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Senate moves to approve Federal Oil and Gas Hospital in Delta State

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Senate in session in the chamber

By George Mgbeleke

Senate, on Tuesday ,at plenary passed for a second reading a bill seeking an act to establish the Federal Oil and Gas Hospital in Benikrukru, Delta State to provide for comprehensive medical services for workers in the oil and gas industry as well as communities affected by the oil and gas operations and explorations in the area.

This was a sequel to the consideration of the piece of legislation sponsored by Senator Joel Thomas (APC Delta South) during plenary.

Senator Thomas, while leading debate on the general principles of the bill, said it would ensure that workers in the oil and gas industry and their host communities have unhindered access to adequate and quality healthcare services.

This, according to him, would reduce health risks associated with oil and gas, adding that sitting the hospital in the Niger Delta would also help the communities access other emergency medical services.

The location of the hospital, he explained, would, to a large extent, tame the agitations and restlessness of the Niger Delta and provide a wide range of treatment for oil and gas-related illness.

Senator Thomas added that the hospital, when established, would improve exploration activities in the region for the socio-economic development of the country.

He said: “It will interest you to know that the Delta South Senatorial District has the highest offshore oil production in Delta and second in the country.

“More specifically, the location indicated for this project is in the heart of offshore oil exploration in the Niger Delta.

“This project will benefit oil companies and communities in Delta, noting that this location is home to many oil exploration activities of Chevron, Shell, ExxonMobil, and Total among other oil companies”

The lawmaker disclosed that the proposed hospital would be funded by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, adding that the project would not pose an additional financial burden on the Federal Government.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP Bayelsa West) said that the siting of the medical facility was the right thing to do, stressing the need for such a project in the area

Also, Senator Ede Dafinone (APC Delta Central), said that the facility would provide support to people who sustain oil and gas-related injuries in particular, arguing that there is no alternative nearby remedy for such cases in the oil and gas industry.

In his remarks, the Deputy President of Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North), who presided at plenary referred the bill to the Committee on Health for further legislative inputs and to return back to plenary in four weeks.

He noted that the hospital, when established, would help improve the health related needs of the workers in the oil and gas industry in particular and people of the region in general.

Politics

ADC: We Remain Focused — Says Party Will Present Right Candidate for 2027

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By George Mgbeleke
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that, despite what it called “recent distractions,” the party remains focused on its set objectives to rescue the country from the misgovernance of the ruling APC and save the country from the travesty of a one-party dictatorship.

Reacting to suggestions in some quarters that the party will not produce candidates in the 2027 elections, the party dismissed such views as unfounded and mischievous scaremongering, with no basis in reality or in any law, insisting that it will field credible candidates for the elections.

The party said it remains the country’s primary opposition platform, with a clear focus on organising, mobilising, and preparing to win the 2027 general elections.

In a statement, the ADC said Nigerians should disregard baseless assertions, noting that the party is fully compliant with all legal requirements and is actively building the structures necessary to contest and win elections at all levels.

The full statement reads:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that we remain focused on our mission to rescue Nigeria from the failure of the APC-led government and to prevent the dangerous slide toward a one-party state.

We have taken note of recent suggestions that the ADC will not produce candidates in the 2027 elections. We find such claims to be entirely unfounded, mischievous, and designed to create confusion where none exists. They have no basis in law, in fact, or in the reality of our preparations as a political party.

Let us be clear. The ADC will present candidates in the 2027 general elections. Not just candidates, but credible, competent, and nationally acceptable candidates who are capable of leading this country out of its current crisis.

We remain a law-abiding political party, fully compliant with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. There is no legal impediment to our participation in the 2027 elections, and any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and dampen the growing momentum around our party.

The ADC stands today as the primary opposition platform in Nigeria, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are not distracted by noise. We are focused on the real work, organising across the country, mobilising Nigerians who are tired of insecurity, rising costs of living, and limited opportunities, and building the structures required not just to contest, but to win.

