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APC focused on 2027 politics while Nigeria suffers – ADC

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The African Democratic Congress has criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress for allegedly placing emphasis on early 2027 re-election efforts for President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the APC of violating electoral laws and showing insensitivity to the sufferings of Nigerians through premature campaign rallies and endorsement activities.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday warned political parties and aspirants against engaging in early campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that such moves contravene the Electoral Act.

Speaking with our correspondent Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, emphasised that the commission had not issued a timetable for the 2027 polls.

The warning follows growing public concerns over the increasing display of political posters, indirect endorsements, and heated rhetoric among politicians developments widely seen as early signs of electioneering.

Abdullahi said the orchestrated endorsements and campaign billboards violate INEC’s rule banning electioneering until 150 days before the 2027 polls.

He argued that while the APC was “hoisting billboards instead of fixing the nation’s broken economy,” inflation has soared, the naira has collapsed, petrol prices have multiplied, and kidnapping has morphed into an industry.

The statement read in part, “For several months, APC organs have staged rallies and erected billboards endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term. From the Abuja national caucus that proclaimed him sole candidate, to choreographed declarations in Port Harcourt, Minna, Kano, and Akure.

“These theatrics brazenly ignore the Electoral Act and the fresh warning issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which reminds every politician that public campaigning is illegal until one hundred and fifty days before polling day.

“While the ruling party chants four more years and sings songs of a sinking mandate, prices have galloped beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. Headline inflation, already 22 per cent in 2023, rocketed to a 30-year high of almost 35 per cent last December and still hovers above 22 per cent today, meaning food, transport, and rent now cost roughly 60 per cent more than they did at the time he took office.

“The naira has crumbled from about N461 to the dollar in early 2023 to well over N1,500, wiping out savings and strangling small enterprises. Petrol that once sold for N185 per litre before subsidy removal now averages more than N1,000, turning every journey to work or market into an exercise in anguish.”

ADC warned that debt is consuming national resources, citing World Bank data showing debt servicing exceeds total revenue, leaving little for essential services, adding that despite weak revenue generation, the government continues excessive borrowing.

The party added, “When it comes to insecurity, in communities across the nation, security has deteriorated into a national nightmare. Between April and June this year, 122 security personnel consisting of NSCDC, police and soldiers have been killed; 1,865 civilians have been killed, and over 3,132 security-related killings have been reported across the nation.

“Only last Friday, more than 50 people were seized in a major case of mass abduction in Sabon Gari Dirmi, north of Zamfara State. Nigerians are being abducted at an industrial scale while President Tinubu chases after adoption for second term.  Instead of security personnel, our streets are lined with the President’s campaign billboards.

“In the power sector, the national grid collapsed a dozen times last year and several times this year, exposing the hollowness of President Tinubu and the APC’s promises of reliable power. Corruption indices still rank Nigeria in the bottom quarter of the world and press-freedom scores have fallen 10 places in a single year, as independent journalists face mounting pressure.

Under the APC, Nigerians are hungry, sick and scared, but instead of finding real solutions to these problems as they promised to do, the government has been busy building an army of digital propagandists and illusion creators.

“The ADC therefore demands that the APC dismantles its unlawful campaign machinery, respect the law it swore to uphold, and focus on rescuing Nigerians from grinding inflation, a battered naira, rampant insecurity, and collapsing public services. Until the lawful campaign window opens, every political billboard is a billboard of illegality and should be removed as they are campaign materials.”

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Nigeria demands two permanent UN seats, veto powers for Africa

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2 weeks ago

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September 25, 2026

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Nigeria has demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa on the UN Security Council, with veto powers for as long as the privilege exists.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima made the demand while delivering President Bola Tinubu’s national statement at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

He also demanded five non-permanent seats for Africa, in line with the continent’s longstanding common position on reforming the Security Council.

Shettima said the Council’s present configuration no longer reflected contemporary geopolitical realities and weakened the legitimacy of global decision-making.

“The world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945,” he said.

He said Africa could no longer remain outside permanent membership while issues concerning the continent continued to occupy substantial attention of the Council.

According to him, Nigeria’s position is consistent with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, adopted as the Common African Position.

Under the position, Africa seeks at least two permanent seats with all existing privileges, alongside five non-permanent seats on the Council.

The African Union reaffirmed the demand in May, saying Africa’s exclusion from permanent representation constituted a historical imbalance requiring correction.

 

Shettima argued that institutions claiming authority to act for humanity must adequately reflect the people on whose behalf decisions are taken.

He linked Security Council reform to efforts to restore confidence in multilateralism amid widening geopolitical divisions.

The Vice-President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Charter and international cooperation.

He said Nigeria supported an international system where diplomacy takes precedence over coercion and international law guides relations among states.

Shettima recalled Nigeria’s contributions to international and regional peace operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia.

He said Nigeria also continues to work through ECOWAS, the African Union and Gulf of Guinea mechanisms.

 

According to him, these efforts cover mediation, counter-terrorism, democratic governance and maritime security.

Shettima said persistent conflicts across different regions underscored the need to return to dialogue, collective responsibility and peaceful settlement of disputes.

He identified the conflict in Sudan and other theatres as requiring urgent diplomacy because of their humanitarian, economic and geopolitical consequences.

The Vice-President also warned against a global environment where propaganda blurred distinctions between victims and aggressors and complicated accountability.

He maintained that an inclusive and effective UN remained indispensable to global peace and sustainable development

Nigeria’s demand comes amid renewed calls by African leaders for reforms to an institution whose permanent membership remains unchanged since its creation.

The Security Council has five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the UK and the US, each possessing veto power.

Africa currently has no permanent representative on the Council..

The African Union’s preferred reform model provides for at least two permanent African seats, including veto privileges while existing members retain them.

