The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji, has pledged to end what he described as excessive taxation in the state if elected governor in 2027.

Nnaji alleged that the state’s taxation policies were driving businesses and investors away, making Enugu one of the most expensive states in Nigeria in which to operate a business.

The former Minister of Science and Technology made the remarks while addressing Enugu indigenes resident in Aba, Abia State, during a meeting organised by the Enugu State Consultative Forum, Abia State chapter.

He accused the state government of imposing heavy tax burdens on traders and business owners, including those operating in rural communities, warning that the situation was worsening economic hardship among residents.

According to him, his administration, if elected, would prioritise industrialisation, job creation, security and economic recovery rather than imposing taxes that could suffocate businesses.

Nnaji also expressed concern over what he described as the resurgence of armed robbery in parts of Enugu State, linking the development to unemployment, hunger and rising economic difficulties.

He promised to establish industries that would provide employment opportunities, reduce poverty and take more than 50,000 youths off the streets.

“What is happening in Enugu State is condemnable. Enugu is for all, but today, businessmen and investors are relocating from the state due to excessive taxation. And the state government doesn’t care,” he said.

He alleged that traders in rural communities were being subjected to unreasonable levies, claiming that some deliberately delayed opening their shops until tax officials had left.

Nnaji further claimed that government officials collected as much as N36,000 from some rural traders, despite their limited earnings.

“Tax is based on profit, not on shops, as they are doing in Enugu. People are hungry. Armed people now invade homes at midnight to collect phones, computers and food items such as rice, beans and garri. This is something that happened more than 20 years ago,” he added.

The PDP candidate also questioned the state’s internally generated revenue, alleging that it had increased from N26 billion to N406.7 billion.

He compared the figure with the revenue profiles of Abia and Anambra states, arguing that the development raised questions about the state’s revenue collection methods and their consequences for businesses.

He equally accused the current administration of significantly increasing Enugu’s debt profile, although he did not provide specific figures to support the allegation.

Nnaji said his proposed economic recovery programme would focus on wealth creation, industrial development and improving the standard of living of residents.

He disclosed that an Enugu State Recovery Committee had been established under his chairmanship as part of efforts to mobilise support and communicate his plans to indigenes living outside the state.

“We have set up the Enugu State Recovery Committee, with me as chairman. This is why we are visiting Enugu people residing outside the state, telling them about the poor situation of things in their state.

“Last week, we were at Alaba International Market, and we have visited many places. I want to recover Enugu. Once we win, we will build industries based on coal, iron ore and cement. There will be no more excessive taxation in Enugu when I win,” he said.

He also criticised the condition of roads in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, questioning how the state government had deployed its internally generated revenue and monthly federal allocations.

Speaking at the meeting, the Director-General of the Uche Nnaji Campaign Organisation, Charles Ndukwe, and Chief Uche Ugwu backed the candidate’s position, arguing that the state’s taxation policies had placed undue pressure on traders and business operators.

They maintained that the campaign’s agenda centred on industrialisation, employment generation and economic recovery, while expressing confidence in the PDP’s grassroots support in Enugu.

Similarly, PDP senatorial candidates, including Kingsley Chizoba Nweke, representing Enugu East, and Nestor Ezeme of Enugu North, encouraged Nnaji to remain committed to his governorship ambition.

Earlier, the President of the Enugu State Consultative Forum, Hon. Sunday Okonkwo, said the candidate’s manifesto addressed critical challenges confronting the state, particularly industrialisation, insecurity and youth empowerment.

Okonkwo said the forum was interested in governance proposals capable of improving the business environment and addressing the concerns of Enugu residents.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally scheduled to take place at the Dutse Township Stadium.

Shettima touched down at the Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi International Airport, Dutse, where he was received by Jigawa State Deputy Governor, Umar Namadi, alongside governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, Hope Uzodimma of Imo and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State.

He was also welcomed by members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, APC stakeholders and other prominent political figures from different parts of the country.

The rally is part of the APC’s ongoing mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election, although Jigawa State was initially excluded from the 12 states listed in the party’s presidential campaign tour schedule.

