Atiku using outdated data to criticize Tinubu’s reforms —  Presidency 

 

The Presidency has dismissed criticisms by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, insisting that Nigeria’s reform programme is delivering measurable results despite the initial hardships experienced by citizens.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Atiku’s assessment of the economy was based on outdated 2024 data and failed to reflect developments recorded by the administration in 2026.

Onanuga argued that evaluating the reforms solely by their early challenges ignored the broader objective of correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy. According to him, Nigeria’s economy has rebounded significantly since the exchange rate adjustment, with dollar-denominated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rising from about $253 billion after the currency realignment to approximately $377 billion, while naira GDP increased from about ₦314 trillion in 2024 to around ₦530 trillion.

Responding to concerns over the country’s rising debt profile, the presidential spokesman maintained that Nigeria’s debt remains sustainable, stressing that the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio stands at about 40 per cent, which he described as relatively modest compared to several emerging and advanced economies.

He added that the debt service-to-revenue ratio had fallen from nearly 100 per cent in December 2022 to below 60 per cent under the current administration, reflecting improved revenue generation and prudent debt management.

The Presidency also defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy, describing it as a bold reform that previous administrations, including the one in which Atiku served as vice president, failed to implement. It said the policy had significantly increased statutory allocations to states and local governments, enabling them to invest more in infrastructure, healthcare, education, salaries and social programmes.

On the administration’s tax reforms, Onanuga rejected claims that the government had imposed heavier taxes on Nigerians. He said the reforms were designed to reduce the tax burden on low-income earners and small businesses while improving compliance among higher-income individuals and profitable enterprises. According to him, the reforms aim to create a fairer and broader tax system rather than merely raising government revenue.

Highlighting achievements in key sectors, the Presidency said more than 3,000 primary healthcare centres had been revitalised, over 78,000 frontline health workers retrained, and more than 100 public health facilities now provide free caesarean sections for indigent women. It also noted that three world-class cancer centres are operational in Kubwa, Enugu and Katsina, while cancer treatment facilities have been expanded in 13 states.

In the education sector, the statement said over 11,000 projects had been executed through the Universal Basic Education Commission in partnership with state governments, while the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had benefited more than 1.64 million students with tuition and upkeep loans worth over ₦303 billion across about 300 tertiary institutions. It also credited the administration with restoring stability to public universities by ending prolonged industrial actions.

The Presidency further cited ongoing investments in roads, railways, power, airports, housing, gas infrastructure and digital connectivity as evidence of sustained infrastructure development. It argued that these projects, alongside stronger fiscal inflows to states, were supporting private sector growth and improving national productivity.

Onanuga dismissed Atiku’s claim that the Federal Government earned an oil windfall of ₦7.98 trillion, describing the assertion as analytically flawed. He explained that although global crude oil prices averaged above the benchmark in the first half of 2026, production remained below projections, while part of the crude output had already been committed to servicing existing obligations.

He added that government oil revenues could not be calculated simply by multiplying crude prices by daily production without accounting for production costs, contractual arrangements and the share accruing to oil companies.

The Presidency maintained that the administration’s reforms had laid the foundation for long-term economic stability and growth, despite the temporary sacrifices required. It said recent social intervention programmes, including the ward-centric NG-CARES, HOPE and SOLID initiatives valued at over $3 billion, alongside cash transfers to 15 million vulnerable households, were designed to cushion the impact of the reforms.

Athority.

