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2023 Election : Tinubu, Atiku, Obi roll out plans on economy, security
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President-elect Yakubu Maikyau; All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate Kashim Shettima; NBA President Olumide Akpata; Chairman, Technical Committee on Conference Planning Tobenna Erojikwe; Guest Speaker Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar; Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki; Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi at the opening of the 2022 NBA Annual Conference in Lagos…
Shettima: APC standard bearer and I will replicate our Lagos, Borno feats
Nigeria’s unity, power devolution not negotiable, says PDP candidate
LP flagbearer promises to transform Nigeria to a productive economy
Presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi yesterday rolled out their plans on the economy and insecurity, two of the most critical problems confronting the country.
They were guests at a plenary of the ongoing 62nd Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC) in Lagos.
The conference theme is Bold Transitions, while the session theme was: Democratic transitions in 21st Century Nigeria: 2023 and beyond.
Nigerians have been reeling under tough economic conditions, with inflation at over 19 per cent, an all-time high in 17 years, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
There have been frequent terror attacks, including kidnapping for ransom, insurgency, killings and farmer-herder clashes, among others.
But the presidential candidates sounded confident they would solve the problems if given the chance in 2023.
They also sold their plans on how to revamp the economy.
The flag bearers of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peter Umeadi (former Chief Judge of Anambra State) also answered questions on their plans.
The keynote speaker, novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, said Nigeria must get its leadership choice right at the poll next year.
The session, moderated by former NBA president Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), had an estimated 13,000 lawyers in attendance physically or virtually.
‘Tinubu’ll deploy mastery of financial management’
APC vice presidential candidate and former Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, who represented Tinubu, said the former Lagos State governor will deploy his “mastery of financial management capabilities” in revamping the economy.
He said he (Shettima) would use his eight-year experience tackling Boko Haram in Borno to deal with banditry and insurgency.
According to him, the strength of the country’s armed forces is abysmal relative to its challenges and compared to its peer countries.
He believes Nigeria’s troops need to be boosted to at least 960,000.
Shettima said: “I want us to juxtapose two scenarios. At the end of the unfortunate Nigerian civil war, the Nigerian Armed Forces ballooned to 250,000 combat troops.
”In 1970, Nigeria’s population was 55.9million, our GDP was $22billion, and our military spending was $660million representing 5.28 per cent of our GDP.
“I would like us to juxtapose the figures in 1970 with the figures for 2022. At the end of July, Nigeria’s population was 216.9 million.
“Our GDP was $455million and our total number of troops was 213,000. The percentage of our GDP that is spent on the military for security was only 0.5 per cent.”
He noted that Nigeria’s “peers across the world” such as Iraq, Israel and Turkey spend far higher percentages.
He argued that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket was the best combination to tackle Nigeria’s economic, security and other challenges because of their vast experience.
“I will handle the security and lead the troops while my principal (Bola Ahmed Tinubu), who is an economic wizard will handle the economy,” he said.
The former Borno State governor said his combination with Tinubu, if elected next year, will replicate the “wonders” they performed in Borno and Lagos states.
Shettima said: “Nigerians have the capability to see through the worn-out rhetoric and sophistry of pretentious politicians.
“Nigerians should follow the man wey know the road. From day one, we will hit the ground running. We’ll promptly address the issue of the economy, ecology, and security.
“We have the antecedents. I built some of the best schools in Nigeria. Go to Borno and see wonders; you will never believe that it is a state in a state of war.
“So, we are going to replicate our achievements in Lagos, Borno and some of the frontline states so that our nation will be a better place. The fundamental issue is pure leadership.”
Shettima urged Nigerians to consider the strengths of a Tinubu presidency as exemplified by the latter’s performance as Lagos governor and his skillset.
“He is a city boy, I am the golden boy,” Shettima said.
Reflecting on the poor state of the Lagos economy before 1999, he emphasised Tinubu’s successes in transforming the its finances.
“Now, Lagos is earning N51billion every month as its internally generated revenue. Lagos is the third largest economy in Africa,” he said.
Shettima said beside establishing an “excellent track record for performance”, Tinubu has also “mentored men and women who are excelling in different fields of human endeavours.”
He credited himself with excelling as a staff of Zenith Bank in Lagos and elsewhere, adding that he had also “mentored men who are excelling in different fields of human endeavour.”
