Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop targeting social media activists. Obi’s remarks, issued through the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), were a direct response to the EFCC’s recent summoning of activists known as “Randy Peter” and “Mama Pee”.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Focus on High-Profile Crimes: POMR spokesperson Idris Zekeri emphasized that the EFCC is a vital institution that should dedicate its limited resources to addressing major financial crimes, such as public fund diversion and significant financial mismanagement, which hinder Nigeria’s economic growth and infrastructure development.

• Concerns Over Resource Allocation: While acknowledging that the rule of law applies to everyone, the group questioned if prioritizing online disputes and minor, debatable infractions is the most effective use of the EFCC’s mandate.

• Preserving Public Trust: The statement warned that by focusing heavily on online critics and activists, the agency risks being viewed as a tool to suppress political dissent. This perception threatens to erode public confidence and trust in the agency’s primary mission to combat corruption.

• Call for Impartiality: POMR urged the EFCC leadership to avoid entanglement in social or political disputes, maintaining that the commission’s core responsibility must remain the combatting of systemic corruption and serious economic crimes.

On Thursday, a brief dispute occurred in the Senate between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole. The tension arose regarding the confirmation of Professor Abayomi Fasina—the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)—as a non-career ambassadorial nominee, due to outstanding sexual harassment allegations against him.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Key Points of the Disagreement

• Senator Oshiomhole argued that confirming a nominee facing such serious allegations would be insensitive to Nigerian women.

• He highlighted that these issues involving two separate accusers are currently pending before various courts.

• While acknowledging the presumption of innocence, Oshiomhole maintained that it would be more prudent for the Senate to wait for the nominee to clear his name legally before proceeding with the confirmation.

• The confirmation process took place following the presentation of a report from the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which was chaired by Senator Sani Bello and presented by Senator Simon Lalong.

The four-year leadership crisis within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) appears to be approaching a resolution, as rival leaders Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) and Tajudeen Baruwa have agreed to seek peace through dialogue. This progress occurred during a reconciliation meeting organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja, where both factions committed to settling their differences and reunifying the union.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Insiders close to the meeting noted that this is the most substantial advancement in the dispute to date.

• Both Akinsanya and Baruwa have pledged to engage in ongoing discussions to address all remaining grievances.

• According to a source cited by The Guardian, the talks were constructive and frank, fostering optimism that the union is entering a new era of peace.

• Both parties have agreed to pursue the reconciliation process without setting preconditions.

• The NLC plans to host follow-up meetings with both factions to solidify these agreements and further unify the organization.

Background of the Crisis

The leadership conflict originated in 2022 after Tajudeen Baruwa was elected National President at the NURTW National Delegates’ Conference. This outcome was challenged by Akinsanya’s faction, which led to the creation of parallel leadership structures, years of legal battles, and significant internal division. The NLC has intervened multiple times over the past four years in an attempt to stabilize the union.