Politics
Nigerians React As Federal Government Announces 50% Reduction In Holiday Travel Costs On 22 Interstate Routes
On Wednesday, the Federal Government announced a 50 percent reduction in transportation costs along 22 interstate routes during the Yuletide season. Mr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and chair of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Presidential Intervention, made this announcement during a briefing at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja…..CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The spokesperson for the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Segun Falade, confirmed that the fare subsidy implementation would commence on Thursday. The 50 percent reduction in fares was determined in collaboration with luxury bus companies. Additionally, President Bola Tinubu directed that commuters on all train services would enjoy free rides from Thursday to January 4, 2024.
However, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress criticized the initiative, labeling the Federal Government as confused. On the other hand, the Nigeria Union of Teachers praised the package as a welcome development.
Alake, alongside the Ministers of Transportation and Information and National Orientation, explained that the President approved the directives to alleviate economic challenges faced by Nigerians during the holiday season. The special discounted holiday season fare on road transport and zero-fare by rail across Nigeria would be in effect from Thursday, December 21, to January 4, 2024.
Alake emphasized that the Federal Government, in collaboration with transporters, road transport unions, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, would ensure the seamless execution of this special presidential initiative. He assured the public that there would be no price hikes for passengers, as the costs had been determined during negotiations.
Regarding the 50 percent reduction in road transport fares, Alake stated that it applied to inter-state travel to major hubs such as Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Ibadan, Akure, Maiduguri, Sokoto, and others. Luxury bus companies were chosen for their organized structures nationwide.
The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, emphasized the government’s commitment to security and explained that the 50 percent reduction in land transport fares aimed to maintain a balance between affordability and preventing misuse of the initiative. Existing train services would maintain their schedules throughout the period.
While the National Union of Road Transport Workers confirmed the implementation of the fare subsidy, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress criticized the government, considering it a “show of confusion.” The Nigeria Union of Teachers, however, commended the initiative.
Passengers welcomed the directive, expressing appreciation for the potential relief during the festive period. However, some transport union officials in various states claimed ignorance of the subsidy, stating they had not received official communication on the fare reduction.
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding an independent investigation into the scandal surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that a transparent probe is necessary to clear suspicions of high-level government involvement in the alleged fraud.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku’s critique centers on the perceived lack of institutional credibility regarding the government’s current explanation of the scandal:
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Implausible Narrative: Atiku criticized the Presidency’s account—provided by Bayo Onanuga—as illogical, questioning how one individual (Adeniyi Adeyemi) could unilaterally secure government office space, conduct high-level meetings with foreign delegations, and process official staff salaries without internal collaboration or negligence.
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Systemic Failure: He emphasized that while Adeyemi should face legal consequences if guilty, the government must address how such an operation bypassed standard institutional oversight.
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Budgetary and Civil Service Inconsistencies: Atiku highlighted that the PFIPC reportedly appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a multi-billion naira budget, and that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service allegedly approved the recruitment of over 300 staff members, both of which are structured processes that cannot occur by accident.
The Demand for Accountability
Atiku argued that the Presidency cannot deflect blame onto a single individual while ignoring the structural systems that facilitated the alleged fraud. Given that Adeyemi has denied the allegations and claimed that influential figures are attempting to silence him, Atiku contends that an independent inquiry is urgently required. He concluded by warning that failure to launch a comprehensive investigation would lead to public perception of “complicity by silence” on the part of the President.
On Thursday, June 2, 2026, Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the final forfeiture of ₦150 million to the Federal Government. The funds, linked to Nicholas Mutu, a serving member of the House of Representatives, were seized following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The ruling was secured under Section 44(2) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act. The court had previously issued an interim forfeiture order and mandated public notice in a national newspaper. As no party provided sufficient evidence to challenge the forfeiture during the interim period, Justice Abdulmalik granted the final order, rejecting arguments presented by counsel for Mutu and his company, Airworld Technologies Ltd.
The EFCC’s Findings
The EFCC’s investigation detailed how the funds were obtained:
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Kickback Scheme: While serving as Chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mutu allegedly received over ₦400 million in kickbacks from an NDDC consultant, Starline Consultancy Services.
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Laundering: The money was reportedly funneled through Heritage Bank accounts belonging to two of Mutu’s companies, Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes Ltd, which are owned and operated by the lawmaker and his immediate family.
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The “Consultancy” Ruse: Investigators revealed that after the Committee helped the NDDC recover over ₦100 billion from oil firms, Mutu pressured the consultant to issue a fake subcontract to his company to justify the kickbacks. The consultant later admitted that no actual work was performed by Mutu’s firm.
Mutu’s Defense and Ongoing Legal Status
During the investigation, Mutu returned ₦150 million to the EFCC, though he later argued in court that the payment was involuntary and that the funds resulted from legitimate business dealings. The court ultimately dismissed these claims, ruling that the money constituted proceeds of unlawful activity.
This civil forfeiture follows a separate, ongoing legal battle; the EFCC is currently appealing a previous judgment by Justice F.O.G. Ogunbanjo, which had acquitted Mutu in a related criminal money laundering trial.
Prof. David Salifu, a former Secretary to the Benue State Government (SSG), has reportedly died following an attack by suspected kidnappers. While traveling toward Makurdi on Thursday, Salifu was shot during the incident in Wukari, Taraba State. Although he managed to escape the scene and was rushed to a hospital in Makurdi for emergency treatment, he was pronounced dead on Thursday night. As of this report, security authorities and the Benue Command Police Public Relations Officer have not yet released an official statement regarding the attack.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Simultaneously, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing an intensified leadership crisis, marked by the issuance of Certificates of Return to two separate candidates for the 2027 Benue State governorship election.
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Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, was presented with a Certificate of Return at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja as the candidate for the faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. He was accompanied to the event by his running mate, Oyije Ochaekiti Ogbenjuwa, along with various party stakeholders.
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In a conflicting move, a rival faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), declared Emmanuel Agbo, the Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, as the winner of its primary and presented him with a separate Certificate of Return.
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