Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 elections, has criticized the 2025 budget proposals presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as riddled with contradictions and unrealistic expectations.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Adebayo questioned the credibility of the budget, particularly pointing out the unrealistic exchange rates set within the proposals.

He argued that the government’s targets, such as a 15% inflation rate, are incompatible with basic economic principles.

Adebayo stressed that double-digit inflation should never be the goal for any responsible government.

On the topic of electoral integrity, Adebayo discussed the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), suggesting that political parties, not just INEC, were to blame for many of the issues during elections.

He criticized party leaders for manipulating delegate lists and engaging in bribery during primaries, while acknowledging that INEC should maintain professionalism to avoid collaboration with corrupt political practices.

Adebayo also weighed in on the ongoing debate about rotational presidency, advocating for a dual-level approach to ensure true progress.

He argued that while rotating the presidency based on geopolitical zones could promote peace among elites, it would be more beneficial to rotate leadership from older, entrenched elites to younger, more forward-thinking generations.

He also emphasized the need for a shift from policies aligned with international financial institutions to those that prioritize indigenous, pro-Nigeria ideas for the country’s growth and development.

Hon. Esosa Iyawe, the Member of the House of Representatives representing Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo State, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the ward level after his recent defection from the Labour Party.

Iyawe, who was accompanied by his former Labour Party supporters and the party’s executive from Oredo Local Government Area, visited the APC Ward 1 Secretariat in Oredo to formally announce his membership to the party’s leaders.

In his address to APC members and leaders in the ward, Iyawe explained that his decision to join APC was motivated by the desire to collaborate with the party’s leadership in building a stronger, more united APC in Oredo Local Government Area and across the entire Edo South Senatorial District.

He emphasized the need for change and a fresh approach to the APC’s operations in Oredo, vowing to support Governor Godwin Obaseki and Senator Monday Okpeholo in their efforts to deliver progress for the people of the region.

He also assured the people of Oredo and Edo South that his new affiliation with APC would bring tangible benefits and improvements.

The APC Oredo Ward 1 Chairman, Felix Ehigiabe, warmly welcomed Iyawe and his supporters to the party, promising them equal rights and fair treatment within the APC.

Ehigiabe officially presented Iyawe with his APC membership card, marking the start of his formal integration into the party.

Hon. Iyawe

Engineer Popoola Olukayode Joshua (POJ), the 2023 gubernatorial candidate for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Oyo State, is poised to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), barring any last-minute changes.

POJ, a former Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, was previously a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until 2022, before switching to NNPP with the goal of challenging the re-election of Governor Seyi Makinde.

However, sources close to the politician suggest that he is now preparing to align with the APC as part of the party’s strategy to reclaim Oyo State in the 2027 elections.

While no formal announcement has been made, POJ was recently seen at a state function at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he engaged APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

His associates have confirmed that Oyo APC Chairman, Alhaji Moshood Olayide Abas, is eager for POJ to join the party and support efforts to unseat the PDP in the upcoming elections.

The APC national leadership, led by Ganduje, has called for unified efforts across the country to prioritize the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, alongside plans to regain control of Oyo State.

During a meeting with Oyo APC stakeholders, Ganduje stressed the need for party unity and grassroots mobilization to secure both objectives.

A viral video showing Kazeem Akinleye, Chief of Staff to Governor Ademola Adeleke, threatening violence against residents who refuse to vote for the governor’s second-term bid in 2026 has ignited widespread condemnation.

The video, which surfaced on Sunday, captures Akinleye addressing a crowd in Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, in Yoruba.

During his speech, he praised the governor’s achievements but made inflammatory remarks about individuals unwilling to support Adeleke’s re-election.

He stated: “In February, there shouldn’t be any vote… we should be dancing and rejoicing. When it’s time for my boss’s second term in 2026, if anyone says they won’t vote or refuses to come out of their house because of political affiliations, such a person should relocate to Cotonou. Let’s go find a room for them there. Such stubborn people shouldn’t remain in Ede that day.”

These remarks have drawn sharp criticism, especially from opposition parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC), who view the comments as divisive and inciteful.

Senator Ajibola Basiru, APC’s National Secretary, condemned the statements as provocative and potentially dangerous, warning that they could inflame tensions and encourage violence.

“Osun people are peaceful and will not be intimidated by a government that has failed to meet its promises. These comments reflect a fear of electoral judgment due to the administration’s poor performance,” Basiru remarked.

He also criticized the PDP-led government for not addressing critical issues such as youth unemployment and teacher shortages.

In response to Akinleye’s remarks, Basiru called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate and question Akinleye over his comments.

Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal also joined the backlash, calling the statement an embarrassment to democratic principles.

“His comments are disgraceful and demonstrate that he is unfit for his position,” Lawal said.

However, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, defended Akinleye, describing the allegations as unfounded.

Rasheed insisted that both the governor and his chief of staff are committed to maintaining peace and that the administration enjoys strong support in the state.

“At no point did the governor or the Chief of Staff threaten violence. These allegations are completely baseless,” Rasheed said.

