THE emergence of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, as the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the party’s National Convention in Ibadan was not a tea party. It was the culmination of a long, complicated and politically charged process, shaped by legal battles, internal power realignments, strategic expulsions, and a determined insistence by elders and governors that the PDP must reclaim its relevance before the next general election. The convention, held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Adamasingba, unfolded in an atmosphere of defiance and urgency, with the party leadership insisting that the gathering must hold despite competing court orders and pressure from opposing interests that wanted it halted.

Strong statement

What played out in Ibadan ultimately became a strong statement about the party’s resilience, its internal recalibration and the deliberate choice of Turaki as the face of a new direction.
Long before delegates began taking their seats on Saturday morning, the convention had already survived two court rulings that attempted to stop it.

Legal manoeuvre

This legal manoeuvre set the tone for what many participants later described as evidence that the PDP was unwilling to allow internal litigation or factional interests to dictate its future. Throughout the day, speaker after speaker referenced the legal fights, repeatedly telling delegates that convening in Ibadan at all was itself a victory. Survival will

Many delegates interpreted the ability to sit, vote and deliberate as a reassertion of the party’s will to survive, particularly after the turbulence that had dominated its affairs since the last general election.

Still, beneath the energetic chants, the solidarity songs and the ceremonial displays of party colours, tensions simmered. Delegates tore down the posters of two governors, Adeleke of Osun and Kefas of Taraba, in open anger at their absence. They argued that at a moment so decisive for the party’s future, no senior leader ought to stay away.

In his address, Governor Seyi Makinde anchored the day with a mixture of seriousness and warmth, emphasising that the gathering would mark a turning point in the life of the party. Makinde said: “I want to welcome everyone to this convention, the resilient members of the PDP. Let me use this opportunity to welcome you to Ibadan, Oyo State. “We have fought a long stretch of battle to get to this point, but here we are. And by the grace of God, this convention will go down as the convention that brought a turn-around to the PDP nationally.

“So, as you go around, don’t only politick, you should also use the opportunity to take amala and gbegiri in Ibadan. On that note, on behalf of the people of Oyo State, especially members of the PDP, we welcome you.”

Delivering a more sobering message, the Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State reminded attendees that Nigerians were looking to the PDP once again for national rescue and that the party must not veer from its foundational democratic ideals.
Fintiri said: “Power to the party stands for a party solidly formed on the tenets of courage and democratic ideals to rescue Nigeria. And it must at all times never veer off from the course of our fundamental tenets,” he said.

He added that Nigerians were still “looking up to us to play that role that has always been our tradition,” insisting that the country had “reset back to the pre-PDP era and is dearly looking up to the PDP to pull its arm.” Enduring struggle

Acknowledging the struggles the party has endured in recent years, the governor said: “We must admit that whatever bad has happened to Nigeria over the past few years has also happened to our party. The soul of the party is still intact because there are men and women who believe in the party’s fundamental tenets.”

PDP won’t die —Wabara

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, described the Ibadan gathering as proof that the PDP would not die, praising the delegates for their resilience and thanking the host governor for the support provided.

His emphasis on unity, discipline and inclusive leadership was a subtle reminder to the incoming National Working Committee that the road ahead would be difficult and that rebuilding public trust required a collaborative approach.

Before voting commenced, the convention formally ratified Umar Damagum as substantive National Chairman, following a motion raised and seconded by senior party figures in line with the party’s constitutional provisions. This procedural step removed the administrative ambiguities that had lingered around the leadership structure and cleared the path for the election of new national officers, including the crucial position of National Chairman. When voting concluded and Convention Secretary, Senator Ben Obi announced that Kabiru Tanimu Turaki had won with 1,516 votes, the stadium erupted in applause.

Delegates danced, drums echoed across the stands, and many members from various regions embraced one another in what appeared to be a release of collective relief after months of internal strife.

The announcement of other positions, including the emergence of Solarin Adekunle as Deputy National Organising Secretary, was received with similar enthusiasm, especially as many candidates had been returned unopposed following withdrawals by their rivals.

Bridge builder

Behind the scenes, Turaki’s emergence had been months in the making. He was widely considered a neutral figure, who was not deeply entangled in the factional disputes that had polarised the party.

Several governors and party elders regarded him as a bridge-builder with the temperament to handle both reconciliation and organisational overhaul. His background as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria also lent him gravitas, particularly at a time when the party had been dragged repeatedly into legal battles. Regional balancing

Regional balancing also worked in his favour, as several members saw his candidacy as a stabilising option within the PDP’s traditional zoning logic.

