INEC Denies Viral X Claim Alleging Amupitan Endorsed Partisan Post

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, endorsed a partisan post on X (formerly Twitter), describing the claim as false, misleading, and malicious.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission said the allegation is part of a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at undermining the credibility and neutrality of Nigeria’s electoral umpire.

INEC stated that the viral claim suggesting that the Chairman previously endorsed political content on X is “entirely baseless and a fabrication designed to mislead the public.”

The Commission further clarified that Prof. Amupitan does not operate any personal account on X or any other social media platform and has never engaged in partisan political commentary in either private or official capacity.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X. He has at no time engaged in partisan commentary or associated himself with any political activity,” the statement said.

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INEC warned that the alleged post was deliberately fabricated to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the electoral body, especially at a sensitive time when public trust in electoral institutions remains critical.

The Commission also raised concerns over the increasing use of fake social media accounts impersonating its leadership to spread false information and defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

According to the statement, several impersonation accounts have already been identified and reported to security agencies for investigation and prosecution under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

“We are aware that cybercriminals have been using fake accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud Nigerians. These accounts have been reported to security agencies for appropriate action,” the Commission said.

INEC emphasized that it is working closely with relevant security agencies to track down those responsible for identity theft and the dissemination of forged statements online.

It warned that perpetrators of such acts will face prosecution, stressing that misinformation targeting the electoral body undermines democratic stability.

The Commission urged the public to rely only on official and verified communication channels for accurate information, reiterating its commitment to transparency and credible elections.

INEC added that it remains focused on its constitutional mandate and will not be distracted by what it described as “baseless online propaganda.”

INEC Denies Viral X Claim Alleging Amupitan Endorsed Partisan Post

FG Introduces 2026 Fiscal Policy, Slashes Tariffs on Vehicles, Food Items, Steel, Others

The Federal Government has released its 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM), introducing sweeping changes to import duties across multiple sectors, including vehicles, food commodities, industrial materials, and machinery, in a move aimed at boosting economic activity and easing cost pressures.

According to an official circular dated April 1, 2026, and signed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the new framework replaces the 2023 fiscal policy regime and establishes a revised national tariff schedule covering 127 tariff lines.

The government said the policy is designed to stimulate trade, support industrial growth, and improve affordability of essential goods, while also encouraging investment in local production capacity.

Major Tariff Cuts Across Key Sectors

Under the new structure, import duties on fully built passenger vehicles, including SUVs and station wagons, have been reduced to a total effective rate of 40%, down from about 70% under previous regimes.

Crude palm oil now attracts an effective tariff of 28.75%, while several food and consumer items also saw reductions, including rice, sugar, and salt.

Key revised rates include:

• Rice (above 5kg packaging): 47.5%
• Broken rice: 30%
• Raw cane sugar: 55%–57.5%
• Refined salt: 55%
• Margarine: 40%

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The policy also reduces tariffs on construction and household goods such as envelopes, notebooks, ceramic tiles, and steel products, aimed at lowering input costs for manufacturers and developers.

Industrial and Infrastructure Materials

Significant reductions were also recorded in the industrial sector. Steel products such as zinc-coated sheets, steel coils, and rods now attract 35% duties, down from 45%, while certain machinery and equipment categories have been reduced to 0%–10% tariffs.

These include:

• Railway locomotives (SKD/CKD): 0%
• Cargo ships above 500 tonnes: 0%
• Agricultural machinery: 0%
• Medical and industrial equipment: 5%–10%

Officials say these changes are aimed at improving infrastructure development, manufacturing competitiveness, and healthcare access.

Transition Measures and New Tax Framework

To ease implementation, the government approved a 90-day grace period for importers who opened Form M before April 1, allowing them to clear goods at previous tariff rates.

However, authorities also announced that a new excise duty framework and green tax surcharge will take effect from July 1, 2026, as part of broader environmental and revenue reforms.

The green tax policy will target emissions-linked consumption patterns, although exemptions include:

• Electric vehicles
• Vehicles below 2000cc
• Mass transit buses
• Locally manufactured vehicles under specific tariff headings

Policy Objectives and Economic Impact

The Finance Ministry said the reforms are intended to balance revenue generation with economic relief, while aligning Nigeria’s trade policy with regional and global standards.

Analysts say the tariff cuts could help reduce import costs and ease inflationary pressure on consumers, but may also increase competitive pressure on local manufacturers who depend on protective tariffs.

The fiscal framework is part of broader reforms under the Tinubu administration to reposition Nigeria’s economy through tax restructuring, trade liberalisation, and industrial policy adjustments.

FG Introduces 2026 Fiscal Policy, Slashes Tariffs on Vehicles, Food Items, Steel, Others

Kebbi Attack: Diocese Says 24 Killed, Churches, Mosque Burnt in Easter Raid

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has raised fresh alarm over escalating insecurity in northwestern Nigeria, confirming that 24 people were killed in a deadly Easter Sunday terrorist attack on Debe village in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Diocese, in a detailed statement through its Yauri pastoral office, said the attack occurred on April 5 around 5 p.m. when suspected terrorists stormed the community, killing residents, burning homes, and destroying property in a coordinated assault that lasted several hours.

The victims reportedly included Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers, with attackers said to have targeted mostly men and young people in the village.

The Diocese also confirmed that places of worship were not spared, as a Catholic church, a mosque, residential houses, and shops were set ablaze during the raid, describing the incident as a “tragedy against humanity” rather than a religiously targeted attack.

According to security sources cited in local reports, the attackers are believed to have emerged from hideouts in the Wawa Forest axis of Niger State, particularly Borgu Local Government Area, an area long associated with armed bandit activity and cross-border movements.

The violence is said to be part of a wider pattern of coordinated attacks across border communities in Kebbi and Niger states, where villages such as Gebe, Kawara, Kalkami, Binuwa, and surrounding settlements have recently come under repeated raids.

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In earlier incidents, suspected bandits carried out night attacks on multiple villages in Shanga LGA, destroying homes and forcing mass displacement of residents.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that joint security operations involving military units, tactical police teams, maritime police, and local vigilantes were deployed to restore order and pursue the attackers.

However, the Diocese disputed earlier official casualty figures, stating that while police initially reported about four deaths, further verification confirmed the death toll had risen to 24 persons.

“We want Nigeria and the international community to know what transpired in Debe. The confirmed number of fatalities is 24,” the Church said, calling for urgent intervention.

The statement also revealed a worsening humanitarian crisis, noting that at least 491 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently taking refuge at St. Dominic Parish in Yauri, where church resources are becoming overstretched.

“These displaced persons urgently need food, clean water, medical care, and shelter,” the Diocese warned, adding that ongoing insecurity has prevented many families from returning to their homes or burying their dead.

Community leaders also reported that the attack extended to nearby settlements, where markets, homes, and even traditional leadership compounds were destroyed, deepening fear across the region.

The Diocese urged the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kebbi State authorities to take urgent and decisive action to restore security and prevent further bloodshed.

It also called on humanitarian agencies and international partners to intervene, warning that the situation could worsen without coordinated relief and security response.

Meanwhile, security analysts say the repeated attacks underscore the persistent threat of banditry and rural terrorism in northwestern Nigeria, despite ongoing military operations in affected corridors.

Authorities have assured residents that security forces are intensifying operations in forested hideouts believed to be used by armed groups operating across state boundaries.

For now, many communities in Shanga LGA remain deserted, with survivors displaced and fear gripping border settlements as insecurity continues to escalate.

Kebbi Attack: Diocese Says 24 Killed, Churches, Mosque Burnt in Easter Raid