₦airaland Forum

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has placed a bounty of N20 million on the killers of Dr. Chike Akunyili, husband of late NAFDAC DG, Dora Akunyili, POLITICS NIGERIA has learned.

In a public address on Wednesday evening, Obiano condemned the recent spate of attacks in different areas of the state.

In his words; "I have received from Security Commanders, Offices of some political parties, branded campaign vehicles and individuals occupying them have been attacked with killings and burning of vehicles observed."

"Other innocent road users have become victims of this menace with many losing their lives and others, their properties."

"Between Sunday 26th and yesterday 28th September, 2021 attacks on citizens at Oko, Agulu, Obosi, Nkpor, Nnobi, Nnewi and other places have left about ten (10) people dead including an illustrious son of this State, Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of late Prof Dora Akunyili who was reportedly gunned down yesterday around Nkpor."

"These are our own people dying every day and for what reason? Ndi Anambra, these attacks and accompanying deaths cannot be justified and must stop now."

The Governor disclosed that he has summoned a security meeting to carve out strategies to tackle the menace.

"I have therefore conducted an extensive security meeting and have directed all Security Agencies to step up and confront this monster ravaging our land. I charge everyone involved in the security architecture of Anambra State to take very seriously, this threat to our livelihood and boldly rise to confront same. Everything that needs to be done will be done and no stone will be left unturned in this effort. My directive to this effect is clear and i urge every security personnel on duty in Anambra State to do his utmost best to secure our people."

"To all citizens of Anambra State and every person living and doing business in our State, I urge you now to join forces with us to confront this common enemy. We cannot condone this savagery for any reason whatsoever."

"I therefore call on all our youths in the State to rise up and protect our communities. Traditional Rulers, Presidents General, Clergy men, Vigilante Groups and all leadership structures must now take responsibility and in conjunction with the Police, Military and other Law Enforcement Agencies, work to restore order immediately."

"To reinforce our commitment and seriousness on this issue, I on behalf of the State Government, wish to announce a twenty million Naira (N20,000,000.00) reward for any useful information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of these heinous attacks on our State. The people behind this must be unmasked and brought to book.", he said.

Migration is a constant; it is a wheel that keeps roving. Yes, it is in the nature of man to be peripatetic. People will always move from one place to another for job opportunities, education, health, security and for whatever corporeal or incorporeal desideratum. This is basic.

The first of wave of ‘’japa’’ (Nigerian slang for emigration) in Nigeria was in the ‘70s/’80s. Faced with an uncertain future owing to military interregnums and a volatile economy, the Nigerian young journeyed to the West -- the US and UK -- while some left on a limb to Ukraine. Over the years more Nigerians have departed the country in pursuit of their dreams abroad. Some of these Diaspora Nigerians have distinguished themselves in different human enterprises. And they constitute a financial bulwark for the country, reportedly remitting about $25 billion annually.

Emigration may even be beneficial to the home country in the long run if citizens return fortified with skills, experience and hard currency to invest and drive development. But to attract these human assets, the home country must be conducive and the government must be deliberate and visionary about its plans and policies for Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Nigerians have not been the only ones ‘’japaing’’, the Chinese have been leaving their country in stupendous numbers since the ‘80s. In fact, prior to the 1980s when liberal emigration policies were enacted, China had witnessed an exodus of its citizens in the 19th century. These emigrants left the country owing to poverty, corruption, war and general societal malaise. The government had to enforce laws to curb mass emigrations. But in the 1980s, it relaxed these laws in line with its vaunted but convoluted ‘’laisser-faire’’ approach to governance. Since the ‘80s more Chinese have left their country.

In a 2014 article, ‘The Great Chinese Exodus’, The Wall Street Journal reported the why and wherefores of the Chinese emigration. It said: ‘’Today, China's borders are wide open. Almost anybody who wants a passport can get one. And Chinese nationals are leaving in vast waves: Last year, more than 100 million outbound travellers crossed the frontiers. Most are tourists who come home. But rapidly growing numbers are college students and the wealthy, and many of them stay away for good. A survey by the Shanghai research firm Hurun Report shows that 64% of China's rich—defined as those with assets of more than $1.6 million—are either emigrating or planning to.’’

If citizens of a global power and first-class country like China could be exiting in legions, should it be concerning that young citizens of Nigeria are taking precipitous flights out of the country? Well, it should unnerve us. It means we have not created a congenial environment to keep the live-wire of the country, and it implies that we may be doing something wrong.

About 8,737 doctors who obtained their degrees in Nigeria are currently practising in the UK. According to the UK General Medical Council, 862 Nigerian doctors were licensed to practise in the country in 2020; while between June 2021 and September 2021, 353 doctors were registered to practise in the UK.

This should trouble us all – in a country where the ratio of doctor per patient is 1:5,000 against the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 1:600. Nigerians who earned their degrees in Nigeria are being harvested by foreign countries. A few months ago, Saudi Arabia was conducting a screening exercise for Nigerian doctors it wanted to magic away in Lagos and Abuja. And we keep losing invaluable human resources.

While a mass of Nigerians (doctors, tech experts, academics, students) leaving the country constitutes a significant drain to the national talent pool, the other horde of citizens exiting are those frustrated by the afflictions of the system but largely unskilled. We should not in any way deride those seeking economic refuge abroad, but it is uncharitable to reduce Nigeria to a desert of opportunities -- where personal growth and accomplishments are completely arid – as some are opining.

The fecundity of a place most times depends on how willing we are to tend it. I strongly believe we can plant our seed anywhere, water and tend it, and watch it grow. Nigeria is not arid of opportunities.

Those making a spectacle of their emigration from Nigeria on social media as if the country is some infernal and desolate place only fit for miserable creatures, will realise soon enough that their identity as individuals abroad is intrinsically linked to Nigeria. Our first contact with the world outside our native sphere is as Nigerians; and we will always be seen, evaluated or judged as Nigerians.

Ridiculing Nigeria to make a point is self-immolation. We are all eternally connected to Nigeria, and whatever image we project of our country, we make of ourselves.

