Flowerbud News/ The Democratic Front (TDF) has described the proposal by former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi for a single-term presidency to the opposition coalition as a display of sheer desperation to grab power at all costs.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the pro-democracy media group argued that it was a case of deceitful politics
”We believe that Mr. Obi was just being clever by half, in a bid to evade the intricacies of Nigeria’s rotational presidency, as it affects Northern Nigeria in 2031, by putting forward such a hard-sell proposal with disregard to the realities of current economic challenges, both within and outside the country.
”TDF considers it an exhibition of crass ignorance and intellectual underestimation of Nigeria’s socioeconomic and political challenges, for a former governor to assume that there is a magic wand that could solve the enormous problems confronting the nation in four years.
”We wonder why he couldn’t achieve that feat in a smaller Anambra State, with enormous resources, as a two-term governor.
”This psychological turn of events in Peter Obi’s campaign strategy confirms what Governor Charles Soludo said about a psychiatric evaluation for anyone making such a claim because no serious-minded, clear-headed presidential aspirant will present such a ridiculous proposal as a bait for election, given the enormous challenges of the office.
”Like many people have said, more disturbing was his references to the tenure of leaders like Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy and late Nelson Mandela, without proper context or appreciating that Nigeria of today does not, in any way, have any semblance of deep political or economic challenges those countries, had the time they all served as Presidents.
”This further underlines Obi’s pedestrian knowledge and perception of the Nigerian situation.
”We therefore view his proposal to serve for one term, if elected President, as unrealistic, deceptive, esoteric, and politically Machiavellian.
”It simply reveals that he is selfishly ambitious to a fault, and overly driven by an uncontrollable desire for power,” the statement added.
The group urged Nigerians to distance themselves from Obi’s political antics further.
Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq
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Obi’s One-Term Proposal, a gambit to grab power at all costs -Group
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External Borrowing: TMSG slams ADC over President Tinubu’s plans
Flowerbud News/ The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has described the position of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on the external borrowing plan of the President Bola Tinubu administration as a public display of political gamesmanship.
The opposition party had, through its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, a former minister, questioned loans taken by the government and also sought a forensic audit of all loans taken by the All Progressives Congress (APC) since 2015 including their details, disbursement and utilisation.
But in a statement signed by its Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG wondered why Abdullahi deliberately left out loans taken by the government he served at a time Nigeria had multiple oil booms.
It said: “We noticed that as part of efforts to present itself as a credible alternative to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ADC has decided to raise the issue of external borrowing in the last ten years.
”And just like what it recently said on the issue of refineries, ADC opted to restrict itself to successive APC administrations and demanded a probe of what it described as fiscal vandalism by the last two governments. This is laughable.
”We are left to wonder how a former federal cabinet member like Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC spokesman, could resort to sheer deceit, gimmicky, and political gamesmanship on the issue of external borrowing plans when he claimed that the $21billion, 2024-2026 plan recently approved by the National Assembly would increase the country’s debt profile ‘before the end of the year’.
”For us, there is no way a member of the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration which sought and got the approval of the 7th National Assembly for ‘a portfolio of concessionary loans totalling $9.3 billion under its 2012-2014 Medium Term External Borrowing Plan’ could pretend not to be aware of what it entails more than ten years after.
”It is also public knowledge that the same Goodluck administration had, within two months in office, brazenly pushed through an external borrowing plan for World Bank loan facilities totalling $915 million “for urban water and transport, human capacity and power infrastructure projects across the country.”
”So we dare the ADC spokesman to show proof that the government he served in two different cabinet roles collected all the facilities it secured parliamentary approvals for before handing over in 2015.
”This is because, like the Finance ministry had explained about two months ago, an external borrowing plan does not equate to actual borrowing for the period.
”We need to add that contrary to ADC’s mischievous position, a borrowing plan does not mean an automatic increase in a nation’s debt stock and to take a cue from the initial clarification by the finance ministry, projects attached to the 2024-2026 plan approved by the National Assembly have multi-year draw-downs of between 5 – 7 years, which are project-tied loans including the one for the Eastern railway corridor that will transverse South East Nigeria.