Moreover, the withdrawal of several aspirants before the vote significantly reduced the chances of a contentious battle and allowed delegates to consolidate around Turaki as the most viable consensus candidate.

Broad mandate

With 2,745 accredited delegates that participated, excluding those from states whose structures were dissolved, Turaki’s mandate was broadly representative. Another major resolution adopted during the convention was the dissolution of the party structure at ward, local government and state levels in Imo, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Abia and Rivers.

Vote for stability

A critical analysis of the events revealed that Turaki’s emergence marked a vote for stability. He is expected to reconcile warring factions, rebuild dismantled structures, address the discontent of expelled members’ supporters, and prepare the party for 2027.

He must also reposition the PDP as a credible alternative in a political climate where public trust in political institutions is already strained.

Era of impunity in PDP gone —Turaki

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected National Chairman of the PDP, Turaki, declared that the era of impunity within the party has ended, promising a renewed commitment to internal discipline and a return of the party to its grassroots owners.

Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, said he fully understood the enormity of the responsibility placed on his shoulders and those of the newly constituted National Working Committee, NWC, adding that the mandate entrusted to them must be carried faithfully to Nigerians.

He said: “The cross you have given us means that you watch us also take it to the Nigerian people, and that we shall do.
The party appears to have chosen a chairman whose primary responsibility will not be combat but reconstruction. His task is immense. “We are not under any illusion that the task placed on us is a simple one. Our party is at a crossroads now, but we are up to the task; we are up to the challenge.

“Very soon, we shall be rolling out what our guiding principles will be and the modus operandi for achieving them. When we do that, we shall be hitting the ground running from day one.”

Turaki emphasised that the PDP remained the only political party in the country that had retained its original identity since inception.”

He attributed this to the party’s roots among ordinary Nigerians and its resilience over the years.

“Today, as I talk to you, the only political party that has retained its name is the Peoples Democratic Party. This has been possible because this is the party of the Nigerian people. Make no mistake about it; we are returning the party to you, the people,” he said. Makinde rescued PDP from destructive forces —S-West leaders

Meanwhile, the South-West chapter of the PDP, yesterday, said Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has rescued the party from forces allegedly determined to stifle its growth.

The Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Sanya Atofarati, said the successful conduct of the national convention had rekindled the confidence of Nigerians who have long yearned for genuine democratic leadership—something he argued the All Progressives Congress, APC, has failed to provide due to what he termed its divide-and-rule governance style.

Atofarati said: “Governor Seyi Makinde has once again demonstrated exemplary leadership and must be commended for saving the party from total collapse.

“He can best be described as the biblical Moses of the PDP, whose collaborative efforts with other well-meaning leaders have given the party a new lease of life. “The APC’s political decline will begin with the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2026.”

To save PDP is to save Nigeria’s democracy — Olawepo-Hashim

Amid deepening tensions within the PDP, former presidential candidate and founding member of the party, Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, yesterday, urged immediate reconciliation and a return to the party’s original principles, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is at stake. Olawepo-Hashim, who was reacting to what he described as a controversial National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, reminded Nigerians of the party’s historic origins 27 years ago.

He described the founding of the PDP as one of the most remarkable demonstrations of political maturity in the country’s history.

He noted that the party’s formation brought together over 13 political associations, each robust enough to stand independently, united through dialogue, broad consultation, and a deep spirit of inclusion.

According to him, the founding leaders deliberately created a platform capable of preventing military adventurism, safeguarding the unity and indivisibility of the Nigerian State, and promoting genuine Federalism.

The founding PDP member, in a statement, stressed that the current path of fragmentation, court induced confusion, and exclusionary politics is a dangerous departure from the party’s foundational ideals. He said: “Inclusion, not exclusion, is the tradition of the PDP. “We must strive to bring all sides back to the table to save the PDP and save Nigeria’s democracy. We must not leave anyone behind.”

Hashim added a scriptural reminder, noting that the Bible teaches that “to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”

He stressed that this is not the season to expel members, it is the season to reconcile and bring new members, and it is the season to save the PDP in order to save Nigeria’s democracy.

Nigerian carrier, United Nigeria Airlines, Monday, handed over social media influencers, Martins Otse, better known as VeryDarkman, and Freedom Atsepoyi, known as Mr Jollof, to airport security over the incident that happened during the boarding of Flight UN0523 at Asaba International Airport, Delta State. The airline’s Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, in a statement, confirmed an altercation between VeryDarkman and Mr Jollof, saying the crew responded immediately and professionally to de-escalate the situation.

