Politics

See INEC final list for 2027 Senate elections

Published

3 weeks ago

September 14, 2026

The release of the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission has heightened the battle for the 109 senatorial seats across the country.

With the publication of the list, political parties and their candidates now have a clearer picture of the contenders for the Senate, setting the stage for a fierce contest for the legislative seats in the February 2027 elections.

The senatorial race is expected to attract prominent politicians, including governors who will serve out their terms in 2027, serving and former lawmakers, political newcomers and other aspirants seeking to influence the composition of the 10th National Assembly.

The final list also formally puts the candidates in the spotlight, with parties expected to intensify their campaigns and mobilisation efforts ahead of the poll.

For Abia North, Kalu Orji Uzor, the current occupant, will contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress against Okoronkwo Godswill of the African Democratic Congress, Nkole Ndukwe of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Udeachara Jude of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Abia Central will have Atuma Emeka of the APC, Austine Akobundu of the ADC, Nkechi Nwaogu of the NDC and Ogu Bob of the PDP.

Abia South will parade Ikonne Paul of the APC, Isiguzor Victor of the ADC, Enyinna Michael of the NDC, Onuoha Chinyere of the PDP and Enyinnaya Abaribe of the Labour Party.

For Adamawa North, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri will vie on the platform of the APC, Iya Umar for ADC, Abubakar Rabiu for NDC and Lawan Ribado for the PDP, while Adamawa South will parade Tangwami Bilishan of the APC, Binos Yaroe of the AC, Peter Barata of the NDC and Ahmed Hassan of the PDP.

Adamawa Central has Salihu Mustapha (APC), Ibrahim Mustapha (ADC), Ahmed Abdullahi Musa (NDC) and Attah Mohammed Ibrahim of NDC.

Akwa Ibom North East has Aniekan Etim (APC), Sunday Etim Umoren (ADC), Afia Ekere S (NDC) and Udobang Cletus Kufre (PDP).

Akwa Ibom North West will parade Akpabio Godswill (APC), Akpabio Ibanga Obot (ADC), Inemeh Patty Etete (NDC), while PDP has no candidate.

Akwa Ibom South will feature Akpan Ekong Sampson (APC), Louis Paul Udoh (ADC), Frank Okon Daniel (NDC) and Isong Etim (PDP).

Anambra North has Nnalue Kingsley (APC), Udedibia Sunday Ikenna (ADC), Nwoye Tony Okechukwu (NDC) and Oliatachinenye Edith (PDP); Anambra Central – Ekwunife Uche Lilian (APC) Nwobu Geoffery Ndubuisi (ADC), Umeh Victor (NDC) and Ughamadu Lawrence Chijioke (PDP), while Anambra South has Benson-Oraelosi Maryanne (APC), Anagwu Fredrick Emeka (ADC), Onunkwo Ebuka Josephat (NDC) and Nwosu Ikechukwu Samben (PDP).

In Bauchi South, Governor Bala Mohammed of the Allied People’s Movement, will vie the seat against Shehu Abdullahi of the APC, Garba Dahiru of the ADC, and Dabo Danjuma Adamu of the PDP.

Bauchi Central will parade Misau Isah Hamma (APC), Abdul Ahmed Ningi (ADC), and Aliyu Bello of the PDP, while Bauchi North will have Baba Ibrahim Mohammed (APC) against Suleiman Mohammed Nazif (ADC), and Adamu Abdulkadir of PDP.

In Bayelsa East, Sunny-Golu Israel (APC), Sylva Ngo Nathaniel (ADC), Tekenah Dau Kenny (NDC) and Joseph Ateki Boabofa (PDP) will slug it out, while Benson Friday Konbowei (APC), Aistine Inei Asamaowei (ADC), Okoyareuben Boutuaowei (NDC) and Akinaka Erepamo Richard will slug it out for Bayelsa Central.

