News Politics September 23, 2026 Why Ireti Kingibe won’t return to senate – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said Senator Ireti Kingibe will not return to the Senate in 2027, accusing the FCT lawmaker of failing to offer meaningful representation to residents of the nation’s capital.

Wike spoke on Tuesday while inspecting ongoing road projects in Abuja, in response to Kingibe’s allegation that the FCT Administration had obtained loans without securing the required approval of the National Assembly.

Kingibe had said in August that she had raised concerns with the Senate leadership over the FCT’s borrowings, insisting that she had never seen Wike appear before the National Assembly to seek approval for loans.

Responding, Wike said the allegation showed that the senator did not understand the process through which government borrowing is approved.

“There is no way you can go and take a loan without the approval of the national assembly. If you want to take a loan, you will include it in the budget and state that, in this aspect of the budget, the government will take out a loan,” he said.

The minister then turned to Kingibe’s political future, declaring that she would not return to the red chamber after the 2027 election.

“I don’t want to comment about her. She is already packing her things out. The people of the FCT have made their choice. They are going to support president Tinubu and Philip Aduda for senate,” Wike said.

Wike also criticised Kingibe’s record as an FCT senator, alleging that she had “failed in all ramifications” and had not delivered meaningful development to residents.

He argued that Kingibe’s focus should instead have been on whether borrowed funds were being properly applied to infrastructure projects and whether residents were benefiting from them.

“I thought she would criticise that I am doing nothing. So if her problem is that I took a loan, if I took a loan, I am using it to work. I thought her concern would have been: are we applying the loan to work for the interest of residents?” he said.

The loan dispute followed Kingibe’s claim that the FCT’s domestic debt had increased significantly since Wike became minister. Her position was based on information she said she obtained from the Debt Management Office covering August 2023 to March 2026.

The House of Representatives, however, has rejected the allegation that Wike breached the required borrowing procedures. Its Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese, said there was no evidence that the minister violated the relevant processes in financing FCT infrastructure projects.

Wike has previously backed former FCT senator Philip Aduda, who is seeking the senatorial seat currently held by Kingibe. The minister also linked Tuesday’s project inspection to the 2027 campaign period, saying residents could judge the administration by the infrastructure being executed across the territory.

He inspected ongoing work on the N1 road and other routes covering Tunga Madaki-Zuba and Kagini, saying completion of the projects would improve connectivity and economic activity in communities across the FCT.

Business News September 23, 2026 Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, September 23, 2026

The Nigerian naira is trading at different rates against the United States dollar across the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and the parallel market on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

The latest available data show that the naira strengthened to N1,327.78 per dollar at the NFEM on Tuesday, from N1,329.80 recorded on Monday.

The latest movement represents a N2.02 appreciation by the naira against the dollar on a day-to-day basis.

In the parallel market, the dollar was quoted at about N1,389 on Tuesday, down from N1,390 recorded the previous day.

The parallel-market rate puts the gap between the official NFEM rate and the street-market selling rate at about N61.22 per dollar.

At the parallel market rate of N1,389, customers buying $100 would need approximately N138,900, while $1,000 would cost about N1.389 million.

The exchange rate available to individuals and businesses may vary depending on the dealer, location, transaction size and prevailing market conditions.

The naira’s recent performance has come amid developments in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market, including changes in dollar liquidity and monetary policy.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has continued to monitor conditions in the foreign exchange market as the naira trades around the N1,300-per-dollar level at the official market. Reuters also reported in September that the naira had remained relatively stable, supported by central bank dollar sales and subdued import demand.

For Wednesday, September 23, the latest confirmed figures put the dollar at N1,327.78 at the NFEM and around N1,389 in the parallel market.

The rates could change during the day as demand and supply conditions shift across both markets.

News September 23, 2026 Babachir joins NDC, backs Obi-Kwankwaso for 2027

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), months after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Lawal also expressed support for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He announced his decision during a visit to NDC National Leader, Sen. Seriake Dickson and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, in Abuja on Tuesday, saying he wanted to contribute to addressing Nigeria’s security and economic challenges.

Lawal said Nigerians concerned about insecurity, economic hardship, hunger, ignorance and disease should support a political platform committed to changing the country’s circumstances.

He said: “Anybody at all in Nigeria who has the interest of our country at heart and sympathises with the suffering going on in our country will have no choice.”

According to him, such Nigerians should support a party presenting Obi and Kwankwaso as potential candidates, adding that he looked forward to a successful outcome in 2027.

