Atiku is confused over petrol subsidy policy — Presidency insists

The Presidency has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his position on petrol subsidy, accusing him of policy inconsistency and playing politics with the economic challenges facing Nigerians.

In a statement on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Atiku and his aides had offered three different explanations of his proposed petrol subsidy policy within one week.

Onanuga said the conflicting positions had raised questions about whether the former Vice-President had a coherent economic policy or was merely responding politically to the temporary discomfort being experienced by Nigerians.

According to him, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, initially said the former Vice-President would restore petrol subsidy if elected and later phase it out as a temporary measure to enable Nigerians and businesses recover.

He said another aide, Phrank Shaibu, subsequently described Ibe’s position as an “unauthorised and misleading characterisation” of Atiku’s policy, insisting that subsidy would remain until domestic refining expanded, supply stabilised and competition deepened.

“Just hours later, Atiku himself intervened and effectively overruled that clarification. He insisted that his position ‘has not changed’ and that he would restore what he called a ‘targeted subsidy’ if elected president,” Onanuga said.

He quoted Atiku as saying: “I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians.”

The presidential aide described the conflicting explanations as a serious policy contradiction, arguing that Nigerians deserved clarity rather than what he called “policy by trial and error.”

Onanuga also challenged Atiku’s argument that restoring petrol subsidy would automatically ease the cost of living, noting that pump prices were influenced by several factors, including international crude oil prices, exchange rates, refining costs, transportation and distribution expenses.

He said while energy and transportation costs affected food prices, petrol prices alone could not explain Nigeria’s food inflation.

“Agricultural productivity, insecurity, exchange rates, logistics, storage, flooding, input costs, money supply and supply constraints also matter,” he said.

The presidential aide said the Tinubu administration had been addressing these structural issues rather than reducing the country’s cost-of-living challenges to petrol prices.

Onanuga challenged Atiku to explain the details of his proposed “targeted subsidy,” including its projected cost, beneficiaries, funding mechanism and the economic conditions that would determine when the policy would end.

“Nigerians cannot afford another opaque and potentially costly subsidy regime dressed up in new language,” he said.

The presidential aide further questioned Atiku’s proposal to link subsidy to the price of crude oil, arguing that a barrel of crude produces several refined petroleum products besides petrol.

According to him, petrol accounts for about 45 per cent of the products derived from a refined barrel, while diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene and other products account for significant portions.

He noted that diesel was deregulated in 2004 under the administration in which Atiku served as Vice-President, while kerosene and aviation fuel were subsequently deregulated.

Onanuga also listed other products derived from crude oil refining, including petrochemical feedstocks, asphalt, hydrocarbon gas liquids, lubricants, waxes, petroleum coke and sulphur.

He questioned whether Atiku intended to subsidise those products as well if his proposed policy was based on the price of crude.

“Will Atiku subsidise all these by-products of the barrel as well, since kerosene is used by the underprivileged to cook, and many homes and factories use diesel to power generators and delivery trucks?” he asked.

Onanuga further questioned whether refineries receiving discounted crude under such an arrangement would retain profits from the other products derived from the same barrel.

He concluded by accusing the former Vice-President of lacking clarity on the economics of his proposed subsidy policy.

“The economy is too serious for policy somersaults, incoherence, destructive populism and election gimmicks,” Onanuga said. Authority.

No more proxy campaigns, Tinubu should be a servant-leader, not a demigod – Peter Obi Media Office

The Peter Obi Media Office has challenged the President and Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu to physically come out to campaign and tell the voters what he has done to justify reelection instead of campaigning through surrogates.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Office said the next general elections is a serious matter alleging that Tinubu wants to stay in Aso Rock and send proxies to campaign for him.

Below is the fulltext of the statement:

The Peter Obi Media Office has observed some disturbing trends ahead of the January 16, 2027, Presidential election that should be nipped in the bud before it develops. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is positioning himself to be re-elected for a second term without meeting the electorates.

Indications are evident that the President plans to hide in Aso Rock and expect hired surrogates to meet the people on his behalf. This is not democracy and must be rejected by the people.

