Category: Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria — 18 April 2026 (NPA) — African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised concerns over a recent World Bank report indicating that, while Nigeria’s federation revenue surged to ₦84 trillion within three years, a staggering 41%—amounting to ₦34.44 trillion—was not remitted to the Federation Account.

In a statement issued on Saturday titled “Nigeria Is Bleeding From Within,” Obi noted that the missing sum exceeds the combined ₦34 trillion allocated to capital projects in the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts. He said the comparison underscores the gravity of the situation and suggests deep systemic failure.

The former Anambra State governor described the development not as an oversight, but as evidence of institutionalised corruption on a massive scale.

Recalling the 1994 Okigbo Panel report, which revealed that $12.4 billion from the Gulf War oil windfall was unaccounted for, Obi said Nigerians reacted with widespread outrage at the time. “Today, an even more troubling situation appears to be unfolding, yet it is met with disquieting silence,” he stated.

He described the situation as a “lethal paradox” in which the nation earns more revenue but has less to invest in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Since 2025, he noted, systemic deductions have enabled agencies to retain more resources than entire states and key ministries.

Obi said the persistent leakages help explain why countries with fewer resources continue to outperform Nigeria across major development indices. He questioned how meaningful progress can be made in power, education, healthcare, and infrastructure under such conditions.

“Nigeria has no business being poor,” he said. “We must halt these leakages through disciplined and transparent leadership driven by character. It is time to redirect our hijacked resources back to the people and position Nigeria among developed nations.”

The statement concluded: “With our collective resolve to change this corruption-infested system, a New Nigeria is possible.” —PO

ABUJA — 18 April 2026 (NPA) — Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has condemned the abduction of candidates sitting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Benue State, describing the incident as “utterly heartbreaking” and a reflection of worsening insecurity in the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, Obi, a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a presidential aspirant for the 2027 elections, said young Nigerians seeking education were increasingly being exposed to violence. He noted that the country already has a low proportion of tertiary graduates — about one per cent — compared with countries such as Indonesia and South Africa.

He described the incident as unacceptable, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to lose more students to insecurity.

Obi criticised authorities responsible for security, accusing them of focusing more on electoral ambitions than on protecting citizens. He said the same level of coordination allegedly used to project political strength should instead be directed towards securing roads, preventing attacks and rescuing abducted students.

The former presidential candidate, known for his “A New Nigeria is Possible” mantra, further described the incident as part of a broader pattern of insecurity, warning that it represents a national crisis requiring urgent and decisive action.

He added that the situation demands leadership commensurate with the scale of the challenge, rather than silence or inaction, warning that a nation that fails to protect its youth risks jeopardising its future.

KADUNA, Nigeria — April 17, 2026 (NPA) — Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has approved the release of N4.289 billion for the payment of pension entitlements, gratuities and death benefits to retired civil servants and families of deceased workers in the state and local government services.

The payment covers obligations under both the Contributory Pension Scheme (accrued rights) and the Defined Benefit Scheme, including death benefits and gratuities.

In a statement, the state government said the disbursement is aimed at restoring hope and dignity to retirees, strengthening social protection and clearing outstanding pension liabilities as part of broader reforms focused on fiscal discipline, transparency and sustainability.

The intervention underscores the administration’s commitment to the welfare and financial security of senior citizens, while rebuilding confidence in the pension system.

With the latest payment, the total amount disbursed since the inception of the current administration has risen to N17.796 billion, benefiting at least 8,344 retirees and families of deceased workers.

The government said the initiative forms part of ongoing reforms designed to ensure the sustainability and timely settlement of pension obligations in the state.

ABUJA, Nigeria — 17 April 2026 (NPA) — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has clarified that following its recent congress and national convention, the tenure of all newly elected state executives and other party officers will not commence until the expiration of the current executives’ tenure and their formal inauguration by the party on May 12, 2026, or on any later date officially communicated.

According to a statement issued Friday by the party’s spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, all existing executives remain the duly recognised officers of the party until the completion of this constitutional transition process.

The ADC urged newly elected executives, particularly at the state level, to refrain from any action, representation, or conduct that could contravene the directive or create confusion within the party structure.

“The ADC remains committed to orderliness, discipline, and strict adherence to its constitution and democratic processes,” the statement concluded.

