The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Observers laud peaceful conduct of CAR elections

    Observers laud peaceful conduct of CAR elections

    General elections in the Central African Republic (CAR) ended on Sunday evening in a calm and orderly atmosphere, with domestic and international observers reporting high voter turnout across the country.

    Polling officially closed at 6:00 p.m. local time at more than 6,700 voting centres nationwide. According to a post-election assessment released on Monday by the Réseau Arc-en-Ciel (RAC), the country’s leading domestic election observation network, the voting process was largely peaceful and well-organised, including in remote and previously insecure areas

    About 2.4 million registered voters were eligible to vote in the polls, which covered the presidential election, legislative races, and local government positions. The National Elections Authority (A.N.E.) said it would announce preliminary results on January 5, 2026.

    The RAC’s findings were consistent with reports from international observer missions, including those of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU), which also noted the absence of major security incidents during voting. Observers identified strong voter participation as one of the key features of the election.

    Seven candidates contested the presidential race. Incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking a third term with the backing of the ruling United Hearts Movement (MCU) and is widely regarded as the frontrunner.

    His main challengers are former Prime Ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé of the Union for Central African Renewal (URCA) and Henri-Marie Dondra of UNIR. Other candidates include independents Serge Djorie, Aristide Briand Reboas, Eddy Symphorien Kparekouti, and Marcellin Yalamende.

    Read Also: Liberia’s elections and scars of war:A democracy monitor’s musings

    Under the constitution, the president serves a seven-year term. A candidate must secure an absolute majority—50 per cent plus one vote—to win in the first round. If no candidate reaches the threshold, a runoff election is expected to take place in February 2026.

    Voters also elected 140 members of the National Assembly, the country’s unicameral legislature, whose members also serve seven-year terms.

    The parliamentary contest attracted 685 candidates, nearly half of them independents, while the rest were nominated by more than 40 political parties. Political analysts expect the ruling MCU to retain its dominance in the legislature and possibly increase its seat tally beyond the 61 seats it secured in the previous assembly.

    A second round of legislative elections, where required, has been scheduled for April 5, 2026.

  • BREAKING: Two die as Anthony Joshua survives fatal road accident in Ogun

    BREAKING: Two die as Anthony Joshua survives fatal road accident in Ogun

    World boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a serious road accident on Monday along the Makun-Ogun corridor of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which resulted in the deaths of two people.

    Joshua, however, escaped with minor injuries.

    Eyewitnesses reported that Joshua’s vehicle, a Lexus SUV with registration number KRD 850 HN, collided with a stationary truck by the roadside near Danco Filling Station.

    Passersby confirmed that the bodies of two victims were recovered from the wreckage.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Command, has not yet issued an official statement on the incident.

    Emergency responders were on the scene managing traffic and assisting with rescue operations, while an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances leading to the crash.

    The accident has drawn widespread attention on social media, with fans expressing relief that Joshua survived and extending condolences to the families of the deceased.

    Details shortly…

  • Transport Minister condemns killing, abduction in Gombe 

    Transport Minister condemns killing, abduction in Gombe 

    The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali, has condemned the killing of two siblings, and the abduction of four others in Pindiga town, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

    The minister, who described the incident which occurred in the early hours of Sunday as “unacceptable and barbaric”, called on security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.

    The Minister, in a statement on Monday by his media aide, Umar Jibril, urged residents to remain calm, stressing that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has zero tolerance for incessant killings and the abduction of innocent citizens from their homes. 

    He assured that those responsible for the heinous acts would not go unpunished.

    He stated, “While the Gombe State Government is taking decisive steps to address this vicious cycle of violence, the Federal Government, through its security agencies, will ensure that this incident serves as a deterrent to future occurrences.”

    Alkali extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Pindiga Emirate over the tragic loss. 

    He also prayed for Allah (SWT) to grant the bereaved families the strength to bear the irreparable loss and for the safe rescue and return of those abducted.

  • Voting begins as Central African Republic holds general elections

    Voting begins as Central African Republic holds general elections

    Voting commenced peacefully across the Central African Republic on Saturday as nationwide polls opened for the country’s 2025 general elections.

    Polling began at 6:00 a.m. local time in about 6,700 polling units, with an estimated 2.4 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots to elect a president, members of the National Assembly and local government officials.

    Early reports from electoral authorities and observers indicated a calm and orderly process, with no major security incidents recorded during the morning hours. 

    Voting was said to be proceeding smoothly, including in remote areas and regions previously affected by insecurity, such as the central city of Bambari.

    Seven candidates are vying for the presidency. Incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking another term, having won the 2016 and 2020 elections. His major challengers include former Prime Ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra, alongside four other contenders.

