₦airaland Forum

Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the last general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has warned that democracy in Nigeria is under grave threat, lamenting that it has been hijacked by the elite and reduced to a tool for state capture.


Obi, in a statement released in Onitsha by his media aide, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, said this while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Annual Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, themed “What Makes Democracy Die?”

He described democracy as a system rooted in accountability, service to the people, security, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, but regretted that Nigeria’s democratic practice had strayed far from these ideals.

“Democracy in Nigeria is under threat because it no longer serves the people or holds leaders accountable,” Obi declared. “Regrettably, it has been reduced to a tool for elite state capture, granting access to public resources for private and family interests.”

According to him, democracy dies when leaders stop prioritising citizens’ needs and institutions cease to uphold accountability. “Nigeria is a typical example of this tragic reality,” he added.

The former presidential candidate stressed that reversing the decline of democracy in Nigeria would require the electorate to take governance and elections seriously by voting only for leaders with competence, capacity, character, compassion, and commitment to service.

F2st5s:
And you want the appeal to be overlooked by the Senate?

Wallade:
Yes, she has a right to appeal and we appreciate the fact that she exercised it.

So she has to wait this one through, pending the determination of the court case she has instituted.

Benbellamor:
Natasha herself took the matter to the court of appeal thereby providing the Senate with Excuse to further delay her return

From All indication Natasha is not ready for peace..... I doubt if she will resume this year

FOR the 181 days that constitute its legislative year, the Nigerian Senate has been needlessly embroiled in the Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan suspension saga, which has deprived the Kogi Central Senatorial District of representation. Therefore, the Senate and its leadership should end the impasse immediately.

Indeed, if the list of legislative activities in the Senate in the last six months is compiled, the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan over sexual allegations and seating arrangement issues will vie for the lead.

Contrary to its mandate, the Senate is trivialising the weighty issues of development confronting Nigeria by concentrating on shutting out Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The standoff began over a disputed seating arrangement between the embattled senator and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Her protest prompted the Senate to walk her out of the chamber for disobeying the Senate President.


Akpoti-Uduaghan petitioned the Senate, alleging that Akpabio was humiliating her because she rejected the sexual overtures he made to her, insisting that her suspension was politically motivated.

Akpabio denied the allegations. The Senate thus placed her on a six-month suspension in March.

While Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken her case to the courts and other platforms to vacate the suspension to no avail, the Senate has spoken through its relevant officers, insisting that the matter has nothing to do with sexual allegations but everything to do with the embattled senator’s contravention of the rules of the lawmaking body.

The Red Chamber justified the six-month suspension despite the court ruling to the contrary. This unnecessary dissipating of energy and wasting of legislative time over a simple matter of seating arrangement is needless.

Binta Nyako, judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in July, described the six-month suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered the Senate to recall the embattled senator.

It is extremely harsh for the Senate to suspend a member for 180 days out of its 181 legislative period, thus exposing the constituents to non-representation during the period.

Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to return to the Senate but was denied access. The upper chamber insisted that she must serve her full term.

After serving out her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a letter dated August 28, notified the Clerk of the National Assembly of her intention to resume on September 4.

While the world was expecting the Senate to accept Akpoti-Uduaghan back, the upper chamber wrote to her through the Acting Clerk to the NASS, Yahaya Danzaria, notifying the embattled senator that her six-month suspension subsists until the Court of Appeal delivers judgement in the suit she instituted against the Senate.

Some lawyers condemned the Senate’s decision, saying the upper house is “petty,” “vindictive,” and “overreaching itself.”

The court case being referred to relates to the six-month suspension, as to its validity and constitutionality.

The Senate’s handling of the Akpoti-Uduaghan saga undermines the purpose and essence of democratic representation and lawmaking.

Denying Akpoti-Uduaghan entry into the Senate after serving out her suspension violates Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, which gives her constituents the right of representation.

Previously, the Senate suspended some members, including Ovie Omo-Agege, Abdul Ningi and Ali Ndume.

The purpose of denying her resumption until the pending case is resolved when she has served out her six-month suspension in full is unclear, since the prayer before the Court of Appeal is about the legality of her suspension.

