AAC Seeks Tinubu’s Approval to Hold 2027 Campaign Council Inauguration at Presidential Villa

The African Action Congress (AAC) has written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, seeking approval to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, on November 11, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a letter dated October 21, 2026, and signed by the party’s National Secretary, Oshiokhue Philip Ikpeminoghena, the AAC also requested food, drinks and other logistical support for 5,000 participants expected to attend the event from within Nigeria and abroad.

The party said the request was made in the spirit of multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness and equal treatment of political parties.

According to the letter addressed to the President, the AAC argued that granting its request would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness and equal access to public institutions, regardless of political affiliation.

The party cited arrangements it said had reportedly been extended to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a similar political engagement, arguing that its request should receive comparable consideration.

The proposed inauguration is expected to form part of the AAC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party also asked the Presidency to provide information on the procedures and conditions required for approval of the request.

The letter was signed by Ikpeminoghena on behalf of the AAC, which expressed hope that the President would give the request favourable consideration.

Tinubu Hosts City Boy Movement, Praises 4.8 Million Members Ahead of 2027 Election

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hosted leaders and members of the City Boy Movement and other pro-government youth groups at the State House, praising their support for his administration and urging them to mobilise Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election.

Tinubu disclosed this in a statement following the meeting, which brought together the City Boy Movement, the Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria team and other youth support groups from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

The president commended the groups for defending his administration since 2022, saying they had continued to promote his policies in markets, on university campuses, in motor parks and on social media, even when the decisions attracted criticism.

He said the City Boy Movement had built a network of more than 4.8 million verifiable members across states, local governments, wards and polling units. He also highlighted the movement’s contact centre and its City Boy Care initiative, which he said supports members in their communities.

Tinubu expressed particular interest in the launch of #AskCityBoy, a platform designed to help Nigerians understand government policies and activities through everyday conversations. He encouraged Nigerians, including critics of his administration, to visit askcityboy.com and ask questions about the government’s performance.

The president also commended the Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria team for promoting his administration’s message across the country.

Addressing concerns about the impact of his administration’s policies, Tinubu said his government remained responsible for ensuring that ongoing reforms translated into better opportunities and improved security for Nigerians.

He cited initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme as part of efforts to expand access to education financing, consumer credit and digital skills.

With the 2027 general election approaching, Tinubu urged his supporters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), encourage others to register and participate in peaceful and lawful political mobilisation.

He asked the groups to present his administration’s record to Nigerians and make their case with conviction as the country prepares for another election cycle.

Tinubu also praised his son, Seyi Tinubu, whom he credited with starting the City Boy Movement quietly and without seeking an official title. He encouraged him to continue his involvement in the initiative.

The president concluded by thanking members and supporters for their time and resources, saying their confidence in him had renewed his own hope.

Keyamo Accuses Atiku of Hypocrisy Over Nigeria Airways Liquidation, Pension Arrears

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has accused former Vice-President and ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar of hypocrisy after Atiku criticised the economic hardship and insecurity facing Nigerians.

Atiku, in a message addressed to Nigerians, highlighted the difficulties faced by families struggling with rising living costs, hunger, poor purchasing power and insecurity. He urged registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing them as a means of peacefully demanding change.

“Bola made life expensive. I will work to make life affordable again and restore the security every Nigerian deserves,” Atiku wrote, referring to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

However, Keyamo responded by challenging Atiku’s record in government, particularly over the liquidation of the defunct Nigeria Airways and the unpaid pensions and gratuities of its former workers.

In his reply, Keyamo alleged that the Federal Government under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when Atiku was Vice-President, liquidated Nigeria Airways in September 2004, leaving thousands of workers without jobs and their retirement benefits unpaid.

The aviation minister claimed that many affected workers had died while waiting for their entitlements, adding that President Tinubu had approved and released ₦36 billion to settle outstanding payments to former Nigeria Airways workers and their families.