Miss world Nigeria seeks NYSC partnership for skills empowerment

The incumbent Miss World Nigeria, Tamunosoye  Karibi-George has appealed for support from the NYSC for her pet project which is targeted towards entrepreneurship for young Nigerians.
The 2026 pageant winner disclosed that her pet project – empowering the youth through skill acquisition, currently has a skill centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, where she trains young men and women in fashion design.
She made the appeal during her courtesy visit to the NYSC Director General at the National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja. The beauty queen who is an ex-Corps Member also requested approval for her with her team to pay visits to NYSC Orientation Camps across Nigeria, in order to motivate Corps Members to embrace Skill Acquisition.
Miss Karibi-George used the forum to invite the Chief Executive, NYSC Staff and Corps Members to her national send-forth slated for 5th August, 2026 at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. “Director General Sir, while in camp at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Kubwa-Abuja in 2021, I participated actively in SAED training and this gave me the impetus to establish a fashion design centre in Port Harcout”.
“We have been training youth at the centre and giving them start-up kits at the end of their training. We don’t give them money so as to avoid the temptation of them diverting it into another use than the business we train them for”, she stated.
In his remarks, the Director General of National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu commended the reigning Miss Word Nigeria for her efforts in promoting entrepreneurship among the youth.
General Nafiu said her decision to engage in youth empowerment is in line with NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, which is aimed at making Corps Members self-reliant and employers of labour.
While urging her to keep up the tempo, he assured her of the Scheme’s readiness to partner with her in motivating more Nigerian youths to embrace Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship, which he noted as the surest way of pulling the nation out of poverty. “As an institution, we introduced SAED in 2012 having realized that government alone cannot provide jobs for the ever increasing number of young graduates annually”.
“We encourage Corps Members to pick up at least one skill during the Orientation period and nurture same afterwards, in addition to the certificates they obtained from school, in order to have multiple streams of income”, he said.
The NYSC helmsman congratulated Miss Karibi-George on her emergence as the most beautiful and elegant of all ladies that contested to be crowned Miss World Nigeria for 2026, thereby succeeding Joy Mojisola Raimi. He encouraged the beauty queen to brace up for the 73rd Miss World Festival at which she would be representing Nigeria in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam later in the year.
“As we wish you a very successful outing at the global fiesta, we want to assure you of our moral support and prayers. We are particularly proud of you because we see you as a member of the NYSC having passed out from National Service just 4 /5 years ago”, he added.
The Director General concluded by drawing her attention to the fact that her participation in the beauty pageant at a global stage is a noble opportunity for her to showcase and promote Nigeria’s culture, which he described as cultural diplomacy.
Authority.

