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Tinubu’s Adviser Criticizes Atiku Abubakar’s Post-Election Conduct

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Since his defeat in the last election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shown more interest in undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu than in addressing his party’s implosion, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Onanuga suggested that Atiku is envious of Tinubu’s position, an office he has unsuccessfully sought six times.

“It is perplexing that he would elevate his untested, hypothetical proposal, which Nigerians soundly rejected during the 2023 Presidential Election, and seek to present it as a superior alternative to the multi-faceted reform programmes implemented by the Tinubu administration,” Onanuga stated.

He added that Atiku must acknowledge that merely repackaging his plan will not resolve the social and economic challenges left by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after 16 years in power.

Onanuga criticized Atiku’s economic analysis, describing it as a significant misunderstanding of Nigeria’s realities. “His narrative, ‘What We Would Have Done Differently,’ indicates an inability to engage with the pressing economic realities being revitalized under President Tinubu’s leadership,” he said.

Onanuga questioned the reforms Atiku would propose at the onset of his hypothetical presidency. “While he suggests a consultation period upon assuming office, the reality is that the Nigerian economy requires immediate and decisive action. A leader must be prepared to tackle challenges from Day One, as President Tinubu has done,” he emphasized.

Atiku’s accusation that President Tinubu “stole his presidency” exposed his sense of entitlement and disconnect from the electorate, Onanuga argued. “The truth is that Tinubu rightfully won the presidency, a position Atiku was simply unqualified for due to his arrogance, insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity, and the decision to disregard his party’s power rotation arrangement,” he added.

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Onanuga highlighted the urgent need for action in the Nigerian economy, which was in dire need of immediate intervention. “The Tinubu administration came prepared with a firm action plan to address the shortcomings that persisted during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s time when Atiku was vice president,” he noted.

Speculating on the potential impact of Atiku’s proposed lengthy town hall and Village Square meetings, Onanuga suggested that such an approach would have been detrimental to Nigeria’s economy. “The country needed a proactive leader such as Tinubu, who immediately set to work on addressing economic challenges,” he said.

Onanuga dismissed Atiku’s critiques of Tinubu’s presidency as harebrained propositions devoid of realistic alternatives. He pointed out the decades of mismanaged economy inherited by the current administration, including exorbitant subsidy expenditures. “As of mid-2023, the landing cost of fuel was between N500 and N600, while it was sold nationwide at an average of N200,” he explained.

Onanuga emphasized the importance of engaging with urgent realities rather than conjuring imaginary scenarios. “The estimated N5.4 trillion savings from subsidy removal in 2024 are being actively directed toward infrastructure development and social intervention programmes,” he stated.

He also highlighted the significant increase in revenue generation under the Tinubu administration. “Without factoring in oil sales, revenue proceeds generated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service almost doubled in the first half of 2024,” Onanuga noted.

Atiku’s proposal to privatize the four government-owned refineries was criticized for lacking originality. “In 2007, investors were only willing to offer $160 million for 51% equity in the Port Harcourt Refinery,” Onanuga recalled.

Onanuga accused Atiku of overseeing the sale of the nation’s assets to private individuals and cronies at low prices during his tenure as vice president. “Today, most public enterprises Atiku sold have been stripped and become dead assets,” he said.

He praised the Tinubu administration’s approach to revitalizing refineries while supporting modular refineries and the Dangote Refinery. “This approach will guarantee domestic production and stabilize retail prices by reducing foreign exchange challenges,” Onanuga explained.

Regarding Atiku’s allegations of corruption within the NNPC, Onanuga argued that the fuel subsidy had historically been the leading corruption enabler. “President Tinubu’s removal of this subsidy eliminated the most significant incentive for corruption within the NNPC,” he stated.

Onanuga criticized Atiku’s suggestion of phased-out subsidy removal as an outdated approach. “Rather than pushing for unrealistic timelines, Atiku should recognize the necessity of President Tinubu’s bold reforms,” he said.

He urges Atiku to abandon his politics of distraction and focus on constructive discourse. “President Tinubu remains focused on leading Nigeria toward a prosperous future and addressing our nation’s real challenges,” Onanuga affirmed.

 

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Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

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A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

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Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

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The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

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According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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