5,091 Nigerians Killed in 3 Months

Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has expressed concern over reports of 5,091 Nigerians killed in violent incidents across the country within three months. He stated that President Bola Tinubu's scorecard is 'soaked in blood' due to the administration's inability to maintain the constitution on the protection of lives and property.

Atiku, however, pledged support for the recent announcement to increase the salaries of members of the armed forces. He believes that the report is a damning scorecard of the Tinubu administration's failure to protect Nigerians and match its rhetoric with the required resources, discipline, and urgency.

In other developments, the Adamawa State Executive Council has approved a draft budget of N609.1 billion for the 2027 fiscal year, with 54.4 per cent allocated for capital expenditure and 45.6 per cent for recurrent expenditure. The council also approved several expenditures aimed at addressing immediate development needs across the state, including the provision of biology instructional materials and 3D laboratory models to 84 secondary schools.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units to Osun State ahead of the governorship election. The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has defended President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, citing the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market as part of broader efforts to stabilise the economy.

## Why it matters The situation in Nigeria has significant implications for the country's stability and security. The high number of killings in violent incidents is a major concern, and the government's ability to protect its citizens is a crucial aspect of its responsibility. The increase in soldiers' salaries may help to improve the security situation, but it is only one part of a broader solution. The economic reforms implemented by the government also have significant implications for the country's economy and the lives of its citizens.

The deployment of security personnel to Osun State ahead of the governorship election is a measure to ensure the safety and security of voters and maintain order during the election process. The approval of the draft budget for Adamawa State is a step towards addressing the development needs of the state and improving the lives of its citizens.

## What happens next The situation in Nigeria will continue to be monitored, and the government's efforts to address the security concerns and implement economic reforms will be closely watched. The outcome of the governorship election in Osun State will also be significant, and the deployment of security personnel is a measure to ensure a peaceful and secure election process. The implementation of the draft budget in Adamawa State will be crucial in addressing the development needs of the state and improving the lives of its citizens.

The increase in domestic refining capacity from 30,000 barrels per day to 700,000 barrels per day is a significant development, and the government's revenue has risen significantly from N12 trillion to N40 trillion. These developments will have significant implications for the country's economy and the lives of its citizens.

The call by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for presidential candidates to publicly declare their assets and liabilities and reject vote-buying ahead of the 2027 presidential election is a significant development. The organisation's demand for transparency and accountability from the candidates is a crucial aspect of ensuring a free and fair election process.