If economic health, social vitality, and the raw pulse of public opinion were the only indicators relied upon to prognosticate the chances of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, I would say with cocksure certitude that he is condemned to be a one-term president.
Not even the most hopelessly unthinking defenders of the Tinubu presidency can deny that his reign so far has been defined by unrelieved economic hardship, staggering inflation, a collapsing naira, and a deepening sense of despair among Nigerians. In other words, the objective conditions for his political repudiation are overripe.
Nonetheless, elections, especially in Nigeria, are not won on the basis of public frustration alone. They are won — or lost — on the strength of political organization, elite consensus, strategic emotional manipulation, and the ability to convert popular anger into electoral mathematics. Call those the subjective conditions of electoral triumph, if you like. And this is where the tragedy of the opposition begins.
The opposition is undisciplined, hopelessly spineless, irredeemably fragmented, strategically bankrupt, and is falling cheaply into the trap set for it by Tinubu.
First, the opposition is shaping up to be disappointingly provincial. It is dominated by elements from a slice of the North that seems to be suffering from withdrawal symptoms from loss of political power. This is reminiscent of the narrow-minded opposition to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second term, which helped him to create a coalition of southern Nigerian, Christian northerners, along with portions of the North that felt excluded from the regional mainstream.
Perhaps the most egregious expression of naïve, historically inaccurate, self-sabotaging provincial self-importance from the region came five days ago from Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former appointee of the Tinubu administration who, before his sojourn in the administration, was a higher-up at the Northern Elders’ Forum.
“In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands,” Dr. Baba-Ahmed said in a viral post. “If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support.”
Well, Olusegun Obasanjo was elected for a second term in 2003 without “northern” support. I inserted scare quotes around “northern” because, although Baba-Hakeem appeared to be ecumenical in his conception of the North (he referenced “Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, Mangu” — the Baju and Mangu being ethnic groups from southern Kaduna and Plateau — indicating pan-Northernism), we all know that the North has never been a monolith and is often riven by religion.
When people like Baba-Ahmed talk of the “North” in such tyrannizing, self-aggrandizing terms, they often mean a particular part of the North.
Obasanjo deployed the perks of incumbency to mobilize the entire South, appeal to the Christian North, and to make offers to parts of the Muslim North that Muhammadu Buhari didn’t consider “northern” enough to deserve his electoral entreaties. Even if the election wasn’t rigged, Buhari didn’t stand a ghost of a chance of winning the 2003 election.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan used Obasanjo’s 2003 template in 2011 to defeat Muhammadu Buhari. But in 2015, Jonathan lost the Southwest to Buhari, which led to Jonathan’s loss and Buhari's epochal, unexampled triumph.
This shows that no region can win a national election without the other, making Baba-Hakeem’s self-lionizing boast a rhetorical gift to Bola Tinubu. We’re already seeing its effect.
Several southerners who are wriggling in the torment of Tinubu’s economic policies have chosen to rather live with the sting of his policies than embrace the provincial arrogance of people like Baba-Ahmed who arrogate to themselves the exclusive power to determine who is president and who isn’t.
Similarly, in Nigeria’s informal power-sharing arrangement, the expectation is that after eight years of a northern presidency that ended in 2023, no northerner should be president again for the next eight years. But the northern opposition to Tinubu seems to be anchored on a desire for premature power grab back to the North.
Unless the northern politicians who have stuck out their necks to oppose Tinubu support another southerner with widespread appeal, their opposition will only strengthen Tinubu’s southern coalition and buy him sympathy from parts of the north that don't enjoy regional political hegemony.
This is particularly so because since the start of the Fourth Republic, the South has never expressed opposition to northern presidencies by sponsoring southern candidates. The South supported Atiku Abubakar, a northerner, in 2019. Umar Musa Yar’adua’s main opponent in 2007 wasn’t a southerner. It was Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner.
But when it was the South’s turn to get presidential power in 2023, the North presented a formidable candidate in the PDP. In fact, the APC hierarchy, with the support of Muhammadu Buhari, settled on former Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the “consensus candidate.” That was embarrassing.
