Today’s Headlines: Why I’m Mobilising Support For Tinubu-Atiku Son, Obasanjo Blast Tinubu

One of the sons of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Honourable Abba Atiku Abubakar, has announced that he is mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. Speaking at the All Progressives Congress national secretariat on Friday, he described the decision as a matter of personal conviction rather than family loyalty, even though his father is a leading opposition figure and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress.

Abba, who leads the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation (HBTO), presented ten support buses donated by the group to aid the party’s campaign efforts. He stressed that political choices should rest on individual judgement and conscience, noting that democracy is strengthened when people are free to support the platforms and leaders they believe best serve the country’s interests.

He acknowledged that Tinubu’s economic reforms have brought difficult adjustments for many Nigerians but argued that the longer-term benefits justify continued support. Among the initiatives he highlighted were the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, investments in road infrastructure, higher revenue allocations to states through FAAC, and transport support for public-sector workers, which he said address structural challenges and create opportunities for sustainable growth.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his comment that borrowing is not leprosy, describing the position as “absolute nonsense”.

Obasanjo spoke on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the Ajibosin Platform, a public forum theme “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to solve grassroots problems and accelerate National Development.”

In April, Tinubu said his administration would continue to borrow whenever necessary, insisting that it should not be viewed negatively.

Tinubu spoke at the State House during a meeting with Plateau leaders led by Caleb Mutfwang, the governor, and Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “If we have to borrow, we borrow.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has received more than 4,800 claims and about 600 objections to its Preliminary Register of Voters, as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while receiving the ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission at the commission’s national headquarters.

Amupitan said the figures, recorded as of Thursday, comprised claims submitted at registration areas where the preliminary register was displayed, and objections received through electoral officers and Resident Electoral Commissioners.

He explained that most claims concerned corrections and other minor issues, adding that the online display of the register had also helped identify discrepancies.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has said Fulham will have his complete attention on Saturday despite next week’s high-profile Champions League tie away to Barcelona.

Villa will be bidding for their third successive win in the Premier League against the Cottagers before taking on Spanish champions Barcelona in Europe.

“If I am thinking, if we are thinking, after the match tomorrow against Fulham, we are making a mistake, and we are wrong, completely wrong,” Emery told reporters on Friday ahead of the match at Villa Park.

“So, tomorrow, Fulham, prioritising Premier League clearly, and this is the message,” said the Spaniard, whose side ended leaders Manchester City’s perfect start to the season with a 2-1 win last week.

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