By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, have killed a suspected kidnapper and apprehended two others in separate operations across Benue State.

The acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday.

According to Zubairu, troops received credible intelligence on August 19, 2026, about a suspected bandit leader and his associates who were operating an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar-Atume axis.

He said the troops moved to the location and engaged the suspects in a gun battle.

The statement read, “On arrival, the troops made contact with the criminals, resulting in a firefight during which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname ‘Cool Nigga’, was neutralised.

“The other members of the group fled in disarray, abandoning a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops.”

Zubairu further disclosed that troops arrested two suspected kidnappers during another operation at Gou in Logo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were identified as Terhile Iyo, 44, and Vershima Emmanuel, 32.

According to the military, the two men confessed to an alleged attempt to abduct a resident of Gou village, Mrs Balame Nyikwagh.

Items recovered from the suspects included a locally manufactured pistol, one cartridge, five TECNO torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, several SIM cards and charms.

Zubairu said the suspects remained in military custody while investigations continued.

Operation Whirl Stroke also reassured residents across its operational areas in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states of its commitment to protecting lives and property.

The force called on residents to continue to provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist efforts to combat criminal activities in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy, warning that such a move could reverse the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The renewed disagreement followed Atiku’s declaration that he would introduce a targeted and transparent petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, argued that Nigerians had yet to benefit sufficiently from the funds said to have been saved after the removal of petrol subsidy.

He also demanded greater transparency over the use of the savings, saying the resources should have supported poverty reduction, education, security and opportunities for young Nigerians.

His Economic Recovery Plan 2027 proposes a production-based subsidy system that would differ from the pre-2023 arrangement. Under the proposal, qualifying Nigerian refineries would receive crude oil at preferential prices under strict conditions, with the aim of lowering petrol prices and encouraging domestic refining.

The Federal Government, however, said returning to subsidy would recreate the fiscal challenges that prompted its removal.

Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy regime during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023. He said the policy had become unsustainable and that the resources previously spent on it would be redirected to infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation.

Responding to Atiku’s proposal on Sunday, APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, described it as a “deeply troubling policy U-turn.”

Yilwatda questioned how the opposition would finance the proposed subsidy and warned against introducing a major economic policy as an election promise without explaining its long-term financial implications.

“Economic policy cannot be reduced to election-season promises. Nigerians deserve to know precisely where the money will come from, what sectors will bear the cost and whether such a policy can be sustained without reopening the fiscal pressures that necessitated reform in the first place,” Yilwatda said.

The APC chairman spoke during a visit to the headquarters of the City Boy Movement in Abuja.

He maintained that subsidy removal, despite the hardship associated with it, was necessary. He said the government should strengthen social interventions and productive sectors instead of returning to the former subsidy system.

Yilwatda also urged Nigerians to assess the economic records and policy proposals of the various presidential contenders before the 2027 election.

He said the APC would continue to defend the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms while remaining open to credible alternatives.

FG Says Subsidy Removal Released N15.8tn

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also defended the subsidy removal, saying the reform had created additional fiscal resources for the three tiers of government.

Idris said figures contained in the Federal Government’s Reform Scorecard showed that subsidy savings generated N15.8tn for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.

According to him, the Federal Government received about N5.43tn, while states and local governments received approximately N6.52tn and N3.88tn respectively.

The minister clarified that the N15.8tn was not money kept in a separate government account. He said the figure represented resources released into the wider fiscal system and made available to the three levels of government.

He added that the additional funds had strengthened the capacity of state and local governments to pay salaries and pensions as well as finance infrastructure and essential services.

At the federal level, Idris said the additional fiscal space had supported infrastructure, human capital development and social programmes.

He put additional expenditure on strategic infrastructure at about N6.47tn. The projects, he said, covered areas such as transport, housing, agriculture and security.

The minister also disclosed that more than 10 million households had benefited from social transfers. He said more than N400bn had been committed to programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation.

Idris warned that reversing the subsidy reform could also undermine developments in the petroleum sector at a time when domestic refining capacity was expanding.


Atiku Accuses FG Of Double Standards

Atiku, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, criticised the Federal Government’s defence of subsidy removal.

