Ambode Congratulates Hamzat as Lagos APC consensus Governorship Candidate
Former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has congratulated Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat on his emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election.
In a press release issued on Thursday, Ambode described Hamzat as a true party man committed to the ideals and values of unity and progress.
“Your deliberate and purposeful consultations with the party hierarchy and all members of the party have demonstrated you are a true party man committed to the party’s ideals and values of unity and progress,” Ambode said.
He added that Hamzat’s adoption as consensus candidate reflects his loyalty, hard work and dedication to the party for over two decades.
“I am sure that our state will benefit immensely from your wealth of experience and skills in governance,” the former governor stated. Ambode also restated his unshakeable commitment to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the President’s continued governance as firmly tied to the greater prosperity of Lagos and Nigeria.
“I am confident that Mr. President’s vision and aspirations for our nation will yield bountiful returns and put us on the path of growth and prosperity,” he said.
The former governor called on the Lagos APC to work towards delivering at least three million votes for President Tinubu and to support other states in the South-West to deliver great results. He also urged the party to return all its nominated senators and representatives to the National Assembly.
“By the grace of Almighty God, the best days of Lagos and Nigeria are still ahead of us,” Ambode concluded
Just In: Inspector General of Police, Disu has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of ASP Nuhu Usman and other officers over the k*lling of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State. They violated firearm rules and will be prosecuted.
2027: Tinubu endorses Hamzat as Lagos APC consensus guber candidate
President Bola Tinubu has endorsed Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, as consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in next year’s general elections in the state.
Tinubu gave the endorsement on Wednesday when members of State Governance Advisory Council, GAC, paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Recall that the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday named Hamzat as his preferred successor.
Sanwo-Olu announced the endorsement after a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat officially declared his intention to run for the governorship seat before members of the State Executive Council and key party leaders.
Political Tension Rises As Tonye Cole Grabs APC Ticket Form For Rivers Clash
All Progressives Congress chieftain Tonye Cole has picked up the party’s governorship nomination form for the Rivers State election.
Cole, who was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, finished second behind Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party, who won the poll.
Speaking after obtaining the form, Cole said his ambition is driven by a vision centered on economic growth, security, infrastructure, development, and better governance for Rivers State.
Governor Fubara, however, has yet to announce whether he will seek a second term in office.
Meanwhile, Cole also argued that it is normal in politics for ruling parties to attempt to weaken the opposition. Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television’s Prime Time, he reacted to claims that the APC is working against the African Democratic Congress.
According to him, such political rivalry happens globally and is part of democratic competition, adding that it is the duty of the opposition to resist and remain strong.
Cole stressed that a vibrant opposition is essential to democracy, noting that strong opposition parties help strengthen legitimacy in the political process.
Gbenga Daniel seeks APC ticket for reelection to Senate, sparks reactions
Former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, has announced his intention to seek re-election to the Senate, declaring his bid ahead of the 2027 general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Daniel, who currently represents the Ogun East Senatorial District, disclosed on his X page on Tuesday that he had obtained his nomination and expression-of-interest forms.
“Today, I picked up my nomination and expression of interest forms as I seek to return to the Nigerian Senate, continuing my efforts to provide effective and responsive representation for the people of Ogun East Senatorial District,” he wrote. The former governor, who led Ogun State between 2003 and 2011, returned to elective office in 2023 when he was elected senator.
Mr Daniel’s declaration comes amid reported political tensions within the Ogun State APC, particularly involving Governor Dapo Abiodun.
There have been speculations about competing interests over the Ogun East senatorial ticket, with some party members uncertain about the zoning and endorsement dynamics within the ruling party.
The crisis intensified after Mr Daniel was denied entry into a key stakeholders’ meeting where party leaders moved to endorse Mr Abiodun as a consensus candidate.
The incident triggered protests by his supporters and exposed divisions within the party.
Public reactions Meanwhile, X users have questioned the continued dominance of long-serving politicians.
Some critics described Nigeria’s political space as increasingly dominated by older politicians, arguing that it limits opportunities for younger leaders.
