Some senators on Friday raised the alarm over what they described as inadequate funding of Senate standing committees, warning that the situation was undermining their work and threatening effective budget implementation.

The complaints came up at a meeting between the Senate Committee on Appropriations and chairmen of various standing committees ahead of the consideration of the 2026 budget.

Leading the pack, Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South) said the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission had received no funds since its inauguration.

He said, “Mr Chairman, you have read out the timetable to be followed by the various committees for consideration of the 2026 budget. But the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission that I belong to does not have money to organise a meeting with any agency due to zero allocation since its formation and inauguration.

Ani added that based on credible information, other Senate committees overseeing zonal development commissions had yet to be funded, questioning how such committees were expected to function.

Corroborating his position, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on North Central Development Commission, Titus Zam (Benue North-West), warned that the initial enthusiasm that greeted the creation of the commissions was waning.

“Lack of funding for the committees on zonal development Commissions in the Senate, is gradually turning the excitement that heralded them into disappointment and even into lamentation,” he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Oyewunmi Olalere (Osun West), extended the concerns to what he described as weak and overlapping budget implementation, urging the Senator Solomon Adeola-led Appropriations Committee to intensify oversight of revenue-generating agencies.

“The promise on single budget implementation from April 1 this year is being threatened because parts of the capital component of the 2024 budget in terms of contracts execution are not paid yet, let alone the 30 per cent capital component of the 2025 budget expected to expire by the 31st of March.

“Today (Friday) is January 30, which means that only two months are left to clear off the leftovers of 2024 and 2025 budgets to pave the way for the promised single budget implementation from April 1st, 2026.

“Mr Chairman, a lot needs to be done between now and next month by your committee and critical stakeholders to prevent the continuation of multiple budget implementation,” he said.

Similarly, Senator Francis Fadaunsi (Osun East) said poor budget funding had persisted, stressing that liabilities from the 2024 budget had yet to be settled.

“I concur with my colleague from our state on the yet to be fully implemented 2024 budget because the affected unpaid contractors are still carrying placards around.

“This committee must reach out to the critical stakeholders for the required tidying up of 2024 and 2025 budgets before 1st April 2026,” he said.

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Friday signed the N758.7 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law.

The budget, tagged the “Budget of Socioeconomic Expansion,” aims to stimulate economic growth and improve living standards across the state.
The governor said implementation of the budget would commence immediately to ensure timely delivery of government projects and programmes.

A breakdown of the budget shows that 41 per cent is allocated to the economic sector, 37 per cent to the social sector, and 16 per cent (N122.73 billion) to health.

Health projects include the completion of the Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital in Kasarawa, Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, and general hospitals in Binji, Tambuwal, and Sabon Birni.

The budget also provides for the procurement of 21 ambulances to strengthen emergency response services.

The education sector received N115.95 billion for the rehabilitation of schools, improvement of teaching and learning conditions, and development of tertiary institutions.

Agriculture was allocated N18.74 billion to support farmers with inputs, equipment, and services aimed at boosting food production and food security.

Governor Aliyu noted that 72 per cent of the budget is for capital expenditure and 28 per cent for recurrent spending.

He added that projects executed in the previous year were funded through the Federation Account and the state’s internally generated revenue, keeping Sokoto State debt-free.

The Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, said the timely passage of the budget reflected coordination between the executive and legislature.

He noted that the House subjected the proposal to scrutiny to ensure it aligns with the state’s development priorities and pledged continued oversight during implementation.

The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), on Friday, condemned the decision of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to shut down the Onitsha Main Market and threaten its permanent closure.

DAILY POST recalls that Onitsha Main Market has remained shut throughout the week following Governor Soludo’s order.

He had announced a one-week shutdown of the market over the continued observance of Monday sit-at-home by traders.

The decision sparked protests by traders, which degenerated into chaos in parts of the state.

In a subsequent speech, the governor warned that the market could be closed indefinitely if the situation persisted, a move that has drawn widespread criticism in recent days.

Reacting, the Prime Minister of BRGIE, Ogechukwu Nkere, in a statement, described Soludo’s actions as unjust and targeted at innocent traders.

Nkere, who was recently elected to replace Simon Ekpa following his (Ekpa) sentencing in Finland, faulted what he described as threats against traders, including alleged plans to demolish shops and markets in Onitsha.

According to him, traders in Onitsha have the right to freedom of expression, including the voluntary choice to observe sit-at-home actions in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu and to express opposition to what he termed Nigeria’s oppression.

