The Obi-in-Council of Onitsha, Anambra State, has announced that the kingdom will remain politically neutral in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Onitsha by the council’s Chief of Staff, Osita Anionwu, the body emphasized that the historic commercial city would not endorse or support any candidate, stressing its commitment to peace and unity above partisan politics.

Anionwu explained that while individual indigenes of Onitsha have every constitutional right to support any political party or candidate of their choice, such participation must be done strictly in their personal capacity and not on behalf of the community or any constituent group.

“Some Onitsha indigenes, including titled chiefs and group leaders, have been invited to attend political campaign rallies. It must be made clear that they do so as private citizens, not as representatives of the community,” the statement read in part.

The council reaffirmed that Onitsha’s foremost priority remains communal peace and cohesion, noting that all constituent groups within the kingdom would maintain a non-partisan stance while continuing to cooperate with duly elected governments at all levels.

It added that in a multi-party democracy like Nigeria’s, every citizen enjoys the freedom to belong to any political association or attend campaign events without fear, coercion, or discrimination.

“Our people are mindful of their rights under the constitution,” the council stated.

“They are free to support any party of their choosing, but the community as an entity will not be drawn into partisan alignments.”

The council further urged eligible voters in Onitsha to participate actively in the election by registering and voting for candidates of their choice, emphasizing that no individual has the authority to speak or act politically on behalf of the entire community.

It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to guarantee a peaceful, credible, and transparent election in the state.

“For communal harmony and the collective well-being of our people, all Onitsha constituent groups will remain politically neutral but will continue to support and cooperate with legitimate governments at all levels,” the council concluded.

The Senate on Wednesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to secure $2.847 billion in new foreign loans, including a $500 million debut Sovereign Sukuk, to finance part of the 2025 budget deficit and refinance Nigeria’s maturing Eurobonds.

The approval followed the adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, chaired by Senator Wamakko Magatarkada Aliyu (APC, Sokoto North), which reviewed the president’s proposal titled “New External Borrowing and Refinancing.”

According to the committee, $2.347 billion will be sourced from the international capital market to help fund the 2025 budget, while $500 million will be raised through the Sukuk bond to finance major infrastructure projects across the country.

The approval comes amid widespread concern over Nigeria’s growing debt, which has reportedly surpassed ₦97 trillion as of mid-2025, according to data from the Debt Management Office (DMO).

While critics have warned that increased borrowing could deepen fiscal strain, government officials maintain that carefully managed loans are vital for sustaining growth, completing ongoing projects, and maintaining investor confidence.

Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Wamakko said the borrowing plan was necessary to ensure economic stability and prevent disruptions to ongoing national projects.

“The borrowing plan will enable the federal government to meet its 2025 funding needs and fulfill its financial obligations without derailing ongoing commitments,” Wamakko stated.

Supporting the motion, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, said the loan request was crucial to the smooth implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

“We must give approval to this request so that the 2025 budget can be properly funded,” Musa added.

Also speaking, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East), Chairman of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, clarified that the new loans would not significantly increase Nigeria’s debt burden.

“This is primarily a compliance issue. The 2025 Appropriation Act already captured the borrowing as part of deficit financing. The second component is a refinancing arrangement to ensure that Nigeria does not default on its Eurobond obligations,” Abiru explained.

Similarly, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, defended the plan, arguing that borrowing is not inherently negative if funds are channeled toward productive and job-creating sectors.

“There’s nothing wrong with borrowing when it is properly structured and directed at addressing unemployment and infrastructural decay,” Oshiomhole said.

President Bola Tinubu has formally exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy, granting pardons and clemency to selected individuals convicted of various offenses, after a careful review process.

Following consultations with the Council of State and public feedback, the President directed a further examination of the initial list under his discretionary powers in Section 175(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The review resulted in the removal of individuals convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession or dealing in firearms.

Some other offenders on the initial list had their sentences commuted rather than receiving full pardons.

The Presidency emphasized that the decisions were guided by the severity of the crimes, potential security risks, the interests of victims, the need to maintain law enforcement morale, and Nigeria’s international obligations.

The process reflected the principle that justice should serve not only the accused but also the victims and the state.

