Kashim

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has called on state governors to increase investments in poverty eradication, rural electrification, agriculture, and infrastructure to improve the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking at the 150th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday, Tinubu emphasized the need for collaboration between federal and state governments to stimulate growth in rural areas.

“We must change the story of our people in the rural areas. The economy is recovering, but we need to do more to benefit the grassroots,” he said.

The NEC endorsed the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), a new initiative targeting Nigeria’s 8,809 wards to boost economic growth.

The plan, presented by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, aims to achieve double-digit growth by supporting agriculture, food security, and local economic activities.

Tinubu also directed the transfer of the Office of the Surveyor-General to the presidency to fast-track major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry highways.

Additionally, the council called for stronger state emergency agencies and the release of funds to tackle impending flood risks.

The RHWDP will be overseen by a National Steering Committee, with implementation handled by federal, state, and local governments.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will only announce his running mate for the 2027 presidential election after officially accepting the party’s nomination during the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention in 2026.

This clarification was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust on Thursday.

Amid growing speculations over the absence of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s name in recent endorsements for Tinubu, Onanuga dismissed any insinuations of a planned replacement, describing the situation as “a non-issue.”

“In a presidential system, the candidate comes first, and then a running mate is picked. That’s what happened under Buhari—he was nominated first before selecting a running mate. The same process will apply here,” he said.

Onanuga stressed that a decision will only be made after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases its timetable, prompting the party to hold its convention.

He also rejected the idea that Tinubu’s history of changing deputies during his tenure as Lagos State governor hints at plans to drop Shettima.

“Those were different political circumstances. In his first term, he and his deputy, Kofo, had issues and she had to leave. Femi Pedro replaced her, but later defected in the second term to pursue a governorship ambition. It’s wrong to frame this as a pattern of discarding deputies,” he explained.

Addressing the speculation of a strained relationship between Tinubu and Shettima, Onanuga dismissed such claims as baseless rumors.“From what I know, they have an excellent working relationship. The idea that there’s friction is just beer parlour gossip. Some even claim Seyi Tinubu is the vice president—it’s all nonsense,” he said.

When asked if the APC would repeat the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, Onanuga said the issue has lost relevance.

“There’s no Islamisation agenda. Christians are living freely, and the president even attended the Pope’s inauguration in Rome. Many of the speculated running mates are also Muslims—it’s not a matter of concern anymore,” he said.

Responding to criticisms over early endorsements before the official campaign season, Onanuga said it was a necessary reaction to opposition attacks.

“If the so-called coalition hadn’t started attacking the administration, we would’ve waited until next year. But we had to respond and show readiness. You can’t expect the president to stay silent while others plot openly,” he said.

He noted that the endorsements reflect public confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, even if the campaign has not yet formally begun.

By Uzair Adam

The Presidency has refuted claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima was recently denied access to the Presidential Villa, describing the report as completely false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice-President), Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, condemned the report as “a deliberate and well-planned orchestration of falsehood.”

Nkwocha noted that the story was far removed from reality and could only gain traction among individuals unfamiliar with the operations of the Nigerian government.

He urged the public to disregard the misleading publication and called on the media to rely on credible sources while treating sensational claims with caution.

He decried what he described as a growing pattern of misinformation targeted at the Vice President and his office, all in an attempt to sow discord within the Presidency.

“The most recent of these fabricated stories claims that the Vice President was refused entry into the Villa by armed military units — a wild tale that reflects a combination of wishful thinking and misinformation,” Nkwocha stated.

He noted that nothing of such nature ever occurred and described the publication by obscure blogs as a desperate move to mislead the public and tarnish the image of both the President and the Vice President.

Nkwocha recalled that the Presidency had earlier this week also debunked another false report related to campaign posters of President Bola Tinubu, noting that such stories aim to cast doubt on the unity and legitimacy of the current administration.

He reaffirmed that Vice President Shettima remains focused on his duties and on supporting President Tinubu to fulfill the aspirations of Nigerians.

“Shettima does not have the luxury of time to entertain distractions born out of fiction and mischief,” he said.

Nkwocha praised Nigerians who continue to support the administration and are committed to combating the spread of fake news, reaffirming that no amount of misinformation can shake the democratic foundation upon which the current government stands.

By Uzair Adam

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should brace for more political attacks from him ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite the mutual respect they share.

Speaking at a symposium in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 60th birthday of former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi, Shettima humorously acknowledged Atiku’s presence and recalled their political rivalry during the 2023 presidential election.

Describing himself as an “adjunct provocateur” who directed “hot shots” at Atiku during the campaign, Shettima noted that Atiku, as an elder statesman, took the criticisms in stride.

He further revealed that he often refers to Atiku as “Baba” in private conversations but emphasized that their political contest would continue in 2027.

His remarks drew laughter from the audience, with Atiku himself smiling in response.

Atiku, who ran against President Bola Tinubu and Shettima in 2023, has recently accused the current administration of undermining democracy and attempting to weaken the opposition.

He alleged that the presidency was offering N50 million to opposition parties to dilute their influence and called for a united coalition to unseat the Tinubu-led government in the next election.

In his speech, Shettima appealed for unity among political leaders, regardless of their affiliations.

“The trajectory of global growth is facing Africa, and Nigeria must make or break that future. Nigeria must work for Africa to work. “I beg all our leaders here, let’s unite for the common good of our people,” he said.