General
PDP Not Big Enough for me to Achieve my Dreams—Uduaghan
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On Tuesday, August 28, 2018, the immediate past governor of Delta State, Mr Emmanuel Uduaghan, formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Uduaghan, a founding member of the PDP and Delta South Senate aspirant in 2019, confirmed his defection at a meeting of the APC national caucus held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by leaders of the party including national officers, state governors, former state governors, ministers and National Assembly members.
Speaking on reasons for his defection, Mr Uduaghan, in a statement entitled ‘Moving On To The Bigger Playing Field’ and sent to this newspaper by his spokesperson, said with his desire to attract development and bring a permanent solution to the Niger Delta crisis, propelled him to leave the PDP.
According to him, the APC is the only platform he can achieve his aims for the region judging from its progressiveness and the leadership style of the president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Read Mr Uduaghan’s full statement below:
The toughest challenge for any leader in the Niger Delta since 1997 has been the issue of Peace and Security. For over 12 years, I was deeply involved in the management of the issues of the region, first as Secretary to State Government, SSG, and then as Governor of Delta State for 8 years.
Strategically, we had ENGAGEMENT as our major tool. This involved government officials, with me in the forefront (sometimes personally going into the creeks without security at nocturnal hours), community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, our youths, retired military officers, activists, etc. Of course, ensuring that Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, was active was also part of the engagement process.
Encouraging Interests, Activities
Since the inception of the current All Progressives Congress, APC, administration at the federal level, there has been an encouraging interest and activities by President Muhammadu Buhari to bring a permanent solution to the Niger Delta crisis. This has pointed in a direction that is at once progressive and developmental.
Topmost in these activities are the ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES. Rather than using the military to harass our people, the Buhari administration has embarked on various engagement processes that have led to agreements and brought hope to the people of the Niger Delta.
In the last years, Mr President has personally engaged several regional leaders and youths. Senior officials of his administration also engaged many Niger Delta leaders and youths. Very significant is that Mr. President mandated the Vice President Prof Yemi Osibajo SAN, to visit virtually all the oil producing states, engaging various stakeholders. This is unprecedented in the history of the region. Such engagement processes have brought some measure of peace in the Niger Delta. Things can only get better.
Beyond the engagement processes, however, the Buhari administration has embarked on some infrastructural and human capital development activities in the region. In Delta State, the opening of a Maritime University; the setting up of a steering committee for the EPZ (GAS CITY), the plan for a deep sea port, the dredging of the Escravos-Warri River; the opening of the railway line to Delta Steel Company, the soon to be flagged off, by Mr. President, the Omadino-Escravos Road that will pass through many riverine communities; the various road construction works by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the various TCN projects across the State are some of the positive activities in the region.
There are also various human capital development programmes especially the school feeding and the “social security net” that is making 5,000 Naira available to the poor, the continuation of the YouWin programme, the various SME programmes, and several other projects across the region have brought hope to the people.
Indeed, once Mr President was able to set his priorities pursuant to creating an environment for peace in the region, it became incumbent on every well-meaning Niger Deltan and Nigerian to assist the process of building an economically prosperous nation.
In this era of partisan politics, it is necessary for the people of the Niger Delta, and Delta State in particular, to identify more with the Federal Government led by the APC. By so doing, we can push some of the agreements between our leaders and the Federal Government through, and also engage the government to do more. Politics is about interests.
The Niger Delta is a major area of interest for me, because I staked my life going into the creeks severally without security and sometimes coming back at night negotiating peace. I will, therefore, give the strongest support to any President that shows commitment in the affairs of the Niger Delta.
I call on, and enjoin, other well-meaning leaders in the region, who have very useful contributions to make, to come on board and join hands in helping this Federal Government to pursue a robust development agenda that would uplift our people. Whatever milestone that appears not to have been achieved yet is not for lack of efforts. Joining hands with and supporting the process will lead to a faster delivery on expectations.
It is in the pursuit of this noble objective that I’m offering myself to help drive a process that would give the lives of our people in the Niger Delta more meaning. President Muhammadu Buhari needs people who will join hands with him to uplift our people. From my political experience, you have to be well represented and actively so at the “board room” when decisions are being taken. Delta State must be well represented. Niger Delta must be well represented.
It is noteworthy to state that some organisations have been deeply involved in efforts to develop the Niger Delta and can always be relied on to collaborate with our President. It is also noteworthy to add that some previous administrations made significant efforts to develop the region. The current administration made such a significant impact in spite of the fact that apart from Edo State, President Buhari did not score the required 25% in the entire Niger Delta in the election that brought him into government in 2015. This speak volumes of his genuineness to uplift the Niger Delta. Such an administration should be encouraged by the people of the Niger Delta. We can never be sure of the genuiness of another person who becomes the President.
I have, therefore, after series of consultations and prayers, taken the decision to leave the PDP and join the APC. In doing this, I want to thank the numerous leaders, supporters and interest groups that have been urging me to remain in PDP. I am happy that after explaining some of the deeper issues to you, some of you that are politicians have agreed to join the APC in the near future. So I am going into APC as “John the Baptist” to the numerous Deltans that are coming in, soon – very soon.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has said state governments are now receiving substantially higher allocations to drive development, while renewed investor confidence is attracting fresh investments into Nigeria.
Speaking at the maiden State House Media Dinner in Abuja on Thursday, the president described the development as evidence that his administration’s economic reforms are beginning to deliver positive results.
He defended the reforms introduced by his administration, acknowledging that they were difficult but necessary to reposition the economy for sustainable growth.
According to Mr Tinubu, stronger public revenues have enabled increased allocations to states, while improvements in the investment climate have boosted confidence among domestic and foreign investors.
