Former All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Timi Frank, has appealed to US President Donald Trump and the international community to intervene diplomatically over alleged threats to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election. Frank, in an open letter dated October 19, 2026, urged the United States, United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, European Union and United Kingdom to seek assurances from the Nigerian government on the safety and political freedom of opposition leaders. He expressed concern over allegations of possible attempts to intimidate, arrest or detain Atiku, a leading opposition figure. Frank called…
Author: National Update
Senator Ali Ndume has challenged politicians who pursue personal wealth and political positions at the expense of their constituents, insisting that leadership must be measured by concrete results, not promises or ambition. His message comes as proposed erosion-control projects worth ₦66bn across Southern Borno await final approval from President Bola Tinubu, while a bill to establish a Federal College of Agriculture in Shani awaits further legislative action. About ₦6bn is proposed for erosion-control work in the Aguza area, according to the account of Ndume’s remarks. “We are now at the last stage. We are waiting for the President’s final approval,”…
Nigeria’s economic growth faces a major obstacle as an estimated 88.1 million people remain without access to electricity, exposing the vulnerability of millions of small businesses that depend on reliable power to survive, expand and create jobs. The figure, attributed to the World Bank’s Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) initiative for 2025, places Nigeria at the top of a list of 30 countries with the largest populations lacking electricity access. The Democratic Republic of Congo follows with 80.4 million people, while Ethiopia ranks third with 55.9 million. Tanzania and Uganda have 35.1 million and 25 million people without electricity, respectively.…
***Challenges VP to compare governance records, condemns personal attacks on opposition figures The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) has challenged Vice-President Kashim Shettima to focus on governance records and policy differences rather than personal attacks, following his reported description of Peter Obi as “diminished.” In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the media office accused Shettima of applying different standards in his treatment of opposition leaders, arguing that political disagreements should not justify disparaging remarks. POMR was reacting to comments attributed to the Vice-President in which he reportedly urged Northerners to respect former…
***Urges former public servants to document experiences, shares tribute to ex-IGP Abubakar Former public officers should not allow the wealth of experience they acquired in service to fade into retirement but should document and share their knowledge to help Nigeria address its governance and security challenges, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said. Obi made the call at the public presentation of a book by former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, titled Beyond the Bullet: Policing Terrorism in a Democratic System, at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja. He described the publication as a…
***Highlights institutional reforms, says people-centred management is key to sustainable growth The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, has challenged public office holders to measure their leadership by tangible results, institutional growth and improved human capacity rather than the prestige of their positions. Sulaiman said effective leadership required the courage to make difficult decisions, manage competing interests and build institutions capable of delivering lasting benefits to society. He spoke at the International Leadership Summit at the University of Brighton, United Kingdom, on October 14, 2026, where he delivered a keynote address…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, for allegedly prioritising President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election prospects over the worsening economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians. HURIWA challenged Oyedele to stop acting as a political promoter for the President and concentrate on addressing soaring living costs, expensive petrol, declining purchasing power and rising poverty. In a statement on Sunday, signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the association said Nigerians needed practical economic solutions rather than projections about Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term. It insisted that international investors…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has swept all 21 chairmanship and 239 councillorship seats in the Kogi State local government elections held on Saturday, October 17. The Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Hon. Mamman Nda-Eri, announced the results at a press conference at the commission’s headquarters in Lokoja, confirming the ruling party’s victory across all 21 local government areas and 239 electoral wards. Nda-Eri said the election was conducted across 3,508 polling units in the state, adding that collation of results from all 21 local government areas had been concluded. He declared…
***Nigeria at 66: A Critical Examination of Institutional Transformation By Mohammed Manga, Public Policy Analyst Under the ancient baobab of Zazzau at dusk, where generations have weighed wisdom, the elders teach that “you do not judge a farm by the bustle of its clearing, but by the fullness of its barn at harvest.” They also say, “a well is not praised because it was dug deep, but because it never runs dry when the people thirst.” Such is the test of a nation. Not the elegance of its declarations or the flourish of its ceremonies, but whether its systems endure,…
***As Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Warns of Relocation A project meant to bring relief to some of society’s most vulnerable people now stands at risk of leaving the district it was designed for, as political rivalry overshadows a much-needed healthcare initiative. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has warned that the proposed mental health facility in Adavi could be moved to Kogi East or Kogi West if the people of Kogi Central do not want it. The senator voiced displeasure over what she described as attempts to frustrate the project through sponsored criticism and a petition sent to the…