Economy
Saraki Reacts As Okowa Abandons PDP, Atiku
Saraki Reacts As Okowa Abandons PDP, Atiku
Saraki reacts as Okowa abandons PDP, Atiku. NIGERIA EXPERIENCING A COLLAPSE OF LEADERSHIP
The former Senate President and Ex-Governor of Kwara was reacting to the wave of defections from the PDP in a statement he personally signed on Thursday night.
Nigeria experiencing a collapse of leadership, those who intend to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should exit now to allow loyalists to rebuild the opposition party.
On Wednesday, Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent governor of Delta, left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Okowa is set to join the ruling party soon.
Oborevwori succeeded Okowa as the governor of Delta after winning the 2023 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Saraki said he had received numerous calls from concerned party members and young supporters of democracy about the recent defections in the Delta State chapter of the PDP.
He wrote: “Following the development in the Delta State Chapter of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I have been inundated with phone calls from leaders and members of our party as well as various youths who have been active in promoting democracy and good governance in our country.
Many of the callers want to know what my reaction is to the defection of top PDP leaders in Delta State and its impact on our party.” Amid Rumours of Planned Defection to APC
“My view is that those who want to leave the PDP should leave now and let the rest of us who want to stay concentrate on rebuilding the party and refocusing it to play the role of a viable opposition that will provide a better alternative for the good people of Nigeria.”
“I am convinced that it is important for all Nigerians to work for the sustenance of democracy. And to sustain democracy, there must be viable choices for people at every point. Also, there must be a viable opposition to keep people’s hope alive and create credible alternatives to keep the government on its toes.
A one-party state as being disingenuously designed by some people will not augur well for a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and highly diversified society like ours. It is even more dangerous when we eliminate alternatives and make people hopeless.”
“Therefore, it is in the interest of Nigeria and the survival of our democracy for the opposition to be vibrant and strong enough with the capacity to replace the ruling party at any point. Thus, my charge to our party members is that the PDP is merely experiencing a rebirth. Those who want to leave the party should go and let those of us remaining have a clear view of who we are talking to and where their political loyalty lies.
All we need is for those who want to stay back in PDP to show commitment and we can all work to rebuild the party.” “This development has vindicated the stance of people like me who have decided to remain silent and watch events unfold.
I have seen that there was no sincerity with supposed leaders of the opposition. One was not sure of the next person one was talking to.” “My appeal to PDP members nationwide is that we should know that the sustenance of democracy is not a sprint.
Rather, it is a marathon. It is not a knock-out football match series. It is a league. 24 hours is a long time in politics and nobody can predict how the dynamics will evolve in the coming weeks and months.
That is why PDP members across the country should not be discouraged, disillusioned, disappointed, or demoralised by the development in Delta State. We should stay strong and focus on strengthening the party. It is not necessary at this point to lament why they left.”
“Our party members should also refrain from blaming our woes on the ruling party. That would be a lazy approach. They are playing politics to win elections. It is our responsibility as party members to ignore their antics and seize the moment and momentum to make our party stronger and better.”
“Yes, it is unbecoming and shocking for the running mate to the standard bearer of a leading party to abandon ship to join the ruling party.
This is unprecedented and nobody should try to justify such an act with the talk of being put under pressure. It is simply a sign of how low we have sunk as a polity. The country is experiencing a collapse of leadership values.”
“These developments in the polity are the reason why I have always canvassed the idea that we should emphasize building and strengthening our institutions and not individuals.

Saraki Reacts As Okowa Abandons PDP
With the defection of the governor of Delta State, even if the party has only ten governors in its fold, the PDP is still in a good position to win the next round of elections.”
“Our numerous party members should know that the PDP is better with fewer members who are loyal, sincere, determined, dedicated, and committed to its ideas, ideals, and progress than to have so many who will identify with us in the afternoon and be romancing the ruling party in the night.”
“We still have about two years before the next election. That is a long time in politics. We have enough time to brace up to the challenge. There is nothing that prevents us from getting some governors from the other parties to join our ranks.
My appeal to our young party members is that this defection is just a mere challenge to us to further mobilize and put our house in order.
Also, our women’s wing should seize the opportunity to help in the rebuilding mission. The PDP will come out stronger from this development.”
“I am very sure the various leadership organs of our party will soon make public their reaction to this development and convey the necessary meetings to strategize on how to strongly and strategically respond to it.
