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Why Southern Kaduna should re-elect Tinubu, Uba Sani – Katung

The Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Sunday Marshall Katung, has urged voters in Southern Kaduna to re-elect President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027, citing their administration’s projects and policies in the area.

Katung said the two leaders have demonstrated commitment to the development of Southern Kaduna through interventions he described as capable of improving livelihoods, creating jobs and promoting inclusion.

The senator stated this in an interview with Invicta FM, Kaduna, while assessing the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administrations at the federal and state levels.

He said Tinubu’s decision to flag off the APC’s North-West campaign in Kaduna reflected the strategic importance of the state to the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘He is a caring President who knows that Kaduna is like home. As far back as 2007, I led a delegation with my Senator, then Senator Caleb Zagi, to meet him on issues concerning Kaduna and he accepted,’ Katung said.

The senator identified the proposed light rail project and the $29.62m ginger processing hub in Kachia as key federal interventions expected to stimulate economic activities and create employment opportunities in the state.

According to him, the ginger processing facility has already begun to influence economic activities in Kachia, with land prices rising as investors anticipate increased commercial activities.

‘You can’t go to Kachia today and ask what the President has done. People will tell you their lifestyle has changed. The same will happen in Kafanchan and Manchok. By the time the light rail starts, jobs will be created, food vendors will sell. Value chains will change,’ he said.

On the state government, the senator praised Governor Uba Sani for what he described as an inclusive leadership style that had restored Southern Kaduna’s sense of belonging in the affairs of the state.

‘Governor Uba Sani has shown that he is a Governor for all. He has restored peace, brought projects to our zone, and runs an open-door government. For us in Southern Kaduna, this is the first time in a long time that we feel truly part of Kaduna State,’ Katung said.

He also defended the APC’s grassroots mobilisation strategy ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that direct engagement with voters was more effective than relying solely on campaign rallies.

Tinubu’s Umrah trip: Nigerians deserve a definite return date – Atiku’s aide

Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has asked the Presidency to give Nigerians a definite return date for President Bola Tinubu from his Umrah trip to Saudi Arabia.

Ibe stated this on Thursday in a post on his X handle, hours after the Presidency announced Tinubu’s departure for Makkah.

President Tinubu departed Abuja on Thursday for Makkah to perform Umrah, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Onanuga said the visit gave the President an opportunity for spiritual reflection, devotion and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress, and that he was expected back next week.

Ibe said that, while it is good to pray, faith must be accompanied by action.

‘It is good to pray and maintain a relationship with Almighty God, the author and finisher of our faith. But faith must be accompanied by action. Nigerians need prayers, and they also need competent leadership,’ he said.

He wished Tinubu a spiritually rewarding pilgrimage and urged him to focus on governance on his return.

‘Prayers for peace must be matched by effective action against insecurity. Prayers for prosperity must translate into policies that ease hardship, create jobs and help families put food on their tables,’ Ibe said.

He said Nigerians deserve a definite return date and an explanation for any change in itinerary.

‘The Presidency says he is expected back next week. Nigerians deserve a definite return date and a timely explanation of any change to his itinerary,’ he said.

Ibe said the trip should conclude as announced.

‘In keeping with Atiku Abubakar’s call for transparency, we expect this journey to conclude as announced, without an unexplained detour to France or elsewhere. If medical treatment becomes necessary, the Presidency should communicate honestly about any implications for his return and ability to discharge his duties,’ he said.

He referenced the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s prolonged absence, saying Nigeria must not relive uncertainty and constitutional crisis.

‘If this trip constitutes a vacation, or if President Tinubu becomes unable to discharge his duties, he must comply with Section 145 by notifying the National Assembly so that Vice-President Kashim Shettima can serve as Acting President,’ he said.

Ibe also said Tinubu’s recent Kaduna campaign appearance raised questions about his health and stamina, which required credible information.

‘As this administration approaches four years in office, Nigerians are entitled to demand greater presence, accountability and measurable results. Mr President, pray for Nigeria. Then return and do the work Nigerians elected you to do,’ he added.

837 FCT youths get agricultural training

No fewer than 837 youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have received agricultural training under the Seyi Tinubu Operation Back to Agriculture Initiative (SOBAI), aimed at equipping them with skills to establish farms, create jobs and contribute to food security.

