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Atiku Fires Back at the Presidency: “767 Factories Shut, 335 Others in Distress Under Tinubu”

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Tinubu administration of presiding over an increasingly hostile business environment, alleging that 767 factories had shut down while another 335 were operating under severe distress.

Mr Atiku said the closures and difficulties facing manufacturers contradicted the Federal Government’s claims that its economic reforms were restoring growth and improving the business environment.

The former vice-president, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, stated this in a response to the Presidency’s defence of President Bola Tinubu’s economic record.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Mr Atiku said the government’s claims of economic prosperity existed largely in official statements and had not been reflected in the experiences of businesses and ordinary Nigerians.

He said the administration was celebrating Gross Domestic Product, GDP, growth and other macroeconomic indicators while manufacturers, small businesses and households faced rising operating costs and declining purchasing power.

“The Presidency proudly announced that Nigeria’s GDP has increased significantly since the exchange-rate adjustment. We ask a simple question: Has the purchasing power of the average Nigerian increased?” Mr Atiku said.

“Are manufacturers paying less for energy? Have small businesses become more profitable? The answer, tragically, is no.”

He said the closure of hundreds of factories and the distress faced by many others reflected the pressure created by high energy costs, multiple taxes, expensive logistics, rising electricity tariffs and weak consumer demand.

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Mr Atiku argued that government policies could not be described as successful if they increased public revenue while reducing the productive capacity of the economy.

“Government cannot tax its way into prosperity while simultaneously shrinking the productive capacity of the economy,” he said.

“Manufacturers are battling record energy costs. Small businesses face multiple taxes, rising electricity tariffs, escalating logistics expenses and declining consumer demand.”

The former vice-president said tax reforms should be designed to encourage production, create jobs and expand the tax base rather than place additional pressure on struggling businesses.

“A tax reform that expands government revenue while ordinary citizens become poorer cannot honestly be described as progressive,” he said.

He added that successful tax systems were built on productivity and economic growth, not by extracting more revenue from businesses and households already facing financial pressure.

Mr Atiku also questioned the government’s borrowing policy, saying the debate should not focus solely on Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio but on the economic value generated by borrowed funds.

“No serious economist argues that borrowing is inherently wrong. Nations borrow. The real question is this: what has Nigeria obtained in return for the unprecedented debts accumulated under this administration?” he asked.

He said Nigerians had a right to demand evidence that borrowed funds were being used to improve infrastructure, create jobs, strengthen public services and raise living standards.

Mr Atiku noted that businesses continued to spend heavily on alternative sources of electricity, while high logistics costs and poor infrastructure remained major obstacles to production.

“After record borrowing and record budgets, businesses are still forced to spend enormous sums generating their own electricity,” he said.

“Logistics costs remain among the highest in Africa. Manufacturers continue to struggle under crushing operating costs, while many roads remain in deplorable condition.”

The former vice-president said infrastructure should be assessed by its economic impact rather than the number of projects announced or commissioned by the government.

“Every administration announces projects. Nigerians are interested in completed projects that reduce the cost of doing business, improve mobility, guarantee stable electricity and stimulate economic growth,” he said.

Mr Atiku also challenged the Presidency’s explanation concerning crude-backed financing arrangements, arguing that the government had admitted that future oil earnings had been committed in ways that limited the country’s ability to benefit from favourable crude oil prices.

He said Nigerians deserved full disclosure on the terms of such arrangements, including the volume of crude committed, repayment conditions, funds received and projects financed.

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Kano Governor Yusuf Visits Best Choice Specialist Hospital, Commends Staff, Managements

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The executive governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has visited Best Choice Specialist Hospital in Kano to assess the quality of healthcare services being provided to residents and commend health workers for their commitment to saving lives.

The governor made the visit on Friday night as part of his routine inspections of healthcare facilities to assess service delivery and observe first-hand how patients are being attended to, particularly during night hours.

During the visit, Governor Yusuf inspected patients receiving treatment at the hospital and toured different sections of the facility accompanied by the doctor on duty and other members of staff.

The governor observed the activities of health workers and assessed the manner in which patients were being attended to at the time of his visit.

