The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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2027: Peter Obi Promises To Spend Presidential Holidays Across Nigeria

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has pledged to spend his holidays within Nigeria if elected president in the 2027 general election.

Obi made the commitment in his Independence Day address in Abuja on Thursday, saying he would use his four-year tenure to travel across the country, engage with citizens and gain a better understanding of their challenges.

The former Anambra State governor said his proposed approach to governance would involve leading by example and maintaining close contact with Nigerians.

“As I have always done, I will lead by example. In four years as President of this great nation, I will not spend my holidays outside Nigeria,” Obi said.

He listed Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi and Edo among states he intended to visit during his holidays, adding that he wanted to experience the country and interact directly with its people.

“I want to continue to see Nigeria. I want to know Nigeria. I want to spend time with Nigerians, listen to them, understand their challenges and celebrate their resilience,” he said.

Obi also promised to make governance measurable and accountable, with emphasis on improving the welfare and productivity of citizens.

He said Nigerians would begin to see tangible results from his administration within its first year if elected.

On security, the NDC candidate pledged to intensify efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry and other threats, saying farmers should be able to return to their farms while children attend school and businesses operate without fear.

“No Nigerian should be forced to live in an IDP camp because his or her government has failed to provide security,” Obi said.

The former governor also criticised the APC-led Federal Government, arguing that Nigeria continued to face serious challenges despite the promises made by the ruling party in 2023.

He cited poverty, insecurity and the number of out-of-school children among the challenges confronting the country.

According to Obi, Nigeria’s problem is not primarily a shortage of resources but the failure of successive administrations to translate the country’s resources into improved human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity.

He also referred to his recent visit to Sokoto State with his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, where they held discussions on insecurity, unemployment, poverty, drug abuse and out-of-school children.

Obi said their visit to an internally displaced persons camp in Ramin Kura, Sokoto metropolis, exposed the difficult conditions faced by displaced women and children.

He described the situation as an indication of the challenges confronting communities across different parts of the country.

The former Anambra governor had previously criticised Nigerian presidents for spending their holidays abroad, arguing that the President should use such periods to visit parts of the country facing security and developmental challenges.

He said an elected president should remain connected to citizens and use domestic visits to better understand the BN conditions in different parts of Nigeria.

Obi maintained that while a Nigerian president would need to travel abroad for official engagements, presidential holidays should be spent within the country.

October 1, 2026
FG Moves To Boost Aba Textile Industry, Agriculture In Abia

The Federal Government has begun discussions with the Abia State Government on possible support for businesses in Aba’s textile and garment industry as well as the state’s agricultural sector.

The Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, John Uwajimogu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia.

Uwajimogu said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Federal Government and the state while identifying opportunities for federal projects and investments.

He said the government had recognised Aba’s industrial potential, particularly its concentration of textile and garment businesses, and was considering interventions to address challenges affecting the sector.

According to him, infrastructure and access to finance remain among the major constraints facing businesses in the cluster.

“One of the biggest things that we see coming out of Abia State is the strong industrial capacity in Aba, particularly in the textile and garments sector,” Uwajimogu said.

He added, “We have been thinking of how, from the federal level, we can support the businesses that are working in that sector and have come up with ideas on how we can address some of the biggest binding constraints that they often face, one being infrastructure and the other one being finance.”

Uwajimogu said the Federal Government was also interested in bringing more of its projects and programmes to Abia, adding that the engagement would help identify areash where both governments could collaborate to stimulate economic development.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, Cornelius Adebayo, said the agency was seeking the state government’s support for its agricultural development plans in Abia.

Adebayo said NALDA’s mandate included using agriculture as a tool for poverty reduction, adding that the agency wanted Abia to participate in its Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate programme.

He explained that the programme was designed to bring farmers together, provide necessary infrastructure and improve access to security, agricultural inputs and markets while creating sustainable sources of income.

Adebayo expressed optimism that Abia could host a major NALDA agricultural project, including a processing facility, and appealed to the state government to provide suitable land for the initiative.

Responding, Governor Otti said his administration was ready to work with NALDA and other stakeholders to develop Abia’s agricultural sector.

The governor said the state had fertile and arable land capable of supporting the production of crops including cassava, yam, cocoyam, oil palm and cashew despite its relatively small landmass.

