The much-anticipated commencement of the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal faced an unexpected adjournment today, following an application by the 1st and 2nd respondents—the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The respondents requested a postponement of proceedings to Wednesday, January 15, 2025, citing a conflicting Supreme Court hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2025, in Abuja.

The Assistant Secretary to the tribunal read the application during the opening session, emphasizing the respondents’ claim of being unable to proceed with the tribunal’s schedule due to their prior commitments.

The petitioners’ legal team expressed concern over the short notice, noting that they were only informed of the adjournment request on January 12, 2025. Nonetheless, the legal team agreed to conceded to the request; on the understanding that the concession was conditional, based on the respondents’ undertaking not to seek any further delays that might impede the tribunal’s progress.

The hearing is now set to resume on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, barring any further interruptions.

Outside the court, Goodluck Osaretin, a member of the PDP, voiced his disappointment: “This smacks of delay tactics, just like their earlier attempts to prevent our inspection of the BVAS machines. Still, we are confident in Barrister Asue’s experienced legal team. They may delay justice, but they cannot deny it. The APC colluded with INEC to rig this election, and we are here to reclaim our stolen mandate.”

Representatives for Governor Monday Okpebholo and INEC were unavailable for comment.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the N40 billion earmarked for it in the 2025 budget.

Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, rejected the estimate during budget defence before a joint committee session on INEC and Electoral Matters, at the National Assembly on Friday.
The INEC chairman in his presentation before the joint committee chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), said elections in Nigeria have become huge burden requiring adequate funding.

He said, “Our proposal for the 2025 budget, the provision requires the sum of over N126 billion. We have the document that has provided details line by line on how we intended to spend the N126 billion.

“We would like the support of the National to enable us to achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge and most of these responsibilities are constitutional.
“In a nutshell, the N40 billion budget envelope given us for 2025 will not cover 1/3 of projected expenses which totally amounts to over N126 billion.

“We would like the support of the National to enable us to achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge and most of these responsibilities are constitutional.

“In a nutshell, the N40 billion budget envelope given us for 2025 will not cover 1/3 of projected expenses which totally amounts to over N126 billion
“Aside the off-cycle elections for 21 constituencies to be filled through bye – elections and the Anambra governorship election this year, personnel cost alone on account of the new minimum wage will eat up the N40 billion budgetary envelope.”

He added that the inadequacy of budget made the electoral body to get intervention funds of N10.5 billion for Edo and Ondo elections in 2024 and another N500 million for bye -elections on affected constituencies in 2024.

In their response, members of the joint committee one after the other, assured the electoral body that the proposed sum would be appropriated in the budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

The National Assembly, through its joint committee on Industry, Trade and Investment, has declared that Nigeria is fooling itself over border closure in view of cross border banditry taking place in states sharing borders with Niger and the Republic of Chad.

Lamentation on closed but porous borders came to the fore during 2025 budget defence session the joint committee had with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

First to lament on the issue of porous closed borders was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi (PDP Osun East), who said it is better for the borders to be practically opened and not technically closed.

He said the exit of Niger Republic and Chad from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with attendant opening of their borders to Nigerians was worsening the menace of insecurity across the affected states and by extension, compounding the Nation’s economic woes.

“Border closure is hampering the economic fortunes of the country because rather than curb smuggling, it encourages it.

“For example on rice production alone, the largest percentage of 4million tons shortfall is being smuggled into the country since local producers are only producing 3million tons out the expected consumption rate of 7million tons”, he said.

In her own lamentation, another member of the committee, Hon Fatima Talba representing Nangero/Potiskum Federal Constituency of Yobe State in the House of Representatives said as far as she and her constituents were concerned, the borders were opened and not closed.

“Going by free movement of people and even criminals across the borders, it is time for us to stop fooling ourselves with border closure”, she said.

In his remarks on the border closure, Hon Paul Kalejaiye representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives wondered the form of border closure policy Nigeria is implementing.

“We need to even ask the question on the border policy being implemented. Are all borders across the Nation closed or those closed are from a segment of the country? “, He asked.

The Committee chaired by Senator Suleiman Sadiq Umar (APC Kwara North), accordingly urged the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole who came for the budget defence session to liaise with the Presidency on the way out of the border closure.

