President Bola Tinubu has maintained that Nigeria will not return to the days of subsidising petrol.

Tinubu spoke on Monday at an event organised by the City Boy Movement, a pro-Tinubu group led by his son Seyi, which is mobilising young voters for his re-election.

The President, while drawing a parallel with the Biblical story of Moses leading Israelites out of Egypt, said Israelites faced a challenge at the Red Sea but were made to pass after the sea parted.

He argued that Moses could not be asked to return to Egypt.

“I came and I removed subsidy the first day. I knew Nigeria would go bankrupt. There was nothing left to pay subsidy. I could listen to my political opponents promising a return to subsidy,” he said.

“I remember my scripture studies, both in the Bible and in the Holy Quran.

“When Moses and Musa left Egypt, they faced a challenge, and the Red Sea parted and gave way. You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt.”

The president urged young voters to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs) and use them in the 2027 presidential election.

“Make sure every young person you know has a PVC and uses it,” he said.

“Tell them what we have done and tell them what we will do. 

“We will campaign with our ideas, original thoughts and deep thinking to move this country forward. With your energy and support, never will we go back to Egypt.”

Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, during his inauguration.

Opposition candidates have criticised the policy, with some promising to restore the subsidy if elected in 2027.

Last week, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said the party “will do whatever is necessary” to reduce petrol prices, including possibly restoring the subsidy if it wins the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso’s comments came weeks after Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate,said his administration would restore the petrol subsidy after tackling corruption.

Also, Donald Duke, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate,said earlier this month that he would reduce the price of petrol to about N300 per litre if elected president in 2027.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC),also said in August that he would restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

A high court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday dismissed a N120 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former governor of Kaduna, Nasir el-Rufai, against the Department of State Services (DSS) and three other respondents over alleged wiretapping.

Justice Sylvanus Oriji, the presiding judge, dismissed the suit  for lacking in merit.

The court also awarded N200,000 in costs against el-Rufai in favour of each of the four respondents, the DSS, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and attorney-general of the federation (AGF).

In his judgment, Oriji held that the invitation letters issued to el-Rufai by the EFCC and ICPC to appear for questioning over allegations against him did not violate his fundamental rights.

The judge said the agencies acted within their mandate by inviting the former governor to provide information on issues raised against him.

On the attempted arrest of el-Rufai by the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the court upheld the agency’s argument that it had the statutory authority to place persons of interest on its watchlist and arrest them where necessary.

Oriji also rejected el-Rufai’s argument that the attempted arrest was unlawful because there was no warrant.

The judge held that the DSS had powers to act as the legal framework governing its operations, including the National Security Agencies Act.

The court further ruled that el-Rufai could not use the judicial process to prevent the agencies from performing their statutory duties.

On the seizure of the former governor’s international passport by the DSS, the judge said the court was satisfied that the action was lawful and within the agency’s powers.

Oriji held that el-Rufai had failed to provide evidence showing that the seizure was continuous, permanent and unlawful.

The court consequently dismissed the suit in its entirety for lacking merit and awarded N200,000 in costs to each respondent.

El-Rufai is standing trial on a five-count amended charge filed by the DSS over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted telephone conversations linked to Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser.

In February 2026, during an interview on ‘Prime Time’, an Arise Television programme, el-Rufai said “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, allowing him to listen to the NSA instructing security operatives to effect his arrest.

Former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, is dead. His death was announced by his family on Monday.

Uduaghan, who was governor of Delta State from 2007 to 2015, according to a statement signed by Toju Anire Uduaghan on behalf of the family, died on Monday morning.

The family described his death as a devastating loss, paying tribute to his contributions to public service and his role as a father, brother, uncle and family patriarch.

“It is with hearts weighed down by immeasurable grief and profound sorrow that we announce the passing to glory of our beloved Father, Brother, Uncle, and Patriarch, His Excellency, Dr. Chief Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State, who departed this world on the morning of 19th October 2026,” the statement read.

The family added that Uduaghan’s passing had left a deep void, describing him as a source of strength and a respected elder whose influence extended beyond his immediate relatives.

“His passing has left us devastated. Words can hardly express the depth of our sorrow at the loss of a man who meant so much to our family and whose life and service touched countless others across Delta State and Nigeria,” the statement added.

Uduaghan served as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003.

He subsequently served as Secretary to the Delta State Government from 2003 to 2007 before assuming office as governor in 2007.

Reflecting on his political career, the family said Uduaghan demonstrated a commitment to human and infrastructural development throughout his years in public service.

The family described his death as a significant loss not only to his relatives but also to the people of Delta State and Nigeria.

“His passing is a profound loss to our family, the people of Delta State, and Nigeria at large. We are grateful to Almighty God for his life, his service, and the legacy he leaves behind,” the statement said.

The family also prayed for the repose of his soul and comfort for relatives, friends, associates, former colleagues and others mourning his death.

“We pray that Almighty God, in His infinite mercy, will grant his soul eternal rest and comfort our family, friends, associates, former colleagues, and all who mourn this painful loss,” it stated.

“Rest well, our beloved Father, Brother, and Uncle. Your memory will forever remain in our hearts, and your legacy will endure in the lives of those you touched.

“May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace Asamaigor.”