“By the grace of God and with the support of our leaders and Nigerians at large, we look forward to May 29, 2027, when we will celebrate,” he said.

The former SGF said he had decided to come out of political retirement to support Obi and Kwankwaso, whom he described as leaders with records of service.

According to Lawal, both men demonstrated commitment to their people and left what he described as indelible marks during their respective tenures as governors of their states.

Lawal said his political journey through different parties was based on his search for a platform and candidates that could contribute to building a better Nigeria.

He recalled joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support the late President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he described as a man of integrity.

Lawal, however, said he later became dissatisfied with the direction of the APC and subsequently moved to the African Democratic Congress before joining the NDC.

He said his decision to join the NDC followed his conviction that Obi and Kwankwaso offered a platform through which he could continue contributing to Nigeria’s political process.

Earlier, Dickson welcomed Lawal to the party and described him as an experienced politician, organiser and mobiliser with considerable knowledge of Nigeria’s political landscape.

Dickson said Lawal would play leadership roles in coordinating the party’s activities and campaigns across the North-East and North-Central geopolitical zones ahead of the elections.

“We have a lot of roles for him to play as we move forward. But the one that is very clear is that he will lead our activities,” Dickson said.

He said Lawal’s experience would be particularly deployed in the North-East, where he would direct and guide the party’s mobilisation and campaign activities.

Dickson said the NDC expected Lawal to contribute to its efforts to consolidate support across the region and strengthen the party’s structures ahead of 2027.

Responding to reports of a purported Presidential Campaign Council by the Obidient/Kwankwaso movement, Dickson said the NDC was preparing to commence campaigns.

He said the party would work with support groups and other stakeholders to mobilise voters at the grassroots, stressing that such groups had important roles to play.

Dickson, however, said support groups should work with the political party and its campaign structures rather than compete with them during the electioneering process.

He also called for an end to violence and attacks against opposition parties, urging relevant authorities to investigate reported incidents and ensure perpetrators were held accountable.

On preparations for the 2027 elections, Dickson said the NDC had begun collating and training polling-unit agents to monitor the process and protect its votes.

He said the party had constituted a committee responsible for coordinating the recruitment and training of agents across the country ahead of the general elections.

Also speaking, NDC National Secretary, Mr Ikenna Enekweizu, said the party would ensure that its agents were adequately prepared to monitor elections and protect votes.

Enekweizu said trained agents would be expected to understand the electoral process and effectively represent the party’s interests at polling units across the country.

He said the party remained focused on strengthening its grassroots structures and ensuring adequate preparation for the 2027 general elections. (NAN)

News Politics September 23, 2026 ‘NDC will bring back fuel subsidy ’— Kwankwaso

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, says the party will reintroduce fuel subsidy in a different form if elected in 2027.

Speaking during an interview with Arise News, the former Kano State Governor said the NDC would adopt a different approach to subsidy, including expanding domestic refining capacity.

“We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” he said.

“There are many ways. One, I can tell you now, we have a refinery built by a businessman. And I’m sure more refineries would be built.

“Now, if individuals in this country could build refineries, I see no reason why the government, under certain circumstances, will not build a refinery or refineries to the extent that we achieve the minimum requirement.

“What is the minimum requirement? The minimum requirement is for the people across the country to go to the filling stations and buy fuel at a reasonable price.

“We in the NDC will do whatever it takes really to put the price of oil down.”

Kwankwaso said the three major presidential candidates in the 2023 election had promised to remove the subsidy but criticised President Bola Tinubu for removing it immediately after assuming office.

He said the move contributed to the economic hardship currently facing Nigerians.

“In 2023, during the campaigns, I remember the three of them. All of them said they would remove subsidy. In fact, before then, Atiku even added that he would sell all four refineries to his friends,” he said.

“Among the three of them, Bola Tinubu decided to remove the subsidy. And the consequences that we thought would happen certainly happened.

“And not only did he decide to remove the subsidy; what he did was to remove it immediately, in fact, day one, without looking at all those possible issues that were associated with that.

“And that’s how we find ourselves in this total mess economically. Now, everybody realises that it was a mistake.”

Kwankwaso also accused the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, of promising to remove the subsidy for political reasons.

He said Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 election, was seeking to exploit public frustration by making a promise he had previously indicated he would not keep, without explaining how the policy would be implemented.

“But you see, what Wazirin Adamawa did was just to play politics. I don’t think he meant what he said,” Kwankwaso said.

“That is one. And secondly, really, he didn’t tell anybody how he’s going to do it.