He described the administration’s celebration of the policy as “one of the biggest economic frauds being sold to Nigerians.”

The former vice president argued that the government could not oppose intervention aimed at reducing hardship for ordinary citizens while granting tax credits and other fiscal incentives to major investors in the petroleum sector.

Atiku summarised his position by declaring, “You cannot subsidise capital and criminalise relief for citizens. You cannot offer cushions upstairs and call suffering downstairs.”

He also questioned the incentives available under the government’s Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects framework.

“Under Tinubu’s own Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives framework, qualifying petroleum developments can receive production tax credits beginning at $3 and $4.50 per barrel, with supplementary credits capable, in qualifying circumstances, of taking the combined benefit to as much as $11.50 per barrel,” he said.

Atiku asked why government intervention could be considered appropriate when it reduced investment risks for major petroleum operators but was rejected when aimed at reducing the burden on households.

“So, what exactly is Tinubu’s objection: government intervention itself, or government intervention for Nigerians?” he asked.

He also raised questions about petroleum-related expenditures recorded after subsidy removal.

Atiku cited financial statements of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, claiming that the company recorded about N4.84tn in energy-security expenses and related shortfalls in 2023 and approximately N7.13tn in 2024.

He said NNPCL had linked part of the expenditure to the difference between the exchange rate used to determine regulated PMS ex-coastal prices and the prevailing exchange rate at the time import obligations were settled.

“Where exactly did the subsidy go? If Nigerians were paying market prices because ‘subsidy is gone,’ why was the federation still carrying trillions of naira in under-recovery and energy-security costs?” he said.

Atiku argued that changing the terminology for such expenditures did not alter their economic effect.

“Nigerians do not eat semantics. Whether government calls it subsidy, under-recovery, shortfall or energy security, public resources were being used to bridge a gap between economic cost and the price at which petrol was sold,” he added.

The ADC candidate said the removal of subsidy had increased transportation, food, production and household costs.

He accused the administration of applying “brutally savage capitalism” to poor Nigerians while pursuing “compassionate capitalism for big oil money operators.”

He continued, “The government can protect a multibillion-dollar oil investment from risk, yet it says protecting the Nigerian worker from crushing hardship is bad economics,” Atiku said.

He added that the government could not “roll out the red carpet for rich oil operators while leaving its citizens to walk barefoot through hardship.”

Lawmaker Rejects Subsidy Restoration

The member representing Agege Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives, Dr Wale Ahmed, also rejected Atiku’s proposal.

Ahmed described the proposed policy as economically unsustainable and politically expedient. He warned that reversing the subsidy removal could disrupt the country’s economic recovery.

“Nigeria cannot afford to return to the subsidy era. What we need is to consolidate reforms and ensure their benefits reach ordinary Nigerians,” Ahmed said.

The lawmaker said the subsidy removal had increased government revenue by freeing funds previously used to keep petrol prices artificially low.

“The question should be how these additional resources are deployed to improve infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation and security, not how we recreate an unsustainable subsidy regime,” he said.

Ahmed also asked Atiku to explain how the proposed subsidy arrangement would be financed without putting additional pressure on government finances.

“Where will the money come from? Will government borrow again to finance subsidy? Will allocations to states and local governments be reduced? Nigerians deserve clear answers,” he said.

He said the savings were not kept in a government vault but increased the revenue available to the federation.

“The savings were not money kept in a vault by the Federal Government. They increased revenues available to the federation and were shared among the three tiers of government,” he said.

Ahmed acknowledged the hardship caused by the reforms but argued that returning to the previous system would not resolve the underlying problems.

“Nobody is denying the hardship. It is real. But returning to the policies that contributed to our fiscal problems cannot be the solution,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government to accelerate measures aimed at reducing production and transportation costs through improved electricity supply and investment in agriculture.

ADC Leaders Back Atiku

Meanwhile, ADC chieftains have supported Atiku’s proposal, with former Edo State governorship aspirant Kenneth Imasuagbon describing criticism from the Presidency and APC as “misplaced and politically motivated.”

Imasuagbon said subsidy removal had worsened the economic situation of Nigerians through increased inflation and higher costs of living.

