The Senate Public Accounts Committee has uncovered that Nigeria spent ₦1.16 trillion on fuel subsidy in 2021, with an additional ₦1.20 trillion deducted from crude oil sales proceeds, as it intensified its probe into the 2021–2023 NEITI audit reports. The committee also threatened to compel the appearance of the Auditor-General of the Federation after he failed to honour its investigative hearing, warning that it would invoke the constitutional powers of the National Assembly if he fails to appear next Tuesday.

Osun Poll: Fadahunsi Accuses Adeleke of Celebrating Alleged Cult Leader The senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, has accused the Osun State Government of fraternising with individuals he described as cult leaders ahead of the August 8 governorship election. Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly, Abuja, Fadahunsi alleged that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke> was encouraging criminal elements in the state. The senator specifically referenced an incident in Esa-Oke, claiming that an individual identified as "Rogba," whom he alleged to be a leader of the Eiye confraternity and a known criminal in the community, was celebrated by the governor. "I don't think we're getting it right. When somebody is running, dancing and celebrating openly, people may not know what is happening underneath," Fadahunsi said. Referring to the incident, he added: "What happened in Esa-Oke some hours ago involved one Rogba. He has been the leader of another secret society and is a known criminal in that community. That is what our dancing governor went to celebrate—the leader of the Eiye confraternity." Fadahunsi further alleged that cult-related activities were being encouraged in parts of the state ahead of the governorship election.

Gen Musa Unveils Plan to Take Influencers to Frontlines Amid Rising Security Criticism The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed plans to embed selected social media influencers and media personalities with military formations across conflict zones in Nigeria to give them firsthand experience of the realities faced by troops on the frontlines. Speaking at a military event in Abuja, the retired General said the initiative was aimed at helping influential voices on social media better understand the sacrifices, operational challenges, and security realities confronting members of the Armed Forces. According to him, the military remains committed to engaging citizens and stakeholders constructively, even as public criticism and protests over insecurity continue to grow in parts of the country. "I've seen of recent a lot of social media giants going around trying to raise protests. Nobody is stopping anyone from protesting, but we should always remember the unintended consequences because such actions can be hijacked and people may be injured or killed," Musa said. The Defence Minister disclosed that arrangements were being considered to allow some social media influencers and media experts accompany troops on operational assignments in the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions. "We are making efforts to provide avenues for some of these media experts to be embedded with our troops when they are going on operations in the North-East, North-West and North-Central so that they can have a feel of what the troops go through and the challenges ahead. Maybe they will have a better understanding," he stated. Musa used the occasion to pay tribute to officers and soldiers who have lost their lives in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other security threats across the country. Drawing from his experience as a former theatre commander in the North-East, he described the emotional burden military commanders face whenever personnel are killed in action. "The worst thing that can happen to a commander is when you lose your men and have to face their families to explain why their loved ones are no longer alive," he said. Recalling a recent military burial, the Defence Minister noted that many of the fallen personnel left behind spouses and children, stressing that their sacrifices should not be taken for granted. "These are people with families, yet they sacrificed their lives for the nation. We must understand the sacrifices being made," he added. Musa also appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces, arguing that morale remains a critical factor in sustaining military operations. He said troops often endure long periods away from their families, difficult living conditions and life-threatening situations, only to face criticism from the same communities they are deployed to protect. "When someone is sacrificing so much, missing his family, not sleeping, and yet is being insulted and demoralised by the same people he is protecting, it is not easy," he said. The Defence Minister urged citizens to remain supportive, prayerful and united in the collective effort to restore peace and security across the country. "We appreciate Nigerians for their understanding and support, but we need more because we cannot do it alone," he said.

Enough of the Headlines!” — Sen. Wamakko Demands Action as Kidnappings Escalate

Social Media User Jailed 2 Years Over False Death Claim About Adekunle Gold and Simi’s Daughter A social media user identified as Samuel Adeboye Adeyeye, popularly known as @Swanky0001 has reportedly been sentenced to two years imprisonment after pleading guilty to spreading false information online about the daughter of Nigerian music stars Adekunle Gold and Simi. The convict had falsely claimed in a viral post that the couple’s six-year-old daughter, Deja, died from a rare illness known as Canavan disease. The court was said to have found him guilty after he admitted to deliberately spreading the misinformation with malicious intent. The development has renewed conversations around defamation, cyberbullying, and misinformation on social media, especially involving celebrities and public figures. Reports also linked the same user to several controversial false claims involving personalities such as Ayra Starr, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, and Bimbo Ademoye. The case comes amid increasing legal actions by Nigerian celebrities against online defamation and unverified allegations circulated on social media platforms

BREAKING: PGF Debunks Report Of Uzodimma’s Removal, Says APC Governors Remain United The Progressive Governors' Forum has dismissed reports claiming that Hope Uzodimma was removed as chairman of the forum, describing the viral development as “false, baseless and misleading.” In a statement signed by the Director-General of the forum, Folorunso Aluko, the PGF said no meeting was held where such a decision was taken, insisting that Uzodimma remains the substantive chairman of the APC governors’ body. The forum added that its secretariat had no record of any resolution removing the Imo governor. The denial comes amid growing political tension and speculation over alleged power shifts within the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Wike vs. Kingigbe: Akpabio Gives Labour Party Senator Ireti Kingigbe a Shoulder to Lean On

