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Preparations are in full swing as iconic Nigerian music duo Zule Zoo marks 20 years in the entertainment industry with a special anniversary concert tagged the “Ultimate Thank You Party.”

The milestone event commemorates the group’s two-decade journey, which began in the early 2000s and was propelled into national prominence by their breakout hit, Kerewa. 

The song helped define an era and established Zule Zoo as pioneers of the distinctive “Takuraku” sound, a fusion of traditional Nigerian rhythms, hip-hop, and reggae.

Scheduled for February 21 in Abuja, the celebration will bring together top-rated music stars, comedians, dancers, and renowned MCs for a night of performances and tributes. 

Organizers describe the concert as a historic gathering dedicated to music, legacy, and appreciation of fans who have supported the group over the years.

Beyond the festivities, the anniversary will also serve as a tribute to the late Michael Aboh, one half of the duo, who passed away in 2022. The event is expected to honour his enduring contributions to Nigerian music and his role in shaping Zule Zoo’s legacy.

The surviving member, Al-Hassan Ibrahim, is spearheading the initiative as a heartfelt expression of gratitude to fans and industry supporters. The concert will be held at Blake Excellence Resort, promising an evening that blends nostalgia with contemporary entertainment.

With two decades of influence behind them, Zule Zoo’s anniversary celebration stands as both a reunion of memories and a reaffirmation of their lasting imprint on Nigeria’s music scene.

Ticket prices have been slashed to enable fun seekers come out in their large numbers go honour the duo.
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A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Yekini Nabena, has warned the Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda-led National Working Committee (NWC) against surrendering party structures to serving governors as the party prepares for nationwide congresses.

Nabena, an APC chieftain from Bayelsa State, said giving control of structures at ward, local government and state levels to governors could fuel resentment, sideline loyal party members and drive away the remaining grassroots supporters.

In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, he warned that “the 2027 general elections is about masses against the few people in the corridor of power, hence the masses must be carried along.”

He said indications from ongoing preparations suggested that the current NWC was positioning to hand over structures in each state to the governors, based on developments and information from the APC national secretariat.

Nabena, however, noted that it was not too late for the party leadership to correct the process and ensure free and fair congresses across the country.

“We will not be surprised if this prediction comes true because the National Chairman himself and more than half of the entire NWC didn’t go through election. They were appointed. So, what do you expect?”

He urged the NWC to allow open contests at all levels by making nomination forms available to every aspirant, warning that anything short of this could lead to litigation and disputes across states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He also said members of the present NWC required proper guidance, noting that “many of them did not know what it takes to contest and win election into the position they are currently”.

He said: “As the party preparing for congresses, the report we are getting is that all the nomination forms are being delivered to the Governors – who will eventually determine who become what by selection. This will not end well. In fact, it will be the beginning of internal crisis which may lead to implosion.

“I think this move should be avoided now before it is too late. So, I appeal to our National Working Committee led by Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda to do the right thing now before it is too late.

“It is also important that the elders and leaders of our party speak up now by calling the NWC members to order so that they won’t proceed in error.”

While warning of possible internal crisis, Nabena called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step in before the nationwide exercise begins.

“So, my appeal to the NWC is that they should not chase away the remaining masses we have in the party. APC used to have about 40 million registered members but now we are struggling to get 10 millions registered members in the ongoing electronic registration. This calls for caution and we must be wise to do the right thing now.”

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Popular socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has announced his intention to work against Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential bid. This marks a major political shift for the celebrity barman, who was a vocal supporter of the Labour Party candidate during the 2023 elections.

The revelation came during a lively interaction with his followers on Instagram, sparked by questions about his new political alignment and role in the “City Boy Movement,” a key support group for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

When asked if he truly plans to oppose Obi, Cubana Chief Priest responded bluntly:

“Yes oh, hope say no be crime, because I worked for Obi last election even as special adviser to an APC governor.”

