The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said the problems of Nigeria are politicians who have decided to run the country aground and not the youths.

The Labour Party chieftain called on the media to remain strong in exposing the ills of politicians and leaders of the country. He reminded the media that they are the only voice of the voiceless in the country.

Obi said this on Monday as he paid a visit to News Central. He praised Nigeria youths as one of the most entrepreneurial people in the world.

The former governor of Anambra State stated that the rising cases of tribal and religious bigotry engulfing the country was a tool of underperforming politicians who lack the competence to deliver good governance.

Obi said, “We can’t build this country unless all of us make sacrifices and contribute in our own little way. The fourth estate is very critical because your voice, you are the voice of the voiceless. You are contributing, exposing the ills of all of us, because we are the problem.

“The problem of Nigeria is not the air we breathe, it’s not the food; it’s not our young people who are one of the most entrepreneurial, energetic people you can imagine all over the world.

“The problem of Nigeria is the politicians, and you have to help us to overcome that. You have to help us to overcome issues we have in this country. Whenever you hear us politicians talk about tribe and religion, it’s because we don’t have anything to show for our competence and capability. So we try to replace it by talk about tribe.

“So I urge you to continue to do the right thing for your country. We have no other thing except when we will have a country where nobody is left behind. A child of nobody can become the greatest.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has revealed that bank executives are complicit in aiding money laundering in the country.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede while speaking at the 17th annual conference of the Chartered Institute Bankers of Nigeria, said the Commission will soon start prosecution of bank executives involved in corruption.

According to him, findings revealed complicity in money laundering, illegal forex sales and trading among bank officials. 

The EFCC boss said major financial fraud were conducted through the nation’s banking system.

He urged the CIBN to step up its regulatory functions to guard against fraud.

The Commission had recently asked the National Assembly to enact a law which supports the whistle-blower policy of the government.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it regretted not joining the #EndBadGovernance protest held in August.

The Head of Information of the NLC, Benson Upah, said it was regretful that President Bola Tinubu-led federal government does not want opposition’s voice.

Upah noted that the practice of using the Department of State Services (DSS) and Police to arrest voices challenging the government policies shows dictatorship is creeping into Nigeria under President Tinubu’s regime.

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, on Tuesday, the NLC spokesman stated that the federal government wants to use the continued arrest of its leaders to distract the organized labour.

“It is a diversionary tactic to sway us away from the path of focus and concentration. You know, the government has just introduced another band of PMS pricing, and does not want us to focus on that. So, it has to look for something else to divert our attention, so, it is part of this process that this has happened, and we consider it illegal, unlawful.

“This is how dictatorship starts, it creeps in. People look the other way believing that it will not come to them.

“Quite amazingly, this is being practiced by those who held themselves out yesterday as promoters of democracy. They should be ashamed of themselves. These are the very guys who went into exile doing this to innocent citizens believing that we will be cowed, but we will never be cowed. The Nigerian spirit is in us, it is a robust spirit, nobody is going to defeat this spirit in us. We are Nigerians, and we will continue to do the right thing,” he said.

The NLC leader maintained that Ajaero was not given any invitation, nor was he avoiding the security agencies. He explained that even as of Tuesday, the DSS has not given any explanation for arresting and detaining Ajaero.

“For us, as far as we are concerned, no invitation was extended to us before this arrest, and up till now, no reasonable explanation has been given. We can only speculate. As I have said earlier on, the government has some policies that it wants to unravel and does not want any opposition voice to be heard.

“Government has been battering us and wants to be cheered, wants us to cheer it into our own graves. But we keep insisting, we’re not going to be cheerleaders, we will keep on protesting, even to the last drop of blood in us

“We can only speculate the motives of the government. Even if there was an interrogation that this was linked to the end hunger protests, I mean, we keep on seeing it as a façade, because I tell you, on July 22nd, we issued a statement stating clearly that we are not part of the protest. In the 23rd, we issued another unambiguous statement. On the 1st of August, we issued a clearer one, and everything points to the fact that we were not part of this protest,” Upah added.

He explained that the allegations of terrorism, treasonable felony and cybercrime were all framed up. He claimed the government knew who the criminals were but would not go after them.

