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Sultan-Led Group Warns Of Imminent Revolt Amid Nationwide Hunger Crisis

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Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, leading the Northern Traditional Council has issued a stark warning of imminent public revolt against President Bola Tinubu’s government due to the surge in poverty, hunger, and insecurity in the country.

Abubakar, serving in dual roles as both a traditional and religious leader, issued the warning during the 6th executive meeting of the Northern Traditional Council held at Arewa House, Kaduna, on Wednesday.

Expressing deep concern, Mr. Sa’ad highlights the critical level reached, stating that traditional leaders may struggle to pacify an increasingly agitated and hungry population.

Acknowledging the importance of some governors, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, he underscores the urgency for solutions to the prevailing socio-economic challenges.

He said “It is getting to a level that traditional leaders could no longer pacify the people from revolting against government and political leaders that are supposed to find solutions to their lingering socio-economic plight.

“We have reached that level, people are very agitated, people are hungry, they are angry, but they still believe there are people who can talk to them, they believe in some of their Governors, some other traditional rulers and some  of their religious leaders, fortunately some of us double as traditional and religious leaders.”

Emphasizing the significance of the moment, the cleric acknowledged the restrained response from the populace so far, attributing it to ongoing efforts to reassure them.

He expressed hope that people wouldn’t lose faith in their leaders, emphasizing the challenge faced by traditional, spiritual, and diplomatic figures in maintaining calm among the population.

Expressing concern over the escalating challenges, Mr. Sa’ad lamented the increasing poverty and insecurity, stating, “To make matters worse, we are faced with rising level of poverty of most of our people; lack of normal sources of livelihood by the common man to have even a good meal a day.”

He further emphasized, “But, I believe talking about insecurity and the  rising level of poverty are two issues that we cannot fold our arms and think everything is okay. I have said it so many times and at so many fora that, things are not okay in Nigeria and of course, things are not okay in the North.”

The Sultan’s alert aligns with ongoing protests fueled by a surge in food prices. Last week, citizens took to the streets in Niger, Kano, Osun, and Lagos States, responding to the inflation-induced escalation in the cost of essential goods.

A market survey conducted last Wednesday underscored the impact of inflation, revealing substantial increases in the prices of various food items since Mr. Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

Responding to public concern over soaring food prices due to escalating inflation, Mr. Tinubu has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release approximately 42,000 metric tonnes of grains, including maize, millet, and garri.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised these measures, highlighting Mr. Tinubu’s release of cereals from the grain reserve and provision of subsidized fertilizer to farmers as steps taken to alleviate the impact of rapidly rising inflation on living conditions, according to a summary of its assessment of Nigeria’s economy.

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NEWS

TCN Restores Power Supply to Katampe Substation After Shiroro Line Fault

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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.

 

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NEWS

2027 Elections: FG Warns Politicians Against Promises on Fuel Subsidy

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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.

 

 

 

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Kaduna Moves to Clear 5-Year Promotion Backlog for 24,000 Teachers

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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.

 

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