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A lawyer and former National Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress, Maurice Oru Ebam, has warned that excluding former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from the 2027 presidential election could trigger widespread protests, political unrest and a national crisis.


Ebam, who issued the warning in a statement on Saturday, said the political reactions and mobilisation witnessed in Sokoto and Kebbi states should serve as a warning to those responsible for safeguarding Nigeria's democracy.


He said the public sentiments surrounding the 2027 elections showed the depth of political emotions in the country, warning against any attempt to prevent eligible candidates from participating in the electoral process.


"Let nobody underestimate the political consequences of excluding Atiku Abubakar from the 2027 presidential ballot," he said.


The political commentator insisted that Nigerians must be allowed to freely choose their leaders through a credible, inclusive and transparent electoral process.


He warned that excluding Atiku through what he described as undemocratic means could undermine public confidence in the electoral system and create tensions across the country.


"If Atiku Abubakar is excluded from the ballot through undemocratic means, the country could face serious political unrest, widespread protests and a crisis of confidence in the electoral process," Ebam said.


He stressed that his warning should not be interpreted as a threat but as an appeal to political actors and electoral authorities to respect democratic principles and citizens' rights.


"This is not a threat. It is a warning about the consequences of undermining democratic participation and the people's right to choose," he added.


Ebam said Nigeria had experienced enough bloodshed, instability and avoidable political crises, urging political leaders not to take actions capable of pushing the country into another period of uncertainty.


He maintained that the 2027 presidential election should be determined by voters rather than political manipulation, intimidation or the exclusion of candidates.


"2027 must be decided by the Nigerian people at the ballot box, not by political manipulation, intimidation or exclusion," he said.


He called on stakeholders to prioritise national stability and democratic participation, insisting that the country's peace should not be sacrificed for political interests.


"Democracy must prevail. Nigeria must not bleed because politicians refuse to respect the people's choices," Ebam stated.

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The Trump administration is offering a reward of up to $20 million for information about Iran’s nuclear program, the U.S. military’s Central Command announced Friday.


The reward, which is being administered through the State Department’s Rewards for Justice national security program, also comes with “possible relocation” for the tipster.


The State Department said it is calling for “information about Iran’s nuclear program, including its facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, such as those in the scientific community, or the movement of any of the above.”


Since the U.S. launched its war with Iran in February, President Donald Trump has repeatedly reiterated that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.


In its reward form, the State Department noted that according to the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran’s uranium stockpile is believed to include uranium that has been enriched to 60% purity – “a level that is a short technical step from” the 90% level required to produce nuclear weapons.


“Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce uranium at such a high enrichment level,” the State Department said in its Rewards for Justice post. “Experts estimate this quantity, if enriched further, could be enough for several nuclear weapons.”


Iran suspended IAEA inspections following the June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities by the U.S. and Israel.


“The regime’s lack of compliance with the IAEA on safeguards obligations has led to the agency’s loss of ‘continuity of knowledge’ regarding Iran’s production and inventory of key components like centrifuges,” the State Department said Friday.


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Rotimi Amaechi, vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says he would have won the primary contest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022 if he had not listened to then President Muhammadu Buhari.


In an interview with Mainland FM, shared on its Instagram on Saturday, Amaechi said Buhari instructed him not to campaign, promising to declare him his preferred candidate.


The former minister of transportation said Buhari’s promise prevented him from entering into deals or agreements with party stakeholders and state governors.


“Anybody would have defeated anybody in that primary. The first mistake that I made at that primary was that I listened to President Buhari. He said to me: ‘Don’t campaign, don’t do anything; I will announce you as my candidate’,” Amaechi said.


“He told me that and put it in writing; when I write my book, I’ll put it out.


“When President Buhari said that to me, I obeyed him because, one, he is my boss; two, if he actually announces anybody, that’s a plus for you, so I didn’t do deals. So, I would have promised the vice-president to this person, the SGF to another, and then we would have gone for this primary and I would have possibly won. I would have had governors on my side. Because I didn’t do deals, Tinubu had a chance to do deals; that is one.”


Amaechi said President Bola Tinubu, eventual winner of the primary and presidential election, exploited religious sentiments to secure support during the APC primary.


He said a delegation of Yoruba Muslims from the south-west approached governors in the north-west for support for Tinubu on religious grounds.


According to him, the delegation argued that northern Muslims had consistently supported southern Christians during elections.


“Two, Tinubu played on religion; I won’t play religious politics. I remember a delegation of southern Yoruba Muslims went and saw the north-west governors and told them, any time there’s an election, you people support southern Christians; when there’s election concerning the north, we all support you; we are Muslims and for the sake of the faith you need to support Tinubu,” he alleged.


“Didn’t you see el-Rufai in a viral video saying this is done for the faith?”


On June 8, 2022, Tinubu was declared winner of the presidential primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC).


He polled 1,271 votes to defeat 13 other presidential hopefuls.


Amaechi polled 316 votes, with then Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo garnering 235 votes.


Then Senate President Ahmad Lawan secured 152 votes.


Laolu Akande, ex-spokesperson to Osinbajo, recently said Buhari promised to support his principal in the buildup to the APC primary contest.


“On at least four separate occasions, President Buhari personally offered to support the Vice-President, telling him plainly: ‘If I don’t support you, who will I support?’,” Akande had said.


TheCable


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Diewait Ikpechukwu, the ace Nigerian actor, has passed away at the age of 71 following a protracted illness.


The Nollywood star died on Thursday, family sources said.


His death was also confirmed to TheCable Lifestyle on Saturday by Abubakar Yakubu, national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).


While the exact circumstances of his passing remain undisclosed, reports indicate he had been unwell for some time.


Ikpechukwu attended Comprehensive High School in Awo-Omamma, Imo state, and later Kaduna State Polytechnic, where he obtained a higher national diploma (HND) in marketing.


