Business
No APC leader imposed candidates on the forthcoming LGA Elections in Lagos State – Party Chairman, Henry Ajomale
The LGA/LCDA elections in Lagos State is fast approaching and political parties across the state are all ready for the battle field. But one issue that really generated a hot controversy was the seeming imposition of candidates by the All Progressives Congress, the ruling party in the state, The party leaders were alleged to have returned 18 former council bosses. This move was perceived as imposition. As an investigative news magazine, Sahara Weekly sought to speak with the Chairman of the APC in Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomale who shed more lights on the scenario.
Excerpts:
The forthcoming election is around the corner and we know the ruling party is APC, what is your take on the Local Government elections in Lagos State come July 22, 2017?
No problem, like we always say, we are boys scouts, so we are ready. So it is not meeting us in an awkward position, we are the leading party, we are prepared and we have been expecting it, if we say we are not prepared we must be deceiving the people. We are prepared because we are confident.
Are you in agreement with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, if what we heard is true that he has conceded 18 local governments to be returned unopposed for some former LGA Chairmen?
It is not him alone that took the decision, it was the decision of the leadership of the party in Lagos. So what we thought was if you did a good job for three years, it is a learning process for one term, if the governors can go for two terms , why not the local Government so we thought experience counts so much, so by the time they spend three years, they are in the learning process and the time they are picking up should not be when we should say they should go, and if we can return the governors, house of representatives, house of assembly members, then why should we not return the local government chairmen that have learnt so much and can be put in practice, that is when the community can enjoy the and even if we train them for three years and we throw them out we have lost, at the time they are supposed to be exerting that experience, we are now training another person, and in three years you ask the person to go again so we thought it would be better to return those 18 that have not done two terms to have an insight of the experience to be used for the next four years, that time is when you can benefit from them, that is why they are returning. It is not an imposition.
Talking about imposition, rumours have it that leadership of the party are trying to impose some candidates in some areas of the state, is this true?
I do not understand what you mean by imposition, if the people decide to bring out one person without opposition, and they come on consensus, that this is the man we want, which election do you want to do again but we still subject them to acclamation, which is the normal process which is transparent. If by acclamation, they will still have to submit their votes into the ballot boxes and at the time we count it, there is no opposition, then that person is free to go but if there is any opposition, let that opposition also come out. In the traditional areas of Lagos, it is always rotating among the communities and if they renege on that promise among themselves, all of them will gang up against that person because it is not the turn of their area so we cannot impose on them, we don’t interfere with the traditional areas.
Let us talk about Governor Ambode’s two years in office, what is your assessment because people believe you handed him over to the godfathers?
Let us thank the Almighty God, at that time I told everybody that we were going to give them the best because they were like, can we find someone like Fashola?, I said yes they are so many and that we will give them the best of the best. During the primary, like 12 people came out but it is one person that will occupy the seat. If he finishes now, others are lining up to do the same thing and even better than what he has done. If you see what Akinwunmi Ambode has transformed Lagos into, it is the pride of everybody in Nigeria. Lagos is not the same again, someone travelled out for 7 years and they took him to Lekki when he got back, he was flabbergasted and could not comprehend what he saw in Lagos, is it the golden bridge or the development in Lekki, Lekki has become a city itself, cities are coming out of a cities and no state can beat this in Nigeria and because Lagos is a gateway, you have to be careful to make sure everything works. If they have allowed us to decentralize this electricity, Lagos would have been the first to stabilize the electricity in Nigeria because we have Egbin and Dangote is building a massive one in Lekki so we would have been the first and that is why we are saying if you want to achieve maximum benefit, whatever amount of money you are spending is a waste, Obasanjo spent about 3 trillion naira and he got nothing, decentralize it and allow each state to have their own dam and run it, that is what is going on in the United States of America.
For me, we believe there are two pending promises, which is the inclusion of the Igbos In Governor Ambode’s government and there is also the kind of massive carrying along of the Igbo traders, what is your say on this?