“The removal of fuel subsidy has not translated into a better life for Nigerians. Instead, it has pauperised millions of citizens, destroyed the purchasing power of workers, increased the cost of transportation, food, healthcare and education, while businesses continue to shut down under the weight of unbearable operating costs.”

He argued that Atiku’s willingness to reconsider the policy showed his readiness to review measures that had failed to deliver the expected benefits.

“Atiku should not be attacked simply because he is prepared to reconsider a position he held in 2023. That is the mark of a compassionate and people-oriented leader,” he said.

Imasuagbon also questioned the Federal Government’s account of the savings from subsidy removal.

“Where are the trillions reportedly saved? Nigerians deserve transparent answers.

“We still have collapsing infrastructure, worsening insecurity, failing hospitals, underfunded schools, mass unemployment and deepening poverty.

“If these enormous resources were truly invested in the people’s welfare, the ordinary Nigerian should have felt the impact by now,” he stated.

He said the debate should focus on whether the policy had improved the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

The former governorship aspirant expressed confidence in Atiku’s ability to tackle what he described as Nigeria’s “economic quagmire.”

Also backing Atiku was the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Dan’Iya.

Dan’Iya said a targeted and accountable subsidy system could reduce the pressure caused by rising transportation, food and other essential costs.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, he said the economic situation required measures that would cushion the impact of rising living costs.

“At a time when Nigerian families are struggling to afford transportation, food and necessities, any credible policy capable of reducing the cost of living deserves serious consideration,” Dan’Iya said.

He stressed, however, that any future subsidy arrangement should be targeted, transparent and accountable to prevent corruption and waste.

Dan’Iya said Atiku’s proposal should also support domestic refining and reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

“The 2027 election is an opportunity for Nigerians to choose a government that understands their hardship and is prepared to act.

“We must support policies that reduce the burden on our people, restore hope, strengthen institutions and put Nigeria back on the path of sustainable development,” he said.

The subsidy debate is expected to remain a major issue ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the Tinubu administration defending its removal as necessary for fiscal stability while opposition politicians continue to argue that the policy has imposed severe hardship on households and businesses.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has expanded its free petroleum products delivery programme to Kano, Imo, Anambra and Nasarawa states.

The refinery said the move would help independent petroleum marketers cut distribution expenses and create an opportunity for reduced petrol prices across the affected areas.

The initiative, according to a statement issued on Sunday, was initially introduced in Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kaduna, Abuja and Delta states. It is designed to bring refined products closer to marketers and retailers while reducing the expenses associated with transporting fuel over long distances.

The refinery said its decision to bear delivery costs would remove a major expense from the downstream petroleum distribution chain.

Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Oil & Gas, WAEP and Fertiliser, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote, said the programme was intended to ensure that the benefits of local refining reached businesses and consumers.

“The value of domestic refining must ultimately be felt beyond the refinery gate. By absorbing the cost of delivering petroleum products to our customers, we are removing a significant component of the distribution burden and creating room for those savings to flow through the value chain to consumers. Our goal is to make fuel distribution more efficient, reduce avoidable costs and support more competitive pump prices across Nigeria.”

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria welcomed the expansion, saying it would ease some of the financial and logistical difficulties faced by its members and potentially contribute to cheaper fuel for consumers.

The National Publicity Secretary and Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said the arrangement tackled a persistent problem in the distribution of petroleum products.

“This gesture, if sustained, will be able to alleviate the sufferings of independent marketers. There has been the issue of financial hold-up, whereby marketers pay for products and are not loaded for days and weeks, and they suffer unnecessary hardship bringing the product down,” he stated.

Ukadike said the arrangement would shorten the period during which marketers’ funds remain tied up after product payments. He added that this would improve their cash flow and allow them to use their capital more effectively.

The refinery noted that the reduction in distribution expenses would be particularly important for marketers who supply locations far from the facility. Such transportation usually involves additional costs for haulage, vehicle operations, drivers, insurance, road risks and other logistics.

The removal or reduction of these expenses, it said, could make it easier for marketers to supply distant markets and offer more competitive prices at retail outlets.

The initiative is also expected to reduce some operational risks linked to the transportation of large quantities of petroleum products over long distances by taking the products closer to their destination markets.

