Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has pledged 10 buses to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abba made the pledge during a visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat in Abuja on Friday, where he was received by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori.

According to a statement by Yusi Buba, an APC aide, Abba expressed support for Tinubu’s administration and announced the donation to boost the party’s mobilisation efforts.

The pledge followed his unveiling of the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, a support platform through which he plans to organise a two-million-man mobilisation march across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Abba defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC in January. His father, Atiku Abubakar, is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The wife of slain Islamic scholar Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka has recounted how gunmen shot her husband dead outside their residence in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, as President Bola Tinubu ordered security agencies to track down the perpetrators.

Hajiya Fatima Masussuka said the attack occurred on Monday evening shortly after her husband left their home to attend a teaching session with his Almajirai, or Islamic pupils.

Speaking to journalists at their residence on Tuesday, Fatima explained that she had accompanied her husband outside before returning indoors after he realised he had forgotten his bag.

“Before I knew what was happening, I heard four gunshots. When I came out, I discovered that he had been shot,” she said.

Describing the deceased as a caring husband, Fatima disclosed that she was his second wife and that they had a daughter together.

Masussuka was killed alongside his friend, Adamu Abubakar, in the attack, which the Katsina State Police Command said was carried out by two armed men riding on a motorcycle.

According to the police, the incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 26, in front of the cleric’s residence in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.

The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital but were pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

The police said tactical and operational teams had been deployed to the area, while an investigation was underway to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects.

Ansaru reportedly claims responsibility

Meanwhile, the Ansaru terrorist group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the killing in an audio message released on Tuesday.

According to reports, the group accused the cleric of being an infidel and claimed to have carried out the attack at about 8:30 p.m. However, it did not provide verifiable evidence to support its claim.

The Katsina State Police Command said it had not authenticated the reported claim.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, said security operatives were investigating the incident and would make further information public when the investigation was concluded.

“We heard of the rumour making the rounds, but we are yet to authenticate the claim. We are on the field, and once we conclude the investigation, we will make it public,” Sadiq said.

Ansaru, which is linked to al-Qaeda, broke away from Boko Haram in 2012 and has operated in parts of north-western Nigeria.

Tinubu, Radda condemn killing

President Tinubu condemned the killings, describing them as heinous acts that violated the sanctity of human life and the values of peace.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, their followers and the people of Katsina State.

Tinubu directed the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to track down and arrest those responsible for the attack.

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda, also mourned the cleric, describing him as an advocate of peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony.

In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, the governor called for a thorough investigation and urged security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

He also appealed to residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could assist the investigation. He warned against actions capable of heightening tensions or undermining peace.

Cleric previously involved in preaching dispute

Masussuka, popularly known as the “Peace Ambassador,” had previously attracted the attention of the Katsina State Government over his preaching.

Authorities had received complaints alleging that some of his sermons departed from general principles of Islamic law. The cleric had also reportedly complained of insults and threats from members of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidia Wa’ikhamatus Sunna.

The dispute was referred to the Katsina Emirate Council, after which Governor Radda directed the cleric to appear before a committee of Islamic scholars to respond to the allegations.

The circumstances surrounding the dispute and whether it had any connection to the killing have not been established.

Kwankwaso expresses concern

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso also condemned the killing, expressing concern over attacks on religious scholars and other innocent citizens.

Kwankwaso, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, said the continued loss of lives to insecurity was unacceptable and called for decisive action to protect citizens and restore peace.

He extended his condolences to the cleric’s family, students, associates and the wider Muslim community.

Dutsin-Ma and several other local government areas in Katsina State have experienced repeated attacks blamed on armed bandits, including kidnappings and killings targeting residents, vigilantes and security personnel.

The police investigation into the killing of Masussuka and Abubakar is ongoing.

The Daily Reality

By Ukasha Sani

As the ruling party, the APC, launches its presidential campaign in a bid to re-elect President Bola Tinubu, the question is no longer whether Nigerians can survive the present hardship, but whether they can survive its continuation.

Based on the last three years’ trajectory, a second victory for President Tinubu will not renew hope, as we have already lost it; it will only deepen hardship. All the tragic events in the country today, from the increase in fuel prices, insecurity, kidnapping and banditry to poor economic policies, are at their worst in the last three years. He has not reformed any sector; rather, they are more like abandoned projects that have worsened under his administration.

What if Tinubu wins? Then the economic hardship we call temporary becomes permanent policy.

