Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prepare for a new wave of defections from opposition parties into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in Owerri at the public presentation of a book authored by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma titled “Ten Years of Impactful Leadership of the APC Administration in Nigeria” and during the commissioning of projects by President Tinubu, Akpabio said several governors were already finalizing arrangements to join the APC.

The Senate President noted that Nigerians were beginning to witness tangible benefits from Tinubu’s reforms, adding that various sectors, students, farmers, and business communities, were already feeling the impact of the administration’s policies.

“Mr. President, with what you have achieved in the past two years, more opposition governors are on their way to the APC. The results of your policies are speaking for you. Nigerians can see the changes, and those who benefit directly are now testifying,” Akpabio said.

He praised Governor Uzodimma for documenting his decade-long political stewardship, stressing that leaders must take ownership of their achievements or risk having their stories distorted.

According to him, “Progress is not about rhetoric but about visible action. The projects commissioned today reflect quality and purpose, and the people of Imo State have every reason to celebrate their governor’s accomplishments.”

It will be recalled that Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC, a development seen as a boost for the ruling party ahead of the next election cycle.

In his Independence Day address to the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu admitted that his government’s economic reforms have brought “temporary pains” but assured citizens that lasting relief is on the way.

The President acknowledged the daily challenges Nigerians face and outlined how his administration plans to address them.

1. Rising cost of living
Tinubu conceded that inflation and soaring prices are straining millions of households.

“These reforms have come with temporary pains. The biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern to our government,” he said.

He promised that measures in agriculture and food security will soon reduce the cost of food and other essentials.

2. Persistent power shortages
The President admitted that inadequate electricity supply continues to hinder homes and industries.

“We do not have enough electricity to power our industries and homes today, or the resources to repair our deteriorating roads, build seaports, railroads, and airports comparable to the best in the world, because we failed to make the necessary investments decades ago,” he explained.

Tinubu said long-term investments are underway to expand power generation and improve critical infrastructure.

3. Neglect of infrastructure
He acknowledged that decades of underinvestment left Nigerians coping with poor roads, overstretched schools, and fragile health systems.

“We must build the roads we need, repair the ones that have become decrepit, and construct the schools and hospitals that will serve our children and our people,” he said.

According to him, government spending is now being redirected to infrastructure projects that will benefit both the present generation and the future.

4. Burden of sacrifice
Tinubu admitted that the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange reforms have intensified hardship but insisted the policies are already beginning to pay off.

“Upon assuming office, our administration inherited a near-collapsed economy. We chose the path of reform. I am pleased to report that we have finally turned the corner. The worst is over. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief,” he assured.

The President emphasized that his government’s vision goes beyond figures and policies, noting that he is aware of the pain Nigerians experience daily in their homes, markets, and on the roads.

He pledged that these sacrifices will yield long-term stability and growth.

For many citizens, however, the real measure of his words will be whether the promised relief translates into visible improvements in their everyday lives.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu’s government, accusing it of indifference to the worsening plight of Nigerians as the nation marked its 65th Independence anniversary.

In a statement shared on X on Wednesday, Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate, said millions of citizens were “reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland” despite Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources.

“Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring,” Atiku charged.

The former vice-president argued that any government worthy of its mandate must prioritize the security and welfare of its people, insisting Tinubu’s administration had failed in that duty.

He urged Nigerians not to lose faith in democracy, stressing that the ballot box remained their only tool to correct bad governance.

“Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people,” Atiku said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s journey since independence in 1960, Atiku lamented the nation’s underwhelming progress, describing it as a “giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay.”

He blamed decades of misrule and wasteful governance for the country’s struggles but expressed hope that with visionary leadership, Nigeria could still reclaim its rightful place globally.

Atiku formally left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in July 2025, citing irreconcilable differences.

He has since aligned himself with a coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Since assuming office in May 2023, President

Tinubu has implemented sweeping economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates.

While the policies have triggered inflation and widespread hardship, the government maintains they are necessary foundations for long-term stability and growth.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that Nigeria was on the verge of economic collapse when he assumed office in May 2023, forcing his administration to embark on sweeping reforms.

In a nationwide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday, Tinubu described the state of the economy he met as “near-collapsed,” weakened by “decades of fiscal distortions and misalignments” that stunted real growth.

“Upon assuming office, our administration faced a stark reality. We could either continue with business as usual and watch our nation drift further into crisis, or take bold steps to reset the economy. We chose reform,” Tinubu said.

The President defended his controversial policy decisions, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, insisting that both were necessary to restore economic stability.

“For too long, fuel subsidies and multiple exchange rates served only a privileged few, while the majority of Nigerians saw little benefit from our commonwealth. By ending these distortions, we created the foundation for sustainable growth,” he explained.

The removal of subsidy, however, triggered sharp increases in the cost of fuel and basic goods, deepening hardship for millions of Nigerians.

Critics and some economists have accused the government of worsening living conditions, but Tinubu has remained steadfast.

“We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those tough but essential choices are beginning to bear fruit,” he insisted.

The President’s Independence Day message comes amid continuing debate over whether the reforms will deliver long-term gains or entrench deeper inequality.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has officially relieved his cabinet of their duties, bringing an end to the tenure of Commissioners and senior officials affected by the recent Supreme Court decision.

Speaking at a valedictory session in Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, Fubara expressed gratitude to the outgoing cabinet members for their service and contributions to the state’s progress over the past two years.

The development follows the nullification of their appointments by the Supreme Court, which effectively terminated their tenure.

Fubara, who himself returned to office after the lifting of a State of Emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, used the occasion to stress the need for unity and collective responsibility in nation-building.

He urged Rivers people and Nigerians at large to support President Tinubu’s efforts at fostering peace, security, and prosperity across the country.

Reaffirming his dedication to the state, the governor pledged to serve with “renewed vigor and commitment,” while also extending warm wishes to Nigerians as the country marked its 65th Independence Anniversary.

The Lagos State Government has pushed back against remarks made by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi regarding the recent demolition of structures at the Trade Fair Complex.

In a statement on Wednesday, Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said Obi’s comments amounted to “misinformation and disinformation” intended to mislead the public.

Obi, during a visit to the complex, had praised traders for showing restraint and suggested that the demolished properties had valid approvals. The state, however, insists otherwise.

According to Omotoso, the owners of the affected structures never secured proper planning permits.

“The government offered a general amnesty last year, extended multiple times, to allow them regularise their documents. They ignored it,” he said.

He added that officials from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development faced hostility when they attempted to inspect the properties.

“They were denied entry, attacked, and the police had to step in to protect them,” Omotoso alleged.

The government also dismissed arguments that the Trade Fair Complex Management Board had authority to approve construction.

While the Board, set up by the Federal Government, manages leases and commercial activity, Omotoso stressed that it cannot authorise physical development without Lagos State approval.

“All developments in Lagos fall under the State’s physical planning laws, in line with the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act of 1992,” he explained.

He cited the 2003 Supreme Court ruling in Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation, which upheld states’ powers to regulate land use.

Omotoso said the demolitions were carried out lawfully and warned against politicising enforcement.

“The question before us is simple: do we want a state governed by law, or one where emotions and political interests override due process?” he asked.

The government maintained that any construction or alteration without state-issued planning approval remains illegal and liable to demolition.