Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, presented a  N939.85bn 2026 Appropriation Bill, tagged the Budget of Hope and Growth, to the state House of Assembly.

This comes as Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, signed the N642.9bn 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, after receiving the approved appropriation bill from the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Usman Muhammad-Zuru.

The 2026 budget, recently passed by the legislature, reflects the administration’s emphasis on capital development, with N479.36bn, representing 75 per cent of total expenditure, earmarked for capital projects, while N163.57bn, or 25 per cent, is allocated to recurrent spending.

Also on Tuesday, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, signed into law the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1.729tn, tagged the “Budget of Accelerating the MORE Agenda.”

The N1,729,881,208,779 budget represents an increase of over 70 per cent compared to the 2025 budget.

Presenting the Edo State budget proposal, Okpebholo said the 2026 fiscal plan was carefully designed to build on the foundation laid in 2025 while expanding the reach of government programmes to directly impact the lives of Edo residents across all sectors of the economy.

A breakdown of the proposal shows a total expenditure of N939.85bn, with capital expenditure of N637bn, representing 68 per cent of the budget, while recurrent expenditure stands at N302bn, accounting for 32 per cent.

Okpebholo explained that the strong emphasis on capital spending reflected his administration’s determination to fast-track development through strategic investments in roads, schools, hospitals, water supply, housing and other high-impact economic projects across the state.

He disclosed that the 2026 budget would be funded through Internally Generated Revenue estimated at N160bn, Federation Account Allocation Committee disbursements projected at N480bn, capital receipts and grants of N153bn, N146bn from Public-Private Partnerships, as well as other viable revenue sources available to the state.

Under sectoral allocation, the economic sector received the largest share, with N614.2bn earmarked for agriculture, roads, transport, urban development and energy.

Priority areas included rural and urban road construction, completion of two flyovers, drainage works, urban renewal, and the expansion of farm estates and irrigation facilities.

The social sector was allocated N148.9bn to cater to education, healthcare, youth development, women’s affairs and social welfare.

Reflecting on the previous fiscal year, the governor noted that the 2025 budget recorded strong performance in both capital and recurrent expenditure, driven by improved IGR, following deliberate efforts to block leakages and strengthen collections, as well as notable achievements in security, roads, healthcare, agriculture, education and job creation.

On security, he said his administration inherited a grave situation marked by cult killings, kidnapping, robbery and cybercrime, with over 300 cult-related killings recorded in 2024 alone.

He highlighted measures taken, including the enactment of a stronger anti-cultism law, the procurement of 80 Hilux vans and 400 motorcycles for security agencies, and the recruitment and absorption of 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps, which he said had significantly reduced insecurity across the state.

Okpebholo thanked traditional rulers, faith leaders, political appointees and civil servants for their support.

Speaking after signing the bill in Kebbi on Tuesday, Idris commended the speaker and members of the assembly for the speedy consideration and passage.

He described the development as a demonstration of shared commitment to people-oriented governance.

“I am the happiest person because this government truly belongs to the people of the state. Whatever we do is done in the best interest of our people,” he said.

He noted that the cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government had continued to yield positive outcomes, stressing that such cooperation was essential for driving sustainable development across the state.

“We are working harmoniously with the state House of Assembly to move Kebbi State forward and take it to greater heights in line with our people-oriented governance,” the governor added.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Delta, Oborevwori described the budget as “not just a budget of figures, but a budget of vision, action and expected deliverables for the next twelve months.”

He assured that “the state would hit the ground running in 2026 to accelerate development across key sectors.”

Oborevwori stated that the budgetary estimate, though ambitious, was achievable, with 70 per cent dedicated to capital expenditure and 30 per cent to recurrent spending.

The governor also signed three bills into law, adding that they were designed to reinforce social welfare, education, and security in the state.

Earlier, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, said the passage of the four bills followed rigorous legislative engagement, wide consultations, and thorough scrutiny in line with the assembly’s constitutional mandate.

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, has denied issuing any statement in response to allegations raised against him by the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Ahmed, in a short statement made available to our correspondent on Wednesday, said he did not authorise the statement circulating on social media on the matter.

At a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday, Dangote called for a full investigation into the source of funds used by Ahmed, urging him to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to offer a public explanation.

“I’ve actually had people making complaints about a regulator who has actually put his children in secondary school. And that secondary school education, which is six years, four of them cost Nigeria $5m. I mean, you cannot imagine somebody paying $5m for educating four children,” Dangote said.

Dangote also petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to probe Ahmed’s financial activities, while alleging that the regulator’s actions amounted to economic sabotage that could undermine public trust and investor confidence, especially as he granted licences for fuel importation.

On Tuesday, a statement purportedly signed by Ahmed went viral, but the NMDPRA team told our correspondent that it was false.

Speaking, Ahmed said the viral statement did not emanate from him.

He said he had chosen not to engage in public brickbats despite being aware of the allegations against him and his family.

“My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person. I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me.

