Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has stated that the Federal Government is working towards reviewing workers’ salary.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives stated this on Thursday in Abuja at an event organized by Working People United.

He said that the N70,000 minimum wage which was approved by the President Bola Tinubu administration in 2024 is no longer in line with the
reality of things in the country.

“N70,000 wage, which was a milestone in 2024 must be honestly reassessed against today’s realities,” he said.

The former lawmaker added, “I can confirm to you that when the time comes to begin the process of reviewing the national minimum wage, this administration will approach that endeavor not as an adversary of Labour, but as a partner.

“President Tinubu has said time and again that the
custodians of the nation’s machinery deserve a fair and commensurate wage, and as you all well know by now, this is the president who means precisely what he says and does exactly what he means.

“It must be said that good governance is not a performance stage by government for the benefit of a passive audience, it’s a partnership between those who govern and those who are governed.

“No where is that partnership more vital than the
relationship between government and the working people of Nigeria.

“It is with this understanding in mind that I ask the
leaders of organized labour and the members of working people united to remain what you have so often been at your finest, partners in progress rather than antagonist in perpetuity, let us choose to dialog over disruption, because as we have proved again and again, we achieve far more when we visit together than when we retreat, retreat to our separate corners.”

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Chinedu Agbodike, a citizen, has initiated legal action against the federal government and the Nigerian Army over what he described as “indiscriminate proliferation” of military checkpoints in the south-east geopolitical zone.

The suit was filed at the High Court of Enugu State on June 17, 2026.

Agbodike is the applicant in the suit, filed on his behalf and on behalf of citizens of Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, and Abia states.

Counsel to the applicant are Aloy Ejimakor, P.N Agazie, B.C. Anys, B.K Agazie, Chinwe Agazie, Eguzoribe Ozioma, E.C Eze, and Iloanya
Florence.

The respondents are the chief of army staff (first
respondent), Nigerian army (second respondent), attorney-general of the federation (third respondent), and federal government (fourth respondent).

THE PRAYERS

The lawyer asked the court to declare that the
“indiscriminate deployment” of military checkpoints and roadblocks in the south-east zone, which according to them, have allegedly resulted in
harassment, extortion, and arbitrary arrests, constitute violations of the fundamental human rights of citizens.

The lawyer asked the court to declare illegal and
unconstitutional the “routine” deployment of military personnel for checkpoints duties and roadblock operations in the south-east.

“A DECLARATION that the assumption by the 1st and 2nd Respondents of internal policing functions constitutionally vested in the Nigeria Police Force under Section 214 of the Constitution amounts to an
unlawful usurpation of powers and is therefore unconstitutional and same constitutes abuse and violation of human rights of the people of South Eastern Nigeria,” part of the suit reads.

“A DECLARATION that the excessive militarization of Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia States amounts to an unjustifiable and disproportionate interference with the rights to freedom of movement, personal liberty, human dignity and freedom from discrimination guaranteed under Chapter IV of the Constitution, thereby violating the constitutional rights of the people of South Eastern Nigeria.

“A DECLARATION that the discriminatory profiling and targeting of citizens by the 1st and 2nd Respondents at various military checkpoints/roadblocks on the roads of Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra and Imo States on account of their ethnicity, age, mode of dressing, hairstyle,
tattoos, language, physical appearance or perceived affiliations is unconstitutional, illegal, oppressive and a violation of their Constitutional rights under Chapter IV of the Constitution, particularly Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”

The lawyer sought an order directly the first to third
respondents to “immediately dismantle, remove and discontinue all military checkpoints and routine roadblocks operating on federal and state roads within Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia States except where such deployments are
specifically authorised by law and justified by exceptional security circumstances, in accordance with due process of law”.

The lawyer asked the court to order the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice to establish a panel to investigate human rights violations allegedly committed by military personnel at checkpoints in the south-east.

The lawyer sought N500 billion as “exemplary, aggravated and general damages against the Respondents jointly and severally for the
widespread and continuing violation of the fundamental rights of citizens of the South-East Region of Nigeria”.

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Political tension in Osun State escalated on Wednesday as two separate incidents claimed lives amid intensified campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

An Accord Party supporter, Ajayi Aderogba (also known as Rogba), was shot dead on Tuesday evening in Esa Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, while an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign procession in Ede was hit by a truck, killing one party member and injuring seven others.

Aderogba was killed by unidentified gunmen while preparations were underway for a campaign rally in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid. The incident triggered protests in the community, with residents expressing concerns over rising political violence.

The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, accused Hon. Oluwole Oke, a member of the House of Representatives and Director-General of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, of sponsoring the attack.

In a Facebook statement, Olajengbesi described Aderogba as a dedicated supporter of Governor Adeleke who was actively involved in the rally preparations.

