Headline

Dangote Makes History! Launches Nigeria into Petroleum Importation Independence

Published

3 years ago

May 22, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

History was made on Monday, May 22, 2023 at the Lekki Free Zone area of Lagos State when the ambitious 650, 000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in company of four other African presidents, one presidential representative, past and serving governors, senators, representatives, traditional leaders, captains of industries, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and the general public.

Situated on a land space of about 2675 Hectares, touted as seven times the size of Victoria Island, the Dangote Refinery, a project expected to go beyond the refining of petroleum products, will also place Nigeria on a $11 billion annual revenue, and more importantly save the nation from the twin enemy of petroleum subsidy and unequivocal independence from the importation of petroleum products both for private and commercial consumption.

The refinery set up to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day will transform crude oil into different petroleum products such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel and kerosene. The refinery will produce Euro-V quality gasoline and diesel, as well as jet fuel and polypropylene. The facility, in addition, was designed to process a large variety of crudes, including many African crudes, some Middle Eastern crudes, and US (United States) Light Tight Oil.

The event, which kickstarted at exactly 11:22am at the arrival of the president, was heralded by the national anthem, and opening prayer by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, after which the podium was made available for the ‘man of the moment’, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for his opening remarks.

Dressed in complete purple danshiki attire, and beaming with a visible smile of accomplishment, the visioner and brain behind the project in particular, and the Dangote Group in general, mounted the podium, acknowledging the supports received from various individuals, agencies, parastatal, banks, the CBN and the host community for the successful execution of the massive adventure.

Dangote particularly acknowledged President Buhari’s confidence in him to execute the project, saying that his fatherly encouragement was the catalyst that birth, sustained and completed the project. Dangote also heaped encomiums on the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the window of assistance, and for being a good host, as well as past Lagos State governors including Mr. Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode. He did not stop there, but paid glowing tributes to the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, for practically taking the project personal, and ensured that whatever that was needed to bring it to fruition was not lacking. He thanked also the commercial banks for the the contributions, especially Access Bank and Zenith International Bank as well the members of the host community.

He hinted that the first products of the refinery will be ready by the end of July 2023 or early August at the latest.

Other entities that made the list of Dangote’s appreciation were the AFREXIM Bank, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor. He did not forget to hail the members of staff of Dangote Group, led by Mrs. Adenike Fajemirokun, who he encouraged to stand for recognition, and his immediate family members.

DANGOTE’S FULL SPEECH

Your Excellency – Mr. President,
It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to this commemoration of the commissioning of the Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex.

Your Excellency may recall that just about a year ago, you were here to commission our 3MT Fertilizer plant, and you graciously accepted our invitation to return to Lekki to commission the Refinery then under construction. On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Dangote Industries, I wish to extend our deep appreciation for this great honour.

For Your Excellency, not only to be here this morning, in fulfillment of your promise, but to do so in the company of His Excellency- The President Elect – who will be succeeding you in just a week- is indeed a matter of divine providence, for which we must thank the Almighty God. For we appreciate how incredibly tight the schedules of both of you must be at this very moment. Permit me, therefore, Mr. President, to extend our special welcome and deep appreciation to H.E. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu- The President Elect.

We are also highly honoured to have with us this morning the
Presidents of Ghana, His Excellency, Nana Akufo-Addo
President of Togo, His Excellency, Faure Gnassingbe
President of Senegal, His Excellency, Macky Sall
President of Chad, His Excellency, Mahamat Deby
President of Niger, His Excellency, Mohamed Bazoum
Our former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,
Our President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Your Excellencies, we thank you most sincerely for accepting our invitation despite the rather short notice and the enormous responsibilities of your offices.

I would also like to extend our warm welcome to:
 H.E. The Senate President
 The Right Honorable Speaker of the House of
Representatives,
 Distinquished Senators and Members of the House of Representatives here present
 Your Excellency, the Governor and Chief Host, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
 Their Excellencies Executive Governors and Governors-Elect of our various States here present.
 Honorable Ministers, here present
 The Governor of CBN
 The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.
 Members of the Diplomatic Community
 Our Royal Fathers, Religious leaders
 Leaders of our Host Communities
 Our Dangote Staff, Management and Directors
 Dangote & Dantata Family

Let me also recognize and welcome my colleagues and friends. Leaders of the Business Community, particularly, our Bankers and Financiers, our Contractors and Suppliers, all of whom have demonstrated great patience and cooperation in the course of the execution of this project.