The conversation quickly became contentious as critics reminded him of past encounters with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), noting that the same government he now supports had previously investigated him. Undeterred, he dismissed the concerns with his usual bravado:

“If you never go EFCC for Naija, you never make am.”

The debate intensified when a commenter raised the issue of South-East regional development, suggesting that Obi could have won the last election if the region’s influential figures had been more united. Cubana Chief Priest responded sharply:

“Shut up your mouth and go support who you want. As you like, Biafra reach how many developments you don do for South-East?”

This political shift coincides with another high-profile appointment: Obi Cubana, a close associate, has been named South-East Director of the City Boy Movement, a move announced by President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu. The development has ignited discussions on social media about the political direction of influential South-East businessmen ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, has asserted that up to 90 per cent of members of the National Assembly and other elected officials would lose their seats if Nigeria’s elections were conducted in a truly transparent manner.

Sowore made the claim while reacting to the ongoing debate surrounding amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly the provisions on electronic transmission of election results.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved amendments allowing the electronic transmission of results, a development widely welcomed by Nigerians. However, lawmakers retained a clause permitting manual collation in areas with poor internet connectivity, a provision critics have described as unnecessary and open to abuse.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Sowore argued that legislators are unwilling to introduce reforms that would guarantee credible elections because such measures threaten their political survival. He dismissed claims that network challenges justify manual collation, describing them as mere excuses.

According to him, lawmakers oppose transparent elections because they know credible polls would significantly reduce their chances of returning to office. He also criticised the Senate’s decision to retain manual collation, describing it as a calculated move designed to preserve what he called the old, discredited method of announcing election results, which has weakened public confidence in the electoral process.

Sowore further criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) IREV system as outdated and advocated adopting full electronic voting, similar to India’s model. He noted that India successfully conducts elections for about 900 million voters using electronic voting with minimal post-election disputes.

He also questioned why Nigerians cannot vote electronically from their homes, despite being able to carry out other sensitive and confidential transactions online.

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Fresh tensions rocked the Labour Party on Tuesday night after the Julius Abure-led faction announced that it had regained control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, barely 24 hours after the Nenadi Usman–led caretaker committee took over the premises.

The Abure faction disclosed this in a late-night statement issued in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.

Ifoh said the party’s national headquarters, which he claimed was “forcefully invaded” in the early hours of Tuesday, had been reclaimed. He also released photographs showing banners and billboards bearing the image of the caretaker committee chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, being removed from the premises.

“The Julius Abure–led leadership of the Labour Party has recovered the party’s national secretariat, which was illegally occupied earlier today by the Abia State Government and Nenadi Usman’s group,” the statement said.

According to the faction, control of the secretariat was restored after it was determined that the takeover by Usman’s camp and the Abia State Deputy Governor was illegal and unauthorised.

Ifoh added that the party would carry out an inventory to assess alleged losses and cases of theft arising from the invasion, after which legal action would be taken.

“The party will take inventory of the losses and outright theft observed as a result of the illegal invasion, and a formal charge will thereafter be pressed,” he said.

He warned that the party would no longer tolerate attempts by what he described as desperate politicians to undermine its lawful activities, advising any group claiming leadership to await the final determination of the matter by appellate courts.

The statement assured party members that normal activities would resume at the national secretariat from Wednesday and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Reacting, the acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, expressed shock and disappointment, accusing the Abure faction of acting in violation of an existing court judgment.

Speaking in a phone interview through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa, Usman said there was a subsisting court ruling declaring that Abure had ceased to be the party’s national chairman.

“There is a court judgment in place stating that Abure is no longer the national chairman, and the secretariat is where lawful duties should be carried out,” she said.

She questioned the legality of the action, adding, “Someone has taken the law into his hands by insisting that a court judgment should not be implemented. Have we gone bananas in this country?”

Usman maintained that her faction’s takeover of the secretariat was done lawfully and in the open.

