2027: ‘A Referendum On President Tinubu’s Leadership’ – Atiku Says

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June 3, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate at the 2023 Election has stated that the 2027 General Election will serve as a referendum on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He emphasised that the outcome will reflect Nigerians’ verdict on his governance.

The former Vice President made this known through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, in response to allegations from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, accusing Atiku of attempting to reposition the opposition for personal gain and to regain access to public resources.

Debunking the claims, Ibe insisted that Atiku’s political efforts are rooted in the collective aspirations of Nigerians for a better life.

He said in the statement: “It’s evident that this government was never prepared for governance, all they care about is politics.

“They’ve gone to extreme lengths to stifle progress, and their actions undermine the very foundation of democracy.”

He cited the inefficiency in the current administration, and criticized what he described as exaggerated celebrations over minimal accomplishments—such as the completion of just 30 kilometres out of a proposed 700-kilometre road project in two years.

“They held a grand celebration for achieving just 4% of the project. It’s absurd. The funds wasted on that fanfare could have been used to build additional kilometres of the road,” he added.

Ibe also raised concerns over the worsening socio-economic conditions under Tinubu’s leadership, noting that Nigeria now leads Africa in child malnutrition and remains the global poverty capital.

He further defended Atiku’s integrity, pointing to his long-standing business record and personal contributions to his political campaigns.

“Where were these critics when Atiku was already a successful businessman before Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999? He has created jobs, built businesses, and financed his campaigns from his own resources—not from public funds,” Ibe stated.

He urged the APC to shift its focus from political distractions to effective governance, warning that the 2027 election will be a direct contest between Tinubu and the Nigerian people.

Plateau Pilgrim Dies In Saudi Arabia

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Ayodele Oni

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June 3, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria has recorded second death during the ongoing pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia as a female pilgrim from Plateau State, Hajiya Jamila Muhammad, died.

Jamila’s death was confirmed on Monday night by the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Daiyabu Dauda, who also serves as the Amirul Hajj for the state’s delegation.

According to Dauda, the late pilgrim passed away at the King Abdul’aziz Hospital in Makkah due to complications related to diabetes, as confirmed by attending medical personnel.

He explained that upon receiving reports of her deteriorating condition, he immediately directed the medical team to attend to her at the hospital, following instructions from Governor Caleb Mutfwang to prioritize the health and well-being of all Plateau pilgrims.

Her funeral prayer was held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and was attended by officials of the pilgrimage board and her relatives. She was laid to rest according to Islamic rites.

“With a heavy heart and in full submission to the will of Allah, we announce the passing of one of our female pilgrims, Hajiya Jamila Muhammad, on Monday, June 2, 2025, in Makkah.

Her death was attributed to complications arising from diabetes,” the statement read.

Dauda also referenced a verse from the Holy Quran, saying: “And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him, his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah (Quran 4:100).”

He extended his deepest sympathies to the government and people of Plateau State, as well as the family and friends of the deceased, praying that Allah forgives her shortcomings and grants her Aljannatul Firdaws.

One pilrimage from Edo had earlier been confirmed dead in the Holy Land.

Unity Bank, AfriGo Partner To Deepen Access To Electronic Payments

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 3, 2025

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Unity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing electronic payment adoption and financial inclusion by partnering with domestic card scheme provider, AfriGo, to boost card usage across its retail customer segments.

This pledge was made during a high-level strategic business engagement held at Unity Bank’s head office in Lagos on Friday, with AfriGo’s Executive Management team.

Speaking during the session, Unity Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, stated: “We are committed to making the AfriGo Card a primary delivery channel for Unity Bank. As a national domestic card scheme, it deserves to be promoted both internally and externally as a local solution with significant potential to redefine Nigeria’s card payment landscape.” Kolawole also pledged the Bank’s continued support for the adoption of AfriGo cards across its network, while urging AfriGo to intensify awareness campaigns to drive greater market acceptability.

In her remarks, the Managing Director of AfriGo, Ebehijie Momoh, commended Unity Bank for the support it has given the scheme, stating that the Bank ranks among the top five adopters of the AfriGo card and highlighted its growing impact in expanding financial inclusion and improving access to electronic payments.

She noted that AfriGo has continued to innovate with technologies that support instant payments and offline capabilities, ensuring broader access to e-payment systems across underserved markets. She added that partnerships with solutions like Tap & Go have helped boost contactless payment adoption, improving convenience for cardholders who commute for work, business, or leisure.