ABOUT THE REFINERY
Your Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery we are here to commission this morning is the fulfillment of a long-held dream and the product of our Group’s Corporate vision driven by our Mission to produce what we consume and to promote self- sufficiency in the basic needs of our people while competing globally in areas of our comparative/competitive advantage.

Over two decades ago, we made the commitment to invest in the downstream petroleum Sector in response to the increasing shortages of petroleum products in our country and the consequent challenges on our economy and its negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of our people.

Initially, we sought to enter the industry by acquiring brownfield Refineries under the Federal Government’s Privatization Programme in 2006/7. Regrettably, the privatization Policy was reversed, and our payment returned.

This motivated us to re-think our Market-entry Strategy and our Business Model. We subsequently committed to enter the Market boldly with a vision to invest in a greenfield Refinery that will transform the Industry in Nigeria and Africa.

We decided on a plant designed with the State-of-the art technology and at a scale in capacity that will be a “game-changer” in Africa and the global market.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, the Facility we are commissioning today is aimed to reposition Nigeria as a key player in the Downstream Petroleum Sector of the global market.

We have built a Refinery with a capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day (plus 900,000 tonnes of polypropylene) in a single train – which is the largest in the world. We have selected the best plants and equipment and the latest technologies from across the world.

Our products slate is designed to meet the highest quality standards and high-value products including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel), Aviation Turbine Kerosine (ATK); all of Euro V Standards that will enable us not only meet our Country’s demand but also to become a key player in the African and global market.

Our coastal location and offshore loading and offloading (SPM) facilities with a capacity to receive all our crude oil supplies and evacuate up to 75% of our liquid products give us direct access to the rest of Africa and the global market for exports. In addition, 80 per cent of our production can be discharge through trucks nationwide.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, our huge investment of over $18.5billion in this Industry has been prompted by our desire to support and contribute our quota to the Federal Government’s sustained effort to transform our economy and properly position our Country as the leading Nation in Africa, and a respected member among emerging economies in the world.

Your Excellency, Mr. President, this commissioning ceremony is just the beginning of a great journey, a milestone in a new and exciting trajectory for the Downstream sector of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry. It is our firm commitment that we will replicate in this sector, what we have achieved in the cement and fertilizer markets, where Nigeria transited from being the largest importer of these products to a net exporter.

Beyond today’s ceremony, our first goal is to ramp up production of the various Products to ensure that within this year, we are able to fully satisfy our nation’s demand for high quality products to enable us eliminate the tragedy of import dependency and stop, once and for all, the dumping in our market of toxic sub-standard petroleum products. Your Excellencies, Distinquished Guests, our first product will be in the market before the end of July this year.

Beyond this, we intend to ensure that our plants are run at the highest capacity utilization and highest efficiency to enable us to export competitively to other markets- especially in the ECOWAS and the wider Africa Region in which 53 Countries out of 55 are dependent on imports to meet their petroleum products demand. This is a clear opportunity for Nigeria given the Continent’s commitment to the creation of an African Common Market through the recently established African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) regime.

Let me now briefly touch on the immediate benefits today’s commissioning will bring to our economy and our people.

First, beyond the constant availability of high-quality fuels for our Transportation Sector, the Refinery will also make available to our Industries, vital raw materials for a wide range of manufacturers in the plastics, pharmaceutical, food and beverages, packaging, construction, and many other sub-sectors.

Second, while the Refinery operation and ancillary businesness will generate massive jobs opportunities, the downstream supply and distribution of its products will equally provided far more absorptive capacity for labour in hundreds of thousands.

Third, once our plant is fully on stream, we expect that at least 40% of the capacity will be available for export and this will result in significant Foreign Exchange inflows into the country.

Overall, we are committed to operating our Plant in line with international best practice requirements, recognizing the importance of protecting the environment, and putting in place stringent environmental, health and safety policies to ensure that the Refinery operates in a safe and sustainable manner.

Mr. President, Distinguished Guests, the journey to this event was long and arduous. It could not have been possible without the support and collaboration of many parties and individuals.
So, permit me Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests to recognize and appreciate just a few.

Let me start with Your Excellency, Mr. President. Your sustained support and encouragement over the past eight years have been, for me personally, a source of great motivation and strength. At times when I felt like giving up, your quiet words of assurance and confidence have made the difference. Mr President, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Those, like me, who have made Lagos our home, will surely recall that it was the President Elect who established the Lagos Free Zone and initiated the massive economic developments of which this project is a part. We must therefore, appreciate and thank the Asiwaju for his incredible vision and foresight.

