The Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Nasarawa State, Joseph Danjuma, has resigned from the party, citing a lack of opportunity to perform his duties as the party’s spokesperson.

Danjuma, who announced his resignation in a letter dated Tuesday, also declared support for the governorship ambition of former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the 2027 election.

In the letter addressed to the NDC state chairman, Danjuma said his decision to quit both the party and his position as publicity secretary took immediate effect.

He attributed his departure to what he described as the lack of opportunity to effectively discharge his responsibilities as the party’s spokesperson in the state.

“I wish to humbly resign my membership and position as the Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Nasarawa State Chapter, with immediate effect,” he stated.

Explaining his reason for leaving, Danjuma said his decision followed the lack of opportunity to perform his role as the party’s spokesperson in the state.

He subsequently announced his decision to join the campaign of the former police chief, citing Adamu’s leadership qualities as a major factor behind his support for the governorship aspirant.

“With this development, I hereby fully join the campaign train of Ex-IGP Adamu. Thank you,” he added.

Adamu, a former Inspector-General of Police, is seeking to become governor of Nasarawa State under the platform of the SDP in the 2027 general elections.

The donation of seven luxury sport utility vehicles to selected youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has sparked criticism over the ruling party’s spending priorities amid persistent economic hardship.

The controversy followed the release of a video by the APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, showing the presentation of seven 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs to selected youth leaders to support grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Israel subsequently thanked the First Lady for supporting the party’s youth wing.

Oluremi Tinubu later confirmed that she donated the vehicles to the APC National Youth Wing for mobilisation activities.

However, the development has attracted criticism from Nigerians who questioned the decision to provide expensive vehicles to political loyalists while many households continue to struggle with the cost of food, healthcare, rent and other basic necessities.

Among those who criticised the move was political economist Pat Utomi, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), who questioned the contrast between the luxury vehicles and the financial challenges confronting Nigerian soldiers.

“Nigerian soldiers are being paid peanuts as salaries, yet an APC youth leader is flaunting SUVs worth billions of naira,” Utomi wrote on X.

In another post, Utomi questioned whether the resources used to acquire the vehicles could have been deployed to provide emergency medical services, asking how many ambulances could have been purchased with the money.

Other commentators also criticised the donation, arguing that it appeared inconsistent with calls for Nigerians to endure the sacrifices associated with the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

Seun Durojaiye, in a post on X, drew attention to the difficulties faced by families struggling to afford food and essential medicines, pay rent and secure employment.

Another commentator, A. Adebanji, who posts as @prinxe_B, described the development as “peak (of) insensitivity”.

“At a time when Nigerians are struggling with the effects of reforms, you chose to flaunt SUVs for youth leaders. What exactly is the public supposed to make of this?” he asked.

Adebanji argued that the public display of expensive vehicles could undermine efforts to persuade Nigerians to remain patient with the government’s economic policies.

“You cannot preach sacrifice to the people while flaunting privilege in their faces,” he wrote.

He further warned that the controversy could provide opposition parties with additional ammunition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The debate comes amid continuing concerns over the cost of living, despite recent improvements in some of Nigeria’s key economic indicators.

According to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, headline inflation fell to 14.63 per cent in September 2026 from 15.39 per cent in August.

Food inflation, however, edged up slightly to 19.59 per cent from 19.57 per cent in the preceding month, highlighting the continued pressure on household budgets.

Although a decline in the annual inflation rate indicates that prices are increasing at a slower pace, it does not necessarily mean that the prices of goods and services have returned to previous levels.

The burden remains particularly severe for low-income households, which spend a significant proportion of their earnings on food and other essential needs.

The Tinubu administration has defended its economic reforms, arguing that a return to a blanket petrol subsidy would recreate fiscal pressures, encourage smuggling and undermine public finances.

The government has maintained that sustaining the reforms while investing in targeted assistance, infrastructure and economic opportunities offers a more viable path to recovery.

Opposition figures, however, have continued to question when the benefits of the reforms will become more evident in the daily lives of ordinary Nigerians.

