₦airaland Forum

African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark has expelled Nafiu Bala, the party’s factional chairman.

Bala was expelled on Tuesday in Abuja during the party’s national convention.

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president; David Mark, national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); and Rotimi Amaechi, ex-minister of transportation, on Wednesday led a protest tagged ‘Occupy INEC’ in Abuja.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 poll; Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun state; Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano; and ex-senator Dino Melaye, were also among the protesters.

The demonstration was organised by leaders of the ADC to protest what they described as the “partisanship” of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Atiku announced the protest in a post on X.


“Myself and other leaders of the ADC are peacefully protesting against the partisanship of the electoral umpire,” he said.

“Our patriotic stance is aimed at safeguarding our democracy and preventing the enthronement of a dictatorship.”

Protesters at the venue repeatedly chanted “Ojoro”, while holding placards and banners with inscriptions like ‘Tinubu, why are you afraid?’, ‘Judges must give justice’, ‘Tinubu, let democracy breathe’.


The protest comes in the wake of INEC’s de-recognition of the ADC leadership following a court of appeal verdict.

Ambassador Timi Frank, a former Spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concerns that the brotherhood amongst Nigerians which was the bedrock, promoting a unified Nigeria, has now completely collapsed under the President Bola Asiwaju Tinubu’s Administration as it is now more glaring everyday on the sharp divisions even amongst persons of same faith, as can be seen at the burial of the Mother of the Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai . It is rather disheartening and instructive of note that no South Western Muslim of the Yoruba ethnicity was present at the burial, but instead chose to abstain from the burial of the mother of former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

He credited it to the bad blood governance style of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ambassador Timi Frank said that "Even in the death, the Yorubas of the south west are clearly avoiding the North due to the fear of being persecuted by the President. It is important to note that at the burial rites, we did not see or witness any visible presence of Muslim of the Yoruba ethnicity show solidarity with the former minister and Governor, not withstanding even under a Muslim-Muslim Presidency. Aren’t we supposed to be one Nigeria irrespective of ethnicity, tribe and religion? Even Mr Peter Obi of the Christian faith was present to show solidarity, so why then are the South western Yoruba Muslims absent at the burial of El-Rufai's mother?"

"This only goes to shows you the extent to which the policies and body language of the President has started causing sharp division in the country. Before President Tinubu, we were all one as a people. We put politics aside and we condole one another across ethnicity,tribe and religion. But now, under Emilokan, the Yorubas for fear of Presidential persecution are avoiding a Northern brother and leader like Nasir El-Rufai.

"I hope the North is watching. Because this is a clear indication that should President Tinubu return for a second term, his policy of division and persecution of dissenting voices may be child's play compared to what we may witness. I fear he may not only cause more division to the unity of Nigeria, he may even decide to move the FCT to Lagos someday.

It is noteworthy to illustrate that Mallam Nasir El - Rufai gave everything and played his part in ensuring that this administration came to life, but is being vigorously persecuted by the same government he helped ascend to power, which should serve as a lesson to other northerners and leaders who are singing his praises at this time to be weary when the tables turn, “Ambassador Timi Frank concluded.



Source: https://x.com/i/status/2038323694745858167

The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Tourism and Creative Economy, in collaboration with GritinAI, held a One‑Day Intensive Practical Workshop equipping creatives and entrepreneurs with hands‑on mastery of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for image, video, and content generation.

Held at GTFoods Plus in Benin City, GRA, the workshop empowered young business owners across Edo State with immediate, hands-on training in using AI tools to enhance their business operations, marketing capabilities, and overall competitiveness, driving economic growth.

In her opening remarks, Anto Lecky, the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Tourism and Creative Economy welcomed the participants, describing the training as an opportunity for Edo creatives and SMEs to learn technology skills that will help them improve their services and increase their economic viability.

She reminded the participants that in order to prevent Artificial Intelligence from taking their job, they must learn how to use Artificial Intelligence to do their job better.

She kindly reminded the youth participants about the importance of timeliness and good customer service in promoting better businesses, a better state and country.

The CEO of GritinAI, Peter Nnachor, appreciated the SSA and the Edo State Government for partnering with the company to organize such an important training seminar to equip Edolites with tools that better promote their businesses and Edo State at large. “Artificial Intelligence is a leveler, helping users compete with global creatives and businesses. Edo State creatives will now be up to par with their peers across the world thanks to the SSA and state government.”

During the session, the team from GritinAI educated the participants on using AI for Branding and Visual Marketing, Sales Copy and Communication, Customer Service and Efficiency and Refining Outputs and Ethical Use.