The approved list of beneficiaries has been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the executed release instruments.

In addition, President Tinubu ordered the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice, as part of reforms to strengthen due process.

He also instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new guidelines for future exercises of presidential clemency, including mandatory consultations with relevant prosecuting agencies, ensuring that only those who fully meet legal and procedural requirements benefit.

The President commended the constructive engagement of stakeholders and the public and reiterated his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.

The initial release of the clemency list in early October had drawn widespread criticism. Political figures, human rights organizations, and concerned citizens condemned the inclusion of individuals convicted of serious crimes.

Among the critics were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), who warned that hasty pardons could undermine the justice system.

Out of 175 beneficiaries, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Information, 41 were illegal miners, 28 drug traffickers, and 22 murderers.

The list also included foreigners, coup plotters, corrupt politicians, capital offenders such as Maryam Sanda, and posthumous pardons for figures like Major General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, late Ken Saro-Wiwa, and other members of the Ogoni Eight.

Anambra State has emerged as Nigeria’s best-performing state in the 2025 Fiscal Performance Ranking, according to the latest State of States Report released by BudgIT, a civic-tech organisation promoting fiscal transparency and accountability.

The report, titled “A Decade of Subnational Fiscal Analysis: Growth, Decline, and Middling Performance,” marks ten years of BudgIT’s assessment of fiscal sustainability and governance across Nigeria’s 36 states.

BudgIT revealed that Anambra rose from second position in 2024 to first place in 2025, securing the top spot as Nigeria’s most fiscally sustainable state.

Lagos, Kwara, Abia, and Edo completed the top five, while Cross River experienced a sharp drop from 5th position in 2024 to 30th in 2025.

Rivers State, a regular top performer, was excluded from this year’s ranking following a state of emergency that hindered the release of its audited financial statements.

BudgIT noted key shifts among states:

• Anambra moved from 2nd to 1st place.
• Lagos retained its 2nd position.
• Kwara climbed from 4th to 3rd.
• Abia entered the top five for the first time, ranking 4th.
• Edo rejoined the top five after several years in the top ten.

Other notable improvements included Akwa Ibom, which jumped 17 places from 27th to 10th, and Zamfara, which rose nine places from 26th to 17th.
At the bottom of the table were Imo, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, and Yobe.

The 2025 report evaluated 35 states (excluding Rivers) using five fiscal indicators:

1. Ability to meet operating expenses using only Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
2. Year-on-year IGR growth rate.
3. Capacity to cover total expenses and loans without borrowing.
4. Debt sustainability, measured by debt-to-revenue and debt-service ratios.
5. Capital expenditure prioritisation over recurrent costs.

BudgIT observed significant changes in states’ revenue patterns.
In 2024, only Rivers (121.26%) and Lagos (118.39%) covered operating expenses with IGR.

Following Rivers’ exclusion, Enugu now leads with an impressive 146.68%, while Lagos remains a strong performer at 120.87%.

Only five states, Anambra, Abia, Kwara, Ogun, and Edo, generated enough IGR to fund at least half of their operating expenses, compared to six in 2024.

Meanwhile, 14 states now require five times their IGR to cover running costs, highlighting worsening fiscal fragility and dependence on federal allocations.

Abia State led the country in capital expenditure, devoting 77.05% of its 2024 budget to capital projects.

Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Taraba also allocated over 70% of their budgets to capital spending.

In contrast, Bauchi, Ekiti, Delta, Benue, Oyo, and Ogun spent over 60% on personnel and overheads, reflecting inefficiencies in fiscal prioritisation.

Aggregate subnational revenue increased sharply from ₦6.6 trillion in 2022 to ₦14.4 trillion in 2024, representing a 66.28% year-on-year growth, largely driven by a 110.74% surge in FAAC transfers to ₦11.38 trillion.

Lagos alone accounted for 13.42% of total subnational revenue (₦1.93 trillion).
States such as Oyo (785.79%), Delta (708.36%), and Anambra (640.98%) recorded remarkable FAAC growth over the past decade.

Despite these gains, 28 states still rely on federal transfers for more than 55% of their revenue, underscoring continued dependence on FAAC allocations.

