Nigerians across major urban centers are facing severe financial strain as the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) continues to soar, reaching as high as ₦2,400 per kilogramme in certain retail markets. While prices at established filling stations currently range between ₦1,650 and ₦1,900 per kilogramme, neighborhood retailers and black-market operators have pushed costs significantly higher, citing local logistics and overhead expenses.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) reports that supply volatility and high procurement costs—with marketers paying over ₦25 million for 20 metric tonnes—are primary drivers of the price surge. Consequently, many households are abandoning clean cooking energy in favor of charcoal or firewood, a trend that threatens government initiatives to promote safer energy alternatives.

The rising cost of cooking gas has become a major source of hardship for Nigerian families already battling inflation in food and transport sectors. Consumers in cities like Ibadan and Lagos report that prices are fluctuating rapidly, making it difficult to maintain standard cooking habits.

For example, residents noted that prices which were around ₦1,000–₦1,200 earlier in the year have jumped significantly, leading some to stop using gas entirely. Small-scale retailers argue that high transportation costs, such as the expense of moving product via motorcycle, leave them with no choice but to sell at premium rates. As costs reach prohibitive levels, low-income families are increasingly turning to traditional, less environmentally friendly fuel sources like firewood to survive.

Key Takeaways

• Price Disparity: Consumers face a wide price range, with retail costs reaching ₦2,400/kg in some areas, while filling stations generally charge between ₦1,650 and ₦1,900/kg.

• Logistical Challenges: Resellers cite high transportation and operational overheads as major reasons for the inflated prices at the local level.

• Market Instability: Despite increased domestic production, NALPGAM highlights that erratic supply and high wholesale costs are keeping retail prices high.

• Behavioral Shift: The persistent price hikes are forcing many citizens to revert to charcoal and firewood, potentially reversing progress made in clean energy adoption.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has revealed that several high-ranking All Progressives Congress (APC) members, including at least five serving governors, invited him to return to the party following his recent departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC)....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Lawal, who left the ADC over allegations of manipulated primary results, confirmed in a Sunday Punch interview that he has been courted by multiple political groups. However, he dismissed the possibility of rejoining the APC, asserting that the systemic issues that prompted his original exit remain unresolved. Currently, Lawal says he has stepped back from active politics to focus on his farm. Addressing accusations of betrayal regarding his exit from the ADC, he dismissed his critics and maintained that he was never politically aligned with Atiku Abubakar, warning that he remains prepared for political confrontation if necessary.

Babachir Lawal, the former SGF, is making headlines after confirming that multiple APC governors and ministers have been sliding into his DMs, hoping to lure him back to the party. After quitting the ADC—citing shady dealings during their presidential primary—Lawal says he has been flooded with offers from various political camps.

Despite the high-level attention, Lawal isn’t biting. He told Sunday Punch that the problems that drove him out of the APC are still there, so he’s not interested in going back. For now, he’s trading political drama for farm life in his village. As for the “betrayal” talk from Atiku’s supporters? Lawal isn’t having it, calling the criticism “rubbish” and insisting he was never in their camp to begin with. He’s taking a break, but he made it clear: he hasn’t lost his appetite for a political fight if provoked.

Key Points Summary

• The Outreach: Lawal claims at least five APC governors and several ministers have contacted him to discuss a potential return.

• The Stance: He has flatly rejected a return to the APC, noting that the fundamental issues that caused his initial resignation have not been addressed.

• Current Status: He has effectively retired from the current political cycle to focus on farming.

• The Atiku Connection: He denies betraying Atiku Abubakar, claiming he was never part of the former Vice-President’s political inner circle.

• Future Outlook: While he is currently enjoying his “comfort zone,” he remains defiant against his critics and ready to re-enter the fray if challenged.

Mike Ejiofor, a retired Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), has identified the absence of state police as a primary obstacle in Nigeria’s efforts to counter terrorism and kidnapping. In an interview with Vanguard, Ejiofor argued that the security architecture requires localized solutions to address threats effectively.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • Intelligence vs. Capacity: Ejiofor rejected the notion that recent surges in violence are due to intelligence failures. Instead, he argued that security agencies often possess the necessary intelligence but lack the sufficient funding, manpower, and modern equipment required to respond decisively. He pointed to the successful prosecution of the 2022 Owo attack suspects as evidence that intelligence gathering remains effective.

  • The Case for State Police: According to Ejiofor, the current centralized policing system is flawed because officers are frequently deployed to regions where they lack familiarity with the local language, culture, and terrain—and are often transferred before they can build that knowledge. He believes state-level forces, recruited from local communities, would be better positioned to understand these dynamics and work alongside federal police to bolster national security.

  • Shifting Security Threats: Regarding the rising insecurity in the South-West, Ejiofor explained that terrorist groups are geographically shifting their operations. After facing increased pressure in the North-East and North-West, these groups have moved southward to target the South-West, an area they perceive as strategic due to its demographics. Their objective, he noted, is to undermine government credibility and incite fear through abductions and extreme violence.

  • A Call for Collective Responsibility: Ejiofor emphasized that security is a shared burden. While the government holds the primary responsibility for citizen welfare and protection, he stressed that citizens must act as the first line of defense by providing credible information to security forces. He also warned that existing local vigilante groups are ill-equipped to confront heavily armed criminals who carry prohibited weapons.