Catholic bishops are not props or rented cheerleaders — Atiku hits Tinubu

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the Presidency’s attack on the Catholic Church and one of its most respected clerics, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, describing it as yet another demonstration of the Tinubu administration’s growing intolerance of dissent and uncomfortable truths.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said it was both unfortunate and dangerous that, instead of reflecting on the substance of the cleric’s message, the Presidency chose the familiar path of intimidation, ridicule and political attacks.
“The Catholic Church has, for generations, stood as one of the moral voices of our nation. Its bishops and priests have consistently spoken for the poor, the oppressed and the vulnerable, irrespective of who occupies Aso Rock. Their duty is not to flatter those in power but to speak truth to power.
“The Catholic Bishops demonstrated rare courage by looking the President in the face and telling him the bitter truth about the state of the nation. That is precisely what patriotic religious leaders are called to do—not to decorate power with praise, but to confront it with truth. We urge other religious leaders, regardless of denomination or faith, to emulate this example by speaking truth to power whenever the nation’s interest demands it.
“The commentary by the Tinubu Presidency against Cardinal John Onaiyekan—a respected voice, elder statesman and beacon of truth within the Catholic Church—was delivered in language that was unbecoming of a government and amounted to sheer arrogance, not only towards the Church but towards millions of Nigerians who hold the Cardinal and the institution he represents in the highest esteem. Such haughtiness betrays a government that has lost respect for independent voices.
“What the media managers of the Tinubu administration attempted to do was to cancel and overwrite the voices of the revered Catholic Bishops by selectively editing and reframing their engagement with the President in order to manufacture a narrative favourable to the government. That cynical exercise amounted to an affront to the integrity, credibility and moral authority of the bishops.
“Cardinal Onaiyekan’s decision to speak to the press after the Presidency sought to dominate and distort the public conversation was nothing more than an effort to place the facts on record. Such a responsible act cannot justify the vile, uncouth and disrespectful reaction that followed from Tinubu’s media handlers. Resorting to insults instead of addressing the issues only exposes the bankruptcy of their arguments.
“It is disappointing that the Presidency has chosen to attack a respected servant of God simply because he refused to join the growing army of sycophants whose only assignment is to applaud failure and defend the indefensible.
“The Presidency is not a secret cult where only approved voices are permitted to speak. In a constitutional democracy, no one needs the permission of Aso Rock to tell the truth about the state of the nation.
“Perhaps the Presidency has become so accustomed to inviting ‘fake bishops’ that it now assumes every cleric can be recruited into political propaganda. But Catholic bishops are different. They are not political props, rented cheerleaders or praise singers. They are shepherds with a moral obligation to speak truth to power, regardless of whose interests are bruised. They cannot be used.
“The cleric merely gave voice to what millions of Nigerians discuss daily in their homes, markets, churches and workplaces. Silencing or attacking him will not erase the harsh realities of hunger, insecurity, rising poverty, unemployment and the unprecedented cost-of-living crisis confronting ordinary citizens.
“A government confident in its record welcomes criticism because it provides an opportunity for reflection and improvement. Only an insecure government wages war against honest voices while rewarding those who tell it only what it wants to hear.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot flourish if religious leaders, civil society and patriotic citizens are expected to become praise singers before they can exercise their constitutional right to express their opinions. The Church has every right—and indeed a moral obligation—to speak whenever the welfare, dignity and future of Nigerians are threatened.
“The Presidency should stop shooting the messenger and start addressing the message. No amount of attacks on respected clerics will change the lived reality of Nigerians or absolve this administration of responsibility for the hardships its policies have inflicted on the people.”
“The Presidency owes the Catholic Church, Cardinal John Onaiyekan and the entire Catholic faithful an immediate and unreserved apology. The reckless assault on respected men of God was not merely an attack on individuals; it was an affront to one of Nigeria’s most credible moral institutions and an insult to millions of faithful Catholics. Until that apology is offered, the Tinubu administration will continue to stand accused of arrogance, intolerance and contempt for every independent voice that refuses to sing its praises.”

Presidency faults Onaiyekan over Bishops’ meeting with Tinubu

 

 

The Presidency has berated Cardinal John Onaiyekan over his comments on a private meeting between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu.

It faulted the cleric for granting a television interview in which he gave his account and interpretation of what happened at the meeting.

According to the Presidency, it was “fundamentally inappropriate” for Onaiyekan to publicly discuss the details of the private engagement.

 

It also described the action as an abuse of clerical privilege.

The criticism followed Onaiyekan’s media appearance on the meeting involving the bishops and the President.

Newspot.

TCN: Solar streetlight projects NASS are constituency projects to support grid security 

 

 

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has noted a publication authored by Emmanuel Oluwole Uti of FIJ alleging that TCN paid N1.28 billion between May and June 2025 for solar streetlight projects “outside its mandate.”

In a statement on Saturday, the Company clarified that the projects referenced are National Assembly Constituency Projects duly captured in the Federal Government approved appropriation budget and nominated by Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators to serve vulnerable communities.

“TCN did not initiate or request these projects. They were included in TCN’s capital projects by the National Assembly, with the Company designated as the implementing agency by the relevant authorities, in line with established government practice.

 

“It is important to emphasize that the funds utilized for these projects do not belong to TCN and are not sourced from the Company’s Internally Generated Revenue.

“They are Federal Government appropriations budget duly approved by Mr. President. Consequently, all payments, including those referenced by FIJ, were processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) in strict compliance with extant financial regulations,” TCN statement said.

The Company went further to say that “the procurement process was carried out with approvals from relevant Government agencies such as the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

 

“As an organization whose 330kV and 132kV transmission lines and towers crisscross the nation, TCN has consistently undertaken nationwide sensitization programmes on safety, asset protection, and the dangers of vandalism and bush burning.

“Experience has shown that well-lit communities help boost public confidence, reduce vandalism and theft, and ultimately safeguard the integrity of the national grid.

