The Presidency has expressed confidence that the growing number of governors backing President Bola Tinubu gives him a stronger political structure and an advantage over opposition candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, said this on Channels Television’s Politics Today, arguing that the political landscape has changed considerably since the 2023 election.

Bwala said the support of governors is significant because they control political structures in their respective states and could translate their backing for Tinubu into grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election.

“Since then, President Bola Tinubu has got how many governors on his side? The governors are the Chief Executive Officers of their respective states. They coordinate the structures of the State. These people say, ‘We are putting our goodwill, our resources, our structure, and our support to the President,’” he said.

He argued that the President’s political position has also been strengthened by people who have benefited from his administration’s policies, including beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), agricultural programmes, manufacturing incentives, CrediCorp and infrastructure projects.

Bwala said the developments constitute “facts, verifiable data” which, in his view, showed that Tinubu had made progress since assuming office in 2023.

He also dismissed suggestions that the administration’s confidence ahead of 2027 is based solely on divisions within the opposition, saying its record in office would form an important part of its campaign.

His comments came amid renewed debate over Tinubu’s popularity and the ability of the opposition to challenge his bid for a second term.

Bwala dismissed an assessment by The Economist that Nigerians may re-elect Tinubu despite disapproval of his administration, arguing that claims about the President’s popularity should be backed by representative opinion surveys.

“When you make a claim that Nigerians don’t like him, without saying, also, that there are a lot of people… one million families that the children have benefited from NELFund, you think they hate him?” he asked.

He similarly cited beneficiaries of agricultural interventions, support for manufacturers and CrediCorp, arguing that such groups should be considered when assessing public sentiment towards the administration.

On concerns over rising poverty and hunger, Bwala acknowledged that more Nigerians had fallen into poverty but attributed the hardship partly to the economic reforms undertaken by the Tinubu administration.

“More people went down to poverty, I acknowledge, I’m not doubting it. But there is a ‘but’ to it. Since when the reform started to today, we have made marked progress,” he insisted.

According to him, the reforms are necessary to address longstanding economic problems, despite the short-term discomfort experienced by Nigerians.

Bwala also defended Tinubu’s statement that Nigeria has moved from the “doldrums” towards prosperity, saying the President is not suggesting that Nigerians would suddenly begin experiencing prosperity from October 1.

He cited NELFund beneficiaries, subsidised healthcare, infrastructure projects and support for small and medium-sized businesses as examples of what he described as prosperity already reaching Nigerians.

“One million families whose children have benefited from the NELFUND programme, what they are benefiting is called prosperity,” he said.

“If you go to an environment or a place where there have been no roads or any form of infrastructure, and we have established infrastructure there, what has come to them is prosperity.”

Bwala further claimed that the opposition has lost several influential political figures who played key roles in their 2023 campaigns.

He said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar no longer has the support of governors who worked for his 2023 campaign, while Peter Obi has also lost some critical political allies.

“In terms of the other candidates who say he will not win, Atiku Abubakar lost close to 25 per cent of key people that you know around him. All the governors that worked for him that time are no longer with him,” Bwala said.

“Peter Obi lost 55 per cent of the critical people that carried his campaign; they’ve all disappeared. And some of them went to Atiku, some of them went wherever they could go to.”

He consequently expressed confidence in Tinubu’s prospects in the 2027 contest, saying the political support around the President was considerably different from what existed before the 2023 election.

Globacom has once again demonstrated its commitment to Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage by supporting the 2026 Ofala Festival in Onitsha as the official sponsor.

The partnership, which has continued for over 15 years, highlights Globacom’s dedication to celebrating and sustaining cultural traditions that preserve identity, strengthen communities and contribute to the nation’s social and cultural development.

The 2026 edition, which marks the 25th Ofala of the reign of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, is themed “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru – Strive and Advance: From Resilience to Progress.” The theme resonates strongly with the history and character of Ndi Onicha, whose story is one of resilience, enterprise, adaptability and an enduring determination to advance.

According to Globacom, its continued association with Ofala reflects the Company’s belief that cultural heritage and national development are complementary forces. “For Globacom, Ofala is more than an annual cultural celebration. It is a living expression of identity, continuity and collective aspiration. Our sustained partnership reflects our belief that preserving heritage and advancing society are not competing imperatives, but mutually reinforcing pillars of a progressive nation,” the Company stated.

