₦airaland Forum

Miramonica:
yes now, just to be double sure the money is complete. He no need ojoro.

I wonder when corruption will leave the system...

The Nigeria police is the FACE of corruption in Nigeria.

There are other institutions that are more corrupt than the police in Nigeria.

@ Nigeria immigration
@ Nigeria customs
@ Efcc

chigoziri2403:
Look how unkempt he is
No one knows how many days he has been on the road
My question is who do they remit to

It's from the bottom to the top.

But they will deny him now that he has been caught pant down.

But both the giver and receiver are culpable.

As of late 2024, approximately 18.3 million children in Nigeria remain out-of-school, making it the country with the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, according to a UNICEF report. This staggering figure represents 15 per cent of the global total of out-of-school children.

Despite the pressing need for educational investment, Nigeria allocates only 7.3% of its national budget to education-significantly below UNESCO’s recommended range of 15-20%. However, some states, such as Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna, have made commendable efforts by dedicating over 26% of their budgets to education in 2025, as noted in the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report.

Moreover, around 1.9 million Nigerian children face serious protection risks, including violence, child labor, early marriage, abuse, neglect, exploitation, sexual violence, psychological distress, and recruitment by non-state armed groups, according to UNICEF’s Humanitarian Situation and Needs report. Alarmingly, 6 out of 10 children experience physical or sexual violence before reaching adulthood.

Above figures keep soaring every year, showing that the state has not done enough for many reasons which are avoidable if it has taken ownership of every Nigerian child.

Nelson Mandela in one of his quotes stated that “there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” This quote encapsulates the idea that how we care for our most vulnerable members reflects our values as a society. A state that prioritizes children’s welfare understands that investing in their development leads to a stronger, more prosperous future for all.

When someone else takes responsibility for a child, it often indicates that the parents are either dead or are not responsible to give such a child a future. This reality compels individuals and organisations to step in and care for these children, understanding that neglecting their needs today may lead to societal repercussions tomorrow.

This is evident in the proliferation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dedicated to supporting vulnerable children. These NGOs often serve as lifelines for orphans and at-risk youth, providing food, shelter, education, and emotional support.

Reliance on NGOs and community efforts underscores a significant gap in state responsibility. The state must recognise that when children are left without proper care, it poses a risk not only to the individual child’s future but also to societal stability as a whole.

Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs are limited in finance to shelter and feed them successfully. It’s the government that has the resources to take the children out of the street, feed and redirect their minds from hooliganism, kidnapping, banditry just to mention a few, towards positive futures that will benefit everyone no matter their numbers.

Western nations have long understood this principle. By treating children as its own, investing in their education, health care, and overall well-being, these countries have fostered environments where children can thrive.

This proactive approach not only secures a better future for the children but also reduces critical issues such as poverty, child mortality, and crime rates. When children are nurtured in safe and supportive environments, they are less likely to become victims of exploitation or engage in criminal behaviour.

The need for state involvement becomes even more pressing when considering systemic issues like child labor, trafficking, and violence against children. These problems often arise from socio-economic factors that can be mitigated through comprehensive state policies aimed at safeguarding children’s rights.

By allocating resources and implementing programs focused on education, mental health support, and family assistance, the state can create an environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed.

In the context of Western societies, when we say that a child “belongs to the state,” the concept encompasses a range of essential services and rights, including:

•Free Public Education where children have the right to attend public schools without charge, ensuring they receive a basic education. Free education that is truly free.

•Special Education Services: For children with disabilities or special needs, the state provides tailored educational programs and resources.

•Healthcare Services: Many Western countries offer access to healthcare services for children, including preventive care, vaccinations, and treatment for illnesses.

•Mental Health Support: Access to mental health services is increasingly recognised as essential for children’s well-being.

•School Meal Programs where states provide free or subsidised meals in schools to ensure that children receive proper nutrition. We have it but clarity in implementation remains a challenge.

•There are programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) that help families afford nutritious food.

•Laws are in place to protect children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Child protective services investigate reports of maltreatment.

•There is Foster Care and Adoption Services for children who cannot live with their biological families, the state provides foster care and adoption services to find stable, loving homes.

•Financial aid and resources are available to low-income families to help support their children.

•They have various programs that offer counselling for children facing emotional or psychological challenges.

•Many states support community programs that provide children with opportunities to engage in sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities.

•Children can access public parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities. Ours is turned to money-making ventures for private individuals or private homes.

•In many jurisdictions, children have a voice in decisions that affect their lives, particularly in cases of custody or care arrangements.

•There are laws that protect children’s personal information and privacy rights.

All of the above are enjoyed by the rich and the few who could afford to take their children to the society that has taken ownership of their children. Why not take ownership of Nigerian children and make our society better for everyone?

The investment in our children is an investment in the very fabric of our society. Only when we ensure that every child belongs to the state, receiving the care and support they need that we can truly claim to be a forward-thinking society.

It is time for the state to embrace its role as a guardian of children’s rights and well-being by recognising that every child deserves love, protection, and opportunities for growth.

Children’s Day celebrated every May 27th, serves as a poignant reminder of our responsibilities toward the younger generation. It is a day dedicated to celebrating children and advocating for their well-being, development, and protection, hence the purpose of this article.

With alarming statistics highlighting failures in various aspects of child development year after year, this is a call to action for the state to take ownership of its children. We must review our progress, identify remaining obstacles, and devise strategies to overcome them.

it’s time for the state to take ownership of the child!.

Happy Children’s Day!


© 2025 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria

CoronaVirusPro:
If people did you wrong the first time, NEVER give them a second chance to do you wrong.

You can always build mutual relationships from a distance.

Human being is imperfect including you,we learn and unlearn in the process of living.

So he should be given a second chance as he is holding the olive branch

Peakdesign23:
What's wrong with Nigeria? Security no follow again, living in Nigeria now is just like risking your own life. Tufiakwa!

Have you not read that politicians and the military are behind the insecurity

Wakatumbit:
I've made some previous posts about how my wife threatens me with leaving our marriage everytime we have small issues (I didn't post it with this account).
She always threaten to leave anytime we have misunderstandings, not even only misunderstandings, even when we are having normal conversations and someone refers to maybe a bad marriage experience, she always says if it's her she will leave. I've spoken to her about it several times, I have even spoken to her family about the issue but it keeps repeating itself.

She has this kind of mentality that she can leave the marriage at any time I do something to her and she repeats it every time, the last one was during an outing when we had a misunderstanding, even before hearing my own side of the story, she said she already tired of the marriage and wants to leave, so I told her to go if she wants. The next morning, she came to wake me up and told me she doesn't want to do again that she wants to leave, she said she'll call her people and I should call my people. I said fine.

I told my family about it, and they supported me because a woman can't threaten me with marriage after one child.