Therefore there is no cause for alarm.” Our party members should not lose focus, hope, or the determination to win. We should see the current development as a challenge to rebuild and refocus the party. Tomorrow is very bright.
Signed Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON Former Senate President and Waziri of Ilorin
Economy
Governor Uba Sani Presents N985.9bn ‘People-Centred’ 2026 Budget To Kaduna Assembly
Governor Uba Sani Presents N985.9bn ‘People-Centred’ 2026 Budget To Kaduna Assembly
Governor Uba Sani presents N985.9bn ‘people-centred’ 2026 budget to Kaduna assembly. Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, has presented a N985.9 billion 2026 appropriation bill to the state house of assembly for consideration and passage.
Speaking at the Lugard Hall on Monday, the governor said the draft budget emerged from “one of the widest consultation processes” ever undertaken in the state, involving traditional rulers, civil society organisations (CSOs), women’s groups, youth associations, business leaders and vulnerable groups across all local governments.
Sani described the budget proposal as a people-centred financial plan designed to consolidate ongoing reforms in security, infrastructure, education and rural development.
He added that the contributions of farmers, traders, teachers, artisans, persons with disabilities and widows formed “the backbone” of the proposal, strengthening participatory governance and accountability.
According to the governor, the appropriation bill comprises N734.2 billion in recurrent revenue and N251.6 billion in capital receipts, with capital expenditure accounting for 71 percent of the total figure.
He said education and infrastructure each received 25 percent of the draft budget, while health was allocated 15 percent.
Agriculture received 11 percent, security six percent, social development five percent, governance five percent, and climate action four percent of the proposed budget.
The governor also announced that every one of the state’s 255 wards would receive N100 million for community-identified projects under the ward development committee, which he said is “Nigeria’s largest grassroots budget model”.
He urged lawmakers to give the budget expeditious consideration, describing it as a vision of “renewal, resilience and far-reaching vision” for every ward and local government.
Reviewing the outgoing 2025 fiscal year, Sani said the period would be remembered for “remarkable achievements and resilient advancement”, despite economic headwinds, fluctuating federal allocations and persistent security threats.
On security, he said Kaduna faced threats ranging from banditry to kidnappings and communal conflicts, adding that improved collaboration with federal security agencies has restored confidence in many troubled communities.
According to him, previously divided communities are reconciling, farmlands are reopening, and schools once shut due to insecurity have returned to full activity through the Kaduna peace model.
The governor said his administration is executing 140 road projects covering 1,335 kilometres, adding that 64 roads have been completed.
The roads, he said, have opened new economic corridors and linked long-neglected communities.
He also said the Kaduna bus rapid transit (KBRT) system would be the first in northern Nigeria, featuring CNG-powered buses, digital ticketing and a 24-kilometre dedicated corridor.
Sani noted that the interstate bus terminal in Kakuri is 75 percent completed, while the subsidised transport scheme has saved residents more than N500 million through free and discounted rides.
He added that work on the Kaduna light rail is progressing, with phase 1 targeting the Rigachikun–Sabon Tasha corridor and phase 2 planned to link Millennium City to Rigasa.
‘300,000 CHILDREN BACK IN SCHOOL’
The governor said education remains the “cornerstone” of his development agenda, noting that 535 schools were reopened and more than 300,000 out-of-school children returned to classrooms in 2025.
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He recalled slashing tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions by 40 percent and listed other interventions, including the construction of 736 classrooms, renovation of 1,220 schools, and provision of water and sanitation facilities, furniture, and training for over 33,000 teachers.
In the health sector, Sani said all 255 primary healthcare centres have been upgraded to Level 2 status.
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He also announced the renovation of 15 general hospitals, the completion of five, and the commissioning of the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital.
He added that the state has implemented CONMESS and CONHESS, strengthened emergency services, built an oxygen plant, improved the medical warehouse and set aside ₦1 billion to insure vulnerable households.

Uba Sani Says
The governor said agricultural investment rose from N1.4 billion (2023) to N74.2 billion (2025), enabling the distribution of more than 900 trucks of free fertiliser and expanded support for irrigation, mechanisation, vaccines and seed improvement.
He added that the African Development Bank-supported $510 million special agro-industrial processing zone project is transforming the state into an agro-industrial hub.