“When we took over the secretariat, it was in broad daylight. Someone else has gone there in the middle of the night to announce that he has reclaimed the secretariat,” she said, adding that she was disappointed security operatives were not left behind to prevent what she described as an illegal action.

The latest development comes less than 24 hours after Usman, accompanied by Abia State Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, assumed control of the Labour Party’s Utako national headquarters under heavy security.

Earlier reports indicated that armed policemen were deployed within and around the secretariat as Usman’s faction took over, with banners and billboards bearing the images of Abure and his executives removed and replaced with those of Usman.

Party members, supporters and journalists were subjected to strict security checks before being granted access to the premises, while sources said the caretaker committee had begun plans to take over other Labour Party state secretariats nationwide.

Confirming the takeover earlier on Tuesday, Usman said the move was long overdue and dismissed fears of resistance from the Abure faction.

However, Ifoh had earlier accused the police of acting despite an appeal filed by the Abure-led group.

Last month, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Abure’s tenure as national chairman had expired and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise a caretaker committee led by Usman pending the conduct of a national convention.

INEC subsequently updated its records, listing Usman as acting national chairman along with other members of the caretaker committee, replacing Abure’s name.

The ruling followed months of internal wrangling, parallel leadership claims and protracted court battles that intensified after the 2023 general elections.

Despite rejecting the judgment and filing an appeal, Abure has vowed to resist what he described as an unlawful takeover of the party.

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The Department of State Services (DSS) in Kwara State has issued a security warning over a potential attack on Gbabe community in Baruten Local Government Area, heightening fears of fresh violence in the state.

The alert, sent to the Kwara State Police Command, comes barely days after a deadly attack on Woro community in Kaiama LGA that reportedly left scores of residents dead.

A copy of the intelligence report, dated February 5, 2026, and signed by the Kwara State Director of DSS, J.S. Adams, was addressed to the Commissioner of Police in Ilorin amid growing insecurity across the Kwara North axis.

Titled “Threat of Attack on Gbabe, Baruten LGA”and referenced S.122/1/1897, the letter warned of the movement and build-up of armed men suspected to be Mamuda elements around Kiyoru Settlement in Gwanara District.

According to the DSS, the intelligence points to a possible attack on Gbabe community, noting that residents have already expressed hostility toward the suspected armed elements.

The agency also cited the violent history of armed groups operating around the Kainji Lake National Park corridor and stressed the need for urgent preventive action.

“In view of the antecedents of armed groups around Kainji Lake National Park, there is a need to emplace necessary security measures to forestall any untoward development,” the DSS said, urging the police to treat the information with urgency to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

The warning has further unsettled residents and community leaders, especially following the Woro attack, where gunmen reportedly killed scores of people and forced many others to flee. Eyewitnesses said the attackers operated from forest routes linking Kaiama and Baruten LGAs and extending toward the Benin Republic—an area security agencies have long identified as vulnerable.

While security presence has reportedly been reinforced in parts of Kaiama, residents of Baruten LGA have expressed anxiety over the fresh threat.

In response, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq convened an emergency security council meeting on Monday night at the Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin, bringing together heads of security agencies in the state.

The governor said the meeting was aimed at reviewing the security situation and strengthening coordinated efforts to neutralise emerging threats.

“As part of our multi-layered response to the recent terrorist attack in Kaiama LGA, I summoned an emergency security council meeting today,” AbdulRazaq said, adding that security commanders briefed the government on strategies to protect lives and property.

Earlier, Governors Usman Ododo of Kogi State and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State accompanied AbdulRazaq to visit victims of the Woro attack receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Ilorin.

Oyebanji expressed solidarity with the people of Kwara State and commended the Federal Government and security agencies for their swift response, noting that the victims were stable but still under close medical observation.

Meanwhile, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has called on governors of the South-West, Kwara, Kogi, and other Yoruba-speaking states to immediately declare a state of emergency over worsening insecurity.

