₦airaland Forum

It's supposed to have a security seal proof, expecially food items ordered.

It can as well be poisoned if at all.

This is why it's safe to only order foods that are in cans and with seals.

In Nigeria’s National Assembly, a small, influential group has turned parliamentary service into a near-permanent career, mastering the politics that keep them in office.

With elections approaching, many lawmakers are again positioning for re-election, reinforcing what party insiders describe, half-jokingly, as a “right of first refusal.” In effect, no new aspirant can contest unless the incumbent is first displaced—a difficult task.

At the heart of this story are the rare figures whose legislative careers span the dawn of democracy and the return to civil rule in 1999. This is the story of Nigeria’s “National Assembly landlords.” These long-serving senators and House members hold power that reveals as much about the system as it does about their personal political skills.

The making of a legislative class

Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not place term limits on lawmakers. That absence, combined with weak party internal democracy and a political culture that rewards incumbency, has quietly produced a class of legislators whose careers span decades.

Since 1999, fewer than a dozen lawmakers have maintained an uninterrupted presence in the National Assembly across both chambers. A larger group, however, has switched from the House to the Senate when it becomes convenient, effectively extending their relevance beyond what electoral turnover would normally allow.

“They don’t just win elections,” said a political scientist at the University of Ibadan. “They shape the conditions under which elections are contested.”

Data from past election cycles show a clear pattern: incumbents who win a second term have historically enjoyed re-election rates well over 70 per cent, particularly in constituencies with strong party dominance. By the third term, defeat becomes the exception rather than the rule.

The mechanics of entrenchment

This could be attributed to a combination of factors that collectively create a nearly insurmountable advantage for incumbents.

Firstly, the advantages of incumbency, such as access to state resources, name recognition, and extensive patronage networks, provide a formidable edge.

Prof. Bello Magaji, Dean at the American University of Nigeria, observes, “The party that is in office will use the incumbency factor to win the election. In other words, there will be no fair level playing ground for all contestants.”

This advantage is particularly evident in the opaque and frequently manipulated primary process of the party.

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, while Speaker of the House, lamented that many lawmakers “actually lost their elections at the primaries, where their acceptance by the constituents was not put to the test. What was put to test was whether one or two leaders in their constituencies determined whether they were returning or not.”

This weakness in internal party democracy is heightened by the practice of “consensus” candidacies. Here, party leaders select preferred candidates, often to ensure executive loyalty or maintain ethnic and religious balance.

Zoning arrangements, originally intended to guarantee regional representation, are also frequently manipulated by powerful incumbents to prevent intra-party competition.

Additionally, cross-party survival has become a strategic practice. Lawmakers who perceive political risk within their own parties frequently defect to other parties. Since 2023, numerous defections from the PDP, Labour Party (LP), and other opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have been justified by references to “internal crisis” within the opposition.

The civil society organisation Yiaga Africa characterises this trend as a deliberate “carrot-and-stick approach” by the ruling party to weaken opposition and consolidate one-party dominance. This ongoing realignment ensures that, irrespective of party fortunes, individual political careers are safeguarded.

A geopolitical tour of the ‘landlords’

Yet, while legislative entrenchment is a nationwide phenomenon, its manifestation varies across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Understanding these distinct regional patterns is crucial for grasping the full complexity of the issue.

Northwest

In transitioning from the national landscape, the Northwest stands out as a critical voting bloc and is home to some of the most entrenched figures in the National Assembly. Lawmakers such as Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who has represented the Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano State since 2007, exemplify the power-broker model.

As a former House Majority Leader, Doguwa’s influence extends beyond legislation to the core of party and regional politics. His longevity is closely linked to his status as a key APC loyalist and a gatekeeper within the Kano political structure.

Similarly, Sen. Adamu Aliero, a former governor of Kebbi State, has served in the Senate since 2007. His career illustrates how the political elite often alternate between executive and legislative roles, leveraging one to secure the other.

These lawmakers function not only as representatives but also as dynastic anchors and committee power brokers who control the distribution of federal patronage to their constituencies.

Northeast

In the Northeast, affected by over a decade of Boko Haram insurgency, incumbency is often seen as a source of stability. Sen. Ahmad Lawan, a National Assembly member since 1999 and a former Senate President, is widely seen as the principal “landlord” from this zone. He has navigated political upheavals and reached the highest legislative office. Constituents, fatigued by conflict, consider his continuity essential.

Similarly, Sen. Ali Ndume (Borno South) has served in the assembly since 2003. Muktar Betara (Borno), a key figure in the appropriation process, has also established a prominent role.

Both are considered the Federal Government’s primary representatives in a region in crisis. Their ability to secure and distribute federal resources for reconstruction and humanitarian aid has built a strong relationship with a vulnerable electorate. Many view them as indispensable intermediaries.

North-Central

The North-Central region exemplifies political adaptability and survival. Lawmakers in this zone are adept at tactical defections. Individuals such as Idris Wase, who has represented his Plateau State constituency since 2007, have successfully navigated shifts in party dominance, highlighting the primacy of personal political survival over party allegiance.

Similarly, Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East) has shown resilience amid internal party challenges, often by aligning with the ruling party’s agenda. Their continued presence highlights the decline of party ideology and the rise of transactional politics.