 

“The interventions listed by FIJ in Jigawa, Kano, and Kogi States were therefore implemented by TCN at the instance of the National Assembly request to improve security in vulnerable communities, enhance visibility, and support socio-economic activity in beneficiary areas, while also contributing to the protection of national power infrastructure.

 

“While TCN’s core statutory mandate remains bulk power transmission, the Company is empowered to execute constituency and other federal government projects when duly assigned. These interventions should not be erroneously interpreted as a deviation from TCN’s primary responsibility as the transporter of bulk electricity nationwide.

 

“It is also worthy of note that, as a government agency, there is no provision in law prohibiting TCN from executing projects assigned to it by the National Assembly or other arms of government, provided due process is followed in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

 

“All procurements relating to these projects, including the seven payments cited by FIJ to Au Step Nigeria Limited, Empire Technical Projects Construction Services Limited, and Ideal Engineering & Construction Company Limited, were carried out in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act.”

Clarifying further, TCN said: “Competent contractors were engaged, and the projects are being monitored to ensure quality delivery and measurable impact for the benefiting communities.”

 

“TCN therefore appeals to media organizations and stakeholders to verify information with the Company prior to publication. This will ensure factual, balanced, and accurate reporting, while preventing the spread of misinformation.

 

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria remains committed to its statutory mandate of wheeling bulk power across the nation and to supporting national development objectives through the transparent execution of projects duly assigned by the government and the National Assembly,” the statement concluded.

I chose Nigeria, Democracy over Obasanjo -Atiku

 

 

*Reveals why OBJ is unforgiving, vindictive

 

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s latest public outburst against him is yet another failed attempt to rewrite history, insisting that no amount of bitterness can erase either the constitutional stand he took against the infamous third-term agenda or the pivotal role he played in Chief Obasanjo’s personal and political journey.

 

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he watched the former President’s interview with profound sadness, not anger, because it reflected the disposition of a man who has allowed personal resentment to cloud historical truth.

 

Atiku said the genesis of Chief Obasanjo’s hostility towards him is well known to Nigerians.

 

“I am proud that I stood against the third-term agenda. I am proud that I stood by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have no apology whatsoever for frustrating every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition.”

 

“If Chief Obasanjo’s bitterness stems from my refusal to support an unconstitutional third term, then I wear that resentment as a badge of honour. No individual, regardless of his status or accomplishments, is bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Constitution is supreme, and I chose Nigeria over personal loyalty.”

 

Atiku noted that the struggle against the third-term agenda was never about two individuals but about preserving Nigeria’s constitutional democracy for future generations.

 

“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict.”

 

The former Vice President said it was therefore unfortunate that the same man whose unconstitutional ambition was resisted now seeks to sit in judgment over those who defended the Constitution.

 

Atiku said it was particularly instructive that barely twenty-four hours before Chief Obasanjo’s latest outburst, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, publicly paid glowing tribute to the economic management team he led, describing it as “the best Nigeria has ever had.”

 

“Whether or not the timing is merely coincidental is for Nigerians to judge. What is beyond dispute, however, is that while distinguished Nigerians who served at the highest levels continue to acknowledge my contributions to one of Nigeria’s most successful periods of economic management, Chief Obasanjo appears determined to diminish them.”

 

“Chief Obasanjo may choose not to appreciate my role in building one of Nigeria’s most prosperous economic eras, but history has been far kinder. The record speaks for itself, and so do the testimonies of those who worked closely with that administration.”

 

Atiku further stated that Nigerians also deserve to remember the other side of history which Chief Obasanjo conveniently omits.

 

“History records that while Chief Obasanjo was in prison, I stood firmly by him. I supported his family, worked tirelessly with other patriots for his release and never wavered in my belief that he deserved his freedom.”

 

“When he eventually regained his freedom, he had little to his name. I received him, clothed him, ensured he was properly cared for and extended every support necessary to help him regain his footing. Beyond that, I mobilised political structures, built alliances and made enormous personal and political sacrifices that culminated in his emergence as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

 

Atiku said he harbours no regrets over any of those acts.

