General
Owners of Petrol Stations Seek N100bn Intervention from FG
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has appealed to the federal government for a N100 billion bailout to help cover its margin that has been affected by the fuel subsidy removal.
PETROAN explained that the sudden increase in petroleum products, which it says stands at 500 per cent, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy, threatens one million jobs and could see the possible closure of 10,000 retail outlets in the next 45 days,
This was disclosed by the National Public Relations Officer of PETROAN, Mr Joseph Obele, who warned that with Nigeria’s unemployment rate already at 5.3 per cent, representing over four million unemployed individuals, additional job losses would worsen economic conditions.
Mr Obele affirms PETROAN’s commitment to supporting economic reforms while urging prompt government action to mitigate the looming economic disaster.
“Before the removal of fuel subsidy, it costs petroleum products retail outlets owners about N7million to buy a truck of PMS with a capacity of 45,000 litres. As of today, the same truck is selling for N47million. The sudden upward review of 500% has rendered about 10,000 retail outlet owners financially handicapped and incapacitated.
“The inconsistency, instability and financial turbulence of the sector have compounded the challenges, thus making it difficult for petroleum products retail outlet owners to secure funds from financial institutions.
“Consistent lamentation of our members has necessitated the collation of data at the national headquarters of PETROAN which results showed that 10,000 operators of retail outlets would be shutting down or quieting business the next 45 days if nothing is done urgently in the form of interventions.
“Furthermore, the same data analysis revealed that the total workforce of these 10,000 owners of petroleum products retail outlets is over one million direct and indirect staff.
“Arising from the imminent threat of job losses, the National President of PETROAN, Dr Billy Gillis Harry, has taken proactive steps in consolidating the economic transformational programmes of Mr President by writing a passionate request letter to Mr President to approve a grant of N100 billion as a way of urgent intervention and a solution to salvaging the imminent job losses.”
Mr Obele said the bailout request has been submitted to President Bola Tinubu and called on the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy to intervene for the quick release of the grant to salvage the economy.
According to him, the grant when approved by President Tinubu will help 10,000 retail outlet operators to remain in business and it will secure jobs for one million Nigerians.
“The grant will bring stability and business boom in the sector which will eventually trigger price reduction and employment of new persons.
“The grant request is for the benefit of Nigeria’s economy which is not far from the federal government financing of the health sector during the COVID‐19 pandemic, intervention granted to aviation operators, federal government intervention fund for the power sector and also the federal government launch of N200 billion presidential intervention fund for Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, MSMEs and manufacturers in Nigeria.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has approached the court against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged N800 billion campaign fund diversion.
The organisation is seeking to compel the electoral body to investigate allegations that about N800 million from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations was diverted by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to finance political and campaign activities.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, but no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the claims that the governors channelled public funds into a dedicated campaign account allegedly meant to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The organisation is also requesting an order compelling INEC to demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC on any contributions made to such a campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.
In addition, SERAP wants the electoral commission to commence a comprehensive review of compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by political parties and candidates, particularly regarding campaign financing and the sources of political donations.
According to SERAP, the allegations raise fundamental concerns about transparency in political financing, electoral fairness and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to participate freely in democratic governance.
The organisation argued that opaque campaign financing remains a major avenue for corruption and weakens public confidence in democratic institutions.
It maintained that the alleged misuse of public funds for political purposes threatens the credibility of the 2027 general election and undermines public trust in the electoral process.
In the suit filed by its lawyers, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Kehinde Oyewumi, SERAP argued that the reported diversion of public resources for campaign activities warrants immediate action by INEC under its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
The group stated: “The abuse of state resources for electoral advantage undermines democratic integrity and public trust. Fairness, transparency, and accountability in political or campaign finance are essential safeguards against corruption, state capture, and undue influence in democratic processes.”
SERAP further argued: “The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
The organisation said large-scale public financial allocations, combined with weak oversight and limited transparency, provide sufficient grounds for INEC to activate its investigative powers.
Referring to Section 91 of the Electoral Act, SERAP noted that the law empowers INEC to regulate political donations, enforce contribution limits, demand disclosure of funding sources and impose sanctions where violations occur.
The organisation explained that political parties found to have exceeded donation limits risk fines of up to ₦10 million and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who exceed prescribed limits are liable to penalties amounting to five times the excess contribution.
SERAP also contended that campaign financing derived from public resources distorts electoral competition and violates constitutional principles guaranteeing free, fair and transparent elections.
According to SERAP, INEC has a constitutional duty to ensure compliance with campaign finance regulations and to investigate allegations that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted the deadline for political parties to submit the names and credentials of candidates seeking to contest the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The electoral body announced that parties now have until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, to complete the process, extending the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.
Under INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general election, political parties were expected to upload the names and personal particulars of their presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the initial cut-off date.
Explaining the decision, INEC said the extension followed appeals from political parties that had encountered difficulties meeting the deadline.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the request was formally conveyed through the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
According to him, IPAC sought additional time on behalf of parties that were yet to complete the submission of their candidates’ details through the commission’s portal.
“The decision to extend was based on an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, on behalf of political parties who were unable to upload the names and personal particulars of their candidates within the scheduled timeline,” Mr Haruna stated.
INEC noted that the extension is intended to give all eligible parties a fair opportunity to comply with the requirements of the electoral process while remaining within the framework of the law.
The commission also urged political parties to utilise the extra period to finalise and upload all required information ahead of the revised deadline.
“The commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” the statement added.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