They argue that improvements in government revenue, foreign reserves and economic growth must translate into tangible relief for households facing high food prices, transportation costs, healthcare expenses and housing bills.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Senate to reject President Bola Tinubu’s proposed external borrowing of $20.52 billion and €1.045 billion, insisting that the Federal Government must provide comprehensive details of the projects to be financed before seeking approval.

Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, said the President’s request vindicated his earlier warning that the administration was planning to secure a loan of up to $20 billion.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku expressed concern that the President had not provided a detailed breakdown of the projects, their costs, locations and contractors.

He also raised questions about the possible connection between the proposed borrowing and the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which he claimed had been rerouted inland, alleging that the project could be used to channel borrowed funds to political allies and favoured contractors.

“On October 12, I warned Nigerians that President Tinubu was reportedly preparing to borrow up to $20 billion in connection with the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway. I asked him to confirm or deny the plan and publish the accounts. He did neither. Today, he has asked the Senate to approve $20.52 billion and €1.045 billion in external loans. My warning has been vindicated,” Atiku said.

The former vice president argued that listing broad sectors expected to benefit from the proposed loans was insufficient without specific information that would enable lawmakers and Nigerians to scrutinise the spending plans.

“Nigerians have not been given clear project details, costs, locations or contractors to scrutinise,” he stated.

Atiku questioned the timing of the proposed borrowing, arguing that the government should not seek to incur substantial additional debt without clearly identifying the projects and their financial implications.

He asked whether the proposed financing was genuinely intended to promote national development or could serve political interests ahead of the next general election.

The former vice president subsequently vowed to investigate loans obtained under the Tinubu administration if elected president.

“You cannot continue taking frivolous loans on the eve of your departure from office. Let it be on record that one of the first responsibilities I will undertake as President is to scrutinise and investigate every kobo borrowed, especially loans taken in the final year of your tenure.

Nigerians will ask questions, and we will find the answers by every lawful means,” he said.

Atiku also warned domestic and international lenders to ensure that any loans extended to the current administration complied with constitutional provisions, statutory requirements and due process.

He maintained that any borrowing subsequently found to have been secured without proper authorisation or compliance with the law would be challenged.

The ADC presidential candidate urged the National Assembly to withhold approval until the Federal Government disclosed the proposed projects, contracts, costs, contractors, loan conditions and repayment obligations.

“No public money should be borrowed in the dark, and no lawmaker should sign a blank cheque against Nigeria’s future,” he said.

Atiku further argued that the government had a responsibility to demonstrate that the proposed borrowing would serve the public interest rather than political objectives.

He called on lawmakers to make the proposal and its supporting documents available for public scrutiny and subject them to rigorous legislative examination before taking a decision.

The former vice president also highlighted the potential implications of additional borrowing for Nigerians already grappling with rising living costs, insisting that citizens deserved to know how the funds would be spent and how the resulting debt would be repaid.

“The woman fighting to keep her business alive and the worker spending their income just to feed deserve to know where the money is going, who will benefit and who will pay,” Atiku said.

He added that Nigerians would have an opportunity at the ballot box to judge the administration’s borrowing policies and its handling of public resources.

Tinubu had earlier asked the Senate to approve the Federal Government’s 2026–2027 Supplementary External Borrowing Plan, comprising $20,517,755,901 and €1,045,083,643, to finance projects in infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, water supply, security and other sectors.

Following the presentation of the President’s request, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the proposal would be referred to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, potentially in collaboration with the Committees on Appropriations and Finance, for consideration.

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve a proposed external borrowing plan of $20.52 billion and €1.05 billion to fund infrastructure and development projects across Nigeria.

The request, covering the Federal Government’s 2026–2027 Supplementary External Borrowing Plan, was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.

In his letter to the lawmakers, Tinubu urged the National Assembly to give the proposal prompt consideration and approval to facilitate the implementation of critical projects and programmes across the country.

The proposed borrowing amounts to $20,517,755,901 and €1,045,083,643, respectively.

The President said the funds would be deployed to key sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, water supply, security, employment generation and financial management reforms.

He explained that the proposed external financing was intended to address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and bridge funding gaps affecting the execution of development projects.

