The 2027 African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a blistering attack on the ruling administration. He declared that his party is locked in an electoral battle against entrenched political interests whom he directly labeled as "thieves." In a video broadcast shared across his official social media platforms, the former Vice President accused the current leadership of systemic manipulation. He alleged that those in power did not stop at hijacking the electoral process but have gone ahead to cripple the nation`s economic structures. "We are competing with thieves," Atiku stated pointedly in the broadcast. "They stole the election. Now they have stolen the economy. They have stolen everything," the opposition flagbearer remarked, setting a highly combative tone for the upcoming national polls. A central pillar of Atiku`s address was his bold policy pledge to immediately restore the fuel subsidy if elected to office. He argued that the abrupt removal of the subsidy by the incumbent government was a miscalculated policy that triggered widespread financial chaos. According to the ADC candidate, the elimination of the subsidy has rapidly pushed millions of vulnerable Nigerians into extreme poverty. He emphasized that the primary, non-negotiable responsibility of any legitimate government is to protect and prioritize the welfare of its citizens. The former Vice President rejected the narrative of national scarcity, maintaining that Nigeria remains wealthy enough to absorb energy costs. He promised that his administration would utilize the country`s vast resources to provide immediate financial relief and cushion households from harsh realities. Addressing the current inflation crisis, Atiku noted that soaring fuel prices have triggered an unsustainable domino effect across critical sectors. He pointed out that the skyrocketing costs of transportation and food have placed an unbearable, daily pressure on Nigerian families. To counter these hardships, the ADC candidate unveiled an economic blueprint aimed at boosting local manufacturing and stabilizing the national currency. He concluded his address by promising to foster business growth, improve physical security, and make take-home wages far more valuable for workers.

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to reinstate the fuel subsidy regime and strengthen the local currency if elected into office in 2027. Atiku, a former Vice President, stated that his position on bringing back targeted subsidies remains unshakeable. He argued that Nigeria possesses sufficient resources to shield its citizens from the current economic hardships. In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the ADC candidate emphasized that a nation`s wealth should be measured by the purchasing power of its citizens rather than government revenue generation. "Regarding the subsidy issue, my stance hasn’t changed and won’t change: I will bring it back," Atiku declared. "A country that’s so fortunate doesn’t have any reason to leave its people struggling through difficult times." Atiku outlined a welfare-driven economic blueprint aimed at lowering inflation, boosting local production, and restoring the value of workers` wages. The opposition leader has announced a new subsidy plan targeting economic recovery through lower transportation costs, reduced consumer goods prices, and enhanced business expansion. Key initiatives include decreasing crop transit costs to curb food inflation and easing the cost of living for families. The proposal aims to foster economic growth by creating a supportive environment for local manufacturing, hiring, and expansion. This intervention is designed to address current financial struggles by increasing both affordability and business operational capacity. "I will make the naira in your pocket more valuable, make everyday life more affordable again, and protect our people," Atiku said, promising a focus on both economic and physical security.

Former federal lawmaker Senator Dino Melaye has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu following the weekend announcement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign council. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the official campaign list, released on Saturday, confirmed that President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will personally serve as the chairman and vice-chairman of the campaign council, respectively. Reacting to the development via his official Facebook page, Melaye described the self-appointment as an unprecedented and disgraceful departure from political norms. He argued that it is structurally abnormal for a sitting presidential candidate to simultaneously lead their own campaign machinery. "This is the first time in global political history that a presidential candidate will appoint himself as the chairman of his own campaign council," Melaye stated. "How can you be the candidate and still head the council? If Tinubu likes, he should become the spokesperson for his own campaign too." Melaye further alleged that the decision exposes a severe crisis of confidence within the ruling party, suggesting that the President no longer trusts his own cabinet members or state governors. According to the former Kogi West senator, the centralized leadership structure is a defensive mechanism born out of paranoia. "It is a disgrace that President Tinubu doesn`t trust anyone, not even his own shadow," Melaye added. "This bogus campaign structure proves they are terrified. He knows the APC governors and ministers cannot be trusted, which is why he wants every single development reported directly to him. It is entirely disgraceful." The APC leadership has yet to issue an official response to Melaye`s criticisms regarding the campaign council`s hierarchy.

