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Hunger: Atiku warns of looming revolution
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President Bola Tinubu administration of elevating poverty, division and hate to state policies.
Atiku, who spoke through his media aide, Paul Ibe, told Daily Sun that the present administration was in the habit of turning out policies that are allegedly not thought through all because of politics.
The Presidency, however, dismissed his comment as cheap talk, describing the criticisms as disconnected from Nigeria’s current realities
“Talk is cheap,” the Presidency declared, in a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. It emphasised that Atiku and his handlers were “clearly out of touch with the positive developments currently unfolding in our country.”
Onanuga criticised Atiku’s comparison of Nigeria’s situation to the upheavals preceding the 1789 French Revolution and the 1917 Russian Bolshevik Revolution as grossly misleading and a sign of disconnect from the authentic Nigerian reality.
Atiku, while reacting to comments by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, that he (Atiku) was not in position to speak on the state of affairs, noted that every policy of the present administration is based on politics.
Morka, while featuring on Politics Today on Channels Television, yesterday, had said people like Atiku, who allegedly failed to address national challenges, during their time in government are not in position to talk about the perceived failures of subsequent administration.
“This Atiku, we are discussing, under his administration, in 1999 , these guys had a windfall. It was like manna from an oil windfall. What did they do with it. This same Atiku has publicly confessed about how they squandered 21 billion meant to give us electricity. Has he forgotten?
“When Nigerians speak about economic, I listen because they have a right to speak, but when people that has been entrusted with a mandate, authority to solve a problem and failed, when they come along to speak about the failures of subsequent governments, a man like Atiku, with due respect, on this question should be quiet. “
In a statement signed by Ibe, Atiku had decried the spate of hunger in the country, saying it was unacceptable. He noted that whereas the primary objective of any government is the security and welfare of citizens, Nigerians are progressively wallowing in misery and poverty under the watch of the Tinubu-led APC administration. “The current situation does not give cause for cheers as it engenders an increasingly progressive propensity for criminalities in form of high-wire fraud, terrorism, kidnapping, cultism, drug addiction and ritual sacrifice, among others.
“The most violent socio-political eruptions and revolutions all over the world had often been powered by pervasive hunger and unbearable material conditions – especially the paradox of squalor amidst plenty in our land.”
Consequently, he noted that “the current unacceptable situation offers an opportunity for reflection, the former Vice President cited the French Revolution, the 1917 Russian Revolution and the Arab Spring in which a young man caught in the maelstrom of unbearable frustration set himself ablaze in a development which occasioned violent socio-political eruptions starting out from Tunisia to engulf the Middle-East and North Africa.
“Back home here in Nigeria, it may not be out of place to argue that even the “ENDSARS” protest was fuelled by the traumatising frustration of hunger and insensitivity on the part of the government.
“Whatever reform the Tinubu government might claim to be undertaking, the point remains that food insecurity is a daily occurrence nationwide. There is no government worth its salt that does not place priority on the welfare and security of the people.”
Atiku, who lamented that after the two years of the Tinubu administration, there are no signs that the government is capable of addressing the issue of pervasive hunger in the country, noted that the reforms by the administration should have a human face.
“Whether the present powers accept it or not, the reality of our existence is that the poor are increasingly dying of hunger while the majority of the living poor exists at the mercy of the ill-advised policies of this government,” he stated.
The former Vice President, in response to the APC spokesman, noted during his time in government, in the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, “there was abundance there was food. The GDP grew at an average of about 7 percent. In one of the years, it was 15 percent.
“They did infrastructure development. Communication. GSM, the way we know it, all the Fintech and all was as a result of the hard work. The Obasanjo Atiku administration set up the EFCC, which this administration is using now as a political tool to whip politicians in line, using it to ensure that everybody is shepherded into the APC, a one party dictatorship.
“That is the character of these people. Tinubu and the APC.Tinubu is not the President of the APC. He is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and whether we are members of the ruling party or the opposition, our interest is supposed to be taken care of by this government. But they have not done that. What have they done, they have introduced division. Ino our body polity. We have never been this divided. Poverty, division and hate are now policies of state.