Before turning to acting, Ikpechukwu was a right winger who played football and was invited to the Green Eagles camp in the 1970s. He also featured for Blue Diamonds of Nsukka and Kaduna Rocks.


He served as a team manager, including at Vasco da Gama in Enugu. He eventually moved into radio broadcasting, working as a sports commentator alongside his other pursuits.


In a 2021 interview with The Next Edition, Ikpechukwu recalled turning down the national team invitation because his father wanted him to focus on his education.


His career in Nollywood spanned over 25 years, with appearances in films such as ‘Royal Palace’ (2005), ‘The Guilty’ (2006), ‘Across the River’ (2006), ‘Python King’ (2007), and ‘Ìjé Love’ (2022).


Ikpechukwu’s passing represents yet another loss for Nollywood, especially among the generation of performers who helped define the Nigerian film industry.


TheCable


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Abdulaziz Yari, director-general of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, says Nigerians who are not lazy would have food on their tables, as hunger caused by economic hardship pervades the land.


Yari spoke on Friday during the APC presidential campaign rally in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.


The former Zamfara governor said food items are readily available in markets.


He asked whether residents of Akwa Ibom have been unable to buy foodstuffs despite soaring prices.


“Just as I said, we have hunger. Let me ask a question here. Akwa Ibom people, from where I came from, we have food in the market,” he said.


“I don’t know, in Akwa Ibom, is there any person who took his money to the market and found out there’s no rice? You didn’t answer me. Is there anybody with money in his pocket who goes to the market to get foodstuffs and says that there’s no foodstuffs in the market?


“If there’s no food in the market, that’s what we are calling hunger. But anyone who is not a lazy person, definitely he would have food on his table.”


Earlier on Thursday in Ekiti, Yari challenged opposition parties to explain how their policies would differ from those of the Tinubu administration.


Defending the government’s economic records, Yari cited what he described as a dip in food prices.


He urged Nigerians to hand Tinubu another opportunity, insisting that the administration’s performance should form the basis of the APC’s campaign.


“As we promised Nigerians, we are going to campaign with our numbers, with what we have done for Nigerians. Based on that, Nigerians, we requested them to give us a second chance,” he said.


Yari added that the party is prepared to defend its record, adding that the opposition should present alternative proposals to Nigerians.


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The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has said electricity supply will begin to improve within 48 to 72 hours as the Federal Government works to address generation and transmission constraints responsible for recent outages in parts of the country.


Tegbe attributed the worsening electricity situation to planned maintenance at Egbin Power Station, Nigeria’s “largest” thermal power generating station in Lagos, which supplies about 16% of the total electricity on the national grid.


The minister disclosed this in a statement titled ‘Update on Power Situation’, posted on his Facebook page on Friday.


“I am aware of the strain that the current outages have placed on households and businesses in four affected states, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.


“Planned maintenance at Egbin Power Station and constraints in gas supply to some thermal power stations have reduced the amount of electricity available on the national grid. Grid operators have, therefore, implemented load shedding in some areas to manage the shortfall,” he said.


Tegbe added that the sabotage of critical transmission lines had restricted the use of alternative routes to supply electricity to some locations, particularly Lagos.


He said his ministry was working with relevant operators to restore affected generating units in phases, improve gas supply and accelerate repairs to damaged infrastructure.


“My team and I are working to return the affected generating units to service in phases, with the first units coming back online within the next 48 to 72 hours.


“We are also working with operators to improve gas supply and accelerate repairs to the damaged infrastructure,” he added.


The minister’s assurance comes amid growing complaints from electricity consumers in Lagos and Ogun states over prolonged blackouts, which residents say have made the prevailing hot weather increasingly unbearable.


Meanwhile, the power crisis has triggered a disagreement between the Transmission Company of Nigeria and Ikeja Electric over the causes of recent supply interruptions.


TCN, in a statement on Friday, faulted Ikeja Electric’s attribution of outages recorded on November 3 and 4 to grid instability, insisting that inadequate gas supply to thermal power stations and reduced hydroelectric generation were responsible for the decline in electricity available for distribution.


The transmission company described Ikeja Electric’s explanation as inaccurate and misleading, arguing that the distribution company had wrongly attributed generation-related shortfalls to the transmission network.


“TCN can only transmit the energy made available to it and cannot transmit energy that is not generated,” the company said.


It also maintained that the Nigerian Independent System Operator had not identified any failure of its transmission network as the cause of the outages.


TCN attributed 68 per cent of interruptions recorded on feeders supplying Ikeja Electric to frequency-control load shedding caused by low generation, while it blamed 26 per cent on Ikeja Electric’s alleged failure to comply with load allocations, as well as faults and maintenance on its distribution network.


The remaining six per cent, according to TCN, resulted from its planned maintenance, switching operations or line limitations.


The disagreement came after Ikeja Electric apologised to customers on some Band A feeders for failing to meet the minimum daily electricity supply requirement of 20 hours on November 3 and 4.


In an earlier statement on Thursday, Tegbe had also attributed the electricity disruptions to maintenance and operational challenges across the power sector, gas shortages at thermal power stations and reduced output from hydropower plants.


He said the Federal Government was working with TCN, NISO and electricity distribution companies to address the constraints and restore normal supply.


PUNCH


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The Kano State High Court has sentenced Umar Auwal and Yakubu Dayyabu to death by hanging after finding them guilty of murdering Fatima Abubakar and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi, Kano.


The presiding judge, Justice Nasiru Saminu of High Court No. 11, delivered the judgment on Friday, November 6, 2026, after reviewing the evidence and testimonies presented during the trial.


The court found Auwal, popularly known as Breaker, and Dayyabu, also known as Wawo, guilty of killing Fatima and her six children on January 17, 2026.


The court consequently sentenced each of them to death by hanging.

The court also sentenced the two convicts to life imprisonment for conspiracy and armed robbery.


