The budget prioritises defence, infrastructure, and human capital development, with a projected deficit of N13.39tn to be financed through borrowing.

Speaking at the National Assembly, Tinubu stressed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security and revamping the nation’s infrastructure.

In the appropriation bill document obtained by our correspondent, the State House, which serves as the administrative hub for the executive arm, will spend N164m for the purchase of tyres for bulletproof vehicles, plain cars, jeeps, platform trucks, and other utility and operational vehicles.

Out of the sum, N1.1bn was earmarked for the replacement of SUV vehicles, and N3.66bn for the purchase of State House operational vehicles.

It stated that N127.86m will be spent on the procurement of SUVs for Mr President and the Vice President. This cost will be undertaken under the office of the President.

Similarly, N285m will be spent for the purchase of motor vehicles under the office of the Chief of staff to the president, while the Chief security officer to the President got an allocation of N179.63m for the purchase of security and operational vehicles.

Further checks showed that N2.12bn was allocated for honorarium and sitting allowances and proposed spending of N1.83bn for the construction of an office complex for Special Advisers and Senior Special advisers.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the proposed 2025 Appropriation Bill under review by the National Assembly has an allocation of N4.91tn for defence and security while infrastructure will receive N4.06tn for projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway.

The President also announced significant allocations for education and health. Education will receive N3.52tn, which includes funding for Universal Basic Education and nine new higher institutions, while the health sector will get N2.48tn to improve healthcare systems and provide essential drugs for public hospitals.

The budget is based on key economic assumptions, including a projected decline in inflation from 34.6 per cent to 15 per cent and an improvement in the naira exchange rate from N1,700 per dollar to N1,500 per dollar.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the revocation of 762 plots of land belonging to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Secretary to the Government of Federation, George Akume, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and former Chief of Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen and corporate organisations for failing to pay for the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) of the properties in Abuja.

Naija News learnt that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in public notices issued on the development, revealed that the plots are located in the high-brow Maitama 1 District of the federal capital.

Wike also threatened to withdraw the Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) of 614 other individuals and companies if they did not pay their outstanding bills for their plots within two weeks.

Other prominent individuals affected by the revocation include former Governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Ben Ayade of Cross River, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Shaaba Lafiagi of Kwara, Ahmad Sani of Zamfara and Kabiru Gaya of Kano.

Former and serving federal lawmakers affected are Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abdul Ningi, Sunday Karimi, Abdulfatai Buhari, Dino Melaye, Barnabas Gemade, Shehu Sani, Adeyemi Adaramodu, Abba Moro, Danjuma La’ah and Abdulmumin Jibrin.

Other former and serving lawmakers whose plots were withdrawn are Agom Jarigbe, Obinna Chidoka, Nicholas Mutu, Dan Reneiju, Ezenwa Oyewuchi, Chinyere Igwe, David Umaru, Oluwole Oke, and Oker Jev.

The notice said, “The Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform the allottee (s)/title holder (s) of plots of land in Maitama 1 who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills after the expiration of grace period granted by the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property have been withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978 for contravention of the terms of grant which obligated the title/interest holders to settle all bills.

“Section 28 of the Land Use Act, to which the FCTA notice referred, stipulates how landed properties vested in individuals can be revoked by authorities. Subsection Five (5) empowers state governors (the Minister of the FCT in the case of Abuja) to revoke a statutory right of occupancy on the ground of-
(a) a breach of any of the provisions which a certificate of occupancy is by section 10 of this Act deemed to contain;
(b) a breach of any term contained in the certificate of occupancy or in any special contract made under section 8 of this Act.

“The non-payment of statutory fees by landowners are considered violations for which allocated plots can be revoked.”

According to Premium Times, former and serving lawmakers also on the list are the Chief Whip of the Senate, Tahir Monguno, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, Nnenna Ukeje, Obinna Chidoka, Dapo Lam-Adesina, Leo Ogor, Francis Alimkhena, Smart Adeyemi and Lynda Ikpeazu.

Others are Andy Uba, Biodun Olujimi, Agom Jarigbe, Kingsley Chinda, and Ben Obi.

Former Ebonyi State Governor, Sam Egwu, former Minister of Aviation, Stella Ofuah and the incumbent Deputy Governor of Edo State Dennis Idahosa, were also threatened with revocation.

Mr Egwu is also a former education minister and senator while Ms. Oduah represented Anambra North in the upper chamber.

The notice added, “The Federal Capital Territory Administration hereby informs the general public, particularly allotee (s)/title holder (s) of land in the Maitama 1 District of the FCT who have since made payment of their outstanding Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills to as a matter of urgency pay the balance of their bills within two weeks from the date of this publication or have their Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles withdrawn.”

The Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has reported a slight decline in the landing cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, indicating some stability in the downstream sector.

Naija News reports that the landing cost dropped marginally to ₦970 per litre in December 2024, compared to ₦971 per litre in November.

This reduction aligns with a recent dip in crude oil prices, which fell to $73.77 per barrel on Wednesday from $74 per barrel the previous week.

In its daily energy bulletin, obtained by Vanguard, MEMAN attributed the latest landing cost to an exchange rate of ₦1,533.57/$ and a crude oil price of $73.91 per barrel (Brent).

The association noted: “International petroleum product pricing is experiencing significant volatility due to geopolitical and economic factors, including events in the Middle East, China market dynamics, and the market of the recent USA elections outcome.

“The foreign exchange rate is also experiencing volatility. Landing cost, being fundamentally influenced by these elements, is likely to change several times intra-day.”

Despite the changes in landing costs, the retail price of petrol in Lagos has remained steady at ₦1,025 per litre.

Speaking on the situation, Ehimen Joseph, Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of MEMAN, explained: “The price of petrol is determined by market forces under a deregulated market regime. A drop in price is possible.”

Adding to this perspective, Dr. Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), remarked: “The price of petrol cannot just drop spontaneously, as marketers have large stocks. Until it is finished, there will be no reduction.

“But the fall in price is possible over time based on market forces and foreign exchange volatility. In other words, fuel price reduction cannot be spontaneous. The market will definitely have a lag, that will be sustained within a month or two pending marketer’s depleted stocks and sustainable foreign exchange.”

President Bola Tinubu’s government is planning to spend N8.97tn of its projected N49.70tn budget on defence and security and infrastructure in 2025, The PUNCH has learnt.

Tinubu on Wednesday presented the 2025 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly, outlining an ambitious N49.70tn spending plan titled “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity.”

The budget prioritises defence, infrastructure, and human capital development, with a projected deficit of N13.39tn to be financed through borrowing.

Speaking at the National Assembly, Tinubu stressed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security and revamping the nation’s infrastructure.

Defence and security were allocated N4.91tn, while infrastructure will receive N4.06tn for projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway.

The President also announced significant allocations for education and health. Education will receive N3.52tn, which includes funding for Universal Basic Education and nine new higher institutions, while the health sector will get N2.48tn to improve healthcare systems and provide essential drugs for public hospitals.

He emphasised the need to empower young Nigerians and improve access to quality healthcare as part of his administration’s human capital development strategy.

Tinubu noted that the government expected N34.82tn in revenue for 2025, leaving a deficit of N13.39tn, representing 3.89 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

He explained that the deficit would be financed through borrowing, stressing that this approach is necessary to achieve the government’s developmental goals.

The budget is based on key economic assumptions, including a projected decline in inflation from 34.6 per cent to 15 per cent and an improvement in the naira exchange rate from N1,700 per dollar to N1,500 per dollar.

The administration also expects oil production to reach 2.06 million barrels per day, driven by increased export capacity and reduced upstream costs.

“The numbers for our 2025 budget proposal tell a bold and exciting story of the direction we are taking to retool and revamp the socio-economic fabric of our society,” Tinubu stated.

“In 2025, we are targeting N34.82tn in revenue to fund the budget. Government expenditure in the same year is projected to be N49.70tn, including N15.81tn for debt servicing.

“A total of N13.08tn, or 3.89 percent of GDP, will make up the budget deficit. This is an ambitious but necessary budget to secure our future.

“The budget projects inflation will decline from the current rate of 34.6 per cent to 15 per cent next year, while the exchange rate will improve from approximately 1,700 naira per US dollar to 1,500 naira, and a base crude oil production assumption of 2.06 million barrels per day.”

Reflecting on economic achievements, Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria’s GDP grew by 3.46 per cent in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 2.54 per cent in the same period of 2023.

He added that foreign reserves now stand at $42bn, providing a buffer against external shocks, while the trade surplus has risen to N5.8tn, indicating the positive impact of export growth.

The President acknowledged the challenges facing the economy, including inflation and insecurity, but assured Nigerians that the reforms undertaken by his administration were beginning to yield results.

He expressed optimism that sacrifices made during the reform process would pave the way for long-term economic stability and growth.

Tinubu described the 2025 budget as a continuation of his administration’s efforts to rebuild the economy and foster inclusive growth.

He emphasised the importance of enhancing national security, revitalising infrastructure, and investing in agriculture to achieve food security and reduce hunger. He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the private sector as a key driver of economic transformation.

In his closing remarks, Tinubu called for collective action to address the country’s challenges, urging Nigerians to support the government’s efforts to secure peace and rebuild prosperity.

The Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, described the budget as a bold response to Nigeria’s pressing challenges, designed to restore stability and rebuild trust in governance.

He noted that the Federal Government projects total revenue of N36.35tn for 2025, driven by improved non-oil revenue streams, including expanded tax collections, customs duties, and earnings from government-owned enterprises.

The 2025 budget proposal now awaits deliberation and approval by the National Assembly.

Lawmakers laud budget

Meanwhile, lawmakers lauded the budget, stating that it caters to the needs and welfare of Nigerians.

The Senate Committee on Customs Chairman, Senator JimIsah Jibrin, emphasised the importance of addressing Nigeria’s burgeoning debt burden.

“So much, about 15 per cent of the budget expenditure, is earmarked for debt servicing. This is enormous,” he remarked.

“We need to avoid what I call a ‘debt peonage system’—a cycle where we’re constantly in debt. The only way out is to significantly improve our revenue generation capacity.”

He also highlighted the need for revenue-generating agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Customs to “step up their game” to reduce deficits.

Similarly, Senator Victor Umeh praised the budget for its focus on critical areas like security, education, and infrastructure.

“This budget identifies the major challenges confronting our nation, such as insecurity, infrastructure, and human capital development,” he said.

“These are areas that will ensure Nigeria is on the path of sustainable growth if addressed.”

On the delayed presentation of the budget, Umeh noted, “Many projects captured in the 2024 budget remain unexecuted.

“We’ve agreed to roll them over to June 2025, so the timing of this budget is not a major issue. But by February 2025, we should have it ready for implementation.”

Senator Adams Oshiomhole lauded the President’s realistic approach but cautioned against complacency.

“The task of a leader is to give hope. While reforms can be painful, the absence of reforms would lead to stagnation,” Oshiomhole asserted.

 He commended the budget for addressing key areas like exchange rate stability and crude oil production, saying, “We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the National Assembly must ensure proper oversight to turn these figures into tangible results.”

“We owe it to Nigerians to ensure that every figure and allocation in this budget reflects their best interests,” Oshiomhole said.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, Senator Osita Izunaso, added that the emphasis on security, infrastructure, and human capital development is commendable, with allocations for defense and security reaching an unprecedented N4.91tn

Despite the optimism, Senator Izunaso stressed the importance of translating these allocations into better living standards for Nigerians.

“The average citizen wants to know how this budget will improve their lives. If oil production increases and food importation reduces as promised, we may begin to see positive changes,” he concluded.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim praised the budget’s data-driven approach, emphasizing its alignment with economic realities.

“The exchange rate projection of N1,500 to $1 and the growth rate target of 4% in 2025 are grounded in data analysis, which gives hope for stability and progress,” he said.

He added, “A N1,500 exchange rate is more realistic than what you saw in the previous year. So right now, the exchange rate used for this budget is 1,500 US dollars. And that is not bad at all.

“The foundation where the budget is based is also very unique in terms of data collection and data analysis. So, from the data, I can tell you very well that it’s reassuring that there’s good hope for 2025.”

Meanwhile, after the 2025 budget presentation to them at the joint session by President Tinubu, both Chambers of the National Assembly set machinery in motion to extend the capital component of the 2024 budget to June 30, 2025.

Legislative action in that direction was taken by the listing bills for that purpose on their Order paper, which passed the first and second reading in the Senate on Wednesday.

Isunazo said, “The budget is coming late. Today is December 18, so we will lose that culture of beginning a new year with a new budget. Nevertheless, the budget has a lifespan of 12 months.

“So whenever we pass it, it will have a lifespan of 12 months. Even after 12 months, we still have the liberty to extend it.  In fact, we are extending the 2024 budget today.

“But that culture of starting on the 1st of January, we have lost it. The executive ought to have brought this budget way before now. But I believe that maybe they are putting things together.

“They wouldn’t want to delay deliberately bringing the budget to the National Assembly.”

“So, I’m saying that that is not a problem, but we have lost that culture.”

The National Assembly also declared Wednesday in Abuja that it would not kill the Tax Reform Bills forwarded to it for consideration and passage by President Bola Tinubu in October of this year.

It said that rather than killing the well-envisioned bills, it would engage Nigerians who have wrong notions about it, change their minds, and get it passed.

Budget hopeless – PDP

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has labeled President Tinubu’s N47.9tn budget proposal to the National Assembly as “unrealistic, opaque and insincere.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP cautioned that if implemented as outlined, the budget would further worsen the nation’s insecurity, poverty, and despair.