The call was made in a statement issued Tuesday by Kazeem Lawal, Chairman of Dr. Frederick Fasehun’s OPC Caretaker Committee, following the killing of more than 100 people in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama LGA.

Describing the killings as “heartbreaking and provocative,” the OPC demanded decisive action against what it described as jihadist terrorists, urging security forces to hunt them down without delay.

Lawal warned governors against politicising the security crisis and instead called for regional collaboration to deliver swift and effective solutions.

“Governors of the 10 Yoruba-speaking states must immediately declare a state of emergency on security to reflect the gravity of the situation. With the activities of terrorists, bandits and jihadists, all Nigerians face an existential threat,” he said.

The OPC further urged the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government, and security agencies to launch a massive manhunt to track down and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Those who committed this heinous act are not spirits. All available resources must be mobilised to hunt down, arrest, prosecute and neutralise these killers,” the statement added.

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A coalition of civil society organisations has raised serious concerns over the Senate’s revised Clause 60(3) on the electronic transmission of election results, warning that vague provisions could erode electoral integrity.

At an emergency plenary on Tuesday, the Senate overturned its earlier rejection of electronic transmission and approved a revised clause allowing the electronic transmission of results from polling units.

The new provision makes electronic transmission mandatory “as long as it does not fail,” while designating Form EC8A as the primary source of election results. The Senate also expanded its conference committee from six to twelve members to match the size of the House of Representatives’ delegation.

In a joint statement signed by the Centre for Media and Society, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa, and Yiaga Africa, the groups welcomed the Senate’s reversal, describing it as a positive outcome of sustained public advocacy.

However, they warned that certain insertions in the revised clause could dilute the safeguards established under the 2022 Electoral Act.

The organisations described the conditional phrase “provided if it fails and it becomes impossible to transmit” as dangerously unclear, noting that the bill fails to define what constitutes failure, how such incidents should be recorded, or what verification standards would apply.

“In the absence of clear safeguards, this clause creates a loophole capable of defeating the very purpose of electronic transmission,” the statement said.

They cautioned that allowing discretion in the management of results could reopen pathways for manipulation between polling unit declaration and final collation.

The coalition also expressed concern over naming Form EC8A as the “primary source” of results. While acknowledging the legal importance of polling unit results, they argued that prioritising Form EC8A without giving equal legal status to electronically transmitted results could weaken transparency and accountability mechanisms.

“If the electronically transmitted copy is not accorded equal weight, its role as a tool for verification and accountability may be compromised,” the groups said.

They emphasised that electronic transmission is not a symbolic reform but a structural safeguard designed to provide an immediate and verifiable audit trail, warning that making it optional or conditional undermines its deterrent value.

The CSOs urged the National Assembly’s conference committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ provision mandating electronic transmission of results in real time.

They recommended a clause stating that designated election officials should electronically transmit all election results, including accredited voter figures, directly from polling units and collation centres to a public portal, with transmitted results used to verify all other records before collation.

The groups also called for the adoption of the House’s provision allowing downloadable missing and unissued voter cards to prevent disenfranchisement.

On electoral timelines, the coalition strongly advised retaining the existing provisions in the 2022 Electoral Act and the House bill—360 days for notice of elections, 180 days for submission of candidates’ lists, and 150 days for INEC’s publication of nominations.

They further demanded meaningful inclusion of civil society organisations and technical experts in the conference committee’s deliberations.

According to the coalition, Nigerians have consistently shown strong support for transparent and credible elections. While describing the Senate’s reversal as evidence that sustained civic pressure can yield results, they stressed that close scrutiny remains essential.

“The details matter. The credibility of future elections depends on getting Clause 60(3) right,” the statement said.

The groups called on Nigerians, civil society, the media, technology experts, political parties, and citizens to remain actively engaged as the bill progresses through the conference process

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The Senate has justified its amendments to the Electoral Act, insisting that lawmakers acted diligently and in the best interest of Nigerians.