However, Justice Saminu discharged and acquitted the third defendant, Isiyaku Yakubu, of the conspiracy and murder charges.


The prosecution team was led by Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabir Maude, alongside Barrister Salisu Muhammad Tahir.


According to the Attorney-General, the judgment has vindicated the prosecution’s position on the involvement of the two convicts in the killings and armed robbery.


He also declared the state government’s readiness to pursue the implementation of the death sentence if the convicts failed to exercise their right of appeal within the period provided by law.


He commended the police for what he described as a thorough investigation and praised officials of the Ministry of Justice for their role in securing the conviction.


On the acquitted defendant, Maude disclosed that although Isiyaku Abdul’azeez had been cleared in the present case, he was still facing two separate cases, with judgments expected later.


The defendants were represented by Barristers J. I. Musa and A. I. Baba.


SolaceBase recalls that Fatima Abubakar and her six children were killed on January 17, 2026, at their residence in Dorayi Chiranchi, Kano, in a case that sparked widespread public concern.

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Atiku Abubakar has insisted that he remains in the 2027 presidential race despite a federal high court judgement that sacked the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and invalidated decisions taken by the party’s caretaker committee.


In a statement issued on Friday, the former vice-president said the judgement did not reflect the will of Nigerians, adding that he would not abandon his presidential ambition.


He accused the ruling party of deploying political pressure, manufactured narratives and court manoeuvres to weaken the opposition and push Nigeria towards a one-party state.


Atiku also alleged that attempts were being made to compromise the voter register through artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities.


He criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the removal of petrol subsidy, the depreciation of the naira, rising food prices, factory and small business closures, youth emigration and insecurity.


The former vice-president said the economic difficulties facing Nigerians had reinforced the need for political change, adding that his campaign would continue.


“I am in this race, and I am not going anywhere. We will be on the ballot. No threat, blackmail or court manoeuvre will make me abandon you or the cause we share,” he said.


“We will resist with all our strength every attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. Nigeria belongs to all its people.


“Our democracy must remain open to more than one party and more than one voice. If those in power believe in their numbers and their record, let us meet at the polls in a free, fair and credible contest.


“Our campaign will continue. Our message on the cost of living will not be silenced or derailed. Stay calm, united and resolute. Together, we will fight for a Nigeria where life is affordable, and every citizen’s vote counts.”


Atiku’s comments followed a judgement delivered on Thursday by Peter Lifu, a judge of the federal high court in Abuja, which sacked the Mark-led ADC caretaker committee and nullified its decisions, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.


The suit was filed by Nafiu Bala, a former deputy national chairman of the ADC (north-east), who challenged the party’s leadership arrangement.


The ADC has filed a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution, but the application is yet to be heard or granted.


Atiku said the judgement would not deter him from seeking the presidency, insisting that the final decision should rest with voters.


“Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgement of Nigerians at the ballot box,” he said.


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The federal high court in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, has remanded two Mexican nationals and four Nigerians arrested over their alleged involvement in operating a methamphetamine in Tapa village, Ibarapa north LGA.


The two Mexicans are identified as Jose Villa Ochoa and Carrera Loaiza Arturo, while the four Nigerians are Maxwell Uche Nevoh, Olatunji Yusuf, Bankole Akeem Owolabi, and Ganiu Monsiu.


According to the NDLEA, Ochoa and the four Nigerian suspects were arrested on June 17, 2026, while Arturo was arrested on August 19, 2026, as he attempted to flee the country through the Lagos airport.


Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, had said Ochoa was brought into the country to provide technical expertise for the large-scale production of methamphetamine, while the Nigerian suspects handled logistics and local operations.


In a statement on Friday, Babafemi said the defendants were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on the alleged unlawful transportation and distribution of chemical substances for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine.


The six defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.


‎After the defendants entered their pleas, Nkeonye Evelyn Maha, the presiding judge, ordered that they be remand at the correctional centre in Ibadan.


In September, the NDLEA discovered an “industrial-scale” methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi state.


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President Bola Tinubu says all funds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will be channelled into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).


The president spoke on Friday at the launch of Arise Palm Resort in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.


Tinubu said the decision was informed by the need to ease the burden of tuition fees on parents and ensure equal access to education for all Nigerians.


“I feel your pain and share in the difficulty, and that’s why I decided to take away the responsibility of tuition fees from parents and equal opportunities for everyone who wants to read, taking education as the greatest weapon against poverty,” he said.


“And creating opportunities for those who are still coming behind. From today on, as we are fighting corruption, any money recovered by EFCC will be dumped into that education programme. It will be. No one can reverse it.”


On August 19, the president directed the EFCC to channel all recovered funds into NELFUND.


Tunji Alausa, minister of education, announced the development while answering questions from State House correspondents shortly after the weekly federal executive council (FEC) meeting that day.


He said the FEC also approved the allocation of all unclaimed dividends in the Capital Market Trust Fund and funds in the Dormant Account Trust Fund to the student loan scheme to expand its reach and improve its efficiency.


Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on August 31 to highlight the commission’s achievements under his leadership, Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, said the federal government had allocated N100 billion from funds recovered by the anti-graft agency to the student loan scheme since 2024.


He noted that when “recovered criminal value” helps finance education and household credit, enforcement moves beyond punishment to restoration and productive national use.


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OFFICIAL EXECUTIVE COMMUNIQUE


HISTORIC VICTORY: ONITSHA ADO TAKES OVER UDO LAND/AWADA LAYOUT: 


Lease of 1961 Expired! Judgment Delivered! Writ Signed! After 65 Years, Court Finally Returns Dumez Quarters, Udo Land, Awada to Ogbo Family, Onitsha Ado.