“The difficult but necessary reforms undertaken by this administration are yielding results. Our economy is stabilising. Public revenues have strengthened significantly,” he said.
“State governments are receiving substantially higher allocations to support development. Investor confidence is returning.
“Our foreign reserves have improved considerably. The oil and gas sector is attracting renewed investment. The stock market has witnessed remarkable growth. Key economic indicators are moving in the right direction,” Mr Tinubu stated.
The president also said the administration was laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity through a combination of tax and fiscal reforms, infrastructure development and improvements to the business environment.
“Through tax reforms, fiscal reforms, infrastructure investments, and improvements in the business environment, we are laying the foundations for a more competitive, productive, and prosperous economy,” he said.
Although acknowledging that more work remains, Mr Tinubu maintained that the country was firmly on the path to sustainable economic growth.
“The journey is not yet complete, but the direction is clear, and the foundations for long-term growth are being firmly established,” he added.
On security, the president said his administration had sustained a multi-dimensional strategy that has produced measurable gains across different parts of the country.
He noted that intensified military operations, improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency coordination, and expanded regional and international cooperation had led to the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and criminal elements, the rescue of numerous hostages, and the recovery of communities previously under siege.
President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring peace and security across the country, saying every Nigerian should be able to live, work and prosper without fear.
The president also commended the media for its contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development while urging journalists to uphold professionalism by reporting accurately and responsibly.
“We are adversaries only in the democratic sense, as the media constantly distrust those in power. In nation-building, we are partners,” he said.
He described government and the media as institutions with complementary responsibilities, noting that while government serves through leadership and public policy, the media serves by holding those in power accountable on behalf of the people.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) has launched a $3 billion Contract Finance Facility in partnership with nine Nigerian banks to improve contractors’ access to funding and strengthen local participation in the oil and gas industry.
The facility is designed to provide credit support for local contractors executing projects for SNEPCo operations and will be available in both Naira and US Dollars.
The participating banks are First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa, Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered Bank, First City Monument Bank and Fidelity Bank.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Lagos, the SNEPCo Managing Director, Mr Ronald Adams, said, “The initiative reflects the spirit of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, which is aimed at in-country value retention.”
“Our partner banks offer capital and discipline. SNEPCo brings contracts and domiciliation of payments that de-risk lending. On their part, the contractors provide performance. Each is accountable to others, and the mutual accountability gives the arrangement its strength,” he added.
Also speaking, the Vice President for Finance at Shell Nigeria, Mr C. J. Akwaeze, said the scheme reflects Shell’s commitment to the growth of oil and gas operations in Nigeria.
The chairman of the indigenous oil and gas contractor group, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr Wole Ogunsanya, represented by Mrs Joan Faluyi, lauded the scheme as a “gateway to unlocking contractor financing issues which will also drive efficiency in contract execution.”
Representatives of the banks commended SNEPCo for the opportunity to partner on an initiative aimed at empowering contractors and assured the company of their continued support and cooperation.
Nigerian companies have continued to play key roles in supporting SNEPCo’s operation and project execution. Earlier this year, 43 wholly Nigerian companies took part in the turnaround maintenance exercise at the Bonga Floating Production and Offloading (FPSO) vessel out of the total of 53 companies involved.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has joined the International Energy Agency (IEA) as an associate member, making Africa’s largest crude producer the first member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to do so.
The governing board of the Paris-based agency unanimously agreed for Nigeria to join the IEA family, deepening its cooperation with Africa’s most populous nation in a major advance for global energy governance.
“I am thrilled that Nigeria is joining the IEA – it is Africa’s most populous country and a major international energy player. Nigeria becoming part of the world’s energy authority marks a milestone for global energy governance. I am very thankful to President Tinubu and Minister Ekpo for their trust in the IEA,” said IEA Executive Director, Mr Fatih Birol.
“As Nigeria works to strengthen energy security, support economic growth and expand energy access, deeper cooperation with the IEA will bring important benefits for both sides. We look forward to building on our already strong partnership and welcoming Nigeria to the IEA,” he added.
On his part, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, lauded the decision, saying it will contribute to helping the country utilise its energy resources.
“I am elated with the decision of the IEA Members to officially welcome Nigeria to the IEA Family as an Association country,” he said. “It is an honour for Nigeria to join this leading energy agency, and I will take this opportunity to encourage the African continent to embrace the IEA, as we all work together to achieve key development goals including universal energy access and industrialisation.”
Nigeria’s growing role in international energy markets has been highlighted by recent developments in its refining sector. During recent periods of market disruption, increased fuel exports from Nigeria helped strengthen resilience in African and international fuel markets.
The IEA, in a statement, noted that Nigeria has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for decentralised solar solutions and is stepping up efforts to expand access to electricity and clean cooking.
The IEA governing board’s decision builds on a strong history of engagement and collaboration between Nigeria and the IEA since 2014.
In September 2025, the IEA, Mr Ekpo as Minister of Petroleum Resources and the African Energy Commission (AFREC) jointly convened a Regional Roundtable on Turning Methane Pledges into Action in Abuja, bringing together energy stakeholders from across the region to advance efforts to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector.
As an associated country, Nigeria and the IEA will work more closely across a wide range of energy issues, including on the Agency’s engagement in sub-Saharan Africa.
Created in 2015, the IEA Association programme allows the agency to deepen ties with its partner countries, bringing together major energy-producing and consuming countries from around the world.
Nigeria joins a network of 13 other Association countries that work with the IEA to advance secure, affordable and sustainable energy systems worldwide. As a result of this expansion, the IEA’s share of global energy demand has increased from 40 per cent in 2015 to over 80 per cent today.
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