General News
Senate Threatens Sanctions Against CAC Registrar Over Budget Defence Snub
The Senate Committee on Finance has threatened to recommend sanctions against the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, following his failure to appear before lawmakers for a scheduled budget defence session.
The committee, chaired by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, described the Registrar-General’s absence as unacceptable and a violation of legislative oversight obligations. Lawmakers expressed anger that the CAC boss failed to honour repeated invitations to defend the agency’s budget and account for its financial operations.
During the session, which was attended by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, as well as the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, members of the committee moved a motion calling for decisive action against the CAC chief, including the possibility of recommending his removal.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Musa, stressed that no agency head is above legislative scrutiny, warning that continued disregard for the Senate’s authority would not be tolerated. He underscored the need for improved discipline, transparency and efficiency in the nation’s budgeting process.
The committee also urged the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning to enhance coordination among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure proper planning, monitoring and implementation of approved budgets.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu questioned the impact of government reforms on ordinary Nigerians. While acknowledging reported improvements in macroeconomic indicators, he expressed concern over the absence of clear evidence that such gains are translating into meaningful improvements in the microeconomy.
“We are hearing about better macroeconomic figures, but how are these policies improving small businesses and household incomes?” Kalu asked.
Responding to the committee’s concerns, Edun attributed challenges in budget implementation to revenue constraints and exchange rate fluctuations, which he said have affected government disbursements.
He advised MDAs to concentrate on priority projects capable of delivering significant economic impact, noting that limited resources make it impossible to fund all budgeted items at once.
“We must align our spending with available revenues and focus on projects that will stimulate growth and create jobs,” the minister said.
Edun further encouraged agencies to strengthen internal revenue generation, adding that the Federal Government’s revenue optimisation drive is designed to boost funding capacity and ensure sustained execution of development programmes.
Although officials reported that inflation has moderated and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is improving, lawmakers insisted that such progress must reflect in better living conditions for citizens.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing accountability and prudent management of public funds, warning that any agency head who fails to respect legislative oversight will face appropriate consequences.
Oluremi Tinubu has commended the people of the Itsekiri people and other residents of Delta State for maintaining peace, unity and purposeful development.
The First Lady made the remark during a visit to the Olu of Warri Palace where she addressed the Itsekiri nation in appreciation of their cultural cohesion and communal harmony.
Speaking largely in the Itsekiri language, Mrs. Tinubu said she was proud to communicate in her mother tongue, noting that love and mutual respect among the people have strengthened unity despite the community’s relatively small population.
She urged Nigerians to embrace national unity, stressing that peaceful coexistence is essential for the country’s progress.
“God is not foolish for bringing us together,” she said, adding that the simultaneous observance of religious fasts by Muslims during Ramadan and Christians during Lent symbolises shared humanity.
The First Lady also praised traditional rulers in the area, including the Ogiame Atuwatse III, for promoting peace, unity and exemplary leadership among their people.
Speaking at the event, Sheriff Oborevwori, who attended with his wife Tobore Oborevwori, described the First Lady as a role model and a “sweet mother” who promotes inclusiveness.
The governor expressed appreciation that Mrs. Tinubu had visited Delta State three times since assuming office, describing the visits as a demonstration of love and commitment to national harmony.
He also referenced international recognition of the First Lady, noting praise reportedly received during a prayer gathering in the United States involving Donald Trump.
The Olu of Warri thanked the First Lady for the visit and pledged continued support for the federal administration.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has firmly denied ever meeting disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, telling lawmakers she has no recollection of any interaction with him and no knowledge of his crimes.
Clinton made the declaration on Thursday during a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, New York.
In a written statement issued during the session, she said she never boarded Epstein’s private jet, visited his properties, or had any encounter with him.
The testimony comes amid renewed congressional scrutiny over Epstein’s connections to powerful political and business figures before his 2019 jail death while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Political Tensions Rise
Clinton accused the Republican-led committee of attempting to deflect attention from President Donald Trump and his past social relationship with Epstein.
She also criticized the Trump administration, alleging it weakened a State Department office tasked with fighting global sex trafficking.
The deposition briefly stalled after a photo of Clinton during the session surfaced on social media. According to her adviser Nick Merrill, the image violated committee rules. Conservative commentator Benny Johnson posted the photo, claiming it was taken by Republican Representative Lauren Boebert.
Contempt Threat Forced Testimony
Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, had initially resisted appearing before the panel. They agreed to testify only after lawmakers initiated contempt proceedings.
Bill Clinton is expected to face questioning on Friday.
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer dismissed claims that the probe is politically driven, noting that some Democrats had also supported calling the Clintons to testify.
“No one is accusing the Clintons of wrongdoing at this point,” Comer said, adding that the panel wants clarity on any potential contact with Epstein, his involvement in the Clintons’ charitable initiatives, and possible links to Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently imprisoned.
Comer said transcripts of both interviews will be released publicly.
Democrats Demand Broader Accountability
Representative Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking Democrat, countered that the investigation should not stop with the Clintons. He called for testimony from Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who has acknowledged visiting Epstein’s private island years after cutting ties with him.
Garcia also accused the Justice Department of withholding portions of nearly three million Epstein-related documents recently made public. He claimed the missing records include allegations from a woman who accused Trump of sexual abuse when she was a minor.
In Washington, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would review unredacted materials and urged the Justice Department to safeguard all related records.
The department has stated it is reviewing whether any documents were improperly withheld and has warned that some released materials contain unverified or sensational claims.
Authorities have not charged Trump with any crimes connected to Epstein. The two were known to have socialized in the 1990s and early 2000s before Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Comer said the committee has not uncovered evidence implicating Trump.
While Bill Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s private jet several times after leaving office, he has denied any misconduct and expressed regret over the association. Comer also stated that Epstein visited the White House 17 times during Clinton’s presidency.
Recently released documents have further highlighted Epstein’s links to prominent figures across politics and business, including Lutnick and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
General News
Breaking: INEC Announces New Dates for 2027 General Election, Reschedules Osun Governorship Poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable for the 2027 general election and adjusted the schedule for the 2026 Osun State governorship election following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
The commission disclosed this in a statement issued late Thursday by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to the revised timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The adjustment follows the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022, which previously guided electoral timelines, and the introduction of new statutory provisions under the 2026 law.
The commission explained that the review was necessary to ensure compliance with the updated legal framework governing pre-election and electoral activities.
Under the new schedule, political party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the exercises, will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
Presidential and National Assembly election campaigns will commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.
INEC reiterated that all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day and urged political parties to strictly adhere to the approved timelines, warning that the commission would enforce compliance.
The commission also confirmed that preparations for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already begun but stated that outstanding activities would now be conducted in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
INEC stressed that the revised timetable aligns with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and called on political parties and stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections.
“The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility,” the commission said, urging citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening the country’s electoral process.