However, Oke strongly denied the allegation through his Senior Media Aide, Tunde Omolebi-Sunday, describing the claims as misleading and irresponsible. He called for a thorough investigation by security agencies and suggested the incident might be linked to rival group clashes or reprisal attacks. Oke also noted prior concerns about the deceased’s alleged involvement in cult-related issues.

In a separate tragedy in Ede, APC campaigner AbdulRasaq Ahmed was killed when a truck rammed into a street campaign procession organised to mobilise support for the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. The accident occurred around the Oke Gada area.

Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji Campaign Committee, Remi Omowaiye, confirmed that seven others sustained injuries, with one in critical condition. They are receiving treatment at hospitals in Ofatedo and Ede.

An eyewitness alleged that the truck driver ignored traffic directives from Federal Road Safety Corps officials who were managing movement during the campaign.APC Deputy Governorship candidate, Benjamin Adereti, who visited the deceased’s family, described the incident as suspicious and called for a full investigation.

He commiserated with the family while assuring that the campaign would continue undeterred.The twin incidents have heightened security concerns in Osun State as political parties ramp up activities less than two months to the governorship poll, where incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke (Accord) is seeking re-election against APC’s Bola Oyebamiji and other candidates.

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Political analyst and former ally of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Segun Sowunmi, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu may get a weak result during the 2027 presidential election.

Sowunmi insisted that the 2027 presidential election may be between Tinubu and Atiku.

Featuring on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Sowunmi predicted that Tinubu might win 22 states in the 2027 presidential election.

He said: “The election is between Tinubu and Atiku no doubt about it and I believe that he’s going to win significantly better numbers in the Southeast because those are not places they usually get better numbers before.

“Of course, he is going to get good numbers in the
Southwest. I even suspect that the South South may even bring in more good numbers than the Southeast, the way I’m looking at things.

“The president is going to do very well in the Northcentral, and he will do significantly better than he did the last time in the Northwest.

“For the Northwest, you have to look at where the big players are, the big boys that control the election and the big money.

“And when it comes to the Northeast, the vice president will have to pull his weight a little bit more and their governors would try more.

“Where I expect the president to be weak is probably in the North but in that North where the president may be weak, I have looked at all
the governors and big players there.

“Let me give you an example of Katsina, the last time PDP won, one of the persons that worked very hard there was the then Director General of Atiku Campaign, we won Katsina though we lost the election, I went back to go and thank them and I have looked now Shema is no longer there, Isa
Kenta is going to the APC, I have seen what Rabi is doing there.

“Take Kano for instance, they now have Shekarau over and above Ganduje, I have also looked at the big money people in Kano, I have looked at Dangote, BUA owner, you see these things don’t yield that way.”

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Abuja, Nigeria

Distinguished Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, CON, has reaffirmed her commitment to national development, youth empowerment, and inclusive leadership as she joined top political leaders, stakeholders, party faithful, women, and youth groups at the commissioning of the Tinubu Torch Bearers (TTB) National Secretariat in Asokoro, Abuja.

The event brought together prominent figures within the political space to celebrate the establishment of the TTB National Secretariat, a platform aimed at promoting grassroots mobilization, leadership development, and citizen engagement in support of Nigeria’s development agenda.

Speaking during the ceremony, Senator Ekwunife commended the APC National Woman Leader and Convener of the Tinubu Torch Bearers, Hon. Dr. Mary Alile Idele, PhD, for her dedication to women empowerment, youth inclusion, and the advancement of the Renewed Hope Agenda. She described the initiative as a significant step toward strengthening political participation and fostering greater engagement among Nigerians.

The former senator emphasized the need for unity, purposeful leadership, and active citizen participation in building a stronger and more prosperous nation. According to her, the commissioning of the secretariat represents more than the opening of a physical structure; it symbolizes a strategic platform for nurturing future leaders and driving national transformation.

Senator Ekwunife further urged Nigerians, particularly women and young people, to remain committed to the collective responsibility of nation-building by promoting peace, strengthening democratic institutions, and supporting initiatives that encourage sustainable development across the country.

She reiterated her resolve to continue championing policies and programmes that uplift communities, empower citizens, and create opportunities for growth and development.

As stakeholders gathered in solidarity and shared a common vision for progress, Senator Ekwunife’s message underscored the importance of hope, collaboration, and collective action in shaping a brighter future for Nigeria.

The commissioning of the Tinubu Torch Bearers National Secretariat marks another milestone in efforts to deepen grassroots engagement and strengthen support structures aimed at advancing national development and inclusive governance.