NOTICE OF EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT IN SUIT NO. O/177/2023

NNAEMEKA NZEKWU & 2 ORS. (FOR OGBO FAMILY OF UMUASELE VILLAGE, ONITSHA) VS. DUMEZ NIGERIA LIMITED


This is to inform the general public, all tenants, occupants of Fezel Estate and all persons residing or doing business within Awada Layout, Onitsha, that the rightful owners have lawfully taken possession of their ancestral land.


SUMMARY OF FACTS:

1.  The Case: Suit No. O/177/2023 between Nnaemeka Nzekwu, Ozobi Bosa Omeni, Osi Chieka (for themselves and on behalf of Ogbo Family of Umuasele Village, Onitsha) Vs. Dumez Nigeria Limited.


2.  Subject Matter: Dumez Quarters, Udo Land situate within Awada Layout, Onitsha, covered by a Deed of Lease dated 10th August, 1961, and duly registered with the Anambra State Government. The lease has long expired.


3.  The Judgment: In a Consent Judgment delivered on 9th October, 2024 by His Lordship, Hon. Justice T. U. Oguji, High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division, the Court ordered Dumez Nigeria Limited to vacate and yield immediate and vacant possession of the said land to the Ogbo Family.


4.  Writ of Execution: A Writ of Execution / Warrant for Possession was duly signed on 17th July, 2026 by Hon. Justice T. U. Oguji, authorizing the Bailiffs of the High Court to give immediate possession to the Plaintiffs and to attach the goods and chattels of the Defendant where necessary.


5.  Police Protection: The Court has applied to the Inspector General of Police for provision of armed police protection for the Bailiffs to enforce the judgment in line with the law.


Accordingly, the High Court of Anambra State has ordered the final takeover, and the Ogbo Family has today, being 6th November, 2026, taken lawful possession of Dumez Quarters, Udo Land, Awada Layout, Onitsha, in strict compliance with the judgment of the Court.


All occupants and the general public are hereby advised to remain peaceful, law-abiding and to contact the representatives of the Ogbo Family for regularization of their occupation.


To God be the Glory.


SIGNED:

For and on behalf of Ogbo Family,

Umuasele Village, Onitsha.

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The Federal Government has released detailed guidelines explaining how Nigerians selected for its N50,000 relief grant can confirm their eligibility, accept the offer, access the money and withdraw funds, while warning beneficiaries against fraudsters seeking to exploit the programme.


The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention is a Federal Government programme designed to help households cope with rising living costs.


The intervention, managed by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, provides N50,000 to selected beneficiaries through mobile wallets operated by five approved payment providers.


According to the frequently asked questions published on the programme’s website and sighted by PUNCH Online on Thursday, the grant is not a loan, does not require repayment and can be accessed without a smartphone or internet connection.


The government also explained how beneficiaries were selected, why their phone numbers were used, how to withdraw the money and what to do if they encountered problems.


Here are the things beneficiaries need to know about the programme.


What is NERSI and how much will beneficiaries receive?

The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention is a Federal Government relief programme designed to help households cope with living costs.


Under the scheme, selected beneficiaries receive N50,000 each through a mobile wallet.


The government said the full amount would be credited to beneficiaries without deductions.


Asked how much recipients would receive, the programme’s website stated, “₦50,000. The full amount goes into your wallet. Nothing is deducted.”


It also clarified that the support was a grant and not a loan, adding that beneficiaries were not expected to repay the money.


“No. It is a grant from the Federal Government. You do not pay it back,” the FAQ stated.


Who is eligible and how are beneficiaries selected?

The government said beneficiaries were selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.


It explained that individuals could not submit applications or arrange to be included on the list.


“You cannot apply, and no one can add you to the list,” the programme stated.


According to the government, beneficiaries were selected based on need and spread across the six geopolitical zones, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.


The FAQ clarified that the intervention was not restricted to particular states or groups.


It stated, “Beneficiaries are spread across all six geopolitical zones and are selected on need alone, whatever their religion, ethnic group or political affiliation.”


However, the government explained that payments would be made in phases, meaning not everyone would receive a notification at the same time.


Why was I selected and how did the government get my phone number?

The programme said beneficiaries were identified through information contained in the National Social Register and verified national identity records.


It explained that their phone numbers were obtained from the same records used for the selection process.


According to the FAQ, beneficiaries’ information would only be shared with their respective payment providers for the purpose of disbursing the grant.


“Your details are shared only with your payment provider, and only so they can pay you,” the website stated.


The government also assured recipients that their personal information would be protected under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.


It stressed that programme officials would not request sensitive banking information such as personal identification numbers, one-time passwords or Bank Verification Numbers.


How will beneficiaries know they have been selected?

Selected beneficiaries will receive text messages from one of the five approved payment providers: ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.


The messages will notify recipients of their selection and provide a USSD code to dial to accept the grant.


The programme provided an example of a notification which reads:


“Relief! FGN has selected you to receive ₦50,000 under NERSI to help with living costs. This is FREE. Enq? Call 07000222222. Dial 94523# to accept.”


Beneficiaries can also dial their provider’s USSD code and select the option to check their eligibility.


The government said genuine notifications would come only from the official sender names of the approved payment providers.


How can beneficiaries accept the N50,000 grant?

Recipients are required to dial the USSD code contained in the notification sent by their payment provider and follow the instructions.


The process opens a mobile wallet for the beneficiary, after which the N50,000 is credited and a confirmation text message is sent.


The government stressed that beneficiaries would not receive the money until they accepted the offer.


“Nothing is paid until you accept,” the FAQ stated.


It advised selected recipients to accept as soon as possible after receiving the notification, adding that their payment providers would send reminders.


Those who mistakenly select the option to reject the offer can dial the code again and choose Yes if they change their minds.


The government explained that choosing No would be recorded and the beneficiary would not be paid unless the decision was changed.


Can people without smartphones or internet access receive the money?

Yes. The government said beneficiaries do not need smartphones or internet access to receive the grant.