They [the government] have comfortably watched the naira lose its dignity, from N460/$1 as of 29th May, 2023 to N1,475/$1 today.

They have watched fuel subsidy removal turn from a textbook reform into a daily punishment, from buying petrol at N200/litre in May 2023 to N1,440/litre today.

They have watched food inflation turn the market into a place of tears, where a bag of rice sells at N65,000 today compared to N30,000 in May, 2023. We are living in an economy where a bag of rice swallows the minimum wage. This government tells us the reforms are painful but necessary. But you should ask: necessary for whom? The hardship is not shared. The political class still convoys in new SUVs, still budgets billions for renovation and entertainment.

A second term means that the model stays. No reversal, no cushion, only more lectures about patience.

And amid this suffocation, they present NELFUND as an achievement to be applauded.

Let us be clear about NELFUND. It is not a grant. It is not a scholarship. It is not free education. It is a LOAN. A debt trap dressed as help. This is the only thing this government is proudly beating its chest about, yet it exposes its entire contradiction.

You cannot deny a man the peace and means to feed his family, deny him security on his farm, deny him a stable economy to run his shop, and then call yourself a saviour because you gave his daughter a loan to pay tuition. What happens after graduation? She graduates into the same jobless economy, into the same insecurity, with a loan on her neck before her first job. This is not empowerment; it is enslaving the future to pay for the present’s failure.

A government that truly wants to educate the poor would have made education affordable, not loanable.

What if Tinubu wins? Then insecurity gets a new uniform.

Banditry is no longer an emergency; it is an industry. Kidnapping has become a multi-million-dollar enterprise.

People are being picked off the streets for ransom, picked from their homes, schools, parks and every other place, without seeing any visible effort by the government to address it. It only amplifies the PR bots that come online and tell us not to “politicise” insecurity. What it means is, if he wins, we will continue to have a government that negotiates from a position of weakness, that condemns attacks today and forgets the victims tomorrow.

Dear PR bots, the insecurity you defend today, because you are paid or promised to be paid to do so, is coming back to haunt you tomorrow. Kidnappers and bandits are not going to spare you because you are a Tinubu supporter.

What if Tinubu wins? Then partisanship becomes the constitution.

Appointments, projects, even palliatives are prioritised through ethnicity and party loyalty. Trying every possible way to conquer all 36 states, leaving no governor in the opposition. The National Assembly has become an extension of Aso Rock. A second Tinubu victory will entrench this winner-takes-all politics. It will be the final burial of independent institutions. Dissent will be called treason, and criticism will be tagged as hate speech. This is where movements like Tinubu Must Go were denied access to exercise their constitutional rights.

And what if Tinubu wins? Then corruption will be legalized by silence.

The subsidy is gone, but where did the subsidy money go? Billions saved, yet borrowing increases. Customs revenue hits record highs, yet hospitals have no drugs. Politicians with existing corruption cases are contesting elections. Under a continued Tinubu administration, accountability will remain selective. The opposition’s corrupt will be prosecuted; the ruling party’s corrupt will be given a chance to govern again.

The government has nothing to show to justify its re-election next year.

After three and a half years of serial governance disasters, it is clear this government has no clue how to tackle the challenges facing this country. They have failed, and perhaps that is why the president himself decided to send his representatives to campaign for him, because he has nothing to show to justify his re-election bid next year. That is also why his PR bots are struggling to explain his failures. This is why some Villa big boys from the North are selling him through the lens of religion and tall tales. Some of them call him “Malam, Al-Sheikh, Muhammad Bola Tinubu,” while others say he is from Kano and that even the name Tinubu is a corruption of Tanimu. It is only your favourite Sheikh who is brazen enough to tell us that the North is well secured, that all those incidents of kidnapping and banditry are mere tales and not what is actually happening. That people can travel freely in all corners of the region at night.

What if Tinubu wins? It means Nigerians must prepare for four more years of explaining to their children why they cannot afford school fees, why the lights are still off, why they must check the road before travelling, why they must take a loan to learn in their own country, and why those who stole yesterday are leading today.

After three and a half years, why do they need more time, given they’ve been the most disastrous government since amalgamation?

Sir, even a bachelor’s degree—which has technically become harder to get than winning a presidential election for some lucky individuals—only gives you a 2-year probation period to meet the required CGPA, and failure to do so will result in you being asked to leave. So why do you need more time?

Unfortunately, despite all these nerve-wracking issues, Tinubu may still win his next election, not because he deserves it, but because the opposition is too sentimental and self-centred to drop their ego for the common man.

