NEWS
Edo Governor-Elect Okpebholo Sounds Alarm Over Gov Obaseki’s Supplementary Budget Request
Tensions rose in Edo State as the governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, voised concerns over a recent supplementary budget request by outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, just weeks before end of Obaseki’s tenure.
According to a statement by Prince Kassim Afegbua, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) transition committee, this last-minute budget request is seen as an attempt by the Obaseki administration to drain the state’s resources before the transition of power.
READ MORE: Northern States To Have Power Restored In Three Days – Adelabu
In his statement to the press on Tuesday, Afegbua argued that the supplementary budget request is both unnecessary and burdensome, potentially leaving the incoming government with “an empty treasury.”
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Honourable Blessing Agbebaku, reportedly denied the request, signaling resistance to the outgoing governor’s actions.
Before the September 21 gubernatorial election, the state assembly had already approved a substantial N450 billion supplementary budget for Obaseki, a move criticized by some members of the public.
Now, this latest attempt at securing additional funds has ignited further debate on the state’s financial stability and transparency.
Afegbua accused Obaseki of mismanaging public funds throughout his administration, spending an estimated N1.5 trillion over his eight-year tenure without leaving behind significant infrastructure or development projects.
“Despite plundering N1.5 trillion in the past seven years with no visible, legacy infrastructures on ground across Edo state, Governor Obaseki has again requested a supplementary budget with two weeks to hand over of power,” Afegbua stated.
In his statement, Afegbua also claimed that Obaseki’s allies have been engaging in a “looting spree,” reportedly seizing government property such as vehicles, air conditioners, generators, and televisions in the final days of the administration.
“Edo State is bleeding profusely as a result of neglect, financial malfeasance, and careless abandon,” he said, further cautioning that the incoming government faces a potential debt of over N500 billion.
Edo State’s financial situation, Afegbua suggested, has been worsened by the misuse of resources, particularly from the 13% derivation funds allocated to the state.
“The state received so many billions of naira from the 13% Derivation Funds, but there is nothing to justify such huge resources,” he noted, expressing concern that funds had been directed toward recurrent expenses rather than long-term growth initiatives.
Chris Nehikhare, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, recently stated that Obaseki’s administration will officially end on November 12, 2024.
He urged Senator Okpebholo to wait until after his inauguration to take any official actions as governor.
NEWS
TCN Restores Power Supply to Katampe Substation After Shiroro Line Fault
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has restored bulk power supply to its Katampe 330kV Transmission Substation in Abuja following an earlier disruption caused by a fault on the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1.
The development was disclosed in a statement released by TCN management on Friday, October 9, 2026.
SEE ALSO: Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Power Line: TCN Begins Final Phase of Restoration
According to the statement, bulk power supply was restored to the Katampe substation at 4:15 p.m. through the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1.
TCN explained that the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1 remains out of service due to a fault, necessitating the use of the Gwagwalada–Katampe line to restore supply to the substation.
The company also announced the suspension of planned maintenance work on the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1 to enable the line to continue supplying the Katampe substation.
The suspended maintenance work involved replacing defective line isolators and the associated earthing switch.
TCN apologised to electricity consumers in the affected areas for any inconvenience caused by the disruption and maintenance arrangements.
NEWS
2027 Elections: FG Warns Politicians Against Promises on Fuel Subsidy
The Federal Government has warned politicians against making promises that could reverse Nigeria’s economic reforms, insisting that it will not restore fuel subsidy amid renewed debate over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) petrol discount.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, saying the government would not bring back subsidies on petroleum products.
“This government is not bringing back subsidy on fuel products. We need to be clear,” Oyedele said.
ALSO READ: NNPC Petrol Discount: Oyedele Explains How Lower Margins Could Boost Profits
The minister also criticised politicians who, according to him, make promises to win elections without fully considering the implications of implementing them.
He suggested that some politicians make sweeping promises during election campaigns only to offer excuses when confronted with the realities of governance.
“I think I would pardon people who say all manner of things because they want to get elected. It’s almost like ‘whatever I need to say, when I get there, I’ll give excuses.’ But we have the data,” he said.
Oyedele added that he felt a personal responsibility not to remain silent about the economic realities known to the government or allow populist positions to push Nigeria in the wrong direction.
“I feel the personal responsibility that I cannot see what I see and keep quiet, or populism to move our country in the wrong direction,” he said.
NNPC Petrol Discount Sparks Fresh Subsidy Debate
The minister’s remarks come amid renewed debate over fuel subsidy following the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount at NNPC retail stations.
The initiative was introduced as a temporary measure to provide relief to Nigerians amid elevated global crude oil prices and concerns about the cost of petroleum products.
NNPC Retail had also announced a N66-per-litre petrol discount to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, with the offer scheduled to run until October 31, 2026, across its retail stations nationwide.
The company maintained that the discount was a customer-relief initiative and did not represent a return to the petroleum subsidy regime.
The distinction has become central to the debate, with the government insisting that temporary price relief at NNPC stations does not amount to restoring the subsidy policy abolished in May 2023.
The administration has maintained that the current arrangement differs from the former subsidy system, under which the government intervened to cover part of the cost of petrol.
FG Defends Economic Reforms
During the interview, Oyedele also referred to a World Bank update, saying the institution had acknowledged a reduction in poverty levels and increased spending on infrastructure, particularly roads.
He urged Nigerians not to reverse the progress he said had been made, arguing that the country was approaching a point where the benefits of ongoing reforms should begin to emerge.
NEWS
Kaduna Moves to Clear 5-Year Promotion Backlog for 24,000 Teachers
The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced a promotion exercise for 24,000 eligible staff as part of efforts to clear outstanding teachers’ promotions dating back to 2021.
The development was disclosed on Friday as the administration of Governor Uba Sani intensifies efforts to address promotion backlogs, recognise teachers’ years of service and improve staff welfare across the state.
The exercise covers outstanding promotions from 2021 to 2026 and is expected to provide eligible teachers and other staff with opportunities for career progression.
SEE ALSO: Kaduna Clears N18bn Pension Arrears, Raises Agric Funding to N100bn
According to the announcement, eligible personnel will undergo an assessment process, after which promotions will be implemented for those who successfully meet the requirements.
The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the education sector by recognising the contributions of teachers and supporting their professional development.
The state government has emphasised the importance of investing in teachers, noting that a motivated and valued teaching workforce is essential to building a stronger education system.
The exercise is also expected to address long-standing staff concerns relating to career advancement within the state’s basic education sector.





