The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Atiku Abubakar

  • DSS Orders Probe Into Atiku’s Claim of Planned Disruption of ADC Rally

    DSS Orders Probe Into Atiku’s Claim of Planned Disruption of ADC Rally

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has ordered an investigation into allegations by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar that the agency planned to organise protests in Sokoto State to disrupt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign rally.

    Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, reportedly made the allegation on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Abuja. He accused DSS leadership of recruiting protesters to cause unrest in Sokoto and create grounds for imposing a curfew that could prevent the party from holding its rally.

    However, the DSS, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, denied the allegation, insisting that its operations were guided by the need to protect political actors regardless of party affiliation.

    The agency said its operatives rescued the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, during an attack on October 31, 2026.

    According to the statement, the operatives evacuated Daniya to safety, while two DSS personnel who were assaulted during the incident were still receiving medical treatment as of Tuesday.

    The Service added that Daniya later contacted the DSS State Director in Sokoto to appreciate the agency’s intervention and request additional security support.

    The incident followed accusations traded between the All Progressives Congress and the ADC in Sokoto State over an alleged attack on Daniya’s convoy on Saturday.

    To support its position, the DSS also cited the arrest and prosecution of Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State on March 2, 2026, over an alleged threat to attack the New Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

    It said Steven was prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to two years in prison.

    The agency maintained that its actions demonstrated its commitment to providing security for politicians across party lines.

    Despite describing Atiku’s allegation as inconsistent with its record, the DSS said its Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, had directed that the claim be investigated.

    The statement said the decision was taken out of respect for the former vice-president, whom it described as an elder statesman.

    The DSS also recalled a similar allegation by the African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who accused the agency of involvement in an attack on him in Ekiti State.

    It said it welcomed the police investigation into the incident, noting that a preliminary report attributed it to an altercation and that 11 suspects had been arrested.

    The Service said it was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation and would not make further efforts to address the matter.

    It added that it would continue to operate accountably under its current Director-General.

  • Atiku Urges NASS To Withhold Approval For Tinubu’s $20.5bn, €1bn Loan Request

    Atiku Urges NASS To Withhold Approval For Tinubu’s $20.5bn, €1bn Loan Request

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the National Assembly to suspend approval of President Bola Tinubu’s proposed external loans until the Federal Government discloses detailed information on the projects to be financed.

    Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, insisted that lawmakers should not approve “a single dollar” without access to project specifications, costs, contractors, loan conditions and repayment plans.

    He made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

    The former vice president’s reaction followed Tinubu’s request for legislative approval to borrow $20.52bn and €1.045bn to finance development projects across key sectors.

    Atiku said the request supported his earlier warning on October 12 that the President was preparing to seek up to $20bn in loans in connection with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

    He criticised the government for providing broad sectors of investment without publishing a project-by-project breakdown of how the proposed funds would be spent.

    According to him, Nigerians should be able to scrutinise the proposed projects, their locations, estimated costs and the contractors expected to execute them before the National Assembly considers the borrowing plan.

    Atiku also questioned the reported rerouting of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, alleging that the project could be used to direct borrowed funds to political allies and favoured contractors. He did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation in the statement.

    The ADC chieftain further questioned the timing of the proposed borrowing and called on Tinubu to explain how the loans would benefit Nigerians rather than serve political interests.

    He urged lawmakers to make the supporting documents available to the public and subject the proposal to thorough scrutiny before reaching a decision.

    Atiku maintained that the government must demonstrate how the proposed borrowing would be used and how the resulting debt would be repaid, warning against approving loans without adequate transparency.

  • INEC Says Preliminary Voters’ Register Available at Wards, Not Online

    INEC Says Preliminary Voters’ Register Available at Wards, Not Online

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that the preliminary voters’ register is available for public inspection at registration areas across the country but has yet to be uploaded to its official website.

    INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this during an interview with journalists on Sunday.

    “The voter register has been published, but in the wards. It just wasn’t published on our website,” Haruna said.

    The clarification follows concerns over the commission’s failure to make the register accessible online during the scheduled display period, raising questions about voters’ ability to verify their details ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had urged INEC to publish the preliminary register immediately, warning that its unavailability could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, Atiku faulted the commission for failing to provide online access to the register during the October 9 to 15, 2026, display period.