However, while inaugurating the Jigawa State APC Campaign Council on Saturday, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had added Jigawa to his campaign itinerary because of his confidence in the state’s leadership and people.

Before attending the rally, Shettima is expected to join Tinubu in inaugurating four projects executed by the Jigawa State Government.

The projects include the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Skills Acquisition Centre, the state’s agricultural mechanisation programme and a dualised road project in Dutse.

The initiatives are designed to strengthen technical education, expand vocational training opportunities, improve agricultural productivity through mechanisation and enhance road infrastructure across the state.

Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government’s proposed $500 million World Bank loan, describing it as a potential debt trap for his incoming administration.

Atiku, in a statement issued by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to saddle his successor and Nigerians with additional debt shortly before leaving office.

He argued that an outgoing president should not commit the country to fresh borrowing in the final days of his administration, insisting that such decisions could constrain the economic choices of the next government.

Atiku described the Tinubu administration’s borrowing pattern as economically dangerous, warning that excessive loans could plunge Nigeria into further financial difficulties.

“Taking loans as if you were a drunken sailor is a road to economic bondage, a second slavery. If this government is determined to mortgage Nigeria’s future and place our country at the mercy of creditors, we will not accept it,” he said.

The former Vice-President maintained that Nigerians would vote for a new direction in the January 16, 2027 presidential election, promising an administration focused on affordable living and responsible economic management.

He also accused the Tinubu government of pursuing what he described as poverty-inducing economic reforms, arguing that its latest borrowing plan could undermine the next administration.

Atiku specifically questioned the timing of the proposed loan, saying reports indicated that the $500 million facility was scheduled for consideration by the World Bank on May 25, 2027, just four days before the May 29 presidential inauguration.

According to him, the timing raises serious concerns about the propriety of an outgoing administration committing the country to fresh financial obligations so close to the transfer of power.

He invoked a Swahili proverb to illustrate the dangers of borrowing, saying a leader who incurs debt towards the end of his tenure could leave his successor with limited economic independence.

“As the Swahili proverb warns, ‘If you borrow a man’s legs, you will go where he directs.’ A leader who borrows on his way out leaves his successor walking on the lender’s legs, constrained by obligations and choices the people did not make,” he said.

Atiku consequently appealed to the World Bank not to approve the proposed facility under the current timetable, demanding full disclosure of its terms, risks and repayment obligations to enable Nigerians scrutinise the commitment.

He further declared that his administration, if elected in 2027, would not commence governance with additional borrowing.

“I will not accept it. The Atiku administration will commence on May 29, 2027, and we will not begin our government by taking another loan. We will begin with a commitment to responsible leadership, fiscal discipline and the protection of Nigeria’s future,” he said.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged to deliver at least three million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, assuring him of massive support from the state through the Rainbow Coalition.

Fubara made the commitment on Saturday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The governor said Rivers would reciprocate Tinubu’s intervention during the state’s political crisis by supporting his re-election bid.

According to him, the President stood by Rivers State during a difficult period, helping to restore political stability and ensure the continuation of his administration.

“Mr President, we all know that a good gesture calls for reciprocity. As you have stood for us, we will stand for you. As you have supported Rivers State, Rivers State will support you equally,” Fubara said.

He assured Tinubu that his administration would deploy its grassroots political structures to mobilise voters across the state.

“We will campaign, mobilise our people to secure and deliver a decisive victory with a vote not less than three million for Mr President,” he added.

Fubara, however, explained that the political alliance in Rivers State would operate beyond party lines, noting that the Rainbow Coalition would bring together different political interests ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Notwithstanding that I am an APC member, we are doing Rainbow Coalition. And in Rainbow Coalition, we have a slate,” he said.

The rally also provided an opportunity for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to reaffirm his commitment to Tinubu’s re-election and launch fresh attacks on former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

Wike declared that political stakeholders and parties in Rivers had united behind Tinubu, insisting that the impressive turnout at the rally reflected the strength of the coalition.

He maintained that the gathering was organised by political stakeholders in the state without importing supporters from other states.