We can make treasures out of the exodus of Nigerian citizens by following the China example. China’s Diaspora contributed immensely in the rise of China as a global power – through capital investment, technology transfer, and innovation. It has even been argued that the Chinese Diaspora appropriated Western technology and transferred it back home. The Chinese government considers its citizens in Diaspora as an extension of China and as agents to drive its domestic interest. The government intervenes directly in the lives of its citizens abroad, even influencing projects in areas populated by Chinese.

It is not all lost. The Nigerian government can make lemonade out of these lemons – only if it wills it.
[b]
By Fredrick Nwabufo,’Mr OneNigeria’

About 6 people have reportedly been shot dead as members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN clashed with security agents at the Gwarimpa gate near Galadimawa in Abuja on Tuesday.

The IMN members also known as 'shiites 'were about to round off their Arbaeen Symbolic Trek when joint security agents opened fire on them.

POLITICS NIGERIA also learned that two Shiite members were shot by security operatives around a new generation bank along 3rd Avenue in Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja.

The incident threw the trek into confusion as people scampered for safety. The Secretary of  the Academic Forum of IMN, Abdullahi Musa has since confirmed the incident.

“They are just shooting people. As I am talking to you now, six people have been killed. They even carried some dead bodies away,” he told a news correspondent.

Members of the sect had on Tuesday morning come out in continuation of their procession to mark the fortieth day of the murder of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday fixed Nov. 30 for judgment in a suit filed by deposed Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II against the Kano State government and others over alleged violation of his rights.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Justice Anwuli Chikere fixed the date after counsel to parties in the matter adopted all their processes and final argument taken.

The deposed emir had, on March 12, 2020, sued the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS) over what he called “unlawful detention/confinement” at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Also joined in the motion with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/357/2020 are the Attorney-General of Kano State and Attorney General of the Federation as 3rd and 4th respondents respectively.

The former emir had, in a motion -ex-parte dated March 12 by his team of lawyers, sought an interim order of the court releasing him from the detention and/or confinement of the respondents and restoring his right to human dignity, personal liberty.

Sanusi, after his banishment from Kano, was confined to Awe town, Nasarawa State. The presiding judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere, however. ordered his immediate release.

Although the deposed emir had since been released after the court ruling, the case is still in court as the originating motion was yet to be determined by the court.

Sanusi’s counsel, Abubakar Mamoud, SAN, told the court that the case was not a chieftaincy matter, because his client was not challenging his deposition.

Mamoud said his client’s complaint was about the alleged violation of his fundamental rights in relation to the manner he was shabbily treated after he was deposed.

“This is not a chieftaincy matter. The applicant (Sanusi) is not challenging the respondents’ action as regard his removal as Emir of Kano, but the way he was bundled to Abuja and banished to a remote location,” Mahmoud said.

He added that it is not in doubt that Sanusi, as a prominent citizen of this country, was shabbily treated in the manner he was bundled to Abuja and subsequently banished to a remote location.

Mamoud faulted the respondents’ applications, challenging the Abuja court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
He argued that no law support the position that where rights violation occur across several jurisdictions, one cannot approach a court in any of the jurisdictions.

He stated further that it was clear from the way his client was treated that his rights were violated, and as such, he was entitled to seek protection from the court.

Mahmoud urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought by the ex-Emir in his suit. Responding, lawyer to the I-G, Victor Okoye, corroborated Mahmoud’s submission.

He faulted the competence of the suit and queried the court’s jurisdiction to hear it. Okoye, in challenging the jurisdiction of the court, noted that the instrument conveying the ex-Emir’s banishment was authored and endorsed by an official of the Kano State Government in the state.

He argued that the appropriate venue for Sanusi to seek redress for the alleged violation of his rights was a court in Kano State. Okoye urged the court to either strike the case out or dismiss it.
Lawyer to the DG of the DSS, Godwin Agbadua, argued in similar manner and also challenged the court’s jurisdiction.

Agbadua urged the court to strike out the suit on the grounds that the alleged rights violation occurred in Kano, adding that there is a Federal High Court in Kano, before which Sanusi could seek redress.

“Where there are infringement in sequence, the court with jurisdiction is that where the alleged infringement commenced, which by the applicant’s affidavit, is Kano and there is a Federal High Court in Kano,” Agbadua added.

Lawyer to the AG of Kano State, Musa Mohammed, equally faulted the competence of the suit and the jurisdiction of the court in Abuja to hear the case. Mohammed prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

Power. It excites and incites. It can excite hope and strength, or incite tension, hate and bitterness. Why should the regional background of the next president be a vexatious issue, evoking threats and recriminations? Why should brothers be at daggers drawn with each other over the geography of power? What happened to gentlemanly ententes, negotiations and trade-offs? What happened to the Nigerian agenda – if there was ever one? Brothers sheathe thy swords.

If the principal interest of acquiring power at the centre is to steer Nigeria and all Nigerians to a path of peace and development, why should the geography of power be such a caustic issue? If the interest of all Nigerians is of consequence why should the axial disposition of power be the minatory contention? Well, except the latent grail of obtaining power at the centre is to pursue regional and sectional agendas, I see no reason for the pyrotechnics and why we cannot come to an accord on where power should orbit in 2023.

Really, leadership in Nigeria has been blighted by ethnic and religious blots. A new leader is elected, but he gets there and makes ethnic protectionism his pastime. So, Nigerians are wary because power is not deployed for the benefit of all, but for the convenience of a few. The north may be skittish that power orbiting to the south will be to its own detriment, and the south could be uneasy that power subsisting in the current axis will further diminish its interest -- a clash of titanic interests and agendas. But what happened to the Nigerian agenda? One for all and all for one?

Since we are cognisant of our problems; we know where the house started to cave in, is it not logical that we reach a consensus in the leadership value of the next president in 2023 -- such as his antecedents, credentials, proven leadership and managerial abilities, demonstrated patriotism, expansiveness and respect for diversity – but with ethnic/regional background as a secondary value?

We need a Nigerian president – not one that will be defined by his geographical or ethnic character. Yes, a president that will be utilitarian in the deployment of power for the benefit of all Nigerians. So, whether north or south, it will not matter where the president comes from; there will be a sense of belonging and national affability among a majority of Nigerians. We need the Nigerian agenda – not northern or southern agenda.

