Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The wife of presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, Hajiya Aminat Titi Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday urged women not to allow vote buying ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the inauguration of ADC National Women’s League and the unveiling of ADC Women 1-10 Votes initiative in Abuja, Mrs Atiku said cost of living crisis has forced many children out of school, and women as mothers cannot remain silent.

‘Today, many of our children are out of school because cost of living has become extremely difficult for families. As women and mothers, we cannot continue to remain silent,’ she said.

She appealed to women not to allow anyone to buy their votes.

‘Women, I appeal to you: do not allow anyone to buy your vote,’ she said.

Mrs Atiku urged women to sensitise people, especially in rural communities, on power of their votes, warning against politicians who take advantage of hunger to offer money or food items during elections.

‘During elections, some people go into villages, take advantage of hunger and hardship, and offer people money, food, or other items in exchange for their votes. They may give you N1,000, N2,000, a bag of rice, or even N50,000. But ask yourself: how long will that money or food last? What happens after the election?’ she said.

She noted that there have been situations where people collected money but still voted according to their conscience, describing it as power of free and independent vote.

She called on women to stand up for their rights, their children and generation yet unborn.

‘If we fail to act today, generations coming after us may hold us responsible for decisions we make now. We must leave behind a country where our children can have better opportunities and a better future,’ she said.

Mrs Atiku said women have always demonstrated strength, courage and determination, and can make tremendous difference when they decide to act.

‘Women have always demonstrated strength, courage, and determination. When women decide to do something, they can make a tremendous difference. That is why I believe in our women. Women, this is our turn. This is our right,’ she said.

She urged women to encourage other women, children, friends and eligible voters to go to polling units and exercise civic rights peacefully and responsibly.

‘Nobody should deceive you. Enough of the deception,’ she said.

She quoted Yoruba proverb: ‘Obìnrín kì í j? akara kí ó fi ?w?´ kan un,’ explaining that lesson is that temporary benefits should not distract from bigger picture.

‘Bread today cannot solve problems of tomorrow. So, question we must continue to ask is: when will things truly get better?’ she said.

‘Women, arise and shine. This is an opportunity for us to make our voices heard and participate fully in democratic process. Let us use our votes wisely, peacefully, and according to our conscience. This is our civic right. This is our responsibility. This is our opportunity,’ she added.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed a suit challenging the emergence of former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, as presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, held in a judgment on Wednesday that the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026, filed by an aggrieved PRP presidential aspirant, Mr Yakubu Kingsley, was statute-barred.

The judge upheld the preliminary objections raised against the competence of the suit by Duke and the party and further held that the suit, being a pre-election matter, was filed in violation of the provision of Section 285(9) of the Constitution.

Justice Umar said, having been filed on June 10, 16 days after the results of the PRP’s presidential primary election conducted on May 25 was made public, it was statute-barred and faulted Kingsley’s contention that the 14-day limit allowed by the Constitution for the filing of pre-election cases ought to start counting from June 6 when the party’s appeal committee wrote to him to communicate its decision, rejecting his appeal.

The judge proceeded to decline jurisdiction, holding that the suit, having been found to be statute-barred, robbed the court of the requisite jurisdiction to hear and determine it and however, he proceeded to also determine the suit on the merits and equally dismissed it on the grounds that the plaintiff failed to prove his case.

He faulted the plaintiff’s argument that Duke was validly returned as PRP’s presidential candidate in the May 25 primary election, having allegedly not been a registered member of the party when the PRP submitted its membership register to INEC on May 4.

Justice Umar held that the issue of membership of a political party is an internal affair of the political party, which is non-justiciable and over which the court lacked jurisdiction.

The judge also faulted the plaintiff’s claim that Duke did not comply with the party’s guidelines, was ineligible to participate in the primary election and ought not to have been cleared to contest, having allegedly failed to physically appear for screening at the party’s national secretariat.

He noted that while Kingsley referred to the PRP’s guidelines, which he claimed Duke violated, he failed to produce the said guidelines before the court as required.

Justice Umar rejected Kingsley’s claim of over-voting during the primary election in states like Bauchi, Kwara and Gombe, holding that he failed to prove over-voting as required by law.