Momoh expressed optimism about the potential of Unity Bank’s extensive retail network to drive deeper collaboration aimed at enhancing e-banking penetration nationwide.

This collaboration underscores Unity Bank’s enduring culture of digital innovation and its commitment to financial inclusion through homegrown technology. Over the years, the Bank has introduced several digital solutions that demonstrate this commitment.

2025 Hajj: Illegal Pilgrims Risk 10-year Ban

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James Orji

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June 3, 2025

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Pilgrims from Nigeria performing this year’s Muslim pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia risk 10-year ban, deportation and 100,000 riyals fine.

This was made known by the Charge d’Affaires, Nigerian Embassy, Riyadh, Dr Modibbo Umar, who warns participating pilgrims to be law-abiding and “follow the rule and regulations” of the oil rich Arabian Kingdom.

According to him, the Saudi authorities have warned pilgrims that illegality will not be tolerated, saying the fine against illegal pilgrimage has been raised this year to serve as a warning to those who may want to do otherwise.

The fine has raised to 100,000 riyals from 50,000 in the previous year.

Gwadabe said, “We have very strong advice for our pilgrims. We need to be law-abiding and follow the rules and regulations of our hosts for the duration of our pilgrimage here.

“We should also let our people around here know that the Saudi authorities this year have sent very strong signals that Hajj without permit will not be condoned.

“They have raised the stake. Last year the fine for illegally performing Hajj without a permit was 50,000 riyals, but this time around, their message is 100,000 riyals, including deportation and being banned from the Kingdom for 10 years.

”So, please, I urge you to tell our people all this,” he said.

Over two million pilgrims are attending this year’s hajj in the Holy Land of Mecca, the Saudi authorities said.

CBN Recapitalization Puts 3m Jobs At Risk, As Over 1,500 BDC Set To Shut Down

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James Orji

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June 3, 2025

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Following their failure to meet the deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, close to 1,500 Bureau de Change operators across the country are set to close shop, Leadership Newspapers reports.

According to the President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, ABCON, Aminu Gwadabe, only few BDCs operators met the deadline set by the apex bank, which ended on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Gwadabe said the one year window set by the CBN for the operators to meet the deadline was too short, noting that the consequence of the BDC shutting down operation because they failed to meet the recapitalization deadline is enormous including job losses to the economy as more than three million Nigerians directly or indirectly are se to lose their livelihoods.

The magazine reported that the Yemi cardoso-led CBN had last year directed tier one BDC and tier two BDC firms to recapitalize to the tune of N2 billion and N500 million, respectively.

Only five percent of the BDC have met the deadline which expired today, according to the ABCON President, who warned that many operators may be forced to operate outside the regulatory oversight of the apex bank in other to remain in business.

He said the CBN should have been more concerned by ensuring that the operators report their operations to the regulators rather than forcing them to embark on recapitalization exercise.

Gwadabe: “Not more than five per cent have met the financial requirements and leaving over 95 per cent struggling with extinction. With the current slow pace of compliance, it is only an extension for the eligible BDC’s that will enable them to participate in the new reforms or face revocation.

“The 2024 CBN new guidelines on recapitalisation of BDCs in Nigeria is one of the reforms that intends to upgrade capacity, corporate governance, and efficient reporting while aligning with AML/CFT standards. It is indeed a journey, not a destination.”

“The elephant in the room is job losses. Millions of Nigerians will lose their means of livelihood directly or indirectly within the sub-sector,” he said.

“It is our concern that unable BDCs might be pushed to operate outside the regulated space, where players enjoy lesser regulatory burdens. This threatens both transparency and national security.”

The CBN had in May 2024 directed the BDC to obtain new licenses within six months, to be able to continue to operate in the country. But later in November, the apex bank extended the deadline by six months which ist set to expire today.

Some Ministers, Security Chiefs Irrelevant, Should Be Sacked By Tinubu, Senator Kalu

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Ayodele Oni

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June 3, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The Senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to carry out a realignment of his Government by sacking some ministers and Security Chiefs.

Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State, maintained that this becomes necessary because some of the appointees are no longer efficient and lack impact on Nigeria’s development.

The Senator made the call in an interview with Channels Television on Monday.

Kalu, who stated that he had assessed Tinubu’s cabinet, urged the President to make “bold decisions” in order to realign his administration with the expectations of Nigerians.

