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Oyo Kidnappers Demand Release of Ansaru Terrorist Commanders in Exchange for Schoolchildren

Published

3 months ago

June 6, 2026

IG Orders Police to Shoot Anyone Carrying Illegal Firearms Nationwide

Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu

Oyo Kidnappers Demand Release of Ansaru Terrorist Commanders in Exchange for Schoolchildren

OYO STATE, Nigeria – The armed group responsible for the abduction of students and teachers from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has made a chilling and unconventional demand: the release of high-profile Ansaru terrorist commanders currently in government custody, rather than a conventional ransom. The kidnappers, who targeted schools in the Esinele, Yawota, and Alawusa communities on May 15, 2026, allegedly requested the release of imprisoned terrorist leaders, a ransom payment, two Hilux trucks, and the enforcement of Sharia law prior to releasing the hostages. The attack resulted in the abduction of 46 people — seven teachers and 39 students and pupils — according to a full list of victims published by local media. One teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was brutally beheaded by the abductors in a gruesome act that has sent shockwaves across the nation. The coordinated attack occurred simultaneously with another school abduction in Borno State, where suspected terrorists abducted schoolchildren from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira Uba, marking an unprecedented escalation in the country’s security crisis.

The Federal Government now finds itself caught between its determination to secure the victims’ freedom and its reluctance to release captured commanders back into circulation, where they could regroup and resume attacks. According to a Presidency source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the Oyo and Borno school abductions were deliberately coordinated and timed to maximize pressure on the government and strengthen the terrorists’ bargaining position. “In the Oyo kidnapping, the terrorists did a coordinated attack with that of Borno because they want to use it as a negotiation,” the source explained. “They are pressing for a swap with some high-profile terrorists who are in government custody. These are some of their leaders who were arrested.” The government has maintained that the safe return of every child and every teacher remains a top national priority. Speaking at a special national security media briefing themed “Unite Against Terror,” the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to deploy all lawful means to secure the release of those in captivity. “The President has made it clear that no child belongs in captivity and that no effort will be spared in ensuring that those responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to justice,” Idris said.

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Chronicle NG gathered that two of the terrorists being demanded for release are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud al-Nigeri, who is also known as Mallam Mamuda. Mahmud Usman is from the Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, while Mahmud al-Nigeri is from Daura, Katsina State — the home state of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The two men are leaders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS/Ansaru) , a breakaway offshoot of Boko Haram that has established links to the al-Qaeda terrorist network. They are accused of assisting and abetting terrorist operations in the country between 2013 and 2015, a period that saw some of the deadliest attacks in Nigeria’s northeast. The suspects were captured between May and July 2025 after high-risk, intelligence-led operations announced by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu on August 16, 2025. They are currently on trial for terrorism in a suit filed on September 4, 2025, under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025. The trial of the suspects began on January 15, 2026, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Mahmud Usman had previously been sentenced to 15 years in prison on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to one count of engaging in illegal mining activities and using the proceeds to acquire arms for terrorism, though he denied other allegations. The case against him and his deputy includes charges of terrorism financing, membership in a proscribed organization, and conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism. When asked why the government kept the terrorist leaders in custody despite the horrors they were accused of committing, one of the senior security officers engaged in the trial stated: “We did not kill the terrorist leaders immediately when they were caught. We have a justice system and court process which must be followed.” This adherence to due process, while commendable from a legal standpoint, has now created negotiating leverage for the abductors.

The difficult terrain has also hindered rescue efforts. The abductors are believed to have come from the Kainji National Park area in Niger State, an expansive forest that straddles Niger, Kwara, and parts of the Republic of Benin. The heavily forested and unfamiliar terrain in Oyo State has made any potential military operation highly sensitive and fraught with risk. “The area is highly forested and unfamiliar,” an official told reporters. “The issue is the sensitivity of any hostage situation. It is a major problem because a successful hostage rescue where you have all the hostages alive is very difficult. You don’t want to risk the lives of the children and the teachers in the process.” Security analysts have offered differing views on how the Federal Government should respond to the terrorists’ demands. A retired Brigadier-General, Bashir Adewinbi, urged caution, warning that yielding to ransom demands empowers terrorists. “Anytime you give terrorists cash, you are creating insecurity because you are empowering them. They will use the money to recruit more fighters, expand their operations and commit more harm.” However, Kabiru Adamu, CEO of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, advised the government to undertake a detailed risk assessment before deciding whether to accept or reject the demands. “If accepting their demand poses a very low risk to Nigeria as a country, we can go ahead and accept it. If, on the other hand, accepting their demand poses a high risk to Nigeria… this is the kind of risk assessment that should be conducted.” Maj. Gen. Segun Fatola (retd.) argued that Nigeria should adopt tougher measures, stating that terrorism should be treated as an act of war rather than a criminal enterprise, and that negotiating with terrorists would not solve the problem.

