News
Nigerians blast Buhari over ‘I’ll leave for Niger Republic comment’
President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent remark that he “can’t wait to go home to Daura” and “if they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic” has sparked a flurry of reactions from Nigerians.
The comment, which was made during a Sallah homage to him by FCT residents led by the Minister, Mohammed Bello, has been interpreted by many as evidence of the President’s disinterest in the country’s current state of insecurity, economic decline, and widespread corruption.
This is evidenced by the fact that Nigeria, under Buhari’s leadership, launched a $2 billion railway project from Kano State to Maradi in Niger Republic, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Niger Republic for the importation of petroleum products, and expressed a willingness to collaborate on the construction of an oil pipeline and refinery. What with the 12 SUVs gifted to the Niger Republic at the cost of $1.14 billion which the minister of Finance confirmed and said it was for security? So many goodies to Niger Republic from Nigeria under Buhari.
Nigerian major cities, not even the commercial cities are linked by rail network, yet the Buhari administration borrowed $2 billion for the rail line to Maradi in Niger Republic.
Reactions to the President’s comment on relocation to the Niger Republic, if he’s disturbed in Daura, have been varied, with many prominent Nigerians weighing in on the matter. Here are some of the diverse reactions:
No hiding place for the wicked —Sowore
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the 2023 general election, Omoyole Sowore, in his reaction, said there is no hiding place for Buhari.
“President Muhammadu Buhari, sorry, there will be no hiding place for the wicked. You must pay for your crimes against humanity.
“Till the end of time, your atrocities will fish you out. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, it won’t matter where you hide, you will answer for your crimes.”
Buhari’s comment quite unfortunate —Sheikh Nuru Khalid
Similarly, the former Chief Imam of National Assembly Quarters Legislative Mosque, Shiekh Nuru Khalid, said to Saturday Vanguard: ”The President’s comment is disappointing and disheartening. It sends the message that he deliberately did not show enough interest in addressing the problems facing the country. It is unfortunate that the President seems more concerned with his personal comfort than the welfare of the Nigerian people. He has shown Nigerians he has a ‘Plan B’ of sort. One of his media aides made attempts to defend him by saying the President was merely cracking a joke. You don’t joke with your citizens like that.
Buhari seems to live in a bubble —Adeyanju
Human rights activist and solicitor, Deji Adeyanju, also weighed in on the matter, stating that the President’s comment is a clear indication that he is disconnected from the realities of the Nigerian people.
According to him, the President had better woken up to the fact that he must take responsibility for the dire situation in the country even after he leaves office
“President Buhari seems to exude a general sense of distance from reality. He seems to be always living in a bubble. He doesn’t yet realise the extent of damage, he has done to the country.
“I can’t understand why someone with so much goodwill of the masses in the build-up to the 2015 elections will squander it in so short a time and his government now
a colossal failure.
“If Nigeria is still a sane nation, Buhari will never be celebrated after he leaves office no matter where he may run to. He destroyed the nation on many fronts except catapulting his immediate family to a state of stupendous wealth,” he told Saturday Vanguard
However, there are some who have defended the President’s remark, stating that it was taken out of context.
According to them, the President was simply expressing his desire to spend time with his family in his hometown or anywhere else he so desires.
President’s comment not a reflection of his leadership —Gimba
Idris Gimba, a public affairs analyst and columnist, joined in defending President Buhari’s comment, saying, “The President was simply expressing his desire for peace and quiet in his hometown (Daura) as well as with his kinsmen in Niger republic. It is not a reflection of his leadership.”
Buhari no longer an issue —Abdul-Azeez Suleiman
In a similar vein, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the Spokesperson, Coalition of 52 Northern Groups (CNG), said Nigerians must resist the temptation to live in perpetual blame of leaders after they leave office.
He said, “I really don’t see any relation between his saying he would relocate to the Niger Republic after leaving office and his apparent non-performance as President.
“For all we care Buhari might even have been making a joke about it which is why we don’t give it serious consideration.
“Even if he elects to relocate to the moon, he has the right to do so assuming he can. What is clear however is that the things that men do live after them.