Participants engaged with AI tools to create professional social media visuals, draft sales pitches, website copy, product descriptions, and effective email marketing campaigns, generate FAQs and streamline routine administrative tasks, and localise and edit AI outputs to ensure quality, professionalism, and relevance to the Edo market.

At the conclusion of the workshop, students were added to a work group portal where they will have access to more AI tools with their progress being tracked by the SSA and GritinAI. Students will also receive a certificate proving completion of the training.

A participant, Osayarion Ogbeide-Ihama, thanked the SSA and the Governor, His Excellency Sen. Monday Okpebholo, for the opportunity that provided Edo SMEs and creatives with digital AI experience and knowledge. “This initiative is truly second to none, and clearly shows how passionate His Excellency is about technology and about growing our economic ecosystem. The SSA’s role as the initiator of this project further demonstrates that the Governor made the right choice in selecting people with creative and innovative ideas to help drive our economy forward. I will certainly take what I have learned from this workshop and apply it to improve and grow my business. Indeed, Edo is shining,” he added.

An energy expert and Niger Delta activist, Nse Victor in an interview with Arise TV clarified NNPC expenditure. Attached is the YouTube link to the interview:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZKHm9D-5pM?si=DYQhY0lgSD3NeatD

MEMORANDUM

TO: The President of the United States

FROM: Mike Arnold, Founder, Africa Arise International; Author, EPICENTER

CC: Secretary Rubio; National Security Advisor; Senate & House Foreign Affairs; Amb. Brownback; USCIRF

DATE: March 2026

RE: Nigeria — The Biggest Win on the Board

Mr. President,

You are doing what no president has had the courage to do—confronting Islamic terrorism head-on around
the world. Iran. The Middle East. The border. But there is a bigger play sitting on the table, and nobody
else sees it.

Nigeria. 230 million people. Sixth largest nation on earth—third largest by 2050. A trillion dollars in
untapped minerals. Top five oil producer. The youngest population of any major country on earth. Your
own AFRICOM commander has called it “the epicenter of terrorism on the globe.”

Right now, China has
150,000 nationals looting $9 billion a year in minerals while jihadis slaughter Christians and the
government covers it up. Obama built this. Biden protected it. And it is about to blow up in a way that
makes Afghanistan look small.

Here’s what most people don’t know: Nigeria’s constitution is a fraud. It was written by a Muslim
military dictator in 1999 and imposed by decree—no vote, no referendum, no consent. It opens with “We the People” but the people never saw it. It mentions Sharia 73 times and Christianity zero. It centralizes all wealth under Northern Islamic control. It’s not a democracy. It’s a caliphate with a rubber-stamp parliament. The terrorists in the bush and the politicians in Abuja are not enemies—they are the same operation. One clears the land. The other hides the bodies and pockets the minerals.

Without action, we lose Nigeria. Brookings conservatively projects 1–2 million radicalized fighters by
2030. The real number is far worse. I have seen the camps firsthand—the Nigerian government and the
United Nations actively suppress and deny the displaced population.
Official figures claim 3.3 million.

Fieldwork indicates 10 to 12 million. From that pool, 5 to 6 million potential jihadis—young men and boys with nothing, raised in camps no one acknowledges, prime recruits for the deadliest ideology on earth. A jihadi-controlled Nigeria would command more money, more people, and more resources than ISIS ever dreamed of. The largest terror state in history—on track to happen unless someone stops it.
Here’s the good news: this doesn’t require a single bomb.

The Nigerian people are ready. Everywhere they go in the world, they prosper. Nigerian Americans are among the most educated, entrepreneurial, and patriotic immigrant communities in this country. Back home, they are trapped under a rigged system installed by globalists and sustained by Islamists. Remove the stranglehold and they will build a powerhouse. A model nation. A booming economy. America’s
strongest African ally. A trillion-dollar mineral partner that replaces China overnight.

The ask is simple: guarantee a free and fair Nigerian election. International observers. Transparent
voter rolls. No military intimidation. A new constitution written by the people, ratified by the people. Let
them decide whether they stay united or restructure. Tinubu “won” with barely 8 million votes in an
election that was 100% rigged.

In a free election, enough Nigerians will rise to transform the nation
overnight. Like the Iranians who danced in the streets when the Ayatollah fell—but greater. Not because America invaded. Because America demanded the truth.
There is a domestic dividend. No president has ever mobilized the post-civil-rights African diaspora in
the United States. This community—millions strong, prosperous, educated, deeply connected to their
homelands, and passionate about justice—has never been touched by either party. Freeing Nigeria would solidify, unify, and activate a massive voting bloc that is waiting for a leader who sees them. They will remember who acted.

