NEWS
Atiku Knocks FG’s ‘Sluggish’ Handling of South Africa Xenophobic Violence
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government over what he described as a sluggish response to the renewed wave of xenophobic violence targeting Nigerians in South Africa.
Atiku, in a statement released on Sunday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said it was disappointing that Nigeria failed to act swiftly despite repeated attacks on its citizens living in South Africa.
SEE ALSO: FG Blasts South Africa Over Attacks on Nigerians, Summons Diplomat
The former presidential candidate stated that smaller African countries had already taken decisive steps to protect their nationals, while Nigeria appeared slow in responding to the growing tension.
According to him, Ghana had approved the evacuation of more than 300 of its citizens affected by the latest anti-immigrant threats, while the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu only reacted after mounting pressure.
“It is deeply troubling that Nigeria, a country that prides itself as the giant of Africa, once again found itself reacting instead of leading in a moment of continental crisis,” Atiku said.
He argued that the delayed response raised serious concerns about the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
The former vice president noted that Nigerians in South Africa had for years endured intimidation, harassment, looting and repeated xenophobic attacks, with several businesses destroyed and lives threatened during previous outbreaks.
Atiku stressed that the protection of citizens remains one of the primary responsibilities of any government, regardless of where those citizens reside.
He urged the Federal Government to issue stronger travel advisories, begin evacuation plans for willing Nigerians and intensify diplomatic engagement with South African authorities.
The former vice president also called on the African Union to take stronger action against recurring xenophobic violence across the continent.
“Africa cannot continue to preach unity while tolerating periodic persecution of fellow Africans,” he added.
He further urged Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act with greater urgency whenever the safety and dignity of Nigerians overseas are under threat.
NEWS
‘Obi Did Not Loot A Kobo’ — Obiaraeri Compares Peter Obi, Akpabio’s Records
Financial expert Nnaemeka Onyeka Obiaraeri has defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi against comparisons with former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, citing what he described as differences in the financial records of the two states during their respective tenures.
Obiaraeri made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday while responding to comparisons involving the two former governors.
According to him, Akwa Ibom State, under Akpabio between 2007 and 2015, received an estimated ₦2.06 trillion, which he said was equivalent to about $15.5 billion at the time.
SEE ALSO: ‘Peter Obi’s Govt Left 101 Road Projects With ₦127bn Liabilities’, Says Anambra Govt
He further claimed that the amount would be worth more than ₦21.7 trillion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri wrote: “AKWA IBOM STATE, UNDER GODSWILL AKPABIO, 2007 TO 2015…..
“Between 2007 and 2015, during the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Akwa Ibom State Government received an estimated total revenue of approximately ₦2.06 trillion/$15.5billion…..
“In today’s naira value, Akwa Ibom under Akpabio received over N21.7trillion.”
He also claimed that Akpabio left loan obligations of $334 million, which he put at about ₦467 billion.
Obiaraeri further alleged that there were multiple EFCC files concerning Akpabio, claiming that they documented financial misconduct during his tenure.
Turning to Anambra, Obiaraeri said the state received approximately $4.06 billion, or ₦525 billion, during Peter Obi’s tenure as governor from March 14, 2006, to March 14, 2014.
He wrote: “ANAMBRA STATE UNDER PETER OBI MARCH 14, 2006 TO MARCH 14, 2014
“Total funds and revenues received by Anambra state under Peter Obi was $4.06billion/N525billion.
“In today’s naira term is N5.4trillion.”
According to Obiaraeri, Peter Obi left behind $156 million in savings invested in an investment that generated more than $43 million, bringing the total to $199.8 million.
He added that the figure amounted to approximately ₦279 billion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri also claimed that more than ₦36 billion, which he equated to about $240 million, was held in Treasury Bills and other short-term naira investments.
He wrote: “However, Peter Obi left behind a total savings of $156million in an investment that yielded over $43m totaling $199.8m/N279billion in today’s naira money and over N36bn/$240m in treasury bills and other short term naira investments.”
