The standard-bearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has announced that regardless of the outcome, next year’s polls will mark his final bid for the presidency.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports indicate that the former Vice President made the declaration during a live session on Facebook on Thursday, reflecting on his previous runs for the nation’s highest office.

During the session, Atiku also reiterated criticisms regarding President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials, maintaining his stance that questions surrounding the qualification remain unresolved and unacceptable for a sitting leader.

Additionally, the former Vice President pledged to reintroduce the petrol subsidy if elected, arguing that the current administration’s removal of the policy has placed an undue economic burden on citizens without delivering visible corresponding benefits. While President Tinubu initially terminated the subsidy in May 2023 to free up resources for infrastructure and governance, Atiku stated that his perspective on the policy shifted after assessing its severe consequences on everyday living costs.

Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has clarified that his recent remarks addressing Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, were not intended to show disrespect to the cleric or the broader Christian community.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports indicate that Cardinal Onaiyekan, accompanied by a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), had previously met with President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja to discuss critical national matters, including insecurity, the state of education, democratic principles, and rising poverty.

During a subsequent interview on Arise TV, Onaiyekan shared details of the private exchanges between the president and the bishops regarding the economy. In response at the time, Ajayi publicly criticized the cleric, describing his decision to reveal details of a closed-door meeting as “an abuse of clerical privilege.”

However, during a follow-up appearance on ARISE TV on Thursday, Ajayi explained that his initial comments were meant to offer a different perspective on the narrative rather than undermine the cardinal’s esteemed position in society or the church.

Affirming that the issue has been put to rest, the presidential aide stated:

“Well, I think that episode has been closed. Cardinal Onaiyekan is a respected clergy and a statement in his own right. My response to him did not in any way disrespect him or disrespect his standing in society and the church. He’s one of the leaders of the faith… I only tried to provide a different perspective from his own account of the bishop’s encounter with the president, and I think that point has been made. And I think it’s not something we really want to dwell further on.”

Taiwo Oyedele, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, recently voiced strong criticism toward individuals who directed abusive comments at the World Bank on social media regarding loan agreements with Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