“They turn out policies that are not well thought through. All their calculations are based on politics. We are aware for example that the farmers that the Buhari administration had encouraged to go into massive farming, a lot of those farmers have now left, because of political expediency.
“They should stop majoring in minors in government politics. Roll their sleeves and get on with the work of governance. Nigerians are hungry. Nigerians have never been this poor. What are they talking about?”
Atiku added that “what we are saying is that we are asking that this leadership with what is going on and all of that, the level of frustration and anger, elsewhere we have seen that these things have engendered social political crisis. We are not asking for that.
“We are asking that they should reflect. It is time for reflection. It is time for them to turn around, begin to reappraise the situation and see how they can make life better for Nigerians, that is what it is about. Nobody is asking for all that. No..We are asking that they need to be conscious. They should be conscious of history and not repeat history. And make amends.”
The Presidency criticised Atiku’s comparison of Nigeria’s situation to the upheavals preceding the 1789 French Revolution and the 1917 Russian Bolshevik Revolution as grossly misleading and a sign of disconnect from the authentic Nigerian reality.
Highlighting concrete economic data, the Presidency pointed to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), stating, “Just today, the National Bureau of Statistics released its figures for August, showing that headline inflation has declined for the fifth consecutive month.” Further evidence of economic progress is seen in a “record trade surplus,” with the contribution of non-oil exports now nearly matching that of crude oil at a ratio of 48.52 percent.
On Nigeria’s financial reserves, the Presidency noted significant improvements, saying, “Our foreign exchange reserves are on the rise, now approaching $42 billion. When President Tinubu assumed office, reserves stood at $32 billion, much of it encumbered.”
The administration has also cleared over $7 billion in arrears, including $800 million owed to airlines, strengthening the country’s fiscal position.
The Presidency also pointed out the positive ripple effects at the subnational level, saying, “Under President Tinubu, Nigeria is recording unprecedented revenues. States are now able to pay salaries and gratuities promptly and still have surplus funds for capital and social projects, an achievement not previously witnessed at this scale.”
The statement rebuked Atiku and his party, saying, “Nigeria is moving in the right direction. In contrast, Atiku and his party remain stuck in the past, fixated on doomsday scenarios and revolutionary rhetoric.”
The Presidency reminded the public that “many of the challenges we face today stem from the economic mismanagement during the PDP years, when Atiku was Vice President.”
President Tinubu’s leadership, the statement affirmed, is marked by bold reforms and relentless effort to correct those errors. “After just two years and five months in office, we are proud of the progress being made. Atiku and his allies may choose to ignore these gains, but Nigerians can see and feel the positive changes taking place across the nation.”
The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three companies operating in the country as alleged financial facilitators of activities linked to the terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
They were designated in the latest action, which targeted a total of three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for ISIS operations globally.
In a statement issued on Monday and sighted on Tuesday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, said designations cut across France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria.
He described the network as one that enables ISIS to move money across borders.
“Today’s designations target three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa who have enabled ISIS to move money across borders — exposing a network that spans from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria.
“Among those designated is a France-based facilitator who provided information concerning the use of explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operator who used cryptocurrency to transfer funds on behalf of ISIS associates in multiple countries, including the United States, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing,” the statement added.
In a further update released on Monday, the US released the identities of the three persons and six companies designated.
Apart from the Nigerian national, three of the six designated companies are also from Nigeria, two from Lagos State and one from Kano.