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Following the attack, Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, visited the affected communities in Oriire Local Government Area and met with the Commissioner of Police of the Oyo State Command, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, alongside other security stakeholders. The IGP received detailed operational briefings on ongoing rescue efforts and assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, has intensified a well-coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving additional tactical and intelligence assets. Accompanying the IGP were the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Ojo Adekimi, due to the strategic proximity of the Oriire axis to border communities in Kwara State, as well as the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, Abayomi Shogunle. The IGP’s visit was seen as a significant show of force and commitment, but questions remain about the operational capacity to conduct a successful rescue in such challenging terrain.

Chronicle NG reports that the Muslim community in Oyo State has condemned the Sharia-related demands reportedly made by terrorists holding teachers and pupils abducted from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, declaring that the criminals do not represent Islam or Muslims. The position came as public and private schools across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas shut down in solidarity with the abducted victims. The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) directed all member schools in Ibadan District to close on Friday, June 5, 2026, “as a mark of solidarity and for prayers for the victims’ safe release and the protection of all schools.” In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by its chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Sanvni, and secretary-general, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the Muslim community in Oyo State described the terrorists’ action as criminal and a negation of Islamic teachings. The group stated that attempts by the abductors to justify their actions through religious rhetoric amounted to a distortion of Islam. “Islam forbids kidnapping, terrorism and the extortion of innocent citizens. Legitimate Sharia promotes justice, peace and the sanctity of human life, values that stand in direct opposition to the activities of criminal groups,” the statement partly read. Quoting Chapter 5, Verse 32 of the Holy Qur’an, which states that “whosoever kills a soul… it is as if he had slain mankind entirely,” the community stressed that Islam places a high premium on the protection of human life and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those in captivity. The Muslim community, under the aegis of the Chief Imam of Ibadanland and Grand Chief Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh Al-Imam Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakar Agbotomokekere, also announced a special prayer for the speedy and safe return of abductees, scheduled for Sunday at Yidi Agodi Praying Ground, Ibadan. Thousands of Muslims are expected to gather to pray for the safe release of the captives.

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A traditional ruler in one of the affected communities, the Eleshi of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, appealed to both the Federal and Oyo State governments to do everything possible to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils. According to the monarch, the communities are aware that the abductors have made demands, but they lack the capacity to handle the situation on their own. “We are ordinary villagers. We do not have the resources or the firepower to confront these heavily armed men,” the Oba was quoted as saying. He urged the government not to relent until every captive is rescued safely, warning that failure to act decisively could lead to more attacks on schools in the region. The traditional ruler also called on the government to deploy more security personnel to the border communities between Oyo and Kwara states, which he described as porous and vulnerable to terrorist infiltration.

According to a full list of victims published by local media, the 46 abducted individuals include seven teachers and 39 students and pupils drawn from the three affected schools. The victims range in age from young children in primary school to teenagers in secondary school. The names of the victims have been withheld by authorities to protect their privacy and avoid jeopardizing ongoing rescue efforts. The abducted teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded by the terrorists, was a beloved educator described by colleagues as dedicated, patient, and deeply committed to his students. His death has cast a pall over the entire community, with residents describing the killing as senseless and barbaric. The attack has also had a significant economic impact on the Oriire LGA, with many businesses closed and parents too afraid to send their children to school. The state government has deployed trauma counselors to the affected communities to provide psychological support to families and survivors.