Prominent political analyst and veteran publisher, Dele Momodu, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that the government set a negative tone for the nation by announcing the fuel subsidy removal on inauguration day. Speaking during a live appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Momodu argued that the sudden policy announcement on May 29, 2023, delivered an immediate economic shock to citizens during what should have been a celebratory moment. He noted that the country has struggled to recover from the fallout of that decision ever since. The Ovation Magazine publisher raised serious concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the subsidy termination, describing the entire process as "shrouded in mystery." He stressed that the administration`s failure to provide clear facts, financial data, and verifiable figures has left the policy complicated and confusing for the public. Momodu also questioned the government’s fiscal strategy, pointing out a stark contradiction in its economic approach. He demanded to know why the administration continues to engage in heavy, unprecedented borrowing despite the massive revenues allegedly saved from ending the subsidy regime. Concluding his critique, the former presidential aspirant lamented the weakening of democratic accountability in Nigeria. He warned that the country is sliding into a form of dictatorship where elected leaders are immune to public scrutiny, and where officials react with anger whenever citizens demand basic answers.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday, officially presented his Certificate of Return to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, marking their first official meeting since Adeleke’s victory in last Saturday’s governorship election. The governor arrived at the Aso Villa at exactly 5:25 pm in the company of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Dressed in a navy blue traditional attire and wielding his signature walking stick, the newly re-elected governor alighted from a black Toyota Land Cruiser SUV before heading into a closed-door meeting with the President. Confirming the visit, the Special Assistant on Digital Media to the Governor, Olalekan Badmus, shared images online showing Governor Adeleke exchanging a warm handshake with President Tinubu. "Governor Ademola Adeleke presented his certificate of return to President Tinubu following a closed-door meeting at Aso Villa," Badmus stated. The high-profile visit comes less than 24 hours after Adeleke received the official document from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). During the presentation ceremony on Wednesday, the governor announced a N500 million endowment fund dedicated to victims of election violence in Osun State. The certificate was handed over by the INEC National Commissioner for the South-West, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, at an event attended by top cabinet members and political associates. Adeleke’s victory marks a significant political shift in the state. Contesting on the platform of the Accord Party (AP), Adeleke secured his second term by polling 511,067 votes. He defeated his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 444,815 votes. The official results were validated on Sunday by the INEC State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole. This election marks a stark transition from 2022, when Adeleke—then running under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—initially unseated the former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.

Chaos broke out in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday afternoon when heavily armed hoodlums ambushed the convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke. The attack occurred just as the governor was departing the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji. Governor Adeleke had visited the traditional ruler to present his newly received Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following his recent re-election victory. According toTHENEWSCREDIT, the governor arrived at the royal palace around 3:15 pm in a 20-vehicle motorcade straight from the INEC state headquarters. Shortly after royal blessings were concluded and the governor boarded his official vehicle, attackers arriving in an unregistered Toyota Sienna opened fire. An eyewitness near the scene described the terrifying moments:"The shooting lasted for about 12 to 15 minutes before the governor’s convoy could safely pull out. The governor`s security team engaged the hoodlums in a fierce shootout before the attackers eventually retreated." The assault caused widespread panic, forcing nearby traders, residents, and passersby to flee for their lives. The hoodlums also reportedly destroyed the main gate of the Ataoja’s palace and extended their gunfire exchange with security forces down to the Osogbo Central Mosque before escaping through the Ita Olokan axis along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road. Reacting to the incident, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the ambush but assured the public that the governor was unharmed. "They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security details successfully repelled them. The attack happened at the Ataoja’s palace. Thankfully, no casualty was recorded," Alimi stated. Despite the security team successfully clearing the path for the governor`s exit, sporadic gunshots were heard in the area up until late afternoon, forcing business owners to hurriedly lock up their shops over fears of reprisal attacks. Security agencies have commenced an investigation to track down the fleeing perpetrators.