Southwest

In the APC stronghold, long-serving lawmakers such as Sen. Solomon Adeola, a.k.a. Yayi (Ogun West), who entered the House in 2011, illustrates the party’s near-total control of the region. However, Senator Adeola is not returning to the National Assembly next year. He has emerged as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate in Ogun State.

Similarly, Wole Oke (Osun), first elected in 2003, has navigated party transitions while maintaining his position in the House. These incumbents function less as independent power centres and more as integral components of a cohesive regional political apparatus, where party dominance virtually ensures their continued tenure.

Southeast

The Southeast presents a more complex picture. Historically an opposition stronghold, the region’s shifting dynamics—driven by fragmentation in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the LP, and the steady encroachment of the APC—have produced a small, resilient cadre of long-serving lawmakers.

Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, in the Senate since 2007, remains a formidable and often solitary voice of opposition. His survival blends personal popularity, principled political stands, and adaptability in a changing landscape.

Other long-term representatives hold on in the House. Still, their numbers are thinning as the APC’s national power and the region’s complex relationship with the centre make re-election an increasingly difficult and expensive endeavour.

South-South

In the oil-rich South-South, the path to legislative longevity runs through the state government house. Nicholas Mutu, who has represented his Delta State constituency since 1999, is the quintessential “landlord” of the House. His recent defection from the PDP to the APC was not a random act but a calculated alignment with his governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, who also switched parties.

This pattern is consistent: a lawmaker’s political life is often tied to the governor’s fortunes. As long as they maintain the support of the state’s chief executive, who controls the party machinery and state power, their re-election is nearly assured.

These lawmakers become crucial in the politics of oil resource control and federal allocations, leveraging their positions for both the state and their own interests.

The balancing act

The debate surrounding the merits and drawbacks of legislative entrenchment constitutes a significant national discourse.

In defence of experience

Proponents assert that legislative experience is both vital and scarce. They argue that high turnover rates—historically exceeding 70 per cent in some assemblies—have impeded the legislature’s effectiveness. “Obviously, when people are new to a system, it takes time for them to adjust and learn the procedures. It’s going to take time for them, even to find their way around the National Assembly building itself,” noted former Senate President David Mark in 2015.

A former lawmaker and current National Assembly aide, speaking anonymously, echoed this perspective: “Legislating is a skill. You need senior members who understand the process, can mentor new ones, and provide institutional memory. To throw them all out every four years is to weaken the parliament.”

The case for renewal:

Conversely, critics contend that this “experience” often leads to stagnation and democratic decline. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, cautions that “the strategic use of incumbency power appears to be facilitating a shift toward one-party dominance,” a development that undermines the fundamental principle of competitive elections.

An APC official in the Northwest, speaking anonymously, offered a more critical insider perspective: “The truth is that the system is designed for them to stay. They control the party structures in their local governments. They decide who gets what contract. It’s not about performance; it’s about a network of loyalists who depend on them for survival.”

A youth leader from the Southeast, who has unsuccessfully sought a party nomination, articulated similar frustration: “It’s a closed club. The primaries are just a formality. The money involved, the godfatherism—it’s impossible for a young person with new ideas but without deep pockets to break through. We are building a gerontocracy.”

A PDP strategist in the South-South provides additional context: “The fear of losing to the APC has made our party cling to these old warhorses. We think their name recognition is our only chance, but we are just recycling the same faces and the same failures.”

A neutral perspective

A senior legal analyst with INEC, who is not authorised to speak on the record, provided a neutral, process-oriented perspective: “Our laws do not limit terms for legislators. The question is not about how long someone serves, but about the integrity of the process that keeps them there. The real crisis is the failure of party primaries to be free, fair, and competitive. Until we fix that, the phenomenon of ‘sit-tight’ lawmakers will continue, regardless of what the voters want.”

Looking ahead

As the next electoral cycle approaches, the dominance of entrenched lawmakers shows little sign of fading.

Younger aspirants are emerging, and civil society pressure is growing, but the structural advantages of incumbency remain formidable.

A strategist within the opposition described the challenge succinctly: “You are not just contesting a candidate. You are contesting a system.”

The final word

Nigeria’s long-serving lawmakers are not merely individuals holding office; they are products of a political ecosystem that rewards endurance, loyalty, and strategic positioning.

They bring experience and continuity, but also raise difficult questions about access, renewal, and the future of democratic competition.

As voters prepare to head to the polls once again, the outcome in many constituencies may already be quietly taking shape — not on election day, but within party headquarters, long before the ballots are cast.

And for Nigeria’s National Assembly landlords, that is where the real contest is often won.

The nation

westside365:
The same Yaya bellow that is corrupt.

senator Ifeanyi okowa the former governor of Delta state that stole billions from the state and have been arrested severally by the EFCC and released is contesting for a senatorial seat in Delta state against senator Ned nwoko

I also heard vice president Shettima is also going to the Senate.

This is nothing but a collectively planned distractions for her not to concentrate on her governor/senatorial political ambition, which the wanted man and his cliques is vying for.

HISTORY IS REPEATING ITSELF AS KWARA WAS THE FIRST STATE THAT UTHMAN DAN FODIO CONQUERED DURING THE JIHAD

IF I MAY ASK DO THEY HAVE A STATE GOVERNOR WHO I GUESS IS THE CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER OF THE STATE

THE STATE IS IN SHAMBLES BUT HE IS BUSY FIGHTING FOR RE ELECTION IN 2027

StaffofOrayan:
The greatest sin in the world is poverty!
F whatever your spineless pastors and imams tell you

Do you actually know the meaning of sin.Is poverty a sin, something your environment imposes on you, something that is beyond you control.

