FocalPoint Reports

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to hold its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at its national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, following the reopening of the secretariat by the police last week. The party’s secretariat had been sealed in November last year after a violent confrontation between factions loyal to Tanimu Turaki and those aligned with Abdulrahman Mohammed, both laying claim to the party’s leadership. The crisis took a new turn in March when the Court of Appeal invalidated the Ibadan convention that produced the Turaki-led leadership. The Mohammed-led faction, which is reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,  Nyesom Wike , relied on the ruling to organise a separate convention in Abuja. The NEC meeting is expected to be attended by members aligned with the Mohammed-led faction. Top figures billed for the meeting include Wike, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, among others...

The Police Command in Benue has arrested seven suspects over alleged connection with the April 15 abduction of some passengers in Otukpo. The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, confirmed the development in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday. Udeme said that the arrests were made during a coordinated joint security operation involving the police and other security agencies and a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and adjoining areas. She said that the operation also led to the rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention, but did not disclose the number of those rescued. “Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while the investigation is ongoing. “The Command also wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unifie...

The Presidency has  said that Nigeria is not a poor country, urging a shift in national discourse from poverty narratives to addressing inequality and structural economic challenges. The Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Fasua, who spoke on Channels Television on Friday, said: “Nigeria is not a poor country, but we have inequality challenges. We must focus on bridging that gap.” Fasua stressed that while poverty exists, the focus should be on solutions, saying: “The real question is how to solve poverty,” adding that constant emphasis on poverty “will not allow us to focus on what matters.” He pointed to evidence of wealth within the system, noting that “about N4.6 trillion was raised by banks in this country recently for recapitalisation,” with “about 80 percent of it from this country.” He added: “MTN has consistently generated about 40 percent of its profits from Nigeria. This...

No fewer than two persons have been confirmed dead following an explosion at a filling station in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday, April 17, 2026. It was learnt that three other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident, which occurred in the Daffo community. Residents, including the Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in the area, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the incident in Jos Mallai said the explosion happened at a filling station identified as Natty Filling Station while maintenance was being carried out on an underground tank. According to him, the victims were working on a leaking section of the tank when the explosion occurred. Providing details, Mallai said the deceased were a welder and his apprentice who had been engaged to fix the faulty tank. He said, “ Today, Friday 17th April, 2026, two persons died, and three others were injured at Daffo Town of Bokkos LGA, Plateau State, as an underground tank of Natty Filling Station explod...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday signed the ₦68.32tn 2026 Appropriation Bill into law. This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The 2026 Appropriation Bill provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion. He has also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026. The N68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt service. It allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure. With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth. The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditur...

Newly elected National Treasurer of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide, Double Chief (Comrade) Mulade Sheriff (PhD), the Ibe-Serimowei of ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State has expressed deep appreciation to key stakeholders for their overwhelming support in his emergence at the April 13, 2026 national elections. In a statement, Mulade thanked the outgoing INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the National Executive Council (NEC), the 2026 National Electoral Commission, led by His Royal Majesty, Justice F.F.Tabai (Rtd), national delegates, as well as the entire Ijaw Nation for the confidence reposed in him. He described his victory as a collective mandate, noting that the trust placed in him serves as a call to greater responsibility and service. Mulade pledged to work collaboratively with other members of the executive council led by High Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei Esq and critical stakeholders to ensure transparency, accountability, and prudent financia...