Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as gasoline, now costs ₦992 a litre, up from ₦865 previously, due to a recent increase by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

There was no formal explanation for the abrupt raise as of Monday.

When The Nation visited a number of NNPC retail locations, attendants were observed modifying their pumps to reflect the updated rate.

The petrol attendants at the NNPC station on Ogunusi Road, Ojodu Berger, Lagos, acknowledged that they had received instructions to adjust the price to ₦992 per liter.

NNPC stations at Ibafo, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, were not supplying passengers with fuel, but they were still showing the previous price of ₦875 per liter.

The availability issue was made worse by the fact that several other NNPC stations were also not selling gasoline at the time this report was filed.

Allegations of “dirty fuel” are denied by Dangote Refinery.
The price increase was announced a few days after the Dangote Refinery refuted claims that it brought high-sulfur gasoline into Nigeria.

The refinery’s management denied the allegations in a statement on Friday, calling them “false, malicious, and misleading.”

Following media reports that claimed Dangote Refinery had imported high-sulfur catalytic gasoline from the United Kingdom, with a sulphur level of up to 690 parts per million (ppm), significantly higher than Nigeria’s legal limit of 50 ppm under the Clean Fuels policy, the correction was issued.

As part of its commitment to environmental safety and quality standards, the refinery maintained that it was not accountable for the importation of any unclean fuel.

Rev. Uma Ukpai, a well-known Nigerian preacher, is said to have passed away.

Prophet Joel Ogebe, the head prophet of the House of Salem Global in Abuja, revealed the passing on Monday via 𝕏, according to the report.

Many internet users responded to the message by connecting it to Rev. Ukpai, the founder and president of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, a well-known non-denominational organization with its headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, notwithstanding Ogebe’s failure to name any individuals.

“A giant has gone to be with the Lord,” he wrote. The chariot of Israel, my father, my father. Heaven is happy. Uyo.

A Christian website called Church Gist also posted a statement on Facebook shortly after, announcing the death of the famous bishop.

“A GENERAL TAKES A BOW!” was the post’s headline. UMA UKPAI, EVANGELIST, IS NOW WITH THE LORD. SIR, REST IN POWER.

His family has not yet provided a formal statement or confirmation as of the time this news was filed.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an Igbo sociocultural organization, has pledged to protect Works Minister David Umahi from plots hatched by President Bola Tinubu’s supporters.

According to a statement released on Monday by Chinyereze Thompson Ohia and Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the faction’s Deputy President-General, Umahi is a great gift from Tinubu to the Igbo people.

As the first Igbo person to occupy this esteemed position since 1947, Ohanaeze said that Umahi’s recent nomination as Minister of Works breaks a 74-year-old jinx and goes beyond simple political symbolism.

According to the statement, which was based on reliable intelligence, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has learned of plans to launch a distraction and blackmail campaign against three of President Tinubu’s most capable cabinet ministers, with Senator Umahi unfairly placed as the main target on their list.

Part of the statement says, “It is important to recognize that there are malicious plans to defame and undermine Senator Umahi in his role as Minister of Works. But those who oppose democracy and support good administration will not be comforted since the Nigerian people are still supporting Senator Umahi in his efforts to fulfill his constitutional obligations.

The minister’s admirable accomplishments in just 25 months have won him the respect of millions of Nigerians, especially as evidence of the federal roads being built shows that they are more than 80% guaranteed to last thanks to excellent cement technology.

The combination of Senator Umahi’s disciplined Igbo character and his unwavering allegiance as a supporter of President Tinubu is the source of his political persecution. In carrying out his responsibilities as Minister of Works, his unrelenting commitment guarantees that he upholds the highest standards of ethics and governance.

In addition to commemorating the historic achievement of having a Grade A Minister of Works—the first of his kind since the ministry’s founding under Abubakar Tafawa Balewa between 1951 and 1954—Ndigbo promises to continue to support President Tinubu’s leadership for a full, uninterrupted term until 2031.

