NEWS
Tension Rises As Sharia Council Challenges CAN Over El-Rufai’s Remark
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria came to the defense of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, regarding a viral video where he justified appointing Muslims to key positions in the state government instead of Christians.
Recall that during former Governor El Rufai meeting with Islamic clerics on his last day in office, he revealed that Muslims had voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election.
In the viral video of the meeting, he expressed his belief that the predominance of Islam in the governance of Kaduna State was here to stay, expressing his satisfaction that this trend had been successfully replicated at the national level with the election of former Lagos Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as president, and Kashim Shettima as vice president.
In response to the former governor’s remarks, the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), represented by its chairman Rev. John Hayab, urged the public to disregard El-Rufai’s statements, asserting that he was simply seeking attention and playing games.
The statement from CAN provoked a strong reaction from the Sharia Council, with the state Secretary, AbdurRahman Hassan, in Kaduna on Sunday, expressing their frustration.
The Sharia Council declared that if the Christian Association had known the consequences, they would have refrained from making any statements and chosen to follow the path of honor.
Expressing their concern, the Council lamented that if not for divine intervention, Nigeria would have been in a dire situation after the 2023 general elections due to the careless remarks made by Christian leaders throughout the country.
The Council specifically referred to a viral video on social media featuring Apostle Kassy Chukwu, who made insinuation that Tinubu’s wife should have poisoned him yet CAN did not taking any action in response to such remarks.
The statement added, “For the past one week the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter has been wagging tongues accusing the former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufa’i for making some statements as far as CAN is concerned, simply because he aired his view on the political realities of Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“During the campaigns of the just concluded elections in this country, where was CAN when a majority of pastors were making unguarded utterances, which if not for the help of Allah (SWT), Nigeria would have been history.
“Where was CAN when a pastor stood on the pulpit with AK-47 in Abuja? Where was CAN when some Christian clergies were making prophecies of doom for this country? But Alhamdu Lillah, all the hullabaloo, and all the fake and false prophecies, nothing negative happened to our dear country Nigeria.
“The Muslim Ummah has been tolerant enough, if not, there is no way, a Muslim Dominated state like Taraba, will be governed by a Christian. If a plateau state with a population of over 35per cent Muslims were denied the Deputy Governor slot, why should Kaduna State with a Muslim population of close to 75 per cent not have Muslim-Muslim ticket?
“CAN should better understand that democracy is a game of numbers, and that was what played out during the just concluded presidential elections.
“The Muslim votes were divided into four places; Mallam Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC, Alh. Atiku Abubakar of PDP, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of NNPP and Mallam Kola Abiola of PRP, while the entire Christians of both northern and southern parts of this country (if not but a few) gave a bulk vote to Mr. Peter Obi of LP. Despite this, Mallam Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim, emerged as the winner of the election and is now our President.
“Let the politicalised CAN understand that peace is only achieved when there is justice and adherence to the democratic norm, which is relative to demographic realities.
“Good men of God always preach peace, not violence and instigative tendencies which in turn, will be a threat to peace and development. We eschew CAN to toe the line of honour in neutrality, rather than playing double standards.”
In a letter addressed to the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Kaduna State Peace Commission, Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, the founder of Throne-room Ministry in Kafanchan, announced his immediate resignation. The letter stated that Kure’s decision to resign was effective immediately.
In his resignation letter, Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure expressed that he could not, in good conscience, continue to serve on a committee that would contribute to disharmony and the further disintegration of the nation.
He further alleged that the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, had not implemented any of the suggestions discussed during their numerous meetings.
The letter partly reads, “In the backdrop of the viral video statement credited to His Excellency, the now defunct Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (which he is yet to openly deny) in which he openly thanked one religion over the other and explained why his government discriminated against one side and his wish that the Muslim-Muslim ticket and religion be entrenched as the sole ruler over Nigeria, which is contrary to my belief and the fairness that my faith teaches me and that, I think, the Peace Commission stands for.
“I hereby tender my resignation as both Co-Chair and Member of this laudable Committee because it is clear that we were set up to serve a diversionary interest and that we were not meant to succeed.”
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has admitted Nigeria as an Association country.
The development, Biztellers reports has been well received by the Nigerian authorities led the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who described it as a major milestone that will strengthen the country’s role in global energy governance while supporting its drive for universal energy access, industrialisation and sustainable development.
Ekpo’s positive sentiments were expressed in a statement on Thursday by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, who noted that the unanimous decision of the IEA Governing Board to admit Nigeria reflects the country’s increasing strategic importance in the global energy sector.
The minister said Nigeria’s membership would open new opportunities for collaboration with the world’s leading energy body, giving the country greater access to global expertise, research, policy guidance and investment partnerships needed to transform its energy sector.
“I am elated by the decision of the IEA Members to officially welcome Nigeria to the IEA Family as an Association country.
“It is an honour for Nigeria to join this leading energy agency. I also encourage other African countries to deepen their engagement with the IEA as we work together to achieve key development goals, including universal energy access and industrialisation”, Ekpo said.
According to him, the partnership will strengthen cooperation in critical areas such as energy security, gas development, investment mobilisation, electricity access and sustainable energy solutions, while supporting Nigeria’s efforts to build a more resilient, competitive and inclusive energy sector.
The minister noted that Nigeria’s admission comes at a critical period when the country is pursuing reforms aimed at expanding domestic gas utilisation, increasing electricity access, attracting investment and driving industrial growth through improved energy infrastructure.
Nigeria is the latest nation to join the IEA’s Association programme, which brings together major energy-producing and energy-consuming countries to promote secure, affordable and sustainable energy systems.
With Nigeria’s admission, the IEA Family now represents more than 80 per cent of global energy demand, a significant increase from the 40 per cent it accounted for when the Association programme was launched in 2015.