This is the biggest win on the board. And it is yours for the taking.
I am available to brief your team at your convenience.

Respectfully,
Mike Arnold

......And Why Kwankwaso Should Do Introspection

Benjamin Omale

The recent defection of Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has sparked intense debate. While some are concerned about the implications for the relationship between Gov. Abba and NNPP's National Leader, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, it's essential to examine the underlying issues.

Before attributing Governor Abba's defection to disloyalty, consider their long-standing association. Gov. Abba served Senator Kwankwaso meritoriously for over four decades without blemishes. The question is: why did the governor defect? Was it solely personal ambition, or were there deeper issues? Of course, yes!

Senator Kwankwaso's leadership style and relationships with former colleagues governors, parliamentarians and senators raise questions.
Sen. Kwankwaso's presidential bids lacked support from the former. One could not conveniently point to one of them that supported him. It's clear that political disagreement didn't start from Governor Abba, Ganduje, or Shekarau. This pattern suggests deeper issues with how Senator Kwankwaso relates to others in politics. His inability to secure backing from peers might stem from his leadership style or relationships. Time for some introspection, maybe?
Unlike other prominent politicians, such as Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu, who maintain strong ties with their peers, Senator Kwankwaso seems to lack enduring connections.

Given this context, Governor Abba's decision to leave NNPP is understandable, therefore, one can assume that even If Senator Kwankwaso supported his own son to become Governor, it would likely have led to another split. Senator Kwankwaso's history suggests he struggles to maintain relationships with those he works with.

It's time for Senator Kwankwaso to introspect rather than blame others for his challenges. His leadership and relationships may be contributing factors to the current situation. Governor Abba's defection highlights the need for Senator Kwankwaso to reflect on his approach and consider how he can better build and maintain alliances.

On the other hand, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's leadership style and personality have earned him widespread respect. He's a likeable figure, determined to deliver results rather than pursue self-serving interests. Despite facing numerous challenges since taking office, he navigated them with ease, avoiding unnecessary conflicts.

Governor Abba's ability to work with diverse individuals, regardless of background, is a significant strength. He brought together former adversaries, including ex-Governor Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau etc, united in their pursuit of Kano's progress. This demonstrates his commitment to collaboration and state development. His inclusive approach has fostered a sense of unity, crucial for Kano's growth. By putting the state's interests above personal or partisan considerations, Governor Abba has created a conducive environment for progress. His leadership is a testament to the power of unity and collective effort.

Gov. Abba's four decades of loyalty to Senator Kwankwaso raise questions about the timing of his defection. Was it a sudden change of heart, or were there underlying factors? His decision might be driven by a desire for stability and progress in Kano State, rather than personal ambition. This shift could be a testament to his dedication to Kano's development, showcasing his ability to prioritize the state's interests.



Benjamin Omale wrote this piece from
Oturkpo, Benue state.

.....commends his passion for the youths



A group in Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency of Kogi State, Adavi/Okehi youth vanguards have on Friday endorsed Engr Ado Adinoyi Okikiri as the candidate of choice for Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency.

This is coming on the heels of alignments and re-alignments in the political landscape in Nigeria.

The group said Engr Ado Adinoyi Okikiri is "the candidate that will help the youths of Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency actualise their dreams and aspirations as youths."

"He is youth-friendly. He understands the needs of the youths. He is himself a youth. He will bring quality representation to the people of Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency when he gets to National Assembly," the group further added while endorsing him for 2027.

The group further promised to register massively with ADC as their own way of supporting him. The group concluded by saying; "therefore in this note, we ask all our members and consequently, all Adavi/Okehi constituents to be on notice. We are all registering massively with ADC being the party Engr Ado Adinoyi Okikiri will be using to contest the 2027 polls. We must all also register to vote in the forthcoming election as 2027 and to give Engr Ado Adinoyi Okikiri all the support and votes he needs to get to National Assembly."

......assures them of his support


Front-runner for the Presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi held a meeting yesterday, January 20, 2026; with the Patriotic Citizens Forum and ADC representatives from 19 Northern States.

The attendees included Haishatu Jaafar Bashir (Women Affairs Director), Prof. Kirfi Musa (Professor of Economics and senior representative of the ADC, Bauchi State), Prof. Umar Yusufari (ADC gubernatorial aspirant, Yobe State), Alhaji Ado Adamu Rossi (former youth leader, Kano State), and Hajia Sa’adatu Maishinko (ADC Kano State).

He also had a private meeting with the ADC Gubernatorial Aspirant for Yobe State, Prof. Umar Lawan Yusufari, and his delegation to discuss strategic collaboration efforts.

