From Abel zwanke, Lafia

The Middle Belt Forum has said it will support a southern presidential candidate in 2027 who demonstrates competence and commitment to peace, inclusion, restructuring and the socio-economic advancement of the region.

A member of the Forum, Akor-Abagi, who spoke on behalf of the coordinator in an interview yesterday said the Middle Belt would not approach the 2027 election merely as an electoral bloc, but would demand concrete commitments from presidential candidates.

He said the recent engagement with Adebayo presidential Candidate of the SDP was not an endorsement but a consultation to understand the challenges and potentials of the region.

“His message centered on restructuring, state policing, and treating the Middle Belt as a national security priority, not just an election bloc,” he said.

According to him, Adebayo’s emphasis on understanding the challenges of the region was important because “any leaders who don’t understand the challenges and opportunities of the Middle Belt region cannot be result oriented.”

He, however, said the Forum would judge candidates by their policies and actions rather than rhetoric.

“The key test will be concrete policy and appointments, not just rhetoric,” he said.

On insecurity, Akor-Abagi said the Forum expects any serious presidential candidate to prioritise state and community policing, justice for victims and the protection of farmlands.

“The issue is not simply about making promises. There must be concrete policy, funding plans and timelines. There must also be a clear approach to dealing with illegal armed groups and land-grabbing networks,” he said.

He identified justice, equity, inclusion and land protection as major areas candidates must address, including prosecution of perpetrators, compensation for victim,

Fair federal appointments, constitutional reforms for true federalism, state police and legal protection of ancestral lands.

On power rotation, Akor-Abagi said the Middle Belt still believed in fairness and rotation but would prioritise competence and commitment to restructuring in 2027.

“Yes, the principle of rotation and fairness still matters to us. But in 2027, the focus is shifting to competence plus commitment to restructuring. The region will back whoever guarantees it safety and inclusion,” he said.

He added: “To be precise, the power should still be with the South. However, in 2031, the presidential candidature should return to the Middle Belt.”

He said the three urgent issues for the next Federal Government were insecurity, displacement and development, including the resettlement of IDPs, protection of farms and provision of roads, water, healthcare and education.

“The Forum’s tradition is to set benchmarks first. If a candidate meets them, collective endorsement is possible,” he said.

Akor-Abagi said candidates seeking the confidence of the Middle Belt must publish policies with budgets and timelines, appoint competent people from the region to key security and economic positions and engage affected communities beyond election periods.

“The key test will be concrete policy and appointments, not just rhetoric,” he said.

By David Torough, Abuja

Nigeria’s port sector has entered a new regulatory era, with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council formally transitioning into the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA).

The transition follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (GCFR) assent to Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, establishing the Agency as the statutory authority responsible for the economic regulation of the ports in the country.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Chairman of the NPERA Governing Board, Dr. Ibrahim Shema, CON, described the development as a major institutional reform that is aimed at creating a more transparent, predictable, and competitive port environment.

He added that NPERA will be responsible for the economic regulation of port services and related activities, including tariffs and charges, licensing, service standards, fair competition, commercial dispute resolution, trade facilitation and protection of port users.

Dr. Shema said the new framework is expected to provide greater regulatory certainty for Shipping Lines and Terminal Operators, while offering Importers, Exporters, Freight Forwarders and Clearing Agents more predictable procedures, fairer charges and improved mechanisms for resolving disputes.

He also clarified that the establishment of NPERA does not create a competing authority with the Nigerian Ports Authority. While the Nigerian Ports Authority will retain responsibility for port infrastructure and its landlord functions, NPERA will provide independent economic oversight within its statutory mandate.

The Board Chairman said the Agency’s regulatory approach will be anchored on five principles: transparency, fairness, predictability, efficiency, and accountability.

He added that NPERA would deploy technology and data to strengthen licensing, tariff administration, monitoring, compliance, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.

