Acceptance of Debate Challenge: Cross River State PDP governorship candidate Arthur-Javis Archibong has accepted a public debate challenge directed at him, stating he is ready to face Governor Bassey Otu anytime, provided the governor attends in person.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Focus on Direct Accountability: Addressing journalists in Calabar, Archibong emphasized that voters deserve to hear directly from candidates rather than proxies, while declining to engage in a back-and-forth with the state’s Commissioner for Information.

• Critique of Administration Policies: Archibong questioned the tangible results of the state’s numerous foreign trips and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), asking where the resulting projects, jobs, and economic relief for citizens are.

• Pledge for Better Emergency Response: Following a recent fire incident at the SPAR Shopping Mall in Calabar, the PDP candidate expressed sympathy for affected business owners and promised to upgrade emergency infrastructure and equip the state fire service properly if elected.

Economic Challenges in 2023: Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited a severe economic crisis in 2023, noting that 27 states previously struggled to pay workers’ salaries and pensions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Case for Re-election in 2027: During a visit from the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, TETFund, and NELFund led by Senator Dandutse Mohammed, Akpabio argued that economic re-engineering has improved conditions, giving the ruling party strong achievements to campaign on for a 2027 second term.

• Legislative and Executive Collaboration: Praising the 10th Senate’s ongoing collaboration with the executive arm, Akpabio highlighted the positive impact of laws governing TETFund and NELFund on Nigerian parents and students.

• Dismissal of Critics: The Senate President dismissed opposition criticisms and social media commentary, asserting that the administration’s progress in agriculture, education, security, and fiscal policy will speak for itself come election time.

Proposed Subsidy Reintroduction: Paul Ibe, spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, announced that Atiku plans to temporarily restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027 to give Nigerians and businesses room to recover.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Tied to Domestic Refining: Clarifying that this would not return the country to the old, opaque system, Ibe explained that support would be tied to crude oil production by supplying local refiners at discounted prices to lower consumer pump costs.

• Critique of Current Reforms: Criticizing the Tinubu administration for simultaneously removing fuel subsidies, deregulating foreign exchange, and cutting electricity subsidies without proper shock absorbers, Ibe likened the multiple reforms to performing consecutive major surgeries on a patient without recovery time.

• Focus on Economic Recovery: The temporary intervention, overseen by an independent pricing committee, aims to stimulate economic activity, boost productivity, and ease the heavy financial hardship currently facing citizens and manufacturers.