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, has called for the immediate and safe release of the schoolchildren and teachers, describing the incidents as a grave threat to education and child protection. “The UN Resident Coordinator is deeply saddened that these school children and their teachers are still being held by armed groups. Schools must remain safe havens for learning and not places of fear. Children should never be a target,” Fall said in a statement. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also condemned the abductions, calling them a violation of international law and a direct attack on the right to education. The international community has offered support to Nigerian security agencies, though the nature and extent of that support remain unclear.

As of the latest reports, the case remains unresolved. The government is in a holding pattern, unwilling to negotiate yet equally hesitant to mount an assault that could lead to casualties among the children. The terrorists are reportedly using the growing public outcry and protests to pressure the government into conceding to their demands. The Federal Government has authorized the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security presence across vulnerable communities and forests within Oyo State, but this is a medium-term solution at best. For the families of the 46 captives, every hour feels like an eternity, and only time will tell whether the government can secure their release without compromising national security. Special prayers are scheduled for Sunday at Yidi Agodi Praying Ground, Ibadan, where thousands of Muslims will gather to pray for the safe return of the abductees. People of other faiths have also been urged to pray and offer support to the affected families.

For readers seeking a quick summary of the key details, the following information has been confirmed. The attack occurred on May 15, 2026, in Oriire LGA, Oyo State, targeting three schools in the Esinele, Yawota, and Alawusa communities. A total of 46 people — seven teachers and 39 students and pupils — were abducted. One teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the abductors. The kidnappers are demanding the release of Ansaru commanders Mahmud Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri, along with a ransom payment, two Hilux vehicles, and the enforcement of Sharia law in Oyo State. The Muslim community in Oyo State has rejected the Sharia demand, declaring that the terrorists do not represent Islam. The IGP has visited the affected communities and intensified rescue operations. A special prayer for the captives is scheduled for Sunday at Yidi Agodi Praying Ground, Ibadan. The United Nations has called for the safe release of the hostages.

Oyo Kidnappers Demand Release of Ansaru Terrorist Commanders in Exchange for Schoolchildren

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NAF recruitment 2026: Step-by-step guide to applying for BMTC 47/2026

Published

14 hours ago

September 4, 2026

Trends Admin

NAF recruitment 2026: Step-by-step guide to applying for BMTC 47/2026

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced its 2026 recruitment exercise, inviting qualified Nigerians to apply for enlistment as tradesmen/women and non-tradesmen/women under the Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 47/2026.

The NAF recruitment 2026 exercise opened on Thursday, September 3, 2026, and the online application portal will remain open until October 14, 2026.

The application is free of charge, and prospective applicants have been advised to carefully study the eligibility requirements and application guidelines before submitting their forms.

The recruitment exercise provides an opportunity for eligible Nigerians who meet the educational, age, physical and medical requirements to begin the process of joining the Nigerian Air Force.

Applicants are expected to complete the entire registration process through the official NAF recruitment portal and should not engage agents or individuals who request money in exchange for recruitment assistance.

To begin the application, prospective candidates should visit the official NAF recruitment portal and select the BMTC 47/2026 recruitment exercise.

Applicants should first read the recruitment guidelines carefully to determine whether they meet the requirements for their preferred category. Candidates are advised to understand the requirements before starting the form because the conditions for tradesmen/women and non-tradesmen/women are different.

After confirming their eligibility, applicants should complete the online application form by providing the required personal, educational and other relevant information.

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Candidates should ensure that the information supplied is accurate and corresponds with their official documents. Particular attention should be paid to names, dates of birth, educational qualifications and other personal details because inconsistencies could create difficulties during subsequent verification.

Before submitting the form, applicants should carefully review all the information entered and make any necessary corrections.

Candidates who successfully complete the online application will be required to print the relevant documents generated by the recruitment portal. These include the Acknowledgement Form, Parent/Guardian Consent Form and Local Government Area Attestation Form.

The LGA Attestation Form must be properly signed and authenticated by an authorised official in accordance with the NAF’s requirements. Depending on the conditions specified for the exercise, an authorised signatory may include a military officer from the applicant’s state, a police officer of the required rank, a substantive local government chairman or secretary, or a magistrate.

Applicants should carefully check the specific instructions on the form before obtaining the required signature and authentication.