Already, there are insinuations that PDP governors who are defecting to APC are doing so not just because they are being bludgeoned into it through subtle EFCC prosecutorial threats but also because they fear that their party’s standard-bearer in 2027 will be a northerner.
I understand the dilemma of the northern politicians in opposition. Should they support a southern candidate to dislodge Tinubu, such a candidate would, as sure as tomorrow’s date, seek a second term. That would defer the presidential aspirations of the northern politicians by eight years instead of four.
If they sit by listlessly as Tinubu shoves them to the margins of the orbit of power, they will be like fish flailing out of water. They will be so disoriented and weakened that by the time presidential power drifts back to the North, they probably won’t even have the strength to fight for a place.
Northern opposition politicians like Nasir El-Rufai also don’t seem to realize that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) they have embraced as the vehicle to displace Tinubu is, in fact, Tinubu’s spare car.
It is fully fueled, tuned, and parked in his garage for contingencies. As early as April 2022, BusinessDay reported that Tinubu had opened backchannel talks with the SDP and explored it as a fallback platform in case his APC ambitions stalled.
In other words, the opposition is not commandeering an independent vehicle; they are clambering into a car whose engine hums to Tinubu’s touch and whose keys he can reclaim at will. They are, quite literally, riding shotgun in a machine built for their defeat. Unfortunately, he has also hijacked their car, the PDP!
Adewole Adebayo, SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, unintentionally echoed this sentiment a few days ago when he used the metaphor of a car to send a not-so-subtle dig at El-Rufai.
“As for the coalition, we’re listening to them,” Adebayo said. “What we don’t want to be—we don’t want to be a get-away car for a conspiracy and robbery we did not plan. So, if you planned something somewhere and you want to use the SDP as a get-away car, that’s not available.”
Adebayo added another pointed dart to El-Rufai when he said, “if the coalition is a crying center for disappointed Tinubu followers, they should go back to Tinubu who gave the promise to them and resolve their differences there.”
In the end, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s greatest electoral asset may not be the loyalty of the masses, the success of his policies, or even the cunning of his political machinery. It may well be the disarray, hubris, provincialism, and strategic myopia of his opposition.
They are too divided to form a coalition, too impatient to build trust across regions, and too blinded by immediate resentments to think in terms of long-term electoral triumph.
In 2027, Tinubu may stagger into a second term not because he inspires, but because he survives; not because he triumphs, but because those who should have dethroned him will, through a toxic mix of arrogance and amateurism, hand him victory on a silver platter.
It won’t be Tinubu who wins; it will be the opposition that loses. And Nigeria, trapped in the wreckage of broken possibilities, will pay the price.
A former presidential adviser and ex-member of the House of Representatives, Usman Bugaje, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of using financial inducements to orchestrate the defection of key figures from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
Bugaje made the statement during a televised interview on Arise TV on Thursday.
He expressed concern over what he described as the monetisation of politics and its implications for Nigeria’s democracy.
“For what I know—and I don’t claim to know everything—the APC is basically using money to buy off PDP,” he said.
He further noted that in some cases, individuals facing investigations might also be pressured through threats.
“Of course, if there are people with records in the EFCC, they might threaten them. They might do these kinds of things, and this has been the practice right from the time of President Obasanjo,” he added.
Bugaje stressed that the deeper issue lies in how money has become a central factor in political allegiance, warning that such trends could signal the demise of democracy.
“For as long as money is going to be the determining factor, then that’s the end of democracy and that’s the end of politics. We would be heading towards something completely different, maybe on the path of Peru and Fujimori,” he said.
Reacting to recent mass defections in Delta State, the PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, had said the party was not expecting the wave of departures but insisted that the next election would be a contest between Nigerians and the APC.
Those who want to leave PDP can do so now — Saraki Bugaje, however, described the PDP’s response as weak. He argued that the PDP had already lost its ability to function as an opposition party, citing internal failures and a lack of resolve.
“There has not been opposition right from the time the Minister Wike did what he did. PDP has lost that opportunity to become an opposition party,” he stated.
He cited poor conduct by PDP members in national matters such as emergency rule debates and budget sessions, claiming that the party had failed to hold government to account.