    He argued that voters needed to inspect the register to confirm their information, identify omissions and challenge questionable entries.

    Atiku also criticised INEC for announcing that the number of registered voters had exceeded 103 million without making the detailed list available online for public scrutiny.

    The controversy has renewed attention to the legal requirements governing the publication and display of the voters’ register before elections.

    Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires INEC to make copies of the register available for public scrutiny at registration areas and on its official website for seven days, within the period prescribed by law.

    The provision states that the commission must appoint a seven-day period, not later than 90 days before a general election, for displaying or publishing the register for each local government, area council or ward.

    The exercise is intended to give registered voters an opportunity to verify their details and enable the public to identify errors, omissions or questionable entries before the register is finalised.

    With the 2027 elections approaching, access to the preliminary voters’ register remains central to concerns about electoral transparency, voter participation and public trust in the electoral process.

  • 2027: Atiku Demands Publication of 103m Voters’ Register

    2027: Atiku Demands Publication of 103m Voters’ Register

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the preliminary voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that failure to make the list accessible could erode public confidence in the electoral process.

    Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council.

    He said voters should be allowed to inspect the register, challenge questionable entries and correct omissions before the election.

    INEC had announced that the preliminary register, containing more than 103 million registered voters, would be available for public scrutiny from October 9 to 15. The exercise was intended to enable voters to report false entries and missing names.

    However, Atiku alleged that the register was not accessible on the commission’s online portal during the period.

    “INEC has announced more than 103 million registered voters. Nigerians went to its portal to inspect the names and found an empty page. That is an outrage. A figure cannot answer an objection,” he said.

    The former vice-president argued that the alleged failure to publish the list violated Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he cited as requiring the register to be displayed at registration areas and online.

    He called on INEC to release the register by local government, area council and ward, while providing voters with a full opportunity to identify and correct errors.

    Atiku also questioned what he described as conflicting statements from the commission’s chairman concerning the timing of the public display.

    He said the chairman reportedly stated on October 5 that the exercise had already been completed, while INEC subsequently announced October 9 to 15 as the period for public scrutiny.

    “Which statement is true? Where was the register published? For seven full days, or for no days at all?” he asked.

    Atiku further requested that INEC disclose the dates, links and access records relating to the reported online publication of the register.

    Beyond the voters’ list, he raised concerns about the authentication of ballot papers, citing Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. The provision, as referenced in his statement, allows a returning officer to count a ballot paper without the commission’s official mark if satisfied that it came from a book supplied to the polling unit.

    He questioned how such a determination would be verified and challenged, urging INEC to establish safeguards against counterfeit ballot papers.

    “INEC must set out enforceable safeguards against counterfeit ballots, and the National Assembly must close any loophole that leaves the authenticity of a vote to an officer’s unsupported assurance,” he said.

    The statement also alleged that INEC had not responded to inquiries about companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials.

    Atiku maintained that the ADC and its presidential candidate were entitled to information about the procedures and safeguards that would determine the credibility of the 2027 presidential election.

    He accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of expecting Nigerians to trust an electoral process without adequate access to the voters’ register.

    The former vice-president warned that preventing voters from examining the list could make it difficult to determine whether names had been improperly added or removed.

    He called on international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to urge INEC to make the register available before election day.

    “Transparency before the vote is as essential as scrutiny of the results afterwards,” Atiku said, insisting that voters must be able to confirm their registration details and challenge irregularities.

    He urged the commission to publish the register, clarify the dates of the public display and provide answers to concerns about ballot-paper authentication.

  • Atiku Faults Tinubu Over Police Pensions, Demands Action on Exit Bill

    Atiku Faults Tinubu Over Police Pensions, Demands Action on Exit Bill

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the welfare of retired police officers, urging the Federal Government to act on the proposed Police Exit Bill and review the salaries of serving personnel.

    Atiku alleged that retired officers were battling poverty, hunger and inadequate access to healthcare, while some serving policemen were withdrawing part of their pension savings to meet their families’ basic needs.

    The former Vice President made the demands in a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.

    He challenged Tinubu and the National Assembly to explain the status of the Police Exit Bill, which he said was transmitted for presidential assent in March.

    The proposed legislation seeks to exempt police personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme and establish a Nigeria Police Force Pension Board to manage their retirement benefits.

    Atiku also called for a salary review for serving police officers following the recent pay increase approved for members of the Armed Forces.