The NAF has also warned that applicants who fail to successfully complete their online registration may not be able to generate the required forms.

For general eligibility, applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth and must be medically, physically and psychologically fit. They must also satisfy the medical and employment standards prescribed by the Nigerian Air Force.

The minimum height requirement is 1.66 metres for male applicants and 1.63 metres for female applicants.

For tradesmen/women, applicants must be between 18 and 27 years old by March 1, 2027.

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Candidates applying under this category with National Diploma (ND) or National Certificate in Education (NCE) qualifications must have obtained their certificates from accredited institutions and meet the required academic conditions.

Applicants must generally possess at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, in not more than two sittings in recognised examinations such as WAEC, NECO, GCE, NABTEB or NBAIS, where applicable to the particular category.

Candidates applying for driving positions and other trades requiring a Trade Test certificate must possess the relevant Trade Test qualification and satisfy the required secondary-school certificate conditions.

Applicants seeking recruitment as drivers must also possess a valid driving licence.

Those applying under sports-related categories are expected to provide evidence of professional sporting experience. Such evidence may include relevant certificates, medals and other recognised records of sporting achievement, subject to the specific requirements of the recruitment exercise.

For non-tradesmen/women, applicants must be between 18 and 22 years old by March 1, 2027.

They must possess at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, in not more than two sittings in WAEC, NECO, GCE, NABTEB or NBAIS.

Applicants in this category are also required to possess the relevant Primary School Certificate and Secondary School Testimonial.

Candidates should ensure that the names and other personal information contained in their educational documents are consistent with the details provided on their NAF application form.

Submitting an application does not automatically mean that a candidate has been selected for enlistment.

According to the recruitment guidelines, applicants who successfully progress to the next stage will be considered for a Zonal General Aptitude Test.

The NAF said the date and other details concerning the aptitude test will be communicated through the official recruitment portal.

Only applicants who are successful at the aptitude-test stage will subsequently be invited for the selection interview.

Candidates are therefore advised to regularly check the official recruitment portal for announcements concerning the aptitude test, shortlisted applicants, selection interviews and other stages of the recruitment exercise.

The NAF has also warned applicants to beware of recruitment scams.

The Force says the NAF recruitment exercise is free of charge, meaning applicants are not required to pay money to submit their forms or secure consideration for enlistment.

Candidates should not give money to anyone claiming to have the ability to secure a recruitment slot, influence the selection process, guarantee placement on the shortlist or manipulate examination or interview results.

Prospective applicants should also be cautious about fake websites, social-media accounts and individuals impersonating NAF officials.

Applicants are advised to obtain recruitment information only through official Nigerian Air Force communication channels and the designated NAF recruitment portal.

Candidates should also avoid submitting multiple applications. Applicants are expected to provide accurate information and complete the application process carefully under the appropriate recruitment category.

The NAF BMTC 47/2026 recruitment exercise will close on October 14, 2026. Applicants who are interested in joining the Nigerian Air Force are advised to complete their registration before the deadline rather than waiting until the final days of the exercise.

The recruitment process is free, and meeting the eligibility requirements does not by itself guarantee enlistment. Candidates must successfully pass the various stages of the selection process before they can be considered for training.

Prospective applicants should therefore carefully follow every instruction published by the Nigerian Air Force and continue monitoring the official recruitment portal for subsequent announcements.

NAF recruitment 2026 at a glance

Recruitment exercise: Basic Military Training Course 47/2026

Application opening date: September 3, 2026

Application closing date: October 14, 2026

Application method: Online

Application fee: Free

Male minimum height: 1.66 metres

Female minimum height: 1.63 metres

Non-tradesmen/women age: 18–22 years by March 1, 2027

Tradesmen/women age: 18–27 years by March 1, 2027

Next major stage: Zonal General Aptitude Test

Subsequent stage: Selection interview

Applicants should verify the latest requirements directly on the official NAF recruitment portal before submitting their applications, particularly if the Force publishes additional instructions or updates during the recruitment period.

