Former Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has been named the governorship candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). This political shift follows a strategic internal agreement in which another prominent contender, Nasiru Gawuna, agreed to accept the party’s Kano Central senatorial ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

To mark the third anniversary of his administration on May 29, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered an address to the nation, reflecting on the challenging yet necessary reforms initiated since he took office on May 29, 2023.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

President Tinubu acknowledged the significant sacrifices Nigerians have endured due to his administration’s economic policies. He emphasized that the difficult decisions taken to remove fuel subsidies and stabilize exchange rates were essential to rescue the nation from fiscal collapse. According to the President, these actions shifted the country away from a path of ruin toward sustainable long-term recovery.

Key Highlights of Progress

The President outlined several areas where he claims his administration has achieved measurable success:

• Economic Growth: Highlighting a bolstered stock market—with the All Share Index climbing from 53,000 in 2023 to 250,000 in 2026—and increased investor confidence.

• Infrastructure: Significant progress on over 2,700 kilometers of road projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.

• Energy Sector: Efforts to boost gas utilization and local refining capacity to reduce reliance on imports, alongside initiatives to clear debts and upgrade the national power grid.

• Education and Social Welfare: The disbursement of over ₦282 billion via the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to support more than 1.5 million students, alongside the development of thousands of social housing units through the “Renewed Hope” program.

• Security: Continued efforts by security agencies to neutralize criminal elements, with the President asserting that many regions are becoming safer and more stable.

A Vision for the Future

President Tinubu concluded his address by urging Nigerians to maintain their faith in the country’s potential. While acknowledging that the work of national renewal is ongoing, he called for unity, discipline, and a collective commitment to building a more prosperous and inclusive Nigeria. He underscored his administration’s ongoing focus on reducing the cost of living—specifically through lower food prices and the adoption of CNG and electric transport—as the nation continues its journey toward economic stability.

The Presidency has downplayed the significance of Atiku Abubakar’s recent emergence as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, following his victory over Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. According to the reported results, Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes, compared to 504,117 for Amaechi and 177,120 for Hayatu-Deen.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In response, the Presidency stated that Atiku’s candidacy does not present a credible challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects in 2027, emphasizing that the upcoming election will be decided by performance rather than opposition maneuvers.

Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, characterized the ADC alliance as a platform built on personal grievances and a desire for power rather than a shared vision for national governance. Ajayi dismissed Atiku’s candidacy as a predictable repetition of his long-standing presidential aspirations, noting that Atiku has been a consistent participant in presidential races since 1992.

Ajayi further asserted that the opposition coalition is inherently unstable, pointing to the earlier departures of prominent figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as proof of its fragility. He argued that the alliance is anchored in the personal frustrations of politicians who feel entitled to influence, rather than in a substantive ideological or developmental agenda.

Additionally, the presidential aide rejected any parallels between Atiku’s current bid and the 2015 success of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Ajayi maintained that the political environment that enabled Buhari’s victory—specifically the rare, unified consolidation of opposition interests—is currently missing. He contended that Atiku lacks the regional support base that aided Buhari and suggested that the current opposition is failing to present a cohesive alternative to the ruling party.

Regarding other opposition figures, Ajayi criticized Peter Obi’s political history, arguing that Obi lacks the capacity to succeed in competitive party primaries and has historically relied on being granted nominations rather than earning them through internal contests.