Full List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)
ABDELHAKIM, Boukich (a.k.a. “ALHOLANDI, Abu Sulayman”; “BABILI, Muhammad”); Syria; DOB 15 Dec 1993 (alt. 01 Jan 1991); POB The Hague, Netherlands (alt. Aleppo, Syria); nationality Netherlands; male; National ID No. 02040063438 (Syria) [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
ABDERRAHMANE, Miloud (a.k.a. “GHAZI, Ibrahim”); France; DOB Aug 1992; nationality/citizenship France; male; Digital Currency Addresses: TRX TBXMiRqUp1XH1zLazWu8cWitMAScv4HsYq; TRX TDFj8tYzfLDkwEMo4MJ2DfrbpMztuCCnan [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
MUHAMMAD, Mukhtar Adamu (a.k.a. ADAMU, Mukhtar; MUKHTAR, Muhammad); No. 45 Abimbola Street, off Capital Road, Morcas Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria; DOB 02 Aug 1990 (alt. 03 Aug 1990); nationality Nigeria; male; Passport Nos. A11904741; A07422697 [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS-WEST AFRICA).
ALKARAM DANISMANLIK GAYRIMENKUL IC VE DIS GENEL TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI (a.k.a. AL-KARAM COMPANY; AL-KARAM MONEY TRANSFER COMPANY; SPIDER COMPANY ISTANBUL EXCHANGE RATES); Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
BITCOIN EXCHANGE AGENT IDLIB’S NO.1 COIN EXCHANGE (a.k.a. IDLIB NO 1 BTC; NO.1 BITCOIN EXCHANGE AGENT; BITCOIN XCHANGE); Idlib, Salqin, Darkush, Sarmada, Syria; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
GENERATION CURRENCY BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; Lagos, Nigeria; RC 1555604; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
MANHATTAN BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; No. 59 Murtala Mohammed Way, Wapa, Kano, Nigeria; RC 1763824; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
NINE TO NINE EXCHANGE BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria; RC 1462752; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
SPIDER GAYRIMENKUL VE GENEL TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI (a.k.a. SPIDER MONEY TRANSFER COMPANY; SPIDER TICARET); Istanbul, Türkiye; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
The U.S. reaffirmed its “strong partnership with Nigeria,” which joined the United States in the May 16, 2026, operation that resulted in the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the number two official in ISIS.
Pigott said the United States would continue to apply diplomatic and legal measures against ISIS and its supporters worldwide.
“We will continue to use every diplomatic and legal tool available to hold ISIS and its supporters accountable — wherever they operate and however they move money. We remain fully committed to protecting American lives, defending religious minorities, and working with international partners to eliminate the threat that ISIS poses to global peace and security,” he said.
The action, according to the statement, was taken under Executive Order 13224, as amended.
It also noted that ISIS, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation in 2004. (PUNCH)
Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse [Right], former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, died while in kidnappers’ den
Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, has tragically died while in captivity after being abducted by bandits earlier in June 2026.
He was held alongside another captive, identified as Yahya, in the notorious Birnin Gwari forest in North-West Nigeria—a region long plagued by banditry and violent criminal activity.
A disturbing video circulated widely on social media showed Besse and Yahya pleading desperately for help.
In the footage, Besse confirmed his past role as APC Chairman but clarified that he no longer held the position.
Both men appeared visibly frail and weak, lamenting their deteriorating health conditions.
They appealed to relatives, community leaders, and government authorities to intervene and secure their release.
The video sparked outrage and sympathy across Nigeria, drawing attention to the vulnerability of even prominent figures in the face of unchecked banditry.
On June 23, 2026, reports confirmed that both captives—Besse and Yahya—had died in the kidnappers’ den.
Their deaths have left families, political associates, and the wider community devastated.
The incident has reignited debates about the government’s handling of security in Kebbi State and across Nigeria’s North-West.
The tragedy underscores the deepening insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, where bandit groups continue to terrorize communities through abductions, extortion, and killings.
It highlights the failure of negotiation and ransom-driven approaches, which often embolden criminal gangs rather than deter them.
Analysts warn that the incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms, stronger intelligence gathering, and coordinated military action.
Community leaders have called for decisive government intervention.
They stressed that the persistence of such crimes erodes public trust in governance and threatens national stability.