The beneficiaries who completed their training at the initiative’s Kubwa centre in Abuja are now awaiting empowerment support to enable them to establish their own agricultural businesses.

The National Coordinator of SOBAI, Emmanuel Bidi, disclosed this during the training and induction ceremony, saying the initiative was designed to help young people achieve financial independence through agriculture.

He said the programme went beyond skills acquisition by seeking to support beneficiaries to build sustainable businesses that could generate employment and boost food production.

Bidi disclosed that SOBAI, in partnership with Praise Agrovet, had trained and empowered 64,734 youths across the FCT, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Benue and Kano states since its inception.

He said the training covered various agricultural value chains, including poultry production, fish farming and goat rearing.

According to him, the initiative plans to establish and activate 34 training centres with programmes accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), targeting 20 million Nigerian youths by 2030.

He added that the organisation intended to sustain free agricultural training quarterly nationwide and establish farms across the 36 states to serve as centres for research, training and industrial attachment, including for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Bidi called on government agencies, private-sector organisations, community leaders and youth groups to support agricultural education and entrepreneurship, saying access to practical training and start-up support would help young people turn their skills into sustainable livelihoods.

He also stressed the importance of quality animal feed, veterinary products and competent personnel in improving livestock health and farm productivity.

The coordinator further announced that the initiative was targeting five million votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 through youth engagement and grassroots mobilisation in collaboration with the City Boy Movement and other support groups.

He clarified that the figure was a mobilisation target rather than a guaranteed electoral outcome, noting that voting remained the personal choice of eligible citizens and that the initiative’s empowerment programmes would be conducted in line with applicable laws.

Bidi said the programme’s long-term success would depend on effective implementation, transparent administration and partnerships that would help beneficiaries establish viable agricultural businesses.

High costs, land insecurity threaten Jinja investment drive

Jinja’s journey from small fishing village and Nile crossing point to one of Uganda’s leading industrial centres reflects decades of economic evolution.

Once known for electricity generation, city has expanded into manufacturing and trade.

Today, established industries, growing tourism sector and strategic position in eastern Uganda offer opportunities for further investment, but infrastructure gaps and high cost of doing business threaten growth.

Commercial Officer Julius Kabbera identifies agro-processing, manufacturing and tourism among sectors with considerable potential.

City records shared by Ministry of Local Government show 121 registered industries, 115 in Southern Division and six in Northern Division, alongside 285 registered accommodation facilities.

Yet total value of investment remains difficult to establish. Companies do not always disclose financial information, while proposed projects may not translate into actual expenditure. Common information sharing platform with Uganda Investment Authority is lacking.

Agro-processing, tourism offer opportunities

Kabbera identifies rice and maize processing, steel and food manufacturing as areas with room for expansion.

Rice brought from Kibimba scheme, Busembatya, Kenya and Tanzania creates demand for processing, transport, packaging.

Byproducts also offer opportunities in animal-feed production, poultry and piggery and fish farming, all finding market in tourism and hospitality.

Smaller enterprises can participate by supplying raw materials to established businesses.

Tourism is another pillar. The Nile, adventure activities, Bujagali, Busowoko and Itanda waterfalls attract visitors, creating demand for accommodation.

“Accommodation in Jinja is very expensive, given the numbers that we get,” Kabbera said, arguing market could support more investment in hotels and housing.

Major events have linked tourism to local businesses. Nyege Nyege Festival attracted visitors whose spending supported hotels, restaurants, transport operators and food vendors over a week. Organisers relocated festival to Kayunga side of Kalagala Falls citing high costs.

Its departure highlighted economic links between events and local businesses.

Fishing industry has depleted due to poor fishing methods and reluctance to adopt modern methods.

Busoga Kingdom Second Deputy Prime Minister and lead investor Osman Noor Ahmed sees further opportunities.

“Jinja is very fertile, especially for tourism and industrialization. I call upon investors to come because land is available, they can buy and they can put up their investments,” Osman said.

He says kingdom has office to support prospective investors and land for partnerships.

