News
JUST IN: Arewa Consultative Forum Distances self from Endorsing Kalu for Senate Presidency
The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has distanced itself from claims that it endorsed former Abia State Governor, Sen.Orji Uzor Kalu for the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly, following a statement credited to the leader of the Arewa Youth Conservative Forum, AYCF, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, claiming that Kalu was the preferred candidate of ACF.
In a statement on Monday, one of its members, Alhaji Musa Saidu, said the claim was false, adding that the Forum had no youth wing.
The full statement reads:
“I want to say without fear of contradiction, that the ACF has no youth wing and there was no time that we sat to make Shettima the AYCF leader. The whole thing is false.
“The ACF has not endorsed Kalu as the next Senate President, because we have our own ways of doing things.
“It is shocking to hear Shettima asking Sen. Abdulaziz Yari to step down for Kalu in the race for Senate Presidency,” he said.
Saidu further said rather than support Kalu, ACF would prefer a candidate from the North because of its contribution to the victory of President Bola Tinubu at the presidential polls.
“The North contributed the highest votes for Tinubu in the presidential election, so we can’t just endorse candidates from other zones for the Senate Presidency.
“How can we work for Tinubu to become president and then turn around to start campaigning for other zones to become Senate President?
“In fact the Vice-President slot given to the North is just like a spare tyre, everybody in Nigeria knows that the position has not much value.
“Since the North West gave Tinubu the highest votes, then it should be given the Senate Presidency, the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives is too small for the zone,” he said.
According to Saidu, ”It is a payback time for the North, so it should be given the
Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly.
“For fairness and justice, the North should be considered for the Senate Presidency and Sen. Abdulaziz Yari should be endorsed for the position.”
News
Arise TV Deputy Director News Win Editor of The Year Award
The award’s: “In recognition of your exceptional editorial prowess, insightful journalism, and outstanding contributions to media excellence in Nigeria.”
Deputy Director of News, Arise TV, Ohi OIdiai, has won Editor Of The Year 2026 Awards category, courtsey of The Industry Newspaper.
In a statement, the organiser said that the award was: “In recognition of your exceptional editorial prowess, insightful journalism, and outstanding contributions to media excellence in Nigeria.”
Details later…
News
JUST IN: Tinubu Signs ₦68.32 Trillion 2026 Budget
……Extends 2025 Implementation to June 30
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given assent to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, approving a record aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion for the fiscal year.
The President also signed legislation extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget specifically its capital component from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
According to details of the new budget, ₦4.799 trillion is allocated for statutory transfers, while debt service is pegged at ₦15.8 trillion. Recurrent expenditure stands at ₦15.4 trillion, with the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure receiving ₦32.2 trillion.
Capital spending thus accounts for approximately 50 percent of the total budget, reflecting the administration’s focus on infrastructure development, national security, economic stability, and inclusive growth.
A statement from the State House described the allocations as striking a strategic balance between mandatory obligations, debt servicing, day-to-day government operations, and productive capital investments aimed at boosting productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.
President Tinubu also assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which formally extends the 2025 capital projects window. Officials said the extension will allow Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to complete advanced-stage infrastructure and development projects, improve execution rates, and deliver better value for public funds.
The 2026 Appropriation Act takes effect from April 1, 2026, paving the way for full implementation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President has directed all MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient use of resources, with strict emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.
President Tinubu commended the National Assembly for its swift consideration and passage of the budget, describing it as a demonstration of diligence, cooperation, and patriotism.
He reaffirmed the need for continued collaboration between the Executive and Legislative branches to advance national development goals.
The President further assured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to deepening fiscal reforms, boosting revenue generation, stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening social protection programmes.
The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, on April 17, 2026.
News
UTME 2026: System Glitch Disrupts Exam at Abuja CBT Center
A technical glitch has disrupted the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, (UTME), at the Good Success Computer-Based Test centre in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The system failure, which occurred at the commencement of the examination, led to a shutdown of operations at the centre, leaving several candidates unable to sit for the test.
Officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education were on ground to address the situation. However, their efforts did little to ease tensions, as affected candidates expressed frustration over the disruption.
Speaking to journalists, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education, Mohammed Mucktar Dantuse, alongside JAMB spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, assured that all affected candidates will be rescheduled to write the examination.
They also pledged to strengthen technical systems to prevent similar occurrences in other centres nationwide.
Authorities say the affected CBT centre will be delisted from future examinations, as efforts continue to ensure a smooth exercise across the country.
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