In Bayelsa West, the national leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson will contest against Agbiki Fidelis (APC), Ogola Christopher (ADC), and Ebebi Onduakpo Polycarp (PDP)

Benue North East will have Udende Emmanuel Memga (APC), Tyough Robert Aondona (ADC), and Unongo Thomas Tyolumun (PDP); Benue North West, Zam Titus Tartenger (APC), Tsegba Terngu (ADC), Utaan Conrad Terhide (NDC) and Ortom Eunice Erdoo (PDP), while Benue South will feature Agbo Frances Ottah (APC), Olofu David Adejo (ADC), Onjeh Daniel Donal (NDC) and Moro Abba Patrick (PDP).

For Borno North, Monguno Mohammed Tahir (APC), will slug it with Abdullahi Modu Kura (ADC), Abubakar Tijjani (NDC) and Kareto Mohammed Abdullah (PDP); Lawan Kaka Shehu (APC), Baba Gana Zannah (ADC), Abdulkadir Fema (NDC) and Kyari Alhaji Grema will slug it out at Borno Central, while Ndume Mohammed Ali (APC), Idris Mamman Gatumbwa (ADC), Kwajafailliya Habu (NDC) and Apaguaminu Mallum (PDP), will slug it out in Borno Central.

Cross River North will have Jarigbe Jarigbe Agom (APC), Ugbong Casmir (ADC) and Ake Abuashe Grace (NDC); Cross River Central – Ewa Oden Ibiang (APC), Akin Rickett (ADC), Ewa Bassey Eko (NDC) and John Ifere (PDP), while Cross River South will have Ekpenyong Asuquo (APC), Edet Joseph (ADC), Egwu Egwu Arong (NDC) and Inyang Florence (PDP).

In Delta Central, the current occupant, Dafinone Ede (APC), will contest against Ewhrudjakpor Benjamin (ADC), Omo-Agege Ovie (NDC) and Arhagba Ighogbedjere (PDP); Delta North – former Governor Okowa Ifeanyi (APC), Ogoliegbune Valentine Chibuzor (ADC), Ochei Victor Onyekachi (NDC) and Ogannah Onyeama Austyn (PDP), while for Delta South, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas Ewomazino (APC), will contest against Adhekpukoli Elo (NDC) and Otuaro Kingley Burutu (PDP).

Ebonyi North parades Nwebonyi Onyeka Peter (APC), Ikeria Chibuike Solomon (ADC), Nwite James (NDC) and Opoke Sunday Andrew (PDP); Ebonyi Central – Eze Kenneth Emeka (APC), Ugo Maginus Kel (ADC), Odoh Benard Ifeanyi (NDC) and Ngwuta Elechi Christopher (PDP) while Ebonyi South will have Ani Anthony Okorie (APC), Silas Joseph Onu (ADC), Ndubuisi Emmanuel (NDC) and Nwachi Maria Ude (PDP).

Edo North will have former governor and current occupant, Adams Oshiomhole (APC) against Aruna Abubakari (ADC), Oisamoje Maria Evuarherhe (NDC) and Momoh-Dejih Bashir Eugine; Edo Central – Ikpea Joseph (APC), Okonofua Herberta (ADC), Inemezele Ikpea Igiagbe Joseph (NDC) and Edo South –

Ogbeide-Ihama Omoregie (APC), Iduoriyekemwen Matthew Aigbuhuenze (ADC), Epelle-Asemota Bridgitte (NDC) and Ojediamen Benjamin Ehichioya (PDP).

For Ekiti North, Oguntoye Ayobami Samuel (APC), will contest with Ayeni Funso (ADC), Oguntoye Ayobami (NDC); Ekiti Central has the current Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC) against Akinyemi Victor (ADC), Omolayotaiwo Oluwagbenga (NDC) and Fatuyi-Olajuyigbe Monica Adesola (PDP), while Ekiti South has the Senate Spokesman, Adaramodu Adeyemi (APC) against Kolawole Job Nathaniel (ADC) and Ayeni Oye Olabisi (PDP).

