Politics

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has publicly committed to respecting the rule of law following a controversial week involving high-profile asset seizures. After a Federal High Court ordered the release of several properties deemed to have been wrongfully confiscated, the anti-graft agency faced intense scrutiny regarding its adherence to due process. In a statement released today, the Chairman assured the public that the agency would not act above the law.

The National Security Council convened an emergency meeting yesterday to address the emergence of a new terror group, 'Lakurawa,' operating in the North-West. Defense chiefs briefed the President on the group's modus operandi, which reportedly involves recruiting local youths through financial inducement. The military has been ordered to intensify intelligence-gathering operations and deploy special forces to the affected border communities.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has officially declared 2025 as the 'Year of Youth Prosperity,' launching a nationwide campaign to increase youth participation in politics and governance. Citing the success of the 'Not Too Young To Run' movement, the council is now pivoting from advocacy to action, encouraging young professionals to register as card-carrying members of political parties and vie for party leadership positions.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a groundbreaking proposal to phase out physical Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in favor of digital credentials. In a strategic document released this week, the commission outlined its vision for a more technology-driven electoral process. The proposed system would allow voters to download a secure, verifiable digital identity to their smartphones, which can be authenticated at polling units, thereby reducing the logistical nightmare of card distribution.

As the National Assembly resumes plenary, the Senate Leadership has outlined a robust legislative agenda for 2025, placing a premium on strict budget oversight and the ongoing constitutional review process. The Senate President emphasized that the era of 'padding' budgets is over, warning heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that they will be held personally accountable for every naira allocated in the 2025 appropriation act.

The Presidency has reiterated its commitment to the current administration's bold economic reforms, citing recent data that suggests a gradual stabilization of the naira and a slight deceleration in headline inflation. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, presidential spokespersons emphasized that the removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalization of the foreign exchange market were painful but necessary steps to avert a fiscal collapse. They pointed to the 3.4% economic growth projection for 2025 by international financial bodies as evidence that the country is on the path to recovery.

Nigeria continues to assert its leadership role in West Africa, hosting the 2025 Nigeria-Africa Trade Summit in Lagos. The event has drawn heads of state and business leaders from across the continent to discuss the practical implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Nigerian government used the platform to sign bilateral agreements with three neighboring countries aimed at removing non-tariff barriers that have historically stifled cross-border trade.

The Northern Governors' Forum (NGF) has unveiled a comprehensive strategic framework aimed at tackling the root causes of poverty and insecurity in the region. Dubbed a regional 'Marshall Plan,' the initiative focuses heavily on early years education, agricultural revitalization, and youth empowerment. During their latest meeting in Kaduna, the governors agreed that military action alone cannot solve the banditry crisis without addressing the underlying socio-economic deprivation.