Friday, July 31, 2026

Lagos Power Crisis Deepens as Ikeja Electric Rolls Out Load Shedding Plan

By
Laziz Olatunde
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Nigeria’s largest electricity distribution company serving Lagos, Ikeja Electric, has announced the implementation of fresh load shedding measures as persistent supply constraints from the national grid continue to impact customers across its network.

In a public notice dated May 1, 2026, and signed by its management, the company acknowledged the ongoing disruptions and appealed for patience from residents and businesses affected by the reduced power supply. “We sincerely regret the ongoing power supply challenges currently affecting some areas within our network due to reduced power allocation from the grid,” the company stated.

Ikeja Electric explained that the decision to introduce temporary load shedding is aimed at stabilising the grid while ensuring a fair distribution of the limited electricity available. “As part of efforts to maintain grid stability and ensure equitable distribution of available power, temporary load shedding is being implemented across affected feeders and locations,” the statement added.

The company further assured customers that it is working in coordination with key stakeholders in the power sector to restore normalcy and reduce the impact of the shortages. “Please be assured that we are working closely with relevant stakeholders to improve supply and minimize the impact on our customers as quickly as possible,” it said, while thanking consumers for their continued patience and cooperation.

The latest development comes amid a broader power crisis in Lagos, triggered by a significant drop in generation following the shutdown of the Egbin Power Station on April 28, 2026. The facility, which is a major contributor to electricity supply in Nigeria, suffered technical failures that forced a complete halt in output. The situation was further compounded by a transmission constraint affecting the delivery of power into the Lagos load centre.

FIFA Handshake Bid Collapses: Palestinian FA Chief Rejects Infantino’s Unity Call

By
Kazeem Busari
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A high-profile attempt by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to broker a symbolic handshake between Palestinian and Israeli football officials ended in rejection and tension on Thursday during the 76th FIFA Congress.

Infantino invited Palestine Football Association President Jibril Rajoub and Basim Sheikh Suliman, vice-president of the Israel Football Association, to the stage after both had addressed delegates. The FIFA chief urged the pair to shake hands in a gesture intended to promote peace and unity through the world of football.

Rajoub firmly declined, standing apart from Suliman and protesting before leaving the stage. The awkward exchange unfolded publicly at the Vancouver Convention Centre, with Infantino attempting to bring the two men closer as Rajoub resisted. Suliman remained on stage during the moment.

After the incident, Infantino returned to the podium and addressed the situation directly. “We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice-president Suliman. Let’s work together to give hope to the children. These are complex matters,” he said.
The moment came amid ongoing disputes between the two federations. Rajoub had used his address to call on FIFA to tackle allegations of discrimination and issues involving Israeli settlement clubs in territories claimed by Palestinians. The Palestinian FA is pursuing related concerns at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Following the congress session, Rajoub was quoted responding sharply to questions about the refused handshake. Reports indicate he questioned whether he could shake hands with someone representing what he described as a “fascist and racist government,” while emphasizing Palestinian suffering. A vice-president of the Palestinian FA, Susan Shalabi, told media that Rajoub could not shake the hand of someone brought “to whitewash their fascism and genocide.”

Infantino later reiterated his commitment to dialogue, stating the organizations would continue working together despite the visible rift.

Lagos Faces Looming Blackout as Egbin Power Plant Collapse

By
Justice Oladapo
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Nigeria’s commercial capital is bracing for a potential widespread blackout after a major operational failure at the Egbin Power Station combined with a critical transmission line outage disrupted electricity supply to the Lagos region.

The development was disclosed by Nigeria National Grid in an update on Tuesday night, warning residents to prepare for significant power disruptions. “A prolonged blackout may be imminent in Lagos State following a sudden shutdown of the Egbin Power Station and a simultaneous transmission line outage,” the agency stated.

According to the grid operator, the Egbin facility—Nigeria’s largest power-generating station—suffered a major disturbance at approximately 8:21 p.m. on April 28, 2026, resulting in a complete loss of generation. Output reportedly plunged from about 641 megawatts to zero, dealing a heavy blow to national electricity supply.