On their economic plans, Shettima said an “important tool of growing the economy”, is “diversification of sources of our income”.
Read Also: We must stand, mobilise, pray for Tinubu to win 2023 presidency —
“Ours is a great nation in chains; chained by ineptitude, chained by corruption and chained by incapacity.
“This is why it is absolutely important to grow the economy,” he said while responding to a question by the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief ‘Folake Solanke.
Urging Nigerians to disregard ethnicity and religion, Shettima added: “I urge you all to align yourselves with the aspirations of the APC candidate fundamentally because of his competence. He has an established track record of performance.
“Lagos is now a tourist destination of choice in the West African subregion. Lagos produces 75 per cent of the tax collections in this country and we are going to recreate the Lagos experience all over the country.
“I urge you, I beseech you, I call on you to use your rational sense of judgment, make an informed judgment on who you are going to vote for in the next dispensation.
“It is absolutely essential that you vote for competence, capacity, and for a leader who can lead us to the promised land. Yes, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the man to beat.”
Atiku, referencing the country’s challenges and “negative developments in our history,” said what was important is how to tackle the problems.
He identified five key areas that require action.
Atiku said: “There are five key areas that any leadership – forget about the party – any leadership from whichever political party must confront .
“The unity of our country is very fundamental. How do we achieve the unity of our country? It’s by making sure that we give every part of this country a sense of belonging.”
He explained that despite its overwhelming victory in 1999, the PDP formed a national government inclusive of other political party members, adding that this boosted national unity.
“Then, the issue of the economy and security came in. Because we had a consensus, we had no problem dealing with the sad security challenges.
“Therefore, I believe we have had experience and it is that experience that has helped that must be brought back.
“It is only when you have this sense of belonging that we will be able to deal with the issue of security. When you deal with the issue of security, then you will now come to the economy.
“My five points that are illuminated are all interrelated from unity to security, economy to the devolution of power.”
He emphasised his belief in restructuring via power devolution.
“More resources, more power to the states,” he added.
On how to stabilise the economy, Atiku said the “multiple exchange rate,” must be “abolished.”
The PDP flag bearer said since the return of democracy in 1998/99, Nigeria has never found itself in such a critical point in its history.
“Today, we have had all the negative indices. Today, we are all disunited in the nation. We have never experienced this level of poverty.
“We have never experienced this state of insecurity. We have never experienced this level of unemployment. We have recognised all these negative development in our history.
“This is where history and experience beckon on us to make sure that we don’t get it wrong at this point otherwise if we get it wrong. I don’t know when we will ever get it right.
“I have been involved in the struggle to return this country to democracy in the time of military days.
“In fact, I can even say I was even lucky to be alive because so many of my contemporaries were killed in the struggle, but by the grace of God I have survived till this point in time,” he said.
Obi restates consumption-to-production promise
Obi lamented the numerous problems facing the country.
He restated that the “only way” to stabilise the naira is for the Nigerian economy to “move from consumption to production.”
He added: “Nigeria needs an urgent transition from being a highly insecure country to a secure country, from a disunited country to a united country, from corruption to a successful country, from a country of lawlessness to a country of law and order.
“But in all these, it is important to look at where we are today for people to understand the gravity of the journey we are going to take if we are going to transit. Where are we today?”
In his view, Nigeria had qualified to be a failed state.
According to him, 80 per cent of the country’s crude was stolen.
“Even our most important source of foreign exchange revenue, oil, is today 80 per cent stolen. That shows how bad it is.
“We are the only country apart from Venezuela (we know their own is because of sanctions) that is not meeting up with its OPEC quota.
“And you wouldn’t believe the quantity that is missing. In July, our total average quota was 1.83 million barrels a day. That means that in July, we lost 77,000 barrels per day.
“If you multiple that by 20, in 31 days it will give you 22.223million barrels of oil that we lost. This is a country that needs dollars.
“If you sell the quantity of the oil that we lost in July alone at the average of $110, it will give you $2.45bilion, meaning by our exchange rate of N550, we lost N1. 344trillion .
“That is your country; that is what we lost in one month because of stealing. It is important that we know this. “Number two item to show that we are a failed state is that you are no longer in control of our economy.