He also met with the Patriotic Citizens Forum and ADC leadership across several States.

He assured all the various groups and various State chapters represented at the meetings, of his support across their various States and their peculiarities.

At the end of the meetings, the unanimous conclusion reached was that a free and fair election is the least expected of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the country prepares to go to the polls in the build up to the 2027 general elections.

The ADC leaders were unanimous in their call on INEC to ensure a free and fair election. They also promised to resist every rigging attempt by the ruling APC.

The court dismissed the suit following a request from Mr Anyanwu's lawyer that his tenure as National Secretary of PDP has rightfully elapsed.


The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a suit filed by Samuel Anyanwu, seeking validation as the national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The judge, Mohammed Umar, dismissed the suit after Mr Anyanwu’s lawyer disclosed that his client’s tenure as PDP’s national secretary expired in December last year.



Sued as defendants in the suit were the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Umar Damagun, a factional national chairman; Sunday Udeh‑Okoye, PDP National Vice Cairman, South‑East; Ali Odela, deputy national secretary; and Setonji Koshoedo, deputy national secretary.

Speaking earlier during Tuesday’s proceedings, Mr Anyanwu’s lawyer, U. C. Njemanze‑Aku, said it was not proper “for a matter that has been overtaken by events to continue.”



“In the interest of justice, I apply to withdraw this matter to save the court’s time,” Mr Njemanze-Aku said.

Responding, INEC’s lawyer, Akintayo Balogun, said the suit “ought not to have been instituted in the first place” and asked the court to dismiss it with costs. He requested one million naira.



M. O. Akpan, the lawyer who rerpesented Mr Dajuma, also argued that the suit should not have been filed and sought N1.5 million as cost. Similarly Ugochukwu Okanu, representing the fourth defendant and J. A. Musa, for the sixth defendant, asked for N1 million each for the same reason.

However, Mr Njemanze-Aku frowned on the positions of the defendants and their requests for cost.

He insisted that the withdrawal was due to circumstances beyond his client’s control. “We owe a duty to the court, and to avoid wasting its time, we decided to withdraw the case,” he said.

He added that “it is not fair to penalise the plaintiff,” and urged the court to allow the parties to bear their own costs.

After listening to the arguments, the court dismissed the suit. Regarding costs, he ruled that “the delay is not on any of the parties. The situation made it so. For this reason, I award no cost.”

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has described the conferment of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on businessman Gilbert Chagoury as a dark moment for Nigeria, warning that the decision sends a dangerous signal that corruption and conflicts of interest are being normalised at the highest levels of power.

In a strongly worded statement, Frank said the honour - Nigeria’s second-highest national award - undermines public trust and the country’s anti-corruption posture, given widely reported allegations and judicial findings linking Chagoury to money-laundering cases arising from funds looted during the late General Sani Abacha junta.

“Today ranks among the saddest days of my life as a Nigerian,” Frank said, recalling reports that a Swiss court convicted Chagoury in 2000 in connection with laundering Abacha loot, after which he allegedly paid a fine of one million Swiss francs and returned about $66 million to the Nigerian government.

“To bestow one of our highest national honours on a person publicly tainted by allegations and judicial findings of corruption sends a deeply troubling message about our national values,” he added.

Frank also raised concerns about alleged conflicts of interest, citing reports that Chagoury is a business associate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is linked to the controversial Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, reportedly awarded without competitive bidding to Hitech Construction Company, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group.

“A sitting President should not be in business dealings - directly or indirectly - with close associates while holding office,” Frank said, arguing that the optics of the award and the project fuel public suspicion of abuse of power.

The former APC spokesman further pointed to what he described as troubling institutional contradictions, noting that Nigeria’s current National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, once served as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when Chagoury was reportedly investigated as one of Abacha’s key cronies.

Frank who currently serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA,
claimed that Chagoury left Nigeria at the time, only to return later after settling fines and returning funds.

He also referenced reported issues Chagoury allegedly had with United States authorities over money-laundering allegations, though later settled, arguing that such a history should preclude elevation to national honour and international legitimacy.

Expanding his critique to the international arena, Frank cautioned the United States - particularly President Donald Trump and American policymakers - against being misled by lobbyists or vested interests.

He warned that Washington should not appear to lend moral or political cover to individuals or governments perceived to reward corruption.

“A President reputed for standing against corruption and poor governance should be cautious about associating, directly or indirectly, with a government that glorifies individuals with controversial corruption histories,” Frank said.

He also alluded to persistent claims that Chagoury exerts outsized influence over major infrastructure and commercial decisions in Nigeria, allegedly to the detriment of American business interests and in favour of French-linked firms.