Kingsley had, in his originating summons, urged the court to determine whether Duke was validly returned as the party’s presidential candidate in the May 25 primary election, having allegedly not been a registered member of the PRP when the party submitted its membership register to INEC on May 4.

He prayed for a declaration that Duke was ineligible to participate in the primary election and ought not to have been cleared to contest, having allegedly failed to physically appear for screening at the party’s national secretariat.

The plaintiff also prayed the court to set aside the results from Bauchi, Gombe and Kwara states over alleged over-voting and declare him the PRP presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

He further sought an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise Duke as the party’s presidential candidate and to, instead recognise him as the PRP’s flagbearer.

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged President Bola Tinubu and other political office holders to spend their holidays in Nigeria, saying doing so would give them a better understanding of the difficulties confronting vulnerable citizens.

Obi made the call on Wednesday after a two-day visit to Sokoto State, where he met with different groups and visited the Ramin Kura Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in the Sokoto North Local Government Area.

The former Anambra State governor said the condition of residents at the camp highlighted the need for political leaders to experience first-hand the realities faced by Nigerians affected by insecurity and displacement.

According to Obi, more than 1,000 displaced persons are currently living at the Ramin Kura camp, where he said some families were staying in makeshift structures and thatched rooms.

He said some of the rooms were occupied by as many as 10 people, while the camp lacked sufficient toilet facilities, a primary healthcare centre and a basic school for children.

Obi said the situation was particularly troubling given that the residents had been forced to leave their communities because of insecurity.

He called on the government to improve the immediate living conditions of displaced Nigerians while intensifying efforts to address the security problems preventing them from returning home.

‘I have always insisted that as long as even one Nigerian lives in an IDP camp, we are all internally displaced,’ Obi said in a statement shared on his X account.

He also said temporary shelters should be made more suitable for the displaced while the authorities work towards creating the conditions required for their safe return to their ancestral communities.

Obi disclosed that the Sokoto visit marked his 12th visit to an IDP camp across Nigeria, adding that he would continue to provide support to displaced persons.

He further criticised what he described as inadequate attention to critical areas of development, arguing that the vulnerability of displaced Nigerians had been compounded by the failure to address their basic needs.

‘This is why I continue to say that the President’s and political office holders’ holidays must be within Nigeria, so that they can see first-hand the difficulties faced by these fellow Nigerians,’ he said.

Obi urged the Federal Government and relevant agencies to take immediate steps to address the needs of residents at the Ramin Kura camp.

He said tackling the humanitarian situation must go alongside efforts to resolve the security challenges that forced thousands of Nigerians to abandon their homes.

The Nigerian naira appreciated slightly against the United States (US) dollar, trading at N1,330.4737 at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official foreign exchange (FX) window on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

The data shared on the CBN’s official platform shows that the naira traded at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate of N1,330.4737 per dollar and closed at N1,331.0000 per dollar.

The currency, which traded at an NFEM rate of N1,331.3292 on September 28, 2026, appreciated slightly by at least N0.86 after trading activities on Tuesday.

At the parallel market, the buying remained the same while the selling rate increased by N3 when compared to the previous trading rate on Monday , September 28, 2026.

According to Aboki FX , the Naira-to-dollar exchange rate at the black market on Tuesday , September 29, 2026, was N1,375 and N1,385 per dollar for buying and selling rates, respectively.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Wednesday congratulated the Speaker of the 10th House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on the occasion of his 61st birthday, describing him as an exemplary leader and nation-builder whose commitment to democratic values has continued to strengthen the institution of the National Assembly.

Hon. Kalu, in a congratulatory message, praised Speaker Tajudeen for his distinguished leadership of the House, noting that his calm disposition, wisdom, humility and commitment to institutional development have contributed significantly to the stability and effectiveness of the 10th House of Representatives.

According to him, Speaker Tajudeen has demonstrated through his leadership that effective governance is anchored on collaboration, inclusivity, accountability and an unwavering commitment to the interests of Nigerians.

He commended the Speaker for providing purposeful leadership in advancing legislative reforms, strengthening democratic institutions and supporting initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Citizens.

