Author: Hamza Rufai

THE Senate has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant regulatory bodies to strictly enforce the ban on the packaging of high-strength alcoholic beverages in sachet formats beginning December 2025. News Point Nigeria reports that the lawmakers further resolved that no additional extension should be granted beyond the current moratorium. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong on the need to halt further extension of the phase out of of Alcoholic Beverages packaged in satchet formats. In his lead debate during plenary, Senator Ekpeyong reminded the…

NIGERIA may have forfeited more than $300 billion in crude oil revenue to theft, operational leakages and entrenched corruption over the years, an explosive Senate investigation has revealed. News Point Nigeria reports that the interim findings of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Oil Theft in the Niger Delta were presented on Wednesday by its Chairman, Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), exposing alarming lapses across the country’s oil production and export systems. According to the 40-page report, the losses described by lawmakers as “mind-boggling” stem from crude theft syndicates, illegal bunkering, sabotage, inaccurate measurement systems and large-scale revenue diversion. “The findings…

THE Senate, on Wednesday, suspended the confirmation of ministerial nominee, Kingsley Udeh (SAN), citing the absence of a mandatory security clearance required before his appointment can be approved. News Point Nigeria reports that Udeh, nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to represent Enugu State in the Federal Executive Council, was scheduled for confirmation during plenary on Wednesday. However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio explained that the legislative chamber would not proceed without official security vetting from relevant agencies. “The confirmation of the minister-nominee would have been next on the list, but we need security clearance,” Akpabio announced. The delay comes barely…

THE Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed 115 personnel as part of its ongoing internal reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism and integrity within the Service. Disclosing this in a statement sighted by News Point Nigeria on Tuesday via its X handle, the secret police said the dismissals took place over a period of time and were part of broader efforts to sanitize its ranks. It also warned members of the public against dealing with individuals who have been dismissed but continue to pose as active operatives. “In addition to earlier disclaimers on the duo of Barry Donald and Victor…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate requesting the screening and confirmation of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Ude, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Enugu State, as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. News Point Nigeria reports that the letter conveying the President’s request was read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary. Following the announcement, Senator Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration and subsequent screening. The development follows the resignation of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, from Tinubu’s…

THE Chadian government has ordered the immediate closure of its border with Nigeria, citing heightened security concerns and intelligence suggesting movement of armed groups in the Lake Chad region following escalating geopolitical tensions. News Point Nigeria reports that multiple military sources in N’Djamena confirmed to counterterrorism analyst Zagazola Makama on Monday that President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno directed a total lockdown along the Chadian–Nigerian boundary. The move follows intelligence reports that terror elements operating in northern Nigeria may attempt to escape into Chadian territory amid fears of possible United States military operations in parts of West Africa. Security agencies have…

TENSION heightened on Monday at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wadata Plaza, Abuja, as a faction allegedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, attempted to take control of the party’s secretariat. News Point Nigeria reports that the move is the latest escalation in the deepening crisis rocking the opposition party, which has faced internal division since its defeat in the 2023 general elections. The Wike-aligned faction recently announced the appointment of Muhammed Abdulrahman as the acting National Chairman, following retaliatory suspensions exchanged between both camps. Earlier, the Umar Damagum-led National…

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its total readiness for the Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 8th November 2025, assuring citizens and stakeholders of a peaceful, transparent, and credible process. News Point Nigeria reports that INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance during a high-level inspection visit to the Commission’s state office in Awka, ahead of the Stakeholders’ Meeting coming up on Monday, 3rd November 2025. “Our responsibility is to the people of this nation. We are fully prepared to deliver an election that is fair, credible, and reflective of the people’s will,” Prof.…

FORMER Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has criticised both the Federal Government and the National Assembly for failing to take early diplomatic action to avert Nigeria’s reclassification by the United States as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians. The U.S. designation followed a declaration by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday via his Truth Social platform, where he alleged that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” ordering that the country be placed on the watchlist for what he termed “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” Under U.S. law, any nation designated a CPC…

THE leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated dramatically, with factional suspensions tearing further into the opposition party’s already fragile structure. News Point Nigeria reports that On Saturday in Abuja, a faction of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and five other top officials, a move that signals deepening internal hostilities ahead of the party’s November elective convention. Anyanwu, who appeared before journalists flanked by loyal NWC members, declared that Damagum had been suspended for “incompetence, financial misconduct, and…

