News Politics March 10, 2026 PDP crisis: We’re ready if you go to Supreme Court — Wike tells faction

 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki that he and his allies are prepared should they proceed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria over the party’s ongoing leadership dispute.

Wike made the statement on Monday after his faction secured victory in nine appeals filed against them by the Turaki group, which is reportedly backed by Seyi Makinde.

Earlier in the day, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an appeal filed by the Turaki-led faction.

The appellate court also upheld the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court delivered on October 31, 2025, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP’s 2025 national convention held in Ibadan.

Reacting to the judgment, Wike said the ruling presents an opportunity for reconciliation within the party but warned that further legal action could worsen the crisis.

“Today’s judgment offers the PDP a chance to reconcile. However, if they choose to proceed to the Supreme Court, it will not be in the best interest of the party,” he said.

“If they insist on going to the Supreme Court, we are ready for them. We won all nine appeals against them today, and each judgment carries a cost of ₦2 million, bringing the total to ₦18 million against them,” he added.

News March 10, 2026 Tinubu: Terrorists growing desperate as Military pressure mounts

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said terrorist groups operating in Nigeria are becoming increasingly desperate as sustained military operations continue to weaken their activities across the country.

The president made the remark on Monday while hosting religious and traditional leaders for an interfaith Ramadan fast-breaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Addressing the gathering, Tinubu said security forces have intensified operations against insurgent groups, leading to heavy losses that have left terrorists increasingly pressured.

“Yes, we are challenged; the terrorists are very desperate now because they are being heavily attacked and defeated, leaving trails of blood behind them. But I assure you of one thing: Nigeria will never surrender. We are not discouraged. We will win and win decisively,” the president said.

He also emphasised the important role of religious and traditional leaders in promoting peace and moral guidance within their communities, noting that their contributions remain vital to maintaining national stability.

Beyond security, Tinubu highlighted what he described as improvements in Nigeria’s economy since his administration assumed office.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve millions of Nigerians, and I promise to remain faithful in carrying out my responsibilities. I can report that the economy has turned the corner and is gradually improving,” he said.

According to the president, economic reforms introduced by his government have helped stabilise the country and prevent a financial crisis.

“We have saved Nigeria from bankruptcy. When we assumed office, the situation was extremely difficult, but today we can say with pride that we have weathered the storm. No governor is now running to banks to borrow money just to pay workers’ salaries,” he added.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening key sectors such as agriculture and education as part of broader efforts to build a resilient economy and secure the nation’s future.

Also speaking at the event, the Yahaya Abubakar commended the president for bringing together leaders of different faiths for the Ramadan gathering, describing it as a strong symbol of national unity.

Similarly, Daniel Okoh pledged the church’s support for government efforts aimed at improving the economy and enhancing national security.

The event was attended by traditional rulers and religious leaders from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, reflecting a broad interfaith commitment to promoting unity and stability across the country.

News March 10, 2026 IWD: Reps Aspirant, Hon. Ivie Adidi Bags Her Excellence Award alongside 50 Distinguished Women Leaders

A development economist and youth advocate, Hon. Sarah Ivie Adidi has been conferred with honour at the 2026 Her Excellence award, strengthening her influence in the youth community and the nation's political landscape. 

The award was conferred on her on Sunday in commemoration of the International Women's Day 2026, an event that brought together notable women and leaders from across all spheres of life. 

Tagged, "Her Excellence Conference & Award 2026", Hon. Adidi a renowned women advocate and political leader was among 50 female icons honoured at the ceremony. 

Hon. Adidi is aspiring to represent AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory at the House of Representatives in 2027 under APC. She enjoys an overwhelming support among the youth and women. 

She prides herself as competent and forward-looking, and one who understands both the complexities of modern governance and the everyday realities of the people.

Her supporters argue that her expertise as Programme Coordinator in the Statistics Department of a leading development finance institution could be valuable for a constituency like AMAC/Bwari, which is one of the most diverse in the Federal Capital Territory. 

The award at Wells Carlton Hotel & Apartment in Asokoro, the nation's capital, is seen as confirmation of her growing popularity in the political landscape of Abuja and the nation at large.

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News March 09, 2026 BREAKING: Again, Dangote Refinery hikes petrol price

 

The cost of goods and services across Nigeria is expected to rise further following a fresh increase in petrol prices after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit to N1,175 per litre, marking the third upward adjustment within a week.

The refinery announced the price hike to marketers on Monday, raising the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit to N1,175 per litre from N995 per litre announced on Friday, representing an increase of N180 or about 18.1 per cent within three days.

It also revised the gantry price of Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel, to N1,620 per litre.

A senior official of the refinery, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed the adjustment to our correspondent, stating that the revision had already been communicated to marketers and depot operators.

“Yes, the gantry prices have been adjusted. PMS is now N1,175 per litre while Automotive Gas Oil is N1,620 per litre,” the official said.

“The market has been extremely volatile, and replacement costs have shifted significantly in recent days. These adjustments reflect prevailing market fundamentals and the cost environment we are currently operating in.”

Checks by our correspondent on the industry pricing platform, petroleumprice.ng showed that the revised rates had already been updated across petroleum depot pricing systems, indicating a shift in the benchmark price used by downstream marketers.

The new price is the third surge in petrol prices within a week, following adjustments that pushed gantry prices from N774 to N995 per litre. As a result, retail pump prices in several states now exceed N1,000 per litre, as some stations now dispense petrol at about N1,200/litre, intensifying economic pressures on Nigerians.

The latest hike is expected to trigger another round of increases at filling stations nationwide, as higher fuel costs typically translate into higher transportation, logistics, and production costs for businesses.

