Politics
Fuel Subsidy: Atiku Showing Symptoms of Desperation — Afegbua
Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, has accused the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, of showing “symptoms of desperation” over his promise to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Afegbua made the remarks during an interview while reacting to Atiku’s position on the removal of petrol subsidy and the former vice president’s renewed call for government intervention in fuel pricing.
ALSO READ: 2027: ‘They’ve Shown Peter Obi More Than One Kobo, Yet He Hasn’t Backed Down’ — Afegbua
According to him, Atiku, Peter Obi and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had all campaigned ahead of the 2023 presidential election on the need to remove fuel subsidy.
“Now, talking about fuel subsidy, I think the ADC candidate is showing symptoms of desperation,” Afegbua said.
He argued that Tinubu, after winning the 2023 election, implemented the removal of the petrol subsidy, adding that anyone seeking its return should be properly scrutinised because, in his view, the previous subsidy regime created opportunities for fraud and contributed to the decline of Nigeria’s refineries.
“Anybody who is planning to bring back subsidy, that person should be examined properly, because that person is trying to bring back subsidy scammers, saboteurs, and buccaneers who held down Nigeria for so long using subsidy and crippled our refineries,” he said.
Afegbua also alleged that the ADC was experiencing financial difficulties and suggested that this was influencing its campaign messaging.
“The ADC, as it were today, is undergoing some financial strain. So they are looking for every opportunity to rake in money and all of that,” he said.
The Edo commissioner, however, acknowledged that Nigerians were still facing the effects of high fuel and transportation costs, pointing to ongoing government interventions, including the planned commissioning of 50 CNG buses in Edo State.
He said the buses, expected to be commissioned on October 15, would be distributed across the three senatorial districts and would provide free transportation for passengers.
Recall that Atiku had on August 20, 2026, pledged to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in the 2027 election.
Speaking during a Facebook Live session, the ADC candidate questioned how the resources previously spent on subsidy had been utilised following its removal.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone?” Atiku asked.
He subsequently said: “If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money.”
On August 25, Atiku further reaffirmed that his position had not changed, saying, “When I said I would return to subsidy, I will!”
He later clarified that the proposed intervention would be targeted and focused on supporting domestic production rather than simply returning to the former import-subsidy model.
Politics
2027: Ika Artisans Pledge Five-Position Support for APC After Morka’s Engagement
Members of the Ika South Artisans Association in Delta State have pledged support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates across five electoral positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The artisans made the declaration on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during an enlarged engagement with the APC National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, in Agbor, Delta State.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Morka to highlight the economic and infrastructural development efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, while addressing the concerns and empowerment needs of artisans.
SEE ALSO: Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Morka described artisans as indispensable contributors to national development, noting that their skills and services were essential to sectors such as housing, transportation, infrastructure and other areas of everyday life.
Speaking on the economy, he defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, explaining that the government inherited significant fiscal challenges, including fuel subsidy payments and pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
He said the reforms had strengthened government revenues and increased the financial capacity of federal, state and local governments to execute development projects.
The APC spokesman also highlighted increased federal allocations to Delta State, saying the improved revenue position could accelerate infrastructure delivery and improve the lives of residents.
He cited major federal projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, alongside ongoing road construction and bridge projects, as evidence of the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal efforts.
At the state level, Morka commended Governor Oborevwori for prioritising infrastructure development and executing projects aimed at improving connectivity and stimulating economic activities across Delta State.
Addressing the artisans’ concerns, he promised to facilitate their access to government empowerment programmes by identifying relevant federal and state initiatives and connecting the association’s leadership with the heads of agencies responsible for implementing them.
Morka also urged the participants to understand the constitutional responsibilities of elected officials and make informed decisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He called on them to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, Oborevwori and other APC candidates.
He specifically appealed to women at the gathering to support greater female representation in elective offices, urging them to back the APC candidate for Ika South Constituency, Hon. Cordelia Anyagwu, in her bid for election into the Delta State House of Assembly.
Other APC leaders and stakeholders at the engagement included the Executive Chairman of Ika South Local Government Council, Hon. Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior; Dr. Donald Peterson; Hon. Emmanuel Osazuwa; Hon. Frank Izekor; and Hon. Cosmas Igbenije.
In their response, the artisans declared their readiness to support the APC across the five electoral positions of President, Governor, Senator, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.
Morka thanked the association’s leadership and members for their participation, assuring them that their concerns and aspirations would receive appropriate attention.
Politics
Peter Obi, Kwankwaso to Hold NDC Town Hall Meeting in Benue Today
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, alongside his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will visit Benue State on Wednesday for a town hall meeting as part of efforts to promote their vision for a new Nigeria.
The meeting, scheduled for 10:00 a.m on Wednesday, will take place at Mission House, beside Benue Links Park, Wurukum, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Arrive in Calabar
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the NDC presidential and vice-presidential candidates to engage residents of the state and communicate their political vision ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Announcing the visit, Obi described Benue as the Food Basket of the Nation and said the delegation was taking its message of a new Nigeria to the state.
“PO IN BENUE.
“We are taking the message of a New Nigeria to the Food Basket of the Nation today,” the announcement read.
The town hall meeting is part of the party’s political engagement activities as Obi and Kwankwaso seek to build support for their joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Politics
Shettima Arrives Jigawa for APC Presidential Campaign Rally, Tinubu to Inaugurate Four Projects
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shettima arrived at the Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi International Airport, Dutse, where he was received by Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, alongside governors from other states.
SEE ALSO: Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
The Vice President’s arrival was disclosed on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha.
Those present included Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, APC stakeholders and other prominent political figures from across the country were also present to welcome the Vice President.
Before proceeding to the Dutse Township Stadium for the campaign rally, Shettima is expected to accompany President Tinubu to inaugurate four projects in the state.
The projects include the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Skills Acquisition Centre, Jigawa State’s agricultural mechanisation programme and a dualised road project in Dutse.
The initiatives are aimed at strengthening technical education, promoting skills acquisition, improving agricultural mechanisation and enhancing road infrastructure across the state.





