President Bola Tinubu has launched one of his sharpest attacks yet on Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

What he said

Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, 7 November 2026, Tinubu dismissed critics who point to economic hardship under his government, saying he was cleaning up the mess left by those who came before him and that Atiku was one of them. He also questioned how Atiku had built a university while he was vice-president, a remark widely seen as raising questions about how the former vice-president acquired his wealth while in public office.

Background

Atiku served as vice-president from 1999 to 2007 under Olusegun Obasanjo. He founded the American University of Nigeria in Yola, Adamawa State, and has long said his wealth comes from legitimate private business interests. He has repeatedly blamed Tinubu's policies, including the way fuel subsidy removal was handled, for rising prices. Tinubu's Rivers visit follows his trip to Akwa Ibom on Friday, where he said the naira would have become worthless without his reforms. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whose Rainbow Coalition backs the President, is a key ally in Rivers, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara has also declared support for Tinubu.

Atiku replies

Later on Saturday, Atiku hit back in a statement issued by his campaign spokesman, Phrank Shaibu. He said his investment in education began long before he entered public office, when he laid the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993, which later grew into the American University of Nigeria. In the same statement he referred to a 1993 US court forfeiture involving funds in an account linked to Tinubu, a matter the President's supporters have long said was a civil case that did not involve any criminal conviction. Atiku also said Tinubu's policies had pushed millions of Nigerians into extreme poverty, and rejected the President's claim that the economy is being rescued.

What happens next

The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027, and campaigns by all the major parties are expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

Tension broke out at a rally of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta State on Saturday, 7 November 2026, after suspected thugs were reportedly filmed destroying vehicles belonging to party supporters.

What happened

Footage shared on social media appears to show a group of men vandalising vehicles at or near the rally venue. According to reports, some NDC supporters retaliated after the attack, raising tensions further. It is not clear who the attackers were, how many vehicles were damaged or whether anyone was hurt. The police had not publicly commented on the incident at the time of writing.

Background

The NDC is the party of presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Delta is governed by Sheriff Oborevwori, who joined the APC and has backed President Bola Tinubu's re-election. Political violence has already been reported on several sides ahead of the January 2027 elections: Obi's convoy was attacked in Calabar earlier this week, stones were thrown at a stage during a governor's campaign rally in Nasarawa, and APC supporters were attacked and a campaign vehicle burnt ahead of a rally in Katsina State last week. INEC has also warned of a plot to threaten and kidnap election workers.

How people reacted

Many social media users condemned the violence and expressed concern for the safety of supporters at political events, while some warned that the same thugs could be used to disrupt the elections.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and his Rainbow Coalition campaign have got people talking again, this time after he appeared visibly angry at the presidential campaign ground in Rivers State.

Counting heads

Wike was reportedly seen checking how many people each of his aides had brought to the venue. Photos show the minister, in his black and red hat and a rainbow "Coalition" sash bearing the APC logo, deep in conversation with aides and looking far from amused.

One can only feel sorry for any aide who collected mobilisation money and failed to deliver the expected crowd.

The turnout question

The expectation may have been a stadium filled to capacity, but the turnout has now become a talking point on social media.

That brings us to Peter Obi, whose supporters often describe his campaign crowds as organic, with people attending out of personal conviction rather than financial inducement.

Can anyone fill a stadium for free?

Crowd mobilisation, from buses to refreshments to small payments, has long been a feature of Nigerian political rallies across parties. Large crowds make for impressive pictures, but they do not always reflect how people will vote.

So one question remains: can any Nigerian politician genuinely fill a stadium without spending money on crowd mobilisation?

Nigerian politics will never stop surprising us.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara a strong personal assurance, telling him he will not regret the decision he has taken.

What Tinubu said

"Fubara, you will not regret what you have done as long as all of us are alive," the President said during his presidential campaign rally in the state.

Photos from the rally show Fubara smiling beside FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, both wearing red caps bearing Tinubu's image, a striking picture given the long-running feud between the two men.

Why the words matter

The statement is attracting attention because of the political tension that has surrounded Rivers State and the long-running power struggle between Governor Fubara and his political opponents.

For anyone who has followed Rivers politics closely, those words carry real weight. Fubara has faced some of the toughest political battles of his administration, with fights over political loyalty, control of the state legislature and the influence of powerful figures shaping events in the state.

A sacrifice, a deal, or a new understanding?

With the President offering such a personal assurance, questions are being raised. The President did not spell out exactly what decision he was referring to, or what he intends to do for the governor in return.

Was Tinubu acknowledging a major political sacrifice by Fubara? Was he reassuring him over a difficult decision? Or could this signal a new understanding within the political leadership of Rivers State ahead of 2027?

Over to you

What do you think Fubara has done, and what do you think the President has in store for him?