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Atiku Abubakar Laments Ransom Now Included in Nigerians’ Budgets, Blasts Tinubu Administration Over Debt Celebration Amid Crisis

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised the President Bola Tinubu administration, describing ransom payments to kidnappers as a routine household expense for many Nigerians, comparable to school fees and rent.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku responded to recent claims by the Presidency that Nigeria’s borrowing levels compare favourably with other African countries.

The former vice president said such comparisons reveal a dangerous disconnect between the government and the harsh realities faced by ordinary citizens.

“It is both astonishing and insulting that at a time when millions of Nigerians can barely afford one meal a day, when parents are withdrawing children from school because of crushing hardship, when businesses are collapsing under unbearable electricity tariffs and inflation, and when entire communities are being overrun by terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, the Presidency is celebrating debt figures as though indebtedness itself were an economic achievement,” Atiku stated.

He painted a grim picture of the security situation, noting that road travel has become “a gamble with death,” while families live in fear of midnight calls announcing abductions. Villages, he said, are routinely sacked by criminals, even as those in power appear more focused on image management than solving the crisis.

“What exactly are Nigerians benefiting from all these loans if insecurity continues to spread and the economy continues to suffocate?” he asked.

Atiku linked the worsening insecurity directly to the collapse of food production, as farmers are driven from their lands by armed groups and terrorists across large parts of the country. This, he argued, has triggered soaring food prices, hunger, and malnutrition.

“Across the country, farmers can no longer safely access their farmlands because vast territories have effectively fallen under the control of armed gangs and terrorists,” he said. “The inevitable result is what Nigerians are currently witnessing — astronomical food prices, widespread hunger, malnutrition, and rising anger among citizens abandoned by their own government.”

While acknowledging that borrowing is not inherently bad when used for productive investments, Atiku insisted that under the current administration, massive borrowing has only deepened poverty, insecurity, and despair.

“No nation becomes prosperous by borrowing to finance consumption, sustain wasteful government lifestyles, and paper over policy failures,” he said. “In Nigeria today, however, citizens see no correlation between the mounting debt profile and improvement in their daily lives.”

The Waziri Adamawa contrasted the current situation with the economic reforms implemented during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in which he served, which successfully reduced Nigeria’s Paris Club debt and restored international confidence.

He accused the Tinubu administration of using propaganda to distract from its policy failures and urged it to confront the nation’s challenges with sincerity, competence, urgency, and compassion.

“Nigerians do not care about statistical gymnastics from government spokespersons. They care about whether food is affordable, whether their children are safe, whether businesses can survive, whether farmers can return to their lands, and whether the future still holds any promise,” Atiku concluded. “Sadly, under this administration, the answer to those questions is becoming increasingly bleak.”

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Federal High Court removes Gov. Uzodinma as APC senatorial candidate for Imo West

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to immediately stop parading himself as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday after ruling that Uzodinma did not win the APC senatorial primary election conducted on May 18 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ruling represents a significant development in the contest for the APC ticket ahead of the 2027 senatorial election.

The court’s directive requires Uzodinma to cease presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District seat, pending the implications of the court’s decision.

The development is expected to generate further political reactions within the APC in Imo State as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

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Usman Nuhu, AKA Ogbegbe, Appears in Court Over Alleged Killing of Oghenemine

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Usman Nuhu, popularly known as Ogbegbe, has appeared in court in Asaba, Delta State, to face charges over the alleged killing of Oghenemine, who reportedly went to collect a waybill at Effurun Roundabout.

During the court proceedings, Ogbegbe, who appeared visibly lean and shaky, denied killing Oghenemine. He reportedly told the court that he used a stone near the deceased to apply pressure on his body so he would confess. He also claimed that he was beaten with floor tiles at the Ekpan Police Station.

The court reportedly reminded him that the statements he was making were under oath.

The second defendant, who was charged alongside Ogbegbe, also told the court that the police forced him to admit that he was present when Oghenemine was allegedly killed. He maintained that he was not at the scene when the incident occurred.

The court ordered that Ogbegbe be remanded in prison, while the second to fifth defendants were granted bail.

The other defendants are Onoloko Dauroupamo, Okoh Kelechi, Goodluck Kingsley and Omonigho Ahweyevu.

The case was adjourned until November 17, 2026, for further proceedings.

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Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, a grassroot leader and stunch member of Labour party; bids farewell to Late Chief Maxwell Enny Aruh.

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The former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State 7th House of Assembly, and the representative of Ohafia North State Constituency at the current 8th House, Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, has once again shown his love for his people, friends and constituents, as he identifies with the family of Late Chief Maxwell Enny Aruh, who was laid to rest yesterday, 1st October 2026 in his hometown, Abiriba.

The presence of the House member during the wake-keep on 30th September, turned the event to a mini carnival as the youths of Abiriba troopped out from all corners of Abiriba community that night to be with their leader who is always at home with his people and to identify with one of their leaders Chief John Okiyi Kalu, whose Uncle was being buried.

During a condolence visit to the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment in his country home, the House member and Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ojuu, took time to console and pray for the entire family.

In his speech, Mandela expressed his sympathy over the demise of Chief Maxwell, who he described as a perfect gentleman and a true son of Abiriba Kingdom. He enjoined the family to carry on with his legacies, and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Responding on behalf of the family, the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, thanked the house member for finding time to be with the family in their time of grief all through the wake keep and the funeral service proper. He described him as a trusted representative of the people who stands with his people at all times. Furthermore, he thanked the Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ojuu, who coincidentally is of same age grade with him, for finding time to come and for his prayers.

The house member was accompanied by some leaders and members of Labour party, his legislative aide, and some of his children.

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