National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has cautioned his supporters against fighting Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang on his behalf.

According to him, he and the governor have buried whatever differences they had in the past and are now working for the good of the state.

The two prominent sons of Plateau were political opponents when they contested for the governorship position in 2023, which was won by Mutfwang, who was then a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Since then, their supporters and loyalists have taken every opportunity to throw attacks and insults at each other ostensibly on behalf of the politicians.

But while speaking in Jos Monday, Nentawe appealed to his loyalists to desist from further attacks on the governor now that he has defected to the APC and is now working in the interest of the state.

The APC Chairman stated that whatever difference he had with Mutfwang in the past was not a personal fight but as political foes in different camps, they would naturally have differences in opinions and ideologies but now that they are in the same camp, there was no need for such differences.

“Today, I want to thank God for two reasons. We’ve united with my brother, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, in the same party, and we will provide the best we can.

“By the grace of God and with your support, we will ensure that Plateau actually gets what it deserves at the national and state levels,” the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction said.

“We never had any personal problems, and we never had any personal grudges. What we had was a political difference. We’ve closed those gaps, and we’re working together to ensure that we provide peace for our people, provide development for our people, and provide support for our people at any needed time.

“We now have a strong partnership. So, I’m calling upon anybody who is hearing my voice: If you have any political difference with Mutfwang because of me or for any reason, please, let bygones be bygones and let peace reign supreme in our state,” he added.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC has dismissed reports purporting that the commission arrested Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

A statement issued by the ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, described the video currently circulating on social media as false and malicious.

The commission stated that the claim contained in the video is entirely untrue and intended to spread mischief and mislead members of the public.

ICPC clarified that it has neither arrested nor invited Justice James Omotosho in relation to any investigation.

“The Commission is also not investigating the Honourable Judge as alleged in the video.

“The commission therefore urges members of the public to disregard the misleading content and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary public concern and damaging reputations”, the statement added.

Lagos State Government has announced alternative traffic routes ahead of the partial closure of the Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following the commencement of repair works by the Federal Government.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued late Tuesday by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola.

According to the statement, the Federal Ministry of Works earlier announced that expansion joint repair works on the bridge would begin on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and are expected to last for two weeks, ending on March 24, 2026.

The government said the repair exercise would lead to a partial closure of the Kara Bridge inward Opic/Mowe, advising motorists to make use of designated alternative routes during the period to ease traffic movement.

Under the first route option, motorists coming from the Third Mainland Bridge are advised to connect through Ketu to Mile 12, proceed to Ogolonto and Ikorodu Garage, then link Sabo Roundabout to access Isagamu Road or Itokin Road to continue their journeys.

For the second option, motorists travelling from Lagos Island are advised to link Ilubinrin to Ijora Bridge, access Eko Bridge through Funsho Williams Avenue, and proceed to Ikorodu Road through Ojota to Ketu and Mile 12. From there, they can connect Ogolonto to Ikorodu Garage and proceed through Sabo Roundabout to Isagamu Road or Itokin Road to reach their destinations.

Alternatively, motorists may also connect Ikorodu Garage through Sabo Roundabout, link Ogijo to Likosi, and proceed through Shimawa to Lotto before connecting to Mowe and other destinations.

The ministry stated that officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, would be deployed within the rehabilitation corridor and along the designated alternative routes to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Traffic management signs will also be installed in strategic locations to guide motorists during the repair period.

The Lagos State Government urged motorists to plan their journeys in advance to avoid delays and appealed for patience and cooperation from road users throughout the duration of the rehabilitation work.

The Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Enugu Depot Community, Chinedu Anyaso, has formally declared his intention to contest for the seat of Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in Anambra.

Anyaso, a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance made the declaration in his home in Ekwulummili community, in the Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra.

He announced his intention in the presence of the leadership and stakeholders of APGA in Ekwulummili Ward.

He said he was motivated to enter the contest by the desire to complement the effort of the APGA-led government in Anambra with effective representation at the National Assembly.

Anyaso commended the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for his visionary leadership and development strides in Anambra which had made APGA the party of choice for every household in the state.

He promised to provide federal legislative support for Soludo to explore and develop the potential of the constituency in the area of trade and commerce, industrialisation and agriculture.

He said, “I want to announce my intention to contest for the seat of Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly in 2027 on the ticket of APGA.

“I am going to be your voice in the House of Representatives. I am going to complement the effort of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to address the ecological challenge in our constituency.

“Having served the Marketers in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu State as well as our members on parts of Abia, Imo, Kogi and Benue states for two successful terms, I am making myself available for the service of this Federal Constituency.”

Also speaking, the Chairman APGA, Ekwulummili Ward, Cosmas Ezeani described Anyaso as a strong pillar for APGA in the ward.

Also speaking, Chief Akai Egwuonwu, a Chieftain of APGA said Anyaso was a purposeful and goal driven gentleman with all the qualifications for the job.

Egwuonwu, who is aspiring for Anambra South Senatorial District called on the people of Ekwulummili Ward to give him all the support they could muster while urging Anyaso to build bridges for a successful outing.