“Is this dude not a former governor? Omo you don tey oh, allow vibrate Yoruba youths to take over and chair such affairs, grandpas should leave us alone, pass same message to Orji Uzo Kalu when you see him,” Nonso, an X user wrote.
Another commenter, David Ishola, questioned Mr Daniel’s continued stay in politics after more than two decades in public life.
He argued that Ogun East requires “fresh energy, not recycled politicians,” warning that prolonged dominance by long-serving leaders could hinder the emergence of a new generation of political actors.
Another X user, Bolaji Fesomade, expressed confusion over the development, questioning the APC’s internal arrangements in Ogun State.
“Gbenga Daniel has picked up the APC senatorial nomination form??? I thought the ticket had already been given to Dapo Abiodun. What exactly is happening in Ogun State?” he wrote.
Why OAU cancelled Peter Obi’s lecture – Management
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has explained why it cancelled a proposed lecture by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, saying the organisers failed to give adequate notice.
According to the university, details of the event and Obi’s participation were only officially communicated on Friday, less than 24 hours before the scheduled programme on Saturday morning.
It said this short notice made it impossible to complete necessary arrangements.
The institution noted that events involving high-profile guests require proper planning, especially coordination with security agencies such as the police and the Department of State Services, to ensure safety and order.
Obi had earlier said he was scheduled to deliver a keynote lecture at the university before travelling to Ibadan for an opposition leaders’ summit.
After the cancellation, he described the situation as part of a worrying pattern affecting similar engagements.
However, the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, insisted that the decision was based strictly on procedure and not on any political or personal considerations.
He added that approval for the use of Oduduwa Hall was denied because the required protocols for hosting such a major event were not followed in time.
The Dangote Group says it has achieved its first oil from its upstream assets and is preparing to begin marketable crude production in the coming weeks.
In an interview with Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, Devakumar Edwin, the vice-president of the Dangote Group, said early testing has commenced on crude from its Niger Delta licences.
According to Edwin, the company has already begun standard well testing and is preparing to scale up output.
“We have opened a well and begun standard testing, which should be completed in the next three to four weeks maximum,” he said.
“After that point, oil can start to be pumped in larger volumes, and the company can begin work on drilling new wells.”
Also speaking, David Bird, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Dangote refinery, said the upstream assets could provide a more stable crude supply for the refinery.
“Alongside its upstream interests, the company is seeking to establish its own shipping presence to help reduce logistics costs and improve the reliability of its crude sourcing,” Bird said.
“Combined with WAEP’s indigenous production, Dangote-owned vessels could offer the refinery a fully integrated and attractive source of stable crude supply.”
He said the refinery will take delivery of the crude “if it makes sense”, noting that the company’s joint venture partners will be eager to realise maximum value for the barrels produced.
“Dangote has interests in upstream, we will continue to grow that, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t be arm's length at every phase,” he said.
The Dangote refinery and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) did not respond to enquiries on the development as of the time of filing this report.
Crude oil production could help close supply gaps, a major challenge that threatened the refinery’s operations when it came on stream.
On April 1, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said it would allocate seven cargoes in May to Dangote refinery, an increase from the five allocated in previous months.
UK jails Nigerian couple over £433,000 tax fraud using stolen data
A Nigerian couple, Luciana and Femi Akanbi, have been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison in the United Kingdom for orchestrating a large-scale tax fraud that siphoned over £433,000 from public funds using stolen personal data.
According to a report by KentLive, the sentencing was delivered at Woolwich Crown Court, where prosecutors detailed how the couple exploited sensitive employee information from Transport for London to defraud HM Revenue and Customs through false tax rebate claims.
The fraud, carried out between September 2021 and January 2022, resulted in losses exceeding £433,000 to public funds, although the total value of fraudulent claims submitted was close to £650,000.
What they are saying
Delivering judgment, Judge David Miller described the case as the most severe data breach in the history of Transport for London, noting the wide-ranging impact on staff and institutional systems.
“It affected their morale, I am told, and staff performance. You acquired and used the personal details of 40 employees… There were 139 claims for tax rebates totalling just under £649,000.” He added that the fraud caused “immense damage to third parties,” particularly employees whose financial records and credit ratings were affected.