On skills development, he highlighted the establishment of the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun, satellite campuses, partnerships with Microsoft and Google, and the ongoing remodelling of Panteka Market to support over 38,000 artisans.
ASSEMBLY PROMISES SPEEDY REVIEW
Yusuf Liman, speaker of the Kaduna state house of assembly, described the budget as “ambitious, comprehensive and aligned with the state’s development priorities”.
Liman said the proposal reflects a commitment to strengthening human capital, expanding rural infrastructure and ensuring balanced urban-rural development.
He commended the governor for granting lawmakers direct involvement in constituency projects and praised the executive-legislative synergy, which according to him, has accelerated development interventions.
The speaker promised a thorough review of the document and pledged that the assembly would work with the executive to ensure its speedy passage.
UBA SANI HAILS TAJUDEEN ABBAS
Meanwhile, Sani has hailed Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, as one of the most accomplished presiding officers in the history of the national assembly.
Speaking on Sunday in Zaria at the renewed hope empowerment programme sponsored by Abbas, the governor said the speaker’s ability to manage the complexities of the 360-member lower chamber sets him apart.
Sani, who was special guest of honour at the event, added that his assessment is shared by President Bola Tinubu.
“As a former senator, I know how difficult it is to preside over the house of representatives,” the governor said.
“No matter your competence, patience and hard work, one day you will be pushed to the wall. But as of today, in the history of Nigeria, no speaker has brought about development like Tajudeen Abbas,” he said.
“I’m not the one praising him; it was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who said it. I’m only repeating what he said.”
Sani said he is proud of Abbas for championing empowerment initiatives for youths and women, not only in his Zaria constituency but across Kaduna state and the country.
The governor also recalled that some political actors questioned his role in rallying support for Abbas during the contest for speaker.
“I told them my support was not based on politics. I will support anyone who will bring development to Kaduna state,” he said.
“Now, I have been vindicated by the projects he has executed and the empowerment programmes he is doing.
“I have told all legislators here that we can only be on good terms if they bring development to their people.
“Anyone who does not attract a school, hospital or any project to his constituency, we will part ways with him.”
Sani said the speaker has assisted all Kaduna federal lawmakers in securing projects for their constituencies, adding that Abbas is also personally executing projects across all 23 LGAs in the state.
He appealed for similar consideration for Sabon Gari LGA, saying residents want a stadium like the one being constructed in Zaria.
The event, held at Kofar Doka, featured the distribution of empowerment tools, including SUVs for traditional leaders; tractors, combine harvesters, fertiliser applicators and knapsack sprayers for farmers; as well as solar- and petrol-powered irrigation pumps.
Women beneficiaries also received deep freezers, grinding machines, industrial sewing machines and haulage tricycles.
Economy
APC Chieftain Asks Governor Otti To Review Levies Imposed On Aba Traders
APC Chieftain Asks Governor Otti To Review Levies Imposed On Aba Traders
APC chieftain asks governor Otti to review levies imposed on Aba traders. Paul Ikonne, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia, has criticised Alex Otti, governor of Abia, over the “excessive” levies imposed on traders in Aba markets.
BACKGROUND
Some traders in Abia state recently appealed to Otti to intervene in what they described as the illegal demolition of their shops and the escalating cost of spaces in the market currently undergoing remodelling.

Alex Otti
They said the firm handling the project has not fulfilled its agreement to provide temporary accommodation and halt further demolition until existing work is completed.
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Economy
FULL LIST: Patience Jonathan, Ganduje Affected As FCTA Begins Enforcement On Revoked Property Titles
FULL LIST: Patience Jonathan, Ganduje Affected As FCTA Begins Enforcement On Revoked Property Titles
FULL LIST: Patience Jonathan, Ganduje affected as FCTA begins enforcement on revoked property titles. The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has published the names of entities and individuals linked to 1,095 property titles recently revoked over the non-payment of statutory land charges.
The affected properties are located in high-brow districts including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse.
In a public notice signed by the FCTA management, the agency said enforcement actions against the properties will commence following the expiration of the final grace period of 14 days on November 25, 2025.
The FCTA said 835 properties defaulted in payment of ground rents, while 260 properties defaulted in payment of violation fee and land use conversion fee.

Patience Jonathan
Among the individuals whose properties were listed in the notice are Abdullahi Ganduje, former governor of Kano; Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River; Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan; David Mark, former senate president; and Iyiola Omisore, former deputy governor of Osun.
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