Please, try to read widely.

Izuchukwu70:
Old news. Lots of American girls do it. Even the men also sell the sperm.

If Americans are doing it, does it mean it is right, please drop this low exteem.

Several persons, including soldiers, are feared dead following a fresh bandit attack on Kemanji community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State yesterday.

The attack adds to a growing wave of violence in Kaiama Local Government Area.

On April 10, 2026, suspected bandits reportedly killed five members of the National Forest Guard in Nuku village and set patrol vehicles ablaze. Similarly, in February, gunmen attacked Woro and Nuku communities in the same area, leaving over 200 persons dead and about 176 others abducted, including women and children.

In the latest incident, residents said the attackers struck around 3 a.m., days after reportedly issuing a threat to the community, heightening tension in the area.

The assailants were said to have invaded the community under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee for safety.

Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes, were said to have responded swiftly, engaging the bandits in a gun battle that reportedly lasted for about two hours.


A local source told our correspondent that the attackers allegedly launched an explosive device at a military formation in the area, causing significant damage before advancing into the community.

“Our security agents engaged them in a fierce gun duel that lasted till about 5 a.m.,” the source said.

The source added that casualties were recorded among the security personnel during the exchange of fire, although the exact number of those killed remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.

“They killed some soldiers, but the extent of the damage is still uncertain until full assessment is carried out,” the source stated.

An eyewitness also confirmed that several soldiers were killed while repelling the attack, while a member of the local vigilante group sustained gunshot injuries.

Residents described the incident as devastating, noting that many villagers had fled the community over fears of further attacks.


A resident who identified himself simply as Aliyu said: “The situation is heartbreaking. People are running for their lives, and no one can say for sure how many have been killed.”

Meanwhile, some youths in the area called for a suspension of political activities, describing the incident as a period of mourning.

“This is a moment of grief. Our soldiers died protecting us. We stand with their families and the Nigerian Armed Forces,” the youths said in a statement.

A.K. Musa, another community leader, lamented the worsening insecurity in the area and urged leaders to take decisive steps to address the situation.

He called on political and traditional leaders to rise to the challenge, warning that continued inaction would further endanger lives.

“Kaiama leaders must act now. The level of insecurity suggests a failure of leadership, and urgent steps must be taken to protect the people,” he said.


Efforts to get the reaction of the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, did not respond to calls and messages as of press time

© 2026 The Sun Nigeria – All Right Reserved.

Hightablevoice2:
Since I am mostly active within this section on NL, it occured to me to ask what are other people's experience so far generally on NL.

While we may not think of it consciously, but in a way NL is probably the most popular and if not the only interactive platform for Nigerians on the whole internet. FB, IG, X, TikTok, etc are all global space platforms. NL is Naija own

So with that spirit, I'd like to acknowledge some people whose comments, post, and replies I find not only interesting and interactive but also vibratory, mind you I do not say I am a fan of all these guys or agree with them but I do regard them. They stand for something and that is commendable in my books.

So in no particular order,
brain54,
esnbrutality,
helinuss,
francasng,
righteousness2,
lithiumite,
kobojunkie,
AMINDA,
HacheNoire very gentle soul..
seunmsg. Dont know if it's Seun himself or not but he does pop in and there.

Then there's another guy Ace or something I can't remember so my bad. And then there's that girl that went through the hassle of proofing she is a girl that also uses NL, I still find that funny. I can't remember her name.

Hopefully someday Seun go organize a small party, like a luncheon. It can be by ticket sales, NL award show, RoundTable Talk on interesting topics or whatever. Hopefully they will get there and keep the family going.

In general terms, this site na cruise on many levels, fresh air from Twitter over anything for Elon Musk money. FB lie lie people, IG face value market and Tiktok do as you like model.. as rugged as NL is, we do learn from each, get latest news, and some crazy wild ride topics. Even with all the gbas gbos everly present here.

Speaking of GbasGbos, in that Arena some NL guys be like Dem get full battery and still charge their main power bank and the extra ones. Dose guys no get joy. You read some GbasGbos weh be say u no fit laugh, U no fit vex u go just wonder.. But In all, it is a good experience.. I know I am not alone in this, so if there are guys you notice something about, engage and drop their names. We can follow up

You are probably a newbie in nairaland, not even up to on year, you haven't seen anything, as you still have to patient in order to learn more.

Yes, nairaland is somewhat an online platform used by Nigerians, mostly the youths for informations, entertainment and for sharing ideas.

Many active and controversial monickers has come and gone, those that you mentioned are neophyte in this space as we have had different shades of person's here before.

We have those that rarely comment on issues, introverts and extroverts, tribalist, analyst, promoters,scammers, political apologist,those supporting/criticizing government policies and a host of others, you see the good, bad, and the ugly here.