Evans, a convicted wealthy kidnapper, was re-arraigned by the Lagos State Government on Monday at the Lagos High Court in Ikeja for the alleged murder of two police officers.

Evans and his co-defendant Joseph Emeka appeared in court together and were charged with five counts of attempted murder, murder, and conspiracy to conduct kidnapping.

Following the reading of the allegations before Justice A.O. Ogala, both defendants entered not guilty pleas.

Renowned for his high-profile kidnapping operations, Evans is presently on trial in five different criminal charges involving murder and kidnapping.

Of those, he has already been found guilty in two trials.

President Bola Tinubu extended presidential mercy to a number of condemned offenders nationwide just days prior to the re-arraignment.

Details will be revealed soon.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Leader Sunday Udeh-Okoye has officially resigned from the party.

According to reports, Udeh-Okoye stated he was disappointed with the PDP and that the party had strayed from the principles and goals of its founders.

A letter containing his resignation was sent to the PDP Ward Chairman of Agbogugu Ward, located in the Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

According to the letter, “I would like to formally submit my resignation as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member.”

“This was not an easy decision to make. My political career would not have been the same without the PDP, which gave me the priceless chance to run for office and hold the positions of National Youth Leader, Member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, and, most recently, National Secretary.

“The party, its lenders, and members at all levels continue to have my sincere gratitude for these privileges of service and confidence.

But over time, I have become more and more concerned as the PDP’s founding fathers’ vision and ideals—which were based on the concepts of equity, justice, and unity—have been undermined.

The PDP, which was once a ray of hope for democratic administration, has unfortunately lost its ideological focus and moral compass.

“After giving it some serious thought, I have decided that I can no longer stay in a system that has deviated so greatly from its original intent in good conscience.

As I set out on a progressive journey aimed at reestablishing the principles of democracy, accountability, and public service—values that the PDP has regrettably abandoned—I am therefore forced to cut company with the party.

*Accuse her of defamation, seek 20m damages

The Administrator of the Estate of late Mrs Esther Ibeto, has dragged
Jigida singer, Uche Ibeto, before a High Court of Justice of Lagos state, over unlawful possession of the deceased property.

Uche is known for her popular music hit album, Jigida Dance in the 80s.

Led by the Administrator of the Estate, Mrs. Laura Chinyelu Okoh, in a suit filed through her Counsel, Barrister E. Omoijiade, dated October 2, 2025, accused their sister of unlawfully taking possession of cash, valuables, property title documents, and rental income belonging to the Estate after their mother’s death.

They also accused Uche of sponsoring defamatory publications in the media against the Administrator and other members of the family.

Specifically, they mentioned a publication in Sahara Reporters, dated September 9, 2025, where she accused Mrs Okoh of conniving with a judicial officer to eject her from her home at 36, Ibezim Obianulu. street, Lagos, where she had lived.

But the Estate Administrator on behalf of the family prayed the court for an order of the court for Uche, who is the sole defendant in the matter to return all assets belonging to the Estate, provide a full account of the Estate’s finances, and publish a retraction and apology for the defamatory statements.

The, plaintiff also asked the court to order monetary compensation of N10,000,000 for defamation and N10,000,000 for the cost of the legal action.

She further prayed the court for an order for Uche Ibeto to account for £10,000 (Ten thousand Pounds) allegedly withdrawn from their deceased mother’s Barclays Bank account and a perpetual injunction restraining the Uche Ibeto from interfering with the Estate or publishing further defamatory statements.

In the statement of claim, deposed to, by the Estate Administrator, the Claimant in the matter, Mrs Okoh, avers that the Uche Ibeto without lawful authority from the administrators of the estate rented out various portions of the deceased’s property, including the boys’ quarters, garages, and flats, and converted rental income of more than N25,000,000 (Twenty-Five Million Naira) to her personal use.