President Tinubu can deploy surrogates to speak for him, sign documents on his behalf, or represent him at some public events, but he cannot send a surrogate to meet the Nigerian people on his behalf.

The 2027 election is not a ceremony to be performed by representatives. It is a contest for the leadership of more than 200 million Nigerians, and those seeking the mandate must have the courage to stand before the people, answer their questions, and defend their records.

At the National Peace Accord convened by the National Peace Committee under the leadership of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the President was missing, disrespecting the painstaking work of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, and others in promoting peaceful elections.

The Nigerian people need to see the candidate. They need to hear the candidate. They need to question the candidate. The same applies to every major national platform, including the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference and other forums where candidates are expected to engage Nigerians on the state of the nation.

A President asking Nigerians for another four years cannot permanently hide behind ministers, party officials, media aides, governors, or other political surrogates. The office belongs to the people; the mandate belongs to the people; and the accountability must be directly to the people.

If the President believes his administration has performed well, let him come before Nigerians and say so himself.

Let him explain the economy.

Let him explain the hardship confronting families.

Let him explain his policies.

Let the candidate explain what has changed since 2023.

Let him tell Nigerians what he intends to do differently in a second term.

And let him hear directly from the citizens whose votes he seeks.

This is not disrespect. It is democracy. We, therefore, challenge the President and the APC to stop campaigning through surrogates and start engaging the Nigerian people directly.

Nigeria does not need another election in which Nigerians hear more from political surrogates than from the presidential candidate himself.

The 2027 election must be a contest of candidates, competence, records, ideas, and character — not a contest of who can deploy the loudest army of surrogates.

No more proxy campaigns. No more presidential hide-and-seek.

If President Tinubu wants a second term, let him come to the people.

Let him see and hear the people. And let Nigerians question him and decide — not on the voices of his surrogates, but on the record and vision of the man asking for their votes. This is the spirit of democracy. We are electing a servant of the people, not a demigod.

When Governor Mbah’s Master stroke sends opposition scampering

By Onyekwere Nwobodo

Ordinarily, appointment of new members is a routine, standard administrative action in the life of a government.

It could entail filling existing vacancies or bringing more specialist hands in, based on the critical need assessment evaluation, in the course of project delivery.

Governments do this all the time, at all levels, and in all jurisdictions, so the recent appointment of additional members by Governor Peter Mbah, into governance roles, couldn’t possibly be any different!

Disgruntled mischief merchants, for lack of verifiable shortcomings in Mbah’s impeccable governance model, have attempted to make a meal out of an action that ordinarily deserves to be applauded.

Pray, which government in history, recruited every danm personnel it would ever require, ONCE, at inception?

No government is beyond interrogation, yes, but if, for instance, someone is appointed anew from an otherwise underrepresented area, was it better to have allowed the perceived injustice persist, or take practical steps to cure the apparent oversight?

Is there a prescribed number of allowable political appointees in a democracy?

It has become so obvious that,rather than for any altruistic reasons, the noise by the motley gang of opposition,(present only in the social media any way), to the well intended exercise is, instead,driven by a sense of grievous communal loss!

Governor Mbah, apart from continually delivering on his governance mandate, has, with this master stroke, struck a surprise, devastating blow, to his opponents, by effectively diminishing, virtually extinguishing the shrinking population from which their grieving rank had recruited!

Otherwise, how is it their worry that some people who had opposed the emergence of the Governor in 2023, were now appointed into government?

They would’ve preferred the Governor to continue to dwell in their unhelpful, hateful old fashioned political philosophy which views political disagreement as mortal enemity, rather than appreciate and acknowledge the goodness and statesmanship in Governor Mbah’s action.

If anyone had opposed Mbah as gubernatorial candidate in 2023, the man himself reckons, and quite rightly so, it wasn’t anything personal, and if in his judgement and magnanimity as governor, he makes that former opponent an offer to join hands with him to move Enugu State forward, and the fellow accepts, shouldn’t we applaud?