In October 2020, millions of young Nigerians flooded the streets in the largest civic uprising in the country’s democratic history. They coordinated on Twitter. They raised funds through cryptocurrency. They fed each other at the protest grounds. For two weeks, a generation that had been called lazy, distracted, and politically useless became the conscience of a nation

In the 2023 general election, youth voter turnout was, once again, abysmal. The same generation that shut down Lagos for two weeks could not translate that energy into votes, party membership, or candidacies at any meaningful scale. Nigeria’s median age is 18. Over 60 million citizens are between 18 and 35. They are the majority. And yet, at every election, they disappear.


The answer was not apathy.


It was poverty.

The Civic Voluntarism Model, developed by Verba, Schlozman, and Brady at Harvard, argues that political participation depends on three things: resources (time, money, and civic skills), psychological engagement (whether you believe your participation matters), and recruitment networks (whether anyone actually asks you to get involved).


In Nigeria, all three are broken simultaneously.

The young people surveyed were not indifferent to politics. They followed the elections. They argued about candidates on WhatsApp. They cared. But when it came to showing up, registering for a party, attending a rally, or running for office, the barriers were concrete and material. Transport costs money. Taking time off work costs money. Campaign registration costs money. In a country where youth unemployment sits above 50 percent in some states, these are not small obstacles. They are walls.

The second finding was arguably more damaging: collapsed political trust. The majority of respondents expressed deep scepticism that their participation would change anything. This is not laziness. It is a rational calculation. When you have watched elections get rigged, when elected officials vanish after inauguration, when the one time your generation stood up the army shot at you, the decision to stay home is not apathy. It is self-preservation.


And then there is recruitment. In established democracies, young people are pulled into politics through institutions: unions, student governments, party youth wings, civic organisations. In Nigeria, these structures either do not exist for most young people or have been captured by the same political elites who benefit from youth exclusion. Nobody is knocking on doors in Kwara South asking a 22-year-old to run for local council.

So here is the uncomfortable truth: Nigerian youth are not failing democracy. Democracy is failing them. The system is designed, whether intentionally or not, to make participation expensive, thankless, and dangerous. Digital activism has become a pressure valve that allows young people to feel politically engaged without ever entering the formal arena where decisions are actually made. A tweet is free. A candidacy is not.

What would change this? Three things.

First, reduce the cost of participation. Campaign filing fees, party registration costs, and election logistics are priced for wealthy incumbents, not young challengers. Until these barriers come down, youth candidacies will remain a fantasy.


Second, invest in civic recruitment infrastructure. Nigeria needs what Verba and his colleagues call “mobilisation networks” at the community level. This means strengthening youth wings, student unions, and civic organisations that actively pull young people toward formal politics rather than waiting for them to arrive on their own.

Third, rebuild trust. This is the hardest task and the most important. Trust is not rebuilt through speeches. It is rebuilt through accountability. When young people see that their vote actually produced a consequence, that an elected official actually delivered something, the calculation changes. But that requires elected officials to care about a constituency that does not yet show up in large enough numbers to threaten them. It is a vicious circle. Someone has to break it.



Sixty million young Nigerians are waiting to be asked. It is time someone asked.

quadraheem:
This is another evidence that shows that money cannot buy everything especially Happiness.

Does being with a partner or married makes one happy.

Image123:
True, but the government needs to do more. 1,710 toilets is not enough for over 20 million people, that's a joke. Another bad joke is the maintenance. If you go to international airports, you'll understand what maintenance is. Public toilets don't have to be disease traps and smelling like hell.

Nigeria international airports and not international airports

MatrixReloaded:
See the useless comment from a governing body. So a business place has turned to where miscreants and touts with no bank account will go and dump their large stence of deficate.
Even the one parading as a sponsored tout will slap both the security staffs since their baba gave approval.

In fact,this the highest height of irresponsibility, a sign of a failed government despite access to huge revenue.

Their toilet is not for public use but for their customers.

Iran is digging out its remaining missiles and launchers, the Pentagon said Thursday.
The US has assessed that much of Iran's missile and launch capabilities have been destroyed.

military and defense Iran's military says it has placed the Strait of Hormuz under strict control again


At a press briefing on Thursday, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that he was aware of Iranian military movements and actions during the ceasefire.

"We know what military assets you are moving and where you are moving them to," Hegseth said, stating that he was speaking directly to Iranian leadership.

"You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them," the secretary said. "You have no defense industry, no ability to replenish your offensive or defensive capabilities."

The US armed forces struck more than 13,000 targets in total during the war against Iran prior to the recent ceasefire agreement.

Earlier this month, the US said that about 80% of Iran's air defense systems, more than 1,500 targets, had been destroyed during the operation. US officials have also said Iran's defense industrial capacity has been severely weakened, including 450 ballistic missile storage facilities and roughly 90% of Iran's weaponry factories in total.

US intelligence has assessed that Iran still maintains an arsenal of missiles and launchers, much of which has been buried. Satellite images show that Iran has been conducting excavation work at some of its missile bases that were hit during the first five weeks of Operation Epic Fury. The exact number of remaining missiles and launchers remains unclear.

The US blockade of Iranian ports began earlier this week and so far has forced at least 10 vessels to turn around.SAUL LOEB / AFP
The US blockade of Iranian ports began earlier this week and so far has forced at least 10 vessels to turn around.

At the beginning of the conflict, Iran launched major missile and drone attacks on US forces and Gulf state allies and partners. Within the first week, those strikes fell by over 90%, but they didn't stop, suggesting Iran still maintained some capacity despite losing many of its missiles, launchers, and weapons production sites.