The Claimant further said despite repeated requests and demands, Uche Ibeto has persistently refused, neglected, and failed to provide an account for or retum the monies, valuables, and documents that were unlawtully removed from the deceased and the Estate.

“These assets, which are rightfully part of the Estate of the late Mrs. Esther Ibeto, remain in the Defendant’s possession without lawful justification or explanation. In support of these claims, the Claimant will rely, at the trial of this suit, on a formal letter dated 20th August 2025, which was issued to the Defendant demanding the immediate retum of the Estate assets still held by her”, she said.

The Claimant further stated that, following the Defendant’s persistent refusal and neglect to account for the estate assets in her possession, as weil as her ongoing dissipation of the remaining assets, it became necessary to sell the house, in the best interest of the estate.

She said, “Considering these circumstances, and to protect and preserve the interests of all beneficiaries, the Claimant made the decision to sell the one-storey building situated at No. 36 Ibezim Obiajulu Street, Surulere, Lagos and share the proceeds realised among the beneficiaries of the estate, ensuring that each party received their rightful entitlement in accordance with the duties of the Administrator.

“Rather than providing a proper account of the estate properties in her custody, the Defendant responded by threatening to harass and embarrass the Claimant. The Defendant subsequently acted upon these threats by colluding with certain unscrupulous police officers to intimidate and arrest staff and employees of the Estate.

“The Claimant avers that on or about 2025, the Defendant caused and/or sponsored the publication of malicious, false and defamatory statements in the press, wherein she falsely represented herself (Uche Ibeto) as the owner of the Estate property, maliciously disparaged the Claimant in her capacity as Administrator, and misled the public as to the true ownership of the Estate’s
assets.

“The said defamatory publications have lowered the Claimant in the estimation of right-thinking members of society, brought the administration of the Estate into disrepute, and injured the Estate’s reputation.

The Administrator sought an order of the court restraining the defendant from further publishing defamatory statements in the media.

She prayed the court for N20m damages against the defendant.

As at the time of filing this report, Counsel to the Administrator said the Bailiff has been to her (Uche’s) house at 21/25 Allen Avenue, Ikeja, but she refused service of the court papers.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case

The rumored plan by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been denounced by former PDP Deputy National Chairman Bode George.

The move is an insult to the people who trusted them with their mandates on the PDP platform, George said, calling it “shameless, shambolic, annoying, and disgraceful.”

Although the party leadership in both states has remained silent on the matter, it is generally believed that Mbah and Diri would publicly switch to the APC on October 14.

In an interview with Vanguard, George responded to rumors that the governors and other PDP officials would be under pressure to join the ruling party, saying there was no reason to be concerned.

“I don’t know if they are being blackmailed, but that shouldn’t be a problem,” George stated. What is causing them fear? You have to work for the government. They ought to think about the voters who supported them. There is no way that their secret won’t be revealed if they have done something in secret. That shouldn’t frighten them.

The PDP mainstay cautioned that if the defections persisted, Nigeria may potentially descend into a one-party system, which he called intolerable.

“That will be this country’s biggest failure,” he added. We can’t all be in the same situation. Nigerians probably wouldn’t be complaining if their (APC) administration was doing well. It is vile.

There is a lot of resentment and hunger in the country, and some governors are defecting to the APC. As we say in the Navy, you have to make sure the rope around your waist is good and tight if you are jumping ship.

George said that the governors had to give Nigerians an explanation for their decision to leave the party they were voted to.

“Did they return and inform the people who gave them their mandate of their intention?” he asked. Because they supported the party’s agenda, the voters granted them their mandate. It’s shambolic and shameless. We need to know what drew them to the APC.

The PDP chairman insisted that Nigerians will vote in 2027 and that no number of defections would ensure the APC’s political supremacy.

“They cannot make Nigeria a one-party state,” he continued. It isn’t feasible. The APC will be startled by what Nigerians would do to them in 2027, even though they don’t do what we do in the PDP.