Bugaje also pointed to structural flaws within Nigeria’s political parties, recalling his own experience during the merger that formed the APC. He said efforts to introduce merit-based criteria for party leadership were thwarted.
“We should develop a criteria for people who are going to hold responsibilities of the party. They all opposed it, except a few of us,” Bugaje said, adding that personal political interests had overshadowed institutional development.
He warned that the dominance of transactional relationships in party politics, where loyalty is exchanged for money or influence, has eroded the values of political engagement.
“People who don’t have the character to hold a party, people who don’t have sufficient education to understand the implication of some of the things they do—these are the people now in charge,” he said.
Bugaje concluded by affirming his long-standing opposition to these practices.
“I fought this as much as I could. I pulled back when I realised that, but I made my point. If you have people who are qualified, who have character, who have got the passion for the party, you can be sure one thing: that party is going to remain intact,” he said.
A former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the weakness of the National Assembly opened the door for President Bola Tinubu’s constitutional breach in the country.
The ex-minister of transportation disclosed this on Thursday while condemning the suspension of Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and lawmakers of the state assembly.
He spoke at the ninth edition of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation’s Annual Leadership Discourse, themed “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development,” organised in Lagos.
He said, “Do you agree that there is nothing like a fearless leader and there is nothing like courageous leadership? Do you (Nigerians) need a courageous leader where the system works? Just push the button, and everything will give you the answer. It is only when there is a failed leadership that you begin to look at who is the courageous leader. There are different types of leadership traits, and fearless leadership is not one of them. There is the authoritarian leadership trait, which is one who knows it all. Such leaders tell you what to do without consulting and expect you to obey.
“You can either have a fearless followership or a docile followership. Does Nigeria resonate here as per the docility of followership? Does it resonate here? Yes. Good governance is about constitutionality and the rule of law. It is also about the concept of the separation of powers. The absence of good governance and the rule of law breeds arbitrariness in governance. Arbitrariness here has to do with the non-observance of the basic principles of law.
“For a governor or a president, who subscribes to such a concept, it is what he or she does that is law. It is not what is in the book that is the law. There is also the non-observance of the basic principles of law. This is where government is not by law, but by the whims and caprices of an individual leader, like the current pronouncement of an illegal and unconstitutional state of emergency in Rivers State, aided by weak institutions like the National Assembly, which is very weak.”
The former governor also urged Nigerians to be proactive in reacting to poor governance, saying docility was an enabler of bad leadership.
“What is even more alarming is that the breach in the situation is not even about the law. The president didn’t break any law. He broke the Constitution. Now, this breach of the Constitution is a breach of the sacredness and sanctity of the Constitution.
“The constitution of a country is the Bible of that country. And its sanctity must be protected. Can we say the same in Nigeria? Obviously, the response would be a resounding no. The president looked at the whole of Nigeria and removed an elected governor in Rivers State and appointed a military man, yet the country continued. Nothing happened.”
This development comes amid concerns about government expenditure under the Tinubu-led administration.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Nigeria must prioritise discipline in government spending.
Davide Furceri, Division Chief in the Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF, stated this during the 2025 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.
Furceri noted that Nigeria has made past fiscal adjustments but stressed the importance of continued discipline in government expenditure, TheCable reports.
"Nigeria managed to do a very difficult reform that was important in delivering fiscal savings,” he said.
“We understand that many countries, including Nigeria, face pressing spending needs. But spending must be done wisely, which means stronger prioritization and greater efficiency in resource allocation,” Furceri added.
This development comes amid concerns about government expenditure under the Tinubu-led administration.
The Nigerian government has been criticised for excessive spending on international travel.
Previously, a review of Nigeria's 2025 approved budget by SaharaReporters revealed that President Bola Tinubu planned to spend N6.1 billion on international travel in 2025. The budget also includes N873 million for local travel, bringing the total to N7 billion for the year.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to spend N1.314 billion on international travel and an additional N417.488 million on local travel in the same year.
This comes amid growing concerns over the cost of the presidency’s travels, especially in light of Nigeria's economic challenges and limited revenue.