Hon. Kalu further acknowledged Abbas’ commitment to fostering unity among members of the House, describing his leadership style as a model of maturity, patriotism and service to the nation.

He prayed to God to grant the Speaker continued good health, wisdom and strength as he leads the House in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

The Deputy Speaker said: ‘On behalf of my family and the good people of Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, I warmly felicitate with my boss, big brother and friend, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on the occasion of his 61st birthday.

‘Your remarkable journey in public service and your stewardship of the 10th House of Representatives continue to reflect the virtues of humility, empathy, selflessness and dedication to the common good.

‘Under your leadership, the House has enjoyed an atmosphere of stability, cooperation and productivity. Your ability to build bridges, foster consensus and inspire confidence among members has contributed immensely to the progress recorded by the 10th Assembly.

‘On this special occasion, I wish you many more years of good health, wisdom, fulfilment and impactful service to our fatherland.’

Nigeria’s equities market added about N64 trillion to its market capitalisation in the first nine months of 2026, rising from N99.38 trillion at the end of 2025 to about N163 trillion by 30 September, as the NGX All-Share Index sustained a strong rally to deliver a 61.4 per cent year-to-date return.

The increase represents a market-value expansion of about 64 per cent in nine months, reflecting the scale of repricing across the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) this year, although the performance has been characterised by sharp rallies, corrections and increased volatility.

The NGX All-Share Index, which closed 2025 at 155,613.03 points after gaining 51.19 per cent during the year, ended September trading at 251,211.67 points, representing a gain of more than 95,500 points from its 2025 closing level.

The market’s strong performance has been driven by sustained domestic participation, improved corporate earnings expectations, banking-sector recapitalisation activities, corporate actions and increased liquidity, while investors have continued to reprice equities amid changing macroeconomic conditions.

The latest trading session on Wednesday, however, ended on a bearish note, as losses in MTN Nigeria Communications, Haldane McCall, Fidelity Bank and Access Corporation dragged the benchmark index lower by 0.3 per cent.

Consequently, the market’s September gain settled at 2.9 per cent, while its year-to-date return moderated to 61.4 per cent.

Trading activity remained strong despite the decline in the index, with total volume traded rising by 88.7 per cent to 1.04 billion shares, valued at N53.64 billion in 44,469 deals.

VFD Group dominated trading by volume with 158.18 million shares, while UACN recorded the highest transaction value at N21.51 billion.

The session also reflected mixed performance across sectors. The Industrial Goods Index rose by 0.7 per cent, while the Insurance Index declined by 1 per cent and the Banking Index fell by 0.6 per cent. The Oil and Gas and Consumer Goods indices closed flat.

Market breadth was negative, with 25 stocks gaining against 28 decliners, resulting in a 0.9x breadth ratio. Learnafrica, down 10 per cent, and Thomas Wyatt Nigeria, which declined by 9.8 per cent, led the losers, while Haldane McCall and Critical Minerals Financing Corporation recorded the strongest gains, rising by 10 per cent and 9.9 per cent, respectively.

The September performance capped a third-quarter recovery after the market experienced a sharp correction in June.

The first half of the year had produced an exceptionally strong rally, with the ASI rising to 229,419.18 points by the end of June, representing a 47.43 per cent year-to-date gain. Market capitalisation had also climbed to about N147 trillion at the end of the first half.

The market subsequently regained momentum in the third quarter, pushing the benchmark above the 250,000-point level and taking market capitalisation beyond N163 trillion.

By 31 August, the ASI had risen to 244,199.39 points, representing a 56.93 per cent year-to-date return, while market capitalisation stood at N157.74 trillion.

September extended the rally, with the index reaching new highs during the month. On 24 September, the ASI rose to 252,150.01 points, while market capitalisation reached N163.679 trillion, a record at the time.

The subsequent pullback has done little to erase the broader gains accumulated during the year, leaving the market more than 60 per cent higher than its end-2025 level.