The agency also plans to work with key maritime institutions, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, NIMASA and the Nigeria Customs Service, as well as terminal operators, shipping lines, freight forwarders, manufacturers, investors and other industry stakeholders.

Dr. Shema said the immediate priority is to ensure an orderly transition from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to NPERA, while maintaining continuity in essential regulatory functions and preserving institutional knowledge.

He stressed that the success of the new agency would ultimately be measured by its impact on port users and the wider economy.

According to him, effective implementation of the Act should translate into better services, greater efficiency, lower uncertainty, fair competition, and stronger trade facilitation.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NPERA, Dr. Akutah Pius (MON), speaking at the event, expressed optimism that the new law would significantly clarify the regulatory environment governing Nigeria’s ports within the next one or two years.

He stated that the NPERA act will give the agency stronger powers to improve commercial dispute resolution and protect the interests and welfare of the port users and other stakeholders

He added that with the new regulatory framework, the agency will deliver a more efficient, transparent, and competitive Nigerian port system.

The transition marks the culmination of years of efforts to establish a permanent statutory economic regulator for Nigeria’s ports.

With NPERA now taking the helm, attention shifts from the passage of the law to its implementation.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat for Eti-Osa Constituency I, Hon. John Ademola Akano under the platform of the NDC, has protested alleged moves to impose or present an individual who did not participate in the party’s nomination process as its candidate for the constituency.

Akano, who spoke at a press conference, said he duly purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, completed and submitted all required documents within the stipulated period and fulfilled the conditions set by the party to contest the election.

He said following his qualification, he invested considerable time and resources in consultations, mobilisation, stakeholder engagement, campaign planning and grassroots outreach across Eti-Osa Constituency I ahead of the scheduled primary elections.

According to him, he acted in good faith and relied on the party’s constitution, guidelines, rules and established democratic principles governing its nomination process.

Akano expressed concern over what he described as moves to award or confer the party’s ticket on an individual who, according to him, did not purchase nomination forms, express interest in the position, participate in the screening process or subject himself to the party’s nomination procedures.

He argued that allowing such an arrangement would undermine internal democracy, fairness, transparency, equity and due process, while frustrating aspirants who complied with the party’s requirements.

The candidate maintained that the circumstances surrounding the cancellation or non-conclusion of the primary were not attributable to him.

He therefore rejected any attempt to use the cancellation of the primary as a basis for disenfranchising qualified aspirants or introducing an individual who was not part of the nomination process.

Akano said where a primary election could not be validly concluded, the party should adopt a lawful, transparent and equitable mechanism that protects the interests of aspirants who legitimately participated in the nomination exercise.

He further alleged that Mr. Rotimi Obasanjo Egbewunmi, whose name he said was being considered in connection with the House of Assembly ticket, had contested for the House of Representatives seat rather than the House of Assembly position.

“It is a matter of public record that Mr. Rotimi Obasanjo Egbewunmi contested for the House of Representatives seat, not the House of Assembly seat. The evidence is clear and readily available,” he said.

Akano also referred to provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, arguing that the party must follow due process in determining its candidate.

He said any attempt to substitute a House of Representatives candidate for the House of Assembly ticket without following the prescribed process would be unjust and contrary to democratic principles.

“I have no objection to party supremacy. However, party supremacy must be based on justice, fairness, due process and the rule of law, not falsehood, deception or insincerity,” Akano said.

He appealed to the NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson; National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe; and South-West Vice Chairman, Pastor Mrs. Adedayo Ekong, State chairman Hon Kings Okunneye to intervene in the matter and address what he described as irregularities by some party officials.

Akano said his expectation was that the party leadership would ensure that the rights of all qualified aspirants were protected and that the nomination process was resolved fairly.

The President of Youths in Politics, Dr. Paul Church Ukah, has called on the NDC leadership to review the circumstances surrounding the Eti-Osa Constituency I nomination process.

Ukah said his organisation became involved following a petition and complaint presented by Akano concerning the party’s nomination process.