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He commended the staff of Best Choice Specialist Hospital for what he described as their dedication to providing healthcare services to the people of Kano State.

Governor Yusuf also acknowledged the contribution of private healthcare providers to the state’s healthcare system, stressing the importance of collaboration between government and private-sector operators in improving healthcare delivery.

The visit, according to the governor’s entourage, demonstrated that the administration’s concern for healthcare extends beyond government-owned facilities to private hospitals and other health institutions contributing to the wellbeing of residents.

Governor Yusuf thanked the management and staff of Best Choice Specialist Hospital for their efforts and commitment to saving lives.

As a gesture of encouragement, the governor presented the hospital staff with a special award in recognition of their service and dedication.

The governor’s visit also provided an opportunity to appreciate the role of private healthcare providers in complementing government efforts to expand access to medical services across Kano State.

Best Choice Specialist Hospital, located at Tal’udu Junction, opposite Sheikh Al Rayyan School in Kano, operates round the clock and provides healthcare services through qualified doctors and other medical personnel across its various departments.

The governor’s inspection forms part of his administration’s broader emphasis on monitoring healthcare delivery and ensuring that residents receive appropriate medical attention in both public and private health facilities across the 44 local government areas of Kano state.

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Tinubu Trusts Barau To Speak on Security, Development at a Summit

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By Abba Anwar

When President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, assigned the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, CFR, PhD, to represent him at an all-important International Conference on Security and Development in Abuja recently, it is a clear demonstration of trust and confidence from Mr President.

It was the International Conference on National Security and Sustainable Economic Development, organised by the Muslim World League in collaboration with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS). Senator Jibrin’s choice to represent President Tinubu underscores the President’s belief in the Senator’s reliability, depth, and commitment to security, national unity and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

At a time when diverse religious groups, both intra and inter, started discussing national issues around the security of the land, Presidency concurs with the DSP model of securing our nation. Representing a President of a nation, in such events, speaks volumes about DSP’s relevance in the security of our motherland, Nigeria.

It is without any doubt to understand that, President Tinubu must have deeper knowledge about DSP’s commitment to the fight against insecurity disturbing the nation. Especially North West, where the Senator comes from. Security agencies are in the best position to catalog his unmatched contributions in the sector.

The fact that the Conference brought together participants from across the country and beyond, and was competently attended by prominent religious, traditional and political leaders from different faiths and ethnic backgrounds, it showcases what Senator Jibrin means to Nigerian nation state. In one and indivisible Nigerian project.

It also shows the level of confidence President Tinubu has in DSP’s capacity, composure, and loyalty. It, at the same time, positions him as a trusted voice of the Presidency on sensitive national matters. Recognition of patriotic competence of the Senator from the top most occupier of the ladder.

Speaking for the Commander-in-Chief is not a joke at all. We can all see how DSP conveyed Tinubu’s “unwavering commitment to achieving sustainable security”.
It takes a great mind of meaningful substance to be given a task to address religious, traditional and political leaders on a matter as sensitive as security on behalf of the C-in-C.

It clearly demonstrates that Mr President trusts him to handle delicate, multi-faith, multi-ethnic and multi-faceted audiences without fear of misrepresentation. A stamp of greatness and persistent commitment.

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Distinguished Senator Jibrin was able to link security to development and tied both to the “Renewed Hope Agenda.” An attestation that he understands and can articulate the President’s policy direction beyond just reading a speech. He’s aligned with the vision.

On diplomatic and statesmanship qualities, as the Conference was global in nature, with Muslim World League and Nigeria as the host country, sitting in for the President,
shows that Tinubu trusts him to project Nigeria positively on the global stage.

This is diplomacy. It is clear for all that, DSP has for long been a global citizen. Does my reader remember him as the First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament? Whose work and achievements are evident even beyond the showers of the country.

It was argued by many that, Jibrin’s role as a bridge-builder and unifier, was the best choice to represent the President in an event like this,
where the audience was of diverse faiths and ethnicities. The message he carried was loud and clear. That, “Government remains committed to preserving our unity despite our differences.”