If Akpoti Uduaghan wins the case under reference, taxpayers will be paying for the arrogance of the Senate.

This legislative impunity disenfranchises a people, diminishes democracy, and gives the country a bad name.

Consequently, the Senate should allow Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume duty.

Better still, the Red Chamber, from which demonstrable maturity is expected, should find an amicable political solution to the impasse. The Senate must show leadership and discretion while eschewing pettiness.

A recent claim that Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State is bigger than the entire South-East geopolitical zone has stirred debate across the country.

The Claim
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger made the claim while appearing on TVC’s Politics on Sunday.


According to him, “I have a local government in Niger State, Borgu which is bigger than the entire South East Nigeria”.

The vastness of Niger State is not in doubt as Nigeria’s largest state by landmass, stretching across diverse landscapes that touch the Middle Belt and the far North. Also, Borgu district is often described as one of the biggest in the country.

But a closer look at the facts shows that while Borgu with its headquarters in New Bussa, is renowned for its vast expanse land, the claim does not hold up against official figures.

Borgu is home to the Kainji National Park and other natural reserves that account for a large portion of its territory. Findings showed that Borgu covers about 10,992 square kilometres, though some sources put it at 11,267 square kilometres.

To put it in perspective, Borgu is bigger than Lagos State, which measures just about 3,577 square kilometres, and also larger than Anambra State, which is about 4,844 square kilometres.

The South-East region, one of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, comprises Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.


These five states are among the smallest in Nigeria by landmass, yet together they form a significant region.

Comparing in terms of land area, Abia State has 6,320 km², Anambra, 4,844 km²; Ebonyi 5,670 km²; Enugu, 7,161 km² and Imo State 5,530 km².

Taken together, the South-East covers approximately 29,525 km² and the figures become clearer when placed side by side with Borgu LGA covering about 11,000 km² and South-East Region, 29,500 km².

Even at a higher reported size, Borgu amounts to only about 37 percent of the South-East’s land area, meaning that the region is nearly three times bigger than the local government.


The governor’s “mix-up” is not without precedent. Borgu has historically been known as a kingdom stretching across present-day Nigeria and Benin Republic.

The broader “Borgu” was indeed massive, much larger than a single Nigerian region today. Over time, the term has been narrowed to denote the administrative LGA within Niger State, which is far smaller.

Another source of confusion is the frequent comparison between Borgu and individual states. Borgu is bigger than several states in Nigeria, and that fact is often cited to emphasize its size. However, being larger than one or two small states is very different from being bigger than an entire geopolitical zone comprising five states.


The Verdict
The evidence is clear: Borgu Local Government Area is not bigger than the South-East. At about 11,000 km², Borgu is a vast LGA, even exceeding some states in size. But compared to the combined 29,525 km² of the South-East, it falls short by a wide margin.

Conclusion
Governor Bago’s assertion that Borgu is larger than the entire South-East is false. While Niger State can boast of having some of the largest LGAs in Nigeria, including Borgu, the South-East region remains nearly three times its (Borgu) size. The claim, though perhaps intended to highlight Niger’s geographical spread, does not align with established data.

favor914:
Trying to be smart as usual, but not been clever? Abuja is the center, The Federal Capital Territory, The region of all regions, the father & mother of the regions, although it is the last born.

Tinubu is not a regional man, from the Atlantic Ocean in the South , to the Sahara desert in the North, he is known as Jagaban Borgu, the father of Jagabanization.

The sooner u get with the program Roberto, the better for u.

favor914:
Emancipate Yourself From Mental Slavery, None But Ourselves, Can Free Our Minds.

Go & help yourself Roberto Carlos, because President Tinubu ain’t doing nothing for u men !!!!

You can wait from now till Elijah returns, nothing for u.

Factcheck0001:
tinubu protested in his region which Lagos is part of n moved it to Abuja.


U chinedu can protest in anambara n move d rest to Abuja, so protest in your region n if e pepper u reach body move d rest to Abuja

Factcheck0001:
nobody is afraid of protest, all we are saying is go n protest in your region.

U mentioned Tinubu, when tinubu was in opposition n he protested, he did it in his own region n not another man's region.

