By Francis Wilfred

The Federal Government has defended the economic and social reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying Nigeria is gradually overcoming its economic and security challenges and is on the path to sustainable recovery. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, stated this on Tuesday while addressing a national press conference in Abuja to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.

Akume said available economic indicators demonstrated that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was beginning to yield positive results. He noted that Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.07 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.

While acknowledging the hardship caused by inflation and persistent insecurity, the SGF maintained that the government remained focused on addressing the challenges and improving citizens’ welfare. “Government will never claim that every challenge has been solved. Inflation has been painful, though it is on a downward trend. Insecurity still threatens lives and livelihoods, but evidence shows that the country is moving in the right direction,” he said.

Highlighting achievements recorded under the administration, Akume disclosed that more than three million vulnerable households had benefited from the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme. He added that nearly one million Nigerians had accessed support through government-backed credit schemes.

According to him, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation disbursed N37 billion in consumer loans, while the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) supported over 1.058 million students with more than N184 billion released for tuition fees and upkeep allowances. The SGF also pointed to progress in healthcare, anti-corruption efforts and security, noting that over N50 billion in recovered assets had been channelled to support NELFUND.

He called on Nigerians to remain united, tolerant and supportive of government efforts, stressing that the administration would continue implementing reforms aimed at delivering greater dividends of democracy as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

By Francis Wilfred

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among the political leaders who agreed to the adoption of rotational presidency in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.Senator Akume made the clarification on Tuesday while responding to a question during the World Press Conference held in Abuja as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day Anniversary.

The SGF recalled that the annulment of the June 12 election, widely regarded as the freest, fairest and credible election in Nigeria’s history and won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, necessitated far-reaching political decisions aimed at preserving national unity and strengthening the country’s democratic foundation.

According to him, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met in Kaduna under the leadership of the late Chief Solomon Lar and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma to deliberate on the way forward, with power shift and the party’s presidential candidature featuring prominently on the agenda.”It was a tough argument before the issue of rotational presidency was agreed on. At the end, we had to concede. We must do this. June 12 annulment had complicated the whole thing. It was finally agreed that we’ll be alternating between North and South.

“Atiku was one of the leaders at that meeting, which was convened by Chief Solomon Lar. He was part of that agreement,” Senator Akume stated.The SGF explained that the decision to alternate presidential power between the North and the South emerged from the need to address the political consequences of the June 12 annulment and to promote inclusiveness and national cohesion.

Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Senator Akume described the annulment as a painful setback to the democratic aspirations of Nigerians, noting that the election was adjudged free, fair and credible. “Abiola won that election round and square. That election was annulled by the military government. It was very painful because the people spoke and they spoke freely. They made their own choice,” he said.

He added that one of the most enduring lessons from the June 12 experience is the supremacy of the people’s will in a democratic society.”The first lesson is that the voice of the people must always be supreme; it must be sacrosanct. That’s the beauty of democracy. We prefer the ballot to bullets,” he said.

Senator Akume expressed confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the country has learnt valuable lessons from the events of 1993 and would never allow a repeat of such an annulment.”If an election is conducted very fairly, and one wins no problem. The actors at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not young people, they were adults when this thing happened. If we were to take a poll at that time, over two thirds of Nigerians would have condemned that act of annulment.

“Fortunately, for us, those at INEC were men of honour and integrity, they are well read and patriotic Nigerians, and they’re determined to also make a difference. Never again would such happen in this country. You win, you win. When you lose, go back and prepare for another election. He sighted American, President Trump lost to Joe Biden. He didn’t bring America down.

He went back prepared and came back and won. That’s the beauty of democracy.”We have decided to embrace democracy. That is why, for 27 broken years, we are enjoying this freedom in a democratic setting. We love the values and the morals of democracy, and there is no system that is as beautiful as democracy.

“It is under a democratic system that you can insult your president and to insult anybody and still go to bed, and you don’t receive a midnight knock on your door. Try it under a totalitarian regime.” Akume stated.

He urged political actors to embrace democratic principles, respect electoral outcomes and continue to strengthen the nation’s democratic culture.The SGF further noted that Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule underscore the country’s commitment to democratic values, freedom of expression, the rule of law and peaceful political participation.

By Abigail David

The first batch of Nigerians being repatriated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday morning.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, the returnees will travel aboard an Air Peace flight scheduled to depart O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night and land in Lagos at about 5 a.m. on Thursday.

The evacuation follows renewed concerns over attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, prompting the Federal Government to facilitate the voluntary return of affected Nigerians.

The government said the exercise forms part of efforts to safeguard the welfare of its citizens abroad while engaging relevant South African authorities to address the situation.

Nigerian officials had earlier assured citizens residing in South Africa of continued support and measures aimed at ensuring their safety amid the unrest.