Afternoon recap: FG spent N9.39tn on wage hike, Fayose speaks on Osun poll, Obi’s 2027 chances

File photo: The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.

The Federal Government spent N9.39tn on minimum wage increases, salary adjustments and allowances for public workers between June 2023 and December 2025, according to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.

In politics, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, described President Bola Tinubu as “magnanimous” in the Osun governorship election, claimed the Accord Party spent at least N40bn, and said Peter Obi lost his 2027 chance the day he left the ADC.

Also, the APC fixed August 22 for legislative primaries, while the NAQS released its recruitment shortlist with CBT set for August 20.

PUNCH Online curates these and other headlines dominating Wednesday afternoon in Nigeria.

FG spent N9.39tn on wage hike, allowances in 31 months — Oyedele

The Federal Government spent N9.39tn on wage adjustments, minimum wage increases and other allowances for public workers between June 2023 and December 2025, Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele disclosed at a media conference on Nigeria’s reform scorecard.

The amount exceeded the Federal Government’s N5.4tn share of the N15.8tn mobilised from subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.

Osun poll: Tinubu magnanimous, Ekiti was taken from me in 2018 — Fayose

Fayose said President Tinubu was “magnanimous” during the August 15 Osun governorship election, arguing the Federal Government could have influenced the outcome if it wished but chose not to.

He contrasted this with the 2018 Ekiti election, claiming the Federal Government used its influence to take the state from him, including jamming communications, withdrawing his security details and physically restraining him.

The former governor also claimed the Accord Party spent no less than N40bn during the Osun election, rejecting singer Davido’s assertion that the party relied solely on popular support while the APC spent N110bn on vote-buying.

Fayose also said Peter Obi weakened his 2027 presidential prospects by leaving the African Democratic Congress for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, arguing the opposition’s failure to remain united hurt its chances against the APC.

APC fixes August 22 for state, federal legislative primaries

The All Progressives Congress fixed Saturday, August 22, 2026, for primary elections to select candidates for four restored State House of Assembly constituencies in Delta and Kogi states and legislative bye-elections in Gombe, Bauchi, Delta and Kano.

The timetable covers sale of forms (August 18–20), screening (August 21) and appeals (August 24).

Heavy security as military retirees protest pension adjustment

Heavy security, including police, soldiers, Immigration personnel, VIOs and armoured vehicles, was deployed around the Ministry of Defence in Abuja on Wednesday ahead of a planned protest by military retirees.

The retirees, led by Col. Innocent Azubike (retd.), are demanding consequential pension adjustments following salary increases approved for serving personnel in November 2025 and another announced for September 2026.

They allege the adjustments have not been implemented despite acknowledgements by military authorities.

NAQS releases recruitment shortlist, fixes CBT for August 20

The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service announced that applicants can now check their recruitment status on the official portal.

Further details will be sent via registered email. The exercise, which closed on August 10, received 407,659 successful applications out of 606,928 attempts.

Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.

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