May Nigeria prosper

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for recovering assets worth more than N1.23 trillion and securing 10,872 convictions between October 2023 and July 2026.

Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the eighth EFCC and National Judicial Institute (NJI) workshop for judges and justices.

The three-day workshop, which ends on Thursday, October 15, is themed “Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes in a Digital Age”.

The president said the commission had made significant progress in tackling financial crimes, recovering illicit assets and improving Nigeria’s standing in the international financial system.

He also praised the EFCC’s efforts to combat cryptocurrency fraud and recover virtual assets.

“The EFCC’s recent momentum in tackling cryptocurrency fraud and its commendable strides in recovering virtual assets is highly reassuring,” he said.

Tinubu cited the prosecution and subsequent deportation of 192 foreign nationals arrested over alleged cyberterrorism and cryptocurrency fraud as evidence of efforts to address technology-driven crimes.

According to figures released by the EFCC, the commission received 49,673 petitions and investigated 39,615 cases between October 1, 2023, and July 31, 2026.

The investigations led to 14,476 court filings and 10,872 convictions, representing a conviction-to-filing ratio of 75.1 per cent.

The commission also reported recovering N1.233 trillion, $684.48 million, £373,905.78 and €9.34 million during the period.

Tinubu said the growing sophistication of financial crimes, particularly those involving blockchain technology and artificial intelligence, made continuous training essential for investigators, prosecutors and judicial officers.

He pledged the government’s continued support for judicial capacity development and described an independent, reform-oriented judiciary as crucial to the fight against corruption.

The president urged the EFCC and the judiciary to strengthen prosecutorial discipline and address procedural gaps that could delay trials or allow defendants to frustrate proceedings.

He warned that major corruption cases lost on procedural technicalities could weaken public confidence in the justice system.

Tinubu added that the fight against corruption required cooperation among all arms of government, rather than being treated as the sole responsibility of the executive.

He also said asset recoveries had supported social intervention programmes, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP).

EFCC Seeks Faster Trials, Stronger Investigations

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said the commission had introduced operational reforms to improve asset recovery and increase convictions.

He said the agency was expanding intelligence-led investigations, strengthening forensic capabilities and improving domestic and international cooperation while building its capacity to investigate emerging financial technologies.

“We do not seek simply to investigate more people; we seek to investigate more intelligently,” Olukoyede said.

“We do not seek merely to prosecute more cases; we seek to prosecute cases that are properly investigated and capable of meeting the required standard of proof.”

Olukoyede said the commission also wanted to ensure that asset recoveries were lawful, transparent and sustainable.

He identified institutional bottlenecks, procedural delays, frivolous adjournments and frequent changes of legal counsel as obstacles to the prosecution of complex financial crime cases.

He warned that prolonged trials could weaken evidence, affect witnesses and undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

The EFCC chairman urged judges to handle corruption cases with integrity, judicial courage and respect for the rule of law.

He stressed that the commission was not asking judges to compromise due process or manufacture evidence to secure convictions, but to ensure that cases were decided rigorously and without unnecessary delays.

He added that effective prosecution required investigators to understand evidentiary standards, prosecutors to anticipate legal challenges, forensic specialists to present digital evidence clearly and judges to understand emerging forms of financial crime.

CJN Insists On Fair Hearing In Financial Crime Cases

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, called on the judiciary to strengthen its capacity to handle emerging financial crimes without compromising fair hearing, due process or judicial independence.

She said cryptocurrency transactions, encrypted communications, electronic records and cross-border financial activities had introduced new complexities into criminal proceedings.

Kekere-Ekun said judges needed to understand how digital evidence was collected, preserved, authenticated and assessed in court.

She emphasised that the seriousness of an allegation must not determine the outcome of a trial, noting that prosecutors must establish their cases through credible and legally admissible evidence.

The CJN also urged judges to apply the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, effectively by preventing unnecessary delays while protecting the rights of all parties.

She said continued judicial education had improved judges’ ability to handle financial crime cases.

Kekere-Ekun cited Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list on October 24, 2025, as an important milestone that required sustained commitment from relevant institutions.

She urged the judiciary to maintain high professional standards in cases involving corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes.

By Haruna Sheena

We have often compared the ease of living with the national minimum wage and how much easier it is for other nations to adapt to global economic disruption because of what they earn.

