JUST IN; Over 40,000 opposition Politicians defect to APC, Governor reacts

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, on Tuesday welcomed over 40,000 card-carrying members from various opposition parties into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The mass defection took place at the State Government House, where the Governor received the new members with open arms.

Governor Radda expressed his gratitude, stating, “Your decision to join our progressive movement strengthens our resolve to build a greater Katsina state.”

He went on to assure the defectors of his commitment to inclusive leadership, directing officials at all levels to ensure their full integration into APC activities.

The group of defectors was led by former Deputy Speakers of the State House of Assembly, Yakubu Idris Dan Chafa and Hassan Suleiman Rawayau.

Other prominent figures among the defectors included Isah Hamisu Dandume of the All Peoples Party (APP) and Musa Gafai, Chairman of Gafai Communication and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant for the Federal House of Representatives, along with several former state legislators and local government chairmen.

In an earlier briefing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Ya’u Umar Gwajo Gwajo, explained that the defectors came from a broad coalition of political parties.

Nigerian Govt reacts to emergence of Donald Trump as United States President

In a bid to bolster international relations, the Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ties with the United States, following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, the federal government extended its congratulations to the newly sworn-in US president, emphasizing the longstanding cooperation between the two nations.

The message, issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the areas where both countries have worked together for mutual benefit.

“Nigeria and the United States have maintained a productive partnership across various sectors, particularly in advancing good governance, promoting sustainable development, and combating terrorism and violent extremism,” the statement read.

“We look forward to enhancing this strong and historic relationship, ensuring that it continues to serve the interests of our people.”

As both nations seek to strengthen their strategic ties, the federal government remains optimistic about the future of this important international partnership.

JUST IN; POS operators to increase charges on transactions

Point-of-Sale (POS) operators in Nigeria may soon increase service charges following the Federal Government’s approval of a 50% hike in telecommunications service tariffs.

The Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) disclosed this development, citing the impact of the tariff hike on their operations.

Ogungbayi Ganiyu, AMMBAN’s National Public Relations Officer, explained that mobile money agents rely heavily on telecom services, particularly data, for their transactions.

“The telecom tariff hike will impact the operations of our members. I am afraid this may also have a multiplier effect on service charges,” Ganiyu said.

He added that while POS operators may try to absorb the additional costs, the financial strain could eventually force them to increase charges to sustain their businesses. “We have not sat down and looked at the latest tariff hike,” he stated, indicating that further deliberations would determine the next steps.

The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has already vowed to challenge the Federal Government in court over the steep tariff increase, which marks the first adjustment in telecom charges since 2013.

With telecom services being the backbone of POS operations, the new tariff hike could create widespread implications for mobile money agents and their customers nationwide.