Oduwole had earlier in her presentation to the committee said the sum of N3.8billion is earmarked for capital expenditure in the 2025 fiscal year, N4.65billion for personnel cost, N1.45billion for overhead and projected revenue of N2 4billion.

But the committee ordered her ministry to go and correct some errors observed in the documents submitted, particularly N59billion erroneously written as payment for N50billion project.

The economic reforms of the Tinubu administration, including the market-based pricing of premium motor spirit (PMS) and adjustments to foreign exchange policies, have saved the country approximately N930 billion in previously lost revenue, according to Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun.

The N930 billion represents about five per cent of revenue losses addressed through these measures.

Edun told the Senate Committee on Appropriations during a briefing on the 2025 Appropriation Bill on Thursday that the administration inherited a precarious economy but has implemented targeted reforms that have now placed the country on a recovery trajectory.

“The administration inherited an economy on the brink, but through targeted reforms, we are now on a recovery path,” he said.

He cited the 100 per cent implementation of the 2024 recurrent expenditure as proof of government’s ability to meet its obligations despite the challenging economic environment.

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, he said, exceeded three per cent last year; a figure he described as a milestone, particularly when compared to developed nations struggling to achieve one per cent growth.

Gross Domestic Product is the monetary value of all finished goods and services made within a country during a specific period.

Edun said the administration’s focus “remains on growing revenues, improving fiscal discipline and ensuring sustainable economic growth for all Nigerians.”

Enhanced performances by revenue-generating agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, he added, were driving consistent revenue growth critical for achieving the government’s development goals.

Edun explained that the 2025 budget is planned to build on the successes of the previous year, prioritising increased tax-to-GDP ratios and higher national revenues.

He spoke of President Tinubu’s commitment to maintaining fiscal stability, meeting debt obligations, and implementing reforms that foster inclusive growth.

Ministry of Industry, Trade, Investment targets N2.4trn IGR for 2025.

Industry, Trade and Investment Minister, Jumoke Oduwole, who took her turn yesterday to brief the Senate committee, said N2.4 trillion has been projected as its internally generated revenue (IGR) for the 2025 fiscal year.

But she described the sum of N3.844 billion allocated for capital expenditure in the Ministry’s 2025 budget as inadequate to fund its programmes and plans aimed at driving the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu Administration.

She appealed for the support of the lawmakers for additional funding to enable the Ministry align its projects according to the objectives spelt out in the National Development Plan and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

Oduwole said her ministry remained committed to achieving its vision of promoting economic growth, creating jobs and generating wealth as well as formulating and implementing policies and programmes that attract foreign direct investment, boost industrialisation, increase trade and export as well as encourage the development of enterprises.

The ministry is currently implementing strategic policies, plans and programmes targeted at economic recovery and growth for employment generation and wealth creation for the generality of Nigerians, she said.

She named some of the programmes and policies of the Federal Government being promoted as the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, the National Enterprise Development Programme, the Trade Policy of Nigeria (2023-2027) and the Nigeria investment Policy (2023-2027).

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, has implemented a strategic restructuring by appointing new General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), Corps Commanders, and a Commander for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), News360 Nigeria reports.

The reorganization aims to bolster operational capabilities and administrative efficiency within the Nigerian Army.

Highlights of the Appointments:

General Officers Commanding (GOCs)

Maj Gen OT Olatoye: From the Nigerian Army School of Infantry to Headquarters 82 Division/Joint Task Force (JTF) South East Operation Udoka (OPUK) as GOC 82 Division/Commander JTF OPUK.

Maj Gen EF Oyinlola: From the Department of Military Secretary to Headquarters 3 Division as GOC 3 Division/Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).

Maj Gen AGL Haruna: Confirmed as GOC 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 JTF North East Operation Hadin Kai.

Maj Gen IA Ajose: Confirmed as GOC 8 Division/Commander Sector 2 JTF North West Operation Fasan Yanma.

Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)

Maj Gen GM Mutkut: From the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to Headquarters MNJTF, N’Djamena, as Force Commander.

Principal Staff Officers (PSOs)

Maj Gen LA Fejokwu: Chief of Administration (Army), from the National Defence College.

Maj Gen GU Chibuisi: Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.

Maj Gen AS Ndalolo: Chief of Training (Army), from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.