Nkere maintained that the sit-at-home actions were undertaken by the traders of their own free will, insisting that neither the BRGIE nor its affiliates coerced or compelled anyone to participate in the protests.

He further drew parallels with historical examples of civil disobedience, citing India’s independence struggle under Mahatma Gandhi, which involved peaceful resistance, economic boycotts, and non-compliance.

“Charles Soludo, whom the Biafra Republic Government in Exile considers an illegitimate governor, should not be targeting innocent Onitsha traders, including threatening to demolish their shops and markets. Onitsha traders have the right to freedom of expression, including the voluntary decision to observe sit-at-home actions in solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and to express their displeasure towards Nigeria’s oppression.

“These actions are undertaken entirely of the Onitsha traders’ own volition.

“The BRGIE and its affiliates in the homeland did not coerce or compel traders in any way to engage in sit-at-home protests.

“There is historical precedence where people have achieved independence through civil disobedience, such as when Mahatma Gandhi and the people of India achieved independence from Great Britain through peaceful disobedience, which included social and economic boycotts and non-compliance,” he said.

DAILY POST reports that the market closure has been attracting diverse reactions, with the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, asking the traders to ignore the governor.

To show their displeasure, IPOB has gone ahead to declare sit-at-home across the South-East on Monday February 2.

It is left to be seen if the people would obey the directive.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has slammed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for claiming that the 2027 election is about the All Progressives Congress, APC, against the people of Nigeria.

In an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST on Thursday, Sule said that elections in Nigeria are candidate-based rather than party-based.

According to him, “The 2027 election is about Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima on the platform of the APC against candidates from other parties.

“It is a wrong impression to say the election is about APC against Nigerians. For us here in Nasarawa State, we actually vote for candidates.

“The people of Nigeria are going to vote for the best candidates that they know and who can make an impact in their lives, whether it’s Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives, or House of Assembly elections. That is the way it is. That’s the way it has always been.”

Members of the All Progressives Congress, APCC, in Ward 01, Ibokun, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State have announced the indefinite suspension of a former member of the State House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, over alleged misconduct.

The decision was contained in a letter addressed to the Osun State Chairman of the party, Tajudeen Lawal, and dated Thursday, January 29, 2026.

According to the document, “the suspension followed a meeting of ward executives, leaders and members who reportedly deliberated on issues said to be affecting unity and cohesion within the ward.”

The letter, jointly signed by 18 ward executives and five leaders, accused Oyintiloye of allegedly taking over an Executive Assistant, EA, slot and funds amounting to N5.6 million without authorisation.

The signatories claimed “the funds were originally allocated for ward leaders, alleging that Oyintiloye had already secured a personal EA slot through a third party while holding a federal appointment.”

They also alleged that the former lawmaker was “involved in activities capable of causing division within the ward, including the organisation of parallel meetings.”

In addition, the ward officials accused him of “prolonged absence from ward meetings and political activities for over three years.”

The letter further alleged a lack of financial or material contributions to ward activities despite benefiting from several political appointments.

It stated, “In view of the foregoing and his consistent lack of engagement and contributions to ward affairs, it has become necessary to take decisive disciplinary action.”

The ward leaders declared that, “Consequently, Hon. Bosun Oyintiloye is hereby suspended indefinitely from Ward One, Ibokun, and shall cease to represent the interests of the ward at any level.”

They, however, added that they remained open to intervention from party leaders, stressing that their priority was the unity and success of the APC ahead of future elections.

Reacting to the development in a phone chat with DAILY POST, Oyintiloye dismissed the suspension as invalid, describing it as a ruse by disgruntled and suspended party members.

He alleged that those who signed the letter were not recognised party executives, claiming they were working for opposition interests in the state.

Oyintiloye denied all allegations against him, saying he neither controlled the EA slot nor had access to the N5.6 million mentioned in the letter.

“The allegations are lies aimed solely at discrediting me. I have reported the matter to the state party leadership.

“If they truly have the power to suspend me, why can’t they wait to do so through the proper party executive channels before going to the press?

“The same Gbenga Fagbamila, who was suspended from the party for embezzling N7.5 million meant for the 2022 election, is signing my alleged suspension letter alongside other disgruntled members.

“It is a real shame. If they are truly bona fide members of the party, let them appear before the party executives at the state level to defend the allegations leveled against me.

“Their action is a joke of the century because I remain a loyal and respected member of the APC.