”For the avoidance of doubt, the actual borrowing for each year is contained in the annual budget, and in the case of 2025, the external borrowing component is US$1.23 billion. It is an outright falsehood to suggest that $20 billion will be added to the country’s debt by the end of the year.”
TMSG also weighed in on ADC’s demand for an audit of loans collected by Nigeria in the last ten years.
”Sadly, this is nothing but a continuation of the politics of deceit, chicanery, and subterfuge that this political party appeared to have adopted since it came as the preferred platform of failed opposition politicians
”We wonder why ADC is demanding a probe of the loans taken in the last ten years only and not the preceding years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
”Like the notable think tank, Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) recently noted in a policy advisory on the nation’s refineries, we believe it would be more ideal to have a more extensive audit that will also cover the 2010 to 2015 period when the administration that Bolaji Abdullahi served as minister presided over a country that earned N51 trillion from crude oil sales alone.
”This is because while the APC administrations’ loans were project-tied with visible outcomes, the same could not be said of the preceding administrations,” it said.
The group argued that ADC’s demand for a forensic audit of the Muhammadu Buhari-era loans is a direct challenge to the late former president’s ministers in the party.
”And for us, if there is any proof of ADC as a motley assembly of strange bedfellows, united in their collective anger over loss of power and privileges, this is it.
”This is because we do not understand how a party spokesman could sign off on a statement that directly questions the roles of senior party members like former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and former Transportation minister, Rotimi Amaechi, in external borrowings in eight of the ten years that ADC claimed APC administrations indulged in reckless borrowings.
”Also baffling is that another former minister in the Buhari administration, Rauf Aregbesola is the National Secretary of a party that glibly questioned what a government he served for 8 years did with external borrowings of over $30 billion at a time of declining oil revenue.
”So we are waiting to see how this ill-thought-out statement has triggered some tension in the ranks of an opposition party that is still struggling to survive an internal crisis of legitimacy,” the statement added.
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NAFDAC receives seized substandard goods from customs at Onne Port
Flowerbud News/ The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken delivery of substandard and falsified goods seized by the Nigeria Customs Service at Onne Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by NAFDAC’s resident media consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola.
According to the statement, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, received the items on Saturday.
The consignment included 11 containers of various unregistered or banned pharmaceutical products and four containers of unwholesome tomato paste.
The handover was conducted by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service as part of ongoing institutional collaboration between the two agencies.
Among the seized items were 1.3 million bottles of codeine syrup, a highly controlled prescription medicine, and 12.6 million tablets of tramadol, a highly addictive painkiller.
Also listed were 9.3 million tablets of substandard and falsified branded diclofenac, a prescription drug used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Additionally, 280 packs of falsified Hyergra (sildenafil citrate), used in managing erectile dysfunction, and four containers of unregistered tomato paste were also confiscated.
The street value of the 16 seized containers is estimated at N20.5 billion.
Adeyeye commended the Comptroller-General and the Nigeria Customs team for their role in combating the importation of illicit, substandard, and unwholesome products.
She warned importers and their collaborators, both local and international, to desist from engaging in such illegal activities.
“Substandard, fake food and drug products will not be allowed access to our people under my watch,” she said, adding that threats and intimidation aimed at discouraging the agency’s staff would not succeed.
She called on Nigerians to support NAFDAC by reporting any suspected cases of the manufacture, importation, distribution, or sale of fake and substandard products through NAFDAC’s offices or official social media channels.
Adeyeye also highlighted the dangers of consuming such products, which included acute food poisoning, gastrointestinal illness, nutritional deficiencies, chronic organ damage, and increased cancer risk.
She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation and evolving new strategies to safeguard public health.
NAN
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Omobarca greets Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituents in new month message
Flowerbud News/ Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima, popularly known as Omobarca, has extended warm greetings to the good people of Ajeromi Ifelodun constituency as the month of August begins.
In his message, Hon. Chima expressed gratitude to his constituents for their unwavering support and prayers, noting that the new month comes with renewed hope and opportunities for peace, development, and unity.
“As we welcome the blessings and opportunities this new month brings,” he stated, “I extend my heartfelt wishes to each and every one of you. May August usher in peace, prosperity, and progress for our beloved constituency.”
He further noted that August holds personal significance for him as it marks his birthday, expressing appreciation for the goodwill messages and solidarity from his supporters.
