The Presidency has responded strongly to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s critical remarks on the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, stating that it is only those “playing blind” who fail to see the government’s progress over the past two years.

Atiku, in his two-year anniversary statement on the current administration, accused the Tinubu government of worsening poverty levels and setting new records in reckless public spending.

But in a firm rebuttal, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Atiku’s remarks lacked objectivity and were driven by personal animosity.

“Unless Atiku allowed personal grievances to cloud his judgment, he should, in good conscience, acknowledge the significant progress and positive achievements made by this administration over the past two years,” Onanuga said.

He argued that the Tinubu administration had made measurable strides in stabilising the economy and laying the groundwork for long-term national development.

“We have made progress. Inflation is easing, food production is rising, investments are returning, and the foundation for a more prosperous, just, and inclusive Nigeria is being laid. These gains are in plain sight for everyone. Only those who play blind will not see them,” Onanuga added.

Taking a direct swipe at Atiku, Onanuga suggested that the former Vice President may be out of touch with realities on the ground.

“Unless Atiku still lives in Dubai, he ought to admit that in just two years, President Tinubu’s administration had embarked on the most ambitious and audacious economic and institutional reforms ever seen in decades.”

Onanuga reminded critics that Tinubu had never promised the reforms would be painless, but insisted they were necessary to rescue the country from economic collapse.

“During the campaign, Tinubu never promised that the reforms would be painless. But he was clear they were necessary to rescue the country from the brink of fiscal collapse, to reverse years of unsustainable spending and lay a solid foundation for long-term inclusive growth.”

He further argued that President Tinubu had implemented reforms that previous administrations, including the Obasanjo-Atiku era, failed to act upon.

“The removal of the fuel subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange system were steps successive administrations, including that of Obasanjo-Atiku Abubakar, acknowledged as necessary but failed to implement.”

Atiku promised the reforms in his manifesto. Indeed, all three major candidates in the election agreed they must be done, except that the responsibility to implement the reforms fell on President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 election.”

Onanuga highlighted the government’s fiscal achievements and economic credibility in the international market.

“Unlike Atiku and some critics, everyone agrees that the reforms have stabilised government finances, curbed systemic corruption, and enabled direct investments into social programmes and infrastructure.”

“Foreign investors now see Nigeria as an irresistible destination. Since 2023, the Nigerian Exchange has seen its ASI jump from 50,000 to over 110,000, and market capitalisation has increased to N69.4 trillion, from about N30 trillion before Tinubu’s ascension.”

In response to Atiku’s criticism that the government is “anti-people,” the Presidential spokesman pointed to efforts made to support low-income earners and the vulnerable.

“Contrary to Atiku’s claim that government policies are ‘anti-people,’ the Tinubu administration, fully acknowledging that its policies affect the vulnerable, has increased investments in social safety nets, introduced targeted interventions for low-income households, and more than doubled the minimum wage, from N30k to N70k. Some states even pay up to N85k to their workers, a feat made possible by increased federal allocations.”

Atiku’s comment about the cost of education also came under fire, as Onanuga defended the administration’s efforts to make higher education more accessible.

“Atiku’s claim that education was out of reach for poor Nigerians was entirely off the mark. Everyone knows the claim is false; it’s just an attempt to throw any muck at Bola Tinubu.”

“Since last year, the government has introduced the Student Loan Scheme to ensure that underprivileged children are not denied education because of poverty.”

“As of the last count, over 600,000 Nigerian students have benefitted from the loans. The loans cover the students’ school fees and living allowances.”

“The loans do not yet cover Nigerians in expensive schools like Atiku’s American University in Yola. What is undeniable is that under Bola Tinubu, higher education is now more accessible to deserving youths.”

Onanuga concluded by assuring that President Tinubu would not suppress dissent, but urged for more responsible criticism.

“Atiku and his co-travellers in the coalition party he is cobbling together need not worry about their democratic rights. As an acknowledged democrat, President Tinubu will not curtail their rights or silence them.”

“Criticism must be elevated and constructive. When Atiku opposes government policies, he should also offer a solution. Otherwise, his opposition statements will be dismissed as mere partisan rhetoric and cheap talk.”

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has hit back at Senator Ireti Kingibe over her recent remarks regarding the enforcement of ground rent payments in the FCT.

Olayinka accused the senator, who represents the FCT in the National Assembly, of harboring personal animosity towards Wike, stating that her criticisms are driven more by dislike than legal reasoning.

“She should purge herself of the hatred she harbours against the minister and stop seeing issues from the angle of ‘I hate Wike,’” Olayinka said.

He described Kingibe’s comments on the enforcement of ground rent payments as “ridiculously illogical,” pointing out that the annual payment of ground rent is a legal requirement tied to land ownership.

“It is ridiculously embarrassing that a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whose duty is to make laws, is ignorant of the provisions of Section 28, Subsections (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act,” he stated.

Olayinka further argued that the senator’s criticisms highlight a lack of understanding of the legal obligations tied to land allocations within the FCT.

According to him, the relevant provisions of the Land Use Act are clear and should be known to a legislator.

“For the education of Senator Kingibe, Section 28, Subsections (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act provides that ‘The government may revoke a Statutory Right of Occupancy on the ground of; (a) a breach of any of the provisions which a certificate of occupancy is by Section 10 deemed to contain; and (b) a breach of any term contained in the Certificate of Occupancy.’”

