POLITICS
Nigeria at 66: Tinubu, Govs Preach Unity, Renewal
By David Torough, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu and state governors have called on Nigerians to renew their commitment to peace, unity and nation-building as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, while religious leaders urged citizens and public officials to embrace integrity, justice and responsible leadership.
Tinubu, who spoke through Senate President Godswill Akpabio at an interdenominational church service in Abuja on Sunday, pledged that his administration would work to leave behind a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.
The service, themed “Anchored in Hope: The Path to Divine Stability and Shared Prosperity,” was based on Hebrews 6:19.
The President urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to nation-building, saying the challenges facing the country could be overcome through collective responsibility, unity and responsible citizenship.
He also called for a peaceful and credible 2027 general election, urging citizens to assess candidates freely on the basis of their ideas, character and records of service.
Tinubu cautioned Nigerians against allowing political differences to destroy relationships and national cohesion.
“Let citizens make their choices freely, and let us remember throughout the campaign and after the votes are cast that our neighbour who supports another candidate remains our neighbour after the elections,” he said.
The President urged Nigerians to reject hatred and division, stressing that national interests should take precedence over partisan, ethnic and religious considerations.
He said the Federal Government’s reforms were targeted at addressing economic and social challenges, citing reported economic growth, student loans, infrastructure projects and increased investment, particularly in the gas sector.
Tinubu, however, said the ultimate measure of progress must be felt by ordinary Nigerians through improved living conditions, access to jobs, safe farming and a stable environment for businesses.
He urged all levels of government to pursue these objectives with urgency and ensure that public resources were deployed for the public good.
On the 2027 elections, the President called for prayers for peace, integrity and fairness before, during and after the polls. He also urged the National Assembly, electoral authorities, judiciary, security agencies and other institutions to play their roles in ensuring a credible electoral process.
He appealed to Nigerians to match their prayers with responsible conduct, saying the quest for peace and justice must be accompanied by rejection of hatred and dishonesty.
At the service, the guest preacher, Most Rev. Musa Panti Filibus, Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, said Nigeria’s 66 years of independence had been marked by promise, disappointment, sacrifice, loss and division, but maintained that the country still had reasons for hope.
Filibus said national stability went beyond the absence of conflict, arguing that it required justice, trust, responsible leadership and respect for human dignity. He also said shared prosperity should translate into families meeting their basic needs, children accessing education, young people developing their talents and communities flourishing.
The cleric challenged the Church to speak truth with courage and humility, stand for justice and human dignity, and remain united despite political, religious and other differences.
In Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu called for renewed commitment to peace, unity and the collective task of building a better Nigeria.
Otu, whose message was delivered by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, at an interdenominational thanksgiving service in Calabar, said Independence Day should serve not only as a commemoration of history but also as a reminder of citizens’ responsibilities to the nation.
He said Nigerians had demonstrated resilience, enterprise and faith despite the challenges experienced since independence.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Cross Riverians through opportunities for young people, stronger education and healthcare systems, support for businesses, infrastructure development and increased investment.
He stressed that government could not achieve these goals alone, calling for the participation of religious institutions, traditional rulers, the private sector, civil society, youths and citizens.
In Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, separately called for unity, honesty and integrity as essential ingredients for national development.
Speaking at a Special Thanksgiving Mass at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, Uzodimma said Nigeria’s survival through civil war, military rule and economic crises had been sustained by the sacrifices of patriotic citizens.
He acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, saying government must ensure that citizens’ sacrifices translated into meaningful improvements in their standard of living.
Ugorji, in his homily, identified corruption, insecurity, poverty and energy shortages as major obstacles to national development, while calling for an end to ethnic and religious divisions.
“If we want a new Nigeria, we must become new Nigerians,” the Archbishop said.
In Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani urged Nigerians to remain patriotic, hopeful and committed to building a country worthy of inheritance by future generations.
His message, delivered by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Yunana Barde, at an interdenominational service in Barnawa, reaffirmed the state government’s focus on security, healthcare, roads, agriculture and support for vulnerable citizens.
Sani said Nigeria had experienced both difficult and encouraging periods since independence but urged citizens not to lose faith in the country.
“I believe in Nigeria. This is our home, this is our nation,” he said.
The Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church, Barnawa, Pastor Yakubu Kezi, said national development required citizens to take responsibility for transforming Nigeria’s human and natural resources into national assets.
He urged Nigerians to cultivate values that would promote nation-building and expressed optimism about the country’s future.
Across the different services, religious and political leaders converged on the need for citizens to work together despite their differences, while urging continued prayers for the country, its leaders, security personnel and families facing hardship.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who gave the vote of thanks at the Abuja service, said Nigerians might disagree on several issues but must not lose sight of what unites them.
He called for a Nigeria in which the benefits of development reached every community, stressing that the country belonged to all its citizens.