The reform model also seeks five non-permanent seats for Africa.

 

Shettima said Nigeria remained committed to a multilateral order capable of responding more credibly to 21st-century realities.

According to him, differences among nations must not obscure their common humanity or responsibility to preserve peace for future generations. (NAN)

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New financial markets facility set to open in Abia

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3 weeks ago

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September 16, 2026

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A forex trading facility is expected to open in Abia State in October, following the 2025 Abia Forex Expo, which organisers said attracted more than 1,500 participants.

The facility is being established by entrepreneur and financial markets personality, Sam Keys, as a platform for financial education, market analysis, trading activities and networking.

According to the organisers, the project followed increased interest in forex trading and other financial market activities among youths and business communities in the state.

The proposed facility will provide a physical location where traders, aspiring investors and other participants can access financial market information, take part in educational activities and interact with others in the sector.

Keys had previously organised the 2025 Abia Forex Expo, which brought together participants interested in forex trading, investment and financial markets.

The new facility is expected to complement such events by providing a permanent location for activities relating to financial market education and trading.

The October opening is expected to attract traders, investors and other individuals interested in learning about the financial markets.

 

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Abia debunks N50,000 akara tax claim

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3 weeks ago

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September 15, 2026

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Abia State Government has debunked reports that akara sellers and other petty traders in the state are being compelled to pay N50,000 as tax, describing the claim as misinformation.

The government also said it had approved the designation of some historical and natural sites as State Monuments and State Natural Monuments, while declaring Aba a Creative and Innovative City.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the historical sites approved as State Monuments include the National War Museum, Umuahia; Ojukwu Bunker, Umuahia; and Government College, Umuahia.

Those designated State Natural Monuments are Ibom Waterfall in Arochukwu and Ulochukwu Cave in Alayi, Bende Local Government Area.

According to him, the designations would strengthen the government’s efforts to preserve the state’s cultural and natural heritage, promote tourism and open up new economic opportunities.

“These sites have been elevated to heritage sites that enhance the state’s tourism potential. With this approval, they are primed to attract recognition as UNESCO Heritage Sites,” Kanu said.

He further disclosed that Aba had been designated a Creative and Innovative City in recognition of its longstanding commercial, industrial and creative significance.

The commissioner said the retrofitting of the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum had reached about 80 per cent completion and was expected to be concluded before the end of 2026.

He said the projects would improve the preservation of the sites, enhance visitors’ experience and strengthen their tourism potential.

Kanu also disclosed that the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy had received approval to develop the Ibom Waterfall Tourism Corridor in Arochukwu.

He said work had commenced, including grading of access roads to the waterfall, with completion expected before the end of the year.

The commissioner added that the state government had commenced the erection of monuments at strategic locations to preserve Abia’s heritage, honour its heroes and heroines and promote the state’s cultural identity.

He cited a monument being dedicated to the heroines of the 1929 Aba Women’s Riot as one of such initiatives, saying it would celebrate their courage, resilience, resistance and leadership.

No N50,000 tax on akara sellers
On the controversy over alleged excessive taxation, Kanu said there had been no fresh increase in tax rates by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, noting that most of the rates being circulated were contained in tax laws enacted in 2020 under the previous administration.

He stressed that the Board could not unilaterally increase tax rates without enabling legislation.

“For starters, these rates are not new. Most of the rates are 2020 tax rates that were introduced by the previous government.

“Let me reiterate that the Board of Internal Revenue cannot raise tax rates without the backing of enabling laws. And no such increases have been introduced by the Abia State Government,” he said.

Kanu explained that demand notices issued by the BIR were provided for under the law, urging taxpayers to comply with relevant tax provisions while assuring that legitimate concerns would be addressed by the appropriate officials.

On the specific claim that akara sellers were being made to pay N50,000, he said: “This is pure fallacy. Nothing can be further from the truth. Akara sellers don’t pay tax or levies. They pay daily tolls. And none can pay N50,000.”

The Chairman of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr Uche Elekwachi, corroborated the clarification, saying there was no revenue window under the state’s tax laws requiring akara sellers to pay such an amount.

Elekwachi said the Abia Internally Generated Revenue Service Law establishing the applicable framework was enacted in 2020, before the present administration came into office.

“This whole thing has always been in existence. The Abia Internally Generated Revenue Service Law was enacted in 2020 long before this government came onboard, so we need to make that clarification,” he said.

Gratuity: 2011–2025 retirees next.

On outstanding gratuities owed retired workers, Kanu disclosed that the government had completed payments covering 2001 to 2010 and was preparing for the next batch covering 2011 to 2025.

He said the next payments would commence after the completion of ongoing internal verification and other necessary processes.

The commissioner dismissed claims that the government had only commenced gratuity payments because of pressure from the opposition, explaining that the huge financial commitment involved made payment in batches necessary.

“The payments will be in batches. The funds involved are huge for one balloon payment,” he said.

Kanu also clarified reports suggesting that gratuity payments would continue only until 2031, explaining that such reports are incorrect.

He explained that the State Gratuity Committee had recommended the inclusion of gratuity provisions in the state’s 2026–2031 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and subsequent annual budgets to ensure that gratuity obligations were systematically provided for and prevent the accumulation of fresh arrears.

“That does not translate to payments being terminated in 2031. As the internal processes and verification of beneficiaries of these payments continue, due payments would still be made in batches,” he said.

He added that the government remained committed to clearing the outstanding liabilities and expressed optimism that the process could be completed earlier than anticipated.

“The conclusion of payment of outstanding gratuities may happen earlier than we ever imagined. Let us therefore wait and see how the next batch of payments will unfold,” Kanu said.

The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuribe, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Dr Emmanuel Okpechi, were also present at the briefing.

Source: Vanguard.

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