Previously, SaharaReporters reviewed data from the Open Treasury Portal showing that the Tinubu-led presidency spent N36.3 billion on international travel in 2024. According to the State House expenditure breakdown, N12.2 billion was allocated to "international travel and transport (training)," while N24.19 billion went to "international travel and transport (other)."
Local travel expenses were also significant, with N15.8 billion allocated for "local travel and transport (training)" and N31.2 billion for "local travel and transport (other)." According to the Open Treasury Portal, the combined expenditure for local and international travel amounted to N83 billion.
Amid criticisms of the presidency’s travel expenses, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, defended the trips.
During a recent live broadcast on Channels TV, Tuggar asserted that President Tinubu should undertake even more international travels.
He emphasised the positive outcomes of these trips, noting their benefits to Nigeria's economy. He cited a visit to Brazil, during which President Tinubu reportedly secured $2 million in investments aimed at developing the livestock sector and addressing issues such as the herders-farmers crisis.
"Other countries are chasing after these investments, but President Tinubu was able to secure them for Nigeria," he remarked.
Ambassador Tuggar further argued that the benefits outweigh the costs.
"I would rather say we are not travelling enough; we should do more. Nigeria has the money. How much does travelling cost compared to the benefits?" he said.
Opposition political parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, and the Labour Party, are bleeding as some of their prominent members have dumped their platforms for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Concerned by the wave of defections to the APC, the PDP, NNPP, and the Coalition of United Political Parties have accused the APC-led Federal Government of exploiting state resources to coerce their members and other politicians into switching allegiance to the ruling party.
In response, the APC welcomed the defectors, dismissed the claims from the PDP and NNPP as unfounded, asserting that politicians are willingly joining the party because of the significant achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration.
Recall that an exclusive report by The PUNCH on February 18 revealed that over 300 PDP members defected to the APC between February 2024 and February 2025, citing internal conflicts within the party at both the state and national levels as the main reason for their departure.
Likewise, the NNPP and Labour Party have also experienced a notable wave of defections to the APC, with many members pointing to internal disputes and other related issues as their reasons.
On Wednesday, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor and PDP’s 2023 Vice Presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, along with all party members in the state, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress.
The announcement was delivered in Asaba by Senator James Manager following a marathon meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Manager stated, “All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Aniagwu Charles, formally confirmed the governor’s defection, along with the unified decision of Delta PDP leaders and stakeholders to join the APC.
“There is a need for us to adjust the drinking pattern. And in adjusting that drinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state, to build the court of law that has existed in our state, to further advance the cause of security and the welfare of our people, and, to a large extent, ensure that development in Delta is not truncated,” Aniagwu stated.
He added, “In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of. We believe that what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party.”
Charles stated that the decision was reached unanimously by party leaders and stakeholders, indicating that an official public announcement would be made soon.
“By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC,” he said.
Also, the Senator representing Kano South Senatorial District, Kawu Sumaila, on Wednesday officially confirmed his defection from the NNPP to the ruling APC.
His clarification, which was contained in a statement via his Facebook page, ended weeks of intense political speculations over his future in the NNPP.
The Senator hinged his decision to quit on the need to be fully committed to his constituents, which he claimed remained his first priority.
The statement read, “Yes, it is true — the rumours regarding my defection are accurate. All politics is local, and my primary concern has always been, and remains, the welfare of my immediate constituency.
“I am resolutely determined to advance the lives of my people, ensuring their needs are met and their future is secured.”
His exit has also fuelled rumours that the leader of the Kwankwasiyyan Movement and former presidential candidate of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, may return to the APC.
In another related development, a long-serving member of the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke, announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Oke, who represents Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, Osun State, announced his resignation in a letter dated April 16, 2025, addressed to the Chairman, PDP Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area.
The letter read, “I wish to formally notify you that I am resigning my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect.
“This was concluded after consultation and engagement with my political associates, family and friends.
“It is my wish that you accept my resignation in good faith.”
The letter was copied to the National and Osun State Chairmen of the party.
In a brief telephone conversation with our correspondent, the lawmaker, who appeared to be in no mood for an interview, anchored his decision on the division in his party.