OmoBarca reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the welfare of the people of Ajeromi Ifelodun through responsive leadership and inclusive representation.
“Let us embrace August with hope, courage, and renewed commitment to our shared dreams,” he urged.
He concluded by invoking blessings upon his constituency, Lagos State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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NAFDAC urges stronger support for breastfeeding
Flowerbud News/ The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday urged governments, institutions, and communities to create enabling environments that protect and promote breastfeeding.
The agency emphasised that supporting breastfeeding was essential, describing it as a cornerstone of public health and sustainable development.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of the North West Zone, Mr Dadi Nantim-Mullah in Kaduna as part of activities to mark World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2025.
He emphasised that breastfeeding was not only a vital source of nutrition for infants but also a powerful tool for reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and fostering economic resilience.
“Commemorating World Breastfeeding Week 2025 under the theme ‘Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Systems’, NAFDAC Kaduna proudly joins the global community in observing this important annual event from August 1 to 7.”
According to him, the theme highlights the urgent need to integrate breastfeeding support into sustainable health, social, and economic systems.
“To mark the occasion, NAFDAC Kaduna will host a series of activities including: community sensitisation campaigns in churches and mosques across Kaduna metropolis to raise awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding.
“Media engagements to amplify key messages and encourage public participation.
“Stakeholder outreach and social media advocacy to emphasise the importance of building sustainable systems that support breastfeeding.
“Breastfeeding is a shared responsibility.
“By prioritising it within sustainable systems, we ensure every child gets the best start in life and every mother receives the support she needs,” Nantim-Mullah said.
He called on development partners, stakeholders, and the general public to join NAFDAC in celebrating and advocating for breastfeeding.
“Together, we can build a healthier and more equitable future for mothers and children,” he added.
NAN
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No basis to compare ADC Coalition to APC’s emergence, Group insists
Flowerbud News/ The Social Advancement Forum SAF has said that there is no basis for comparison between the so-called African Democratic Congress coalition and the merger that birthed the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This, according to it, is because the personalities behind the APC merger were strong politicians with resilient party structures behind them.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Ibrahim Tahir, the group argued that the wobbling ADC ‘coalition’ is a gathering of individuals without full control of any political party structure but mere busybodies clutching and punching air.
“For us, the so-called 2025 coalition talks are so much farther apart from the 2013 merger movement that birthed the ruling APC.
“In APC’s case, it had two formidable leaders who were forging a partnership that had long been in the works. Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the leader and partner of the movement, and Muhammadu Buhari was the anointed flagbearer and partner of the movement.
Both men were seen as totally in control of the two legacy parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Political Change (CPC)
“We are aware that even when some elements joined the merger process to hijack it at the primary stage, the partnership had a firm grip on the proceedings, and Muhammadu Buhari was unveiled.
“There is also the Buhari persona who, had a traditional 12 million votes from a cult-like followership in the north, was a formidable candidate that needed further support to succeed, while the other leader, Tinubu, made sure this success came to fruition by providing the spread and cohesion that Buhari’s presidential bid had lacked.
“Today, we do not have another Muhammadu Buhari in Nigeria’s politics to sway voters massively. We also do not have another cooperative ally who is willing to sacrifice his ambition like Tinubu did”.
The group insisted that the ADC ‘coalition’ does not have the same clout as the APC when it emerged.
“The present coalition does not share the solidity of political robustness and camaraderie that existed between stakeholders of the 2015 merger.
“This coalition is filled with mutual suspicion and several vaulting ambitions. No one wants to support and relinquish leadership to another because they all want to be president.
They consist of persons from the immediate past administration, and the populace can easily see behind the facade of their movements. People in the present-day government are not jumping ship and joining the gang-up.
“For us, the coalition is building its foundation on thin air, grabbing a party and annexing its offices and positions illegally. This is so because the entire leadership of the ADC from all the states of the federation have taken them to court for the illegal and wrongful bid to take over their party from persons who are unknown to the ADC, and whose tenures as leaders have expired,” it added.
The group urged Nigerians to be wary of the attempt by the major stakeholders to present themselves as a viable option to the incumbent administration.
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Tinubu rewards Super Falcons’ WAFCON triumph
Flowerbud News/ President Bola Tinubu on Monday honoured the Super Falcons for winning their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco.