A major feature of the 2026 market has been the growing dominance of domestic investors. Between January and August, total NGX equities turnover rose to N13.25 trillion, representing a 91.5 per cent increase from N6.92 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Domestic investors accounted for N11.89 trillion, representing 89.77 per cent of total turnover, compared with N5.46 trillion, or 78.99 per cent, in the corresponding period of 2025.

Foreign investors accounted for N1.35 trillion, representing 10.23 per cent of turnover, compared with N1.45 trillion recorded in the comparable period.

The increase in domestic participation has provided substantial liquidity for the market’s rally, even as foreign participation remained relatively subdued.

The year has also witnessed major developments in market infrastructure, including the implementation of the T+1 settlement cycle from 1 June, which reduced the settlement period for eligible transactions from two business days to one.

Corporate restructuring and capital-raising activities have also remained prominent, particularly in the banking and insurance sectors, as listed companies continue to respond to regulatory requirements and changing market conditions.

With the ASI closing the first nine months at 251,211.67 points and market capitalisation at about N163 trillion, the NGX enters the final quarter of 2026 after adding roughly N64 trillion in market value since December.

The performance leaves investors heading into the final quarter with substantial gains already recorded, while the market’s direction will continue to be shaped by corporate earnings, liquidity, valuations, capital-market activity and broader economic developments.

Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has commenced a free shuttle bus service in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, aimed at reducing the transportation burden on residents.

The initiative, known as Karimi Cares Free Shuttle Bus Service, commenced on Wednesday, with the initial route covering the Army Barracks-Lokoja New Market/Nataco Junction corridor.

The service is expected to benefit commuters, civil servants, students, traders and other residents who travel along the route daily.

The initiative comes amid rising transportation costs, which have increased the financial burden on households and individuals who depend on public transportation.

According to the organisers, the intervention is designed to provide immediate relief to residents by helping them save money on daily transportation expenses.

A statement by the Chief Musa Bakare described the initiative as an example of people-oriented representation, stressing that the impact of political representation should be felt in the everyday lives of citizens.

Bakare said the free shuttle service would provide practical assistance to workers travelling to their places of work, students going to school and traders heading to markets, among others.

He noted that for low-income families struggling with food, education, healthcare and transportation expenses, any reduction in daily transport costs could provide meaningful relief.

The media strategist said the initiative was not only about providing transportation but also about bringing constituency representation closer to the people.

He added that the commencement of the service in Lokoja could stimulate further discussions about Senator Karimi’s programmes and interventions in Kogi West.

The shuttle service, according to the statement, is expected to operate along the designated corridor as part of the broader Karimi Cares initiative.

Bakare said the intervention reflected the principle that public service should respond to the immediate needs of citizens, particularly during periods of economic pressure.

He added that the free transportation service would provide residents with an opportunity to experience a direct intervention targeted at one of their daily challenges.

The initiative is part of the activities associated with Senator Karimi’s representation of Kogi West in the National Assembly. Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has commenced a free shuttle bus service in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, aimed at reducing the transportation burden on residents.

The initiative, known as Karimi Cares Free Shuttle Bus Service, commenced on Wednesday, with the initial route covering the Army Barracks-Lokoja New Market/Nataco Junction corridor.

The service is expected to benefit commuters, civil servants, students, traders and other residents who travel along the route daily.

The initiative comes amid rising transportation costs, which have increased the financial burden on households and individuals who depend on public transportation.

According to the organisers, the intervention is designed to provide immediate relief to residents by helping them save money on daily transportation expenses.

A statement by the Chief Musa Bakare described the initiative as an example of people-oriented representation, stressing that the impact of political representation should be felt in the everyday lives of citizens.

Bakare said the free shuttle service would provide practical assistance to workers travelling to their places of work, students going to school and traders heading to markets, among others.

He noted that for low-income families struggling with food, education, healthcare and transportation expenses, any reduction in daily transport costs could provide meaningful relief.

The media strategist said the initiative was not only about providing transportation but also about bringing constituency representation closer to the people.

He added that the commencement of the service in Lokoja could stimulate further discussions about Senator Karimi’s programmes and interventions in Kogi West.

The shuttle service, according to the statement, is expected to operate along the designated corridor as part of the broader Karimi Cares initiative.