Honestly, I do not have any personal thing against the Igbos afterall they are my in-laws so I do not have anything against them, we are playing politics and it is a game of numbers, you must be able to support the government of the day but we were disappointed at the last election because they voted massively for their own, which is Jonathan. You have a host and we have to be honest to ourselves, if you are biting me behind, you do not expect me to have absolute confidence in you but anywhere you are, try to copy the tradition of that area, if I am not happy with you, you do not expect anything from me but if you are with me, there are responsible Igbo people in Lagos who are above board, those are the types but the traders, anywhere you ask them to go is where they go, that should not be, there are some people, suppose I pack my luggage to go and live in Anambra, nobody can question me because I have the freedom to do anything, but I must follow the rules of the state, you must support the government of that place, I cannot go there and be criticizing the government. We are pleading with our brothers, the Igbos, let them be part and parcel of us, we are all Nigerians and whatever you do, support the government of the day, that is when you can get anything. You must be able to show yourself that you support the government of the day. If you do not vote for me why should I vote for you, if my enemy has won the election, would you come to me? I’m appealing to them to join hands with us
FirstBank Makes Home Ownership Possible for Nigerians with Single-Digit Interest Rate Loan
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Alpha Morgan Bank Deepens Presence in Abuja with New Branch in Utako
Marking another milestone in its expansion drive, Alpha Morgan Bank has opened a new branch in Utako, Abuja, reinforcing its strategy of building closer institutional ties within key business communities and bringing its financial expertise closer to individuals, and enterprises driving the city’s growth.
The new branch, located at Plot 1121 Obafemi Awolowo Way, Utako, Abuja is strategically positioned to serve individuals, entrepreneurs, and corporate clients within Utako and surrounding districts.
The expansion follows the Bank’s recently concluded Economic Review Webinar held in February 2026, as the bank continues to position as a thought-leader in the financial services industry.
Speaking on the opening, Ade Buraimo, Managing Director of Alpha Morgan Bank, said the move underscores the Bank’s commitment to accessibility and service excellence.
“Proximity matters in banking. As communities grow and commercial activity expands, financial institutions also evolve to meet customers where they are. The Utako Branch allows us to deliver our services to people in that community efficiently while maintaining the high standards our customers expect,”
The Utako location will provide a full suite of retail and corporate banking services, including account opening, deposits, transfers, business banking solutions, and financial advisory support.
Customers and members of the public are invited to visit the new Utako Branch to experience the Bank’s approach to satisfying banking.
Dangote Refinery Prioritises Domestic Supply Amid Global Energy Turbulence
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“Nigeria insulated from international fuel shocks as Dangote Petroleum commits to uninterrupted local delivery.”
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising the domestic market, pledging to shield Nigerians from the ripple effects of ongoing global energy disruptions. The assurance, delivered in Lagos on 5 March 2026, comes as international refinery operations experience shutdowns or reduced output due to escalating Middle East geopolitical tensions, which have sent crude oil and petroleum product prices soaring worldwide.
“Our mandate remains clear: Nigeria’s local market takes precedence. In times of global supply shocks, we will continue to ensure that domestic availability of petrol, diesel, and kerosene is uninterrupted,” said Mr. Folorunsho Alakija, spokesperson for Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The refinery’s declaration arrives amid mounting concerns over fuel scarcity, triggered by export restrictions imposed by major international producers, including China, and shipping delays that have further tightened global petroleum supply chains. Industry analysts have hailed the domestic focus as a critical buffer against volatility that could otherwise push Nigeria into deeper energy insecurity.
Domestic Shield Against Global Disruption
Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest oil processing facility, has leveraged its multi-million-barrel refining capacity to mitigate Nigeria’s historical dependence on imported petroleum products. The company emphasised that prioritising local supply provides a strategic advantage in insulating the nation from international market shocks.
“Our refinery’s scale allows Nigeria to withstand short-term external disruptions. We have the infrastructure and capacity to meet local demand even when global supply chains falter,” explained Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo, Operations Director at Dangote Refinery.
The proactive approach is particularly significant as several international refineries have either reduced throughput or temporarily halted operations, causing a global scarcity of refined products. Experts warn that without domestic cushioning, fuel prices in Nigeria could have surged sharply, exacerbating inflationary pressures in a fragile economy.
Managing Costs While Prioritising Supply
In response to rising procurement costs for crude oil amid the international crisis, Dangote Refinery introduced a modest ₦100 per litre increase in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), absorbing roughly 20 percent of the cost escalation to lessen the impact on consumers.
“We are balancing operational sustainability with affordability. While global prices have risen sharply, we have chosen to absorb a significant portion to protect Nigerian households and businesses,” noted Mr. Emmanuel Adeyemi, Chief Finance Officer.
This pricing strategy underscores the refinery’s dual focus: ensuring uninterrupted supply while cushioning the public from abrupt spikes that could destabilize economic activity. Industry observers have lauded the approach as pragmatic, considering the volatility in international oil markets.