So I don't think it's bad if charity begin at home for u people coupled with the fact that u have many things to protest against in your region


Sit at home
Gentle d Yahoo n his boys
Riff Raff's sacking communities
Endless kidnap by locals
Cannibalism n co
Bad governance
Corruption
Sales of fake products n baby factory

Y leave all these things happening in your region n claim u want to protest in another man's region?

No b hypocrisy b that?

Clean your house first before saying u want to clean another man's house


I believe that's not too hard to ask

Simple

Putindbutt:
Lol, Gazette and fake news , the darling fake blog of wailers

bentenny:
I was expecting @Peterobiisathie to be the one to post this message or is it because it affects people from his own region?
Smh

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have felicitated with Muslims on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Maulud, even as they raised concerns that the country was inching closer to outright dictatorship.

In a goodwill message issued on Friday, the PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, congratulated Muslims across the country and urged them to emulate the virtues of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The forum’s Director General, Dr Emmanuel Agbo, who signed the statement, said the Prophet’s message of peace, tolerance, and service to humanity remained relevant to the country’s search for stability.

“Today, we honor the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), whose life and teachings continue to illuminate the path of compassion, justice, and unity for millions around the world.


“His message of peace, tolerance, and service to humanity resonates deeply across all faiths and cultures. As we reflect on his legacy, may we be inspired to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, promote understanding, and work together toward a more harmonious society,” the governors said.

The PDP governors, however, lamented what they described as increasing disconnection between Nigerians and the basic services they are entitled to under the current administration.

“Today, our country is at a crossroad as Nigerians get disconnected from the constituted services they deserve. As we inch daily to full-blown dictatorship with its attendant abuse of power and citizens live in abject penury in the face of plenty, leadership is once again called to urgently address insecurity, our compromised judicial system, failed economic policies resulting in intolerable hunger, poverty and unemployment,” the statement read in part.

They urged Muslims to let the Prophet’s teachings of compassion, justice, and unity guide their lives, stressing that the values of humility, accountability, and truth must remain central to rebuilding citizens’ faith in the country.

“Let this day be a reminder of the values we should uphold and share — public service with accountability, kindness without expectation, humility, and the pursuit of truth to rebuild the faith of our citizens in our country. May your celebrations be filled with joy, prayer, and meaningful connection with loved ones,” the governors added.

Nigerians lead asylum applications in Ireland
Ireland grants work permits to Nigerians, other foreign workers. Nigeria has become the top source of asylum seekers in Ireland, according to new figures released by the country’s Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

The department’s August report revealed that Ireland received 1,164 new asylum applications in July 2025, down from 1,735 in July 2024 — a sharp decline year-on-year. Between January and July 2025, applications totaled 7,207, representing a 42 percent drop compared to 12,236 during the same period last year.

Nigeria topped the list with 1,083 applications, followed by Pakistan (945), Somalia (933), Afghanistan (767), and Georgia (462).

The report also highlighted progress in reducing Ireland’s backlog of asylum claims. At the end of September 2024, there were 23,863 pending cases at the International Protection Office (IPO). By July 2025, that number had dropped to 18,323.

Authorities noted an increase in resolved cases, with 1,755 applications concluded in July 2025 compared to 1,294 in July 2024. However, the department stressed that the figures, extracted on August 8, remain operational and subject to updates as cases are processed.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom continues to grapple with record-high asylum numbers, reporting nearly 89,000 applications in the year to June 2025, with a backlog exceeding 224,000 cases awaiting decisions or appeals.

Tension is mounting in Ipetumodu, the headquarters of Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, following the mysterious disappearance of sacred regalia belonging to the Apetu stool, barely two weeks after its occupant, Oba Joseph Oloyede, was sentenced to prison in the United States for COVID-19 fraud.

The missing artefacts include the revered Aare crown and a collection of ancient royal beads, symbols that embody centuries of Ipetumodu’s royal heritage.

Sources within the community allege that aides and close associates of the embattled monarch were involved in the evacuation of the regalia from his private residence, which has served as the temporary palace since the demolition of the original royal court.


A respected chieftain from one of the ruling houses expressed deep concern about the implications for the town’s future.