The pursuit of power should be for the protection and preservation of all. We made some mistakes in the past with successive leaderships; we should be bold enough to correct them. We cannot seek change, but persist in the same pigeonhole mentation. How do we reorder the system when we insist on the status quo because we want the pendulum to swing our way? We must be able to distinguish between primary and secondary value.

Some prominent Nigerians and groups have been heating up the cauldron with their intemperate comments on the 2023 presidency. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, was reported to have made some uncharacteristic comments on the geography of power in 2023.

Baba-Ahmed reportedly said: “We will lead Nigeria the way we have led Nigeria before whether we are president or vice-president, we will lead Nigeria. We have the majority of the votes and democracy says vote who you want. Why should we accept a second-class position when we know we can buy a form and contest for first class and we will win? Why does anybody need to threaten us and intimidate us? We will get that power, but be humble because power comes from God. We inherited leadership and being honest is not being stupid. The north has pride; we are humble enough to know that we are going to run Nigeria with other people but we are not going to pay a second fiddle to anybody. We may not have the most robust economy, there are people who are trying to strangulate us even more than we are being strangled.’’

I have followed the statements of Baba-Ahmed over the years and noticed his dispassionate assessment of polarising national matters. It is the reason I find his recent comments untoward. But besides Baba-Ahmed, other prominent persons and groups in the south have been suffusing their demand for power to the region with corrosive statements and threats. Brother should not threaten brother.

Naturally, when leaders in the south make indecorous statements about power shifting to the region in 2023, it provokes a reaction from the other side. I think matters of this complexion require tact and diplomacy – not threats or counter threats. Even if most people agree that power should orbit to the south in 2023, there is still a need for popular consensus.

We all have to work together. Leaders only deepen the sectional fears and widen the chasm by making uncontrolled comments. Where the next president should come from is a collective decision, no region or group should be isolated or made to feel threatened over this.

Political, religious, group and community leaders should be disciplined in their public comments on the 2023 presidency. They should know that there can only be an election if the country is peaceful and secure. They should not incite chaos with undisciplined statements.

[b]By Fredrick ‘Mr OneNigeria’ Nwabufo

The Conference of Harmonized Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria(COHCSON) has revealed that pro-secessionists under the Yoruba Nation group and the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB have raised $5 million to compromise lawyers and judges in their ongoing cases with the Nigerian Government in court.

In a Press Conference on Tuesday, the group condmned what it described as "an execution of a detailed plan to subvert and undermine  the country's judicial system"

A statement by the group's leader, Oduma Richard Oduma, read; "When we first heard that the dissident and seccesionist IPOB and Yoruba Nation groups were planning to infiltrate the courts at all levels we dismissed the allegations. But latest developments have indeed forced us to raise this alert."

"It has come to our notice that the groups are resorting to blackmail and intimidation to hoodwink the judges into granting them unmerited judicial favours. Recently a State High in Oyo State presided by Justice Ladiran delivered a judgment in favour of Sunday Igboho and awarded him 20billion naira as claims. As part of the evil plots, IPOB has instituted a 5Billion naira case at the Abia State High Court Umuahia where a Judge would, out of fear of harassment and violence, grant them the plea. It has become obvious that IPOB intends to use its violence stricken sit-at-home enforcement style to force the judges do their bidding."

"On the case of Igboho, we are aware that having failed to secure his release from  Benin Republic authorities, the leaders  resolved to raise  funds to patronise friendly judges in Nigeria who are sympathetic to their cause. A serving governor  in the south West appears to be part of the plot. The leaders  in that meeting also agreed to sponsor more rallies  abroad to give Nigeria a bad image internationally. Aside raising  funds from diaspora groups and  individuals who share in the evil dream of dividing the country, the group agreed to shop for a friendly judge to award them claims against the government thus the 20billion naira."

"We are aware too that the representative of IPOB was mandated in their last meeting in Benin Republic to also institute a fresh suit against the federal government agents.This fresh suit by IPOB though an afterthought which confirms our position. These judges at the state level are said to be emotional attached to their ethnic groups and the separatists."

The group also warned lawyers and Judges to resist any temptation to subvert the rule of law.

"We like to use this medium to appeal to  judges and lawyers to resist the temptation to betray their secret oath of office and to stick to the law in the over all interest of the country. No amount of inducement should entice any patriot to endanger  the lives of over two hundred million Nigerians."

"Judges and lawyers who administer justice should be reminded that the survival of nations depends on the patriotism of her citizens."

The group also stated that the secessionists setup a $5 million fund to bribe Judges.

"They had set up a fund raising Committee to raise a financial war chest to compromise the judges and confront the Nigerian Government. So far, the groups have raised a huge sum in dollars to bribe two judges in the south west and now South East? Why would judges be induced if the litigants have no predetermined motive? Are they already aware of the legal outcomes, having successfully bribed their way through?"

"We are using this opportunity to appeal to the national judicial council (NJC) to rise to the occasion and sanction erring judges."

"The recent warning  given by  the Chief Justice Of Nigeria should be enough to guide the Honourable Judges. No desperate seccesionists should be allowed to rubbish our collective unity and threaten our sovereign existence or undermine the integrity of our courts."

"We request the chief  judge of Abia state to reassign the suit filed by IPOB lawyers at the Abia high court or the Judge should recuse himself.  We do not have confidence in a few identified judges to sit on the cases in question. Available evidence  suggest glaring  judicial  bias and solidarity for one party, IPOB and Yoruba nation agitators as well as politicians."

The Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike is really keen on ensuring that his case against the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, at the Supreme court goes in his favour.

Governor Wike and his Finance commissioner, Isaac Kamalu landed in the capital city on Sunday, September 20th and are currently pursuing every means available to get a favorable judgement.

It can be recalled the Federal Inland Revenue Service had approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the judgement of the Federal High Court in Rivers State which ruled on August 9 that the state, and not the FIRS, should be the authority collecting VAT and Personal Income Tax in the state.

The Court of Appeal had on September 10 ruled that the parties in the suit should maintain status quo.

On Thursday, however, the Appeal Court also said it reserved ruling on the application for a joinder filed by the Lagos State Government.

