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Tinubu vows to end economic hardship
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the current economic hardship facing the country will soon ease, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling insecurity and securing the release of all persons held captive by criminal groups.
The President gave the assurance on Sunday through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, during the National Inter-Denominational Church Service held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
In his message, Tinubu congratulated Nigerians on 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance since 1999, describing the achievement as a reflection of the resilience, commitment and sacrifices of citizens who fought for the return of democracy.
He paid tribute to pro-democracy activists and patriots of the June 12 struggle, noting that many suffered persecution, injuries and even death in the quest to restore democratic rule in the country.
The President, through Akume, pledged to intensify efforts to address the socio-economic challenges confronting Nigerians, assuring citizens that his administration would work harder to deliver sustainable democratic dividends.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the SGF, Yomi Odunuga, the government is fully aware of the economic difficulties, insecurity, kidnappings and displacement affecting many communities across the country.
“Government is sensitive to all these pains, shares in these pains and has heard your cries,” Akume said, adding that President Tinubu was leading efforts to tackle the challenges with compassion and a strong sense of responsibility.
On security, the SGF stressed that protecting the lives and property of Nigerians remains a top priority for the Federal Government. He described recent attacks and abductions as painful reminders that more work remains to be done.
Akume assured Nigerians that the safe return of all persons in captivity remains a national priority, noting that security agencies are being provided with the resources needed to protect communities, secure lives and maintain the nation’s territorial integrity.
“The government of Nigeria shall never succumb to terror, banditry or any form of criminal intimidation,” he declared.
The SGF also called on citizens to reject violence, hate campaigns and divisive rhetoric as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum.
He specifically urged young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used for political thuggery, violence, misinformation campaigns, ethnic abuse or religious intolerance.
“Do not rent out your conscience for money, drugs, political patronage or online applause. Your future is worth more than any politician’s temporary convenience,” he said.
Akume further appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, the media and families to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence and responsible conduct as the country approaches another election cycle.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democratic governance, interfaith harmony and peaceful engagement with the international community, insisting that despite existing challenges, the nation’s democratic institutions remain strong and resilient.
The church service was attended by several dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Didi Walson-Jack.
The SGF commended members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices in safeguarding the nation and sustaining democratic rule.
He urged Nigerians to honour the sacrifices of June 12 heroes by working towards a country where elections are peaceful, leaders are accountable, communities are secure and every citizen can live with dignity.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that five persons, including a soldier and a local hunter, died during a violent attack in Magbon Etido, Mowe, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the incident was an “isolated criminal attack” and not a bandit operation as speculated in some quarters.
According to the command, the attackers struck the community, killing a soldier who was on security duty and injuring another military personnel, who is currently receiving treatment.
The assailants also abducted four residents during the raid. Babaseyi said police operatives, working alongside the military and other security agencies, immediately launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
He added that one of the abducted victims was rescued alive, while the remains of the other three were later recovered during the operation.
During the subsequent bush-combing exercise, a local hunter assisting security operatives was reportedly killed in an encounter with the fleeing suspects.
“The Command extends its condolences to his family,” the statement said, while assuring that efforts were ongoing to track down the perpetrators and prevent further attacks.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Prof. Tukur Mohammed-Baba, has said President Bola Tinubu has lost considerable political goodwill in Northern Nigeria since the 2023 general election, citing worsening economic conditions and insecurity.
Mohammed-Baba made the remarks during an interview on PrimeTime on Arise Television on Monday, where he criticised the country’s political leadership and expressed disappointment over the lack of clear policy direction from major political actors ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the North has become increasingly disillusioned with the political class, which he accused of prioritising personal ambitions over the welfare of citizens.
“I have not seen a party that articulates a clear policy ambition or an ideological standard. The average northern voter is disillusioned and has been for a long time,” he said.
“We have tried all kinds of permutations—northern candidates, Muslim-Muslim tickets, and so on. It seems to the average northerner that all this politics is about personalities and personal interests. It is not about people.”
Assessing Tinubu’s administration, Mohammed-Baba said the impact of government policies had been difficult for many Nigerians.
“The impact of his policies on the economy and especially on individual lives has been highly disappointing, if not disturbing,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the security situation across parts of the country, arguing that the government’s response had fallen short of expectations.
“Furthermore, the insecurity thing, no matter what the government says, is getting worse,” he said, noting that discussions around the deployment of forest guards had come only after renewed attacks in parts of the country.
Mohammed-Baba warned that communities increasingly resorting to self-help in the face of insecurity posed a threat to the authority of the state.
“We are gradually normalising self-help—that unless you do something, the government will not be there to protect you. That undermines the essence of the role of the state,” he stated.
The ACF spokesman also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing him as a “recurring decimal” in Nigeria’s presidential politics.
“I don’t see anything from him that presents an alternative apart from saying this government has failed,” Mohammed-Baba said. “Where is the beef?”
On Peter Obi, he argued that the former Anambra State governor had failed to sustain whatever political goodwill he enjoyed in the North before the 2023 elections.
“He has moved to two or three parties. The question we ask is: what does he want?” he said.
Mohammed-Baba further criticised Obi’s running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, over comments he said appeared to compare himself with revered northern figures such as Ahmadu Bello and Aminu Kano.
“In the North, that is very irreverent. It would be highly delusional for him to go that far and say he presents an alternative,” he said.
“An alternative in terms of what? Has he articulated anything on the economy, security, or infrastructure? When you keep talking about things in abstract terms that run counter-intuitive to what the people have held on to, you will run into trouble.”
Asked to identify a potential presidential aspirant capable of winning northern support ahead of 2027, Mohammed-Baba declined to endorse anyone.
“We are waiting to see,” he said.
He also cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against complacency, warning that attempts to weaken opposition parties through defections and legal battles could backfire.
“Nothing fails like success. Be very careful, because sometimes complacency can spring surprises,” he said.
Mohammed-Baba rejected suggestions that the North remained a unified voting bloc capable of determining election outcomes on its own.
“No one region can determine on its own the outcome of a presidential election, and the North has never been able to do so alone, outside of military rule,” he said.
With rising fuel prices, increasing numbers of out-of-school children and persistent attacks by bandits in parts of the North-West, Mohammed-Baba maintained that Nigerians were searching for leaders with practical solutions to the country’s challenges.
“Is there anybody offering an alternative now?” he asked. “I don’t see anything.”
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