Press Statement
Sunday, August 3, 2025

ADC: N712B Airport Renovation Wasteful, Misplaced Priority.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the Tinubu administration’s plan to spend over ₦712 billion on the renovation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. In a statement issued by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, the party questioned whether the renovation plan and its associated cost had received approval from the National Assembly, describing the expenditure as reckless and insensitive.
The full statement read:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns the outrageous ₦712 billion airport renovation project announced by the Tinubu administration as another brazen act of fiscal recklessness and official insensitivity which further confirms how far this APC government is removed from the reality of the suffering people of Nigeria.
It is hard to understand how expending ₦712 billion into renovating an airport that already received significant upgrades in recent years makes fiscal sense in a country where public universities wallow in chronic austerity, where basic medical care, has become a luxury that only the rich can afford, where millions of Nigerians have been thrown into poverty as a result of government’s ill-conceived policies
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos remains functional and serviceable. What the aviation sector needs is not another gold-plated terminal, but proper maintenance, enhanced efficiency and the expansion of regional airports to boost real connectivity across Nigeria.
Just for context, the amount of money that is being funnelled into the renovation of one airport, approximately $500 million is the same total amount that was spent to build four new airports in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt in 2014 via a Chinese loan that is yet to be repaid.
This same Murtala Muhammed Airport had a new international terminal that was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2022. According to media reports at the time, the said facility was built on a landmass of approximately 56,000 square metres, with 66 check-in counters and has the capacity to process 14 million passengers annually. It was said to have been equipped with “censored conveyor belt, seven jet bridges, 10 ultra-modern cooling systems, heat extraction in the baggage hall, ample space for duty free shops and banks, recreational areas for children, 22-room hotel for stop-overs among others.”
It is important to note that although this airport was designed to process 14 million passengers in a year, available reports indicates that the airport handled only 6.5 million passengers in 2024, less than half of its capacity.
We therefore wonder if it is this same airport that is now scheduled for renovation or another one. The inescapable conclusion is either that the previous APC government had lied to Nigerians about what it did with the Lagos Airport or the current government is about to spend such a huge amount of money on a project that already exists.
Perhaps even more troubling is the fact that this massive expenditure—approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on July 31, 2025—has not received any backing from the National Assembly and it is not in any of the approved budget. Is this now how the government spends close to a trillion naira—without appropriation, without scrutiny, and without the consent of the Nigerian people through their elected representatives? We demand to know: under what constitutional provision is this money being spent?
How did we get here, that the government of Nigeria, even in the face of extant accountability laws, is able to approve expenditure of this magnitude with no public breakdown of costs, no transparent procurement process, and no national debate? many.
Let us be clear, ₦712 billion could instead deliver transformative impact by building over seven fully equipped teaching hospitals, funding free basic education across three geopolitical zones for five years, providing rural electrification to thousands of communities, or rehabilitating thousands of kilometers of federal roads and bridges.
The ADC calls on all Nigerians to reject this frivolous project. We therefore demand its immediate suspension, a full independent audit of the proposed budget, and a redirection of funds toward projects that would directly improve the lives of ordinary citizens, which should be the priority of any government.
We warn that continued wasteful spending amid widespread hunger, economic hardship, and rising insecurity will only continue to widen the trust deficit between the people and the government. A government that has struggled to justify its need for loans cannot indulge in wasteful spending such as this.
Enough is enough. Let Nigeria work for the many, not just the privileged few.

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress.