 

“Do I regret helping Chief Obasanjo? Absolutely not. When God gives you the opportunity to lift another human being, you do so without expecting repayment. Acts of kindness are matters of conscience, not commercial transactions.”

 

He added, however, that gratitude should never be replaced with revisionism.

 

“If the true history of Chief Obasanjo’s political journey is ever written—free from selective recollection and personal bitterness—Atiku Abubakar will feature prominently as one of those whom God used to change the course of his life and political career.”

 

The former Vice President expressed disappointment that, at a time when Nigeria is battling economic hardship, mass unemployment, insecurity and widespread despair, a former President would devote so much energy to recycling old grudges instead of contributing solutions to the country’s challenges.

 

“The 2027 election should be about rebuilding Nigeria, restoring security, reviving the economy and giving hope to the next generation—not reopening old political wounds.”

 

Atiku said he had deliberately maintained restraint over the years out of respect for the office Chief Obasanjo once occupied and in deference to the relationship they once shared.

 

“That restraint should never be mistaken for weakness or docility.”

 

“There comes a point when silence in the face of repeated distortions of history ceases to be a virtue. While I have no desire to engage in a public quarrel with a man I once stood beside in his most difficult moments, neither will I permit falsehoods, half-truths and calculated attempts to rewrite history to go unanswered.”

 

“Chief Obasanjo is entitled to his opinions. He is entitled to his personal grievances. What he is not entitled to are his own facts.”

 

Atiku reaffirmed that his attention remains firmly fixed on Nigeria’s future.

 

“I have chosen the path of service over resentment, vision over vendetta and national renewal over personal recrimination. Those who mistake my civility for capitulation, or my restraint for weakness, make a grave mistake.

 

“History is stubborn. It cannot be rewritten by bitterness, nor erased by repeated falsehoods. In the end, history will render its verdict—and so will the Nigerian people.”

ALERT: Enemies bent on creating rift between Obi and Kwankwaso -Media Office

 

 

The Peter Obi Media Office (POMO) has decried unrelenting efforts of political enemies to create rancour in presidential ticket of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

This is contained in a statement issued by the office on Friday.

Said the statement: “The Peter Obi Media Office acknowledges recent, coordinated efforts by political adversaries and disruptive individuals to create division, misrepresent our leader’s objectives, and foster artificial rifts within our movement dedicated to improving Nigeria.

“They dubiously try to ascribe their imagined words to our principal, aiming to create division in his fold. We feel it is imperative to directly and unequivocally address these manoeuvres,”, the Office said.

The statement went on to say that: “Let us be clear: our endeavour is, and always has been, driven by a commitment to national progress, not personal ambition, ethnic appeals, or petty partisan squabbles.

 

“While our opponents are expending valuable time and resources on creating distractions, fabricating narratives, and attempting to undermine our unity, the pressing realities faced by ordinary Nigerians remain unchanged.

“Millions of households are grappling with escalating living expenses, rampant inflation, and widespread unemployment. A significant number of our citizens live in constant fear for their safety and their ability to earn a living across the nation.

 

“Our public institutions are in critical need of capable, ethical, and accountable leadership to provide essential services. This is precisely what our principal, Peter Obi, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) are committed to delivering. These are the fundamental challenges that demand our collective intelligence, energy, and unwavering dedication.

 

“To engage in the unproductive arena of political slander would be a disservice to the struggling populace who place their hope in our principal for viable solutions. We urge those who are attempting to sow discord to redirect their efforts towards proposing concrete solutions to the immense challenges confronting our nation.

“Regardless of sponsored disinformation campaigns or calculated attempts at division, a movement founded on truth, competence, and a genuine desire to restore Nigeria will not be deterred.

 

“We implore our devoted supporters, including the OBIdients and Kwankwasoiyya movements, and all Nigerians of good conscience, to disregard rumours, fabricated stories, and deliberate provocations, including the purported sack of the Obidient Movement National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko.

“Our opponents rely on division because they lack a tangible record or a compelling vision to present to the public.