The statement read in part “The Peoples Democratic Party describes the N47.9 trillion 2025 federal budget estimates as presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the National Assembly today as anti-people, which if implemented as presented will plunge the nation deeper into the abyss of insecurity, poverty and hopelessness.

“The party asserts that the budget as presented further confirms the insensitivity of the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress administration towards the plight of Nigerians as it made no meaningful provisions and investments for critical productive sectors of agriculture and food production, electricity, petroleum and gas, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, which are the real drivers of the national economy.

“The PDP states that the budget address sounded more like a campaign rhetoric laced with unsubstantiated economic statistics, false promises and conjured performance claims without clear-cut operable steps and mechanisms to address insecurity, resuscitate the economy, revamp ailing industries, shore up food production, increase the value of the Naira, reduce overall cost of living, create jobs for our youths and guarantee better living standard for citizens.

“President Tinubu dashed the hope of millions of suffering Nigerians who expected him to use the 2025 budget to make strategic provisions that will lead to the reduction in the cost of fuel, food items, electricity tariff and other essential goods and services that have direct bearing on the wellbeing of the people.”

The PDP urged Nigerians to observe that the President, in his speech, neglected to reveal the capital and recurrent details of the 2025 budget.

“The PDP is dismayed that instead, the budget speech was an assault on the sensibility of Nigerians when Mr. President claimed that the 2024 budget recorded a bogus 85 per cent performance without a breakdown of the component between recurrent and capital expenditure.

“Further distressing is President Tinubu’s claim that the economy improved under his watch even in the face of acute poverty, excruciating hardship, comatose infrastructure, collapsed productive sectors, deteriorating value of the Naira, alarming 34.6 per cent inflation and 40 per cent unemployment rates in the last 18 months as validated by official figures.

“Equally ludicrous is Mr. President’s voodoo economy claim that the 2025 budget will reduce the current inflation rate from 34.6 per cent to 15 per cent and improve the value of the Naira from approximately N1,700 to the Dollar to N1,500 without any indices for tangible investment in the productive sector and in the face of a staggering N134.3 trillion ($91.3 billion) debt accumulated under the APC watch.

“The PDP invites Nigerians to note that the President in his speech failed to disclose the Capital and Recurrent profiles of the 2025 budget. This has heightened public apprehension on the issue of full disclosure and transparency in government spending under the current administration.

“Given the crippled national productive sector, it is clear that with the N47.9 trillion expenditure including N15.8 trillion provision for Debt Services, the projected N34.8 trillion revenue with N13 trillion deficit will be financed by excruciating taxes and levies on already impoverished citizens and companies operating in the country.”

Reps recommend exclusions

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has called for the removal of the National Examination Council, the University of Ibadan, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other ministries, departments, and agencies from the 2025 budget

This followed what the committee called their repeated failures to account for previous budgetary allocations and internally generated revenues.

The resolution of the committee followed the adoption of its recommendation during its extraordinary sitting on Wednesday.

According to the committee, the affected agencies and institutions had consistently shunned summons aimed at ascertaining their financial administration.

Among the agencies recommended for delisting are some of Nigeria’s most prominent federal institutions, including hospitals, universities, and development agencies.

The MDAs recommended for delisting include the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria Police Force,  Department of Information and Communication Technology and the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Delta State.

Others are the Federal College of Education, Yola, Adamawa State, Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Cross River Basin Development Authority, Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation, the National Examination Council, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil and  Presidential Amnesty Programme, among others.

Also included are the National Health Insurance Authority, Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Chairman of the Committee, Bamidele Salam, said, “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any ministry, department, or agency that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The committee unanimously recommended that the 24 MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before the National Assembly.

President Bola Tinubu says he has no plans to reverse the economic reforms embarked upon by his administration.

President Tinubu noted that the journey has not been easy, but it is a necessary sacrifice Nigerians have to pay for the greater good of the nation.

He acknowledged the difficulties Nigerians have had to endure as a result of the economic reforms and urged the citizens to believe in the process, promising that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

Naija News reports the President made the declaration on Wednesday while delivering his speech during the presentation of the ₦47.9 trillion 2025 budget proposal to a joint sitting of the National Assembly in Abuja.

“The journey of economic renewal and institutional development, which we began 18 months ago as a nation, is very much underway. It is not a journey we chose but one we had to embark on for Nigeria to have a real chance at greatness. I thank every Nigerian for embarking on this journey of REFORMS and TRANSFORMATION with us.

“The road of reforms is now clearly upon us, and as the President of this blessed nation, I know this less-travelled road has not been easy. That there have been difficulties and sacrifices. They will not be in vain. And we must keep faith with the process to arrive at our collectively desired destination.