    Under the country’s constitution, the president serves a seven-year term and must secure an absolute majority of 50 per cent plus one vote to win outright. If no candidate meets this threshold, a runoff election will be held between the leading candidates.

    Voters are also electing 140 members of the unicameral National Assembly, who will likewise serve seven-year terms. 

    The legislative contest is keenly fought, with 685 candidates contesting parliamentary seats. The field includes candidates from more than 40 political parties, as well as a large number of independents, who make up nearly half of the contestants.

    Observers are paying close attention to the performance of the ruling Movement of United Hearts (MCU), which dominated the 2020–2021 elections and currently holds 61 seats in the National Assembly.

  • PSAN, 99 other CSOs throw weight behind NASS action on tax reforms ACT

    PSAN, 99 other CSOs throw weight behind NASS action on tax reforms ACT

    Not less than 100 civil society organisations, led by the Parliamentary Support and Advocacy Network (PSAN) and the Civil Rights Situation Room on Economic Reforms, have publicly endorsed Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, for handling of the ongoing review of landmark tax reform laws.

    At a press conference on Monday in Abuja by convener Comrade Ogiri John, the coalition commended the Speaker and the Senate President for what they described as a “measured, constitutionally grounded, and institutionally exemplary” response to public concerns over the recently assented tax legislation.

    The four key statutes under scrutiny — the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 — represent a major overhaul of the country’s fiscal framework. 

    The laws, passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu earlier in 2025, are intended to simplify tax administration, enhance revenue collection, and improve the investment climate ahead of their scheduled implementation on January 1, 2026.

    Recent weeks have seen heightened public debate following allegations of discrepancies between the versions approved by lawmakers and the officially gazetted copies. 

    The coalition, however, maintained that such scrutiny is healthy for democracy but must be rooted in facts and procedure. 

    “Having undertaken a careful and dispassionate examination, we are convinced that the response of the National Assembly Leadership has been exemplary in its adherence to constitutionalism and institutional self-regulation,” John stated on behalf of the groups in their joint address.

    They highlighted that the actions taken by the Speaker Abbas-led House and the Senate leadership are fully aligned with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Acts Authentication Act, and established parliamentary rules. 

    “This is not an admission of any deficiency, nor an erosion of authority. Rather, it represents the deliberate exercise of institutional responsibility,” the coalition emphasised.

    The coalition specifically praised the directive to the Clerk of the National Assembly to facilitate the re-gazetting of the Acts and to provide Certified True Copies upon request. 

    They described the move as a vital step to “enhance transparency, restore public confidence, and affirm that citizens and institutions must have unimpeachable access to the authentic law.”

    John underscored the significance of the reforms while defending the procedural approach.

    “The stakes are profound. These tax reform laws will fundamentally shape Nigeria’s fiscal architecture, economic incentives, investment climate, revenue mobilisation, and prospects for inclusive growth,” he said. 

    “Precision in law-making is not delay; it is duty. Certainty in law is not weakness; it is strength.”

    The coalition appealed to Nigerians, opinion leaders, and other stakeholders to exercise patience and allow the constitutional review process to conclude without undue pressure. 

    They reaffirmed their support for transformative economic reforms while stressing their unwavering commitment to the rule of law and institutional integrity.

  • APC faults opposition’s criticisms of Tinubu’s Europe trip

    APC faults opposition’s criticisms of Tinubu’s Europe trip

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged opposition parties to raise the quality of their engagement and stop ” meaningless noise-making” over President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Europe.

    The APC made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos by its Lagos State Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, while reacting to criticisms of the trip by African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Oladejo said the opposition’s comments reflected a poor understanding of modern governance and international diplomacy.

    “The latest outburst by the ADC over President Tinubu’s Europe trip is a familiar dance of ignorance and desperation.

    “When confronted with serious governance, strategic leadership and results-driven diplomacy, the opposition predictably resorts to noise, misinformation and pedestrian politics,” Oladejo said.

    He said Nigeria could not be governed in isolation in a highly interconnected global environment.

    “Nigeria is not governed from a village square. Serious leadership entails constant engagement with global partners, investors, development institutions and strategic allies,” he said.

    According to him, President Tinubu’s Europe trip is aimed at advancing Nigeria’s economic interests, strengthening bilateral relations, attracting investment and reinforcing the country’s standing in the comity of nations.

    “This trip is not about sightseeing, as the opposition would like Nigerians to believe, but about purposeful engagement to reposition the country,” he added.

    Oladejo said it was misleading to suggest that governance was limited to the President’s physical presence within national borders.

    He said: “Only the intellectually lazy assume leadership is confined to being physically present at home.

    “The President governs with intent, structure and continuity. The machinery of government remains in motion through clear policy direction, delegated authority and strong institutions.”

