Category: News

The announcement, made on Wednesday via NERC’s official X (formerly Twitter) page, confirms that regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Abia has been transferred from the federal commission to the newly established Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA).

This decision is in compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended), which empower states to take charge of electricity regulation within their territories once specific legal requirements are met.

“In compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) and the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (‘NERC’ or the ‘Commission’) has issued an order to transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Abia State from the Commission to the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA),” NERC stated in its official order.

According to the NERC Order, the Abia State government satisfied all conditions precedent as stipulated by the law, including formally notifying NERC and requesting the transfer of regulatory authority over its intrastate electricity market. This makes Abia the 10th state to secure such approval, joining a growing list that includes Imo, Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Ogun, and Niger.

A key provision of the order mandates the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), which currently supplies power in Abia, to create a dedicated subsidiary—EEDC SubCo—within 60 days of June 25, 2025. This new company will be responsible for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity in Abia and must obtain a distribution licence from ASERA. All transfers related to this process must be concluded by December 24, 2025.

NERC noted that the government of Abia state complied with the conditions precedent in the laws, duly notified NERC and requested the transfer of regulatory oversight of the intrastate electricity market in Abia state.

The commission directed Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to incorporate a subsidiary (EEDC subco) to assume responsibilities for intrastate supply and distribution of electricity in Abia from EEDC.

“EEDC shall complete the incorporation of EEDC SubCo within 60 days from 25th June 2025,” NERC said. “The subcompany shall apply for and obtain a licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from ASERA, among other directives.”

According to NERC, all transfers envisaged would be completed by December 24, 2025.

In 2024, the commission began the process of granting states the authority to manage their electricity markets, including the generation, transmission, and distribution of power within their boundaries.

On March 17, 2025, Alex Otti, the governor of Abia, signed the state’s electricity bill into law, thereby empowering the state to regulate its electricity market.

The transfer of regulatory powers is part of a broader shift enabled by the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralises the Nigerian electricity market and allows states to generate, transmit, distribute, and regulate electricity within their borders, subject only to federal oversight for interstate and international operations. With this move, Abia State gains the authority to license operators, set tariffs, and enforce standards within its jurisdiction, independent of NERC’s direct control.

Stakeholders have welcomed the development as a step toward improved service delivery, increased investment, and greater accountability. However, experts have cautioned about the need for robust regulatory capacity at the state level to ensure a smooth transition and avoid service disruptions.

With the transfer order in effect, ASERA will begin the process of licensing and regulating all electricity distribution within Abia State. EEDC SubCo is expected to complete its incorporation and licensing process within the stipulated 60-day period, while the full transition of market oversight is targeted for completion by the end of 2025.

This development is expected to spur further reforms and investments in Abia’s electricity sector, particularly in areas like Aba, the state’s commercial hub, which has long clamored for improved and more reliable power supply.

Atiku, who was turbaned as the seventh Waziri of the Adamawa Emirate in November 2018 by the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo, is originally from Jada in Ganye Emirate and not the Adamawa Emirate.

The Waziri title placed him next in rank to the Lamido and made him a key member of the emirate’s council.

However, a circular dated June 19 and signed by Adama Felicity Mamman, the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, directed all traditional councils to immediately relieve any kingmaker or council member who is not an indigene of the relevant emirate or chiefdom.

“Following the creation of new Chiefdoms in the State by the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, I am directed to inform you that all Kingmakers and Council members in the state must be indigenes of their Chiefdoms,” the circular read in part.

“For example, all Kingmakers and Council members from Adamawa Emirate Council must be indigenes of Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo districts, while those of Mubi Emirate Council must be indigenes of Mubi South and Mubi North.”

The directive added that while individuals conferred with purely honorary traditional titles could retain them regardless of their local government origin, those holding functional roles such as kingmakers or council members must be indigenes.

“With the content of this circular, all Kingmakers and Council members who are not indigenes of the Chiefdoms have been relieved of their appointments,” the document stated.

Councils were also instructed to submit new lists of nominated kingmakers and council members to the governor for approval.

When reached for clarification on how the directive would affect the former vice president, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fintiri, Humwashi Wonosikou, said only the Lamido of Adamawa could determine Atiku’s indigene status.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar lives in Yola and is a registered voter there, so only the Lamido can determine his indigeneship status,” Wonosikou said.

He also noted that the policy was not a new one but was now being implemented through the circular. “The governor gave the directive when he presented the staff of office to the emirs and chiefs of the newly created emirates and chiefdoms earlier this year,” he explained.

According to him, the move was intended to ensure loyalty and cultural alignment within traditional institutions. “The government felt it may create doubts about loyalty for a kingmaker (and council member) who is not an indigene of the traditional council of which he is a member,” he said.