If true, Frank said, such claims raise serious questions about transparency, fair competition and the capture of state policy by private interests.

“Nigeria should not become a theatre where corruption is rewarded, conflicts of interest are ignored, and foreign influence is leveraged against national and allied economic interests,” he warned, adding that the controversy has international governance implications.

Frank criticised what he described as a growing disconnect between government decisions and public sentiment, arguing that transparency and accountability are increasingly sidelined.

He questioned the criteria used to confer the GCON on Chagoury, asking Nigerians to demand clarity on his contributions to national development.

“What hospitals, schools or scholarships has he built or funded to merit this honour?” Frank asked. “Beyond his name being linked for years to alleged corruption cases without clear conclusions, Nigerians deserve to know what qualifies him for this award and who among our business leaders has been similarly honoured.”

Calling for civic vigilance, Frank urged opposition parties and citizens committed to justice and the rule of law to treat the episode as a wake-up call.

“A nation where individuals accused or convicted of corruption are protected, defended or even honoured is a nation drifting dangerously toward institutionalised impunity,” he said.

“It is one thing for the rule of law to be weakened; it is far worse for impunity to be openly rewarded.”

Frank urged reflection and decisive action, insisting that Nigeria must recommit to accountability and ethical governance. “Nigeria deserves better,” he said.

END

Signed

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East)
Senior Advisor, Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA

2027: "If I win, the youths will have opportunities" - ADC Presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi



Former Governor of Rivers State and Presidential hopeful, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on Friday hosted members of the United Opposition led by Alhaji Hayatu.


While speaking with the group drawn from various parts of the country, the Presidential aspirant on the platform of ADC commended them for their resolve to join in rescuing Nigeria from "the bad governance of the current administration".

He assured that when he becomes President of Nigeria, he will give fifty percent of his cabinet to youths and women.

He cited his time as Governor of Rivers between 2007 and 2015, emphasizing how he ran a youthful cabinet in Rivers State and how he plans to do the same at the Federal level upon assumption of office as President.

He further highlighted that as Governor of Rivers State, he led a cabinet where he was the eldest at age 42. He clarified that with the exception of Magnus Abe, who was in his age bracket, the majority of his team were young professionals in their 30s.

Drawing from his record in Rivers State, he concluded: "This means that if I win, the youth will have the opportunity to serve as members of the Federal Cabinet."

Press Release
January 7, 2026

Resign Before You Wreck the EFCC Completely, Timi Frank Tells Chairman, Olukoyede

…Says Commission Now Political Enforcer, Not Anti-Graft Agency

Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Wednesday, launched a scathing attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the anti-graft agency of abandoning its constitutional mandate and operating as a political tool of the ruling party.

In a strongly worded statement, Frank called on the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, to resign in order to save the agency.

According to him, the EFCC, under the watch of Olukoyede, had “conducted itself in a manner inconsistent with the laws of the land,” adding that the Commission had brought “shame and disrepute” upon itself through what he described as selective prosecution and political bargaining.

“We have unfortunately reached a point in our country where it has become difficult to distinguish between a Commission statutorily saddled with the responsibility of fighting economic and financial crimes and one that appears to operate as an arm of the ruling party,” Frank said.

According to him, the EFCC has “recklessly abandoned its core mandate of combating corruption” and instead assumed “the role of negotiating the calculated movement of political actors from opposition parties to the ruling party.”

Frank cited several high-profile cases to support his claims, beginning with former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

“Senator Ifeanyi Okowa was vigorously pursued while he was in the opposition over allegations of massive corruption,” he said. “Shortly after meeting with the EFCC, he defected to the ruling APC. Since then, the matter appears to have gone silent. Today, he has even been rewarded with a ‘Renewed Hope Ambassador’ position.”

He also listed former governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), who he said were reportedly invited by the Commission.

“They had ‘discussions’,” Frank said. “Thereafter, none of these individuals appears to have returned to the Commission, and no meaningful updates have been provided to Nigerians.”

Frank described the handling of the case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as “particularly troubling.”

“The EFCC Chairman once publicly threatened to resign if he was not given a free hand to prosecute Yahaya Bello,” he recalled. “Yet, after a visit to the Commission and another round of ‘discussions,’ the case no longer enjoys the same urgency or prosecution vigour.”

He accused the Commission of acting as Bello’s defender, noting that the EFCC had publicly emphasised that the former governor was “innocent until proven guilty” and therefore eligible to contest elections.

“One must ask: was the Chairman of the EFCC unaware of this constitutional principle at the time he was publicly singing and dancing over the alleged crimes attributed to the same individual?” Frank queried.