“Some people working with President Tinubu should be relieved of their duties. Some of them should go – both from the security sector and among the ministers.

“President Tinubu must be courageous enough to sack some of these ministers. If he takes my advice – most of these ministers, I’ve appraised them and talked to him privately – most of them should go, and that is the truth.”

The lawmaker stated that some security chiefs should also be relieved of their duties over the level of insecurity in the country.

“If he takes my advice, some of the security chiefs will also go. There is no sentiment about redeeming Nigeria if we really want to relieve Nigeria.”

Gov Oyebanji Accuses BORBDA Of Sidelining Ekiti In Development

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Ayodele Oni

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June 3, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has lamented that despite being one of the catchment areas, the state has not benefitted from programmes and activities of the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, (BORBDA).

Governor Oyebanji expressed dissatisfaction with BORBDA over its handling of development initiatives in the state, stressing that the state has made numerous attempts to collaborate with it on some projects.

The Governor, who stated this during a meeting with the new management of the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority led by the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Olufemi Adekanmbi in Ado Ekiti, emphasized that the agency has not been fair to the state in its development drive.

Expressing his displeasure over what he described as lack of meaningful contribution from the authority to Ekiti development, the Governor emphasized that this has forced his administration to exclude the agency from its strategic development plan, stressing the need for a more effective and accountable approach in moving forward.

Oyebanji, who emphasized the importance of synergy between government agencies and stakeholders in driving sustainable development, urged the new leadership to ensure that their renewed commitment translates to meaningful actions and development in the state.

He also assured that his administration would collaborate with the authority provided there is a visible shift in its operations and engagement.

“I need to refresh our memories about our experience with Benin-Owena, they have not been fair to us, we have gained nothing from them.

“We have crafted our development strategy without you in our plan because every attempt to collaborate with you has been frustrated. We are investing massively in agriculture in the state and Benin-Owena has no contribution to it.

“However, I have read your speech, it shows that you want to do things differently but we have listened to beautiful speeches that didn’t translate to action, so for those project that are already in the budget concerning Ekiti State, whatever we can do to ensure that we fast track development, I am ready to do that.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director of the BORBDA , Dr Adekanmbi, who commended the Governor for the remarkable progress in the state particularly in agriculture sector, said the purpose of the meeting was to introduce the new leadership to the Governor, assess ongoing collaboration with the state government, as well as forge a strengthened pathway toward achieving the goal of the renewed hope agenda of President Boa Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the area of food security.

Unveiling the agency’s comprehensive development blue print aimed at boosting agriculture, infrastructure, and youth empowerment in the state, the BORBDA CEO assured the Governor of a new dawn in the agency, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was strategic with the appointment of right people into the board of the agency.

He listed various ongoin and proposed BORDA interventions across the state to include, flood contro projects in Ilupeju, Efon-Alaye, Ado-Ureje Road, Ikere-Ado/Osun Road as well as management of key dams in Apariko-Aisegba, Oye-Ayede, and Ado-Osin, among others.

Niger Flood: Obi Visits Scene Condoles Victims

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The Source

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June 3, 2025

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The 2023 Labour Party Presidential flagbearer Peter Obi on Monday paid a sympathy visit to Niger state over the tragic flood that claimed hundreds of lives.

Obi who was accompanied on the visit by the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Dr Nenadi Usman, and the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, visited the scene of the incident and consoled the affected families.

He also visited the Niger State Government House where he was received by the Deputy Governor of the state Alhaji Yakubu Garba.

Writing on X handle after the visit, Obi said, “Today, along with Senator Nenadi Usman and Dr Yunusa Tanko, I travelled to Niger State to condole and show solidarity with the Governor and the good people of the state over the devastating floods in the Mokwa area of Niger State.

“While in the UK yesterday, I had earlier called the governor, His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, to express my heartfelt condolences.

“While in Niger State, I was warmly received by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Yakubu Garba, and we had a discussion about the urgent needs of the affected communities, where over 200 lives have been lost, about 1,000 persons are still missing, more than 3,000 people have been displaced from their homes, and several homes destroyed.

“As I mentioned during the visit, this incident and others happening all over Nigeria affect us all, and as a family, we must come together to care, comfort and stand together, especially in times of grief and difficulty.

“I hereby urge and appeal to the Federal Government, all support agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to assist the good people of Niger State in ameliorating their suffering.

“I also wish to commend the efforts of the Governor and the local response teams for their courage and resilience in the face of this overwhelming challenge.