“I also urge members of the public to disregard the purported suspension,” he stated.

Lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly have urged relevant authorities to take immediate action to secure the release of a prospective corps member, Miss Lateefah Binuyo, who was abducted in Kogi State on January 22.

Binuyo, a graduate of Mass Communication from Kwara State Polytechnic, was reportedly travelling to Taraba State for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation programme when she was kidnapped. She is said to be the only child of her mother.

The call for urgent intervention followed a motion of urgent public importance raised during Thursday’s plenary by the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Mrs Omolara Olumegbon.

Presenting the motion, Olumegbon disclosed that the abductors had demanded a ransom of N30 million for Binuyo’s release. She urged the Assembly to formally write to the Federal Government, calling for enhanced security arrangements for prospective corps members travelling to their states of deployment.

She further appealed to the House to engage Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene by liaising with the Kogi State Government to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of the victim.

Contributing to the debate, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Noheem Adams, commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as sustained efforts to improve security across the country. He noted that the current security framework had shown noticeable improvement when compared with previous administrations.

Also speaking, Mr Stephen Ogundipe praised the Nigerian military for its continued role in safeguarding national security and echoed calls for the Lagos State Government to engage its Kogi counterpart to facilitate urgent action.

In his contribution, Mr Abiodun Tobun suggested that the Assembly, through the National Assembly, should write to the Director-General of the NYSC to review existing deployment procedures. He stressed the need to reconsider the posting of prospective corps members to distant or high-risk areas in order to reduce exposure to unnecessary dangers.

Addressing the House, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa described the incident as deeply troubling, noting that at a time when some individuals were reluctant to pursue education, it was painful that young Nigerians who had completed their studies and were ready to serve the nation were being exposed to threats such as kidnapping.

Obasa emphasised the responsibility of the NYSC leadership to ensure the safety and security of corps members, from the point of departure to their places of deployment and eventual return to their families.

The Speaker added that while he was confident that the Sanwo-Olu-led administration had already taken steps to address the situation, efforts should be intensified through direct engagement with the Kogi State Government, as suggested by members of the House.

He also disclosed that the Assembly would write to the Inspector-General of Police, urging immediate intervention in the case and the implementation of measures to prevent similar incidents in the future

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles below 200 millilitres.

The agency clarified that it did not shut down any alcohol-producing company but only prohibited the sale of alcohol in sachets and small containers, citing public health concerns.

In a statement on Thursday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, said the move was aimed at protecting children, adolescents and young adults from the harmful use of alcohol.

“The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles below 200ml, in line with a resolution of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Agency’s public health mandate,” the statement read.

According to the agency, the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers has made alcohol cheap, easily accessible and easily concealable, contributing to rising cases of underage drinking, addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts and other social vices.

Adeyeye noted that placing warning labels such as “Not for children” on sachets and small containers had proven ineffective due to societal realities.

“Many parents do not even know their children consume sachet alcohol because the pack size is small, cheap and easily concealed,” she said.

She revealed that reports from schools had shown disturbing trends, including a recent case in which a teacher disclosed that a student claimed he could not sit for an examination without first taking sachet alcohol.

NAFDAC recalled that in December 2018, it, alongside the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with manufacturers to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024.

The moratorium was later extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock and reconfigure their production lines.

“The current Senate resolution aligns with the spirit and letter of that agreement and with Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Assembly Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol,” she said.

Adeyeye stressed that the ban was not punitive but protective.

“This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth by not allowing alcohol in small pack sizes.

“The decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations. We cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians for economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth.”

She reiterated that only spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small PET or glass bottles below 200ml were affected, adding that NAFDAC still approved alcoholic beverages in larger pack sizes.

The renewed enforcement has sparked immediate reactions across industry, labour, and public spheres.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders, including the Food and Beverage Tobacco Outgrowers and Bottlers (FOBTOB), have criticised the move as inconsistent and potentially damaging.

On January 23, members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress gathered at the Lagos office of NAFDAC to protest the ban.

They warned that the enforcement would displace no fewer than 5.5 million Nigerians from their jobs.

Some protesters described the policy as a serious regulatory misstep that fails to balance public health goals with economic realities—particularly in a country where low-cost sachet spirits remain popular among low-income consumers.

But NAFDAC called on manufacturers, distributors and retailers to comply fully with the directive, stressing that no further extension would be granted beyond December 2025.