A former vice-president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has said that leaders after former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, did little in checkmating insurgency and the rise in terror groups across the nation.
Atiku made this assertion on Wednesday in Abuja during a visit by stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial District, led by former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba.
“So I hold our leadership responsible for all the insecurity that is going on all over the place”
According to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) flagbearer during the 2023 presidential election, Obasanjo was decisive in quelling Boko Haram when it reared its head over two decades ago in Yobe.
“You remember when the Boko Haram started in Yobe? It was actually in 2002. We were in the office. The president sent for me. ‘VP, what do we do about this?’ Then I said, ‘Mr President, let’s call the Service Chiefs and give them a deadline. If they can’t put it down, then they should put down their uniform and go away. We will get some other people,” Atiku said in a video shared on his official Facebook handle.
Atiku added, “So, I will say there’s a lack of political will on the leaders. When they’re killing your citizens, how can you even eat? They’re killing your citizens and you don’t give a damn; that is the greatest irresponsibility by any political leader, anywhere.
A total sum of ₦1.681 trillion, being April 2025 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils.
The revenue was shared at the May 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja, according to a statement released by FAAC spokesperson, Bawa Mokwa, on Friday.
The ₦1.681 trillion total distributable revenue, according to Mokwa, comprised distributable statutory revenue of ₦962.882 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of ₦598.077 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of ₦38.862 billion and Exchange Difference ₦81.407 billion.
READ ALSO: FG, States, LGs Shared ₦1.5tn In March – FAAC
A communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that total gross revenue of ₦2,848.721 trillion was available in the month of April 2025. Total deduction for cost of collection was ₦101.051 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was ₦1066.442 billion.
According to the communiqué, gross statutory revenue of ₦2,084.568 trillion was received for the month of April 2025. This was higher than the sum of ₦1,718.973 trillion received in the month of March 2025 by ₦365.595 billion.
Gross revenue of ₦642.265 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in April 2025. This was higher than the ₦637.618 billion available in the month of March 2025 by ₦4.647 billion.
The communiqué stated that from the ₦1,681. 228 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total sum of ₦565.307 billion and the State Governments received a total sum of₦556.741 billion.
The Local government Council received ₦406.627 billion, while the sum of ₦152.553 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting State as derivation revenue.
On the ₦962.882 billion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received ₦431.307 billion and the State Governments received ₦218.765 billion.
The Local Government Councils received ₦168.659 billion and the sum of ₦144. 151 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
From the ₦598.077 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received ₦89.712 billion, the State Governments received ₦299.039 billion and the Local Government Councils received ₦209.327 billion.
A total sum of ₦5.829 billion was received by the Federal Government from the ₦38.862 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The State Governments received ₦19.431 billion and the Local Government Councils received ₦13.602 billion.
From the ₦81.407 billion Exchange Difference, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N38.459 billion and the State Governments received ₦19.507 billion.
The Local Government Councils received N15.039 billion, while the sum of ₦8.402 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday said traditional institutions remain integral to the country’s development and called for more support in implementing policies that directly impact people’s livelihoods.
The President spoke when he received the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, his wife, Abiwumi, and a delegation of other traditional rulers from Oyo State at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to a statement released by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu congratulated the Alaafin for his ascendancy to the historic throne, assuring the royal father of his prayers and support.
Alaafin of Oyo and his wife visted the Aso Rock Villa on Friday, May 16, 2025. X/@aonanuga1956
“It is a great joy for me and a great honour. Your ascendancy to the throne of your fathers is historic. It is the will of God and the heart of the people.
“I am following up on your foresight for development, your humility, and the fact that you uphold the traditions of your people.
“The inherited tradition is the making of the Almighty God. Your ascendancy to the throne – like my becoming a president is the divine will of the Almighty God,” he said.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Has Approved More Air Assets To Tackle Insurgency — CDS
The President noted that the “hurdles, processes, and anxiety” along the way were part of the preparation for the position.
Tinubu commended the traditional council for the ease in nominating and crowning the 46th Alaafin following Oba Lamidi Adeyemi’s passing on April 22, 2022.
“I am happy that you have shown character and discipline and uplifted your people’s name, values and culture, even when you were in Canada. I am glad you have become a hope of sustaining the Yoruba race,” he added.