 

“Our collective strength lies in our shared dedication to forging a Nigeria that is functional, prosperous, and secure. Let us remain resolute, undeterred, and fully committed to the crucial task of transforming Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to one focused on production,” the statement concluded.

Oriire Kidnap: FG arraigns Ansaru Commanders, 3 others on fresh charges of terrorism, murder

 

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, arraigned two commanders of the Ansaru terrorist organization captured by the Department of State Services (DSS), and their three foot soldiers, for terrorism, kidnapping and murder of two teachers of schools in Orire LGA of Oyo State.

The five suspects were arraigned before Justice Salim Ibrahin of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In August 2025, DSS operatives captured Mahmuda top commander, Abubakar Abba Mahmuda Abu Bara’a and his deputy, Abubakar Abbas aka Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri.

According to security sources, after the capture,  Ansaru made two attempts- one in December 2025, and another in February 2026, to free their commanders. However, the attempts were reportedly foiled by DSS intelligence to the state security council, after which the secret police continued to update intelligence on the group’s activities.

 

On May 15, 2026, several armed men belonging to Ansaru terror group stormed some schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo State, kidnapping 46 people made up of 39 students and seven teachers. Apparently, to mount pressure on government to  release their two captured commanders in DSS’ custody, the terrorists killed two of the teachers.

On July 10, 2026, however, security forces from the DSS and the military, police and other security agencies, stormed the forest where the terrorists were holding the abductees, freeing the hostages.

During the rescue operation, DSS operatives captured three more members of the Ansaru terror organization- Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani.

On July 23, the three men pleaded guilty to concealing information regarding the Oriire school kidnapping and for membership in the proscribed Darul Salam/Ansaru group. They were promptly handed life imprisonment.

Relatedly, a Federal High Court in Abuja, last week, sentenced Mahmud Usman (Abu Bara’a) and his deputy Mahmud al-Nigeri, to life imprisonment after they both pleaded guilty to some charges in the 32-count charge of belonging to a terrorist organization, among other charges.

After the sentencing, feelers from the DSS suggested that the secret police was dissatisfied with the judgement and was going to appeal.

However, in a fresh twist, the DSS, on Wednesday, changed strategy, opting to arraign the terrorist commanders and three of their foot soldiers on fresh charges of terrorism, kidnapping and murder of persons in Oriire LGA.

Justice Salim adjourned the matter to September 24 for the commencement of trial. He ordered that the five suspects remain in the custody of the DSS.

XXXXX

Breaking: FG arraigns ‘BOSYA President’ Kaigama for terrorism

 

The Federal government, on Wednesday, arraigned President of the Borno State Youths Association (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, recently arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), for terrorism.

Kaigama was arraigned before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, in Abuja.

 

The self-styled youth president had during an interview session last week on Channels Television, admitted that he had discussions with Boko Haram terrorists on alleged ransom payments for victims they kidnapped.

Security sources disclosed that the secret police is in possession of rock-solid evidence of extortion of victims’ families by Kaigama.

Justice Ibrahim adjourned the matter to September 25, 2026, for the commencement of trial, even as he ordered that the youth president remain in the custody of the DSS. Authority.

Nigeria 2027 and the overwhelming ‘Trump card’

 

By Ike Abonyi

 

” _To be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal.”_

— Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State.

 

 

 

The upcoming make-or-mar 2027 Nigeria’s Presidential election is being increasingly dominated by the figure of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has become a pivotal, almost decisive, element in Nigeria’s political landscape. His influence is so pronounced that Nigeria’s democratic trajectory appears, at times, to be that of a political dependency of the United States, with Trump himself acting as the de facto arbiter of its democratic destiny. This centrality is not accidental; Trump has emerged as the ‘Trump card’ – a metaphor drawn from card games signifying a hidden advantage or decisive resource – for the crucial 2027 polls.

 

In narrative contexts, a trump card is a potent tool, a secret weapon or unexpected advantage deployed at a critical moment to shift power dynamics and secure victory dramatically. It allows a character to circumvent established rules or resolve narrative impasses. The anticipation of when and how this secret weapon will be revealed builds suspense, offering insight into the character’s strategic acumen. In essence, a trump card is typically revealed at a very crucial moment to transform a potential loss into a decisive victory.

