Nigerian Senate Seeks Ethnic Hegemony Elevating Sokoto, Ife Rulers

The Nigerian Senate recently passed a controversial bill seeking to institutionalize the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as permanent Co-Chairmen of the National Council of Traditional Rulers, a move strongly opposed by the Igbo socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for marginalizing other ethnic groups. Meanwhile, the Senate is investigating a staggering ₦210 trillion discrepancy in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited's financial statements, with the company failing to provide timely explanations despite multiple deadlines. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been commended for his leadership amid criticism, notably for removing fuel subsidies, declaring a state of emergency on food security, and initiating a National Agricultural Development Fund to reduce food costs. In U.S. politics, President Donald Trump remains the dominant influence shaping the 2026 Senate election cycle, directly impacting GOP Senate races and party dynamics. Additionally, political tensions persist in Nigeria's Ekiti North Senatorial District, where claims about a senator's role in establishing a federal university have sparked debate and highlighted ongoing local political divisions.