“PDP is divided,” he said, without further elaboration.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Political Mobilissation and Engagement, Eugene Utubor, stated on Wednesday that LP Senator Neda Imasuen is on the verge of defecting to the All Progressives Congress.
Utubor, who met with Imasuen on Tuesday night in Benin, said the lawmaker open to joining the APC and that efforts are underway to strengthen the party’s ranks both nationally and in the state.
He said, “I can tell you that Senator Neda Imasuen will join the All Progressives Congress in the coming days. I was with him on Tuesday and his body language speaks volume.
“Imasuen believes that the governor has done remarkably well in such a short time and it is crucial that we come together to ensure the success of his vision for our people.
“He has encouraged every well-meaning Edo citizen to rally around the governor as he works diligently for our collective progress.”
In recent times, Imasuen is often seen in public functions alongside notable leaders of the APC in Edo State. He is said to enjoy cordial relationship with members of the ruling party in the state.
In addition to the recent defections, several prominent figures had earlier joined the APC. These include former Kaduna State Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero; Senators Shehu Sani, Suleiman Hunkuyi, and Sylvanus Ngele; former Senate President Pius Anyim; ex-Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu; House of Representatives member Suleiman Gumi; and PDP founding member Shuibu Oyedokun. Others are Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), Omosede Igbinedion, Kabiru Classic, Salisu Garba and Abuja Municipal Area Council chairman Christopher Maikalangu.
From the NNPP, Yusuf Galambi, who represents Gwaram federal constituency in Jigawa, has also defected to the APC. He is joined by several local government chairmen, councillors, and party officials. Key NNPP leaders, including Senator Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, Ali Madaki, and Hon. Badamasi Ayuba, have met with APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and are expected to make their defection official soon.
With the 2027 elections approaching, multiple sources indicate that three PDP governors and NNPP National Leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have struck a deal with President Tinubu and are likely to join the APC in the near future.
One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, “Based on their actions and silence, as well as the way some governors have openly praised President Tinubu’s administration, it’s clear that a few of them are likely to join the APC soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if the governors of Adamawa, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, and even the NNPP National Leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, eventually defect.”
In[b] response, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor criticised the recent defections from opposition parties to the APC, saying they serve personal interests rather than the nation’s good.[/b]
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide. Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of Oyo Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians. “We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
How to Create a Video from Images Using AI Ease Accidental discharge kills boy in Kaduna “While we acknowledge that defense and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said. He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, states must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity. The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies. “Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored. “Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Ogundoyin said. Sponsored
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has raised alarm over the sharp increase in unsold finished goods, which surged to N2.14 trillion in 2024, attributing the troubling figure to weakened consumer demand, rising production costs, and dwindling purchasing power under the current administration.
According to MAN’s latest economic review report for the second half of 2024, the association’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, disclosed that the inventory of unsold goods grew by 87.5 per cent year-on-year—marking one of the most significant spikes in recent history.
“The inventory of unsold finished goods surged by 87.5 per cent to N2.14tn in 2024,” Ajayi-Kadir stated, pointing to “escalating production costs and declining consumer demand” as key drivers of the crisis.
He, however, noted that a 27.9 per cent half-year decline showed modest progress in inventory clearance and pricing strategies.
Sectors hardest hit include food, beverage, and tobacco, alongside textile, apparel, and footwear—industries that recorded the highest volumes of unsold products.
MAN blamed the unsold inventory crisis on the broader economic challenges plaguing the country, including runaway inflation, exchange rate volatility, and a tight monetary policy regime.
In 2024, inflation soared to 34.8 per cent, significantly shrinking consumer spending and inflating manufacturers’ operational costs. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s hike in the Monetary Policy Rate to 27.5 per cent further worsened the situation, pushing lending rates to an average of 35.5 per cent and inflating total finance costs for manufacturers to N1.3tn.
This monetary policy stance limited access to credit and restrained expansion plans across the industry,” Ajayi-Kadir said.
Despite a marginal rise in capacity utilisation—from 55.1 per cent in 2023 to 57 per cent in 2024—MAN lamented persistent structural issues such as unreliable electricity and surging energy costs.
