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ActionAid Cries Out: Citizens Suffer More Hardship, Fear Despite Government’s Promises”

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The General Assembly of ActionAid Nigeria has accused the Federal Government of failing to address worsening insecurity, rising hunger, and mounting public debt despite its touted economic reforms and symbolic policy gestures.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja after its Saturday evening meeting, the Assembly acknowledged some policy milestones under President Tinubu’s administration, including the signing of the Tax Reform Act, a reported boost in GDP figures, and the declaration of a state of emergency on food security.

However, it stressed that these achievements have yet to deliver any meaningful relief to ordinary citizens.

“ActionAid Nigeria’s General Assembly commends the Federal Government for notable steps such as the successful observance of Democracy Day, the Tax Reform Act aimed at strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation, GDP growth reports, and the declaration of a national emergency on food security. These are important strides, and we recognise them,” the statement read.

“Nonetheless, we remain gravely concerned about the deepening economic instability, spiraling inflation, growing inequality, persistent hunger, and worsening insecurity across the country.”

According to ActionAid, despite two years of the “Renewed Hope” agenda, millions of Nigerians continue to face hardship. It noted that persistent violence in the North Central region has driven food prices even higher, while the government’s heavy borrowing risks pushing the country toward an unsustainable debt crisis.

“While the food security emergency is welcome in principle, we have yet to see clear plans, revised budgets, or concrete action that would genuinely change the situation on the ground,” the statement added.

The Assembly further accused the Tinubu administration of being disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.

It highlighted worsening security challenges, citing recurrent herder–farmer clashes, unrestrained military airstrikes on civilians, and the suppression of peaceful protests. The group demanded urgent and comprehensive reform of the nation’s security architecture to restore public confidence and safeguard lives.

“The Federal Government must immediately overhaul the national security framework to end widespread violence, ranging from herder attacks to indiscriminate airstrikes and the suppression of civic freedoms,” ActionAid declared.

The group also condemned what it described as reckless borrowing and opaque debt management practices, warning that Nigeria’s current fiscal path could lead to deeper economic distress.

“Federal and state governments must halt unsustainable borrowing and focus on generating revenue locally. Transparency is key—debt audits and public disclosures must be institutionalised,” it urged.

On infrastructure, ActionAid demanded full disclosure of the costs and scope of the $1.5 billion Port Harcourt refinery project, which was recommissioned in November 2024 but shut down six months later for “planned maintenance.”

The Assembly also raised environmental concerns, blaming the government’s poor response to early warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and its lack of investment in climate adaptation for worsening flood disasters.

It called on state governments, particularly in Niger, Plateau, and Benue, to publish detailed reports of all funds and relief materials received for flood and crisis response.

“Affected states must be transparent and ensure that every kobo and item donated reaches the families in need,” the statement concluded.

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The Bulldozers Are Coming! Kano Targets Azman University In Massive Illegal Property Crackdown.

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Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has dismissed recent claims by 2027 presidential hopeful Peter Obi regarding Nigeria’s power generation goals. During an Arise Television interview, Onanuga clarified that Nigeria’s core electricity crisis stems from structural deficits—such as gas supply shortages, a $4 trillion legacy debt owed to suppliers, and an aging national grid—rather than a lack of generation capacity.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Onanuga noted that the nation already possesses an installed capacity of 13,500 megawatts, exceeding Obi’s promise to add 10,000 megawatts. He argued that the former governor lacks a clear understanding of the existing infrastructure limitations. Furthermore, Onanuga highlighted that the Tinubu administration is actively tackling these issues through the Electricity Act, which decentralizes power management, and the establishment of the Grid Asset Management Company Limited (GAMCO) to improve performance. He maintained that power generation has seen marked improvement since the current administration took office in May 2023.

President Bola Tinubu’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, has challenged Peter Obi’s pledge to increase Nigeria’s electricity generation by 10,000 megawatts within four years. In a recent interview, Onanuga stated that Obi’s plan ignores the reality that Nigeria’s installed capacity is already 13,500 megawatts—a figure that remains underutilized due to structural failures.

