Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has told Nigerians to prepare for democratic change through peaceful and united action.
In his New Year message, Atiku poured sour grapes on the APC-led government, describing 2025 as one of the most difficult years in recent history, typified by economic hardship, rising insecurity, and governance failures.
He picked holes in the proposed tax reforms, arguing that policies founded on illegality and forgery cannot deliver prosperity.
Atiku accused the government of worsening unemployment, shrinking businesses, deepening poverty, and undermining democratic institutions, while claiming that Nigerians survived largely due to their resilience rather than effective leadership.
Despite the challenges, he urged citizens not to despair but to remain united across ethnic and religious lines, stressing that democracy offers a peaceful path to change. “2026 is the year to organise and mobilise; 2027 is the year of harvest,” Atiku said.
In their New Year messages, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, appealed to Nigerians to stay hopeful, united, and resolute as the country enters the year 2026.
Speaker Abbas, in a message conveyed through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, acknowledged that 2025 was a challenging year but noted that progress was recorded in governance and national security.
Deputy Speaker Kalu described 2026 as “a year of endless possibilities,” assuring Nigerians of the Tinubu-led APC government’s commitment to addressing economic challenges, strengthening security, and improving living standards.
Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, assured residents that his administration will intensify efforts to consolidate gains recorded over the past two and a half years, describing 2026 as a year of “quantum leap” for the state.
According to him, major projects, including Smart Schools, primary healthcare centres, water schemes, airport expansion, and urban road upgrades, will be fully implemented in 2026.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s zero tolerance for crime and commitment to inclusive development, calling on citizens to remain engaged and supportive while holding government accountable for effective service delivery.