Stampedes: PDP Accuses APC Of Negligence, Says It’s A Party Of Vampires

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of approximately 39 lives in stampedes during palliative distribution events in Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the heartbreaking deaths of 35 children at a funfair in Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba condemned the incidents, attributing them to the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government’s “anti-people policies” which he claimed have pushed citizens into desperation, leading to avoidable deaths.

On December 18, 2024, a funfair at the Islamic High School in Ibadan, Oyo State, turned into a disaster as 35 children lost their lives and several others sustained severe injuries.

In a separate incident, at least 39 people were killed during food distribution events in Okija, Anambra State, and Maitama, Abuja, as people scrambled for basic supplies.

Ologunagba called the tragedies devastating, highlighting that despite Nigeria’s abundant resources, citizens are left to fight for food in perilous conditions.

“The food stampedes are a tragic reminder of the extreme poverty, hunger, and hopelessness that Nigerians are currently facing under the APC government,” he said.

He continued, accusing the APC of exacerbating Nigeria’s economic crisis, which has pushed many to the brink of desperation.

“The government has wrecked the economy and deepened poverty, pushing Nigerians into acts of desperation, such as suicide and dangerous migration in search of survival,” Ologunagba added.

The PDP criticized the APC for its failure to invest in agriculture and food production, which they argued could alleviate the hunger crisis. Ologunagba also slammed the government for dismissing advice from the PDP and other stakeholders regarding the harmful impacts of policies such as sudden petroleum price hikes and the naira floatation.

The party further accused APC leaders of corruption, mismanaging public funds, and engaging in schemes such as budget padding and contract inflation.

Ologunagba urged the government to take responsibility for the tragedies, calling for compensation for the victims’ families and an urgent review of economic and tax policies to reduce suffering.

“The PDP insists that a responsible government would have introduced meaningful interventions to ease suffering and improve the welfare of the people,” the statement read.

The party also extended condolences to the families of the victims and urged a thorough investigation into the incidents to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the proposed 2025 national budget, claiming it will lead to economic stagnation.

In a statement on Sunday, Atiku criticized the N48 trillion budget, which forecasts N35 trillion in revenue but includes a deficit of over N13 trillion.

He argued that it reflects a continuation of the “business-as-usual” fiscal policies of the APC-led government.

The 2025 budget also includes plans for more than N13 trillion in new borrowings, with N9 trillion earmarked for direct borrowing and N4 trillion allocated for project-specific loans.

Atiku contended that this borrowing strategy is similar to those of past administrations and will only worsen Nigeria’s public debt, increasing risks related to foreign exchange exposure and rising interest payments.

Highlighting key concerns with the budget, Atiku pointed out issues such as weak budgetary planning, high debt servicing costs, excessive recurrent spending, insufficient capital investment, and regressive tax policies.

He particularly criticized the planned VAT increase from 7.5% to 10%, describing it as a retrogressive move that would further burden the population and hinder economic growth.

“The planned VAT hike is a step backward that will worsen the cost-of-living crisis and stifle growth,” Atiku said.

“By imposing higher taxes on an already struggling population and failing to address deep-seated inefficiencies in governance, the government risks dampening domestic consumption and intensifying economic hardships.”

Atiku further emphasized that the proposed budget lacks the structural reforms necessary to tackle Nigeria’s long-term economic issues.

He urged the administration to focus on reducing inefficiencies in government operations, tackling inflated contracts, and prioritizing fiscal sustainability instead of continuing to rely on unsustainable borrowing and recurrent expenditures.

Atiku called for a more strategic approach to Nigeria’s economic future, one that moves beyond temporary fixes and focuses on long-term growth and stability.

Dr. Doyin Okupe, former Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign and a former leader of the Labour Party (LP), has suggested that Peter Obi might leave the party, citing the LP’s struggles post-2023 elections.

Okupe highlighted that the party’s failure to establish a sustainable political structure was a major reason behind the wave of defections from LP.

In an interview in Lagos, Okupe pointed to the recent exits of several LP lawmakers from the House of Representatives, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

These include Representatives Tochukwu Chinedu Okere (Imo), Donatus Matthew (Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Cross River), and Esosa Iyawe (Edo).

Additionally, many ordinary members have also left for the APC and PDP.

Okupe emphasized that the mass defections were predictable, as elected officials would not remain in a party with an uncertain future.

He noted that the Labour Party had historically attracted candidates who couldn’t secure tickets from the major parties, and the party’s prominence grew when high-profile figures joined.

However, the party’s leadership, including Obi, failed to prioritize the development of a lasting political structure.

The former LP leader added that those lawmakers in the National Assembly under the LP banner understood that their political future was bleak unless they aligned with one of the major parties.

With the situation changing in the lead-up to the 2027 elections, Okupe warned that more defections were likely.

He also suggested that Obi, the LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, could consider leaving the party, referencing Obi’s recent meeting with opposition leader, Atiku Abubakar in Adamawa.

Okupe indicated that Obi’s engagements with other political figures signal that all political options are open, and LP followers should be aware of this potential shift.