New Year: Atiku, Abbas, Mba, others urge Nigerians to stay hopeful, united

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, have urged Nigerians to remain hopeful, united, and resolute as the country enters the year 2026.

In separate New Year messages issued yesterday, the two leaders of the Green Chamber described 2026 as a year filled with promise and opportunity, calling on citizens to work collectively for national growth and stability.

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.

Similarly, 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.

Prepare for democratic change, Atiku tells Nigerians

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urged Nigerians to prepare for democratic change through peaceful and united action.

In his New Year message, the ADC chieftain criticised the APC-led government, describing 2025 as one of the most difficult years in recent history, marked by economic hardship, rising insecurity, and governance failures.

He also faulted 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,” he said.

Let’s take our country back in 2026 — ADC

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has called on Nigerians to see 2026 as the year to reclaim their country through unity, civic engagement, and democratic participation.

In his New Year message, Mark described 2025 as a difficult year marked by economic hardship, rising living costs, and policies that deepened poverty. He criticised the new tax reforms, warning that they would worsen citizens’ suffering rather than renew hope.

Mark said the formation of the ADC-led opposition coalition in 2025 was aimed at preventing Nigeria’s slide into a one-party state and restoring democratic accountability. He noted that the coalition had received widespread support from Nigerians seeking credible alternatives.

Enugu to witness major transformation in 2026 — Gov Mbah

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has 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.

In his New Year message on Wednesday, Mbah said progress must be sustained through discipline, careful planning, and long-term thinking rather than short-term applause.

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.

House faced intense pressure in 2025 but stood firm — Rep Agbese

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, has described 2025 as one of the most pressure-filled years for the 10th House, saying the Green Chamber faced sustained political, institutional, and governance challenges but remained stable.

Agbese told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that the House was repeatedly tested by intense internal and external pressures but weathered the storms under the leadership of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.

Agbese noted that several contentious issues that could have fractured the House were managed through consultation, strict adherence to parliamentary rules, and a focus on institutional integrity.

He identified the controversy over alleged alterations to gazetted tax laws as a major pressure point.

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