Speaking on Tuesday’s edition of Politics Todayon Channels Television, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu said the lawmakers carefully weighed their decisions before reaching a conclusion.

“Anyone who truly loves Nigeria will understand that what we have done is in the country’s best interest,” Adaramodu said. “We do not play to the gallery. A small, vocal minority may be overly dramatic, but we do not make laws to satisfy them. Lawmaking is not something as simple as eating amala.”

On Tuesday, the Senate amended the Electoral Act to permit electronic transmission of election results, while also providing safeguards to address possible technical challenges during elections.

This marked a shift from the Senate’s earlier position, when it rejected mandatory electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

The amendment sparked criticism from civil society groups, opposition figures, and other stakeholders. However, during an emergency plenary, the upper chamber approved electronic transmission of results excluding the “real-time” requirement as part of the electoral process.

The lawmakers also resolved that in the event of internet connectivity failure, Form EC8A would remain the primary document for result collation.

Defending the decision, Adaramodu said the process was thorough and deliberate. “We don’t make laws on impulse. Lawmaking requires careful thought and painstaking effort to ensure that any flaws do not undermine public trust in our system,” he said.

According to the senator, the diverse reactions to the amendment reflect a healthy democracy. “In Nigeria, as in any thriving democracy, there will always be differing opinions and perspectives. What matters is that all views are heard, and that is exactly what happened,” he added.

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Traditional rulers and kinsmen of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke, have called for fairness and commitment to the rule of law amid what they described as “delayed justice and baseless vilification.”

The royal fathers under the auspices of Concerned Traditional Rulers of Attissa Clan, made the appeal, yesterday, at a media briefing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

They declared their total support for the former Minister, stating that justice delayed for over a decade without a conclusive end becomes an affront to the country she served at its highest level.

Speaking on behalf of the group, HRH Ovie Omeleh, Paramount ruler of Yenaka, said: “The former oil minister has been under investigation in the United Kingdom for over a decade, with no conviction of any crime by any court of law in Nigeria or abroad. It is time for this protracted separation to end.”

The group demanded, “a fair and orderly conclusion to this ten-year chapter. For more than 10 years, our daughter has lived under the weight of protracted legal battles. A decade of international and domestic investigation has passed, yet the central fact remains: Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has not been convicted of any crime in the world’s most powerful nations.”

They described her as “a cherished member of our royal lineage and a pillar of the Atissa Kingdom,” urging a resolution that reflects her contributions to her state and nation.

“We ask for a resolution narrative to return to the truth of her contributions to her state and her nation. The Atissa people are a patient people, but we are also a just people. The people of Atissa Kingdom will continuously stand by their daughter.”

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Former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and his colleague in Jigawa, Sule Lamido, yesterday held a closed-door meeting at Makarfi’s residence in Kaduna, discussing reconciliation and unity within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The two elder statesmen later briefed journalists and described their engagement as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Makarfi, a former National Caretaker Chairman and Secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees, said the meeting aligned with years of consultations to strengthen the PDP.

According to him, the current situation within the party requires sober reflection, forgiveness and a willingness among members to embrace one another.

“This is not the time to be angry. It is time to put on our thinking caps and ensure that we come out of the situation the party is in,” he said.

He stressed that the meeting was not about individuals but the collective interest of the party and members aspiring to contest elective offices in 2027.

Makarfi added that politics remained dynamic, urging party leaders to continuously assess national developments and work towards what was best for democracy, the country and the PDP.

He explained that addressing the media was necessary to clarify why senior leaders were engaging and to signal the need for broader consultations within the party.

Lamido, in his remarks, said he and Makarfi had for years been comparing notes on the state of the country and the fortunes of the PDP.

He acknowledged that while the party, as a human institution, faced challenges, love for democracy, the country and the party should prevail over personal grievances. Lamido expressed concern over the state of the nation, citing insecurity, economic hardship, corruption and the health of multi-party democracy as issues requiring a stronger PDP.