The Government of Lagos State, under the successive leadership of the last three Governors, has been eminently remarkable in its support and cooperation. Specifically, the Government of Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been incredibly proactive in ensuring that the many challenges we encountered in the course of executing this project were quickly resolved. I thank him immensely.

The Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and its various Agencies especially the NNPC, our partner, has helped to steer this project to this successful event. Under the leadership of Mele Kyari, the NNPC has moved mountains to ensure that no obstacles stand in the way of progress.

As in most mega projects, financing has been a source of many significant challenges. Governor Emefiele’s belief in and commitment to this project has been awesome. Indeed, apart from the top Management of the Refinery itself, no one in this gathering has visited this site more times than Governor Emefiele. We are indeed very grateful.

Our Bankers and financiers, both local and off-shore, have demonstrated a great deal of patience, and indulgence in seeing us through many difficult times. I must especially appreciate the Afrexim bank and its President Prof. Benedict Oramah, CON, whose unwavering support, encouragement and thoughtful advice have helped us to overcome even the most daunting challenges. I want to most especially acknowledge Zenith Bank International Plc and Access Bank Plc for going the extra mile in supporting us in this epoch making journey.

Our Security Agencies have been most proactive in helping to ensure that this project progressed under the strict vigilance and concern of our security network. We are particularly grateful to the Chief of Naval Staff who has kept the project continuously under his personal attention and watch.

However, I cannot close this address without appreciating the Board, Management and Staff of the entire Dangote Group whose commitment, perseverance and hard work made today’s event possible.

Last but not the least, I must extend our sincere appreciation to our host communities and their Traditional leaders for their sustained patience, forbearance and admirable willingness to work with us to find amicable and win-win resolutions to the many issues we have had to deal with as the construction of this huge facility progressed.

Finally, we must not forget, that it is the Grace and Mercy of the Almighty Allah, that inspired and enabled the building of this huge complex, and we must give the glory to Him for granting us the opportunity to witness this ceremony in our life time.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, I thank you all for attending the commissioning of this monumental project.

In his response, the Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mr. Mele Kyari, observed tha President Buahari, as the biggest beneficiary of the product as it was achieved under his administration, should be proud of the project. He lauded the partnership the corporation had with the Dangote Group from conception to conclusion of the project.

In his speech, the CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, noted that history has been rewritten with the commissioning of the refinery just as trajectory has been enhanced. He recalled the started point of the history in perspective, saying that Buhari deserve the credit of the accomplishment.

Following, the governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu, in his speech told three stories of those to be applauded for the humongous refinery. The first was the Chairman of Dangote Group, who 45 years berthed in Lagos, and out of nothing has created among other things, the biggest single train refinery in the world. The second was President Muhammadu Buhari, who also 45 years ago, as the Commissioner of Petroleum, delivered the Warri Refinery. The third was the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who in his wisdom, established the Lekki Free Zone in 2006 while the governor of Lagos State. He said that the trio shared a common vision, believe in the prosperity of the people they are leading and the fact that things can be different. He called however, for the replication of the likes of Dangote to create more people-oriented projects.

Speaking on behalf of Tinubu, the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, called on CNN, BBC, SkyNews and other international media to widely report the commissioning of the refinery, adding that Africa is not just about crises in Sudan and other negative issues, adding that ‘good things also happen in Africa’.

“Africa is not all about the crisis in Sudan, Africa is not all about poverty, Africa is not all about deprivation and destitution, Africa is not all about insecurity, I hope the CNN, the BBC, and the Sky News of this world will be around to give maximum coverage to this function,” Shettima said.

In his address, the Nigerian president, who couldn’t hide his joy at another accomplishment and his admiration for Dangote for the end of tenure gift in the guise of a gigantic petroleum refinery, one of the biggest in the world, expressed appreciation for being the one to commission the project as Dangote had earlier promised him. He further stated that his predecessor will continue from where he stopped in giving good governance to Nigerians.

BUHARI’S FULL SPEECH

‘‘This mega industry we are commissioning today is a clear example of what can be achieved when entrepreneurs are encouraged and supported and when an enabling environment is created for investments and for businesses to thrive.