Governor Fintiri’s administration created seven new emirates and chiefdoms in December 2024 after the state House of Assembly passed the “Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) and Matters Incidental Thereto” law on December 10. This increased the number of traditional councils in the state to 14.

Despite the directive’s implication on Atiku, the governor’s spokesperson dismissed speculation that the move signaled a political rift. “There is no rift between them,” he said, referring to Governor Fintiri and the former vice president.

On the ongoing internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wonosikou noted that Governor Fintiri remained aligned with the PDP Governors’ Forum. “He is committed to the forum’s positions on the crisis,” he stated.

When contacted on Tuesday night, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, said he was not aware of the policy or its implications on his principal’s title. Leadership

Peter Obi, in a statement on Thursday, said the demolition of his brother’s property was carried out without a valid court order or demolition permit, with security personnel citing a court judgment issued against “unknown persons” and “squatters”.

Obi expressed outrage over the incident, which he said reflects a broader pattern of impunity and disregard for the rule of law in the country.

“The whole situation screamed of coordinated lawlessness and impunity,” Obi said.

“Our country has become lawless. I just started reminiscing about how just over the weekend, I had a meeting when someone told me how he has investments in Ghana, Senegal, and the Benin Republic, but won’t touch Nigeria despite his market being here.

“I asked him why. His answer was piercing: ‘Nigeria is a lawless country. Until we have laws that protect people, nobody will invest in Nigeria.’”

Obi lamented Nigeria’s worsening human rights record, citing deteriorating civil liberties, personal safety, and institutional protections.

“I know what I have been going through as a person in abuse of my human rights just because I contested a Presidential election which I have legitimate rights to do.

“So I imagine what small business owners, regular citizens, and vulnerable communities face every day,” he said.

The former governor questioned how Nigeria had reached such a level of lawlessness, where the rights of citizens, their lives, their properties, and their voices are trampled upon daily.

“I am just shocked. How did Nigeria get to this level of lawlessness? What kind of country are we trying to build when the rights of citizens, their lives, their properties, and their voices are trampled upon daily?” He said.

Despite the challenges, Obi remains committed to building a better Nigeria where lawlessness is a thing of the past, and human rights are respected.

“I remain committed to a better Nigeria where lawlessness will be a thing of the past, protection of life and property, respect for human rights, care for the less privileged, and basic education for all children,” he said. Tribune

Raye became an Internet sensation following her public criticism of the present administration, which she described as worsening economic conditions.

Uguamaye had, in a viral video shared on her TikTok account, @talktoraye, expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, lamenting the high inflation and economic hardship.

Uguamaye had also criticised the President by describing him as a “terrible leader” while questioning the government’s efforts to alleviate the hardship faced by the citizens.

Additionally, she stressed that Lagos State is a “smelling state” and lamented its “poor living conditions.”

After the video had gone viral, Uguamaye posted another video on her TikTok to alert the public that she was allegedly being threatened by the NYSC authorities, a claim which was not commented on by the authority.

She claimed that some officials of the NYSC were asking her to delete the video, while she insisted that she had only spoken the truth about the country’s situation.

Following her allegations, several individuals, including ex-Vice President Abubakar Atiku and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, condemned the alleged threat to her life.

Sharing a news caption on Tuesday that read, “NYSC punitively extends Raye’s service year by 2 months for criticising Tinubu’s administration over hardship”, Sowore vowed to protest at the NYSC passing out parade.

Sowore wrote, “This Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime might go down with Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps matter.”

“This is not acceptable, we will mobilise down to the Passing Out Parade except Rita is allowed to complete her NYSC national service without let or hindrance.”

When contacted on Tuesday, the acting NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations, Carol Embu, said the decision to extend a corps member’s service year is made when such a person is passing out.

She disclosed that there are guidelines that would be followed if such an action were to be taken.

“Who is Sowore? Does he work with the NYSC? So, how come you are listening to him? I don’t understand how she will get an extension if she is still serving.

“NYSC is not an irresponsible organisation; we work with rules and regulations. She is still serving; if she has any issues, we will wait and see,” Embu said.

Meanwhile, our correspondent could not independently verify the claim of service year extension from Uguamaye.

She did not also make any post on such claim on her social media handles. Punch

Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the IGP said the police were on the heels of other suspects who participated in the Yelewata killings that led to the death of 47 persons.

He assured Nigerians that the police are not overwhelmed as they are mopping up light and small weapons illegally acquired by some persons.

Egbetokun added that the police is also intensifying its border patrols in order to curtail the influx of irregular migrants into the country.

The IGP added that the arrested suspects will be arraigned in court soon including the 22 suspects who were arrested in Jos over the gruesome murder of nine persons travelling to Quanpan for a wedding.

The IGP clarified that out of the 28 arrested persons, 2 have been cleared as they were only used as bait to arrest the 26 suspected masterminds. Channels TV