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Atiku Abubakar urges National Assembly to amend Electoral Act's Section 63
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the National Assembly to urgently revisit the Electoral Act, specifically highlighting concerns about Section 63. In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Abubakar warned that this provision, which allows a ballot paper without an official mark to be counted at the discretion of a returning officer, could undermine election credibility. He stated that this clause opens the door to manipulation and is a direct threat to electoral integrity, arguing that a ballot paper is a legal instrument whose authenticity is central to the entire electoral process. Abubakar noted that this controversial clause is a carryover from previous electoral frameworks and was retained without sufficient safeguards. He emphasized that democracy cannot survive on ambiguity and that leaving such a critical decision to subjective judgment invites manipulation and chaos. He also urged the Independent National Commission to tighten its operational guidelines to prevent electoral officers from overriding verifiable standards with personal judgment. Additionally, Abubakar called on the international community, election observers, and democratic partners to monitor Nigeria’s electoral legal framework, stressing that the credibility of future elections depends on both the law and the process. He added that President Bola Tinubu has a duty to subject critical legislation to rigorous scrutiny before signing i
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Outgoing Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has proposed the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy's office to integrate reforms across Nigeria's power, gas, and related sectors. This proposal was made as he formally tendered his resignation, effective April 30, 2026, to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State. Adelabu emphasized that stronger coordination at the highest level is needed to sustain gains in the power sector. His decision to resign aligns with the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which precludes serving political officeholders from contesting elections. He highlighted achievements during his tenure, including the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralized the electricity market, and an increase in peak power generation to over 6,000 megawatts. Other improvements cited include strengthened transmission capacity, enhanced regulatory oversight in distribution, and progress in reducing technical, commercial, and collection losses. Financial reforms, including a N4tn debt restructuring program, increased market revenues from N1tn in 2023 to N2.3tn in 2025. Despite these gains, Adelabu acknowledged challenges such as gas supply constraints and infrastructure vandalism. He recommended measures like cost-reflective tariffs, recapitalization of distribution companies, and accelerated nationwide metering. The proposed coordinating minister for energy would provide strategic oversight and ensure synergy across power, gas, water resourc
The Federal Government of Nigeria is planning to waive debts owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies to alleviate the impact of the ongoing Jet A1 fuel crisis. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced this after a meeting with the President. The President will consider a "generous discount" on debts owed to agencies like NAMA, FAAN, and NCAA. Additionally, the President intends to establish a committee to address the multiple levies, taxes, and fees on domestic tickets to provide relief to Nigerians. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, highlighted that the crisis stems from an disproportionate 300% increase in Jet A1 fuel prices in Nigeria, which he states is not aligned with global crude oil price increases. Onyema also mentioned the high cost of acquiring funding for airlines in Nigeria, which stands at 30 to 35 percent compared to three percent globally, leading to airlines accumulating debt. Airline Operators of Nigeria had previously threatened to suspend operations nationwide due to the soaring cost of Jet A1, which increased from approximately N900 per litre to over N3,300 per litre within weeks. This planned shutdown was temporarily suspended following appeals from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, stated that Nigeria currently handles only about 25% of cargo traffic in the West African region, despite accounting for over 60% of West Africa’s gross domestic product. He made these remarks at the Blue Economy Investment Summit in Abuja, highlighting that Nigeria has not fully optimized its potential. Dantsoho assured investors that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is implementing reforms to reposition the sector. Key initiatives include port modernization, deployment of a Trade Single Window, implementation of a Port Community System, development of deep seaports, and full digitalization of port operations. He emphasized the central role of private sector funding to achieve these goals, noting that the NPA is actively encouraging project financing to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve efficiency. The reforms aim to enhance port efficiency, improve connectivity, reduce freight costs, and boost non-oil exports, ultimately driving revenue growth. Dantsoho stressed that competitiveness in the global maritime industry requires efficient operations, competitive pricing, and strong hinterland connectivity, adding that Nigerian ports must remain adaptive to evolving global shipping trends to emerge as a leading maritime logistics hub in Africa.
The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission NIPC recently hosted a United Kingdom trade and investment delegation in Abuja, aiming to position Nigeria as a reform-driven and competitive destination for global capital. The UK–Nigeria Trade and Investment Mission, held from April 20 to 21, 2026, was a collaboration with DMA Invest and the UK Department of Trade, with participation from the British High Commission and private sector stakeholders. The NIPC stated that the mission delivered a clear message to potential investors that Nigeria is open for business and ready to compete. The two-day engagement included ministerial roundtables, sector-specific discussions, and targeted Business-to-Government and Business-to-Business meetings designed to facilitate concrete investment deals. Participants focused on identifying bankable opportunities to accelerate investment inflows and deepen bilateral economic ties. DMA Invest reportedly described the mission's performance as its best ever, attributing this to ongoing institutional reforms, improved coordination, and efforts to create an investor-focused environment. Aisha Rimi, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NIPC, led the engagements, emphasizing that the mission was about converting strategic discussions into real projects and partnerships that would impact Nigeria’s economy. She highlighted the importance of translating gains from President Bola Tinubu's recent state visit and other UK–Nigeria engagements into m