Enugu East has Chukwu Kelvin (APC), Idoko Mechika (ADC), Asadu Patrick (NDC) and Ukwueke Kingsley; Enugu West – Ngwu Osita (APC), Ani Juliet Nkechi (ADC), Eneh Kingsley (NDC) and Amadi Dennis (PDP); Enugu North – Asogwa Ikeje Israel (APC), Chika Idoko Emmanuel (ADC), Asadu Patrick Oziokoja (NDC) and Ezeme Nestor Chika (PDP).

Federal Capital Territory has Philip Aduda (APC) against Ireti Kingibe (ADC), Austen Peters-Pam Amanda (NDC) and Angulu Bako (PDP).

Gombe North has Governor Yahaya Muhammed Inuwa (APC), Mustapha Mohammed Aliyu (ADC), Mohammed Dukku (NDC) and Dankwambo Ibrahim Hassan (PDP); Gombe Central – Mohammed Ahmed (APC), Idris Audu Umar (ADC), Kabiru Mohammed (NDC) and Hammadu Aliyu, while Gombe South has Hamma Tabitha (APC), Mela Audu Nunghe (ADC), Amos Bulus Kilawangs (NDC) and Siyako Anthony Yaro (PDP).

Imo East has Uzodinma Ezebuihe Anayochukwu (APC), Ofoegbu Uchenna Daniel (ADC), Onyeagocha Uchechukwu (NDC) and Madume Prince Eze (PDP); Imo West – Governor Uzodimma Goodhope (APC), Iwuchukwu Vincent (ADC), Nwogu Nze Ndieze (NDC) and Onyereri Chukwudi Victor (PDP), while Imo North has Ndubueze Patrick (APC), Ibekwe Nkiru (ADC), Omegara Mathew (NDC) and Ejiogu Micheal Duru (PDP).

Jigawa South-West has Ibraheem Sani Garba (APC), Ahmed Isah Dutse (ADC), Aminu Mustapha (NDC) and Suleiman Abba (PDP); Jigawa North-East, Madori Ahmed Abdulhamid Malam Ali (APC), Muhammad Ubali Shitu (ADC) and Salisu Mamuda (PDP), while Jigawa North-West has Hussaini Babangida Uba (APC), Ahmed Mahmud Gumel (ADC), Sabo Salisu (NDC) and Abdullahi Aminu Taura (PDP).

Kaduna North has Yero Mukhtar Ramalan (APC), Khalid Ibrahim Mustapha (ADC), Sha’aban Mohammad Turad (NDC) and Ahmed Abdullahi Zubairu (PDP), Kaduna Central – Sani Shehu (APC), Lawal Adamu Usman (ADC), Adamu Haruna (NDC) and Ibrahim Usman (PDP) and Kaduna South, Marshall Sunday Katung (APC), Godfrey Ali Gaiya (ADC) and Gumbari Joseph Mataimaki (PDP).

For Kano Central, Shekarau Ibrahim (APC) will contest against Samaila Abdullahi Mukhtar (ADC), Yusuf Nasiru Gawuna (NDC) and Sankara Nafiu Danladi; Kano North – Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin (APC), Saleh Shehu Kudawa (ADC), Usman Sunusi Danbatta (NDC) and Sagir Abdulkadir Ahmad (PDP); Kano South has Kawa Suleiman Abdurrahaman (APC), Baba Aminu Zubair (ADC), Ibrahim Kassim Bataiya (NDC) and Isa Umar Sambo (PDP).

Katsina North has Yahaya Nasir (APC), Lawal Sani (ADC), Yahaya Aminu (NDC) and Daura Umar Dauda (PDP); Katsina Central – Abubakar Sadiq Yar’Adua (APC), Lawal Sani (ADC), and Abdulaziz Amina Lawal Rafindadi (PDP); Katsina South has Dandutse Muntari Mohammed (APC), Lawal Umar (ADC), Hussain Ishaq Suleim (NDC) and Bawa Rabiu (PDP).

