Reports had surfaced indicating that the administration spent N169.4 billion in August to maintain the fuel pump price at N620.

While opposition parties seized on this revelation to criticize the Tinubu administration, the APC argued that these payments do not signify a return to subsidy.

The ruling party also condemned Phrank Shaibu, Media Aide to the PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for spreading “fake news” and engaging in other efforts to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The APC clarified that the government’s intervention in fuel pricing aims to ensure some level of price stability and predictability, which is different from the past fuel subsidy regime.

Felix Morka, the APC spokesman, accused Shaibu of making misleading statements and not understanding key economic and governance issues.

He attributed Shaibu’s comments to “post-electoral traumatic stress disorder” resulting from his boss’ electoral defeats.

Morka defended President Tinubu’s economic policies, emphasizing that they aim to remove long-standing distortions, accelerate economic recovery, and promote prosperity for Nigeria.

He highlighted the President’s appointments of experienced professionals in key economic institutions and the government’s initiatives in various sectors.

Morka also addressed diplomatic issues, including the Visa ban on Nigerians by the UAE authorities, diplomatic rapprochement with UAE authorities, and President Tinubu’s interactions with other world leaders, such as President Joe Biden.

In summary, the APC rejected claims of a fuel subsidy reintroduction, criticized PDP’s allegations, and defended President Tinubu’s economic policies and diplomatic initiatives.

The PDP and Atiku are contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s declaration of Tinubu as the president-elect in the petition with the file number CA/PEPC/05/2023.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, Bola Tinubu, and the APC are listed as the petition’s first through third respondents, respectively.

Chris Uche SAN, the petitioners’ attorney, noted during Tuesday’s sessions that they had filed and served a motion dated May 7th asking for a live broadcast of the presidential tribunal proceeding.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made this accusation while speaking with newsmen  at the national press centre in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him, no one apart from the Federal Government understands the blueprint of which Atiku claims ownership.

Atiku had recently spoken on his economic blueprint at an event in Lagos.

Mohammed said, “Last week, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, spoke on his Economic Blueprint at an event in Lagos. Let me say, straight away, that the so-called blueprint is a crude attempt at copying all that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has done, especially in the areas of job creation, infrastructure financing, relationship with the private sector, rejuvenation of the power sector, poverty reduction, debt management and the overall management of the economy.”

The minister added, “But it’s more shocking that an opposition that has condemned all that this Administration has done would turn around to weave its so-called Economic Blueprint around the same things that are currently being done by the same administration.”

“No one understands this better than this administration.”

According to him, “anyone using this as a campaign stunt, without acknowledging what we’ve done so far, is cheap and disingenuous.”

Makinde emerged as the new chairman few minutes after the former chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State resigns from the position on Thursday.

The oyo state governor emerged as the new chairman at the ongoing PDP National Executive Council Board meeting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The NEC passed a vote of confidence on the PDP National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu, putting to rest the clamour for his (Ayu’s) resignation by some aggrieved party members.

A total of 397 members of the NEC including past national chairmen of the party, the immediate past Vice President of the country, Namadi Sambo, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, among others were accredited for the meeting.

All the 397 members of the NEC present at the meeting voted in support of Ayu to continue as the chairman of the party.

Presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, who gave this advised, noted that signing the bill into law would be the first step into solving Nigeria’s unemployment problem.

The Presidential Candidate while giving this charged, however outlined his roadmap for growing the tech industry in Nigeria should he emerge president of the country in next year’s presidential election.

This is as his Special Assistant on Digital Media and Operations, Mr Eta Uso, called on Nigerians to vote in Atiku Abubakar as Nigeria’s president in next year’s election, noting that Atiku is the most qualified and the only candidate speaking about policy, solutions and clear plans of rebuilding Nigeria.

Meanwhile, in a series of tweets, Atiku Abubakar noted that the “ICT industry is a critical part of my national development plan and framework to ensure economic growth and diversification in the coming years.”

He said the Nigerian start-up space is one of the largest in Africa and that Nigeria has become a key destination for tech talents in Africa.

According to him, Nigeria is fast becoming a destination for tech talents and with a welcoming environment which his administration would enable for the start-up innovations, one can only but imagine the great developments that will explode in Nigeria.