The telecommunications giant added that the partnership also aligns with its “Never Settle for Less” philosophy, which encourages Nigerians to honour their foundations while continually pursuing greater possibilities. “Never Settle for Less is a philosophy of progress: to respect the foundations upon which we stand, while seeking to broaden possibilities, deepen impact and move the nation forward. We are proud to support a cultural institution that honours its roots while engaging the future,” Globacom said.

Over the years, Ofala has evolved from a sacred royal rite of renewal into a major platform for cultural affirmation, community engagement and social development. The 2026 programme features the Obi’s sacred period of seclusion and ceremonial emergence, the Medical, Health and Wellbeing Community Outreach, the international Oreze Art Exhibition, the Youth Carnival, and the grand finale of Iru Ofala and Azu Ofala.

For Globacom, supporting Ofala therefore goes beyond conventional sponsorship to represent corporate citizenship and cultural stewardship — an investment in preserving the memory, meaning and continuity of a people. The Company noted that the festival’s ability to draw strength from its ancestral foundations while embracing the future mirrors its own commitment to innovation, connectivity and digital inclusion.

As the people of Onitsha gather to celebrate another chapter in the history of the revered institution, Globacom remains proud to stand alongside them in honouring a heritage that continues to inspire generations.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to discountenance evidence of the acquittal of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by the Southwark Crown Court in London.

The anti-graft agency, in a further counter-affidavit filed before Justice Inyang Ekwo, urged the court to dismiss Diezani’s application seeking to present the UK court judgment.

The EFCC argued that the purported acquittal by a foreign criminal court is not material or relevant to the issues for determination before the Nigerian court.

Justice Ekwo had in July granted Diezani’s application to file additional evidence after it was not opposed by EFCC counsel, Mofesomo Oyetibo (SAN).

The UK court had on June 17, 2026 discharged and acquitted the former minister of bribery allegations brought against her in the United Kingdom.

Following the judgment, Diezani, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, sought to reclaim her forfeited assets. She sued the EFCC as sole respondent.

Her lawyer, Godwin Iyinbor, had moved a motion seeking leave to file a further/supplementary affidavit to bring the UK acquittal to the court’s attention, which was granted.

But the EFCC has now opposed it.

In the further counter-affidavit deposed to by Oyakhilome Ekienabor, a litigation officer in Oyetibo’s law firm, and dated October 5, the Commission said some depositions in Diezani’s application are misleading, immaterial and irrelevant.

“The proceedings before the Southwark Crown Court, London, United Kingdom, and the purported acquittal of the applicant therein, are in respect of a proceeding that is not being prosecuted before any Nigerian court and have nothing to do with the substantive suit before this honourable court,” Ekienabor averred.

He argued that there was nothing in the public sale notice indicating that any of the properties listed belong to Diezani, and that the forfeiture order relates exclusively to items of jewelry and does not extend to any other category of assets.

He added that parties are not permitted to expand the scope of a matter before the court, saying Diezani’s further affidavit introduces irrelevant facts and diverts attention from the core issues.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Diezani’s counsel, Mrs Queen-Ubokutom Uwe, told the court the matter was for hearing of the EFCC’s preliminary objection and the originating motion, but noted that the EFCC had just served them with the further counter-affidavit. She also reminded the court of their motion to regularise processes.

Responding, Paul Mgbeoma, counsel for the EFCC, expressed surprise at the number of processes being filed by Diezani, likening it to an election petition, and said he was ready to proceed.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to November 11 for hearing of the motions.

In the 10-ground argument filed by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, on behalf of Diezani, the former minister said she is challenging the public notice issued by the EFCC for the auction/sale of properties affecting her proprietary rights.

“A major plank of the applicant’s case before this honourable court is that the respondent had sought to visit the applicant with grave proprietary consequences without conviction, without fair hearing, and without strict compliance with the relevant statutory provisions,” Ozekhome argued.

He said the UK acquittal on June 17, 2026, is material and relevant to issues of absence of conviction, fair hearing, due process and propriety of irreversible deprivation of property.

According to him, Diezani is not asking the court to sit on appeal over the foreign decision or treat it as automatically conclusive, but to place a subsequent material fact before the court to assist it in doing substantial justice, as the fact was not available when earlier processes are filed.