As President Bola Tinubu marks two years in office, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing critique of his administration, calling it “incompetent,” “disconnected,” and “anti-people.”

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Atiku claimed that the current government is among the worst Nigeria has seen since the return to democracy, citing rising hardship, lack of transparency, and irresponsible governance.

According to Atiku, no administration in Nigeria’s democratic history has inflicted such economic pain on citizens while demonstrating “such disregard for transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership.”

He accused the Tinubu-led government of worsening the country’s economic crisis through excessive borrowing and regressive policies that disproportionately burden the poor.

Atiku highlighted the sharp rise in Nigeria’s public debt, which has grown from ₦49 trillion in 2023 to ₦144 trillion in 2025. He also warned that planned borrowings could push the figure to ₦183 trillion.

Contrasting the federal government with state administrations, he wrote, “While the federal government racks up debt, state governments have shown more discipline, reducing their debt levels from ₦5.86 trillion to ₦3.97 trillion. The implication is clear: the federal government, under Tinubu, is the primary driver of Nigeria’s current debt crisis.”

He further alleged that Tinubu’s administration has intensified poverty and squandered public resources.

Government officials, he said, are living in luxury while millions of Nigerians struggle to survive.

“It is sad that, apart from being the poverty capital of the world, Nigeria has under this administration emerged in the unenviable position as the capital of malnourished children in Africa, having beaten Sudan, a nation that is at war.”

“According to the Global Hunger Index 2024, our country is one of the most affected by hunger and malnutrition, occupying the 18th position,” Atiku noted.

The former presidential candidate added that the administration’s policies are deepening inequality.

He accused Tinubu’s government of creating a two-tiered society, where public services like education, healthcare, and identification systems now operate on class lines.

“From healthcare to education to identity management and basic public services, Nigerians are now faced with class-based systems where the wealthy enjoy VIP treatment, and the rest are left behind,” he said.

“Today, Nigeria is a nation where the rich get richer, and the poor are punished for trying to survive. This reality cannot and will not be ignored,” Atiku concluded.

Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, has expressed strong disappointment following the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold Senator Monday Okpebholo’s election as governor.

In a statement released on Thursday, Ighodalo confirmed that he and his legal team would not relent in seeking legal redress, as they remain committed to challenging what they consider an unjust outcome.

“My good people of Edo State, today, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the declared outcome of the September 21st, 2024 Governorship election in Edo State,” he began.

“As with the judgment of the tribunal, we have received this decision with deep disappointment, but also with unwavering resolve to continue our pursuit of justice.”

Ighodalo emphasized that despite the court’s ruling, many of the critical issues raised in the petition were not adequately addressed.

He cited widespread electoral malpractice and violations of the Electoral Act as major concerns.

“While we acknowledge the Court’s pronouncement, we believe that this judgment, like that of the Tribunal before it, failed to address the grave concerns we raised regarding widespread acts of non-compliance with, and clear violations of the Electoral Act,” he said.

“These decisions appear, worryingly, to validate a dangerous pattern of electoral impunity that strikes at the very heart of our democracy and continues to erode public confidence in our electoral process.”

According to Ighodalo, his quest for justice is not driven by personal ambition but by a responsibility to defend the will of the Edo people and ensure credible elections.

“The struggle to reclaim the mandate has never been about personal ambition. It has always been about standing with the people of Edo State and defending their sacred right to freely choose their leaders through a credible, transparent, and fair election,” he explained.

Referring to the September 21 poll, he described the electoral process as fundamentally flawed and accused the courts of overlooking critical irregularities.

“That right was brazenly subverted on September 21st, 2024. The decisions of both the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, though rendered in the name of the law, in effect ignore the will of the people and reward blatant electoral irregularities.”

Despite the setbacks, Ighodalo reiterated his belief in the judiciary and confirmed his intention to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.

“As democrats and patriots, we remain anchored in our belief in the rule of law. But we cannot, and will not, allow injustice to go unchallenged. I have therefore instructed my legal team to approach the Supreme Court of Nigeria to seek redress.”

“We do so for every voter who queued patiently with hope in their hearts, for every young person who dreams of a better Edo State, and for every Nigerian who still believes that democracy must be well practised to yield a great country.” he added.