    He argued that officers who risk their lives to protect Nigerians should receive adequate remuneration during service and dependable financial support after retirement.

    “Retired police officers stood at the gates of the National Assembly with their wives and children. Some of those children carried placards pleading for a law that could help their parents survive,” he said.

    Atiku cited the case of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who, according to him, received a monthly pension of N29,000.

    He also claimed that more than 120 members of the retired officer’s association had died within three years.

    The ADC candidate urged Tinubu to engage directly with retired officers to understand their living conditions.

    “Bola, sit with these officers. Look them in the eye. Tell them how you expect them to live,” he said.

    Atiku further recounted the experience of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police whom he said had resorted to seeking work to survive.

    According to him, one of his media managers later found the retired officer begging at the Central Mosque in Abuja, prompting an intervention.

    He also described an incident in Bauchi in which a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police reportedly encountered a former colleague gathering firewood for sale to obtain money for food.

    Atiku said such experiences reflected the difficulties faced by former officers who had spent years serving the country.

    He maintained that serving personnel were also under financial pressure as rising food, transportation and healthcare costs continued to erode their earnings.

    “I know serving police officers who have withdrawn 25% of their meagre pension savings to feed their children,” he said.

    The former Vice President argued that the situation could undermine the welfare of officers who were expected to confront armed criminals while worrying about their families’ basic needs and their own retirement.

    On the proposed legislation, Atiku cited Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, arguing that the President had 30 days to assent to a bill or withhold assent.

    He called on the National Assembly to publish the bill’s formal status, explain any delay and clarify the constitutional options available.

    “The National Assembly must publish the bill’s formal status, demand an explanation for the delay and determine the constitutional steps now available,” he said.

    Atiku also urged lawmakers to conduct any required vote openly, insisting that legislators should be accountable for their decisions on the welfare of retired police officers.

    The ADC candidate pledged that, if elected president, his administration would introduce a Police Dignity Guarantee Plan to address pension arrears, gratuities, healthcare and remuneration.

    He promised to audit verified outstanding pension and gratuity claims, publish payment schedules and establish a minimum pension level that would be reviewed in line with changes in the cost of living.

    Atiku also proposed insured healthcare for serving and retired officers, treatment for personnel injured while on duty and timely support for families of officers killed in service.

    He said retirees who were too ill to travel would be able to complete verification exercises from their homes.

    The presidential hopeful further pledged to review police salaries and provide serving officers with clear records of their pension contributions and entitlements before retirement.

    He said his proposed plan would be backed by budgetary provisions and regular public disclosures on payments made.

    The allegations and proposals were contained in a statement from Atiku’s campaign council. The statement did not include a response from the Presidency or the National Assembly regarding the status of the bill.

  • Atiku Challenges Tinubu To Account For First Term Before Seeking Re-election

    Atiku Challenges Tinubu To Account For First Term Before Seeking Re-election

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain his administration’s performance and address Nigerians’ economic concerns before seeking another term in office in 2027.

    Atiku accused the President of relying on political allies, ministers, governors and defectors to defend his record instead of personally answering questions about the hardship facing citizens.

    The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate made his position known in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.

    His comments followed reports that Tinubu might miss some campaign rallies because of the demands of governing the country.

    Atiku questioned the President’s explanation, arguing that the same urgency should have guided his response to Nigerians struggling with the cost of living.

    “Tinubu says he may miss campaign rallies because Nigeria needs his attention. Where was that urgency when Nigerians pleaded for relief?” he asked.

    The former vice president said the President should explain what his administration had done to make food more affordable, improve access to medicines for pensioners and create decent employment opportunities for young people.

    He also argued that Tinubu must account for his first term before asking voters to renew his mandate.

    Atiku faulted what he described as the administration’s attention to foreign creditors and investors, insisting that the financial and social pressures facing Nigerian households deserved equal priority.

    “Tinubu says American creditors cannot wait. Nigerians cannot wait either. They have bills to pay, children to feed and lives to rebuild,” he said.

    He further criticised the President’s reliance on political supporters to defend his performance, maintaining that responsibility for government decisions rested with Tinubu himself.

    “The people on his campaign council did not receive the mandate in 2023. Tinubu did. He made the promises. He took the decisions. He must face the questions,” Atiku said.