Jobs, cosmopolitan market

Kabbera estimates Jinja’s industries provide about 20,000 jobs, while hotels and lodges account for about 8,000.

With estimated population of 400,000 during day, Jinja has growing demand for housing, transport and consumer businesses.

Its economic reach extends beyond city boundaries to Kakira, Jinja District, Njeru and Kayunga across Nile.

“Accommodation in Jinja is very expensive,” Kabbera noted.

Kabbera argues planning these areas separately risks fragmented infrastructure. Coordinated regional planning would help align roads, transport, industrial development and housing.

City has organised supply-and-demand workshops to help entrepreneurs identify opportunities in oil and gas. Job centre at Crescent Crane Hotel has been established to ease access to qualified workers’ CVs.

Infrastructure, taxes and land security

Despite potential, Jinja faces challenges raising cost of doing business.

An investor who requested anonymity identified unreliable electricity and poor roads as major concerns, saying road conditions increase maintenance costs.

Investor also called for railway rehabilitation and subsidized freight tariffs.

Land security is another concern.

“Investors are fearing about land security,” Osman said, calling for more transparent transactions and smoother process for acquiring titles.

He wants administrative procedures simplified and approvals expedited.

Middle-sized investor in construction and fabrication Ashraf Mugerwa identifies taxes and regulatory requirements as hurdles.

“Generally, the taxes and other requirements can eat up a lot of the intended initial capital investment,” Mugerwa said.

He proposes tax holidays and incentives for domestic medium-sized businesses outside industrial parks.

Making Jinja easier to invest in

Kabbera says city is working to improve investor services.

A one-stop centre has been set at Southern Division offices to bring services involving land registration, licensing nearer agencies such as Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited and Uganda Revenue Authority.

Jinja is working with Uganda National Bureau of Standards on plans to set up regional services centre.

City road improvements are being pursued through pre-financing arrangement with Ministry of Finance, while Kimaka Airstrip is being upgraded to airport.

Kabbera also sees potential in regional and cross-border water transport after completion of docking facilities at Source of the Nile Modern Pier.

He reveals city authorities are now open to greater private-sector participation, including Public-Private Partnerships, to develop idle city land.

Registered industries in Jinja

Southern Division – 115

Northern Division – 06

Total – 121

Registered hotels and lodges in Jinja – 285

Estimated employment opportunities

Industries – 20,000

Hotels – 8,000

Estimated population – 400,000

UBOS 2024 population statistics

Total household population – 279,184

Number of households – 64,760

Average household size – 4.3 persons

Daytime population estimated at 70,748

Breakdown by Division

Jinja North Division – 211,284 people (52,100 households)

Jinja South Division – 67,900 people (19,226 households)

Netanyahu set to remain caretaker after inconclusive Israeli election

Benjamin Netanyahu looked set to remain Israel’s caretaker prime minister after unexpectedly strong backing among Jewish voters left his opponents little apparent prospect of unseating him, ?despite his right-wing bloc losing its parliamentary majority.

With nearly 86% of votes tallied on Wednesday, Israel’s three main broadcasters projected Netanyahu’s bloc of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties would win 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, well ahead of the 48 for rival Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc.

Parties representing Arab Israelis were projected to win an unprecedented 19 seats, leaving Eisenkot little realistic path to power without their broad backing, which many Jewish political leaders reject.

The results could still change as counting continued, but Eisenkot’s bloc of anti-Netanyahu parties, ranging from the centre-left to the hard right, had fallen short of pre-election polls that forecast a tight race.

Netanyahu would remain caretaker prime minister during any coalition negotiations and ?potentially until another election next year.

While a caretaker government faces some constraints, experts say it retains powers, including over the war with Iran.

Guy Lurie, a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, said a caretaker government formally has the same powers as a regular government, but also has ‘a duty of restraint’ and less discretion in some areas.

Security fight sharpens

Netanyahu, addressing his Likud party’s faithful after 3am, called for the formation of ‘a strong, right-wing national government.’

He highlighted Israel’s military successes and raised the prospect of renewed joint military action against Iran alongside his ally, US President ?Donald Trump, saying the two countries had a ‘singular historical opportunity’ to remove what he called the Iranian threat ‘once and for all.’