Otti said increased investment in local agriculture was necessary to reduce dependence on food imports, noting that food importation also placed pressure on the foreign exchange market.

He said the state would continue to pursue initiatives aimed at increasing local production and strengthening agriculture as part of its economic development strategy.

October 1, 2026
[FOR THE RECORD] SERVICE BEYOND EXPECTATIONS – Being Remarks by the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West on the Assumption of Office for a Second Term

Wednesday, September 30 (Nkwọ), 2026.

My dear people of Nkanu West,

First, I give all glory and honour to the Almighty God for His grace, protection, wisdom, and guidance throughout my first tenure, and for granting me the privilege to serve our people once again.

I sincerely appreciate our dear Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his visionary leadership, support, and commitment to the development of Enugu State. His administration has created an enabling environment for local governments to deliver meaningful projects and programmes to our people. I am particularly grateful for the confidence and support extended to my administration.

I also thank the good people of Nkanu West, our revered traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders, party leaders, councillors, farmers, market men and women, youths, students, and the good people of our great local government for the confidence you have reposed in me by giving me the opportunity to serve for another term. This renewed mandate is not just a victory; it is a call to greater responsibility and an obligation to do even more for our people.

Our first tenure was about laying a solid foundation and demonstrating that purposeful local government administration can make a real difference in the lives of our people.

Today, as we commence this second tenure, I make a solemn commitment to Ndi Nkanu West, together with the Deputy Chairman, Engr. Friday Nnam – we will serve beyond expectations. We will not rest on the achievements of yesterday. We will build on them. We will consolidate what we have started, complete projects that require completion, strengthen the programmes that have impacted our communities, and introduce new initiatives where the needs of our people demand them.

This second tenure will be a period of deeper service, greater accountability, stronger community engagement, and accelerated development. We will remain accessible to our people and responsive to their concerns. Every community matters, every ward matters, and every citizen deserves to feel the presence of responsible and effective local government.

We will continue to give priority to quality infrastructure, rural and urban roads, healthcare, education, youth and women empowerment, environmental sanitation, agriculture, community development, and initiatives that create opportunities for our people.

We will pursue these programmes with prudence and transparency, mindful that public resources belong to the people and must be deployed for the common good.

I also pledge that my administration will continue to work closely with our traditional rulers, community leaders, councillors, religious institutions, youth and women organisations, and other stakeholders. Development is a collective responsibility, and the progress of Nkanu West requires the contribution of all of us.

My dear people of Nkanu West, this second mandate is a renewed covenant of service. I will give it my energy, my experience, my time, and my very best. I will continue to listen, continue to learn, continue to engage, and continue to serve.

Where we have succeeded, we shall do more. Where there were shortcomings, we have acknowledged them and will improve. Where there were challenges, we shall confront them with courage and determination.

Our destination is a more prosperous, peaceful, united, and developed Nkanu West.

The mandate has been renewed. The responsibility has become greater. The expectations are higher. And our commitment to the people is stronger than ever.

Together, with the support of our people and under the guidance of God Almighty, we shall make this second tenure a defining chapter in the development of Nkanu West.

Thank you for the confidence you have placed in us.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

May God bless every family in Nkanu West.

May God bless Enugu State.

May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Hon. John Chukwuma Ogbodo,
Executive Chairman, Nkanu West LGA.

October 1, 2026
Police Bust Child-Trafficking Syndicate In Ebonyi, Rescue Three Children

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Ebonyi State Police Command has dismantled an alleged child-trafficking syndicate operating across parts of the South-East, arresting several suspects and rescuing three children believed to have been illegally transferred under the guise of adoption.

The breakthrough followed investigations into multiple cases of child abduction and alleged fraudulent adoption arrangements, according to a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, in Abakaliki on Thursday.

The investigation began in May 2026 after a woman, Ngwe Ukamaka, reported that her two children, a five-month-old baby and an 11-year-old child, had been abducted.

Police said the victim was allegedly lured to Awgu, Enugu State, by individuals who claimed to be arranging a meeting with her prospective in-laws.

According to the police, the suspects asked Ukamaka to visit a salon to have her hair styled and used her absence to take away the two children.

The investigation later led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Agu Okechukwu, Ndidi Kenneth Nwanga, Ugonma Igwe and Alagba Chinyere.