A basic mobile phone is sufficient because the USSD codes provided by the payment providers work without an internet connection.


The FAQ specifically stated, “No. A basic phone is enough. The codes work without the internet.”


However, customers of MoMo PSB, OPay and Moniepoint can also use their providers’ official mobile applications to access their wallets and carry out transactions.


How can beneficiaries withdraw the N50,000?

The government said recipients could withdraw their money through Point of Sale agents by transferring funds from their mobile wallets to the agents and collecting cash.


Each payment provider also offers other withdrawal and transfer options.


ALAT beneficiaries can dial 94523Account NumberAmount# to transfer money to a POS agent’s account or their personal bank accounts. They can also visit any Wema Bank branch.


MoMo PSB customers can visit its agents or POS operators, dial 6710# or use the MoMo NG application to transfer funds.


NairaGram beneficiaries can dial 72600# and follow the instructions to transfer money to a POS agent or bank account.


OPay customers can use 95520# or the OPay application, while Moniepoint beneficiaries can dial 557327# or use the Moniepoint application.


The government added that recipients could withdraw the entire amount or take only part of it, leaving the remaining balance in their wallets.


“Yes. You can withdraw all or part of it. The rest stays safely in your wallet,” the FAQ stated.


Beneficiaries can also transfer the money to any bank account or another person’s account through their providers’ USSD codes or applications.


Are there charges for receiving or withdrawing the grant?

The government said accepting the grant, receiving the money and responding to programme text messages were free.


It warned beneficiaries against paying anyone to access the intervention or secure a place on the list.


However, it clarified that POS operators could charge their usual fees when beneficiaries withdrew cash through them.


The FAQ stated, “When you cash out at a POS agent, the agent may charge their usual withdrawal fee, as with any withdrawal. Ask for the fee before you withdraw.”


The government advised beneficiaries to confirm the applicable charges before proceeding with withdrawals.


What should beneficiaries do if they have not received an SMS?

The government said beneficiaries who had yet to receive text messages should not automatically conclude that they had been excluded.


It explained that payments were being made in phases, with providers contacting selected recipients in batches.


However, it noted that not everyone would be selected in the current phase because the programme was designed to support a limited number of households at a time.


Those who want to confirm their status can dial their provider’s USSD code and select the eligibility-check option.


Recipients who are not on the list will receive a notification stating, “You are currently not selected to receive this relief support.”


The government warned that nobody could add an individual to the list or speed up payment in exchange for money.


“No one can add you to the list or speed up your payment. Anyone who offers to do so for a fee is a fraudster,” the FAQ stated.


How can beneficiaries identify and avoid fraud?

The government warned beneficiaries against individuals claiming they could help them secure or release the N50,000 grant in exchange for payment.


It stressed that no programme official, payment provider or agent would request recipients’ PINs, one-time passwords or Bank Verification Numbers.


The FAQ stated that genuine messages would come only from the official sender names of ALAT/Wema Bank, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.


It also said genuine messages would never contain links.


The government cautioned recipients against clicking unfamiliar links, downloading unknown applications or forwarding WhatsApp messages claiming that sharing them would guarantee access to the grant.


“Chain messages are fake. Forwarding a message does not make anyone a beneficiary. Delete it,” the programme stated.


It further warned beneficiaries against sending money to anyone who contacts them claiming that the payment was made in error and should be refunded.


“Do not send money to anyone. This is a common trick. Call your provider’s official help line to check,” the FAQ stated.


Beneficiaries who receive suspicious calls requesting their personal details were advised to end the calls and contact their providers directly.


What happens if a beneficiary loses their phone or SIM card?

The government advised beneficiaries who lose their phones or SIM cards to contact their payment providers immediately to protect their wallets.


They should then obtain replacement SIM cards bearing the same phone numbers from their network operators.


According to the programme, the money would remain in the mobile wallet even if the beneficiary lost the phone or SIM card.


“Your money stays in your wallet,” the FAQ stated.


The government also advised beneficiaries not to hand over their phones, PINs or one-time passwords to anyone, even when seeking assistance from trusted relatives.


What should beneficiaries do if their USSD codes stop working?

The programme advised beneficiaries to check their network signals and try again if their providers’ USSD codes failed to work.


If the problem persisted, they were advised to contact their payment providers through their official customer service channels.


It also urged beneficiaries to contact their providers if they received suspicious calls, lost their phones or needed assistance protecting their wallets.


The government published the following helplines:


ALAT by Wema: 0803 900 3700

• MoMo PSB: 671 or 0803 106 7100

• NairaGram: 0201 330 0880 or 0201 330 0881

• OPay: 0700 888 8328 or 0201 888 8328

• NERSI programme helpline: 0700-022-2222

The government said enquiries concerning mobile wallets and payments should be directed to the respective providers, while questions about the intervention should be addressed to the programme’s helpline.


Which organisations are approved to pay beneficiaries?

The government identified five payment providers authorised to disburse the N50,000 grant.


They are ALAT, the digital banking platform of Wema Bank; MoMo PSB, a licensed Payment Service Bank; NairaGram, a digital money transfer service; OPay, a licensed mobile money operator; and Moniepoint, a licensed microfinance bank.


The programme advised beneficiaries to deal only with their assigned providers and use official channels when making enquiries or carrying out transactions.


It also warned against downloading unfamiliar applications, explaining that beneficiaries did not need to follow links or install unknown software to claim the grant.


The government said the USSD codes provided by the payment providers were sufficient to access the funds.


PUNCH


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President Bola Tinubu has approved the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom State.


Tinubu announced the approval on Friday while responding to a request by Governor Umo Eno during a reception and rally held in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.


The President, who was in the state to inaugurate projects executed by the Eno administration, said the development must promote inclusive growth, create economic value and bring progress to the people.


“Now, development must be even inclusive and reasonable, must bring progress and create economic value. I heard from my friend, my governor, my pastor, on behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, request for Ibom’s deep-sea port,” Tinubu said.