The expansion comes as Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector continues to respond to increased domestic refining capacity and growing competition within the market.

The Dangote refinery has a refining capacity of 700,000 barrels per day. It supplies refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market and has also expanded its activities in international markets.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has condemned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

Yilwatda described the proposal as an act of “desperation for power”, arguing that a return to the subsidy regime could expose Nigeria to renewed economic and fiscal challenges.

He made his position known in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Abimbola Tooki.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had said on Wednesday that he would restore the petrol subsidy if elected president.

The former vice-president made the declaration in Hausa during an interview with an ADC media group. He also questioned the Federal Government’s management of funds saved after the removal of the subsidy.

“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go? It was intended to reduce poverty and help children attend school. Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” Atiku said.

“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it.”

The proposal attracted criticism, with opponents arguing that it was inconsistent with Atiku’s position before the 2023 presidential election, when he was reported to have supported the removal of the petrol subsidy.

President Bola Tinubu also rejected the proposal, describing it as evidence of “serious ignorance of governance and economy”.

Reacting to Atiku’s position, Yilwatda said economic policies should not be shaped by electoral considerations.

Economic Policy Cannot Be Reduced To Election-Season Promises

Yilwatda spoke on Saturday during a visit to the headquarters of the City Boy Movement in Abuja.

He said Nigerians require detailed and sustainable economic plans rather than promises made during election campaigns.

The APC chairman said any proposal to reinstate the subsidy should face thorough scrutiny because the previous arrangement imposed a heavy financial burden on the government and caused distortions within the economy.

He added that opposition politicians had been challenged over the past three years to present clear alternatives to the policies of the APC administration, but, according to him, no convincing alternative had emerged.

Yilwatda questioned the timing of Atiku’s proposal, given that the 2027 election is approaching.

“Economic policy cannot be reduced to election-season promises,” Yilwatda said.

“Nigerians deserve to know precisely where the money will come from, what sectors will bear the cost and whether such a policy can be sustained without reopening the fiscal pressures that necessitated reform in the first place.”

He defended the removal of the petrol subsidy as a difficult but necessary decision. According to him, the policy should be supported with measures that reduce its impact on citizens, expand social interventions and strengthen productive sectors.

Yilwatda said effective leadership requires more than promises of immediate relief for electoral benefit. He argued that leaders must be prepared to make difficult decisions, explain them to Nigerians and pursue policies that can support lasting economic growth.

He urged Nigerians to assess the economic programmes of the various political parties before the 2027 elections.

The APC chairman advised voters to distinguish between policies that address the country’s structural challenges and proposals that may offer short-term political benefits while creating greater financial problems in the future.

Nigerians Must Scrutinise Policy Directions Of Those Seeking Power

Yilwatda also questioned the consistency of opposition politicians, particularly those who have moved between different political platforms.

He argued that politicians who frequently change parties may find it difficult to convince Nigerians that they can provide the stability and policy direction required to govern the country.

The APC chairman said President Tinubu had maintained a progressive political identity throughout his career, except during periods of political mergers. He also described Vice-President Kashim Shettima as having maintained a consistent political path.

According to Yilwatda, the Tinubu administration has taken difficult economic measures as part of efforts to attract investment, boost local production and reduce reliance on government interventions that he described as unsustainable.

He warned that reversing the reforms without presenting a credible alternative could weaken investor confidence and increase pressure on government finances.

Yilwatda urged Nigerians to examine the records and policy positions of presidential aspirants rather than accept promises designed mainly to win votes.

He also called for scrutiny of past disputes involving Atiku and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, including allegations linked to the privatisation programme conducted under the Obasanjo administration.

The APC chairman said issues of accountability and economic management should remain central to discussions ahead of the 2027 election.

He maintained that the election should focus on ideas, competence and credible policy alternatives rather than political promises that ignore the country’s economic realities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to disclose details of the utilisation of the $5 billion financing facility secured from First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).

Atiku said Nigerians, including future generations, would ultimately bear the responsibility of repaying the loan and therefore deserve to know how the funds are being deployed.

The former vice-president made the demand in a statement issued on Sunday through his media office, days after Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele said the Federal Government would not release details of how funds obtained from the facility would be spent.