Defending the former Anambra governor against allegations of corruption, Obiaraeri stated: “Peter Obi did not loot a kobo of Anambra monies. HE HAS NO EFCC OR FBI FILES OF CRIMINALITY ON HIM….”
He also compared Obi with other governors who served around the same period, “The Only Governor in the league of PO during his time was Raji Fashola …… Anyway, I am not surprised at some of you, who do this baseless comparison…The difference between LIGHT and Darkness is so clear to DECENT men, who love LIGHT….
“THOSE WHO ARE ROGUES, AND ASPIRING ROGUES, USUALLY LOVE DARKNESS….THEIR HEART IS DARKENED AND MIGRATE TOWARDS DARKNESS ALWAYS.”
He said ‘This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil’.”
He then directly addressed those comparing the two former governors, stating: “I PUT IT TO YOU, who is mischievously comparing Apostle Peter to YOUR BARABASSES, that you are EVIL…QED.”
NEWS
‘Where Is Nigeria’s President?’ — Obi Questions Tinubu’s Third Straight UNGA Absence
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from the United Nations General Assembly, contrasting it with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s participation in the 81st UNGA.
Obi raised the question in a post on X on Sunday, while reacting to Mahama’s address at the global gathering.
SEE MORE: Atiku Vows Probe of ₦33.75bn Cash Transfer to 3.29m Nigerians
The former presidential candidate wrote: “The dynamic President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, delivered a remarkable address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The international community has commended his leadership and the substance of his address.
“It is a reminder of what leadership can produce when competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character come together in the service of a nation.”
Obi then drew attention to Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level, asking why Tinubu had not attended the global gathering.
He wrote:
“Against this background, many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people – more than Ghana – whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?
“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing the country and providing leadership for Africa at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings. Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges, both domestically and internationally?”
Obi acknowledged that Vice President Kashim Shettima was present at the UNGA but maintained that questions remained over the President’s absence.
He stated: “Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: Where is the President?
“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation.”
Obi ended the post with his familiar political message:
Tinubu did not attend the 81st UNGA, with Shettima representing Nigeria at the gathering.
The President’s absence marks his third consecutive non-attendance at the UN General Assembly after he also did not personally attend the 79th and 80th sessions.
NEWS
Africa Can’t Bear Global Burdens Without Equal Voice — Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Africa cannot continue to bear the burdens of the global international order while being denied an equal voice in directing it.
Shettima stated this during a meeting with the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The development was contained in a statement issued on September 27, 2026, by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President.
SEE MORE: ECOWAS: Shettima Calls For Stronger Unity, Engagement With Sahel Alliance
Shettima said Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council undermines fairness and the legitimacy of global governance.
“A continent cannot be summoned to bear the burdens of the international order and then denied an equal hand in directing it,” he said.
The Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for urgent reform of the United Nations, saying international institutions must become more representative, responsive and credible while reflecting current geopolitical and demographic realities.
He also commended UN Secretary-General António Guterres for supporting a more representative Security Council, citing his position that a 21st-century Council without permanent African representation is “unjust and indefensible.”
Shettima further praised Guterres for defending international law and human dignity amid conflicts and growing global tensions.
“You have remained a voice of reason as individual states drift from the obligations they assumed under the United Nations Charter and the rules of international law,” Shettima said.
He stressed that diplomacy must remain focused on the human consequences of conflicts.
“The mother searching for her child, the family driven from home and the hungry child awaiting food must never become abstractions in the language of states,” he added.
The Vice President also commended Amina Mohammed for her role in multilateral diplomacy and sustainable development, describing her service as a source of pride to Nigeria.
“Nigeria will remain a willing ally in the work of restoring trust among nations and dignity to lives diminished by hunger, violence and exclusion,” he said.
Mohammed, in response, thanked Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their support for the United Nations and her office.
“I want to thank through you, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and you for embracing me wholeheartedly not just as the DSG but as a daughter of the soil,” she said.
She described the visit as a “deep honour” and said Tinubu had been an “incredible support” to her and the UN institution.
Those present at the meeting included Governors Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim; and other senior officials.





