Ondo Guber: Seven APC Aspirants Back Aiyedatiwa
In the Ondo gubernatorial race within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has received backing from seven fellow aspirants who contested against him during the party's primary on April 20. These aspirants, including Morayo Lebi, Dayo Faduyile, and others, have publicly supported Aiyedatiwa and urged party members to prioritize unity and focus on securing victory in the upcoming November 16 election. They emphasized the importance of embracing peace within the party ranks and rallying behind Aiyedatiwa's candidacy for a successful electoral outcome. The aspirants stressed that party unity is paramount, urging supporters and stakeholders to prioritize the party's interests over personal agendas.
Tinubu, Faye Meet in Aso Rock
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria held a meeting with Senegal's newly inaugurated President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Faye, who took office on April 2, 2024, arrived at the State House around 3 pm and was accorded military honors before proceeding to a private discussion with President Tinubu. The details and purpose of their closed-door meeting were not disclosed to the public.
Finance minister dismisses claims of alleged misuse of pension fund
The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, has denied allegations suggesting that the Nigerian government planned to use N20 trillion from the Pension Fund for infrastructure projects. In a statement, Edun emphasized the government's commitment to adhering to pension fund regulations and safeguarding workers' savings. He clarified that discussions within the federal executive council aimed at exploring legal avenues to leverage pension funds for strategic investments without compromising safety or risking pension savings.
Those grumbling over new tariff aren’t paying electricity bills — Minister
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, defended the recent electricity tariff increase for Band A customers, stating that those complaining about the tariff hike are individuals who do not pay their electricity bills. He emphasized that the new tariff has actually resulted in a 30 to 40 percent reduction in energy costs for consumers in this band. Adelabu dismissed claims that the tariff increase has led to higher production costs for manufacturers, asserting that it should lower energy expenses and reduce production costs.
Additionally, he highlighted the abundance of natural resources in Nigeria, such as sun, water, and gas, expressing concern over the country's historical challenges in the power sector. At the same event, the Vice President of the African Development Bank announced plans to support Nigeria's power sector with a $1 billion fund aimed at advancing power sector reforms initiated by the new Electricity Act.