He further challenged the Commission to extend the same public defence to other suspects.

“The Commission should also do well to act as the spokesperson for other suspects, such as former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, the Commissioner of Finance, Bauchi State, Yakubu Adamu, and a host of others,” he said.

Frank raised what he called “fundamental questions” about the EFCC’s operations.

“Why were Godwin Emefiele and Abubakar Malami not accorded the same treatment? Is it because they are yet to decamp to the ruling party? Why has the EFCC embraced selective prosecution?” he asked.

He warned that Nigerians were increasingly questioning the relevance of the Commission.

“At this point, Nigerians are compelled to ask whether the Commission should be scrapped altogether to prevent its Chairman from continuing to ridicule an institution meant to serve as a pillar of accountability,” he said.

Frank also called on the international community to intervene.

“We call on the international community to beam its searchlight on the EFCC and sanction anyone found culpable,” he said, alleging that “criminality within the Commission has indirectly fuelled insecurity in our land.”

According to him, “funds meant to fight insecurity and other critical challenges have reportedly been misappropriated, while the EFCC allegedly plays the role of negotiator and mediator between looters and the ruling party—at the expense of Nigerian citizens.”

Frank who currently serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, alleged that looters were being rewarded with appointments.

“Looters of public resources are consistently rewarded with juicy appointments, in apparent collusion with a Commission that now serves as a mediator rather than a prosecutor,” Frank said, adding that “confiscated properties by looters of our common resources have been quietly returned to them because they have decided to sing, ‘On your mandate we shall stand.’”

Frank described the EFCC as “a toothless dog that can bark but cannot bite,” blaming what he called the “distorted leadership of Pastor Olukoyede.”

“If the EFCC believes otherwise, it should come clean by telling Nigerians what truly happened to the cases and petitions mentioned above,” he said.

He specifically challenged the EFCC chairman to publish reports allegedly referenced by former AGF Malami. “Mr Chairman, you must come clean on these issues and many others. In the interest of transparency, kindly publish the entire report,” he demanded.

Warning that history would judge the current leadership harshly, Frank said: “Nigeria has a short memory, but history is relentless. Please remember how those who occupied this office before you ended - from Ibrahim Magu to Abdulrasheed Bawa.”

Invoking biblical imagery, he said: “I owe you a duty to speak the truth in line with Christian values, as exemplified by Queen Esther in the Bible, who used her position to advocate for justice to the vulnerable and the entire nation.”

Frank concluded by calling for the resignation of the EFCC chairman.

“The fight against corruption has been reduced to a show of shame before Nigerians and the international community,” he said. “I therefore call for your resignation before you permanently run the Commission aground. Otherwise, you may go down in history as the worst chairman of the EFCC.”

END

Signed:

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East)
Senior Advisor, Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA

......Insists "2027 is Kogi West time"


Kogi Conscience Group, a foremost pressure group in Kogi State has on Thursday, January 1, set agenda for political parties in Kogi State ahead of 2027 polls.

In a new year message to commemorate the commencement of the New Year 2026, the group emphasized that all political parties in Kogi State must let conscience prevail in their approach to the next Kogi State Governorship election and cede their tickets to Kogi West zone as it is the present political mood of the people of the State.

"We welcome everyone to the year 2026. This year, we will increase our advocacy towards shining light on the need for fairness, equity and justice in the political conversation of our dear Kogi State.

"It is not a doubt at all that Kogi West in all its contributions to the greatness of the State has not had the opportunity to govern our dear Kogi State," the group said.

"Great academicians have come out of the zone. Great businessmen and businesswomen making their mark in the world of business, have come out of the zone; innovators, engineers, doctors, accountants, captains of industries, legal juggernauts, Judges of high repute, to mention but a few, have come out of the zone and via their works and their contributions to the immediate and larger society, Kogi State has been blessed and has been made proud since its creation till date. We therefore ask that it is *time* for Kogi West to produce the next Governor of the State to occupy Lugard House.

"Kogi West is eager to contribute its own quota in the development of the State as the people of the West have blessed Kogi State in every other positive way.

"We also condemn the undemocratic language of 'no vacancy in Lugard House' by some political groups.

"We therefore request all political parties in Kogi State to zone their 2027 Governorship tickets to Kogi West in the interest of fairness, justice and equity," the group further added.

"The people of the West will remain determined and resolute and ready to deploy all the democratic principles to ensure that power shifts to its zone this time around, because the zone has paid its political price to ensure stability in the State. The zone in 1979 supported the late Adamu Atta during the Old Kwara.