Bakare said the intervention reflected the principle that public service should respond to the immediate needs of citizens, particularly during periods of economic pressure.

He added that the free transportation service would provide residents with an opportunity to experience a direct intervention targeted at one of their daily challenges.

The initiative is part of the activities associated with Senator Karimi’s representation of Kogi West in the National Assembly.

The Federal Government has set December 15, 2026, as the deadline for completing the national ranking of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria.

The exercise is being coordinated by the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee under the Federal Ministry of Education.

The ranking is expected to provide a framework for measuring the performance of tertiary institutions, identifying areas that need improvement and encouraging competition among public and private institutions.

The Chairman of NiTERAC, Prof. Peter Okebukola, disclosed this in a presentation on Nigeria’s performance in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, dated September 30, 2026.

According to Okebukola, the exercise followed a directive from the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and would cover universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

He said, ‘As directed by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee has started the process of the 2026 ranking of Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

‘The national ranking is intended to stimulate healthy internal competition among Nigerian tertiary institutions and to position the Nigerian tertiary education system for improved global ranking in the coming years.

‘The university ranking will use 22 indicators, with weightings agreed with the League of Directors of Academic Planning, and the three sub-sector rankings are scheduled for completion before 15 December 2026. Section 13 describes the exercise.’

The exercise will assess all three major categories of tertiary institutions, expanding the government’s ranking system beyond universities.

Nigeria’s performance in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings was also highlighted in Okebukola’s presentation.

According to the presentation, 29 Nigerian universities featured in the rankings, compared with 24 in the previous edition. This made Nigeria the most represented country in sub-Saharan Africa.

The University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Covenant University were placed in the global 801-1,000 band, while four other Nigerian universities were placed in the 1,001-1,200 category.

Another 32 Nigerian universities were listed in the Reporter category, bringing the number of institutions that submitted data or engaged with the ranking process to 61.

Reporter status means an institution provided data but did not meet one or more requirements for inclusion in the ranked tables.

The presentation noted that only 29 of the 328 universities listed by the National Universities Commission appeared in the ranked category.

It identified research funding, publication productivity, institutional data management and international collaboration as areas that require attention.

It also noted differences among institutions in teaching, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook.

The national ranking is expected to give tertiary institutions a domestic benchmark for measuring their performance, identifying gaps and planning improvements.

The exercise will involve data collection, validation and finalisation of the assessment framework ahead of the December 15, 2026 deadline.

As businesses expand across multiple markets, banks, accounts and entities, managing corporate cash is becoming increasingly complex. Finance and treasury teams are often required to work across multiple banking portals, spreadsheets, approval processes and currencies to understand their organisation’s complete financial position.

Duplo is introducing its Treasury Management System (TMS) to help businesses bring greater visibility, control and efficiency to their treasury operations from a single platform.

The launch marks another step in Duplo’s evolution as a financial technology company serving the changing needs of African businesses. Duplo recently launched its payments infrastructure for enterprise businesses looking for a more reliable and secure way to process thousands of transactions within seconds. The company also introduced an NRS-approved e-invoicing feature, helping businesses stay compliant while managing their invoicing requirements.

Now, with the launch of its Treasury Management System, Duplo is expanding further into the financial infrastructure that businesses need as they grow and become more complex.

For a growing or enterprise business, one of the most important questions a finance team needs to answer is ‘What is our total cash position right now?’

Getting that answer, however, can be far from simple when cash is spread across multiple banks, accounts and entities. Duplo TMS brings these different financial positions together, allowing treasury teams to view their cash position in one place and make more informed decisions about how money is managed across the organisation.

The platform enables businesses to monitor cash across banks, accounts and entities, while also providing tools to forecast future cash positions, manage liquidity and move funds where they are needed.

This gives treasury teams greater visibility not only into what they have today, but also into what is expected in the days and weeks ahead.

For businesses operating multiple entities or managing significant transaction volumes, these capabilities can help reduce the complexity associated with managing treasury operations across disconnected systems.