The President said his administration will continue working with traditional institutions to implement policies to protect and prosper citizens.
“The peace and stability of our nation requires inclusiveness. This job is not one you can do alone. We have to pull ourselves together to build a nation of prosperity.
“Our priority is still education and Medicare. We want to uplift education and cultural values. Our door is open for participation,” he stated.
Alaafin of Oyo and his wife visted the Aso Rock Villa on Friday, May 16, 2025. X/@aonanuga1956
President Tinubu told the king that the sons of the Oyo kingdom serving in his office have done exceptionally well, including Ambassador Victor Adeleke, State Chief of Protocol, and Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, the Aide-de-Camp.
Yusuf is the king designate of Ilemonaland in Oyun local council, Kwara State, which traces its ancestry to the Oyo kingdom.
In his remarks, Alaafin assured the President of the traditional council’s support in delivering his mandate to the people.
“Today, I speak not just as the custodian of culture and tradition but as a voice for my people, who are deeply honoured by the audience you have granted us here at the heart of the national leadership.
“Your gracious reception is more than protocol. It is a mark of your character, statesmanship and enduring regard for the traditional institutions. The people of Oyo remember your journey as a man who rose through the crucible of political struggle with unmatched courage and charity. You won many hearts as an activist, strategist, bridge builder and now as the nation’s foremost leader. ”
The monarch said Nigerians look up to the President for a new direction.
“Nigeria looks up to you, not only for leadership but for restoration. For a new vision rooted in justice, equity and inclusive progress. It is in that spirit that I have come to seek your collaboration. Oyo is ready, Yoruba are ready, and Nigerians are ready,” he added.
The king commended the President for bold economic reforms, infrastructural development, instituting social welfare, youth empowerment, and improvement in security and investments in agriculture.
There was some drama in Port Harcourt on Friday when supporters of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and those of the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, clashed in Port Harcourt.
The incident occurred during a town hall meeting which had supporters of both sides as well as other Rivers natives and residents in attendance.
Different attendees took turns to speak, expressing their views on the political crisis in the state. Trouble started when the President General of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Bright Amaewhule, took the stage and made the following comments “there’s no indigene of Rivers State that will not recognize the role GDI played in the emergence of Sim Fubara as governor of Rivers State. Before the campaign proper, we moved Sim from one local government to another, not the honorable minister.
“GDI was the group that propelled Sim into being accepted by the people of Rivers State even when he was rejected by the people who claim to be his brothers and sisters.
“Even when those who now came around him after he had become governor, asking him not to listen to any other person, asking him not to be loyal to the political party that brought him. These were the problems.”
Following the GDI president’s comments, the Rivers Labor Party Chairman, Hilda Dokubo, who was sitting in the front row, got up and walked out saying, “I can’t sit here and listen to this”. She was later prevailed upon by the organizers to return to her seat.
READ ALSO: ‘Do You Even Know If I Want To Go Back There?’ Fubara Speaks On State Of Emergency
The next speaker was Mr Kenwell Ibanibo, who while responding to Mr Amaewhule’s comments said, “I’ve heard the GDI Chairman say they supported Sim Fubara to become governor, but I’m asking you what did he do to warrant the 1st impeachment attempt after just 5 months?
“The point is somebody somewhere who thinks he’s the owner of Rivers state, took this position and influenced the impeachment”
At this moment, supporters of the FCT Minister led by Chibike Ikenga, the factional Rivers APC Chairman, interjected. They started remonstrating with Mr Ibanibo who kept insisting “you spoke, I didn’t interrupt you”.
Hot words were being exchanged by supporters of both groups, with a Wike supporter heard shouting “insult Wike now! Una go still beg, una go still come lie down. Person wey lie down never stand up una Dey talk!” To which the now returned Hilda Dokubo fired back “Him no go lie down! I say him no go lie down!” “No be Wike lie down for somewhere so!?”
As the melee went on, the anchor tried multiple times to regain control of the situation, appealing to everyone to take their seats. Even Mr Jake Epelle could be seen trying to calm frayed nerves as he appealed to the agitated individuals to sheath their swords. The tense situation even led to the bouncers coming into the hall and taking up strategic positions as they watched the tense situation.