“I submit the attached Federal Government 2026–2027 Supplementary External Borrowing Plan for consideration and early approval of the National Assembly to ensure prompt implementation of our projects,” Tinubu stated.

According to the President, the projects were selected following technical and economic assessments, with consideration given to their potential contributions to national economic growth and social development.

He added that the initiatives were designed to create employment opportunities, promote skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, reduce poverty and improve food security.

“These initiatives aim to generate employment, promote skill acquisition, foster entrepreneurship, reduce poverty and enhance food security, all of which improve the livelihood of the Nigerian child,” he said.

Tinubu noted that most of the proposed projects would be implemented across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, reflecting the nationwide scope of the planned investments.

He maintained that the country’s extensive infrastructure needs had made additional financing necessary to bridge existing funding shortfalls.

“In light of the need for significant infrastructure investment in the country and the vast financial resources needed to address this gap, it has become essential to pursue prudent external borrowings to close the financing shortfall,” the President said.

He further identified power, transportation and healthcare as priority sectors expected to benefit from the proposed financing.

The President urged the Senate leadership and other lawmakers to approve the plan without delay, arguing that timely approval would facilitate fund disbursement and accelerate project execution.

However, the proposal is expected to undergo legislative scrutiny, particularly regarding its scope and relationship with existing borrowing arrangements previously approved by the National Assembly.

Reacting after the letter was read, Akpabio recalled that the borrowing plan had featured in earlier budgetary and borrowing approvals, although he expressed uncertainty about the exact period covered by those arrangements.

“The borrowing plan is attached, but of course, this was even earlier approved in our budget, and also the external borrowing plan was approved as far back as 2025 to 2027, I think to 2028 or thereabout,” the Senate President said.

Akpabio subsequently announced that the request would be referred to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for consideration, with possible collaboration from the Committees on Appropriations and Finance.

The committee’s review is expected to examine the proposed financing and determine its relationship with previously approved borrowing plans before the Senate takes further action.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Sanusi Dankaka at the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations that he threatened to publish nude photographs and videos of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Facebook.

Justice Salim Ibrahim made the order on Monday after the defendant was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on two counts of alleged cybercrime.
Dankaka, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/699/2026, was filed on October 22 by the DSS through its counsel, Yusuf Afegbua.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences took place in October 2026 in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In the first count, Dankaka and other individuals said to be at large were accused of using a Facebook account bearing the name Sanusi Dankaka Yahaya to threaten the circulation of allegedly malicious content.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant claimed to possess nude videos and photographs of Governor Yusuf and threatened to release them publicly.

It further alleged that the purported publication was false and intended to cause annoyance, inconvenience, insult and injury to the governor.

The DSS maintained that the alleged acts violated Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended, and attracted punishment under Section 24(1) of the legislation.

At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Afegbua informed the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the arraignment. Defence counsel, Kauna Penzin, also confirmed her readiness.

Following the reading of the charges, Dankaka entered a plea of not guilty.

Afegbua subsequently asked the court to fix a date for trial and order the defendant’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

Justice Ibrahim granted the application and adjourned the case until December 7 for trial.

The defendant was consequently ordered to remain in custody until the next hearing.

The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled its campaign council ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Governor Peter Mbah appointed as chairman of the campaign structure comprising 51 directorates.

The council, announced on Monday, features prominent political figures, former public office holders and party stakeholders in advisory positions, while several others have been assigned responsibilities across various directorates.

The Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; the APC Deputy National Chairman (South); Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; and the state party chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, will serve as vice chairmen of the council.

According to the list signed by Chukwunweike and the state party secretary, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, Chief Charlie Mbah has been appointed Director-General of the Campaign Organisation, while Dr. Eric Oluedo will serve as Secretary-General.

Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Dr. Dan Shere and Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye have been named Deputy Campaign Directors-General for Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu West Senatorial Districts, respectively.

The advisory structure features several prominent personalities, including former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime, former Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Prof. Barth Nnaji, Prince Arthur Eze, former Minister of Information Frank Nweke Jnr. and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Madueke, among others.

