News
“Judiciary Remains Hope Of Common Man”- PTD Hails Court For Stopping NUPENG From Conducting “Sham Elections
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A pressure group in the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch Of NUPENG known as “Justice Forum” comprising of leaders from South-South Zone of the Union has again expressed faith and confidence in the nation’s Industrial Court for stopping NUPENG from conducting what it called “sham election” in PTD, saying judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.
The Caretaker Chairman of the group, Comrade Praise Ogidi-King on Saturday expressed appreciation to the judiciary for its assuring strides, and advised the entire PTD stakeholders across the four zones in the country to keep faith alive and refuse to be swayed negatively by recent shenanigans ochestrated by the General Secretary of the Union, Afolabi Olawale.
Ogidi-King explained that a major jinx has been broken in the Union and an era which will put an end to legitimacy of delusion is gradually taking shape in the once respected and highly revered Oil and Gas Union.
He further asserted that, now a diverse number of stakeholders in the Union are being empowered to collectively work together to speed up the revitalization of the Branch and restore back its lost glory and dignity and put a final halt to the regime of crass incompetence and dictatorship.
The caretaker Chairman in his words, “I am deeply elated to see that a Judge could stand firm, uphold integrity, dignity and fairness. That is the height of transparency and clarity in judicial proceedings which has the potential of leading to unbiased judgement. People should always be held accountable when they violate the law.
“I have said it before and I am still repeating it again that NUPENG as presently constituted cannot conduct any free, fair, transparent and credible elections for PTD. The one they conducted in 2022 was nullified in 2023, the election of 31st October 2023 was nullified on May 29th 2024; and another election conducted by NUPENG leadership on 3rd July 2024 is still pending before Hon Justice Anuwe of the National Industrial Court Abuja; that is gross incompetence and show of gross impunity and contempt against court of competent jurisdiction.
“However, I am of strong conviction that better days are surely ahead for all law abiding members and leaders of PTD. We can all see the hands of God in PTD when the Honorable Justice Anuwe told the legal counsel to NUPENG that no Unit or Zonal elections should be conducted in PTD pending the time the Court will finally rule or deliver judgement on the substantive matter presented before it.
“Meanwhile, many Unit Executives have already gathered and some were on their way to the NNPC Osisioma, Aba Depot to conduct Unit elections slated for Friday, 6th of March 2026, before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria Abuja intervened and stopped them on Wednesday 4th of March 2026.
“With the look of things I am optimistic that PTD will eventually move into an era that will bring about progress, development and genuine democratic regime that will cater to the needs and welfare of all members. This is another opportunity God has presented for NUPENG leadership to put their house in order and resort to peaceful resolution and reconciliation with all aggrieved members who have suffered extreme pain and neglect in the past two and half years. The clock is ticking and we are patiently waiting and assuring all members to remain law abiding, justice is simply on the way.”
Finally, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu said the decision would take effect from April 30, 2026, to allow for a smooth transition.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
By Gloria Ikibah
As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture, President Bola Tinubu, has sent a formal communication to the House of Representatives on seeking legislative approval for the repeal and re-enactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Establishment Act, 2025.
The request which was transmitted to the House for consideration and passage on Wednesday at plenary, underscores the need to improve the management and administration of the fund, enhance police training, and provide modern equipment for the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the letter,, the proposed amendment is aimed at boosting the operational capacity, accountability, and sustainability of the Police Trust Fund in line with current security challenges.
The President urged lawmakers to give the bill expeditious consideration, as the said the reform will improve the welfare of police personnel and support skill development across the force.
In another development, the House Committee on Rules and Business has moved to tighten legislative discipline, directing all standing and ad hoc committees to submit reports on bills and motions within set timelines in line with House procedures.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Francis Uwaive, reminded all committee chairmen to treat all assigned matters within 30 days, with the risk of losing such assignments after 60 days if no progress is made, except where a short extension is granted.
A firm deadline has also been set for all outstanding reports, with the end of April 2026 as the cut-off point, and non-compliance attracting automatic discharge.
Amid the formal proceedings, lawmakers briefly paused to celebrate two members marking their birthdays, acknowledging their contributions to public service and national development.
The mood later shifted as the House paid tribute to a former member of the Fifth Assembly, observing a minute’s silence in his honour following his passing after a prolonged illness.
He was remembered for his dedication and service to his constituents in Benue State, with colleagues noting that his death represents a significant loss to the legislature and the country.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement.
“The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.”
They identified one ship as “MSC-FRANCESCA”, which they said belonged “to the Zionist regime” in reference to Israel, and the other as “EPAMINONDAS”, which they said was “tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security.”
The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait “as well as activities contrary to the safe passage” through the waterway.
Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.
Source: AFP
BREAKING: Finally, Power Minister, Adelabu resigns from Tinubu’s cabinet
Reps Begin Review of Police Trust Fund Law, Tighten Timeline for Committee Work
Iran Seizes Two Ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz
-
News16 hours agoHow Tinubu Sacked Finance Minister Wale Edun Weeks After Hon. Alex Mascot Exposed ‘Missing’ N1.15tr
-
News16 hours agoYul Edochie Under Attack Over Disparaging Post Against Peter Obi
-
News16 hours agoOkowa Accuses Ned Nwoko of Misleading Anioma People Over State Creation Proposal
-
Entertainment16 hours agoDavido Bags Political Appointment
-
Health16 hours agoCross River reports outbreak of Covid-19, activates response centre
-
Foreign16 hours agoTrump Extends Ceasefire To Give Iran More Time To Negotiate
-
News11 hours agoAdelabu ready to quit as Power Minister after meeting with Tinubu
-
Metro16 hours agoSoldiers Arrest Suspected IPOB Leader Over K!lling Of Delta Police Officer