Minister of National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, asserted that the North has no regrets about supporting President Bola Tinubu. He emphasized that the region is well-represented and actively engaged in national governance.

Speaking at a technical session during the Government-Citizen Engagement forum organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation at Arewa House in Kaduna, Bagudu dismissed claims of marginalization. He described Tinubu’s administration as inclusive, competent, and focused on national unity.

“Those of us privileged to serve in President Tinubu’s administration are vigilant in defending Northern interests. There is no exclusion and absolutely no reason for regret,” he stated.

Bagudu praised Tinubu as a true nationalist, noting that appointments and policies under his leadership are based on merit and national interest rather than ethnicity or regional ties. He urged Northern leaders and citizens to reject divisive narratives, emphasizing that the North is fully engaged at all levels of governance.

Addressing the nation’s economic challenges, Bagudu explained that the Tinubu administration inherited a crisis characterized by unsustainable fuel subsidies and dependency on imports. He mentioned that bold reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the removal of fuel subsidies, foreign exchange liberalization, and revenue restructuring, are stabilizing the economy.

“For example, Adamawa State’s federal allocation increased from N9.76 billion in May 2023 to N22.73 billion by June 2025. That’s a clear result of these reforms,” he noted.

He also highlighted significant structural changes, such as returning the Budget Office to the Ministry of National Planning and creating new ministries, such as Livestock Development, Arts and Culture, and the Blue Economy, all aimed at promoting inclusive growth and economic diversification.

Bagudu stated that the government is now transitioning from economic stabilization to inclusive growth, with a strong focus on poverty reduction and long-term development. He encouraged Northern stakeholders to strategically engage with democratic institutions to influence budget priorities and secure regional development goals.

In addition, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, spoke at the event about the food security crisis inherited by the Tinubu administration. He highlighted targeted, data-driven solutions to address the issue.

Abdullahi revealed that through the Agro-Pocket initiative, over 133,000 hectares of wheat were cultivated across 15 Northern states, exceeding the original target of 130,000 hectares. He also announced the rollout of a farmer data audit and registry to eliminate fictitious beneficiaries and ensure that genuine farmers receive support.

He added that Tinubu’s agricultural reforms include mechanization, value chain development, irrigation and dam projects, and institutional restructuring, all aimed at achieving food security and improving rural livelihoods.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has confirmed that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election is not a card-carrying member of their party.

ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, revealed this while speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday night.

Abdullahi, however, insisted that Obi was part of their coalition from the first day.
“Peter Obi has been part of the coalition from day one.

“He has attended almost every meeting of the coalition.

“The reason Peter Obi has not come into the ADC as a card-carrying member is because he asked for leave to allow him complete the election that his people were involved in Labour Party.

“The same thing applies to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. And they were both allowed by the leadership to complete the election processes that they started in their respective parties.

“Peter Obi is a member of the coalition, but not a card-carrying member of the ADC

Senator David Mark, the Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says the party under his watch will not tolerate candidates’ imposition, anti-party activities, and other forms of indiscipline.

Mark made this known in his remarks at a National Executive Committee (NEC) party meeting in Abuja.

The interim chairman also pledged to serve the party with integrity, transparency, courage, and vision.

He acknowledged the patriotism, sacrifices, and dedication of the outgoing National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, and his team, who he lauded for building the ADC over the years and for relinquishing party leadership in the interest of the country.

He also commended all party leaders and loyal members who contributed to the party’s growth, assuring them that his leadership would be fair and just.

“I assure you that under my leadership, we shall be committed to full democratic practices and principles that abhor imposition and special privileges. Internal democracy, transparency, and accountability will be our mantra.

“We will guarantee collective leadership at all levels. We will build a technically competent bureaucracy for the party and ensure structured financing. All members will truly own the party.

“We shall revamp our grassroots leadership structures to reflect modern realities. From the polling units and wards up to the national level, every organ will be re-energised,” he said.

Mark also promised inclusion for the youth and women.

”Our policies, nominations, and leadership roles will reflect meaningful inclusion of youths and women and not just tokenism.

“This is why we have reserved 35 per cent of our leadership positions for women. It is also our commitment to have youths below the age of 40 years in our leadership,” he said.

He disclosed that the new National Working Committee (NWC) would, within the shortest possible time, raise committees to review the party’s manifesto and constitution to meet and reflect the aspirations of the Nigerian people.

“We shall clearly articulate what we stand for. Nigerians must know us as a party driven by unblemished ideology, progressive policies, and patriotic governance.

“We will not leave it to the discretion of individual candidates to choose what to do with power,” he affirmed.

Mark announced that in the coming days, the ADC would unveil a 50-member policy committee dedicated to key sectors.

These, according to him, were health, education, agriculture, technology, security, economy, and infrastructure, underscoring the party’s focus on achieving good governance for Nigerians.

He urged all Nigerians to join the ADC, promoting it as the only party that guarantees equal opportunity regardless of age, gender, religion, or region.

He also encouraged all ADC members to return to their polling units and begin working at the grassroots, rather than remaining in Abuja.

Earlier in his remarks, Chief Nwosu highlighted the ADC’s significant growth, stating it had transformed from a “small largest party in Nigeria” to a major political force under Mark’s leadership.

Nwosu noted the increasing number of people seeking registration in the ADC nationwide, revealing that the party’s website had crashed three times due to the influx of young people attempting to register online.

He described the adoption of ADC by the national coalition and the unveiling of Mark’s leadership on July 2 as the beginning of a new dawn.

“Within one week, our membership grew from maybe 600 people who were paying membership dues to almost three million who started paying membership dues.

“Some states have told us that we must print a minimum of two million membership cards for them,” he said.

Nwosu urged the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other democratic institutions in Nigeria to be alive to their responsibilities in delivering their mandates.

An ADC chieftain, Godson Okoye, advised party members to remain hopeful, describing the ADC as a party poised to lead Nigeria towards economic prosperity.

“This journey has just begun; let us encourage ourselves,” Okoye said.