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Atiku Camp Blames Tinubu Following Uber’s Exit From Nigeria
The camp of former vice president and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has blamed President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the decision by global ride-hailing company, Uber, to shut down its operations in Nigeria.
Paul Ibe, spokesperson for Atiku, attributed the blame in a statement issued on Wednesday following Uber’s announcement that it would wind down its Nigerian operations.
Uber, which commenced operations in Nigeria in 2014, said its exit would take effect on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, after a review of its business operations.
Reacting to the development, Ibe argued that while Uber had attributed its decision to a review of its business priorities and investment focus, the company’s exit should be viewed against the backdrop of what he described as Nigeria’s deteriorating business environment.
“Uber may diplomatically describe its decision as a review of its business priorities and investment focus. But Nigerians cannot ignore the bigger picture,” Ibe said.
He attributed the challenges confronting businesses in the country to inflation, currency instability, high operating costs, declining purchasing power and policy uncertainty under the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
According to him, the development raises questions about Nigeria’s ability to retain existing investors and attract new ones.
“The real question is simple: why is Nigeria increasingly becoming a business graveyard, a place where businesses choose to leave rather than invest and expand?” he asked.
Ibe further criticised the administration for what he described as a contradiction between its investment ambitions and the reported decisions by businesses to shut down, scale back or redirect investments away from Nigeria.
“An administration that promised to attract investment cannot continue celebrating economic statistics while companies shut down, scale back or redirect investments elsewhere,” he said.
He called for policies capable of improving the operating environment for businesses, arguing that Nigeria needed an economy where companies could invest, remain profitable and create employment.
“Uber’s exit should therefore be a wake-up call: Tinubu’s economic policies are not yet delivering the investment-friendly Nigeria Nigerians were promised,” Ibe said.
He also took a swipe at the administration’s economic reform agenda, saying, “Indeed, Tinubunomics is powered by ‘bole ka ja’ policies!”
Meanwhile, Uber, in its earlier statement to customers, said it had taken the “tough decision” to wind down its Nigerian operations after a thorough review of its business.
The company said it had been a privilege to serve Nigerians since launching in Lagos in 2014 and apologised for the disruption its departure could cause to customers.
The Nigerian exit coincides with a major restructuring by Uber globally, with the company announcing plans to eliminate approximately 3,300 jobs.
Uber Chief Executive Officer, Dara Khosrowshahi, said the workforce reduction was aimed primarily at management and coordination roles as the company moves to simplify its organisational structure.
In a memo to staff, Khosrowshahi said the company was “removing layers, simplifying team structures, refining our global location strategy” and redirecting employees and investments towards areas with greater growth potential.
He said the affected positions represented about 10 per cent of Uber’s workforce.
According to the CEO, Uber’s revenue had nearly tripled over the past five years, but the rapid expansion of its products, businesses and customer base had also created additional layers of management and fragmented ownership.
Khosrowshahi said the restructuring was intended to make the company “simpler and faster” while creating greater capacity for investment in growth, innovation and emerging areas such as autonomous technology.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, mother of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy LoveWorld Nation fame, is dead.
Reports from Edo State say that she died at the age of 88 yesterday, Friday, September 25, 2026.
A local publication, Esan News Magazine, reported thus:
“An Iroko has fallen. A mother of nations is gone. Heaven has gained a saint.
According to information made available to Esan News Magazine by a prominent member of the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele, Ewu, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, the matriarch of the great Oyakhilome Clan, the beloved mother of our son Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, fondly called Big Mummy, has transited to glory.
September, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, humility and motherhood that touched generations across the world.
“Big Mummy was not just the mother of Pastor Chris. She was the mother of all. A virtuous woman, a prayer warrior, a woman of uncommon grace who raised children that have become global blessings and pride to Esan land.
“Idunwele Ewu is mourning. Ekagholo Family is mourning. Ewu Kingdom is mourning. Esanland is mourning. For we have lost an Okpokhuo, a true jewel of Esan motherhood.
“Her life was a testimony. She lived for God, she lived for family, she lived for humanity. Her laughter brought joy. Her prayers brought strength. Her counsel brought wisdom.
“On behalf of the management and staff of Esan News Magazine and the entire Esan Nation home and abroad, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to our dear elder brother, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the entire Oyakhilome Clan, the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele Ewu, and the Christ Embassy family worldwide.
“We mourn with you in this time of grief. We stand with you. We pray that the good Lord who called Mama home will grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“May her gentle, beautiful and faithful soul rest in perfect peace. Rest on, Big Mummy. Rest on, beloved mother of Pastor Chris. Rest on, Iroko of Ewu.
“Adieu Mama!”
Meanwhile, a senior official of Christ Embassy who was contacted by News Express this Saturday afternoon neither confirmed nor denied the report.
He said: “I have heard the news, too, but it is not for me to confirm her death. I mean, she was aged 88.”
The official promised to make relevant contacts, adding: “I am sure that a statement would be issued if the news is true.”
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