    He added that voters would assess the President based on their personal experiences rather than the arguments presented by members of his campaign team.

    The criticism comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with the economy, rising living costs, employment and the effects of government policies expected to feature prominently in campaigns.

    The Federal Government has defended its economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidies and changes to the foreign exchange regime, describing them as necessary measures to stabilise the economy and strengthen public finances.

    However, the policies have continued to attract criticism over their effects on transport fares, food prices and household purchasing power.

    Atiku contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party before joining the opposition coalition associated with the ADC ahead of the 2027 polls.

  • Shettima Mocks Atiku, Says Ex-VP Is No Abraham Lincoln

    Shettima Mocks Atiku, Says Ex-VP Is No Abraham Lincoln

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his comments about President Bola Tinubu, declaring that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential hopeful is “no Abraham Lincoln”.

    Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He argued that anyone aspiring to become Nigeria’s president must demonstrate maturity, discipline and respect for public institutions, insisting that political ambition should not justify what he considered disrespectful remarks about the incumbent president.

    The Vice-President said Tinubu remained the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, regardless of political differences.

    “Those who want equity must come with clean hands. You can call him Bola. If you like, you can call him Adekunle. But the truth is that he is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Shettima said.

    He added that he would continue to address Atiku respectfully by his name and former title, despite their political rivalry.

    “I will still respect him and call him his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. I will not follow suit with the maverick Babachir Lawal and call him Kachalla, no,” he said.

    However, Shettima questioned Atiku’s suitability for the presidency, comparing him to Kenyan independence-era politician Oginga Odinga rather than former United States President Abraham Lincoln.

    “But believe me, Atiku Abubakar, who has contested for the presidency of this country for the eighth time, is no Abraham Lincoln. He is more of Oginga Odinga,” the Vice-President stated.

    Shettima maintained that the presidency was not merely a political prize but a position requiring exceptional character, intellectual capacity and responsibility because of the number of citizens a president is expected to lead.

    He said the higher the office sought by a politician, the greater the expectations regarding the person’s words, conduct and relationship with public institutions.

    The Vice-President also questioned Atiku’s proposal for production subsidies, asking how the policy would be financed and which other government programmes might lose funding to accommodate it.

    Describing the political season as a “masterclass in cinematic comedy”, Shettima asked who would pay for the proposed subsidies and who would benefit from them.

    “A change in ideological wardrobe cannot balance a national budget,” he said.

    The comments came as the APC intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections with the inauguration of its expanded presidential campaign council.

  • Keyamo Accuses Atiku Of Hypocrisy Over Nigeria Airways Collapse

    Keyamo Accuses Atiku Of Hypocrisy Over Nigeria Airways Collapse

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his comments on Nigeria’s economic challenges, accusing him of failing to take responsibility for the collapse of Nigeria Airways.

    Keyamo, in a post on his X account on Wednesday, said the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in which Atiku served as vice-president, liquidated the national carrier in September 2004, leaving thousands of workers without jobs and unpaid pensions and gratuities.

    “Your Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, this is hypocrisy at its peak! Let me just talk only about the sector that I head, Aviation,” the minister wrote.

    He alleged that former employees of the airline had struggled for years to receive their entitlements, with many dying before the outstanding payments were settled.

    Keyamo said President Bola Tinubu had approved and released ₦36bn to clear the liabilities owed to the former workers, adding that some beneficiaries had started receiving payment alerts.

    “Over a month ago, Mr President approved and released the total sum of ₦36bn to bring succour to these families. They have started receiving alerts and praying for Mr President,” he said.

    The minister added that the workers’ union had presented an award to Tinubu in recognition of the intervention.

    Keyamo also accused Atiku of attempting to mislead younger Nigerians unfamiliar with the history of the defunct airline.

    He argued that the former vice-president took credit for achievements of the Obasanjo administration when politically convenient but distanced himself from its decisions at other times.

    “When it is convenient for you, you claim some credit for the Obasanjo-Atiku government, and when not convenient, you say Obasanjo was in charge and not you as Vice-President,” Keyamo stated.

    Atiku had earlier criticised the rising cost of living and insecurity in the country, pledging to make life more affordable and improve security if elected president.

    In a post on his official X account on Wednesday, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate also urged registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 general election.

