Ibadan – The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has called on Nigerians to reject what it called distorted or falsified tax law, stressing the importance of inclusivity and fairness in the formulation of fiscal policies.
The NLC emphasised that laws affecting workers must be carefully crafted to avoid serious errors or political manipulations that could harm the majority.
The President of the Labour union, Joe Ajaero, in a statement titled, “Our hope lies in collective action”, highlighted the need for workers to unite in protecting their interests, wages, pensions, and dignity.
He called for social and tax justice, insisting that all citizens must have access to quality healthcare, education, and security, while workers’ rights and rewards are respected.
Ajaero further emphasized that the power of workers lies in unity and collective action. He urged Nigerians to stand together to resist policies that inflict suffering and exploit the population, warning against divisions based on tribe, religion, or region.
FG warns MDAs: No accounts, no funds in 2026
The federal government has issued a strong warning to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), stating that any institution that fails to prepare and render its statement of accounts to the treasury on or before December 31, 2025 will face sanctions.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, dated December 22, 2025.
According to the circular, any MDA that fails to prepare and submit its separate annual financial statements will have its release of funds suspended indefinitely.
Dr. Ogunjimi added that such defaulting institutions will also face administrative consequences at the leadership level.
Power outage: Pipeline repairs near completion as Adelabu’s 48-hour deadline ends Thursday
Electricity supply across Nigeria continues to be affected following a temporary shortfall in generation, but authorities say restoration is imminent.
This is according to a late Wednesday night update from the Nigeria National Grid on X.
It said, “Repair works by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC) are nearing completion, and the affected pipeline is expected to be restored soon.”
“This restoration will enable gas-fired power plants to resume normal operations, leading to improved electricity supply across the country.”
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, on Tuesday assured Nigerians that electricity supply would be restored within 24 to 48 hours, following a recent dip in power availability.
He said, “Efforts were already underway to stabilise the grid and return supply to normal levels nationwide.”
At last, Nigerian Govt, ASUU seal new deal
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the Federal Government have concluded the long-awaited renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement, ending years of protracted talks and disputes over the welfare of academics and funding of public universities.
The development was disclosed by ASUU in a statement shared on its official Facebook page on Wednesday.
The agreement is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, and will be reviewed after three years.
ASUU announced that the new agreement was reached on December 23, 2025, following extensive negotiations between both parties.
Police affirms commitment to press freedom and due process, rejects IPI allegations
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Wednesday dismissed allegations linking the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, to the alleged wrongful arrest of a journalist, describing the claims as “unfounded, misleading, and unsupported by facts.”
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the force reaction came in response to the International Press Institute (IPI) announcing the suspension of its engagement with the Force over the incident.
The police clarified that the IGP neither authorized nor condoned the arrest, harassment, or intimidation of any journalist.
2027: Wike promised to hold PDP for Tinubu, Gov Makinde alleges
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday broke his silence on his rift with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosing that their fallout stemmed from Wike’s alleged declaration to “hold down” the Peoples Democratic Party for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Wike and Makinde were prominent members of the G-5 governors who opposed the PDP’s choice of Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate and Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman ahead of the 2023 general election, because both positions were occupied by politicians from the North.
Speaking during a media chat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Makinde said the relationship collapsed after Wike made what he described as a “shocking” declaration during a meeting with President Tinubu, which he said the President neither requested nor endorsed.
Atiku blames Tinubu for failure to enforce LG autonomy ruling
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has blamed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the governors’ compliance with the 2024 judgment of the Supreme Court, which affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local governments.
In the lead judgment of the apex court delivered by Emmanuel Agim, the seven-man panel ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to local government areas (LGAs) in their states.
Tinubu, at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held last Friday, threatened to invoke Executive Order to ensure compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court.
Oyo okays ₦235bn for Circular Road, ₦55bn for Ogbomoso
The Oyo State Government on Wednesday approved ₦235 billion for the construction of the second lot of the Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road, covering 39 kilometres.
The approval was announced by the state Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, during the State Executive Council briefing held at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
It was reported that residents affected by the project have staged a series of peaceful protests in recent months across Ibadan and its environs, leading to traffic gridlock and disruptions.
The protesters are from Ido, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Akinyele, Oluyole and Egbeda local government areas.
Many traders trapped as fire razes Great Nigeria Insurance House on Lagos Island
A massive fire incident on Wednesday evening ravaged the Great Nigeria Insurance House, a high-rise commercial complex on Martins Street, Lagos Island, leaving several traders reportedly trapped inside as emergency operations continued.
The blaze, which broke out around 5:00 p.m., swept through sections of the multi-storey structure, widely used as a warehouse and retail hub for clothing materials.
Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said preliminary findings indicated that the fire originated from an office on the fourth floor before rapidly spreading to other levels of the building.
Emergency responders reportedly arrived to meet an already raging inferno, with flames extending to upper floors, complicating rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said there were no confirmed casualties as of the latest update.
The agency’s Director, Margaret Adeseye, noted that the fire had spread up to the fifth floor but was being actively combated.
Many feared dead as bomb explodes in Borno
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have detonated an improvised explosive device, IED, at a Juma’at Mosque in Gamboru Ward, around the Customs area in the heart of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The incident occurred on Wednesday while Muslim worshippers were observing the Maghrib prayer.
At The time of filing this report, information on the incident remains sketchy.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Nahum Daso, could not confirm the blast but said he was on his way to the scene to assess the situation.
The suspected blast has already created fear among residents, especially within the Christian community preparing for the 2025 Christmas celebration.
Two Kano Assembly lawmakers die within minutes
Two members of the Kano State House of Assembly were on Wednesday reported dead almost simultaneously.
The lawmaker representing Kano Municipal Local Government Area, Sarki Aliyu Daneji, reportedly passed away just minutes after news emerged of the death of his colleague, Aminu Sa’adu, who represented Ungoggo Local Government Area.
The near-simultaneous deaths sent shockwaves across Kano State, given the prominence of both legislators and the unusual timing of the incidents.
The sad development was confirmed by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, spokesperson to Governor Abba Yusuf, who announced the news on his official Facebook page.