Strategic Distribution Initiatives
Beyond refining, Dangote Petroleum has initiated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered trucks to enhance nationwide distribution efficiency. The initiative seeks to reduce logistics costs and carbon emissions while ensuring a more reliable delivery network to petrol stations across urban and rural areas.
“Logistics is a critical part of the energy supply chain. By deploying CNG-powered trucks, we reduce dependency on expensive diesel, lower delivery costs, and improve supply reliability across the country,” explained Ms. Funke Adedoyin, Head of Logistics Operations.
This strategic move reflects a broader commitment to modernising Nigeria’s petroleum distribution infrastructure, reducing bottlenecks that have historically contributed to scarcity at retail outlets.
Implications for National Energy Security
Nigeria has historically struggled with fuel imports to meet domestic demand, making the country vulnerable to international market fluctuations. Dangote Refinery’s prioritisation of local supply mitigates this vulnerability by leveraging home-grown refining capacity, which allows for timely access to petroleum products and less reliance on foreign shipments.
“With Dangote Refinery leading local prioritisation, Nigeria is less exposed to global fuel shocks. The country is moving towards self-reliance in petroleum product supply,” commented Dr. Halima Suleiman, energy sector analyst.
Experts note that sustained operations at the refinery not only enhance energy security but also preserve foreign exchange, reduce import bills, and stabilise domestic market prices.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Market Stability
The refinery’s commitment is part of a broader corporate responsibility framework. Dangote Petroleum continues to engage with government agencies and regulatory bodies, ensuring that domestic supply is coordinated with Nigeria’s Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to prevent panic buying and market distortions.
“We are in constant consultation with the government to ensure that our supply strategies align with national economic priorities,” said Mr. Alakija.
Such collaboration helps avert artificial shortages, stabilises pump prices, and maintains confidence in the domestic fuel market. Analysts argue that this approach exemplifies how private sector capabilities can complement governmental policies to enhance national resilience.
Navigating Global Uncertainties
The refinery operates in a complex global environment, where geopolitical crises, shipping constraints, and crude oil volatility can trigger disruptions. Dangote Petroleum’s domestic-first approach positions Nigeria to weather such crises more effectively.
“Global uncertainties are unavoidable, but our infrastructure and strategy ensure that Nigerians remain insulated from immediate shocks,” said Mr. Okonkwo.
This emphasis on resilience aligns with global best practices, where national refining capacity is leveraged to protect local markets from international supply disruptions.
Stakeholder Reactions
The government, civil society, and industry stakeholders have welcomed Dangote Petroleum’s strategy. Officials from the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources noted that prioritising local supply aligns with Nigeria’s energy security policies and reduces the burden of foreign exchange expenditures on crude imports.
“Dangote Refinery is demonstrating leadership. Its domestic prioritisation ensures that the Nigerian economy remains insulated during turbulent global markets,” said Dr. Tunji Olumide, Special Adviser on Energy.
Consumers have also expressed cautious optimism. Retail operators and commuters reported steadier fuel availability in Lagos and other cities, though concerns remain about sustained pricing and distribution efficiency.
The Road Ahead
While Dangote Refinery’s strategy provides immediate relief, experts argue that long-term stability requires further investments in alternative energy, diversified refining infrastructure, and strategic reserves. This ensures that Nigeria can withstand global shocks without relying excessively on imports or temporary supply adjustments.
“Short-term measures like prioritising local supply are critical, but long-term energy security demands diversification, renewables adoption, and consistent policy implementation,” said Dr. Suleiman.
The refinery is exploring additional initiatives, including expanding storage capacity, upgrading pipeline networks, and adopting technology-driven monitoring systems to ensure supply continuity across the country.
Final Take
By prioritising domestic fuel supply amid global market turbulence, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has demonstrated its role as a stabilising force in Nigeria’s energy sector. Through strategic logistics, modest pricing adjustments, and engagement with government regulators, the refinery is insulating the nation from international shocks while maintaining operational sustainability.
“Our responsibility extends beyond profitability; it’s about ensuring Nigerians have reliable access to essential fuel. We take that mandate seriously,” concluded Mr. Adeyemi.
The refinery’s actions offer a blueprint for how large-scale domestic capacity can protect national economies in times of global energy instability, underscoring the critical intersection of private sector resilience, public policy, and national energy security.
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