 

This concept is directly applicable to Nigeria’s political arena. The author plants the seeds of this ‘secret advantage’ beforehand, allowing the audience or opponents to sense its existence, even if its precise nature and timing remain unknown. By all accounts, Nigeria’s democratic journey towards the 2027 election is faltering, and Donald Trump has become the critical factor poised to be the election’s ultimate trump card.

 

A recent example of Trump’s impact was a wave created by a purported letter from him to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending his administration’s efforts against terrorism. This message, arriving six months before a critical presidential election, was a significant boon for the ruling party and a source of consternation for the opposition. Regardless of the letter’s authenticity, the intense reactions it generated underscored Trump’s strategic importance in Nigeria’s electoral calculus.

 

The ruling party swiftly leveraged this purported endorsement for political gain, while the opposition vehemently disputed its legitimacy. This divergence in how both factions engage with Trump highlights his crucial role as the ‘trump card’ that could significantly shape the 2027 presidential outcome. This concern is rooted in historical precedent; in 2015, the U.S. played a role in the downfall of the then-ruling President Goodluck Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party,  PDP, and led to the rise of the current ruling  All Progressives Congress,  APC.

 

Interestingly, both the ruling party and the opposition are now seeking Trump’s favour, albeit for different reasons. The incumbent government is hoping that Trump will overlook their numerous shortcomings – such as questionable backgrounds, corruption allegations, and electoral manipulation records that are very well known to the U.S and look the other way to enable them to capitalise on their incumbency advantages. Conversely, the opposition is strongly imploring Trump to take a more active interest in the election, specifically by critically scrutinising the known dirty dealings of President Tinubu while he lived in the U.S. Their primary demand is for Trump to facilitate a free, fair, and credible election, a prospect that deeply unsettles the ruling party.

 

This intense focus on Donald Trump raises questions about Nigeria’s sovereignty, making it appear more like a political colony than an independent African nation. This reliance on an external ‘trump card’ reflects a persistent tendency to embrace undemocratic practices.

 

Trump’s involvement in Nigeria’s political discourse intensified after he secured a second term in 2024, sparking hope among the opposition that he would champion democratic reforms. However, his subsequent actions have been unpredictable, creating ambiguity.

The appointment of his son-in-law, Massad Bolous, a known ally of the Tinubus in charge of African Affairs, opened the door for suspicion on Trump’s real agenda for Nigeria, especially the vital 2027 poll.

 

Consequently, both the Tinubu administration and the opposition, propelled by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, are expending considerable resources and energy lobbying in the U.S. rather than engaging directly with the Nigerian populace. Their focus is not on mobilising voters, whose ballots often carry little weight, but on securing the ‘trump card’ that could influence the U.S. stance on electoral fraud or support for a fair election.

 

These ‘Trump Card’ variables are not peripheral to the 2027 election; they represent a significant geopolitical influence with Nigeria at its centre, reshaping global electoral dynamics. U.S. political rhetoric under President Trump acts as a major catalyst for the approaching pivotal election.

 

Various Political commentators term these influential factors ‘Trump Cards,’ which local candidates and coalitions must either leverage or counter. When discussions arise about Nigeria ‘awaiting’ Donald Trump’s influence on the 2027 election, they consider how shifts in U.S. foreign policy and global geopolitics under his presidency might affect Nigeria’s political landscape.

 

While Trump does not directly control Nigerian elections, a U.S. presidency significantly impacts the economic climate, diplomatic relations, and campaign narratives. The strategic manoeuvring by President Tinubu and the fragmented opposition, including their lobbying efforts, are shaping the electoral dynamics. Meanwhile, a substantial portion of Nigerian voters remain undecided, not strongly aligned with either side of the Atiku/Tinubu lobbying teams.

Instead, they are seeking fundamental changes in their governance, and many see Peter Obi and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as embodying this desire, owing to his unimpeachable record of integrity and prudence.