Recently, the demand for a ₦300,000 minimum wage has once again brought the issue of workers’ salaries and the rising cost of living in Nigeria into the spotlight, when the Federal Workers Forum called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to review the current ₦70,000, saying it is no longer enough to meet the basic needs of workers.

Interestingly, beyond the ₦300,000 minimum wage, the forum also proposed a new salary structure that would set the highest-paid Level 17 federal officer at ₦1.5 million per month, arguing that the current salary structure does not reflect the economic situation many Nigerians face.

This demand is understandable when we look at the cost of living in the country today, especially with the more recent event where petrol inches close to ₦1,500, resulting in the price of food, transportation, accommodation, electricity, cooking gas and other basic needs making it difficult for many workers to survive on the present income scale.

This portends that a salary that seemed very reasonable barely three years ago can no longer provide the same standard of living its negotiators envisaged when they put ink to paper.

Many families now have to make difficult choices every month. Some workers may be forced to reduce the amount of food they buy, delay medical treatment, move to cheaper accommodation or depend on loans to meet their daily needs.

Parents also struggle with school fees, uniforms, books, and transportation costs for their wards’ education. These pressures show that the issue is not only about earning more money, but also about living with some level of dignity.

In 2024, the national minimum wage was increased from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 after negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour. When they agreed on that amount, they added a caveat: the deal would be reviewed every three years instead of five. This means that the next formal review is due only in 2027.

However, this raises another question. If the current wage is not supposed to be formally reviewed until 2027, why are workers already asking for an increase to ₦300,000?

I don’t think the workers are necessarily saying the government should ignore the three-year agreement. Rather, their demand can be seen as a plea for the government to consider the current economic situation before the next scheduled review.

The cost of living doesn’t wait for a particular year to change, and workers may feel their salaries are already falling behind the prices of basic necessities. So the question is whether raising the minimum wage to ₦300,000 is the best solution.

There is no doubt that a higher salary would give workers more room to support themselves and their families. It could make it easier to pay rent, transport costs, school fees, food expenses and other bills. It could also improve workers’ morale because people constantly worried about meeting their basic needs may struggle to concentrate fully on their jobs.

When workers are paid fairly, they may feel more valued and motivated to do their jobs. Better salaries can reduce the pressure that pushes some people to look for extra jobs or depend on borrowing.

In the public sector, more specifically, improved wages could also help reduce the temptation for corruption, although salary increases alone cannot completely solve that problem.

One must also bear in mind that increasing salaries alone may not solve Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis. If the prices of food, transportation, housing and other necessities continue to rise, workers may eventually find themselves in the same situation again, even after receiving higher salaries.

To put things in perspective, if a worker’s salary increases but transport fares and food prices also rise as businesses try to cover higher costs, the worker may not feel much difference in the long run.

Landlords may also increase rent when they believe tenants are earning more. This is why the government needs to look beyond salaries and address some of the reasons basic goods and services are so expensive.

Importantly, the government also needs to consider whether it can comfortably afford such a large increase. Moving from ₦70,000 to ₦300,000 is a major increase, and implementing it across the public sector would have significant financial implications for both the public and private sectors.

For Nigeria as a nation, it will definitely need to balance workers’ welfare with its ability to fund other important areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security.

At the same time, the government should not use the same argument to ignore the difficulties workers face, because they deserve serious attention, as salaries should allow people to live reasonably and meet their basic responsibilities.

If the government cannot immediately approve the full demand, it should still engage with labour and consider other forms of support.

The discussion should not be limited to federal workers. Millions of Nigerians work in the private sector, small businesses and informal jobs, where many people earn even less than the official minimum wage. Any serious discussion about improving Nigerians’ standard of living should therefore consider workers across different sectors.

We also need to focus on reducing the cost of basic goods and services. If the government can improve transportation, electricity, local food production and other areas that directly affect household expenses, workers may be able to get more value from their salaries. Supporting farmers, improving roads and reducing the cost of moving goods could also help bring down food prices.

The ₦300,000 demand should therefore be seen as more than just a request for more money. It is also a reflection of the frustration many workers feel about their purchasing power.

The earlier three-year review agreement matters, but the current situation also shows why the government needs to watch for economic changes before the next official review date. If workers are already struggling in 2026, telling them to wait until 2027 may not address the problem they face now.

For me, the solution shouldn’t be to simply increase salaries and leave everything else unchanged. Nigeria needs a combination of higher wages and policies that ease pressure on people’s incomes. A salary increase can provide relief, but controlling the rising cost of basic necessities is what will make that relief meaningful in the long term.