Oyedele had made the statement during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday while responding to questions about the government’s borrowing plans and the FAB financing arrangement.

The minister said the facility had passed the necessary approval procedures, including consideration by the National Assembly. He also argued that there was no reason to treat the financing differently from other sources of government funding.

The $5 billion facility forms part of a broader $6 billion external borrowing package approved by the National Assembly in March. The Federal Government has so far drawn about $1.5 billion from the FAB facility as its first tranche.

Atiku, however, criticised the government’s position, accusing the administration of poor financial management and a lack of transparency in its recent borrowing arrangements.

“Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has contracted significant new debt,” the statement reads.

“According to the Debt Management Office, the Tinubu administration has added N72 Trillion of fresh debt stock, bringing the total indebtedness to N159.35 trillion as at early 2026.”

Atiku said the increased borrowing had not translated into better living conditions or improved security for Nigerians.

He claimed that poverty had increased from 56 percent in 2023 to between 61 percent and 63 percent under the current administration, with more than 140 million Nigerians facing multidimensional poverty.

He also faulted Oyedele for rejecting demands for greater disclosure about the Abu Dhabi facility.

“The government is obliged to explain every loan taken on behalf of Nigerians,” Atiku said.

“Every Kobo borrowed matters because citizens — both living and unborn — will bear the burden of repayment. Yet these loans have failed to improve their material wellbeing.”

The former vice-president further raised concerns about the collateral requirements attached to the facility, saying the Federal Government was expected to pledge securities worth about 133 percent of the loan value.

He argued that such an arrangement made transparency over the loan more important.

Atiku also cited concerns previously raised by the International Monetary Fund and Fitch Ratings about the structure of the financing, particularly issues related to transparency and the sustainability of Nigeria’s sovereign debt.

He urged Nigerians to demand accountability from the government, warning that borrowing without clear evidence of economic benefits could weaken public confidence and create additional challenges for the country’s financial future.

By Hussaini Aliyu Yero



Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 marked the beginning of the Fourth Republic and raised hopes for a political system in which citizens would have a greater voice in determining the country’s direction. More than two decades later, Nigerian democracy has survived several elections, changes of government and political crises. Yet an important question remains: what role have young Nigerians played in this democratic journey, and what role will they play in the 2027 general elections?

The answer is both encouraging and troubling.

Nigeria has a very large young population, and young people constitute a significant proportion of the electorate. In the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recorded (37,060,399) registered voters between the ages of 18 and 34, representing 39.65 percent of the total registered electorate. This shows that Nigerian youths are not a marginal group in electoral politics. They are potentially one of the most powerful forces capable of influencing election outcomes.

However, numbers alone do not equal political power.

From 1999: Youths as Political Followers.
When democracy returned in 1999, young people participated mainly as voters, party supporters, campaign workers and mobilisers. Leadership positions, particularly at the highest levels of government and within major political parties, remained dominated by older politicians.

For many young Nigerians, politics was something to watch rather than something they could control. Political parties were structured around powerful individuals, political godfathers and established networks. Young people could mobilise crowds, but had limited influence over who became candidates.

This created a contradiction: young people were important during elections but were frequently sidelined when political decisions were being made.

The Growing Political Awareness of Nigerian Youths.
Over the years, this began to change. The growth of social media, increased access to information and frustration over unemployment, insecurity, corruption, poverty and poor governance encouraged more young Nigerians to become politically conscious.

Young Nigerians increasingly questioned traditional political structures, demanded accountability and used social media to organise and express opinions.

The August 2024
EndBadGovernance protests.  demonstrated this growing awareness. Nigerians, particularly young people, took to the streets across the country to protest economic hardship, rising living costs, hunger and poor governance.

The protests showed that citizens were increasingly willing to organise and demand accountability. They also proved that young Nigerians were no longer content to remain passive observers of government policies.

The Not Too Young to Run Movement
One of the most important developments in youth political participation was the Not Too Young To Run movement.

The movement contributed significantly to constitutional changes in (2018) that reduced the minimum age for elective offices. The presidential age was reduced from 40 to 35, while the minimum age for the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly was reduced from 30 to 25.

This reform removed a formal barrier to youth candidacy.

