General
‘Fake Buhari’ Narrative Is Foolery, Ungodly, Despicable, Mischief—APC Chieftain
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Mr Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has described those peddling the narrative of a ‘fake Buhari’ in Aso Rock, Abuja, as gullible mischief makers, who are being urged on by those who have prayed for President Muhammadu Buhari’s death.
Giving this explanation in a statement issued and circulated in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Mr Eze also revealed that the narrative had been part of the strategies of those who have plundered the nation’s wealth without conscience before President Buhari came in to end their reign of unchecked stealing.
According to the party chieftain, authors of the narrative had hoped that the president would not return alive from his prolonged sick leave abroad, but were shocked to see him back healthier and pushing the anti-corruption campaign more vigorously, adding that their ‘plan B’ was taking advantage of the gullible and hateful, selling them a story that has become the butt of jokes across the world.
“These misguided fellows, who are products of the dismantled looting system that looted our common patrimony with impunity, would have loved to see President Buhari dead so that the efforts to recover their looted lot will be impossible, but unfortunately for them through the prayers of some innocent children of God that include the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby and Pastor Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who visited him in London, and other religions leaders he survived to their uttermost shame and chagrin.
Mr Eze highlighted that those peddling this falsehood are despicable and doubters of the ability of God to heal should take consolation in the words of Archbishop of Canterbury who later personally received the Nigerian president at Lambeth Palace, London stating that he was delighted to see the rapid recovery Mr Buhari has made from his health challenges, noting that it was a testimony to the healing powers of God, and answer to prayers of millions of people round the world.
President Muhammadu Buhari who thanked Pastor Adeboye for visiting him saying on his twitter handle ‘thank Pastor Adeboye for visiting today, and for his prayers and good wishes. May God continue to bless him and his work’
According to Mr Eze, others that visited President Buhari during this period were the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara
Apart from his Media Team, the State Governors, some selected Ministers and the then Acting-President Yemi Osinbajo led the stream of visitors.
Mr Eze wonders how all these high ranking personalities couldn’t detect the ‘fake President’ and regretted that instead of us rejoicing that President Muhammadu Buhari survived their evil plot they resorted to cheap blackmail of trying to cast doubt and aspersion on the person and personality of President Buhari”, he said.
Mr Eze also described the onslaught on the person of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as mischievous, unpatriotic, evil, demonic and unacceptable, saying “how could a foreigner, as claimed by these mischief makers, come in to act as the President of Nigeria without either the wife of the President or his children raising alarm over such an unislamic and unholy act?
“How could he have known both the president’s home in Kastina, recognize all the political actors in Nigeria, including his ministers and governors. Proponents of this satanic game should understand that Nigerians are aware, wise people and not fools who will accept such a dubious and diversionary strategy”, he said.
Mr Eze recalled the statement of Mr Yakubu Dogara the Speaker of the House of Representatives, “Today we visited His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. I am glad that he is doing well. His health has improved tremendously. I urge all Nigerians to continue to pray and offer thanks to God for answered prayers and for the safe return of Mr President. We must give thanks to God for this highly welcomed recovery. It is clear that Mr President’s insistence on following his doctors’ advice has yielded the desired results. Mr President exhibited remarkable recovery and was very conversant with all the political happenings back at home and across the continent”.
He therefore counselled the egg heads in PDP to come up with serious campaign issues instead of such elementary and awkward diversionary styles of blackmailing.
He also assured Nigerians that President Buhari’s survival was divine as enemies of Nigeria never expected him to survive, adding “with all the great works his administration is doing to revive our economy: revival of the power sector, agriculture, roads and rail line and many others, Nigeria should be ready to ensure that he is re-elected to avoid taking us back to the era of looting system of government associated with PDP leadership.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the federal government to review the fuel import licences recently issued to some marketers, saying the policy is driving up fuel prices, putting pressure on foreign exchange and creating instability in the downstream petroleum sector.
Speaking in Abuja, IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Chinedu Ukadike, said the current import regime has not achieved its goal of making fuel more affordable. Instead, he argued that it has encouraged the importation of more expensive petrol while increasing the country’s dependence on foreign exchange.
According to Mr Ukadike, some importers plan to sell Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, for about N1,350 per litre, which is higher than the ex-depot price offered by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The IPMAN official questioned the need to import fuel at higher prices when locally refined products are available at lower costs, noting that the situation has made it difficult for independent marketers to plan their businesses because import costs continue to fluctuate.
Mr Ukadike also raised concerns about the quality of some imported fuel and called on regulators to ensure that only products that meet Nigeria’s standards are allowed into the country.