Onanuga identified the country’s primary obstacles as an outdated national grid, chronic gas supply issues, and a massive legacy debt of over ₦4 trillion owed to gas companies. He asserted that the current administration is addressing these systemic problems through legislative reforms, specifically citing the Electricity Act, which allows states to manage their own power generation, transmission, and distribution. Onanuga concluded that electricity output has already trended upward since May 2023 and that the government’s focus remains on optimizing existing assets rather than merely chasing higher capacity targets.

Bayo Onanuga is pushing back against Peter Obi’s recent promise to boost Nigeria’s power supply by 10,000 megawatts. According to President Tinubu’s spokesperson, the real issue isn’t a lack of capacity, but a broken system.

Onanuga pointed out that Nigeria already has 13,500 megawatts of installed capacity, most of which sits idle due to three main roadblocks:

  • The Grid: Outdated infrastructure that cannot handle current demands.

  • Gas Supply: A crippling lack of fuel for power plants.

  • Legacy Debt: A massive ₦4 trillion debt pile-up owed to gas suppliers.

Onanuga credited the Tinubu administration with tackling these hurdles head-on, specifically through the new Electricity Act that empowers states to generate and distribute their own power. He insists that the sector is already performing better than it was in May 2023 and that the focus is on fixing the structural bottlenecks, not just expanding capacity.

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Court Orders Probe Of Leaked Video In Alleged Coup Plot Trial

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On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja initiated an investigation into the unauthorized release of a video linked to the ongoing trial of six individuals accused of conspiring to topple President Bola Tinubu’s government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Investigation into the Leaked Video

  • Court Directive: Following a complaint from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), regarding a video statement that surfaced on the social media platform of influencer “VeryDarkMan” despite a court-imposed restriction, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct an inquiry.

  • National Security Concerns: The DPP characterized the leak as a national security risk that prejudices the ongoing judicial proceedings, noting the video had already surpassed 6,000 views.

  • Defense Stance: While defense counsel denied involvement in the leak, they held varying views on a probe; some welcomed an investigation, while others, like Sanusi Musa (SAN), cautioned against acting without formal evidence.

  • Judicial Ruling: Invoking Section 232(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Justice Abdulmalik mandated the DSS to identify and bring any responsible parties before the court, noting that such prosecution would be handled separately from the main coup trial.

Trial Testimony and Bail Proceedings

  • Witness Testimony: A prosecution witness, an Army officer codenamed “DDD,” testified that the investigation was conducted by a multi-agency team—including the Army, DSS, DIA, and EFCC—and explicitly denied that the defendants were chained, coerced, or tortured during interrogation.

  • Defense Challenges: During cross-examination, defense lawyers challenged the interrogation process, specifically noting the absence of family members or legal representation during the suspects’ questioning; however, the witness stated no such requests were made by the defendants.

  • Bail Applications: The court heard bail arguments from the defense, which the DPP opposed; Justice Abdulmalik has reserved her ruling on these applications and adjourned the trial-within-trial for the first three defendants until June 25 and June 30.

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No Mercy! US Authorities Deport Nigerian Over “Violent Crimes” & Abuse Allegations!.

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  • Deportation of Nigerian National: A Nigerian citizen named Ayodeji Ajayi has been deported from the United States following a series of criminal convictions, which include domestic violence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

    • Immigration Status: According to a statement released by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on their official account, Ajayi had been living in the US illegally for nearly two decades after failing to depart the country following the expiration of his student visa.

    • Criminal History: ICE reported that after abandoning his studies, Ajayi amassed a significant criminal record that includes convictions for domestic violence, trespassing, intimidation, and obstruction. Furthermore, his record includes charges involving kidnapping, rape, and family neglect.

    • Administrative Context: ICE attributed the removal of Ajayi to the immigration enforcement policies of President Donald Trump, noting the administration’s commitment to deporting criminal undocumented immigrants.

    • Missing Details: While the agency confirmed the deportation, they did not specify when it occurred, nor did they provide additional details regarding the jurisdictions of the convictions or the current status of his pending criminal charges.

    • Policy Enforcement: This action reflects the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to intensify enforcement and increase the number of removals of undocumented individuals with criminal backgrounds across the United States.

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