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Just In: ” Halt the idea of unlocking N20 trillion from the Nations Pension fund immediately” – Atiku Fires At Federal Government

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My attention is drawn to a disturbing disclosure by the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, as he addressed State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, 14 May.

There is, according to the Minister, a move by the Federal Government to rev up economic growth by unlocking N20 trillion from the nation’s pension funds and other funds to finance critical infrastructure projects across the country. The Minister has indicated that although “the initiative is expected to attract foreign investment interest over time”, domestic savings are his ‘immediate focus’ for now.

He provided no useful details, such as the percentage of the funds to be mopped up from the Pension Funds, for example. Even at that, this move must be halted immediately! It is a misguided initiative that could lead to disastrous consequences on the lives of Nigeria’s hardworking men and women who toiled and saved and who now survive on their pensions having retired from service.

It is another attempt to perpetrate illegality by the Federal Government. The government must be cautioned to act strictly within the provisions of the Pension Reform Act of 2014 (PRA 2014), along with the revised Regulation on Investment of Pension Assets issued by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). In particular, the Federal Government must not act contrary to the provisions of the extant Regulation on investment limits to wit: Pension Funds can invest no more than 5% of total pension funds’ assets in infrastructure investments. I note that as of December 2023, total pension funds assets were approximately N18 Trillion, of which 75% of these are investments in FGN Securities.

There is NO free Pension Funds thst is more than 5% of the total value of the nation’s pension fund for Mr. Edun to fiddle with.
There are no easy ways for Mr. Edun to address the challenges of funding infrastructure development in Nigeria. He can’t cut corners. He must introduce the necessary reforms to restore investor confidence in the Nigerian economy and to leverage private resources, skills, and technology. | Follow us on Ekwutosblog

Politics

Ireti Kingibe wins ADC FCT Senate ticket

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Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe

The African Democratic Congress has formally announced Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe as the party’s flag bearer for the Federal Capital Territory senatorial race on Saturday.

The exercise, which produced clear outcomes across senatorial and House of Representatives contests, saw Kingibe secure a commanding total of 17,535 votes, far ahead of her sole opponent, Mubarak Tijjani, who polled 806 votes.

Declaring the results at the FCT ADC party secretariat, the chairman and returning officer for the senatorial and House of Representatives primary elections, Abubakar Adamu, affirmed the outcome of the exercise.

He said, “Having scored the highest number of votes of 17, 535, and the powers conferred on me as the returning officer for the Senate and House of Representative Primary Elections, Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe is declared winner of the election.”

The primary election also produced candidates for the two Federal House of Representatives seats in the FCT, with results indicating competitive but decisive victories across constituencies.

In the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, Bala Iyah emerged victorious with 4,937 votes.

He was followed by Yahaya Fatima Goya, who polled 2,015 votes, while Ma’aji Johnson Bello came third with 1,546 votes. Ismaila Ishak Ozigi trailed with 105 votes.

For the Abaji/Gwagwalada/Kwali/Kuje Federal Constituency, Alhassan Salihu who secured the party ticket with a total of 9,016 votes, defeating his only challenger, Khalid A. Haruna, who garnered 2,955 votes.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were present to observe and monitor the conduct and outcome of the primaries.

Speaking after his emergence as the candidate for AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, Iyah expressed confidence in the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said, “I want to assure you that with this victory I am ready, by the special grace of God, come 2027 election. Because my people are ready for this election.

“As a grassroots politician, I am ready and I have the capacity because I am not just a novice in politics, that is number one.

“And I am a great mobilizer in politics, because it’s been a long time since I’ve been in politics. Since the June 12th election, I started my politics. And I want to tell you, I know the terrain of AMAC/BWARI Federal Constituency.”

He further stated that it’s very simple, because my people love me and they like me to be there. That’s why you can see the victory, the mandate they have given to me. For sure, that day is just a walkover, by the special grace of God.

“And we are ready, not because of the money but because of the acceptance. And because of the good things I have been doing for my people,” he noted.