Trump, who had urged Israeli voters to keep Netanyahu in power so the two leaders could ‘finish the ?job’ in Iran, said Netanyahu had done ‘very well’ and claimed his endorsement had ‘helped him a lot.’

Israel’s high-turnout vote was brushed aside by some in the rest of the Middle East.

In Tehran, banners with images of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reminded Iranians of US and Israeli strikes launched in February, which kicked off the war.

‘I genuinely see the possibility of attack,’ said ?50-year-old Iranian citizen Abdollah Karimi.

Frustration was also palpable in Egypt, the first Arab country to make peace with Israel in 1979.

Outhman Selim, a 62-year-old lawyer, said his hopes that a Netanyahu defeat would steer the ?country away from the far right had been dashed.

Eisenkot acknowledged that Netanyahu remained caretaker prime minister but warned that he might use security for political ends.

‘I call on the heads of the security establishment and the civil service: Netanyahu is caretaker prime minister, without a mandate or the people’s trust,’ he said. ‘Stand firm in the face of any attempt to challenge you.’

Netanyahu’s office has previously rejected accusations that he is using the Iran conflict for political gain and did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

The prospect of a caretaker government without a parliamentary majority weighed on Israeli markets. The shekel currency weakened around 1.6% to 3.10 to the US dollar.

592 candidates seek 52 elective positions in Benue – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday disclosed that 592 candidates are seeking 52 elective positions in Benue State ahead of the 2027 general election.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Benue State, Aminu Idris, made the disclosure at the INEC/Stakeholders meeting held at the Commission’s headquarters in Makurdi.

Idris gave the breakdown of the nomination figures to include 12 candidates contesting the governorship seat, while 40 candidates are seeking the three senatorial positions across the Benue North-East, Benue North-West and Benue South districts.

Also, the breakdown shows that Benue North-East has 12 senatorial candidates, Benue North-West has 13, while Benue South has 15.

He noted that for the House of Representatives, the figures recorded by INEC showed that 118 candidates are contesting across the state’s 11 federal constituencies.

The Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency has the highest number, with 15 candidates, followed by Apa/Agatu and Oju/Obi constituencies, with 12 candidates each.

While Kwande/Ushongo has 11 candidates, Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu, Buruku, Gboko/Tarka, Gwer East/West and Konshisha/Vandeikya have 10 candidates each with Guma/Makurdi and Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo constituencies having nine candidates each.

The REC added that 422 candidates are contesting for 37 constituencies in the State House of Assembly, noting that the increase number of the state constituencies from 32 to 37 followed the restoration of five suppressed constituencies by the court.

He urged political parties to begin preparation for the January 16, 2027 and February 6, 2027 general elections while assuring stakeholders of INEC readiness to conduct the polls.

Idris further disclosed a total of 3,057,225 registered voters in 276 registration areas (RA’s ‘wards’) in the state with the exercise expected to hold across 5, 102 polling units in the state.

Court sacks Lukman, orders INEC to recognise Owadara as NDC candidate

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the name and particulars of Olumuyiwa Owadara as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency I in the 2027 general election.

The court, presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko, nullified INEC’s earlier recognition of Ibrahim Alabi Lukman as the party’s candidate, set aside the commission’s August 1 publication of his name and awarded N1 million in costs against INEC and Lukman.

In the judgment delivered on October 20, the judge held that Owadara won the NDC primary election conducted on May 29 and monitored by INEC, noting that the commission had no lawful basis to recognise Lukman, who did not participate in the exercise.

Justice Aluko relied on INEC’s monitoring report, which stated that Owadara ‘scored the highest number of lawful votes cast’ during the primary.

The court noted that the NDC maintained it did not conduct any other primary election for the constituency and that Lukman did not participate in the recognised exercise.

Despite this, INEC published Lukman’s name and particulars as the party’s candidate, leaving Owadara off its list, although Owadara said he had completed and submitted the required nomination forms.

In its defence, INEC argued that it published the names uploaded to its platform by political parties, including the NDC.

However, Justice Aluko rejected the explanation, ruling that it was not supported by credible evidence.

‘I am of the view that the evidence of the 1st Defendant that the names it published are the names uploaded on its platform by political parties including the 2nd Defendant is not supported or corroborated by any credible evidence,’ the judge held.