@highlight African Democratic Congress HQ African Democratic Congress ADC Channels Television AIT Online TVC Entertainment BBC News Africa BBC News Pidgin

Press Statement
Sunday, August 3, 2025

ADC: N712B Airport Renovation Wasteful, Misplaced Priority.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the Tinubu administration’s plan to spend over ₦712 billion on the renovation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. In a statement issued by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, the party questioned whether the renovation plan and its associated cost had received approval from the National Assembly, describing the expenditure as reckless and insensitive.
The full statement read:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns the outrageous ₦712 billion airport renovation project announced by the Tinubu administration as another brazen act of fiscal recklessness and official insensitivity which further confirms how far this APC government is removed from the reality of the suffering people of Nigeria.
It is hard to understand how expending ₦712 billion into renovating an airport that already received significant upgrades in recent years makes fiscal sense in a country where public universities wallow in chronic austerity, where basic medical care, has become a luxury that only the rich can afford, where millions of Nigerians have been thrown into poverty as a result of government’s ill-conceived policies
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos remains functional and serviceable. What the aviation sector needs is not another gold-plated terminal, but proper maintenance, enhanced efficiency and the expansion of regional airports to boost real connectivity across Nigeria.
Just for context, the amount of money that is being funnelled into the renovation of one airport, approximately $500 million is the same total amount that was spent to build four new airports in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt in 2014 via a Chinese loan that is yet to be repaid.
This same Murtala Muhammed Airport had a new international terminal that was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2022. According to media reports at the time, the said facility was built on a landmass of approximately 56,000 square metres, with 66 check-in counters and has the capacity to process 14 million passengers annually. It was said to have been equipped with “censored conveyor belt, seven jet bridges, 10 ultra-modern cooling systems, heat extraction in the baggage hall, ample space for duty free shops and banks, recreational areas for children, 22-room hotel for stop-overs among others.”
It is important to note that although this airport was designed to process 14 million passengers in a year, available reports indicates that the airport handled only 6.5 million passengers in 2024, less than half of its capacity.
We therefore wonder if it is this same airport that is now scheduled for renovation or another one. The inescapable conclusion is either that the previous APC government had lied to Nigerians about what it did with the Lagos Airport or the current government is about to spend such a huge amount of money on a project that already exists.
Perhaps even more troubling is the fact that this massive expenditure—approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on July 31, 2025—has not received any backing from the National Assembly and it is not in any of the approved budget. Is this now how the government spends close to a trillion naira—without appropriation, without scrutiny, and without the consent of the Nigerian people through their elected representatives? We demand to know: under what constitutional provision is this money being spent?
How did we get here, that the government of Nigeria, even in the face of extant accountability laws, is able to approve expenditure of this magnitude with no public breakdown of costs, no transparent procurement process, and no national debate? many.
Let us be clear, ₦712 billion could instead deliver transformative impact by building over seven fully equipped teaching hospitals, funding free basic education across three geopolitical zones for five years, providing rural electrification to thousands of communities, or rehabilitating thousands of kilometers of federal roads and bridges.
The ADC calls on all Nigerians to reject this frivolous project. We therefore demand its immediate suspension, a full independent audit of the proposed budget, and a redirection of funds toward projects that would directly improve the lives of ordinary citizens, which should be the priority of any government.
We warn that continued wasteful spending amid widespread hunger, economic hardship, and rising insecurity will only continue to widen the trust deficit between the people and the government. A government that has struggled to justify its need for loans cannot indulge in wasteful spending such as this.
Enough is enough. Let Nigeria work for the many, not just the privileged few.

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress.

@highlight African Democratic Congress HQ African Democratic Congress ADC Channels Television AIT Online TVC Entertainment BBC News Africa BBC News Pidgin

Peter Obi Speaks :

My One-Term, Four-Year Vow Is SACROSANCT

One of the greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures as a model of principled leadership. Another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations. In Africa, Nelson Mandela, revered globally as a symbol of justice and reconciliation, chose to serve only one term as President of South Africa, despite immense public pressure to stay longer. His decision was a deliberate act of leadership, a statement that power must serve the people, not the self. Indeed, history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it. Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service - however brief - that defines true statesmanship.

It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct.

I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities. Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word. But even in this climate of cynicism, there are still a few whose actions have matched their words - whose integrity is built on verifiable precedent.