“As part of my commitment to stand with the people of Niger State during this difficult time, I made an initial donation of ₦20 million to support the effort of the government and I will continue to support their effort.

“I pray that God comforts the families of those who have lost their loved ones, protects those still missing, and grants healing and strength to everyone affected by this disaster. May Niger State find peace and restoration.

Obienyem Reacts to Soludo’s Revelation, Clarifies Obi’s Record on Cleaning Expenses

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The Source

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June 3, 2025

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Mr. Valentine Obienyem, Media Adviser to Mr. Peter Obi, has acknowledged Governor Charles Soludo’s recent efforts to address the inflated ₦137 million monthly cleaning bill in Anambra State. He described the move as a welcome initiative in the ongoing effort to promote better management of public resources.

Obienyem noted that the step taken by Governor Soludo reflects the principles Mr. Obi upheld during his tenure from 2006 to 2014, particularly his focus on reducing the cost of governance and prioritising service delivery over government comfort. He pointed out that Mr. Obi consistently applied modesty and accountability in the management of public funds.

He explained that under Mr. Obi, the cleaning and gardening of the Government House were mostly handled by government-employed staff. In rare cases where extra hands were needed, the expenses were minimal and never approached the levels recently reported.

Obienyem further suggested that when such disclosures are made, it would be helpful to specify the time periods involved to avoid generalisations. He emphasised that Mr. Obi’s administration maintained a clear record of prudence, transparency, and responsible governance.

“We Are Delivering Solid Structural And Enduring Infrastructure” – Uzodimma

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The Source

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June 3, 2025

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Amid encomia from Imo people over the construction of flyovers, bridges and roads across the State, courtesy of the intentional leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Governor has said that his government is not just building bridges and flyovers, but committed to the delivery of sound structural and enduring infrastructure to the people.

Governor Uzodimma was recently crowned Infrastructure Governor of the Year 2024 by Vanguard Newspapers.

Commenting on two critical projects in the State awaiting commissioning shortly – the Assumpta Cathedral Flyover and the Chukwuma Nwoha Road connecting Orji Flyover to MCC Junction – Governor Uzodimma insists that both projects are nothing but “engineering masterpiece,” and a “symbol of excellence that will redefine urban mobility in Owerri.”

Governor Uzodimma maintains that all the projects conceived by his administration will stand the test of time even as he thanked the contractors for retaining the specifications for the projects.

This is how Governor Uzodimma described the Assumpta Cathedral Flyover on his social media handle.

“The Assumpta Flyover is an engineering masterpiece, conceived with precision to address the longstanding traffic congestion at the Control Post.

“Every aspect of its design — from the piers to the abutments, the decking to the reinforcements — reflects our commitment to quality, standard, and durability.

“We are not just building a bridge; we are delivering a structurally sound and enduring infrastructure that will stand the test of time.

“With the progress recorded so far, it is clear that the contractors are working diligently, in strict compliance with the contractual terms.

“I want to assure Ndi Imo that what we are delivering is more than a flyover — it is a symbol of excellence, a flawlessly engineered solution that will redefine urban mobility in Owerri.”

Governor Uzodimma is also impressed with the quality of engineering deployed on the Chukwuma Nwoha Road by the contractor, saying he looks back with pride at the progress his administration has made in infrastructure.

His words: “The journey to transform Imo State’s road infrastructure has been both challenging and rewarding. Over the years, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to redefining urban mobility, one project at a time.

“Today, I look back with pride at the progress we’ve made, most recently marked by the successful completion of the Chukwuma Nwoha Road.

“Stretching from the Orji Flyover to MCC Junction, this newly built dual carriageway features a modern drainage system and solar-powered street lighting – an engineering feat that not only beautifies but also enhances safety and functionality.

“The road has already begun to stimulate economic activity along the corridor, easing the long-standing difficulties faced by commuters and businesses alike.

“This milestone affirms our resolve and we will continue to deliver transformative road networks that shape a prosperous future for Imo State.”

Commendations and prayers have started pouring in from residents affected by the two projects in question with one Mrs. Chiamaka Nwosu describing Governor Uzodimma’s administration as, “God sent.”

Also, Mr. Phillip Njoku who runs a transport business along the Assumpta Cathedral Flyover said that “Governor Uzodimma has surprised everyone.”

Both Mrs. Nwosu and Mr. Njoku were full of prayers to God to grant the Governor the strength to continue with his people oriented services to Imo State.