The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has congratulated Peter Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, on the occasion of his 54th birthday, while also assuring him of the association’s support toward his future political aspirations.

The Chairman of the IPMAN Enugu Depot Unit, Chinedu Anyaso, conveyed the congratulatory message in a statement issued to journalists in Enugu on Monday.

Anyaso said members of IPMAN and other stakeholders in the petroleum industry were proud of the governor’s achievements, noting that Mbah, who has roots in the petroleum sector, has demonstrated exemplary leadership and people-centred governance.

He described the governor as a transformational leader whose administration has implemented impactful policies, programmes and infrastructure projects that are improving development and positioning the state for greater recognition.

The IPMAN chairman also urged the governor to sustain the technology-driven security initiatives introduced by his administration, noting that the measures have significantly improved safety and boosted business activities across the state.

According to him, the association recognises the government’s progress in several sectors, including education, healthcare, technological innovation, youth empowerment, skills development, environmental management, and the upgrading of transportation infrastructure.

Anyaso further prayed for continued success and good health for the governor as he marks another year.

“On behalf of all members of the IPMAN Enugu Depot Unit, we wish you a happy and fulfilling 54th birthday. We pray that God grants you many more years in good health, wisdom and grace,” he said.

He also reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the governor, expressing confidence in his leadership and vision for the continued development of Enugu State.

Anyaso concluded by wishing the governor well and describing the current administration as a new era of progress for the people of the state.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that powerful figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are working behind the scenes to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu becomes the only presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.

The opposition party said it would strongly oppose any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process, insisting that competitive elections must be protected.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, claimed that the alleged plot involves efforts to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former member who was expelled from the party, as the ADC’s National Chairman.

According to Abdullahi, the move is intended to create internal confusion within the party and weaken its position as an opposition platform.

The ADC maintained that there is no leadership dispute within the party, stressing that its structure is firmly under the leadership of Senator David Mark.

The party said this arrangement followed a joint meeting of its National Working Committee and National Executive Committee held in July 2025, which was observed by officials of the electoral commission.

The party further alleged that the attempt to destabilise it ahead of the 2027 elections is being driven by a serving APC governor alongside a senior security official based in Abuja.

Abdullahi said Nafiu Bala Gombe, who once claimed to be the party’s Deputy National Chairman under former chairman Ralph Nwosu, was expelled for actions that violated the party’s constitution and leadership decisions.

He described the alleged plan to use Gombe to claim leadership of the party as a strategy aimed at weakening the ADC and disrupting the opposition landscape before the next general election.

The party also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission formally recognised the leadership of Senator David Mark in September 2025.

It added that on March 6, a Federal High Court dismissed a case challenging Mark’s leadership, reinforcing an earlier Supreme Court position that the leadership of political parties is strictly an internal matter.

The ADC warned that attempts by the ruling establishment to interfere with opposition parties could threaten Nigeria’s democratic system and reduce political competition.

The party called on its members, supporters, and the public to ignore claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe and those supporting him, while reaffirming its commitment to defending democratic principles in the country.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance.

Oyedele took the oath of office before the President on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, formally assuming his role in the Federal Executive Council.

The President had nominated Oyedele for the position on March 3, 2026, replacing Doris Uzoka-Anite, who was reassigned as Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

About a week after the nomination, the Nigerian Senate confirmed Oyedele as minister-designate following his screening at the upper chamber. Lawmakers approved his nomination through a voice vote at the Committee of the Whole after hours of deliberation.

During the screening, Oyedele described his appointment as a call to serve Nigeria at a critical moment, noting that the country faces both fiscal challenges and economic opportunities.

He highlighted his more than two decades of professional experience working with national governments, international organisations, and global corporations in areas related to fiscal governance and economic reform.

Prior to his appointment, Oyedele served as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

Under his leadership, the committee proposed major tax reform initiatives that resulted in four significant legislative bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill and the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, which were later passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Tinubu in June 2025.

A public policy expert, economist, and accountant, Oyedele previously worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served as Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader after beginning his career with the firm in 2001.

His academic background includes a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy and Finance from Yaba College of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University.

He has also undertaken executive education programmes at institutions such as London School of Economics, Yale University, Gordon Institute of Business Science, and Harvard Kennedy School.
In addition to his professional career, Oyedele serves as a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and is a visiting scholar at Lagos Business School.

With his swearing-in completed, Oyedele is expected to play a key role in shaping Nigeria’s fiscal and economic policies under the Tinubu administration.