At the briefing on Thursday, Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also said the US remained ready to resume combat operations should Iran break the ceasefire or negotiations fail.

The US and Iran began negotiations earlier this month but quickly ran into disagreements over Iran's nuclear program. One of the Trump administration's biggest goals in its war with Iran is to stop Tehran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Talks between Washington and Tehran are ongoing, but tensions remain high. The strategic Strait of Hormuz has remained a source of friction. The US has deployed naval forces for mine-clearing efforts and to enforce a blockade on ships traveling to and from Iranian ports.

"An estimated 90% of Iran's economy is fueled by international trade by sea," Adm. Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command overseeing the Middle East, said on social media. "In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, US forces have completely halted all economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea."

The US is allowing commercial traffic without links to Iran to pass. Officials say Navy warships can intercept or turn back ships involved in Iranian trade. Iran has warned it could retaliate, calling the US restrictions on maritime traffic illegal.

CENTCOM said Thursday that 14 vessels have complied with military directions to turn around since the US blockade began.


© 2026 africa.businessinsider.com

Rapmoney:
Have you noticed something in most modern women? They are very brutal when it comes to making choices, and they hold on to their choices tenaciously like the grip of a 20-foot python on a helpless goat. Modern women do not involve emotions, past acts of kindness, sympathy, empathy, etc, when they make choices. That is why a woman can easily switch lanes; she can easily throw you under the bus, no matter what you have done for her, if she sees another man that can take her to the next level.

As a man, you need to be brutal in your choices of life. You need to choose you first. You need to be at least 85% selfish. This is not some redpiller talk. Neither is it just another advice. It is a prerequisite for survival and success in a complex society filled with hypergamous women.

Whenever there is conflict between what a woman wants and a course that can upgrade your life, always go for the latter, because if you don't, she would do the exact opposite without remorse if placed in your shoe.

As a man, always put yourself first. No let anybody whine you. Poor man house dey always dey far. If house fall, goat go climb the roof. Do not let them meet you at the same spot they left you.

One of the truism in life, if you want to make constant progress ✅

panafrican:
Nigeria would make a huge amount of money every day if the country blocked the whole Atlantic
ocean.Just see the map.

This joke smacks of absolute foolery, and it's actually uncalled for as it makes no sense ✅

The United States’ blockade of Iranian ports has been “fully implemented” and put a halt to most of Tehran’s economic activity in just a day and a half, the head of US Central Command said Wednesday.

“An estimated 90% of Iran’s economy is fueled by international trade by sea. In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, US forces have completely halted all economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea,” Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement on social media.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said earlier no vessels have breached the blockade since its implementation.

At the same time, reports are emerging of some commercial traffic transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic chokepoint between Iran and Oman through which 20% of the world’s oil exports and 80% of Iran’s oil exports travel.

Two key points:

As stated by CENTCOM, the blockade covers all Iranian ports, both inside and outside of the Strait of Hormuz, but not the strait itself. Traffic not related to Iran may cross. Blockading an international waterway is illegal under maritime law.

In enforcing the blockade, US forces can interdict ships carrying Iran-linked cargo tens of thousands of miles away. A commercial ship can be targeted in international waters long after it leaves the strait.

Marines fire rifles during a deck shoot aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury, on April 2. - U.S. Central Command Public Affairs

Analysts say modern technology allows blockade enforcement at great distances.


“(The US doesn’t) have to put ships in the Persian Gulf to blockade Iran,” said Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain.

He noted the 12+ ships CENTCOM says are on blockade duty. Most, if not all, of them are outside the strait. They can carry sophisticated tracking and reconnaissance gear linked to air and space systems.

And at least in the early days of this blockade, oil tankers aren’t going to get far. A fully laden tanker may travel at less than 20 mph. That’s not much faster than the speed of an average bicycle rider.

The US Navy also has the size and scope to pursue any ship getting outside of the Persian Gulf for weeks, anywhere in the world.

“The US blockade on Iranian ports does not have a defined geographic boundary, and the United States can interdict vessels almost anywhere in international waters until they arrive at their final port,” the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Tuesday.

Oil tankers Galileo, previously known as the Veronica, and M Sophia, which were seized by the United States, are anchored off the coast of Ponce, Puerto Rico, on January 21.

Earlier this year, as Washington put pressure on the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, US forces seized a Venezuelan tanker in the Indian Ocean, thousands of miles from its originating port.

“Be careful not to interpret (blockade) too literally as a physical interdiction of the strait itself,” said Bjorn Hojgaard, CEO of ship management company Anglo-Eastern.

The ISW also noted the US did grant exceptions from its blockade to humanitarian shipments, and allowed an undetermined “grace period” for neutral ships in Iranian ports to leave.

Six ships that may have been attempting to beat the blockade were stopped, and turned around at the direction of US forces, according to a CENTCOM statement Tuesday.

Meanwhile, CENTCOM said it was employing more than a dozen warships, over 100 aircraft and more than 10,000 personnel in blockade enforcement.

Schuster, the former Navy captain, gave a breakdown of roles for the vessels CENTCOM said were part of the blockade.

Aircraft carrier: Carries surveillance aircraft and fighter jets for combat air patrols. Also houses a significant command, control, communication and intelligence center.