“My administration intends to enthrone a disruptive economic agenda that will position ICT at the forefront of our policy development strategy and ensure that digital technologies and innovations in ICT, and IT-enabled products and services are given an enabling environment to drive and help build our new digital economy, notably in areas such as E-commerce, IT manufacturing, ICT enabled outsourcing, the broader start-up ecosystem and other emerging technologies.”

The former vice president who now wants to become Nigeria’s next president said if elected the president, his government recognises tech as a cross-cutting sector that can grow the economy and drastically reduce unemployment.

“My administration will ensure that the gap is bridged between established/Start-up Tech companies and the nation’s regulators to provide a thriving tech ecosystem that enhances competitiveness, innovation and job growth for our growing youth population.”

“I had previously outlined in my policy document and my recent Arise Interview, the need to transition into an E-government system to reduce expenditure costs, improve workflow management, service delivery and overall efficiency.”

“This shift will also provide opportunities for the ICT industry to innovate and develop solutions for government digital services as we build a new and enhanced futuristic economy.”

Obi was voted ahead of three other nominees in a 14-day Leadership Excellence Awards voting by Nigerians both home and in the Diaspora via online platforms, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports.

The online voting was organised by the Igbere TV, a foremost community TV in Nigeria.

Obi defeated three other nominees to emerge winner in the voting which took place from Aug. 1st to Aug. 14, via online platforms.

He polled 2, 428, 403 votes to defeat the Chairman and Founder of BUA Group, Abdul Rabiu who polled 1, 124, 172 and popular Nigerian Singer, David Adeleke, a.k.a Davido who polled 881, 766.

The fourth nominee, Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, the Founder and General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, had earlier stepped down and publicly endorsed Peter Obi for the award.

The prestigious award, endorsed by the African Union, African Film Institute, will be presented in November 2022 in Abuja.

NAN reports that the prestigious award, which is the fourth in a row, is an annual event; it recognises and honours outstanding impacts of leaders across public and private sectors in Nigeria.

Tthe event promotes outstanding leaders and personalities whose impacts have been felt in Nigeria’s political, social and economic spheres.

He made the announcement on Thursday via his social media handles.

Abubakar posted, “I am delighted to announce Governor Ifeanyi A. Okowa as my Vice Presidential candidate.

“I look forward to travelling our great country together, engaging with all Nigerians and building a shared future of peace, unity, and prosperity for all. As One We Can Get It Done. #OneNigeria.”

At the PDP executive meeting on Thursday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, said a 17-member committee had been set up by the party to pick a running mate.

He said the committee had submitted three names to Atiku to choose from.

The final decision however, Ayu said, was Atiku’s.

Speaking at the announcement event, Atiku said making a choice between the three names had been a difficult decision.

He also noted that some of the qualities he looked out for include someone who understands the enormity of the challenges facing the country and one who has demonstrated, from experience, that he can proffer some solutions.

The former Lagos State Governor, stated this while reacting to his emergence as the flag bearer for his party in 2023 Presidential election.

He also said Nigeria is back on track following his victory at the just concluded APC National Convention at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“President Muhammadu Buhari, please forgive me for taking you this long. I didn’t expect to win, I must be intoxicated for victory,” the APC while mounting the podium to give his acceptance speech.

“We are confident, courageous that this nation is back on track. All our state governors here present, it is not my job alone.”

Tinubu called for unity among other contestants, saying the common goal was to defeat the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He added,  “The competition is now over. Those who did not support me, you have nothing to fear. I owe no grudges or grievance, let us all agree to join hands in defeating the PDP.”

The APC Chieftain had won the election with  a total of 1,271 votes beating Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who each had 235 and 316 votes.

His emergence as the party’s flagbearer follows his victory at the presidential primary of the Labour Party.

The party conducted the primary for its presidential ticket on Monday in Asaba, Delta State capital.

A total of 185 delegates had been accredited to vote in the exercise to elect one of four aspirants seeking to clinch the party’s presidential ticket.

Mr Obi He later won the contest following his emergence as the sole contestant, after his three co-contenders announced their decision to step down for him.

The other presidential hopeful who stepped down were a political economist and management expert, Professor Pat Utomi, Olubusola Emmanuel-Tella, and Faduri Joseph.

Details of his withdrawal from the party’s primary was contained in a letter dated May 24 and addressed to the National Chairman of the main opposition party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

Besides pulling out of the contest for the party’s presidential ticket barely three days to the exercise, the presidential aspirant also announced his resignation from the PDP.