MEZIESBLOG

Good morning from Meziesblog!

Here is today’s roundup of the most impactful stories making headlines across Nigerian newspapers, from the corridors of power in Abuja to major developments in security, infrastructure, and the broader economy.

Senate Confirms Tegbe as Power Minister, Demands Immediate Grid Collapse Reforms

In one of the most closely watched decisions of the week, the Nigerian Senate yesterday confirmed Mr. Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new Minister of Power. Confirmation followed a rigorous screening session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during which lawmakers secured firm commitments from the nominee to immediately tackle Nigeria’s deepening electricity crisis.

Across party lines, senators stressed that the era of rhetoric has passed, demanding measurable outcomes to reverse years of inefficiency in a sector widely seen as the backbone of national development. Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) described Mr. Tegbe’s nomination as “a square peg in a square hole” but warned that the enormity of the sector’s challenges requires urgent and decisive action. “Grid collapse has become a recurring decimal, affecting our quest for development. Transmission has also failed to effectively evacuate power generated by GENCOS,” he lamented, adding that insurgent attacks in the North-east have crippled transmission infrastructure, forcing Maiduguri to rely on alternative power sources.

Responding, the new minister acknowledged that the sector’s challenges are systemic and deeply rooted, attributing grid instability to poor coordination, weak enforcement of standards, and inadequate gas supply. “Grid collapse is not an accident; it is a symptom of a system problem,” he declared, pledging to enforce strict operational discipline. In a notable commitment, Tegbe promised visible improvements within his first 100 days, including stabilizing the grid and introducing a public performance dashboard to enhance transparency and accountability. “If you don’t see results in three months, you won’t see them in six months. Nigerians must hold us accountable,” he stated.

On the persistent vandalism of power infrastructure, the minister described it as a grave national security threat and pledged close collaboration with security agencies to curb the menace. He also admitted that the current financial model is unsustainable, with the sector’s liquidity crisis estimated at about N6 trillion, but pledged to implement market-reflective tariffs while ensuring protection for vulnerable consumers. He was confirmed alongside Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Supreme Court Delivers Major Rulings on ADC and PDP

The Supreme Court has delivered two significant judgments that are set to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape. In the first, a five-member panel set aside a controversial “status quo ante bellum” order made by the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal in the leadership dispute rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, the Court ordered all parties to return to the Federal High Court for an expeditious hearing. Justice Mohammed Garba, in the lead judgment, held that the Court of Appeal acted beyond its jurisdiction by issuing a preservative order after it had already dismissed a case brought before it, calling the directive “unnecessary, unwarranted and improper”.

Following the ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) restored the names of the David Mark-led executive —including Rauf Aregbesola (National Secretary), Mani Ibrahim Ahmed (National Treasurer), Akibu Dalhatu (National Financial Secretary), and Prof. Oserheimenn (National Legal Adviser)— to its portal. The judgment effectively clears the path for the Mark-led executive to carry on with party activities, particularly meeting deadlines set by INEC guidelines.

In a separate split decision, the Supreme Court nullified the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Stephen Adah ruled that the faction led by former Minister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki violated a subsisting order of the Federal High Court that had restrained them from proceeding with the convention. The majority judgment—three out of five justices—held that any litigant who engages in an abuse of court process does so at his own peril, describing the actions of the faction as a clear abuse. Justices Haruna Tsammani and Sadiq Abubakar Umar delivered dissenting judgments, arguing that the appeal had merit and that the issues raised were internal party affairs, but the majority decision stands.

Federal Government Backs Suit to Deregister Five Political Parties

In a move that could significantly thin the ranks of Nigeria’s political parties before the 2027 elections, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has thrown its weight behind a suit seeking the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a notice filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, the AGF argued that the continued existence of these parties violates constitutional provisions and undermines Nigeria’s electoral integrity.

At issue is whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to deregister parties that have persistently failed to meet performance thresholds set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022. The plaintiffs argue that the affected parties—ADC, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)—have failed to win at least 25% of votes in a state during a presidential election or secure any elective seat at the national, state, or local government level. The AGF’s office stated that it is the “custodian and protector of the Constitution” and has a duty to support actions that enforce constitutional provisions. The plaintiffs are also seeking orders that would bar the affected parties from participating in the 2027 general elections.