“We did not mobilise anybody from any other state,” he said.

The FCT minister also challenged Amaechi to account for projects he allegedly abandoned during his tenure as governor, particularly the proposed Caribbean White Specialist Hospital.

Wike alleged that $39 million was spent on the project without any visible foundation.

“Come and show us where Caribbean White Specialist Hospital is, where we paid 39 million US dollars. Come and show us where the foundation is,” he challenged.

He equally questioned the effectiveness of the malaria eradication programme undertaken during Amaechi’s administration, asking whether the exercise had succeeded in eliminating mosquitoes from the state.

On the Port Harcourt monorail project, Wike also questioned whether the former governor completed the project before leaving office.

He further criticised Amaechi’s political record, particularly his involvement in the APC presidential campaigns of 2015 and 2019, arguing that he failed to deliver significant electoral support for the party.

Wike urged Rivers residents to support Tinubu, citing federal infrastructure projects and political appointments involving indigenes of the state as evidence of the President’s commitment to Rivers.

Among the projects he highlighted were the Bori-Bodo Road, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Federal University of Marine Technology.

President Tinubu, in his remarks, thanked Rivers residents for their support during the 2023 presidential election and appealed for their renewed backing in 2027.

He recalled the contribution of the state to his emergence as President, urging the people to give him another mandate.

“Give me the mandate. The mandate that I use to govern today, you are a positive contributor. I must thank you for going out there to vote,” Tinubu said.

The President also defended his administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange system, insisting that Nigeria was gradually moving towards economic recovery.

He claimed that 27 of the 36 states were unable to pay workers’ salaries when he assumed office but maintained that his policies had helped reverse the situation.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain patient with the reforms, adding that outstanding pensions and gratuities were being paid to retired workers.

He also commended Fubara for maintaining peace during the political crisis in Rivers State, describing his response to the intervention as a demonstration of maturity and respect for leadership.

The President further urged young Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the 2027 general election.

“This election is about you. It is not about me. Your future depends on this election,” he said.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima also canvassed support for Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the administration needed another four years to consolidate its economic reforms.

Shettima defended the removal of fuel subsidy and the foreign exchange reforms, claiming that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had improved significantly.

He also projected that the country could attain a $1 trillion economy within the next five to 10 years.

Similarly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed confidence that Rivers State would support Tinubu in 2027, commending Wike for his role in the political mobilisation.

Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, also defended the President’s economic policies, saying a second term would focus on employment generation, security, agriculture, transportation and infrastructure development.

The rally attracted APC leaders, governors, political stakeholders and supporters as the party intensified its mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.

A leadership crisis has erupted in the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following the purported removal of the State Chairman, Princess Oyeronke Bolajoko, by a group of party executives, aspirants and members.

The group, at a press conference held at the party’s state secretariat in Ibadan on Monday, announced Bolajoko’s removal and named Akeem Aderogba as her replacement.

The State Secretary of the party, Adeolu Adewuyi, who addressed journalists on behalf of the group, said the decision was driven by the need to protect the party’s unity, internal democracy and constitutional principles, rather than personal grievances or political vendetta.

Adewuyi accused Bolajoko of allegedly suspending principal party executives without following due process or granting them a fair hearing.

He argued that the alleged unilateral action violated the party’s constitution and raised questions about the chairman’s commitment to internal democracy.

The group further accused her of abuse of office, administrative high-handedness and a lack of transparency and accountability in the management of the party’s affairs and resources.

According to Adewuyi, party members deserve clarity on how the party’s resources are managed and the decisions taken on their behalf.

Also speaking at the briefing, the NDC Campaign Director-General in Oyo State, Adeola Ebisemiju-Olamide, announced Aderogba as the new chairman, describing the move as a collective decision aimed at restoring accountability, unity and democratic discipline in the state chapter.

The group subsequently called on the national leadership of the NDC to intervene, investigate the allegations and take appropriate steps in line with the party’s constitution.

It also appealed to party members to remain calm, law-abiding and committed to the ideals of the party.