Expenditure on alternative energy sources reportedly jumped by 42.3 per cent to N1.11tn due to frequent national grid collapses and erratic power supply, even though average daily electricity availability improved to 13.3 hours.
He stressed that the disconnect between production and local market demand highlights an urgent need for better alignment, especially through enhanced local sourcing of raw materials and investment in research to reduce dependence on volatile foreign exchange markets.
Real sector output saw only a modest 1.7 per cent increase to N7.78tn, with a 3.1 per cent half-year decline indicating underlying constraints. Additionally, real manufacturing investment plummeted by 35.3 per cent to N658.81bn, as economic uncertainty continues to discourage capital inflows.
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National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has stated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu inherited an extremely poor security situation but is working relentlessly to restore peace across the country.
Speaking during a security meeting with stakeholders at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, Ribadu commiserated with the people over the spate of killings and renewed attacks, assuring them that the Federal Government is committed to overcoming the crisis.
I want to go the World Cup but coaches undermine me when I officiate men’s matches - Gbemisola Yusuf0:01 / 1:00
“We will defeat it. The entire country is with you,” Ribadu told the gathering. “I commiserate with the people of Benue and assure you that this is a trying period for all of us, but we are 100 percent with you.”
Ribadu emphasized the strategic importance of Benue State in the nation’s security architecture, adding that efforts would be intensified to ensure lasting peace in the region.
“Benue is an extremely important state to Nigeria. We must fight and maintain Benue as a peaceful state. The Governor is doing well and we will support him,” he said.
The NSA acknowledged the efforts of Nigeria’s armed forces, stressing that while it is not feasible to deploy soldiers or police to every community, progress is being made.
“Our armed forces are doing well. It’s impossible to post security to every hamlet. What we need is support and for people to stop politicizing the killings. That will help us restore peace.”
Ribadu pointed to the current administration’s efforts in tackling insecurity and highlighted that the security situation has already seen significant improvement compared to what was inherited.
“We inherited an extremely bad government. Things have improved. We’re addressing the issues. To do harm is easy, but to fix things takes time. We have considerably reduced the level of violence we met. This, too, we will confront.”
The NSA’s visit comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity in Benue State and other parts of the country, with calls for urgent and effective intervention to halt further violence.
No fewer than six people were killed on Monday evening by a group of terrorists at Ilesha Baruba in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.
SaharaReporters learnt the terrorists, heavily armed and dressed in military camouflage, launched the deadly attack after Isha’I prayer on Monday.
The assailants, according to eyewitnesses, stormed the town through the highway that links the town to the state capital on motorcycles with several sophisticated weapons.
They were clad in what appeared to be Nigerian Army uniforms, sparking fears of impersonation and raising critical questions about the source of their gear.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the lifeless bodies of the victims were seen lying in pools of their blood, as wailing filled the background.
The gruesome footage captured the aftermath of what residents described as a “terror operation.”
One of the eyewitnesses, Umar Faruq, who narrowly escaped the attack, told SaharaReporters that the gunmen appeared organised and deliberate in their mission.
“They came in soldier uniforms. At first, we thought they were here for security patrol, but within minutes, they opened fire on innocent people. It was like a war scene. People were screaming, running for their lives,” he recounted.
The traditional titleholder of the area, Turaki of Ilesha Baruba, who also confirmed the incident, condemned the killings and described the attack as a direct assault on the peace and sovereignty of the community.
“This is not just an attack on individuals. It’s a message to us all that we are not safe. Our people are living in fear now. We call on the government to act fast,” he said.
This fresh bloodshed has further exposed the fragile state of security in Kwara North and revived calls for serious overhauls in intelligence gathering and community protection.
The use of military uniforms by the attackers has also raised suspicions of insider collusion or dangerous black-market access to security gear.
All efforts made to reach the Kwara State Police Command for comment at the time of filing the report did not succeed.
The President Bola Tinubu-led administration has acknowledged Pastor Tunde Bakare's Easter Sunday sermon, in which he criticised the government for worsening economic hardship, descent into tyranny, and abuse of power.
