Fitch Downgrades Afreximbank to ‘BB+’/Stable Amid Concerns Over Ghana’s Debt, Withdraws Ratings Declares bank’s inclusion in Ghana’s restructuring underlines its weakening policy importance
James Emejo in Abuja
Fitch Ratings has downgraded
African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB+’ from
‘BBB-’. Fitch also downgraded Afreximbank’s Short-Term IDR to ‘B’,
from ‘F3’, and the long-term ratings on the bank’s global medium-term note programme and debt issuance
to ‘BB+’, from ‘BBB-’. The global rating institution subsequently withdrew the bank’s
ratings. Continued on page 8
Oyedele: New Tax Laws Ease Burden on SMEs, Says Misinformation Remains Obstacle to Implementation... Page 10 Friday 30 January, 2026 Vol 31. No 11254. Price: N400
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Alleged Procurement Fraud: Witness Takes Responsibility for $6.2m Theft Levied against Emefiele... Page 5
Grumbling in North Will Have Electoral Consequences, Ali Ndume Warns Says Tinubu not the problem but those around him
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume
(Borno South) has said there is growing dissatisfaction in the north with the administration of
President Bola Tinubu, warning that if nothing is done about the “grumbling”, it would have
electoral consequences in 2027. Ndume sounded the warning on Wednesday during an inter-
view on ARISE News Television’s Prime Time. However, Ndume said Tinubu
was not the problem, but the Continued on page 8
How Kwankwaso’s ‘Unrealistic’ Demands Crumbled APC Courtship Sources say he demanded 20% of APC structure nationwide Amid demand for VP position, ex-Kano governor also had eyes on presidency in 2031 NNPP: Kwankwaso’s slavish intentions, domineering attitude, forced gov to APC We’ve reached understanding on emirship tussle, state govt declares
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano Fresh details emerged yesterday on how efforts by the presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to forge a political deal with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, until recently regarded as Kano’s “beautiful bride” and a potential election-shaping force, eventually collapsed. Courted for the perceived electoral value of his red-cap movement, Kwankwasiyya, the former Kano governor appears to be watching his political allure wane, leaving the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) increasingly isolated and struggling to translate past dominance into present influence. Sources familiar with the talks said engagements between Kwankwaso and President Bola Continued on page 8
AT OJORA’S BURIAL IN LAGOS...
L-R: The deceased’s son-in-law, former President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki; his wife, Erelu Toyin Saraki (née Ojora) and Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the burial of the Lisa of Ife, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday PHOTO: KUNLE OGUNFUYI