However, lowering the age requirement did not solve the larger problem. Young aspirants still face expensive nomination forms, high campaign costs, weak internal democracy, political godfatherism and lack of resources to compete.

The real question is no longer whether young Nigerians are legally old enough to contest. It is whether the political system is genuinely prepared to give them a fair opportunity to win.

The 2019 and 2023 Elections
The impact of Not Too Young To Run became visible in 2019 as youth candidacy increased.

But the 2023 election showed progress was not linear. Analysis by (YIAGA Africa) found youth candidacy declined from 34 percent in 2019 to 28.6 percent in 2023. Of the 15,336 candidates on the ballot in 2023, 4,398 were youth candidates.

This is a warning. While young Nigerians make up a huge part of the electorate, they remain underrepresented among candidates. There is still a gap between youths as voters and youths as leaders.

The 2023 election also showed the potential strength of the youth vote. Youths aged 18–34 were 39.65 percent of registered voters, while 76.56 percent  of newly registered voters during the 2021–2022 exercise were between 18 and 34.

The potential power of the youth vote is enormous.

Political Participation Beyond Voting
Political participation should not be defined only as voting.

Democracy requires more than collecting a Permanent Voter’s Card. Young people should participate in political parties, policy discussions, community leadership, election monitoring, campaigns, civic organisations and public debate. They should also demand accountability after elections.

A young Nigerian who votes but never questions public spending or participates in community decisions is exercising only one part of democratic citizenship.

The challenge is to move from being electoral numbers to becoming political stakeholders.

Looking Towards 2027
The 2027 general election presents another opportunity. By 2027, many first-time voters from 2019 and 2023 will have gained experience. The question is whether that will translate into greater participation and better leadership.

Young Nigerians should not wait until parties distribute campaign materials to get involved. They should begin now by studying parties, candidates, manifestos and asking tough questions about governance.

Most importantly, youths must resist being used as political thugs, crowd pullers or online attackers. Young people deserve to be decision-makers, not just tools for mobilisation.

What Must Change Before 2027
First, political parties must create genuine opportunities for young people to contest and influence party decisions.

Second,  the cost of participation must be reduced. Democracy is not inclusive when only the wealthy can afford forms and campaigns.

Third, young Nigerians must strengthen political education. Youth leadership must be built on competence, integrity and commitment to public service.

Fourth, young voters must reject vote buying. Selling a vote may bring temporary relief but leads to poor leadership.

Fifth, youths should look beyond personality politics. Candidates should be judged by competence, character, record and policies, not ethnicity, religion or social media popularity.

2027 and the Future of Nigerian Democracy
The 2027 election should not be just another contest between parties. It should be a chance for Nigerians to decide what kind of democracy they want.

For youths, the choice is critical. They can remain spectators who complain after elections, or become active participants who organise, contest, vote, monitor and demand accountability.

Since 1999, young people have moved from the margins to the centre of political discussion. Not Too Young To Run showed institutional change is possible. The 2023 registration figures showed numerical strength. Yet low youth representation shows more work is needed.

The challenge is to turn numerical strength into real political influence.

Conclusion
Nigerian democracy cannot be truly representative while the largest generation remains underrepresented in leadership.

From 1999 to 2027, youth participation has been marked by awakening, activism and growing consciousness. The next stage must be deeper: participation must become representation, and representation must become responsible leadership.

Nigerian youths should ask not only “Who will I vote for?” but also “Who will represent us? Who will make decisions for us? And what are we doing to become the leaders we want?”

The 2027 election will test Nigerian democracy. But the future of politics will be determined by what young Nigerians do before, during and after election day.

Nigeria’s youths are not merely leaders of tomorrow. They are citizens and stakeholders today. The future of Nigerian democracy depends on whether they choose to remain spectators or become active participants in shaping the country they will inherit

Hussaini Aliyu Yero can be reached via GSM:09061612465 or
hussainialiyuyero@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Senator Abdulaziz Yari, representing Zamfara West, has pledged to work towards President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 presidential election after his appointment as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.

Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, made the commitment on Saturday in a statement where he expressed appreciation to Tinubu and the APC leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility.

He said he accepted the appointment with “deep gratitude” and “full seriousness”.