The demand for a ₦300,000 minimum wage has opened an important conversation. The question is no longer just how much Nigerian workers earn, but how much that money can actually provide for them.

Until Nigerians can earn a reasonable income and afford basic necessities, the conversation about the country’s cost-of-living crisis will continue.

Sheena Haruna is a 300-level Mass Communication student at Bingham University. She can be reached at: sheena123haruna@gmail.com.

By Isyaka Laminu Badamasi

During the build-up to the 2019 general elections, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign slogan was “Next Level”—a misleading slogan intended to make people believe that the 2015–2019 administration had anything to write home about.

 Public affairs commentators throughout most of the campaign period cautioned Nigerians not to accept this slogan and to vote the system out. Those who survived Buhari’s second coming have many stories to tell the next generation.

This administration’s re-election campaign slogan, “Renewed Hope,” relies on similar gimmicks. What kind of hope is the Tinubu administration renewing? Is it the hope of addressing lingering insecurity, such as banditry and kidnapping, or the hope of reversing poor economic policies and programmes that have plunged the common man into avoidable hardship?

This administration, deceitfully designed, introduced several palliative programs to cushion the negative effects of subsidy removal, such as promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles, as well as establishing social safety nets. Tinubu administration halted the N-Power scheme, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, and other social security initiatives without offering any convincing reasons.

The Tinubu administration also established a dedicated agency, the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), as a financial institution designed to expand financial inclusion and drive economic growth across Nigeria and appointed the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, as its chairman, backed by a 100 billion Naira budget allocation. 

Three years into this administration, the agency has not yet secured an office building; it is squatting within the Bank of Industries building, and no official records of beneficiaries are available for verification. 

The same administration is currently prosecuting an individual who, according to reports, established a fake agency, received funding, and spent huge amounts of money. This is Nigeria for you.

Dear Nigerians, vote wisely to avoid experiencing a situation similar to, or worse than, Buhari’s second term.

Isyaka Laminu Badamasi writes from no 555 Ajiya Adamu Road, Bauchi, Bauchi State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has declared his support for the re-election bids of President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Musa made his position known on Friday during a meeting with local government coordinators of GCG Musawah 4 PBAT 2027, a political mobilisation group in Kaduna State.

The meeting brought the minister together with mobilisers from the state’s 23 local government areas as well as representatives of more than 300 affiliated interest groups.

According to a statement by the group’s Secretary, James Swam, Musa urged members to sustain their mobilisation efforts in support of Tinubu and Sani.

He also called for greater commitment to the development of the country, stressing that Nigerians could achieve more through unity and collective effort.

“I will continue to work hard for Nigeria to succeed,” Musa said.

“We should remain determined to build this country because together we are stronger as a nation.”

The defence minister also spoke about the importance of religious tolerance, national unity and peaceful coexistence, citing his childhood experience in Sokoto State.

“I grew up in Sokoto; there is no way I can object to any religion,” he said.

Musa recalled celebrating Sallah with Muslim friends and neighbours during his childhood.

“I remember that during Sallah, as children, we were the ones who would hold the ram to be slaughtered,” he said.

He further argued that Nigeria possesses sufficient human and material resources to achieve significant development if citizens remain united and dedicated to the country’s progress.

“God put us in Nigeria to build this country, and we have the capacity to do it, both in human and material resources,” Musa stated.

The minister urged Nigerians to regard the task of developing the country as a shared responsibility, regardless of their religious or other differences.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has cautioned against the proposed creation of state police, saying it should not be seen as a quick solution to the country’s security challenges.

In a press statement issued on July 30, 2026, the Council acknowledged Nigeria’s worsening security situation but argued that the problems facing the nation’s security architecture are rooted in inadequate funding, corruption, poor welfare for personnel, weak intelligence, obsolete equipment and ineffective coordination.

The Council called for comprehensive reforms of existing security institutions rather than an immediate transfer of policing powers to state governments. It also expressed concern over what it described as the apparent haste in pursuing constitutional amendments on the matter, urging broader public consultations and national consensus before any decision is taken.

SCSN further warned that without strong constitutional safeguards, independent oversight, transparent recruitment and accountability mechanisms, state police could become instruments of political intimidation and abuse of power.

The Council appealed to the President, the National Assembly, state governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the concerns of Nigerians are adequately addressed before proceeding with the proposed reform. The statement was signed by the Secretary General of the Council, Malam Nafi’u Baba Ahmad, mni.