“And no matter how hard or how far a bad leader runs, he would be called to account in the fullness of time.
“What Nigerians should rather bother about is the future of the nation as President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares for governance in the next few days.
“We should be more concerned with getting the incoming President to commit to work to solve our basic socio-cultural problems, our regressing economy and address our precarious future.
“We should demand that he shows real commitment to reducing youth unemployment, insecurity and poverty.
“Without a doubt, the outgoing administration was run by people poorly-prepared and ill-equipped to lead except for their ambitions for power and fantastic wealth.
“Consequently, Nigerians are left at the mercy of armed crime, unforgivable poverty and derision from other parts of the world which once held us in awe and marvelled at our systems and quality of leadership.
“Nigerians must at this point learn to resist the temptation to live in perpetual blame of past leaders.
“We should do better than them, and learn from their mistakes. The past cannot be entirely remedied, but a future can be built on a strong foundation that benefits from a flawed past.
“Buhari is no longer an issue, I think, and where he chooses to live after retirement is as well not of the essence as the nation is struggling past a critical turning point.”
Undoubtedly, President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment during a Sallah homage to him has sparked a wave of controversy across the country.
Regardless of one’s interpretation, it is clear that Nigeria is facing significant challenges that require urgent attention from the outgoing and incoming governments.
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has announced a planned power outage in Nsukka and surrounding communities from November 5 to 10, 2026, to enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to carry out maintenance work on equipment at its Nsukka station.
The outage, scheduled to run daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will affect electricity supply to customers served by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), SUMAS and Orba 33kV feeders.
The announcement comes amid a current reduction in electricity supply across Enugu State, which MEDL has attributed to a drop in energy generation and low system frequency, forcing TCN to implement load shedding.
In a public notice issued on Monday, MEDL’s Head of Communications, Emeka Ezeh, said the planned maintenance was necessary to improve electricity supply in the affected areas.
“The planned outage is to enable the TCN technical team to carry out maintenance work on some equipment at the station,” Ezeh said.
He added that the exercise was aimed at improving the reliability and quality of electricity supply to customers.
The communities expected to experience interruptions include Ukopi, Opi Agu, Eha-Alumona, Orba Town, Obollo-Afor, parts of Obollo-Eke, Enugu Ezike, Ibagwa, Nkalagu Obukpa, Okpaligbo, Iheaka, Edem Ani, Agbani, Uzo-Uwani, Obimo, Nkpologu, Lejja, Nguru, Aku and Ogbede.
Other affected locations are Odim Gate, Nkpor, UNN, Nru, Ede Oballa, El Tabera Estate, Ikenga Estate, Wilson Company, Umakashi, Isiakpu, G.R.A. and Ogige Main Market, alongside surrounding communities.
MEDL apologised to customers over the anticipated inconvenience and appealed for their patience and understanding during the maintenance period.
“The exercise is necessary to facilitate essential technical work aimed at improving the reliability and quality of electricity supply to customers,” the company said.
Why electricity supply has dropped
In a separate public notice issued on Monday, the company explained that the current reduction in electricity supply across Enugu State resulted from a decline in energy generation, which had affected the stability of the power system.
MEDL said the situation had resulted in low system frequency, prompting TCN to ration available electricity through load shedding.
“The current reduction in power supply availability is due to a drop in energy generation, which has resulted in low system frequency,” the company stated.
It added that the situation had necessitated TCN’s decision to implement load shedding of the available energy.
“Consequently, the energy allocation to MEDL has been affected, limiting its ability to meet the daily service-level commitments,” the statement said.
The company, however, assured customers that it was monitoring the situation and distributing the available electricity allocation across its network.
“MEDL wishes to assure its customers that it is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to distribute the available energy allocation fairly across its network,” Ezeh said.
The company expressed optimism that normal electricity supply would soon be restored, while regretting the inconvenience caused by the reduction in supply.
It also thanked customers for their patience, understanding and continued cooperation.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has taken steps to address the rising cost of renting accommodation in the state by forwarding an executive bill to the State House of Assembly seeking to regulate agency and legal fees charged by property agents and lawyers.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Landlord and Tenant Law, Cap. 101, Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004, with a view to protecting tenants from excessive charges while ensuring fairness and transparency in the property market.
Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, disclosed this in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Ugwu explained that the executive bill would complement an earlier legislative proposal sponsored by the member representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Hon. Anthony Okey Mbah, which had already passed first and second readings and undergone a public hearing.
According to the Speaker, the proposed amendment would introduce measures to regulate estate agents, place limits on agency and legal fees, and establish clear procedures for the collection and refund of caution fees.
The legislation also seeks to check arbitrary rent increases and minimise disagreements between landlords and tenants over property damage through joint inventories and professional valuations where necessary.
Ugwu noted that the Assembly would harmonise the proposals to produce comprehensive legislation that addresses longstanding concerns in the state’s housing sector.
“When we are done with dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, we shall have a document that shall make tenancy-related charges more transparent and predictable, control and limit agency and legal fees, establish a formal regulatory framework for agents,” he stated.
He added that the proposed law would provide a structured mechanism for handling caution fees and refunds while creating an enabling environment for investors in the housing sector.
The development comes amid growing concerns among residents over the financial burden associated with securing rented accommodation, particularly agency commissions, legal charges and other tenancy-related payments.
The Speaker maintained that the initiative was consistent with Governor Mbah’s broader development agenda of positioning Enugu as an attractive destination for investment, business, tourism and residential living.
“According to the Governor’s vision, indeed we can make Enugu the preferred destination for business, investment, tourism and living,” Ugwu added.
The proposed amendment, when passed into law, is expected to provide a clearer legal framework governing the relationship between landlords, tenants and property agents across the state.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The ongoing modernisation of the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State is expected to be completed ahead of the Christmas festivities, with over 6,000 shops and modern facilities designed to boost commercial activities in the historic market.
The project, which commenced two months ago, has reached 90 per cent completion and is being executed on a 24,000-square-metre expanse of land, with an Independent Power Plant (IPP) designed to provide uninterrupted electricity to the market and its environs.
Other facilities include five additional boreholes to complement the existing one, a health centre, modern toilet facilities, a motor park, solar-powered streetlights, CCTV surveillance cameras and four access roads.
The market will also feature three major entrance gates, eight minor gates and a dedicated firefighting station to enhance security and emergency response.
Speaking during an inspection of the project, the Commissioner for Housing, Arc. Henry Arinze, said the initiative was designed to provide a conducive business environment for traders and their customers.
“The project is aimed at providing ease of doing business for both traders and their customers, and with over 6,000 shops in the market, we are good to go,” he said.
Arinze explained that the project forms part of Governor Charles Soludo’s urban regeneration programme, adding that the provision of an Independent Power Plant would enable traders to extend commercial activities from the current closing time of 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“We did not demolish the market shops. What we are carrying out is part of the urban regeneration programme of the state government. With the new facilities, the market will remain open until 10 p.m. as against the present 5 p.m. closing time,” he stated.
He further disclosed that construction activities were deliberately restricted to nighttime and Sundays to minimise disruptions to trading.
“We would have gone farther than this, but we work only at night and on Sundays so that traders can continue their businesses while construction is ongoing,” he explained.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Projects Monitoring, Prof. Ebuka Nwankwo, recalled that the market had not witnessed any major government-led modernisation since its post-civil-war reconstruction in 1971 under the administration of the then Sole Administrator of East Central State, the late Ukpabi Asika, with assistance from the Federal Government.
According to him, the market has experienced four major fire incidents since its reconstruction, with affected traders largely undertaking the rebuilding of their shops themselves.
“Since 1971, when the market was reconstructed after the war, there have been four fire incidents, with traders carrying out the reconstruction of their affected shops. The state government is not only desirous but deliberate about restoring the past glory of the market,” Nwankwo said.
The Head of Civil and Structural Engineering, Prof. Henry Aginam, commended the Anambra State Government for embarking on the project, describing it as a bold intervention in the redevelopment of the commercial hub.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction materials and the calibre of professionals engaged in executing the project.
