BREAKING: Nigeria Now Hunger Hotspot Under Tinubu — Atiku; Bauchi ADC Endorses Atiku

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Nigeria now hunger hotspot under Tinubu — Atiku 

ABUJA – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described a United Nations warning that nearly 35 million Nigerians could face acute hunger between June and August 2026 as a devastating global verdict on what he called the catastrophic failure of the President Bola Tinubu administration, declaring that no government with a conscience can preside over such mass suffering and still speak the language of progress.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the grim UN projection should shake the conscience of the nation, as it confirms that under the current administration, Nigeria has moved from economic hardship to a full-blown humanitarian emergency.

“This is not just another alarming statistic to be debated on television panels and forgotten by the next news cycle. This is a human tragedy of terrifying proportions. Thirty-five million Nigerians — that is more than the population of many African countries. That is tens of millions of citizens — mothers rationing food in silence, fathers crushed by the humiliation of empty pockets, children going to bed hungry, young people losing hope, and vulnerable households slipping daily from poverty into desperation,” he said.

The former vice president laid the blame squarely on what he described as the administration’s economic illiteracy and policy recklessness, singling out the abrupt removal of the fuel subsidy without credible social buffers as the trigger for the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent memory.

“The chaotic mishandling of exchange rate policy sent the naira into a punishing tailspin, wiping out purchasing power, inflating import costs, crippling manufacturers, and suffocating small businesses. Food inflation has become savage. Staple items that once sustained ordinary households are now priced beyond reach. Rice, garri, beans, yam, bread — the basic pillars of survival — have become symbols of economic exclusion,” Atiku said.

He also linked the hunger crisis to the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria’s farming communities, questioning how the country could feed itself when farmers across Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto, Borno, and other agrarian belts remain trapped between banditry, terrorism, mass abductions, and violent land invasions.

2027 presidency: Bauchi ADC endorses Atiku 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bauchi State has endorsed Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

ADC presidential screening committee has cleared Atiku, Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatudeen for the party’s primary election holding today, May 25, in Abuja.

The party’s State Chairman, Mr Shu’aibu Dankama, confirmed the endorsement during a meeting with party members on Sunday in Bauchi.

Dankama described Atiku as an experienced and competent leader capable of rescuing Nigeria from socio-economic and security challenges.

He said the endorsement followed extensive consultations among party stakeholders on the need for credible leadership to tackle inflation, unemployment, poverty and insecurity.

According to him, Nigerians desire a leader with vision, courage, experience and broad national acceptance.

Dankama said Atiku had made significant contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic reforms and democratic development.

“The endorsement demonstrates confidence in Atiku’s capacity to provide purposeful leadership, restore hope and reposition Nigeria toward unity, stability and prosperity,” he said.

Dankama pledged the party’s continued support for Atiku and expressed confidence in the ADC’s chances in the elections.

He urged members to remain united, disciplined and committed to democratic ideals ahead of the polls.

The chairman said electoral success could only be achieved through grassroots mobilisation, sacrifice and collective determination.

He also encouraged youths to participate actively in the democratic process, saying their involvement would shape Nigeria’s future.

Dankama commended the ADC national leadership under Sen. David Mark for transforming the party into a formidable opposition platform ahead of 2027.

[BREAKING] Eid-el-Kabir: FG declares Wednesday, Thursday public holidays 

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani.

According to the statement, the declaration reflects the Federal Government’s respect for the faith and spiritual heritage of millions of Nigerian Muslims observing the festival alongside the global Islamic community.

Tunji-Ojo congratulated Muslim faithful in Nigeria and the diaspora on the occasion, describing Eid-ul-Adha as a festival of deep spiritual significance rooted in sacrifice, obedience to God and compassion for humanity.

The minister urged Nigerians to use the holiday period for prayers and reflection for the peace, security and prosperity of the country.

“The Federal Government urges all Nigerians to use this period for prayer and sober reflection, asking for divine guidance upon the country as it continues its pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity for every citizen,” the statement read.

He also called on citizens to embrace the spirit of brotherhood, unity and peaceful coexistence during the celebration.