Amphibious assault ship: Also conveys surveillance and attack aircraft, another command, control, communication and intelligence center, and hundreds of Marines who can board commercial ships.

Amphibious transport dock: Will carry more Marines, helicopters, and Osprey transports.

Dock landing ship: Comes with heavy-lift helicopters and more Marines.

Destroyers: “They have the sensors, speed and weaponry to detect, intercept and if need be, board, seize and take the offending ship elsewhere,” Schuster said.

Littoral combat ship: These can conduct mine countermeasures and tracking.

Schuster said the makeup of that force, much of it operating well back from the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian coast, leaves Tehran with limited options to respond.

The small attack boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy are designed for operating in the close confines of the strait and the Persian Gulf, not the open waters of the Arabian Sea and beyond.

Iran likely retains some ballistic and anti-ship cruise missiles despite weeks of US aerial bombardment of the country. But even when they had those in larger numbers, none are known to have hit any US warships operating in the Arabian Sea.

US President Donald Trump said last month that Iran had fired 101 missiles at the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, but all of them were taken out.


© 2026 Yahoo. All rights reserved.

Islamist militants riding motorbikes stormed an army base near Nigeria's northeastern border ​with Chad, killing the commander and six ‌other soldiers late on Sunday, two military sources said.

The assault was by members of Boko Haram and its splinter ​group Islamic State West Africa Province, the sources ​told Reuters, and came days after a string ⁠of coordinated attacks on military positions in other parts ​of Borno State.

Insurgents have ramped up attacks on overstretched ​bases and looted weapons across the region, piling pressure on the government and President Bola Tinubu who has vowed to end ​years of violence.

Those killed late on Sunday included ​the base commander who was weeks from retirement and six ‌other ⁠soldiers whose vehicle struck an improvised mine while heading to reinforce troops during the attack, the sources said.

At least 12 militants were killed in a gunfight ​during the attack ​on the ⁠242 Battalion barracks in Monguno, the sources added, requesting anonymity because they were ​not authorised to speak to the ​media.

Militants have ⁠waged a 17-year insurgency seeking to carve out an Islamic state in northeast Nigeria, killing thousands and ⁠displacing ​at least 2 million people, aid ​groups say, despite major military campaigns.


© 2026 Reuters. All rights reserved

SmartPolician:
God doesn't lift any nation.
People work hard to fix their country

There's always an unseen entity that compliments your hardwork and progress in all human endeavors,don't think it's only by how smart you are, stop following blind illusions.

helinues:
What can other countries buy currently with their highest denomination

See, you opposition should stop this hatred arguments with no meaning.

The global war that have been going on for years is it only Nigeria that's affected?

Average daily minimum wage in Ghana is 21GHC but barbing alone on average saloon is 50GHC. Average restaurant with decent meal, you will have 150GHC

You deviated from the main topic of discuss, how much is Ghana highest currency and also what's is a Ghana cedis to a dollar, let's starts our analysis from here.

Topman7:
YOU ARE COMPARING THIS TO ''COVD 19''??

LITTLE KID TALKING RUBBISH.

BECAUSE YOU SEE FOOD TO EAT EVERY DAY, YOU THINK YOU ARE AN ISLAND?

DO YOU KNOW ALL THE IMPORTS WE NEED FOR YOU TO SEE THAT FOOD TO EAT, FROM PESTICIDES TO INSECTICIDES TO FERTILISERS?

DO YOU KNOW THAT DELAYED SHIPMENTS OF THOSE THINGS - MANY OF WHICH PASS THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ - CAN CAUSE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO STARVE, IF NOT BILLIONS?

STOP TALKING NONSENSE ABOUT ''NUCLEAR WEAPON'' AS IF YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING IN A CAVE AND DON'T KNOW THAT THE USA AND IRAN HAD A NUCLEAR DEAL THAT WAS WORKING PERFECTLY, WHICH TRUMP, THE NASTY THING YOU WORSHIP, TORE UP FOR NO REASON.

WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE ARE YOU THAT CAN'T RESEARCH OR THINK?

ALLOWING YOURSELVES TO BE LED BY THE NOSE BY AN IMMORAL 80 YEAR OLD RACIST CRIMINAL THUG WHO DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN IF YOU STARVE!

Why don't you ask yourself why Trump tore up the nuclear deal with Iran.

A Nigerian air force strike targeting jihadi rebels hit a local market in northeastern Nigeria, killing over 100 residents and injuring many others, a rights group and local media reported on Sunday. Officials confirmed a misfire but did not provide details.

Amnesty International said it confirmed from survivors that at least 100 people were killed in the airstrike Saturday on a village in Yobe state near the border with Borno state, the epicenter of the jihadi insurgency that has ravaged the region for over a decade.

Such misfires are common in Nigeria, where the military often conducts air raids to battle armed groups who control vast forest enclaves. The air raids have ended up killing at least 500 civilians since 2017, according to an AP tally of reported deaths. Security analysts point to loopholes in intelligence gathering as well as insufficient coordination between ground troops, air assets and stakeholders.

The large, remote market where the strike occurred, located at the Borno-Yobe border, is known to be often patronized by Boko Haram jihadis who come there to buy food supplies.