    The APC spokesman said the opposition’s fixation on presidential travels exposed what he described as its lack of concrete ideas.

    “Having no roadmap, no credible economic alternative and no security blueprint, the ADC has resorted to monitoring flight schedules and issuing press statements rooted in envy and ignorance,” Oladejo said.

    He noted that many of those criticising current foreign engagements had remained silent during past administrations’ trips that produced little value for the country.

    “Under President Tinubu, international engagements are clearly aligned with Nigeria’s economic recovery agenda, foreign direct investment drive, energy transition goals and infrastructure financing,” he said.

    Oladejo said Nigerians could distinguish between leadership focused on national repositioning and opposition politics driven by distraction.

    “Nigerians are not deceived. They see the difference between a President working tirelessly, both at home and abroad, and an opposition trapped in cheap headline-chasing,” he said.

    He advised opposition parties to urgently improve the quality of their contributions to national discourse.

    “As the year winds down and Nigerians look ahead with renewed hope, the opposition must up its game. Serious times demand serious alternatives, not recycled outrage and shallow theatrics,” Oladejo said.

    He reaffirmed the APC’s confidence in President Tinubu, saying the Renewed Hope Agenda is a practical and ongoing process requiring both domestic reforms and purposeful international engagement.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains firmly in charge, decisive, deliberate and globally engaged, for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.

    (NAN)

  • NIDCOM appeals for release of Suleiman Olufemi from Saudi prison

    NIDCOM appeals for release of Suleiman Olufemi from Saudi prison

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has appealed to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to release Sulieman Olufemi.

    Olufemi is on death row in Saudi Arabia, as he was found guilty of murder in the Holy City.

    Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, NIDCOM, said the Diyah (blood money) of $570,000 USD had been fully paid on behalf of Olufemi.

    The money was raised by the Commission and the Saudi-based Yaro Brothers, through the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.

    They said Diyah has been paid into a designated Saudi account.

    NIDCOM, in a statement on Monday, said it was hopeful that diplomatic efforts led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar will yield fruitful results.

    The statement reads, “In line with the principle of fairness, justice, and strong diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) joins Suleimon Olufemi’s family in appealing for his release.

    “With the Diyah (blood money) of $570,000 USD fully raised by the Commission and the Saudi-based Yaro Brothers, through the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, paid into a designated Saudi account, we remain hopeful that diplomatic efforts led by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON) will yield mercy and pardon after over two decades in detention.

    “It will be recalled that Suleimon Olufemi was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2002 after a police officer was killed during an incident in Jeddah, where he was visiting a friend. He was on a lesser Hajj (Umrah) visa at the time. The arrest happened on September 29, 2002, a day after the incident, and he was subsequently sentenced to death in May 2005, while others got prison sentences.

    “With the legal age of the child of the policeman that was killed now over 18 years, the family could decide to pardon him or hold on to the death sentence. After a series of diplomatic interventions, and several meetings with the family, which included NiDCOM’s former Legal Director, (Barrister Abdullahi Bello), they insisted on Suleimon Olufemi must pay blood money (Diyya)  to the tune of $570, OOO dollars.

    “NIDCOM, in conjunction with the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, championed by the Yaro brothers, raised the $570, OOO dollars which has been paid into an account opened specifically for this purpose with financial support from well-meaning Nigerians.”

  • Fed Govt revalidates Ondo Deep Sea Port in blue economy push

    Fed Govt revalidates Ondo Deep Sea Port in blue economy push

    Nigeria’s push to expand port capacity and unlock its blue economy received a major boost as the federal government formally revalidated the Ondo Deep Sea Port certificate, positioning the project as a new driver of trade, industrialisation, and non-oil exports.

    The development was announced in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Bolaji Akinola.

    According to the statement, the revalidated certificate was presented in Abuja by the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, to the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday, December 18, 2025; an event that marked a critical milestone in the state’s maritime and industrial development agenda.

    Speaking during the presentation, Oyetola said the revalidation was a deliberate federal intervention to unlock Ondo State’s maritime potential and align port development with the broader economic diversification strategy of the Tinubu administration.

    According to him, the Ondo Deep Sea Port is expected to ease pressure on existing ports while opening new corridors for trade and manufacturing.

    “The Ondo Deep Sea Port is not just a project for Ondo State; it is a national asset that will strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global shipping, reduce pressure on existing ports, and create a new hub for exports, manufacturing, and job creation,” the minister said.

    He noted that the port’s Atlantic-facing location gives it strategic importance for boosting non-oil exports, improving logistics efficiency, and attracting foreign direct investment into the South-West and the wider Nigerian economy.