By Anas Abbas

The Federal Government has withdrawn its recent increase in registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council’s (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), following widespread criticism from Nigerians.

The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, announced the suspension in a statement on Monday, confirming that the letter dated June 18, 2026, which had communicated the new fees, has been withdrawn pending further review.

According to the ministry, the initial proposal was driven by rising operational costs, covering logistics, security, printing, technology deployment and quality assurance, needed to maintain credible national examinations, noting that registration fees had stayed largely the same for years despite these growing expenses. 

However, Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa has now directed that the plan be put on hold in the interest of a more inclusive and transparent policy process.

The ministry said it would consult more broadly with examination bodies, state education ministries, school administrators, parents’ groups, labour representatives and other stakeholders before any new fee structure is considered. 

It added that the review would not proceed until this consultation process concludes, and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students’ welfare and equitable access to education.

The fee increase had drawn sharp criticism from prominent Nigerians, including African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had described the hike as insensitive to the realities facing Nigerian families.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad 

President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election is both a political and strategic calculation. Rather than introducing uncertainty into an already established political partnership, the President has chosen continuity, a decision that reflects the realities of Nigeria’s electoral politics, geopolitical balancing, and coalition-building.

Politics, particularly presidential politics in Nigeria, is rarely driven by sentiment. It is fundamentally about numbers, alliances, regional interests, and electoral strategy. Every major decision is weighed against one overriding objective: securing the broadest possible coalition needed to win an election. Viewed from that perspective, retaining Shettima was arguably the most pragmatic option available to the President.

One of the most immediate advantages of the decision is that it effectively closes the chapter on the controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, the APC’s decision to field two Muslim candidates generated widespread debate, especially among many Christians who expressed concerns about religious inclusion and national balance.

However, after more than three years in office, that issue has largely lost its political intensity. While differing opinions remain, the fears that dominated public discourse during the 2023 campaign have, to a considerable extent, subsided. By retaining Shettima, President Tinubu has denied political opponents the opportunity to revive an issue whose electoral potency has significantly diminished.

Beyond the religious debate lies an even more delicate consideration: Nigeria’s geopolitical balance. Had President Tinubu replaced Shettima with another politician from the North-East, the North-West, the country’s largest voting bloc, could have interpreted the move as another instance in which its political aspirations were overlooked, potentially reigniting debates about equity and representation.

Conversely, choosing a replacement from the North-West would almost certainly have generated discontent in the North-East. Having produced the incumbent Vice President, the region would naturally expect to retain the position. Removing Shettima without any compelling political or governance justification could have alienated key stakeholders and weakened support in a region that remains strategically important to the APC.

Some time ago, a number of individuals campaigned for the selection of a northern Christian as the Vice President, arguing that a Muslim-Christian ticket would be more politically acceptable. While the proposal appealed to those seeking religious balancing, it overlooked the practical realities of Nigerian presidential elections.

For a southern Muslim presidential candidate seeking the presidency, pairing with a northern Christian is not necessarily the most pragmatic electoral formula if the objective is to maximise support across Northern Nigeria. Presidential elections are rarely won on symbolism alone. They are won through careful coalition-building, political structures, regional alliances, and voting strength. In Nigeria, electoral success is driven as much by geopolitical realities and numbers as it is by perception.

President Tinubu has built his political career on strategic calculation rather than emotional decision-making. Over several decades, he has demonstrated an ability to assemble winning political coalitions by focusing on electoral arithmetic, regional dynamics, and long-term political stability. His decision to retain Shettima is consistent with that political philosophy.

There is also the question of continuity. Since assuming office in 2023, Tinubu and Shettima have worked together to lead the administration, build relationships across government, and strengthen the APC’s political structures nationwide. Replacing a sitting Vice President without a compelling reason could have created unnecessary speculation about internal divisions and handed the opposition a fresh political narrative.

By retaining Shettima, President Tinubu has instead projected stability, confidence, and consistency. The decision preserves an established partnership, reassures party supporters, and allows the APC to approach the 2027 election with a united front.

Ultimately, successful presidential campaigns are built not on emotion but on careful political judgment. Difficult decisions are inevitable, but experienced politicians choose the option that minimises political risk while maximising electoral advantage.

Judged against Nigeria’s electoral realities, geopolitical sensitivities, and the imperative of preserving a broad national coalition, President Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima was not only the least controversial choice,it was the most politically strategic.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.