“The crown is gone, and those behind its disappearance may not understand the consequences. Without the crown and beads, the enthronement of a new monarch could be plunged into crisis.

“More importantly, they risk provoking the wrath of the deities that guard this community,” he warned, urging those responsible to return the items before “it becomes too late.”


The development comes on the heels of Oba Oloyede’s conviction in the United States. The monarch, who holds dual Nigerian and American citizenship, was arrested in May 2025 alongside Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi.

DAILY POST recalls that earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko sentenced Oloyede to 56 months in prison for his role in a $4.2 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme.

Community elders fear that the twin crises, the monarch’s imprisonment abroad and the disappearance of sacred regalia at home, could leave Ipetumodu in a spiritual and cultural dilemma, particularly in succession matters.

wowcatty:
I don’t know why I have to answer this everyday.
Yes, Tinubu is Yoruba, his ancestry is clear.

The unofficial race for the 2027 presidential election continued yesterday, with former President Goodluck Jonathan berating Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN; and Professor Chidi Odinkalu, a law teacher, over their opposition to his presidential bid, and warned them to keep off his political journey.

Messrs Keyamo and Odinkalu had warned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, not to give its presidential ticket to Jonathan to actualise his rumoured plan to return to the presidency in 2027.

In separate media posts, Keyamo and Odinkalu contended that Jonathan’s attempt to contest the 2027 presidential election will face a legal challenge as he had been sworn in twice.

However, Jonathan, responding through his brother, Robert Azibaola, warned the two legal practitioners to steer clear of his bid to return to the Presidency, arguing that it is none of their business to dabble into it.

According to him, Jonathan is qualified to run.

This came on a day the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, said former President Jonathan is being deceived to run and cautioned that handing former Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi, a presidential ticket will spell doom for the PDP.

Boasting about President Bola Tinubu’s re-election chances, Wike, who said he is ready to place a bet, also dismissed former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai’s claim that President Tinubu will come a distant third in the 2027 presidential election, describing the assertion as faulty and mathematically inaccurate.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said Nigerians, not the All Progressives Congress, APC, or the opposition PDP will determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.

Jonathan doesn’t need Keyamo, Odinkalu’s counsel — Azibaola

Azibaola wrote on his verified Facebook page yesterday: “Dear Festus Keyamo, SAN, Chidi Odinkalu (Prof.) I greet both of you.

“For the record, three of us are lawyers. We all were pro-demcracy activists in the 90s, and I was a better activist than both of you combined.

“Rule No. I: Do not offer legal advice where none is solicited. GEJ (PDP) has numerous, more cerebral, more experienced SANs at his disposal that give him sound, unblemished, professional legal advice only. “Please note: GEJ is 100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest, if he chooses to. If he chooses not to yield to the overwhelming calls to run, it would not be because he is not qualified.

“Your screwed, unsolicited legal view is not of any concern in his bucket list, and it will never be. Don’t waste your precious time dwelling on this.

“Or should I schedule a meeting with me so you can get properly educated on the subsisting court judgments on this, one of which your party, APC, was a party?

“I beg una, make we no dey put too much water inside belle for another person disco dance, make long line no form for latrine door). This is not a confirmation that GEJ is running, though,” Azibaola wrote.

Although Jonathan has not yet officially declared to run for the 2027 election, opponents in other political parties have already begun to attack his candidacy, arguing that he should not return so as not to jeopardise the chances of the South to maintain the presidency.

It is still unclear, though, if the former president, who is being wooed by some PDP leaders will run or not, given what appears as early attempts by some elements to shoot his ambition down before he even makes a formal declaration.

Jonathan’s being misled — Wike

Speaking in a televised media chat, yesterday, Wike accused some PDP leaders of arrogance and a lack of integrity, stressing that the party had failed to learn from its past mistakes.

He warned that for the 2027 presidential election, Jonathan is being misled by some political hawks into contesting.

His words: “In the road up to 2023, I told my colleagues that PDP was shooting itself in the foot. You cannot have the presidential candidate and, at the same time, the national chairman of the party. They stole the presidential ticket and also took the national chairmanship. I said it would purge them, and it did. I have no regrets.”

