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Senate Begins High-Stakes Debate On Tinubu’s Record ₦58.47 Trillion Budget.

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Bamidele explained that the bill provides the constitutional and legal backing required to implement the 2026 Budget earlier presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a joint sitting of the National Assembly on December 19, 2025. He noted that, in line with parliamentary tradition, the bill was considered to have passed its first reading upon its formal presentation by the President.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Addressing his colleagues, the Senate Leader described the Appropriation Bill as a critical instrument of governance, emphasizing its central role in economic planning, public finance management and policy execution. He said the proposed legislation gives legal force to the policy direction outlined by the President in his budget address.

Bamidele stated that the 2026 Budget was crafted against the backdrop of ongoing economic reforms designed to stabilise the economy, address structural weaknesses and strengthen public finance systems. He described the proposal as a budget of consolidation, aimed at reinforcing existing reforms, stabilising key economic indicators and accelerating growth through strategic public investment.

Providing a breakdown of the proposed ₦58.472 trillion expenditure, Bamidele disclosed that ₦4.097 trillion was allocated for statutory transfers, ₦15.909 trillion for debt servicing, ₦15.252 trillion for recurrent non-debt expenditure, and ₦23.214 trillion for capital expenditure through contributions to the Development Fund. He noted that the structure of the budget reflected deliberate prioritisation, with capital spending emerging as the largest component of discretionary expenditure.

According to him, the substantial capital allocation was designed to tackle Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and expand the economy’s productive capacity. He said priority areas include transportation, power and energy, agriculture, industrial development, housing and the digital economy, adding that the investment scale was expected to stimulate private sector participation, generate employment, boost productivity and strengthen food and energy security.

On recurrent expenditure, the Senate Leader said the ₦15.252 trillion provision was intended to ensure effective service delivery and the smooth operation of government ministries, departments and agencies. He assured lawmakers that strict cost-control and efficiency measures would guide budget implementation.

Addressing debt concerns, Bamidele clarified that the ₦15.909 trillion earmarked for debt servicing was meant to meet existing obligations and did not signal new borrowing. He stressed the administration’s commitment to improving revenue generation and reducing dependence on borrowing, assuring that legislative oversight would ensure debt is applied strictly to development-oriented projects.

He also highlighted the ₦4.097 trillion allocated for statutory transfers, noting that the funds would meet constitutional obligations to key national institutions, which he described as essential for democratic stability and institutional independence.

Reflecting on challenges encountered during the implementation of the 2025 Budget, including revenue shortfalls, Bamidele said the Executive had pledged stronger fiscal discipline in 2026. He revealed that projected revenue for the 2026 fiscal year stands at ₦34.33 trillion, while total expenditure is estimated at ₦58.18 trillion, resulting in a budget deficit of 4.28 per cent of GDP, which he said falls within the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework approved by the Senate.

He added that key sectoral priorities in the 2026 Budget include security, education, healthcare, infrastructure and agriculture, noting that peace and security remain essential for sustainable economic growth.

Urging senators to approach the bill with a strong sense of responsibility, Bamidele called for transparency, fiscal discipline and alignment with national priorities throughout the legislative process. He appealed to his colleagues to support the bill’s second reading and its referral to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for detailed scrutiny, stressing the need for equity, realism and value for money in the final outcome.

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Security Scare As Tinubu’s Convoy Is Stoned In Abuja.

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Some angry residents of Abuja on Friday pelted the convoy of President Bola Tinubu with stones during his visit to the nation’s capital.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The incident occurred as the President arrived at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area One, Garki, Abuja, to observe the Jumat prayers.

Videos of the incident circulating on social media showed some residents chanting “Ba mayi,” a Hausa expression that translates to “We don’t want” in English.

Security operatives attached to the President’s convoy made efforts to prevent the situation from escalating as the vehicles moved away from the area.

The incident comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a related development, Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that opposition leaders are holding active discussions on forming an alliance to challenge President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

Makinde said he was willing to work with any opposition candidate whose participation in an alliance would provide the strongest opportunity to defeat the ruling party.

The governor expressed confidence that there was still sufficient time for opposition leaders to reach an agreement, adding that discussions were ongoing to achieve their common objective.

He also confirmed that he remained open to working with either former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, if such an arrangement offered the best chance of defeating the APC.

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Nigeria Beat Tanzania In AFCON Qualifier As Arokodare Delivers Double Strike.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Alhassan Yusuf gave Nigeria an early lead in the second minute after connecting with a pass from Ademola Lookman in the Group L encounter.

However, Tanzania drew level in the 32nd minute through Alphonce Mabula Msanga, who converted an assist from Novatus Miroshi.

Nigeria suffered a setback shortly before the break when Lookman picked up an injury and was replaced by Moses Simon in the 45th minute.

Head coach Eric Chelle made two changes at the beginning of the second half, bringing on Tolu Arokodare and Moses Usor, who both contributed significantly to the victory.

Arokodare restored Nigeria’s lead in the 52nd minute with a header from Wilfred Ndidi’s cross before extending the advantage eight minutes later.

The striker completed his brace in the 60th minute, calmly converting a pass from fellow substitute Usor to put the Super Eagles firmly in control.

Nigeria held on to their two-goal advantage until the final whistle, securing all three points.

The victory moves the Super Eagles to second place in Group L with six points from three matches, one point behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who have seven.

Madagascar sit third with two points, while Tanzania remain at the bottom of the group with one Point.

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‘You Disrespect The Law And Presidency You Seek’ – Keyamo Takes On Peter Obi, NDC.

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and his supporters over their decision to sing Nigeria’s former national anthem at a party event.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The controversy followed the refusal of some NDC supporters, including Obi, to sing the current national anthem during the party’s town hall meeting in Lagos on Thursday.

A video that went viral on social media showed Obi, the party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, and other attendees singing the former anthem, Arise, O Compatriots, which was replaced by Nigeria We Hail Thee.

Reacting to the incident during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Keyamo described the action as disrespectful to the law and the office of the president, which the NDC is seeking to occupy.

The minister said Nigerians would ultimately decide whether the conduct reflected the responsibility and maturity expected of individuals aspiring to political leadership.

He argued that although some people might applaud the action as an act of political defiance, it could cost the party the support of moderate and intellectually inclined voters.

Keyamo said, “Like they say of APC, they say it’s only mad men that will vote for APC. So let me return the campaign slogan, it’s only irresponsible people that will vote for that type of party called NDC that defy national symbols, it’s only irresponsible that will vote for them.

“For me, it is left for the Nigerian people to decide whether these human beings you have now seen disregarding national symbols, disrespecting the law and disrespecting the office of the president that they so crave whether they are responsible enough to aspire to that office.

“They have lost the cerebral and the in-betweens. They have lost them by that action. Maybe those who are downright irresponsible, they will hail them and they will vote for them. But we’ll see on election day how many Nigerians are irresponsible.”

However, when asked whether singing the former national anthem amounted to a violation of the law, Keyamo said he was unaware of any specific penalty attached to the action.

He explained that although the current national anthem was adopted through legislation, the absence of a prescribed punishment meant that singing the former anthem did not automatically constitute a punishable offence.

He added, “There’s no penalty that is prescribed by law. No penalty. The law just says this is our new national anthem and then you should think we should all abide by it. It becomes a crime when there’s a penalty attached to it.”

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