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.

Sowore Vows to Reopen Lekki Toll Gate Killings Investigation if Elected President

African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has vowed to reopen investigations into the October 2020 Lekki Toll Gate shootings if elected president in 2027, promising to identify and prosecute those found responsible for unlawful killings.

Sowore made the pledge in a statement commemorating six years of the #EndSARS protests, demanding accountability for the shootings that occurred on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.

In his statement, titled “The #EndSARS at Six: Six Years of Blood, Lies and Impunity,” Sowore questioned why those responsible for the shootings had not been brought to justice, asking who ordered the operation and whether anyone had been prosecuted.

He also questioned the roles of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, military officers, police commanders and other security officials in the events surrounding the protest.

Sowore further called for an investigation into allegations concerning the removal of cameras from the Lekki Toll Gate before the shootings, raising questions about the alleged involvement of President Bola Tinubu and members of his family. The claims were raised in his statement and were not independently established by the post.

Reflecting on the protests, Sowore recalled that on October 4, 2020, he had called for a nationwide action against police brutality. The #EndSARS movement subsequently drew thousands of young Nigerians demanding an end to alleged police abuses, including torture, extortion and extrajudicial killings.

The protests gained international attention following the October 20 shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate, where security forces were accused of firing at demonstrators. The incident remains a major point of controversy in Nigeria’s recent history, with calls for accountability continuing years after the event.

Sowore argued that the #EndSARS movement went beyond the demand to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), describing it as a broader challenge to a system he said protects powerful individuals while exposing ordinary citizens to abuse.

He also criticised what he described as the silence surrounding the incident, insisting that Nigerians must continue to demand justice for victims and survivors.

Under his proposed #Sowore2027 administration, he said investigations would be reopened to establish the chain of command, identify those who ordered or carried out unlawful killings, and ensure that anyone found culpable faces prosecution regardless of rank or political connections.

“We will never forget!” Sowore declared, reaffirming his support for victims and survivors of the #EndSARS protests and calling for justice over the Lekki Toll Gate shootings.

Peter Obi Defends UK Remarks, Says He Never Asked Nigerians in Diaspora to Abandon Families

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has defended his recent remarks to Nigerians living in the United Kingdom, saying his message has been distorted by political opponents.

Obi, in a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted,” said he was not asking Nigerians in the diaspora to abandon family members who depend on them financially, but was advocating for a country where citizens would no longer struggle to meet their basic needs.

The former Anambra State governor said he deeply appreciated Nigerians abroad who make sacrifices to support their relatives at home, noting that their remittances help pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding expenses.

He added that the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora deserved respect, stressing that his concern was the country’s continued dependence on financial support from relatives living abroad.

According to Obi, Nigeria should strive to become a country that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic opportunities, rather than one where millions of citizens depend on family members abroad for survival.

He accused political opponents of distorting his message, insisting that his position was not an attempt to encourage Nigerians overseas to withdraw support from their loved ones.

“The truth remains clear: I am not asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families. I am advocating for a Nigeria that will no longer abandon its own people,” he said.

Obi’s clarification followed the controversy surrounding his remarks during his recent visit to the United Kingdom, where he spoke about Nigerians abroad supporting relatives at home amid the country’s economic difficulties.

His statement sought to draw a distinction between discouraging family support and calling for a country where citizens can earn enough to provide for themselves and their families without depending on relatives overseas.

He concluded by wishing Nigerians at home and abroad well, adding, “God bless Nigerians at home and abroad. God bless Nigeria.”

Sowore Questions Okonjo-Iweala’s $2.4bn Subsidy Fraud Claim, Demands Evidence

Sowore has demanded evidence identifying those responsible for the alleged subsidy fraud and clarifying its connection to the kidnapping.

Human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has questioned the evidence behind World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s account that efforts to uncover an alleged $2.4 billion oil subsidy fraud were linked to the kidnapping of her mother in 2012.

In a post on social media, Sowore demanded clarification on the individuals and companies allegedly involved in the fraud, as well as the investigations, audit reports and prosecution records arising from the case.

He questioned what became of the money and whether the authorities identified those responsible for the alleged fraudulent subsidy claims during Okonjo-Iweala’s tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance.

Okonjo-Iweala recently recounted the incident during an interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua, explaining that her efforts to investigate suspicious claims under Nigeria’s fuel subsidy programme preceded threats against her and the abduction of her mother, Kamene Okonjo, in December 2012.