Police said the suspects were linked to another case involving a woman, Oluchi Onah, who was allegedly deceived with a fake job offer in Enugu and persuaded to bring her two-year-old child along.

The command alleged that Ndidi took custody of the child while Agu accompanied Onah to a salon under the pretext of helping her get her hair done before abandoning her there.

The child was later traced and rescued by detectives and reunited with the family.

Police investigations subsequently led operatives to Okigwe, Imo State, where they raided a suspected hideout and arrested Benedicta Umeh, also known as Nwanyi Okigwe, as well as Obinna Nwankpa and Mmekadinma Oledibe.

During the operation, detectives recovered a three-year-old child who police said had allegedly been sold by Umeh to Mmekadinma for N2.5m.

Further investigation resulted in the arrest of Favour Chukwu and Ugochukwu Nwankpa, who were allegedly involved in child-snatching operations in Isu Community, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, and another case in Enugu.

Police said the suspects allegedly admitted to drugging a woman around the Holy Ghost area of Enugu before taking her baby.

According to the command, the suspects claimed the child belonged to a woman living with mental health challenges and that sleeping pills had been secretly added to her food before the baby was taken.

The investigation also uncovered alleged involvement of two social welfare officers, Ebere Anayo and Chinyere Nwakanma, attached to Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.

The officers were arrested over allegations that they helped produce documentation purportedly used to legitimise illegal foster arrangements and child sales.

Police said another suspect, Franca Omire, was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 27.

The operation also led to the recovery of Ukamaka’s five-month-old son, who had allegedly been abducted in May.

Omire reportedly told investigators that she believed she was participating in a legitimate adoption arrangement after Benedicta Umeh allegedly represented her organisation as a genuine orphanage working with the Obowo Social Welfare Office.

She reportedly claimed that she paid ₦2.5m in July 2026 and received what appeared to be official adoption documents.

The police said efforts were still ongoing to locate and rescue Ukamaka’s 11-year-old child.

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the officers involved in the investigation and vowed to pursue other individuals allegedly connected to the trafficking network.

“The Command will remain relentless in pursuing every individual connected to these heinous acts,” Okafor said.

“Anyone involved in child stealing and human trafficking in Ebonyi State will face the full weight of the law.”

The command also advised prospective adoptive and foster parents to use only legally recognised government channels for such processes.

It warned members of the public against relying on informal arrangements, private intermediaries or questionable documentation when seeking to adopt or foster children.

October 1, 2026
Atiku Accuses Tinubu Administration of Worsening Poverty, Insecurity

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of worsening poverty and the cost of living in Nigeria.

Atiku made the allegations in a state-of-the-nation address delivered at the ADC secretariat in Abuja on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary.

He criticised the Federal Government’s economic policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that the reforms had increased the financial burden on households.

According to him, rising prices of food, transportation and other essential goods have left many Nigerians struggling to meet their basic needs.

Atiku also faulted Tinubu’s claim that the country was entering an era of prosperity, arguing that economic growth and lower inflation would have limited meaning if Nigerians could not afford food, healthcare, transportation and education.

He said, “At 66, Nigeria has come a long way. Independence has offered us liberty and self-determination. We are also making considerable progress in nation building.”

The former vice president also criticised the government’s handling of insecurity, saying attacks by armed groups had displaced communities, affected farming activities and created fear among families.

He further questioned the government’s management of public funds, debt and development projects, calling for greater transparency in contracts, loans and social intervention programmes.

On the economy, Atiku proposed what he described as a capped and budgeted production subsidy for petrol refined in Nigeria, including fuel produced by modular refineries.

He said the proposed scheme should be independently audited and designed to ensure that any benefit reached consumers through lower pump prices.

Atiku also raised concerns about the government’s borrowing plans, citing Nigeria’s public debt and the proposed $1.5bn World Bank loan. He called for greater disclosure on how existing borrowed funds had been spent and the projects they had financed.

The ADC candidate also criticised the government’s handling of student loans, budgets, contractors’ payments and cash-transfer programmes, demanding greater accountability.

On security and civil liberties, Atiku called for the release of individuals he described as being unlawfully detained and urged the government to uphold due process.

