The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has increased its premium motor spirit, PMS, pump price following the announcement of a discounted fuel price.

Checks on Friday showed that NNPCL increased its petrol price to N1,405 per litre from N1,370 per litre.

Several fuel pump attendants, who spoke to an online medium Daily Post, on condition of anonymity, said the latest price increase was announced on Thursday but implemented on Friday.

This means that NNPCL’s petrol price increased by N35 per litre, although the state-owned oil company has not explained the reason for the adjustment.

The latest development means that petrol prices at the company’s filling stations have risen again despite the controversy surrounding the announced fuel discount.

On Thursday, the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, announced a proposed fixed petrol gantry price of N1,375 per litre ahead of the January 16, 2027, presidential election.

By our reporter

Hundreds of supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement on Friday staged a protest at the Kano State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, demanding the reinstatement of the National Democratic Congress governorship candidate and an investigation into alleged irregularities in the substitution of some candidates.

The protesters, led by the NDC deputy governorship candidate, Mustapha Kwankwaso, submitted a formal petition to the commission on behalf of the governorship candidate, Comrade Aminu Gwarzo.

The movement alleged that an INEC official colluded with unauthorised individuals to facilitate the replacement of some of its candidates.

Receiving the protesters, Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, acknowledged their complaints and assured them that the petition would be forwarded to the commission’s national headquarters for consideration.

Zango explained that INEC had provided reasons for the omission of some candidates and given affected political parties until October 24, 2026, to challenge the decision.

“Basically, what they came to do is to present a complaint about the omission of their candidates. INEC has made the point very clear, the reason for the omission and the fact that there is a window of appeal that has been provided up to the 24th of October,” he said.

The REC praised the protesters for presenting their grievances peacefully, describing the approach as preferable to resorting to violence.

“We received all the complaints and assured the delegation that their petition will receive the necessary attention and we are going to forward it to our national headquarters for consideration.

“I also commended them because that is the most orderly way of presenting such complaints rather than resorting to violence,” Zango stated.

He reiterated INEC’s commitment to neutrality in the electoral process and urged eligible voters in Kano State to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

According to him, the commission would soon extend PVC collection to Registration Areas to make the exercise more convenient for residents.

Speaking with journalists after submitting the petition, the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr Habib Mohammed, said the protest was intended to secure the reinstatement of the NDC candidates and draw attention to alleged misconduct by an INEC official.

Mohammed accused the official of working with unauthorised individuals to conceal a decision that allegedly resulted in the substitution of some candidates.

“We are also petitioning against a staff here, whom we believe colluded with some unauthorized people to hide a decision which led to substitution of some of our candidates,” he said.

He further alleged that several letters containing suspected forged signatures had been submitted to the commission, leading to the replacement of some candidates affiliated with the movement.

The spokesperson called on INEC to investigate the allegations and establish the circumstances surrounding the purported substitutions.

He warned that the movement might consider further action if the commission failed to address its concerns adequately.

Mohammed, however, acknowledged the REC’s assurance that the petition would be forwarded to INEC’s national headquarters for appropriate consideration.

By Our Reporter

The Department of State Services has arrested Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, son of former Pension Reform Task Team chairman Abdulrasheed Maina, and transferred him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further action.

Security sources said Faisal, who had reportedly been at large since 2020, was apprehended by DSS operatives in the Karsana area of Abuja following intelligence indicating that he had returned to Nigeria.

“His arrest followed credible intelligence which indicated that Faisal had secretly returned to the country”, a source revealed.

Faisal was previously prosecuted by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and conspiracy. He reportedly breached his bail conditions and left the country while the case was pending.

His trial subsequently continued in his absence, leading to his conviction and sentencing to 14 years’ imprisonment by Justice Okon Abang in 2021.

The court had directed that Faisal be arrested wherever he was found within Nigeria and remanded in a correctional facility to serve his sentence. It also ordered the Federal Government to take lawful steps to secure his extradition if he was found outside the country.

The transfer to the EFCC is expected to facilitate the implementation of the court’s judgment and the enforcement of the sentence imposed on him.

“The handover of Faisal to the EFCC is expected to facilitate the enforcement of the Court’s judgment and ensure that he serves his sentence in accordance with the law, ” a source declared