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially validated the re-election of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, presenting him with his Certificate of Return following his victory in the August 15 governorship election. True to his vibrant reputation, Adeleke celebrated the milestone with singing and dancing during the presentation ceremony. Olalekan Badmus, the Special Assistant on Digital Media to the Governor, confirmed the event on Wednesday via a post on X, stating, “Governor Ademola Adeleke receives Certificate of Return from @inecnigeria as the winner of August 15th, 2026 gubernatorial election in Osun.” The certificate presentation formally seals Adeleke’s mandate for a second term in office. It follows Sunday`s official declaration, where the electoral body confirmed Adeleke won 19 out of the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. Contesting on the platform of the Accord party, the incumbent governor defeated his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured victories in 11 LGAs. Following the ceremony, Governor Adeleke expressed deep gratitude to the people of Osun State. He assured residents that he would not take their mandate for granted, promising to use his second term to consolidate his administration`s achievements and correct past mistakes.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has declared that Peter Obi severely compromised his chances for the 2027 presidential election by ditching a united opposition coalition. Speaking on TVC News’ Politics Tonight, Fayose argued that the fragmentation of major opposition figures has effectively cleared a smooth path for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He noted that the decision by Obi and other prominent politicians to splinter into different parties shattered any realistic hope of presenting a formidable, united front against the incumbent power. “When they were all together, I would tell anybody that they will make an impact. The day Obi left for another party, that day he lost his 2027 chances,” Fayose remarked. While describing the former Labour Party standard-bearer as a "fantastic Nigerian who has made his mark," Fayose maintained that ego and division within the opposition camp will continue to hand easy victories to the ruling party. Fayose added that the opposition has crossed the point of no return, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already processed and accredited candidates for the upcoming polls. “It’s too late now,” he stated. “INEC has accredited everybody. Even if you say you are not running anymore, you’re on your own. You have put your feet in the water; you can’t get out. You are wet already.” Analyzing the political math for the 2027 cycle, the former governor projected a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu, particularly in the South-West geopolitical zone. Driven by the alignment of key regional political heavyweights and 2023 voting data, Fayose predicted a massive turnout for the incumbent. Tinubu is expected to secure nearly 4 million votes from the South-West alone. Based on emerging realignment patterns, the President is statistically positioned to sweep the election with up to 65 percent of the total votes. Fayose also waded into the fallout of the recent Osun State governorship election, dismissing claims that electoral malpractice was exclusive to a single political party. He confirmed that security agencies caught operatives from multiple major parties, including the APC and PDP, red-handed in vote-buying schemes. Terming the behavior "mere desperation," Fayose emphasized that trading money for votes is a deeply rooted institutional crisis rather than an isolated incident. He concluded that sanitizing Nigeria`s electoral process requires collective cultural reform from both the political class and the electorate.

Fresh off his victory at the polls, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, describing the nation`s leader as a true "son of Osun State." Governor Adeleke made the declaration on Sunday morning shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially pronounced him the winner of the highly contested governorship election. In his acceptance speech, Adeleke, a member of the People`s Democratic Party (PDP), praised President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for ensuring a transparent electoral process. “At this point, I must deeply appreciate Mr. President, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strong support for a free and fair election," Adeleke said. "President Tinubu is a son of Osun State, and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election." The statement follows a congratulatory message sent earlier on Sunday by President Tinubu to the re-elected governor. Official results released by INEC show that Adeleke secured his second term by defeating his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC. Adeleke cleared 19 Local Government Areas, polling a total of 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11 Local Government Areas with 444,815 votes.