“Looking back now, perhaps we should have joined this protest, because had we joined this protest, they would not even have had audacity to raid our headquarters in the first place had we joined this protest, because they know our capability, they know our capacity, and they know they will never underrate our will.

“We’ve got nothing to do with all of this, we’ve got nothing to do with subversion, we’ve got nothing to do with treasonable felony, we’ve got nothing to do with cybercrime, terrorism financing and all that, and these guys know it, they know those who are involved. They know them, but they are scared of going after them,” Upah stated.

Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for employing security forces to harass and intimidate Nigerian citizens.

Naija News reports that Ezekwesili’s remarks came after the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office in Abuja on Monday by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a post on her X account on Tuesday, Ezekwesili asserted that Nigerians would not tolerate any form of authoritarian rule again, and she outlined three actions President Tinubu should take to ease the growing tension in the country.

She questioned the motivations behind the administration’s approach, asking why Tinubu’s government would choose to create such tension for an already struggling population.

Ezekwesili said: “So as if this severest economic hardship unleashed on citizens by the @nigeriagov of @NGRPresident @officialABAT is not traumatizing enough, the country’s security apparatuses are now daily deployed to harass and intimidate Nigerians.

“I wanted to be certain of the news yesterday that the latest victims of draconian assault on rights are the NLC @NLCHeadquarters and its President @JoeAjaero94024 as @SERAPNigeria .

“So I ask, “What really is motivating this administration of @officialABAT to create this horrible tension in the country for an already badly distressed people?”

“Whatever is driving this repressive onslaught, here are 3 things the @NGRPresident has to do to stop heating up the country:

“The @OfficialDSSNG @PoliceNG must immediately comply with the constitution and laws of the land- release Ajaero, vacate @SERAPNigeria, return their documents, repair damaged property and compensate them for all losses inflicted.

“The @PoliceNG @OfficialDSSNG must release all the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters that are unconstitutionally detained or being prosecuted by the security establishment for no good reason than the intoxication and intolerance of @officialABAT and his crew that seized power through an election that failed all tests of credibility.

“The @NGRPresident and the @nassnigeria should immediately commence plans for a Citizens-led National Conversation and Constitutional process for Nigeria.

“If there is any wisdom left at all, this @NigeriaGov would do well to stop digging further into a hole. Nigerians acting collectively will never again accept any draconian rule.”

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has released Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), after detaining him for approximately 15 hours, Naija News reports.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has slammed the federal government for pressing treason charges against peace #EndBadGovernance protesters.

Peter Obi said the federal government mismanaged the protest even after the citizens gave one month’s notice before the protest.

Speaking with News Central on Monday, on his opinion concerning the treason charge, the former governor of Anambra State said even when he was in office he never used police to arrest protesters.

He argued that it was wrong for the federal government to fail to sit and discuss with the peaceful hunger protesters but move ahead to arrest them with the police.

Obi said: “I’ve said everybody, they have right to protest. I said it before. I would discuss with every protester. They even warned government months before they did that. I would sit down and discuss with them. People protested when I was governor. They even called strike. They shut down schools for months, our hospitals. I was talking with them.

“I have never as a politician, as a governor ask any police to go and arrest anybody. It shouldn’t be. In a democracy, people have right to say no. I’ve said it every day. If I’m managing this facility and everybody loves me, I will resign. This is me.

“Wherever I am, I believe that I have enemies. My job is to convince them. If everybody loves me, that is a problem. There are people who hate me because I’m just Peter. They don’t even need to give me any reason. It is my job to convince them on why it should be. I convinced the teachers why we should return schools to missionaries and they see the result.

“You just have to. It’s a constant thing. Whenever you’re a leader, you’re a communicator. You listen, you talk to the people. The agitators, the protesters, how are they talking to them?”

“Bros, you dey craze. I watch you dis morning, you just dey yarn, You just dey craze. You just dey troll Una dey drink something for that una programme? Una dey mad?”

“What is the matter, uncle?”

“Don’t Owain me? How can you go on television and give the faintest impression that Buhari is a better economic manager than Tinubu?  This is the thing about you, Yoruba people, you don’t know when to be loyal to your own people You do not know when to say this is our own and we need to stand by him, when he needs us.” 