  • Atiku, ADC Demand INEC Clarification On Ballot Printing Contracts, Staff Transfers

    Atiku, ADC Demand INEC Clarification On Ballot Printing Contracts, Staff Transfers

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to explain its arrangements for printing sensitive election materials and recent personnel changes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Atiku urged the commission to disclose the companies contracted to produce ballot papers and other sensitive materials, while the ADC expressed concern over alleged ethnic bias in the redeployment of staff serving in key departments.

    INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027.

    In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku asked INEC to confirm or deny reports that Hitech or an affiliated company had secured a contract to print sensitive materials for the elections.

    The former vice-president said information available to him suggested that more than half of the commission’s sensitive election materials, including presidential ballot papers, might have been assigned to a company reportedly based in France.

    He expressed concern that the identity and credentials of the alleged contractor had not been made public.

    Atiku also questioned reports that the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc would print election materials for only 15 to 17 states, leaving private companies to handle the remaining assignments.

    He urged INEC to publish the names of all contractors, the materials and states allocated to each company, the procurement procedures followed and the security measures governing production, storage and delivery.

    “These reports demand urgent and unequivocal answers. INEC must confirm or deny them and publish the names of every company engaged, the materials and states assigned to each, the procurement method, the security clearances obtained and the safeguards governing production, storage and delivery,” he said.

    Atiku argued that transparency in the production and handling of sensitive election materials was necessary to protect the credibility of the electoral process and prevent public suspicion.

    He also questioned the potential involvement of Hitech or an associated company, citing publicly reported business connections between the Chagoury family, which owns Hitech, and the family of President Bola Tinubu.

    According to Atiku, awarding such a contract to a company with those reported connections could raise concerns about the independence of the electoral commission.

    He maintained that INEC should prioritise qualified domestic security-printing capacity and ensure that every ballot paper, result sheet and other sensitive document could be tracked throughout the production and distribution process.

    The former vice-president extended his call for transparency to the printing of higher-denomination banknotes, urging the Central Bank of Nigeria to disclose its current arrangements and clarify the respective roles of NSPMC and any foreign contractors.

    **Atiku Questions INEC Personnel Changes**

    Atiku also called on INEC to explain recent postings and redeployments involving officials responsible for election administration and technology.

    The statement cited reports that Isa Magaji Gum had been transferred from Electoral Operations to the Voter Registry Department, while Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi had been appointed to head Electoral Operations. Dr Lawrence Bayode was identified as the head of Information and Communication Technology.

    Atiku asked the commission to disclose the criteria used in making the appointments and demonstrate that the decisions followed established procedures and were free from political interference.

    “These departments are at the heart of election administration. INEC must explain these decisions, publish the criteria applied and show that every appointment and redeployment followed due process, was based on merit and was free from political interference,” he said.

    However, Atiku cautioned against assuming that any official was compromised because of ethnicity, background or personal associations. He said the commission should address concerns through verifiable information rather than general assurances.

    **ADC Alleges Ethnic Bias In Staff Redeployment**

    Separately, the ADC raised concerns over what it described as a pattern of transfers involving officers from northern states serving in sensitive INEC departments.

    In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party alleged that some officers working in Electoral Operations and Information and Communication Technology had been moved to other departments and replaced by officials from Lagos and other South-West states.

    The party said it had received complaints and information about the changes, warning that the pattern required an explanation from the commission.

    “We have specific names of officers moved from Electoral Operations and ICT in a number of northern states and replaced with officers from Lagos and other South-West states. INEC may dismiss this as routine. But we have noticed a pattern, especially along ethnic lines, and we are concerned,” the statement read.

    The ADC did not provide the names of the affected officers or documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations in the statement.

    The party said it was not accusing INEC of having a predetermined motive but argued that personnel changes in departments central to election administration should be explained to avoid undermining public confidence.

    It warned that any perception of ethnic or regional preference in appointments to strategic positions could fuel suspicions about the neutrality of the electoral process and allegations of favouritism towards Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    The party urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to publish details of the recent postings, the criteria used to select officers for the positions and the reasons for the changes.

    According to the ADC, disclosure of the information would reassure Nigerians that electoral officials would carry out their responsibilities impartially, regardless of their ethnic, linguistic or regional backgrounds.

    The party warned that failure to address the allegations with evidence-based explanations could damage confidence in the 2027 elections.

