The African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has said Nigerians are responsible for the country’s problems, not President Bola Tinubu. Daily Voice reports that Amaechi spoke on Thursday at the ADC campaign rally in Kebbi State.

Amaechi urged Nigerians to take responsibility for changing the situation by coming out en masse to vote against Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. The former Governor of Rivers State also accused Tinubu’s administration of borrowing more money than his predecessor, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Amaechi, Tinubu’s administration had borrowed over $30 billion, contrasting it with what he described as Buhari’s borrowing record.

He said, “They will continue to tempt you. If they don’t tempt you, then you are not a creation of God. When they tempt you, they are showing you that they are afraid. They know that come January 16, we will win.

“They are borrowing money quickly so that they can take it and run away. If not, you borrowed over $30 billion, all one man, and later you people will say that Buhari was borrowing money.

“You have seen what is called borrowing now, right? Buhari was borrowing one, two million, but this man has come and is taking 30 billion.

“Honestly, you are the problem; Tinubu is not the problem. If we all march out on January 16, let the idiot come out and stop us from voting. It has nothing to do with religion; it has nothing to do with ethnicity. It’s blackmail.

“How can a man be campaigning that it’s the turn of the South? You will do the turn of the South until you kill us? He said Nigerians should embrace poverty. Why is he not poor? Why has Tinubu refused to embrace poverty? Tinubu has no solution, for Christ’s sake. You are the solution. We must go out and march; we must go out and vote.”

The Benue State Judiciary has announced the death of a former Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Adam Ochume Onum.

The announcement was contained in an official statement issued on Thursday by Jooli Terna David, Protocol Officer of the High Court of Justice, Makurdi, on behalf of the Chief Judge.

The judiciary described his death as a profound loss to the institution, the legal profession and the nation at large.

It said Justice Onum would be remembered for his integrity, intellectual depth and unwavering commitment to the fair administration of justice.

The statement extended condolences to his family, friends and the entire judicial community over the loss.

It added that details of his funeral arrangements and the valedictory court session would be communicated in due course.

The judiciary prayed that God would grant his soul eternal rest and give his family and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.

 

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, as well as a one-off welfare support of N10,000 in November 2026.

Speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Friday, during the presentation of a merit award by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and an endorsement of his second-term bid, Eno said pensioners deserved to rest well after their meritorious service to the state.

Eno said he was particularly impressed by the pensioners’ sense of gratitude and assured them that the state government, under his leadership, would continue to prioritise the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.

He said, “This is indeed humbling to me. It shows that you are truly technocrats with a laudable sense of organisation. You may be retired but not tired. I celebrate and appreciate you greatly.

“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare.”

He urged them to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, which he said was free for people aged 65 and above, to enable them to enjoy quality healthcare.

Eno recalled that he had promised to clear the backlog of gratuities, adding that N100bn had so far been paid from the accumulated N111bn owed since 2012. He assured the pensioners that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for making funds available to states, saying this had enabled him to fulfil his promise to clear the gratuity arrears.

Eno called on the pensioners to vote massively for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, saying this would ensure the continued availability of funds for the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, as well as other welfare packages.

He also urged pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to vote for the re-election of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his compassion and care for pensioners in the state.

Abumisi also praised Eno’s leadership and development efforts and urged pensioners across the state to support his second-term bid in 2027.

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, thanked Eno for his leadership, saying his commitment to the welfare of elderly people and retired public servants was heartwarming.

“Governor Umo Eno is a true leader with the heart for humanity who deserves prayers and support from the people. I urge pensioners to support his administration,” he said.