After repeating the request, the President asked the crowd, “Will you vote?”


He subsequently declared, “Okay, It’s approved.”


The approval followed a pledge by Eno that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government delivered the seaport.


“Give us Ibom Deep Seaport, we will deliver two million votes. This deep seaport is capable of unlocking the economy of the state, the South-South region and Nigeria at large,” the governor said.


Eno described the seaport as the most important economic demand of the people of Akwa Ibom, saying it would transform the state’s maritime, industrial and employment landscape.


He said the people of the state had remained loyal to Tinubu since 2023 and were asking him to fulfil his promise to build the facility.


Tinubu had, during his 2023 presidential campaign rally at the same stadium, promised to build the deep seaport, citing the Lekki Deep Seaport, developed during his tenure as Lagos State governor, as an example of what he hoped to achieve in Akwa Ibom.


Eno said the project, conceived during the administration of former Governor Victor Attah as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City, had remained unrealised for decades despite featuring in successive presidential campaigns.


“This seaport would serve as a major transhipment hub. It will create thousands of jobs for our people. It will open Akwa Ibom to international trade and investment,” he said.


The governor also said Akwa Ibom had aligned with the Federal Government by joining the All Progressives Congress to attract greater federal presence and development.


He assured Tinubu that the state would mobilise support for his re-election in 2027, saying the seaport would be a major dividend of his administration.


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President Bola Tinubu has taken a dig at Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying he failed to tackle erosion during his tenure as governor of Anambra state.


Tinubu spoke on Friday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.


The president said, unlike Obi, he confronted the Atlantic Ocean as governor of Lagos state and succeeded.


“There is one who says he is in a party they call NDC, who is running for president. He ran away from erosion in Anambra state,” Tinubu said.


“He could not confront erosion. I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean. I tamed it for him.”


The president repeated the criticism while speaking at the launch of Arise Palm Resort in the state capital.


Tinubu commended Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom, for developing the resort, a feat he said Obi could not achieve during his tenure as Anambra governor.


“Here we are on a resort reclaimed from erosion. And we are going to enjoy life here. You want to compare the brain of this man to that of Obi?” he said.


“He ran away from erosion in… he ran away from erosion in Anambra. And he now wants to be president? President of where? Lilikabu?”


Tinubu’s remark follows an earlier criticism of the former Anambra governor by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.


Speaking at the rally, Shettima said Obi had run himself out of the 2027 presidential race with lies and bogus statistics.


He said the former governor no longer excites Nigerians when he speaks, adding that the NDC candidate had squandered the goodwill he once enjoyed.


“I hear my friend Peter Obi is back in the country after sneaking out to have a rest. He might have avoided Lagos and Abuja on arrival,” Shettima said.


“And clearly this gentle man has run himself out of this race with his lies and bogus statistics. We warned him that he’ll get to that.


“Peter Obi has clearly messed up and squandered away his goodwill; he no longer excites when he speaks these days. He draws suspicions, too bad for him.”


Peter Obi served two terms as governor of Anambra state between March 2006 and March 2014, with a brief interruption, on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).


He assumed office after a court overturned the victory of Chris Ngige in the 2003 governorship election.


Tinubu served as governor of Lagos state from May 1999 to May 2007, completing two terms on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD).


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Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying the former Anambra governor has run himself out of the 2027 race with lies and bogus statistics.


Shettima spoke on Friday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.


He said Obi no longer excites Nigerians when he speaks, adding that the NDC candidate had squandered the goodwill he once enjoyed.


“I hear my friend Peter Obi is back in the country after sneaking out to have a rest. He might have avoided Lagos and Abuja on arrival,” Shettima said.


“And clearly this gentle man has run himself out of this race with his lies and bogus statistics. We warned him that he’ll get to that.


“Peter Obi has clearly messed up and squandered away his goodwill; he no longer excites when he speaks these days. He draws suspicions, too bad for him.”


This is not the first time Shettima has criticised Obi.


In October, while speaking at the opening of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, the vice-president said Obi had nothing to offer Nigerians beyond citing statistics.


“I respect Peter Obi for having the courage to say he’s not going to restore the petrol subsidy, but beyond spouting some statistics, Mr Peter Obi has absolutely nothing to offer,” Shettima said.


“He was surviving on various statistics. So, I call on you, the crème de la crème of the Nigerian economic community, to support us.”


At the launch of the APC presidential campaign council on October 16, Shettima described Obi as “the master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions.”


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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that no court ruling, political pressure or alleged manipulation can force him out of the 2027 presidential race, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot use the judiciary to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box.


Atiku, in a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, said he remained firmly in the presidential contest and would not abandon the struggle to provide Nigerians with an alternative political direction.


Reacting to the latest court ruling, the former Vice-President cautioned against interpreting the decision as the will of the Nigerian people, maintaining that the ultimate power to determine the country’s political leadership rests with voters.


“Let no one mistake the latest court ruling for the will of the Nigerian people. No manipulation, conjecture or concoction can erase our place in this contest, silence our campaign or deny Nigerians the right to choose their future. We are on the ballot, and the people must be allowed to decide,” he declared.


Atiku also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deploying political pressure, courtroom manoeuvres and other tactics to weaken opposition parties and undermine the country’s multi-party democracy.


He questioned the ruling party’s confidence despite its claims of controlling 32 governors and attracting politicians from opposition parties, arguing that a government confident in its performance should have no reason to fear a free and credible electoral contest.


According to him, the alleged efforts to weaken opposition parties, alongside attempts to compromise the voters’ register through artificial intelligence-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities, represent a dangerous development for Nigeria’s democracy.


He warned that such actions, if allowed to persist, could push the country towards a one-party political system.


The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate challenged the Tinubu administration to defend its performance before Nigerians rather than resort to what he described as political manoeuvres aimed at frustrating genuine opposition.