“We do not intend to depart from this critical path to strengthen the Nigerian economy. Just as I believe in the resilience of our economy to withstand the current challenges, I also strongly believe in the resilience of the Nigerian people. Again, I summon the unstoppable Nigerian spirit to lead us on as we work to rebuild the fabric of our economy and existence,” the President said.

President Bola Tinubu has allocated a total sum of N15.81 trillion for debt servicing in his proposed 2025 “restoration budget”. Tinubu disclosed this while presenting the N47.9 trillion budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

He said the government is targeting N34.82 trillion in revenue to fund the 2025 budget, while adding that government expenditure in the same year is projected to be 47.90 trillion naira, including 15.81 trillion naira for debt servicing.

“The numbers for our 2025 budget proposal tell a bold and exciting story of the direction we are taking to retool and revamp the socio-economic fabric of our society. In 2025, we are targeting 34.82 trillion naira in revenue to fund the budget.

“Government expenditure in the same year is projected to be 47.90 trillion naira, including 15.81 trillion naira for debt servicing,” Tinubu said, adding “I promise we have to bring it down.”

The President noted that a total of 13.08 trillion naira, or 3.89 percent of GDP, will make up the budget deficit. Taking top position in the sectoral allocation of the budget proposal is defence and security with N4.06 trillion. Health takes N2.4 trillion while Education gets N3.5 trillion.

Tinubu further noted that inflation was projected to go down from its current 34.6 per cent to 15 per cent while exchange rate was projected to be brought down from N1,700 to a dollar to N1,500.

The Oyo State Government has announced the arrest of the organisers of a children’s party in Ibadan which led to the death of about 30 children.

The deadly stampede occurred at a children’s Christmas party in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.The incident took place on Wednesday morning at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan.

It is understood that the party was organized by Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, in collaboration with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat.

Confirming the development, Governor Seyi Makinde said the main organizers have been taken into custody. He also disclosed in a statement that the government has commenced a thorough investigation into the matter.

The statement said: “Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families. Sadly, a stampede at the venue has led to multiple loss of lives and injuries.

“This is a very sad day for us here in Oyo State. We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths.

“We have taken steps to ensure no further deaths are recorded at this venue by deploying security agents to restore order at the venue. We also deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the venue. The event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue. We are taking all realistic measures to ensure that the venue is secured.

“While investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody.

“I want to reassure our people that anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable. Please remain calm as the security agencies investigate this unfortunate incident.”

“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Amen,” Makinde added.

The former special adviser on media and publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has described Buhari as a friend of the masses, noting that his policies and decisions were focused on improving the lives of Nigerians.

In a tribute to celebrate Buhari who clocked 82 on Tuesday, Adesina said one of such policies was his decision not to remove fuel subsidies as Nigeria’s President.

He described him as ‘Ore Mekunu’, a Yoruba phrase for a friend of the poor, adding that he ‘still draws the people like magnets even in retirement’.

Adesina described his boss as a President who refused to take decisions that would further impoverish the masses even when aware that some corrupt leaders are benefiting.

“The Big Elephant in the room (was the) removal of fuel subsidy. Did you think the Government didn’t know that the money guzzling monster had to be slain? It knew.

“But who ensured that subsidies remained as long as it did? Buhari. And why? The people, the ordinary people. His argument was always simple.

“When oil sold for at least $100 per barrel in the international market, rising even to as high as $140 per barrel, what did the ordinary people gain? Nothing! So why should they be the ones to bear the brunt when oil prices fall?”, Adesina stated.

The former presidential aide said even though Buhari may share the conviction to remove subsidies at the end of his administration like the presidential candidate then, “he didn’t want to do something that would throw society into a tailspin for the sake of the ordinary people”.

Almost two years into retirement, Adesina said people still continue to mill around him because of his disposition to the poor.

The parents of Segun Olowookere, a young man reportedly arrested at the age of 17 in 2010 for allegedly stealing a fowl and eggs in Osun State, recently shared their journey and continued hope for justice after a decade of legal battles.

In an interview on the Talk To B show, hosted by actress Abiola Adebayo and aired on Tuesday, Olowookere Olarenwaju and his wife, Folashade, described a chain of events that led to the conviction of Segun, their only child, and subsequent years of hardship.

Mr Olowookere explained that their struggles began in 2008 when a cleric from Kwara State warned the family that their son would face great challenges in the future.

“The cleric said there is a generational curse on the child in the future, and it will be a tough one, but he said if God spares his life, that is the only battle he will fight in life. So we kept praying,” Segun’s father said. 

Recalling how Segun was arrested two years later, the father said, “I was at my shop, where I rent out and sell video CDs when the police came around 11 am that day. They fired shots in the air, and we all ran away.”

