News
Tinubu Govt Not Marginalising Muslims – APC Tells Shari’ah Council
The ruling All Progressives Congress, on Tuesday, warned against stoking up ethnic and religious sentiments at a period when President Bola Tinubu is earnestly working to reposition the country.
The APC was reacting to claims by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah Council in Nigeria that Muslims are not benefitting enough from Tinubu’s government.
The council has expressed disappointment over the Muslim-Muslim ticket that brought in the President, citing the political marginalization of Muslims despite their numbers in the country.
Speaking at the Pre-Ramadan Lecture held in Kaduna on Tuesday, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiyyatullah, President of SCSN, lamented that millions of Muslims were politically marginalized in many parts of the country.
According to him, the Council has not seen the expected benefits of having a Muslim-Muslim ticket at the Presidency.
The SCSN President also expressed concern over the socio-economic hardship in the country, which according to him, is becoming unbearable.
He said, “We have seen Nigerians vote for people of the same Islamic faith into the Presidency without turning the country into an unceasing battlefield, but we have not seen justice and equity done to all communities, irrespective of their faith.
“Millions of Muslims are politically marginalised in many parts of the country, despite their numbers and the constitutional demands for justice, and we see a nation growing in indifference over Muslim grievances.
“Nigerians are experiencing severe economic hardship, exacerbated by some government policies. The removal of fuel subsidies has led to soaring costs of living, with food, transportation, and essential goods becoming increasingly unaffordable.”
According to him, the depreciation of the Naira, high inflation, and stagnant wages have further eroded purchasing power.
“The Council has consistently advised the administration on adopting policies to address the hardship. However, it is alarming that, within a short period, the government has introduced multiple new taxes and tariffs, including increased telecommunications tariffs (50%), FOB charges (4% of imports), NPA tariffs (15%), ATM charges (100%), and additional proposed electricity tariff hikes,” Sheikh Hadiyyatullah said.
He noted that the Council remained steadfast in advocating for the easing of the draconian policies to protect the interests of the poor.
The Islamic cleric also expressed concern over the insecurity in the country, particularly the revelations of government-owned weapons falling into criminal hands and the disappearance of 3,907 rifles from the police armoury.
According to him, the Council is deeply concerned by recent developments, especially revelations on government-owned weapons falling into criminal hands and the Auditor-General’s report to the Senate on the disappearance of 3,907 rifles from the police armoury, with no consequences.
“For over two decades, the Council has played a pivotal role in efforts towards addressing insecurity and ethno-religious crises in Nigeria. In the last one year, it has engaged major security stakeholders in the nation, in the security and intelligence community and other strategic actors.
“These developments require urgent and decisive action by the government,” Sheikh Hadiyyatullah added.
The SCSN President emphasized the importance of unity among Muslims, saying that the Council would continue to work towards the unity and progress of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
According to him, the Council will continue to advocate for the rights and interests of Muslims in Nigeria.
“The Supreme Council for Shari’ah has been a longstanding partner in the progress and development of our nation. For over two decades, the Council has actively contributed to Nigeria’s political and socio-economic development, with the unity of the Ummah as the cornerstone of our efforts.
“As a religious body, one of its core objectives is the realization of a prosperous Ummah and a country that is economically, socially, educationally, and politically viable. Despite the formidable challenges facing our nation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to contributing to its success,” Sheikh Hadiyyatullah added. ENDS.
Reacting in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, stated that fixating on religious or ethnic sentiments is a great disservice that should be discouraged in nation-building.
He said, “I am the last person to speak in terms of faith, religion, language and tribal politics. At all times, I’m always of the view that we are one and the same person. Same people who come from the same source. I would never agitate on the account of religion that I should be placed at an advantage over another human being nor would I encourage an effort on the party that would like to use religion to advance their advantage over others.
“So to that extent, I think that the comment being made here does not reflect how to build a nation and how to encourage development and progress. What we should be talking about here is what will be in the overall interest of the people of Nigeria as citizens, as a country, and what will help us to come out of the economic quagmire that we have currently.
“There is also the need to help the government, as is currently being done, by bringing in ideas, thoughts and deeds that will help the government and the states to make progress than begin to again take recourse to matters that have to do with faith and religion and tribe and language in terms of Africa’s strength.”
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
-
News1 day agoNo Solar Permits Needed For Private Homes In Lagos, SSA Confirms
-
News22 hours agoMass Burial For 30 ISWAP Insurgents Following Lethal NAF Strikes In Borno
-
News2 days agoCourt Sentences Dismissed NECO Employee To 24 Years Over Fake Diploma
-
News1 day agoLagos Sets Rules, Penalties For April 25 Sanitation Relaunch
-
News21 hours agoUnity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
-
Breaking News2 days agoTinubu Appoints New Ministers, Sacks Edun, Dangiwa In Minor Shake-Up
-
News16 hours agoOyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
-
News18 hours agoWale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