“I am sorry. I don’t get what you are saying” 

“I am saying that Tinubu needs all the support he can get right now from among his own people. It looks bad to have on TV, any Yoruba man or woman condemning their own. You have a responsibility to defend your own person”

“I don’t get your drift. I am educated enough to reject what you are suggesting.”

“And I am telling you that this is Nigeria. Whatever Tinubu does with the Nigerian economy, you have to stand by him. He is one of us. He cannot do any wrong. Whatever anybody says about the economy, it is our son that is there, and we, Yorubas have a reputation for knowing anything about the economy. Ibos are traders. They know commerce, even if they end up dominating other people’s homesteads. Hausa-Fulanis think power is their birthright. They will come into your community and they will try to take over everything. Yorubas think they are the wise ones in the room. They will carry their shoulders high thinking they are the ones that know it all, on whose shoulders everything hangs but at the end of the day, they get deceived. Igbos claim that they are the lords of commerce.  They are in every community in Nigeria, plying trade. What I am trying to say is that this country no balance. The people who think they are wise and smart, are actually stupid. The stupid people are the wise ones.”  

“Is that why you will go on television and say Buhari is wiser than Tinubu? And that Yoruba people are stupid, and they do not know how to manage the economy?” 

“Okay, Bros. I did not mean it that way. I was just saying that Yoruba people are supposed to be Nigeria’s best economic managers. We have been in charge for about one year now. Bros, how market? It is enough time for Buhari to sit back and laugh at the expense of the same Yoruba people who think that when it comes to the economy that they know it all. Let me confess to you: I feel grossly embarrassed. I am ashamed.”

“Stop embarrassing yourself. Buhari and his Fulani people caused this problem. They messed up the country. Tinubu is trying to clear up the mess. The problem with Nigeria is the mess that Buhari caused. It has nothing to do with Tinubu. Buhari was sleep-walking for eight years. You have a President who is active. The Jagaban himself and you are going back to the sleepy crowd. I disagree vehemently with you.” 

“My brother go and sleep. I am telling you how Yoruba people behave. Economy, Na we know am. Economy na we sabi. Go and fix the economy.   Look, if we want to tell ourselves the truth, this economy was not this bad under Buhari. Go and fix it.”  

“Try and be fair. Buhari caused the problem”

“Fix it. That is why we voted for you. You APC people said you will renew our hope. Renew it.”

“Your hope is being renewed. What the government says is that the people of Nigeria must be prepared to make some sacrifices. I don’t even like this narrative about Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa-Fulani. There are over 250 ethnic groups in this country. We must put an end to ethnic politics in this country.”

“We are the people being asked to make sacrifices. How much sacrifice is the government making? Or the people in government? They are riding yachts. They are busy buying new aircraft. They are busy travelling all over the world. I tried to buy fuel. I had to pay more money. Schools are resuming, after the holidays. They have increased school fees. I wanted to buy suya. Ordinary suya oh. They said the price has gone up. Transport fares have increased by about 50%” 

“NLC will take care of that. Labour Congress is on top of it. Labour says the NLC has been betrayed.”

“Which NLC? Which Labour? Are you aware that Joe Ajaero has been arrested?”

“Who arrested him?”

“The Nigerian Government”

“Are you sure?”

“I read it in the papers. The DSS arrested him. I hear he is now in the custody of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency. The NIA.” 

“What do they say his offence is?” 

“I never hear oh”

“Why are these people perpetually looking for trouble?  Are you sure there are no fifth columnists inside this government? I am beginning to worry oh. You have not solved one problem, you go and create another.” 

“I agree with you. Joe Ajaero is a very small irritant. This is not the time to go after him. He is a Labour Leader. He can say what he likes. He can be ignored.” 

“They say he is financing terrorism. He is not above the law. No man is above the law.” 

“Then you ignore him because of the followership that he commands.  If you have to do anything, you do it underground. Nobody will believe you if you want to do anything then you do it under the cover, never in the open.”

“We are talking about terrorism. The law does not work that way.”.

 “We are talking about the leader of the largest Labour union in the country. Do you want to burn down the country?” 

