By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

In a series of far-reaching fiscal decisions on Tuesday, the Senate approved a $6 billion external borrowing request by President Bola Tinubu, passed the N68.3 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, and extended the implementation of the 2025 capital budget to June 30, signaling an aggressive push to sustain infrastructure spending and stabilize public finances.

The upper chamber, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, granted expedited approval for the loan request shortly after receiving formal communication from the President.

The package includes $5 billion from Abu Dhabi Bank for budget deficit financing and debt servicing, alongside a $1 billion facility from UK Export Finance through Citibank, London, targeted at rehabilitating critical port infrastructure.

The port projects—covering Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port—are expected to boost efficiency, improve safety standards, and reposition Nigeria as a regional trade hub while supporting non-oil revenue diversification.

The approval followed the adoption of a report presented by Senator Aliyu Wamakko, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, underscoring the legislature’s backing of the Executive’s borrowing strategy amid widening fiscal gaps.

In a related development, the Senate also passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N68.3 trillion after considering a report laid by the Appropriations Committee chaired by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola. The passage reflects an increase over earlier proposals and reinforces the government’s expansionary fiscal stance.

Earlier in plenary, President Tinubu had requested legislative approval for a N9 trillion upward review of the 2026 budget, raising it from N58.4 trillion to N67.4 trillion. The proposal, referred to the Appropriations Committee, is aimed at regularising outstanding obligations, integrating existing debt into the fiscal framework, and aligning expenditure with macroeconomic stability goals.

Meanwhile, lawmakers moved to prevent disruption of ongoing projects by extending the capital component of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30, 2026.

Leading debate on the amendment bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele warned that without the extension, many projects risk abandonment due to low execution levels, despite about 30 per cent of funds already released to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

Supporting the move, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said the extension aligns with the administration’s infrastructure agenda and would ensure continuity of critical national projects.

The developments highlight the Federal Government’s increasing reliance on a mix of domestic and external borrowing to finance ambitious budgets, as well as the National Assembly’s willingness to fast-track fiscal measures aimed at sustaining economic growth and infrastructure development.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the horrific attack that took place on Palm Sunday, 29 March 2026, in Angwan Rukuba, Gari Ya Waye area of Jos North, Plateau State.

In a statement issued and signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh,President,
CAN, in Abuja.

He said Nigerians are tired of mourning, crying, what Nigerians want is action, for those responsible must be found, arrested and made to face justice; swiftly and decisively.

The CAN President lamented that, Palm Sunday is meant to be a day of peace, of hope, of reflection. Instead, it became a day of bloodshed.

Innocent Nigerians; men, women and children were hunted and killed in cold blood.

He stressed that, the killing ‘is not just tragic; it is unacceptable’.

According to Okoh, “”A nation cannot keep bleeding like this and expect to move forward. We owe the dead justice. We owe the living protection. And we owe our future a country where no community wakes up to gunfire on a sacred day”.

He said, “Armed men, reportedly in significant numbers, moved into a civilian community, disguised in uniforms resembling those of our security forces, and opened fire on defenceless people. Lives were cut short in minutes. Families have been shattered. A community has been traumatised”.

He noted, “We mourn. We grieve. But we must also speak the truth. How did we get here? How is it that people can no longer feel safe in their own homes? How is it that, even on a sacred day, communities are left exposed to such terror?

He lamented, “Nigerians are tired of mourning. Nigerians are tired of statements. Nigerians want to see action. Those responsible for this atrocity must be found, arrested and made to face justice; swiftly and decisively. Anything less will only deepen the sense that life in our country is no longer protected.

“The use of fake or imitation military uniforms by these attackers is particularly alarming. It strikes at the very heart of public trust and must be thoroughly investigated. Our security institutions must not only respond; they must stay ahead of these threats”.

The CAN boss, acknowledged the efforts of the Plateau State Government so far.

“But let it be said clearly: temporary measures are not enough. The people of Plateau, and indeed all Nigerians, deserve lasting security, not periodic reassurance”.

He therefore urged Christians across Nigeria to be prayerful and vigilant.

“To our Christian faithful across the nation, I speak to you as we walk through this solemn Holy Week. Be prayerful, but also be vigilant. As you prepare for Good Friday solemnities and the Stations of the Cross (in some denominations), and as churches gather for Easter Eve vigils and night services, take deliberate steps to protect yourselves and your congregations. Stay alert. Work with security agencies and local authorities. Look out for one another.

“Faith must remain strong, but it must also be paired with wisdom. We will not allow fear to silence our worship. But neither will we ignore the dangers around us. Holy Week reminds us that light will always overcome darkness. Yet let us be honest, Nigeria is passing through a dark and painful moment. This must be a turning point”.

From Abel Zwanke, Lafia

The Nasarawa state Accountant General Rt. Hon. Musa Ahmed Mohammed, has resigned his position and declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election.

Mohammed, a former Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, made the announcement at a mega rally held in his honour in Lafia on Monday.

Addressing a large crowd of supporters, the former Accountant General said his decision followed sustained calls from stakeholders across the state urging him to step into the race.

“I have listened to the yearnings and aspirations of our people,” he said.

“After wide consultations, I have decided to resign my position as Accountant General and accept the call to serve the people of Nasarawa State as governor come 2027.”

The rally, organised under the aegis of the Fatan Alheri Movement, attracted a cross-section of political leaders, youth groups and community stakeholders from across the state.

Among dignitaries present at the event was the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Football Association, Alhaji Salisu Galadima, alongside other prominent personalities.

Mohammed noted that his decision was driven by a desire to consolidate on the achievements of the present administration and reposition the state for greater development.

“Our state has made significant progress, but there is still much to be done. I am stepping forward with a clear vision to build on existing foundations and move Nasarawa to greater heights,” he added.

His declaration comes hours after Governor Abdullahi Sule met with governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

The meeting, held at the Nasarawa Governor’s Lodge, was attended by key stakeholders, including former governors Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, as well as former Deputy Governor Silas Ali Agara.

Political observers say Mohammed’s entry into the race is likely to reshape the dynamics within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, given his experience in both the legislative and executive arms of government.

Meanwhile, supporters at the rally expressed confidence in his leadership capacity, describing him as a unifying figure with the experience needed to lead the state.

“We believe he has what it takes to move Nasarawa forward,” one of the supporters said. “That is why we are here in our numbers to endorse him.”

With his formal declaration, Mohammed joins the growing list of aspirants positioning themselves for the state’s top job as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of 2027.