***APC govt counting trillions in subsidy removal while Nigerians languish in govt-inflicted hardship – ADC

By Nkem Okereh (With agency report)

There seems to be no respite at sight as Nigerians groan into deeper hardship, following the continued rise in energy, leading to a corresponding sharp increase in transportation, food and services across the country.

The situation has raised more concerns as petrol stations continue to hike litre prices of their products on daily basis, with many filling stations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other cities increasing the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, despite a decline in international crude oil prices from 92 dollars per barrel to 87.31 dollars per barrel.

This is as opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government of smiling to the banks with record significant increase in revenues since the reforms, while many households continued to struggle with rising food, transportation and other living costs.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Nigeria’s major independent crude refining company, Dangote Refinery increased its gantry price (ex-depot price) from N1,165 per litre to N1,185, and subsequently to N1,200 and N1,265 within the last one week.

The latest adjustment represents a N65 per litre increase from the previous gantry price of N1,200.

The increase has been reflected in pump prices across the FCT and other cities in the country

Despite efforts by independent marketers to import refined petrol from outside the counter, Nigerians, including the federal government rely mostly on Dangote refinery, which accounts for over 80% of petrol that is consumed in the country, since the abandonment of the country’s four national refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri

Checks by NAN on Sunday in Abuja showed that most filling stations, including the government owned Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had adjusted their petrol prices upward, with motorists paying more.

While the independent marketers sell at between N1275 to N1300 per litre, depending on their locations, the NNPC adjusted its price from N1,250 to N1,270 per litre.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria had earlier blamed Dangote refinery for the series of adjustments and increase in petrol prices withinmone week

The National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said in a statement that marketers reviewed their pump prices following a series of adjustments by Dangote refinery.

Ukadike said marketers could not continue to sell petrol below the replacement cost.

He said the frequent price changes were creating uncertainty for both marketers and consumers, as the cost of replacing products could change significantly within a short period.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a statement on Sunday, challenged the Director-General of the President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, to explain what Nigerians have gained from the N15.8 trillion generated by fuel subsidy removal before dismissing promises of relief as a “lie.”

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in reaction to the Campaign DG’s claim that the removal of petrol subsidy has transformed the country’s economy, said Yari’s position was significant because he is now charged with persuading Nigerians to give President Tinubu another four years.

“If the message of the President’s re-election campaign is that Nigerians must accept today’s hardship as permanent and anyone promising relief is a liar, then Nigerians must be seriously concerned,” the party said.

Citing figures attributed to the Minister of Finance, the ADC said petrol subsidy removal and foreign-exchange reforms generated about N15.8 trillion in additional resources for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025. Of this, N5.4 trillion went to the Federal Government, N5.4 trillion to states and N3.9 trillion to local governments.

The party noted that states alone received N47.25 trillion in FAAC allocations between 2023 and 2025, rising from N10.09 trillion in 2023 to N15.26 trillion in 2024 and N21.90 trillion in 2025.

Monthly FAAC distributions have also crossed N2 trillion, compared with less than N1 trillion before subsidy removal.

“Yet, while government revenues soared, Nigerians became poorer,” the ADC said.

The ADC regretted that petrol moved from about N185 per litre in May 2023 to N1,300+ in many places by August 2025, while food inflation crossed 40 per cent at points during the period. Transport costs surged, and the promised CNG mass-transit alternative is yet to reach Nigerians at the required scale.

“The contradiction is impossible to ignore. Government is counting trillions while Nigerian families are counting the meals they can afford. If governments are receiving substantially more money, why are Nigerians getting substantially less food to eat?”

The ADC said it was more troubling that increased revenues had led to increased borrowing, with about 20 states reportedly borrowing N458 billion in 2025 despite the surge in FAAC receipts.

The opposition party asked Senator Yari and the APC to answer one question before seeking re-election: “after N15.8 trillion in additional resources, record FAAC allocations and three years of unprecedented sacrifice, are Nigerians better off?