The court heard that Luciana Akanbi, who worked in TfL’s human resources department, accessed the personal data of 107 employees, which was then used to file 139 fraudulent claims using multiple devices.
Judge Miller emphasised that the crime was only possible due to her position of trust within the organisation.
“You… had been colleagues with some of these people who were extremely badly let down,” he said. Evidence also revealed that the stolen funds were quickly dispersed through a complex money laundering network, with more than £50,000 reportedly funneled into gambling accounts.
The judge noted that financial pressure, including Femi Akanbi’s gambling issues following illness during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed to the crime.
What you should know
The case adds to a growing list of fraud-related prosecutions involving Nigerian nationals abroad.
In September last year, Farouk Adekunle Adepoju was arrested in the UK following a U.S. extradition request over alleged wire and computer fraud totaling more than $235,000.
In February 2026, Matthew Akande was sentenced to eight years in prison and ordered to pay $1.39 million in restitution for his role in a U.S. tax fraud scheme.
Similarly, Afeez Olatunji Adewale was extradited from Nigeria in February 2026 over sexual extortion and related financial crimes in Pennsylvania.
In August 2025, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu was extradited from France for alleged tax fraud, hacking, and wire fraud targeting U.S. authorities.
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Dangote refinery increases petrol price from N1,275 to N1,350 per litre
2 days ago | [YT] | 19
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Ambode Congratulates Hamzat as Lagos APC consensus Governorship Candidate
Former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has congratulated Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat on his emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election.
In a press release issued on Thursday, Ambode described Hamzat as a true party man committed to the ideals and values of unity and progress.
“Your deliberate and purposeful consultations with the party hierarchy and all members of the party have demonstrated you are a true party man committed to the party’s ideals and values of unity and progress,” Ambode said.
He added that Hamzat’s adoption as consensus candidate reflects his loyalty, hard work and dedication to the party for over two decades.
“I am sure that our state will benefit immensely from your wealth of experience and skills in governance,” the former governor stated.
Ambode also restated his unshakeable commitment to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the President’s continued governance as firmly tied to the greater prosperity of Lagos and Nigeria.
“I am confident that Mr. President’s vision and aspirations for our nation will yield bountiful returns and put us on the path of growth and prosperity,” he said.
The former governor called on the Lagos APC to work towards delivering at least three million votes for President Tinubu and to support other states in the South-West to deliver great results. He also urged the party to return all its nominated senators and representatives to the National Assembly.
“By the grace of Almighty God, the best days of Lagos and Nigeria are still ahead of us,” Ambode concluded
1 week ago | [YT] | 104
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Just In: Inspector General of Police, Disu has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of ASP Nuhu Usman and other officers over the k*lling of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State. They violated firearm rules and will be prosecuted.
1 week ago | [YT] | 171
View 77 replies
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2027: Tinubu endorses Hamzat as Lagos APC consensus guber candidate
President Bola Tinubu has endorsed Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, as consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in next year’s general elections in the state.
Tinubu gave the endorsement on Wednesday when members of State Governance Advisory Council, GAC, paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Recall that the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday named Hamzat as his preferred successor.
Sanwo-Olu announced the endorsement after a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat officially declared his intention to run for the governorship seat before members of the State Executive Council and key party leaders.
1 week ago | [YT] | 95
View 15 replies
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Political Tension Rises As Tonye Cole Grabs APC Ticket Form For Rivers Clash
All Progressives Congress chieftain Tonye Cole has picked up the party’s governorship nomination form for the Rivers State election.
Cole, who was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, finished second behind Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party, who won the poll.
Speaking after obtaining the form, Cole said his ambition is driven by a vision centered on economic growth, security, infrastructure, development, and better governance for Rivers State.
Governor Fubara, however, has yet to announce whether he will seek a second term in office.
Meanwhile, Cole also argued that it is normal in politics for ruling parties to attempt to weaken the opposition. Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television’s Prime Time, he reacted to claims that the APC is working against the African Democratic Congress.
According to him, such political rivalry happens globally and is part of democratic competition, adding that it is the duty of the opposition to resist and remain strong.