According to the account published by TheCable, Okonjo-Iweala said her office became concerned after noticing a sharp increase in claims submitted by petrol importers. She said she raised the issue with then President Goodluck Jonathan and sought approval to audit the accounts.

In his response, Sowore challenged the connection between the alleged subsidy fraud and the kidnapping, asking what verifiable evidence established that the abduction was retaliation for the investigation.

He also criticised Okonjo-Iweala’s book, Fighting Corruption Is Dangerous: The Story Behind the Headlines, arguing that it did not adequately identify those responsible for the alleged fraud or explain what happened to the money.

The book, published by MIT Press in 2018, recounts Okonjo-Iweala’s experiences confronting corruption during her time in government, including the kidnapping of her mother. Its publisher describes the abduction as linked to opposition to reforms led by the former finance minister, particularly efforts to tackle fraudulent oil subsidy claims.

Sowore further questioned the police account of the kidnapping, alleging that police records and judicial proceedings pointed to the involvement of individuals connected to the victim’s household and family environment. He argued that these claims should be examined alongside Okonjo-Iweala’s account rather than accepted or dismissed without evidence.

He also criticised Bloomberg interviewer Francine Lacqua, arguing that the claims required more scrutiny during the interview.

The activist’s post has brought renewed attention to two separate but related questions: the extent to which fraudulent claims affected Nigeria’s fuel subsidy programme and the evidence linking the alleged fraud investigation to the kidnapping.

While the publisher’s account of Okonjo-Iweala’s book supports her position that the kidnapping was connected to opposition to anti-corruption reforms, the specific identities of those responsible for the alleged $2.4 billion fraud and the precise evidentiary link between the fraud investigation and the abduction require examination of relevant official records.

Sowore has called for answers on the companies and individuals implicated, the outcome of investigations and any evidence establishing a direct connection between the alleged fraud and the kidnapping.

SoworeNOW App Offers Voter Information, Volunteer Opportunities Ahead of 2027

The SoworeNOW app is being promoted as a digital platform designed to connect supporters, share campaign information and encourage participation in the 2027 political campaign of activist and politician Omoyele Sowore.

According to a campaign announcement, the app allows users to connect with fellow supporters, explore volunteer opportunities, locate their polling units and register as campaign coordinators. It also provides a channel for donations, which the campaign describes as transparent.

Beyond campaign activities, the platform reportedly includes everyday features such as local weather updates, allowing users to check conditions in their areas. Users can also access campaign updates, watch interviews, read manifestos and policy proposals, and discover events taking place near them.

The campaign says the app is intended to bring information and participation opportunities together in one place, making it easier for supporters in Nigeria and abroad to remain connected to its activities.

The platform is being promoted as part of efforts to build engagement ahead of the 2027 elections, with supporters encouraged to download the app and register.

SoworeNOW is available through links provided by the campaign for Android and iPhone users. Interested users can also register through a referral link shared in the announcement.

Keyamo-Atiku: Nigeria Airways Crisis Predated Obasanjo’s Return in 1999, Says Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has responded to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo over the controversy surrounding the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, arguing that the crisis that led to the airline’s collapse began long before former President Olusegun Obasanjo returned to power in 1999.

Fani-Kayode made the clarification in a statement addressed to Keyamo, insisting that although the airline was formally liquidated in 2004 under the Obasanjo administration, its decline resulted from years of mismanagement, corruption, mounting debts and operational failures.

According to him, Nigeria Airways had 32 functional aircraft when Obasanjo left office as military Head of State in 1979. However, he claimed that by the time Obasanjo returned as civilian president in 1999, only one aircraft remained, and it was no longer operational.

Fani-Kayode, who served as Minister of Aviation in 2006 after previously heading the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said the airline’s assets had largely disappeared and its financial condition had deteriorated significantly before Obasanjo’s return to office.

He argued that the 2004 liquidation was the culmination of a long-standing crisis and maintained that the government had little choice but to end the airline’s operations rather than continue providing public funds to sustain it.

The former minister also addressed the controversy over the unpaid pensions and gratuities of former Nigeria Airways workers, revealing that he had attempted to secure government approval for their payment while serving as aviation minister.

Fani-Kayode said a committee chaired by the then Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, recommended that funds be released to settle the former workers’ entitlements.