However, reacting to the development, Bolajoko rejected the purported removal, insisting that those behind the decision lacked the constitutional authority to remove her.

She described the action as illegal, arguing that the individuals involved were largely candidates and not recognised party executives empowered to remove a state chairman.

“This is not how to remove a party chairman. Those who carried out the illegality are not the party executives. They are candidates. Candidates don’t have the power to remove executives of the party,” she said.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has ordered security agencies to arrest and prosecute members of the ruling Labour Party (LP) and other political supporters involved in attacking opposition parties, intimidating their members or disrupting their campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Otti issued the directive during the Labour Party’s campaign flag-off in Umuahia, where he declared that no individual or group had his approval to harass political opponents or prevent them from exercising their democratic rights.

The governor warned that membership of the ruling party or political affiliation would not protect anyone found engaging in violence or violating the rights of other political parties.

Addressing party supporters, Otti said political disagreements must not be allowed to degenerate into violence, insisting that all parties were entitled to conduct their lawful activities without intimidation or interference.

“You have no mandate from me to attack opposition parties who are doing their respective political activities,” he declared.

He added, “Security agencies should arrest and deal decisively with anyone attempting to cause such disruptions, including Labour Party members.”

The governor stressed that the directive applied to members of his own party and other political groups, warning supporters against taking the law into their hands under the guise of political mobilisation.

He also reaffirmed that opposition parties must have access to public facilities, including the Umuahia Township Stadium, for their political programmes, provided they obtained the necessary approvals and paid the prescribed fees.

According to Otti, democratic competition should be determined by the strength of ideas, policies and the ability of political parties to persuade voters, rather than through intimidation, harassment or violence.

He consequently urged Labour Party members to focus on mobilising voters, highlighting the achievements of the party’s administration and presenting their programmes to the electorate instead of attacking political opponents.

The governor’s warning comes amid increasing concerns over alleged attacks and disruptions of opposition political activities in parts of the country as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.

On November 7, suspected hoodlums reportedly attacked members and supporters of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) during a One Million Man March in Asaba, Delta State, leaving several participants injured and campaign vehicles damaged.

Among those reportedly attacked was the Delta State Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Hon. Emerure Favour, who was allegedly stabbed with daggers during the incident.

The attack reportedly disrupted the gathering, forcing participants to flee for safety as the suspected assailants unleashed violence on the crowd.

Similar allegations of intimidation and disruption of opposition political activities have also emerged from Benue, Kaduna, Enugu and other states, heightening concerns about the safety of political parties and their supporters.

Otti maintained that political differences should not translate into violence, insisting that opposition parties retained their constitutional rights to organise meetings, mobilise supporters and campaign freely in Abia State.

He charged security agencies to ensure adequate protection for all political gatherings and hold anyone found culpable of violating the law accountable, irrespective of party affiliation.

The governor urged Labour Party supporters to demonstrate political maturity, respect democratic principles and pursue electoral victory through legitimate political engagement rather than intimidation or attacks on opponents.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has cautioned a senatorial candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) against describing President Bola Tinubu’s administration as “useless” during a campaign rally in the state.

The governor gave the warning on Saturday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi after the candidate, while making a case for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition, called for the removal of what he described as “useless people” in government.

Mohammed immediately interrupted the candidate, saying, “Don’t call them useless.”

The governor subsequently used his address to canvass support for Makinde, describing the APM presidential candidate as a leader capable of building an inclusive government that would promote fairness, equity and balanced representation across the country.

He said a Makinde-led administration would ensure that government appointments and opportunities were distributed fairly, rather than concentrated in the hands of a particular ethnic or religious group.

According to him, the proposed government would have more than 100,000 positions to fill, with appointments guided by federal character, competence and merit.

“There are over 100,000 positions to be filled. It will not be filled by one tribe alone. It will not be skewed to one tribe alone. There will be balance. There will be federal character and there will be selection based on merit, putting square pegs in square holes,” he said.

Mohammed described APM as a political movement offering Nigerians a new direction, adding that Makinde’s proposed Reset Nigeria Agenda was informed by extensive consultations, professional expertise and practical experience in governance.

