Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reaffirmed legislative and political backing for the creation of Anioma state.

Akpabio spoke on Wednesday, while addressing party members at the South-South zonal congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Asaba, Delta state.

The Senate president said the President Bola Tinubu administration remains committed to the initiative.

Akpabio said Warri would serve as the capital of the new Delta state if Anioma is created.

He said Warri already has key infrastructure, including an airport, government offices, major oil companies, a seaport, and a stadium.

Governors of Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River attended the congress.

Other political leaders and party stakeholders from across the south-south region were also at the event.

Akpabio described the agitation for Anioma state as historically justified, noting that the proposal reflects a long-standing aspiration rooted in equity, administrative efficiency, and balanced development.

The Senate president said the initiative, championed by Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta North, has continued to receive legislative attention.

Akpabio added that the proposal ranks among the priorities of the 10th Senate, adding that the creation of Anioma state would come with socio-economic and administrative benefits.

The ex-Akwa Ibom governor said the restructuring would split Delta state into two viable entities and promote decentralisation.

“Anioma state will be created, with Asaba as its capital. The Senate fully supports the initiative spearheaded by Senator Ned Nwoko,” he said.

“This step will usher in a new era of development and shared prosperity for all constituent communities.

“With Asaba as Anioma state capital, Warri will be the capital of the new Delta.”

Akpabio also called for unity among the people of the South-South region.

He urged stakeholders to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, emphasising that such support would promote sustainable growth and national integration.

In November 2025, Nwoko announced that the bid to create Anioma state has gained significant momentum, with constitutional amendment committees and Tinubu backing the endeavour.

He said 97 senators previously signed a document endorsing the move, describing the level of support as unprecedented.

Fresh tensions are emerging in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector as Dangote Petroleum Refinery moves to halt the continued importation of petrol into the country through a new lawsuit challenging fuel import licences granted to oil marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Court documents seen by Reuters showed that the refinery instituted the suit against Nigeria’s Attorney General, seeking to overturn import permits issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The legal dispute comes almost a year after Dangote Refinery withdrew an earlier case that similarly challenged the issuance of fuel import licences to the NNPCL and several fuel trading firms.

In the fresh filing before the Federal High Court in Lagos, the refinery asked the court to nullify import permits recently issued or renewed by the NMDPRA, arguing that the approvals violated an existing court order directing parties to maintain the status quo pending determination of the matter.

The NMDPRA had yet to respond to requests for comments as of the time of filing this report.

Fuel marketers and regulators have repeatedly defended the continued issuance of import licences, insisting that petrol imports remain necessary to guarantee adequate supply across the country and prevent shortages in the domestic market.

Dangote Refinery, however, maintained in its court filing that the licences issued this month “undermine its operations” and violate provisions of the law which, according to the company, only permit the importation of petroleum products when local production is unable to meet national demand.

The refinery had in July 2025 discontinued a previous lawsuit challenging similar licences without publicly stating the reason for the withdrawal, leaving unresolved questions over market competition and the future structure of Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.

Nigeria has historically depended on imported petrol due to the long-standing poor performance of state-owned refineries. The Dangote Refinery, valued at about $20 billion and designed to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was expected to significantly reduce or eliminate the country’s dependence on imported refined products.

Despite the commencement of operations at the facility, fuel importation has persisted, with industry players arguing that imported products are still required to bridge supply gaps as the refinery continues to expand output.

The latest court action is likely to intensify conversations around fuel market regulation, local refining capacity and the broader implementation of Nigeria’s petroleum laws, especially amid growing expectations that domestic refineries should gradually take over the country’s fuel supply needs.

Overttime, there has been tension in the Nigerian oil sector.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Dangote Petroleum Refinery accused Nigerian upstream oil producers of failing to supply crude oil to the facility as required under the country’s petroleum law, forcing the refinery to rely heavily on international traders who charge additional premiums.

In a statement issued by its management, the refinery said the situation has significantly increased operational costs, even as it struggles to maintain stable fuel supply in Nigeria amid global energy market volatility.

“The high crude cost is compounded by the fact that Nigeria’s upstream producers have failed to supply crude oil to the refinery as required under the PIA, forcing us to source a substantial portion through international traders who charge an additional premium,” the company said.

The refinery explained that the situation has made crude procurement more expensive, particularly because Nigerian crude oil itself trades at a premium above global benchmark prices.

-Source: SaharaReporters

Sadisu Mahmud Buba, popularly known as Al’ajabi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency seat in Kaduna State, has continued to attract public attention following revelations surrounding his real age.

Recent reports identified the politician, also known as “Abin Al-Ajabin Zazzau,” as being 30 years old after he reportedly disclosed his age during the party’s screening exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Al’ajabi stated that he was above 25 years old, the constitutional minimum age required to contest for a seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives.

However, a National Identification Number (NIN) slip and an international passport reportedly seen by our correspondent indicate that he was born on August 27, 2010, meaning he would turn 16 in August 2026.

The conflicting age claims have since sparked reactions on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the authenticity of the documents and the eligibility of the APC aspirant.

Al’ajabi had earlier gone viral after appearing at the APC screening venue, where his youthful appearance drew nationwide attention.

CONCLUSION

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official clarification from Al’ajabi or the APC regarding the discrepancy surrounding his age.