“My sincere thanks go to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party for the trust placed in me, and to our party leadership for the confidence. I do not take it lightly,” he said.

Yari said the 2027 campaign would go beyond seeking votes, as it would provide an opportunity to discuss the country’s future with Nigerians across different regions and backgrounds.

“A campaign is more than an election. It is a conversation with the Nigerian people in every state, every language, every faith about the future we are building together,” Yari said.

“We intend to lead that conversation with discipline, unity, and respect for all.”

The senator urged APC members and supporters to take an active part in the campaign, stressing that every party member would have a role to play.

“To our teeming members and supporters across the country: the work begins now, and there is a place for everyone in it,” he said.

He also appealed to Nigerians from different political backgrounds to consider supporting Tinubu’s bid for another term.

“And to Nigerians of every political leaning, this is a moment to choose progress over division. We will earn your confidence not with noise, but with a record we can stand behind,” he said.

Yari expressed confidence that the APC would secure victory in the election with the collective efforts of party members and supporters.

“By the grace of God, and with the effort of us all, we will deliver victory in January 2027.”

The APC announced a 108-member Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election on Saturday.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was named secretary of the council, while Tinubu will serve as chairman. Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, were appointed vice-chairmen.

According to the list released by Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru and Hadiza Bala-Usman were appointed deputy secretary and assistant secretary respectively.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nwabueze Buchi George, the National Coordinator of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, has released an appointment letter he claims was issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

George shared the document on Saturday after President Bola Tinubu directed his arrest over allegations that he operated a fake government agency from the SGF office.

The President also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries after an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, said the discovery emerged from an investigation into the alleged activities of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), described as fake, as well as other administrative weaknesses within government.

In a post on his LinkedIn page, George published what he described as his appointment letter. The document carries the OSGF letterhead.

The letter is dated October 3, 2025, with reference number OSGF/MIN/59310/11/205. It was signed by Nadungu Gagare, who was identified as a permanent secretary in the Political and Economic Affairs Office.

The document bears the title, “Appointment as National Coordinator and Executive Director Made in Nigeria Project Office”.

It states: “I am directed to formally convey the approval of your appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“The appointment follows a careful evaluation of your commitment, contribution, and capacity in delivering on the mandate of the Special Project Office.

“The appointment is a five-year tenure starting from July 2025 and is renewable.”

The letter listed several responsibilities for George, including the oversight and development of programmes, projects and policies linked to the initiative. It also assigned him responsibility for regional and state coordinators.

George was further directed to organise exhibitions, trade expos, economic summits and other promotional activities aimed at advancing the use of indigenous products and services as part of the government’s economic development objectives.

The document also indicated that the project would operate from “the temporary Office Space at Room B53, Ground Floor, within the OSGF Complex”.

It added that the appointment was “at the pleasure of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation” and was connected to the objectives of the Made in Nigeria initiative under the Renewed Hope agenda.

The development comes amid reports that George had written to several state governments and asked them to nominate coordinators for the Made in Nigeria Project Office.

The authorities have not publicly confirmed the authenticity of the appointment letter released by George.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Canada has announced plans to impose fresh tariffs on selected goods from the United States after Washington introduced a 50 per cent levy on about $20 billion worth of Canadian products.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the decision in Ottawa on Saturday, saying the new measures would affect US steel, dairy products, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, electronics and other goods.

The tariffs are expected to take effect on September 8.

“Canada will match Washington’s new tariffs dollar for dollar in order to protect Canadian workers, farmers, families, and businesses,” Carney told reporters.

The decision followed the collapse of trade negotiations between the two countries after several days of discussions. Carney said the United States had presented conditions that Canada could not accept.

“In recent days, the United States proposed new terms that were uneconomic, unfair and undermined the net benefits for Canada, and called into question the reliability of any deal,” Carney said, adding these demands included curtailing Canada’s ability to forge new trade deals.

“We cannot accept what they’ve offered, and we will not give what they’ve asked.”

Carney also accused US negotiators of making unacceptable “threats” concerning the French language and “Quebec culture”.

The latest US tariffs affect several Canadian exports, including wine, furniture, dairy products, cement, clothing, fishing rods and hockey equipment. The affected goods represent about 5.5 per cent of Canada’s exports to the US.

