Politics
APC’s Web of Lies: Broken Promises, Dead Refineries and the Battle for 2027
APC’s Web of Lies: Broken Promises, Dead Refineries and the Battle for 2027.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Despite $3 billion sunk into “reviving” Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries, Nigerians still buy fuel like beggars at a banquet.
Since coming to power in 2015, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has mastered the art of propaganda. Every hardship is rebranded as sacrifice, every failure repackaged as reform and every empty promise sold as “next-level change.” But propaganda, no matter how loudly it is screamed, cannot put food on the table or fuel in the tank.
Nigerians are no longer buying it. The APC has built a political machine that runs on lies, deception and carefully manufactured illusions, but reality always catches up. In the southwest, a region once hypnotized by Tinubu’s political wizardry, the disillusionment is thick in the air. 2027 is around the corner and Nigerians, bruised by years of falsehoods, are preparing to respond.
The $3 Billion Refinery Mirage.
Between 2021 and 2023, the federal government approved over $3 billion for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries. Contracts were awarded, announcements were made and glossy presentations painted a picture of an imminent industrial rebirth. The then-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, confidently told Nigerians that “the Port Harcourt refinery will begin partial operations by December 2022.”
Yet here we are in late 2025:
Port Harcourt Refinery – repeatedly declared “70% completed” in press releases but still not operational.
Warri Refinery – silent as a graveyard, despite “ongoing rehabilitation.”
Kaduna Refinery – perpetually in the pipeline of promises, with zero fuel refined in over a decade.
The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) estimates that over $25 billion has been spent on refineries in the past 25 years, with nothing to show for it. That is not mismanagement; it is an industrial-scale scam.
Professor Pat Utomi, political economist, captured it aptly: “Nigerians are victims of a state that eats its own people. These refinery turn-around projects are not about energy security; they are about political rent and patronage.”
Lies, Lies and More Lies.
The APC propaganda machine thrives on repetition. They said subsidy removal would end fuel scarcity (yet Nigerians still queue at filling stations. They said refineries would work by 2023) it is 2025 and nothing has changed. They said hardship would be temporary, inflation has climbed to 33% and food inflation sits at over 40%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Every administration under APC has promised industrial revival, but what Nigerians get is imported fuel, collapsing naira and empty stomachs. As Fela Anikulapo-Kuti once sang: “Na confusion break bone.” APC has weaponized confusion to mask its failures.
The Pain on the Streets.
Step into any market in Lagos, Ibadan or Akure and you will hear the same refrain: “We are tired.”
Transport costs have doubled. A bag of rice sells above ₦80,000. Parents withdraw children from schools because tuition is unaffordable. Workers spend half their salaries on fuel and transport. The World Bank in its 2025 mid-year report confirmed that over 71 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line, the highest in Africa.
Yet, government officials move around in convoys of luxury SUVs, feeding fat on state resources while preaching “sacrifice” to the poor.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General, warned in a recent lecture: “You cannot reform your way into prosperity if trust is absent. Citizens must believe that government sacrifices alongside them.” But APC’s leaders have shown no sacrifice, only excess.
The Southwest Wakes Up.
The irony is sharpest in the southwest, the political fortress of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For years, Tinubu built his empire on the claim that he was the “architect of modern Lagos” and the pathfinder for Nigeria’s future. His word was gospel; his endorsement was victory. But hunger has no tribal loyalty.
Today, Yoruba traders, transporters and students are openly questioning APC’s failures. In 2023, Tinubu campaigned with the slogan “Renewed Hope.” Two years later, the only thing renewed is hopelessness.
As Yoruba elder statesman Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere famously said: “You can deceive some people for some time, but you cannot deceive all the people forever.” The southwest, once APC’s most reliable voting bloc, is drifting into rebellion.
The 2027 Question.
With elections looming in 2027, APC faces its greatest test yet. The propaganda that worked in 2015 and 2019 may not work this time. Nigerians are wiser, angrier and more desperate. The opposition is sharpening its weapons and civil society groups are mobilizing.
Political scientist Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim argues: “The APC’s survival in 2027 depends not on propaganda but on tangible results. Nigerians are exhausted. They want food, fuel, jobs not excuses.”