"After the creation of Kogi State in 1991, the people of the West gave one hundred percent support to late former Governor Prince Audu during the NRC days in the third Republic. They also supported the East in 1999 when they fully supported and voted again for late former Governor Prince Audu. The people of Kogi West further supported and voted for former Governor Ibro, former Governor Wada up till 2015. The people of the West supported Central to power when they voted former Governor Yahaya Bello in 2015 till 2023, who served for eight years in that capacity.

"The stakeholders even gifted Central one more tenure when they voted for now incumbent Governor Ododo in year 2023. By the end of 2027, Central would have served for 12 years.

"Now the people of the West are more than determined to ensure it is their turn to govern Kogi State; beyond just being determined, they are ready, come, 2027.

"Once again, happy New Year 2026, everyone," the statement concluded.

Nigeria’s banking sector is experiencing a fast-moving technological shift that is changing the rules of competition. Smaller banks, fintechs, and cooperatives are now deploying enterprise level banking services almost overnight, gaining capabilities that traditionally required years of investment, large IT teams, and billions of naira in infrastructure.

At the center of this disruption is Insolify with their Fincore platform.

By offering ready-to-use
SaaS (Software as a Service) banking solutions, Insolify enables institutions without technical expertise to launch consumer apps, USSD banking, instant payments, and AI-driven workflows at a fraction of the
cost.

Tens of fintechs, banks, and cooperatives have adopted Fincore, achieving in weeks what larger commercial banks struggled to build over years.

This approach echoes Insolify’s track record of destabilizing markets and frustrating competition, in a similar case, when they introduced artificial intelligence (Safi) and fraud
prevention systems.

By leveraging instant deployment and SaaS delivery, Insolify quickly
dominated the market, frustrating competitors and redefining industry standards.

The same strategy is now fueling Fincore’s rise, giving smaller players an unexpected edge and challenging the competitive advantage of traditional banks.

Critics argue that this rapid empowerment creates an uneven playing field.

Commercial banks that invested heavily in technology now face competitors who can match or surpass them with minimal investment.

This not only distorts competition but also raises concerns about market concentration, as a few SaaS providers gain outsized influence over critical banking operations.

The implications are clear. Regulators, investors, and bank executives must confront the reality that the traditional model of incremental IT investment is being bypassed. Institutions that fail to
adopt these rapidly deployable SaaS solutions risk losing market share, while smaller players equipped with enterprise-grade technology move ahead.

Fincore’s rise highlights a critical tension in Nigeria’s banking sector: the push for innovation and
financial inclusion versus the need for fair competition and market stability.

Insolify’s approach demonstrates how strategic SaaS deployment can disrupt entrenched markets, but it also underscores the potential risks when technological advantage is concentrated in the hands of a few.

Ihima Liberation Forum (ILF)

A Community-Based Organization dedicated to fostering community development through collective efforts towards welfare and progress.

Leadership:
Mr. Abdullahi Maikasuwa Abduljabar
President, Ihima Liberation Forum (ILF)

Mission:
ILF aims to drive positive change in the community through collaborative initiatives, empowering individuals, and promoting overall progress.

…Says Conflicting Accounts on Kwara Arms Show ‘Dangerous Sabotage’, Security Cover-Up


A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Friday, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an immediate and independent investigation of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, over allegations of arming Fulani bandits and other non-state actors in the state.

Frank also urged the United States government to impose visa bans on the two officials and to exercise caution in sharing intelligence with Nigeria until the controversy is fully investigated.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Frank described the unfolding situation as “a chain of official contradictions, confessions, denials and reversals” which, according to him, has exposed “dangerous fault lines within Nigeria’s national security architecture.”

The controversy followed the interception by Nigerian soldiers of armed men carrying AK-47 rifles and operating in a patrol vehicle reportedly linked to the Kwara State Government in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The arrested men were said to have claimed that the state government provided them with the arms and vehicle.

Frank noted that shortly after the incident, officials of the Kwara State Government publicly confirmed that the arrested men were members of Miyetti Allah, allegedly operating under a federal security arrangement coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“Barely days after initial denials, the Kwara State Government itself confirmed that the arrested individuals were part of a security operation linked to the NSA’s office,” he said.

According to Frank, the matter became more troubling when a statement from the NSA’s office initially acknowledged that arms had been issued to vigilantes as part of so-called “hybrid security operations” under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.

“That admission was widely reported and not immediately disputed,” he said.

However, Frank faulted what he described as a “sudden and suspicious U-turn” by the NSA’s office, which later denied arming kidnappers, militias or socio-cultural groups, insisting instead that the armed men were merely “vigilantes known to the NSA.”

