General
Peter Obi Questions Tinubu’s Approval of NNPC Debt Cancellation
By Adedapo Adesanya
The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has queried the decision of President Bola Tinubu to write-off about N8 trillion in debts owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited despite unresolved audit queries running into trillions of Naira.
Mr Obi, in a statement titled Era of Financial Recklessness, described the reported debt forgiveness as alarming, especially at a time Nigerians are grappling with rising energy costs, inflation and heavier tax burdens.
“Just last week, it was alarmingly reported that the President approved the write-off of N5.57 trillion and $1.42 billion, approximately N8 trillion, in debts owed by NNPC, a company that recently announced profits and claimed it had turned a new leaf,” Mr Obi said in the statement on X, formerly Twitter.
He noted that the development comes amid ongoing audit investigations into NNPC over an alleged failure to account for N210 trillion, a figure he said exceeds Nigeria’s combined federal budgets between 2023 and 2026.
“For context, the total federal government budgets from 2023 to 2026 amount to about N178.56 trillion. Nigerians are still waiting for the outcome of the National Assembly investigation into the missing trillions,” Mr Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor questioned the rationale behind the debt write-off, pointing out that NNPC is also under scrutiny over trillions of naira spent on non-functional refineries.
“This is the same agency facing serious audit inquiries and yet the President, who also serves as the Minister in charge, has approved the write-off of about N8 trillion in NNPC debts,” he said.
Mr Obi argued that the debt forgiveness effectively shifts the revenue burden to ordinary Nigerians, who are already reeling from the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies.
“Nigerians, already enduring severe hardships, are now confronted with this unexplained debt forgiveness. The nearly N8 trillion write-off will effectively replace revenue that the government is now seeking through unfair taxation,” he said.
Mr Obi stressed that the amount written off could have significantly strengthened key sectors of the economy.
“This almost N8 trillion exceeds the combined 2025 federal budget allocations for education, health and agriculture, which total N7.1 trillion,” he noted, adding that it is also “nearly twice the 2025 federal security budget of N4.9 trillion.”
He maintained that such resources could have been deployed to stimulate productivity, create jobs and reduce poverty, particularly in an economy struggling with unemployment and weak growth.
“The President owes Nigerians clear answers. Citizens deserve honesty, fiscal discipline and governance that protects their interests, not the interests of mismanaged corporations or political elites,” Mr Obi said.
He called for transparency around the reported write-off, warning that unchecked fiscal decisions in the energy sector could further undermine public trust and economic stability.
“This betrayal of the people must be stopped,” Mr Obi concluded.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu, has been congratulated by President Bola Tinubu on his 65th birthday.
In a statement released by the State House, the former Governor of Abia State was praised for his multifaceted roles and his service to the nation.
Mr Tinubu said his longtime friend and political ally has worked for the growth of Nigeria, having served as the Senate Chief Whip and currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
The SEDC is one of the regional development commissions established by the administration of President Tinubu to accelerate infrastructure, economic growth, and overall development across the South East geopolitical zone.
The President highlighted the lawmaker’s significant contributions during his tenure as Governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, as well as his continued dedication to the progress of the state and the nation at large.
He also acknowledged Mr Kalu’s accomplishments in the private sector, describing him as a media mogul and Chairman of SLOK Holding, who continues to play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic development.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s vision, resilience, industry and service to the nation and commitment to the progress of Abia are noteworthy,” President Tinubu remarked.
“I wish him long life, greater strength and increased wisdom as he continues his service to the nation,” the President concluded.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed Paradise Estate in Life Camp Extension, Abuja, following serious allegations of consumer rights violations.
The action was taken due to the estate’s alleged failure to deliver housing units to buyers despite receiving full payment.
The FCCPC also cited multiple public complaints and other offences as grounds for the enforcement.
According to the commission, numerous complaints had been lodged against Paradise Estate, but the management repeatedly failed to comply with regulatory directives.
The non-compliance prompted the FCCPC’s visitation and eventual sealing of the premises.
Speaking to reporters, the FCCPC’s Deputy Director of Surveillance, Marvin Nadah, noted that the developer was given a seven-day window to respond to an official summons but failed to comply.
In its defence, Paradise Homes’ Head of Legal, Mr Aloysius Ezenwa, argued that the transactions were protected under the existing “Contract of Sale.” The company expressed its dissatisfaction with the sealing, maintaining that the dispute is a contractual matter that should be settled before a tribunal.
However, the FCCPC maintained that its actions were lawful and that it had not been served with any court appeal to halt the process.
The commission reiterated its stance on prioritising the rights of Nigerian consumers and ensuring developers are held accountable.
It noted its commitment to protecting consumers from unfair business practices and warned other real estate developers to adhere strictly to contractual obligations and consumer protection laws.
The FCCPC’s involvement in a housing complaint comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the organisation has the powers to investigate consumers’ complaints involving banks and other financial institutions.
The banks, the court ruled, are answerable to FCCPC. It dismissed a suit filed by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and slammed N2 million on it.
The decision has been described as a big win for bank customers.
In a statement signed by its Corporate Affairs Director, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC’s chief executive, Mr Tunji Bello, said, “This is a big victory for bank customers.”
By Bon Peters
Retirees of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Onne Port complex in Rivers State were honoured at an event on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
The ceremony was full of conviviality, renewal of camaraderie and more importantly a demonstration of love, affection and commitment as shown to the retirees by the management.
The Port Manager for Onne Port Complex, Mr Abdulrahmon Hussain, informed newsmen that the event was to appreciate the retirees who have shown commitment, laid foundation and also mentored most of the workforce at Onne.
“What the Nigerian Ports Authority Onne Port complex management is doing today is to appreciate our retirees,” he said.
“We believe that the foundation we are standing on today was laid by them. While in service, they have mentored our junior staff and contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Port.
“Simply put, you know here is referred to as a family Port and we want to sincerely show them that they are still members of the family though retired,” he added.
Mr Hussain also praised the Managing Director of the NPC, Mr Abubakr Dantsoho, for giving welfare of employees a priority.
“Today’s event is the first of its kind at our Port but we promise to make it more memorable going forward.
“Apart from the multivitamins and other drugs we provided for them, I feel the most important thing is the demonstration of love and care which the management has shown them today, and I promise that the management will do more next year,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Onne Port complex Dr Bashir Kangiwa, applauded the Port Manager for the initiative describing it as the first of its kind.
He noted that when he was assigned to carry out the project from the Medical Department, he embraced the responsibility with all arms and was happy it was successful.
He hinted that the NPA has a policy that even as a retiree, they enjoy an unhindered access to the company’s medical facilities and could also be referred to another hospital if the ailment is beyond the organisation’s control.
One of the retirees, Mr Ndudim Amos Nwaji, a former NPA Senior Staff Association Chairman, thanked the management of Onne Port complex for the gesture.
He advised those in the leadership position of this country to borrow a leaf from the NPA management, insisting that the senior citizens of this country should be taken care of.
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