Kebbi North – Adamu Muhammad Aliero (APC), Mera Ibrahim Mohammed (ADC), Abdurrahaman Aliyu (NDC) and Mukhtar Mohammed Tafarki (PDP); Kebbi Central, Adamu Mohammed Aliero (APC), Aminu Bande (ADC), Umar Yarotela (NDC) and Andarai Haruna Saidu (PDP) and Kebbi South, Muhammed Ja’afaru Ngaski (APC), Maidoki Garba Musa (ADC), Hassan Mustapha (NDC) and Abubakar Hamza (PDP).

For Kogi Central, former Governor Bello Yahaya (APC), while contest against Ogembe Salau Ahmed (ADC), Salau Muritala Audu (NDC) and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP); Kogi East – Ameh Erico Joseph (APC), Abubakar Aminu Suleiman (ADC), Ameh Peter Ojonugwa (NDC) and Muhammed Abdullahi (PDP) and Kogi West – Karimi Sunday (APC), Musa Ibrahim Ahmadu (ADC), Fatosa Olumuyiwa Adedokun (NDC) and Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen (PDP).

Kwara Central has Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (APC) against Abdulahi Risikat Motunrayo (ADC), Suleiman Abdulrasheed Olufemi Omoda (NDC) and Saliu Mustapha (PDP); Kwara North – Umar Sadiq (APC), Bala Taoheed Usman (ADC), Gana Thomas Audu (NDC) and Kolo Baba Jiya (PDP) and Kwara South, Adewoye Olalekan (APC), Oyedepo Iyiola (ADC), Oni Samuel Omoniyi (NDC) and Popoola Adekeye Lekan Saheed (PDP).

Lagos Central has Sanni Eshilokun Wasiu (APC) against Abayomi Idowu Omotayo (ADC), Johnson Lawrence Adeniyi Oladipupo (NDC) and Dakova-Vaughan Kolawole David (PDP); Lagos East – Abiru Adetokunbo Mukhail (APC), Moshood Babatunde Olanrewaju (ADC), Adebanjo Adeola Damilola (NDC) and Adeniji Victoria (PDP) an Lagos West – Adebule Idiat Oluranti (APC), Bello Owolabi Hafis (ADC), Salvador Adegoke Moshood (NDC) and Phillips Adebiyi Abiodun (PDP).

Nasarawa North has Governor Sule Abdullahi (APC), Victor Affiku Tsaku (ADC), Danladi James (NDC) and Madaki Benbella Anthony (PDP); Nasarawa West – Haruna Dauda (APC), Umar Musa Galadima (ADC), Adamu Auta Umar Farouq (NDC) and Kaura Danlami Kefas (PDP) and Nasarawa South – Abdul Ibrahim Baba (APC), Hassan Abubakar Nalaraba (ADC), Baba Ayinwulu (NDC) and Agbo-Omeri Mike (PDP).

Niger East has Musa Mohammed Sani (APC), Ahmed Mohammed Mukhtar (ADC), Bawa John Agmada (NDC); Niger North – Bello Abubakar Sani (APC), Abdullahi Shehu Mohammed (ADC), Bawa Joshua Nuhu (NDC) and Abdullahi Yahaya (PDP) and Niger South – Idris Mohammed Sani (APC), Umar Danjuma Emimaru (ADC), Sadiq Mohammed Rabiu (NDC) and Jiya Peter Ndalikali (PDP).

Ogun Central has Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi (APC), Samuel Oluwafemi Abiodun-Oni (ADC), George-Taylor Oluwadurotimi (NDC) and Obasanjo Iyabo (PDP); Ogun East – Governor Abiodun Adedapo Olusegun (APC), Adebanjo Babatunde Olalekan (ADC), Shokoya Adewale Oluwasegun (NDC) and Omotayo Oluwafemi Abdulhameed (PDP) and Ogun West – Ojugbele Jimo Olusola (APC), Olanrewaju Abdul-Lateef Ajani (ADC), Abioro Itunu (NDC) and Ogunola Babatunde (PDP).