“After N47.25 trillion to states in three years, ‘Nigerians have a right to ask: where are the results? If states received an additional N5.4 trillion from the reforms, let the government publish the projects. Show Nigerians the schools, hospitals, roads, and mass-transit systems that their sacrifice paid for

“Meanwhile, budgets remain unimplemented, local contractors remain unpaid, major public roads remain terrible, and Nigeria became one of the most dangerous places to live in, and home to the highest number of poor people on earth,” the statement said.

“The big lie is in government telling Nigerians that its reforms are working while driving the country towards certain destruction.”

“If Senator Yari says subsidy can never return, then he must tell Nigerians what the President’s campaign is offering instead. What is the plan to dramatically reduce petrol prices and bring down food and transportation costs before 2027? ‘Endure’ is not an economic policy,” the ADC said.

The ADC described it as “disgraceful” that the only thing the APC government has to show for trillions of naira is payment of workers’ salaries that can no longer guarantee food on the table, even as it accused the federal government of plunging the country deeper into loans, despite the subsidy removal windfall

“The 2027 election will not be about who shouted ‘liar’ the loudest. It will be about who can put food on Nigerians’ tables, create jobs, provide security, and reduce the cost of living,” the ADC said.

“Nigerians have sacrificed enough. They need a break.” the ADC stated

***Gusau, Sanusi, board members resign

***Pinnick, Musa Amadu, Soname split NSC, as Congress meets ahead of normalisation committee

*** September 27 elective Congress uncertain

By Ezeocha Nzeh

The week long controversy over the fate of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has temporarily come to an end with the eventual resignation of the Zamfara state-born football administrator and the entire board of the federation

The call for Gusau’s exit was highthened after the Super Falcon disgraceful defeat by first timers, Malawi and their final elimination by Cameroon at the last Woman African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The defeat, which also denied the Nigerian women football team a ticket for the next FIFA Women World Cup, was greeted with criticisms from several quarter, thereby escalating the call for the board’s resignation

Inspired by the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the first stage of the push for the board’s resignation was the dragging of the board members to the presidency, by the NSC to force their resignation.

As if that did not yield the NSC desired result, the NFF leadership was immediately dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt and other Financial Crimes Practices Commission (ICPC), who immediately commenced investigations over the spending of N17 billion released by the federal government to the NFF in 2024 for the payment of the allowances of the various national teams.

As the alleged forceful impeachment moves were followed by threats of a possible FIFA ban on Nigeria, and growing concerns that such development could affect the participation of other cadres of the nation’s national teams from international tournaments, the anti NFF actors, in their determination to ensure the board’s resignation, drafted the nation’s security agencies, with the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) alleging the involvement of some NFF officials with foreign interests to undermine national security.

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) immediately commenced investigation into the allegations that some top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are working with foreign interests to undermine Nigeria’s national security.

Sources said the two intelligence agencies had intercepted what was described as “highly disturbing” communications between some NFF officials and foreign nationals, which were considered capable of creating security challenges for the country.

The whole drama, which had dragged for over one week, however, came to halt, as Gusau and the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi announced their resignation from the football house on Thursday. This was immediately followed by other board members.

Gusau announced his decision during a World Press Conference at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, bringing an end to days of speculation over his future.

He said the decision followed extensive consultations with his family, friends and stakeholders in Nigerian football, adding that he had communicated his decision to members of the Executive Committee and advised them to also consider their positions.

However, he stressed that each member would independently decide whether to remain in office or follow his decision to step aside.

Reflecting on his tenure, Gusau said he was leaving with satisfaction over what he described as measurable progress in several areas of Nigerian football.

“These three years and eleven months did not just come like that. At least we have something that we can tell Nigerians and the world that we have achieved for the little opportunity we had during this period.

“My resignation is intended to give way to a comprehensive and orderly reform process aimed at addressing the longstanding institutional, governance and developmental challenges confronting Nigerian football,” he said

The resignations have further thrown the NFF into more confusion as the board had already inaugurated an electoral committee to conduct elections into the next board as the Gusau-led board would have completed its first four years term on September 27, 2026. The fate of the proposed elective congress is now uncertainty, even as the committee had commenced screening of aspirants.