‘‘I am confident that my successor, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will sustain the improvement in our economic and business environment and strengthen the framework of our public private partnership policies to accelerate the pace of our economic growth and development.

‘‘I am happy to leave our economy in very competent hands.

‘‘I urge and encourage our other great entrepreneurs to emulate this iconic Nigerian industrialist and join the Government in accelerating our growth in order to realize our country’s globally recognized economic potential.

‘‘When I travel around Africa and meet and engage my brother Heads of State (and I am delighted some of their Excellencies are here) I often sense a quiet expectation that our country is blessed with resources and human capacity to lead Africa’s rise to economic prosperity and the attainment of Agenda 2063 – ‘The Africa we all want.’

‘‘But to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063, Africa must come together – we must integrate our economies, eliminate barriers to trade and energize our youthful population to scale up our productive capacity.

‘‘We must create necessary conditions for our private sector to grow and partner with the public sector to accelerate economic growth across the continent.

‘‘We must not allow outside powers to use some of our leaders to destabilize our economic and political trajectory.

‘‘The consequence of these challenges constitute a severe strain on our economy, limiting Government’s ability to provide basic infrastructure without resorting to huge borrowings.

‘‘Our Government, therefore, took the decision to focus attention on creating an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and fill the enormous gap in investments not only in infrastructure but also in all critical sectors.

‘‘We recognize that without the active participation of the private sector and a strong commitment to public private partnership, our economy would continue to remain severely challenged and our economic growth impeded.

‘‘Government therefore, will and should continue to provide an enabling environment and encourage innovative public private partnerships in all sectors of our economy.

‘‘It is my hope that the succeeding Administration will continue to apply such innovative schemes in partnership with the private sector to accelerate the provision of critical infrastructure in particular roads, power and gas pipelines.’’

Other African presidents in attendance took turns to laud the gigangic efforts. The first to speak was the President of Ghana, Akufo Nana Addo, followed by the Nigerien president, Mohammed Bazu, who spoke in Hausa Language and Mr. Faure Gnassimgbe of Togo. They are praised the dexterity of Dangote, adding that by the project, Nigeria is sustaining its big brother status in the continent.

Below is a roll call of dignitaries at the occasion

President Muhammadu Buhari

Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Aliko Dangote

Kashim Shettima

FOREIGN LEADERS

President Nana Akufo Addo of Ghana

President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic

President Faure Gnassimgbe of Togo

President Macky Sall of Senegal

Abdusallam Deby, who represented the president of Chad, Mahamat Deby

GOVERNORS

Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos

Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano

Dapo Abiodun of Ogun

Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna

Ademola Adeleke of Osun

Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State

Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State

PAST GOVERNORS

Peter Obi of Anambra State

Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State

Donald Duke of Cross River State

Bukola Saraki of Kwara State and former Senate President

Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State

Segun Osoba of Ogun State

James Ibori of Delta State

TECHNOCRATS AND INDUSTRIALISTS

Godwin Emefiele, Governor, CBN

Tony Elumelu, Chairman Heirs Holdings, UBA, Transcorp

Herbert Wigwe, Chairman, Access Bank

Jim Ovia, Chairman, Zenith Bank

Femi Otedola, Chairman, Geregu Power

Razaq Okoya of Eleganza Industries

Femi Okeowo

Mele Kyari of NNPCL

TRADITIONAL RULERS

Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi

Sultan of Sokoto

Olu of Warri

And a host of ministers; serving and past, senators, representatives, DGs, heads of agencies among many others.

Headline

Alleged N27.4bn Scandal: Presidency Exonerates Gbajabiamila, Says Adeyemi Matthew is a ‘Con Artist’

Published

45 minutes ago

July 2, 2026

Eric

The Presidency has volunteered details on how a suspected fraudster, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, allegedly built an elaborate web of forged documents, fake government appointments and fictitious agencies to deceive public officials and present himself as a senior presidential appointee under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The Presidency, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Adeyemi as “a con artist” who allegedly used forged appointment letters bearing the name of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to create and operate a non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, later referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

According to the statement, the alleged scam was uncovered after officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council raised concerns that another purported government agency appeared to be operating alongside it.

The Office of the Chief of Staff subsequently alerted security agencies, accusing unnamed individuals of forging official appointment letters purportedly issued from his office.

“The attention of this office has been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups engaged in the forgery of official appointment letters purportedly issued from my office,” Gbajabiamila said in a petition dated October 17.