The platform is already attracting interest from major FMCG businesses in Nigeria, with several currently exploring how the TMS can support their treasury operations. Following this initial market interest, Duplo is now opening the platform to more businesses that have a need for greater visibility and control over their cash and treasury operations.

Mallam Shehu Bankole Hameed is the chairman and coordinator of Team Prosper, an organisation comprising core professionals mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection. In this interaction with KUNLE ODEREMI, speaks on issues surrounding Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, ongoing campaign for the general election, fuel subsidy removal, face-off between Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, and APC governors, among others. Excerpts:

At the threshold of its 66th Independence Day, Nigeria is still battling challenges in many fronts? What do you consider as the encumbrances in the quest by the country to attain nationhood?

It has not been rosy at all. On the economic space, what has been the bane of our past economic managers – military or civilian – has largely been poor understanding of what makes for growth, the utilisation of resources, gross inefficiency in the workforce and the proclivity to mismanagement, including the absence of accountability. Poor judicial process even when we seek to hold the very few ‘unlucky’ ones accountable. On the political side, our experience is intriguing, especially when you study the emergence of three major regions in the First Republic, and how they failed to address the political unity and stability of the country. The incursion of the military into the political space, in the guise of ‘correcting the malaise of corruption’ of the civilian politicians, and the attendant fallouts have continued to affect the quality of political space and [participation in Nigeria.

The quest by the Biafrans for autonomy might have been easily dealt with, but for the covetousness of the seceding polity. When any group of people demand from others what isn’t legally, culturally theirs, there’s bound to be mutual distrust for a long time. As it stands, things haven’t changed, only getting worse for unity. At the recent Abuja discourse, the Igbos made claims to a land that clearly its owners rejected. Which way forward after that, if not distrust and suspicion? This sort of insistence, distrust and unreliability of the geopolitical zones go a long way to affect every policy designed for success. Much energy is dedicated to countering sectional demands, prejudices and stereotypes.

Despite the picture you have painted about Nigeria, the era of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo raised a bright and promising hope and future of a prosperous Nigeria. He was able to lay the foundation for greater heights soon. How come the lofty dreams of the new vista and dawn of the Awo era soon fizzled out?

Chief Awolowo is revered particularly in the South-West (which, in the beginning, was ‘Western’ Nigeria before Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe ensured the breakaway of the now Edo/Delta as Midwest region. The Western region included most of what we now know largely as Lagos State. The federal Capital was mostly Lagos Island, Ikoyi and Victoria Island. The economic and social sustainability of Awolowo’s policies and programmes were anchored on the unfettered access to Education – free Education. I see a pattern with PBAT here with his focus on education anchored by the Minister of Education, Chief (Dr) Tunji Moruf Alausa, CON.

Succeeding generations of our rulers neglected the education sector and the acquisition of skills, which greatly diminished our country’s economic space and limited our capacity for growth. I see a ray of light in the approach of this Education minister and his team; TVET, NELFUND, and the recognition of ASUU as partners in progress. Maybe if this administration’s response is sustained, then Awolowo and his dreams of a decent and developed, well-educated populace may be met soon.

A lot of Nigerians believe the country should have made a more positive effect on the average Nigerian following the return to civil rule in 1999 after a long interregnum of military dictatorship. Indices of mass poverty, severe economic hardship, rural neglect, and other core issues subsist? Why do you think this trend has continued, despite Nigeria’s enormous human and natural endowments?

Let me disagree with your general accusation that the country hasn’t really progressed in almost three decades. I think we have had some noticeable progress in infrastructural development – roads, education sector (number of schools, scholarship and rankings) , financial services industry, and indeed stability in civilian governance, which we like to call democracy. I acknowledge that there are lots of gaps in what ought to be as against what is obtained. This progress must also be measured region by region. The Northern Region, which I belong to, has been battered largely by poor leadership, religious strife, cattle rustling, terrorism and a huge number of out-of-school children. The destruction of the manufacturing base by the Abuja contract-seeking elite, extremely poor access to working capital, insane foreign exchange policy and more. Despite all these shortcomings and stark realities, , there’s real opportunity for growth, if the various divisive rhetoric and politics are curtailed. The constant struggle to find balance among the different interests is a great challenge. Until most of our people decide to forge ahead ignoring the annoying divisive tendencies of a minority group, we may find our path to success strung with pullbacks.