The association warned that continued fuel imports also increase demand for the US Dollar since importers pay for products in foreign currency. This, the association said, puts additional pressure on the naira and contributes to higher fuel prices.
The association stressed that Nigeria should focus on supporting local refining to improve energy security and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.
It noted that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has helped maintain steady fuel supply despite global disruptions, including tensions in the Middle East.
According to IPMAN, greater use of locally refined fuel would reduce FX demand, strengthen the refining industry, create jobs and improve economic stability. It also said producing enough fuel for local consumption while exporting excess output would help Nigeria earn more foreign exchange.
The association called on the federal government, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the Presidential Committee on downstream reforms to engage stakeholders and adopt policies that support domestic refining.
IPMAN said strengthening local refining remains the best long-term solution for affordable fuel, stable supply and improved energy security in Nigeria.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has reiterated that the July 31, 2026, deadline for insurance companies to meet the new minimum capital requirements remains firm, warning operators against treating it as a mere formality.
The Commissioner for Insurance of NAICOM, Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, who gave this warning, urged companies that have yet to meet the new minimum capital requirements to act with urgency.
Speaking on Friday at the investiture of Mr Akinjide Oluwarotimi-Orimolade as the 53rd President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) in Lagos, Mr Omosehin said the recapitalisation exercise remained a critical pillar of the Commission’s ongoing reforms aimed at building a stronger, more resilient and consumer-focused insurance industry.
According to him, the new minimum capital requirement is designed to improve insurers’ claims-paying capacity, strengthen their balance sheets, support higher domestic risk retention and prepare the industry for a risk-based capital regime.
“With about 14 days to the July 31 deadline, we commend operators that have made significant progress in raising capital, engaging investors, strengthening governance and submitting for the Commission’s verification process.
“However, the deadline is not symbolic; it is regulatory, and the industry must treat it with the urgency it deserves,” he said.
The Commissioner assured stakeholders that the insurance sector regulator would maintain a transparent, fair and firm process, stressing that every operator must demonstrate financial soundness, regulatory compliance and operational readiness.
He added that stronger capitalisation must ultimately translate into better service delivery, prompt settlement of claims, improved consumer protection and greater public confidence in insurance.
Mr Omosehin noted that the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 has provided a stronger legal framework for a more resilient, better-governed and responsive insurance market, adding that NAICOM’s reform agenda is focused on market conduct, policyholder protection, governance, insurance penetration, financial inclusion and responsible innovation.
He described professionalism as the foundation of a trusted insurance market, saying the industry’s growth depends not only on adequate capital and effective regulation but also on ethics, competence, innovation and public confidence.
“The strength of insurance depends not only on capital and regulation but also on professionalism, ethics, innovation and public confidence. A trusted insurance market cannot be built on capital alone. It requires competent professionals, ethical institutions, credible advice and fair treatment of policyholders,” he stated.
By Bon Peters
About 29,645 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, as well as industrial palm oil, edible palm oil and vegetable oil with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N26 million have been auctioned by the Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The products were seized by the agency from some smugglers and auctioned on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Oron Outstation of the Command in Akwa Ibom State, in strict compliance with Section 119 of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023.
It was gathered that the command auctioned 14,720 litres of petrol and 14,925 litres of industrial palm oil, edible palm oil and vegetable oil, according to a statement issued over the weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by the command’s spokesman, Mr Joshua Iliya, a Deputy Superintendent of Customs.
It was disclosed that the exercise aligned with the service’s statutory mandate to transparently dispose of seized, forfeited, and abandoned goods after all due legal processes have been completed.
The petrol had a DPV of N11.4 million, 14,200 litres of industrial palm oil with a DPV of N14.1 million, 600 litres of edible palm oil with a DPV of N840,000, and 125 litres of vegetable oil with a DPV of N141,000.
Declaring the auction open, the Acting Comptroller of the Eastern Marine Command, Mr Esien Etim Esiet, stated that the items were intercepted during successful anti-smuggling operations within the command’s jurisdiction, adding that the seizures followed direct violations of the NCS Act and other extant laws governing restricted goods.
“This exercise reflects our unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of government assets,” he stated, reiterating that, “Beyond the lawful disposal of goods, this auction serves as a stark reminder that smuggling is an economic crime.”
“It undermines national development, threatens local industries, and deprives the government of critical revenue,” he averred, commending the resilience and professionalism of the command’s officers for securing Nigeria’s maritime borders despite operating in challenging terrains.
The customs officer assured bidders that the process was structured to be fair, open, and legally compliant while offering equal opportunity to all eligible participants.
