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Protesters Storm National Assembly Over Ramat’s Stalled NERC Confirmation
Fresh tension erupted on Tuesday, November 11, at the National Assembly as protesters demanded that the Senate speed up the confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Abdullahi Ramat.
Naija News reports that the demonstrators, a mix of Ramat’s supporters, civil society groups, and rights activists, marched around the complex chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with inscriptions such as “President Tinubu Did Not Send Nominees to be Harassed” and “Ramat Represents Reform in Power Sector.”
Their protest followed the Senate’s decision last month to step down Ramat’s confirmation despite his successful screening by the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Leader of the protest and spokesperson of the Grassroots Initiative Concept, Ahmed Suleiman, told journalists that they had formally petitioned President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to intervene.
According to him, Ramat, a Kano indigene, had met all requirements for the role, but “certain vested interests” were working to derail the process.
“It is surprising and deeply unsettling that his name was stepped down on October 22 despite being recommended by the screening panel,” Suleiman told The PUNCH.
He argued that Ramat “possesses the requisite academic and professional qualifications, as well as valuable experience,” adding that attempts to block him were driven by “false narratives and politically-motivated petitions.”
Suleiman warned that a dangerous precedent was being created, one that would allow politics to frustrate qualified Nigerians seeking to serve.
The protesters urged Senate leaders not to bow to political pressure, insisting that confirming Ramat was “in the national interest, the unity of Nigeria, and the success of the Tinubu administration.”
They maintained that attempts to stall his appointment were calculated and unjustified.
Naija News reports that the protest came just days after the Senate threatened legal action against former presidential aide Alwan Hassan, who alleged that lawmakers collected a $10 million bribe to stop Ramat’s confirmation.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu dismissed the allegations as false and irresponsible.
“Many nominees have been stepped down due to public complaints. The case of Mr Ramat is not an exception,” Adaramodu said.
He described Hassan as “a hand-tool to one Mr Abdullah Garba Ramat” and insisted that the upper chamber would not confirm any nominee “under a cloud of public concern.”
The Senate vowed to compel Hassan to present evidence in court, warning that it would not succumb to intimidation.
Ramat’s nomination remains stalled pending further legislative and public review.
This is happening at a time Nigerians are expressing increasing frustration over soaring electricity tariffs and worsening power supply nationwide.
The Senate is expected to reconsider the issue after concluding its review of the petitions and complaints submitted by various groups.
For now, the political battle over the NERC leadership continues to escalate, with protesters, lawmakers, and interest groups all locked in a widening standoff.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, as well as a one-off welfare support of N10,000 in November 2026.
Speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Friday, during the presentation of a merit award by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and an endorsement of his second-term bid, Eno said pensioners deserved to rest well after their meritorious service to the state.
Eno said he was particularly impressed by the pensioners’ sense of gratitude and assured them that the state government, under his leadership, would continue to prioritise the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
He said, “This is indeed humbling to me. It shows that you are truly technocrats with a laudable sense of organisation. You may be retired but not tired. I celebrate and appreciate you greatly.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare.”
He urged them to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, which he said was free for people aged 65 and above, to enable them to enjoy quality healthcare.
Eno recalled that he had promised to clear the backlog of gratuities, adding that N100bn had so far been paid from the accumulated N111bn owed since 2012. He assured the pensioners that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for making funds available to states, saying this had enabled him to fulfil his promise to clear the gratuity arrears.
Eno called on the pensioners to vote massively for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, saying this would ensure the continued availability of funds for the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, as well as other welfare packages.
He also urged pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to vote for the re-election of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his compassion and care for pensioners in the state.
Abumisi also praised Eno’s leadership and development efforts and urged pensioners across the state to support his second-term bid in 2027.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, thanked Eno for his leadership, saying his commitment to the welfare of elderly people and retired public servants was heartwarming.
“Governor Umo Eno is a true leader with the heart for humanity who deserves prayers and support from the people. I urge pensioners to support his administration,” he said.
The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, paving the way for the constitutional amendment bill to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
According to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the 28 approvals exceed the two-thirds majority required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which translates to 24 states. The National Assembly can therefore proceed with the next stage of the process towards presidential assent.
The bill was forwarded to the 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with October 15 initially set as the deadline for them to communicate their decisions. Ogunlana, however, said his office would continue to receive and verify reports from the assemblies ahead of the bill’s transmission to Tinubu.
The 28 states that have approved the proposed establishment of state police are listed below:
Adamawa
Delta
Edo
Kwara
Nasarawa
Ogun
Osun
Oyo
Plateau
Rivers
Taraba
Zamfara
Enugu
Anambra
Imo
Ekiti
Kebbi
Akwa Ibom
Bayelsa
Benue
Cross River
Abia
Yobe
Kaduna
Lagos
Kano
Sokoto
Ebonyi
A new political prediction has emerged ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a state-by-state electoral map showing the states former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are projected to win.
The prediction, published by Statecraft, outlines the expected performance of the three major political figures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the prediction, Tinubu is projected to win 15 states and the FCT, Atiku is expected to secure nine states, while Obi is tipped to emerge victorious in 12 states.
The map, which uses orange, blue and white colours to distinguish the three presidential contenders, provides a breakdown of the states each candidate is projected to win.
States Tinubu Is Projected to Win
According to the prediction, Tinubu is expected to win.
The FCT is also included in Tinubu’s projected victories.
States Atiku Abubakar Is Projected to Win
The former vice president is projected to win nine states.
States Peter Obi Is Projected to Win
Meanwhile, Obi is projected to secure 12 states.
The breakdown suggests a competitive presidential contest, with the three political figures projected to command support across different regions of the country.
Interestingly, the prediction places Tinubu ahead with 15 states and the FCT, followed by Obi with 12 states and Atiku with nine states.
However, it is important to note that the map represents Statecraft’s political prediction and not an official election result, an opinion poll or a declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The actual outcome of the 2027 presidential election will be determined by voters when Nigerians head to the polls.
The prediction has also raised questions about the possible political realignments, regional voting patterns and factors that could shape the contest in 2027.
JUST IN: Nigerian Gov Approves 13th-Month Bonus
Full List: 28 States That Approved State Police
