Nelson Ugwuagbo

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed readiness to shelve his presidential ambition in 2027 if a younger, vibrant, and widely accepted candidate emerges under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Atiku made the disclosure during an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, stressing that his interest in the 2027 election is not driven by personal ambition but by the need to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative.

The former PDP presidential candidate urged young Nigerians to take active roles in politics, assuring that he would throw his full weight behind any youthful contender capable of uniting the country.

“I am not desperate for the seat of the president. My concern is rescuing Nigeria from those who have held it hostage,” Atiku stated.

He added: “My being in the 2027 race does not prevent anyone from contesting. If a vibrant and widely accepted younger candidate emerges, I am willing to step aside.”

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to embrace productivity, innovation and enterprise as the nation marks its 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a message posted on X, the President said the federal government will continue to “fix the plumbing in the economy,” but stressed that citizens and sub-national governments must also play their part in nation-building.

“We must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise, just like the Ministry of Interior has done with our travel passports, by quickening the processing,” Tinubu stated.

He called on states to support federal efforts, adding that the country must prioritise local production, agriculture, and manufacturing.

“Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes,” the President wrote.

Tinubu expressed optimism that with unity and faith, Nigeria can achieve prosperity and self-reliance.

“With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here,” he added.

“Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has placed its members on red alert amid the ongoing dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The TUC Chairman in Kano State, Comrade Mubarak Buba Yarima, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with reporters.

Yarima, a former member of PENGASSAN, said the union was prepared to join the strike if today’s Abuja meeting involving the Federal Government, PENGASSAN, and the management of the refinery fails to yield a resolution.

“We have already placed our members on red alert. Once we receive a communiqué from PENGASSAN, we are ready to act. You cannot trample on workers’ rights and expect us to keep quiet,” he stated.

A Special Court-Martial of the Nigerian Army sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State, has sentenced four soldiers for their involvement in illegal arms sales to police officers and terrorist groups.

The trial, held at the Officers’ Mess of the Theatre Command Headquarters, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), was presided over by Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander of Sector 1, OPHK.

Delivering judgment, the court president, Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi, convicted Sergeant Raphael Ameh, Sergeant Ejiga Musa, and Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje, sentencing each of them to life imprisonment.

Corporal Omitoye Rufus was also found guilty and handed a 15-year prison term.