Another thing my wife does is that she constantly compares me to other men, telling people I don't provide for my family, I don't take care of her, to the extent her friends are telling her that if a man doesn't provide for his woman, then he's pushing her out to meet other men.

In regards to the issue of providing, when we met, things were going very well, it was just the two of us and I had money at the time, I took her on vacation, booked flights for her, bought her hairs, a new phone and all. But now we have a child, added responsibilities, and money isn't as it used to be before but one thing I never do is to starve my family.

Last year I made close to 20m but I didn't see the money, not because I'm an extravagant spender but because of family expenses, I can't even explained what happened to the money aside the fact that I bought a car.

I opened a business for her with almost 3 million, the business crumbled, she doesn't want to do anything, she stays home all day just pressing phone. If I don't have any money at all she can't support me, she calls me for everything, even to as little as salt in the house.

She started comparing our marriage to when she was single, that she used to wear the lastest clothes and buy the lastest hair, and now she's married she doesn't get those things forgetting those where the thing I used to do for her when there was enough money.


This whole thing has made me tired of the marriage and I don't feel like continuing it any more, I've told her to call her people since she doesn't want to continue the marriage so they can return the bride price. I just want to focus on my life

My friend,every marriage is like that.

Women are fond of using these words repeatedy.

Marriage is patience

A group of heavily armed kidnappers invaded Grow Homes Estate in the Chikakore area of Kubwa, Abuja’s largest suburban town, holding residents hostage for over an hour.

According to terrified residents, the incident occurred between midnight and 1:30 am on Monday.

One resident reported witnessing a man and a woman being taken away by the kidnappers. However, by daybreak, the woman was found within the estate, having been released by her captors for reasons that remain unclear.

“The incident happened around midnight. The assailants were well-armed and overpowered the local vigilance team.


“The police arrived at about 1 a.m., and there was a fierce exchange of gunfire for approximately 30 minutes.

“We are appealing to the government to repair this road to allow easy access for security patrol vehicles. We also urge the police and the FCT Administration to establish a station here for rapid response,” a resident said.


She said, “The FCT Police Command, on Monday, 26th May 2025, at about 1:00 a.m., received a distress call from police officers stationed in front of Grow Homes Estate, Kuchibuyi village in Byazhin, reporting an attack by armed assailants and requesting reinforcement.

“Upon swift deployment to the scene, it was discovered that the attackers had breached the estate through the rear perimeter fence and forcefully abducted two victims.

“The responding police officers exchanged gunfire with the attackers for about 40 minutes and rescued one of the victims, identified as Chinyere Joe. Unfortunately, the attackers escaped with the second victim.

“The Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with the army and other security operatives, has since launched an operation to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure the safe rescue of the remaining abducted victim.”

This incident comes just days after a similar attack on Efab Global Estate in the Idu Industrial Area of Abuja last Wednesday.

punchng.com © 1971- 2025 Punch Nigeria Limited

Imagine this coming from a naval chief,I am not surprised because in the western world, they find out the root cause of any problem but in Africa we pray for solution.

He's not to be blamed entirely because he's a product of the system,he cannot think otherwise.

Come to think of it, the military training they undergo abroad is a complete waste of state resources as no impact of it is felt back home

[quote author=ejibamui post=135507965]The future of Nigeria football is very bright.
Congratulations Remo Stars FC🏆[/quoteIt is the corruption in the NFF that is dragging Nigeria football backwards.

Nigeria has skilled and talented footballers

kedeojo:
Leave that takes of moon light. He knows what he is doing as a politician. Every governors want to control the state assembly and local government. Outside the illegal impeachment of chairmen he carried out by using the assembly members, he has been outstanding for the past six months. He is actually doing practical governance. I will rather have him as governor with is style of governance than have a grammatic governor with nothing to show. Una wey get governor wey be professor and PHD holder, come and compare your governors first six month to his own. No be by cho cho cho cho but show workings.

can you please mention any of his achievements for the past six months

patrickcollins:
That man doesn't know or understand numbers, the day I watched him embarrassing himself and the State during budget presentation it wasn't really shameful

Edo state has entered one chance

lexy2014:
but tinubu is a gofather that has consistently controlled literates

literates opposes and share ideas with their godfathers.Despite his control of the leaderships of Lagos state over the decades, there's appreciable development.

Edo state needs a first class human capital to handle the state and not this draft.

An illiterate is easy to control by a godfather, hence the state and the people will suffer.

He doesn't know his right from his left

Nigeria police are highly unprofessional in the discharge of their duties

It's Burna's, because he's an extrovert and very bossy and intimidating.

On the other hand,wizzy is an introvert,he doesn't show himself, you can't predict his next move.

Davido is cunning, you cannot predict his next move too,

Nearly three years after the tragic attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owo, suspected bandits have issued another threat to the same church in Ondo State.

Saturday Telegraph recalled that on June 5, 2022, gunmen stormed the church during service, killing and injuring numerous worshippers.

The community is now on edge again after receiving a new letter from suspected bandits, threatening a repeat attack.


In response, the Owo community, led by the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, has convened a security summit to address the rising insecurity in the area.

According to the summit’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bosun Oladimeji, the maiden edition of the Owo Security Summit, themed “Securing Owo and its Environ: Strategies for Community Safety and Resilience,” will be held next week.

The summit aims to raise awareness about community security, foster cooperation between residents and law enforcement, reduce crime, and propose sustainable security initiatives.


Oladimeji said recent incidents, including the bandits’ renewed threat and several kidnappings, have significantly affected the socio-economic life of the people, making proactive security measures imperative.

Dignitaries expected at the summit include Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr. Olayide Owolabi Adelami. Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi will chair the event, with Hon. Tope Omolayo, Owo LG Chairman, as Chief Host. The summit committee is chaired by Pastor Olugbenga Olumolawa, and Prof. Taiwo Adenegan will serve as anchor.


All security agencies, traditional rulers, and stakeholders have been invited to develop a unified response to the looming threat.


© 2024 All right reserved. New Telegraph, Nigeria

FIFA congratulates Remo Stars FC for winning the 2024/25 NPFL title, a historic feat as the first privately-owned club to claim the championship in over 20 years.
World Football governing body FIFA has officially congratulated Remo Stars FC on their historic feat as champions of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), signalling a landmark moment for the club in Nigerian football.

In a letter addressed to the club’s president and shared by the club on their social media accounts, FIFA praised Remo Stars for their “constant efforts and results throughout the season,” culminating in the prestigious league title.

The letter extended warm congratulations to every member of the team and club, recognising their dedication and achievement.

FIFA, via the president, Gianni Infantino, also thanked the Nigerian Football Federation under Ibrahim Gusau for its ongoing support and commitment to football development in the country.

Remo Stars were crowned NPFL champions after a commanding 4-1 victory over Ikorodu City at their home ground in Ikenne during Matchday 37.