Uloka said both passengers were deboarded without delay to ensure other passengers safety.

The statement reads: “United Nigeria Airlines confirms that an altercation occurred between two passengers, identified as Martins Vincent Otse VeryDarkman and Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi Mr Jollof, during the boarding of Flight UN0523 at Asaba International Airport on the morning of November 17, 2025. “In full compliance with global aviation safety protocols, our crew responded immediately and professionally to de-escalate the situation. Both passengers were deboarded without delay to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of all other passengers and crew members. They were subsequently handed over to airport security for further investigation.

“United Nigeria Airlines places the highest priority on safety and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any conduct that threatens the security or well-being of passengers or crew. After all standard procedures were completed, the flight departed safely while the passengers involved in the altercation were still with the authorities.”

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen’s resilience shone through on Thursday as Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 in extra time to secure a place in Sunday’s playoff final against DR Congo.

The Super Eagles looked dominant in patches, but late in the match, Osimhen missed a clear goal-scoring opportunity that could have sealed the win for the Super Eagles without having to proceed to extra time. Despite the miss, the Galatasaray striker remained composed and determined. Speaking to journalists after the match, Osimhen reflected on the missed chance.

“I am a striker, sometimes I score the goal no one believes, and sometimes I lose the ones people think I am going to score.”

He continued, “I have the mentality that it does not matter what kind of opportunities I lose, so long the game is still on, I will try to correct it.”

“Just like I told my teammates, I told them I am sorry and I told them I am going to correct it in the extra time and I am happy I did it,” Osimhen added, highlighting his determination to make amends.

True to his words, Osimhen scored twice in extra time to help secure Nigeria’s win.

The other goals came from Sevilla duo Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke, completing a dominant display by the Super Eagles.

With this victory, Nigeria now sets its sights on DR Congo in Sunday’s playoff final, keeping their 2026 World Cup hopes alive.

The Federal Government has rejected claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria, describing the allegation as false and damaging to the country’s image. While the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, demanded the full and unedited airing of his recent interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, saying selective editing could distort Nigeria’s image and fuel “misleading narratives and allegations of religious persecution.,’’ his counterpart in Information and National Orientation Ministry, Mohammed Idris, said there was guaranteed religious freedom in Nigeria.

This is even as African Union declared that there was no genocide in Nigeria’s volatile North, as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, urged the US President, Donald Trump, to partner with his Nigerian counterpart, Bola Tinubu, in addressing the nation’s security challenges, rather than resorting to threats of military intervention.

Both ministers spoke in reaction to allegation of genocide against Christians by US President, Trump, who has threatened military action in Nigeria, should the federal government fail to eliminate terrorists and bandits killing people in the country.

Tuggar in a post shared on X on Wednesday, said he appeared on Piers Morgan’s flagship programme to offer a factual and balanced response to claims about religious freedoms in Nigeria.

What I said at Piers Morgans interview

He said his submissions during the interview were supported by verifiable data, even if they did not align with certain preconceived opinions.

The minister insisted that transparency required the broadcast of the entire exchange “exactly as recorded.”

“I appeared on @piersmorgan’s flagship programme, @PiersUncensored, where I presented a factual and contextual perspective on the misleading narratives and allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria.

“My explanations, supported by verifiable data, may not have conformed to certain preconceived views. 

“However, for the sake of integrity and transparency, it is essential that the full interview be aired exactly as recorded, without edits or selective omissions. Nigeria’s truth must not be distorted to fit external biases,” he wrote.

South Africa said Monday the surprise arrival of 153 Palestinians on a plane last week indicated “a clear agenda to cleanse Palestinians” out of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The group landed in Johannesburg on a chartered flight on Thursday without departure stamps from Israel in their passports. Reports said a shadowy organisation named Al-Majd was involved in their travel from Gaza. “We are suspicious, as the South African government, about the circumstances surrounding the arrival of the plane,” Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told reporters.

South African border police kept the group on the plane for 12 hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa allowed them entry on a standard 90-day visa exemption.

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It emerged later that a first plane carrying 176 Palestinians had arrived on October 28, according to the local Gift of the Givers charity that is assisting the arrivals.

“We do not want any further flights to come our way because this is a clear agenda to cleanse out Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank and those areas, which South Africa is against,” Lamola said.