“This incident was caused by the failure of the plant’s central compressor, in addition to a malfunction of the circulating water pump system, which necessitated an immediate shutdown of all generating units to safeguard the facility,” the statement added.

The impact of the shutdown has been compounded by a separate transmission constraint involving the Osogbo–Ikeja West 330kV line, a critical corridor for evacuating electricity into Lagos. The forced outage of the line has further restricted the flow of available power into the state, deepening supply challenges.

Industry analysts note that the dual disruption—generation collapse and transmission failure—has significantly weakened grid stability, particularly in Lagos, which depends heavily on Egbin’s output for its daily electricity needs. The incident has already triggered noticeable supply shortfalls across parts of the state, with fears that outages could intensify if the situation persists.

While efforts are expected to be underway to restore both generation capacity and transmission functionality, no official timeline has yet been provided for full recovery. The latest setback underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure and the outsized role of key assets like Egbin in sustaining the national grid.

‘No More Factions’: Wike Declares PDP Crisis Over 

By
Kazeem Busari
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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared an end to the protracted leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal filed by the Kabiru Turaki-led faction over the disputed Ibadan National Convention.

Speaking to journalists at his Abuja residence shortly after the apex court’s ruling on Thursday, Wike said the judgment had conclusively resolved the internal wrangling that had fractured the party for months. “The Supreme Court judgment has now made it known there is only one PDP, and we no longer hear faction,” he said. “Faction does not exist any longer in the Peoples Democratic Party.”

The Supreme Court had earlier nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, which produced the Turaki-led executives. In its ruling, the court held that the exercise was “conducted in disobedience to court orders” and amounted to an “abuse of court process,” effectively invalidating the outcome and reshaping the party’s leadership structure.

Wike maintained that the verdict has put an end to competing claims of legitimacy within the PDP, reinforcing the authority of the rival convention backed by his political camp. That convention, held in March 2026, produced Abdulrahman Mohammed and other members of the National Working Committee, whose leadership the FCT minister insists remains valid.

The former Rivers State governor also took aim at key figures who supported the now-invalidated Turaki-led faction, including Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State. “I don’t know where they are going to pitch their tent,” Wike remarked, suggesting the ruling has weakened their political standing within the party.

In a further escalation of intra-opposition tensions, Wike ruled out any possibility of accommodating members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) aligned with Atiku Abubakar into the PDP, describing them as politically burdensome. He dismissed the group as “electoral liabilities, not electoral assets.”

Supreme Court Voids Appeal Court Order in ADC Crisis

By
Kazeem Busari
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Nigeria’s Supreme Court has set aside a controversial order of the Court of Appeal in Abuja that directed parties in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum, a decision that had prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of the David Mark-led leadership of the party.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court ruled that the appellate court erred in issuing a preservative order on a matter still pending before the Federal High Court. The court consequently directed all parties involved in the dispute to return to the trial court for an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit filed by aggrieved party chieftain, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Garba held that the Court of Appeal overstepped its jurisdiction after determining the interlocutory appeal brought by Senator David Mark against an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court. He maintained that the appellate court had “no business” making further orders affecting the substance of a case that had not been fully heard at the trial level.

The Supreme Court partially upheld Mark’s appeal, specifically faulting the issuance of the status quo ante bellum order. However, it dismissed the aspect of the appeal challenging the ex parte order granted by the Federal High Court for the service of court processes on relevant parties in the suit.

The ruling effectively nullifies the basis upon which INEC had acted to derecognise the Mark-led leadership, a move that had deepened uncertainty within the party as rival factions laid claim to its control.

The dispute stems from a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is contesting the legitimacy of the emergence of the current leadership of the ADC. Earlier, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal had dismissed Mark’s challenge to the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, describing the appeal as premature and filed without the requisite leave of the trial court. It subsequently ordered that the case return to the lower court for expeditious hearing, while directing all parties to maintain the existing state of affairs.

That directive, however, triggered INEC’s decision to suspend recognition of the Mark-led leadership pending judicial determination of the authentic leadership of the party.