Calling on the Supreme Court to uphold justice, Ighodalo urged the apex court to consider the broader implications of its decision.

“The Supreme Court now bears a profound responsibility, not only to interpret the law and apply same to available facts, but to defend the democratic principles that give the law its meaning.”

“We approach the apex court with full confidence in its integrity, its independence, and its role as the final guardian of justice in our republic.”

“We believe their Lordships will consider not just the letter of the law, but the greater implications for democracy, justice, and public trust. The eyes of Edo people, and indeed all Nigerians, now look up to the Supreme Court with hope.”

He concluded by calling for calm among his supporters, assuring them that the fight is not over.

“To all our supporters, I urge you once more to remain peaceful, vigilant and steadfast. This is not the end. It is simply the next chapter in our collective struggle for truth, justice, and a bright future for our dear Edo State.”

“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We remain undaunted. And we shall not rest until the voices of our people are heard and their stolen mandate restored.”

Renowned businessman and oil magnate Arthur Eze has revealed that President Bola Tinubu has thrown his support behind Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah’s bid for a second term in office.

Eze, the Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, made this disclosure during the celebration of the second anniversary of Mbah’s administration, held on Thursday.

According to Eze, Governor Mbah has significantly transformed Enugu State over the past two years, and notably, without incurring any debt from financial institutions.

To emphasize the governor’s achievements, Eze stated that President Tinubu has already given his blessing for Mbah’s re-election.

“God is a wonderful God. He brought Peter Mbah to change Igboland. Let me tell you, Tinubu has already endorsed him for second term. Tinubu endorsed him for second term because he has character. He is very honest, nobody will stop him,” Eze declared.

This endorsement comes shortly after the airing of a State House documentary celebrating President Tinubu’s second year in office, in which Eze also expressed strong admiration for the president.

In the documentary, Eze described Tinubu as “God’s gift to Nigeria,” praising his leadership qualities and inclusive approach.

“Tinubu has no enemies. He is a unifier. He speaks with humility and honesty,” Eze said.

He further emphasized the president’s fairness and religious tolerance, saying:

“He is not a man of division,  whether Christian or Muslim, he respects all.”

Eze concluded by highlighting Tinubu’s contributions to the South-East region, stating:

“What Tinubu has done for the South-East, nobody else has. He gave us the Minister of Works, the Minister of Science and Technology, and the South-East Development Commission. This is an opportunity for the Igbo to unite with the rest of Nigeria.”

“Tinubu has no enemies. He is a unifier. He speaks with humility and honesty; that’s why we admire him,” he added.

As former Rivers State Governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, celebrates his 60th birthday, former President Muhammadu Buhari has paid glowing tribute to his contributions to Nigeria’s infrastructure development.

In a statement issued on Wednesday through his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, Buhari referred to Amaechi as a “golden fish” and an indispensable part of his administration, especially for his role in revitalising Nigeria’s moribund railway sector.

Buhari emphasized that Amaechi played a key role in the revival and modernisation of Nigeria’s rail system, breathing new life into projects that had long been abandoned.

“Amaechi shared with me the aspiration of strengthening infrastructure, bridging the nation’s long-delayed gaps through the railway, a vital component, leading to its revival from a comatose state, completion of abandoned projects, turning them into major transit hubs, and initiating major ones across the country, some of which were driven to completion before he left office,” Buhari said.

He highlighted how the rail system, which had been dormant for decades, began to function again under Amaechi’s watch, becoming an essential part of the country’s transport network.

“Under him, the nation witnessed a new era of railway infrastructure. I wish him and his family many happy years ahead.”

According to Buhari, Amaechi’s efforts not only brought long-neglected projects to life but also improved rail connectivity and services for both passengers and cargo across Nigeria.

“The railway network, which used to be the heartbeat of many towns and cities but was killed and buried for decades, began a new chapter under Amaechi’s leadership,” he said.

Buhari added that the sector experienced growth in capacity, enhanced safety measures, and the introduction of modern rolling stock and new services, enabling millions of Nigerians to benefit from improved transportation.

Rotimi Amaechi served as Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023.

Prior to that, he was the Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and earlier, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007.