The court also noted that the NDC denied submitting Lukman’s name and accused INEC of imposing him on the party.

Justice Aluko stressed that the commission lacked the authority to determine a party’s candidate outside the provisions of the law.

‘The Commission has no lawful basis or justification to publish the name and particulars of the 3rd Defendant as the candidate of the 2nd Defendant for the said election,’ he said.

The judge held that the publication violated Sections 29(1), 32(1) and 84(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which govern the submission of candidates emerging from party primaries and INEC’s monitoring of such exercises.

He added that there was no credible evidence that the NDC had taken steps to change its candidate under Section 33 of the Act or conducted another primary election.

‘There is no credible evidence before the court to suggest that the 2nd Defendant as a political party took steps to change its candidate in line with the provision of section 33 of the Electoral Act or that another primary election was held by the 2nd Defendant,’ the judge said.

Justice Aluko ruled that Owadara had established his case with credible evidence, finding that the primary election was conducted in accordance with the party’s guidelines, constitution and the Electoral Act.

‘It is my humble but firm conviction that the Plaintiff has established by credible evidence that the primary election was conducted in consonance with the Guidelines, Constitution of the 2nd Defendant and the Electoral Act and that the Plaintiff emerged the winner,’ he held.

The court further ruled that INEC’s publication of Lukman’s name breached the NDC’s guidelines and constitution, as well as relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

In reaching the decision, the court relied on the Supreme Court judgment in Igboke v. Chukwu (2023), which set aside INEC’s publication of a candidate who had not won the relevant party primary.

The court also dismissed Lukman’s objection to its jurisdiction, which was based on his claim that he had not been properly served with the originating summons.

Lukman had argued that he was in London when service was purportedly effected and denied ownership of the WhatsApp number and email address used to serve the court processes.

However, the court noted that it had authorised substituted service on August 19 after the bailiff failed to serve him personally. According to the bailiff’s affidavit, the processes were subsequently served through WhatsApp on August 24.

Justice Aluko found that the telephone number used for the service was the same number Lukman supplied to INEC in his Form EC9, an affidavit of personal particulars sworn to on June 27 and tendered by Owadara.

‘There is however a credible evidence before the court to demonstrate that the 3rd Defendant is not truthful after all,’ the judge said.

The court also considered WhatsApp exchanges between the lawyers representing Owadara and Lukman, which showed that court processes were exchanged on August 27, 28 and 31.

Citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Saleh v. Abah, Justice Aluko held that service on a party’s counsel who did not deny receiving the processes was valid.

The judge further noted that Lukman did not file a counter-affidavit or defence to the originating summons and had therefore failed to controvert Owadara’s claims.

Reacting to the judgment, Owadara’s counsel, Festus Ogun, managing partner of FOLEGAL, said the ruling reaffirmed the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law.

Ogun said his legal team was relieved that the court had demonstrated its commitment to dispensing justice without fear or favour.

He described INEC’s publication of the name of a candidate who did not participate in the recognised primary as an injustice to the legitimate winner and a stain on the electoral process.

‘We are happy the court agreed with us and ordered INEC to substitute the name for our client. This is a victory for democracy,’ he said.

The NDC, through its counsel, Ikechukwu Onodi, had argued that INEC lacked the power to substitute a validly nominated candidate, maintaining that candidate substitution was an internal party matter subject to statutory conditions.

Onodi also submitted that INEC’s role in party primaries was limited to monitoring the exercise and seeking clarification where necessary.

INEC’s counsel, Segun Bello, argued that determining the candidate sponsored by a political party was not the commission’s responsibility and that it was required to remain neutral.

In a further development, FOLEGAL, in a letter dated October 23, forwarded a certified true copy of the judgment to INEC’s national chairman and requested immediate compliance with the court’s orders.

‘We respectfully anticipate your earnest compliance with the said Orders of the Court,’ the letter signed by Ogun stated.

Reps ask FG to rename Taraba varsity after T.Y. Danjuma

The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to rename the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State, after retired Lt. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma.

