Aminu Imam, Author at Voice of Liberty NG

MultiChoice suspends April DStv price hike

February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 Aminu Imam

…As Canal+ pushes subscriber growth For the first time in years, MultiChoice will not implement its usual April price increase on DStv subscriptions, marking a strategic shift under new owner Canal+. Its Group CEO, David Mignot confirmed the decision, saying the company’s priority is to rebuild its shrinking subscriber base rather than raise tariffs. While no increase is planned for April, he noted that future adjustments could still be considered depending on economic conditions. MultiChoice has traditionally raised prices annually, with April 2025 seeing hikes of between 2.1% and 7.9%,…

“Stop mass phone-tapping now” – SERAP urges Tinubu

February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani to immediately withdraw the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019. This was contained in a letter dated 21 February 2026 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. According to SERAP, the regulations are “unconstitutional, unlawful, and entirely inconsistent with Nigeria’s international obligations”. The organisation emphasized the urgent need for a transparent legislative process to ensure any lawful interception framework complies with constitutional safeguards, judicial oversight,…

FCT Elections: Civil society group alleges widespread vote-buying

February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 Aminu Imam

…Alleges ₦10,000 traded per vote The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has alleged that votes were traded for as much as ₦10,000 during Saturday’s 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections. Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, co-convener Celestine Odo said that although the elections were largely peaceful, observers recorded widespread vote buying and delays in the start of voting across several polling units. According to him, reports from observers indicated open vote trading in parts of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), particularly at polling units in Gidan Mangoro Ward, where…

NNPCL Boss hails Ɗangote refinery as ‘world-class marvel’

February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 Aminu Imam

…As Ɗangote Group plans public share offer The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a “world-class technological marvel,” urging Nigerians to take pride in what he called one of the boldest industrial achievements in the country’s history. Ojulari made the remarks at the weekend during a landmark visit to the 650,000-barrels-per-day facility, accompanied by members of the NNPC Board and executive management team — the company’s first official tour of the refinery. Commending billionaire industrialist Aliko…

Nigeria’s World Bank exposure hits $18.7bn, as public debt climbs to ₦153.29tr

February 22, 2026February 22, 2026 Aminu Imam

Nigeria’s mounting debt profile has come under renewed scrutiny, as fresh data show the country has risen to become the third-largest borrower from the International Development Association (IDA), even as its total public debt surged to ₦153.29 trillion. Figures contained in the IDA Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the period ended December 31, 2025, reveal that Nigeria’s exposure to the World Bank’s concessional lending arm rose to $18.7 billion — a $1.9 billion increase from $16.8 billion recorded at the end of 2024. The 11.3% year-on-year rise places Nigeria behind…

FG speaks on youths compulsory military training

February 22, 2026February 22, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Federal Government has dismissed reports that it’s planning to introduce mandatory military service for youths. Speaking during the presentation of a publication titled: ‘Serving the Nation: Exploring Mandatory Military Service for Nigerian Youths’ in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), said there was no truth to the claim. He stated that the government remains committed to a professional volunteer armed forces supported by civic national service programmes. The minister, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties, Col. George Usibe, said the country’s…

Zamfara: 50 feared killed, as bandits overrun village in midnight attack

February 22, 2026February 22, 2026 Aminu Imam

Zamfara State was thrown into mourning on Friday after armed bandits reportedly killed no fewer than 50 residents of Dutsin Ɗan-Ajiya village in Anka local government area. Bodies of the victims, wrapped in white shrouds, were lined up for mass burial in a video. Residents said the attackers, wielding sophisticated weapons, stormed the community on Thursday night and unleashed hours of terror. A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the gunmen sealed off all access roads to prevent villagers from fleeing before opening fire indiscriminately.…

FCT: Low turnout, technical glitches mar Council elections

February 22, 2026February 22, 2026 Aminu Imam

…As Wike, ADC raise concerns The Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday were marked by low voter turnout and reports of technical hitches at some polling units, prompting concerns from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). While touring polling units across the territory, Wike expressed disappointment over the poor turnout of voters. At a polling unit in Karshi, he encountered only electoral officials on duty, with no voters in sight. Engaging an ad-hoc official, a member of the National Youth Service…

Lassa Fever: NCDC confirms 318 cases, 70 deaths

February 22, 2026February 22, 2026 Aminu Imam

…22% fatality rate The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said with 318 confirmed cases and 70 deaths, the case fatality rate (CFR) now stands at 22%, raising urgent questions about early detection, treatment access, and state-level preparedness in the country’s most affected areas. Director-General of NCDC, Jide Idris, who disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, during a press briefing on Lassa fever, noted that only five states account for 91% of confirmed cases, adding that just 10 local government areas (LGAs) are responsible for 68%. He…

Kano: PDP, ADC, NNPP missing, as INEC conducts bye-election

February 22, 2026February 22, 2026 Aminu Imam

Three major opposition political parties are absent from the ballot in yesterday’s bye-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State. The affected parties are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and a coalition involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC). INEC has, however, declared its readiness to conduct what it described as a free, fair, and credible by-election in the Municipal and Ungogo state constituencies. The off-season poll is being held to fill two vacant seats in the Kano State House of…