Abdulmumin Bulama, a member of a civilian security group working with the Nigerian military in the northeast, said there was intelligence that Boko Haram terrorists were gathering at a location very close to the market and it was believed they were planning an attack on nearby communities.

“The intel was shared and the air force jet acted based on the credible information,” the official said.

The Yobe State Government confirmed in a statement that a Nigerian military strike was targeting a stronghold of the Boko Haram jihadi group in the area and that “some people … who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected.” The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency also acknowledged that an incident had occurred resulting in casualties and said it had dispatched response teams to the area while urging the public to remain calm.

“We are in touch with people that are there, we spoke with the hospital. We spoke with the person in charge of casualties, and we spoke with the victims,” Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria director, told The Associated Press.


The Nigerian military issued a statement saying it conducted a successful strike on a “terrorist enclave and logistics hub” belonging to jihadis in the area, killing scores of them as they rode on motorcycles. It did not provide any detail about a possible misfire but noted that motorcycles remain prohibited in conflict hot spots and “any such movements in restricted areas are therefore treated with the utmost seriousness.”

The Nigerian air force did not immediately respond to an AP inquiry.

Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous country, is battling a complex security crisis, especially in the north, where there is a decade-long insurgency and several armed groups that kidnap for ransom.

Among the most prominent Islamic militant groups are Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, which is affiliated with the Islamic State group and known as Islamic State West Africa Province. There is also the IS-linked Lakurawa group operating in communities in the northwestern part of the country that borders Niger Republic

© 2026 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg addressed the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, outlining his perspective on the balance of power and potential next steps in the confrontation.


Speaking during an interview broadcast on Fox News, Kellogg emphasized that Iran is not in a strong negotiating position and warned of the consequences it could face if tensions continue to escalate. He suggested that the United States retains significant leverage, not only militarily but also economically, and could apply additional pressure if necessary.

Kellogg pointed to the broader strategic options available to the U.S., noting that actions could extend beyond the battlefield. According to him, economic measures could play a decisive role in weakening Iran’s capacity to sustain itself during a prolonged conflict. His remarks underscored the possibility of intensifying efforts to limit Iran’s economic stability as part of a wider campaign.

He said, “They should realize they don’t hold any of the cards. We can make sure that we destroy their economic potential as well. Just let us figure out how to open it up straight. We can do it, if we have to, militarily.”


The comments reflect a firm stance on how the United States might proceed if diplomatic efforts fail or if the situation deteriorates further. Kellogg’s statement suggests that military intervention remains an option, though it may be considered alongside other forms of pressure.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions between the two countries, with ongoing developments continuing to shape the trajectory of the conflict and international response.

opera news

Tensions between Iran and the United States have sharply escalated following the collapse of high-level negotiations in Islamabad, with Iranian officials declaring the talks a failure and insisting that key strategic decisions remain unchanged.

In a statement posted on Sunday, the Iran Embassy in Ghana signalled Tehran’s defiance after more than 20 hours of discussions with US representatives yielded no agreement.

“The US flew their Vice President halfway across the world to Islamabad. 21 hours of talks. They demanded everything they couldn't achieve through war. Iran said a BIG NO. The talks are over. The Strait is still closed. And the VP is flying home empty-handed. Just Iran's word. Again. They don't have any option left to save face,” the statement said.

The statement underscores Iran’s firm stance particularly regarding the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, which has remained a central point of contention between both nations.

On the American side, Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation to Pakistan, acknowledged that while discussions were extensive, they ultimately failed to produce a breakthrough.

“The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vance said on Sunday.

Vance

Providing further details after the talks in Islamabad, he added, “We’ve had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians. That’s the good news. The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement and I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it's bad news for the United States of America.”

The failed talks mark a significant setback after renewed diplomatic efforts had raised cautious optimism about easing long-standing hostilities between Tehran and Washington.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the negotiations, which began on Saturday, April 11, 2026, were hosted by Pakistan as part of broader efforts to de-escalate rising tensions in the Middle East. Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, played a central mediatory role, engaging separately with both delegations.

“Commending the commitment of both delegations to engage constructively, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region,” the Government of Pakistan disclosed in a statement shared on X.

Sharif further reiterated Islamabad’s readiness to sustain its facilitation role, stating, “The Prime Minister also reiterated that Pakistan looks forward to continue its facilitation of both sides in making progress towards sustainable peace in the region.”

In parallel engagements, Sharif also met with an Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Consultative Assembly.

“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the Iranian delegation led by the Honorable Speaker of the Iranian Consultative Assembly, Mr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf at Islamabad Talks,” the Pakistani government said.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, the negotiations ultimately ended without consensus, further deepening uncertainty in an already volatile region.

The breakdown comes amid heightened geopolitical strain, with the Strait of Hormuz emerging as a flashpoint. The waterway is vital for global energy supplies, and its continued closure threatens to disrupt international oil markets and escalate tensions further.

U.S. President Donald Trump had warned of possible military consequences should diplomacy fail.

“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz. That is not the agreement we have!” Trump said.

He also issued a stern warning against reports that Iran might be imposing fees on vessels transiting the strait.

“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” he warned.

With negotiations now stalled and rhetoric intensifying on both sides, the outcome of the Islamabad talks appears to have pushed the crisis into a more precarious phase, raising fresh concerns over the prospects of renewed confrontation in the region.