See her full speech below

Dr. Bashir Kurfi, a lecturer in International Finance at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has warned that Nigeria’s economic failures and reliance on foreign currencies are creating openings for terrorism financing through Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

Speaking on Trust TV on Wednesday, Kurfi said terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) depend on international financial networks to move funds across borders.

“When you talk of terrorism, it has an international dimension. Groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have networks across countries, so there will naturally be international movement of funds,” he explained.

Kurfi noted that BDCs, which largely deal in cash and foreign currencies, can easily be exploited for illicit transactions. He emphasized that the US dollar remains the dominant currency in both legal and illegal international dealings.

He blamed Nigeria’s weak economy and poor leadership for the growing preference for the dollar over the naira, describing currency as a symbol of national dignity.

“Once it loses value and public confidence, people begin to look for alternatives,” he said.Kurfi further linked insecurity to illegal mining, stressing that mineral resources often fuel conflicts across Africa.

He called for stronger regulation of the financial sector, improved economic policies, and closer monitoring of mining activities to curb insecurity and illicit financial flows.

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Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, has warned that any state governor who misuses state police for partisan or personal interests will face sanctions.

Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday after the Senate passed the State Police Bill, Adaramodu said the law provides safeguards to prevent abuse of the new security structure.

“Governors who misuse state police will face federal intervention. If it is perceived that a governor is using state police to pursue a partisan, religious, or sectional agenda, the federal police can step in,” he explained.

He stressed that the federal police retain the authority to take over the functions of a state police force if it operates outside its constitutional mandate.

Adaramodu also clarified that funding for state police will not rest solely on state governments.“The federal government will also play a role by providing additional funding to ensure state police are well-equipped and adequately resourced to carry out the growing security responsibilities entrusted to them,” he added.

The passage of the bill has sparked nationwide debate, with supporters arguing that decentralizing policing will improve responsiveness to local security challenges, while critics warn of potential misuse by state authorities.

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The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank of renowned constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Professor Mike Ozekhome.

The decision was taken at the committee’s 173rd General Meeting, according to a statement signed by Kabiru Eniola Akanbi, LPPC Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Akanbi explained that the suspension was carried out under Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the SAN Rank, pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings before the LPPC’s Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee.

“The suspension of Ozekhome is intended to safeguard the integrity, dignity and prestige of the SAN rank,” the statement read.

The committee further directed that Ozekhome must not parade himself or hold out to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until the disciplinary process is finalized.

The LPPC emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline within the legal profession, stressing that the SAN title must continue to command public confidence and respect.

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The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) has welcomed the decision of the United States to sanction three bureau de change (BDC) firms and individuals over alleged links to terrorism financing.

On Tuesday, the US Treasury Department designated Mukhtar Adamu and three Nigerian BDC firms for allegedly facilitating financial transactions on behalf of ISIS.

The US said Adamu used his businesses in Lagos and Kano as conduits for moving funds linked to the terrorist group.

The firms named by Washington are Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited, Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, and
Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited.

The sanctions were part of a broader crackdown targeting individuals and entities across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa accused of helping ISIS move funds across borders.

In a statement on Wednesday, the committee said the US action followed the inclusion of Adamu and his companies in the Nigeria Sanctions List published on June 18, 2026.

“The Nigeria Sanctions Committee welcomes the recent inclusion of Mukthar Muhammad Adamu, Nine to Nine BDC and Generation BDC
Limited by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
yesterday,” the statement reads

The committee said the designation was based on extensive intelligence gathering, financial investigations, and inter-agency assessments.

According to the NSC, there were reasonable grounds to believe that the affected individuals and entities “facilitated, financed, supported or otherwise contributed” to the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and associated terrorist networks.

The federal government reiterated its directive to financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions to comply with sanctions obligations, including freezing assets, filing suspicious transaction reports, and reporting relevant matches to authorities.

The committee also commended the federal ministry of justice, office of the national security adviser (ONSA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)
for their roles in disrupting terrorist financing networks.

The NSC added that Nigeria remains committed to ensuring that terrorists and their financiers have no safe haven within the country’s financial system.

The committee said the government would continue to collaborate with domestic and international partners to strengthen financial integrity and combat terrorism financing.

Those added to the Nigeria sanctions list include:

1. Ibrahim Yakubu Ogirima (NLISWi.19)

2. Mukhtar Muhammad Adamu (NLISWi.20)

3. Adamu Chiroma (NLISWi.21)

4. Ibrahim Abubakar (NLISWi.22)

5. Abdullahi Umar Usman (NLISWi.23)

6. Babangida Muhammed Adamu Hammajam (NLISWi.24)

7. Abbal Bako & Sons Bureau De Change Limited
(NLISWe.25)

8. Generation Currency BDC Limited (NLISWe.26)

9. Nine to Nine BDC Limited (NLISWe.27)

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