“While I am aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against me and my family and the frenzy it has generated, as a regulator of a sensitive industry, I have opted not to engage in public brickbats,” he said.

The regulator expressed satisfaction that Dangote had taken the matter before the ICPC, believing this would allow him to clear his name.

“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution. I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distil the issues and to clear my name,” he concluded.

Fresh revelation has emerged on why former President Muhammadu Buhari declined to publicly support a successor ahead of the 2022 presidential election.

The explanation is contained in a newly released book that explores Buhari’s leadership approach, security mindset, and management of power within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Titled “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari”, the book was unveiled in Abuja and provides behind-the-scenes accounts of critical decisions taken during Buhari’s presidency.

Authored by Dr Charles Omole, Director General of the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research (IPSPR), the 600-page work compiles reflections from senior officials who closely worked with the former president.

A key revelation came from the former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, who addressed the long-running debate over Buhari’s refusal to anoint a preferred candidate during the APC presidential primary.

According to Bichi, Buhari intentionally avoided endorsing any aspirant to safeguard lives and maintain internal party cohesion.

He disclosed that intelligence reports at the time indicated that openly backing a candidate could expose such an individual to grave security risks amid an intense and highly competitive political atmosphere.

Bichi noted that Buhari’s silence was often misinterpreted as a lack of interest, but it was actually a deliberate, security-driven strategy aimed at preventing internal crisis and possible disintegration within the ruling party.

He noted that the former president believed that publicly naming a successor would heighten rivalries, increase hostility, and potentially place the endorsed individual in physical danger.

“In those months, knives were out; politically and, as security professionals know too well, sometimes literally,” Bichi stated in the book.

He added that Buhari chose to absorb criticism rather than risk destabilising the party or endangering human life.

The former DSS chief said Buhari felt that allowing the primary process to play out freely helped distribute political risk among aspirants and prevented the concentration of hostility on one individual.

The book presentation which attracted a high-profile audience at the Presidential Villa, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gambian President Adama Barrow, governors, ministers, diplomats, traditional rulers, and members of Buhari’s family.

The Igbo Community Association said the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Obinna Simon, popularly known as MC Tagwaye, has vowed to stop double taxation in part of Abuja if elected as Chairman of the Ambuja Municipal Area Council in the 2026 polls.

The association’s President-General, Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, disclosed this during a conference in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, MC Tagwaye has also pledged to curb what he described as needless demolition in AMAC upon his election during the polls.

“We studied his manifestos. Among other things is his desire to stop double taxation in AMAC.

‘Needless demolition will be curbed legally with a human face. These two affect common residents in the FCT. This is sufficient for us not just because we are Igbo but because we are residents in the FCT,” he said.

Ellis-Ezenekwe called on AMAC residents to rally behind Simon’s candidacy come 21st February, 2026.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Monday sworn in 13 newly appointed permanent secretaries, charging them to align with his administration’s delivery-oriented governance model.

The new Permanent Secretaries are Mr Chigbogu Nnaji, Mrs Phoebe Edeh, Mr Philip Arum, Mr Jeremiah Egbonwonu and Mrs Ifeoma Igwe.

Others were Mrs Ngozi Egbo, Mrs Nkiru Ede-Ogunnaike, Mrs Pamela Ikpa, Mr Canice Ngene, Mr Anyaora Okereke, Mrs Adaobi Nwodo, Mr Ikechukwu Ezenwukwa, and Paul Nwabuisi.

According to the governor, there would be no honeymoon period for them in office.

He noted that the appointments were strictly merit-based, having emerged from a rigorous and transparent selection process, while also filling existing vacancies in the civil service to promote equality, inclusion and fairness.

Governor Mbah also reminded them that so much responsibility accompanied their elevation, pointing out that the reward for hard work was more work.

“I believe you worked very hard to get to this level in your career, and you went through a very rigorous process to be selected.

“So, it is well deserved. But let me also remind you that the honeymoon is over. To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said.

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has demanded the immediate removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, following allegations linking him to banditry, describing the claims as “shocking and deeply troubling.”

In a statement signed by the President of the NANS Headquarters Senate, Usman Adamu Nagwaza, on Monday, the student body said Nigerians deserved transparency and accountability in the handling of the matter.

The association said it was committed to fighting corruption and ensuring government officials were held responsible for their actions, stressing that the public must be protected from abuse of power.

NANS expressed concern over Matawalle’s alleged relationship with bandits, calling it a “serious breach of trust” that questioned his integrity and suitability to remain in office.

The statement highlighted that the allegations were particularly disturbing given the minister’s role in defending the nation against security threats.

“His alleged relationship with bandits is a betrayal of the trust reposed in him by the Nigerian people and undermines the government’s efforts to combat insecurity,” the association said.

NANS demanded Matawalle’s removal pending a full investigation, insisting such action was necessary to ensure a fair and unhindered inquiry, prevent further damage to national security, and restore public confidence.