He also appealed to Nigerians to participate actively in the 2027 general election, urging voters to protect their ballots and reject intimidation.

Atiku said the election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to determine the country’s direction, while promising that, if elected, he would prioritise affordability, security, healthcare, education and accountability in public spending.

He said Nigerians should scrutinise the programmes and promises of all candidates, including himself, and demand measurable commitments from those seeking public office.

The former vice president concluded by urging Nigerians not to lose hope despite the economic and security challenges facing the country.

October 1, 2026
FG Launches Digital Postcode System, Urges Nigerians to Find Their Codes

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Federal Government has launched a new National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System designed to improve the identification of locations and make it easier for Nigerians and businesses to access services.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the launch in a post on X on Thursday, urging Nigerians to locate and begin using their new digital postcodes.

The system, operated by the Nigerian Postal Service, assigns a unique 11-character digital postcode to every addressable building across the country.

According to the minister, the codes provide a precise, Geographic Information System-enabled reference for identifying locations.

Tijani said the system would help businesses reach customers outside their immediate areas, enable families to provide accurate locations during emergencies and assist government agencies in delivering essential services to communities.

“Every Nigerian deserves to be found. Every business deserves the chance to reach its customers. And every community deserves to be within reach of opportunity,” he said.

The minister added that reliable digital postcodes would provide part of the infrastructure required to support President Bola Tinubu’s target of building a $1tn economy.

“As we work towards (President Bola Tinubu’s) ambition for a $1 trillion economy, we must build the foundations that allow more Nigerians to participate, trade and prosper. This is one of those foundations,” Tijani said.

He encouraged Nigerians to search for their postcodes through the official Digital Postcode website and share the information with family members, friends and businesses.

The system identifies locations through five levels: state, local government area, district, area and building, with each addressable building assigned a unique code.

NIPOST had earlier explained that the digital postcode system would support deliveries, emergency response, public service delivery and e-commerce by providing a standardised reference for locations.

October 1, 2026
JAMB, EFCC Urge Nigerians to Sustain Nation-Building Efforts at 66

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have called for sustained efforts towards national development as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

In separate messages issued to commemorate the anniversary, the two institutions reflected on the country’s progress since independence and urged Nigerians to remain committed to building a better nation.

JAMB highlighted the changes Nigeria has experienced over the years, particularly in the area of technology, noting that its own evolution from paper-based examinations to computer-based testing mirrored the country’s broader transformation.

“From pen and paper to keyboards and screens, Nigeria has evolved, and JAMB has evolved with her,” the board said.

The examination body said the anniversary offered an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s achievements while remaining focused on future possibilities.

“As we celebrate another year of independence, we honour how far we’ve come and look ahead to all that is still possible,” JAMB added, while wishing Nigerians a happy Independence Day.

Similarly, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said Nigeria had recorded considerable progress in its nation-building efforts since gaining independence.

Olukoyede said independence had given Nigerians liberty and the opportunity to determine their own path as a nation.

“At 66, Nigeria has come a long way. Independence has offered us liberty and self-determination. We are also making considerable progress in nation building,” he said.

The EFCC chairman described the various development efforts in the country as important foundations for achieving the Nigeria citizens desire.

“All these efforts are significant. They are the building blocks of the greater nation we desire,” he said.

Olukoyede, however, stressed the need for ongoing reforms to be accompanied by a firm commitment to tackling corruption.

“Let’s therefore couple all our reform-focussed initiatives with zero tolerance for corruption. We cannot be building and allow corrupt practices vitiate our efforts,” he said.

He added that achieving sustained national progress would require Nigerians to reject compromises capable of undermining development efforts.

“Progress only comes with purposeful rejection of compromises. Nigeria will surely get better!” Olukoyede said.

October 1, 2026
NLC Demands Petrol Price Cut, Wage Award As Workers Face Economic Hardship

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Nigeria Labour Congress has called for an immediate reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage, saying Nigerian workers are facing worsening economic hardship.

The NLC made the demands in an Independence Day statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

The labour centre said persistent inflation and rising costs of petrol and transportation had significantly reduced the purchasing power of workers, while driving up the prices of food, rent, education and other essential goods and services.

The union described the situation as a “full-scale survival crisis”, noting that petrol was selling for about ₦1,430 per litre or higher in major cities and at even higher prices in some remote areas.