“The fake documents, bearing falsified signatures, reference/folio numbers, and seals, have been used to claim leadership appointments to non-existent entities, with particular reference to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.”

The Chief of Staff disclosed that Adeyemi had allegedly established an office at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he reportedly hosted meetings with Nigerians and foreign nationals while presenting himself as the Director-General of the fictitious agency.

According to the petition, the group even sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visas for its purported staff.

“The above development not only constitutes a serious criminal act but also undermines the integrity of the Presidency and the credibility of official government communication,” Gbajabiamila wrote.

“I therefore urge you to initiate a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those involved and also to uncover the network facilitating the forgery.”

Foreign Affairs Ministry raises red flag

The statement revealed that concerns over Adeyemi’s activities had also reached the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs after he reportedly convened a meeting with ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja on October 10, 2025, without the ministry’s knowledge.

In a letter dated October 15, 2025, signed by Ambassador Anderson Madubuike and addressed to the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Staff, the ministry sought clarification regarding the status of the purported agency.

“This act contravenes extant rules and regulations guiding diplomatic practices globally,” the ministry stated.

The enquiries triggered correspondence among the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the Chief of Staff.

Responding to the enquiries, Gbajabiamila categorically denied appointing Adeyemi or recognising the agency.

“Prince Adeniyi Matthew, Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, is unknown to any office, nor do we have any dealings with the said council,” he wrote.

“My attention was drawn to a letter of this purported application, which is fake, and my office has instructed the police and other relevant security agencies to carry out investigations on the person and the entity he claims to represent.”

The Presidency stressed that the Chief of Staff could not have issued any appointment letter because appointments into government offices are the exclusive responsibility of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Police uncover alleged forgery network

Following the petition, the Police launched an investigation and arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at the Abuja office from where he allegedly operated the scheme.

Searches conducted at both his office and residence in Suleja reportedly yielded several documents and exhibits believed to be connected with the operation.

Investigators said Adeyemi claimed that one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola assisted him in procuring the forged appointment letter.

However, police investigations established that Tanimola had died in a fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Abuja on October 22, 2025, five days before Adeyemi’s arrest.

According to the State House, investigators established that the agency Adeyemi claimed to head never existed, while the appointment letters and several official documents recovered during the investigation were allegedly forged.

Police also accused him of falsely presenting himself as a presidential appointee and fraudulently requesting a diplomatic note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate visa applications for himself and members of his organisation.

Investigators further alleged that Adeyemi operated no fewer than 34 bank accounts, including nine accounts opened in the names of fictitious organisations, including the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and Public Private Partnership (FIPA-APP).

The investigation also found that he allegedly succeeded in opening a Central Bank of Nigeria account by misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation using forged documents.

The Presidency, however, noted that investigators confirmed no government funds were ever paid into the account.

“The act of the suspect constitutes criminal forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, thereby bringing the office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Presidency to disrepute before the public and international community,” the police report stated.

Eight-count charge filed

Based on the outcome of the investigation, police filed an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices on November 27, 2025.

The matter is scheduled for hearing on July 27.

According to the Presidency, Adeyemi, while on police bail, recently resurfaced with fresh claims that the Chief of Staff had genuinely appointed him as Director-General of the agency.

The statement noted that the claim directly contradicted the statement he voluntarily made to investigators during the police probe.

It said the renewed allegation prompted Gbajabiamila to issue another public disclaimer on June 8, reaffirming that Adeyemi was an impostor.

Presidency urges caution

The Presidency said Adeyemi had a history of alleged fraudulent misrepresentation, recalling that in 2016 he allegedly presented himself as President-General of the World Youth Organisation, claiming it was affiliated with the United Nations before the UN reportedly disowned the organisation.

Describing the case as that of “a con artist who appears to have built a web of false claims to deceive unsuspecting government officials and the public,” the Presidency urged politicians and members of the public to avoid drawing conclusions before the ongoing criminal trial is concluded.

It further advised that, since the matter is before the court, interested parties should allow the judicial process to determine the allegations against Adeyemi and his co-defendants.

Headline

Parties’ Deregistration: ADC, Not NDC, is the Target

Published

3 days ago

June 29, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

As the 2027 presidential election draws closer, intrigues, manipulations and maneuvers have continued to be the order of the day as political parties engage in one gimmick or another to outdo and undo one another.