He also praised Makinde’s record as governor of Oyo State, arguing that his leadership experience had demonstrated his capacity to manage the country’s diversity.

The Bauchi governor further endorsed the idea of a unity government, saying it would promote national cohesion and address the challenges of tribalism, religious intolerance and political exclusion.

“The gentleman is ready to manage diversity. He has also spoken about a unity government. That is inclusion, throwing away impunity, tribalism, which is the bane of our problem, and religious bigotry,” he stated.

He assured political leaders and residents of Bauchi State that their interests would receive attention under a Makinde presidency, appealing to the candidate not to concentrate federal appointments and development projects in Oyo State or the South-West.

Mohammed also complained about the difficulties opposition-led states face in accessing federal interventions, insisting that Bauchi and other states in the North-East deserved fairness in the distribution of national resources.

“We have chosen that line. We want to be in the mainstream, and you are the centre of the mainstream. So we are at your mercy and the mercy of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala,” he said.

He added: “Whatever that is coming, don’t take it to Oyo alone, take it to Bauchi too. That is how we do politics.”

The governor also commended the consensus arrangement adopted by the APM in Bauchi State, saying the process produced candidates across various elective positions, from the State House of Assembly to the governorship, without serious disagreements.

He, however, warned against reproducing the same pattern of political exclusion and impunity Nigerians had experienced, expressing optimism that Makinde’s proposed Reset Nigeria Agenda would put the country on a sustainable path to development.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has cautioned a senatorial candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) against describing President Bola Tinubu’s administration as “useless” during a campaign rally in the state.

The governor gave the warning on Saturday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi after the candidate, while making a case for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition, called for the removal of what he described as “useless people” in government.

Mohammed immediately interrupted the candidate, saying, “Don’t call them useless.”

The governor subsequently used his address to canvass support for Makinde, describing the APM presidential candidate as a leader capable of building an inclusive government that would promote fairness, equity and balanced representation across the country.

He said a Makinde-led administration would ensure that government appointments and opportunities were distributed fairly, rather than concentrated in the hands of a particular ethnic or religious group.

According to him, the proposed government would have more than 100,000 positions to fill, with appointments guided by federal character, competence and merit.

“There are over 100,000 positions to be filled. It will not be filled by one tribe alone. It will not be skewed to one tribe alone. There will be balance. There will be federal character and there will be selection based on merit, putting square pegs in square holes,” he said.

Mohammed described APM as a political movement offering Nigerians a new direction, adding that Makinde’s proposed Reset Nigeria Agenda was informed by extensive consultations, professional expertise and practical experience in governance.

He also praised Makinde’s record as governor of Oyo State, arguing that his leadership experience had demonstrated his capacity to manage the country’s diversity.

The Bauchi governor further endorsed the idea of a unity government, saying it would promote national cohesion and address the challenges of tribalism, religious intolerance and political exclusion.

“The gentleman is ready to manage diversity. He has also spoken about a unity government. That is inclusion, throwing away impunity, tribalism, which is the bane of our problem, and religious bigotry,” he stated.

He assured political leaders and residents of Bauchi State that their interests would receive attention under a Makinde presidency, appealing to the candidate not to concentrate federal appointments and development projects in Oyo State or the South-West.

Mohammed also complained about the difficulties opposition-led states face in accessing federal interventions, insisting that Bauchi and other states in the North-East deserved fairness in the distribution of national resources.

“We have chosen that line. We want to be in the mainstream, and you are the centre of the mainstream. So we are at your mercy and the mercy of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala,” he said.

He added: “Whatever that is coming, don’t take it to Oyo alone, take it to Bauchi too. That is how we do politics.”

The governor also commended the consensus arrangement adopted by the APM in Bauchi State, saying the process produced candidates across various elective positions, from the State House of Assembly to the governorship, without serious disagreements.

He, however, warned against reproducing the same pattern of political exclusion and impunity Nigerians had experienced, expressing optimism that Makinde’s proposed Reset Nigeria Agenda would put the country on a sustainable path to development.