The NLC also criticised the increase in petrol prices that followed the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023, questioning how the savings from the policy had been utilised.

According to the union, the Federal Government had promised that subsidy savings would be redirected towards infrastructure and social services, but Nigerians were yet to see the expected benefits.

The labour centre also expressed concern over Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported refined petroleum products despite being one of the world’s major crude oil producers.

It argued that dependence on imported fuel exposed workers and households to fluctuations in global oil prices and contributed to rising transportation costs.

The NLC said reducing petrol prices should be an immediate priority because transportation costs affect the prices of goods and services across the economy.

“Without cutting this chain, any effort to ease the suffering of the people is futile,” the union said.

The labour body also demanded the immediate introduction of a nationwide wage award for workers employed by the federal, state and local governments.

It described the wage award as an emergency measure to cushion the erosion of workers’ incomes rather than a permanent solution to the wage problem.

“A wage award is not charity. It is an emergency intervention against the collapse of real income,” the NLC said.

The union further demanded the implementation of tax relief measures agreed upon during the October 2023 negotiations between organised labour and the Federal Government.

It said some of the tax incentives contained in the Memorandum of Understanding reached during the dialogue had yet to be implemented.

On the minimum wage, the NLC called for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate and establish a new wage structure for 2027 before the end of the year.

The labour centre argued that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage had already lost substantial purchasing power to inflation.

It also called for a reduction in the cost of governance and greater transparency in public spending, saying government should demonstrate restraint while workers are being asked to cope with economic pressures.

The NLC urged increased investment in roads, hospitals, schools and other public infrastructure, while calling for more opportunities for young Nigerians.

On insecurity, the union said violence had compounded Nigeria’s economic challenges and undermined national stability.

It claimed that nearly 2,000 Nigerians were killed in violent incidents during the first quarter of 2026 and said insecurity had disrupted the activities of farmers, teachers, doctors and other workers in some parts of the country.

The NLC linked poverty, unemployment and inequality to insecurity and argued that addressing economic deprivation was necessary for sustainable improvements in national security.

With political activities increasing ahead of the 2027 general elections, the labour centre warned political actors against manipulating elections, intimidating voters or using ethnic and religious sentiments to create divisions.

The NLC said it would, at the appropriate time, use its Workers’ Charter to communicate the policies and political positions it considered relevant to the interests of the working class.

However, it stressed that individual workers retained the right to make their own political choices.

Ajaero said the NLC would continue to advocate decent wages, safe working conditions and improved living standards for Nigerian workers.

October 1, 2026
FG Warns Charcoal Merchants Against Forest Destruction

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Federal Government has urged charcoal merchants and other stakeholders in the forestry and agricultural sectors to adopt sustainable practices to curb deforestation and restore Nigeria’s degraded forests.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, gave the warning on Wednesday at the launch of the 2026 Operation One Million Trees programme organised by the Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants at the University of Ibadan.

Represented by Dr Osakwe Igbinosa, Lawal described deforestation as a major threat to Nigeria’s environment and economic development, stressing the need for stronger efforts to protect and restore the country’s forests.

He identified tree planting and forest restoration as important measures for tackling climate change, protecting biodiversity, combating desertification and improving the resilience of ecosystems.

The minister said the Federal Ministry of Environment was implementing several programmes aimed at increasing forest cover, including the 2026 National Afforestation Programme, Sovereign Green Bond Afforestation Programme and the National Greening of Cities and Urban Areas initiative.

He said the Operation One Million Trees campaign aligned with the government’s environmental restoration efforts and urged participants to comply with forestry laws and regulations.

Lawal cautioned that the success of tree-planting campaigns should not be judged solely by the number of seedlings planted, but by their survival and development into healthy trees.

“Tree planting is not just about putting seedlings into the soil. The real measure of success is their survival and growth into healthy forests,” he said.

The Chairman of the association, Adeshola Idowu, urged charcoal producers and other Nigerians to replace trees removed from the environment and adopt practices that would prevent further depletion of forest resources.

Idowu advocated planting several trees for every tree felled and called for greater use of technology, including drones, to facilitate tree planting in difficult-to-access areas.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, also warned that poor environmental practices could worsen climate change and waste management challenges.