Barr. Steve Oruruo will serve as campaign spokesperson and Director of the Public Communication Committee. Dr. Austin Okolie has been appointed co-spokesperson, while Dr. Malachy Agbo will serve as secretary of the committee.

The media and communications arm of the campaign will be led by Mazi Uche Anichukwu, who will head the Directorate of New Media and Strategic Communication, and Dan Nwomeh, who will oversee the Directorate of Mainstream Media.

Dr. Collins Ogbu and Dr. Reuben Onyishi have been appointed secretaries of the new media and mainstream media directorates, respectively.

Other appointments include Barr. Victor Udeh as Director of Administration; Dr. Ben Nwoye as Director of Fundraising; and Arc. Uche Nwatu as Co-Director of the Fundraising Committee.

Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla (rtd.), will chair the Security Directorate, with former Inspector-General of Police Ogbono Onovo (rtd.) serving as secretary.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, SAN, will head the Directorate of Government Appointees Coordination for federal and state appointees, while Prof. Chidiebere Onyia will serve as secretary.

Former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, has been appointed Director of Inter-Party Affairs.

At the senatorial district level, Senator Osita Ngwu will coordinate the campaign in Enugu West, Senator Ikeje Asogwa will oversee Enugu North, while Senator Kelvin Chukwu will coordinate activities in Enugu East.

The party leadership said the broad composition of the campaign council was designed to ensure the involvement of communities, wards, local government areas, professional groups, support organisations, youths, women and other stakeholders in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

In a joint statement announcing the council, Chukwunweike and Nnadozie said the appointments were intended to promote inclusive participation and ensure that different groups had a role in the campaign.

They stressed that membership of the campaign structure should be regarded not merely as an honour but as a responsibility requiring commitment, accountability and measurable contributions.

The campaign council is scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
Members of the council are expected to be seated before 3 p.m.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sacked Nwokeabia Okechukwu John as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.

DAILY GAZETTE gathered that the presiding judge ruled in favour of the plaintiff, Hon. Chijioke Stan Okereke, affirming him as the party’s duly recognised flag bearer for the constituency.

Details shortly…

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has taken a swipe at former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, accusing the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) of relying on statistics without presenting solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.

Shettima made the remarks on Monday at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, where he urged members of Nigeria’s economic community to support the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The vice-president acknowledged Obi’s position against restoring the petrol subsidy but questioned his capacity to offer alternative solutions to the country’s economic problems.

“I respect Peter Obi for having the courage to say he’s not going to restore the petrol subsidy, but beyond spouting some statistics, Mr Peter Obi has absolutely nothing to offer,” Shettima said.

He added that Obi had relied heavily on figures in making his arguments, urging economic stakeholders to support the federal government’s reform agenda.

“He was surviving on various statistics. So, I call on you, the crème de la crème of the Nigerian economic community, to support us,” he said.

Defending the removal of petrol subsidy, Shettima argued that the policy had corrected distortions in the country’s fuel pricing system and curbed the diversion of subsidised Nigerian petrol to neighbouring countries.

To buttress his argument, he compared petrol prices in Nigeria with those in neighbouring African countries, citing figures which he said demonstrated the consequences of the previous subsidy regime.

According to the vice-president, Nigeria consumed approximately 67 million litres of petrol daily a few years ago, while fuel prices in neighbouring countries were significantly higher.

He said a litre of petrol sold for about N1,148.36 in Niger Republic, N1,729.29 in Benin Republic and N1,945.50 in Cameroon, compared with N1,390 in Nigeria.

“The comparison is wide. Nigeria was Christmas for other African countries,” he said.

Shettima’s comments come as political parties and potential contenders intensify discussions over economic policy ahead of the 2027 general elections, with fuel subsidy removal and the rising cost of living remaining major points of contention.

The vice-president also criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his reported proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president, arguing that such a move would undermine the current administration’s economic reforms.

He maintained that Tinubu’s decision to remove the subsidy was a necessary but difficult step taken in response to the country’s economic realities.

“The president took those painful decisions because he understands the dynamics,” Shettima said.