Similarly, the representative of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Prof. Akaolisa Ezeadi, gave the project a positive assessment, noting that the construction work complied with professional standards and engineering best practices.
Ezeadi said the regulatory body was satisfied with the quality of work so far and would continue its monitoring visits until the project was completed.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Nonso Ebonwu, described the market modernisation as a major step towards reviving the commercial fortunes of Onitsha and attracting increased patronage from within and outside Nigeria.
He disclosed that a similar redevelopment initiative was also being undertaken at the Nkwo Nnewi Auto Parts Market.
The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Traders Association, Chief Chijioke Okpalaugo, expressed satisfaction with the transformation of the market, noting that patronage had continued to increase despite the ongoing construction.
He reaffirmed the traders’ support for the Soludo administration and expressed optimism that the completed project would further strengthen Onitsha Main Market’s position as one of the leading commercial centres in West Africa.
ENUGU, October 25, 2026 — A new association, Online Media Professionals (OMP), has been established to unite online media practitioners, protect their interests and promote professionalism in Nigeria’s media industry.
The association, according to a communiqué issued in Enugu on Sunday, aims to provide a common platform for practitioners to collaborate, share ideas and address challenges affecting their work and welfare.
OMP said the growing influence of online publications in informing the public, shaping public discourse and holding public officeholders accountable had made it necessary for practitioners to organise under a recognised professional body.
The association will bring together individuals who own or work with online media platforms, providing opportunities for cooperation, professional development and engagement with relevant institutions and stakeholders.
It also plans to establish working relationships with government officials, security agencies, educational institutions, corporate organisations and other bodies whose activities affect the media industry and society.
According to the communiqué, OMP is beginning its activities in the South-East, with plans to expand into a national organisation representing online media professionals across Nigeria.
The association said its long-term objectives included building a credible professional body capable of giving practitioners a collective voice, promoting responsible journalism and providing a platform for addressing issues affecting members.
It added that the growth of online media must be accompanied by professionalism, accountability and respect for the responsibilities associated with informing the public.
OMP also pledged to encourage cooperation among practitioners and promote standards capable of strengthening public confidence in online publications.
The association noted that achieving its objectives would require the commitment of members, a clear sense of purpose and programmes designed to address their needs.
It therefore called on online media practitioners across the South-East and other parts of the country to identify with the initiative and contribute to building a strong professional association.
Membership, according to the communiqué, is open to professionals who own or work with online media publication platforms and are willing to support the association’s objectives.
The communiqué was signed by Jude Chinedu and Chukwumerije Aja on behalf of the Communiqué Drafting Committee of Online Media Professionals.
The emergence of OMP marks an effort to strengthen the professional identity of online media practitioners and create opportunities for collaboration and growth within Nigeria’s evolving media landscape.
The Federal Commissioner representing Kaduna State at the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Sa’adatu Garba Dogonbauchi, has presented letters of permanent and pensionable appointment to three youths drawn from different local government areas of the state.
The presentation, according to a statement issued by Dogonbauchi, is aimed at expanding employment opportunities for young people and supporting youth empowerment in line with the Federal Government’s development objectives.
The beneficiaries are Shamsuddeen Abdulaziz Bagi from Igabi Local Government Area, Abdulfatah Abdulwakil from Kaduna South Local Government Area, and Aisha Adamu from Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.
Speaking during the presentation, Dogonbauchi described the appointments as more than an administrative exercise, saying they provide beneficiaries with an opportunity to build sustainable careers in public service while improving their economic prospects and contributing to national development.
She said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises employment generation, economic empowerment and improved living standards for Nigerians.
The NPC commissioner expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and represent Kaduna State, pledging to continue supporting programmes that create opportunities for young people and strengthen public institutions.
She also acknowledged Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, and Hon. James Abiodun Faleke for their support, which she said contributed to her appointment and service.
Dogonbauchi urged the new employees to discharge their duties with discipline, integrity and professionalism, while adhering to public service rules and serving as worthy representatives of their communities.
She congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to justify the confidence reposed in them through excellence, accountability and dedication to public service.
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