NAF recruitment 2026: Step-by-step guide to applying for BMTC 47/2026

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Federal Workers Demand N300,000 Minimum Wage as Cost of Living Bites Harder

Published

1 day ago

September 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Federal Workers Demand N300,000 Minimum Wage as Cost of Living Bites Harder

The Federal Workers Forum has written to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly, demanding an immediate review of the salaries of federal civil servants and an increase in the minimum wage from N70,000 to N300,000. The forum argued that the current wage structure no longer reflects the economic realities confronting federal workers amid Nigeria’s escalating cost of living. The letter, dated September 2, 2026, and signed by the National Coordinator of the FWF, Andrew Emelieze, and General Secretary, Ogundele Ayodele, was addressed to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives through the Clerk of the National Assembly. President Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation were also listed among the recipients, underscoring the urgency and high-level nature of the workers’ demands.

The forum proposed a new salary structure with a minimum of N300,000 for Level 1 Step 1 workers and a maximum of N1.5 million for Level 17 officers. The proposed structure would set salaries progressively across all grade levels, with Level 2 workers earning N330,000; Level 3, N360,000; Level 4, N390,000; Level 5, N420,000; Level 6, N450,000; and Level 7, N480,000. For senior officers, the forum proposed N510,000 for Level 8; N550,000 for Level 9; N600,000 for Level 10; N700,000 for Level 12; N750,000 for Level 13; N800,000 for Level 14; N1 million for Level 15; N1.2 million for Level 16; and N1.5 million for Level 17 officers. “We call for justice and immediate wage review now, adjust the federal minimum wage to N300,000 and a maximum wage of N1.5m for the Level 17 officers,” the forum stated. The workers said their N300,000 minimum wage proposal was based on an estimated monthly expenditure covering feeding, transportation, accommodation, family support, electricity, cooking gas, phone and data, water and other utilities. “Our projections here are fair, and we believe it can still be accommodated in the present budget based on the daily increased earnings and the excess crude oil sales earnings,” the forum said, linking their demands to the government’s improved revenue position.

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The FWF said the demand was necessitated by what it described as the incomplete implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage approved in 2024, claiming that federal workers had yet to receive the full consequential adjustment and associated allowances. “It will surprise you to hear that the Federal Government has not fully implemented the new national minimum wage since July 2024. We have been in the battle for full consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage,” the group stated. According to the workers, the 2024 wage review increased the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 but resulted in what they described as a flat N40,000 increase across all levels of the federal civil service. “Only N40,000 was added to the salaries of every federal worker across all levels,” the forum said. The FWF argued that the statutory three-year review period should not prevent the government from responding immediately to what it described as an emergency deterioration in workers’ purchasing power, making the case that waiting until 2027 would be catastrophic for workers already struggling to survive.

The workers complained that the rising cost of food, transportation, accommodation, electricity, cooking gas and other necessities had made the N70,000 minimum wage inadequate. “Federal workers have been enduring the situation, and everything has been frustrating and nauseating. We cannot cope again. Federal workers are dying in instalments; we are suffering in silence; our salary is too poor; it is not taking us home,” the letter stated. The FWF further alleged that some federal workers had become heavily indebted to microfinance institutions and digital loan platforms in an attempt to meet their daily needs. “Federal workers are now heavily indebted to microfinances and, most times, federal workers resort to phone loan apps to get transportation to work,” the group said. The forum also claimed that some workers had resorted to using firewood because they could no longer afford cooking gas. It argued that the worsening financial situation could affect workers’ productivity and create conditions conducive to corruption, painting a grim picture of the daily struggles facing federal civil servants.

Amid the growing pressure, the Presidency has signalled a willingness to consider a wage review. In June 2026, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila acknowledged that the N70,000 minimum wage, while a milestone in 2024, must be reassessed against today’s realities. “The N70,000 wage, which was a milestone in 2024, must be honestly reassessed against today’s realities,” Gbajabiamila said. He added that when the review process begins, “this administration will approach that endeavour not as an adversary of labour, but as a partner,” signalling a more conciliatory stance from the government compared to previous wage negotiations.