He noted that discussions among party leaders were focused on resolving disputes, including litigations, and forging a united political front.

“It is not about ego or pride. It is about national sacrifice. We must put the party and the country first,” Lamido said.

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by ₦25 per litre, bringing the ex-depot rate down from ₦799 to ₦774 per litre, a move analysts say reflects a strategic adjustment amid changing market conditions in 2026.

The refinery communicated the price cut to marketers on Tuesday, noting that the new rate takes immediate effect. The announcement coincided with the company’s disclosure of plans to explore fresh investment opportunities in Burundi.

In a notice issued by its Group Commercial Operations Department, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE informed marketers of the revised PMS price, adding that the incentive scheme for PMS lifting had ended as of 12:00 a.m. on February 10, 2026. It said credits for volumes lifted between February 2 and February 10, within previously agreed thresholds, would be reflected in marketers’ account statements.

Industry analysts say the end of the lifting bonus, alongside the price reduction, signals a shift away from volume-based incentives toward a more stable pricing structure as the refinery strengthens its position in the domestic market.

The latest adjustment comes after a period of sharp price volatility in 2025, triggered by full deregulation of the downstream sector, subsidy removal, exchange rate pressures, and fluctuations in global crude oil prices. During that period, ex-depot prices swung between ₦700 and over ₦800 per litre. Increased domestic supply from the Dangote refinery later helped ease price pressures, particularly in coastal and southern regions.

Earlier in 2026, the refinery had raised its PMS price to ₦799 per litre after selling at ₦699 during the festive season. The current reduction to ₦774 per litre suggests easing cost pressures, improved efficiency, and growing competition from imported products and anticipated output from modular refineries.

With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, Dangote Petroleum Refinery remains Africa’s largest single-train refinery and a key driver of Nigeria’s efforts to cut fuel imports and conserve foreign exchange. Its growing role in domestic supply has increasingly influenced downstream pricing trends nationwide.

In a separate development, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote is exploring new business investments in Burundi as part of the group’s continental expansion strategy. Dangote recently visited the East African country alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo, holding high-level talks with President Evariste Ndayishimiye at the presidential palace.

According to the Dangote Group, the visit led to the formation of two technical teams—one from Burundi and another from the Dangote Group to identify priority sectors and develop viable investment projects. Dangote said the group’s focus remains firmly on Africa, highlighting opportunities in solid minerals, power generation, agriculture, cement manufacturing, and infrastructure.

Discussions reportedly centered on strategic cooperation in infrastructure, logistics, industrialization, and energy sectors seen as critical to Burundi’s long-term economic growth. Observers say the engagement positions Burundi as an emerging destination for major African investors and reinforces Dangote Group’s broader continental growth ambitions.

Together, the fuel price cut and the Burundi investment push underscore Dangote’s dual strategy of consolidating its influence in Nigeria’s energy market while expanding its footprint across Africa.

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The Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, says the federal government plans to start selling state-owned assets to private investors in 2026.

According to Bloomberg, Edun spoke on Monday during an interview on the sidelines of the AlUla conference for emerging market economies in Saudi Arabia.

He said the government is currently working to determine which assets will be offered for sale and the transaction timelines.

‘’The plan is to offer some assets in 2026,” the minister said.

“What we have put in place has made Nigeria very competitive in terms of the economic conditions and very attractive in terms of the incentives for investors. I think investors are now more comfortable investing in Nigeria.

“We are interested in private-public partnerships, optimisation of our assets by having others come in and invest.”

On January 22, Edun said Nigeria is pursuing a job-rich and inclusive growth, noting that investment remains critical to boosting productivity and expanding the economy.

The minister said the West African giant is still on the path of economic reforms aimed at restoring policy credibility and macroeconomic stability.