“But he knew people now are desperate. If you just go out there and say, ‘I’ll remove it,’ even when you said many times that you would not remove it.”

News Politics September 22, 2026 APC admits petrol prices hurting Nigerian families, rejects Atiku’s subsidy plan

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC) has admitted that rising petrol prices are hurting Nigerian families, but rejected the production subsidy proposed by African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as the solution to the mounting pressure.

The council assured Nigerians that the President Bola Tinubu administration would continue to pursue measures to ease the burden, saying petrol sold for about N830 per litre before the Middle East crisis pushed crude oil prices above $100 per barrel.

“The APC-PCC acknowledges the pressure that higher petrol prices place on Nigerian families. The Tinubu administration will continue to implement policies to support our people,” its spokesperson, Dele Alake, said in a statement.

“A de-escalation of the crisis could help reduce crude oil prices and, consequently, the pump prices of petrol and diesel, not just in Nigeria, but worldwide.”

The PCC said the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) was working with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) against alleged price gouging and with the Nigeria Customs Service to check diversion of petroleum products across the borders. It also pointed to the administration’s compressed natural gas and electric mass-transit programmes as part of efforts to provide cheaper transportation alternatives.

According to the council, more than 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG under the government programme, with thousands of additional conversions undertaken privately.

It said the Federal Government was working with state governments to extend the programme nationwide and recalled Tinubu’s assurance that more Nigerians should begin to see measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1.

But even as it acknowledged the hardship caused by higher fuel prices, the APC PCC rejected Atiku’s proposed “production subsidy” for locally refined petrol, challenging him to explain how it would guarantee cheaper prices at filling stations.

Atiku has proposed government support for domestic refining as a means of reducing the cost of petrol and diesel, arguing that the intervention would differ from the previous subsidy regime built around imported petroleum products.

The APC PCC, however, said the proposal raised legal, fiscal and practical questions that Atiku needed to answer. “Atiku should therefore explain whether a refinery receiving his proposed subsidy would be required to sell petrol at a prescribed price,” Alake said.

“If the answer is yes, he should identify the legal framework under which the government would impose that price condition and explain how it would operate consistently with the Petroleum Industry Act.

“If the answer is no, he should explain how public support to refiners would guarantee lower prices at filling stations. Without an enforceable mechanism, refiners could receive the benefit while consumers continued to pay market prices.”

The council cited Section 205(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which provides for wholesale and retail prices of petroleum products to be determined under unrestricted free-market conditions.

It also challenged Atiku to disclose how much his proposal would cost and where the money would come from.

The PCC claimed the intervention could cost between N17 trillion and N21 trillion annually, depending on the discount offered, volume covered and whether the support applied to the entire barrel or only petrol sold domestically.

It did not provide a detailed calculation in the statement establishing the estimates.

“Nigerians deserve to know: the proposed subsidy rate; the annual spending ceiling; the volume of crude or petrol to be covered; the source of funding; the mechanism guaranteeing lower pump prices; the safeguards against diversion, smuggling and fraudulent claims; and whether amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act would be required,” Alake said.

The council also questioned how Atiku’s latest proposal aligned with his previous support for downstream deregulation and removal of petrol subsidy.

It recalled that the former vice president had advocated subsidy removal during the 2023 election campaign and asked him to explain how the proposed production subsidy would avoid the alleged abuse, smuggling and fiscal losses associated with the previous system.

The APC PCC said the government would remain committed to a deregulated downstream market while pursuing alternative measures to reduce transportation costs.

It maintained that any intervention in the petroleum sector should be lawful, transparent, properly costed and capable of producing measurable benefits for consumers.

“Atiku should provide Nigerians with a detailed policy document and an independent legal and fiscal analysis of his proposal,” Alake said.

“Until he does so, his production-subsidy plan remains an uncosted promise without a clearly identified legal or operational framework.”

TheSUN

News September 21, 2026 UNGA: Presidential aide reveals reason for Tinubu’s planned absence

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, has explained that the President’s decision to stay away from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is linked to his focus on domestic priorities and other international engagements.

Osodi made the clarification while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, following the Presidency’s announcement that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA in New York.

According to the presidential aide, Tinubu’s absence from the annual gathering should not be interpreted as a reduction in Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement or international standing.

“Nigeria has a diverse interest in all regional groups, continental groups and even groups of the South-South like the BRICS. So, the United Nations is not the only group that we are member of,” Osodi said.

He added that Tinubu was currently concentrating on issues at home, including the economy and security, while also participating in other international engagements considered important to Nigeria.