The Rivers state Government approached the nation’s Apex court, the Supreme court to set aside the ruling of the appellate court on grounds that the lower court erred in ordering status after it earlier held that the application for joinder by Lagos State must be heard first before the motion for stay and interlocutory injunction by the FIRS.

The appellant maintained that the appellate court lacks the powers to set aside its own judgment, which held that the Lagos application for joinder must be taken before any other application. They further argued that ordering ‘status quo ante bellum’ amounts to granting the reliefs being sought by the FIRS, when the main application has not been heard and determined.

In a desperate move to ensure things go in his favour, a plan was reportedly hatched to influence the selection of a supreme court panel that will deliver judgement on the case.

According to TheCable, the first phase of the sinister plan was to ensure that the Chief Justice of the Federation, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad proceeds on trip to the United Kingdom before the panel is constituted.

This will leave room for the second highest in command at the supreme court, Justice Mary Odili to select the panel. It's common knowledge that Mr. Wike is a political godson of Mrs. Odili's husband, Peter Odili.

However, in a swift response, the CJN issued a statement stating that there will be no external interference in the case. Despite the CJN's denial, Wike's reason for briefly relocating to Abuja with the state's commissioner of finance maybe totally related to the case.

Sources reveal that the Governor is exploring every option available to swing the case in his favour as the presence of his finance commissioner indicates that there won't be any hesitance in loosening the purse strings of the state in order to achieve their goal.

Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari has appointed 9 people into the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.

It can be recalled that the President ordered on Sunday, that the NNPC should be fully incorporated in line with Section 53(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which requires the Minister of Petroleum Resources to cause for the incorporation of the NNPC Limited within six months of commencement of the Act in consultation with the Minister of Finance on the nominal shares of the Company.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that President Buhari has approved the appointment of the Board and Management of the NNPC Limited, with effect from the date of incorporation of the Company.

Chairman of the Board is Senator Ifeanyi Ararume

Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Mele Kyari

Chief Financial Officer is Umar I Ajiya

Other Board members are;

Dr Tajudeen Umar (North East)

Mrs Lami O. Ahmed (North Central)

Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North West)

Senator Margaret Chuba Okadigbo (South East)

Barrister Constance Harry Marshal (South South)

Chief Pius Akinyelure (South West).

More information has come to light on the reported torture of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, by Nigerian security agents in Kenya.

A 5 Billion Naira lawsuit filed by Kanu expressly detailed the torture he went through while in the custody of security officials in the east-african country including getting smeared with his own urine and faeces.

The security agents reportedly refused to allow Kanu to use the toilet so he had no choice but to relieve himself where he was chained.

The suit which was filed in Umuahia, Abia state by Kanu's counsel, Aloy Ejimakor on September 7th revealed that Kanu was beaten severely until he fainted and was revived with cold water.  The suit is seeking the enforcement of Kanu's right to life, dignity of the human person, personal liberty and fair hearing.

The Affidavit in support of the originating motion was done by Prince Emmanuel Kanu, brother to Nnamdi Kanu.

He said; “That the facts and violations deposed to in this affidavit started at the applicant’s residence in Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State; to wit; the military invasion of the applicant in September 2017 by a combined team of Ohafia-based 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Abia State Command of Nigeria police force and the Abia State directorate of the State Security Service."

“That was it was the said invasion that nearly took the life of the applicant that caused him to seek refuge abroad which ultimately to Kenya, where the respondents lawfully pursued him, abducted him, disappeared him and ultimately brought him to Nigeria and detained him.

“That in October 2015, the applicant was arrested in Lagos upon his return from the United Kingdom, detained in Abuja and ultimately charged for certain offences Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 (Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Nnamdi Kanu). That the applicant was detained for 18 months, but was later released on bail whereupon he returned to his home in Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North, Abia State, and there awaiting his next trial date set fo October 2017.

“That on or about 10 September, while the applicant was resting at home with some family members and friends, the Ohafia-based Nigerian Army, police and DSS launched military invasion and assaults at the applicant’s residential building and premises. That in the course of the military action, 28 people were killed and several others, including the applicant, were wounded. Both of the applicant’s parents sustained grave injuries from the military invasion and both of them eventually succumbed to those injuries and are now late.

“That in the course of the invasion, the applicant managed to escape to a safe location from where he managed to flee overseas to save his life. That there was neither a court order revoking the applicant’s bail nor any arrest warrant that could have justified the deadly military assault.

“That had the President implemented the provisional measures, the applicant would have felt safe enough to voluntarily end his exile and return to Nigeria to face prosecution in the said charge under reference therein. That in the course of his exile, the applicant on or about May 5, 2021, entered the Republic of Kenya on his British passport and was admitted as such as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. After his admission, the applicant settled in at a temporary location in Nairobi, Kenya.”

Emmanuel Kanu then went on to reveal in detail the “abduction” of Nnamdi Kanu from the East African country and his ordeal in the hands of the Nigerian security operatives at a private residence where he was taken to.

He said, “That on June 19, 2021, the applicant drove himself and without any companion to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, to drop off a friend at the airport. That as soon as the applicant pulled to stop at the parking lot and alighted from his vehicle, about twenty respondent’s agents (hereafter abductors) violently accosted and abducted the applicant, handcuffed and blindfolded him, bundled him in a vehicle and sped away, while telling onlookers that the applicant is a “terrorist separatist.”

“That the applicant’s abductors took him to a nondescript private house (not a police station) somewhere in Nairobi, Kenya, and chained him to the floor. That while chained to the floor, the applicant’s abductors took turns to beat him torturing him to a point that he fainted several times and was intermittently revived when they poured cold water on him. That to prevent the applicant’s anguished screaming from being heard in the vicinity, the applicant’s abductors tied a cloth over his mouth and so close to covering his nostrils that the applicant struggled to breathe.

“That the applicant remained chained to the floor for eight days and was thus forced to relieve himself of urine and excrement where he was chained with same being smeared all over his body. That throughout the duration of the applicant’s captivity, he was not allowed to bathe and was fed only on bland bread once a day and given non-sanitary water to drink.”

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that there are 8 respondents in the case namely; Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Chief of the Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner for Police, Abia State, the Director-General, State Security Services,the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State, Abia State Director, State Security Services.