He continued by questioning whether Kingibe failed to understand that ground rent is one of the terms in the certificate of occupancy.

“Now, is annual payment of Ground Rent not part of the terms contained in the Certificate of Occupancy? Or Senator Kingibe just chose to advertise her myopic attitude to anything Wike?”

Olayinka also mocked what he perceived as the senator’s unrealistic expectations, suggesting her approach would amount to condoning noncompliance by landowners.

“Senator Kingibe should rather have said that land owners in the FCT have rights to refuse to pay necessary bills stated in the Certificate of Occupancy issued to them, and that when they so do, the government should simply pick samba and tambourine, and sing their praises.”

He concluded by raising a hypothetical question to underscore his criticism, asking what Kingibe would do if landowners defaulted on ground rent payments for decades.

“Now, if land allottees refused to pay Ground Rent for 10 to 43 years, Senator Ireti Kingibe will just look away if she was the FCT Minister?”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the dates for the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, scheduled for Saturday, July 20, and Saturday, August 8, 2026, respectively.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners recently confirmed by the National Assembly.

Yakubu also revealed that the commission is finalising arrangements for bye-elections to fill vacant seats in both the National and State Houses of Assembly.

According to the timetable, the Ekiti governorship election will take place on June 20, 2026. Party primaries are slated to hold between October 20 and November 10, 2025.

Political parties must upload their nomination forms by 6pm on December 22, 2025.

The final list of candidates will be published on January 18, 2026, with campaigns beginning on January 21 and ending 24 hours before the election.

He said, “In line with the requirements of the law, the commission is under legal obligation to publish the notices for major elections not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the election.

“In compliance with the law, the commission has approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections.”

“The last governorship elections in the two states were held in June and July 2022. The four-year tenure of the governors will end next year.”

“For Ekiti State, the election will be held on Saturday, 20th June 2026.”

“However, party primaries will start on 20th October 2025 and end on 10th November 2025 to enable Political Parties to upload their nomination forms to the dedicated portal which automatically shuts down by 6.00pm on 22nd December 2025, i.e. not later than 180 days before the election.”

“The final list of candidates will be published on 18th January 2026 while campaign in public by political parties will commence on 21st January 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.”

In Osun State, the governorship election is set for August 8, 2026. Party primaries are scheduled between November 24 and December 15, 2025, with the nomination portal closing at 6pm on February 9, 2026.

The final list of candidates will be released on March 9, 2026, and political campaigns will run from March 11 until the day before the election.

Yakubu explained, “In the case of Osun State, the election will be held on Saturday, 8th August 2026. Party primaries will start on 24th November 2025 and end on 15th December 2025.”

“The portal for the upload of nomination forms by political parties closes at 6.00pm on 9th February 2026, i.e. not later than 180 days before the election.”

“The final list of candidates will be published on 9th March 2026, while campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th March 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.”

Yakubu stated that the detailed timetable for both elections has already been uploaded to INEC’s website and social media channels for public access and to guide political parties.

Some Resident Electoral Commissioners have also been redeployed across the country. The redeployed RECs include Sa’ad Idris to Gombe; Johnson Sinikiem to Cross River; Feyijimi Ibiyemi to Ogun; Mukhtar Gajiram to Taraba; Chukwuemeka Ibeziako to Abia; and Umar Garba to Sokoto.

Yakubu explained that the redeployment was necessary to support the commission’s work ahead of upcoming elections.

The INEC chairman added, “With the swearing-in of six RECs today, all vacancies have been filled in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. It is therefore appropriate to start by congratulating the new RECs that have just taken the oath of office.”

“The conduct of elections is not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty. As RECs, you are the representatives of the commission in the various states to which you will be deployed shortly. The work of the commission is, to say the least, very challenging.”

“Together, all six of you have cumulative experience in election administration or the management of public affairs to justify the confidence reposed in you to serve in the high office of REC.”

While the affected RECs have already been notified administratively, the full list of their new postings will be published shortly on INEC’s official website and social media platforms.

He emphasised that the redeployment of RECs is a routine administrative exercise and may occur again as circumstances require.

The INEC chairman urged the RECs, “As you assume or resume duty, I urge you to focus on your responsibilities. Let me make it clear from the outset that you must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs as well as the regulations and guidelines governing the commission’s operations.”

“Above all, you must always act in good conscience. Do not betray your oath of office. In the best tradition of the Commission, you must engage with stakeholders through regular consultative meetings and must not be impervious to genuine criticisms.”

“You must never act independently or think that you can act in violation of the law, regulations and guidelines or defy the commission without consequences. We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions. We will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any Resident Electoral Commissioner.”

He also addressed growing concerns from the public regarding the delay in conducting pending by-elections and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration nationwide.

According to him, the number of pending by-elections has now risen to 17.

He assured Nigerians that preparations for both the CVR and by-elections are nearing completion and that full details will be announced soon.

“The commission is aware of the concern expressed by many Nigerians about the pending bye-elections and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration nationwide. The number of bye-elections has now risen to 17.”

“We are aware of the urgency to commence the CVR, particularly in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State. We want to assure Nigerians that we are finalising our preparations for both activities, the details of which will soon be made public,” he concluded.