He explained that the police successfully apprehended one boy and took him into their vehicle.

The boy reportedly came back to inform him that he had seen some of Segun’s schoolmates in the van, who told the police that he was not Segun, which made the police let him go.

The father added that the boy revealed to him that these schoolmates were being accused of stealing a chicken and eggs.

Olowookere explained how he urged his son to run away because he didn’t want him to be entangled in any police case.

He said, “I told my son about the incident, and he said they can’t be looking for him. My son doesn’t eat chicken because I also have a poultry.

“He said he can’t run away because he doesn’t even eat chicken. We begged him, but he insisted he won’t run because he’s innocent.

“The policemen returned around 9 pm that same day, and someone came to tell him (Segun) about it and urged him to run away. He didn’t run until the police took him away. I later realised the owner of the chicken was a member of my extended family.”

After being taken to the police station, Olowookere said the Divisional Police Officer demanded N30,000 to release Segun.

“I got to the station, and the DPO told me to bring N30,000 if I didn’t want my child to go to jail. The arrested children were about seven when we got to the station, so I wondered why they demanded N30,000 from only my son, but the DPO insisted.”

Olowookere explained that despite bringing N20,000, the DPO reportedly insisted on the full amount, refusing to show mercy.

“I begged him to collect the money, but he insisted on N30,000, so I should go and look for the complete money. He said he had no child and had no reason to be merciful,” he said.

Olowookere then sought help from politicians, but the situation grew more dire.

“I decided to involve politicians,” he said. “I went to meet one of the brothers of the then governor, Oyinlola. The brother sent someone to the DPO to release the boy, but the DPO said I went to report him to someone, and it wouldn’t stop him from collecting the money. He said I’ll be surprised that my son will go to jail.

“Within five minutes, he brought out my son and the rest. He also brought out the cutlasses they found in the house of their parents because they searched our houses. One of the boys, father was a hunter; they also brought his gun. The DPO laid the weapons in front of the boys and took their pictures with the weapons.”

“He told me to say goodbye to my son,” Olowookere recalled, struggling to hold back tears. “Then I burst into tears. He told me not to come close and that he doesn’t accept apologies. That was how they took the children away.

“They took them to Osogbo; on getting there, we had to get the service of a lawyer; they took the rest of them to welfare, but only my son was taken to Ilesa.”

Olowookere explained that although Segun was born in 1993 and 17 years old at the time of the incident, the DPO argued that since he had completed secondary school, he should not be considered a minor.

He claimed that the officer increased Segun’s age, claiming he was an undergraduate, despite the fact that Segun was just 15 days away from starting university when the problem began.

He added that about six months later, the other children involved were released, leaving only Segun in custody.

In an attempt to resolve the situation, he said he went to see his relative who owned the chicken and eggs and offered to compensate him for the chicken and eggs that were allegedly stolen.

However, the relative insisted that Segun was not involved in the theft and told him to leave.

“I went to meet our family elders, and they called him, but he still insisted my son was not among the thieves,” Segun’s father said.

He said the family endured years of court appearances, and one day, the judge mentioned that if the complainant did not show up in court the following month, the case would be dismissed.

This prompted Segun’s father to approach his relative, the complainant, along with another family elder, to encourage him to forgive Segun, especially since he was the only one left in the case.

They reportedly begged him to state that he was no longer interested in pursuing the case; however, the relative reacted angrily, accusing him of trying to lecture him.

He added that the relative later came to testify in court, claiming that Segun was the leader of the thieves, leading to his death sentence.

Olowookere recalled, “On the said day at court, I saw my brother and the policeman who made the arrest. The policeman was the first to speak, and he said Segun Olowookere is not among the thieves. We were all excited that my son would be free that day.

“When it was my brother’s turn to speak, he said my son is the leader of the thieves.

“Eventually, the judge sentenced my son to death. That was how I left the court in tears.

“People asked if he was a murderer; if not, why sentenced to death? We didn’t see anyone with an injury, not even a gunshot or sign of physical assault. People were surprised.”

Tearfully recounting the day of the sentencing, Oloowokere added, “I cried, and my son said, ‘My daddy, don’t cry.”

“He said if he’s truly innocent, he won’t be killed, but he will only be killed if he’s not innocent. He said I should be at peace that he won’t be killed. I couldn’t tell his mum when I got home. From the High Court, where the judgement was made, he was taken to Abeokuta.

“The judge also said that the governor of the state has the right to pardon my son after ten years if he chooses to do so. We’ve been praying about it since then.”

Speaking during the interview, Segun’s mother, Folashade, stated that in the years that followed, Segun was transferred to different prisons, including the Kiri Kiri Prison in Lagos State, where he managed to further his education despite the harsh conditions.

