Asaba rally death, Tinubu-Atiku funding row, Obi's subsidy challenge dominate Saturday politics
One person died and five were injured during an Obidient/OK Movement procession for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso on Nnebisi Road, Asaba, around 12:15 p.m. Saturday. Delta Police spokesperson Bright Edafe said the command had intelligence on possible violence and advised organisers to use a designated venue; organisers proceeded with the road procession. Coordinator Favour Emerure disputed police claims, saying they complied with instructions not to assemble at Inter-Bua Junction and questioned police absence during the attack. NDC blamed APC-linked individuals; APC's Valentine Onojeghuo denied involvement. Police evacuated injured, reinforced security, and opened an investigation—neither victims nor attackers identified.
In Port Harcourt, President Tinubu accused Atiku Abubakar of using public funds to establish a private university while vice-president (1999–2007). Atiku denied, saying he laid ABTI Academy's foundation in 1993. AUN records date the academy to 2002, licensed as ABTI University in 2003, with construction starting October 2004 and first students admitted 2005–2006—during Atiku's vice-presidency. No financial documents were presented by either side; the funding source remains unproven.
Peter Obi challenged Tinubu to account for ₦15.8 trillion in estimated subsidy savings and over $100 billion in borrowing. Ministry of Finance data shows ₦15.827 trillion in additional federation resources from June 2023–December 2025, distributed across federal (₦5.007 trillion), state (₦6.525 trillion), and local (₦3.876 trillion) governments—not a single federal account. DMO's June 2026 report lists $120.93 billion total public debt across all tiers, accumulated over successive administrations. Attributing new borrowing to Tinubu's government requires loan-level records.
Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara pledged three million votes for Tinubu under FCT Minister Nyesom Wike's Rainbow Coalition, which crosses party lines. In Bauchi, Seyi Makinde launched his APM presidential campaign with quantified targets: federal fiscal deficit within 3% of GDP by year three, debt-service-to-revenue ratio ≤50% (from 67.22%), and 50% of Primary Three learners meeting literacy standards within three years.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal upheld a ruling favouring the Wike-backed PDP leadership (Abdulrahman Mohammed); the Kabiru Turaki faction demands a Supreme Court challenge.
With 2027 campaigns intensifying, which candidate's specific, verifiable commitments—not just rhetoric—will shape your vote?