According to Keyamo, beneficiaries have started receiving payments, while the workers’ union recently recognised Tinubu for the intervention.

Keyamo argued that Atiku should account for the actions of the administration in which he served rather than criticise the current government over hardship and the welfare of Nigerians.

He also accused the former Vice-President of taking credit for some decisions of the Obasanjo administration when convenient while distancing himself from others.

Describing Atiku’s message as hypocritical, Keyamo said the former Vice-President’s political ambition would not shield his record from public scrutiny.

The exchange highlights the growing political contest over responsibility for Nigeria’s economic challenges, the legacy of previous administrations and the current government’s handling of workers’ welfare.

APC Campaign Council Accuses Peter Obi of Making Unsupported Claims About 2023 Election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi over his claim that he won the 2023 presidential election, accusing him of making assertions without supporting evidence.

In a press statement issued on October 9, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council described Obi’s comments during a recent BBC interview as troubling and questioned his continued insistence that he won the election.

During the interview, Obi reportedly said: “I don’t like going back to the past. I won the last election. There’s no evidence, but I won the election. Everything is not based on evidence.”

Reacting to the statement, the APC campaign council argued that a presidential aspirant should support claims about an election with verifiable facts rather than unsubstantiated assertions.

The council also referred to the official outcome of the 2023 presidential election, maintaining that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with his victory subsequently upheld by the election tribunal and the Supreme Court.

The statement further defended Tinubu’s administration, crediting it with implementing economic reforms, expanding infrastructure, supporting businesses and young people, and making investments in education and healthcare.

The APC campaign council also renewed its call for Obi to honour an alleged earlier pledge to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if it were established that his administration in Anambra State had left behind liabilities.

The council said it based its position on what it described as established financial records from Anambra State.

The statement comes amid political exchanges between supporters of the ruling APC and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.

Tinubu Declares Three-Day Mourning for Air Force Personnel Killed in Aircraft Crash

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Air Force personnel who died in an aircraft crash in Ondo State.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in a military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, 2026.

The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the deceased officers.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, which was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area while travelling from Benin to Lagos.

In a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country.

“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the President said.

Tinubu said he had been briefed by the Chief of Air Staff and directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.

He said the investigation should help prevent similar incidents in the future.

The President also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating search and rescue operations following the crash.

The State House said the identities of the deceased personnel would be released by the Air Force after their families had been contacted.

The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on October 5, 2026.

Amaechi Links Mother’s Death to Rising Cost of Medicines Under Tinubu

Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has criticised the economic situation in Nigeria, saying the rising cost of medicines made it increasingly difficult for him to provide healthcare for his late mother.

Amaechi made the remarks during an interview while discussing the impact of the country’s economic difficulties on families and access to essential healthcare.

The former governor said his mother was in good health before President Bola Tinubu assumed office and rejected the suggestion that her death could simply be explained by her age.

“My mother was healthy!” Amaechi said during the interview, explaining that he had made efforts to ensure she received the care she needed.

He said the increasing price of medication became a significant challenge in providing that care, linking the difficulty to the broader rise in the cost of living under the current administration.

Amaechi’s mother, Mary Amaechi, died in July 2026 at the age of 89. Her family described her as a respected community and Christian leader. 

Using his personal experience to illustrate the wider economic situation, Amaechi argued that many Nigerian families are facing similar difficulties in paying for medicines and other basic healthcare needs.

He also questioned Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported pharmaceutical and other finished products, citing figures he attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics.

According to Amaechi, Nigeria spent about ₦200 billion importing drugs in the last quarter, while 40 per cent of finished goods were imported.

The figures could not be independently established from the NBS material located for this report, and are therefore presented as figures cited by Amaechi.

The issue of medicine affordability has remained part of Nigeria’s wider cost-of-living debate. Previous reporting has documented substantial increases in the prices of several commonly used medicines, while the Federal Government has introduced measures aimed at encouraging local pharmaceutical production and reducing dependence on imported healthcare products. 