IPOB Agitators Are Criminals, Not Freedom Fighters — Nwebonyi The Senator representing Ebonyi North, Senator Peter Nwebonyi, has described agitators of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as criminals rather than freedom fighters, accusing them of unleashing violence on the same people they claim to represent. Speaking with Prime Reporters, Nwebonyi said the enforcement of the “sit-at-home” order across the South-East and parts of the South-South had brought hardship, economic losses, and deaths to innocent residents. “I’m not from Anambra State, but I’m from the South-East. I’m from Ebonyi State. Before now, sit-at-home policies of IPOB were implemented all over the South-East and even beyond, down to the South-South. It affected everybody. Many of my people were killed in the course of that, in Abakaliki; so many people were killed,” he said. The lawmaker argued that no genuine freedom movement would turn its weapons on its own people. “No freedom fighter has ever killed his people. From Mandela to Zik of Africa, if you watch their trajectory and how they went about seeking the freedom of their people, they never killed their people. They never forced people not to go to their farms, not to go to school, or not to go to the market,” he stated. He questioned the legitimacy of any struggle that relies on violence against civilians and disruption of daily life. “If somebody says he’s a freedom fighter and he’s killing you, whose freedom is he fighting for? It’s not by killing your brothers or disrupting their businesses. You are destroying yourself,” he added. Nwebonyi also raised concerns about the economic implications of separatist agitation, stressing that the Igbo people are widely invested across Nigeria and thrive in a larger economic space. “Igbos are very commercial; we are business people. We need a wider stream to swim in. Nigeria is even small for Igbos, let alone confining ourselves within five or six states. If you go to the North and the West, most investments there are owned by Igbos,” he said. He questioned the economic sustainability of an independent South-East, asking what resources would support such a nation. “What do you have in Enugu? What do you have to sustain yourself? Some of the people you claim as brothers have said they are not part of you, and you cannot force them to be part of you. So what is the basis?” he asked. The senator maintained that political grievances should be addressed through dialogue and lawful political engagement rather than violence. “You may not have been treated fairly politically, but there are political solutions, and that is what I support,” Nwebonyi said.

Senate Advances Bill to Modernize Military Legal Framework The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step toward modernizing the country's military legal framework.The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua , seeks to establish a modern, constitutionally compliant, and operationally responsive legal framework for the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Senator Yar’adua explained during plenary that the current Armed Forces Act dates back to military decrees of the 1960s, last consolidated in 2004, and no longer meets today's demands The Senate passed for second reading a bill aimed at repealing and re-enacting the Armed Forces Act with updated provisions to align with Nigeria’s constitutional and security realities. He emphasized the need to align military governance with democratic accountability and to modernize disciplinary procedures.

Tension in Senate Over INEC’s Delineation of Warri Federal Constituency A storm erupted in the Senate on Wednesday over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency, as two senators from Delta State clashed openly during plenary. The confrontation began when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong, moved a motion calling for Senate intervention following a petition from the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality. Presenting the motion, Senator Lalong alleged that INEC’s recent delineation unfairly reduced the number of wards in Itsekiri-dominated areas while favouring two Ijaw communities. He further claimed that INEC’s coordinates extended beyond Delta State’s boundaries, encroaching into Edo and Ondo States. “Based on the strength of this petition, I call on the Senate to thoroughly investigate the delineation exercise to avert what I consider an imminent political crisis,” Lalong said. The former Plateau governor urged the Senate to exercise its oversight powers to ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in constituency delineation. However, Lalong’s motion was immediately opposed by Senator Joel Onowakpor (APC, Delta South), who cautioned that the matter was already before the courts. He argued that Senate intervention at this stage could violate the constitutional independence of the electoral commission. “This matter is sub judice. We must be careful not to overstep the boundaries of legislative oversight,” Onowakpor warned. His position was supported by Senator Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), who stressed the need to allow the judiciary to handle the case already in progress. Tensions escalated when Senator Lalong referenced a letter purportedly from the Presidency while attempting to justify his motion. Senator Onowakpor, visibly angered, accused Lalong of having a “personal stake” in the dispute and questioned the authenticity and relevance of the said communication. The Senate Chamber became momentarily rowdy as lawmakers from both sides weighed in, prompting the presiding officer to call for order. After heated deliberations, the Senate adopted a compromise resolution, mandating a joint committee comprising the Committees on Judiciary, Electoral Matters, and Special Duties to conduct a thorough investigation into the delineation controversy. The joint committee was given four weeks to report back to the Senate with its findings and recommendations. INEC’s delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency has faced growing criticism from the Itsekiri ethnic group, which alleges political marginalisation and manipulation of ward boundaries to their detriment. The development has sparked tension in parts of Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West Local Government Areas, with calls for urgent federal intervention to prevent a potential crisis.