News
Sen Kalu rejects NYLF’s call to run for president, reaffirms support for Tinubu
Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has rejected calls from the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) urging him to run for president in 2027.
The NYLF, a coalition of 40 groups, made the request after a courtesy visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The group’s President, Comrade Eliot Afiyo, named Obasanjo as its patron and listed Kalu and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as their preferred contenders for the 2027 presidency.
The group also suggested that the Governors of Zamfara and Adamawa States, Dauda Lawal and Umar Fintiri, serve as running mates.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday by his media office and signed by George Maduka, Senator Kalu firmly dissociated himself from any presidential ambition, reiterating his commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Kalu emphasized that there is no division within the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the party’s 2027 presidential candidate and urged the opposition to refrain from using his name for political distractions.
The statement read in part: “Nigerian politics operates within a framework of a federal and presidential system, allowing citizens the right to vote and be voted for.
Senator Kalu has the right to decide what position he should be considered for, and the presidency in 2027 is not one of them.
He has publicly endorsed President Tinubu for re-election and remains committed to the work required to support him.”
Kalu further expressed confidence in Tinubu’s economic reforms, stating that achieving long-term stability, inclusivity, and adaptability requires the President to serve a full eight-year tenure.
“Since Nigeria’s return to democracy, no leader has shown the courage to reform the dwindling economy as Tinubu has.
Kalu believes the best Nigerians can do is to support and re-elect the President in 2027 to complete the good work he has started.”
The former Abia State Governor also highlighted his long-standing friendship with Tinubu, dating back to their time as governors in 1999, and reaffirmed his unwavering support for the President’s progressive economic policies.
News
Lagos increases BRT fares by 13%
In a statement by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, the revised fare structure will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.
The Lagos State Government has approved a 13 percent increase in fares across all services under the Bus Reform Initiative, which includes the Bus Rapid Transit system and standard bus routes throughout the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu granted the approval after receiving a passionate appeal from regulated public transport operators.
He highlighted the mounting challenges facing the long-term viability of their operations in Nigeria’s current economic climate.
In a statement by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, the revised fare structure will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.
“The adjustment is designed to help offset the severe impact of ongoing economic pressures on public transport providers.
It also aligns with the state’s previously established annual fare review mechanism. The urgency of the measure is driven by persistent inflationary trends.
The statement added that bus operating companies have been contending with sharply rising expenses in several key areas, including vehicle maintenance and repairs, imported spare parts, and staff salaries, particularly following the rollout of the new national minimum wage.“
In addition, operators are committing significant resources to fleet renewal, procuring newer, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient buses to boost passenger comfort, maintain high service standards, and advance environmental sustainability goals in Lagos.
It also aligns with the state’s previously established annual fare review mechanism. The urgency of the measure is driven by persistent inflationary trends.
News
Fire Engulfs MMIA Terminal One, but no casualties
Eyewitnesses said that the blaze started on one of the affected floors before spreading to adjoining sections of the terminal.
Photo credit: Lagos State Fire Service
A fire has broken out on parts of the fourth and fifth floors of Terminal One at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, triggering an emergency response and temporary disruption of flight operations.
Eyewitnesses said that the blaze started on one of the affected floors before spreading to adjoining sections of the terminal.
The impacted areas have since been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Air Traffic Controllers stationed in the control tower were alerted to the incident and are reported to be safe, though closely monitoring the situation as emergency teams work to bring the fire under control.
As a result of the development, inbound flights to Lagos from other airports have been instructed to delay departure until the situation stabilises.
Aircraft already approaching Lagos may be required to remain airborne until clearance is given to land.
Fire and rescue officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are currently battling the blaze and intensifying efforts to contain it.
FAAN has confirmed that no casualties have been recorded at this time. Authorities say further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
News
El-Rufai takes ICPC to court, demands N1bn compensation over ‘unlawful invasion of residence’
El-Rufai urged the court to declare that the search warrant was “null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause, thereby constituting an unlawful and unreasonable search in violation of Section 37 of the Constitution.
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court Abuja , against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Enforcement Commissions (ICPC) over alleged unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.
El-Rufai, through his team of lawyers led by Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, prayed the court to declare that the search warrant issued on February 4 by the Chief Magistrate, Magistrate’s Court of the FCT (2nd respondent), authorising the search and seizure at his residence was invalid, null and void.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former governor had, in the originating motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, sued ICPC as 1st respondent
.El-Rufai named the Chief Magistrate, Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, Abuja Magisterial District; I-G and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as the 2nd to 4th respondents respectively
El-Rufai urged the court to declare that the search warrant was “null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause, thereby constituting an unlawful and unreasonable search in violation of Section 37 of the Constitution.”
He urged the court to declare that “any evidence obtained pursuant to the aforesaid invalid warrant and unlawful search is inadmissible in any proceedings against the applicant, as it was procured in breach of constitutional safeguards.
El-Rufai, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further relying on, using, or tendering any evidence or items seized during the unlawful search in any investigation, prosecution, or proceedings involving him.“
An order directing the Ist and 3rd respondents (ICPC and I-G) to forthwith return all items seized from the applicant’s premises during the unlawful search, together with a detailed inventory thereof.
“An order awarding the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages against the respondents jointly and severally for the violations of the applicant’s fundamental rights, including trespass, unlawful seizure, and the resultant psychological trauma, humiliation, distress, infringement of privacy, and reputational harm.”
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