Recently, I became aware of two statements aimed, albeit indirectly, at my vow to serve only a single four-year term. One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed. Another suggested that anyone talking about doing only one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation.

I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their own standards - where political promises are made to be broken. But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation.

In my political life, my word is my bond. When I entered politics in Anambra State, I made clear and measurable promises to the people: to improve education and healthcare, to open up rural areas through road construction, and to manage public funds with prudence. I fulfilled each of those promises without deviation. I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word.

My vow to serve only one term of four years is a solemn commitment, rooted in my conviction that purposeful, transparent leadership does not require an eternity.

If making such a promise qualifies me for psychiatric evaluation, then we may as well question the mental fitness of those who framed our Constitution, which clearly stipulates a four-year renewable tenure.

I maintain without equivocation: if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office. In fact, I believe that service should be impactful, not eternal.

We must rebuild trust in our country. I have dedicated my public life to demonstrating that leadership with integrity is not a myth. I have done it before, and I do not intend to betray that trust under any circumstances.

Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference. In that time, I intend not merely to make an impression, but to deliver on concrete promises to:

sanitise our governance system;
tackle insecurity through effective and accountable use of national resources; prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation;
catalyse small businesses as engines of growth ; and combat corruption with unflinching resolve.

Above all, I will dedicate myself to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one, where agriculture, technology, and manufacturing replace rent-seeking and waste as our national anchors.

These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years.

A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟯.𝟭 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀


𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 $𝟯 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤 —A digital abstract piece titled Void Protocol #7 by artist Enzo Kalari has sold for $3 million in a private sale. The artwork, generated from biometric data recorded during a panic attack, has drawn both praise and skepticism. While some hail it as a powerful fusion of emotion and code, others question its artistic merit. The buyer remains anonymous.

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, CDCFIB, has announced an extension of the application deadline for its ongoing 2025 paramilitary recruitment exercise.

In a statement released on Sunday by the Secretary to the Board, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) A.M. Jibril, the Board said the recruitment portal, originally scheduled to close on Monday, 4th August 2025, will now remain open until Monday, 11th August 2025.

Check comment section for more......

*DREAMS Become Reality When Thoughts Become ACTIONS *

Everyone has dreams, but only the disciplined turn those dreams into reality.
Wishing is easy. Planning is smart. But action is *what makes it real.*

> *FACT:* 92% of people never achieve their goals—not because they don’t dream big, but because they never take *consistent* steps toward them.

Your ideas mean nothing without execution.
Your goals remain fiction until you put in the *work.*

*Here’s what separates dreamers from doers:*

- *Clarity of vision* – Know what you want, and why it matters.
- *Daily action* – Small, steady steps are better than random sprints.
- *Resilience* – Action invites failure—but it also breeds strength.
- *Accountability* – Track your progress, adjust, and keep moving forward.

The gap between “someday” and “success” is *action.*
Don’t just visualize your dream, *build it.*

Start now. Start small. Just start.

THINK ABOUT IT!
Do you want to remain poor or break the vicious circle of poverty? The choice is yours. Like, share and comment.

It is profoundly disheartening that, notwithstanding the pendency of several applications before the court—including duly filed and served committal proceedings—the individual who unlawfully entered the premises of Next Foods Limited in Ikeja GRA has continued to act with brazen impunity, showing utter disregard for both the authority of the court and the sanctity of public order.

It is a well-established principle of law, and indeed of civil society, that once parties have submitted their grievances to the judiciary, they are duty-bound to maintain the status quo and allow the court to determine the issues before it. Any deviation from this principle not only undermines the justice system but also sets a dangerous precedent for lawlessness.

My younger brother, who serves as the Chairman of Next Limited, and I have spared no effort in trying to identify and reach out to the woman who lays claim to the property in question, with the sincere intention of exploring a peaceful and amicable resolution. Regrettably, all such efforts have yielded no fruitful outcome, as she remains evasive and inaccessible. -PO