Welcome to Friday’s roundup of Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-focused calls on issues that impact citizens.

1. Daily Trust: APC States Near 30

Daily Trust reports that the All Progressives Congress is moving closer to controlling about 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states following the defection of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang from the PDP and the reported plans of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf to leave the NNPP.

Our Take: As political control tilts further toward one party, state governments must remember that democracy is not a numbers game but a responsibility to citizens. Also, citizens across all states should demand stronger accountability, inclusive governance, and tangible service delivery regardless of party labels.

2. Punch: Probe N11.35tn spent on NNPC refineries, marketers tell FG

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has called on the Federal Government to account for an estimated N11.35tn reportedly spent over the past decade on rehabilitating Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries, noting that despite the huge expenditure, the facilities in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna remain largely non-functional or underperforming.

Our Take: With PETROAN raising fresh alarms over the N11.35tn reportedly sunk into comatose refineries, the federal government, the Presidency, the National Assembly, the EFCC, ICPC, and the Office of the Auditor-General should move beyond press statements and order an open, time-bound forensic audit of NNPC Limited’s refinery spending, with findings made public. Nigerians deserve to know whether their money built refineries or merely financed very expensive ‘maintenance memories’.

3. The Guardian: N’Assembly to Release Certified Tax Bills Amid Gazette Discrepancy

As the controversy surrounding Nigeria’s new tax laws deepens, the National Assembly has said it is taking steps to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies in the legislation, pledging to release certified copies of the bills signed by President Bola Tinubu.

Our Take: With the promised release of the certified tax bills, Nigerians should look beyond the headlines, examine the documents, ask hard questions, and demand clarity where inconsistencies appear. This is a chance for citizens and the media to verify what was passed versus what was published.