The Federal Government wished Muslims across the country a peaceful, blessed and joyous Eid-ul-Adha celebration.

Police arrest chef over drugging, theft of N150m goods in Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in the drugging of occupants and theft of luxury items worth about ₦150 million from a residence in Abuja.

In a statement released on Monday signed by the Force Public Relations Officer at Force Headquarters, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) over allegations including criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, administering suspected harmful substances, malicious damage to property, and theft.

According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that Govi, who reportedly trained as a chef in Cotonou, Benin Republic, secured employment within the residence after linking up with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently at large.

Findings indicated that the suspect allegedly monitored the routine and security layout of the residence before executing the operation on 23 April 2026, using food prepared in the house to incapacitate occupants.

“The suspect carefully studied the routine, movements, and security structure of the residence before executing the operation on 23rd April 2026,” the statement said.

The police added that the alleged plan involved first rendering occupants unconscious before gaining access for his accomplices to complete the operation.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who reportedly trained at a catering school in Cotonou, Benin Republic, secured employment as a chef within the residence after establishing contact with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, both currently at large,” the Force said.

It further stated that “food prepared within the residence was laced with a suspected sedative substance intended to incapacitate the occupants and security personnel.”

The statement also detailed how the operation escalated after the victims were allegedly incapacitated.

“After the substance took effect, the suspect facilitated the entry of his accomplices into the residence, where the gang vandalised the CCTV monitoring system, ransacked the apartment, and carted away cash alongside twenty luxury wristwatches valued at approximately One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (₦150,000,000),” the police said.

Operatives of the FID-IRT later intercepted the suspect while he was allegedly attempting to flee through the Gwagwalada axis en route Lagos.

“Operatives of the FID-IRT subsequently intercepted the suspects while attempting to flee through the Gwagwalada axis en route Lagos,” the statement added.

During the arrest, police said further items were recovered from the suspect.

“During the operation, an iPhone 17 Pro Max belonging to the victim was recovered alongside a suspected chemical substance, which has since been forwarded for forensic analysis,” the Force said.

Rivers NDC gov aspirant rejects Fubara placeholder claim 

Rivers State governorship aspirant of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Blessing Fubara (Snr), has acknowledged that incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara is his brother, but stressed that they do not share the same political ideology and he is not serving as a placeholder for him in the party.

Recall that the governor withdrew from the Rivers State All Progressives Congress governorship primaries owing to what loyalists described as the ongoing feud with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

There have been insinuations that the senior Fubara was serving as a placeholder for the governor, pending his defection to the NDC from the APC.

However, speaking during an interview with Super FM 93.3, Port Harcourt, on Saturday, monitored via Zoom by our correspondent, Fubara (Snr), debunked suggestions that he might be a placeholder for the governor, saying that Rivers people were familiar with his political track record.

“Rivers people know me very well. I have always been passionate about the development of the people, not just the state. This is the time for Rivers people to take back their state.”

On his declaration for the 2027 governorship race, he said it had nothing to do with the governor’s reported withdrawal from the APC primaries, adding that he had long nurtured the ambition to change the political narrative.

He said he had undertaken consultations with stakeholders across the state, adding that he was responding to what he described as a “clarion call” from Rivers people.

“When you talk about my entrance being linked to the governor’s political decisions, that is not correct. We are beginning a new conversation about the soul of Rivers State.

“All of this has been in the making. Through engagements and consultations, and given the call from across party lines and Rivers people at large, this process has been ongoing.

“Oh yes, I am Fubara. I am related to the governor, but we share different political ideologies, aspirations, and visions for Rivers State.

“As a son of Rivers State, Rivers South-East Senatorial District, and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, my concern is to rescue and restore the soul of Rivers State. Every great society must have a soul that guides its moral direction and shared destiny.”

He added: “Talking about political ideology, we must put Rivers people on the right path. The platform we are building under the Nigerian Democratic Congress is, in my view, a credible opposition vehicle capable of changing the narrative and delivering better governance for Rivers people.”

When asked whether he had informed the governor of his ambition, he said it was not necessary to disclose details of his consultations publicly.

“Coming out for this race involves extensive consultations. It is not something I need to publicise in detail.