News
Tinubu’s Parley Boosts Akpabio’s, Abbas’ Chances
The support base of Senator Godswill Akpabio, who has been endorsed for Senate President by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), widened yesterday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s parley with National Assembly members-elect has boosted his chance and the aspiration of Tajudeen Abbas for the House of Representatives Speaker.
Akpabio (Akwa Ibom Northwest), and Abbas (Zaria Federal Constituency, Kaduna State) were endorsed by the ruling party, following the zoning of the Senate President to the Southsouth and Speaker to the Northwest.
APC has also endorsed Barau Jibrin (Kano, North) for Deputy Senate President and Benjamin Kalu (Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State) for Deputy Speaker.
Yesterday, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun re-echoed the earlier statement by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma that all APC governors are backing the party’s candidates for presiding offices.
APC has 59 senators-elect, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 36, LP has eight, NNPP has two, SDP two, APGA one, and YPP one.
In the House of Representatives, APC has 178 members, PDP has 117 and other parties have 65.
The president has met with the senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect twice in the last 48 hours to drum support for the candidates endorsed by the party ahead of the June 13 inauguration of the National Assembly and election of presiding officers.
He met with APC Federal lawmakers on Wednesday and with all of them, that is, the ruling party and opposition members, yesterday.
At yesterday’s meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Last night, leaders of the opposition caucuses in the proposed 10th National Assembly met to further deliberate on the outcome of the president’s meeting with them.
At the meeting, Vice President Shettima emphasised the importance of cohesion and national unity.
He said the zoning proposed by the party for the election of the presiding offices is in line with the current reality of a same-faith presidency, which necessitates a Christian Senate President.
A source said the vice president urged the APC senators-elect to make sacrifices and embrace party supremacy at this critical time.
Two of the contenders – Abdulaziz Yari and Orji Uzor Kalu – were absent at the meeting, an indication that they are pressing ahead with their mission.
Two other senators supporting Yari, one from the Southwest and another from the Northeast, also did not show up.
At Wednesday’s meeting with APC senators-elect, President Tinubu emphasised the imperative of national understanding and harmonious working relationship between APC and opposition senators in the national interest.
The president reiterated his support for the zoning endorsed by the ruling party, urging APC senators to embrace it as a collective decision.
President Tinubu said: “At this point in our history and with challenges facing us as a new administration, all hands must be on deck to salvage the unpalatable situation facing the nation.
“We must see the situation as a pan-Nigerian project for the executive and the legislature to work out solutions to the challenges of the nation.
“Finding solutions to the myriads of national problems cannot come from the executive arm of government alone but by the working together of the Executive and the Legislature”.
Also yesterday at the meeting with all National Assembly members-elect, the President urged them to work for the country’s good and to eschew partisanship.
A House of Representatives member-elect, Adamu Ranga, told reporters after the meeting: “Mr President emphasised that he will run an open-door policy.
“He said we should put our constituencies first since we are here to represent them.
“He mentioned that he wants the Senate and the House to cooperate to elect good leaders.”
A source at the meeting said: “The opposition senators-elect gave a positive assurance. They were happy about the way the president approached them and explained critical matters to them.
“The issue is religion. It cannot be ignored. Even, in the international community, there is the understanding that religious domination is not an agenda that is worthy of pursuit
“So, on the Akpabio project, we are making steady progress.”
Expect surprises, says PDP
The PDP said the APC may be in for a surprise.
National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, told reporters that all the opposition parties constitute a majority.
He said this numerical strength will be deployed to frustrate the APC’s plans to dominate the National Assembly leadership.
Ologunagba said: “The PDP leadership is working together with our members-elect and opposition parties.
“Irrespective of the ongoing claims in the media, I want to inform you that the PDP has a clear direction which we hold close to our chest.
“Our members are united in that direction and it will show on the floor of both Houses of the National Assembly on Tuesday.
“In all, we do not discountenance the fact that put together, the opposition parties have the majority in the National Assembly which we are ready to deploy maximally.”
An LP House of Representatives-elect, Victor Ogene, said his party had not decided on how to vote.
He said once a decision is made, they would go in the same direction.
“I can assure you that we are going to vote en bloc. Consultation is on.
“I do not know those we will vote for yet, but I know those we will not vote for.
“We will not be railroaded in choosing anybody. It will be a conscious decision,” he said.
News
Union Bank Of Nigeria Marks International Women’s Month 2026 With Inclusion-First “Give to Gain” Campaign
In observance of International Women’s Month 2026, Union Bank of Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to gender equity through a focused initiative centred on women living with disabilities and women raising children with disabilities.
Aligned with the global theme “Give to Gain,” the Bank’s campaign “Give to Gain: Creating Pathways for Inclusion and Endless Opportunities” centres the lived experiences of women living with disabilities and underscores the need for intentional systems of support for social and economic advancement.
Throughout March, Union Bank will implement targeted initiatives to expand access, foster inclusion, and unlock sustainable opportunities. Activities include a flagship event which held at
The Stable, its multipurpose venue in Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday. The event convened women with disabilities, caregivers, supporting organisations, and advocates for dialogue, mentorship, and resource sharing.