While some are playing politics of numbers and conviction, others are engaging tendencies that tend to question the status quo and established principles under which genuine democracy is formed. As a matter of fact, fingers have been pointed at the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal government as the brain behind all machinations that have attempted to derail multi-party democracy, and institute a one-party state, which is alien to the Nigerian democratic roots. This is as a result of the constant imbroglio that has consistently engulf almost all the major political parties in the country.

Fresh facts have however, emerged to prove that every act of frustration thrown at the opposition has been indirectly aimed at the main opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

According to reliable sources, the recent deregistration of parties, especially the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), was actually targeted at the ADC.

Recall that the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on June, 26, set aside its earlier judgement directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party. A ruling that put a question mark on the eligibility of the party presenting candidates in the forthcoming 2027 elections

The presiding judge, Isah Dashen, held that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter.

The court upheld the application filed by a certain organization, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that the party was a necessary party to the suit.

According to the judge, the earlier judgement was constitutionally defective as it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties.

He declared that such an omission rendered the entire process null and void.

Mr Dashen further ruled that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 10, 2025 judgement, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He also observed that certain material facts were suppressed in the earlier proceedings, which justified the decision to set aside the judgment.

Consequently, the court ordered that the substantive suit should begin afresh, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PMP and the NDC as parties to the case.

According to NAN’s reports, the applicant’s lawyer, Chikezie Ekeocha, told journalists that the PMP approached the court after discovering that NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.

According to Mr Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgement.

“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of 10 December 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” he said.

He explained that the implication of the ruling is that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment stands reversed.

“The recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgement must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Mr Ekeocha stated.

He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been decided.

“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.”

Mr Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the position that existed before the 10 December 2025 judgement.

The ruling effectively returns the dispute over the registration of the NDC to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new determination is made.

It would also be recalled that a few weeks earlier, the Federal High Court in Abuja, had ordered the deregistration of five political parties including the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The others are Action People’s Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Accord Party.

However, on June 16, the Court of Appeal in Abuja halted the enforcement of the judgement, ruling that it violated its earlier ruling staying proceedings before the Federal High Court.

While INEC awaits the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment to deregister the NDC, the NDC has reacted, rejecting the judgment as travesty of justice.

Lending credence to the notion that the President Tinubu-led administration is basically targeting the establishment of the ADC as a party, and the candidature of its presidential flagbearer, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is also the presidential candidate of the ADC, has stated categorically that there are plots to prevent the party from participating in the 2027 general election.

Atiku’s position is stated in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu on Monday, notifying the public that he had received credible information suggesting that political and legal manoeuvres were being deployed against the ADC, stressing that the persecution that has been thrown towards the NDC was a clear distraction as the main target is the ADC.

Atiku alleged that anti-democratic elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were working to ensure that the ADC is excluded from the ballot.

“We are fully aware of their plots. While they seek to sow confusion within the opposition, we know their real target is the ADC because it represents the most credible alternative,” he said.

Atiku called on Nigerians to reject any attempt to determine which opposition parties participate in the election.

“We therefore call on all Nigerians — not just ADC members and supporters — to rise in defense of democracy and reject any attempt by the ruling party to cherry-pick which opposition parties are permitted to participate in the next general election,” he said.

“Our message to the APC and the hooded men plotting in dark chambers is simple: you may conspire, but you will not succeed.

“If the APC is truly confident in its popularity, why is it so terrified of the ADC?”

He said he hoped the information available to him would not materialise but argued that recent political developments made such concerns difficult to dismiss.

“The pattern has become all too familiar. First, institutions that ought to be neutral are drawn into partisan contests,” he said.

“Then, frivolous litigations suddenly gain unusual momentum. Administrative powers are selectively deployed.

“Political pressure is mounted behind closed doors. Before long, democracy itself becomes the casualty.”

Atiku alleged that the ruling party has focused more on weakening the opposition than addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.

“The obsession with silencing the opposition has become so consuming that governance itself has taken a back seat,” he said.

“At a time when Nigerians are battling hunger, inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and collapsing purchasing power, those entrusted with public office appear preoccupied with political survival rather than national survival.”

Nigerians recall that ever since the official rejuvenation of the ADC in June/July of 2025, where the duo of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola emerged as the party’s chairman and secretary respectively, the party has not known moments of peaceful coexistence as litigations from corners unknown have sprang up in a bid to destabilize the party and deprive it of the opportunity of featuring on the ballot paper come 2027.