It also betrays efforts by the Federal Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, to secure crude oil supply for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery through third-party international traders, in a bid to sustain domestic refining operations.

Officials, however, warned that the intervention may not immediately translate into lower petrol prices for consumers. Nigerians currently grapple with high fuel prices, following the recent hikes in the cost of the commodities by the $20bn Lekki-based refinery.

News March 09, 2026 JUST IN: Students escape death as four-storey school building collapses in Lagos

 

Students and teachers of a school in the Ogba area of Lagos narrowly escaped death on Monday after a four-storey building housing the institution collapsed minutes after they evacuated the structure.

The structure, which accommodated Yemco Nursery, Primary and Comprehensive College, gave way around midday at 11 Adudatu street, behind County Hospital in the Aguda axis of Ogba.

Witnesses said the building came down barely minutes after students and teachers were hurried out of the premises, preventing what residents described as a likely tragedy.

A resident who spoke with TheCable said concerns had been raised earlier when wooden planks reportedly fell from the roof, prompting alarm among people in the neighbourhood.

“The students narrowly escaped the incident. It was just about three minutes after they were evacuated from the building that the structure collapsed,” the resident said, adding that the structure had not shown obvious signs that it was about to give way.

According to the witness, an elderly man in the area alerted the school authorities that the building might be unsafe, prompting the quick evacuation of the occupants.

Taiwo Ridwan, another resident, said the building showed signs of distress shortly before the collapse.

“At first, the house started cracking little by little. The window frames had already fallen apart. After some minutes, the cement body of the house began peeling off. Not long after that, the building just sank,” Ridwan said.

Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service later secured the scene and restricted access to the area.

Part of the property used for residential purposes remained standing beside the collapsed structure.

No casualties had been reported as of the time of this report. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service was yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

Attempts to obtain an official reaction from Margaret Adeseye, the service’s director of public affairs, were unsuccessful.

Education News March 09, 2026 JAMB reveals amount remitted to CBT centres for 2026 UTME registration

 

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has remitted a total of N1,570,671,200 to Computer-Based Test centres that participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration exercise.

The disclosure was contained in a bulletin released by the Board and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin.

JAMB said the payment represents the N700 registration fee collected on behalf of CBT centres from candidates during the UTME registration process.

It explained that it collects the N700 registration fee together with the ePIN registration charge and remits the total directly to accredited CBT centres on a weekly basis.

“In line with this arrangement, the Board has remitted a total sum of₦1,570,671,200 to the CBT centres that participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration exercise,

“This initiative has significantly curtailed abuses and the exploitation of candidates through the imposition of unauthorized charges. It has also entrenched a cashless registration process at the centres, many of which are privately owned,” the board said.

Under this arrangement, candidates who purchase the UTME ePIN are not required to make separate payments at CBT centres and can register at any accredited centre of their choice.

JAMB said the initiative has reduced unauthorised charges and strengthened the adoption of cashless registration, particularly among privately owned CBT facilities.

To further ensure compliance, JAMB reinstated that it introduced the “No View, No Pay” policy, under which payments are made to CBT centres only after verification that the candidates they registered are valid and visible in the Board’s registration system.

“The policy is designed to curb registration infractions and ensure transparency in the process,” the Board added.

The 2026 UTME registration closed on February 28 and the examination is scheduled to hold nationwide from April 16 to April 25.

Direct entry programme registration started on March 2 and will end by Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Crime News March 09, 2026 Appeal court upholds conviction of ex-Army General, orders refund of over N4bn

 

The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction and sentencing of former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Maj.-Gen. Umar Mohammed, for stealing and misappropriating funds belonging to the company.

In the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, the appellate court dismissed Mohammed’s appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Special Court Martial (Nigerian Army) and the validity of its verdict.

The former senior officer was earlier tried and convicted by the court martial on Oct. 10, 2023, for offences bordering on stealing and criminal misappropriation of funds belonging to Nigerian Army Properties Limited.

Following the conviction, Mohammed was dismissed from the Nigerian Army, sentenced to imprisonment and ordered to refund 2,099,700 dollars and N1.65 billion to the company.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, he approached the appellate court on Feb. 12, 2025, in suit No. CA/ABJ/CR/383/2025, arguing that his conviction was not supported by sufficient and credible evidence.

However, the three-member panel of justices, Abba Mohammed, Okon Abang and Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, dismissed the appeal, ruling that the evidence presented during the court martial clearly established the offences.

According to the certified judgment issued on Monday, the court held that the Special Court Martial was right to reject the former general’s defence, describing it as inconsistent and unreliable.

The court noted contradictions in Mohammed’s testimony, particularly his claim that Nigerian Army Properties Limited never operated berthing services, which contradicted documentary records authored by him indicating otherwise.

The justices ruled that the inconsistencies undermined his credibility.

The appellate court consequently affirmed the conviction and sentence imposed by the Special Court Martial on all counts except those relating to forgery.

NAN reports that in August 2025, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos State also ordered the final forfeiture of shares worth over N5 billion traced to  Mohammed, and a businessman, Kayode Filani.

The order followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which told the court that the 245,568,137 shares were purchased with proceeds of unlawful activities carried out during Mohammed’s tenure as head of the army’s property company.

EFCC counsel in the matter, Hanatu Kofanaisa, explained that a Special Court Martial had already convicted Mohammed on 14 out of 18 counts of stealing and related offences.

She added the commission had met all legal requirements for final forfeiture, including the mandatory newspaper publication, without any objection being filed.

In granting the application, Justice Dipeolu held that the EFCC had proved its case and ordered the shares permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, in favour of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.

The application was brought under Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.(NAN)