She said, “When he got to Kiri Kiri at first, he was selling food so he could have money to sponsor his education because he had a good result. So, he was trying to gather money to prepare for the school.

“I asked if it was possible there; he said yes. So, he calls us when he needs anything for the food he was selling and his education. I’ve visited the place, and I saw that there’s a school there.

“He even called us for his graduation, but he knew we didn’t have money, so we couldn’t attend his graduation. My younger siblings in Lagos attended on our behalf. He studied a medical course in prison.”

She also spoke of the emotional toll, saying, “We have been to every possible person for help, but each time it seemed like hope faded. My son’s situation has made me hypertensive.

“Since the beginning of this issue, I have never had a joyful festival season. I have no money, no business; the money is usually spent on this. I don’t want to die this way; have mercy and help me.

“People keep asking us what can be done, but we don’t know. We are even tired at this point, but if God has a purpose for his life that didn’t kill him till now, he will bring him out.”

Segun’s father also clarified that there were two out of the seven who were sentenced, but the other boy had some mental issues.

“I even thought his parents would have gone to pick him up because they asked them to come pick him up when the mental issue started,” he said.

PUNCH Online reports that in response to the widespread outcry over the issue, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has directed the state’s attorney general and commissioner for justice to launch a full investigation into the case, with the aim of granting Segun clemency.

•PDP, LP, NNPP link President’s reforms to worsening hardship, APC, govt defend policies

The Federal Government and opposition parties clashed on Tuesday following the criticism of the economic policies of the Bola Tinubu administration by the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.

The Peoples Democratic Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party agreed with the governor that Nigerians are being crushed under the weight of Tinubu’s economic reforms but the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, argued that the reforms had made more resources available to states.

Idris further assured that ‘’Nigerians will feel the benefits in 2025.’’

Responding to questions from one of our correspondents, the minister stated, “2025 is a year that President Tinubu’s reforms will be consolidated for the benefit of all Nigerians

“Mr President has embarked on an ambitious reform agenda that is already freeing more resources to the subnationals, not just the Federal Government.”

Idris argued that Governor Oborevwori’s comments are a smokescreen to avoid accounting for the increased allocation Delta, an oil-producing state, has enjoyed under Tinubu.

“The Delta governor’s comments about the economic policies of the Tinubu administration are an attempt to distract from the challenge thrown to him to account for the resources of Delta State which have increased vastly in the last 18 months.

“A governor who has received close to a trillion naira since coming to office should focus on accounting for it, not casting aspersions on a Federal Government that is doing everything to empower the states,” the minister counselled.

Oborevwori had accused the Federal Government of unleashing unprecedented hunger, poverty and mass unemployment on Nigerians, turning Nigeria into the world’s poverty capital.

The governor said the probable gains of Tinubu’s policies on petroleum subsidy removal and floating of the naira had been eclipsed by naira devaluation and soaring inflation.

In a statement by his Executive Assistant on New Media, Mr Felix Ofou, the Delta governor said it was time Tinubu embraced policies that would stem poverty and suffering.

His comments came on the backdrop of an assertion by the former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, that the President’s economic policies “increased federal allocation to state and local governments, rising economic growth rates, declining imports, higher exports and higher incomes for farmers.”

However, Oborevwori faulted Omo-Agege’s claim saying, “the value of the increased funds amidst galloping inflation, naira devaluation, and widespread poverty.”

Upon assuming office 18 months ago, President Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates.

Though touted as necessary reforms, these moves triggered seismic economic disruptions, infusing immense pressure into daily Nigerian life.

The fuel subsidy, which had long shielded Nigerians from global oil price volatility, was scrapped, pushing fuel prices from approximately N185 to around N1,100 per litre.

The price of commodities followed suit as fuel costs underpinned transportation, food prices and general consumer goods.

By October 2023, the national inflation rate surged to 32.7 per cent, with food inflation peaking at an alarming 37.5 per cent.

Coupled with subsidy removal was the unification of the multiple exchange rates.

For years, Nigeria operated an artificially pegged naira rate to support imports and control inflation, a policy that led to currency speculation and a thriving black market.

Tinubu’s unification aimed to create a more transparent and equitable foreign exchange regime.

However, it also led to an immediate naira depreciation, severely eroding purchasing power and raising import duties.

This raised the prices of essentials like medicines, electronics and food products, further worsening inflation.

Also, about 104 million Nigerians sank into poverty by December 2023, the World Bank estimated.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, and the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, said the policies should be reviewed.

Osadolor said the country was suffering due to the policies of the current administration.