Maj Gen OS Abai: Chief of Transformation and Innovation, from the Department of Army Training.

Maj Gen JH Abdussalam: Chief of Special Services and Programmes, from Headquarters 6 Division.

Maj Gen EI Okoro: Military Secretary (Army), from the Department of Army Logistics.

Corps Commanders

Maj Gen OC Ajunwa: Commander, Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

Maj Gen HT Wesley: Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps.

Maj Gen TT Numbere: Commander, Nigerian Army Engineers.

Maj Gen NC Ugbo: Commander, Nigerian Army Signals.

Maj Gen ZL Abubakar: Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery.

Maj Gen AP Oguntola: Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Education Corps.

Commandants

Maj Gen JO Sokoya: Commandant, Nigerian Army Training Centre.

Maj Gen UM Alkali: Commandant, Army War College Nigeria.

Maj Gen FS Etim: Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry.

Maj Gen AB Mohammed: Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army.

The reshuffle also affected several other officers, with changes across critical army institutions, including the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering and the Warrant Officers Academy.

A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said, “The Chief of Army Staff has directed all newly appointed senior officers to bring renewed vigour, dedication and commitment to their duties, particularly while ensuring the sustenance of the ongoing onslaught against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security.

“He equally charged them to ensure that the welfare of troops remained paramount as they assumed their new appointments.

“The reshuffling underscores Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring robust and dynamic leadership structure capable of addressing emerging security challenges.”

There seem to be trouble following the announcement of Eric Chelle as the new Super Eagles coach on Tuesday.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is under fire as MC Oran of Algeria has revealed that the newly appointed Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is still under contract with the club.

Despite having a contract with MC Oran, the NFF went on to name Chelle the Super Eagles’ head coach on Tuesday.

This move has caused friction with the Algerian club, which reportedly feels Chelle’s departure undermines its ongoing project.

Chelle reportedly attended training with MC Oran on Wednesday, but the club then called for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.

The Club highlighted the need to protect “the rights of both parties.”

“This meeting will determine whether he stays or leaves the team, especially since he is still under contract,” the club stated per BSN.

There appears to be a clause in Chelle’s contract that allows him to leave if offered a national team position.

This clause was triggered by the NFF’s offer, leading to Chelle’s acceptance of the Super Eagles job.

The outcome of the meeting between Chelle and MC Oran remains uncertain.

It’s possible Chelle could remain with the Algerian club if a solution is reached, or he may be released after the contractual clause is exercised.

Bauchi Central senator, Abdul Ningi, on Thursday queried the economic team of the federal government over failure to explain how proceeds from the removal of fuel subsidy was expended last year.

Mr Ningi, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenged the government officials when they appeared before the Senate Committee on Appropriations to defend budgetary allocations of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.

President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy on 29 May, 2023 during his inauguration. The removal of subsidy and the floating of naira policy have led to hardship in the country following rising costs of goods and services. Many have protested against the policies and demanded immediate reversal, but the government insisted they would eventually benefit Nigerians.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the federal government pays an average of N501.47 as subsidy on each litre of petrol, in at least eight cities. But the government repeatedly denied it.

During Thursday’s budget defence, the Bauchi senator asked the economic team led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to disclose the status of the fuel subsidy. He also demanded an explanation on the actual status of Nigeria’s foreign debt servicing.

“We haven’t heard from the minister how much has been saved from the removal of fuel subsidy and how much has been expended,

“We also haven’t heard from the minister about the debt servicing. How much have we actually used to service our debt in 2024? How much are we expecting to service the debt in 2025,” he said.

Mr Ningi also complained about the poor performance of the 2024 budget, especially the implementation of capital projects across the country. He specifically asked whether the federal government would achieve all proposed capital projects in the 2024 budget before its expiration in June.

“Finally, will the minister of finance guarantee that the extension of the capital component of the 2024 budget to June 30, 2025 will give the desired results in terms of implementation that has a very low percentage now,” the senator asked.

Responding, Mr Edun requested that the senators should discuss the questions privately “Are we in a closed door session? If we are not in a closed door session , I will humbly seek for that for detailed explanations on the questions asked,” the minister pleaded.

Thereafter, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan, directed the committee members to go into closed-door session to discuss the issues. The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, was also present during the budget defence.