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FG Asks National Assembly To Approve Fresh $1.2bn Loan From Brazil

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The federal government has sought the approval of the national assembly for a $1.2 billion agricultural financing loan.

Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning, made the request on Tuesday when she appeared before the house committee on finance to defend the ministry’s budget.

Nigeria’s total public debt stock, which comprises that of the three tiers of government, stood at N31.009 trillion at the end of June 2020.

Ahmed said the loan would be taken from the Brazilian government to provide funds for mechanised farming.

“For borrowing to improve the industry, I request for the approval for the loan that we call the green imperative programme which is for a loan of $1.2bn from the Brazilian government,” she said.

“It is a programme that is addressing the whole of the agricultural value chain from mechanisation, production, processing and selling. It is meant to lend to businessmen for tractors, plants at all levels.”

‘MAMBILLA POWER PROJECT NOT IN 2021 BUDGET’

The minister added that the Mambilla hydropower project, projected to be a 3,050-megawatt facility, was not included in the 2021 proposed budget.

The 3,050-megawatt project estimated at $5.8 billion is the biggest plant in the country but has been stalled for many years owing to legal and funding crises.

In March, the federal government agreed to pay $200 million to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) as the final settlement of the dispute over the Mambilla project.

Ahmed, however, told the House committee that the ministry of power did not include it in its budget proposal submitted to the finance ministry.

“The ministry of finance, budget and national planning, based on the MTEF that you have passed, put in the cost cycle, the budget ceiling for every ministry,” she said.

“They are now expected to make their budget within that ceiling. The ministry of power didn’t have Mambilla in their submission.

“We do not provide programmes that go into the budget for ministries, departments and agencies.”

BIG STORY

BREAKING: PDP Expels Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, Others For Anti-Party Activities

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The Peoples Democratic Party at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday expelled high-profile members, including Federal Capital Minister, Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others for anti-party activities.

The action was “promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates,” highlighting the party’s “commitment to restoring unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

This is according to the official statement released by @OfficialPDPNig across its social media handles, which read, “In a landmark move to restore unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, has expelled high-profile members Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others.”

The statement added: “The decision, which was promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates, underscores the party’s commitment to eradicating internal divisions and anti-party conduct that have plagued its progress.”

Additional reports revealed that party chieftain, Chief Olabode George, who was also a former national vice-chairman of the party (south), moved the motion for the expulsion, while Samaila Buga, chairman of the PDP in Bauchi, seconded his motion.

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, put it to a voice vote.

More details later…

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CAF Offers Free E-Visas To Fans For AFCON 2025

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the AFCON Morocco 2025 Local Organising Committee have confirmed that football fans travelling to the tournament will be entitled to free electronic visas. The announcement was made in a statement released on CAF’s official website on Friday.

CAF noted that the initiative targets citizens of countries that typically require a visa to enter Morocco. It stated that “Electronic visas to enter Morocco — obtained through the YALLA app — are now free of charge for supporters attending the competition, which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026”.

The football body explained that the update comes at a time when global interest in the tournament continues to rise, with fans increasingly securing seats via CAF’s ticketing platform.

CAF also stated that the use of a fan identification system would be mandatory for entry into all stadiums and designated fan zones. According to the organisation, “CAF Supporters can apply for both the Fan ID and e-visa in one place inside the YALLA app, streamlining travel and stadium access.”

It added that “The Fan ID application and e-visa request are completed seamlessly within the YALLA app, ensuring a faster, easier, and secure experience for international visitors and local fans alike.” Fans are required to download the YALLA app from Google Play or the App Store, or visit the YALLA website, complete the Fan ID registration, and, where necessary, submit the e-visa request.

Once these approvals are granted, supporters can proceed to purchase match tickets through CAF’s ticketing platform.

CAF said the new processes are aimed at delivering a smooth and secure experience for spectators as the competition prepares to unfold across nine stadiums in six Moroccan cities. The body added that “CAF, with support from the LOC, reaffirms its commitment to delivering a world-class spectator experience throughout Africa’s greatest football celebration.”

It also confirmed that a total of 298,000 tickets have been sold so far during the first two phases on its ticketing platform, with buyers from 33 African countries and 106 nations around the world.

CAF highlighted that the highest ticket demand has come from Morocco, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The football tournament is scheduled to hold from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 across the designated host cities in Morocco.

Nigeria has been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, with the Super Eagles set to begin their campaign against Tanzania on December 23.

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Court Orders PDP To Allow Lamido Contest Chairmanship Position

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Peoples Democratic Party to make arrangements for former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, to contest for the party’s national chairmanship position in its forthcoming convention.

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the ruling on Friday, ordered the PDP to provide Lamido with the nomination form for the position and give him the opportunity to prepare for the election process.

In the judgment, Justice Lifu also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of any PDP convention conducted without including Lamido as a contestant for the position.

The court noted that evidence presented showed that Lamido was unjustly denied access to the nomination form required to contest for the National Chairmanship seat, in violation of the PDP’s Constitution and internal Regulations.

Justice Lifu held that the PDP had an obligation to create fair opportunities for its members to pursue leadership roles by putting in place deliberate mechanisms that allow them to realise their political aspirations.

The ruling further directed that the party’s planned national convention must be suspended until Lamido is allowed to obtain the nomination form, mobilise his supporters, and run his campaign in full.

The judgment stemmed from the suit filed by Lamido, in which he alleged that the PDP denied him the opportunity to contest the chairmanship position despite meeting all necessary requirements.

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