring building projects and ensuring strict compliance with building codes.

According to Babatunde, “The initiative will significantly reduce the incidence of building collapses while accelerating project delivery.

“CAP is a win for safety, a win for the construction industry, and a win for Lagosians.”

In a bid to decentralise land administration services, Babatunde announced that the e-GIS Regional Office in Ikeja has commenced operations.

The facility serves as a customer-facing hub for digitised land administration activities, reducing the need for residents to travel to Alausa for land-related inquiries.

He added that additional divisional offices across the state would soon become operational, further enhancing accessibility.

“Powering the e-GIS ecosystem is the Aumentum Software, a robust digital platform designed to manage land records and facilitate the electronic processing of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O).

“The system replaces the traditional reliance on physical files, ensuring secure, searchable, and faster processing of land titles,” Babatunde stated.

He noted that the innovation would also significantly boost investor confidence in the Lagos real estate market by guaranteeing the integrity of the state’s land registry.

The post Building collapse: Lagos launches full e-physical planning permit, outlaws manual processing appeared first on Vanguard News.

Akor Adams has reflected on Sevilla’s thrilling victory over Atletico Madrid, DAILY POST reports.

The Rojiblancos defeated a youthful Atletico Madrid’s side 2-1 at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan on Saturday night.

Atletico ended a run of three consecutive top-flight defeats following the victory.

Adams scored the game’s opening goal from the penalty spot, while Javier Bonar restored parity for the visitors in the 35th minute.

Captain Nemanja Gudelj, however, scored the winning goal for Luis Garcia Plaza’s side from a header.

Akor declared that they gave their best in the game to make the fans happy.

“We gave 100% and achieved our objective, which was the three points. The fans’ support was incredible; it gave us a great energy. We play for them, and if we’re all like this, we’ll be happy every week,” the Nigeria international told the club’s official website.

Sevilla moved out of the bottom three following the win.

LaLiga: Adams reflects on Sevilla’s win over Atletico Madrid

…10-party coalition may emerge against APC The ongoing travails of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may lead to the formation of a 10-party coalition, far bigger than what was initially envisaged, sources close to the opposition have said. The Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC was removed from the portal of […]

Gunmen on Friday night killed the traditional ruler of Ochia, Barr Paulinus Ekwueme, alongside security operatives in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. The attackers ambushed the monarch at the boundary of Assa and Ochia communities after he returned from a trip abroad earlier in the week. 

Some security operatives in his convoy were also shot dead. Eyewitness said the monarch and the security operatives were set ablaze after the killing, adding that the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area had been thrown into mourning.

Hrm lives in America, but some in his town accuse him of acquiring lots of wealth coming from the oil in their land and yet they have no nepa (light) and other amenities, and that this angered the youths of his community to take this step. One said Ms Duruaku wrote, “he ate the youth empowerment meant given to him by shell oil company and ran abroad for years”