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The implementation of the Federal Government’s CNG-powered transport initiative, a three-day warning strike by public workers, rising NNPC oil security claims, criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s prosperity claim and the cancellation of a planned Obi-Kwankwaso rally in Akwa Ibom are among the major stories making headlines this morning.
Read the five major stories making headlines this morning below:
CNG application: States fail to implement Tinubu’s low-fare directive
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive that transport fares should begin to fall from October 1 through the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses, commuters in several states have continued to pay the same, and in some cases higher, fares.
Findings by PUNCH Online across the states showed that the directive had yet to translate into widespread reductions, with transport unions in some states saying they had not received CNG buses. Motorists also complained about inadequate infrastructure, including a shortage of refuelling facilities and conversion centres.
However, the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, Ismaeel Ahmed, said some states had already begun reducing fares, stressing that October 1 was not a deadline for all states to implement fare cuts simultaneously but the date from which the Federal Government would begin monitoring the rollout.
Read here: https://punchng.com/cng-application-states-fail-to-implement-tinubus-low-fare-directive/
Workers begin three-day warning strike
Public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have commenced a three-day warning strike over what they described as worsening economic and mental hardship affecting workers and their dependants.
The strike, which began at midnight on Friday, October 2, is scheduled to end on Sunday, October 4. The council directed public servants across the federal, state and local government services to participate in the industrial action.
The workers are demanding measures to cushion the impact of rising living costs, including a reduction in petrol prices, a wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
Read here: https://punchng.com/workers-begin-three-day-warning-strike/
NNPC’s oil security claims rise to N11.2tn
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited recorded claims totalling N11.2tn from the Federation in 2025 for costs and advances incurred on its behalf, including expenses related to securing the country’s oil and gas assets.
An analysis of NNPC’s 2025 audited financial statements showed that the figure was N4.07tn, or about 57 per cent, higher than the N7.13tn energy security expense recognised in 2024. The accounts, however, indicate that the N11.2tn represents energy security costs and other receivables from the Federation rather than fresh cash expenditure incurred entirely in 2025.
The disclosure comes as NNPC reported higher production and a 33 per cent increase in profit after tax to N7.2tn, while crude oil and condensate production averaged 1.77 million barrels per day in 2025.
Read here: https://punchng.com/nnpcs-oil-security-claims-rise-to-n11-2tn/
Atiku challenges Tinubu’s prosperity claim, laments rising hardship
African Democratic Congress presidential candidate and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria has entered an era of prosperity, arguing that economic growth figures have not translated into improved living conditions for many Nigerians.
Atiku, in his Independence Day address, criticised the administration’s handling of fuel subsidy removal, taxation and other economic reforms, saying their impact had increased pressure on households and businesses. He also questioned the benefits of the reforms amid rising food, fuel and transportation costs.
His comments followed Tinubu’s Independence Day address in which the President said Nigeria’s economy had grown by over four per cent and declared that the government’s focus had shifted from correcting the country’s course to achieving “shared and widespread prosperity.”
Read here: https://punchng.com/atiku-challenges-tinubus-prosperity-claim-laments-rising-hardship/
NDC fumes as police cancel Obi-Kwankwaso march in A’Ibom
The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has expressed anger over the police cancellation of a planned two-million-man march by the Obidient Movement in support of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Uyo.
The state police command said it cancelled all approvals earlier granted for political rallies, meetings, processions and related activities scheduled for October 1, citing intelligence indicating plans to exploit political activities to cause disturbances and threaten public peace.
The State Director of the Obidient Movement, Benjamin Smith, accused the police of frustrating the event after organisers had reportedly spent over N20m mobilising supporters across the state. He urged supporters to remain law-abiding and said another rally would be communicated.
Read here: https://punchng.com/ndc-fumes-as-police-cancel-obi-kwankwaso-march-in-aibom/
