Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 general election, has thrown his weight behind the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, encouraging Nigerians to invest in the public offer.

Obi made the call in a statement on Wednesday while responding to questions he said he had received from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora seeking his opinion on investing in the refinery’s IPO.

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“While encouraging them to buy, I must say that I remain very proud of the commitment and breakthrough of Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s investment in the real sector of our country’s economy, across different sectors,” Obi said.

According to him, the Dangote investment reinforces his position that Nigeria must move away from a consumption-driven economy towards increased production.

“This validates my position that we should move Nigeria from consumption to production,” he said.

Obi also urged other Nigerian businesses to invest in productive sectors and give Nigerians opportunities to become shareholders through public offerings.

“I, therefore, encourage other Nigerian businesses to invest in the productive sectors of the Nigerian economy and also give fellow Nigerian citizens the opportunity to be part of the re-industrialization of the country by offering their shares to the public through public offerings,” he added.

The statement comes as the Dangote Refinery IPO is generating significant attention among investors.

The offer, which opened on September 14, involves 4.1 billion shares priced at ₦525 each and could raise about ₦2.15 trillion if fully subscribed.

The refinery is offering the shares to both institutional and retail investors, with the minimum purchase set at 10 shares, costing ₦5,250.

The offer is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026.

The Ogun State Government has mobilised the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) to Kara Bridge and adjoining sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following growing traffic challenges in the area.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, in a statement on Wednesday, said the government had taken note of the traffic situation affecting movement around Kara Bridge and other parts of the busy corridor.

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He said the strategic importance of the route to residents, workers, businesses and travellers informed the decision to deploy TRACE personnel to strengthen traffic coordination and assist road users.

According to the governor, “TRACE personnel are working with relevant security, emergency and traffic management agencies to clear obstructions, prevent further gridlock and improve movement along the affected axis.”

Abiodun urged motorists approaching the area to exercise caution and comply with traffic regulations, particularly warning them against driving against traffic or creating additional lanes.

He said, “We urge motorists to approach the area with caution, avoid driving against traffic and refrain from creating additional lanes, as these actions often worsen congestion and delay emergency operations.”

The governor also appealed specifically to commercial drivers and articulated vehicle operators to exercise restraint and comply with traffic directions from officials deployed to the area.

He said the immediate priority of the state government was “to protect lives, maintain order and reduce the inconvenience being experienced by commuters.”

Abiodun added that the government would continue to monitor the situation and deploy the necessary personnel and resources until normal traffic flow was restored.

He also appreciated road users for their patience and cooperation as efforts continue to ease the congestion along the Kara Bridge axis.

The controversy over the detention of Nigerians at a deportation camp in India has taken a fresh turn after detained Nigerian, Ekene Vitus Chukwuma, disputed the account given by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) over his case.

Ekene’s response was posted on X on Wednesday by broadcaster Rufai Oseni, who has been at the centre of a public dispute with NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, over the treatment of Nigerians detained in India.

SEE MORE: Rufai Oseni Row: NiDCOM Breaks Silence on Nigerians Detained in India, Addresses Ekene’s Case

Fresh Twist in Rufai–NiDCOM Row as Commission Explains Ekene’s Deportation Ordeal

NiDCOM had earlier said Ekene was arrested in December 2025 for overstaying his visa and had failed to take advantage of an amnesty programme offered by Indian authorities to undocumented Nigerians.

The commission said the amnesty, which began in May 2025 and was later extended, enabled more than 4,000 Nigerians to return home without legal or administrative penalties. It added that some Nigerians who failed to utilise the opportunity were subsequently arrested and placed in deportation camps.

But Ekene has rejected parts of the commission’s account, declaring:
“That’s a false report, why are they making this lie on my head?”

He specifically disputed the impression that his wife and children were still in India during the amnesty period.

According to the statement, Ekene said his wife and children had returned to Nigeria before the amnesty began, adding that his family had been back home since the end of 2020.

“Wife and kids were sent to Nigeria years before the 2025 amnesty; family has been home since end of 2020,” he said.

Ekene also gave a different account of his arrest, saying Indian police came to his residence on December 15, 2025, and took him to a local police station.

He said he was transferred to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) the following day, where he was fingerprinted and checked for possible illegal activity.

“On 16 Dec I was taken to FRRO, fingerprinted and checked for illegal activity; they confirmed I had no illegal activities other than visa overstay,” he said.

According to Ekene, he was subsequently taken directly to a deportation camp.
ETC delay allegation

Ekene further alleged that a Nigerian who claimed to be an agent working with FRRO demanded 35,000 Indian rupees from him in connection with obtaining an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC).

He said he could not afford the alleged payment because he only had enough money to purchase a flight ticket to Nigeria.

Ekene claimed that detainees later organised a peaceful protest inside the camp over the alleged demand, after which the payment request stopped.

The allegation of a 35,000-rupee demand has not been independently verified.
He said he continued pushing for the ETC and that the Nigerian High Commission eventually issued the document on May 16, 2026, five months after his arrest.

Ekene said the document was valid for three months but expired while he was still in detention.

“I spent almost six months in the deportation camp before receiving ETC,” he said.

He argued that if the document had been issued earlier, he could have purchased a flight and returned to Nigeria, saying his limited funds were enough for the journey but not for any additional payment he was allegedly asked to make.

The latest account adds another layer to the dispute between Oseni and NiDCOM.

Oseni had accused the commission of failing to follow up after he supplied Ekene’s details, while NiDCOM maintained that it had responded through official channels and that the Nigerian High Commission remained engaged with Indian authorities.

NiDCOM has also said deportation ultimately depends on the Indian authorities and that efforts were ongoing to secure a fresh amnesty for Nigerians still in detention.