Ex-Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido Declines El-Rufai’s Invitation To SDP

Ex-Jigawa governor Sule Lamido declines El-Rufai’s invitation to SDP. Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has turned down an invitation from former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Sunday, Lamido dismissed the invitation as an insult, emphasizing that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) played a key role in shaping El-Rufai’s political career.

“The PDP, which we built, is the foundation of El-Rufai’s political journey. You cannot persuade us to abandon it,” Lamido stated.

He also criticized El-Rufai’s past remarks about Nigerian politicians, recalling that El-Rufai once claimed there were no true elders in politics, yet was now inviting them to join the SDP.

Furthermore, Lamido questioned El-Rufai’s decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the SDP, as well as his leadership approach. Reaffirming his commitment to the PDP, Lamido maintained that the party had given him no reason to defect.

Sule Lamido

Coretvnews recalls that El-Rufai recently exited the ruling APC and, in an interview with BBC Hausa, urged opposition leaders to join the SDP. While he did not mention Lamido by name, he extended the invitation to prominent figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola.

MTN Nigeria’s Revenue Surges By 35.6% In March After Tariff Adjustments

MTN Nigeria’s revenue surges by 35.6% in March after tariff adjustments. MTN Nigeria’s service revenue surged by 35.6% in March following tariff adjustments implemented in February.

A report by its group office in South Africa on Monday, also said expectations for further growth in 2025 are expected from the country following the tariff adjustments.

This is as the MTN Group reported a 69% slump in full-year earnings, due to devaluation of the Nigerian naira and operational challenges in Sudan.

It reported headline earnings per share (HEPS) – one of the main profit measures in the country – fell to 98 cents in the year to December 31, down from 315 cents in 2023.

“Despite challenges including currency depreciation in Nigeria, elevated inflation, and ongoing conflict in Sudan,” MTN Group’s President & Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita expressed optimism about the future.

He noted signs of easing inflation, reduced forex volatility—particularly for the naira—and the positive impact of tariff adjustments in Nigeria. “In Nigeria, we renegotiated tower lease contracts, which allow MTN Nigeria to better manage adverse macroeconomic impacts on the business.

MTN Nigeria

“MTN Group is well positioned to capture the exciting opportunities in our markets and deliver on our medium-term objectives to sustain growth, create shared value in nation-states and communities, and unlock value for our stakeholders,” Mupita stated.

Nigeria has suffered chronic dollar shortages that have forced authorities to devalue the naira as part of the government’s measures to stabilise the currency and attract investment.

Coupled with high inflation and interest rates, this has driven up costs and widened MTN Nigeria’s pretax loss by more than 200% to 550.3 billion naira ($355.76 million).

Rivers Lawmakers Challenges Fubara’s Claims Amid Ongoing Political Crisis

Rivers lawmakers challenges Fubara’s claims amid ongoing political crisis. The political rift between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly has deepened following recent Supreme Court rulings.

The reinstated lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, have refuted several claims made by the governor, accusing him of insincerity.

Budget Controversy
Assembly spokesperson Hon. Enemi George stated that the governor’s claim of being blocked from presenting the 2025 budget was false. According to George, the Assembly had invited Fubara to present the budget within 48 hours after the Supreme Court’s ruling but received no response. He further alleged that the governor’s supposed letter requesting a presentation date was never officially received by the Assembly and only surfaced on social media.

Governor’s Alleged Exclusion from the Assembly Complex
George dismissed reports that lawmakers locked the governor out of the Assembly complex, explaining that Fubara had demolished the complex and that legislative sessions were now held at their quarters. He claimed that the governor arrived at the quarters unannounced and staged a brief press conference outside the locked gate, using public sentiment to frame lawmakers as obstructionists.

Commissioners’ Legitimacy and Legislative Interference
The lawmakers insisted that Fubara’s appointed commissioners were invalidated by the Supreme Court and urged him to submit a new list for approval. Instead, the governor allegedly instructed his commissioners to take legal action against the Assembly and barred state agencies from receiving communication from lawmakers.

RSIEC and Chief Judge Investigations
The Assembly accused the governor of interfering with legislative oversight, claiming that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) chairman refused to acknowledge their summons. Regarding the Chief Judge’s alleged age falsification, lawmakers said they had referred the matter to federal authorities, as they were unable to conduct an independent investigation.

Indefinite Adjournment and Impeachment Speculations
George clarified that the Assembly’s adjournment was due to logistical reasons and not a political move.

Rivers State Assembly

He also denied any ongoing impeachment plans against Fubara, stating that such a decision would require formal discussions and an investigative process.

Financial Challenges
The lawmakers accused the governor of withholding their allowances for over a year, affecting not only members but also Assembly staff and essential operational expenses.

Amidst the escalating tensions, the lawmakers urged all parties to prioritize governance over political rivalries, warning that the crisis was stalling the state’s progress.