Although they had already secured the title on Matchday 35, the final home game was a jubilant occasion, featuring the official trophy presentation and an electrifying atmosphere as fans celebrated the club’s first-ever top-flight league championship

Remo Stars are the first team from Ogun to lift the NPFL title.
The Sky Blue Stars’ victory is historic on multiple fronts: it ended a 20-year drought by becoming the first privately-owned club to win the NPFL trophy in over two decades and marked the first time Ogun State has produced a national top-flight league champion since its establishment in 1976.

Remo Stars’ remarkable achievement not only cements their place in Nigerian football history but also signals a new era of competitive club football in the country, potentially inspiring more private investment and regional pride across Nigeria.


Copyright © 2025 - Pulse.ng

Biafra: Under Tinubu, Southeast has only one minister, 3 assistant ministers— Uwazurike
‘Only Shagari, Obasanjo, Jonathan meant well for Igbo’
•Says May 30 can’t be wished away
By Nnamdi Ojiego

58 years after the declaration of Biafra, a former President of Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, insists that the struggle it represented is far from over.

In this interview, he reflects on the significance of May 30 for Igbo people, the historical trauma and resistance embodied in the Biafran cause, and ‘’despicable’’ treatment of Ndigbo in Nigeria’s political structure among others.

58 years after the declaration of Biafra, what does May 30 mean to Ndigbo today?
May 30 is in Igbo blood and Igbo DNA. Once it is in you, you must mark that date in one form or the other. You may mark it in your room, you may mark it outside, you may go to church but mark it, yes, we must. Two, what every family should tell their members in Igbo land is that May 30 is a date that can never be whished aside, can never be swept aside and must always be in our hearts.

What, in your view, are the most important lessons the Igbo nation has learned from the Biafran experience?

Well, it means a lot to many people. Not everybody agreed with the declaration of the State of Biafra and what followed. But then, for many of us, we mark that date, we remember that date, and the lesson will always be there. That one, push a man to the wall, even a coward has to react.


Two, there is a reaction to every action. And three, never tell a man what he can do? Telling a man what he can do? will have consequences on both sides.

That’s my very short answer to lessons, because there are no permanent lessons; every situation is different. The era that experienced May 30 1967, can never be the era today, but the lessons must be imbibed by all.

How would you describe the socio-political position of the Igbo people in today’s Nigeria?
Despicable! Despicable because there is this consistent unwritten rule that Igbo must be kept out of the political equation of this country, the political structure. Yes, we had people who meant well. We had people of integrity like Shehu Shagari, like Olusegun Obasanjo, like Yar’Adua, like Goodluck Jonathan. They made sure there was inclusion of all, not just the Igbo or Yoruba or Hausa/Fulani, of everybody in the political equation of Nigeria. But then that’s where it ended. Throughout the military era, we were just less than passengers.

We were more like conductors, conducting and watching people going to different destinations. And today, and yesterday, including Buhari’s era, we are back to that “siddon look.” In other words, nobody is getting the best politically out of the Igbo nation. As far as they are concerned, the Igbo must be subdued. With people like Buhari, the war is still on. Throughout his eight years in power, the war was on.


Unfortunately, the Igbo were not conquered. The Igbo are still standing. So the basic Igbo man up till today is still asking for a level playing ground. A level-playing ground that led to May 30, 1967, that’s what they’re asking for, and we’re still asking for it. If they think that we’ll get tired, believe me, nobody will get tired. The quest must be pursued to its conclusion. When they are going to lay their wreaths, on June 12 or October 1, that is where you see those who are actually ruling Nigeria. You will never see an Igbo person there as of today. You will not because the president, the vice president, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Federation, there is no Igbo person there.

Then in the order of protocols in this country, the president, the vice president, the Senate President, the Speaker, the Chief Justice, and then you begin to see the Deputy Senate President, then finally you will see the Deputy Speaker, who is more like an attachment in the equation. So when it comes to appointments in this country today, we are just doing another “siddon look”. Let me ask you, how many ministers do the five Southeastern states have? One major minister, Minister of Works, the other one is what I call Chief Minister, and three assistant ministers. I am choosing my words carefully in my description, because the man from Enugu State is the Minister of Science and Tech. His budget is not up to the monthly budget of some other ministries.

His entire annual budget is not up to the monthly budget of some other ministries. All the others are ministers of state. Now, get down to Ogun State, how many ministers? Four. All of them are frontline ministers. I’m not talking about Southwest, I’m talking about one state, called Ogun, versus the entire Southeastern states. When they are meeting in the National Executive Council, there is only one person who will speak, Dave Umahi, but there is a limit to how long he will speak. After that, no other person from the Southeast. David Umahi’s main accomplishment today is first, praising Buhari and then praising Tinubu. Eulogising the two of them. So when you are talking of federal appointments, we are simply not there.

Now let me get down to party leadership. APC is the ruling party today. Who is the Igbo person there? Is he the chairman? The deputy chairman? The national secretary or the assistant? They are not there. In other words, when the national caucus meets, where is the Igbo man there? None. When they have emergency meetings, the National Working Committee, NWC, who and who are the Igbo there? None.

Yet, they are the people who make decisions for everybody in this country. So there are some people who are determined to put the Igbo down, to make him stay down, to make sure he never gets up. This is rather unfortunate, but the Igbo can never be suppressed. There is this innate desire to succeed.

That’s why when Peter Obi came out, he came out in a way, not as an Igbo man, he came out as a person and showed the country that it is possible to have a decent politician. And he’s still showing it.

Many young Igbo today were not born during the war. Yet, many are deeply passionate about the Biafran cause. What do you think drives that intergenerational sentiment?
It’s not sentiment. It’s something that is in their blood. We are talking of young men of today, in their twenties. So, when a young child goes for a common entrance examination, he has 180. They said, no, we will not admit you. Who will they admit? They admit somebody from another state who has two points and another person who has twenty points. So, the child goes to state secondary school because he cannot get admission to federal government-owned unity colleges. Now, he takes the JAMB and he passes.

What happens? He’s told that their own merit score must be extremely high. You have to get up to 280 to go on the merit but some other people can go in at 150. If they have 150 marks, they go in but you that have 280, you have no seat. So, the child grows up with that kind of anger bottled up in him. And he goes to ask his father what happened? His father will now start explaining to him what Biafra meant.

So, will you now turn around and tell him he has no reason to be angry? Let me tell you, the young man of today is looking at what is happening through the glass ceiling. Looking through the glass ceiling means that you see your mates moving higher, but you cannot cross.

Now, what of that man who scored 180 in primary school, scored 280 in JAMB? He gets 2.1 Second Class Upper, and when he gets into civil service, he is bossed by somebody who graduated the same year as him, who had an ordinary pass. Within five years, the man who is academically inferior becomes his boss, and he has to obey him. That is a point of anger. They see through the glass ceiling that his peers are moving while he is marching and he says why. He joined the uniformed service, it is the same treatment.

