By David Torough, Abuja

The Presidency has issued a strong rebuttal to recent criticism by a faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, accusing it of peddling falsehoods and failing to acknowledge the measurable gains made under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In a statement titled “Response to Afenifere Faction’s Deceitful Statement on President Bola Tinubu’s Midterm,” the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, described the group’s remarks as biased, misleading and aligned with partisan opposition rhetoric. The presidency, while defending the administration’s economic reforms and governance record, called on opposition leaders and their supporters to go beyond criticism and present realistic policy alternatives.“It is now pertinent to inquire from opposition leaders about alternative strategies they would propose in contrast to this administration’s extensive list of significant achievements currently benefiting Nigerians in real-time,” Dare said.In response to Afenifere’s claim that Nigeria had suffered “economic deforms” under Tinubu, the statement pointed to bold reforms — notably the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of the naira’s exchange rate — as crucial steps in halting fiscal decline and restoring investor confidence.According to Dare, the removal of fuel subsidies saved over $10 billion in 2023 alone, while the floating of the naira has contributed to a growing foreign reserve base, now at $38.1 billion, and a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion.Inflation, while still elevated, is reportedly on a downward trend, with April 2025 data showing a reduction to 23.71%, and food inflation moderating to 21.26%. These improvements, Dare argued, signal macroeconomic stabilisation after years of policy distortions.Complementing the reforms are social interventions, such as cash transfers to over 5.7 million poor households, the Students’ Loan Scheme (NELFUND), increased stipends for youth corps members, free CNG kits for transporters, and a N70,000 minimum wage proposal.Dare also listed notable achievements: 900,000+ beneficiaries of the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme, $10 billion in cleared FX debt, N50 billion released to resolve ASUU strikes, 1,000+ revitalised primary healthcare centres, N75 billion in palliatives to states, 3.84% GDP growth in Q4 2024, $50 billion in new FDI commitments as well as $800 million raised from solid minerals processing in 2024.“Dismissing these reforms as ‘unforced errors’ shows a lack of policy understanding and underestimates the scale of fiscal dysfunction this administration inherited,” Dare noted.On allegations of increased governance costs and failure to implement the Oronsaye Report, the presidency clarified that while full implementation of the report is ongoing, important steps have been taken to restore fiscal discipline.Nigeria’s fiscal deficit reportedly declined from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024, with debt service-to-revenue ratio reduced to under 40%. Revenue generation rose to N6 trillion in Q1 2025 — a reflection, according to the presidency, of reforms that include the elimination of Ways and Means financing.Reacting to accusations of favouritism and corruption in palliative distribution and mega-project execution, the presidency cited the suspension of Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu over a corruption probe as proof of the administration’s commitment to accountability.In 2024, the EFCC secured 4,111 convictions and recovered over N364 billion, alongside millions in foreign currencies. In what Dare called a “landmark recovery,” a 725-unit estate in Abuja was forfeited to the federal government in May 2025 — the agency’s biggest asset recovery to date.On charges that Tinubu’s government is veering toward authoritarianism, Dare maintained that democratic institutions remain intact.He cited the Supreme Court’s upholding of opposition victories in Kano, Plateau, and Abia as evidence of judicial independence.Criticism of INEC’s appointments, he said, lacks concrete evidence that any of the appointees are card-carrying members of the ruling APC.He also dismissed concerns over centralisation of power, especially regarding security architecture, noting that discussions on state policing are ongoing and subject to national security assessments.On the security front, the presidency reported the neutralisation of over 13,500 terrorists and the arrest of 7,000 suspects in the past year. The administration, it said, is investing in food security through agricultural mechanisation, and expanding access to tech skills under the 3MTT programme targeting 150,000 youths.Dare further highlighted the establishment of regional development commissions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as a step toward more inclusive growth.While Afenifere accused the federal government of fomenting discord within opposition parties, the presidency described the claim as “baseless” and challenged opposition actors to focus on policy instead of conspiracy.“Economic reforms are undoubtedly laying the foundation for long-term stability,” the statement read.“The Moody’s upgrade from Caa1 to B3, with a Stable Outlook, is proof that Nigeria is turning a corner.”Sunday Dare concluded with a call for constructive engagement, urging critics and political actors to abandon partisanship and join hands with the administration in building a better Nigeria.“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is turning the corner. From stabilising the naira and curbing inflation to reducing debt burdens and expanding access to education and health, the administration delivers bold reforms with actual results.”He acknowledged the hardship being experienced by Nigerians but expressed confidence that continued reforms would bring microeconomic relief in the short term and sustained growth in the long run.

