President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The President also approved the nomination of Rabiu Umar as the new Chief Executive of the authority, subject to Senate confirmation.

This was contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Presidency said the decision was made pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

The move was aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Umar is an experienced executive with over 25 years of service across the energy, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.

He is also credited with a track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation and large-scale project delivery.

Umar studied Accounting at Bayero University and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

Pending senate confirmation of the nominee, the most senior official of the authority will oversee operations in acting capacity.

Tinubu thanked the outgoing chief executive for his service and wished him success in future endeavours.

The President reaffirmed commitment to capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reforms and sustainable economic growth.(NAN)

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to participate in the 2027 elections.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the same vein, the President has nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation.

Until his nomination, Ambassador Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

Enikanolaiye is a distinguished diplomat and seasoned public servant with over three decades of exemplary service in Nigeria’s Foreign Service. He has previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held key diplomatic postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi.

The President noted that these appointments are part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement, and stronger global partnerships.

Tinubu congratulates the appointees and urges them to work diligently to promote Nigeria’s national interest, advance economic diplomacy, foster regional stability, and safeguard the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has approved the allocation of land plots in Abuja to Nigeria’s Ambassadors and High Commissioners-Designate, aiming to deepen diplomatic ties and provide them with permanent residences in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike made this disclosure during a courtesy visit by the envoys, led by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Ahmed, at his Life Camp residence on Tuesday. The move, Wike explained, addresses the lack of accommodations for diplomats returning for briefings.

“The President believes that most of you do not have a place in Abuja… he will encourage you to see how you will put up where you can stay. Before you leave this morning, each and every one of you should have your form to apply for a land allocation in Abuja,” Wike stated.

He charged the ambassadors to serve as “the mirror of this country,” projecting Nigeria positively abroad while advancing President Tinubu’s investment drive. “Mr. President has travelled extensively to attract investment and partnerships. It is now your role to reinforce that effort by building confidence in Nigeria as a viable destination for investment,” the minister added.

Wike dismissed fears of Nigeria sliding into a one-party state, affirming: “Nigeria remains a multi-party democracy. There is no plan to turn the country into a one-party state. You must communicate this clearly wherever you serve.”

Spotlighting FCT progress, he highlighted infrastructure gains across the six area councils—Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali—and urged investment in agriculture and waste management. “There is enormous potential in agriculture within the FCT, but investment is still limited. We need your support to unlock these opportunities,” he said.

The minister revealed partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and plans with the European Commission, expressing optimism: “I remain confident that by 2027, Nigeria will be more peaceful, more united, and stronger as a nation.”

Earlier, Ahmed described the visit as part of the envoys’ induction, emphasising Abuja’s role as Nigeria’s diplomatic hub. “Our Ambassadors and High Commissioners have been entrusted with representing Nigeria at a pivotal moment in our nation’s development,” he said, praising Wike’s transformations in infrastructure and urban management.

Ahmed called for collaboration between missions and the FCT to boost economic diplomacy, cultural exchanges, and position Abuja as a global capital.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

As Nigerians await the verdict of the Supreme Court on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Plateau State chapter of the party has caution it’s members against obtaining primary election nomination from the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

In an advisory obtained by the Daily Asset Newspaper, the Plateau PDP declared that loyalists of the FCT Minister parading as leaders of the party have already been expelled and their expulsion validated by the High Court and Court of Appeal.

In the advisory issued by Dr Choji Felix Dalyop, State Publicity Secretary, the chapter maintained that any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.

Part of the statement reads: “Our great party under the strategic leadership of Miskoom Raymond Dabo, hereby issues a formal advisory grounded in extant judicial pronouncements regarding the purported sale of nomination forms for the 2027, general elections led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu acting as National Secretary.

“Pursuant to binding judicial determinations, this advisory is issued, including:- The judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on 9th March, 2026, and the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on 12th January, 2026, both of which affirm the suspension and subsequent expulsion of Senator Samuel Anyanwu from the Peoples Democratic Party.

“From a legal standpoint, these rulings have two critical implications: Loss of Capacity: Senator Anyanwu, having been validly expelled, lacks the legal competence to act in any official capacity on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Derivative Invalidity: All actions predicated on his authority, including the recognition of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, and the constitution of a parallel National Working Committee, are legally defective.

“Consequently, the Abuja Convention of 29th March, 2026, convened under this disputed authority, is rendered void ab initio, as it derives from an invalid institutional foundation.

“Furthermore, the issuance of a Form 48 notice by the FCT High Court underscores ongoing judicial scrutiny, and reinforces the binding nature of earlier rulings, particularly regarding compliance by affected parties.

“The principle of law remains unequivocal: No valid structure can emerge from an invalid origin.

“Therefore, any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.

“Implications for Aspirants: Non recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC);

“Exposure to pre election litigation leading to disqualification;

“Post election nullification risks analogous to established judicial precedents.

“The PDP Plateau State, chapter strongly advises all aspirants, and stakeholders to exercise due diligence, and avoid engagement with any processes that are unstable with the vision, and mission of the founding fathers of our great party, which to a great extent are fundamentally inconsistent with the law.”
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