By Chidera Orji

The Chairman of WAPP Executive Board Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz has been unanimously re-elected for another three-year tenure, du
ring the 68th meeting of the WAPP Executive Board held in Lome on the 8th and 9th of October, 2026.

Speaking at the meeting, Engr. Abdulaziz thanked members of the Executive Board for the confidence reposed in him and promised to continue working with the team to advance WAPP’s cause. He called on member utilities to strengthen collective responsibility in building a more viable regional electricity market, noting that Executive Board meetings are moments for decisions that must enhance WAPP’s capacity to respond to the energy needs of the region.

A press statement by the Management of Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) disclosed that at the event,
Engr. Abdulaziz recalled that the 67th meeting had approved principles for the progressive establishment of the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), while preserving operational continuity through the transitional role of the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (ICC). He said the task before the Board is to ensure those decisions are implemented within a sound legal, institutional, and financial framework that protects the interests of WAPP and its members.

The Chairman stressed that statutory contributions remain the foundation of WAPP’s autonomy and ability to act. “Statutory contributions are not a formality; they are the basis of WAPP’s autonomy and capacity to act,” he said. He urged member utilities to honour their financial obligations while the Secretariat continues to pursue cost-reduction efforts without weakening its critical functions.

He also highlighted two key technical issues, network synchronisation and the launch of the regional electricity market, describing synchronisation as a major technical achievement that must be supported by coordinated system operation, appropriate security arrangements, and market readiness of participants and stakeholders. According to him, the regional market will only fulfil its promise if it rests on clearly understood rules, reliable data, credible financial mechanisms, and independent, effective governance.

Earlier in his address, the Secretary General of WAPP and Secretary of the Executive Board, Mr. Abdoulaye Dia, noted that since the 67th session, WAPP has continued to implement guidelines on institutional strengthening and the progressive operationalisation of the ISMO, with functional and accounting unbundling and an orderly transition allowing the ICC to ensure continuity during Phase 2 of the Regional Electricity Market.

Mr. Dia said the progress made and increased visibility of the institution have earned it new partnerships, and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to building an integrated, reliable, and competitive regional electricity system ahead of the launch of the second phase of the market early next year.

While discussing the status of member contributions and the Pool’s 2025 financial statements, he stressed the need for member utilities to settle their outstanding contributions, noting that regular funding, rigorous management, and collective discipline are critical to WAPP’s credibility and service delivery.

The Board also discussed the restructuring study on the operationalisation of the ISMO, which is in line with best practice and necessary to mitigate political interference as the WAPP market continues to evolve, and equally adopted among others, the Charter of the Forum for Women in Energy in West Africa and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Millennium Challenge Account Côte d’Ivoire.

The 68th Board Meeting welcomed new representatives of member utilities of the Board, including Mr. Lawrent Tossou, the new Managing Director of Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE), who now represents the Republic of Benin; Mr. Amidou Traore, the new Director General of CI-ENERGIES, joins the Board, while Mr. Julien Sagna represents Société de Gestion de l’Énergie de Manantali (SOGEM).

The Board reviewed membership applications from four utilities in the sub-region that have expressed the desire to become members of the Pool. They are Konexa from Nigeria; SOGESART – Société de Gestion de l’Énergie de Sambangalou et du Réseau de Transport d’Électricité from Senegal; SOGEOH – Société de Gestion de l’Énergie des Ouvrages du Haut Bassin du Fleuve Sénégal; and HOLDEN – Niger SARL, an Independent Power Producer (IPP) from the Republic of Niger. The four utilities will be ratified at the WAPP General Assembly to be held before the end of the year.

By Our Reporter

A federal high court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge filed against Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the fictitious Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Mohammed Umar, presiding judge, struck out the charge on Monday following an application by the federal government to terminate the trial, pending Adeyemi’s fresh arraignment before the high court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Rotimi Oyedepo, director of public prosecutions of the federation (DPPF), told the court that the attorney-general of the federation had reviewed the case file and identified issues with the charge initially filed by the inspector-general of police (IGP).

Oyedepo, a senior advocate of Nigeria, said the review found that the alleged forged documents involved in Adeyemi’s operations of the purported agency fell within the jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory high court and not the federal high court.

He added that a fresh charge had been filed before the FCT high court and that the government intended to arraign Adeyemi afresh without delay.

The prosecution subsequently prayed the court to strike out the existing charge.

Ibrahim Angulu, Adeyemi’s lawyer, did not oppose the application.

Umar consequently struck out the charge.

Adeyemi has been in police custody since he was arrested in Osun state on July 14.

Prior to his arrest, a federal high court in Abuja ordered his arrest after he failed to honour the court’s summons.

Adeyemi was the mastermind of the fictitious PFIPC that operated like a government agency, receiving an allocation in the 2026 budget, occupying an office at the federal secretariat and also recruiting staff, without any legal standing or presidential declaration.

He had alleged that Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff, collected N400 million through a proxy for the appointment letter into the fictitious agency.

Following public outcry, President Bola Tinubu ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the PFIPC scandal.

By Our Reporter

The exodus of political appointees from the administration of Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has continued, with the resignation of the Chief of Staff, Hon. Segun Ebenezer Ogunwuyi.

Ogunwuyi, a former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, announced his resignation in a letter dated October 12, 2026, effective that day.

In the letter addressed to the governor, he described his service to the state as a great honour, expressing pride in the achievements recorded by the administration.

“I respectfully write to resign my appointment as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Oyo State, with effect from today, 12th October, 2026,” he stated.

Reflecting on his time in government, Ogunwuyi said he was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the development of the state.

“Serving the Government and the good people of Oyo State has been a great honour. It has been deeply fulfilling to be part of the exceptional team that has worked relentlessly to deliver the remarkable achievements of this administration,” he said.

He added that he remained proud of the administration’s collective efforts to promote the growth and prosperity of Oyo State.

“I remain immensely proud of what we have collectively accomplished in advancing the growth, development and prosperity of our dear State,” the former chief of staff stated.

Ogunwuyi also expressed confidence in the state’s continued progress, while thanking Makinde for the opportunity to serve.

“As I take this decision, I do so with profound gratitude for the opportunity to serve, with confidence in the continued progress of Oyo State,” he said.

He concluded the letter by assuring the governor of his highest esteem and reaffirming his loyalty to Oyo State and Nigeria.

Ogunwuyi’s resignation comes amid the departure of several political appointees from Makinde’s administration in the last two months, raising fresh attention to the changing political dynamics within the government.

His exit is particularly significant given his position as the governor’s chief of staff, a key role in coordinating government activities and facilitating the implementation of the administration’s policies.

His resignation has fuelled speculation about a possible political realignment towards the All Progressives Congress (APC), amid internal wrangling within the governor’s political camp, sources familiar with the developments have said.

A source familiar with the political developments in Oyo State told our correspondent that Ogunwuyi’s resignation could be linked to internal wrangling within the governor’s political camp, amid speculation that he might be considering a move to the APC.

“There have been internal disagreements within the political camp, and Ogunwuyi’s resignation has further fuelled speculation about possible realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.”

“There are suggestions that he could be considering joining the APC, but we cannot say that definitively at this stage,” the source said.

Although Ogunwuyi did not disclose his reasons for leaving the government in his resignation letter, sources familiar with the situation suggested that internal political disagreements could be connected to the latest departure.

There was, however, no official confirmation that he had decided to join the APC.