Governor Mbah is an intellectual giant, no doubt, but he does not fear or loath to cohabit with equally knowledgeable persons, even if they were originally of different political persuasion! That is rising above self, ego or pettiness!

His interest,as I have come to understand, is what you bring to the table, and how that makes the governance group and Enugu State, better ; nothing more, nothing less!

Many a politician recruit and surround themselves with ‘yes-men’ who grovel at their feet, massage their bloated ego,even if they offer nothing more to drive the administration agenda.

Mbah is so confident without being arrogant, so self-assured, and forever highly receptive to, and respectful of empirically sound, professional viewpoint.

The opposition criticism of his recent appointments is ‘much ado about nothing..’ ; they go to no issue really and change nothing!

The new team members are highly welcome, and must not forget that adding value is the main consideration, and Ndi Enugu must not lose, on any account !

As long as the need arises, and/or vacancies exist, any forward looking administration like Mbah’s, would always continually reinvent, recalibrate, rejig the machinery of governance with injection of quality personnel in needful areas, for optimum performance.

And crucially, the more, the merrier…

—Mr Nwobodo is Special Adviser, Media, to Enugu State Governor.

Atiku insists on reinstatement of subsidy

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has clarified that his proposed petroleum intervention is not a return to Nigeria’s discredited import-subsidy regime, but a targeted and temporary mechanism to support domestic production, reduce costs and ease the burden on Nigerian families.

The clarification became necessary following comments attributed to an aide suggesting that an Atiku administration would “restore fuel subsidy and remove it later.”

Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the comments as “an unauthorised, imprecise and materially misleading characterisation of Atiku’s policy position.”

He stressed that policy belongs to the candidate and that the responsibility of spokespersons is to communicate that policy accurately, not to create formulations that could confuse Nigerians or provide opponents with convenient talking points.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Atiku has never proposed restoring the old import-subsidy regime and subsequently removing it on a predetermined date. That is not his policy and should not be attributed to him.

“What Atiku proposes is a targeted, capped, transparently budgeted and independently audited intervention to support domestic refining and production, with measurable performance-based exit conditions built in from day one.

“The objective is not to subsidise inefficiency indefinitely. It is to reduce the cost of production, strengthen domestic refining, increase supply, deepen competition and create the conditions under which government support will no longer be necessary.

“There will be no arbitrary withdrawal based simply on a calendar date. The intervention will progressively decline as clearly defined conditions are met — including increased domestic refining, improved supply stability, stronger competition and the emergence of a market capable of delivering affordable petroleum products without continued government support.

“You do not remove scaffolding because the calendar says so. You remove it when the building can stand securely on its own.”

Shaibu said Nigerians should not be distracted by arguments over terminology when the central issue is the cost of living.

“The real question is simple: Why has everything become so expensive, and what will Atiku do to make life affordable again?

“Tinubu transferred the shock of his reforms to Nigerian families. Atiku will focus on reducing production and transportation costs, strengthening domestic refining, expanding supply and restoring purchasing power.

“The choice is not between the removal of subsidy and the restoration of subsidy. The choice is between an Expensive Nigeria and an Affordable Nigeria.”

Sen. Kawu urges Yari-led APC campaign council to show empathy amid economic hardship

Senator Kawu Summaila representing Kano South has charged the newly inaugurated APC Presidential Campaign Council to acknowledge the economic pains Nigerians are facing and assure them of relief.

The advice came 24 hours after Senator Abdulaziz Yari was named Chairman of the over 200-member council saddled with driving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

In a goodwill message personally signed and made available to journalists, Senator Kawu described the assignment as critical and one that requires strategic execution and delivery.

“We must approach our citizens with deep empathy, active listening, and genuine sensitivity to the economic hardships and socio-economic challenges currently affecting everyday families,” he said.

According to him, the campaign must demonstrate that the party feels the pain of citizens and is sincerely committed to delivering meaningful reliefs. He added that the council must carry grassroots constituents along in its mobilisation efforts.

Senator Kawu warned that a disconnect between leadership and the electorate creates misperceptions that undermine both the President and the party. He urged members to leverage President Tinubu’s achievements and vision in their campaigns.