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After Winning Presidential Primaries, APC Fixes Date To Present Tinubu With Certificate Of Return

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Sunday receive the certificate of return and flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The presentation is scheduled to take place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja following the nationwide collation of results from the APC presidential primary election.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the ceremony will be attended by APC governors, members of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee, lawmakers and other party leaders.

The APC had earlier conducted its presidential primary election as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The presentation of the certificate and party flag formally confirms Tinubu as the APC’s presidential candidate for the next election cycle.

President Tinubu had emerged winner of the APC direct primary held across the nation. Tinubu defeated his lone challenger, Osifo Osayamen Stanley.

Speaking earlier, Tinubu described the 2026 APC primaries across the country as proof that the ruling party is allowing its members to fully participate in the democratic process.

The President spoke on Saturday after casting his vote during the APC presidential primaries at Ikoyi-Obalende Ward L2 in Lagos State.

President praised party members for the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves during the exercise. He also commended their participation and commitment throughout the process.

According to him, the primaries have been organised properly from the ward level to the local government stage. He said governors and party officials in different states handled delegate accreditation, membership registration and other electoral activities in an orderly manner.

Tinubu said the process reflected a healthy democratic system within the APC and showed that every member had the opportunity to be part of decision-making at the grassroots level.

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PEACEFUL PRIMARIES STRENGTHEN IMO ADC’S 2027 AMBITION

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By Ihezie Dede Walax

The Imo State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has successfully concluded its National Assembly and House of Assembly primary elections, producing credible, capable, and widely accepted candidates for various elective positions across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The primaries, which were conducted on Thursday, May 21, 2026, across the 305 wards in Imo State, were widely praised as peaceful, transparent, orderly, and credible. Party officials, delegates, stakeholders, and observers commended the exercise for its excellent organization and strict adherence to the party’s constitution and established electoral guidelines.

Following the successful completion of the electoral process, the party officially unveiled its candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives seats in Imo State.

FULL LIST OF IMO ADC NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES

SENATE

* Hon. Vincent O. N. Iwuchukwu — Imo West Senatorial Zone
* Engr. Ofoegbu Uchenna Daniel — Imo East Senatorial Zone
* Barr. Mrs. Ibekwe Nkiruka Imma — Imo North Senatorial Zone

FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

* Amadi Samuel Okechukwu — Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West Federal Constituency
* Ogbonna Chukwudi Joseph — Ihitte Uboma/Ehime Mbano/Obowo Federal Constituency
* Iheanyichukwu Emmanuel Egejurum — Onuimo/Isiala Mbano/Okigwe Federal Constituency
* Mbaoma Ikechukwu Callistus — Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency
* Okoro Rex Chikwesiri — Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency
* Anselm Nwoko Ikwu — Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency
* Peters Uchenna Richard — Ohaji Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency
* Bismarck Chike Iheomazuroke Akanno — Nkwerre/Isu/Njaba/Nwangele Federal Constituency
* Kingsley Nnamdi Okwarabizie — Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency

The successful conduct of the primaries has been largely attributed to the effective and purposeful leadership of the Imo State Working Committee, ably led by the State Chairman, Prof. James Okoroma. His commitment to internal democracy, transparency, unity, discipline, and effective coordination ensured a smooth and credible electoral process across the state.

Party delegates, aspirants, and members of the electoral committee commended the leadership of the party for providing a conducive atmosphere that promoted fairness, discipline, peaceful participation, and a rancour free exercise throughout the primaries.

Party leaders further described the exercise as a clear demonstration of the ADC’s growing political structure, organizational capacity, and preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

The party also expressed strong confidence in the competence, experience, popularity, and grassroots acceptance of its candidates, stating that they possess the leadership qualities and political strength required to secure victory in the forthcoming general elections.

Consequently, the ADC called on party members, supporters, youths, women groups, stakeholders, and the general public across the state to remain united and mobilize massive support for all the party’s candidates as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.

ADC — Arise and Shine

Ihezie Dede Walax
DG, Imo New Media

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