Ondo North has Ipinsagba Olajide Emmanuel (APC), Foluso Mayowa Felix Adefemi (ADC), Daodu Babatunde (NDC) and Adenekan Olateru Olagbegi (PDP); Ondo Central – Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele (APC), Akinyelure Patrick Ayo (ADC), Falaiye Olugbenga (NDC) and Ondo South- Kekemeke Duerimini Isaacs (APC), Tofowomo Gbadamosi Tola (ADC), Nejo Myson Adeyemi (NDC) and Oyerinmade Mathew Oye (PDP)

Osun Central – Adegoke Rasheed Adekunle (APC), Olaoye Akeem (ADC), Oduyemi Morenikeji Nathaniel (NDC), Fadeyi Olubiyi Oluwole (PDP) and Ganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa (Accord); Osun East – Fadahunsi Francis Adenigba (APC), Babatunde Olaniyi Loye (ADC), Derin-Ologbenla Charles Adewale (NDC) and Fadipe Ibukun Isola (Accord); Osun West – Ogunbiyi Akinade Akanmu (APC), Oriolowo Adelere (ADC), Ayoola Alaba (NDC and Oyewumi Kamorudeen Olalere (Accord).

Oyo Central has Akintunde Yunus Abiodun (APC), Kamil Akinlabi (ADC), Salawu Akeem (NDC), Olunloyo Ayobami (PDP) and Olufemi Ajadi (APM); Oyo North – Ogunesan Hannah Olawumi (APC), Agoro Lanre Adehirah (ADC), Ojekunle Abigail Olanike (NDC), Adeoye Beulah Olufemi (PDP) and Sina Peller (APM); Oyo South – Oseni Abasi Aderemi (APC), Lukman Adeola Adetunji (ADC), Abdulateef Gbolagade (NDC), Adeleke Kehinde Saheed (PDP) and Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide (APM).

Plateau North has Mwadkwon Simon Davou (APC), Rose Bitrus Mwanti (ADC), Bature Musa Jonathan (NDC) and Gwottson Dalyop; Plateau Central, Kasuwa Bitrus David (APC), Yusuf Bello (ADC), Yusuf Ishaku (NDC) and Goliath Timothy (PDP); Plateau South – Lalong Simon Bako (APC), Solomon Selcap Dalung (ADC), Kefas Peter Dandam (NDC) and Shekarau Johnbull (PDP).

Rivers East has Onyesoh Allwell Iheacho (APC), Agwor Samuel Ndubuisi (ADC), Okwuwolu Wolu Benjamin (NDC) and Anele Akor Wisdom (PDP), Rivers South-East – Osarosaka Ebenezer Erewari (APC), Ikuru Tele Betram (ADC), Abiante Awaji-Inombek (NDC) and Nwogu Olaka (PDP); Rivers West – Obuah Amechi Felix (APC), Otto Josiah (ADC), Ogbobula Isaac (NDC) and Job Vincent (PDP).

Sokoto North has Wamakko Aliyu Magatakarda (APC), Maishinko Mani Katami (ADC), Abubakar Mainasara Sani (NDC) and Maccido Ahmed (PDP); Sokoto East – Tukur Muhammad (APC), Hassan Muhammad (ADC), Ummar Maisalati (NDC) and Umar Abubakar (PDP) and Sokoto South – Abdullahi Ibrahim Danbaba (APC), Yabo Faruk Malami (ADC), Tanimu Bodinga (NDC) and Yusuf Dahiru (PDP).

Taraba North – Lau Shuaibu Isa (APC), Maigari Kasimu Bello (ADC), Bandawa Anfani (NDC) and Bubajoda Hilkiah (PDP); Taraba Central – Manu Haruna (APC), Ahmadu Benni Umaru Salim (ADC), Nyan-Ganji Gilbert Gills (NDC) and Iliyasu Goje (PDP); Taraba South – Aliyu Yusuf (APC), Afiniki Yarima (ADC), Ezekiel Yakubu Ambo (NDC) and Istifanus Musa (PDP).