Aderinto identified indiscriminate tree felling for housing, land development and business activities as major threats to biodiversity and food security.

He urged residents and developers to plant more trees whenever trees were removed for legitimate purposes, arguing that replacement should go beyond a one-for-one approach.

The commissioner also encouraged residents to make tree planting part of their daily environmental practices by planting trees around their homes, workplaces and other spaces.

Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Joke Akinyeleru, said the second year of the one-million-tree initiative demonstrated the institution’s commitment to practical action on environmental sustainability.

She said the programme supported the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those relating to climate action.

The organisers said the initiative was also designed to promote sustainable charcoal production and encourage charcoal businesses to comply with environmental regulations.

They said partnerships with organisations including FOJ Multidynamic and Rasbat International Resources Limited would support the campaign, with technology such as drone seeding expected to expand tree-planting efforts and strengthen forest protection.

The Chief Strategy Officer of FOJ Multidynamic Interchange Nigeria Limited, Florence Omolola, said the three-day programme would focus on sensitisation, youth participation, tree planting and independent verification.

She said environmentalists, journalists, regulators, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders would participate in the verification process to provide evidence of trees planted and promote transparency.

Omolola described the initiative as part of a broader effort to make charcoal production more environmentally sustainable, adding that the organisers hoped to expand the programme beyond its one-million-tree target in subsequent years.

October 1, 2026
2027: Wike Vows To Resign If Tinubu Loses FCT, Rivers

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to resign from office if President Bola Tinubu loses the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State in the 2027 presidential election.

Wike made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association, where he reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The minister said the presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, and pledged to announce his resignation the following day if Tinubu fails to secure victory in both the FCT and Rivers.

“The presidential election is on January 16, 2027. By January 17, 2027, I will announce my resignation as FCT Minister should the President lose in Rivers State and the FCT,” Wike said.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, said the FCT was particularly important to him because it was where he currently served, while Rivers remained his home state.

He said failure to deliver electoral support for Tinubu in the two areas would raise questions about his continued suitability as FCT minister.

“FCT is where I work. Rivers is my state. If I cannot deliver where I work, then I’m not worthy to be here,” he said.

Wike also disclosed that a multi-party political coalition was being mobilised in the FCT ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the coalition, which he referred to as the “Rainbow Coalition,” included members of different political parties who were backing Tinubu for the presidency.

The minister also endorsed candidates for legislative positions in the FCT and urged his supporters to work towards securing electoral victories for the candidates backed by the coalition.

Wike’s declaration comes as political parties and their supporters intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential poll scheduled for January 16, according to his remarks and reports of the event.

The minister also addressed the planned relocation of mechanics and traders operating around Apo, assuring them that arrangements were being made to move them to the Wasa informal sector by the end of the year.

He said physical enumeration of affected traders and mechanics was being conducted as part of preparations for the relocation.

Wike’s proposed resignation would take effect only if Tinubu fails to win both the FCT and Rivers State, based on the condition he publicly set at the Abuja meeting.

October 1, 2026
Independence Day: Tinubu Declares Nigeria Has Entered Age Of Prosperity

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has moved beyond the period of economic reforms and entered what he described as an “age of prosperity,” following measures implemented by his administration over the past three years.

Tinubu made the declaration in his Independence Day address to Nigerians on Thursday, marking the 66th anniversary of the country’s independence.

The President acknowledged the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians, saying the country had endured years of insecurity, economic crises, political upheaval and other challenges since gaining independence.

He said his administration inherited an economy burdened by what he described as deep structural distortions and difficult choices that could no longer be postponed.

Using a cancer treatment analogy, Tinubu said previous governments had focused on managing the symptoms of the country’s economic problems rather than confronting their underlying causes.

He defended the reforms introduced since his administration came into office, saying the measures had been difficult but were necessary to correct the direction of the economy.

According to the President, Nigeria’s economy has grown by more than four per cent in 2026, with both the oil and non-oil sectors contributing to the growth.

He also said oil theft had declined, inflation had fallen from its peak, foreign reserves had been rebuilt and the foreign exchange market had stabilised.

Tinubu further stated that Nigeria recorded more than $6bn in non-oil export revenue in 2025, describing the figure as evidence of growing activity among Nigerian businesses.

The President said the focus of his administration would now shift from economic stabilisation to achieving widespread prosperity.