After minutes of shouting and remonstration, Mr Ibanibo volunteered to temporarily leave the stage for peace to reign, this served to calm the tensions and the town hall continued.
That wasn’t the end of it though as there was a terse exchange when popular Niger Delta activist, Ann-Kio Briggs was interrupted by Mr Ikenga. She curtly shut him down saying, “I don’t know when you spoke, but I did not interrupt you, please leave me be. If I don’t speak for you, I speak for myself”.
Incidents like this highlight the tensions still simmering underneath in the state and fragility of the peace brought about by the state of emergency.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Friday assured Nigerians that the military is committed to addressing the recent surge in insecurity.
He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the acquisition of additional air assets to strengthen the fight against insurgency.
General Musa made this known while briefing the State House correspondents immediately after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu and defence chiefs at the Aso Rock Villa.
He stated that additional equipment has already been procured to strengthen the fight against terrorists, who have intensified their attacks in recent months, particularly in the northern region of the country.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Inducts Two Trekker Helicopters To Tackle Insecurity
“Mr President has given a directive as to what to do next for us to intensify all efforts, collaborate with all our sister countries around us because it is the porous nature from there that is aggravating our own issues on ground.
“And so all our theatres have been enhanced, equipment has been bought and Mr President has given us much approval for air assets, and other aspects of security and as we said, it is not only the kinetic aspect, the non-kinetic aspect is most important.
“The President is also looking at discussing with governors for their own support by ensuring that dividends of democracy extend to the community to stamp down the issue of insecurity and we are working together,” General Musa said.
The CDS linked the recent surge in insecurity in Nigeria to a global push by terrorists and jihadists across the Sahel region, noting that the pressure on Nigeria is largely due to the porous nature of its borders.
He stated that the meeting with President Tinubu was held to review the overall security situation in the country, adding that the President is deeply concerned about the current developments and is determined to see them resolved.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Pledges Welfare Of Air Force, Other Security Personnel
He added that the security chiefs assured the President of their commitment and ongoing efforts to bring the situation under control.
‘Don’t get tired’
The Chief of Defence Staff also appealed to Nigerians not to get tired of supporting the security agencies in the fight against insurgency.
He also cautioned citizens to be wary of fake news, citing instances where videos from other countries are circulated on social media as though they depict events in Nigeria.
The CDS expressed concern over such actions, questioning why some individuals appear to take satisfaction in the nation’s challenges. He warned that if Nigeria were to collapse, the consequences would affect everyone.
“It is important that we all cooperate with the members of the Armed Forces and security agencies. If we see something that is going wrong anywhere in the country, let us report, action will be taken, including our own personnel.
The Caretaker Committee Chairperson of the Labour Party (LP), Nenadi Usman, has dared Julius Abure over his threat to expose Peter Obi, Alex Otti and other high-ranking members of her faction.
Abure, a factional LP National Chairman, had on Monday challenged Obi and Otti to name party members who allegedly received funds for the 2023 election.
“I am waiting for them, from top to bottom, to make any other move and I will open my mouth,” he said.
“And when I open my mouth, wherever they go to, they will be like smelly eggs, rotten eggs that nobody will ever buy.”
But speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, Usman dismissed Abure’s threats and challenged him to bring forward any evidence he claims to have.
READ ALSO: Labour Party Has Three Factions In Lagos – LASIEC
She said the LP has records of Abure’s conduct and that some of his actions are already the subject of police investigations.
“Well, I am challenging him to expose us. If you have anybody to expose, you don’t go and talk now, you go and expose them,” she said.
“We have a lot of things about him and that is why the people whom he did it to went to the police,” she added. “The police are investigating him and very soon you will hear about it.”
The former Finance Minister also described the current crisis in the LP as an attack on internal democracy.
“Generally, you would agree with me that every democracy needs to have a vibrant opposition. So when the opposition wants to become part of the ruling party, then there’s a problem. And that is where we are today,” she stated.
Usman maintained that Abure’s tenure as LP national chairman had elapsed and that the party had moved to resolve the leadership vacuum in line with the directive of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Principally, the Labour Party leadership at some point had issues with INEC because the tenure of Abure and his NWC had come to an end.
“Which was why when INEC invited leaders of political parties, he attended the meeting and was told to step out with his secretary,” she added.