Yobe North – Lawan Ahmad Ibrahim (APC), Imamuddeen Ahmad Abubakar Talba (ADC), Abubakar Chigari (PDP); Yobe East – Governor Buni Mai Mala (APC), Kale Kawu (ADC), and Mustapha Maigoro (PDP); Yobe South – Bomai Ibrahim Mohammed (APC), Gambo Jajere Baba (ADC), Hassan Mohammed (NDC) and Hamma Ibrahim Barde (PDP).

Zamfara North has Sahabi Ya’u (APC), Shehu Rafi (ADC), Nasiru Garba (NDC) and Musa Hanafi Moriki (PDP); Zamfara Central – Bilbis Ikra Aliyu (APC), Abubakar Atiku Sale (ADC), Ibrahim Sanusi (NDC), Bala Sanusi (PDP) and Zamfara West – Abdulaziz Yari (APC), Ibrahim Mikailu Barau (ADC), Abdullahi Hassan Anka (NDC) and Lawal Faru (PDP).

Source: punchng.com

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Politics

Desperate Politicians Responsible For Arrest Of ‘Tinubu Must Go’ Protesters – Zulum

Published

3 days ago

October 3, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Key Takeaways

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, denied ordering any arrests, after reports linked his government to detaining people wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.

Zulum said he only heard about the arrests on Friday morning in Maiduguri, and insisted he has never directed detention for political reasons.

Zulum blamed “desperate politicians” and the approach of the 2027 elections for the allegations, saying criticism will not stop his rebuilding efforts till tenure ends.

The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has denied ordering the arrest of opposition supporters or anyone criticising his administration.

Zulum, who spoke in Maiduguri on Friday, said he was surprised to learn that the arrest of some people for wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts was being linked to his government.

The governor said he learned of the arrests only on Friday morning, insisting he had never directed anyone to be detained for political reasons.

According to him, his attention since assuming office had been largely devoted to restoring peace and rebuilding Borno after years of Boko Haram insurgency.

Zulum said he had repeatedly put himself at risk to protect residents of the state, regardless of their political affiliations, and create an environment where they could live peacefully.

It was reports that he described anyone who would order the arrest of opposition supporters as a “desperate politician”, stressing that he was not one. BreakingNews Alerts

The governor also questioned the motive for accusing him of ordering politically motivated arrests when he was not seeking any elective position in the 2027 elections.

“Why would I order the arrest of anybody on political grounds when I am not contesting for any political office in 2027?” he asked.

Zulum noted that Borno had remained under the All Progressives Congress (APC) since the party came to power in the state, saying his primary concern was the continued restoration and development of the state.

He said his administration had committed substantial resources to restoring peace, resettling internally displaced persons, rebuilding communities destroyed by insurgency and providing public infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.

The governor said the progress recorded in Borno was the product of sustained commitment to rebuilding a state that had suffered years of violent conflict.

He further attributed some of the allegations against his administration to the approach of the 2027 elections, saying political actors sometimes make accusations against leaders to attract attention.

“Where were they when we were struggling to see that we had restored peace, resettled IDPs, reconstructed destroyed communities and established schools and hospitals?” Zulum asked.

The governor said some individuals who were now criticising his administration had previously commended its efforts but had changed their tone as the 2027 elections drew closer.

Zulum said he considered his reward for the sacrifices and resources committed to rebuilding Borno to be from God.

He added that the criticisms would not stop him from continuing with his efforts to improve the state until the end of his tenure.

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Politics

If fuel comes down to ₦600 tomorrow, I will campaign for Tinubu — Amaechi

Published

3 days ago

October 3, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his economic policies, vowing that he will abandon his own party ticket and campaign for Tinubu if the price of petrol drops to ₦600 per liter.

Amaechi issued the challenge during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, reacting to President Tinubu’s Independence Day declaration that Nigeria has entered an “age of prosperity.” Nigeriancultural events

Questioning the credibility of the administration’s claims, Amaechi argued that everyday citizens continue to face crushing economic reality.