Taking a swipe at the Federal Government’s economic management, Atiku listed the removal of fuel subsidy, the depreciation of the naira, rising food prices, factory closures and the worsening economic hardship as major failures of the administration.


He also expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, pointing to the persistent activities of bandits and kidnappers, which he said had continued to hold communities hostage.


“Market stalls stand empty. Feeding your family has become a daily struggle. Fuel prices keep rising, and silent pain fills homes across the country,” he said, describing the economic realities confronting ordinary Nigerians.


Atiku urged Nigerians not to lose hope or surrender their democratic rights, insisting that their votes remained the most powerful instrument for changing the country’s leadership.


He further assured his supporters that he was not withdrawing from the presidential race, declaring that neither threats, blackmail nor judicial interventions would discourage him from pursuing his political ambition.


“Let me be clear to every Nigerian who has stood with us: I am in this race. I am not going anywhere. We will be on the ballot. No threat, blackmail or court manoeuvre will make me abandon you or the cause we share,” he stated.


Reaffirming his opposition to a possible one-party state, Atiku said Nigeria’s democracy must remain open to competing political parties, diverse opinions and genuine electoral choices.


He challenged the APC and its leaders to test their popularity at the polls if they were confident in their numbers and achievements.


“If those in power believe in their numbers and their record, let us meet at the polls in a free, fair and credible contest,” he said.


The former Vice-President called on his supporters to remain calm, united and resolute, stressing that his campaign would continue to focus on the rising cost of living and the need to restore economic opportunities and democratic accountability.


He concluded with a direct message to President Tinubu, declaring: “Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box.”


Atiku served as Nigeria’s Vice-President between 1999 and 2007.


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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uncovered an alleged plot to threaten, intimidate and kidnap ad-hoc electoral personnel, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), ahead of the 2027 general election.


INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed that intelligence-led operations had led to the arrest of suspected kingpins allegedly behind the plot, adding that the suspects had been charged to court through the Department of State Services (DSS).


Amupitan warned that anyone who threatened or harmed electoral personnel would face the full weight of the law.


He also cautioned electoral officers against partisanship and administrative negligence, insisting that personnel found wanting in the discharge of their duties would face appropriate sanctions.


The INEC chairman spoke in Lokoja during the commission’s North Central zonal operational readiness assessment and interactive staff engagement, where he stressed that the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend largely on the neutrality, professionalism and commitment of personnel at the grassroots.


He said the commission was strengthening collaboration with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) framework to identify and address potential threats before the polls.


According to him, INEC is also deploying Election Risk Management tools to identify vulnerable areas across the North Central zone and share the findings with security agencies for early intervention.


Amupitan said the commission was intensifying preparations nationwide to ensure that the 2027 general election was better managed than previous electoral exercises, stressing that credible polls could not be achieved through last-minute preparations.


He said INEC must sustain its operational readiness through adequate logistics, technological investment, staff welfare and improved administrative processes long before election day.


The chairman said the commission was preparing for an election involving more than 103 million registered voters and 176,846 polling units across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.


He disclosed that the North Central zone, comprising six states and the FCT, had a combined 15.44 million registered voters, with Kogi State accounting for 1,932,654.


Describing the zone as strategically important to the electoral process, Amupitan said Kogi’s geographical position and borders with several states made its logistics, security and operational readiness critical to election administration.


He charged electoral officers to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised through administrative lapses or logistics failures, urging them to uphold neutrality, professionalism and accountability.


On the voters’ register, Amupitan said INEC was working to address irregularities identified during the display of the register for claims and objections ahead of the publication of the final register on December 15, 2026.


He assured that necessary corrections would be made before the final publication.


The chairman also warned that misinformation and disinformation, particularly fake news and manipulated videos circulating on social media, posed a serious threat to public confidence in the electoral process.


He urged the commission’s voter education and publicity departments to intensify public enlightenment and advised citizens to verify information before sharing it.


On staff welfare, Amupitan said INEC had introduced the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS), effective January 1, 2026, to move its workforce away from the conventional civil service salary structure.


He added that an enhanced salary, hazard and field allowance package had been approved by the President, with implementation awaiting cash backing.


Other measures, he said, included a 150 per cent increase in overhead allocation to state offices, improved duty tour allowances, plans for an owner-occupier housing scheme and the procurement of new vehicles, including 500 pickup trucks for logistics operations.


He urged staff to see themselves as custodians of electoral integrity, saying the success of the 2027 elections would depend on their ability to uphold the law and discharge their responsibilities without fear or favour.


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Several people have sustained injuries on Wednesday after an Akwa Ibom State Transport Corporation (AKTC) bus conveying women to welcome President Bola Tinubu collided with a security vehicle along Oron Road, Uyo.


The victims were reportedly among supporters mobilised to join Governor Umo Eno in welcoming the President, who arrived in Akwa Ibom State through Calabar for an official visit.


The accident involved the bus, loaded with women heading towards the airport, and a security Hilux van with both vehicles were badly damaged in the collision, leaving several occupants injured and requiring emergency assistance.


Nsikakabasi Akpan, who captured the aftermath of the accident, shared footage showing early responders and other persons struggling to evacuate injured victims from the wreckage of the vehicles.


He described the incident as an accident along Oron Road involving a bus conveying women to the airport to receive the President and a security Hilux vehicle.


Confirming the incident, Paul James, Public Relations Officer, Road Safety Operations, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Akwa Ibom State Command, said the command had dispatched a response team to the scene.


James, however, said the command was yet to establish the extent of casualties and the circumstances surrounding the collision.


The reported accident cast a shadow over the build-up to Tinubu’s visit, which attracted supporters and political stakeholders who had gathered to receive the President and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.


The presidential couple were subsequently received by Governor Eno at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, marking the commencement of their engagements in the state.


