Former Abia State Governor and current senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has claimed that certain individuals among Nigeria’s political elite are supporting Boko Haram in an effort to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s government.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Kalu alleged that the renewed activities of the terrorist group were being driven by political motives, with powerful figures using it as a means to pursue their interests.

“The political class is behind Boko Haram. They are using terrorism as a tool to fight Tinubu, just like they did with past administrations,” Kalu asserted.

When asked to clarify what he meant by the “political class,” Kalu pointed to politicians, influential business figures, and senior civil servants.

“People in the political class are the ones fuelling Boko Haram. This is a political war. Some of them aren’t after money—they’re after power. They want to tear down the system just to grab control, and that’s not how power should be acquired,” he said.

Kalu stated that Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges are a result of intentional actions by those dissatisfied with how the country is currently being governed.

“The insecurity in Nigeria is politically induced. These individuals—politicians, businessmen, civil servants—are not just seeking financial gain. They’re looking to hijack political power,” he added.

He rounded off by encouraging Nigerians to show patriotism and unity, stressing that efforts should be focused on building up the country rather than causing harm for personal advantage.

“If we consider ourselves friends and patriots, we should care about the ordinary Nigerian. We must work together to build a better country,” he urged.

Kalu’s remarks followed a deadly incident in which nine passengers lost their lives due to an improvised explosive device attack carried out by Boko Haram in Mairari Village, located in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the attack and described the act as “inhumane.” He also appealed to the military to increase its efforts to retake Guzamala from Boko Haram control.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, also raised alarms about the recent increase in terrorist activities within the state.

The Presidency has initiated internal procedures aimed at clearing the N2tn legacy debt owed to electricity generation companies, with a target to resolve it by the end of the next quarter. This move is part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s power sector.

A representative speaking on behalf of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Eriye Onagoruwa, made the announcement on Monday during the second Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Stakeholders Meeting of 2025, which was organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Onagoruwa stated that the Presidency acknowledges the urgent need to address the mounting debt, which has placed significant pressure on GenCos and disrupted power supply across the country. She noted that the government is considering alternative financial solutions due to current budgetary limitations.

“We are empathetic to what GenCos are facing,” she said. “We are exploring alternative debt instruments, and I can confirm that both the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Debt Management Office are aligned with this effort. Internal approvals are currently underway.”

Although she did not provide a specific timeline, Onagoruwa said she was optimistic that a definitive update would be available by the next NESI Stakeholders Meeting, indicating that some progress may be announced within three months.

“I hope by the next NESI meeting, I will be able to share a clear update,” she said.

Earlier report had it that GenCos had cautioned the Federal Government over the rising debt, which they said had now exceeded N4tn.

The Senate Committee on Power recently voiced its concerns over the worsening liquidity crisis affecting the power sector. It noted that tariff shortfalls suggest the government owes approximately N200bn monthly to power-generating firms.

According to the committee, no payments had been made to power producers so far this year, leading to a further increase in the debt, now estimated at N800bn.

The stakeholders meeting brought together regulators, operators, and other key players across the electricity value chain to tackle ongoing challenges and discuss strategies for reforming the sector.

Key discussion points included the growing metering deficit, the Presidential Metering Initiative, the proposed Meter Asset Fund, and the creation of the Nigerian Independent System Operator. Stakeholders also deliberated on the transition to a multi-tier electricity market and the roles of the newly established State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.

John Akinnawo, the acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, warned of potential market disintegration due to decentralisation efforts prompted by the Electricity Act 2023. He called on NISO to lead the coordination of policies and operations.

Abdu Mohammed Bello, the Managing Director of NISO, delivered a detailed presentation on the agency’s mission, objectives, and primary responsibilities. He emphasised its importance in ensuring transparency, improving coordination, and enhancing operational efficiency in the electricity market.

Participants at the meeting welcomed the Presidency’s move to address the GenCo debt and voiced hope that the collective reforms under way would pave the path to a more sustainable electricity sector in Nigeria.

With various reforms in progress and expectations for an update in the next quarter, attention is now focused on the Presidency’s actions in resolving the sector’s longstanding financial issues.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, has stated that her suspension from the National Assembly was not a spontaneous decision but rather the result of a politically motivated and premeditated agenda.

During an interview with Adeola Fayehun, a Nigerian journalist based in the United States, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the March 6 episode as part of a “calculated plan” rather than a sudden development.

She dismissed the accusation that she caused a disturbance over her seat as untrue.

“The impression being circulated is that I caused a scene over my seat. That is false,” she said.

She explained that she had raised a point of privilege in line with chapter 4, Item 9b of the Senate rules, which she said required urgent attention.

“But the senate president cut me off, ordered the sergeant-at-arms to remove me, and directed the clerk to begin preparing my suspension letter. That wasn’t a reaction; it was a pre-written script.”

She accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of overstepping his authority by ordering her removal from the chamber without following proper procedure.

“He has no authority to unilaterally suspend any senator on the floor. The way he handled it — like I was a staff member in his living room — was not only unlawful but also degrading,” she said.

She explained that her reaction was in response to a decision that appeared to have already been made before the sitting.

Akpoti-Uduaghan added that her suspension came right after she filed a formal complaint against the Senate leadership.

“I believe my suspension was retaliatory. The ethics report they cited was merely a smokescreen. I had submitted allegations that shook the system, and the next day, I was silenced,” she said.

She also addressed a statement made by Sandra Duru, who accused her of attempting to undermine a government led by someone from the South-West.

Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the allegation and said her actions are not driven by ethnic bias.

“People who know me know that I am not a tribalist. I respect and appreciate every tribe in Nigeria, every ethnicity,” she said.

“I am half Nigerian and half Ukrainian — who am I to talk about tribe when I am actually one part of the other world? That is not my nature; that is not my language.”

She alleged that Duru’s comments were influenced by political forces concerned about her widespread support.

“If anybody said that, it’s probably her team, the people who have sponsored her,” she said.

“Her sponsors are the ones who have probably put those words to her because they knew that I had enjoyed a lot of support from Nigerians — not just in Kogi state, but across the country and even in the diaspora.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan said that Senate President Akpabio was displeased with the good relationship she had developed with President Bola Tinubu.

“The senate president, Godswill Akpabio, also knows that I enjoyed a good relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she said.

“I have not said it in the open before, but I am saying it now, and that actually annoyed him because there was a time when the senate president told my husband, ‘Are you aware that your wife goes to see the President?’ and my husband told him he was aware.

“Whenever I have critical issues to raise — like before I brought up the issue of probing Ajaokuta — I did meet with Mr President to make sure he knew the nature of it, and he was okay with it. For other matters too, I have met him in person.

“So, I do not have a hostile relationship with the president, even though I am in the opposition. I keep saying, the good people of Kogi central voted me as a senator to work, not to antagonise or create enmity.

“I want the people to know my issue is with the senate president — not the entire senate, the Nigerian people, the institutions, or the presidency.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on grounds of gross misconduct after a confrontation with Akpabio concerning her seat.

She argued that the suspension was unlawful and unfair, and that it was aimed at silencing her voice.

She further rejected the Senate’s claim that her suspension was unrelated to the sexual harassment allegation she made against Akpabio.