“It is about believability; who do you believe? Go to the 2005 Presidential speech; it is the same: we have turned the page, and we are about to start enjoyment.

“Have you asked one of your staff who goes by transport, how much it costs from Yanya to Abuja? Has anything come down? Has any price come down, has anything changed?”

Proposing a direct test of the administration’s claims, Amaechi stated he would personally visit a petrol station to verify pump prices, offering to withdraw from the ADC ticket alongside presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar if retail costs have genuinely fallen.

“I will go tomorrow morning to the petrol station to buy fuel, I will go myself, if fuel has come down to 600, I will campaign for President Tinubu,” he said.

“If you doubt me, come with your camera to my house, and I will go to the filling station and buy fuel, and I, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi will withdraw as a vice-presidential candidate of Atiku and campaign for President Tinubu, if it has come down.”

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Politics

Atiku challenges Tinubu’s prosperity claim, laments rising hardship

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress and former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, saying Nigerians cannot eat economic growth figures while millions continue to struggle with rising living costs.

Atiku, in his Independence Day address on Thursday, said the past three years of the Tinubu administration had plunged Nigerians into what he described as the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis, with families struggling to afford food, healthcare, transportation and other basic necessities.

Tinubu, while addressing Nigerians to commemorate the 2026 Independence Anniversary, on Thursday, said that after three and a half years in office, there was undeniable evidence that Nigeria’s economic outlook had improved.

He said, “Our economy has grown by over four per cent this year. Both the oil and non-oil sectors have contributed to this renewed period of stable growth.

“My fellow Nigerians, we have reached a turning point. The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired. The central economic task before us has changed. For three years, our overriding purpose was to correct our nation’s course.

“Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity.”

Reacting, ADC presidential candidate challenged the President’s claim that Nigeria had entered an age of prosperity, asking where the prosperity was when Nigerians could barely afford to survive.

Atiku also faulted the government’s handling of fuel subsidy removal, taxation and other economic reforms, arguing that their impact had further increased the burden on households and businesses.

The former Vice-President stated, “And beyond the market, our nation is bleeding. Armed groups have killed thousands and driven families from their communities. Farmers fear their fields. Parents fear for children in their classrooms. Families dread the call demanding ransom for someone they love.

“A government that cannot make life affordable and cannot protect life has failed the two tests that matter most to its people.

“This is not the Nigeria our founders struggled to set free. But I will not ask you to surrender to despair. Despair is not a strategy. We have a path to recovery, and we must take it.

“Bola, where is this prosperity? Bola says inflation has fallen. A slower rise in prices does not restore what families have lost. He cites growth and rising exports. Nigerian businesses deserve credit for what they have achieved. But growth must improve lives. It cannot be a certificate of success that government awards itself while citizens struggle to survive.

“Bola, you call Nigeria a patient with cancer. After three years of your treatment, why is it harder for Nigerians to buy food, pay for medicine or even get to work? Why does your government have more money while the people can afford less?”

Atiku said Nigerians could not be expected to endure prolonged hardship simply because the government described its economic policies as a cure for the country’s problems.

He challenged the Tinubu administration to account for the APC’s eight years in power, while pointing to rising fuel and food prices as evidence of the economic pressure facing Nigerians.

Atiku also questioned the benefits of fuel subsidy removal, saying Nigerians were more interested in knowing when the promised savings would translate into lower living costs.

He continued, “My fellow Nigerians, I will not ask you to accept another promise without asking how it would work. Working with my running mate and our partners in the African Democratic Congress, I will pursue a clear purpose: make life affordable again.

“We will introduce a capped, budgeted production subsidy tied to verified fuel refined in Nigeria, including fuel from modular refineries. Imported petrol will not qualify. The benefit must reach consumers through lower pump prices. We will publish the costs, independently audit the payments and cut government waste to help fund the programme.