He further cautioned Jonathan not to allow himself to be used again by politicians who deceived him in the past.

“I know Jonathan very well. He has international respect and should maintain that. These same people weighing Jonathan down are the ones who played him in 2015.

They are only trying to cause confusion in the party,” Wike added. He also criticised Nigeria’s political culture, noting that candidates who lose elections rarely accept defeat without raising allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. “Tell me which election INEC conducted that people didn’t complain about. Is there anybody who has lost an election in this country and has come out to concede, apart from Jonathan? Mention one,” he staTES

The minister urged politicians to emulate former President Jonathan who conceded defeat in 2015, stressing that Nigerians must stop making excuses after elections.

“We have this spirit of always complaining. I don’t like excuses. What I cannot achieve, I will say it is not possible. But people must also learn to concede for the sake of national interest,” Wike added.

‘Drafting Obi, recipe for disaster’

Wike dismissed moves by some stakeholders to draft Obi into the 2027 race, describing it as a recipe for disaster.

“Bring Obi to where? You want to kill the party, even more? Obi was the one abusing the PDP, calling it rotten.

Now, is the same party good enough for him to pursue ambition? Ambition can even make people go to Satan’s house. If you want to destroy this party, dare it. Let Obi come, there is nowhere he will go,” Wike declared.

El-Rufai wrong about Tinubu’s chances

Wike also faulted el-Rufai’s claim that President Tinubu will come third in the 2027 presidential election, saying el-Rufai “failed in his mathematics” by predicting Tinubu’s third-place finish without identifying who will come first and second.

‘’He goofed. He should have completed it since he claimed Tinubu will come third. How did he arrive at who would be third without arriving at who would be first and second?”

The minister said he is confident about Tinubu’s chances during the election, adding “I will put a bet,Tinubu will win this election squarely.”

On suggestions of a possible runoff, Wike said “which runoff? With who? It is not possible.”

I’m not running
The FCT minister also rejected insinuations that he harbours presidential ambitions, ahead of 2027, saying his position had always been clear.

“I have integrity, I have character. The person who appointed me is there. We are saying he should run. Then I will turn around to say I want to run? What kind of thing is that? How will my children even look at me? I will not run for president,” he stressed.

Nigerians, not APC or PDP, will decide 2027 — Atiku

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said Nigerians would determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential election, not the APC or PDP

Atiku’s Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, stated this in an exclusive interview with Vanguard in Abuja yesterday, insisting that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, coalition being built ahead of 2027 is people-driven and already attracting broad support from political stakeholders and civil society groups.

“The APC and PDP may have dominated politics for a while, but what is crystal clear, and more important, is the fact that Nigerians themselves are the real force, and they will determine what happens in 2027.

“The APC may think it will continue to dominate the political space called Nigeria, but no, the people are the ones who will always remain, as long as Nigeria exists. The most important element is the Nigerian people,” Ibe said.

He explained that there was growing enthusiasm among Nigerians to take control of their destinies, noting that various groups had begun aligning with the coalition.

Ibe pointed to recent political realignments as evidence of the coalition’s momentum, disclosing a major development occurred in Lagos where thousands of PDP stakeholders formally defected to the ADC.

“We saw what happened in Lagos recently, where 5,000 critical stakeholders and PDP leaders transferred their services and assets to the ADC. Many more are on their way. A lot is happening, yes,” he noted.

With defections gathering pace and civic groups rallying behind the coalition, Ibe maintained that the political dynamics ahead of 2027 pointed to a contest where the will of Nigerians, not the dominance of APC or PDP, would shape the outcome.

The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Felix Morka has taken a swipe at former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar over his comments on the recent Rivers State local government polls.


Morka described the comments as reckless and a call to anarchy.

He stated this on Monday while responding to questions in an interview on Arise Television.


The APC spokesman dismissed Atiku’s claim that the election represented a travesty of democracy, insisting that his words carried no weight.

“It doesn’t hold any water because it’s simply a call to anarchy by a former vice president who is sulking, whose party showed nothing in that election, was a no show, didn’t perform, didn’t call out their members because they don’t have any members in that state,” Morka said.

According to him, Atiku’s words should not be taken seriously by the people of Rivers State.