Further more, the resignation of the President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, Mohammad Sanusi and other board members, has left a vacuum in the administration of the NFF, even as stakeholders have intensified lobbying ahead of the announcement of a Normalisation Committee as contained in FIFA statutes governing football across the globe.

It was gathered that intense lobbying has ensued with the National Sports Commission (NSC) henchmen divided or for the choice of the chairman of the committee, which would be expected to oversee the affairs of the NFF for the next three months before a fresh election would be conducted to fill the vacuum created by the exit of Gusau and the other board members.

DISCLOSURE News gathered at the NFF that two names have been pencilled down for the job, with the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko backing one, while the Director General is behind the other.

National Sports Commission, NSC, chieftains are at loggerheads over who to name Normalisation Committee Chairman.

Sources disclosed yesterday that former NFF chairman, Amanu Pinnick and former General Secretary, Musa Amadu, as well as the proprietor of Remo Stars and Beyond Limits FC, Kunle Soname are tipped for the job.

Amaju, Pinnick, a former FIFA executive committee member was a two-term president of the NFF from 2014 to 2022, when he handed over to Gusau, while Musa Amadu served as General Secretary during the administration of former president, Aminu Maigari. He is currently an aide to the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko

It was gathered that while the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, is unrepentantly pushing for Musa Amadu to be considered as the chairman of the normalisation committee, the Director-General, Bukola Olopade prefers Pinnick to return to the NFF to chair the committee

Another powerful group, it was further gathered, prefers a fresh person among the private and independent football club owners to bring in the desired reforms in Nigerian football.

This group, our correspondent gathered, has sent a “Save our Football” message to authorities, dropping the name Kunle Soname for appointment as chairman of the normalisation committee .

Meanwhile, the NFF Congress was summoned to an emergency meeting in Abuja on Thursday, amid concerns over the current developments within the football governing body.

The meeting, which was contained in an invitation signed by the Chairman of Gombe state Football Association, Yakubu Sarma and addressed to all NFF Congress members, is expected to focus on issues surrounding the functioning of the NFF Executive Committee and its secretariat.

According to the invitation, the proposed agenda includes discussions on the “current developments” within the NFF, the status and functioning of the federation’s Executive Committee and secretariat, as well as the implications of recent developments for the governance, stability and independence of the federation.

The Congress will also consider “appropriate measures” under the statutes of the NFF, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, before deliberating on the way forward.

Those invited include State Football Association chairmen, club representatives, members of the Referees Association, Coaches Association, Players Union and the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA).

“Your presence is mandatory,” the invitation stated, urging members to confirm their attendance.

***Gusau, Sanusi, board members resign

***Pinnick, Musa Amadu, Soname split NSC, as Congress meets ahead of normalisation committee

*** September 27 elective Congress uncertain

By Ezeocha Nzeh

The week long controversy over the fate of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has temporarily come to an end with the eventual resignation of the Zamfara state-born football administrator and the entire board of the federation

The call for Gusau’s exit was highthened after the Super Falcon disgraceful defeat by first timers, Malawi and their final elimination by Cameroon at the last Woman African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The defeat, which also denied the Nigerian women football team a ticket for the next FIFA Women World Cup, was greeted with criticisms from several quarter, thereby escalating the call for the board’s resignation

Inspired by the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the first stage of the push for the board’s resignation was the dragging of the board members to the presidency, by the NSC to force their resignation.

As if that did not yield the NSC desired result, the NFF leadership was immediately dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt and other Financial Crimes Practices Commission (ICPC), who immediately commenced investigations over the spending of N17 billion released by the federal government to the NFF in 2024 for the payment of the allowances of the various national teams.

As the alleged forceful impeachment moves were followed by threats of a possible FIFA ban on Nigeria, and growing concerns that such development could affect the participation of other cadres of the nation’s national teams from international tournaments, the anti NFF actors, in their determination to ensure the board’s resignation, drafted the nation’s security agencies, with the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) alleging the involvement of some NFF officials with foreign interests to undermine national security.