    “The revalidated licence provides certainty to investors and sends a strong signal that Nigeria is ready for serious maritime investments. With the supporting infrastructure planned around the port, Ondo State is positioning itself as a major player in the blue economy,” Oyetola added.

    Receiving the certificate, Aiyedatiwa thanked President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council for approving the revalidation, describing it as the outcome of years of sustained effort to revive the project.

    He explained that the original licence, obtained during his tenure as deputy governor, had been stalled by a naming error in the initial business case, necessitating a fresh and comprehensive submission.

    “This revalidated certificate is a turning point for Ondo State. It validates our vision for industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable development anchored on our long coastline and maritime assets,” the governor said.

    Aiyedatiwa disclosed that his administration is already prioritising critical supporting infrastructure to ensure the port’s success, including the dualisation of access roads to industrial zones and other modernisation projects.

    He added that plans are also underway for residential, educational, and hospitality facilities to support the expected influx of investors, workers, and service providers.

    The governor further stressed that the Ondo Deep Sea Port would have a ripple effect across the state, driving inclusive development in all local government areas and reinforcing Ondo’s role in the country’s emerging blue economy landscape.

  • 2027 Oyo guber race: Opinion polls suggest Ibadan Muslim candidate

    2027 Oyo guber race: Opinion polls suggest Ibadan Muslim candidate

    The race for the governorship of Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections is gathering momentum, with opinion polls indicating growing support for an Ibadan Muslim candidate as the preferred successor to Governor Seyi Makinde.

    According to recent polls conducted among some residents and indigenes of the state, there is an increasing call for an Ibadan-born Muslim governor, with respondents citing religious tolerance, inclusivity, and balance as key considerations.

    The polls also stressed that the next governor should be a core Ibadan indigene who has made meaningful contributions to the development of Ibadanland and Oyo State. Interestingly, respondents noted that the candidate does not necessarily have to be a well-known political figure, recalling that Governor Makinde was not a prominent politician before his emergence.

    Support for this position reportedly came from a cross-section of stakeholders, including market leaders, commercial transport operators, traditional leaders such as Mogajis, Baales, and chiefs, as well as prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland and major political actors in the state.

    Proponents of the idea argued that, considering the state’s political history, it may be time for a Muslim to assume the governorship. Oyo State has previously been governed by both Muslims and Christians, including Lam Adesina (Muslim), Rashidi Ladoja (Muslim), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Christian), Abiola Ajimobi (Muslim), and the incumbent, Seyi Makinde (Christian). Supporters said this pattern reflects a balance that should be sustained.

    The polls further highlighted the need for a leader who understands Ibadan’s cultural heritage and has demonstrated commitment to the progress of the state.

    As the 2027 elections draw closer, political observers expect more aspirants to declare their intentions, with debates around zoning and religious representation likely to intensify.

    While the polls offer insight into the views of some residents, observers note that the final choice rests with the electorate, as political parties will first conduct primaries to determine their candidates. 

    As Oyo State moves towards the next election cycle, stakeholders have emphasised that unity and development should remain central to voters’ considerations.

  • Several terrorists killed as NAF destroys IED facility in Zamfara

    Several terrorists killed as NAF destroys IED facility in Zamfara

    Several terrorists have been neutralised after Nigerian Air Force strikes targeted their enclave and an improvised explosive device (IED) factory in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    The two high-impact precision airstrikes were carried out on December 28 at Turba Hill, a confirmed bandit hideout, and at Kachalla Dogo Sule’s camp, a notorious bandit stronghold identified as a key hub for IED manufacturing and operations in the state.

    According to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Monday, air assets were deployed against identified terrorist locations after multi-source, credible intelligence confirmed their presence and activities.

    “The first strike targeted Turba Hill, a confirmed bandit hideout,” Ejodame said, adding that sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance revealed significant human activity and an operational zinc-roofed structure assessed to be central to the enclave’s operations.

    According to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spokesperson, following identification, the target was engaged with precision, resulting in a direct hit. A post-strike battle damage assessment confirmed the destruction of the structure and the neutralisation of several bandits.

    He said, “The second AI mission was conducted at Kachalla Dogo Sule’s Camp, a notorious bandit stronghold identified as a key IED manufacturing and operational hub. Intelligence had linked the camp to the planning and execution of recent IED attacks along the Dan Sadau–Magami axis.” 

    Ejodame noted that the precision strike successfully engaged multiple active structures within the enclave, which he said triggered intense fires that destroyed the facilities and neutralised several bandits, “effectively crippling the group’s IED production and deployment capability.”

    He said the “decisive” air strikes represented a “significant degradation” of terrorist networks operating in Zamfara State, particularly their capacity to manufacture and employ improvised explosive devices.