“We have an economy where over 100 million people live in poverty, our unemployment rate is one of the worst in the world because we have a combined unemployment of 50 per cent.
“Out of 200 million Nigerians, 60 per cent is supposed to be working, so we are supposed to have more than 120 million persons working but today Nigerians that are working are under 50 million, so 70 million plus of Nigerians are not working, are not productive.
“When you compare this to your productivity, you will see how low it is. But what is even worse is that we are in a total physical mess because of all these.
“Between January this year and April, the total revenue of Federal Government of Nigeria is N1.6trillion
“The expenditure is N4.7trillion. If you subtract this, we have a deficit of N3.1trillion. That shows almost 200 percent is the deficit and this is the crisis we face.”
He blamed the situation on bad leadership.
“How did we come here? It is because of leadership failure over the years.
“To come out of this, we need to have a visionary, articulated and competent leadership to start turning things around,” he said.
Umeadi urged the electorate to exercise due voter diligence in the 2023 general electioneering process as a way to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic transitions.
Adebayo said one of the ways to make the naira stable is to abolish a dual system where “one person who has a friend in the Central Bank can make $30 million dollars by buying at the official rate and selling to the hard-working people” at an increased rate.
He said: “Importers and supermarket owners should not be making more money than manufacturers and farmers.”
He added that the “convergence of official and unofficial rates” must be allowed.
Among the guests at the opening were Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki; his Plateau State counterpart Simon Lalong; a spokesman for Atiku’s campaign organisation, Senator Dino Melaye; AIT founder, Raymond Dokpesi, Obi campaign director-general Doyin Okupe, among others.
Adichie advocates corruption-free justice system
Award-winning novelist Adichie advocated a fair, corruption-free judicial system, urging the NBA to leverage technology in judicial process and the administration of justice.
She lamented that Nigerians do not seem to have enough leaders to look up to in the current system.
In her view, young citizens were finding it difficult to have heroes for mentorship.
“We are starved of heroes. Our young people do not find people to look up to anymore,” Adichie said.
The keynote speaker argued that it was important for everyone to speak out against injustice and tyranny even if they were called troublemakers.
She said: “A bold transition must embrace audacity and innovation. They have called me troublesome. Although, it is never enjoyable to be called troublesome.
“I never set out to provoke for its sake. But I refuse to silence myself for the fear of what I might inadvertently provoke. It has always been important to me to say what I believe, to call out injustice.
“Federal and state security dragging journalists to prison is tyranny. A journalist ill-treating his domestic staff is tyranny. The rape of young boys and girls is also tyranny.
“It is tyranny when state governments do not pay pensioners until they slump and die as broken people.
“The physical harassment of lawyers and some judges is tyranny. The use of the law by some people to oppress the poor people is tyranny.”
Adiche said Nigerians must be fair in their criticisms before peace can thrive, adding that they should become responsible before holding the leaders responsible.
She said: “As long as we refuse to untangle the knot of injustice, peace cannot thrive. If we don’t talk about it, we fail to hold leaders accountable and we turn what should be transparent systems into ugly opaque cults.
“My experience made me think there’s something dead in us, in our society; a death of self-awareness and ability for self-criticism.
“There’s a need for resurrection. We cannot avoid self-criticism but criticise the government. We cannot hide our own institutional failure while demanding transparency from the government.”
While commending the NBA for traditionally defending citizens’ rights, she lamented a decline in professionalism.
She said: “Nigerians are disillusioned because they know of the decline of professionalism in some sections of the legal profession.
“As the NBA continues to fight the abuse of power, it must also look inward not to be corrupted.
“One way is to simplify the legal procedure. We deny justice when we delay justice. Technology should also be used. It is time for the full use of technology in the administration of justice.
“Today, the word ‘disruptive’ has taken on a more positive and perhaps even a more trendy connotation. It now tends to mean innovative and original especially concerning technology and access to information. Troublesome and innovative.
“They might seem opposed to each other but I will argue that these two understandings of disruptive hang their pride on the NBA.
“Many people who have abused their positions of power in Nigeria would describe the NBA as troublesome.”
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has revealed that the Federal Government will provide qualified Nigerian shipowners with up to $25m each, under the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, a move he said could strengthen indigenous shipping and create more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.