“It does look like it represents a broader agenda to remove Palestinians from Palestine into many different parts of the world, and is a clearly orchestrated operation,” he said.

– ‘Misled’ –

South Africa, which is set to host world leaders at the G20 summit this weekend, is seen as one of the strongest supporters of the Palestinian cause.

Pretoria filed a case against Israel with the International Court of Justice in 2023, accusing it of genocide in Gaza.  The Gift of the Givers NGO told AFP the Palestinians it is assisting said they had paid around $2,000 per person to Al-Majd for the trip and did not know they were going to South Africa. “What we’ve been told is that they were promised some type of travel out of Gaza to some form of safety in a country that would welcome them,” representative Sarah Oosthuizen told AFP.

Some of the passengers appeared to have been misled about their final destination, with a few believing they were headed to Indonesia, Malaysia or India, she said.

Travellers in the first group “definitely did not know that they were coming to South Africa”, Oosthuizen said.

The second plane — which carried a group including men, women and children — flew from Israel’s Ramon airport to Nairobi before boarding the chartered plane to Johannesburg, she said. The accommodation they had been promised on arrival turned out to have been booked for only up to a week and “when they were settled in these accommodations, their contact with Al-Majd went silent,” Oosthuizen said.

Some of the group had told the NGO that they wished to apply for asylum, she said.

– ‘Investigating’ –

The Palestinian embassy in South Africa said Thursday the travel of both groups “was arranged by an unregistered and misleading organisation that exploited the tragic humanitarian conditions of our people in Gaza.”

The group had “deceived families, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel in an irregular and irresponsible manner,” it said.

When AFP in Jerusalem tried to contact Al-Majd, none of the numbers listed on their website were in service. Their linked address only led to the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Israeli authorities told AFP at the weekend that the 153 Palestinians had been allowed to leave Gaza after receiving “approval from a third country to receive them”, without naming the country in question.

Lamola on Monday said Pretoria was investigating the matter.

AFP

ABUJA– President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, urged the judiciary to take decisive actions to tackle concerns about its integrity, warning that justice must never be for sale. According to him, citizens have not only expressed frustration at delays in the determination of cases, but also expressed anxiety over the lack of access to justice.

“Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years; they must become beacons of efficiency, where disputes are resolved swiftly, and where litigants depart with renewed confidence in the rule of law,” President Tinubu stated as he flagged off the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference of the Superior Courts, in Abuja.

Describing the theme of the conference: “Building a Confident Judiciary,” as apt and fitting, President Tinubu maintained that confidence is the lifeblood of justice.

He said his administration, with utmost seriousness, “stands ready to support every effort by the Judiciary to preserve its dignity and eliminate misconduct,” saying “this is not a task for the National Judicial Council alone; it is a collective duty that rests on every judicial officer.”

Addressing the judges, President Tinubu, said: “A judgment may be grounded in law and delivered with clarity, but unless the public perceives it to be fair, impartial, and untainted, its moral authority is diminished.

“The confidence of the people is, therefore, not an abstract aspiration; it is the living measure of the Judiciary’s legitimacy and the true currency of justice. “We must acknowledge, with candour, that public perception of the judicial process has not always been favourable. “Citizens have expressed frustration at delays, concerns about integrity, and anxiety over access to justice. These perceptions, whether wholly justified or not, cannot be ignored.  “They call upon us to reflect, to reform, and to restore. For ultimately, justice does not exist for the Bench or the Bar; it exists for the people. Their faith in the judicial process is the foundation of our national stability.

“In this regard, I wish to reaffirm, with clarity and conviction, the unwavering commitment of my administration to supporting the Judiciary in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.

“The Judiciary does not exist in isolation; it functions within a larger democratic framework in which all three arms of government must work in synergy, with mutual respect and shared responsibility to the Nigerian people.

“The Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary must remain united by purpose, even when separated by function. “My administration believes that a Judiciary that is strong in capacity, efficient in process, and uncompromising in integrity is not merely desirable; it is indispensable to the survival of our democracy and the prosperity of our nation. We cannot build a just society without a fearless and functional Judiciary.

“In this spirit, we have resolved to provide the institutional and material support that will enable our courts to perform their duties with dignity, confidence, and efficiency.

“Support must be tangible, not ceremonial. It must translate into improved working conditions, modern infrastructure, and well-equipped courtrooms where justice is dispensed promptly and transparently.

“Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years; they must become beacons of efficiency, where disputes are resolved swiftly, and where litigants depart with renewed confidence in the rule of law.

“The modernisation of judicial infrastructure remains a central priority. Technology is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. The digitisation of court processes, the adoption of integrated case management systems, and the provision of secure and reliable judicial facilities will receive sustained attention from this administration. “However, let us be clear: no amount of reform can succeed if integrity is compromised. Justice must never be for sale, and the Bench must never become a sanctuary for compromise. Corruption in any arm of government weakens the nation, but corruption in the Judiciary destroys it at its core. When justice is compromised, governance loses its integrity, and democracy loses its foundation.”

Continuing, he said: “Discipline within the Judiciary must be firm, transparent, and consistent. Only a Judiciary that cleanses itself can command the moral authority to cleanse society.

“My Lords, as you deliberate in the coming days, I want you to remember that the Judiciary is not an end in itself; it is an instrument of justice for the people. Its moral power flows not merely from the Constitution, but from the trust and confidence that ordinary citizens repose in it.

“A courageous, transparent, and principled Judiciary is the greatest guarantee of freedom; a slow, compromised, or disconnected Judiciary is its greatest threat.

“This is why I urge you, in your discussions, to be bold and practical. Go beyond diagnosing old challenges and commit to actionable solutions. Ask the difficult questions on: How do we reduce the backlog of cases? “How do we strengthen discipline within the ranks? How do we make justice more affordable and accessible to the poor, the weak, and the voiceless? And above all, how do we build a Judiciary that truly remains the last hope of the common man?.

“Distinguished Judges and delegates, I see before me not just interpreters of the law, but guardians of Nigeria’s moral conscience and architects of her democratic destiny. You hold in your hands the power to shape the moral compass of our Republic; to ensure that no citizen is too weak to be heard and no authority too powerful to be restrained by law.

“The task is weighty, but it is noble, and I assure you that this administration will continue to stand beside you, listen to you, and support you in fulfilling this sacred responsibility.

“Let me conclude by reminding us all that the story of our democracy is still being written. Each fair judgment strengthens the Republic; each courageous ruling preserves its soul. Let us, therefore, resolve that the chapters written in our time will be remembered for integrity, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law.”

In a major relief for Nigerian retirees, the Federal Government, through the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, has disbursed N3.9 billion in arrears to 91,146 eligible pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, DBS. The payment comes as part of the N32,000 pension increment approved by President Bola Tinubu, providing long-awaited relief to thousands of retired workers across the country. The arrears were paid across multiple pension departments, including Parastatals, Civil Service, Police, Customs, Immigration and Prisons.

This move signals the Federal Government’s commitment to clearing outstanding pension obligations and improving retirees’ welfare.

The breakdown of payments includes N1.9 billion to 59,865 pensioners under the Parastatals Pension Department, N830 million to 12,976 Civil Service pensioners, N620 million to 9,689 Police pensioners, and N551 million to 8,616 pensioners under Customs, Immigration, and Prisons.

In a statement, head of PTAD’s Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Ajayi, quoted PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, as emphasising the Federal Government’s dedication to settling arrears.

She said, “The completion of this payment is a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to improving pensioners’ welfare under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We remain focused on ensuring timely and consistent payment of pensions across all departments.” Odunaiya further stressed that the payments reflect efforts to bring dignity and financial security to retirees who have patiently awaited their entitlements.

She added, “Our pensioners deserve timely payment, and we are working to ensure no eligible beneficiary is left behind. This is part of our ongoing strategy to eliminate arrears and enhance transparency in pension administration.” While reassuring that the agency would continue to monitor payments and ensure that all eligible pensioners receive their arrears promptly, the Executive Secretary added, “This payment is a significant step forward. But we remain committed to maintaining a system that guarantees consistent support for retirees nationwide.”

ABUJA-The dust raised by the altercation between the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja a few days ago is yet to settle, as former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, retd, and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, yesterday warned that any act of disrespect towards the uniformed services amounted to an affront on the authority of the Nigerian state.

The minister actually dismissed any justification for disciplining Lieutenant A. Yerima, the naval officer involved in the fracas, describing the encounter as “unnecessary and avoidable. In his keynote address at the national dialogue on media, terrorism, and national security, at the 21st All Nigeria Editors’ Conference, ANEC, 2025, in Abuja, Gen. Irabor said uniforms worn by military or security personnel go beyond the individual, stressing that they symbolise the power, dignity and sovereignty of the nation.