At the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, Tinubu conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on the team and technical crew.
Each player received $100,000, while each of the 11-man technical crew was awarded $50,000 and a three-bedroom flat in the Renewed Hope Estate, Abuja.
The President, joined by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and top officials, commended the team for their performance and dedication to the nation’s pride.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, I confer on the players and technical crew the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
“Each player and crew member is also allocated a three-bedroom apartment in the Renewed Hope Estate, located in Abuja.
“Additionally, each player receives the naira equivalent of $100,000, and each crew member receives $50,000 in recognition of their hard work.
“Thank you once again. I congratulate you all for this outstanding achievement,” he said.
Tinubu praised the Falcons’ unity and consistency, describing their success as a significant milestone for Nigeria.
“I warmly welcome you all. You return home as African champions. This is a proud and historic moment for Nigeria.
“You have made us proud. Winning a tenth WAFCON title is no small feat. Your legacy in African football is now firmly established.
“Your triumph reflects courage, discipline, and resilience. It goes beyond sports—it is a symbol of national excellence,” the President said.
Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, announced N10 million for each player on behalf of his colleagues.
Also, Mrs Tinubu lauded the President’s support for sports development and the welfare of Nigerian athletes.
“I sincerely thank Mr President for receiving the team and for showing consistent support for Nigerian sports and its future,” she said.
She expressed her optimism for future global victories, including winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I told the President that the Falcons will win the World Cup, though he thinks I might be overly ambitious,” he said.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade thanked Nigerians and urged for stronger institutional support for the team’s future.
“We ask for the continued support of the NFF, NSC, and Federal Government to help us reach even greater heights.
“With your backing, we can access world-class training facilities and create opportunities for future Super Falcons,” she said.
Ajibade and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie presented the WAFCON trophy to President Tinubu during the reception ceremony.
Each player and crew member shook hands with the President and participated in a group photograph at the State House.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, applauded the Falcons’ team spirit and praised Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Sports Agenda’.
The event was attended by ministers, sports officials, and dignitaries, all gathered to celebrate the historic achievement.
The team travelled straight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Presidential Villa for the reception, seen as deeply motivational.
NAN
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BPP, NASENI sign MoU to promote local manufacturing, economic growth
Flowerbud News/ The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) on the implementation of Nigeria’s First Policy.
Dr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General, BPP, during the signing in Abuja on Monday, said the partnership would promote local manufacturing, technology, innovation and economic growth in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Nigeria’s First Policy promotes the use of local content and indigenous solutions to address national challenges.
Adedokun said the MoU aimed to create a structured bridge between production and procurement, prioritising locally made solutions in public service delivery, which would promote value for money in public procurement.
“Today, we are not just signing an agreement. We are building a pipeline from Nigerian innovation to national transformation.
“The MoU we sign today aims to align our policies with our priorities. It gives practical force to the Nigeria First Policy.
“NASENI’s innovations, from tractors to tablets, from surveillance drones to solar backup systems, will now be actively prioritised in the procurement plans of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies(MDAs).
“We are institutionalising a framework that makes local options not just preferable, but the default option before all others.”
He emphasised that the partnership was not an act of protectionism but an act of patriotism grounded in performance, as NASENI had invested in quality assurance with its products certified by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and NAFDAC.
The D-G said the role of BPP was to ensure that standards were rewarded with access and that MDAs no longer needed to look outside when the best was being made in Nigeria.
He said the bureau was backing its commitment with NASENI with reform actions.
Adedokun said the BPP would integrate NASENI’s catalogue into the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO), making NASENI’s offerings visible, verifiable, and measurable across all MDAs.
“ Between January and June 2025 alone, NOCOPO’s enhanced price intelligence helped Nigeria save over N173 billion equivalent to 155 million Dollars, and 1.7 million Euros.
“These are not just savings on paper. They are savings that free up resources for more schools, hospitals, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.”
He added that the BPP and NASENI had set up a Technical Working Committee to synchronise production timelines with procurement cycles, which would track outcomes, identify bottlenecks, and ensure continuous improvement.
Adedokun commended NASENI for its efforts in putting Nigerian-made innovation on the map while calling on other MDAs to prioritise their products.