The Federal Government has also said its healthcare reforms include efforts to expand local manufacturing and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported medicines, diagnostics and medical devices. 

Amaechi’s comments therefore place his personal experience with his mother’s healthcare within his broader criticism of the economic direction of the Tinubu administration.

Tinubu to Address Nigerians at 7am on 66th Independence Anniversary

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address the nation on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 7am as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 30, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

According to the statement, television and radio stations, as well as other electronic media outlets, have been advised to join the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast.

The presidential address will form part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

Tinubu Receives NCSU Shield Award for Commitment to Workers’ Welfare

 

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo receives the NCSU Shield Award on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been honoured with the Shield Award of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) as part of activities marking the union’s 114th anniversary.

The award was presented on Monday at Merit House in Abuja in recognition of what the union described as Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers.

The NCSU Shield Award is described by the union as its highest honour and is reserved for individuals it considers to have demonstrated exceptional service and dedication to the advancement of Nigerian workers.

The award was received on behalf of the President by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who was also recognised by the union for his support for the Nigerian workforce.

The union’s National President, Comrade Oluwole Sunday, led the presentation alongside the immediate past President, Comrade Lawrence Ameachi, who served as Chairman of the Occasion; Comrade Adoga Gupada, Chairman of the Federal Council of the NCSU; and Comrade Yildet Bigwan, Assistant General Secretary.

In presenting the award, Sunday described President Tinubu as a “true shield of the Nigerian worker” and said the administration’s policies had prioritised the interests of the labour force.

The union also said the President’s interventions had improved morale within the civil service and demonstrated concern for the welfare of workers across the country.

Receiving the award on behalf of Tinubu, Keyamo expressed appreciation for the recognition from the NCSU, which he described as the oldest trade union in Nigeria.

Keyamo also highlighted what he described as the President’s commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerian workers.

The NCSU has 84 affiliates and traces its history back more than a century, predating Nigeria’s independence. The union has described itself as one of the organisations that confronted British colonial authorities over the interests of Nigerian workers.

Following the ceremony, the award was displayed by Keyamo in his office alongside leaders of the union.

The event formed part of activities marking the 114th anniversary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union.

AAC Raises Constitutional Questions Over Tinubu’s Extended Stay Abroad

The African Action Congress (AAC) has raised constitutional questions over President Bola Tinubu’s extended stay outside Nigeria, calling on the National Assembly to clarify whether the procedure provided under Section 145 of the Constitution has been followed.

The party made its position known in a press statement dated September 23, 2026, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rex I. Elanu.

According to the AAC, Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week vacation, while the Presidency announced on September 21 that the President had extended his stay abroad by a few more days.

The party argued that the development raises questions about the constitutional procedure governing a President’s absence from the country.

Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that when the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he is to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Section 145(2) further provides for action by the National Assembly where the required declaration is not transmitted within 21 days.

The AAC is asking Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen to clarify whether the required declaration was transmitted and, if not, whether the procedure contemplated under Section 145(2) should be activated.

The party said the issue was not simply about Tinubu’s vacation but about constitutional procedure, accountability and clarity regarding the exercise of presidential authority.

The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu remains in contact with officials in Nigeria and continues to direct the affairs of the country while abroad. In its September 21 statement announcing the extension of his working vacation, the State House said the President had continued to direct national affairs and had taken official decisions while away.

The Presidency also said Tinubu was expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend. It stated that Vice-President Kashim Shettima had been delegated to represent the President at some official functions, including the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala has also argued that Tinubu can govern Nigeria from outside the country, maintaining that the President’s constitutional powers are not dependent on his physical location.

The constitutional question has also attracted comments from other political figures and legal voices. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has separately questioned whether the constitutional procedure under Section 145 has been followed, while lawyer Inibehe Effiong has argued that the situation requires National Assembly intervention.

The debate comes as Tinubu remains in Europe and Shettima attends the UN General Assembly in New York.