The discrimination is so obvious, and it means too much. So, whenever you see him getting angry, you know why. And what does he do? Like his father, he moves into private business and he excels. When he starts excelling, what happens? They impose all kinds of restrictions on his business. And those who are running the country are people who are academically inferior. In other words, our first 11 is not being used. He belongs to the first eleven, but who do you use? The last eleven.

There are various Biafran groups with sometimes conflicting visions. Is there a unified voice for the Biafran quest today?
Well, the quest for Biafra is called LCM – local common factor. So, that is the unifying factor, but how they see it actually matters to who actually brought them up and whose vision it was. Yes, the quest for Biafra will always be there, it’s in the DNA of any Igbo person. That’s the truth but how to go about it is a different thing.

The one thing no Igbo man wants is those who are going for violence. No, we don’t want it. You can raise your fist. You can raise your voice. You can demand for it. That’s what the modern world requires.

But not violence. So, those who are agitating violently definitely are not Igbo people. Biafran genuine agitations are not violence. And I can say this without any fear of contradiction. Biafran genuine agitations are not violent.

Some argue that agitation is hurting Igbo economic interest. How would you address such concerns?
Well, you know what is happening in Igbo land today. Every Monday they have one amorphous group making announcements, wreaking violence on people who go about their business. They are not genuine agitators. They are unknown people who are using the cover to milk the people. They are hurting us. And what can we do? It is the army that can quell them but on Mondays, the military will go home and sit and allow all those bad people to have a field day. On Tuesday, the army will come out and then start harassing the populace. Meanwhile, the criminals are busy enjoying their loot. So, the people can do nothing. It’s still up to the military, if they think they can solve it, they should stand up and take a stand.

What role do you see young Igbo people playing in shaping the future of the region politically, economically, and culturally?
Well, what the young people will do to shape the future of this country depends on what the adults are doing. What are the adults doing today? They are perpetrating injustice. They are making sure there is no level playing ground. And what will they do to change the situation so the young people will have a better nation than us? Whether Biafra succeeds or not, life must go on. Now, let me tell you what they can do.

If they have, from primary school, if you pass, you have passed. Nobody wants to know where you come from, we are looking for the best. If you have scored very high, go for a choice. Nobody wants to know where you are from. If you are going to a civil service, uniformed services, level playing ground, equal treatment of all. No discrimination. No marking of time. Nothing like you are Igbo, you are Yoruba, you are Hausa, you are Fulani, you are Efik, no. All they want to do is the best.

So Nigeria will make up its mind that this nation must be for everybody. Nobody must be left behind. Nobody must be excluded. Justice and equity must be enshrined. If you notice the coat of arms of Nigeria today, it’s justice and equity. Let us practice it and see how things will move.

Kanu raises alarm, alleges tricks by FG to perpetually hold him down Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has drawn attention to what he described as serial executive and judicial fraud being perpetrated against him since his extraordinary rendition in 2021. In an open letter addressed to Nigerians yesterday, Kanu said: ‘’In a judgment entered on March 1, 2017, the Federal High Court, Abuja, ruled that the ‘IPOB is not an unlawful group’. At the time, it received widespread publicity which can be verified. ‘’This landmark ruling (made by the court before it turned unjust) emanated in a criminal proceedings that required ‘proof beyond reasonable doubt’ and in which the federal government and my humble self presented our respective cases. ‘’Alas! Instead of the federal government to go on appeal as the law mandated (if they are dissatisfied with the judgment), the former Attorney-General (Abubakar Malami) went behind closed doors with a letter signed by late Abba Kyari and got IPOB proscribed/tagged a terrorist group in an ex parte proceedings that conducted without notice to me or to the IPOB. ‘’This abominable incident was the earliest sign yet that the government and its judiciary have struck an unholy and fraudulent alliance to deny me my rights and thereby imperil the life and liberty of millions who identity with IPOB. ‘’On October 26, 2022, a Federal High Court declared my extraordinary rendition and detention as unconstitutional, stating that: ‘the manner of arrest and detention of the Applicant (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) in Kenya, his continued detention in Abuja, his subjection to physical and mental trauma by the Respondents, the inhuman and degrading treatment meted out to the Applicant amounts to a brazen violation of the Applicant’s fundamental right to dignity of his person and threat to life under Section 34 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).’ ‘’The court further ordered the federal government to apologize to me and pay me compensation. In a responsible society and well-ordered, run by a responsible government, this judgment is sufficient to have ended my lengthy detention and encourage the federal government to constructively engage me on the issue of the self-determination agitation that triggered this whole saga. ‘’Pedal back to October 13, 2022, when the Court of Appeal held that: ‘The courts must never shy away from calling the executive to order when they resort to acts of ‘executive lawlessness.’ ‘’The duty of the courts is to maintain a balance between ensuring that law and order is obeyed and the protection of the individual from oppressive actions by the executive. ‘’By the forcible abduction and extraordinary rendition of the Appellant (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) from Kenya to this country on the 27th day of June 2021, in violation of international and state laws, the lower court or, indeed, any court in this country is divested of jurisdiction to entertain charges against the Appellant’. ‘’Despite the clarity of this judgment and its comportment with reason, the federal government refused to release me from detention while it went behind closed doors and connived with three other justices of the court of appeal who fraudulently and swiftly sat on appeal over the judgment and practically destroyed it by issuing what they termed ‘a stay of execution’. ‘’One may then ask: Is it not abominable for a court to stay a judgment the government already disobeyed? In a plethora of cases, the Supreme Court has held that anybody who disobeys a related court order cannot be given any judicial relief until such order is obeyed. ‘’This is a sound reasoning that applied to everybody but is fraudulently overlooked when it comes to my case. Fast forward to 15th December 2023 when the Supreme Court sent back my case to the Federal High Court for trial. ‘’For avoidance of doubt, that was not the only decision the Supreme Court made. It also decided that my bail should not have been revoked and it went on to state clearly that the judge exhibited significant and unacceptable bias by revoking my bail. ‘’In a sane society, one would expect that when the High court received my case from the Supreme Court and hankered down for trial, it was also duty-bound to restore my bail in line with the pronouncement of the apex court. ‘’But that did not happen. Why? Well, your guess is as good as mine and that is: the Court connived with the federal government to continue my detention in violation of Section 287 of the Nigerian Constitution. ‘’On September 24, 2024, I decided that I have had enough of taking my chances at getting justice from a judge that, in June 2021, sent me to secret police detention without fair hearing, later refused to transfer me to prison to better prepare for my trial and capped it all by refusing to restore my bail and instead ordering an accelerated trial in the face of the reality that I will never get a fair trial whilst detained at the DSS. ‘’These are the major reasons that compelled me to request recusal of the judge and having consented to it, she proceeded to make an order removing herself from my case. That order was never challenged on appeal; thus it remains extant to this day. ‘’But instead of the Chief judge of the Federal High Court to do the lawful thing by assigning my case to another judge, he connived with the federal government to eat crow and send my case to a judge that stands recused by a valid order. ‘’To conclude this open letter, let me make it clear that it should in no way be construed to mean that there are no decent judges in Nigeria that can be trusted to deliver even-handed justice in my case. That is not the issue. ‘’Instead, the issue is that my case is deliberately being shielded from judges and justices that are deemed to be committed to doing justice, even when it means that the federal government must lose. ‘’Be that as it may, if it will take the rest of my life in detention to produce me before a proper and impartial court, so be it. But let me say this for the world to know: I will not succumb to any trial conducted by any judge or court whose jurisdiction does not pass constitutional right

