Nigeria and Morocco are set to sign a major intergovernmental agreement (IGA) this year for the ambitious $25 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) project.

Amina Benkhadra, Director General of Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), disclosed this in an interview with Reuters on Monday.

Benkhadra said that following the signing of the IGA, an authority for the pipeline will be established in Nigeria.

The authority will comprise ministerial representatives from the 13 participating countries to provide political and regulatory coordination.

The 6,900-kilometre hybrid offshore-onshore pipeline is designed with a maximum capacity of 30 billion cubic metres (bcm) per year.

This includes 15 bcm dedicated to supplying Morocco and supporting gas exports to Europe.

According to Benkhadra, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and ONHYM will establish a joint venture project company in Morocco to oversee the execution, financing, and construction phases of the project.

Feasibility studies and front-end engineering design (FEED) have already been completed.

She emphasised that the pipeline will promote economic integration across West Africa by boosting electricity generation, industrial growth, and mining development.

It will also position Morocco as an energy bridge between Africa and Europe.

The project will be developed in phases, with each segment designed as a standalone system to enable early value creation. First gas from the initial phases is expected in 2031.

The initiative, which enjoys the backing of ECOWAS, stems from a 2022 memorandum of understanding signed by Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, and Mauritania.

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The Presidency has criticised former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, over his comments on the recent military airstrike on Jilli market in Borno State, describing his remarks as misleading and politically motivated

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, in a statement on Monday, accused Atiku of politicising a military operation targeted at insurgent positions.

Dare said the Nigerian Air Force carried out “targeted, intelligence-led airstrikes” on what he described as insurgent enclaves within the Jilli axis, insisting the location had evolved into a logistics hub for terrorist groups.

“While the location may still be referred to as ‘Jilli Market,’ it has not functioned as a legitimate civilian marketplace in any meaningful sense,” he stated.

He added that the area had been “repurposed as a logistics and trading hub for terrorist elements,” including fighters linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Dare criticised Atiku for describing the operation as an attack on civilians, warning that such claims could undermine public confidence and the morale of security forces.

“For Atiku Abubakar to ignore this context and frame a legitimate military action as an attack on civilians is not only misleading—it is reckless,” he said.

He further described the opposition figure’s stance as contradictory.

“He consistently criticises the government for failing to curb insecurity, yet when decisive, intelligence-driven action is taken, he is quick to condemn it. That is not principled opposition—it is opportunism,” Dare added.

The Presidency also questioned Atiku’s approach to national security discourse, urging greater responsibility in public commentary.

“At some point, clarity must prevail. You cannot dine with the devil and still pretend to stand with the masses. Nigeria deserves seriousness, not selective outrage,” he said.

However, Atiku had earlier condemned the strike, describing it as a “devastating failure” following reports that civilians were affected.

“The Jilli market airstrike that killed scores of innocent traders is not just tragic, but a devastating failure that must outrage every conscience,” he said.

He warned against the repeated loss of civilian lives during military operations.

“While targeting insurgents, innocent Nigerians were once again reduced to collateral damage. How long will citizens remain unsafe both from terrorists and from the very operations meant to protect them?” he added.

The airstrike, carried out under Operation HADIN KAI, has sparked controversy, with conflicting accounts over casualties.

While the military maintained that the location was a verified terrorist logistics hub, local authorities and emergency officials confirmed that civilians were among those affected.

Preliminary reports indicated that over 40 civilians may have been killed, although the exact figure remains unverified.

A spokesperson for Operation HADIN KAI, Sani Uba, said the strike was executed after “rigorous targeting procedures” supported by intelligence and aerial surveillance.

He added that post-strike assessments indicated that several terrorists were neutralised, with vehicles and logistics networks destroyed.

The military also cited previous attacks on troops in the area, including an incident in January 2026 that reportedly killed eight soldiers, as part of the justification for intensified surveillance.

Despite the military’s position, the Yobe State Government acknowledged that civilians were inadvertently affected.

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Akwa Ibom State indigenes residing in Lagos have pledged to mobilise massively for President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Umo Eno in the 2027 general elections.

The declaration was made during the inauguration of the Lagos Chapter of the Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative, held at the D’Podium International Hall in Lagos on Monday.

A motion endorsing President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, and Governor Eno as sole candidates was moved by Hon. Otobong Bob, Majority Leader of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, and seconded by Hon. Aniekan Uko.

It received unanimous approval from attendees.The group also resolved to return home to vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the upcoming elections.

In his address, Engr. Uwem Okoko, President-General of the Initiative, expressed gratitude to the Akwa Ibom community in Lagos for their warm reception and strong support.

“The decision to endorse Tinubu, Akpabio and Eno is noble and well received,” Okoko said.