L-R: Chief Talent Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Omayuli Wale-Ajayi; Head, Corporate Banking, Union Bank of Nigeria, Ali Kadiri; Head, Retail and SME Business, Union Bank of Nigeria, Vivian Imoh-Ita; Founder/Executive Director, Deaf International Foundation, Funmilola Ogunro; MD/CEO, Union Bank of Nigeria, Yetunde Oni; SouthWest Coordinator, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Adenike Olorundare; Women Leader, Lagos Chapter, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Olubukola Salako; Executive Director, Corporate Bank & Business Banking Lagos & West, Union Bank of Nigeria, Taiwo Shote; Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Olufunmilola Aluko; Regional Executive, Business Banking SouthWest and Lagos, Union Bank of Nigeria, Emmanuel Aihevba, and Lead Innovation, Events and Platform Management, Union Bank of Nigeria, Chiamaka Moses during the Bank’s commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026 at the Stable, Surulere, Lagos recently.
Complementary efforts include outreach to disability support facilities and collaboration with educational institutions to distribute learning materials to female students with disabilities. Tailored mentorship programmes will build confidence and capability in education, entrepreneurship, and careers. Through its women’s banking proposition alpher and strategic partnerships, the Bank will also deliver business sustainability training specifically designed for women living with disabilities and women raising children with disabilities.
Internally, Union Bank will activate WeHub — its employee-led women’s network — to strengthen inclusive culture and support professional growth across the organisation.
These actions reflect Union Bank’s long-standing commitment to advancing equity for underserved communities — and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). For Union Bank, these are not frameworks to cite; they are commitments to live out.
Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, stated that “At Union Bank, inclusion is not an abstract ideal; it is a deliberate choice. While many conversations around women’s empowerment are important and necessary, women living with disabilities and women raising children with disabilities are too often left out entirely. This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain,’ reflects exactly what we believe: that when we intentionally open access, support, and opportunity to these women, the value created extends to families, communities, and society at large.”
Union Bank’s IWD 2026 campaign is a statement of intent: that true inclusion requires us to go further, reach deeper, and serve those who have waited longest for a seat at the table. In 2026, Union Bank is committed to ensuring that a seat exists — and that it is built to last.
News
Just In: Dangote Refinery Announces Petrol, Diesel Price Reduction
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery officially reduced its gantry prices for petrol (PMS) and diesel (AGO) following a series of price hikes earlier in the week.
According to a new pricing template released by the refinery on March 10, 2026, the gantry price of petrol has been reduced by N100, dropping from N1,175 to N1,075 per litre.
The refinery also stated that the price of PMS for coastal supply will now be N1,050 per litre. The difference in price reflects additional costs linked to maritime distribution.
Similarly, the price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) has been reduced to N1,430 per litre at the gantry, down from the previous N1,620 per litre. This represents a decrease of N190 per litre.
The refinery noted that these gantry prices do not include regulatory charges from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Meanwhile, JomogNews earlier reported on Monday that Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised its gantry PMS price to N1,175 per litre — the third upward adjustment in seven days
The refinery communicated the new ex-depot price to marketers and depot operators, up ₦180 from the N995 per litre announced last week Friday, an 18.1 per cent increase in three days.
News
Drama At Rivers Assembly Over Nominee’s ‘I don’t pay tax’ Statement
A video circulating online has captured a tense moment during the screening of commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The footage seen shows the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, questioning one of the nominees, Charity Deemua, over the status of her tax clearance certificate.
During the screening of commissioner nominees, the Rivers State House of Assembly rejected nominee Charity Deemua after she claimed that as a politician, she did not pay taxes.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule and other lawmakers expressed shock at the statement, leading to the rejection of her nomination along with three others due to lack of tax compliance.
During the screening session, Amaewhule pointed out that the nominee’s tax clearance appeared outdated.
“I just wanted to know, so there’s no current tax clearance. Madam has not been paying tax since 2018. I just wanted to know if she’s been exempted from paying taxes. So let her tell us now,” the Speaker said.
Responding, Deemua explained that she had not had a steady source of income in recent years.
“Like I said before, I’m a politician, I don’t have work,” she stated.
When asked to clarify her employment history, Deemua told the lawmakers that she had previously served briefly in government.
“I was a member, a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission,” she said.
Amaewhule then pressed further about her role in a local government caretaker committee.
“When were you? Hold on… local government caretaker committee member, right?” the Speaker asked.
“I was just three months there,” Deemua replied.
“When? When was that?” Amaewhule asked.
“And I think November last year,” she responded.
“November when? What year?” the Speaker asked again.
“2025,” she answered.
The Speaker then questioned whether she earned income during that period.
“You were not paid salary? Were you not paid salary?” Amaewhule asked.
“In the caretaker committee, we were paid,” Deemua admitted.
“You were paid? Yes. Is that not income? But you said you have not had any income from 2018 to date as a politician. So no tax clearance, and that’s what you are telling Rivers people. Madam, that is not nice. You are misleading the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly,” Amaewhule said.
In response, Deemua apologised and suggested she could address the issue.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. But I think I can still go back for…,” she began before being interrupted.
“No, but you say you have not had any income now,” Amaewhule replied before moving on to the next nominee.
The video of the exchange has since drawn reactions online, with many Nigerians asking that if politicians say they don’t work, what exactly are taxpayers paying for.
See video:
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