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Reps Order DISCOs To Refund N55.42bn NMMP Loan

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By EricJames Ochigbo

 

The House of Representatives has directed 11 electricity distribution companies to refund N55.42 billion obtained under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

 

Lawmakers on Thursday adopted a committee report giving the DISCOs a seven-month deadline to repay the loan to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

 

Presenting the report, Chairman Uchenna Okonkwo said the probe followed the committee’s mandate and found the metering scheme failed to achieve expected outcomes.

 

Okonkwo said the programme, introduced in 2020, aimed to close metering gaps, promote local manufacturing, curb losses, and end estimated billing practices.

 

He listed beneficiaries as Abuja, Eko and Enugu distribution companies, alongside Ibadan, Ikeja and Jos electricity distribution companies.

 

Others include Kano and Yola distribution companies, among the 11 firms that received disbursements under the intervention scheme.

 

Okonkwo said the committee engaged the Central Bank, Meristem Wealth Management, NESI-SSL, NERC and other stakeholders during the investigation.

 

“The report indicates the programme, initiated in 2020, was to be implemented in three phases.

 

“N59.28 billion was earmarked for the 11 companies, repayable at nine per cent interest, with six per cent to financiers and three per cent to the CBN.

 

“The investigation revealed DISCOs received N55.42 billion, leaving N3.85 billion unaccounted for,” he said.

 

The chairman raised concern over a clause granting Meristem Wealth Management 0.5 per cent of DISCO collections annually until 2030.

 

He said the firm had already received N450 million for its services, a development the committee strongly criticised.

 

The committee recommended the firm provide its profile, structure and detailed report on work done under the metering programme.

 

Following adoption, the House approved creating a loan recovery committee by the CBN and NERC to recover funds from beneficiaries before 2026. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

EOO/KTO

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

 

 

 

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Imo senatorial aspirant, Nwachukwu drags NDC to court over ticket denial  

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A Senatorial Aspirant, Isaac Nwachukwu, has dragged Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before a Federal High Court Sitting in Owerri, Imo State, over the fallout of the party’s National Assembly primaries.

Nwachukwu, in a suit filed through his Counsel, Cajethan Oguzie, accused the party of denying him the Imo North senatorial ticket after emerging a consensus candidate and paying N5m for the nomination form.

The suit also disclosed that Nwachukwu had paid N20m for the support of the party, but his support was unexplainably reduced to N10m when the list of those who supported the party was published.

The NDC Senatorial Aspirant, in his prayers before the court, demanded that a declaration should be made that he is the consensus candidate of the party in the state with regard to the Imo North Senatorial Zone in the 2027 General election.

“A declaration that the first defendant, NDC, be restrained from fielding another candidate except the plaintiff in the General election into the Imo North Senatorial Zone as he is the consensus candidate for the said election.

“A declaration that the second defendant, INEC, be perpetually restrained from recognising and accepting the candidacy of another person except the plaintiff in the Imo North Senatorial election pending the determination of the matter,” the suit stated.

In an affidavit supporting the originating summons, Nwachukwu stated that he purchased the expression of interest form to aspire for the position for Imo North senatorial zone, a copy of which is attached in the suit already filed.

The NDC Senatorial Aspirant added that upon the purchase of the form, he made a monetary contribution in support of the party’s growth in the tune of N20m into the party’s FCMB account number through his Counsel, receipt also attached in the suit as an exhibit.

“The first sign of irregularity and no compliance with the NDC constitution and electoral act came up when the N20m I paid for party support was allocated to one of the aspirants for my Senatorial District by the name Matthew Omegara, and the N10m that Matthew Omegara paid for party support was allocated to me by the Screening Committee headed by Sam Egwu and Buba Galadimma.

” In compliance with NDC’s directives, I participated in the NDC screening exercise and was successfully cleared as an aspirant to participate in the primary election.

After my consensus candidacy was ratified, my name was shortlisted as a Candidate for Imo North district. A copy of the result is hereby annexed as Exhibit 1U5,” the affidavit added.

Nwachukwu alleged that his name was substituted with Omegara after he had been declared the winner of the primary election.

The Imo North Senatorial Aspirant claimed that the National leader of the party, Seriake Dickson, had summoned him for a meeting telling him that his candidacy was affected after a party chieftain from his state said he didn’t know him.

Among other demands, Nwachukwu is asking the court to order NDC to issue him a certificate as its candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District.

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ADC raises alarm over alleged membership forgery in Zamfara

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Supporters and members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Anka and Talata Mafara Local Government Areas of Zamfara State have alleged attempts to manipulate the party’s membership records and card numbers ahead of internal political activities.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Gusau by Nura Rabiu Cibiki, Director of Media and Strategy, Campaign and Mobilisation Committee for Abdulrahaman Yahaya, an aspirant for the House of Representatives seat representing Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency.

The group warned against any attempt to alter or duplicate legitimate membership figures, saying such actions could deepen tensions within the party in the constituency.

“We strongly oppose any move to manipulate or duplicate legitimate membership figures, warning that such actions would only worsen existing tensions within the party and the Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency,” the statement said.

The supporters maintained that ADC members in Anka and Talata Mafara were aware of the party’s authentic membership strength and were prepared to protect the integrity of the party’s records.

The statement added that while justice may be delayed, the truth could not be denied.

Meanwhile, Yahaya has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Gusau challenging alleged irregularities in the party’s primary election process in the constituency.

The court has fixed June 23, 2026, for mention of the case.

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