The demand for a higher minimum wage is not limited to the FWF. The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have also reopened negotiations with the Federal Government, pushing for a significantly higher wage of N500,000. NLC President Joe Ajaero, speaking at the Rights of Workers Summit in Birnin Kebbi, said the current N70,000 wage was no longer sufficient to meet workers’ basic needs. “Anything less than N500,000 cannot cater for workers. The current minimum wage is due for review, and we will soon begin negotiations with the government,” Ajaero said, raising the stakes in the wage debate and setting the stage for potentially contentious negotiations with the federal government.

While labour unions push for N500,000, some stakeholders have described the proposal as unrealistic given Nigeria’s prevailing economic conditions. The Coordinator of the Forum of Delta State NGOs suggested a more moderate range of between N250,000 and N300,000, arguing that the labour unions’ demand may be impractical. The debate highlights the tension between workers’ needs and the government’s fiscal capacity, with the FWF’s N300,000 proposal representing a middle ground between the current N70,000 wage and labour’s more ambitious N500,000 target.

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has pledged to champion the unions’ demands at a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. The governor, who noted that his administration was the first among state governments to implement a N75,000 minimum wage, assured workers that his state would implement any new national minimum wage agreed upon by the Federal Government. His commitment signals that some state governments may be willing to support a wage increase, though the fiscal implications for cash-strapped states remain a significant concern.

Federal Workers Demand N300,000 Minimum Wage as Cost of Living Bites Harder

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Wike to Governors: Account for Subsidy Funds, Stop Hiding Behind NGF

Published

2 days ago

September 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike

Wike to Governors: Account for Subsidy Funds, Stop Hiding Behind NGF

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike challenges state governors to account individually for increased allocations from petrol subsidy removal, insists President Tinubu has no power to dictate sub-national spending, and takes aim at opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi over their policy positions.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a direct challenge to state governors across Nigeria, demanding that they publicly account for how they have spent the additional revenues received following the removal of the petrol subsidy. Speaking during a media chat with journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, Wike said each state government, rather than the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), should explain to its citizens how the increased funds had been used. He argued that the additional allocations to the three tiers of government had given states greater capacity to fund projects, pay salaries and pensions, and improve public services. According to him, the NGF, as an association, could not replace individual governors’ responsibility to account to their citizens.

“What you call the Nigerian Governors’ Forum is an association. I’m a governor of State A, I should be able to defend my State A,” Wike said. He added that governors were elected by the people of their respective states and should therefore answer directly to them. “Rivers State Government is accountable to the citizens of Rivers State. Anambra State Government is accountable because they have been elected by citizens of those states, not by the entire Federation of Nigeria,” he stated. Wike said governors should be able to point to projects and programmes financed with the additional revenue generated after the subsidy removal. “If Governor Diri says, ‘Look, challenge me. The money that came, see what I’ve done for Bayelsa State,’ fine,” he said, referring to Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.

Wike defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, saying it had increased revenues available to the federal, state and local governments. According to him, the impact of the policy should be assessed by what governments had achieved with the additional resources. “Today, the states are saying, unlike before, we can’t pay salaries, we can’t pay pensions, strikes all over the places. Are there strikes again now? They can tell you, no,” he said. He maintained that governments at all levels must remain accountable for how the additional funds were spent.

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Wike also responded to comments by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on the management of funds from subsidy removal. According to Wike, Obi should have directed his questions to state and local governments rather than the federal government. “All he should have asked is, ‘Having removed the subsidy, what do you do with the gains?’ This is what I think a reasonable person should talk about,” Wike said. The FCT minister emphasised that President Tinubu has no constitutional authority to dictate how states and local governments spend their allocations. “Now, the government has said the gains have been shared among sub-nationals. Tinubu has no power to say, ‘State, this is what you should do with the funds that you’ve brought in from the fuel subsidy.’ He has no power to tell local governments what to do with their money. All tiers of government are independent,” Wike explained.

Wike also criticised politicians who, he said, changed their positions on major policy issues to suit political interests. “One thing you must take me on is that I am a consistent politician,” he said. He questioned politicians who had previously supported subsidy removal but later promised to restore it during election campaigns. “If a candidate says yesterday, at the moment you have your vote for me, I’m going to remove subsidy; today the candidate says, ‘No, vote for me, I’m going to bring back subsidy,’ I mean, what kind of candidate is that?” he asked. He said political candidates should clearly explain their policy positions rather than make campaign promises aimed solely at attracting votes.