Welcoming Nigeria into the organisation, IEA Executive Director, Fatih Birol, described the country’s admission as a significant achievement for both the Agency and the global energy community.
“I am thrilled that Nigeria is joining the IEA. It is Africa’s most populous country and a major international energy player. Nigeria becoming part of the world’s energy authority marks an important advance in global energy governance,” Birol said.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister Ekpo for their confidence in the Agency, saying stronger cooperation would help Nigeria improve energy security, accelerate economic growth and expand access to electricity and clean cooking solutions.
Birol added that the partnership would also support broader efforts to build more resilient and sustainable energy systems while addressing key development challenges.
The IEA acknowledged Nigeria’s growing influence in international energy markets, particularly following recent developments in the country’s refining sector.
According to the Agency, increased fuel exports from Nigeria during periods of global market disruption helped improve the resilience of fuel supply across Africa and other international markets.
It also recognised Nigeria as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for decentralised solar energy, noting the country’s ongoing efforts to expand electricity access and promote clean cooking solutions for millions of households.
The Agency said Nigeria’s admission builds on more than a decade of cooperation that began in 2014 and will deepen collaboration in strategic areas, including energy security, clean energy transition, methane emissions reduction, electricity access and wider energy sector development.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation, Ekpo said the country’s admission into the IEA underscores its growing relevance in shaping global energy policy and reflects its determination to work with development partners to strengthen energy security, expand access to affordable energy and build a sustainable future.
He expressed optimism that the new partnership would accelerate Nigeria’s energy transformation agenda while creating fresh opportunities for investment, innovation and inclusive economic growth.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced another reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Biztellers reports that this marked its fourth price cut within a month, even as the company claimed in a statement in Lagos on Thursday that it continues to pass lower production costs to consumers despite still processing crude oil purchased at significantly higher international prices.
The latest N50 per litre reduction brings the cumulative decrease in the refinery’s PMS ex depot price to N200 per litre since May 30, 2026, reducing the gantry price to N1,075. Over the same period, the refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) by N300 per litre and Jet A1 aviation fuel by N520 per litre.
The company stressed that the successive reductions demonstrate its commitment to ensuring Nigerians benefit from favourable market developments while maintaining the long-term sustainability of domestic refining operations.
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The refinery explained that petroleum product pricing cannot mirror daily movements in international crude oil markets because crude is purchased weeks, and sometimes months, before it is processed.
According to the refinery, the petroleum products currently being supplied to the market are being produced from crude inventories acquired during periods of substantially higher prices.
It disclosed that the average landed cost of crude processed stood at approximately US$124.80 per barrel in May and US$95.25 per barrel in June, compared with the current international benchmark of about US$71.01 per barrel.
The refinery also clarified that its crude procurement costs are not based solely on the headline ICE Brent benchmark commonly quoted in the media.
Rather, crude is purchased on a Dated Brent basis together with applicable market premiums, freight and logistics costs, resulting in actual feedstock costs that differ materially from benchmark prices.
Despite the sharp increase in crude acquisition costs during the period, the Dangote Refinery said it deliberately refrained from transferring the full impact to consumers, choosing instead to absorb a significant portion of the additional costs in order to support market stability and cushion Nigerians from the volatility in global energy markets.
The company noted that this pricing approach has helped to keep petroleum product prices in Nigeria below those prevailing in neighbouring countries, even after accounting for applicable taxes. It added that as lower priced crude cargoes progressively enter its production cycle, the refinery has begun systematically passing the benefits to the market through phased price reductions.
“Today’s N50 per litre reduction is the fourth price cut in one month, bringing cumulative reductions to above N200 per litre on PMS. This approach ensures that pricing decisions are anchored on actual production economics and inventory costs rather than short term fluctuations in international oil markets,” it said. “Nigeria today benefits from the stabilising role of domestic refining capacity. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery currently supplies volumes sufficient to meet national demand, helping to strengthen energy security, eliminate dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange and provide greater price stability for consumers and businesses”.
The company expressed confidence that if international crude prices remain favourable and lower cost feedstock continues to replace higher priced inventories, Nigerians should expect further moderation in petroleum product prices.
The DPRP reiterated its commitment to supplying high quality, internationally certified petroleum products at competitive prices while supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and the long-term development of the country’s downstream petroleum sector.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the Federal Government has not approved Adire as the new uniform for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying reports suggesting otherwise were based on a misunderstanding of his earlier comments.
The clarification came after media reports claimed the minister had announced the replacement of the NYSC’s iconic khaki uniform with Adire during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday.
In a statement posted on his official social media account, Olawande explained that he only mentioned Adire and Ankara as examples of proposals currently being considered as part of the ongoing reforms of the NYSC scheme.
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“My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), particularly on the issue of the proposed uniform,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.”
The minister stressed that no final decision has been taken on the proposed uniform, noting that the government is still evaluating different options based on professional appearance, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, national identity and the promotion of local industries.
“For the record, what we are considering are different options that tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride,” Olawande said.
“No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design.”
During his earlier interview on Channels Television, Olawande had responded to a question on whether a new NYSC uniform would be produced locally by saying: “It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun; we have them in Kwara; we have textile industries. Let’s put our money back into the country.”
The remark triggered widespread speculation that the Federal Government had officially approved Adire to replace the traditional khaki uniform worn by corps members.
However, the minister urged Nigerians not to allow the debate over the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the ongoing reforms.
According to him, the reforms are aimed at making the NYSC scheme more relevant by improving the employability of corps members, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery and ensuring a smoother transition from education to productive careers.
“While conversations around the uniform are understandable, they should not overshadow the far-reaching reforms aimed at empowering millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for national development,” he added.
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