Copyright © 2006–2026 Sahara Reporters, Inc. All rights reserved.

Jamiubond009:
Religion is truly the opium of many a people

How do you mean, don't be fooled.Man itself is religious

She can sit in a bar for three solid hours nursing one bottle of soda, acting calm, mysterious, “soft life.”
But the moment you greet her politely, suddenly the menu opens wide.

Red Label.
Four Cousins.
Chips.
Chicken.
Goat meat.
Tusker.

All ordered with confidence — like she’s used to abundance.

Then comes the after-party economics.
She will ask for transport money.
The following day, the stories start rolling in like a Netflix series:

“My mummy is sick.”

“I need to go to the salon urgently.”

“Landlord Simanyi is on my neck.”

“Life is hard.”

Same script. Different day.

And when you look closely at the balance sheet of her life?
The only real asset is a big smartphone.
No airtime.
No savings.
No plan.

Clothes are shared.
Bags are borrowed.
“Muzigo” rotates.

But the talk?
You’d think she owns half the city.

They will tell you stories of sleeping with every rich man,
Every “big boy,”
Every celebrity

Yet nothing in their life reflects proximity to wealth — except selfies taken in mirrors they don’t own.

Every movement is on boda bodas — to clubs, to hotels, to night spots.
But once conversation starts, suddenly boda is not good enough.

Now it’s:

“Special hire”

“Uber”

“My standards are high”

Standards for transport, but none for direction.

The painful truth is this:
Many of these girls are not living — they are surviving on appearances.
Validation today. Panic tomorrow.
Flex now. Stress later.

And yes, some will get angry when this is said.
They will insult.
They will deflect.
They will call names.

But truth always offends those married to illusion.

This is not hatred.
It’s observation.

Time is moving.
Youth expires quietly.
And without skills, work, discipline, or vision, the lifestyle collapses.

No man owes you rescue.
No city owes you luxury.
No attention replaces effort.

Reality doesn’t care about filters, captions, or club lights.

Wake up.
Work.
Build something real.

Because the world is unforgiving and pretending otherwise is the real cruelty.

It is quite unfortunate,that everyone with his cats and dogs who has failed politically has now turned peter obi to their rags they use to clean their dirty shoes.

THE ENEMIES OF NIGERIA

Nigeria’s greatest enemies are not external forces, foreign conspirators, or abstract historical misfortunes, they sit comfortably within the nation’s leadership, and operate confidently in the corridors of power. This is not a claim rooted in emotion, but one grounded in patterns of governance that have persisted for decades. The tragedy of Nigeria is not a lack of knowledge about what to do, it is the deliberate refusal to do it.

Those in power in Nigeria know exactly what makes nations work. They travel abroad, educate their children in functional systems, seek medical care in countries with working health infrastructures, and invest their private wealth in economies governed by law, transparency, and accountability. They understand the value of electricity, security, efficient institutions, independent courts, and merit-based governance, yet they return home to preside over dysfunction with chilling consistency. This contradiction is the clearest evidence that Nigeria’s problem is not ignorance, but intent.

A functional Nigeria would threaten the current power structure. When institutions work, individuals become less powerful, when laws are enforced, impunity collapses, when systems replace patronage, godfathers lose relevance. Many within the corridors of power thrive precisely because Nigeria does not work. Chaos becomes capital, poverty becomes leverage, weak institutions become tools of control. In such an environment, loyalty is purchased, not earned, elections are managed, not contested, and governance is reduced to survival of the connected.

Corruption in Nigeria is not accidental, it is organized. It is sustained by deliberate policy failures, selective law enforcement, and the weaponization of state institutions against perceived enemies, while allies enjoy immunity. Files disappear, cases drag endlessly in court, and anti-corruption rhetoric is used as a political weapon rather than a moral commitment. If corruption were genuinely confronted, many powerful figures would not survive politically, socially, or legally.

The economy follows the same pattern of deliberate sabotage. Nigeria knows how to diversify, industrialize, and empower local production. Policies have been written, experts consulted, and solutions clearly mapped out, yet nothing changes because economic reform threatens entrenched interests that profit from import dependence, subsidy fraud, and currency manipulation. A productive economy reduces dependence on political patronage, and dependence is the oxygen of bad leadership.

Education and healthcare suffer the same intentional neglect. A well-educated population questions authority, a healthy population resists exploitation. So public schools decay, while private alternatives flourish for the elite, teaching hospitals collapse, while officials fly abroad for treatment. The message is unmistakable, the state has no intention of serving the people, it expects them to fend for themselves.

Worse still is the dangerous silence of those who should speak. Many who understand the truth have benefited from corrupt money, compromised their conscience, and chosen comfort over courage, their silence has become an enabler of national decline.

Nigeria is not broken beyond repair, it is being deliberately restrained. The systems that would make the country work already exist, what is missing is the will to allow them function without manipulation.

The painful truth is this, Nigeria will start working the moment those in power decide that the country matters more than their privileges. Until then, the real enemies of Nigeria will remain firmly seated at the table of power, well-fed, well-protected, and fully aware of what they refuse to do.

ManknowThyself:
Congratulations

More blessings

New job waiting for you.

must he go and work for someone, Nigeria graduate with servitude mentality.

BetterNigeria0:
My own is 26k and amBsc holder.... Secondary,taking 3 subjects

locations.