Infrastructure Push: FEC Approves $2.99 Billion for Rail Projects in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved contracts for three major rail infrastructure projects valued at approximately $2.99 billion, a significant push to boost urban mobility and economic growth across key Nigerian cities. Briefing State House correspondents after the council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that the approved projects include Phase 1A of the Lagos Green Line rail, the Kano State Metro City rail project, and the Kaduna State light rail system. According to the minister, the cities were selected due to their strategic importance as major economic hubs. The projects are expected to be sponsored by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) on behalf of the Federal Government, with some counterpart funding, and form part of a broader infrastructure drive that includes road and bridge projects valued at over N7 trillion.

NEC Adopts 112 as Nigeria’s Unified National Emergency Number

The National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has approved the adoption of “112” as Nigeria’s unified national emergency number. The decision, taken at the 157th NEC meeting held virtually, is a major step toward strengthening coordinated response to disasters and security incidents across the country. Vice President Shettima explained that the 112 emergency lifeline had become necessary to eliminate bureaucratic delays, stating, “In moments of fire, accident, robbery, medical emergency, flood, violence or panic, citizens do not need bureaucracy. They need a response”. The council also established a multi-agency implementation committee to be jointly coordinated by the Office of the Vice President and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to drive the rollout and standardization of the emergency response system nationwide.

IGP Disu Warns Against Police Brutality as 1,068 Constables Pass Out in Akwa Ibom

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has issued a stern nationwide warning that the era of professional recklessness and impunity in the Nigeria Police Force is over. Speaking at the passing-out parade of 1,068 retrained Police Constables at the Police Mobile Force Base in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the IGP declared: “Impunity ends now. Any officer who misuses his weapon, who kills a citizen without lawful justification, will be dismissed and prosecuted. Not transferred. Not queried. Not redeployed. No badge is a license to kill. No uniform is a shield from justice”. He emphasized that an unskilled officer with a gun is a danger to the public, while a skilled and disciplined officer is a true guardian of the people, reminding officers that Force Order 237 remains binding. The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom Command, CP Baba Azare, disclosed that the retrained personnel include a specially selected cohort for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), created to serve as a strategic strike force against violent crimes across the state.

Customs, NDLEA Intercept N18.9 Billion Illicit Drugs at Tin Can Island Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Port Command, has intercepted 4,729 kilograms of Cannabis Indica with an estimated street value of over N18.9 billion in a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The illicit substances were concealed inside two used vehicles imported from Canada. The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, described the interception as a product of enhanced vigilance and effective inter-agency collaboration, adding that the seized drugs had been formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution. He issued a stern warning to drug traffickers, declaring Tin Can Island Port a “no-go area” for illicit activities.

Tinubu Swears in INEC National Commissioner and Four New Permanent Secretaries

President Bola Tinubu swore in a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and four new Permanent Secretaries in a brief ceremony at the State House, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting. The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are Dr. Ayinde Shoretire (Ogun), Malam Aminu Yargaya (Kano), and Mrs. Nkiruka Jones-Nebo (Enugu), while Rear Admiral (retd.) was sworn in as INEC National Commissioner representing Adamawa State. Cabinet members who witnessed the ceremony included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, and National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri Sounds Alarm Over Theft of Blessed Sacrament

The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has raised an alarm over a break-in at St. Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, Owerri, during which a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament was stolen. According to a letter from the Archdiocesan Chancellor/Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, unknown persons opened parts of the roof, gained access to the Chapel of Adoration through the ceiling, and made away with the monstrance during rainfall in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The Archbishop, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has directed all parishioners of St. Mulumba Parish to observe a one-week prayer of reparation from May 1 to May 8, 2026, daily from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.. All priests in the Archdiocese have been reminded to adhere strictly to established norms regarding the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament to prevent a recurrence.

---

These are the top stories making headlines across Nigerian newspapers today, May 7, 2026. Stay tuned to Meziesblog for more updates as these stories develop.