We urge our members, supporters, and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard these baseless assertions. The task before us is too important to be derailed by speculation.

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Politics

ADC: We Remain Focused — Says Party Will Present Right Candidate for 2027

Published

on

By

By George Mgbeleke
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that, despite what it called “recent distractions,” the party remains focused on its set objectives to rescue the country from the misgovernance of the ruling APC and save the country from the travesty of a one-party dictatorship.

Reacting to suggestions in some quarters that the party will not produce candidates in the 2027 elections, the party dismissed such views as unfounded and mischievous scaremongering, with no basis in reality or in any law, insisting that it will field credible candidates for the elections.

The party said it remains the country’s primary opposition platform, with a clear focus on organising, mobilising, and preparing to win the 2027 general elections.

In a statement, the ADC said Nigerians should disregard baseless assertions, noting that the party is fully compliant with all legal requirements and is actively building the structures necessary to contest and win elections at all levels.

The full statement reads:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that we remain focused on our mission to rescue Nigeria from the failure of the APC-led government and to prevent the dangerous slide toward a one-party state.

We have taken note of recent suggestions that the ADC will not produce candidates in the 2027 elections. We find such claims to be entirely unfounded, mischievous, and designed to create confusion where none exists. They have no basis in law, in fact, or in the reality of our preparations as a political party.

Let us be clear. The ADC will present candidates in the 2027 general elections. Not just candidates, but credible, competent, and nationally acceptable candidates who are capable of leading this country out of its current crisis.

We remain a law-abiding political party, fully compliant with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. There is no legal impediment to our participation in the 2027 elections, and any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and dampen the growing momentum around our party.

The ADC stands today as the primary opposition platform in Nigeria, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are not distracted by noise. We are focused on the real work, organising across the country, mobilising Nigerians who are tired of insecurity, rising costs of living, and limited opportunities, and building the structures required not just to contest, but to win.

We urge our members, supporters, and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard these baseless assertions. The task before us is too important to be derailed by speculation.

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Politics

ADC Releases Timetable for 2026 Primaries Elections — Urges aspirants to ensure full compliance with party constitution and the Electoral Act

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By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially released its timetable for the conduct of its 2026 primary elections, outlining the guidelines and requirements for nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary,Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi,”The timetable reflects the party’s commitment to internal democracy, orderliness, and full compliance with electoral guidelines.

“As outlined in the timetable, the process is already underway, with the collection of application forms running from April 1 to May 4, 2026. The sale of nomination forms will take place from May 5 to May 10, 2026, while the submission of completed forms is scheduled for May 11 to May 13, 2026.

“The party will conduct the screening of aspirants from May 14 to May 15, 2026, followed by the publication of screening results on May 17, 2026. Appeals will be heard between May 18 and May 19, 2026, with the final list of cleared aspirants to be released on May 20, 2026.”/

Continuing Abdullahi said,”The party’s primary elections will commence on May 21, 2026, with elections for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate seats holding simultaneously at the ward level. The Governorship primaries will take place on May 22, 2026, while the Presidential Primary is scheduled for May 25, 2026.

“This will be followed by a meeting of the National Executive Committee on May 26, 2026, and the Special National Convention on May 27, 2026, where final ratifications will be made.

“In line with its commitment to inclusivity and broad participation, the ADC has also approved a structured fee regime for nomination forms across all elective positions. The presidential nomination form is pegged at N100 million, governorship at N50 million, Senate at N20 million, House of Representatives at N10 million, and State House of Assembly at N3 million.

“To encourage wider participation, the party has introduced concessional rates, offering a 50 percent discount for youthsand a 25 percent discount for women and persons with disabilities.

“The ADC calls on all members, stakeholders, and aspirants to adhere strictly to the outlined schedule and guidelines, as the ADC continues to position itself as the primary platform for Nigerians seeking competent, accountable, and people-focused leadership in 2027.”

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