Supreme Court Voids PDP Convention, Dismisses Turaki Faction Appeal 

By
Kazeem Busari
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Nigeria’s Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by the Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), affirming earlier rulings that nullified the party’s controversial national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

Delivering the lead judgment on Thursday, Justice Stephen Adah held that the convention conducted on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, was carried out in defiance of a subsisting order of the Federal High Court. The apex court ruled that the actions of the Turaki-led faction amounted to an abuse of court process, particularly for seeking relief from a court of coordinate jurisdiction rather than pursuing an appeal.

“The conduct of the national convention of November 15, 2025, is null and void and is hereby nulled,” the court declared. It further warned that, “This court will not lend its machinery to any litigant who abuses the process of the court. This appeal is lacking in merit and is hereby dismissed. Parties will bear their own costs.”

The judgment reinforces earlier decisions by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had invalidated the convention for violating an injunction secured by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido. Lamido had obtained the court order to halt the exercise until he was allowed to contest for the position of national chairman—an order the party ignored.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court emphasised that political parties must operate within the bounds of the law, noting that they serve as vehicles through which individuals attain public office. “Once a party knows of an order of court, it is bound to obey it,” the court stated, underscoring the primacy of the rule of law over internal party considerations.

The Turaki faction, through its counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN), had urged the apex court to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision and uphold the Ibadan convention. However, respondents aligned with a rival faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, argued that the matter extended beyond internal party affairs and centred on disobedience to a valid court order.

While the majority judgment, supported by Justices Mohammed Garba and Chidiebere Iheme, firmly dismissed the appeal, a minority opinion delivered by Justice Haruna Samani took a different view. He maintained that issues concerning party leadership fall within internal party affairs and are not justiciable. Justice Abubakar Umar aligned with this reasoning but stressed that disobedience to court orders remains unacceptable.

The ruling is the latest development in the prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP, which has seen factions engage in parallel conventions, legal battles, and internal power struggles. The dispute intensified following the Ibadan convention and subsequent countermoves by the Wike-backed faction, which held its own convention in Abuja in March 2026, producing a rival leadership.

Ola Aina Opens Up on England Switch: “Nigeria Is My Heritage”

By
Agency Report
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Ola Aina
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has opened up about the personal reasons behind his switch of international allegiance from England to Nigeria, citing deep family roots and a sense of identity as the driving factors.
The 29-year-old full-back, who was born and raised in Southwark, London, revealed that the pivotal choice was made around the age of 20. Speaking in a recent interview with his club’s media team, Aina reflected candidly on the moment that shaped his international career.
“Born and raised in London, I decided to play for Nigeria. It was just a decision that I made when I was about 20. That’s where my parents are from; that’s my origin,” Aina said.

He added that the opportunity to link up with the Super Eagles felt right at the time, prompting him to commit fully. “The opportunity came for me and I thought it was the right one at that time, so I took it with both hands, and I’m here today.”

Aina’s decision came after he had already represented England extensively at youth levels, from the U16s up to the U20s, with a call-up to the U21 squad in 2015. The turning point arrived in March 2017 when Nigeria invited him to train with the senior team in London. He ultimately made his senior debut for the Super Eagles later that year and has since earned numerous caps, featuring in major tournaments including three Africa Cup of Nations campaigns.
The defender also spoke warmly about his family’s reaction to his choice, noting their immense pride whenever he pulls on the green and white jersey. “My family are very proud of me, especially when I wear the Super Eagles shirt. They love it more than me. Even for me, it’s a privilege; it’s an honour. It’s amazing to actually play for them,” he shared in the interview.
Aina’s comments come as he continues to enjoy a strong spell at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, where his consistent performances at right-back have drawn praise. The revelation provides fresh insight into one of several high-profile cases of Nigerian-origin players opting to represent the Super Eagles rather than England in recent years.
Since committing to Nigeria, Aina has become a reliable figure in the national team setup, contributing both defensively and with forward runs from the flank. His story underscores the growing appeal of the Super Eagles to players with dual heritage seeking to embrace their parental roots on the international stage.