As Nigeria enters another year of independence, the messages from the national and state celebrations centred on a common challenge: translating hope and patriotic declarations into tangible improvements in security, livelihoods, infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic opportunity.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Senate has postponed its two-day National Security Summit earlier scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026, following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The crash, which occurred on Monday in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, claimed the lives of 25 officers and seven crew members.
The Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, announced the postponement in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday.
He said the decision followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of three days of national mourning in honour of those who died in the crash.
The Senate had planned the summit to review Nigeria’s longstanding security challenges and develop practical measures to improve the protection of lives and property across the country.
Bamidele said the ad-hoc committee had completed preparations for the summit after concluding zonal public hearings before the crash forced the postponement.
President Tinubu had directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period.
The Senate said it considered it appropriate to defer the summit until further notice in honour of the deceased officers and crew members.
The upper chamber also expressed its condolences to the President, the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, and the families of the personnel who lost their lives while serving the country.
According to the Senate, a new date for the summit would be announced in due course.
It appealed to all stakeholders invited to the summit to take note of the national tragedy and bear with the Senate during the period of national mourning.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Nigeria’s voter register has risen to more than 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while speaking at a strategic workshop for media executives.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening Democracy Through Partnership Among Editors, Civil Society and Electoral Institutions,” was organised by INEC in collaboration with Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
Amupitan said more than 10.6 million Nigerians took part in the commission’s three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
He said INEC had completed the public display of the preliminary register, giving citizens an opportunity to raise claims and objections.
The commission, he added, had also concluded the final cleanup of the voter register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
Amupitan announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would begin on October 9.
He urged Nigerians who registered during the exercise to collect their PVCs and prepare to participate in the 2027 elections.
The INEC chairman also said the commission would continue to improve the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to strengthen the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
“The ultimate arbiter of electoral integrity is public trust,” Amupitan said.
He called for stronger cooperation among INEC, media organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders ahead of the elections.
According to him, INEC is prepared to listen to concerns raised by editors, address operational challenges and provide timely information to prevent misinformation from filling communication gaps.
Amupitan said the commission would also give editors direct access to verify field incidents, logistical developments and security reports in real time.
He proposed a sustained editorial feedback mechanism between INEC and the NGE to review the commission’s operational progress and address emerging challenges throughout the 2027 election cycle.
The chairman said closer engagement with the media was important to ensuring that voters receive accurate information, especially during periods of heightened public interest in electoral activities.
Also, DAI Team Leader, Rudolf Elbling, said credible elections depended not only on effective electoral administration but also on professional, ethical and fact-based journalism.
Elbling identified electoral integrity, election technology, the safety of journalists and voters, and information disorder as some of the key challenges facing the media ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said journalists had a critical role in providing voters with accurate information while holding electoral institutions and other stakeholders accountable.
The workshop brought together electoral officials, editors, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and improve public communication ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has commended the quality, experience and capacity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates contesting the 2027 elections in the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Jonathan made the remarks at his residence in Yenagoa when he received a high-powered delegation led by the former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.
), the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku and the Bayelsa State APC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, PhD.The delegation visited the former President to formally present the APC candidates to him as a mark of respect and honour, particularly as a former President of Nigeria and a prominent leader from the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Presenting the candidates, Rear Admiral Jonah appealed to Jonathan to extend his goodwill and support to them, describing the candidates as individuals with the requisite capacity, experience and character to provide effective representation if elected.
He expressed confidence that they would serve the interests of their constituents and contribute meaningfully to the development of the district and the state.
The candidates presented included HRH. Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Hon. Jonathan Robinson Obuebite, PhD, for the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency and Barr. Jude Amidator Rex-Ogbuku for the Ogbia Federal Constituency.
Also presented were the APC candidates for the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including Hon. Oteigbanyo George Braah for Nembe Constituency 1, Hon. Edward Brigidi Irigha for Nembe Constituency 2, Hon. Alalibo West for Nembe Constituency 3, Hon. Daniel Charles for Brass Constituency 1, Hon. Timi Agala for Brass Constituency 2 and Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere for Brass Constituency 3.
Others were Hon. High Chief Ebiango Okoba Egain for Ogbia Constituency 1, Hon. Godknows Obein for Ogbia Constituency 2 and Hon. Chief Gabriel Michael Ogbara for Ogbia Constituency 3.
Responding to the presentation, Jonathan expressed his appreciation for the quality of the candidates, noting that virtually all of them were people who, in his assessment, could be trusted in terms of capacity, performance and experience.
He gave the candidates his blessings and encouraged them to remain committed to serving their people if elected to office.
The former President urged the candidates to see politics as a means of improving society and attracting positive development to their respective constituencies.
He also admonished them and other stakeholders to sustain peace, unity and oneness in Bayelsa State, which he said remained important to the state’s continued development.
The visit brought together APC leaders, candidates, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and other stakeholders from across the Brass, Nembe, and Ogbia Local Government Areas as part of ongoing consultations and engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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