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Atiku, Presidency in war of words over Tinubu two-year performance
Atiku, Presidency in war of words over Tinubu two-year performance
The Nigerian presidency and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar engaged in a war of words on Thursday over the performance of the present administration.
Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had accused the Tinubu administration of deepening poverty and delivering more hardship than any government in Nigeria’s history.
“No previous administration has inflicted this level of hardship on the masses while showing such disregard for transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership,” Atiku said in a statement signed and released by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe. He condemned what he described as wasteful public spending and economic mismanagement under the current government.
In a response issued later that evening, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Atiku’s criticism as baseless and politically motivated.
“Atiku’s sweeping criticism is unfair and appears to be driven more by animosity than objective analysis,” Onanuga wrote.
“Unless former Vice President Atiku allowed personal grievances to cloud his judgment, he should, in good conscience, acknowledge the significant progress and positive achievements made by this administration over the past two years.”
He accused the former vice president of ignoring the reforms Tinubu has implemented to stabilise the economy, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification—initiatives he said Atiku himself had previously supported in his campaign manifesto.
“Unless he still lives in Dubai, he ought to admit that in just two years, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has embarked on the most ambitious and audacious economic and institutional reforms ever seen in decades,” Onanuga wrote.
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He claimed these policies have curbed systemic corruption, attracted foreign investments, and improved key economic indicators such as market capitalization and government revenue.
Defending Tinubu’s approach, Onanuga continued: “The Tinubu administration… has increased investments in social safety nets, introduced targeted interventions for low-income households, and more than doubled the minimum wage, from N30k to N70k… Some states even pay up to N85k to their workers.”
He also countered Atiku’s remarks on education, citing the student loan scheme:
“Since last year, the government has introduced the Student Loan Scheme… over 600,000 Nigerian students have benefitted.”
Atiku’s claim that the government was recklessly borrowing to fund the 2025 budget was also rebuffed.
“The Finance Minister has debunked this as untrue and said that even this year, the government only wants to borrow about $1.2 billion,” Onanuga noted.
He concluded by urging the opposition to offer constructive criticism rather than partisan rhetoric.
“Nigerians deserve opposition leaders who offer solutions, not just criticism.”
But Atiku’s camp swiftly pushed back. In a counter-statement, his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, accused the presidency of dodging the core issues affecting Nigerians.
“Your lengthy tirade — laced with deflection and bitterness — does little to change the painful reality Nigerians live through daily under Bola Tinubu’s presidency: crushing inflation, mass layoffs, policy chaos, and deepening poverty,” Shaibu stated.
He maintained that Atiku’s message echoed public sentiment.
“It was factual. And more importantly, it echoed the voice of ordinary Nigerians — not whispered from Dubai, but shouted from markets, fuel queues, and jobless homes across the country.”
“Let’s be clear: removing fuel subsidy without safeguards is not reform — it’s reckless. Unifying FX without a strategy is not bold — it’s blind… Calling the resulting suffering a ‘necessary sacrifice’ is not leadership — it’s cruelty dressed in spin.”
He dismissed the administration’s narrative of economic progress.
“You boast of reforms that even foreign investors approach with hesitation… Student loans do not fix broken universities. And a so-called minimum wage increase… is hardly a victory worth clapping for.”
Shaibu also took aim at the president’s overseas trips.
“As citizens struggle to survive, President Tinubu chooses to govern Nigeria from Paris — a foreign capital — at public expense…in fact, he bills the poor for his luxury,” he said.
“Governance is not a PR war. It’s service. It’s accountability. It’s results. And on those fronts, Bayo, you and your principal are failing — loudly and expensively.”
Atiku, Presidency in war of words over Tinubu two-year performance
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Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has instituted a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of spreading malicious sexual harassment allegations that he says have severely damaged his public image.
According to documents filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Akpabio is seeking substantial damages, public retractions, and nationwide broadcast apologies. He argues that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s televised, radio, and online interviews portrayed him as a sexual predator who abused his office for personal gratification—claims he insists subjected him to widespread ridicule and reputational harm.
The lawsuit includes a comprehensive statement of claims and a list of witnesses. Akpabio is also asking the court to compel the removal of all online materials containing the disputed allegations and to order repeated public apologies across major media outlets.
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A court order issued on 6 November 2025 granted permission for substituted service through the Clerk of the National Assembly after initial attempts to reach Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan directly were unsuccessful. The case is now moving forward and is expected to become one of the most closely watched political legal battles in Nigeria.
Responding on 5 December 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receipt of the suit and expressed readiness to defend her allegations before a competent court. She stated that she had previously been prevented from presenting a petition before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges due to claims that a related case was already in court—an action she believes protected the Senate President from legislative scrutiny.
In a strongly worded response, the Kogi Central senator maintained that the court proceedings will finally provide the platform to substantiate her claims. She reiterated her stance that she experienced sexual harassment and that her refusal to comply with the alleged advances prompted sustained political retaliation.
“See you in court, Godswill Akpabio,” she declared.
Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
News
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it will no longer remain passive as criminal gangs intensify violent attacks across the country, declaring its readiness to hold a national day of mourning and mobilise nationwide protests over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening of the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the country was “under siege,” condemning the latest school kidnapping and the reported withdrawal of security personnel before the attack. He demanded a full investigation to expose any possible compromise within the nation’s security architecture.
“The NLC cannot stand idly by and allow criminals to take over our country—never again. We want to know who ordered the withdrawal of security operatives from that school. We will not allow kidnappers and bandits to overrun our nation,” Ajaero said.
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He stressed that the labour movement would soon announce details of the planned protests and national mourning, insisting the lives of teachers, students and workers were in grave danger. “It is getting out of hand. We can no longer bear this,” he added.
Ajaero also revealed that the NLC had withdrawn its representatives from the Labour Party, accusing them of pursuing personal interests rather than representing workers.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, who addressed the meeting, warned that the country was in “serious trouble” over rising kidnappings and attacks. He rejected calls for foreign military intervention, cautioning that such a move would undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Falana criticised recent statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump, describing them as unacceptable. He urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to protect citizens, saying: “We want to let the world know that we are not a conquered people.”
He called on labour unions, civil society organisations and Nigerians to prepare to resist any further decline in national security.
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
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Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, describing her as a “future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom” during his visit to Nigeria for the Imo State Economic Summit 2025.
Speaking in Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday, Johnson commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his efforts to boost economic development and improve security, noting that he felt “perfectly safe” despite earlier warnings about Nigeria’s security situation.
Johnson highlighted the state government’s push to deliver 24-hour electricity, stressing that reliable power and clean, sustainable energy are essential for economic growth as the world moves into an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven future.
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He also emphasized the strong historical and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, praising the exchange of goods, services, and highly skilled professionals between both countries.
In a humorous remark that sparked applause, Johnson said: “We send you former UK prime ministers, and you send us future UK prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch.”
The summit, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, business mogul Aliko Dangote, and other top government and private-sector leaders, focused on strategies to accelerate Imo State’s economic transformation.
Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
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