    The concerns come as political parties prepare for the next general elections, with INEC facing expectations to demonstrate transparency in its procurement decisions, personnel management and handling of sensitive electoral materials.

  • 2027: ADC To Inaugurate Presidential Campaign Council Friday

    2027: ADC To Inaugurate Presidential Campaign Council Friday

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The African Democratic Congress will inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council on Friday as the party steps up preparations for the 2027 general elections.

    The ceremony, scheduled for 4pm at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, will be presided over by the party’s National Chairman, David Mark.

    In a statement on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the National Chairman on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the inauguration would formally activate the party’s presidential campaign structure.

    He said ADC leaders, governorship candidates, National Assembly candidates and state House of Assembly candidates were expected to attend the event.

    According to Ologbondiyan, the gathering would strengthen coordination among party leaders and candidates as the ADC prepares to take its campaign message to voters nationwide.

    The inauguration comes as political parties intensify activities ahead of the 2027 polls, with the ADC seeking to establish itself as a major opposition platform against the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    The party has recently stepped up efforts to strengthen its structures across the country and coordinate its political activities ahead of the elections.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar holds the ADC presidential ticket, placing the party among the opposition groups seeking to consolidate support ahead of the presidential election.

    The party had earlier appointed Abia lawmaker Austin Akobundu as Director-General of its presidential campaign council, which Atiku described as a lean campaign structure.

    Ologbondiyan urged party leaders and candidates to attend the inauguration, saying their participation would demonstrate unity and commitment to the party’s preparations for the elections.

  • Atiku Demands Urgent Rescue Of Abducted Prospective Corps Members

    Atiku Demands Urgent Rescue Of Abducted Prospective Corps Members

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government, Imo State Government and security agencies to urgently secure the release of prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in the state.

    Atiku made the call on Monday in a post on X, describing the abduction as “heartbreaking” and urging authorities to ensure that all those still in captivity return home safely.

    The incident occurred on Thursday, October 1, when gunmen attacked two commercial buses carrying prospective corps members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the attackers struck at about 6:30am.

    According to Atiku, some of the abducted travellers had been rescued, while others remained in captivity.

    “The abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective corps members, in Imo State is heartbreaking. Some have been rescued, but others remain in captivity,” he said.

    “I urge the Federal and Imo State governments, and all security agencies, to act with urgency and bring everyone still being held home safely.”

    The Imo State Police Command initially reported that 10 passengers had been rescued and the two buses recovered, while other passengers were still missing. However, accounts from families later indicated that 20 prospective corps members were among those being held by the abductors.

    Security agencies have since intensified efforts to locate and rescue the victims.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, alongside two commissioners of police, to coordinate the operation.

    The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, also disclosed that security operatives had traced the suspected kidnappers to a bush hideout through intelligence gathering and drone surveillance.

    The planned assault on the hideout was reportedly delayed after intelligence indicated that the area had been fitted with improvised explosive devices. Security agencies are expected to deploy specialised equipment to safely access the location.

    Atiku also raised concerns over the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities in Borno State.

    He said more than 70 pupils and students abducted from the two communities remained in captivity, adding that their families deserved regular updates on efforts to secure their release.

    The Mussa incident occurred on May 15 when suspected insurgents attacked schools in the Askira/Uba Local Government Area and abducted dozens of children. The number of missing pupils has varied, with the Borno State Government previously putting the figure at about 44.

    On June 29, suspected insurgents attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa while students were taking their National Examinations Council examinations. Ten students were rescued during an immediate military operation, while subsequent reports indicated that 36 students and a teacher remained in captivity.

    By late September, the Borno State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria was calling for the rescue of 78 schoolchildren from Mussa and Lassa who had spent more than 100 days in captivity.

    Families and community leaders have repeatedly called for stronger government action to secure the release of the children.

    Atiku also criticised the security record of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that Nigerians remained vulnerable to attacks on roads, in communities and around schools despite previous assurances that funds saved from the removal of the fuel subsidy would strengthen national security.

    He said the insecurity affecting young Nigerians extended from attacks on students to the abduction of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps.

    The ADC presidential candidate also questioned the award of pipeline security contracts to companies he described as politically connected, arguing that the government’s primary responsibility should be the protection of lives and property.

  • Atiku Accuses Tinubu Administration of Worsening Poverty, Insecurity

    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.