
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has started a comprehensive verification exercise at the Labour Party's national secretariat in Abuja. This audit is part of INEC's regulatory scrutiny of political parties in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The INEC delegation, led by Mansur Hassan, is tasked with verifying the party’s leadership structure, membership register, financial records, and compliance with statutory requirements, including proof of tenancy or ownership of its secretariat. Hassan emphasized that INEC's role is to monitor and correct, not just observe. The exercise will involve verifying the membership of the party executive and National Working Committee, reviewing tenancy agreements and receipts, and obtaining a soft copy of the membership register. The Labour Party's interim National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, welcomed the audit, expressing the leadership's commitment to rebuilding the party amidst internal disputes. Usman appealed for unity, extending an olive branch to aggrieved factions led by Julius Abure and Lamidi Apapa, and urged reconciliation. She presented requested documents to INEC and toured the delegation around the secretariat. This follows a similar verification conducted for the Social Democratic Party, as INEC continues its regulatory checks to ensure political parties comply with constitutional provisions and governance standards.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.

Chelsea winger Estevao Willian, 18, sustained a hamstring injury during the club's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, potentially jeopardizing his involvement in this summer's World Cup. Medical scans confirmed a hamstring strain, ruling him out for the remainder of Chelsea's season. This setback follows previous muscle issues for the player. Estevao had been a regular part of the Brazil national football team's preparations for the World Cup, which begins for Brazil on June 13 against the Moroccan national football team. While sources close to the player are optimistic about his recovery, his match fitness remains a concern. Despite the injury, Estevao has had a promising debut season at Chelsea, recording eight goals and four assists in 36 appearances.
Must ReadThe Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative has partnered with Moniepoint Microfinance Bank Limited, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, and National Credit Guarantee Company Limited to provide affordable credit for converting vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas. This collaboration aims to remove the upfront cost barrier for Nigerians switching to cheaper energy alternatives. Ismaeel Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the initiative, stated that the partnership directly addresses the affordability challenge in CNG adoption. The new framework allows motorists to spread conversion costs over time, making it accessible for low-income earners like commercial drivers. Ahmed highlighted potential savings, noting that a commercial driver could reduce fuel costs by 60 to 70 percent and maintenance costs significantly by switching to CNG. Uzoma Nwagba, Managing Director of Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, explained that the initiative is designed to deliver direct benefits of economic reforms to ordinary Nigerians, particularly transport workers and small business owners affected by high energy costs. He also noted that the scheme offers significantly reduced interest rates, with loans as low as 9 percent annually, compared to market rates of 48 percent to 120 percent. The government has made 100,000 CNG conversion kits immediately available and plans to scale deployment nationwide. Tobi Amirah, Lead for Business Lending at Moniepoint Microfinance Bank Limited, affirmed th
Must ReadAdebayo Adelabu has resigned from his position as Nigeria's Minister of Power, effective April 30, 2026. His resignation, communicated in a letter dated April 22, 2026, to President Bola Tinubu, is to allow him to focus on his ambition to become the governor of Oyo State. Adelabu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the nation's power sector under President Tinubu's leadership. He stated that his decision aligns with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which requires political office holders to resign before contesting elections. Adelabu's aspiration for the governorship of Oyo State dates back to 2016, leading to his resignation from the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018 to pursue this goal. His departure is seen as a significant political development ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle in Oyo State.

The Federal Government of Nigeria plans to waive debts owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies, a measure announced by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo. This intervention follows a high-level meeting in Abuja to address the rising cost of Jet A1 fuel. Keyamo stated that President Tinubu mandated a request for a generous discount on debts owed to agencies like NAMA, FAAN, and NCAA, expressing appreciation to airline operators for not increasing prices despite the challenges. The President will also consider establishing a committee to review and potentially reduce levies, taxes, and fees on domestic tickets, aiming to provide relief to Nigerian travelers. Additionally, a one-on-one meeting between the President and airline operators is planned for broader discussions on access to capital. Allen Onyema, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, attributed the crisis to the disproportionate increase in Jet A1 fuel prices, noting a 300 percent rise in Nigeria compared to a 20 percent global increase after the Hormuz blockade. He emphasized that airlines were "bleeding" and had threatened to shut down due to unsustainable fuel costs, but suspended the action after appeals from the Minister. Onyema called for a total waiver of all debts and a suspension of further payments until the Hormuz situation stabilizes. He also highlighted the high cost of funding acquisition for airlines in Nigeria, urging the government to fund the Bank of Industry