This comes as he also disclosed that disbursement of the long-awaited CVFF to qualified Nigerian shipowners to strengthen indigenous shipping and create thousands of jobs will soon commence.
Oyetola disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Monday, saying the government was finally moving to unlock the fund more than 20 years after it was established.
He said the initiative would help address one of the major challenges confronting Nigerian shipowners.
“After more than 20 years, we are finally moving to unlock the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) for Nigerian shipowners. This is a major step towards building a stronger Nigerian-owned shipping industry, creating jobs and ensuring that more of the value generated from activities in our maritime space stays in Nigeria.
“Under the CVFF, each successful applicant will be able to access up to $25 million in financing to acquire vessels, subject to the applicable assessment and approval process. This is significant because access to affordable, long-term financing has been one of the major challenges limiting the growth of Nigerian-owned shipping companies”, the minister stated.
On how the fund would improve the competitiveness of indigenous operators, the minister said, “With access to financing at very low interest rates, our shipowners can acquire modern vessels, expand their fleets and compete for coastal and offshore contracts that are currently dominated by foreign operators.
“Our objective is to ensure that more Nigerian-owned vessels operate on Nigerian waters, more Nigerian businesses participate in our maritime economy, and more Nigerians benefit from the wealth our waters generate. Providing Nigerian shipowners with the financial capacity to acquire vessels is a critical step towards reducing foreign dominance in our maritime space.”
Oyetola said he had directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to accelerate the process of disbursing the fund to qualified applicants.
He stated, “I have, therefore, directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to work closely with the 12 approved banks, known as Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs), to accelerate the disbursement of the fund to qualified applicants.
“NIMASA has so far received 92 applications. Of these, 20 have been forwarded to the Primary Lending Institutions, while one has so far been reviewed and forwarded for approval. To further speed up access, we have expanded the number of approved banks from five to 12 and launched the CVFF Application Portal to make the process more transparent, structured and accessible.”
Writers urged to promote inclusive maritime sector
The minister added that the expected impact of the fund extended beyond vessel acquisition, as increased indigenous ownership could stimulate several areas of the maritime economy.
He said, “The disbursement of the CVFF could help create a stronger indigenous fleet, which will in turn stimulate activity in shipyards, marine engineering, vessel maintenance, maritime logistics and other supporting industries. It could also create more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, while strengthening Nigeria’s ship-owning and shipbuilding ecosystem.
“This initiative is part of the Tinubu Administration’s commitment to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, strengthening indigenous capacity and ensuring that Nigerians take a greater share of the opportunities in our maritime sector.”
He also highlighted the government’s efforts to develop the human resources needed to support the maritime industry.
“Financing vessels is only one part of building a stronger indigenous maritime industry. We are equally investing in the people who will power this industry. So far, 222 seafarers have received free professional training, 333 cadets have completed their academic training and obtained degrees, while 135 cadets under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) have obtained their Certificates of Competency. In addition, 7,059 Nigerian seafarers have been placed onboard vessels to gain valuable sea-time experience.”
“We are determined to ensure that Nigerians own, operate and benefit from the economic activities taking place in Nigeria’s maritime space. We are building the capacity to make that happen — through vessel financing, skills development, indigenous enterprise and strategic investment in our maritime sector. The work continues”, the minister concluded.
The CVFF was established under the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003 to support Nigerian shipping companies in acquiring vessels and developing indigenous capacity. Its disbursement has, however, been delayed for more than two decades.
The Federal Government launched the CVFF application portal in January 2026 and announced that successful applicants could access up to $25m in financing. NIMASA subsequently began receiving applications from interested operators.
NIMASA had disclosed in April that it received more than 60 applications within four months of opening the portal, with the agency promising that the disbursement process would be transparent and strictly monitored.
The latest figure provided by Oyetola represents an increase in applications to 92, although only one application has so far been reviewed and forwarded for approval, according to the minister.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged failure to account for N33.75 billion in cash transfers meant for vulnerable Nigerians.
Falana, Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), also urged the anti-graft agency to work with the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF) to recover the funds if investigations establish that they were diverted.
He made the demand in a statement on Sunday following a report by the Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, which raised concerns over the inability of the Federal Government to provide sufficient evidence that N33.75 billion in cash transfers reached genuine beneficiaries.