© 2025 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria

The resolve by the federal government to establish a “well-trained, well-motivated, and technologically-equipped Nigeria Police Force” cannot be faulted in its principle and desirability. What is doubtful is whether that resolve can come to pass, given firstly, that government has made such promises on many occasions in the past with little evidence of implementation; and secondly, because the present unwieldy form of the police is hardly amenable to changes that can turn it into a force to reckon with. President Bola Tinubu who expressed the government’s resolve was considering a Police Force that will stand the test of time and effectively combat crime across the country.

The desire is certainly lofty, and just what Nigeria needs to confront the myriad of security issues plaguing the country in all corners. The plain truth is that so much money and other public resources have been pumped into the Nigeria Police in recent years, and, if anything, its services have deteriorated. Insecurity has clearly overwhelmed the police, particularly after the EndSARS violent protest of 2020 in which dozens of policemen lost their lives. The police have since then constituted a shadow of its old self, despite billions of naira allocated to it yearly afterwards.
The Nigeria police of present is a reactive one, prompted to work only after the crime has been committed and the criminals sometimes have escaped. Much of police energy now is dissipated on checking of vehicle particulars mostly in the daytime. While this sometimes yield positive dividend in detecting crime, it is hardly enough to address the growing sophistication of criminals. And the police are hardly visible at night.

President Tinubu unveiled the idea of a reformed police at the 2025 Police Week, which took place a while ago at the Eagle Square in Abuja. The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, stated that his administration is committed to improving the welfare, empowerment, and comprehensive reform of the Nigeria Police Force. He emphasised that a secure Nigeria is vital for the nation’s collective prosperity, and this vision begins with ensuring that the police force is well-equipped, well-trained, and well-motivated.

The President stated that measures are already being put in place to immediately establish an effective and formidable modern police force, equipped with advanced technology. These measures include the provision of modern tools and equipment to enhance police operations, as well as the provision of adequate accommodation, accessible healthcare, and quality education for the families of police personnel.

Nigeria certainly needs a state-of-the-art police force to combat the rising tide of lawlessness, abductions, killings, and the general wave of insecurity in the country. This will not be achieved by mere determination and rhetoric.
Fixing the Nigeria Police is no longer a luxury; it is an urgent necessity in view of the critical need to rebuild public trust in law enforcement.

If the Federal Government is truly committed to ending lawlessness, killings, and insecurity in Nigeria, it must jettison analogue policing and inaugurate modern policing that relies heavily on data, drones, CCTV networks, facial recognition, GPS tracking, and digital databases. From crime reporting to investigation, the Nigerian police still depend largely on outdated, paper-based systems. It is clear that not much success can be achieved with such an antiquated approach.

The police must be equipped to investigate digital footprints, collaborate with international cybercrime units, and use forensic software to track online scams, hacking, and social engineering schemes. Therefore, like their counterparts abroad, Nigerian police officers should be retrained in the use of modern technology to combat crime. When used effectively, this new technology can also help monitor police behavior and provide crucial evidence in cases of alleged misconduct.

It is worth noting that the Nigeria Police Force (Establishment) Act, 2020, which came into force on September 17, 2020, aims to reposition the police “to uphold and safeguard the fundamental rights of every person in Nigeria and to bring about a positive change in the public perception of the Police Force by ensuring that its functions are performed in a manner sensitive to the needs and well-being of the general public.”

Unfortunately, the police have not lived up to this mandate, which has hindered their effectiveness and efficiency over the years. For instance, there has been a persistent misuse and erosion of police powers and responsibilities. Many police officers, who are supposed to be detecting crimes and maintaining law and order for the public good, are instead deployed as personal orderlies to wealthy politicians, traditional rulers, senior military and paramilitary officers, affluent businessmen and celebrities.

The police and other security agencies need to be redesigned to enable them dig deeper into the root causes of insecurity and tackle them decisively. President Tinubu cannot afford to remain passive while Nigerian citizens are consistently injured, abducted, or killed daily across the nation.

Therefore, given Nigeria’s ever-increasing population, there is now a greater imperative to set up State Police to mitigate the incapacity of the current centralized police structure. State Police should complement the efforts of the Federal Police in combating crime and protecting lives and property across the country; particularly during periods of social upheaval such as inter-communal riots, youth restiveness, and ethnic militancy. The highly centralized nature of the police at the federal level creates a disconnect between the police and the communities they are meant to serve. This weak relationship fosters mistrust and makes it more difficult for citizens to cooperate with law enforcement in solving crimes. It also hampers the effectiveness of local policing and creates gaps in addressing community-specific security needs. The persistent call for the creation of State Police is both timely and justified.

Ultimately, the success of President Tinubu’s efforts to reform the Nigeria Police will depend on the implementation of concrete actions and whether those efforts are sustained beyond political speeches. Security is fundamental to Nigeria’s economic and social stability and viability, Such stability in turn, strengthens democratic institutions. By reducing crime and ensuring a stable environment, an efficient police force can attract investment, spur economic development, and generate employment—key elements for sustaining democratic governance. A decentralized police at federal, state and community levels has greater potential to safeguard life and property

© 2025 GUARDIAN Newspapers. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

booblacain:
Just found out the two most common things you will find on the streets of Warri, Delta state. They are half naked girls and mentally deranged (mad) people. These two too plenty for that place.

They no dey carry last for those two.

Not just in warri but are found in every Major cities in Nigeria including the FCT

Nobody want to serve this country sincerely in whatever capacity, everyone wants to cash out not minding the consequences.

Nigeria need serious overhauling.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), long touting itself as the only crisis-free opposition party in Nigeria, is now embroiled in a deepening internal conflict following the controversial appointment of three new members to its National Working Committee (NWC).

The appointments, which were announced last week by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, have sparked a major leadership tussle, exposing fractures at the top echelon of the party.

According to Aiyenigba, the NWC had filled the vacant positions of Deputy National Chairman (South), Deputy National Chairman (North), and National Financial Secretary with Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, and Mr. Hussani Ado Bello respectively.

The appointments, he claimed, were made in line with Article 12.5 of the SDP’s 2022 constitution (as amended), and with the mandate of the party’s National Convention.