It is clear for all that, DSP has a history of legislative bridge-building and constituency engagement in Kano and nationally. Some of the feats he achieved are linked to sustainable security for Africa and the world at large. A Pan-Africanist per excellence!

In the space of consistency in leadership from the part of the DSP, ranging from his primary constituency Kano North Senatorial District, to Deputy Senate President to representing Mr President internationally, this is a progression of trust. Which ultimately reinforces the belief that in matters of security and development, the Presidency sees Barau as dependable, reliable and steady.

To demonstrate how global he has been, in his Facebook page, while referring to the Conference, DSP puts, “I further urged them to take advantage of the internationality of the gathering to share diverse experiences that will further contribute to the ongoing debate on searching for viable options for restoring sustainable regional, continental, and global peace in this era of heightened global security turbulence.”

To further show how committed is the President in securing the nation, he said, “I reiterated the President’s unwavering commitment to achieving sustainable security in Nigeria. He remains focused on consolidating the gains being recorded in the security sector and across other critical areas of national development.”

As a leader who understands diplomacy he conveyed to the participants that, “On behalf of the President, I commend the Muslim World League for choosing JIBWIS as a collaborative partner for this important Conference and for selecting Nigeria as the host country for this significant gathering.”

It is therefore important to note that, with responsible political leaders like Distinguished Senator Jibrin, there is every hope for everlasting peace and security in the country. Representing the President in this global Peace Summit, in the face of the current security challenges across the globe sheds more light on the DSP’s capacity in handling delicate national matters.

Which ultimately means, his continued presence and visibility at the national level means a lot in strengthening efforts against insecurity and hopelessness. With DSP at the top, it is rest assured that, fight against insecurity plaguing the world, is being faced with stiffer opposition from the Nigerian government.

Anwar writes from Kano
Friday, 14th August, 2026

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Osun State Governorship Election: Preliminary Report on Digital Access, Political Parties’ Websites Availability, Data and Privacy Breach Using PAWSOM-Monitor

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Background

Last week, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) launched an AI-based platform, PAWSON-Monitor, to pilot monitoring of digital rights, data and privacy breaches ahead of the Osun State gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026. The platform was trained to track and document instances of digital rights violations and data and privacy breaches involving political actors and their digital presence – possible restrictions on contesting political parties’ websites, aspirants and their social media platforms, as well as potential misuse of citizens’ personal data for political campaigns. What CITAD aims to achieve with the monitoring platform is assessing whether equal opportunities and fair play are enjoyed by all the participating parties and aspirants as guaranteed by the democratic tenets before, during and after the Osun gubernatorial election. While this is serving as a pilot, CITAD plans to deploy the same platform to the 2027 general elections. This is the second report we are issuing based on the observations so far.

Updates for August 14, 2026

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In the last 24 hours, our observatory, the PAWSON-Monitor, has monitored fifteen (15) political parties participating in the Osun gubernatorial election holding tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, returning a total of 17,888 checks on the websites of the parties. Eleven parties have their sites operational from all the over seventeen thousand checks run between yesterday and today; therefore, we can conclude that within the period during which this update is given, we haven’t recorded any anomalies to warrant urgent action or signal a deliberate attempt to undermine the digital presence of the parties.

However, four political parties, namely, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Action Peoples Party (APP), all have their websites operating with anomalies. Those of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) continue to require particular attention, while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) recorded a relatively low 57.3% success rate during the monitoring period.

Based on the data scraped and analysed, action is required from the parties to rectify the anomalies to be able to operate optimally and take advantage of the digital presence, especially at a crucial moment like this. We have also noticed that two more political parties that were previously not among those flagged to be operating with anomalies, PDP and APP, have taken a space in the stagnant position, and this has raised the number of parties with red flags on their sites. We therefore urge all political parties and especially those whose websites are currently operating with anomalies to take immediate measures to look into the issues and rectify them.

CITAD will continue monitoring the digital environment and conducting human and cross-network verification of emerging anomalies to ensure that any genuine disruption of political parties’ digital platforms is identified, documented and appropriately reported.

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