The stakes are higher in the southwest. If APC loses its grip there, its national dominance will collapse. Tinubu knows this, which is why his government pushes endless media campaigns to mask failures. Propaganda cannot cover empty stomachs.
What Should Have Been Done.
Instead of wasting $3 billion on phantom refinery repairs, the government could have:
Privatized the Refineries Properly – Allow credible investors to run them transparently.
Supported Modular Refineries – Small-scale refineries across the Niger Delta have proven capacity but face regulatory strangulation.
Diversified the Energy Sector – Invest in solar, gas, and renewable sources, reducing reliance on imported petrol.
Plugged Corruption – NEITI’s reports reveal billions lost yearly to oil theft and opaque contracts. Accountability, not propaganda, should have been the priority.
As former U.S. President Barack Obama once said: “Africa doesn’t need strong men, it needs strong institutions.” Nigeria’s refinery failure is proof that strong men without strong institutions will always fail.
The Way Forward.
Nigeria cannot afford another four years of PROPAGANDA-DRIVEN GOVERNANCE. The people must demand accountability for every kobo spent on the refineries. Independent audits should be published. Those who looted funds under the guise of “rehabilitation” must face justice.
Civil society, opposition parties and ordinary Nigerians must unite to break APC’s cycle of deception. 2027 must not be about ethnic loyalty or propaganda slogans; it must be about survival, truth and competence.
As Chinua Achebe reminded us in The Trouble with Nigeria: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” Unless leadership rooted in honesty and vision emerges, the APC’s reign will be remembered as an era of lies, waste and national betrayal.
Ultimate Verdict.
The APC has thrived on lies for too long, but every lie has an expiry date. Nigerians are not fools; they are victims of a ruthless system. The $3 billion refinery mirage is a symbol of APC’s deception; shiny on paper, hollow in reality.
In 2027, the people will have their say. When that day comes, APC’s propaganda may no longer be enough to shield it from the truth.
Gov. Dauda Lawal commissions projects in Anka LGA, Commits to Sustainable Development
The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal, has reiterated his administration’s steadfast commitment to guiding Zamfara State towards sustainable development by inaugurating and initiating a series of pivotal projects in the Anka Local Government Area.
Among the key undertakings announced are the comprehensive reconstruction and modernization of the Emir of Anka’s palace, signaling a revitalization of traditional leadership; the initiation of work on the crucial Anka–Abbare Road, which is expected to significantly improve connectivity; and the construction of a new Local Government Secretariat.
Additionally, the projects encompass the establishment of dedicated offices for the Hisbah Commission and the Community Protection Guards, alongside the reconstruction of the Safe School in Anka, emphasizing the administration’s focus on enhancing educational infrastructure.
During the commissioning event, Governor Lawal highlighted that these projects are a fulfillment of commitments made during his campaign, aimed at transforming the local landscape by improving infrastructure, stimulating economic growth, bolstering public service efficiency, and enhancing the capacities of security agencies. He called for a collective effort from the community to ensure proper maintenance of these facilities, underscoring the shared responsibility in preserving public assets.
Governor Lawal shared that similar projects have also been inaugurated in Tsafe, with plans for upcoming projects in Kaura Namoda, Moriki, Bungudu, Bukkuyum, and Zurmi, all expected to be completed and inaugurated by the year’s end. This ambitious timeline reflects the administration’s urgency in addressing the development needs of various regions within the state.
In his remarks, the governor urged residents and local traditional institutions to collaborate closely in maintaining the newly commissioned structures and supporting the overarching objectives of his administration. “I stand here in Anka today to honor our commitments to the people of Anka Local Government and all of Zamfara State. The official opening of the new palace for the ‘Sarkin Zamfaran Anka’ and the Zamfara State Council of Chiefs is a significant milestone that wraps up today’s agenda,” he stated.
Governor Lawal emphasized the strategic importance of the Anka–Abbare Road, describing it as a critical artery that will not only enhance access to remote areas but also stimulate economic activities and generate multiplier effects throughout the local economy. He articulated the necessity of providing a conducive work environment for civil servants, affirming that the new local government secretariat and dedicated offices will significantly contribute to strengthening law and order within the state.