Wike specifically targeted former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, who recently pledged to restore the subsidy if elected in 2027. Wike recalled that Atiku had, in 2022, advocated the removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as fraudulent. “Now, in 2026, he is not going to remove the fuel subsidy. Is he going back to the fraud, which he had alleged that fuel subsidy was?” Wike asked. He described Atiku as a “voodoo economist” who, in his view, says whatever he believes will appeal to voters. “Atiku, who is confused, who acts like a voodoo economist, Atiku will say anything just to be president,” Wike said. He argued that consistency was essential for anyone seeking to lead the country, accusing Atiku of changing his position depending on the political circumstances.

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The FCT minister also questioned how a future government would operate a petrol subsidy under Nigeria’s current petroleum industry structure. He pointed to the commercialisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the emergence of private refineries, particularly the Dangote Refinery. According to Wike, NNPCL is no longer the sole importer or producer of petroleum products, making the traditional subsidy arrangement more complicated. “He is living in the past. If not, he will know that with the Petroleum Industry Act, NNPC is now fully commercialised. It has transformed the old NNPC into a limited liability company (NNPC Limited), and no longer the sole importer or producer of fuel,” he said. Wike asked whether a government led by Atiku would subsidise petrol produced by private refiners. “Will Atiku, as President (which he never be) pay subsidy on fuel produced by Dangote Refinery?” he asked. He argued that restoring fuel subsidies would reverse the market-oriented reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act and could discourage investment in the petroleum sector.

The subsidy debate has resurfaced ahead of the 2027 general elections, with major opposition figures taking different positions on the policy. Atiku Abubakar said in an August 25 post on X that he remained committed to restoring the subsidy if elected. “On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it! A nation as blessed as ours has no business abandoning its citizens to hardship. Nigeria is rich enough to look after her own,” Atiku wrote. Peter Obi, however, has maintained his support for the removal of the subsidy, arguing that alleged mismanagement of its proceeds should not be used as justification for returning to the subsidy regime. Speaking during a panel session at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt on August 25, Obi said the removal was necessary but should have been accompanied by a clear and organised plan for deploying the resources recovered from the policy.

President Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on 29 May 2023, declaring “Fuel subsidy is gone.” The policy has remained one of the defining economic decisions of his administration. Tinubu has repeatedly urged state governments to ensure the increased allocations translate into tangible development. On 30 July, while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State, the President said states were now receiving four to five times what they previously received from the Federation Account. “The cost of operation is high. But the money that I’m pushing to the states, if you had it during your own time, or during my time, it would have been different. They are taking four to five times their money. Nobody is borrowing money to pay salaries now. Pensioners are receiving their pay,” Tinubu said.

Responding to concerns that infrastructure development in Abuja had not translated into better living conditions, Wike disagreed with the view that housing alone should be used to measure residents’ quality of life. He said investments in roads, public transportation and other public infrastructure had improved access and mobility across the Federal Capital Territory. “Why do we have to only think until everybody gets houses? That’s only when the quality of life has changed. That is wrong,” he said. Wike argued that improvements in transport, road infrastructure and other public services should also be considered indicators of better living standards.

In a related development, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the FCT Minister to publicly account for an estimated ₦14 trillion in fuel subsidy savings reportedly received through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since mid-2023. In separate Freedom of Information requests, the organisation urged the governors and the FCT minister to disclose full details of how the funds have been spent, including locations of projects executed, implementation status, and completion reports. SERAP’s request follows rising concerns that despite massive increases in state allocations since the removal of fuel subsidy, millions of Nigerians are yet to see improvements in public services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare. “There is a legitimate public interest for governors and the FCT minister to urgently explain how they have spent the money they have so far collected from the subsidy savings,” SERAP said in the letter. The organisation has given the governors and the FCT minister seven days to comply, warning of legal action if they fail to respond.

On his reported reconciliation with political associates, the minister said the disagreements had been resolved but declined to discuss the details. “Personal, political, everything settled,” he said. He added that he had invited the concerned political associate for talks but would not disclose what was discussed.