“President Tinubu is focusing on issues of domestic concerns like economy, security and even on other issues on other international forums which I believe equally is important,” he said.

Osodi maintained that Nigeria’s position and influence would not be diminished because the President would not personally attend the UNGA.

“With or without his presence there will not change Nigeria’s role as giant of Africa, the leader of the economic resurgence of Africa,” he said.

The aide also pointed out that Nigeria would have senior representation at the gathering, including the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim.

The Presidency had earlier announced that Shettima would head Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA, which is scheduled to hold in New York from September 22 to 28, 2026.

Osodi also rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s repeated absence from the UNGA was connected to difficulties between the Nigerian President and the United States.

He described the claim as an “old chestnut” and recalled Tinubu’s previous visits to the US.

“I was with the President when he went to the United Nations; physically I was there, you saw it on social media. He went to the stock exchange, he rang the bell, he had meetings on the side,” Osodi said.

He further recalled that Tinubu travelled through Los Angeles while on his way to Japan for an engagement with the Japanese Development Agency.

“We were in Los Angeles for few days before we flew to Yokohama, Japan. We were in America, I was there with them. So it is politics, we can talk about this every single election cycle, it is just politics,” he said.

Tinubu’s absence has nevertheless drawn criticism, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar demanding an explanation for the President’s decision not to attend the UNGA for the third consecutive year.

Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, argued that although Shettima could represent Nigeria, repeated delegation could not replace the visibility and authority of the President at a major diplomatic gathering.

The former vice president also questioned reports that arrangements had been made for Tinubu to sit near US President Donald Trump during the gathering.

Osodi, however, maintained that Tinubu’s absence should not be interpreted as evidence of strained relations between Nigeria and the United States.

Crime News September 21, 2026 Illegal miners’ deaths: NSCDC parades detained commandant, 23 others

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested and detained 24 personnel in connection with the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State, parading the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, and 23 other officers at the Corps Headquarters in Abuja.

The Corps also ordered the service flag to fly at half-mast across all commands and formations for three days. Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said due process, transparency and accountability would be strictly followed in the investigation of the personnel currently held in the custody of the Corps, adding that every personnel found culpable would face the full weight of internal disciplinary measures and the law.

The Corps Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, while parading the officers and men at the Corps Headquarters, disclosed that, as against the initial figure of 21 personnel, three more personnel identified had also been placed on suspension, bringing the total to 24 personnel.

The spokesman explained that “in a swift and decisive joint operation conducted in conjunction with the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad (SIS), all officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the gross misconduct have, since the 17th September 2026, been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters, Abuja, where they are undergoing rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action, so as to make them available for the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

According to him, in a solemn demonstration of the Corps’ grief, institutional remorse and absolute disapproval of the incident, the Commandant General ordered that the NSCDC flag be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days, starting from Sunday, 20th September 2026, to signal the Corps’ collective mourning and its unwavering resolve to purge the system of bad eggs.

He said, “as a Corps built on integrity, professionalism, discipline, and absolute respect for the rule of law, we do not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness, or any action that undermines the fundamental rights of citizens or the sacred trust reposed in us.”

The Corps pledged to continue to keep the public abreast of the outcome of the investigation, adding that the leadership of the NSCDC remained unwavering in its commitment to transparency, human rights protection and professional ethics. He also appreciated the patience and understanding of Nigerians during the internal re-evaluation.

The 24 personnel named in connection with the incident are Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, suspended NSCDC Niger State Commandant; DCC Ajayi Philips, Head of Department (HOD), Intelligence and Investigation; DCC John Agrahau Chagwa, HOD, Operations; DCC Obafemi Elvis; ACC Stephen Tsado, Officer in Charge (O/C), Legal; CSC Oluwadare Sunday; CSC Annas Shittu Lamino; SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; DSC Aminu Sule Garba; DSC Musa Marafa; DSC Isah Sulaiman; ASCI Hassan Muhammad; ASCI Alhassan Muhammad; Aliyu Sallah, on guard duty; IC Abdullahi Sale; IC Mohammed N. Sonfada; Mohammed Jiya; Sale Adamu; Haruna Muhammed; CCA Baba Muhamma; CAI Isah Sanusi; CAI Liman Abubakar; CAI Bala Usman; and CAI Ahmed Wushishi. Regarding DCC Ajayi Philips and DCC John Agrahau Chagwa, the Corps attributed their inclusion to “lack of supervision” in their respective departments. The 37 detainees died days after they were arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted by the NSCDC in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16. The NSCDC had initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, saying the actual cause of death would be established through medical examination