BUA has signed an agreement with Wartsila OY of Finland for the construction of a 70megawatts dual-fuel power plant for the BUA Cement Sokoto Line 4 in Sokoto state, North-West Nigeria. This announcement comes as BUA recently revealed that it was looking to boost its production capacity in Nigeria over the next 3 years with new plants in the works. In addition, this will be the second plant to be constructed by Wartsila for BUA Cement – the first being the BUA Cement sokoto power plant scheduled to be commissioned alongside the plant in November 2021.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Cement Plc who signed on behalf of the cement producer said BUA Cement will continue to invest strategically in the West African Cement industry to enable it to bridge the huge infrastructure and housing deficit.

According to Rabiu: "BUA Cement is happy and pleased with the progress that Wartsila made with the construction of the power plant we initially purchased for our BUA Cement Sokoto Line 3 which we expect will begin commissioning by November alongside the power plant. We believe Wartsila will bring the same level of efficiency, technical expertise and professionalism to bear in ensuring that this new power plant for the 3million Mtpa BUA Cement Sokoto Line 4 will be completed on schedule by the end of next year as we look towards bringing BUA’s total capacity in its sokoto plant to 8 million metric tonnes by early 2023 and 17million metric tonnes across all its plants by the same time."

"On his part, Mark Thiriet, Energy Business Director at Wartsila West Africa said Wartsila was proud to partner with BUA Group on this BUA Cement Sokoto Line 4 project. He said that Wartsila will bring its technical expertise and globally recognized technology to bear in bringing the project to completion."

"BUA Cement Plc is Nigeria’s second largest cement company and the largest producer in its North-West, South-South, and South-East regions. BUA Cement operates strategically from Okpella, Edo State and Kalambaina, Sokoto State with its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria."

"Currently the second most capitalized manufacturing company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), BUA Cement is committed to quality - a differentiating attribute, driven by its people, innovation, and technology; and positioned to solving West Africa’s cement undercapacity while driving economic growth and development."

Former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has said that he is now solely committed to the Unity of Nigeria, POLITICS NIGERIA has learned.

Appearing on Channels TV on Thursday night shortly after his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the ruling All progressives Congress, FFK disclosed that he is now working to keep Nigeria as 'one' adding that he was no longer party to conversations about dividing the nation.

He said: "I am committed to keeping Nigeria together. I am also committed to ensuring that those who want to break up Nigeria are reached out to and spoken to with respect, love and compassion rather than say kill them all"

"That's my position and i believe that's more productive so long as you don't pick up arms to kill policemen, you don't pick up arms to kill innocent Hausa-Fulanis, Innocent Yorubas or Innocent Igbos, you don't target people because of their religious beliefs, as long as you don't do that, you will be my friend."

"You can remain my friend as long you don't indulge in violence"

"We must ensure that we work together to keep this country one."

Apex-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has stated that a former aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode was used to deceived IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA, the group disclosed that the Nigerian presidency used FFK to extract ‘sensitive information’ from Kanu.

This newspaper earlier reported that Fani-Kayode defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC on Thursday. The statement, signed by the secretary-general of the group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro read in ‘Part;

“Femi Fani Kayode’s magniloquence and grandiosity on the unity of Nigeria contrary to his previous stance on Biafra and Oduduwa Nations shortly after he was received by President Buhari as a new APC member, had reinforced our suspicions that” FFK was a pawn in the hands of Igbo detractors playing the scripts craftily designed for the engineering of sponsored violence and uprising against the people of southeast through Nnamdi Kanu, as he consistently enticed Igbo Governors and Nnamdi Kanu as a friend of Ndigbo, with fanciful and deceitful words to achieve this devilish agenda, which he had accomplished before he decamped unexpectedly to APC”

“FFK only played into the hearts and confidence of his Igbo casualties, got sensitive information from the so-called Igbo elites, and passed it on to the Presidency.

“He has been a secret agent of the caliphate and the Presidency against Igbo, perhaps, he might be instrumental in the illegal abduction of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu undoubtedly his wizardry and satanic roles lured Nnamdi Kanu into demolishing the confidence of Nigerians against trusting Igbo with Presidency in 2023 and indirectly encouraged violence throughout the southeast states.”

Nigeria’s former sports minister, Solomon Dalung has criticized his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC over the recent defection of Ex-aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani Kayode to the party.

Dalung, in a lengthy statement seen by POLITICS NIGERIA, also attacked the leadership of the party as being ‘insensitive’ to the plight of Nigerians.

The statement read in full; “I have insulated this dialogue from partisan discussions of issues deliberately to reinforce confidence of people in genuine conservation around peaceful coexistence. However, whenever political actors squandered the goodwill on the platter of reckless inordinate ambitious, peace is definitely threatened. Therefore, our conversation will consider certain political developments with its attendant consequences on the stability of the country.”

“In the whole of my existence, I have not be ashamed of myself like yesterday, when I watched Femi Fani Kayode standing by the President in the State House in Abuja. I have have no problems with peoples political affiliations but I have issues with the manner the confidence and goodwill of Nigerians is been gambled with recklessly by clueless political elites. Could recruitment of political liabilities in the face of raving insecurity that have claimed lives of many innocent Nigerians who voted for us be the priority now?.”

“What has happened to humanity of APC leaders that we are so insensitive to the mode of the nation? If we have such political strategies of conquering political opponents like Ben Oyade, Umaihi, Matawale and Femi Fani Kayode, then why have we failed to deploy same to defeat boko haram, banditry, unknown gunmen, kidnapping etc?”

“It is evident from the body languages of APC leaders that the security and the walfare of Nigerians is inconsequential rather grabbing of power by fire by force in 2023 is a task that must be achieved. Nigerians do not deserve this treatment from a party that portrayed itself as populist merely to grab power and turned its back against them.”

“This wasn’t our mission when we mobilised Nigerians to trust us with power in 2015, we have a defined mission of fixing the country because we trusted the President based on his credentials but no right thinking founding member of the party can defend the current lost of bearing and direction staring at us.”

“As the country continues to bleed the only reaction of government is to insult the psychology of Nigerians with pictures of discredited political hawkers seeking refuge on political pilgrimages to Aso Rock. Or combative press statements from overzealous aides who usually throw caution to the winds.”