The proposed name is T.Y. Danjuma Federal University, Wukari (TYDFUW), subject to an amendment of the university’s enabling Act.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Gaza Gbefwi, Mark Useni and Ayuba Zaku Dampar during Wednesday’s plenary session.

The lawmakers noted that the university was established in 2011 to expand access to higher education, promote research and contribute to national development.

They also recognised Danjuma’s contributions to Nigeria through military and public service, philanthropy, and support for education, healthcare and vulnerable communities.

The House said renaming the institution after the retired general would honour his contributions to national development and preserve his legacy of service for future generations.

The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to effect the proposed renaming, subject to the required amendment of the university’s enabling legislation.

The House also mandated its Committee on University Education to engage relevant stakeholders and facilitate the legislative measures required to give effect to the proposal.

Abe to Amaechi: dump Atiku it’s South’s turn

Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Senator Magnus Abe has called on former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to resign as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the January 16 poll.

Abe said the 2027 presidency should remain in the South in line with an unwritten power-rotation agreement between the North and South.

He also urged the ADC presidential candidate and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to respect the power-sharing understanding and wait for the North’s turn.

The former federal lawmaker also assured that the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State would mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

Abe in a statement by his Media aide Parry Benson recalled that Amaechi while serving as governor of Rivers State had argued against former President Goodluck Jonathan seeking a second term citing the need to respect the unwritten agreement that power should rotate between the North and South.

He said it was contradictory for Amaechi to now support a Northern presidential candidate when according to him it was the South’s turn.

The NUPRC chairman said: ‘Your Excellency I have two simple messages to deliver. The first is that somebody called me and told me ‘ Oh I’ve been listening to your leader. It’s like you people are with Tinubu.

‘I said no you have not been listening to the leader of the Rainbow Coalition; we are not just with Tinubu we are in Tinubu. We are by Tinubu. We are for Tinubu.

”We are Tinubu here in this coalition. That is the position of the Rainbow Coalition.

‘The second thing that I want to say is about Atiku Abubakar that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has gone to take the ticket as a vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar in one political party.

‘I am not sure of the name of that party.

But I have a message from Rivers people to Chibuike Amaechi. When Goodluck Jonathan was the President of Nigeria from the South-South Amaechi was our leader.

‘And he told us here in Rivers State that Rivers State is committed to the unity of Nigeria and that the unwritten agreement in Nigeria is that power must go between the North and the South.

”That if we allow Goodluck to break that unwritten agreement it will destroy the chance of all other minorities in the future to aspire to the presidency.

‘Today the same man who led us to go against our son and our brother is now trying to lead us to go and support somebody from the North when it is the turn of the South.

‘On behalf of all of us here in Rivers State we want to call on Amaechi to immediately respect his own position and resign as the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar because it is the turn of the South and Rivers State is bound by the agreement between the North and the South.

‘Our votes will go to Ahmed Bola Tinubu a candidate of the South. Atiku Abubakar should wait and respect the agreement of North and South which enabled him to be vice president and enabled him to contest at other times. This is the turn of the South.

‘Amaechi our son should respect our position and resign immediately in keeping with the position that he stated.’

ADC-PCC accuses APC of evading questions on alleged sale of appointments

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has again reacted to remarks attributed to a spokesperson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alwan Hassan, on the alleged payment for ministerial appointments.

The reaction was contained in a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, following a response by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.

Ologbondiyan said the remarks attributed to Hassan raised questions about the integrity of ministerial appointments and called for clarification.

He said the APC should address the issues raised by the allegation rather than attempt to mislead the public.

‘The confession attributed to Alwan Hassan is patriotic, and its unmistakable target was administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ he said.

He expressed concern over what he described as challenges in the functioning of ministries, directorates and agencies under the current administration.

The ADC-PCC spokesman also questioned the implementation of federal budgets over the last three years, alleging poor budget execution.

He said the Presidency should publicly address the remarks attributed to Hassan.

‘Till this moment, Presidency has not denied its spokesperson’s confession to Nigerians,’ Ologbondiyan said.

He further alleged that recruitment opportunities in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) were being sold and called for a transparent explanation and investigation where evidence exists.

Ologbondiyan urged Nigerians to use the 2027 general election to demand accountable leadership and a better future for the country.