“My attitude is that nobody is above the law”

“Fine. Detain Nigeria’s Labour leader then. What I am saying is that a country cannot fight on all fronts at the same time.”

“Tinubu is not fighting the country. He is saying this country has gone so bad, it has to be fixed.  He is saying organised Labour must not hold this country to ransom. He is saying he won the election in 2023, and he would not allow Obidients and Atiku and his followers to sabotage this country, claiming to be opposition. This is where we are. Try and be patriotic.”   

“Which Nigerian law says to be patriotic you have to be a Tinubu lackey? Tell me.” 

“We are saying don’t follow the opposition. Be a man”

“I am not a man. I cannot pay school fees. I cannot fund basic things. I am in pains. Don’t tell me to be a man. How can I be a man in this country?”

“Be a woman then. Your wife can feed you, if she can”.”

“What kind of talk is that?”

“Be the woman. That is what Nigeria today calls for. If you have a woman who can, then humble yourself.”

“Is that what Tinubu is supposed to reduce us to?”

“Life is like that sometimes.”

“No wonder Ajuri Ngelale left them. He told them to keep their job. He walked away from it all.”

“I am of the view that you do not know what you are talking about. Ajuri Ngelale is the luckiest man who ever occupied the position of Presidential Spokesman. He was not just spokesman. He was Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change. He was Chairman of the Federal Government Project Evergreen Initiative. No other person in that position was ever so garlanded.”

“And he will abandon all of that?”

“It is not everybody that would rather die in a government job. He has asked us to respect his family’s privacy. He talked about family medical issues. Can we all just respect his privacy and personal space?” 

“Could this be a case of the demons in Aso Villa chasing Ajuri Ngelale?”

“I have no comment”

“Demons in the Villa.”

“What are you talking about?” 

“There is a spiritual side to that Villa. Anybody that goes in there is no longer recognizable.”

“I have nothing to say.”

“So who do you think will take over Ajuri’s job? Who is the demon that will step into his shoes?”

“They have more than enough people in that place falling over themselves to take over the job. You don’t have to worry about that.”  

“Do you think that it is normal that the same Tinubu who used to lead pro-democracy protests will stand by and allow protesters to be charged for treason under his watch?”

“Tinubu is not the judiciary. He wants the judiciary to do its work. Find something else to say.”

“Oh God Oh God. Okay, is Tinubu happy that we the people of Nigeria cannot find fuel to buy?”

“I understand fuel is now available in the filling stations across the country. You drive in, you buy. Willing buyer, willing seller”

“At what price?”

“I refer you to Section 205 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021)

“Rubbish. I am not interested in any useless Sections of the law. Is Nigeria better today than it was a year ago? We can’t buy diesel. We can’t buy fuel. Lagos, the country’s commercial center is a ghost town because the people cannot get or buy fuel. Section whatever. Is that what will feed my family?”

“E lo fo kan bale”

“Egbon. Did I hear you right?”

“E lo fo kan bale”

“God. God. God.”

“E lo fo kan bale. There is renewed hope”

“No. I don’t see hope. Not to talk of renewed hope. I sewar to God Almighty anytime there is another call for protest in this country, I will carry placard and go out.” 

“Fine. When you get arrested and you are charged for treason, just know that you are on your own. I have always told you. You cannot fight government. After government it is God. Fight government and live with the consequences.” 

“To hell with Government”

“And with God too”

“I did not say that. Don’t put words in my mouth. I will never say to hell with God.”    

“It is God that has chosen Tinubu as President of Nigeria. God is forever right. He is all-knowing. Nigerians must learn never to fight God.”

“I don’t discuss religious issues. There is too much mumbo jumbo in that arena”

“Are you aware that all the churches will be filled to the brim this Sunday? The same people who cannot find fuel to go to work, they will get fuel to attend Church and enough money to give to Pastors”

“Good for them”

“Many of the congregants will even go with jerry cans of fuel for the Pastors” 

“One day, the Pastors and God will meet face to face. I believe in the concept of Judgement Day. Let God judge every man according to his deed.”  

“I think President Tinubu should start by paying tribute to the Paralympics athletes who have just done Nigeria proud in Paris. These are the kind of people we want to see on the National Honours List. Not office holders. Not traditional rulers.”