 

In contrast, the incumbent administration under Tinubu is concentrating its efforts on employing statecraft, international diplomacy, and cross-party alliances to solidify its prospects for re-election. The administration has actively pursued foreign policy avenues and engaged reputable international lobbying firms in Washington to promote its stringent macroeconomic policies—including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates—as crucial measures for achieving long-term economic stability and growth.

 

A significant strategy of the APC’s lobbying contingent involves weakening opposition structures by encouraging the defection of prominent opposition figures, such as state governors. Furthermore, there are concerted attempts to financially incentivise certain youth groups and other state-level organisations before the official campaign period commences.

 

Regrettably, despite acknowledging that a divided opposition contributed to the APC’s victory in 2023, Atiku Abubakar’s lobbying efforts do not appear to be prioritising the unification of opposition platforms. This is likely due to his unwillingness to make the necessary concessions, as the established political office zoning arrangements are not advantageous to him.

Notwithstanding, the current Tinubu administration appears vulnerable, potentially to a fractured opposition bolstered by the Obi/Kwankwaso alliance—especially given the prevalent cost-of-living crises and security concerns, which frame the election as a direct judgment on the incumbent’s performance. Renowned Ghanaian first President Kwame Nkrumah’s observation about neo-colonialism resonates with Nigeria’s current democratic experience: ‘The essence of neo-colonialism is that the State which is subject to it is, in theory, independent… In reality, its economic system and thus its political policy are directed from outside.’

Similarly, a former US Secretary of State, Zbigniew Brzezinski, articulated America’s pragmatic approach for a Nigerian lesson that: ‘America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests.’ May divine intervention guide us.

Peter Obi to Nigerians: Don’t be distracted by the trivialities of the ruling class

 

The Peter Obi Media Office says it has been compelled to react to the reactions to our principal’s recent television interview, having observed with growing concern the persistent attempts by paid political operatives, propaganda machinery, and elements aligned with the ruling establishment to divert national attention away from the pressing socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria today.

In a statement on Wednesday, the office said: “After the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Presidential Candidate painstakingly outlined the structural defects in our governance, the crippling economic hardship, and concrete steps toward national revival, the public has once again witnessed the predictable reflex of the ruling class: a desperate scramble to weaponise minor slips, cherry-pick narratives, and elevate non-issues over critical national debate.

“While millions of Nigerian families continue to suffer under the weight of hyperinflation, food insecurity, skyrocketing energy costs, widespread unemployment, and unrelenting insecurity, the political elite and their mouthpieces are fixated on peddling trivialities. This is not an accident; it is a calculated political strategy designed to keep the public emotionally agitated and intellectually distracted from demanding real accountability.

“We wish to state unequivocally:

  • Nigeria is in a crisis of governance, not a battle of soundbites: The debate that Nigeria desperately needs today is not about political drama or deliberate semantic distortions; it is about how to rescue a failing economy, restore the purchasing power of the naira, secure innocent lives, and transition our nation from a consumption-driven economy to a productive powerhouse.
  • *We reject the rules of engagement set by the ruling class:* The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement and the millions of patriotic Nigerians who stand with us will not be dragged into the gutter of trivial controversies created by those who have failed the nation. We refuse to allow those responsible for the country’s current plight to set the agenda for public discourse.
  • *An appeal to the Nigerian public and media*: We urge the press and the Nigerian public, particularly the youth whose futures are at stake, to remain vigilant and discerning. Do not yield to the diversionary tactics of propaganda. Whenever the handlers of this administration attempt to turn a national conversation into a circus of irrelevancies, ask them the hard questions:
  • _Where is the plan to lower food inflation?
  • How do we secure our farms and highways?
  • What is being done to rescue millions falling below the poverty line?_

Peter Obi remains unwavering in his commitment to a new Nigeria built on competence, character, transparency, and actionable solutions. No amount of coordinated distraction or smear will deter him from speaking truth to power and standing firmly with the Nigerian people.

Let us remain focused on the issues that truly matter.

“A new Nigeria is possible, but only if we refuse to be distracted,” it concluded.