“The fear of APC is the beginning of wisdom, once a corrupt politician joins APC his sins are forgiven, all corruption charges will be automatically dropped and compensations with juicy appointments will follow. Loyalty in APC party is a capital offence, no wonder Femi Fani Kayode insulted President Buhari and swore he will preferred to die than joining APC. He is now the latest political bride of the President whom he earlier called a “criminal”. I was expecting him to apologise to Mr. President and Nigerians but shamelessly he was singing a new song. “FFK is my boy, if you give him food, he will praise and sing for you….” according to President Obasanjo. Now that he is on the dinning table with President Buhari, he is no more clueless but a saint. How can Nigeria move to the next level with stomach infrastructure leeches like FFK?”

“If this is what our party can offer at this critical stage of our national history, then Nigeria has enter one chance. Those accused of corruption are now strategically positioned and calling the shots while those who struggled with the party have been sightline wearing shame. With what is happening, Nigerians have been taken for granted because the integrity of the moral foundation of APC is premised on deceit and cannot deliver on it promises. I weep for the politics of this country, because if these are our angels, then hell is empty while the devils are ruling us.”

“Is hope lost for the struggle to fix Nigeria? Certainly not, according to a classical political thinker, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing about it”. Therefore, no regret whatsoever we thought of changing the social order. This current political order has been attacked by corona virus, currently on oxygen in isolation centre, only those with PPE can visit the centre.”

“From every indication, the APC is under siege by power grabbers who can only be stopped by petition to God in heaven, so Nigerians let’s pray. Juma’at mubarak.”

Former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has revealed why he left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that FFK joined the ruling party on Thursday after President Muhammadu Buhari met him and other leaders of the party in the Presidential Villa.

FFK, who was beaming with joy explained that his decision to move was a direction from God.

He said that he was led by the Spirit of God in his decision and that he joined the APC to help for the unity of the country, adding that he was against anything that would cause the disintegration of Nigeria.

The fiery Politician has been a very strong critic of the Buhari administration. He is known for regularly heaping insults and strong criticism against the party even once swearing that he could never become a member again.

A Former Minister of Aviation during the President Olusegun Obasanjo government, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode has formally joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

FFK met President Muhammadu Buhari  on Thursday. He was brought to the Villa by the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the APC, and governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has issued a statement on the collapse of its chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa at an event in Aso-rock on Thursday morning.

Bawa made headlines after he hurriedly stepped off a podium while speaking during an event organised by the NIMC. He struggled to walk back to his seat and slumped into his chair.

In a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA, the commission assured Nigerians that Bawa was 'hale and hearty' and will soon be back to work.

"The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa is hale and hearty."

"This clarification became necessary following an incident today September 16, 2021 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja where he was giving a goodwill message to the National Identity Day celebration, felt unwell and had to return to his seat."

"He has since received medical attention and is due back at his desk."

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa slumped at the third National Identity Day celebration at the Banquet Hall Villa.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the chairman was delivering his goodwill speech when he  suddenly stopped, staggered back to his seat and laid down.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami and other dignitaries held him, after sometime he was guided out of the hall.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMpbv5PzdDQ

The Nigerian Presidency has launched an attack on the Yoruba nation pro-secession group over its recent rally at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.

In a strong worded statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA, signed by Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the Nigerian leadership criticised the group stating that "Nigerians and the entire World" would "judge them" over their collaboration with the proscribed Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB.

The statement read in full; "For Nigerian diaspora groups to use the world’s largest platform – the United Nations General Assembly – to garner attention to their causes is not unexpected. It was, however shocking, to see "Yoruba Nation" advocates yesterday unequivocally throw their lot in with Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)."

"IPOB is a designated terrorist organisation. It has now publicly revealed a 50,000 strong paramilitary organisation. It regularly murders security services and innocent civilians, with a significant uptick of violent attacks this year. And it is currently attempting to hold Nigerian states hostage with orders to stay at home under threat of terror."

"Without doubt, Nigerians and the entire world will judge Yoruba Nation by the company it keeps. No one can take seriously this organisation if it continues its IPOB association. When their allies systematically trample human rights, it raises sober questions about their claims to uphold the values of the UN."

"The cooperation is a worrying development, once parsed with Yoruba Nation’s increasingly violent rallies in Nigeria. Actions and associations speak louder than words. Yoruba Nation’s talk of human rights promotion must therefore be ignored."

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government will continue its work at the UN- to fight against corruption and illicit financial flows, and international cooperation. If we want to see stolen funds returned to their rightful home in Nigeria, the government must continue to campaign for and coordinate global action on asset recovery.

"The government will remain the leading regional actor in the fight against global terror – particularly against threats emanating from the Sahel. Through the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps programme, the country also shares technical expertise with countries from the Caribbean, Africa and the Pacific. At the same time, the administration is implementing a programme of environmental sustainability to combat developments which destroys Nigerian communities in vulnerable regions."

"Only through the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development can we secure a prosperous future for Nigeria. As the largest country in Africa, the government takes seriously its leadership role and will continue to strive for continental unity, cooperation, and shared prosperity."

"Our expectation is therefore for the media to work with the government to focus attention on the core issues the President, the leader of the country has on his programme."

A Fraud suspect has stated that Access Bank has one of the worst banking security in Nigeria.


Zachary Yahaya popularly known as 'His Excellency' was paraded before the press on Monday were he admitted to his numerous crimes.


When being interrogated by FORCE PRO, Frank Mba, Yahaya revealed that it was very easy to reset the details of Access bank customers.


Responding to the PRO's question on banks in Nigeria with the worst security, Yahaya identified Access Bank as one of his 'favorites' because it was very easy to manouvre.


POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Yahaya operates majorly in Plateau, Kano and Abuja. He disclosed that the largest he ever stole from an account is N800,000.

A leading and life touching Humanitarian Organization in Orlu Zone popularly known as Rt. Hon. Sir Jones Onyereri KSP Foundation, today, celebrated the youths of Orlu Zone and beyond.