“The uniform is not about who is wearing it; it represents the authority of the state. Whether it’s a young officer or a senior one, when you make disparaging remarks or act against them, you are, in fact, insulting the state itself.”

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Irabor, who led the Nigerian Armed Forces from 2021 to 2023, described the public reactions to the FCT minister’s encounter with the officer as “largely misguided,” adding that many commentators had “missed the real issue.”

He reminded citizens that the military operates under strict codes of conduct, adding that no one, not even a general, had the right to physically assault or publicly humiliate a subordinate.

“Even as a General, I cannot slap my soldier. If I do, I will face disciplinary action. There are laid-down mechanisms for addressing misconduct, and that is what distinguishes a state governed by law from a jungle, “he added.

Drawing from legal principles, the retired general explained that every offence must be viewed through two lenses , actus reus (the act itself) and mens rea (the intent behind it).

He said while the FCT minister had authority over land matters, the heart of the controversy laid in the respect owed to state authority as embodied by uniformed officers.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, today said headline inflation rate eased by 1.97 percentage points to 16.05 percent in October from 18.02 percent in September 2025. NBS said: “In October 2025, the Headline inflation rate eased to 16.05% relative to the September 2025 headline in-inflation rate of 18.02%.

“Looking at the movement, the October 2025 Headline inflation rate showed a decrease of 1.96% compared to the September 2025 Headline inflation rate.

“On a year-on-year basis, the Headline inflation rate was 17.82% lower than the rate recorded in October

2024 (33.88%).

“This shows that the Headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) decreased in October 2025 compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., October 2024), though with a different base.”

The Arewa Youth Alliance for Religious Harmony has expressed concern over calls for the removal or resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, describing the demands as unnecessary and potentially distracting. At a press conference on Saturday at the Arewa House in Kaduna, the group said attempts to pressure Amupitan out of office were “ill-advised” and amounted to politicising an academic opinion he expressed years ago while lecturing at the university. Reading the statement, the Alliance’s Chairman, Elder Joseph Fain Chori, noted that the North is currently dealing with significant socio-economic and security challenges and urged stakeholders to avoid actions that could deepen ethnic or religious divisions.

“It is important that issues of national importance are approached responsibly. We must guard against allowing misunderstandings to escalate into sentiments that create tension,” he said.

Chori encouraged Nigerians to focus on strengthening institutions responsible for electoral integrity rather than personalising debates around individuals. He commended INEC for what he described as the transparent conduct of the recently concluded Anambra governorship election.

According to him, the emergence of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate demonstrated that Nigeria’s electoral process remains competitive and open to diverse outcomes.

“The result has encouraged many political actors and reinforced confidence in the possibility of credible elections,” he said.

The group argued that removing Amupitan shortly after supervising an election that received positive feedback would be counterproductive and could create unnecessary instability within the electoral system.

It urged northern leaders and Nigerians across political lines to support INEC as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.

The Nigerian naira traded at an official Daily Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) fixing of about ₦1,441.33 to the US dollar on Friday, November 14, 2025, the same level recorded at the start of the day.

On the parallel (cash) market, dealers quoted the dollar at roughly ₦1,460 (sell) and around ₦1,450 (buy) in major cities — a premium of roughly ₦18–₦28 above the NFEM fixing depending on the quote and time of day. Black-market trackers showed averages near ₦1,455–₦1,460 on November 13–14. Why the spread persists
The gap between the official NFEM fixing and parallel-market quotes has remained a feature of the market this week as cash demand in informal channels and short-term importer hedging keep parallel rates richer than the official fixing. Analysts say the split reflects ongoing demand pressure outside formal windows even as liquidity in official channels appears steadier. 

What moved markets
Traders pointed to a mix of factors shaping the naira: liquidity injections and FX sales by authorities that support the NFEM fixing; softer global oil prices and dollar dynamics that influence FX flows; and domestic monetary policy easing earlier in the autumn that has altered yields and portfolio flows. The Central Bank’s recent policy moves and occasional FX interventions have helped cap large swings in the official fixing.

Market outlook
With the official NFEM fixing near ₦1,441 and parallel quotes near ₦1,455–₦1,460, market participants said the near-term outlook will hinge on (1) CBN FX liquidity and any further dollar sales into the market, (2) flows from oil receipts and foreign portfolio activity, and (3) demand from importers and corporate hedging. Any sizable change in global oil prices or a fresh policy move from the CBN could narrow or widen the current premium between the two windows.