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‘140 Million Nigerians Are Poor Despite Tinubu’s Economic Reforms’ – Peter Obi

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Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, arguing that improvements in economic growth and government revenue have not translated into better living conditions for Nigerians.

Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his X account on Monday, October 12, while reacting to the World Bank’s latest report on Nigeria’s economic performance and government spending priorities.

He argued that improvements in some macroeconomic indicators should not be interpreted as evidence that the standard of living of Nigerians is improving.

According to him, the real measures of economic development are poverty reduction, job creation and efforts to address inequality.

“Nigerians and even the World Bank know that the criteria for economic development is whether poverty is declining, whether jobs are created for our youths, and whether we are reducing acute inequality,” Obi stated.

He maintained that economic stability under the Tinubu administration had not resulted in higher living standards, improved employment opportunities or reduced poverty and inequality across the country.

Obi argued that an economy cannot be considered stable merely because government revenue increases, foreign reserves strengthen or gross domestic product grows.

“Stability exists when citizens can afford food, obtain healthcare, provide education for their children, and live with dignity,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor questioned the benefits of increased government revenue to Nigerians struggling to meet their basic needs.

“What comfort does higher revenue offer a mother who cannot provide her children with a nutritious meal? What does higher government revenue mean to a family forced to choose between purchasing food and paying for medicine?” he asked.

He also questioned the impact of the administration’s economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians, arguing that citizens continued to bear the costs and hardship associated with government policies.

Obi further cited a recent United Nations Development Programme report, which he said listed Nigeria among countries where gains made in reducing poverty had been reversed.

He also claimed that about 140 million Nigerians were classified as multidimensionally poor.

The former presidential candidate accused the Tinubu administration of presenting incomplete economic statistics to project progress without adequately addressing the welfare of citizens.

“President Bola Tinubu and his incompetent team must recognize that intentionally presenting and projecting incomplete economic statistics cannot replace the critical measure of how reform impacts on the welfare of the people,” he said.

Obi added that Nigerians should not be expected to celebrate economic statistics while struggling to survive the effects of government policies.

“A government cannot expect citizens to applaud statistics while they struggle to survive the effects of its policies,” he stated.

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‘Becoming Nigeria’s President Is a Divine Blessing’ – Tinubu

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described his emergence as Nigeria’s President as a special favour from Almighty Allah, saying his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is a privilege that must be matched with dedicated service to the country.

Tinubu made the remarks while reflecting on his spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj (Umrah), during which he was granted access to pray inside the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.

The President expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his Nigerian delegation the rare privilege.

SEE MORE: APC Defends Tinubu Over Electricity Promise, Says President Is Tackling Sector’s Challenges

Speaking after the spiritual exercise, Tinubu said his emergence as Nigeria’s leader was an extraordinary blessing, considering the millions of people in the country.

“I have faith in that, and I believe extremely well that He has done me and my country a great favour. Out of many millions of people, to be the President and Commander-in-Chief is a favour that only Almighty God can do to a human being,” he said.

The President also disclosed that he used the opportunity to pray for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians, expressing confidence that his prayers had been answered.

“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted,” Tinubu said.

Recalling his previous Umrah pilgrimage before the 2023 presidential election, he said he had asked Allah to bless the journey and promised to return to express gratitude.

Tinubu also reflected on the message in Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Holy Qur’an, which establishes Allah as the ultimate owner of sovereignty and authority, with the power to give and take leadership.

He said the message reinforces the need for those entrusted with positions of authority to exercise power responsibly, with humility and in the interest of the people.

“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority,” the President said.

He reaffirmed his commitment to building a prosperous Nigeria, investing in the future of young Nigerians and pursuing development in line with the aspirations of the people.

Tinubu described the opportunity to enter the Holy Ka’abah as a historic and deeply cherished spiritual experience, adding that it reflected the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

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Ogun Police Win Public Safety Award as Ojajuni Emerges NUJ Golden Jubilee Ambassador

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The Ogun State Police Command has received three major honours at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council’s Golden Jubilee Press Week, with Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni named a Golden Jubilee Ambassador.

The Command received the Shield of Public Safety Award, while its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, was presented with the Vanguard of Public Safety Award.