The student body warned that the minister’s alleged ties to criminals could embolden banditry and worsen the displacement of innocent Nigerians.

It also issued a one-week ultimatum for his removal, threatening to mobilise students nationwide to block major highways if the government failed to act.

The association further urged President Bola Tinubu to act decisively, warning that Nigerians would not tolerate corruption or complicity with terrorists.

“It is essential that the government takes decisive action to address these allegations. The rule of law must be upheld, and all wrongdoing punished,” NANS stated.

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has ordered an immediate investigation and emergency relief measures following a fire outbreak that destroyed parts of the popular Gombe timber market, known as Kasuwar Katako, along the Railway Station area of the state capital.

The inferno, which occurred on Monday night after traders had closed for the day, razed several shops and goods, leaving many traders counting heavy losses.

In a statement issued by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, the governor described the incident as painful and distressing, noting that it had disrupted the livelihoods of many hardworking residents who depend on the market for survival.

Yahaya expressed sympathy with affected traders and business owners, assuring them of the state government’s support at what he described as a difficult moment

“We assure them that the government stands firmly with them at this difficult moment,” the governor said.

He directed the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency and other relevant agencies to immediately assess the extent of the damage, investigate the cause of the fire and provide urgent relief to victims to cushion the impact of their losses.

The governor commended the Gombe State Fire Service, personnel from Gombe State University, the Federal Fire Service, private tanker operators, security agencies and the Nigerian Red Cross Society for their swift intervention, which he said helped to prevent the fire from spreading further.

While urging victims to remain calm, Yahaya reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening fire prevention and response mechanisms across the state, including plans to establish a fully equipped, state-of-the-art fire service office.

The statement also noted that the governor was briefed on an accident involving one of the firefighting trucks during the operation, expressing concern for those affected and praying for their quick recovery.

A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Funso Doherty, has criticised the N4.237 trillion 2026 budget proposal presented by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alleging inaccuracies in the figures, weak fiscal transparency, and questionable spending priorities.

In an open letter dated Thursday, December 11, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Doherty described the budget estimates submitted to lawmakers on November 25, 2025, as flawed and in need of urgent clarification before legislative approval.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has since passed the appropriation bill through second reading and referred it to the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget for detailed scrutiny, with a mandate to report back within five weeks.

In his letter, Doherty argued that the headline figures in the budget were incorrectly presented.

He noted that the proposal outlined a total expenditure of N4.237 trillion, made up of N2.052 trillion in recurrent spending and N2.185 trillion in capital expenditure.

However, he pointed out that the recurrent component reportedly includes about N383 billion earmarked for debt servicing, which he argued should be classified as capital expenditure.

According to him, this misclassification distorts the true size of both the recurrent and capital budgets, potentially rendering the overall figures inaccurate.

Doherty also questioned the internal coherence of the proposal, stating that when sectoral allocations were added together, they amounted to roughly N3.4 trillion, significantly below the total budget figure presented.

“One or both sets of figures cannot be correct,” he said.

Beyond numerical discrepancies, the PDP aspirant criticised what he described as the Lagos State Government’s lack of transparency in the budgeting process.

He argued that the public is routinely denied access to detailed budget proposals until after the Appropriation Act has been passed, limiting opportunities for independent review and public input.

He raised concerns over the scale of spending on consultancy and professional services, noting that such costs allegedly account for nearly 15 per cent of the state’s total recurrent expenditure.

“At that scale, it is unclear what services justify these recurring costs and why such a large proportion of public funds is being devoted to them,” he said.

Doherty also accused the state government of backsliding on transparency despite increased revenues following the removal of fuel subsidies and currency devaluation.

He claimed that information on contract awards was no longer being routinely published by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, as required by law.

On spending priorities, Doherty argued that Lagos State has consistently underfunded key social sectors essential for human development.

He said that over a five-year period, combined spending on education, health, housing, and water supply accounted for only 17 per cent of total government expenditure.

According to him, in a state with a youthful population such as Lagos, education and health should each receive allocations of close to 15 per cent.

He described it as disturbing that the 2025 capital allocation to the Lagos State House of Assembly alone reportedly exceeded the combined allocations for health and education.

Doherty said the consequences of what he termed prolonged underinvestment were visible in poor public school outcomes, persistent housing shortages, and under-five mortality rates.

He also criticised what he called a pattern of overly optimistic revenue forecasts in Lagos budgets.

He noted that while the 2026 budget projects total revenue of N4.237 trillion, actual revenues as of September 2025 stood at N2.07 trillion, against a full-year projection of N3.37 trillion.

“Persistent overestimation of revenue undermines effective planning, prioritisation, and execution of government programmes,” he said.

While acknowledging some marginal improvements in budget preparation, Doherty urged the House of Assembly to demand greater openness from the executive.

He called on lawmakers to ensure that detailed budget proposals for 2026 and subsequent fiscal years are made publicly available during the legislative process, before passage into law.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Lagos State Government were unsuccessful, as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.