Applauds Umahi’s Hands-On Approach To Project Delivery THE Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has acknowledged what it described as impressive road infrastructure projects by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Coalition, which rated the current administration “very good” in the area of road infrastructure, said it came to the conclusion after a painstaking assessment of work done in various sectors of the Nigerian economy in the last two years. The foremost opposition voice disclosed this in a press release, signed by the Coalition’s National Spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, on Saturday in Abuja, after an inspection of the Abuja-Lokoja-Benin…

SENATOR representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Barr. Sunday Katung has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). A statement signed by the Senator sent to News Point Nigeria on Saturday attributed his decision to a genuine desire to serve his constituency better. The development comes barely 24 hours after the Federal High Court, Abuja, stopped the PDP from holding its 2025 national convention. See full statement below: A New Chapter: A Message of Unity and Purpose Dear Friends and Political Associates, The past few weeks have been incredibly demanding yet profoundly reflective moments of…

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to proceed with preparations for its much-anticipated National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite a recent court order restraining it from holding the exercise. News Point Nigeria reports that the decision, which underscores growing tension within Nigeria’s main opposition party, came barely 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja barred the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting or recognising any outcomes from the planned convention. Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, ruled that the PDP had allegedly…

THE Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the posting and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional positions across formations, units, and training institutions of the Nigerian Army. This was confirmed in a statement released by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele sent to News Point Nigeria, shortly after President Bola Tinubu decorated the COAS and other service chiefs with their new ranks on Thursday. Lieutenant Colonel Anele stated that the appointments are a decisive move aimed at reinvigorating leadership, strengthening command structures, and repositioning the Nigerian Army…

SIGNS of reconciliation are emerging in the Senate as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has formally invited Senate President Godswill Akpabio to a major constituency project commissioning event scheduled for Sunday in Ihima, Kogi State. The invitation, personally signed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and made available to News Point Nigeria, was read out during plenary on Wednesday by the Senate President. The event forms part of activities to mark the lawmaker’s second anniversary in the Senate and will include the unveiling of multiple completed constituency projects across Kogi Central. In the letter, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote: “In marking my second-year anniversary as…

THE Senate has confirmed Bernard Doro as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following a brief screening session that lasted less than 30 minutes. News Point Nigeria reports that Doro, who becomes the third ministerial nominee from Plateau State, used the opportunity to outline his vision for fostering an inclusive humanitarian ecosystem in the country. He promised to create a humanitarian ecosystem that is inclusive, guided by impartiality and independence. Doro told lawmakers during his appearance that he will create synergy between security agencies to better target the individuals affected by crises, which he notes is always a…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the introduction of a 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel imports into Nigeria. The initiative is aimed at protecting local refineries and stabilising the downstream market, but it is likely to raise pump prices. In a letter dated October 21, 2025, reported publicly on October 30, 2025 sighted by News Point Nigeria, and addressed to the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Tinubu directed immediate implementation of the tariff as part of what the government described as a “market-responsive import tariff framework.” The letter,…

THE Senate on Wednesday confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the positions of service chiefs. News Point Nigeria reports that those confirmed are Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army staff, Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval staff, and Kelvin Aneke as Chief of Air Staff. The confirmation followed a two-hour closed-door session where senators questioned the nominees on their plans to strengthen national security and reform the armed forces. Earlier, President Tinubu has urged the upper chamber to screen and confirm the nominees. In line with the President’s request, the Senate chamber dedicated…

NEWLY appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has cautioned that Nigeria’s security challenges will continue unless the country greatly improves the way information is handled across all sectors. News Point Nigeria reports that Gen. Oluyede stated this on Wednesday during his screening session before the Senate at the National Assembly, where he reflected on his earlier tenure as Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), describing the role as one of the most demanding responsibilities in national security management. He acknowledged progress made in the fight against terrorism, banditry, oil theft and other threats, but insisted that the…

THE House of Representatives has raised serious security concerns following threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex in Abuja. News Point Nigeria reports that the Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Muhammad, disclosed this on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate to bolster protection for lawmakers, workers, and visitors within the nation’s apex legislative institution. Muhammad warned that the National Assembly regarded as the symbol of Nigeria’s democracy has come under increasing security threats, including infiltration by criminal elements posing as visitors. “We have received…