Bakare, speaking during a State of the Nation address at The Citadel Global Community Church in Oregun, Lagos, condemned what he described as the erosion of democratic institutions and the transformation of Nigeria into a mafia state.
He accused those in power of lacking humility and character, and urged Tinubu to seek wise counsel and govern with empathy.
Reacting on behalf of the Presidency, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, described Pastor Bakare‘s sermon and speech as “quite objective”.
“He gave his general opinion on events and decisions of government; He critiqued certain polities and applauded some; he further offered his suggestions on the way forward,” he said.
“Importantly, he acknowledged the successes and strides of the President and his administration.
“Although we differ with him in some areas and positions, but we respect his right to say his mind, and assure him as with many Nigerians that President Tinubu is determined to deliver on the promise to the Nigerian people.
“Happy Easter and best wishes to the good people of Nigeria.”
In his address, Bakaree noted the stark contrast between the present legislature and past assemblies, which had once stood up against executive overreach.
Bakare further lambasted recent developments in the Senate, specifically the mistreatment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who faced attempts to silence her as she demanded greater accountability from the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Bakare accused some senators of dragging the institution through disgraceful behaviour and failing to uphold the dignity of their office.
Bakare also took aim at the broader political culture in Nigeria, which he described as a form of "motor park politics" perpetuated by veteran politicians and amplified under Tinubu's influence. He argued that under this style of politics, Nigeria’s institutions had become tools of power consolidation rather than vehicles for effective governance.
The pastor’s critique extended to President Tinubu himself, whom he accused of fostering a political environment where the National Assembly had become subservient to the executive. Bakare warned that the country’s political system was at risk of transforming into a dictatorship, with the executive branch wielding unchecked power.
He urged the president to reconsider his approach, stating that no leader should be entrusted with unlimited power.
He said, “It is clear that our so-called leaders are determined to turn Nigeria into a mafia state. The two main contenders in the ongoing institutional immorality are the executive and the legislature.
“It's often said that these two arms of government suffered the worst forms of arrest and development because they were the direct victims of the era. But after 26 years of uninterrupted democracy, one must ask how much longer before our institutions finally mature. While it is not in dispute that our institutions and constitution are inadequate, it has become obvious that our biggest problems in this nation are the occupiers of these institutions and executors of the constitution.
“The quality of leadership in Nigeria has become so repugnant that citizens must declare a state of emergency on governance, demanding that every aspiring public office holder undergo rigorous psychiatric evaluation before seeking election.”
Bakare also delved into the country’s economic challenges, particularly the president's handling of critical reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira.
He expressed concern over the hardship these policies had inflicted on Nigerians, with soaring inflation, food insecurity, and a deepening economic crisis. The pastor highlighted the alarming spike in food prices, the fall in foreign direct investment, and the suffering of millions of Nigerians who found themselves trapped in a cost-of-living crisis.
While acknowledging that difficult reforms often come with hardship, Bakare urged the government to show empathy and transparency in its approach. He suggested that the administration had failed to sufficiently cushion the effects of its reforms, and he called for greater accountability from those in power.
Bakare also pointed out the broader issue of leadership deficiency in Nigeria. He proposed that public office aspirants should undergo rigorous psychological evaluations to ensure that they possess the requisite competence and character. He noted that the failure of Nigerian leaders to embody wisdom, decorum, and decency had undermined the integrity of the nation's institutions.
Despite his criticisms, Bakare did acknowledge some positive developments under the current administration, such as the increase in Nigeria’s foreign reserves from $35 billion in May 2023 to $40 billion by November 2024. However, he emphasised that these achievements should not overshadow the broader governance challenges facing the country.
The cleric also criticised the declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, saying, “What we have seen since the beginning of the year is a descent into tyranny and abuse of power.”
Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church has urged Nigerians to declare a state of emergency in the country, citing what he described as rampant “political banditry,” legislative irresponsibility, widespread insecurity, and the abuse of power.
Delivering a state of the nation address at his church in Oregun, Lagos, on Sunday, Bakare, a former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), decried the deteriorating security situation, drawing attention to the recent wave of killings in Plateau State as a troubling reflection of the nation's deepening crisis.