Chief Nwankwo Onyekwere who spoke on behalf of marketers said the entire members of IPMAN were in solidarity with Anyaso whom he said had inspired vision and direction in the union through his leadership.

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has welcomed Dauda Lawal, Governor of Zamfara State, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lawal reportedly defected to the ruling party on Monday, represented by the deputy governor and members of the state executive council, with APC flags displayed at the Government House.

In a statement shared on his X account, Matawalle described the development as a significant moment in the political history of the state and the country.

He said the governor’s move to the APC would strengthen collective efforts to address challenges facing the state, particularly insecurity.

According to Matawalle, the development would also help advance the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Today marks a historic moment in the political history of our state and our dear nation as we welcome a friend and brother, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal, into our great party, the APC,” he said.

Matawalle added that politics should be seen as a means of building unity rather than division, describing Lawal’s defection as a political reunion.

He also called on party members to unite ahead of the 2027 Nigerian general elections, expressing confidence that the party would work together to achieve victory.

“As a progressive, I will support Governor Dauda Lawal in pursuing our collective vision for a more secure and prosperous Zamfara State,” he said.

A gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC), in Oyo State, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke has raised an alarm over the destruction of his billboards in Ibadan.

Adegoke who doubles as the Aare Egbe-Omo Balogun of Ibadanland made this declaration in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday morning.

DAILY POST reports that Adegoke recently dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and joined ADC.

The ADC chieftain said that some of his billboards had been destroyed a few hours after he joined the ADC.

He added that those who destroyed the billboards were afraid of his popularity ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

Adegoke, however, said that he will not be intimidated by this development.

He said, “destruction of my billboards, other illegal acts will not deter me.”

Nigerians are in serious trouble as the premium motor spirit price rose to N1,400 per liter and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) to N1,750 after Dangote Refinery hiked its gantry fuel price to N1,175 per liter for petrol and N1,620 per liter on Monday.

DAILY POST reports that while the fuel price keeps rising, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has kept mum and done nothing to ameliorate the surge.

Presidency keeps mum

When DAILY POST reporter contacted presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare for a response on the burgeoning fuel price, he did not reply as of the time of filing the report.

Checks by DAILY POST on Monday evening showed that Ranoil, Empire, and other filling stations in Abuja and environs have immediately raised their petrol and diesel prices to between N1,350 and N1,400 per liter, respectively.

Diesel price hits N1,750 per litre

For diesel, the price may have to go up as high as N1,750 per liter in filling stations in Abuja, up from around N1,365 per liter.

Meanwhile, MRS filling station sells fuel at N1,200 per litre.

A manager at an MRS filling station in Abuja, who preferred anonymity, told DAILY POST that its fuel price would rise to N1200 per liter from Tuesday 10th March, 2026, up from N1,092 per liter.

“From tomorrow (Tuesday) we will start selling fuel at N1200 per liter. We did not have petrol on Monday,” he told DAILY POST.

DAILY POST reports that the price of petrol has risen by N525 per liter at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited retail outlets and other filling stations before the Iran-United States-Israel war escalated on February 28, 2026.

This comes as Dangote Refinery hiked its gantry price by N376 per liter in the last ten days to N1,175 per liter as of Monday evening.

The refinery attributed the gantry price hike on Monday to global crude price volatility.

DAILY POST reports that Brent crude surged by 6.76 on a day-to-day basis to $98.86 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate dropped to $88.11 per barrel after an indication emerged that United States President Donald hinted at a plan to end hostility with Iran.

Trump hints at possible end to War as WTI crude price drops

Speaking with CBN news, Trump said “I think the war is very complete, pretty much”, and said the US was “very far ahead of schedule”.

His comment has made WTI crude plunge below 90 per barrel on Monday, the first decline since the conflict in the Gulf region escalated, creating anxiety in the Strait of Hormuz waterway and shutting down refineries in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Effect of transport fare hike on Nigerians

Several transporters in Abuja confirmed to DAILY POST a transportation fare hike as a ripple effect of Dangote Refinery’s price adjustment to N1,175 and petrol retail price to a maximum of N1,400 per liter and diesel at N1,750 per liter.

Adamu Abubakar, a taxi driver plying the Deidei to Area 1 route, said he has raised his price to N1,500 per trip from N1,200.

“It is our passengers that would take the brunt of the fuel price hike,” he told DAILY POST.

Constance Onuoha, a passenger in Abuja, confirmed the transportation fare hike.

“The government needs to intervene to prevent the fare hike due to the fuel price increment from getting out of hand,” she said.

DAILY POST reports that the hikes may also impact manufacturers, as the diesel price hike may trigger a product price hike in the coming days.

Fuel, diesel, may hit N2,000 or N3,000 per liter — PETROAN

Speaking on the development, the national president of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, said the petrol and diesel prices may surge to N2,000 and N3,000 per liter if nothing was done.

He said, “We have a Naira-for-crude deal in place. However, the policy does not impact the crude oil price on the international crude oil market.

“The policy is only saving the dollar because the volatility of the currency is dependent on imports. Dangote has increased the petrol gantry price thrice due to the market realities.

“This is why we have urged the regulators to work towards a price stability programme without regulating price,” he told DAILY POST.