The AAC has therefore urged the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly to publicly clarify whether the required constitutional declaration was received and what steps, if any, have been taken in response.

The party said it would continue to advocate accountability and participatory democracy, stressing that Nigerians deserve clarity on the constitutional arrangements governing the President’s absence.

Sowore Questions Tinubu’s Absence From UNGA, Alleges President Is Receiving Treatment in France

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, alleging that the President is receiving medical treatment in France.

Sowore made the claims in a post on X while reacting to Tinubu’s decision not to personally attend the UN General Assembly, where Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation.

The Presidency has described Tinubu’s European trip as an annual leave and working vacation. Official statements also show that the President held engagements in Paris, including a meeting with businessman Vincent Bolloré and a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron on September 18.

However, Sowore disputed the official explanation, alleging that Tinubu was receiving treatment in France rather than simply taking a vacation.

“There is something inherently wrong with Nigeria,” Sowore wrote, before questioning what he described as the President’s activities in Paris and his absence from the UN General Assembly.

Sowore also alleged that Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UN gathering was connected to what he described as fears that the United States government could order his arrest over what he referred to as a past drug-dealing case.

He did not provide evidence in his post establishing that Tinubu is currently receiving medical treatment in France or that U.S. authorities plan to arrest the President.

The allegation about a possible U.S. arrest has previously been disputed. Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, said the Nigerian mission had received no notification from the U.S. government indicating restrictions on Tinubu and argued that representatives attending UN activities have protections under the UN-U.S. Headquarters Agreement.

Sowore further criticised supporters of the administration, accusing them of accepting what he described as a lack of transparency surrounding the President’s activities.

He compared the situation with controversies surrounding the overseas medical treatment of former presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari, alleging that Nigeria had previously witnessed secrecy and carefully managed public appearances around presidential health matters.

The Presidency has not publicly stated that Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France. Its recent official statements have instead described his activities in Paris as part of his working vacation.

Sowore concluded his post by calling for what he described as freedom from the practices and mentality that, in his view, sustain the current political system.

The comments come as Nigeria prepares for the high-level segment of the 81st UN General Assembly, with Vice President Shettima representing the country at the gathering in New York.

‘Sanctity of Human Life Is Non-Negotiable’ - Tinubu Orders Probe Into 37 Miners’ Deaths

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna, Niger State.

The President gave the directive on Friday, September 18, 2026, following reports of the deaths of the suspects who were detained during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in the state.

The operations were carried out around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna, Niger State.

Tinubu, in a statement, said he was deeply concerned by the reported deaths and directed that the circumstances surrounding them be investigated urgently and thoroughly.

“The life of every Nigerian matters,” the President said, stressing that no citizen should lose their life while in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.

The NSCDC had earlier confirmed the deaths of some suspected illegal miners in its custody and said the exact cause of death was yet to be established. The Corps said medical examinations would be conducted to determine the cause. Reports subsequently put the number of deaths at 37.

Tinubu stressed that the fact that the deceased were suspected of illegal mining did not remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment.

He directed the investigation to establish the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were held, the number of people detained at the facility, the medical attention provided to them and the events leading to their deaths.

The President further directed that any official found by the investigation to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“There must be accountability,” he said.

Tinubu also said the suspension of officers, where applicable, would only be an administrative measure and should not replace a proper determination of criminal responsibility where evidence warrants prosecution.

He directed the Ministry of Interior and the leadership of the NSCDC to cooperate fully with all relevant investigative authorities and warned against any attempt by officials to interfere with the investigation.

The President reiterated that the Federal Government would continue its campaign against illegal mining and other criminal activities but said such operations must be conducted within the law and with full respect for the rights and dignity of persons taken into custody.

He also extended his condolences to the families of those who died and appealed for calm among the affected families and communities.

Tinubu said the government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.

“We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. Government must enforce the law firmly, but government itself must obey the law,” he said.

“The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable.”