Lagos State Coordinator of the Initiative, Otuekong Ubong Jackson Essien, attributed the impressive turnout to the message of peace and unity being promoted by Governor Umo Eno.

He assured that Akwa Ibom indigenes in Lagos would mobilise all resources to deliver votes for the APC.International Coordinator, Rt. Hon. Udo Keiran Akpan, described Lagos as a strategic political hub for Akwa Ibom people and commended the organisers for a successful event.

Chapter executives and advisory council members were sworn in at the event, with several prominent Akwa Ibom leaders in Lagos delivering goodwill messages.

The Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative has been expanding its reach across Nigeria, with chapters already inaugurated in Cross River, Rivers, the FCT, and several northern states.

The final chapter inauguration is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Nsit Ubium LGA, while the grand finale will hold on April 18, 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

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A faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Adamawa State has suspended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Chairman of the ADC faction in the state, Raji Sulaiman Zumo, announced the suspension on Monday.

Also suspended is the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal.

Recall that a faction of the ADC led by Nafiu Bala Gombe is laying claim to the position of national chairman of the party.

The development prompted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to derecognize the leadership of the ADC under former Senate President David Mark.

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Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has issued a strong warning to residents against providing any form of assistance or collaboration to insurgents, following a deadly bombing at Jilli market that killed over 50 people.

The governor disclosed that the market had remained closed for five years after intelligence reports revealed it was being used as a major logistics base by terrorist groups. He stressed that the state government only reopens markets or resettles communities in insurgency-affected areas after thorough consultations and clearance with security agencies.

Speaking on the recent incident, Governor Zulum urged citizens to stay vigilant, promptly report any suspicious movements or activities, and refrain from offering any support, direct or indirect to criminal elements operating in the state.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy across Borno while emphasizing that defeating the insurgency requires the full cooperation of the people.

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The Federal Government has unveiled a major financial intervention in the power sector, with President Bola Tinubu approving a ₦3.3 trillion payment plan to settle long-standing legacy debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025.

The initiative aims to restore liquidity to electricity generation companies (GenCos) and gas suppliers, addressing a decade-long crisis that has hampered power generation and supply across the country.

The plan forms part of the broader Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme.

Key Components of the Plan

Initial Disbursement: The government has raised ₦501 billion through a dedicated bond issuance, with ₦223 billion already disbursed to participating GenCos. Additional payments are in progress.

Multi-Phase Settlement: The ₦3.3 trillion represents a verified full and final settlement. Implementation is underway, with 15 power plants from multiple GenCos signing agreements totaling about ₦2.3 trillion so far.

Focus Areas:

The funds target debts owed to GenCos and gas suppliers, aiming to stabilize the national grid, support the transition to service-based tariffs, and drive structural reforms for more reliable electricity delivery.

This financial reset is expected to unlock stalled generation capacity, improve liquidity in the power value chain, and enhance overall electricity reliability for millions of Nigerians. The government has emphasized transparency and accountability in the phased rollout of payments.

Stakeholders, including several GenCos, have welcomed the move as a critical step toward resolving the sector’s chronic challenges. The plan addresses debts that built up over nearly a decade, which had severely affected operations and investment in power infrastructure.

As implementation continues, the success of this intervention could mark a turning point for Nigeria’s electricity sector, potentially leading to improved power supply and greater investor confidence.

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Operations resumed on Monday at a major gas facility in Iraq’s Kurdish region, the Emirati company running the complex said, after more than a month of disruption due to the US-Iran war.

Dana Gas announced “the resumption of production of the Khor Mor gas facility in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, following a period of intermittent operations”, according to a statement published by the Abu Dhabi stock exchange.

On February 28 the UAE company suspended natural gas supplies from the complex as war broke out, authorities in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region had said.

Kurdistan’s electricity and natural resources ministries said the decision was made “due to the extraordinary circumstances and ongoing events in the region, and to protect employees at the Khor Mor field”.

The Khor Mor complex, which supplies most of Kurdistan’s power stations, has been hit several times in recent years in attacks blamed on pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq.

AFP

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The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has raised concerns over the integrity of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, if an alleged X account linked to him turns out to be his after his denial.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Adebayo said the controversy goes beyond technical arguments and touches on public trust in the electoral umpire.

“If it is traced to him and he denies it, then it raises questions about integrity,” he said.

He explained that while digital content can be manipulated, modern forensic tools make it possible to determine the true ownership of online accounts.

“It is well known that in the digital space, you could manipulate anything, but there is forensic tracing of identity,” Adebayo stated.

According to him, the issue can be resolved either through the courts or a legislative inquiry by the National Assembly.

“It is either someone will go to court to challenge his qualification on grounds of partisanship and present evidence or the National Assembly will conduct an investigation, possibly through its INEC committees,” he added.