“I agree. I am impressed. Even if this is Nigeria’s worst outing at the Paralympics since Barcelona 1992. We did better in Athens, London, Tokyo and elsewhere, but at least this one, we came home with seven medals. Congratulations to Nigeria’s Paralympic team. I want to specially recognize Oluwafemiayo and Eniola Bolaji. They made history.”

“I want to add that there is ability in disability. Nigeria’s main team went to the main Olympics. What did they come back with? Zero. Odo. Nothing. Physically challenged people went to represent Nigeria, they returned with medals. I predicted it. In this country, the blind see, the deaf hear, people who have their faculties all intact are the enemies of national progress. Nigeria is a living paradox.”   

“There are still people in this country who can see and hear. I know a few. Things are not as bad as you paint them.”

“Like who, please?”

“Austen Eguavoen. he just led the Super Eagles to beat the Cheetahs of Republic of Benin. He did not allow Gernot Rohr and his team to cheat us. We beat them 3-0.”  

“When Eguavoen and the Super Eagles qualify for both the AFCON, and the World Cup, that is when we can talk. For now, I am just watching. They are in Rwanda. Let them bring us victory from Rwanda too.” 

“What of the U-20 Falconets? They are in the group of 16. They are making us proud in the FIFA U-20 tournament.”

“I want to see them in the finals. Nigerian women are always better than the men.”

“You are a pessimist. I need you to see Nigeria in a positive light.”

“I do. I do. It is just that sometimes this country get on your nerves.”

“I know your problem. I know why you are in a foul mood. It is time for children to return to school. You have to pay school fees. And the fees have gone up. But think of all the positives in this country. Dangote Refinery for example. Soon, there will be fuel in every filling station. Dangote is a Nigerian like you. He has done something for his country. You can do something too. You can be a positive force for progress. Stop whining. This country belongs to all of us.” 

“Dangote?”

“Yes. Dangote.”

“Are you sure Dangote is happy he has done something for Nigeria right now?”

“Don’t worry yourself.  Everything will be resolved.”

“Really?”

“I think so. No be Nigeria?”

“I dey vex. Country hard no be small.”

“Don’t worry. You will be able to eat suya again if that is your problem. And you will get fuel in your car. Don’t take out your anger on other people”

“I dey vex, no be small”    

The Cherubim and Seraphim, C&S, Church Worldwide has urged its prophets to cease conducting rituals for youths involved in internet fraud, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo.”

This call was made during a pre-centenary revival in Osogbo on Monday.

Making the call, Senior Apostle Samuel Onigbinde, Chairman of C&S Unification in Osun State, emphasised that the church’s mission is to eliminate unorthodox practices within its fold. 

Onigbinde noted that fraudulent rituals conducted by so-called prophets are against the true teachings of the church’s founder, Moses Orimolade, which focused on healing through prayer, fasting, and divine intervention, not spirit conjuring.

He said, “One of the key goals of the Unification is to combat strange practices among our members. C&S is not a refuge for ‘Yahoo boys,’ and prophets using our white garment to perform such rituals must stop.”

He added that a committee has been formed to ensure all members adhered to the doctrines of Prophet Orimolade.

Pastor Olusegun Elijah, the convener of the pre-centenary revival, spoke on the proliferation of churches, attributing it to widespread unemployment in Nigeria. 

He warned that many individuals, driven by joblessness, were opening churches for personal gain rather than spiritual leadership, contributing to rising crime rates.

“The surge in crime despite the growing number of religious centres reflects the failure of religious leaders to focus on salvation.

“Additionally, many clergy members are now aligning with the political class, making it difficult to hold politicians accountable,” Elijah remarked.

He called on religious leaders to disengage from political fraternisation and maintain their role as moral watchdogs.

Details have emerged as to why Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, was arrested on Monday by the operatives of the State Security Service, SSS.

Mr Ajaero was whisked away by the operatives of the secret police at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.

The NLC’s head of information, Benson Upah, who confirmed the arrest to Channels Television, said Mr Ajaero was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London.

Mr Upah, however, said the union does not know why Mr Ajaero was arrested and where he had been taken to.