The cleric also criticised the declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, saying, “What we have seen since the beginning of the year is a descent into tyranny and abuse of power.”
He also condemned the role of the National Assembly in the declaration and the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“Citizens must declare a state of emergency in Nigeria,” he said.
“It is clear that our so-called leaders are determined to turn Nigeria into a mafia state,” he said, adding that the country's challenges extend beyond its flawed constitution to include those who occupy positions of power.
He urged Tinubu to “stop playing God” and govern with fairness.
Former Defence minister Danjuma urges self-defense as Benue’s death toll rises to 56, calling the situation a “real war”
As the death toll in the attacks by suspected herdsmen on the people of Benue State hit 56 on Saturday, a former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) has restated his call on the people of Taraba State and other Nigerians in general to defend themselves against the invaders, who are killing people in various communities across the country.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, who confirmed that the death toll in the attacks by herdsmen in his state has risen to 56 during his on-the-spot assessment tour of some of the communities, declared that Benue State was going through “a real war.”
On his part, Danjuma spoke in Takum during an occasion he organised to appreciate his members of staff working within the area against the backdrop of renewed and intensified killings in communities in Plateau, Benue, Ondo and several other states across the country.
Meanwhile, tension has gripped the residents of Kaiama and Baruten LGAs of Kwara State as the new terrorist group identified as “Mahmuda”, has resumed operations in the area, kidnapping and killing residents.
This is the third time Danjuma, who is also a former Chief of Army Staff, is calling on Nigerians, particularly his people of Taraba State, to defend themselves against killings, which he described as genocide.
Addressing a large audience, including the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas and other top government functionaries, who gathered to welcome him to Takum, Danjuma noted that the circumstances that made him to call for self-defence in the past has not abated but rather has intensified.
“I once asked you to rise and defend yourselves. I am still repeating it today with more seriousness; rise and defend yourselves. The killers have obtained sophisticated arms; we don’t know where they got the arms. But you people should also seek to get it wherever they get the arms; you must defend yourselves against the killers.
“You should know that they are well armed to kill you and take over your land. Be ready for them as they are also humans like you,” he explained.
Danjuma added that unless the people are prepared to defend themselves against the killers, nobody is ready to save their lives.
Also speaking at the occasion, Governor Kefas eulogised Danjuma for his developmental strides in Taraba State and prayed God to continue to bless him with sound health.
Kefas noted that the state has benefitted immensely from Danjuma’s philanthropic gestures, particularly in the areas of health care services, roads infrastructure and economic empowerment and holistic development of the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Alia of Benue State has confirmed that the death toll in the herdsmen’s latest attacks on some communities in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state has risen to 56.
Alia spoke on Saturday during his on-the-spot assessment tour of some of the communities attacked in the two LGAs.
Some communities, such as Ugondo in Logo and Tyuluv, Gbagir, and Ukum LGAs were attacked in coordinated armed assaults by gunmen suspected to be armed herders between Thursday and Friday.
The police command in the state, through its Spokesman, Catherine Anene, had on Friday announced that five people in Ukum and 12 people in Logo total of 17, were killed.
But Governor Alia, who gave the latest update, said the death toll in Logo at the time of his address had hit 27, and another 28 persons were killed in Ukum LGA.
“Since these attacks started, we have recovered corpses. As of yesterday (Friday), we received some, and today (Saturday), the tally rose to 27 in Logo.
“In Ukum, security operatives have recovered over 28 corpses,” the governor said, adding that the death toll was 56.
He added that some families had buried their loved ones after being given security cover by security operatives.
“Some families requested immediate burial for their relatives, and the security personnel provided them with cover to do so,” he said.
The Governor, however declared that what the state was going through at the moment is “a real war” which could not be handled with kid gloves.
He said, “There is no room for anyone to sleep with their two eyes closed. This is real war. We know our enemies. This is the only state that we have. I mourn with you at this very pathetic and sad moment in your lives.”
While commending the security agencies for all their sacrifices in ensuring that there is peace in the state, Alia called on the federal government to assist his administration with the necessary support to end the killings and displacement of innocent citizens in the state.
The governor promised to take care of the burial and medical bills of those in the hospital.
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