The recognition formed part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the NUJ in Ogun State, which coincides with the state’s 50th anniversary.

SEE ALSO: Oyo Police Arrest Suspected Serial Burglar, Recover Stolen Items Worth ₦16.2m

According to a statement released on Monday, November 2, 2026, by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Babaseyi, the awards recognised the Command’s commitment to public safety, proactive policing and effective engagement with the media.

The Golden Jubilee Press Week, held from October 26 to November 1, 2026, was themed, “Truth, Trust and the Press: Protecting Democratic Choice and Rebuilding Public Confidence in Journalism.”

Ojajuni also participated in a panel session during the celebration, where he urged journalists to uphold truth, professional ethics and patriotism, stressing the importance of responsible journalism to national development and public confidence in public institutions.

While receiving the Shield of Public Safety Award, the police commissioner attributed the Command’s achievements, particularly the impact of Operation KOSAYE, to the strategic direction of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, under the Handshake Patrol initiative.

He explained that the operation was carried out on the directive of the IGP through collaboration between the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands, with support from the governors of both states.

According to him, the initiative strengthened security cooperation between the two states and improved coordinated efforts to prevent and combat criminal activities.

Ojajuni was also named among 50 distinguished personalities recognised as Golden Jubilee Ambassadors.

The honour reflects his leadership and previous contributions to policing in Ogun State, where he served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department and Squadron Commander of the 16 Police Mobile Force, Abeokuta, before becoming commissioner.

Similarly, Babaseyi received the Vanguard of Public Safety Award in recognition of his contributions to police-public communication, media engagement and public safety advocacy.

The commissioner dedicated the honours to the Inspector-General of Police and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, acknowledging their commitment and sacrifices in protecting lives and property.

The Command also commended the NUJ Ogun State Council, led by its chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, for the recognition and its role in promoting constructive engagement between journalists and security institutions.

It reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its relationship with the media, noting that effective policing depends not only on operational deployment but also on public trust, timely information and stakeholder engagement.

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Insecurity: Radda Seeks Traditional Rulers’ Partnership to Protect Farmers, Communities

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Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has called on traditional rulers to strengthen their collaboration with the government and security agencies to tackle insecurity and protect farmers, traders and other residents across the state.

Radda made the appeal during a meeting with the District Head of Bakori, Alhaji Garba Tukur Idris, Makaman Katsina, and other traditional leaders in Bakori Local Government Area.

The engagement, which formed part of activities of the Tinubu–Dikko 2027 Campaign Council, was disclosed in a statement issued on November 1, 2026, by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed.

SEE ALSO: NSC Chair Dikko Vows to End Salary Delays for Nigerian Coaches, Players

The governor said traditional institutions remained essential to efforts to achieve lasting security and development, particularly because of their influence and close relationship with local communities.

“Government cannot achieve sustainable security and grassroots development without the active cooperation of traditional rulers, community elders and other local stakeholders,” Radda said.

He urged traditional leaders to work more closely with security agencies and other community stakeholders to address security threats and strengthen peace across their respective communities.

“Your role in maintaining peace and order in our communities is very important. We need your cooperation to address security challenges and advance development at the grassroots,” he added.

Radda also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, strengthening security operations and ensuring farmers could access their farmlands while traders conducted their businesses without fear.

He called for a coordinated approach involving traditional rulers, security agencies, political leaders, youths and women, stressing the importance of collective action in tackling insecurity and creating economic opportunities.

In his response, the District Head of Bakori, Garba Tukur Idris, welcomed the governor and his delegation, commending the engagement and the relationship between the government and traditional institutions.

Idris identified agriculture, trading and commerce as the major economic activities in Bakori, while highlighting the area’s skilled and unskilled labour force, dams and boreholes as resources that could support increased agricultural productivity and attract investment.

He also commended the cooperation among traditional institutions, local government authorities, security agencies and residents in maintaining peace, urging stakeholders to sustain the collaboration to protect their communities.

The Chairman of Bakori Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Barde, said the delegation was also in the area to seek the blessings and support of traditional rulers and community stakeholders for the Tinubu–Dikko 2027 campaign.

The delegation included Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal; Campaign Director-General, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; Campaign Council Co-Chairman, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa; Deputy Director-General, Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; and Secretary-General, Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji, among others.

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