“Education is the cornerstone of any thriving society. Our focused initiatives are oriented towards fostering a safe, secure, and supportive environment for our students. I am also proud to announce the completion and commissioning of the reconstructed SAFE School Anka today,” he remarked, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to education.
The governor further noted that the commissioning of the Emir’s Palace serves to restore the historical prominence of traditional institutions, which he regards as pivotal custodians of the region’s culture and heritage. He underlined the administration’s awareness of the invaluable role that these institutions play in fostering the state’s growth and emphasized the necessity of aligning development projects with cultural values.
In conclusion, the governor mentioned that after the successful commissioning in Anka and Tsafe, future projects in Kaura Namoda and Moriki will follow suit, while those in Bungudu, Bukkuyum, and Zurmi remain on track for completion and official commissioning before the year concludes.
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GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE HAILS GOVERNOR UBA SANI’S APPOINTMENT AS RENEWED HOPE AMBASSADOR
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE HAILS GOVERNOR UBA SANI’S APPOINTMENT AS RENEWED HOPE AMBASSADOR
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) has extended its warm congratulations to His Excellency, Mallam Uba Sani, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, following his recent appointment as a Renewed Hope Ambassador and Deputy Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement, and Mobilisation by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This felicitation was formally conveyed in a statement signed by the Initiative’s Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and disseminated to the press.
The statement highlighted that the Grand Patron of the GCGMSI, His Excellency General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, received the news of the appointment with great pride but without surprise. According to the statement, General Musa expressed unwavering confidence in Governor Uba Sani’s proven capability and salient leadership qualities, affirming that the Governor is eminently equipped to deliver on every task entrusted to him.
The Grand Patron further extended profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for recognising and finding Governor Uba Sani worthy of this critical national assignment. The appointment, which takes effect immediately, was made by the President in his capacity as the leader of the APC, citing the Governor’s exceptional organisational abilities and strategic acumen.
In his new role, Governor Sani is tasked with working in close collaboration with the Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the party hierarchy, including the National Chairman of the APC. His primary mandate is to ensure harmony, inclusiveness, and strategic coordination across all levels of the party’s mobilization and engagement architecture, a vital function for advancing the political agenda.
Demonstrating its commitment to national service and effective governance, the GCGMSI, under the direct directive of its Grand Patron, General Musa, has officially mobilised its formidable structure. The Initiative has pledged the full deployment of its extensive network, seasoned personnel, and robust operational framework to assist and support Governor Uba Sani in the successful execution of his new responsibilities.
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative, renowned for its disciplined organisation, widespread grassroots penetration, and capacity for large-scale civic mobilisation, stands ready as a pivotal force. This move underscores the GCGMSI’s pivotal role as a key support system for national development initiatives and its unwavering dedication to fostering unity and progress under the Renewed Hope agenda.
Oyo 2027: Ajadi Says PDP Will Retain Power
…..Tasks PMS To Remain United, Peaceful
A leading People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has urged the people of Oyo State to remain steadfast, saying they will continue to enjoy good governance because the PDP will produce the next governor in the 2027 general elections.
Ajadi, who made this known while addressing transport unions under the Park Management System (PMS) at their headquarters, New Garage, Ibadan, on Tuesday, urged the park managers to remain united and maintain the love and peace currently prevalent among them.
According to him, “My advice to the Park Managers and the commercial drivers in Oyo State is that they should continue the love and peaceful attitudes. They should remain united. They should not ‘scattelegs’.
“Don’t let anybody deceive you, remain steadfast. Let me assure you that our party, the PDP, will produce the next governor come 2027,” Ajadi said.
He said he came to the PMS headquarters to meet with transporters and park managers to inform them of his aspiration to serve the people of Oyo State as governor come 2027.
“Today I joined my people, the park managers in Oyo State, to familiarize myself with them and inform them of my intention to serve the people of Oyo State as the next governor by the Grace of God.”
On the plans for the transporters, Ajadi said he first wants to change the look of the City Cabs, which will be done in collaboration with the Park Management System.
He also plans to increase the number of Mass Transit buses and make them available in all locations of the State.
He said the Mass Transit buses will operate in partnership with the Park Managers.
Ajadi, who commended Governor Makinde on the newly established bus terminals in the State, said his government will ensure adequate usage of the facilities.age of the facilities.
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