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The City Boy Movement has appointed the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre (NPC), Hon.  Baffa Babba Dan’agundi, as its North-West Zonal Coordinator.

SolaceBase reports that the Movement, which is nationally coordinated by Mr. Seyi Tinubu, said the appointment recognises Dan’agundi’s political influence and grassroots mobilisation efforts across the North-West region.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by Aminu Abba Kwaru of the Office of the Director-General, National Productivity Centre.

According to the statement, Dan’agundi played a significant role during the 2023 presidential campaign, particularly in organising the “One Million March” rally in Kano State, which was described as a major mobilisation effort that strengthened support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the region.

Speaking on the appointment, the National Coordinator of the Movement, Mr Seyi Tinubu, described Dan’agundi as a dependable and result-driven political leader.

“ Baffa Babba Dan’agundi is a true grassroots political leader whose dedication, organisational strength, and ability to mobilise and train supporters for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu across the North-West have been truly remarkable,” he said.

The statement added that despite his appointment as Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Dan’agundi has remained actively engaged in grassroots activities, including empowerment programs and social intervention initiatives across the zone.

As North-West Coordinator, Dan’agundi is expected to supervise the activities of the Movement in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Kebbi states.

He is also mandated to strengthen grassroots engagement, promote political education, and advance the Movement’s objectives across the region.

The City Boy Movement described itself as a political support platform established to promote the leadership vision and programs of President Tinubu.

The group said its activities focus on youth mobilisation, civic education, grassroots political participation, and community empowerment initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic governance.

The Movement noted that Dan’agundi’s appointment reflects recognition of his contributions to its growth and expanding support base across the North-West.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has approved the participation of licensed Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

According to a circular signed by the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Dr Musa Nakorji,, the move is part of efforts to improve foreign exchange liquidity in the retail segment of the market.

The circular said that the CBN had also approved that weekly FX purchases by each BDC be capped at 150,000 dollars, and that utilisation comply with existing BDC operational guidelines.

“All BDCs duly licensed by the CBN are permitted to access foreign exchange through any Authorised Dealer Bank of their choice, at the prevailing market rates.

“The move aims to deepen market efficiency and ensure broader access to foreign exchange across the economy,”it said.

The CBN, however, imposed strict compliance and risk-management conditions on the transactions.

It said that authorised dealers were required to conduct full Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and due diligence checks on BDC clients before any FX sale.

To strengthen transparency and accountability, the apex bank directed that all licensed BDCs must submit timely and accurate electronic returns in line with extant regulations.

It added, “Any unutilised foreign exchange must be sold back to the market within 24 hours, as BDCs are prohibited from holding FX positions purchased from the NFEM.”

The circular further restricts settlement practices, mandating that all FX transactions be conducted through settlement accounts with licensed financial institutions.

It said that third-party transactions were prohibited, while cash settlement is limited to a maximum of 25 per cent of each transaction amount.

“Overall, the directive reflects the CBN’s broader strategy to balance market access with strong regulatory oversight, ensuring liquidity in the foreign exchange market while safeguarding financial system integrity.” (NAN)


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The United States is set to deploy about 200 military personnel to Nigeria to support the fight against terrorism and armed banditry, following security cooperation discussions between Washington and Abuja.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. troops will provide training to Nigerian armed forces in air-ground coordination, intelligence gathering and counter-insurgency operations targeting Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups operating mainly in northern parts of the country.

A spokesperson for U.S. Africa Command said the deployment is part of broader efforts to strengthen partnerships in addressing regional security threats.

“Terrorist activity in West Africa — and Nigeria specifically — remains a concern, and we are working with capable partners to address shared security challenges,” the spokesperson said.

The personnel are expected to arrive in the coming weeks and will focus on technical guidance and combat training.

However, the Nigerian military clarified that the American troops will not participate in direct fighting.

Major-General Samaila Uba, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, said the deployment is strictly advisory and training-based.