“The principle is simple: produce here, refine here, create jobs here and pay less here. If Bola disagrees, he should answer the proposal on its merits. Calling relief an addiction will not lower the price of petrol.

“Bola, your speech is full of ‘we will.’ We will make farming cheaper. We will power factories. We will create jobs. We will bring down prices. You have been President for more than three years. Nigerians are entitled to ask what you have done with the time already given to you.”

Atiku said the government’s promise that lower production costs would eventually reduce prices offered little comfort to farmers and manufacturers currently struggling with insecurity, high electricity costs and other challenges that make production expensive.

He also questioned the impact of government loan programmes, saying young Nigerians need decent-paying jobs while students and workers should not be burdened with loans to cope with rising education costs and living expenses.

Atiku urged the government to explain what the programmes had delivered, who benefited and what beneficiaries were expected to repay.

The ADC presidential candidate stated, “The confusion extends to your budgets. You have just signed an extension keeping the 2025 budget in operation until the last day of 2026.

“The 2026 budget exists alongside it. Soon, your government will ask Nigerians to examine a 2027 budget. How many budgets must be open at once before you can tell the country what was funded, what was completed and what remains unpaid? A budget should be a timetable for delivery, not a ball passed from one year to the next.

“Bola says his government reforms have a human face. Nigerians have spent three years looking for that face in the market, at the hospital and on the road to work. What they have found is deepening poverty, healthcare they cannot afford, school fees they struggle to pay, food beyond their reach and electricity bills that consume what little they earn.

“In communities under attack, people fear for their lives. A government cannot claim a human face while making it harder for Nigerians to eat, learn, seek treatment and stay alive.”

Atiku pledged that, if elected, his administration would prioritise affordability and the protection of lives, with measures to reduce the cost of food, fuel and electricity, improve access to healthcare and education, restore security, ensure accountability in public spending and assess progress based on Nigerians’ living conditions and safety.

He added, “Bola, you have put the weight of Nigeria’s economic well-being on a skateboard. Families are struggling to keep their balance, businesses are falling, and you stand in Aso Rock declaring that the journey to prosperity is going smoothly.

“In your Independence Day speech, you found time to attack my plan to make life affordable. But you did not tell commuters which additional routes became cheaper today, what the fares were before, what they cost now, or how many people can use them. Lower fares on a few routes are welcome, but they do not solve the transport crisis facing the rest of the country.

“Bola, was this a Yahoo Yahoo promise or a hurried reply to my production subsidy proposal? You advertised cheaper transport from October 1. Today is October 1, and commuters are still asking where they can find the lower fares. Show them the routes and the prices. Nigerians cannot board an announcement.

“Bola, publish the routes, the fares and the number of people benefiting. Show Nigerians the cheaper journey you promised.”

Atiku said economic recovery should be reflected in improved living conditions, urging the government to account for the savings from its policies and show Nigerians tangible relief from hardship.

He also noted that independence requires political freedom, stressing that Nigerians must be allowed to question their leaders, organise peacefully and demand change, while calling for the rule of law to be applied fairly.

The former Vice-President called for due process in the cases of Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and Nnamdi Kanu, and renewed his call for the release of five young Nigerians arrested in Borno over “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts, saying political slogans should not be grounds for imprisonment.

He stated, “We have looked back. We have counted what fuel costs, what food costs and what a wage can still buy. We have seen families waiting for relief while government asks for more patience. We have heard promises of prosperity from a President who cannot show millions of Nigerians where to find it.

“Our founders did not win sovereignty so that a few could prosper while millions merely survive.

“Their promise lives in ordinary hopes: a meal a family can afford, a safe road home, a child free to learn, and work that offers a path to a better life. Those hopes are neither extravagant nor beyond Nigeria’s reach.

“Bola, the Promised Land is not in sight merely because you can see it from the villa. Nigerians must be able to reach it. We have chosen a different course, peacefully and together, through the power of our votes; the message is clear: Tinubu must go.”

Source: punchng.com

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