Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has expressed doubts about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket for the 2027 election.

Speaking in a live media session on Wednesday, Wike argued that Nigerians have repeatedly rejected Atiku’s proposals in past elections.

Wike referred to Atiku’s recent comment that he would have handled Nigeria’s current challenges differently than President Bola Tinubu. In response, Wike remarked, “Nigerians have already reviewed his blueprint and made their decision.”

President-elect Donald Trump recently named billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy as the heads of a new initiative to overhaul federal government operations, which will be called the Department of Government Efficiency.

In his announcement, Trump highlighted the duo’s combined potential to dramatically reshape the U.S. government, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy and rethinking federal agency structures.

Trump likened this effort to a modern-day “Manhattan Project,” stressing the monumental scope of the proposed changes.

He stated that the agency, informally referred to as “DOGE,” aims to accomplish long-held Republican goals of cutting through red tape and making the government more responsive to American citizens.

Elon Musk, known for revolutionizing industries with companies like Tesla and SpaceX, is no stranger to large-scale innovation.

His involvement signals a shift toward a more business-minded approach to government, one where entrepreneurial principles could lead to streamlined processes and reduced spending.

Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy, who recently campaigned on promises of shaking up Washington’s status quo, brings a fresh perspective on political reform.

Together, Musk and Ramaswamy are expected to focus on eliminating waste and inefficiency in the federal government’s $6.5 trillion budget, targeting areas of excessive spending and operational waste that have long been sources of frustration for Americans.

In his announcement, Trump emphasized that Musk and Ramaswamy will collaborate closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget.

The goal is not just to reduce spending but to reinvent government systems in a way that serves the American people more effectively.

Trump expressed confidence in their ability to bring “advice and guidance from outside government,” leveraging their combined experience in both the private sector and political realms.

He envisions a streamlined government that prioritizes accountability to taxpayers.

Beyond cutting costs, the president-elect hopes this effort will empower American businesses and workers by reducing burdensome regulations that often slow economic growth.

The outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has taken a moment to reflect on the significant progress made under his leadership, particularly in terms of the state’s economy.

In his final statewide address, Obaseki proudly pointed out that during his eight-year tenure, the state’s economy grew from a modest N10 billion to an impressive N25 billion plus.

Obaseki delivered the address on the eve of his departure from office on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, as he prepared to hand over the reins of leadership to Senator Monday Okpebholo of APC.

Reflecting on his achievements, the governor outlined the remarkable strides made in key sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas, and manufacturing, all of which he credited for the state’s economic transformation.

One of the key highlights of his administration, according to Obaseki, was the agricultural revolution that took place in Edo State.

Through the Edo State Oil Palm Program, the government allocated over 120,000 hectares of land for the development of oil palm estates.

So far, about 40,000 hectares have been cultivated, positioning the state to become a leading player in Nigeria’s palm oil industry.

Additionally, the governor mentioned the state’s commitment to developing cassava as a critical feedstock for the two ethanol plants in Edo, further strengthening the state’s agricultural base.

Obaseki also emphasized the strides made in the energy sector, particularly in oil and gas.

His administration successfully attracted investments, including two modular refineries: the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company, which operates a 6,000-barrel per day refinery, and the DuPont Energy Park, with a 5,000-barrel per-day modular refinery.

These investments have not only bolstered the state’s oil and gas sector but also contributed to the broader petrochemical industry, creating new job opportunities and expanding the state’s economic footprint.

Beyond hydrocarbons, Obaseki pointed out Edo’s growing manufacturing sector, which has attracted billions of dollars in investments.

These investments span industries such as ceramics, tiles, glass, iron and steel, cement, and wood, positioning the state as an emerging hub for manufacturing in Nigeria.

The governor emphasized that these developments were the direct result of his administration’s efforts to create an environment conducive to business, making Edo State an attractive destination for both local and international investors.

In addition to the economic achievements, Obaseki also took pride in the infrastructure improvements his administration had overseen across the state.

He noted that over 850 kilometres of roads had been constructed, benefiting all local government areas.

The governor also pointed to the progress made in the energy sector, with the state now generating nearly 1,000MW of electricity daily.

Edo State’s new electricity law, he said, had paved the way for the development of an electricity market, attracting further investments in digital infrastructure.

One of the standout achievements mentioned by Obaseki was the state’s advancements in digital connectivity.

Edo State now has a network of nearly 2,500 kilometres of fibre optic cables, the largest in Nigeria.

This development, he noted, was crucial in laying the foundation for the future of technology and digital innovation in the state.

As his term came to a close, Obaseki reflected on the journey he had undertaken with the people of Edo.

He expressed pride in leaving behind a roadmap for the future—a plan that would guide the state’s continued development long after his departure.

The outgoing governor shared that, while he hadn’t inherited such a plan when he first assumed office, he was now confident that Edo was in a much stronger position for sustained growth.

Obaseki credited the collective effort of the people of Edo and other stakeholders for their role in achieving these milestones.

He hopes that the state will continue to build on the foundation laid during his tenure and that future leaders will carry forward the vision of turning Edo State into a beacon of hope and prosperity for all Nigerians.