The disclosure is contained in the AuGF’s 2024 Annual Report on Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government.
According to Falana, the funds were intended for more than 3.29 million vulnerable households under the National Social Investment Programme.
He said the development was particularly concerning given the safeguards introduced by the Federal Government to strengthen the tracking of beneficiaries and prevent the inclusion of ghost recipients.
The National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) was established as a statutory agency under the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act 2022, with responsibility for implementing major social intervention programmes, including N-Power, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, the National Cash Transfer Programme and the National Social Safety Net Programme.
Falana said the agency had, however, been plagued by allegations of financial impropriety involving some officials.
He recalled that former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, had been investigated by the EFCC over alleged money laundering involving more than N37.1 billion.
He also cited the suspension of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, following a December 2023 memo directing the transfer of N585 million in public intervention funds to a private bank account.
Falana said the then Chief Executive Officer of NSIPA, Halima Shehu, was also suspended and questioned over alleged suspicious movement of funds.
He said the EFCC should conclude its investigations into the various allegations and make its findings public.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission should liaise with the Auditor-General of the Federation with a view to recovering the missing N33.75 billion,” Falana said.
He urged the EFCC to immediately investigate what he described as a serious allegation of the criminal diversion of funds earmarked for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
“All the characters involved in the shameful conduct should be arrested and prosecuted without any delay,” he said.
Falana further raised concerns over the implementation of a $3.05 billion package of development programmes unveiled by President Bola Tinubu in July 2026.
The package, supported by the World Bank, is aimed at deepening poverty reduction, strengthening human capital and expanding economic opportunities across the country.
Falana urged the Federal Government to ensure that funds meant for poverty reduction reached their intended beneficiaries and suggested the establishment of a body comprising credible civil society organisations to oversee the disbursement of the development funds.
He said stronger accountability mechanisms were necessary to prevent public officials from abusing funds intended to support poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
….ADC presidential candidate position unrealistic •Leaders okay security rejig
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said those campaigning for the return of fuel subsidy are resorting to populist politics that will ultimately fail.
The governor criticised politicians promising to restore petrol subsidy, arguing that any candidate assuring Nigerians of its return was simply building a campaign on empty promises that would end up deceiving voters.
He warned Nigerians against believing pledges that could not be sustained by the nation’s finances. NigerianPartnership Consulting
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar reignited the debate over subsidy restoration when he commenced his campaign for the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
He is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Atiku said proceeds from subsidy removal had been mismanaged. But his roadmap for restoring the subsidy regime has been unclear and inconsistent. HireGrant Writers
Atiku has also said that, if elected, he would throw open Nigeria’s borders to allow cross-border businesses.
His claim that the borders are shut was faulted by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who said the borders are not closed.
Sanwo-Olu spoke yesterday when he delivered the seventh Freedom Online Newspaper Lecture in Lagos.
Political Representation Advocacy
The theme was: “2027 elections, economy, security and Nigeria’s future.” NigerianPartnership Consulting
The lecture was chaired by former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and attracted media personalities and political leaders who brainstormed on the state of the nation.
Former Ogun State Governor and Ogun East Senator, Gbenga Daniel, was the Special Guest of Honour.
Sanwo-Olu delved into the ongoing economic reforms, security matters and electoral reconfiguration being undertaken by the Federal Government, highlighting the gains and prospects for future growth. E-paperAccess
The Lagos governor observed that the fuel subsidy removal policy, which was introduced to tackle the shortcomings of local oil supplies stemming from inefficiencies at state-owned refineries, was not intended as a permanent intervention.
Sanwo-Olu said the subsidy policy had become a burden on the nation’s finances, draining the treasury and diverting funds that could have been invested in building roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure relevant to the wellbeing of the nation.
By taking the courage to end the corruption-ridden subsidy programme, the governor said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made the sacrifice that previous leaders had avoided, despite the potential impact the action could have on his electoral fortunes.
Sanwo-Olu said: “The oil subsidy was not removed because anybody enjoyed removing it. It was removed because it had become a hole in the national purse through which the money for roads, schools and hospitals was draining away.
“The intervention was never reaching the ordinary motorist it was supposed to help. In the build-up to the 2023 elections, every major candidate promised to remove it.