He disclosed that he subsequently presented a memorandum to the Federal Executive Council in 2006, arguing that the pensioners deserved to be paid. However, he claimed the proposal was rejected after some cabinet members opposed it, arguing that former management teams and board members had contributed to the airline’s collapse.

Fani-Kayode said he disagreed with that position but was among those who lost the debate.

He added that the matter was revisited under the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, which paid many of the affected pensioners, while the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari also made payments.

Commending Keyamo for overseeing the settlement of the remaining outstanding entitlements, Fani-Kayode said the former workers had suffered for years and deserved to receive their benefits.

On Atiku Abubakar’s role in the pension dispute, Fani-Kayode said he knew the position taken by the former Vice-President during the cabinet deliberations but declined to disclose it publicly. He maintained that decisions taken by the Federal Executive Council were collective government decisions and that members of the administration shared responsibility for their outcomes.

Fani-Kayode’s intervention follows Keyamo’s criticism of Atiku over the former Vice-President’s comments on Nigeria’s economic hardship and insecurity. Keyamo had cited the liquidation of Nigeria Airways and the prolonged pension dispute as part of his argument against Atiku.

The exchange has brought renewed attention to the history of Nigeria Airways, the decisions that led to its closure and the long wait by former workers for their retirement benefits.

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.

Dele Farotimi Announces Exit from Afenifere After 28 Years of Association

Dele Farotimi, a prominent lawyer and political activist, has announced his withdrawal from the Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere, formally ending an association that dates back to 1998.

Farotimi made the announcement in a statement titled “My Exit from Afenifere”, addressed to fellow Nigerians, in which he said he had decided to sever all ties with the organisation and its leadership.

He recalled that his involvement with Afenifere began in 1998 when he served as the pioneer chairman of Binukonu, describing the association as an important part of his public engagement and contribution to national development.

However, he said the time had come to bring the relationship to an end, adding that the organisation’s leadership no longer represented his views.

“Henceforth, the leadership of Afenifere does not represent my views, and I no longer speak for or identify with its positions or actions,” he stated.

Farotimi declined to provide specific reasons for his decision, saying he had chosen not to offer further explanations and asking the public to respect his position.

Despite his withdrawal, he stressed that his commitment to the social-democratic principles associated with the Action Group, from which Afenifere emerged, remained unchanged.

“My commitment to the birth of a nation founded on the social democratic principles of the Action Group (Afenifere) remains unchanged, and I shall remain undaunted in my pursuit of these principles and ideals,” he said.

He concluded by thanking Nigerians for their support, engagement and the opportunity to share his political convictions over the years.

Sanwo-Olu Urges Youth Participation, Skill Development at Seyi Tinubu’s 41st Birthday Colloquium

Babajide Sanwo-Olu calls on young Nigerians to develop their skills, participate in governance and contribute to community development.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged young Nigerians to participate actively in governance, acquire valuable skills and contribute to national development, saying the future depends on collective effort and long-term planning.

Sanwo-Olu made the call while speaking at the 41st birthday colloquium of Seyi Tinubu, whom he described as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland.

In a post on X, the governor commended Seyi Tinubu for bringing young Nigerians together to discuss the country’s future, stressing the importance of creating opportunities for young people to thrive.

Using Lagos’ Blue Line rail project as an example, Sanwo-Olu noted that the project was first conceived in 1983 but became operational decades later, highlighting how major development initiatives can span successive administrations.

He said the experience demonstrated the importance of starting projects that future leaders can complete and build upon.

The governor also reflected on his professional journey from surveying to banking and public service, explaining that effective leadership requires understanding existing conditions before implementing development plans.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave young professionals the opportunity to contribute to governance, debate ideas and develop their leadership capacity when he brought them into government.

Addressing young Nigerians, Sanwo-Olu encouraged them to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards, attend community and ward meetings, participate in budget hearings and take an active role in decisions affecting their lives.

He also advised young people to develop expertise in their chosen fields, emphasising that sustained effort and practical skills could help them establish themselves professionally.

The governor further encouraged Nigerians living or studying abroad to maintain connections with their home communities and apply the knowledge and experience they acquire to local development.

Sanwo-Olu called on older generations to mentor young people, create employment opportunities for emerging talent and make room for younger leaders to assume greater responsibilities.

As he prepares to leave office in the coming months, the governor said his hope was to complete ongoing initiatives, begin projects that future administrations could continue and leave a strong foundation for subsequent generations.