Total subnational debt rose modestly from ₦9.89 trillion in 2023 to ₦10.57 trillion in 2024, an increase of 6.8%.

The five most indebted states, Lagos, Kaduna, Edo, Ogun, and Bauchi, accounted for over half (50.32%) of all subnational debt.

Encouragingly, 31 states reduced their domestic debt by at least ₦10 billion, while total foreign debt declined by over $200 million, showing gradual progress in debt management.

The report revealed mixed outcomes in social spending.
States collectively spent ₦1.61 trillion (66.9%) of their ₦2.41 trillion education budget, with Edo, Delta, and Katsina exceeding 100% implementation.

Per capita education spending averaged ₦6,981, with only eight states surpassing ₦10,000.

In health, states spent ₦816.64 billion (61.9%) of their ₦1.32 trillion allocation.

Yobe led the sector with 98.2% execution, followed by Gombe, Ekiti, Lagos, Edo, Delta, and Bauchi.
Average per capita health spending was ₦3,483, indicating persistent service delivery gaps.

Commenting on the findings, Vahyala Kwaga, BudgIT’s Head of Research, said the 10th edition of the State of States report underscores the urgent need for fiscal reform at the subnational level.

“Fiscal sustainability demands that states look inward, strengthening revenue systems, cutting waste, and prioritising infrastructure and human capital investments that deliver long-term value,” he said.

The 2025 report paints a mixed picture: while Anambra, Lagos, and Kwara show strong fiscal discipline and investment focus, most states remain overdependent on federal allocations, with limited progress toward self-sustaining governance.

Election season in Nigeria often ushers in a wave of ambition, open contests, and political realignments. But what happens when the gate to participation is closed, not by law, but by the political establishment itself?

This question came to the fore on Monday, October 28, 2025, when former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, arrived at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja.

His mission was straightforward: to purchase the nomination and expression-of-interest forms to contest for the position of national chairman of the party.

However, Lamido reportedly left empty-handed, denied the opportunity to buy the forms and effectively, barred from entering the race.

The development has sparked conversations within political circles about internal democracy, party control, and the influence of power blocs within Nigeria’s major political parties.

In your opinion, why did the PDP refuse to sell the forms to him?

What official reasons has the party offered?AL

What does this episode reveal about the state of democracy and fairness in Nigeria’s political system?

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially recognised the faction of the party in Adamawa State led by Barrister Sadiq Dasin, effectively settling the lingering leadership tussle within the state chapter.

The party has been embroiled in an internal crisis, with two rival groups, one led by Sadiq Dasin and the other by Saidu Komsiri, each claiming legitimacy over the state chairmanship.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, confirmed that the National Working Committee (NWC) had validated the leadership of Dasin following a review of recent developments within the state chapter.

“After due investigations, the party considers the Saturday, October 25 process supervised by the National Vice Chairman for the North East, which produced Barrister Sadiq Dasin as the interim chairman in Adamawa State, to be in line with NWC approval and guidelines,” the statement read in part.

Abdullahi added that the NWC, at its October 8, 2025 meeting, had resolved to set up Interim Executive Committees across various states to manage party affairs pending full congresses.

The national leadership urged all party members involved in parallel structures to “rethink and follow the path of reconciliation,” while advising the newly endorsed leadership to extend an olive branch to aggrieved members.

“The party will not tolerate any act of indiscipline capable of jeopardising efforts to build a strong and truly democratic organisation,” Abdullahi warned.

The Dasin-led faction has received backing from several prominent political figures, including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who described it as the authentic leadership of the ADC in Adamawa.

Others who have thrown their support behind Dasin include former Governor Jibrilla Bindow, Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako, and Senator Elisha Abbo.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also endorsed the group, stating in a social media post that he hoped the inauguration of the faction would “strengthen the party’s structure and unify ADC members in Adamawa State.”

However, the rival faction led by Saidu Komsiri insists it remains the legitimate leadership.
Backed by Aisha Binani, a former senator and ADC governorship candidate, Komsiri pledged to work toward reconciliation and unity.

“I’ll reconcile aggrieved members and promote unity among all stakeholders,” he said during a media briefing in Yola, the Adamawa capital.