Politics
No one can stop my passion, zeal to improve Nigerians’ livelihood – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari in the course of the week reiterated the determination of his administration to uplift the quality of life of the citizens in spite of the harsh socio-economic realities.
He said that the passion and zeal for improving the livelihood of Nigerians had not dwindled, calling for more steadfastness as Nigerians.
The president gave the assurance when he received former State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.
He, however, urged political leaders to stay focused and uphold the ultimate objective of promoting interest of the country.
The president said the self-centeredness that led to the loss of about a million lives between 1967-1970 must not be allowed to repeat itself.
The president, who is also the Minister of Petroleum Resources, had also consented to the acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited by Seplat Energy Offshore Ltd., a Nigerian outfit.
ExxonMobil, the parent company had earlier entered into a landmark Sale and Purchase Agreement with Seplat Energy to acquire the entire share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from Exxon Mobil Corporation of the U.S.A.
The agreement would also enable Seplat Energy to acquire share capital from Mobil Development Nigeria Inc., and Mobil Exploration Nigeria Inc., both registered in Delaware, USA.
Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesman stated on Monday in Abuja that the president’s consent was in consonance with Nigeria’s drive for increased indigenous participation in the energy sector.
Also on Monday, the president congratulated the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Sports Federations and Associations on the performance of Team Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Team Nigeria posted an impressive outing at the competition, finishing seventh on the medals table with 12 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze.
On the same day, Buhari forwarded the name of Muhammad Sabo Lamido to the Senate for confirmation as Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts, for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
Buhari, in a letter addressed to President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, said Lamido was being nominated due to the death of Hassan Gambo, who occupied the position until his demise.
The president also received the new Executive Members of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
At the meeting with the NMA officials, Buhari disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed N100 billion to indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare investors as loans to expand their capital base.
He said it was also meant to boost local production of medicines and medical consumables.
Buhari stated that the loan was extended through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s support to the private pharmaceutical sector.
The president also announced the appointment of former Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr Habiba Muda-Lawal, as Special Adviser to him on Policy and Coordination.
Buhari also hosted the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organization, Simon Lalong, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Lalong, who is also the Governor of Plateau, said he was in the Presidential Villa to thank the president for approving the University of Jos as a national cancer centre.
He also lauded Buahri for granting presidential pardon to the former Governor of the state, Joshua Dariye.
According to him, the people of the State will remain grateful to the president for delivering a lot of democratic dividends to the State.
Also on Wednesday, President Buhari joined members of staff and political appointees in the State House in congratulating the Permanent Secretary, Tijjani Umar, on his 59th birthday.
The president congratulated Umar, his family, friends and professional colleagues on the auspicious occasion.
Buhari appreciated Umar’s efforts, sacrifices and dedication to effective management of the State House.
Buhari unveiled the 2023 National Population and Housing Census Project Document, aimed at promoting robust and informed national conversation on procedures for the census.
He unveiled the document at the National Stakeholders Summit on the 2023 census, organised by the National Population Commission (NPC), in collaboration with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday.
Buhari also hosted representatives of victims of Kaduna train abduction in Abuja, on Thursday.
According to the president, the Federal Government was doing everything within its powers to ensure the safe return of the remaining abducted passengers of the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train.
He said, ”since the terrible and cowardly attack by the criminal elements on March 28, the nation had joined them to endure a period of difficulty and emotional pains.”
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Buhari also explained his reason for discarding the use of lethal military force in extracting the remaining abductees.
The president, therefore, condoled with the families of the victims and those who lost their loved ones.
Buhari also on Thursday received the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray and his Management Team, telling them the kind of sub-regional body West African leaders desire and must have.
Buhari, also on Friday in Abuja, received the Management of BUA Group at the State House led by the Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu.
He also inaugurated the National Crisis Management Doctrine (NCMD), to bridge the gap created by extensive deployment of security services through fostering collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The NCMD, which was developed by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in coordination with relevant MDAs, would ensure greater successes in tackling national crisis.
The president concluded the week with a closed-door meeting with Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo in the presidential villa, Abuja, on Friday.