He identified reducing the cost of living as a major priority and said the government would pursue measures aimed at lowering the cost of producing and transporting goods.

Tinubu said the administration would expand mechanised irrigation and dry-season farming, improve access to seeds and fertiliser, increase agricultural mechanisation and invest in storage and transportation.

He also said the government was continuing to develop roads, railways and ports to improve connections between farms, factories and markets.

On employment, the President said job creation, enterprise and industrial growth would remain central to his administration’s policies.

He said the government planned to use Nigeria’s gas resources to power industries, support the revival of factories, expand digital connectivity and invest in skills needed by employers.

Tinubu also called for increased production of Nigerian goods for both domestic consumption and export, while encouraging young Nigerians to build businesses and create employment opportunities.

The President acknowledged that many Nigerians continue to struggle with food, education, healthcare and transportation costs.

He said the hardship predated his administration and was the result of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure and limited economic opportunities.

Tinubu said the government was strengthening social interventions to support vulnerable households, while improving the National Social Register to ensure assistance reaches people who need it.

He also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a means of helping students from low-income families access higher education.

The President cited the Consumer Credit Corporation as another intervention designed to provide working Nigerians with access to credit for assets such as vehicles, solar systems and digital devices.

Tinubu said his administration would continue working with state and local governments to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education and other essential public services.

He added that salaries and pensions had been paid on time and in full since 2023, while reforms had also been introduced in the national pension system.

According to him, the government’s social programmes were intended to support Nigerians while broader economic growth creates sustainable opportunities.

Tinubu said defeating poverty would require sustained economic growth, discipline and the creation of millions of productive jobs.

He maintained that the reforms had corrected the country’s economic direction and laid the foundation for long-term prosperity.

“The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity,” Tinubu said.

The President urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and united, saying the country had passed through difficult years and must now focus on building a future of greater opportunity.

He concluded by calling on Nigerians to move forward together and avoid returning to policies that, in his view, had contributed to the country’s previous economic difficulties.

“Let us go forward together, with faith in ourselves, faith in our country, and faith that the sacrifices we have made will yield their reward,” he said.

Tinubu wished Nigerians a happy Independence Day and prayed for the continued progress of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

October 1, 2026
Military Court Defers Ruling In Alleged Coup Trial To October 5

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The General Court Martial handling the alleged coup plot case involving some military officers has postponed its ruling for the fourth time.

The ruling, which was scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, will now be delivered on Monday, October 5.

The military announced the development in a notice issued to members of the court and other parties involved in the proceedings.

The notice, signed by Major M.U. Ardo, the liaison officer, stated that the sitting earlier fixed for September 30 had been moved to October 5. No reason was given for the postponement.

The next sitting is scheduled to commence at 10am at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

The court is hearing the case against military officers accused of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The officers are presumed innocent unless found guilty through due process.

The pending ruling concerns the admissibility of statements allegedly obtained from some of the accused officers during investigations.

The issue led to a trial-within-a-trial after defence lawyers challenged the circumstances under which the statements were obtained.

The defence alleged that some of the officers were subjected to coercion, intimidation, inducement and physical abuse by officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency while in detention.

Lawyers representing the accused also questioned the circumstances surrounding the recording of the statements, alleging that some officers did not have their selected lawyers or witnesses present when the statements were made.

They further raised concerns over the alleged absence of video recordings showing some of the officers making their statements in the presence of their chosen witnesses, as required under relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The defence also alleged that some of the accused were not properly cautioned or adequately informed of their rights before making the statements.

Some of the officers reportedly told the court that they were made to believe that reproducing certain statements could secure their release.

They also alleged that some documents had already been prepared by intelligence officials and that they were subsequently compelled to copy or sign them, despite disputing some of the information contained in the documents.

The prosecution, however, presented evidence seeking to establish that the statements were made voluntarily and without improper pressure.

The court is expected to determine whether the disputed statements meet the requirements for admission as evidence. The decision could determine whether the prosecution can rely on the statements as the substantive trial proceeds.

The General Court Martial is presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji of the Nigerian Air Force, with proceedings taking place at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

The latest postponement is the fourth time the court has deferred its ruling on the admissibility of the disputed statements.

September 30, 2026