“They are not going to be involved in direct combat operations,” he stated.

The cooperation follows renewed engagement between both countries on counter-terrorism efforts, as Nigeria continues to battle insurgency in the North-East and banditry across the North-West and North-Central regions.

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Political tensions in Rivers State eased on Tuesday as former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, softened their long-running rivalry following what President Bola Tinubureportedly described as a final mediation effort.

Speaking after inspecting infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike said the President’s intervention should mark the end of the crisis.

“I believe, by the grace of God, this will be the last time. I have told the Assembly to obey Mr President, which I know they will not hesitate to do,” Wike said.

“If there seems to be a problem between the legislature and the governor, as a father, he really has to intervene.”

He described Tinubu as a peacemaker and expressed hope that similar disputes would no longer arise.

The reconciliation followed a meeting between both leaders and the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday. Presidency sources described the meeting as symbolic, noting that both men reportedly left the Villa in the same vehicle.

Fubara Praises Wike’s Vision

Governor Fubara also spoke positively about his predecessor while inspecting the over-50km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, promising it would be completed by October.

“This project is very important considering the person who conceived it — my oga, the Honourable Minister. He had a big vision,” Fubara said.

He added that completing the project would fulfil Wike’s desire to earn the appreciation of Rivers people and benefit future generations.

The governor explained that the road, which cuts across five local government areas, is designed to decongest Port Harcourt and improve access to surrounding communities. He said contractor Julius Berger Nigeria Limited reaffirmed its readiness to meet the delivery timeline if funding remains steady.

“What they need is the fund, and from my end is the push,” Fubara added.

Background to the Crisis

The political feud between Wike and Fubara began shortly after the governor assumed office in May 2023, leading to divisions within the State House of Assembly, impeachment threats and governance challenges.

President Tinubu had previously intervened in December 2023 and again in 2025 when a state of emergency was declared before civil rule was restored six months later.

The latest mediation appears to have reduced tensions, with both leaders publicly acknowledging each other’s roles in the state’s development agenda.

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, by ₦25 per litre, bringing the ex-depot rate down from ₦799 to ₦774 per litre.

The refinery notified marketers of the adjustment on Tuesday, stating that the new price takes immediate effect.

In a notice issued by its Group Commercial Operations Department, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE said:

“This is to notify you of a change in our PMS gantry price from ₦799 per litre to ₦774 per litre.”

Checks on industry platform petroleumprice.ngconfirmed that the revised price had been reflected across petroleum pricing systems.

Bonus Window Ends

The company also announced the end of its PMS lifting incentive programme.

“Additionally, please note that the PMS lifting bonus ended at 12:00 a.m. on 10th February 2026. The corresponding credit for volumes loaded from 2nd to 10th February 2026, within the stipulated volume thresholds earlier communicated, will be posted to your account statement. Thank you for your continued partnership,” the notice read.

Industry analysts say the closure of the bonus window alongside the price cut signals a shift from volume-driven incentives to a more stable pricing framework as the refinery consolidates its domestic market share.

Market Context

The reduction comes amid continued volatility in PMS prices following the full deregulation of the downstream sector and removal of fuel subsidies.

Throughout 2025, ex-depot prices fluctuated between ₦700 and over ₦800 per litre due to exchange rate pressures, global crude oil prices and reliance on imported fuel, pushing pump prices significantly higher across the country.

Large-scale supply from the Dangote refinery late last year helped moderate prices, especially in coastal and southern distribution corridors.

Earlier in 2026, the refinery raised its price to ₦799 per litre after selling at ₦699 during the festive season.

Industry Implications

The latest reduction suggests easing production costs, improving operational efficiency and increasing competition from imported cargoes and anticipated output from modular refineries.

With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, Dangote Refinery — Africa’s largest single-train refinery — has become a key reference point for domestic fuel pricing and a central pillar in Nigeria’s push to reduce fuel imports and conserve foreign exchange.

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