“So, unlike those in Aso Rock who are shielded from the reality of today, the Delta State governor, by virtue of being a community person, feels the pulse of his people firsthand, aside from being governor.

“The people cry to him, and he feels their pain firsthand. We don’t have to be a Governor or a community person to know that there’s hunger in the land. Even the cattle and birds in the country show signs of despair.

“This speaks volumes about what has gone wrong with the country. The country is sick from the policies of the current administration, and it needs healing and deliverance from the economic managers of this government,” he said.

Osadolor argued that the governor simply echoed “what others have been saying.”

He added, “But I want to salute his courage and the risk he faces, even though he has immunity for now, of being retorted or called names.

“He has stepped forward to be counted among those who genuinely mean well for Nigerians and who truly feel the pain and suffering of the people.

“I want all other men of goodwill and character to stand up and speak up and be counted, and say, enough is enough.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP said the Tinubu administration needed to review its policies before May 29, when Nigerians would finalise their assessment of the APC government.

Johnson stated “Our position has been clear: it doesn’t seem that the policies are working, and people are suffering.

“We have already stated that they should press the reset button and try to see if they can turn things around.

They shouldn’t remain obstinate and continue insisting that it will work.”

Continuing, he said, “All we can do now is wait, but the first test will be on May 29th next year, which will be the mid-term.

“At that point, we can assess the mid-term report card and see where we are and where we seem to be heading.

“By that stage, they will have no excuses. After the first test last year, they said the year was too short, but mid-term is the usual time for evaluation.”

Also speaking with The PUNCH, the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, Kennedy Ahanotu, said despite having divergent philosophies from Oborevwori, his argument was valid.

Ahanotu said, “Truly, most people are saying that there is a need for Mr President to review his economic policy, and it’s in order. This is because when you want to test run something and you see that people are reacting to it.

“Even if you go to hospital to take an injection, if they start giving you an injection and you are reacting to it, they will remove it and start putting another. So, economic policy is something that is being test run daily.”

He continued, “When you see that it’s too harsh on people, you withdraw and seek other ways to make it work on people without having so much harsh effect.  It’s not about what the Delta governor said. I think it’s the position of the majority of Nigerians.

“Some of the economic policies of Mr President should truly be reviewed to align with the economic realities in the country.”

However, the All Progressives Congress disagreed.

The APC argued that it is too early for opposition leaders to play politics with reforms that could salvage the economy and reposition it better for the future.

In a phone interview with one of our correspondents, the National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, emphasised that the ruling party has an economic and agricultural policy, which Tinubu’s government is implementing accordingly.

He said, “In these reforms or policies, the government of the Federation has introduced for the first time a new Ministry for Livestock Development.

“This is something that has not been done before and the intention is to pay attention to the agricultural sector, in particular, the area of animal and food security.

“The Delta governor is speaking out of tune. Maybe the opposition politics has blinded him by the fact that there is supposed to be a time within which certain things will mature, and then we see the effect.”

He added, “People are not getting impoverished. They are being stimulated and encouraged to go to the farm.

“They are there with the intention of producing more so that there will be food on the table. Very soon, we will start seeing the results.”

Meanwhile, Governor Oborevwori has distanced himself from comments made by his Assistant on Media, Felix Ofou.

Oborevwori, through his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, said the views expressed by Ofou “were entirely personal and did not reflect the position of the Governor or the Delta State Government.”

Ahon said, “The comments attributed to Mr Felix Ofou are his personal views and do not represent the Governor or the Delta State Government.

“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori enjoys a harmonious working relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and has never made any such statements regarding the President’s policies.

“It is, therefore, imperative to state categorically that, as Chief Press Secretary and official spokesman of the Governor of Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori did not, and has never, expressed such views on Mr President’s economic policies.

“The general public is, therefore, advised to jettison such misleading reports as they do not reflect the views of the Governor, who is working very hard to provide good governance for Deltans and other residents of the state despite the present economic challenges faced by the citizens.”

Speaking further, Ahon said the Governor had constantly urged Delta residents and Nigerians to continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The CPS said this was the view Oborevwori expressed at the Urhobo Progress Union on Saturday, when the governor stated, “I want to appeal to Urhobo nation today, I am saying it here, I am an Urhobo man and I’m Governor of Delta State.

“But I will tell you today whether you like it or not, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is supporting this administration. God has made him the President as God has made me the Governor of Delta State.

“So, as you are supporting me, support him because if he fails, I will fail, but by the grace of God, he will not fail and I will not fail, too.

“Mr President has appointed our sons and daughters into various positions. He did not appoint people from outside the State. God has given him victory and God has given me victory; you people should support us to succeed.”