The former presidential candidate, however, clarified that even if the account is proven to belong to Amupitan, it does not automatically disqualify him from office under the law.

“The requirement is that at the time of appointment, you should not be a member of any political party. It does not mean you could not have been a member in the past or that you did not vote. Someone who voted in 2023 can still become INEC chairman in 2025,” he said.

Adebayo stressed that the key issue remains honesty and public confidence in the electoral body.

“In a simple matter like this, if you are already lying to the public and we are to trust you with determining election outcomes, then it becomes a question of integrity,” he added.

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The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear an appeal filed by the embattled National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark.

Mark is seeking an order staying the execution of the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal.

The apex court, in a hearing notice with appeal number SC/CV/180/2026 between Sen. Mark vs Hon. Nafiu-Bala Gombe and four others, said the proceeding is scheduled for April 14.

The hearing notice, sent to the parties in the case through the Litigation Department of the Supreme Court on Friday, was sighted by the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

The hearing date coincides with the date earlier fixed by the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Although the two cases will be coming up on Tuesday, NAN learnt that the lower court may, however, step down the matter or adjourn its proceedings pending the hearing at the apex court, in line with the hierarchy of courts.

Mark, the appellant in the appeal, has named Hon. Nafiu-Bala Gombe, ADC, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Chief Ralph Nwosu as 1st to 5th respondents respectively.

Mark, in the motion on notice filed by his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, prayed the court for an order of stay of execution of the appellate court’s judgment pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.

He also sought an order restraining INEC from acting on the Court of Appeal’s judgment by recognising any person(s) other than him and the existing national officers of the ADC, pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.

Mark, a former Senate President, further prayed the apex court for an order restraining INEC from tampering with the national leadership structure of the party as presently constituted and represented by him, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

Besides, he sought an order staying further proceedings in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 pending before Justice Nwite at the FHC, pending the hearing and determination of his appeal at the apex court.

The motion on notice was brought by his lawyer pursuant to Sections 6(6)(a) and 233 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Order 4 Rule 1 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2024, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

Giving a 12-ground argument, Okpanachi said the Court of Appeal delivered judgment in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/145/2026 on March 12.

He said Mark, being dissatisfied with the said judgment, filed a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court on March 16, and that the record of appeal was duly compiled and transmitted on March 31.

According to the lawyer, the appeal has been duly entered before this honourable court as Appeal No: SC/CV/180/2026.

He said one of the orders made by the Court of Appeal was that parties should maintain status quo ante bellum.

“The 1st respondent (Gombe) has been relying on the said order to write to the 4th respondent (INEC), urging it to refrain from dealing with or recognising the appellant (Mark) and other national officers of the 2nd respondent (ADC).

“The actions of the 1st respondent (Gombe) amount to attempted enforcement of the judgment of the Court of Appeal,” he said.

The lawyer, however, said Mark had filed a competent appeal challenging the entire judgment of the Court of Appeal.

“Unless this application is granted, the judgment of the Court of Appeal will be enforced and the appeal rendered nugatory.”

Okpanachi, who submitted that the appeal raised substantial and arguable issues of law, stated that the balance of justice favours the grant of the application

“It is in the interest of justice to preserve the res and protect the authority of this honourable court,” he prayed.

NAN reports that INEC had on April 1 removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal and website as ADC’s national chairman and national secretary respectively, following the Court of Appeal judgment.

In reaction to INEC’s decision, Mark filed a motion on notice before Justice Nwite on April 7 through his new lawyer, Sulaiman Usman, SAN, praying the court to order the commission to restore their names as they were prior to the institution of the suit by Gombe.

He also sought an order for accelerated hearing of the case, and the judge fixed April 14 for hearing.

NAN reports that Gombe, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 at the FHC, had sued ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, INEC, and Nwosu as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

Nwosu was the former ADC national chairman who stepped down for David Mark’s leadership.

Gombe, who was former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC, had urged Justice Nwite to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from further parading themselves as national chairman and national secretary of the party.

The aggrieved ex-deputy national chairman argued that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders breached the provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

The judge had on Sept. 4, 2025, declined to grant an ex-parte motion filed by Gombe seeking to stop the Mark-led leadership of the ADC, pending the hearing of his substantive suit.

Nwite had refused the three prayers sought in the ex-parte motion filed by Gombe and moved by his lawyer, Michael Agber.

Rather, the judge directed Gombe, the plaintiff in the suit, to put all the defendants on notice to show cause why the motion should not be granted.

The judge then adjourned the matter until Sept. 15, 2025, for the defendants to show cause.

However, the Mark-led ADC approached the Court of Appeal, challenging the lower court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit, and the appellate court ordered the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the case.

(NAN)

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