But security sources told TheCable that the NLC president was arrested following his failure to honour police invitation over a petition by Air Peace Airlines.

It was also gathered that the airliner had approached the secret police over alleged extortion by the labour union leader.

“The SSS invited Mr Ajaero for questioning but he failed to honour the invitation, that was why they arrested him,” a source disclosed.

Recall that the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, in Abuja had invited Mr Ajaero over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.

He was released after a “short interview”

The Dangote Refinery is set to begin polypropylene production by the end of October 2024, effectively curbing Nigeria’s imports of the product which is a crucial raw material in various industries, including packaging, textiles, and automotive parts.

Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, announced that as the refinery edges closer to full operational status, it will meet the local demand for polypropylene, previously reliant on imports valued at approximately $267.7 million annually.

This shift is expected to significantly benefit various industries, including packaging, textiles, and automotive manufacturing, which have faced challenges due to foreign exchange issues and long shipping times.

Dangote emphasised that the refinery is prepared to supply the market fully, alleviating the struggles of local manufacturers who have had to stockpile due to import delays.

The production of polypropylene will not only reduce costs associated with importation but also enhance the stability of the Nigerian economy by decreasing reliance on foreign products. With this development, Nigeria aims to become self-sufficient in polypropylene production, marking a significant milestone in its industrialisation efforts.

“Let me assure you of one thing, Nigeria from October will not import any more polypropylene, which used to be about a quarter of a million tons,” he said. “No more imports of polypropylene.”

Polypropylene, a versatile plastic used in a wide range of applications from packaging and textiles to automotive parts and medical equipment, is currently imported in large quantities by Nigerian manufacturers.

Annual polypropylene import into Nigeria is estimated at $267.7 million, according to TradeMap, which peaked at $407 million in 2022.

The latest data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that the country brought in the product valued at N99.6 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, placing it at number 12 on the top 15 products imported by Nigeria from the rest of the world.

“We will satisfy the market 100 percent,” said Dangote. “This is so because these industries that are struggling and having to go and look for FX that they will not get and still have to keep stock for four or five months because it’s not easy shipping, clearing, and whatever, can buy as they need.”

He noted that the refinery is determined to do this because it will reduce the cost of importation and scramble for foreign exchange.

“We are also in the business. And our demand also as Dangote is huge. We have Dangote Packaging and are one of the biggest demand users of polypropylene,” he added.

Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, China, and Vietnam were the top importers of polypropylene into Nigeria in the first quarter of 2024, covering 90 percent of Nigeria’s demand.

Polypropylene is a versatile plastic used in a wide range of packaging applications. It’s often preferred over materials like cellophane, metal, and paper due to its flexibility, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

It is used in food and confectionery, tobacco, and clothing industries in flexible form while in rigid form, polypropylene can be found in caps, closures, pallets, crates, bottles, JIT storage solutions, and containers for products like condiments, detergents, toiletries, and yoghourt.

Polypropylene’s versatility and benefits make it a popular choice for packaging across many industries.

“The polypropylene market is growing rapidly owing to the rising demand from the packaging industry. This high demand is associated with the increasing consumption of packaged food and beverages,” said Fortune Business Insights, a research firm.

“It also helps in reducing the possibility of food deterioration and quality loss.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is not responsible for the large billboard in Abuja promoting President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

The large billboard was spotted on Monday along the busy Area One axis of the Federal Capital Territory.

The billboard, which has the picture of the President and his wife, Oluremi read, “Grassroots support for Tinubu 2027, the 1019 initiative “

The display sign, which boldly hints at Tinubu’s potential re-election bid, sparked discussions, among passersby commuters among others plying the road.

However, the National Publicity Director of the ruling APC, Bala Ibrahim, said the party is not behind the billboard.

Speaking to Punch, Ibrahim said the party was unaware of the campaign billboard.

He, however, did not rule out the possibility of such a billboard being sponsored by groups or loyalists of the President.

He said, “At the party and personal level, I am not aware. If you have seen it, you may wish to check. It could have been done by a group or individuals.

“Usually, such banners and billboards carry the identity of the sponsors beneath. Look around to see if it carries the inscription of the party. Otherwise, it is not from us.”