South Africa Deports Robert Mugabe’s Son Over Firearm, Immigration Offences

By
Agency Report
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Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, and his cousin standing trial in South Africa on Wednesday.
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former president Robert Mugabe, has been deported from South Africa to Zimbabwe following a court order in Johannesburg.
The 28-year-old was deported on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, after the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court convicted him on charges of pointing a firearm (reported as a toy gun in some accounts) at someone and contravening immigration laws. He pleaded guilty to both offences earlier this month.
Magistrate Renier Boshoff ordered the immediate deportation and directed police to escort Mugabe to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport. He was also fined R600,000 (approximately $36,000), which he paid before leaving South Africa.

The deportation comes roughly two months after a separate incident in February 2026, when a 23-year-old employee was shot twice in the back at the Mugabe family home in the affluent Hyde Park suburb of Johannesburg. That shooting led to Mugabe’s initial arrest alongside his cousin, Tobias Matonhodze.
In the latest proceedings, the court treated the firearm and immigration charges as distinct from the February shooting. Mugabe’s cousin, Matonhodze, received a three-year prison sentence and faces deportation after serving his term. The magistrate noted that the sentences were relatively lenient because both men were first-time offenders who had pleaded guilty.
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe arrived in Harare on Wednesday evening and was received at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
This is not the first time the younger Mugabe, often known as Chatunga, has faced legal troubles. He has previously been involved in incidents in both Zimbabwe and South Africa, including issues related to vehicles and confrontations with authorities.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to the Mugabe family’s prominent and often controversial legacy in Zimbabwean politics. Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades until his ouster in 2017, died in 2019.

Tinubu Nominates Tegbe as Power Minister

By
Laziz Olatunde
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New Minister of Power Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated seasoned reform expert Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Minister of Power, in a move aimed at deepening ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s struggling electricity sector.

The nomination, which has been transmitted to the Senate for screening and confirmation in line with constitutional provisions, follows the resignation of former minister Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down to pursue elective office.

Tegbe, an indigene of Oyo State, brings over 35 years of experience across the public and private sectors, with a strong background in fiscal policy, governance, and institutional reform. He previously served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led major initiatives in economic restructuring and public sector transformation.

Currently, Tegbe is the Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, a role that places him at the centre of Nigeria’s economic engagement with China, particularly in advancing development cooperation aligned with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework.

His professional portfolio also includes extensive involvement in Nigeria’s power sector, particularly in regulatory and institutional reforms involving key agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company. These experiences are expected to position him to tackle long-standing challenges in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.

The presidency indicated that Tegbe’s nomination aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises infrastructure development and energy sector stability as drivers of economic growth. His appointment is seen as a strategic effort to attract sustainable investment, improve grid reliability, and strengthen regulatory frameworks in the power industry.

Police Bust Alleged Cult Meeting at Ibadan Poly, Arrest 16, Recover Guns, Charms

By
Fortune Temitope
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Items recovered by the police

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 16 suspected cultists during a targeted operation at The Polytechnic Ibadan, foiling what authorities described as a planned gathering of members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity.

The operation, carried out on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence indicating that the group intended to hold a critical meeting within the institution’s premises. Acting on the information, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, led a coordinated team of operatives to the identified location after securing approval from the school authorities.

Police said the raid was executed with precision, leading to the arrest of 16 suspects—14 males and two females—at and around the alleged meeting point, described as a temple within the campus. Preliminary investigations revealed that some of those apprehended were already on the Command’s watchlist for alleged involvement in murder cases and cult-related violence across the state.

Items recovered during the operation include two locally made cut-to-size guns, two English pistols, 16 live cartridges, four axes, and assorted charms, underscoring what authorities described as the violent potential of the group.

In a statement, the Command said investigations are ongoing to uncover the full scope of the suspects’ activities and to track down other fleeing accomplices linked to the network.

Reaffirming the police’s stance, Olugbenga emphasized the Command’s resolve to tackle cultism and related crimes. He said the operation reflects ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and enhance public safety across Oyo State, while urging residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to law enforcement agencies.

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