By Tony Obiechina Abuja

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called for feedback from financial services industry stakeholders in the country, policy makers and the general public towards the ongoing revision of the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance System.

The proposed revision launched by IADI in May 2025, is a significant step towards enhancing the resilience and relevance of deposit insurance frameworks in the face of an evolving global financial landscape. Specifically, the revision is aimed at comprehensively addressing structural changes, including digital innovation, the growing role of deposit insurers in resolution, and lessons learned from the banking turmoil in March 2023, which is the most significant systemic stress event since the 2007-09 global financial crisis.The IADI Core Principles are used by jurisdictions, including Nigeria, as a benchmark for assessing the quality of their deposit insurance systems and for identifying gaps in their deposit insurance practices and measures to address them. The Core Principles are also used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in the context of the Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP), to assess the effectiveness of jurisdictions’ deposit insurance systems and practices.According to a statement by Hawwau Gambo Head, Communication & Public Affairs of the NDIC, the first set of the Core Principles was issued jointly by the IADI and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) in June 2009 while the document is subjected to periodic revision order to keep it up-to-date with evolving trends on the global financial system landscape.”As a founding and committed member of IADI, NDIC recognizes the importance of the ongoing revision and hereby invites stakeholders and the general public to actively participate in the process by reviewing the document on the link https://ndic.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Draft-Revised-IADI-Core-Principles.pdf”, the statement added.

By Attah Edeh, Makurdi

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Makurdi, the Benue State capital, over the incessant killings of innocent villagers by herders and militia groups.The killing, which is becoming almost a daily occurrence, has left many dead, several others injured and maimed, and several houses burnt, leaving many homeless.

It was gathered that Lt Gen Oluyede departed Abuja yesterday morning, accompanied by his Principal Stafftaff Officers (PSOs) and other top officers at the Army Headquarters, to the state to have an on-the-spot assessment of the situation on the ground. The COAS did not address the media, traditional rulers and heads of other security agencies in the state.However, Governor Alia told the Benue Traditional Council and state Security Council members the purpose of the visit of the army chief.Alia said the COAS had brought a message of hope to the people of Benue in the face of the renewed unprovoked attacks and killings perpetrated by armed herders.Sources further said the army chief has ordered the deployment of more troops to the state to give the militia and other armed groups terrorising the people of the state the battle of their lives.In Benue State, the source said, the COAS will hold strategic meetings with all operational and unit commanders to brainstorm on the way forward as well as review the ongoing operations with a view to end the killings.The COAS will also visit troops’ locations and operational bases in the state to interact with troops and boost their morale and fighting spirit.The COAS is also expected to visit villages that have been attacked and reassure residents of their safety and the resolve of the Nigerian army to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.The COAS is said to be unhappy with reports of daily killings in Benue that have ravaged the state in the past few weeks and may order some strategic changes, including the redeployment of some commanders to head some of the operational units on ground.Oluyede, while in the state, will personally lead troops in the operation on the battlefront. He is expected to spend some days in the state before relocating back to Abuja.Recall that the attacks in Benue have been described as ethnic cleansing by many, as gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have embarked on a killing spree, attacking villagers in their villages using sophisticated guns and machetes.Last weekend gunmen killed 43 persons in renewed attacks carried out on several communities of Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State.The attacks occurred barely one week after herdsmen militia shot a priest, Rev. Fr Solomon Atongo, along the Makurdi-Naka road and attacked four communities in Gwer West LGA, including the village of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, killing 42 persons, including a mobile police officer.