The incumbent Governor of Osun State and candidate of the Accord Party (A), Ademola Adeleke, has taken a commanding lead in Saturday’s governorship election, winning 19 out of the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. His closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured victories in the remaining 11 LGAs. Adeleke is currently awaiting the official declaration from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the final collation wrap up in Osogbo, the state capital. Although 15 political parties fielded candidates for the election, official results show it was a fierce two-horse race between the Accord Party and the APC. The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, finished a distant third, polling a total of 14,989 votes across the state. The state’s Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, is expected to make the final declaration at the INEC State Collation Centre shortly. Official LGA Breakdown and Voting Patterns Boluwaduro LG A: 7,118 APC: 7,050 ADC: 179 Accredited: 14,662 Valid: 14,478 Cast: 14,655 Ede South LG A: 26,188 APC: 6,219 ADC: 390 Accredited: 34,011 Valid: 33,210 Cast: 33,950 Ife North LG A: 13,879 APC: 9,613 ADC: 333 Accredited: 24,772 Valid: 24,216 Cast: 24,704 Ilesa West LG A: 16,196 APC: 12,756 ADC: 673 Accredited: 31,333 Valid: 30,244 Cast: 31,234 Ifedayo LG A: 7,427 APC: 6,836 ADC: 115 Accredited: 14,703 Valid: 1,449 Cast: 14,703 Ilesa East LG A: 12,280 APC: 16,208 ADC: 504 Accredited: 30,371 Valid: 29,460 Cast: 30,209 Ife Central LG A: 21,171 APC: 15,913 ADC: 747 Accredited: 39,990 Valid: 38,380 Cast: 39,330 Boripe LG A: 12,448 APC: 19,963 ADC: 379 Accredited: 33,943 Valid: 33,116 Cast: 33,713 Irepodun LG A: 14,504 APC: 15,713 ADC: 249 Accredited: 31,291 Valid: 30,717 Cast: 31,282 Obokun LG A: 12,023 APC: 16,120 ADC: 205 Accredited: 29,183 Valid: 28,687 Cast: 29,147 Orolu LG A: 12,352 APC: 10,622 ADC: 236 Accredited: 25,424 Valid: 23,438 Cast: 23,890 Osogbo LG A: 36,480 APC: 30,474 ADC: 1,503 Accredited: 70,840 Valid: 69,307 Cast: 70,785 Oriade LG A: 21,343 APC: 14,863 ADC: 423 Accredited: 37,962 Valid: 37,073 Cast: 37,933 Odo Otin LG A: 18,003 APC: 15,435 ADC: 377 Accredited: 34,482 Valid: 34,026 Cast: 34,456 Ife East LG A: 27,201 APC: 18,600 ADC: 935 Accredited: 49,065 Valid: 47,519 Cast: 49,017 Ifelodun LG A: 21,107 APC: 18,396 ADC: 509 Accredited: 41,156 Valid: 40,466 Cast: 41,143 Atakumosa West LG A: 7,479 APC: 10,037 ADC: 213 Accredited: 18,707 Valid: 17,985 Cast: 18,399 Iwo LG A: 27,085 APC: 19,660 ADC: 588 Accredited: 48,985 Valid: 48,027 Cast: 48,953 Ede North LG A: 35,427 APC: 10,283 ADC: 307 Accredited: 47,262 Valid: 46,474 Cast: 47,205 Ila LG A: 16,211 APC: 12,934 ADC: 259 Accredited: 30,028 Valid: 29,605 Cast: 30,021 Irewole LG A: 10,934 APC: 29,972 ADC: 275 Accredited: 42,858 Valid: 41,575 Cast: 42,824 Ayedire LG A: 11,073 APC: 9,910 ADC: 148 Accredited: 21,419 Valid: 21,228 Cast: 21,414 Atakumosa East LG A: 7,872 APC: 9,936 ADC: 333 Accredited: 19,253 Valid: 18,442 Cast: 18,823 Egbedore LG A: 19,278 APC: 11,194 ADC: 363 Accredited: 31,867 Valid: 31,155 Cast: 31,830 Ayedaade LG A: 16,681 APC: 15,719 ADC: 331 Accredited: 34,232 Valid: 33,180 Cast: 33,801 Isokan LG A: 13,765 APC: 14,063 ADC: 384 Accredited: 29,421 Valid: 28,715 Cast: 29,405 Olaoluwa LG A: 10,063 APC: 10,782 ADC: 213 Accredited: 21,599 Valid: 21,228 Cast: 21,595 Ife South LG A: 13,507 APC: 14,678 ADC: 290 Accredited: 29,521 Valid: 28,906 Cast: 29,461 Ejigbo LG A: 18,458 APC: 16,195 ADC: 5,053 Accredited: 41,173 Valid: 40,314 Cast: 41,125 Olorunda LG A: 23,514 APC: 24,671 ADC: 666 Accredited: 51,172 Valid: 49,458 Cast: 50,793