Cole stressed that a vibrant opposition is essential to democracy, noting that strong opposition parties help strengthen legitimacy in the political process.
1 week ago | [YT] | 15
View 5 replies
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Gbenga Daniel seeks APC ticket for reelection to Senate, sparks reactions
Former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, has announced his intention to seek re-election to the Senate, declaring his bid ahead of the 2027 general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Daniel, who currently represents the Ogun East Senatorial District, disclosed on his X page on Tuesday that he had obtained his nomination and expression-of-interest forms.
“Today, I picked up my nomination and expression of interest forms as I seek to return to the Nigerian Senate, continuing my efforts to provide effective and responsive representation for the people of Ogun East Senatorial District,” he wrote.
The former governor, who led Ogun State between 2003 and 2011, returned to elective office in 2023 when he was elected senator.
Mr Daniel’s declaration comes amid reported political tensions within the Ogun State APC, particularly involving Governor Dapo Abiodun.
There have been speculations about competing interests over the Ogun East senatorial ticket, with some party members uncertain about the zoning and endorsement dynamics within the ruling party.
The crisis intensified after Mr Daniel was denied entry into a key stakeholders’ meeting where party leaders moved to endorse Mr Abiodun as a consensus candidate.
The incident triggered protests by his supporters and exposed divisions within the party.
Public reactions
Meanwhile, X users have questioned the continued dominance of long-serving politicians.
Some critics described Nigeria’s political space as increasingly dominated by older politicians, arguing that it limits opportunities for younger leaders.
“Is this dude not a former governor? Omo you don tey oh, allow vibrate Yoruba youths to take over and chair such affairs, grandpas should leave us alone, pass same message to Orji Uzo Kalu when you see him,” Nonso, an X user wrote.
Another commenter, David Ishola, questioned Mr Daniel’s continued stay in politics after more than two decades in public life.
He argued that Ogun East requires “fresh energy, not recycled politicians,” warning that prolonged dominance by long-serving leaders could hinder the emergence of a new generation of political actors.
Another X user, Bolaji Fesomade, expressed confusion over the development, questioning the APC’s internal arrangements in Ogun State.
“Gbenga Daniel has picked up the APC senatorial nomination form??? I thought the ticket had already been given to Dapo Abiodun. What exactly is happening in Ogun State?” he wrote.
Via Premium Times
1 week ago | [YT] | 11
View 14 replies
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Why OAU cancelled Peter Obi’s lecture – Management
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has explained why it cancelled a proposed lecture by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, saying the organisers failed to give adequate notice.
According to the university, details of the event and Obi’s participation were only officially communicated on Friday, less than 24 hours before the scheduled programme on Saturday morning.
It said this short notice made it impossible to complete necessary arrangements.
The institution noted that events involving high-profile guests require proper planning, especially coordination with security agencies such as the police and the Department of State Services, to ensure safety and order.
Obi had earlier said he was scheduled to deliver a keynote lecture at the university before travelling to Ibadan for an opposition leaders’ summit.
After the cancellation, he described the situation as part of a worrying pattern affecting similar engagements.
However, the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, insisted that the decision was based strictly on procedure and not on any political or personal considerations.
He added that approval for the use of Oduduwa Hall was denied because the required protocols for hosting such a major event were not followed in time.
1 week ago | [YT] | 43
View 38 replies
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10 African countries with the highest diesel prices in April 2026
1 🇲🇼 Malawi - Diesel Prices ($): 3.850 - Rank: 2nd
2 🇨🇫 Central African Republic - Diesel Prices ($): 2.231 - Rank: 34th
3 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe - Diesel Prices ($): 2.110 - Rank: 43rd
4 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone - Diesel Prices ($): 2.033 - Rank: 49th
5 🇱🇸 Lesotho - Diesel Prices ($): 1.868 - Rank: 56th
6 🇱🇷 Liberia - Diesel Prices ($): 1.757 - Rank: 60th
7 🇿🇦 South Africa - Diesel Prices ($): 1.743 - Rank: 61st
8 🇧🇼 Botswana - Diesel Prices ($): 1.692 - Rank: 66th
9 🇲🇱 Mali - Diesel Prices ($): 1.679 - Rank: 68th
10 🇿🇲 Zambia - Diesel Prices ($): 1.567 - Rank: 75th
Source: Global PetrolPrices
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 8
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Dangote refinery to begin crude oil production
The Dangote Group says it has achieved its first oil from its upstream assets and is preparing to begin marketable crude production in the coming weeks.