The President’s official visit featured the unveiling of the airport’s new terminal, a major aviation infrastructure project expected to facilitate the commencement of international flight operations from the Victor Attah International Airport.


The circumstances surrounding the crash, including the feared death and number of injured victims, were yet to be officially established by the FRSC as of the time of filing this report.


VANGAURD

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says 66 personnel drawn from its formations nationwide have been sanctioned for various offences.


According to NAN, Ahmed Audi, NSCDC commandant general, during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Friday, said the punishment ranged from dismissal, compulsory retirement, demotion and warnings.


He said the disciplinary actions followed the approval of the Civil Defence, Correction, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) after investigations into allegations of misconduct against the affected personnel.


The CG detailed that the sanctions were imposed based on the nature and severity of the offences committed.


He said some of the offences were involvement in arms dealing, adding that officers found culpable of particularly serious offences would face prosecution.


“Some of them are to face prosecution while some had been dismissed after facing prosecution,” he said.


“They will be prosecuted because of the veracity of the offence, level and kind of offence they have committed.”


The NSCDC boss said all the affected personnel had undergone the established disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials and relevant staff disciplinary committees, before the board approved the sanctions.


According to Audi, the affected officers were drawn from state, zonal and area commands, the national headquarters, and other formations across the country.


He noted that the NSCDC will not tolerate indiscipline or actions capable of undermining its professional standards.


The CG further said the exercise was intended to reinforce discipline within the corps and serve as a deterrent to other personnel.


“The culture of any military or paramilitary organisation stands or is built on discipline,” he said.


He, however, added that 17,000 NSCDC personnel had recently been promoted, describing the exercise as a morale booster for deserving officers and men.


Audi explained that approximately 22,000 personnel sat for the promotion examination, while about 17,000 qualified for promotion based on their performance and available vacancies approved by the federal government.


According to him, the promotion results were ready and would be displayed on the corps’ notice boards to enable personnel verify their outcomes.


He commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary support and enabling environment for the promotion exercise and other institutional reforms within the corps.


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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has mandated a minimum paid-up capital of N15 billion for companies seeking to issue foreign-currency-referenced stablecoins in Nigeria.


The CBN issued the capital requirement directive in its ‘Regulations for the Operations of Non-Security Virtual Assets in Nigeria’, referenced in a circular to virtual assets service providers dated November 5.


The new policy, which took effect on November 5, established licensing and supervisory rules for stablecoin issuers and other non-security virtual asset service providers in Nigeria.


The CBN classified stablecoins into two categories under the regulations: Class 1 for tokens referencing the naira and Class 2 for those referencing currencies other than the naira.


The apex bank said Class 2 stablecoins could be used for cross-border payments and remittances, international commerce and trade settlement, subject to regulatory requirements.


The regulation set the minimum paid-up capital for Class 2 licensed issuers at N15 billion, or any higher amount the CBN might prescribe.


“A Class 2 Licensed Issuer shall maintain minimum paid-up capital of fifteen billion Naira (N15,000,000,000), or such higher amount as the Bank may prescribe, on entry and at all times thereafter,” the regulation states.


For issuers of naira-referenced stablecoins, the CBN set a minimum paid-up capital of N10 billion, subject to any higher amount prescribed by the bank.


The regulations require foreign-currency-referenced stablecoins to be issued through a Nigerian-incorporated entity holding a valid Class 2 licence from the CBN.


“A Class 2 Stablecoin shall be issued only by a Nigerian-incorporated entity holding a valid Foreign Currency Issuer Licence (Class 2) granted by the Bank,” the regulation states.


The CBN also prohibited foreign-currency-referenced stablecoins from being offered, distributed, marketed, exchanged, held in custody or redeemed in Nigeria unless they have been approved by the bank and issued through a licensed Class 2 entity.


Under the new rules, Nigerian issuers are allowed to be affiliated with, controlled by or associated with foreign issuers or groups, but the locally incorporated entity is responsible for regulatory compliance.


“There is no offshore issuer exemption from incorporation, licensing or capital,” the regulation states.


The CBN also required issuers to maintain their paid-up capital separately from their reserves, reserve deposits with the apex bank, customer funds, and operational liquidity.


“Capital shall be separate from and additional to issuer reserves, the CBN reserve deposit, customer funds and assets and operational liquidity. No amount shall be counted simultaneously towards these separate requirements,” the regulation states.


The CBN emphasised that it reserves the right to prescribe capital above the minimum based on an issuer’s scale of operations, transaction volumes, risk profile, redemption obligations, and technological risks.


The regulations asked issuers that fall below their capital thresholds to notify the CBN immediately and submit a capital restoration plan within 10 business days.


The bank said it could restrict new issuance, customer onboarding or other activities until an issuer restores its capital, and could take further supervisory action.


OTHER VIRTUAL ASSET REQUIREMENTS


The regulator also mandated stablecoin issuers to maintain reserve, liquidity, redemption, governance, cybersecurity and anti-money laundering controls.


For Class 2 stablecoins, the CBN said it could impose restrictions, transaction caps, circulation thresholds and customer eligibility conditions where necessary to address risks to monetary policy, financial stability, payment-system integrity, consumer protection or foreign-exchange management.


The apex bank also set a minimum paid-up capital of N1 billion for providers of other non-security virtual asset services, including custody, wallet, exchange, transfer, and remittance services.


The regulations further stated that the N1 billion requirement would be in addition to any capital that providers are required to maintain under an existing Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) licence.


Under Section 54.1, the CBN gave existing operators 30 days from the commencement of the regulations to register with the bank, 60 days to begin submitting supervisory reports and 180 days to complete their licence applications.


The regulations allowed operators to continue providing services during the transition period only at their existing scale and subject to conditions imposed by the apex bank.


The CBN warned that operators who fail to submit their applications within the prescribed period would have to cease operations until they obtain the required licence or authorisation.


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