“I call on other sectors beyond NASENI to also come up with their own strategy for implementing Nigeria first. NASENI has led. I expect others to follow.
“To citizens, I invite you to track these procurements on NOCOPO. Your vigilance ensures our accountability.
“We have to really realise that today’s event is such that it can change our local industries, the small and medium-scale enterprises. It can change how women and youths are viewed in terms of industrialisation.”
In his response, Mr Khalil Halilu, CEO, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of NASENI, said the MoU was expected to attract more investments into the country and promote local manufacturing.
Halilu said the agreement would provide priority patronage to companies that partner with NASENI.
“ The MoU further strengthens our efforts, pushing the Nigerian first policy, and we look forward to assembling more locally made items as well as promoting more industrialisation in the country.”
He noted that NASENI had received no fewer than 900 applications from companies to partner with them in the past one and a half years, because of its rebranding and new partnerships.
“This has resulted in the development of no fewer than 50 market-ready products, and we have a showroom on the Kubwa Expressway which will be showcased at our unveiling event soon.”
Halilu also emphasised the importance of protecting local industries and promoting local manufacturing to prevent Nigeria from becoming a dumping ground for imported goods.
He said the agency was working on building the biggest renewable park in the region in Keffi, and had taken a portion of Abuja Industrial Park, and Abuja Technology Village to build electronics, electronic vehicles, etc.
Halilu stated that the agency had successfully attracted technology transfer and investment into the country.
He added that the agency’s policies were gender-friendly and inclusive, with women and youth forming part of its workforce.
NAN
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Recent 45% sudden surge in federal revenue reflects Tinubu’s bold reforms, fiscal wizardry – TMSG
Flowerbud News/ The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has attributed the quantum leap in federally generated revenue from N2.942trillion in May to N4.232 trillion in June this year to the triumph of Tinubunomics, a euphemism for the financial engineering skill and flagship economic policies of President Bola Tinubu”s administration.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said that it had translated into steady savings as well as an average monthly FAAC disbursement of well over one trillion naira to all three tiers of government.
It said: “Since the beginning of the year, federally generated revenue had consistently hovered above N2 trillion naira but we were startled to see a 45% increase in total gross revenue to N4.232 trillion in June 2025. This is the highest ever revenue generated by the country.
”We not only welcome this quantum leap in revenue but also see the development as the culmination of the financial engineering by the President Bola Tinubu administration in the wake of the introduction of its flagship economic policies of fuel subsidy removal and harmonisation of the foreign exchange windows.
”It is also an affirmation that the country has firmly moved away from low daily crude production to a higher alignment with the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) daily crude production quota of 1.5million barrels per day.
”In fact, publicly available data show that the country’s daily average production in June was 1.697m bpd, comprising both crude oil of 1.505m bpd and condensate of 191,572 bpd.
”We are also aware that only recently Nigeria’s oil rig count increased to 46 from 31 in January 2025, an indication of a rapidly improving investment atmosphere in the oil sector as a result of reforms introduced in that sector as well as improved security.
”To better understand how well the country has fared in the last two years on President Tinubu’s watch, we invite Nigerians to note that total gross revenue for the same period in 2023 was N1,959 trillion while that of June 2024 was N2,483.8 trillion.
”So there is no gainsaying that the reforms introduced by the administration are yielding good financial dividends for the country.”
The group added that this development has led to consistently high FAAC allocations to all tiers of government.
”As a result of improved gross revenue earnings, funds available for disbursement from the federation accounts have grown exponentially.
”From the N786.8 billion that was shared among the three tiers of government in May 2023, monthly FAAC allocations have grown to a high of N1.818 trillion in June 2025, while the country was buoyant enough to set aside N2.251 trillion for transfers, refunds, interventions, and savings.
”We dare say this is unprecedented and a far cry from the eras when the managers of the country’s finances dipped into reserves to augment distributable revenue to all tiers of government.
”So it did not come as a surprise to many Nigerians that the majority of states are reducing their exposures to debt in the last two years.
”We are looking forward to a situation where higher allocations to state and local governments begin to reflect in the well-being of the people,” it added.
TMSG urged Nigerians to demand more from the subnationals now that they are consistently getting increased federal allocations.