The move, initially viewed by political analysts as a strategic step toward consolidating the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections, has instead triggered a political firestorm.

In a dramatic twist, the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam—who allegedly presided over the said NWC meeting—issued a rebuttal, denying that any such appointments were made.

Speaking through the Deputy National Secretary, Muhammad Biu, during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Gabam dismissed the earlier announcement as “false, unauthorized, and misleading.”

READ ALSO: El-Rufai’s political gamble falters as SDP bid fails to gain ground in North-west

“The NWC has not convened any constitutional session or meeting to fill vacant positions as reported,” he said, adding that the reports did not reflect the decisions or procedures of the NWC.

He accused political rivals and internal actors of attempting to destabilize the party in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

As the controversy unfolded, the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, stepped in to clarify the situation, countering Gabam’s denial.

In a bold statement, Agunloye confirmed that the appointments were indeed made during a properly convened NWC meeting on May 15, 2025, with 11 out of 12 NWC members in attendance.

He revealed that eight members voted in favor of the appointments, while three, including Gabam, opposed.

Agunloye further alleged that the crisis was being orchestrated by Gabam and his allies, including former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who recently joined the SDP from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He accused the trio of attempting to override the collective decision of the majority with their “selfish interests.”

“There were 12 NWC members in total but one was absent. Eight out of 11 present voted in favour of the appointments,” Agunloye stated. “Gabam and two others who lost out are throwing tantrums, together with Nasir El-Rufai, who amounts to nothing at his ward.”

To affirm the legitimacy of the appointments, Agunloye has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a letter dated May 16, 2025, he informed INEC that the appointments were made in accordance with the party’s constitution and were effective for four years or until the next National Convention.

With conflicting statements from key leaders and allegations of internal sabotage, the SDP appears to be sliding into the same crisis-ridden territory that has plagued other major opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) since the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.

The coming weeks will be critical for the SDP as it navigates this internal strife and attempts to reconcile its divided leadership—if it hopes to remain a credible force ahead of the 2027 polls.



Copyright © 2024 Nationaldailyng

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate after making sexual harassment allegations
A Nigerian senator has told the BBC she only learnt that the government was suing her "on the news" and that she was "shocked" by the action taken against her.

The government filed defamation charges against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she accused one of the country's top politicians of plotting to kill her.

In April, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former state governor Yahaya Bell wanted to "eliminate" her. Both have denied this accusation.

She had previously accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her - an allegation he has also denied.

After learning of the charges against her, Akpoti-Uduaghan told the BBC: "I'm actually shocked. My first reaction when I read it is out of shock, because I have not been served [with papers] until now. I had to read it on the news."

A spokesperson for the senate president said they had "evidence beyond reasonable doubt" that she had been served the court papers.

He added that he hoped Akpoti-Uduaghan would take advantage of the next court hearing to prove her allegations.

In the charge sheet, seen by the BBC, Nigeria's attorney general referenced a live interview broadcast by Nigeria's Channels TV last month.

Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged in the interview that there were "discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello... to eliminate me".

The attorney general said that this statement, and others made in the same broadcast, could harm Bello and Akpabio's reputations.

But Akpoti-Uduaghan stands by her allegation. She said she had even gone to the police with the accusation that Akpabio and Bello posed a threat to her life.

"Do you understand the twist? I was the one who ran to the police. I made my petitions, I appeared on television, I spoke publicly on the threat to my life," she said.

"Instead, it is the senate president and [former] governor Yahaya Bello's counter-petition, which is me defaming them, that is being attended to."

Akpoti-Uduaghan said the charges were an attempt to "intimidate her" and make her "fall in line" after she accused Akabio of sexual harassment in February.

"It's an ill that has been normalised in the society - sexual harassment. But here I am speaking about it... that was my first offence. Natasha is not supposed to speak about it. I'm supposed to bear it as a woman," she told the BBC.

The charges mark the latest twist in a row that has engrossed Nigeria, raising questions about gender equality in the socially conservative nation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of just four women out of 109 senators.

After accusing Akabio of sexual harassment, she was suspended from the Senate for six months without pay.

The Senate's ethics committee said the suspension was for her "unruly and disruptive" behaviour while the Senate was debating her allegations.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan and her supporters argued that the committee was targeting her because of the allegations she had made against the senate president.

No date has been set for her to appear in court.


Copyright 2025 BBC. All rights reserved.

With the weakening of major opposition political parties in Nigeria, pundits say only a few options are left for the opposition parties to make meaningful impact at the next general elections.

With many concluding that each of the major opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Labour Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is in bad shape, going into the race separately will not make impact.

Expectedly, talks on forming a coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential elections reached a crescendo this week.

Leaders of the major opposition parties in Nigeria, Tuesday night, hinted at using a common platform as a special purpose vehicle in the next presidential race.

The coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, was formally announced on March 20.

There are indications that the opposition leaders have settled for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) though the arrangements are yet to be finalised.

A statement by Malam Salihu Lukman, a key member of the 2027 National Coalition explained on Wednesday that no decision has been reached on what party to join.

He said, “The truth is, negotiations among all the coalition leaders is progressing very well and final decisions about political platform for the 2027 election will be taken soon. Unfortunately, there appears to be some mischief makers promoting and planting stories in the media with the clear aim of sowing seeds of discord among coalition leaders. The public and the media should please disregard all these mischievous stories.

“Once negotiation is concluded, formal announcement will be made by the leaders of the coalition.”

With this development, the initial plan to use the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as vehicle for wresting the presidency from the APC, appears to have changed.

The development has propped up the question whether the top contenders for the 2027 presidency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, may have agreed to go into an alliance which they couldn’t do in 2023.

Sources say the defection of the former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-rufai and the resignation of former adviser in the presidency, Hakeem Baba Ahmed, to join the opposition may have added verve to the opposition to form a coalition.

Atiku, El-rufai and Baba Ahmed were part of the 2014 coalition that resulted in the formation of the APC, which was able to wrest power from the PDP.

Analysts say it is expected that with their presence in the opposition, they might bring their experience and knowledge of how opposition politics works to probably re-enact the 2015 scenario.



The favourable conditions

Analysts say the current hardship in the country coupled with the level of insecurity, are enough grounds for a coalition to thrive, recalling that the same circumstances favoured the formation of the APC in 2013.

National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Party (CUPP), Chief Peter Ameh, believes the emerging coalition against President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections would succeed.

He said what distinguishes the current coalition from others in the past and what would make it successful is because the purpose is different from the “power-grabbing tactics employed in the past”.

He said, “Unlike the APC’s calculated manoeuvring, this emerging coalition is rooted in the genuine desire for development, driven by the cries of the masses and the failures of the current administration.

“The challenges of uniting leaders and finding common ground have been overcome, paving the way for a new era of collaboration and collective action. The abysmal governance of the APC, particularly under President Tinubu’s leadership where the lower and the middle classes have been completely wiped out, has created a sense of urgency among Nigerians,” he said.