Uzodinma, who spoke to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting thanked the president for graciously granting his request that the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri be converted to Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Teaching Hospital.
He also disclosed that he sought president’s approval for the Alvan Ikoku College of Education to become Federal University of Education, Owerri
The governor spoke extensively on the forthcoming 2023 General Elections.
HE urged the media to pay more attention to issues like the depletion of the country’s crude oil output and the unsettling security situation in the country.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Stanley Nkwocha disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, announcing the Vice President’s visit to Ebonyi State for the campaign rally.
The rally is scheduled to take place at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, as part of the APC’s campaign activities under the Renewed Hope agenda.
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The announcement called on residents and party supporters to turn out in large numbers to welcome the Vice President, describing the event as an opportunity for massive political mobilisation.
“One city. Thousands of voices. An atmosphere of incredible energy,” the statement said.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned the judiciary against allowing itself to be used to undermine democracy following the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The party expressed concern that the judgment, alongside other recent court decisions involving opposition parties, could weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and restrict political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SEE ALSO: APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq. On Friday, the NDC said the manner in which some judgments, particularly those emanating from High Courts, were being delivered raised concerns about a possible attempt to exclude the ADC from the forthcoming elections.
While acknowledging the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, the party warned that court decisions capable of weakening opposition parties could create the impression that the judicial system was being used to frustrate democratic competition.
“The way some of these judgements are being churned out, especially from the High Courts suggests a deliberate effort to shut out the ADC from the forthcoming general elections by other means,” the statement read.
The NDC further argued that such developments could shrink the space for multi-party democracy, which it said was already facing significant threats under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party consequently urged the judiciary to safeguard its independence, impartiality and integrity, stressing the need to protect public confidence in the institution.
It also called on the ADC to appeal the judgment without delay, urging the appellate court to grant an accelerated hearing to ensure the leadership dispute does not linger ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the NDC, resolving the matter promptly would prevent uncertainty from undermining democratic participation and the ability of political parties to prepare for the forthcoming polls.
The party concluded its statement with the declaration: “A New Nigeria is Possible!”
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly pressuring hotels in Abuja to deny the opposition party access to their facilities, describing the development as an attempt to undermine democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party raised the allegation in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director on Thursday, who expressed concern over what it described as increasing attempts to restrict the democratic space and silence opposition voices.
According to the NDC, it has faced not only alleged violent attacks by agents of the ruling APC but also discrimination from hotels and hospitality businesses in Abuja.
SEE ALSO: Two Suspected Political Thugs Killed After Attacking NDC Candidate’s Convoy in Ebonyi
The party specifically accused Rockview Hotel of cancelling agreements to provide facilities for its meetings on two separate occasions.
The first incident, according to the statement, occurred in June 2026 when the hotel allegedly withdrew its agreement to host the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting shortly before the scheduled event.
The NDC claimed that the hotel recently rejected another request to use its facilities for a meeting, allegedly informing the party that the decision came through an “order from above.”
The party also accused BON Hotel in Wuse, Abuja, of refusing to provide its facilities for a meeting despite the NDC claiming it had fulfilled all the conditions required.
The statement further alleged that the unveiling of the party’s National Campaign Council (NCC) was nearly disrupted after its event venue initially asked the party to refund its payment, saying it was no longer interested in making its facilities available.
The NDC suggested that the decision might have resulted from alleged threats or instructions from influential quarters.
However, the party said its insistence on using the facility after making payment eventually compelled the hotel to honour the arrangement.
Describing the alleged incidents as a threat to democratic participation, the NDC called on the APC to allow opposition parties to operate freely and campaign without interference.
“This is not democracy. The APC should allow all parties to campaign without let or hindrance, and give Nigerians the opportunity to make their choice on who governs them,” the statement said.
The party also urged Nigerians and supporters of democracy to call out Rockview Hotel and BON Hotel over what it described as their “anti-people and anti-democratic actions.”
Reaffirming its commitment to national development, the NDC declared that Nigerians deserved better governance and insisted that it was prepared to serve with passion and patriotism.
“Nigerians deserve better, and NDC is prepared to serve with passion and patriotism,” the statement added.
The party concluded with its declaration that “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
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