He stressed that Youths in Politics was not taking sides because of friendship, political affiliation or personal interest, but was concerned about ensuring that young Nigerians who participate in politics are treated fairly.

According to him, Akano claimed to have purchased the required nomination forms, completed the nomination process, received clearance to participate and mobilised extensively across the constituency.

Ukah said Akano further alleged that following the cancellation or non-conclusion of the primary, there were moves to present another individual who did not participate in the nomination exercise as the party’s candidate.

He said the organisation reviewed materials presented in relation to the complaint and believed there were sufficient grounds for an immediate and transparent review before any irreversible decision was taken.

“Our position is simple: let the process be fair,” Ukah said.

He explained that Youths in Politics was not asking the NDC to deny any individual their rights, violate its constitution or allow external bodies to interfere in its internal affairs.

Ukah said that if a valid primary had produced a winner, the result should be verified and respected unless there was a lawful basis for setting it aside.

Where a primary was cancelled or could not be validly concluded, he said, the party should clearly communicate the legal and constitutional basis for whatever alternative mechanism it intended to use.

He added that if another nomination mechanism was adopted, all aspirants legally entitled to participate should be treated equally and transparently.

Ukah warned that denying young aspirants a fair opportunity after they had complied with party requirements could discourage young Nigerians from participating in politics.

He said political parties could not continue to encourage youths to participate in elections while allowing nomination processes that could erode their confidence in the political system.

“Young Nigerians must not only be encouraged to vote. They must be encouraged to contest, participate, organise, lead and seek elective office,” he said.

According to him, the legal framework provides avenues for aspirants to challenge alleged violations of electoral laws and party guidelines.

He said disputed nominations should be addressed through verification, transparency, dialogue and, where necessary, lawful adjudication rather than political silence or unilateral decisions.

Youths in Politics called on the NDC leadership to immediately review the circumstances surrounding the Eti-Osa Constituency I primary.

The organisation also urged the party to make relevant nomination records available to affected aspirants and give Akano and other stakeholders an opportunity to present their evidence.

The group demanded that any decision concerning the emergence of the party’s candidate should comply with the NDC constitution, nomination guidelines and applicable electoral laws.

It also urged the party to establish a transparent mechanism for resolving any genuine dispute arising from the primary.

Ukah stressed that the organisation’s intervention was not about one individual but about the confidence of young Nigerians in the political process.

Ukah clarified that Youths in Politics was not opposed to any individual who might eventually emerge as the NDC candidate.

“Our concern is the process,” he said.

He maintained that if another individual was legally entitled to the ticket, such entitlement should be established through a process capable of withstanding scrutiny.

Similarly, he said if Akano was entitled to the ticket, that entitlement should be established and respected.

“Our demand is not that the answer must favour John Akano. Our demand is that the answer must favour justice,” Ukah said.

He added that the organisation would neither support the victimisation of any aspirant nor the imposition of candidates without due process.

He also cautioned against supporting unsubstantiated claims merely because the claimant was a young person.

“Evidence must prevail. Rules must prevail. Justice must prevail,” he said.

Ukah appealed to young Nigerians preparing to participate in politics not to become discouraged by challenges within the political system.

He said youths deserved genuine opportunities to contest elections, participate in decision-making and emerge as political leaders.

He urged political leaders to create an environment that would make political participation meaningful and credible for younger generations.

The Youths in Politics called on all parties involved in the dispute to exercise restraint and respect democratic institutions.

The organisation urged the NDC leadership to engage the affected aspirants and resolve the matter transparently, while also encouraging Akano and other aspirants to pursue their grievances peacefully and through lawful channels.

Ukah said Youths in Politics would continue to monitor the matter, stressing that its commitment was to justice, internal democracy, the rule of law and the political future of Nigerian youths.

“Where justice is done, we will acknowledge it. Where legitimate concerns remain unresolved, we will continue to speak,” he said.