He said the widespread hardship and suffering experienced by the people have galvanised the leaders’ confidence in this coalition.

“Unlike the relatively favourable conditions during the Jonathan administration, Nigerians today are facing unprecedented difficulties,” Ameh said.

He said that this obvious contrast has created a fertile ground for the coalition to flourish and that as the masses continue to suffer, the coalition’s foundation grows stronger, fuelled by the people’s desire for a better future.

Also speaking, one of the conveners of the National Opposition Coalition Group, Dr Umar Ardo, said the coalition is doing fine and will surmount all the challenges.

While responding to our correspondent on the issue of which platform the coalition will use, he said, “First, I really don’t know exactly what platform they will decide on. You know, my own personal opinion is that we should register a new platform, where everybody will come in.

“Because from the little I have gone around and heard, many people in the larger and established political parties, they wouldn’t want to leave and enter a smaller party. Except, of course, if they are supporters of the presidential candidates and other gladiators that have moved to a smaller party.

“But there are thousands and thousands of independent people that have their own ambitions, have their own aspirations, and are not supportive of any of these people.

“They want to express it in a political platform free of control. So these ones, they are aspiring to have a new political party registered. And I think if the gladiators and everyone will come together and register a new political party, it will be more of a success than, you know, fusing into a smaller party”.

On how to resolve the problem of clashing ambitions, he said primary elections would decide that.

“I’m sure there are those who will step down for others. But also there may be others who may not want to step down for others. In that case, we’ll go to primaries. We have seen it in APC. They did not step down for one another. They went to primaries and Buhari emerged. Nobody stepped down for Tinubu; they went to primaries and he emerged.”



‘Govs no longer powerful’

On not having the support of governors, compared to the days that paved the way for the formation of APC when some governors defected alongside their supporters and financial war chest, he said, “they are now liabilities.”

According to him, “Right now the governors are at their lowest ebb. There is abject poverty. In fact, in northern Nigeria, we have gone beyond poverty to state of destitution. And it is basically seen as a result of poor governance at the state level and then the destruction of local government councils by governors.

“So, to have a governor in your coalition, in fact, as it is now, is a minus. Except if you are interested in him bringing the money of the state. So it is going to be Nigerians against the elected now. I have seen some governors moving into APC, the legislators going into APC. They are just wasting their time. Let all the governors, let all the legislators, let everybody move to APC.

“How many of them; are there more than 10,000? And they are going to face 250 million Nigerians. Nigerians are not with the establishment as it is today. So bringing governors is a disadvantage, rather than an advantage in such a coalition.”

Our correspondent recalled that in 2015, many sitting governors openly identified with the coalition. Seven governors from the PDP had to break out and form a coalition before five of them later joined forces to form the APC, a development which gave the party a huge boost.

But currently, no governor has staked his neck so far to say that he is in alliance with the forces trying to form a coalition.

This, according to analysts, is a big challenge as governors are usually the ones that bankroll the operations of such groups. Although Peter Obi made huge progress in 2023, without the support of governors, a political analyst who spoke to Weekend Trust, said such feat could only be achieved once in a politician’s life time.

With the absence of a visible governor and the defection of some opposition governors to the APC, the needed funds and grassroots structure for the coalition would be lacking.

But Kabir Mato, a professor of political science, believes otherwise.

He said the issue of governors’ support would not be a factor as Nigerians no longer follow governors sheepishly but decide on their own.

Professor Mato added that the successes of the coalition will be dependent primarily on the sincerity of the people.

“The coalition is likely to fail in the event that individual idiosyncrasies and aspirations are placed before the desire for attainment of national objectives. So, if those who are into the coalition or desirous of doing the coalition are sincere about it and will be doing it for the sake of Nigeria, for the sake of policy, for the sake of government and governance, then of course the issue of individual aspirations should not arise”, he said.



The time factor

There is also the issue of time. In his reaction, the National Chairman of the Action Alliance, Barr Kenneth Udeze, said any coalition that must be formed has to be one year before the next general election, according to the Electoral Act, 2022.

He expressed doubts about a coalition that the PDP would drive this time around because, according to him, the party does not keep to agreements on how best to execute an election.

“Any merger that is not arranged within this year can no longer work, except you can find someone whom people can rally around,” he said.



The hurdles aspirants must cross

Sources say the first major hurdle would be who will step down for who in the event that the opposition leaders come on one platform as both Atiku and Obi are bent on running for the presidency.

While Atiku, who has been vice president in the past and was sworn in twice, may not be eligible to be sworn in a third time for the same office, Obi feels he is the more popular candidate whose support base in the southern part of the country would give the coalition the geographical spread it needs to breast the tape.

A chieftain of the APC in Plateau State, Mr Yakubu Dati, when contacted, said the first hurdle for the coalition is that the leaders have presidential ambitions.

“The leaders of the coalition all have ambition of being president. There are people that are not ready to play second fiddle to anybody, so it is clear that it may be very difficult for them to come together,” he stated.

Unlike in 2015, however, a lot seems to be going well for the ruling party that many do not see the opposition making any headway.

Many sources that Weekend Trust spoke with conceded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears shrewder as a politician to allow opposition forces to overwhelm him like Goodluck Jonathan did in 2015.

“You see the number of defections already and many politicians are not ready to stake their necks to do opposition due to what the fear might come to them,” a PDP chieftain confided in our correspondent.



No independent financier

Unlike 2015, when there were major financiers, the current coalition seems to be lacking in that regard.

There’s is the fear that whoever they may decide to pick as candidate could easily be induced by elements of the ruling party, just as there could be infiltration of the party by fifth columnists.

Also, Barr. Obioma Ezenwobodo said the major pitfalls in forming a new coalition are that of “lack of common ideological leaning of the different political blocs, lack of trust by the different groups, lack of time to penetrate the populace, and lack of finance to pull through their agenda.

“The coalition can work out as the current APC was nurtured through coalition if the major forces behind it can collapse their interests for common good,” he said.



Sincerity of purpose

Some analysts are sceptical of the reasons behind the coalition. A political scientist, who spoke to Weekend Trust, questioned the real reason for the merger. He wondered if those behind it are doing it just to grab power or for the cause of the common man. He said they will have to convince Nigerians about their motive to get their buy-in and support and that they must start doing that immediately.



Past coalitions

Inter-party alliances in Nigeria dates back to the colonial era when parties came together to beef up the number of seats at the parliament to give them a majority say on issues.

Parties in the First Republic entered into alliance in order to contest the 1964 federal election. The United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) being one of the two alliances consisted of the Northern People’s Element (NEPU) and the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC). The other alliance known as the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA) consisted of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), Nigeria Democratic Party (NNDP), Mid-western Democratic Front (MWDF) and the Niger-Delta Democratic Front (NDC).

