NEWS
Senate Dissolves Committees on Air Force, Nat’l Security, Intelligence
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
After long hours of heated debate over the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, the Senate has dissolved two of its Standing Committees with immediate effect, saying the measure became necessary over their poor oversight performance.The Senate Committee on Air Force as well as that of the National Security and Intelligence were unanimously dissolved yesterday by the senate during plenary and would be reconstituted within one week, with a view to rejigging its efforts in tackling insecurity across the country.
The senate also directed its Standing Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, Interior and Police Affairs to brief her on their ongoing efforts in tackling the menace of insecurity across the country and to justify their continued existence.The Red Chamber which also began a probe into the withdrawal of security troops from the Kebbi School prior to the bandits’ attack, also directed that findings be submitted within two weeks, even as it mandated its Committees on Army, Defence, Police Affairs, Interior and Special Duties to jointly conduct the probe and report back to the chamber.The Senate, which also probed the circumstances surrounding the killing of Brigadier General Uba, asked its Committee on the Army to present a comprehensive report of the incident within two weeks while mandating its leadership to convey their resolutions to President Tinubu physically.Visibly worried over the country’s escalating insecurity, the Senate through a motion from Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South) calling for urgent federal intervention raised concerns over military withdrawals and compromised security operations most recently in coordinated bandit attacks in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States.In his remarks, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin acknowledged that the security challenges were surmountable but stressed the need for international cooperation, declaring “we should seek assistance from overseas. I sue for collaboration with global partners to stem the crisis”.Speaking on the issue, the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the current wave of insecurity as a turning point that must not be treated as business as usual, while welcoming the safe rescue of abducted captives. He expressed concerns over the lack of information on terrorists neutralized during operations and cautioned lawmakers against grandstanding, referencing calls in the House of Representatives to shut down the National Assembly.Bamidele urged the Senate to examine its internal structures, criticizing the Committee on Security and Intelligence and suggesting it be reorganized.Opposition lawmaker Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe condemned attempts to blame past administrations, insisting that the current government must take responsibility for today’s failures. He cited reports that troops withdrew prior to the Kebbi school attack, demanding accountability.Senate President Godswill Akpabio raised concerns over reports that the location of a brigadier general killed in Borno had been compromised, suggesting possible internal sabotage. He also condemned any attempts to frame insecurity along religious or sectional lines, stressing that the attacks target all Nigerians.Tensions rose when Senator Seriake Dickson accused the majority caucus of managing rather than confronting the crisis, prompting an uproar from APC lawmakers and the cutting off of his microphone.Meanwhile, Senator Adams Oshiomhole defended President Bola Tinubu, stating he is doing his best under difficult circumstances. He called for a probe into the troop withdrawal prior to the Kebbi school attack, suggesting those responsible be tried for terrorism—a motion adopted by the Senate.Oshiomhole also highlighted perceived inconsistencies in the justice system, questioning why a convicted terrorist received 20 years while individuals who killed a bandit in self-defense were sentenced to death. Some senators are advocating for the death penalty to be imposed on kidnappers.The lawmakers further agreed to undertake diplomatic engagements with the United States to address the escalating situation.
The Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr Peter Tanko, has paid the 2026 West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) registration fees for 250 indigent students in public Secondary Schools.
Speaking at the inauguration of the WAEC fee payment exercise in Kafanchan, Tanko said that the gesture was borne out of his compassion to support less privileged students.
According to him, no child should be denied the opportunity to access education because of lack of funds.
He reiterated his commitment to initiating policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Yunana Barde, lauded the council chairman for placing premium on educational development of his people.
Barde said that the importance of education to societal development could not be overemphasised.
Also speaking, Audu Dogara, the council’s Education Secretary, described the intervention as an investment in the children and the future of the local government.
He admonished the beneficiaries to see the gesture as an opportunity for them to give their best in the examination.
Mr Emmanuel Utung, Chairman of the WAEC Sponsorship Committee, said that the beneficiaries cut across the 12 wards of the local government.
According to him, the gesture would go a long way in easing the financial burden on the beneficiaries’ parents.