A Kebbi State official expressed grief in a heartfelt statement:
“I have received the heartbreaking news that one of the victims abducted by bandits, a former APC Chairman of Koko/Besse Local Government, has sadly passed away while in the hands of his captors.
“I extend my deepest condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and all those affected by this painful loss.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, shower His infinite mercy upon him, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
“May Allah also comfort his family and grant them the strength to bear this difficult loss.”
The official further prayed for an end to the persistent insecurity troubling Kebbi State and Nigeria as a whole.
He urged for lasting peace, safety, and stability in affected communities.
The death of Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse and his associate Yahya in captivity has sparked outrage and renewed calls for urgent solutions to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Their passing is a grim reminder of the human toll of banditry, the fragility of life under such conditions, and the pressing need for decisive action to restore peace and stability in Kebbi State and across Nigeria.
…Rain Oil leads cuts with N18/litre reduction
…Diesel prices crash by up to N70/litre
Depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, eased across several terminals in Lagos yesterday as petroleum marketers adjusted prices amid shifting supply dynamics in Nigeria’s downstream oil market.
The latest market data showed a broad-based decline in Lagos, with most major depots reducing their ex-depot prices by between N1 and N18 per litre, while diesel prices recorded even steeper reductions in some locations.
The price movement comes as competition among petroleum product suppliers continues to influence market pricing, particularly with increased domestic refining capacity.
The Dangote Refinery remained relatively stable, with its Lagos PMS price inching up marginally from N1,175 per litre to N1,176 per litre, a difference of just N1.
However, several other terminals reduced prices. Rain Oil recorded the biggest cut among Lagos depots, lowering its petrol price by N18 from N1,180 to N1,162 per litre.
A.A Rano also reduced its price from N1,165 to N1,161 per litre, while AIPEC and Bono moved down from N1,165 to N1,160 per litre.
NIPCO cut its PMS price by N4 from N1,165 to N1,161 per litre, while AITEO adjusted slightly downward from N1,161 to N1,160 per litre.
Other terminals including Masters, Matrix, Sigmund and T.S.L also recorded declines, reinforcing the downward trend in the Lagos depot market.
Masters reduced petrol from N1,203 to N1,197 per litre, Matrix moved from N1,205 to N1,197 per litre, while Sigmund and T.S.L adjusted their prices from N1,200 to N1,195 per litre.
Despite the general decline in Lagos, some terminals in other regions recorded increases, reflecting regional supply and logistics differences. In Port Harcourt, Africanterminal raised its PMS price from N1,495 to N1,505 per litre, while Duport increased from N1,490 to N1,505 per litre.
Gulftreasure and T.Time were quoted at N1,505 per litre, while Dangote’s Port Harcourt terminal recorded a slight reduction from N1,501 to N1,500 per litre.
The diesel market recorded a more significant shift, particularly in Port Harcourt, where prices fell sharply at some depots. Matrix reduced automotive gas oil (AGO) from N1,630 to N1,560 per litre, representing a N70 drop, while Sigmund cut its diesel price by N68 from N1,628 to N1,560 per litre.
In Lagos, AGO prices also softened at some terminals, with Matrix reducing diesel from N1,630 to N1,560 per litre, while Sigmund moved from N1,628 to N1,560 per litre.
Meanwhile, Calabar recorded a slight upward movement in petrol prices. Mainland depot increased PMS from N1,187 to N1,190 per litre, while Northwest moved from N1,190 to N1,195 per litre.
The Chief Executive officer, Petroleumprice.com, Olatide Jeremiah, said the latest adjustments highlight the increasingly competitive nature of Nigeria’s petroleum products market, where local refining output, depot inventories and transportation costs continue to determine price movements.
He said: “With more domestic supply entering the market, especially from major refining facilities, marketers are expected to continue reviewing depot prices in response to changing supply conditions.
“The immediate impact on consumers will depend on how quickly the reductions at depot level translate into retail pump prices, as marketers factor in haulage expenses, operating costs and profit margins.” (Vanguard)
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