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) immediately commenced investigation into the allegations that some top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are working with foreign interests to undermine Nigeria’s national security.

Sources said the two intelligence agencies had intercepted what was described as “highly disturbing” communications between some NFF officials and foreign nationals, which were considered capable of creating security challenges for the country.

The whole drama, which had dragged for over one week, however, came to halt, as Gusau and the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi announced their resignation from the football house on Thursday. This was immediately followed by other board members.

Gusau announced his decision during a World Press Conference at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, bringing an end to days of speculation over his future.

He said the decision followed extensive consultations with his family, friends and stakeholders in Nigerian football, adding that he had communicated his decision to members of the Executive Committee and advised them to also consider their positions.

However, he stressed that each member would independently decide whether to remain in office or follow his decision to step aside.

Reflecting on his tenure, Gusau said he was leaving with satisfaction over what he described as measurable progress in several areas of Nigerian football.

“These three years and eleven months did not just come like that. At least we have something that we can tell Nigerians and the world that we have achieved for the little opportunity we had during this period.

“My resignation is intended to give way to a comprehensive and orderly reform process aimed at addressing the longstanding institutional, governance and developmental challenges confronting Nigerian football,” he said

The resignations have further thrown the NFF into more confusion as the board had already inaugurated an electoral committee to conduct elections into the next board as the Gusau-led board would have completed its first four years term on September 27, 2026. The fate of the proposed elective congress is now uncertainty, even as the committee had commenced screening of aspirants.

Further more, the resignation of the President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, Mohammad Sanusi and other board members, has left a vacuum in the administration of the NFF, even as stakeholders have intensified lobbying ahead of the announcement of a Normalisation Committee as contained in FIFA statutes governing football across the globe.

It was gathered that intense lobbying has ensued with the National Sports Commission (NSC) henchmen divided or for the choice of the chairman of the committee, which would be expected to oversee the affairs of the NFF for the next three months before a fresh election would be conducted to fill the vacuum created by the exit of Gusau and the other board members.

DISCLOSURE News gathered at the NFF that two names have been pencilled down for the job, with the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko backing one, while the Director General is behind the other.

National Sports Commission, NSC, chieftains are at loggerheads over who to name Normalisation Committee Chairman.

Sources disclosed yesterday that former NFF chairman, Amanu Pinnick and former General Secretary, Musa Amadu, as well as the proprietor of Remo Stars and Beyond Limits FC, Kunle Soname are tipped for the job.

Amaju, Pinnick, a former FIFA executive committee member was a two-term president of the NFF from 2014 to 2022, when he handed over to Gusau, while Musa Amadu served as General Secretary during the administration of former president, Aminu Maigari. He is currently an aide to the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko

It was gathered that while the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, is unrepentantly pushing for Musa Amadu to be considered as the chairman of the normalisation committee, the Director-General, Bukola Olopade prefers Pinnick to return to the NFF to chair the committee

Another powerful group, it was further gathered, prefers a fresh person among the private and independent football club owners to bring in the desired reforms in Nigerian football.

This group, our correspondent gathered, has sent a “Save our Football” message to authorities, dropping the name Kunle Soname for appointment as chairman of the normalisation committee .

Meanwhile, the NFF Congress was summoned to an emergency meeting in Abuja on Thursday, amid concerns over the current developments within the football governing body.

The meeting, which was contained in an invitation signed by the Chairman of Gombe state Football Association, Yakubu Sarma and addressed to all NFF Congress members, is expected to focus on issues surrounding the functioning of the NFF Executive Committee and its secretariat.

According to the invitation, the proposed agenda includes discussions on the “current developments” within the NFF, the status and functioning of the federation’s Executive Committee and secretariat, as well as the implications of recent developments for the governance, stability and independence of the federation.

The Congress will also consider “appropriate measures” under the statutes of the NFF, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, before deliberating on the way forward.

Those invited include State Football Association chairmen, club representatives, members of the Referees Association, Coaches Association, Players Union and the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA).

“Your presence is mandatory,” the invitation stated, urging members to confirm their attendance.