Author: Abdullahi Maitama Sani

THE Presidency has firmly denied circulating social media reports alleging that kitchen staff at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa were arrested over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the claim as entirely false and misleading. News Point Nigeria reports that the rebuttal followed the emergence of a viral video suggesting that a member of the presidential kitchen staff had been taken into custody over a purported poisoning attempt targeting the President. The video, which has been widely shared across social media platforms, purportedly shows activity within the Presidential Villa accompanied by a voiceover narrating what it…

THE Presidency has strongly criticised opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), accusing them of spreading misinformation and engaging in what it described as “constant lamentation and unwarranted outrage” over the recently amended Electoral Act. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed allegations made by opposition figures during a press conference in the Federal Capital Territory, where they criticised President Bola Tinubu and the APC-led Federal Government. Onanuga described the claims as “reckless and spurious,” asserting…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has dismissed claims that his administration is deliberately weakening opposition parties, insisting that he has not used state power to compel defections or stifle dissenting voices. News Point Nigeria reports that the President addressed the issue during an interfaith Iftar with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He was responding to mounting criticism that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is gaining strength through alleged pressure on opposition figures to switch sides. “Critics must talk. When they accused me of killing the opposition, but I didn’t have a gun. I could have given myself a licence…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of State Police to tackle insecurity nationwide. News Point Nigeria reports that the President Tinubu made the appeal during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The President said that the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions. He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal…

THE Federal Government has defended Executive Order 9 (EO9), insisting that the directive does not amount to executive lawmaking but rather enforces constitutional provisions governing the custody and management of Federation revenues. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Monday and dated February 23, 2026, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, dismissed claims that the order represents executive overreach. Yakubu, who also serves as Secretary of the Implementation Committee on Executive Order 9, said critics have misinterpreted both the Constitution and the fiscal issues addressed by the directive. According to Yakubu, EO9 does not…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu congratulates the winners of Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as the by-elections in Kano and Rivers states. Tinubu urges the winners to serve with humility, patriotism, and dedication and to view the mandate given to them by the people as a sacred trust. “He commends the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his remarkable achievements in the territory, which have yielded political dividends to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). “The President congratulates the APC national leadership, Kano and Rivers leaderships, and all members of the party on the…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has called for peaceful and orderly conduct during Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano State and Rivers States. The President, in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Friday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, urged security agencies to exercise restraint and the electoral body to strengthen public confidence in the process. “President Tinubu urged all eligible voters to come out and vote without fear, emphasising that the democratic process thrives best in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance, and mutual respect,” the statement read. He appealed to voters, security personnel and officials of the…

THE era of discretionary oil revenue deductions by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited appears to be over as President Bola Tinubu has ordered the direct remittance of oil and gas proceeds into the Federation Account, effectively ending what critics described as a “money show” under the existing framework. News Point Nigeria reports that in a sweeping Executive Order signed on February 13, 2026, the President mandated that revenues accruing from Nigeria’s oil and gas resources be paid directly to the Federation Account, bypassing retention structures that had allowed significant deductions by NNPC Limited. The Presidency described the directive as…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 into law, following the passage of the bill by the National Assembly on Tuesday after months of deliberations. News Point Nigeria reports that Tinubu signed the bill at the State House on Wednesday in the presence of top government officials, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. He said the essence of democracy is to have very solid discussions committed to national development and nation-building, essential for the…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to win the battle against banditry and terrorism that have ravaged several parts of the country. News Point Nigeria reports that the President gave the assurance in Yola on Monday while commissioning projects embarked upon by the Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri. He specifically commended the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, pledging to support men in uniform in the discharge of their duties. “We are grateful to the Nigerian armed forces for their commitment to liberating Nigeria from banditry and insurgency. Together, we will win. “We continue to encourage our…

THE Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee has dismissed as false and misleading a viral video claiming that Nigeria’s new tax laws will impose a 25 per cent levy on funds meant for building materials and other transactions from 2027. In a statement made available to News Point Nigeria on Sunday, the committee clarified that the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 has already commenced and contains no provision imposing a 25 per cent tax on construction funds, bank balances, or routine business expenses. According to the committee, the circulating claims are a misrepresentation of the law and appear designed to…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the recurring fire outbreaks at Singer Market in Kano State, following yet another devastating inferno that destroyed goods worth billions of naira over the weekend. The President also directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Kano to commiserate with affected traders and convey the administration’s condolences and support. The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening and raged into Sunday morning, caused extensive destruction at Singer Market, one of Nigeria’s largest food markets. The latest incident occurred less than two weeks after a similar…

UNITED Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has asked Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status. Guterres praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions despite facing its own security challenges. The UN Chief made the remarks on Friday during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Speaking during the talks, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population,…

CHAIRMAN of the United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu, has declared that Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) crisis has been resolved, saying businesses are no longer struggling to access dollars as was previously the case. News Point Nigeria reports that Elumelu made the remarks on Friday after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to the billionaire banker and investor, reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under Governor Olayemi Cardoso have restored predictability and stability to the economy. Illustrating what he described as a significant turnaround, Elumelu said the intense pressure on banks to source…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit. The Summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework. A statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, says while in Addis Ababa, the Vice President will join other African leaders…

THE Federal Government will on Monday convene a National Economic Council (NEC) Conference aimed at strengthening economic coordination and accelerating inclusive growth across Nigeria’s 36 states. The conference, scheduled for February 9 to 10, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, will be presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the council. A statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said the meeting would bring together state governors and key national stakeholders to deliberate on critical macroeconomic…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday met with key segments of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as the party disclosed plans to organise an inclusive national convention and congresses, in line with its growth and expanding membership. The meeting, held at the State House, Abuja, with the party’s national leadership, sub-national leaders and the APC caucus in the National Assembly, was described as a strategic session to align preparations and ensure synergy among the various arms of government and the party structure. Speaking after the meeting, the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said the engagement with…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has called on the World Bank to support Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, with a focus on agriculture, youth employment, and private sector growth, as part of his administration’s strategy to strengthen the economy and expand opportunities for Nigerians. News Point Nigeria reports that the president made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the World Bank led by Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations, at the State House, Abuja. “Since we went into this tunnel of reform, we have our hands on the power and we’re never going to look back. Initially, it was painful…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria from his state visit to the Republic of Türkiye. News Point Nigeria reports that Tinubu arrived at about 8:55 p.m. He was received by senior government officials. The President had departed Abuja for Türkiye on January 26, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. It follows an earlier official visit to Nigeria by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan between October 19 and 20, 2021, which reinforced diplomatic ties between Abuja and Ankara. During the days-long trip, Tinubu and his Turkish counterpart signed nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).…

TURKISH President, Recep Erdogan, says his country will support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, expressing readiness to deepen cooperation in military training and intelligence. Speaking at a joint press conference with President Bola Tinubu during his official visit to the capital Ankara, Erdogan said that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is taking firm steps against terrorism, and Türkiye stands by the Nigerian people in this struggle. “We are ready to share Türkiye’s significant experience in counterterrorism,” presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, quoted the Turkish leader as saying. The Turkish president said terrorist groups, particularly in Africa’s Sahel region, pose a threat to the…