ABUJA, Nigeria — 17 April 2026 (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to democracy, emphasizing respect for the judiciary and adherence to lawful court orders. He pledged not to be swayed by “noise, disorder, or defiance,” stressing that Nigeria’s unity and shared vision remain central to national progress.

Speaking at a forum in Abuja on Thursday before the leadership and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors — a group aligned with his government’s policies and 2027 re-election bid — Tinubu underscored that national greatness can only be achieved through collective effort. He called for “one country, one common vision, one shared future of progress and prosperity for all Nigerians,” echoing his administration’s mantra of Renewed Hope.

The remarks followed criticism from former Osun State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Rauf Aregbesola, who at the ADC’s 8th National Convention in Abuja dismissed the APC’s Renewed Hope agenda as a “scam,” insisting that the ADC remains the true hope for Nigeria’s masses.

Responding firmly, Tinubu declared: “They cannot scare me off. I have been through this road before and, if I must walk it again and again for our country, I will. There is no better place than Nigeria, and no one will build it for us except ourselves.”

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, the president urged APC members to strengthen coordination from the ward level, act as one family, and remain focused on delivering the party’s promises to Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the ADC has accused the APC of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, alleging that the ruling party was behind its leadership deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its difficulties in securing a venue in Abuja for its recent convention. The APC has repeatedly denied these claims, insisting that the opposition’s leadership crisis is self-inflicted.

ABUJA, Nigeria — 15 April 2026 (NPA) — Former Governor of Osun State and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that the ADC remains the only hope for Nigeria’s masses.

Speaking at the party’s 8th National Convention in Abuja during the presentation of the Secretariat Report, Aregbesola, who previously served as Minister of Interior, described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as “a scam.” He told delegates that the ADC is on a rescue mission to free the country from what he termed the “strangulating grasp” of the APC.

“The ruling party never had a vision; its Renewed Hope agenda was a scam,” he said, accusing the APC of foisting an electoral law that effectively decriminalises forgery and false claims in electoral documents. “We proclaim our existence because our country is worth all necessary sacrifices,” he added.

Aregbesola criticised the government’s handling of the economy, noting that the exchange rate has doubled since 2023, rising from about ₦700 to the dollar to around ₦1,400. He argued that such devaluation is devastating for an import-dependent economy.

He also highlighted the impact of inflation, pointing out that fuel prices have risen from between ₦185 and ₦238 per litre before the current administration to about ₦1,400 per litre today. He said the soaring cost of transportation has made commuting unrealistic for many workers.

On power supply, Aregbesola recalled that the government had promised not to seek re-election if it failed to provide constant electricity. “Today, power supply is far worse, with some parts of the country receiving an average of two hours daily and others in darkness for weeks and months,” he said.

He concluded that an honest president should step down after failing to deliver on such promises, but instead, Nigerians are witnessing “the most desperate attempt by a candidate in Nigerian electoral history to retain power at all costs, even if it means bringing down the entire democratic system.”

ENUGU, Nigeria — 15 April 2026 (NPA) — The Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has reaffirmed that infrastructure remains the cornerstone of economic transformation, stressing that his administration is deliberately laying a solid foundation for long-term prosperity.

In a statement, Governor Mbah explained that his government’s road projects are not merely about construction but about reshaping the state’s economic landscape. He highlighted the development of Greenfield corridors, which involve opening new routes to connect Enugu with neighbouring states, positioning the state as a strategic hub for commerce and investment.

He cited the Owo–Ubahu–Amankanu–Neke–Ikem project as an example, noting that it links several local governments and communities, ensuring that development is spread across the state rather than concentrated in urban centres. “These roads are creating a gateway to the North Central region, with direct access towards Abuja, improving the movement of people, goods, and services across regions. The dual carriageway, spanning 80 kilometres in total, is designed to reduce travel time, improve safety, and support long-term economic growth,” he said.

Governor Mbah emphasised that his administration’s vision goes beyond physical infrastructure. “We are not just building roads; we are building pathways to prosperity,” he remarked, underscoring the broader ambition of creating a more connected, accessible, and economically resilient Enugu State.

He added that the bigger picture is clear: a state that is better integrated into national and regional networks, offering opportunities for residents and travellers alike. By prioritising infrastructure, the administration aims to stimulate trade, attract investment, and enhance the quality of life for citizens.

This renewed focus on infrastructure reflects the government’s determination to transform Enugu into a model of sustainable development in southeastern Nigeria, ensuring that growth is inclusive and far-reaching.