In 1982, when the NPN was the then ruling party, opposition parties formed a coalition to challenge the ruling party but the effort did not go far.



Standing independently

There have been many instances where the opposition parties stood for elections without recourse to alliance or collaboration but failed woefully.

All the parties stood for elections in 2003, but could not make a headway even though Muhammadu Buhari of the then ANPP was very popular.

In 2007, and 2011, it was the same, though new parties were registered to join the race.

This was what led to pooling of resources together to form the APC for the 2015 elections.

The most successful coalition so far has been the APC, which was formed in the build up to the 2015 elections.

Then opposition parties comprising a faction of APGA ANPP, nPDP and ACN, all came together to form the APC, which went ahead and defeated an incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

That success has opened the eyes of the opposition to the danger of going it alone.

Since the inauguration of the current administration, the opposition has grown weaker by the day with each of the major parties ravaged by various forms of crises and their inability to resolve same.

The incessant defections to the APC, has further made many to lose confidence in the ability of the opposition to make headway.

Despite the dismissal by the APC, all eyes are on the opposition to see what they could make of their resolve to come together and challenge the ruling party in 2027.


1998 - 2025 Media Trust Limited. All rights reserved.

One of Nigeria’s fiercest opposition voices, Omoyele Sowore, in this interview opens up on the Tinubu administration, the death of democratic ideals, the collapse of opposition politics, and why he doesn’t believe in elections.

Sowore also explains why he wouldn’t align with Labour Party or Peter Obi, and what Nigerians must do before 2027.
Excerpts:

What are your thoughts on the Tinubu-led government as we approach another Democracy Day?

My position on this government is not a thought—it’s a clear stance I’ve held long before the 2023 elections. Nigerians made a grave mistake voting Bola Tinubu into office. I said it before, and I’ll say it again: when Tinubu is done with this country, Nigerians will be begging to return to Buhari’s era. He has done irreparable damage—economically, socially, politically. He has crippled institutions, education, and democracy. Buhari killed Nigeria in eight years; Tinubu came, in two years he is burying it.

So, you don’t think there’s anything to celebrate on this Democracy Day?
Nothing. In fact, what Nigerians are whispering—dangerously—is that they no longer believe in democracy. The promises of democracy—free speech, credible elections, freedom to choose—have been destroyed. Today, people celebrate military dictators just to express their frustration. But to be clear, I don’t support military rules. What we have now is a shambolic democracy. We’ve been taken on a roller coaster ride by both military and civilian rulers.

The House of Representatives is proposing a law to make voting compulsory. Are you ready to stand against this law if it passes?
If you have to use threats to force people to vote, then democracy is dead. Democracy is about choice. You cannot force people to participate in a system they no longer believe in. That proposal is not about participation; it’s about forced legitimacy. They’re panicking because fewer people are voting, so they want to cook up numbers and call it turnout. The people making these laws already know I will stand against them. But they also know the law is not enforceable. You can’t force people to vote when you haven’t fixed the electoral process.

Some Nigerians describe you as too radical and uncompromising. What’s your response?

I don’t think I’m radical enough. People who say that haven’t studied history. Every meaningful change in this world came through so-called radicals. I will not water down my convictions to please those who want me to fit into a box. The louder voices online don’t represent the majority of Nigerians. Those who truly suffer in this country know what I stand for—and they agree.

Has the Revolution Now movement died down?
Not at all. Revolutions take time. The French Revolution took over 10 years. The American Revolution, Cuban, Chinese revolutions all took time. You don’t judge a revolution by how loud it is. You judge it by how persistent the message is.


Your campaign against the IGP—how far have you gone with it?
It has achieved results. Over 1,000 illegally retained senior police officers have been forced out. Police officers who haven’t been promoted in 20 years are now getting promoted. It has created a shift. But the ultimate goal is to get the IGP to resign—he’s overstayed. We haven’t given up.

There’s concern that the opposition voice is dying. What’s your view?

That’s because what you call opposition isn’t opposition. Most of them are former APC or PDP members. They share the same ideology—or lack of one. Real opposition means clear ideological difference. What we have are political mercenaries looking for the best-paying camp.

Are you saying there’s no true opposition?
Exactly. Most of these defections are transactional. They’re not about values or service. If you dig deeper, you’ll realise they’re just fighting over how to share the loot, not about how to serve the people.

Are you running in 2027?
I get this question a lot. My answer remains the same: I’ve never stopped running. Whether it’s a campaign, a protest, a court battle—I’m always running for something. But if you’re asking about elections, I don’t believe in the current ballot system. The 2027 results are already written. The only thing that can change Nigeria is rebellion against the system, against another sham election, not against democracy, anyway..

But can rebellion work without alliances?
The alliance I care about is with the oppressed. They are the real majority. The 50 million registered voters who don’t vote—they’re my alliance. Not transactional coalitions built to chase power and money.

Let’s talk about Atiku. Is he still relevant in Nigerian politics?
Atiku is a man whose time has passed. But he’s still hanging around, hoping to be President. That’s all he cares about. Everything else is irrelevant to him.

Some Nigerians believe Tinubu is laying foundations for a better Nigeria. What do you say to that?
They are being deceived. There’s nothing good coming from this. Removing fuel subsidy, floating the naira—none of it benefits ordinary people. The naira is still collapsing. Prices are rising. If they say this is the “hard road to prosperity”, I say it’s a road to destruction.


© 2025 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria

Hundreds of Itsekiri youths under the aegis of Warri Indigenous Peoples Youth Movement, WIPYM, yesterday continued the peaceful march in Warri, Delta State, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to redress the alleged errors in its recent ward redelineation exercise in Warri federal constituency.

The youths marched through major roads and streets in Warri demanding justice over the ward redelineation exercise.
Some of them, who spoke, said the Federal Government should prevail on INEC to redress the issue.

It will be recalled that the youths embarked on similar peace walk across the oil-rich city, weekend, making the same demand on the electoral body to right the alleged wrongs in the redelineation exercise.

The youths marched through portions of the NPA, Warri-Sapele roads down to Ogunu, terminated at Ekurede community.

In a statement at the end of the peace walk, they accused the electoral body of allegedly shortchanging Itsekiri ethnic group in the recent ward redelineation exercise, calling for an urgent review.

The trio of Ojumude Bishop, Esigbone Lily-White and Yemi Otuedon said the electoral body should do the right thing, describing as untrue several lies told around ownership of Warri by their neighbours.

They also debunked allegations that Itsekiri nation was stockpiling arms for crisis in the area.


Meantime, the Chairman, Warri South Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Weyinmi Agbateyiniro has banned all forms of protest marches, rallies in the council after a security meeting at his office, yesterday.

A statement on the development from the council read: “The Chairman of Warri South, Agbateyiniro, has announced indefinite proscription of all forms of rallies and protests in Warri South.”

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