General News
OPPOSITION LEADERS ACCUSE PRESIDENT TINUBU OF USING EFCC FOR POLITICAL PERSECUTION
Notable opposition leaders have accused President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as a weapon of political persecution. In a statement signed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition leaders including David Mark, Bode George, and Peter Obi, the opposition leaders alleged that Tinubu is deploying state power to persecute perceived political adversaries. Raising alarm over what they called a threat against Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, they accused the Tinubu government of a plot to annihilate opposition. They therefore demanded an independent review body to examine public accounts of federal, state, and local governments from 2015 to 2025 and proposed embedding anti-graft operatives directly into government payment and expenditure processes at all levels.
The statement titled, “Anti-Corruption, Not Anti-Opposition: A Joint Statement by Opposition Leaders on the Growing Politicisation of State Institutions for Persecution of the Opposition,” reads: “We are compelled by duty to nation and conscience to issue this statement to alert our compatriots and the international community to the unfortunate and gradual slide of our country into a state where key national institutions – particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; The Nigeria Police; The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission are increasingly perceived as tools of political intimidation, selective justice and systematic persecution of opposition leaders.” They further stated, “Across our nation, there are mounting concerns that state power is being deployed not for prevention of economic crimes, but for persecution of perceived political adversaries, with the ultimate aim of weakening opposition voices and dismantling Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.”
Atiku Abubakar and the other leaders warned of a dangerous agenda unfolding, stating that more than ever before in Nigeria’s democratic experience, Nigerians have witnessed what many now describe as a covert, undemocratic agenda to ensure that all state governments fall under the control of the President’s party – not through transparent electoral contests, but by secretly intimidating opposition governors via the anti-corruption apparatus until they succumb and defect. They cited recent defections of opposition governors into the ruling party as reinforcing public suspicion that political pressure is driving this realignment. The opposition leaders accused the EFCC of a discernible pattern of persecution of the opposition with the sole objective of weakening same for the benefit of the ruling APC. They referenced a statement by former APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole that “Once you have joined APC, all your sins are forgiven,” which they said has come to symbolise a troubling reality. They gave examples of ministers who resigned after scandals but have not been charged by the EFCC, highlighting selective enforcement. Atiku Abubakar emphasized that such selective enforcement undermines the legitimacy of anticorruption efforts and erodes public trust.
The leaders expressed concern over the erosion of EFCC’s independence and made several demands, including depoliticizing the EFCC, returning it to its statutory mandate, defending multiparty democracy, embedding preventive anti-corruption mechanisms, and establishing an independent review body. They proposed that the independent review body be chaired by an eminent judge and composed of representatives from civil society, professional bodies, security agencies, and political parties. They called on all patriotic Nigerians to stand firm in defence of democracy, quoting Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” They warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat and pledged to engage foreign partners, including the United States, UK, Canada, EU, World Bank, and United Nations, to express concern about the EFCC becoming a tool to weaken opposition. The statement was signed by Sen. David Mark, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, Mallam Lawal Batagarawa, Chief Bode George, Mr. Peter Obi, and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
General News
Global Oil Prices Rise on Strait Disruptions, as Iran Rejects U.S. Dialogue, Supply Risks Persist
Global oil prices climbed sharply on Tuesday as ongoing supply disruptions in the Middle East and renewed geopolitical tensions between Iran and the United States rattled energy markets.
Benchmark crude prices rose above the $100 per barrel mark, with Brent crude gaining nearly $2 and U.S. West Texas Intermediate also posting significant increases. The surge comes amid persistent concerns over disrupted supply routes, particularly through the strategic Strait of Hormuz; a critical chokepoint that handles roughly 20% of global oil shipments.
Tensions escalated further after Iran denied claims by the U.S. officials that negotiations were underway to ease the conflict. The denial contradicted earlier remarks, suggesting progress in diplomatic engagement, adding to uncertainty in global markets.
The ongoing conflict has already disrupted energy infrastructure across the region, with reports indicating that dozens of oil and gas facilities have been damaged. Analysts warn that these disruptions could keep prices elevated for an extended period, even if hostilities ease in the near term.
Adding to market volatility are continued military exchanges and attacks on energy assets, which have heightened fears of a prolonged supply crunch. Oil prices have already surged significantly since late February as traders factor in the risk of further escalation.
Energy experts caution that if the disruption to shipping routes persists, prices could spike even higher, potentially exceeding previous record levels. The uncertainty surrounding diplomatic efforts and the ongoing damage to infrastructure continue to weigh heavily on global energy markets.
The developments underscore the fragile state of global oil supply chains, with markets reacting swiftly to both geopolitical tensions and conflicting signals on potential negotiations.
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned the hearing of the bail application of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to March 31, 2026, following his arraignment on alleged corruption-related charges.
El-Rufai was on Tuesday brought before the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and arraigned before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa.
During the proceedings, the former governor was docked on one count out of a 10-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency. The charge, according to his counsel, Ubong Akpan, relates to alleged deposits into a domiciliary account and the monetisation of earnings.
El-Rufai was arraigned alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga.
Despite pending applications earlier filed before the court, Justice Aikawa proceeded with the arraignment and subsequently adjourned the matter to March 31 to consider all outstanding applications, including the bail request.
No bail application was moved or granted during Tuesday’s session.
Speaking to journalists after the court sitting, Akpan maintained that there was nothing unusual about the proceedings, adding that the defence team was yet to be served with processes relating to other potential charges.
The case is expected to resume on the adjourned date for hearing of the bail application and other pending matters.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has introduced an urgent, coordinated strategy to safeguard food security across West Africa and the Sahel, as global economic disruptions and rising oil prices continue to threaten agricultural production.
The decision followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Agriculture held on March 23, 2026, where regional leaders assessed the growing risks to food systems.
The high-level meeting, convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture under Commissioner Kalilou Sylla, brought together key regional institutions, development partners, and financial stakeholders.
Participants—including representatives from the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel—reviewed the impact of rising fertiliser costs, driven by global market volatility and increasing energy prices, on agricultural productivity across the region.
Deliberations resulted in the adoption of a medium- to long-term operational framework aimed at strengthening food sovereignty and building resilience within regional food systems.
Key measures outlined in the plan include the immediate establishment of regional agreements to secure strategic fertiliser supplies, as well as the creation of emergency reserves to cushion the effects of future price shocks.
The ministers also approved the introduction of liquidity swap mechanisms through central banks to address foreign exchange constraints faced by importers—an intervention expected to improve access to critical agricultural inputs.
“Our collective response underscores the urgency of safeguarding food security in the face of external shocks,” Sylla said, noting that enhanced regional coordination and targeted interventions would help sustain agricultural production and protect vulnerable populations.
The initiative highlights ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation and implementing sustainable solutions to emerging threats to food security across West Africa and the Sahel.