Speaking through the Foundation's Media Crew, Dr. Jones, stated that, "As a society, it’s our job to protect our youth from the evils that lurk in the shadows. We take extra care to do that for as long as possible, and it’s done so that they remain unspoiled."

The youth population is known for having big, limitless imagination. It enables them to see the world in a different light; it also keeps them from ever getting bored.

They look towards the future, create scenarios in their heads, and project their creative ideas onto their futures.

Dr. Jones Onyereri, who has empowered so many Youths and still Empowering more of the Youths of Orlu Zone through his Foundation's magnanimity, charged the youths of the zone to remain patriotic in the affairs of the Zone, Imo and Nigeria at large.

The Philantropist also donated the sum of N570,000 to one Onwuka Izuchukwu Daniel to facilitate his academic journey abroad. A visibly elated Daniel said;

"My Brothers and Sisters, I am Onwuka Izuchukwu Samuel."

"I am from Nkwerre LGA, Orlu Zone, In Imo State"

" I enjoin you to join me to thank Rt. Hon. Sir Jones Onyereri Ph.D, KSP Foundation for helping me secure my future."

Indeed, they are truly exhibiting their slogan in reality which says, "Touching Lives"

"Over the weekend, Friday to be precised, I put a call across to Rt. Hon. Dr. Jones Onyereri, for his Financial Assistance towards my overseas's academic Journey which is being hindered by fund. Immediately, he asked me to come to his house if I was truly sure that fund was my challenge. Yesterday morning, I was in his house in Owerri and I went there with every necessary documents and there and then he directed his Foundation, Jones Foundation to sign a cheque of my request which was FIVE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THOUSAND (570, 000) and it was immediately done and presented to me as you can see in these pictures."

" I am happy and thankful to Jones Foundation and the person of Rt. Hon. Sir Dr. Jones Onyereri KSP, for his kind gesture towards me and others. It's my earnest prayer that God in heaven shall continue to provide for him and his family at every point of their need. I pray that God shall perfect all that concerns him and grant him every of his heart desires, Amen."

"God bless Sir Jones."

Nigeria needs a President who understands the needs of the Nigerian people, a Southerner (preferably Igbo or Yoruba) who is not a regular politician but an aggressive and successful businessman, Austyn Ogannah, Publisher of THEWILL Newspaper, has said.

Ogannah spoke on Sunday while appearing as the guest on “The Discourse,” a Classic FM 97.3 radio programme.

Speaking on the topic, “Finding Nigeria’s Next President,” Ogannah said the perfect driver to take the country through total reconstruction in 2023 must be authoritative enough to reinvent the ship that will sail the people into the right direction.

He said this must be a Nigerian who understands that the country is presently marred by insecurity, divisions and lacking citizens’ commitment to the project called Nigeria.

According to Ogannah, the next President must be a Southern Nigerian, who is healthy and must not be above 70 years old at the time he finishes his tenure in office.

“Nigeria must elect someone, a hybrid personality that is a southerner, a businessman or woman, who knows how to create jobs, create wealth, someone who is not your typical politician and is acceptable to all the key interests in the country so we can unite as people and move forward. This person must have a blend of Igbo and Yoruba in them so that the agitations from the South East and South West can be calmed,” he said. “It has to be someone from the private sector with administrative experience.”

Ogannah said Nigerians have suffered too much to allow an uncreative mind with no track record of business qualities, to emerge as President in 2023.

He said: “The next Nigeria President must be a detribalised successful industrialist or entrepreneur”
He must be a President who will unify the nation state and satisfy the needs of the country, he added.

He recalls how Nigerians missed the opportunity to form a viable pressure group with the EndSARS solidarity.
According to Ogannah, the EndSARS was a tool that would have been used to negotiate a better Nigeria but unfortunately it lost its value.

EndSARS, he said, was the only umbrella that had successfully united Nigerians.

He expected it to evolve into a pressure group to ensure the major political parties present viable candidates who understand what Nigeria needs, and lamented that the unique opportunity was lost.

He therefore called for solidarity among the elite to occupy the vacuum EndSARS left in order to present credible candidates in the 2023 presidential election.

This they must do because the present challenges in the country affect everybody –rich, poor and elite.

“The rich have become poor and the poor poorer,” he lamented, saying that as a result, everyone must show interest in who emerges as the next President in 2023, especially with the rate of rising agitations and insecurity in the country.

Ogannah also lamented the poor reading culture among Nigerians, adding that one of the challenges in the country is lack of political awareness among Nigerians because of their poor reading culture.

Advocating a way forward, Ogannah called on publishers to ensure that a minimum of 5,000 copies of their production are sent as complimentary copies to primary, secondary and tertiary Institutions in the country as their contributions to curbing the poor reading culture.

Speaking on internal wrangling among the two major political parties, Ogannah said, “What is happening is not new,” and went on to describe the squabbles as recurring events of every oncoming election.

He added that the wranglings are expressions of realigning interests.

“The fights are all about the wrangling for positions, as the two major political parties walk into the major event of the National Convention,” he added.

The Nigerian Police Force has declared two sons of the Late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko, wanted for stealing the royal crown.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Prince Onyowoli Emiko and Prince Omatsuli Emiko are currently wanted for breaking into the Private apartment of HRM Olu of Warri and stealing the Royal Crown.

Warrants of Arrest have been issued for both men by a Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo state.

POLITICS NIGERIA is in possession of the special police gazzette bulletin declaring both men wanted.

It was issued by the Force Criminal Investigation Department Zone '5' Headquarters, Benin City on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali.

President Buhari has signed the controversial petroleum Bill into law, POLITICS NIGERIA has learned.

The president signed the Petroleum Industry Bill 2021 into law on monday. Working from home in five days quarantine as required by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 after returning from London on Friday August 13, the President assented to the Bill in his determination to fulfill his constitutional duty.

The ceremonial part of the new legislation will be done on Wednesday, after the days of mandatory isolation would have been fulfilled.

The Petroleum Industry Act provides legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry, the development of host communities, and related matters.

The Senate had passed the Bill on July 15, 2021, while the House of Representatives did same on July 16, thus ending a long wait since early 2000s, and notching another high for the Buhari administration.