Miss Benedicta Boniface, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the chairman for his magnanimity and promised that they would not disappoint him.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abayomi Mumuni, has warned against any attempt to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima on religious grounds ahead of the 2027 general elections
Mumuni said this on Wednesday in reaction to the controversies erupting from the omission of Vice President Shettima’s photograph from a banner displayed at the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the APC constitution.
According to him, the North presently lacks a Christian candidate with the political clout and followership needed to deliver substantial electoral support.
He said the idea of dropping Shettima could undermine the APC’s chances of retaining power.
There have been speculations about a possible plan to drop Shettima from the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Mumuni further said that discussions about replacing Shettima with a Christian vice-presidential candidate, ostensibly to address concerns about religious inclusivity, are not strategically sound in the current political climate.
According to him, the northern region currently lacks a Christian candidate with sufficient grassroots support and nationwide appeal to complement President Bola Tinubu’s electoral strength.
“Any miscalculation in this regard could jeopardise the winning ticket for the current administration,” he warned.
…Says it Has Committed Over US$45 Million in Expenditures in Senegal
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The management of Oranto Petroleum, the firm owned by Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist Prince Arthur Eze, has shed light on why it suspended any further investments in the St Louis & Cayar Licenses in Senegal.
The Senegalese government had in January 2026 officially revoked an offshore oil exploration license held by Atlas Oranto Petroleum.
The Senegalese government alleged that the holder had failed to provide the required bank guarantees and carried out only minimal exploration work since the block was awarded.
Responding to the revocation of the license, the management of Oranto Petroleum declared the government of Senegal insisted on US$ 25 Million Bank Guarantee as against agreed Corporate Guarantee as being provided by other Operators in Senegal.
According to the management, “till date, Oranto Petroleum has committed over US$45 Million in expenditures in Senegal covering activities such as seismic acquisition & interpretation, acreage rental, social projects and training of Senegalese locals as stipulated in the contract.
“Oranto Petroleum remains a foremost player in Hydrocarbon Exploration in Africa having committed over US$500 Million in exploration and development of hydrocarbon in Africa.”
The company expressed reservations on why the Senegalese government will single it out for false narratives which it classified as “unfair, unjustified and targeted.”
Part of the statement read: “Oranto Petroleum would like to use this opportunity to respond to the false narrative currently being perpetuated by the Government of Senegal on the St Louis & Cayar Offshore Licenses previously operated by Oranto Petroleum.
“As a matter of fact, Oranto Petroleum in 2025 decided to suspend any further investments in the St Louis & Cayar Licenses in Senegal after the Government of Senegal insisted on US$ 25 Million Bank Guarantee as against agreed Corporate Guarantee as being provided by other Operators in Senegal.
“For record purposes, till date, Oranto Petroleum has committed over US$45 Million in expenditures in Senegal covering activities such as seismic acquisition & interpretation, acreage rental, social projects and training of Senegalese locals as stipulated in the contract. These records exist and can be fact checked.
“It is worth mentioning that for reasons best known to the Government of Senegal, Oranto Petroleum has been singled out in this false narrative – this we classify as unfair, unjustified and targeted.
“We would like to use this opportunity to state that other foreign entities operating in Senegal are also facing challenges doing business in Senegal and this calls for concern.
Some of those include: Woodside currently in court of Arbitration with Government of Senegal on issues bothering
around back costs for the Sangomar Development –
https://www.africabusinessplus.com/en/829378/woodside-vs-dakar-arbitration-proceedings-can
2. Alleged plans by the Government of Senegal to nationalise Kosmos-run Yakaar-Teranga Gas
Project – https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/senegal-plans-nationalise-kosmos-run
yakaar-teranga-gas-project-2025-12-10/
and 3. British Petroleum’s exit from Senegal over disagreement with Government – https://www.offshore
technology.com/news/bp-exits-senegal-gas-field/
“It is worth noting that Oranto Petroleum remains a foremost player in Hydrocarbon Exploration in Africa having committed over US$500 Million in exploration and development of hydrocarbon in Africa.
“OrantoPetroleum as per business model remains an early explorationist focused on acreage derisking and later stage development in collaboration with third party Operators.
“Oranto Petroleum remains respectful for the rule of law in all jurisdictions where it operates and urges the public to disregard any narratives that continuously focuses on demarketing African investment opportunities geared towards the greater good of Africa and her citizens.
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