The well-known writer Wole Soyinka has been criticized by Rev. Fr. Kelvin Ugwu, a Catholic missionary priest in the Gambia, for his perceived silence during President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In “Prof Soyinka then vs. Prof Soyinka now,” a Facebook post, he accused the Nobel laureate of being less vocal under President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership and of remaining utterly mute throughout Tinubu’s administration.

According to Ugwu, Soyinka was outspoken under the administrations of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, calling himself a “social crusader” and “movement” who openly denounced injustices by the government.

“Then came Tinubu, a man whose academic records are in doubt and whose identity is unclear,” he went on. In his two years in government, he has led Nigeria to accumulate more debt and its people to live in various forms of hardship.

He asked what would have led Soyinka, who was once a well-known spokesperson for the people, to “suddenly become deaf and dumb” while Tinubu was in power.

Furthermore, Ugwu disagreed that Soyinka’s silence was driven by ethnic allegiance, stating that the Nobel laureate has attacked other Yoruba leaders, like as Obasanjo.

He also joked that “if this is what people mean by juju, then juju is powerful,” suggesting that Tinubu’s capacity to influence detractors would be inexplicable.

Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, civil society organizations, or CSOs, have urged the Senate to be open and honest in its selection process.

Newsmen were reportedly given access to the CSOs’ statement by Yiaga Africa on Saturday.

Amupitan’s candidacy, which was apparently approved unanimously by the Council of State, does not take the place of the Nigerian Senate’s obligation to carry out a thorough, exacting, and open vetting procedure, the civic organizations pointed out.

Yiaga Africa, Women Rights Advancement Protection Alternative, WRAPA, International Press Center, IPC, the Kukah Center, Center for Media and Society, TAF Africa, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Nigeria Women Trust Fund, Accountability Lab, Nigeria, and YERP Naija Campaign have all signed the statement together.

The organizations believed the only way the Senate could inspire public trust was through a thorough, stringent, and transparent screening procedure.

Along with guaranteeing transparency, they also tasked the Senate with making sure the process is broadcast on television and incorporates citizen and civil society engagement in the confirmation hearings, memoranda, and petitions.

The CSOs also demanded that the Senate conduct a thorough investigation of his qualifications, public records, electoral reform vision, INEC’s institutional strengthening, and ability to maintain electoral integrity and withstand political meddling.

The Senate should also question the nominee’s strategies for resolving systemic issues, such as voter registration, transmission of results, and adherence to INEC’s rules and policies.

“In accordance with the Framework for Citizens Engagement in the INEC Appointment Process, which was previously provided to the Senate by the undersigned civil society organizations, Nigerians anticipate that the Senate confirmation process will be accessible to the public.

“This includes complete disclosure of the nominee’s qualifications, history of public service, and ability to conduct elections free from political meddling,” the statement said.

Despite stating that they recognized Amupitan’s academic and professional achievements and therefore had no objections to his nomination in principle, the groups pointed out that the current electoral situation in Nigeria necessitates an INEC that is fiercely independent, impervious to political manipulation, and steadfast in its commitment to holding credible elections.

They conjectured that the future INEC chairman, should the Senate confirm him, should have moral courage, oppose political meddling, and function better when free from political influence.

Following the end of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s term, the Presidency announced that Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, would be the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC. We, the undersigned civil society organizations that work on democracy and elections in Nigeria and throughout Africa, acknowledge this announcement.

The Council of State, which apparently unanimously approved his candidacy, was consulted before this. It is important to remember that the Nigerian Senate’s responsibility to perform due diligence through a thorough and open screening procedure that fosters public confidence is not superseded by the Council of State’s ratification.

The Justice Uwais Report, the Ken Nnamani Committee Report, and the Citizens Memorandum on Electoral Reforms are just a few of the important electoral reform initiatives that support our long-standing demand for an open, inclusive, and citizen-centered appointment process.

According to the statement, “Yiaga Africa and other Civil Society Organizations are urging the Senate to make sure that Prof. Amupitan exhibits moral courage and resistance to political interference.”