He also stressed the need for internal unity. “Victory depends on complete solidarity. We must heal internal rifts, set aside differences, and ensure that all key stakeholders are fully carried along as equal partners in this mission,”_ he stated.

The Kano South Senator congratulated Senator Yari and other members of the council, saying: “I offer my prayers and best wishes for success as we undertake this critical assignment for our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Tinubu to lead Africa’s critical minerals push at New York summit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to lead a high-level African push for greater control of the continent’s critical mineral resources as the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) holds its Third High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in Africa in New York.

The Roundtable, scheduled for September 21, 2026, in Manhattan on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, will focus on transforming Africa’s mineral wealth into greater economic and industrial value for the continent.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, on Sunday, Tinubu, who chairs the AMSG General Assembly, will chair the meeting themed “From Resources to Wealth: Continental Cooperation for Mineral Value Addition.”

The gathering is expected to attract African Heads of State and Government representatives, ministers, investors, development finance institutions, multilateral organisations and executives from the mining, technology, processing, logistics and mineral traceability sectors.

AMSG said the meeting would address Africa’s longstanding challenge of exporting raw minerals with limited processing and value addition within the continent.

It said the growing global demand for lithium, copper, cobalt, graphite, manganese and rare earth elements presents Africa with an opportunity to reposition its mineral resources as drivers of industrialisation, technology development, job creation and economic growth.

The group said the New York meeting would focus on building integrated mineral value chains, mobilising investment, strengthening intra-African cooperation and securing a larger share of the value generated from the continent’s mineral resources.

A major feature of the Roundtable will be the unveiling of the Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration (CIEAD), which is expected to establish a framework for coordinated African action on critical minerals.

The declaration will cover areas including policy coordination, investment mobilisation, mineral processing and value addition, supply-chain security and Africa’s negotiating position in the global minerals market.

AMSG is also expected to introduce the proposed CIEAD Finance Window, aimed at developing innovative financing mechanisms for mineral processing, infrastructure, technology and other components of Africa’s critical-mineral value chains.

The initiative builds on the Mutual Assured Development (MADE) Framework, launched at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026 in Abuja.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, who chairs the AMSG Ministerial Steering Committee, and the organisation’s Secretary-General, Moses Michael Engadu, are expected to participate in the Roundtable.

AMSG said the meeting would prioritise practical and bankable opportunities rather than another forum for broad declarations.

It said policymakers, financiers and private-sector players would be brought together to identify investment structures and mechanisms capable of translating Africa’s mineral endowment into tangible economic outcomes.

According to the organisation, the global transition to electric vehicles, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and modern defence systems has intensified competition for critical minerals and placed Africa at the centre of an emerging global economic and geopolitical contest.

AMSG maintained that the continent must move from being a passive supplier of raw materials to becoming an active participant and value creator in global mineral supply chains.

The organisation was established in January 2024 by African governments as a continental intergovernmental organisation and specialised agency for critical minerals development.

Its mandate includes coordinating critical-minerals policies, aligning investments, strengthening minerals security and promoting Africa’s engagement with global partners.

The Third AMSG High-Level Roundtable is strategically partnered and supported by Core International.

FG strengthens NigCOMSat’s push to improve connectivity

The Federal Government has approved the acquisition and deployment of two next-generation High-Throughput Communication Satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B, to improve digital connectivity nationwide.

In a statement issued over the weekend by Stephen Kwande, head, corporate affairs NigComSat, said the two satellites are designed to provide high-capacity connectivity for broadband, broadcasting, enterprise communications, government services and other critical digital applications.

It said the deployment is also expected to extend reliable connectivity to underserved, unserved and hard-to-reach communities, particularly locations where conventional terrestrial broadband infrastructure is difficult or costly to deploy.

The statement explained that the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) marks the commencement of the next phase of the project, with Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) leading the implementation under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

According to the statement, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, described the approval as a major milestone for the company and Nigeria’s digital development.