“Only one of them was in a position to do it, and he did it on his first day in office.
“I will not stand here and tell you that oil subsidy removal has been painless. It has not.
“Lagosians particularly have felt it at the pump, at the market, and in the price of a bag of rice.
“Any governor who tells you otherwise has not been listening to his own people.
“But the measure of a reform is not whether it hurts. It is whether it heals. And the evidence that this one is healing is now arriving, quarter by quarter.
“Under President Tinubu, the states have had it very good. Since the subsidy was removed, the monthly allocations to states and local governments have more than doubled in naira terms.
“The President has done his part; the money is arriving. Barely two weeks into the season of presidential election campaign, opposition politicians have reached for the fuel subsidy as their instrument of choice.
“We will see more of this. We will see promises that no treasury on earth could honour.”
Sanwo-Olu said he strongly believed in the direction of the reforms initiated by the President to reset the economy and the socio-political system, pointing out that the reforms were already yielding positive outcomes in the areas where they were being implemented.
The governor said he remained convinced about the direction of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, citing improvements in economic growth, agriculture, services, external reserves, inflation and remittances.
Sanwo-Olu said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic and security reforms had set Nigeria on the path to recovery. NigerianPartnership Consulting
He urged voters to give the administration another term to consolidate the gains.
Sanwo-Olu said the economy and security would be the defining issues of the 2027 presidential election, arguing that neither economic growth nor national development could be sustained without security.
He said Tinubu’s reforms were necessary to rescue public finances and redirect resources to development.
Sanwo-Olu said recent economic indicators suggested that the reforms were beginning to deliver results.
He cited National Bureau of Statistics figures showing that the economy grew by 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 3.89 per cent in the first quarter.
He also said Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen to $53 billion, while inflation had fallen to 15.9 per cent in June from almost 35 per cent in late 2024. NigerianPartnership Consulting
Sanwo-Olu added that formal remittances from Nigerians abroad reached $947 million in July, describing it as the highest monthly figure recorded.
He added: “These are not my numbers. They belong to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bank of Nigeria, and every journalist in this hall can check them.”
The governor said the APC would campaign on the need to sustain the reforms and ensure that their benefits reached Nigerians more quickly. NigerianPartnership Consulting
Sanwo-Olu said: “For us in the All Progressives Congress, the position that follows is a simple one.
“We intend to stay the course, to deepen the reforms, and to make sure that the benefits reach, quickly and visibly, the people who bore the cost.”
Sanwo-Olu argued that the economic and security crises confronting the country could not be treated separately.
He lauded the proposed establishment of state police, saying bringing security closer to communities would make policing more effective.
The governor urged the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to complete the constitutional process for state policing.
His position was supported by Senator Daniel and Alhaji Mohammed, who both stressed the importance of security to economic development.
Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, called for transparent elections, adding that there could not be economic growth without adequate security.
Sanwo-Olu, who will not contest the 2027 governorship election because he is completing his second term, made clear his preference in the presidential contest.
He said: “I will not disguise my hope for the outcome. I expect my party to win, and I expect a second term for President Tinubu to consolidate the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Senator Daniel said: “Nigeria cannot have a strong economy without security, and it cannot have lasting security without a strong economy.”
Daniel, who acknowledged that the nation was going through challenges, said they were not enough to define the country.
He added: “But Nigeria must not be defined only by its challenges. We possess enormous potential: a young population, a dynamic entrepreneurial culture, a growing technology sector, strong financial institutions, a vibrant creative economy and businesses succeeding across Africa. NigerianPartnership Consulting
“Our challenge is to create the conditions in which Nigerian ability can flourish at scale. Those conditions include security, infrastructure and opportunity.”
Akinadewo, Editor-in-Chief of Freedom Online newspaper, said reforms should address insecurity and development challenges.
He said Nigeria must separate politics from governance and development, noting that “we have a four-year cycle of elections but pitiably, there is no four-year cycle of development.” NigerianPartnership Consulting
Nigerian Partnership Consulting
He said the country needed to modernise its laws and security architecture to reflect contemporary realities, stressing that “we can’t continue to use the system adopted in the ’60s to govern Nigeria of 2026 and beyond.”
Akinadewo advocated state police and restructuring, arguing that decentralising security would improve understanding of local security challenges.
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