In an interview with Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, Devakumar Edwin, the vice-president of the Dangote Group, said early testing has commenced on crude from its Niger Delta licences.
According to Edwin, the company has already begun standard well testing and is preparing to scale up output.
“We have opened a well and begun standard testing, which should be completed in the next three to four weeks maximum,” he said.
“After that point, oil can start to be pumped in larger volumes, and the company can begin work on drilling new wells.”
Also speaking, David Bird, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Dangote refinery, said the upstream assets could provide a more stable crude supply for the refinery.
“Alongside its upstream interests, the company is seeking to establish its own shipping presence to help reduce logistics costs and improve the reliability of its crude sourcing,” Bird said.
“Combined with WAEP’s indigenous production, Dangote-owned vessels could offer the refinery a fully integrated and attractive source of stable crude supply.”
He said the refinery will take delivery of the crude “if it makes sense”, noting that the company’s joint venture partners will be eager to realise maximum value for the barrels produced.
“Dangote has interests in upstream, we will continue to grow that, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t be arm's length at every phase,” he said.
The Dangote refinery and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) did not respond to enquiries on the development as of the time of filing this report.
Crude oil production could help close supply gaps, a major challenge that threatened the refinery’s operations when it came on stream.
On April 1, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said it would allocate seven cargoes in May to Dangote refinery, an increase from the five allocated in previous months.
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 37
View 2 replies
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UK jails Nigerian couple over £433,000 tax fraud using stolen data
A Nigerian couple, Luciana and Femi Akanbi, have been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison in the United Kingdom for orchestrating a large-scale tax fraud that siphoned over £433,000 from public funds using stolen personal data.
According to a report by KentLive, the sentencing was delivered at Woolwich Crown Court, where prosecutors detailed how the couple exploited sensitive employee information from Transport for London to defraud HM Revenue and Customs through false tax rebate claims.
The fraud, carried out between September 2021 and January 2022, resulted in losses exceeding £433,000 to public funds, although the total value of fraudulent claims submitted was close to £650,000.
What they are saying
Delivering judgment, Judge David Miller described the case as the most severe data breach in the history of Transport for London, noting the wide-ranging impact on staff and institutional systems.
“It affected their morale, I am told, and staff performance. You acquired and used the personal details of 40 employees… There were 139 claims for tax rebates totalling just under £649,000.”
He added that the fraud caused “immense damage to third parties,” particularly employees whose financial records and credit ratings were affected.
The court heard that Luciana Akanbi, who worked in TfL’s human resources department, accessed the personal data of 107 employees, which was then used to file 139 fraudulent claims using multiple devices.
Judge Miller emphasised that the crime was only possible due to her position of trust within the organisation.
“You… had been colleagues with some of these people who were extremely badly let down,” he said.
Evidence also revealed that the stolen funds were quickly dispersed through a complex money laundering network, with more than £50,000 reportedly funneled into gambling accounts.
The judge noted that financial pressure, including Femi Akanbi’s gambling issues following illness during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed to the crime.
What you should know
The case adds to a growing list of fraud-related prosecutions involving Nigerian nationals abroad.
In September last year, Farouk Adekunle Adepoju was arrested in the UK following a U.S. extradition request over alleged wire and computer fraud totaling more than $235,000.
In February 2026, Matthew Akande was sentenced to eight years in prison and ordered to pay $1.39 million in restitution for his role in a U.S. tax fraud scheme.
Similarly, Afeez Olatunji Adewale was extradited from Nigeria in February 2026 over sexual extortion and related financial crimes in Pennsylvania.
In August 2025, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu was extradited from France for alleged tax fraud, hacking, and wire fraud targeting U.S. authorities.
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 46
View 17 replies
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