Petroleum Marketers speak, explain only benefit of Dangote Refinery to Nigerians

On his part, Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA), told DAILY POST exclusively that marketers would sell petrol at the price they bought from Dangote Refinery and depot owners.

“Well, we are independent marketers. Whatever we sell, we buy from Dangote Refinery and depot owners.

“The only benefit of Dangote Refinery is that there will be supply, no fuel scarcity.

“Instead of getting it at N1,200 per liter, you will be getting it at N1,800 per liter because the commodity would have been scarce,”

A financial advisor and educator, Kalu Aja, has said that the removal of the petrol subsidy would remain a strategic mistake if the savings are not directed toward critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare and human services.

Aja made the remark in a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday while reacting to concerns over mounting pressure on federal finances and rising debt servicing costs.

According to him, the decision to remove the subsidy would only make sense if the proceeds were transparently invested in projects that directly benefit citizens.

He alleged that the funds saved from the removal of the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, subsidy were not being used for such purposes.

Aja accused government officials of using public resources to sustain what he described as a “fake lifestyle.”

He wrote: “The removal of the PMS subsidy remains a strategic mistake if the proceeds did not go to infrastructure, health and human service

“They removed the PMS subsidy to fund the fake lifestyle they enjoy in government.

“They are using the government to subsidise their fake lifestyle.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday admitted an AK-47 rifle and several naira notes as exhibits in the ongoing trial of suspects linked to the June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the rifle as Exhibit A after the first prosecution witness, Moses Paul, a senior officer of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Unit, identified the firearm in court.

The accompanying naira notes found in the rifle were admitted as Exhibits C1 to C5, while a ballistic report confirming the weapon’s status was admitted as Exhibit B.

The Federal Government had on February 2 arraigned nine men on 57 counts of terrorism over their alleged involvement in the attack, which reportedly claimed about 150 lives.

The defendants are Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sale Mohammed and Bako Jibrin. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Continuing his evidence-in-chief under questioning by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness told the court that police investigation traced the crisis to the enforcement of the Benue State anti-grazing law.

According to him, the third defendant, Abdullahi, complained that his cattle and children were killed and allegedly vowed to organise a revenge attack after refusing a police invitation to resolve the dispute.

The witness further testified that the second defendant, Saidu, claimed that more than 150 cows and two of his children were killed near Yelwata and that he subsequently bought an AK-47 rifle for N1m from a man identified as Musa.

He said the investigation revealed that several community leaders, including the defendants, later held meetings in Nasarawa State, where the first defendant, Dono, allegedly directed Fulani leaders, known as Ardos, to organise and fund a coordinated attack.

Paul said Saidu later convened another meeting at his palace, where participants debated possible targets before eventually settling on Yelwata, Daudu and Udeyi, with Yelwata becoming the primary target.

He added that Abdullahi allegedly contributed N300,000 towards the operation, while Musa Mohammed contributed N200,000.

According to the witness, Abdullahi allegedly led the attack, while Saidu confessed to participating alongside five of his children, who were armed with AK-47 rifles and are still at large. He told investigators that he personally killed eight people during the assault.

Paul told the court that during the investigation, police recovered one AK-47 rifle from Saidu.

While displaying the weapon in court, he said, “The rifle has some naira notes in between because it is their belief that if you put money in an AK-47, it will answer.”

After the rifle was tendered, two defence lawyers reserved their objections while others raised none. The court subsequently admitted the firearm and the naira notes into evidence.

The witness said the rifle was later subjected to ballistic examination, and a report confirming that the weapon was recently used and functional was obtained.

However, counsel to the first defendant, Ibrahim Angulu, objected to the admissibility of the ballistic report, arguing that the witness was not the maker of the document and that it required certification as a public document.

Counsel to the second defendant aligned with the objection, while other defence lawyers reserved theirs.

In response, Oyedepo argued that the report was the original document submitted to the witness’s office during the investigation and therefore required no additional certification. After hearing both sides, the court admitted the ballistic report as evidence.

The witness also testified that Musa Mohammed, a brother of the third defendant, attended one of the planning meetings and contributed financially to the attack.

He further alleged that the eighth defendant, Shaibu Ibrahim, attended the meeting but refused to provide information to the police despite warnings.

“If the seventh and eighth defendants had given that information to the police, the police would have actively investigated, apprehended and prosecuted offenders, and could have prevented the attack,” the witness told the court.

Following the testimony, the prosecution sought to tender several statements allegedly made by the defendants during the investigation.

However, defence lawyers objected, claiming the statements were obtained under duress and in the absence of legal representation.

Justice Abdulmalik consequently ordered a trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of the statements and adjourned proceedings to March 13.

Earlier, defence counsel had accused the police of intimidating the defendants in custody and attempting to force them to make additional statements.

Angulu told the court that the first defendant complained that police officers had visited him repeatedly in custody over the past eight months to pressure him about the case.

Responding, Oyedepo denied any attempt to intimidate the defendants, stating that investigations had already been concluded. He added that officers might have visited the correctional centre only to retrieve mobile phones allegedly taken there by the defendants.