ADC, as a child of circumstance emerged from the rumbles of the litigation-ridden former main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where two factions have consistently remelained at loggerheads over leadership. While the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who is working assiduously to ensure the reelection of Bola Tinubu, leads one faction, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who became a defacto head, leads the other faction. In all, PDP appeared to have no direction, forcing many of its members to jump ship, thereby birthing the ADC, and to a large extent, the NDC, which is presenting Peter Obi as the presidential candidate, with former Kano governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as his running mate.

Sources also informed The Boss that the hasty reading and passage of the Electoral Act 2026 by the Godswill Akpabio-led National Assembly, with many great areas left unattended to, were also part of the grand design to deprive the ADC the constitutional rights of presenting candidates for the 2027 elections.

But both the ADC and the NDC has vowed that they would follow every process to ensure that the crackdown on opposition parties by the Tinubu administration comes to an abrupt end.

But beyond the intrigues, Nigerians are gearing up to participate fully in the forthcoming election with cross sections of the population either hailing Tinubu for his policies or knocking him for the untold hardship in the land.

Headline

South Africa Nothing Without Africa – MTN Boss, Mcebisi Jonas

Published

5 days ago

June 27, 2026

Eric

The MTN Group Chairman, Mcebisi Jonas, has condemned the ongoing anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa, describing it as a symptom of State failure being cynically exploited by politicians with no interest in genuine solutions.

The speech is seen as one of the most substantive interventions by a senior business figure into xenophobic crisis currently plaguing South Africa.

Delivered during the funeral service of Zimbabwean-born activist and public servant, Thokozani Damasane, Jonas’ words have sparked a wave of discussion across South African civil society.

“I was thinking, what is home to Damasane?” he said. “Because I understand, and I understood very early in life, that home is where humanity is. Home is about humanness. It is about the good of humanity and striving for the good of humanity.”

Thokozani Damasane was born and educated in Zimbabwe before relocating to South Africa during the post-apartheid transition period. Jonas described him as arriving “as an outcast” into a country still finding its post-liberation footing – and choosing, nonetheless, to commit himself entirely to its struggles and its people.

“He immersed himself deeply into the struggles, into the pains of South Africans, and he became one of us,” Jonas said.

“In Damasane’s strength, our strength as South Africa and South Africans is reflected. And in his weaknesses, our own weaknesses are reflected.”

Speaking further, Jonas blamed the state for the failure being witnessed, emphasising that if foreigners leave South Africa today, the country’s problems will still persist.

“Foreigners can leave tomorrow – inequality will be with us,” he told the congregation.

“Foreigners will leave tomorrow – unemployment will be with us. Foreigners will leave tomorrow – our police will remain corrupt. Foreigners will leave tomorrow – our politicians will still be concerned with one thing: being elected and re-elected.

“The problem is the failure of the state. The State doesn’t manage immigration. It doesn’t manage its borders. It doesn’t enforce
law enforcement. It doesn’t manage education. What are you expecting?”

Jonas argued that this failure created fertile ground for political manipulation. “When people feel the burn, they become vulnerable to politicians whose sole purpose is to be elected and re-elected. Some of them have no credibility whatsoever. But they lead marches and tell our people that the problem is not us – it is foreigners.”

Jonas recounted a conversation he had witnessed between Damasane and a young man who had challenged the right of foreigners to be in South Africa. Damasane’s response, Jonas said, had stayed with him ever since.

“Damasane said to this guy: Just wait fifteen or twenty years. You will also want to leave your country.”

Jonas told mourners those words now carry a weight Damasane may not have anticipated. “As I stand up today, I look at South Africa. The level of oppression and inequality, the level of exclusion of our people, the level of corruption, the betrayal of the dream of liberation – those words of Damasane ring very loud in my ears.”

South Africa is nothing without Africa

Jonas closed with a call for what he described as a return to “national consciousness” – one rooted in continental solidarity and economic interdependence rather than ethnic exclusion.

“We are a nation embedded in Africa,” he said. “And without Africa, our growth as a country – economically – our fortune is intertwined with the growth of Africa. South Africa is nothing without Africa. And Africa is nothing without South Africa.”

He also reframed the question of legacy and identity for Damasane’s children, who were present. “Sometimes this thing called meritocracy is measured in wealth. No. It is values, it is principles, it is integrity. And your father had all of that.”

“We cannot judge people by their origin,” he told mourners. “We cannot determine the legal status of people by their origin.”