General
Nigeria Almost Zero in all Indices of Development—Peter Obi
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The presidential candidate of the opposition Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has lamented the poor ratings of Nigeria, promising to change the narrative if elected president next year.
Mr Obi, while speaking after he emerged candidate of the party in Delta State on Monday, said the greed of “forces of retrogression” have made Nigeria to “become a laughing stock among other nations.”
“Yes, our country stands hijacked by forces of retrogression. We are almost zero in all indices of development. As a result, our future, especially those of the youth and generations unborn is in ruins. We have become a laughing stock among other nations, including African countries where we were once revered,” he said in his acceptance speech.
The former Governor of Anambra State defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party a few days ago. He had wanted to fly the flag of the PDP in the 2023 presidential election but when it became clear that this would be impossible, he jumped ship. The ticket was later given to former Vice President, Mr Atiku Abubaker, at a keenly contested primary held over the weekend in Abuja.
On Monday, the Labour Party held its presidential primary and was won by Mr Obi. In his speech, he thanked the other participants, calling on them to support him to return “Nigeria to Nigerians from forces of bad leadership and retrogression.”
“In the battle to re-take Nigerian, the odds are great and seemingly insurmountable, but with our commitment, patriotism and understanding that we are doing, what we are supposed to do for our country, lest she shall die, we shall move on discontent with what is and focused on enthroning what ought to be. In doing this, our battle cry shall remain: get your PVC and become part of this great liberation!” he declared.
He stated that, “Our governance mission will be twin-tracked. Secure Nigeria in every ramification: national security, human security, food security and tackling insecurity created by unemployment.”
“We will also seek to unite our nation by pulling our people out of poverty and creating a new sense of nationalism and patriotism. Nigeria shall rise again: and her people will be proud to claim ownership of her patrimony. Doing so is in our collective national interest,” he added.
Mr Obi disclosed that, “Nigerians remain hopeful for a national rebirth, which implies returning Nigeria to Nigerians – farmers, teachers and students, lecturers, artisans, workers, pensioners and over a hundred million poor Nigerians who are not sure where their next meal will come from.”
“As a party that represents the workers and masses of this great nation, we are people organised and working for our economic rebirth. As I am nominated today, I humbly proclaim that the journey towards the emancipation of the country has begun,” he stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has disclosed that average litres of fuel consumed daily by the country decreased by about 18.6 per cent to 48.0 million litres in June 2025 from the 59.0 million litres recorded in May 2025.
The Director of Public Affairs for NMDPRA, Mr George Ene-Ita, confirmed this in a report on Wednesday, noting that for the full month, the fuel consumption also went down by 16.4 per cent or 290 million litres to 1,440,768,129 litres from the previous month’s 1,768,812,804 litres.
Breaking down the fuel supply figures, the NMDPRA report stated that in June, the Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), called diesel, saw a slight increase in supply by 1.73 per cent, reaching 432.18 million litres compared to May’s 424.83 million litres.
In spite of this, diesel distribution (truck-out) declined by 23.23 per cent, falling from 552.35 million litres in May to 424.06 million litres in June.
It further showed that the Household Kerosene (HHK) supply and distribution both recorded a 13 per cent decrease, with June figures at 7.79 million litres, down from nearly nine million litres in May.
The sharpest decline was seen in automotive gasoline supply, which dropped by nearly 48 per cent from 72.36 million litres in May to 37.66 million litres in June.
Distribution also fell by 16.54 per cent within the same period.
The NMDPRA’s report also detailed fuel truck-out volumes to individual states, totalling the 1.44 billion litres evacuated in June.
The report showed that Lagos received the highest volume at 205.66 million litres, followed by Ogun with 88.69 million litres, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 77.51 million litres, and Oyo with 72.81 million litres.
The decline in overall supply and distribution suggests continued challenges in the petroleum midstream and downstream sectors, impacting national fuel consumption patterns in June.
The NMDPRA, then, pledged to work closely with relevant stakeholders to strengthen distribution and guarantee the uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country.
By Adedapo Adesanya
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday discharged the embattled Ms Comfort Emmason of charges bordering on unruly behaviour and assaulting the flight crew aboard an Ibom Air aircraft from Uyo to Lagos on Monday.
Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the five-count charge against Ms Emmason after the police prosecution team withdrew the case.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecuting council, Mrs Oluwabunmi Adeitan, informed the court of new developments that necessitated the withdrawal.
She tendered an application to the court for the withdrawal of the case, which was admitted by the court.
Earlier today, the federal government announced the withdrawal of a criminal complaint against Ms Emmanson.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday morning, noting that this followed consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector over recent incidents involving disruptive conduct at Nigerian airports.
According to the Minister, Ms Emmanson, had showed “great remorse” during a police interview in the presence of her lawyer.
As a result, Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint, with the Police expected to complete steps for her release from Kirikiri Prisons within the week.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has also agreed to lift the lifetime flight ban earlier imposed on her.
In a related development, popular Fuji musician, Mr Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1 had his six months ban reduced to one-month following an earlier fracas while the pilots involved in the matter also had their suspension reduced to one-month with their licenses re-activated upon expiry of the punishment.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has gotten a September 2025 deadline to close the prosecution of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Sambo Dasuki, over alleged money laundering, a case which has been in court for over 10 years.
The Federal High Court through Justice Peter Lifu fixed September 24, 25, and 26 for the government to call any remaining witnesses and tender all exhibits in support of the charges.
Mr Dasuki, who was first arraigned in 2015 was facing a seven-count amended charge and was expected to open his defence once the prosecution closed its case.
At the last hearing, a prosecution witness, Mr Monsur Mohammed, told the court that following Mr Dasuki’s arrest, his residences in Abuja, Kaduna, and Sokoto were searched for arms and cash.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Mr Oladipupo Okpeseyi (SAN), the witness, an exhibits keeper with the Department of State Services (DSS), listed items recovered from Dasuki’s Abuja residence at 46, Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro.
He claimed that at Mr Dasuki’s House at 46, Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, found items include two Compact Disc of Freedom Radio on Jokolo, two GT Bank Cheque books, two blackberries phones, Nokia phone, flash drive, Apple Laptop and statement of account as part of items found in the house.
Others were a Visa card, approval letter of a radio station granted to Afri-Media Integrated Ltd, one CD on arrest and execution of Mohammed Yusuf, $500 and 533 Saudi Riyadh.
Also recovered were an HSBC account book and a Cheque book of Habibson Ltd of a Mr Abubakar Ibrahim.
The court admitted the items as Exhibits MSD 015 to 034 following no objection from Dasuki’s lawyer, Mr Ahmed Usman.
It was also revealed that at Mr Dasuki’s residence in Sabo Birni, Sokoto State, the exhibits keeper claimed that $150,000 were recovered in the house and subsequently deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The prosecutor said he would ask the DSS to bring the cash to court to be tendered as exhibits.
At the Sultan Abubakar Road, Sokoto house, the witness told the court that no items were found.
At this stage, the federal government counsel applied for an adjournment to enable him bring before the court other items found in Mr Dasuki’s house during the four search warrants executed in the houses.
Justice Lifu while granting the adjournment request directed the federal government to be ready to close its case against the defendant and for Dasuki to open his defence.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until September 24, 25 and 26.
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