She said the new satellites would strengthen the country’s national satellite capacity, expand connectivity and support critical communications across the country.

“This is a significant milestone for NIGCOMSAT and for Nigeria, and we commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the leadership and support that have enabled us to reach this stage.

The statement reads,” NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B will strengthen our national satellite capacity, expand connectivity and support critical communications across the country. Our priority is to translate this investment into measurable value for Nigerians and position NIGCOMSAT for stronger impact within the global satellite and digital economy.

“The additional satellite capacity will support high-capacity broadband, broadcasting, enterprise connectivity, government services and emerging digital applications, while complementing existing terrestrial broadband networks.

“They are expected to widen access to digital services in critical sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, financial services, broadcasting and government, while improving the resilience of Nigeria’s communications infrastructure.

“The project is also expected to strengthen secure and resilient communications for critical national requirements, including national security and defence, while reducing excessive dependence on external satellite infrastructure. Authority.

Atiku to Tinubu: Nigerians deserve transparency on $5bn Abu Dhabi loan

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to demand accountability from the Tinubu-led APC government over its rising debt profile, warning that unchecked borrowing risks trapping future generations in unsustainable debt.

In a statement issued Sunday, Atiku accused the administration of incompetence and financial impropriety, citing a lack of transparency in recent loan agreements. He specifically criticized the government’s handling of the $5 billion facility from First Abu Dhabi Bank, insisting that taxpayers deserve full disclosure of how such funds will be utilized.

Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has contracted significant new debt. According to the Debt Management Office, the Tinubu administration has added N72 Trillion of fresh debt stock, bringing the total indebtedness to N159.35 trillion as at early 2026.

Despite these borrowings, Atiku argued, Nigerians remain poorer and less secure. Poverty levels have risen from 56% in 2023 to between 61% and 63% under the Tinubu administration, leaving over 140 million citizens trapped in multidimensional poverty.

Atiku criticized Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, for dismissing public calls to explain the Abu Dhabi loan. Oyedele had stated that the facility was approved by the National Assembly and intended to refinance more expensive debt but refused to disclose spending details.

“The government is obliged to explain every loan taken on behalf of Nigerians,” Atiku said. “Every Kobo borrowed matters because citizens — both living and unborn — will bear the burden of repayment. Yet these loans have failed to improve their material wellbeing.”

He further noted that the Federal Government is required to pledge securities worth about 133% of the loan amount as collateral, making transparency even more critical. Atiku reminded Nigerians that both the International Monetary Fund and Fitch Ratings have raised concerns about the financing structure, citing risks to transparency and sovereign debt sustainability.

Atiku concluded by urging Nigerians to hold the government accountable, stressing that borrowing without clear results undermines trust and jeopardizes the nation’s economic future.

Police ‌‌‍⁠‍⁠⁠‌‌‍⁠‍‍‌‌confirm abduction of worshipers in Niger

The Police Command in Niger has confirmed the abduction of worshipers at a Mosque in Dekara District in Borgu Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the incident happened at about 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, when the victims were observing Jumaat prayer.

He said the exact number of those kidnapped was yet to be ascertained.

APC Chairman dies at party reconciliation in Kogi

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Oyewole Mayowa Solomon, has reportedly died after collapsing during a party reconciliation meeting in Iyara, the council headquarters.

It was gathered that te incident occurred on Friday while Solomon was participating in a meeting convened by a former chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area, Funsho Olumoko, as part of efforts to foster unity among APC stakeholders in the area.

Convened by a former chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area, Funsho Olumoko the meeting was held at the Iyara Town Hall, was aimed at bringing together party leaders and stakeholders to resolve differences strengthen cooperation ahead of future political activities.

An eye witness account said Solomon was actively participating in the meeting holding at Iyara Town Hall when he suddenly slumped throwing participants into confusion and panic.

Effort was made to revive him but he was said to have died shortly afterwards in a hospital in Kabba, where he was rushed to.

The development sent shock waves those attending the meeting which was part of ongoing efforts by APC stakeholders in Ijumu to resolve internal disagreements and promote greater unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.