Your party had promised to restore smiles to the faces of the citizens after what many of its leaders termed the era of locusts and misrule of PDP for 16 years? Why has APC reneged on the promise since 2015 when it formed the government at the centre?

This is a good one. First, the major failure of the initial outing with ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was the stubborn romance with the twin issues of petroleum subsidy and FX subsidy. By skirting around these problematic giveaways, the administration had very little left for development. Another impediment was the way his aides and cronies disregarded his authority; they set up a parallel Aso rock office of the President – if I may call it that. Consequently, the nation suffered from lack of feedback from appointees and the mismanagement of authority and access to the President. However, many of these issues are now being addressed by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Although gaps still exist in feedback and abuse of access to power, there’s renewed hope.

How do you see ongoing campaigns by the presidential candidates and their political parties as some observers claim are devoid of most of the core issues that have direct impact on the majority of the citizens and the future of Nigeria?

I don’t see any of the parties, including the party in power, truly reflecting what the campaign issues ought to be. The real issues affecting the citizens are poor purchasing power, loss of trust in those governing the country, insecurity, and general distrust of politicians. Notice how the main opposition isn’t different from what was obtained in the last general election. A former ally of (Asiwaju) President Bola Tinubu Asiwaju and a man who has made the pulpit and his tribe is a case study. The former obviously shares many similarities in delivery with his former ally. They both want the subsidy gone, until he now finds convenience in rebuttal with no clear roadmap to success of returning subsidy. Seeking power but not sure if you can truly offer a lasting solution to the gaps that have now clearly exist by the removal of fuel subsidy and that of FX. We need to know how they will tackle the nonchalance of the other subnational levels. The local governments have more financial independence and larger allocations than before, yet little to show for it. The governors now only satisfy themselves by paying wages and salaries on time. Why aren’t we concluded with elections at the gubernatorial and local governments levels?

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs to speak to these glaring gaps. He is most likely to win the 2027 election. And to imagine that former Vice President Atiku may win might not be far-fetched, but if he wins, what are his ideas about the performance of the subnationals in his administration? He is not talking about that issue. No one is talking about the levels of poverty occasioned by the fall of naira and the consequent increase in every price of items imaginable. The most important issue is the price of food items.

What is your disposition to the raging brickbat between APC governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over the latter’s formation of a rainbow coalition to rally support for Mr President.

The scenario that the President faces in the coming presidential election is bringing back some memories that preceded the 2023 election. Recall that in that election, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was seen as anti-Asiwaju due to the several moves to create real and artificial hardships: the scarcity of fuel, the ill-advised currency change, the deep-seated hatred by many in the past government of the man, and problem of religion, where majority of the Christians sided with a ‘chosen’ anointed candidate, the issue of Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who showed no qualms in disrespecting the silent but observable understanding of power shift from the North to the South; health challenges whether real or imagined. So, many negatives were lined up against the person of Candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a ray of hope was offered by the group of PDP-(G5) governors, led by His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and the rest is history.

Now, Minister Nyesom Wike has been honest with his intention from the moment he loudly declared that he is a PDP member, who supports the presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Period! Whatever he is doing at this time isn’t different from whatever he did in the past. I will even argue that he single handedly may be responsible for a huge number of positive votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT)more than the entire APC governors. Many of the APC governors aren’t bothered about the reelection of PBAT. This is because they aren’t sure of their own chances. There are a few northern governors, who have openly campaigned for ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; how do you explain that? I support the Honourable Minister Wike and his moves. I hope Allah will guide the PBAT in wisdom to make the best decision.

Why is it difficult for the APC to move against those governors that you claim are working for the opposition candidate?

These governors are known to have performed very poorly, despite all the overly generous revenue from FAAC, so their diabolical move away from the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is in response to the cry of their people about hardships occasioned by the subsidy removal in petroleum products and in FX, throwing the President under the bus, to save their own chances. APC governors are responding by blaming Minister Wike, rather than facing their poor performance. The party appears held hostage by the governors.