Nurudeen Shotayo

The North West APC Youth League has distanced itself from a group claiming to represent APC support coalitions in Kebbi State, describing it as “unregistered, unrecognised, and completely illegitimate.”

Speaking at a press briefing in Kaduna during the week, the youth league reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/local/atiku-bagudu-biography-2025041113300773470">Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu</a>, calling him one of the party’s strongest pillars in the region.

Comrade Aliyu Suleiman, national coordinator of the league, said the so-called coalition has no presence at any level of the APC, including ward, LG, state, or national.

“This so-called coalition has never contributed to party activities, never mobilised a voter, and has no record of grassroots engagement. Its only function is to exploit Senator Bagudu’s reputation for personal gain,” he said.

ALSO READ: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/minister-urges-citizens-to-act-against-poverty-amid-growing-inflation-2024092615371725958">'We are not as rich as we think' - Bagudu urges citizens to act against poverty</a>

He described the group’s recent press statement as a desperate attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension within the party.

<h2 style="text-align: start">Bagudu Praised as a Stabilising Force</h2>

President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning of Nigeria. [Facebook]

The league commended Bagudu’s role in strengthening APC structures in Kebbi and across the North West, saying his leadership has consistently promoted unity, youth empowerment, and community-focused development.

“Senator Bagudu is approachable, committed, and focused on improving the lives of ordinary citizens. His experience and vision are indispensable to the APC and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,” Suleiman added.

The group said Bagudu has been instrumental in supporting policies aimed at boosting governance, economic development, and social inclusion.

<h2 style="text-align: start">Call for Unity Behind Kebbi Governor</h2>

Beyond defending Bagudu, the league urged APC members to remain loyal to Governor Nasir Idris, stressing that party unity is crucial for sustaining development gains and pushing the APC’s agenda in the region.

“The APC has achieved major progress in governance, infrastructure, and youth empowerment through the efforts of Senator Bagudu and other key leaders. Members must focus on consolidating these gains, not on distractions from unknown groups,” Suleiman said.

ALSO READ: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/csos-release-tinubu-ministers-scorecard-amid-incessant-criticism-2025060913105252359#google_vignette">CSOs release Tinubu minister's scorecard amid incessant criticism</a>

The briefing, attended by senior APC youth leaders and political observers, ended with a renewed commitment to defend the party’s cohesion and ensure Bagudu continues to play a strategic role in both the APC and the <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/fg-cant-tackle-nigerias-problems-alone-gbajabiamila-bagudu-2024092616293352639">Tinubu administration</a>.

The league said it will not allow “shadow groups and political opportunists” to derail the progress made in Kebbi State and the wider North West, insisting that the APC remains united and forward-looking.

Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning of Nigeria. [Facebook]

The league commended Bagudu’s role in strengthening APC structures in Kebbi and across the North West.

APC Youth League Disowns Kebbi 'Coalition,' Backs Budget Minister Fully

Ima Elijah

President Muhammadu Buhari has in a written communication to the House of Representatives, formally sought for an increase in the 2022 budget deficit to be financed through borrowing from the domestic market.

In a letter sent to the House of Representatives and read by the speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday, April 7, 2022, President Buhari said the total budget deficit is projected to increase by N965.42 billion to N7.35 trillion, representing 3.99% of GDP.

He said the incremental deficit will be financed by new borrowings from the domestic market. The President also requested the review of the 2022 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), upon which the budget was hinged.

“As you are aware, Mr Speaker, the new development both in the global economy as well as the domestic economy has necessitated the revision of the 2022 fiscal framework on which the 2022 budget was based. The total budget deficit is projected to increase from N965.42 billion to N7.35 trillion, representing 3.99 percent of the GDP.

"The increment of the deficit will be financed by new borrowings from the domestic market.

"Given the urgency of the request for revision of the 2022 fiscal framework and 2022 budget amendment, I seek the corporation of the National Assembly for expeditious action on this request” the letter read in part."

The President’s request has been sent to the house committee on finance for further legislative action.

The move which will further add to Nigeria’s already huge debt profile is coming a few days after the Debt Management Office (DMO) released a schedule of the Federal Government’s N720 billion domestic borrowing plan for the second quarter of 2022.

The DMO said that it would on April 25 open a new, 2032 FGN bond, valued at between N70billion to N80billion, with a tenor of 10 years. The bond is expected to have an interest rate of 13% per annum.

President Buhari said the total budget deficit is projected to increase by N965.42 billion to N7.35 trillion, representing 3.99% of GDP

Buhari seeks fresh loan to finance 2022 budget as deficit hits N7.35trn

Jude Egbas

<h1>The 2021 Appropriation Bill, also known as The Budget, has been read on the floor of the senate for a third time and passed.</h1>

President Muhammadu Buhari <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/buhari-presents-2021-budget-proposal-of-n1308trn-to-nass/yq2jfk9">presented the budget proposal</a> to a joint session of the national assembly in October.

The budget, which is described as a Budget for Economic Recovery and Resilience, is based on an estimated oil price benchmark of 40dollars per barrel, daily oil production estimate of 1.86 million barrels (inclusive of condensates of 300,000 to 400,000 barrels per day) and an exchange rate of N379 per dollar.

"Let me first of all congratulate all of us for working so hard to ensure that we meet the deadline of passing the 2021 Budget before we go on Christmas break," said Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

"Let me also congratulate the House of Representatives, our counterparts who are doing the same thing like we are doing here.

"Let me also commend the Executive like they did last year that no Head of Department, Ministry or Agency should travel out of the country without defending their budget," Lawan added.

The House has also read the bill for a third time and passed same.

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The 2021 Appropriation Bill (N13,588,027,886,175) is read the third time and passed. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HousePlenary?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HousePlenary</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2021NG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budget2021NG</a>&mdash; Nigeria House of Representatives (@HouseNGR) <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseNGR/status/1340991430815264770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</div>

The president would have to assent to the budget before it becomes law.

President Muhammadu Buhari presents 2021 budget proposal of N13.08 trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, October 8, 2020. [twitter/@NigeriaGov]

The senate underscored the need to pass the budget before Christmas.

Senate passes N13trillion 2021 budget

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