ABIOLA

Re: Tokunbo Pearce & President Bola Tinubu This is not a bombshell but an eggshell flying around Tokunbo's kitchen in his Araoti Street residence. Honour and integrity are in short supply in contemporary Nigerian politics. I had hoped that Tokunbo would not cross a particular line. I have never said a word over the years about his scurrilous and spurious attacks on President Tinubu. I feel particularly pained by this because I brought them together and I know all that Tinubu did for him. In fairness to him, the president has never brought up the matter for discussion. I was a visiting Doctoral Student and Honorary Visiting Lecturer at the Department of English, University of Sheffield between February, 1981 and September, 1982. Tokunbo was a graduate student and we became great friends. After a spell at the University of Buffalo, I returned to Ife later that year to defend my Doctoral thesis. Tokunbo defended his thesis in 1985 and thereafter left for America before disappearing in a Haitian haze for almost a decade. In 2003, I was part of Senator Tinubu's entourage to his Alma mater, Chicago State University. We received a hero's welcome and Tinubu was accorded a rousing reception by the University officials usually reserved for distinguished alumni who have brought honour to their Alma mater. We took pictures and received many souvenirs. That is not the way of a rogue student. At 78, desperation is beginning to cloud everything Tokunbo says and does. If I have not heard of his illustrious father, late Commander Afolabi Pearse and his impeccably behaved brothers, retired Navy Captain Femi Pearse and Yomi Pearse, I would have concluded that being a shameless scoundrel is a familial trait. In keeping with where I come from, I assure Toks that all the other secrets are safe with me until he crosses another line. -Prof Adebayo Williams November 10, 2026

PRESS STATEMENT ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL PRESIDENT TINUBU RAMPS UP COMPLETION OF RAIL PROJECTS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA *Kaduna-Kano rail set for December 3 inauguration *Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail project reaches 70% completion President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is accelerating the completion of major railway projects in Northern Nigeria, with the Kaduna–Kano Standard Gauge Railway scheduled for inauguration on December 3, 2026. The 203-kilometre Kaduna–Zaria–Kano railway project, one of the administration’s legacy projects, has reached approximately 90 percent completion, while the 400-kilometre Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway project has attained 70 percent completion. When President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, Kano-Kastina-Maradi rail project was at barely 5% while Kaduna-Kano was less than 30% completion. The projects demonstrate the administration’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s railway infrastructure, improving regional connectivity and facilitating the movement of passengers and goods across the country and beyond. The Kaduna–Kano railway, an extension of the existing Abuja–Kaduna standard gauge line, will establish a continuous rail connection between Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano, strengthening transportation links across major commercial centres in Northern Nigeria. The two rail projects were recently inspected on the directive of President Tinubu by a Federal Government team led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction work, particularly the railway alignment, drainage infrastructure, embankment protection, stone pitching and soil stabilisation. The inspection included a train test-run journey from Jaji in Kaduna State to Kano, allowing officials to assess the completed track infrastructure and passenger comfort. The President has also directed that all outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues within Kaduna metropolis should be resolved immediately so that the railway corridor from Abuja to Kano will be completed. The completed 190-kilometre Jaji-Kano section out of the entire 205-kilometre stretch of Kaduna-Kano rail project and the 250-kilometre Dawanu-Kano-Kazaure-Daura-Kastina section of the Kano-Maradi project will be inaugurated by December 3, 2026. When operational, the Kaduna–Kano railway will improve passenger transportation, facilitate commercial activities and provide an alternative to road travel along one of Northern Nigeria’s busiest commercial corridors. Similarly, the Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway, which has reached 70 percent completion, is expected to strengthen cross-border transportation and trade between Nigeria and the neighbouring Niger Republic. In line with President Tinubu's agenda, all ongoing infrastructure projects will be delivered in every part of the country as scheduled. Dele Alake Spokesperson APC Presidential Campaign Council November 8, 2026