Reacting to Carney’s announcement, US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Canada wants the benefits of being a State, without being one!!!”

Trump also claimed that Canada had imposed “massive amounts” of tariffs on US farmers for years and added, “No more!!!”

Carney said Canada would also introduce support measures for industries affected by the new US duties. He said the government would provide more details on the retaliatory measures in the coming days.

The trade dispute is expected to put additional pressure on the Canadian economy. Al Jazeera correspondent David Mercer said the tariffs could lead to higher costs, increased prices and rising unemployment.

“Costs are going to go up, prices are going to go up, unemployment is going to go up as well,” Mercer said. “And it’s been warned that business owners – small [and] medium-sized businesses – some of those will have to declare bankruptcy.”

Mercer said Carney was also using the dispute as an opportunity to expand Canada’s economic links with countries outside the United States.

“He’s been around the world, he’s been talking to countries in Asia, in Europe, shoring up new trade relationships, wanting to diversify Canada’s economy and Canada’s trade relationships with other countries around the world just to get away from that dependency that Canada has traditionally had on the United States,” he said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford supported the Canadian government’s decision to retaliate against the US tariffs.

“I’m glad he didn’t sign that deal because it was a bad deal. It was a bad deal for Ontario. It was a bad deal for the auto sector, the steel sector, and manufacturing sector,” Ford told reporters on Saturday.

Some Canadians have expressed concern about the possible impact of the trade dispute on household expenses.

“I think probably the gas will go up even more, and all products, from food to, I don’t know, wood, everything else,” said Pamela Coulis, a resident of Fort Erie.

Another resident, Stuart Edwards of Port Colborne, said the trade dispute would “hurt everybody” and described the situation as “just sad”.

“We have a bully in Washington, and he’s just hitting us all with the big stick all the time,” he said. “And we’re not going to put up with it; Canada isn’t. We’ll fight back.”

Diamond Isinger, a former special adviser to ex-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said both countries would face economic difficulties as the dispute continues.

“It’s going to cause pain and challenge for Canadians and Americans alike – in terms of the actions that, unfortunately, the US has taken as well as Canada’s retaliation. But ultimately this was the way forward; this was the only realistic next step,” she said.

“Because the US administration responds best, of all the responses that they could have, to all the actions that a government like Canada could take, to strength,” Isinger added.

“So, we could not simply accept 50 percent tariffs going forward. We had to move forward with our own retaliatory package.”

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said no fresh negotiations had been scheduled with Canada.

“We’re moving forward with measures that respond to Canadian retaliation,” Greer said. “They’ve always had the best deal, and they still would have an even better deal, but they didn’t want that.”

The escalating dispute has also drawn criticism from some US Democratic lawmakers and governors, who accused Trump of increasing economic pressure on American businesses and families.

“Needlessly picking fights with our allies and raising prices here at home. That’s Trump’s economic policy in a nutshell,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul posted on X.

The Business Roundtable, which represents about 200 chief executives of major US companies, also warned that the new tariffs “risk raising costs for American businesses and families” and called on Canada and the United States to return to negotiations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran has warned countries against supporting or joining US sanctions, with a senior security official saying Tehran will regard any state that participates as an enemy.

Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, said countries that join the US pressure campaign against Tehran should expect retaliation against their interests.

The warning comes as Iran faces increasing economic and military pressure from the United States.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country is “in a full-scale economic, military and security war”, while accusing Washington of wrongly predicting that Iran would eventually become another Venezuela.

The latest warning from Tehran also comes amid heightened tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route.

US President Donald Trump reposted a map on his Truth Social account that labelled the Strait of Hormuz as “NEW US Territory”.

Trump shared the map a day after he told supporters at a rally that he regarded the strategic waterway as “American territory”.

The development has added to concerns over the future of the strait, which is a crucial route for international oil shipments.

Meanwhile, tensions have also risen in neighbouring Syria after an Israeli drone strike hit a truck in the village of Beit Jinn in southwestern Syria.

Several civilians were injured in the attack, according to Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

The latest developments come as regional tensions remain high, with Iran’s warnings against countries that support US sanctions adding another layer to the confrontation between Tehran and Washington.