Prophet Joshua Iginla, the General overseer of Champions Royal Assembly, Abuja has attacked Rev. Chris Okotie over his recent video criticising and disparaging the late Prophet TB Joshua.

Iginla, in sermon on Sunday, described Okotie as a 'disgrace to christianity' and one suffering from a 'Mental Problem'. Okotie drew severe criticisms last week when he called the late Joshua a 'Magician carrying a bible'.

In footage seen by POLITICS NIGERIA, Iginla can be heard saying;

"Pastor Chris Okotie is a disgrace to the body of christ."

"How do you talk about the dead in this manner? How? Don't you know that those who live in Glass houses don't throw stones at others who live in Glass houses?"

"You did politics, you failed! Ministry? You failed!"

"I have told you if you live 1000 years, you cannot stand the exploits of TB Joshua."

"Okotie is having a Mental Problem, he needs psychiatric attention."

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Nigeria a day after visiting the National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The President at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 18:45 pm on Friday. Mr. Buhari has been away in London for three weeks.

He travelled to the UK on July 26, 2021, to attend the Global Partnership for Education Summit before undergoing a scheduled medical check-up.

Governor Nasir El-rufai had lunch with Senator Uba Sani and close associates in London on Friday amidst rumours of ill-health.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that El-rufai is hale and hearty. It can be recalled that it was widely rumoured that the governor was hurriedly flown out of the country on Thursday after falling mysteriously sick.

The Kaduna governor and his associates had lunch in an Indian restaurant in london on Friday.

Speaking on the meeting, Senator Sani wrote of social media;

"Our dear Kaduna State on our minds: So much grounds were covered today with the inimitable Governor Nasir El-Rufai as we brainstormed, as usual, with other team members, this morning in London, on ways on furthering and sustaining the all-round developmental strides in Kaduna State."

We all detest dictatorship when we are the victims of its reverberations, but when we wear the jackboots and are handing down orders, censures; singling shots, cutting down, attacking and destroying other people we palliate our actions. In most cases, we subsume our venture in tyranny as ‘’activism’’ – a term that has now become nebulous and an umbrella for highwaymen clutching the banner of civil advocacy.

There is a dictator in every Nigerian. We want to be heard, but we do not want to hear others. Even when we listen, it is not to understand but to muster ammunition for a belligerent response. The falcon does not hear the falconer. We have become so regimented in our cerebration that any view which does not follow a ‘’popular solitary narrative’’ is blitzed, and the messenger assailed ruthlessly.

It must be our way or the highway to hell. A straitjacket opinion dominates the landscape and all contrary perspectives sentenced to silence. If you dare to think different or say different, you are cancelled, ridiculed, vilified and slandered. In our world, everyone must be on the bandwagon of the solitary narrative. Is this not a tyranny of opinion? Are we not dictators?

I have become a staple for vicious internet hobgoblins. These imps find my unyielding stance on national issues vexatious. To them, it is uncharacteristic for someone from the south-east to speak in defence of Nigeria or take a position away from the prevailing socio-political doctrine. Their run-off-the-mill argument is that since I am Igbo, I must defend the Igbo – whether for good or for evil. But I cannot fit into that provincial receptacle. It is not me. My calling is for humanity regardless of tribe, religion or political persuasion.

When it is time to take a righteous stand for any group whether – Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, Igala, Ibibio, or Ijaw – I will proudly do so. What affects one afflicts all of us.

Native mentation. This is our challenge -- to see in tribal silos and do not to think beyond the tribe. We must evolve beyond this drawback. Armies of Nigerians from different sections of the country must rise up and defend Nigeria and Nigerians. We should not always retreat into ethnic shells and interpret national matters by sectional prejudice. We must stand in the beautiful middle dividing nonsenses.

My stint in activism enriched my knowledge of civil advocacies – and their ugly underbelly. The clouds are not always white and robins do not always sing. The Nigerian civil society space is one that is tainted and blackened by ego, rapaciousness, and sleaze. I participated in some advocacies in the past with a mind brimming with passion for Nigeria and a fist raised for a change in my country. I was naive. My dispassionate commitment to certain causes and conviction led me down the primrose path of deception. In my innocence, I assumed everyone raising a fist and parroting slogans had genuine intentions.

It was devastating for me when I realised some of these advocacies are well-oiled campaigns promoted by unclean characters. Most civil advocacies do not sprout organically. There is always a mighty hand behind the curtains pulling the marionettes.

There is also the all-knowing complex with the activism industry. ‘’Activists’’ appear to have the right prescriptions to Nigeria’s problems as well as the Midas touch to turn things around. They make pleasing noises; shout the loudest in the room, deliver wry but perfect one-liners, and seal every oration with powerful quotes from famous persons -- all by rote. They know what to say in every situation. But many of these advocates from the Nigerian ‘’activism community’’ found themselves in government and became what they stood against in their days in the trenches – and instead of bringing change, they caused government to atrophy with a Sadim touch.

A once vibrant activist with a mouth full of hot words revealed his true plumage and betrayed his hypocrisy when he became state governor and then national chairman of a major political party. There are many like that in the activism community waiting for their turn at the table. And while they are waiting they must keep shouting until their mouth is fed.

While the ‘’activism community’’ claims to be at war with tyranny, it does not brook opposition. Members who do a volt-face or have a change of perspective are ‘’de-comraded’’ or dismissed as ‘’compromised’’. There is a dictatorship of opinion in the activism community. It must be ‘’attack, tear down, criticise and pull down’’. If you happen to point out the flickers of hope in the system, you are reduced to a quisling.

This does not obviate the place of genuine activists – those whose singular pursuit is to see a better Nigeria. Even in a crate of rotten eggs, we still have the unsoiled ones.

There is a dictator in every Nigerian. We hold those in government to scrutiny for alleged acts of tyranny while ignoring our complicity. We should hear one another. If you insist only your way must stand, how are you different from Idi Amin? Dictatorship stirs resistance. When you come to people from a position of tyranny, naturally they will resist you. This is a normal human reaction. No one wants to be dictated to, no one wants to be pushed around or made to feel like an indentured slave. We should hear one another.

By Fredrick ‘Mr One Nigeria’ Nwabufo

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @FredrickNwabufo