“This leaves Nigerians with fundamental questions,” Frank said. “Who authorised the arms? Who recruited these armed men? Why did official accounts change repeatedly within days? Is the Kwara State Governor telling the truth, or is the NSA covering up?”

Describing the situation as a “national security scandal,” Frank said the contradictions could not be dismissed as a media misunderstanding.

“You cannot, as National Security Adviser, first appear to justify or explain the issuance of arms and then turn around to deny it completely. Such contradictions suggest either gross incompetence or a deliberate cover-up to protect powerful interests,” he said.

Frank argued that the incident showed that “top government officials know exactly what is happening and are playing politics with Nigeria’s insecurity,” adding that insecurity was being politicised “within the cabinet, within the government and within the ruling party.”

“When a governor says one thing and the NSA says another, Nigeria is not just confused — Nigeria is endangered,” he added.

He also questioned the deployment of armed Miyetti Allah operatives in Kwara, a predominantly Yoruba area.

“What business do armed Miyetti Allah operatives have operating in Yorubaland under any circumstance?” he asked, noting that communities in the state had repeatedly warned that deploying armed migrant herders would worsen insecurity rather than resolve it.

Frank said that in a “sane country,” Ribadu would have stepped aside to allow a transparent investigation, rather than what he described as “evasions, reversals and damage control.”

Calling directly on President Tinubu, Frank said: “The President must immediately order a full, independent probe into the roles of the NSA and the Kwara State Government, investigate the conflicting briefings from the NSA’s office, and punish any official found to have armed or enabled non-state actors outside the law.”

He warned that the contradictions suggested “that someone is lying — or many people are hiding the truth,” and amounted to internal sabotage of the administration.

Frank also appealed to the United States to be cautious in its dealings with Nigeria’s security leadership.

“America must withhold sensitive intelligence sharing, launch its own investigation into these allegations, and impose visa bans on Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq pending the outcome of credible investigations,” he said.

According to him, “when a country cannot tell the truth about who is armed, who authorised it, and who is responsible, that country cannot be trusted with shared intelligence.”

Frank who currently serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA,
lamented that the controversy underscored a deeper crisis.

“Nigeria’s insecurity is no longer just about bandits and kidnappers — it is about deception, politics and betrayal at the highest levels of government,” he said, warning that history would judge Tinubu’s administration harshly if decisive action was not taken.

Signed:

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East)
Senior Advisor, Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA

Political activist and international affairs leader, Comrade Timi Frank,has welcomed the resignation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) but insisted that stepping aside should not bring closure to the matter.

“Resignation is not an admission of guilt, but it is only the first step. What must follow is a full investigation and, where necessary, arrest and prosecution,” Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and currently ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA,
said in a statement in Abuja.

He called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
to immediately investigate and prosecute Engr. Ahmed over allegations raised by Africa’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote( the newest comrade in town).

Frank expressed concern that more than 72 hours after the allegations were made public, the relevant agencies had remained largely silent, apart from the ICPC which only acknowledged receipt of a petition.

“More than 72 hours after these weighty allegations were made public, the silence of our anti-corruption agencies is deeply troubling and unacceptable in a country that claims to operate under the rule of law,” Frank said.

He argued that allegations of such magnitude, especially when raised by a figure of Dangote’s standing, deserved swift and transparent action, warning that the continued silence could further erode public confidence in public institutions.

“If Aliko Dangote cannot get justice in a matter of this nature, then one must ask what hope is left for ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

He drew attention to the gravity of the allegations, noting that the amount reportedly involved, about $7 million, estimated at roughly N10 billion, was significant in a country facing widespread economic hardship.

“This amount is more than enough to fund entire communities, yet Nigeria is constantly on strike over the inability of government to meet relatively small financial demands in the education sector,” Frank said.

He questioned how a public servant, allegedly earning about N50 million annually, could spend such a huge sum on the secondary school education of four children.

“What example is a public servant setting in a country where millions of parents cannot afford N100,000 in school fees?” he asked. “If public funds are indeed being used to fund personal excesses, then this must concern every Nigerian.”

Frank also warned that the unresolved allegations could affect Nigeria’s image and investor confidence.

“No serious investor will put money in a country where allegations of corruption involving a key regulator are left hanging without resolution,” he said.

He noted Engr. Ahmed’s expressed willingness to submit himself to investigation, urging the anti-corruption agencies to act without delay.

“Now that he has stepped aside and indicated willingness to cooperate, there should be no delay. The agencies must act fully, independently and without fear or favour,” Frank said.

He further called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene if the agencies fail to act promptly.

“A government that is serious about fighting corruption must show it through action, not prolonged silence,” he said.

Frank added that Nigerians deserved clarity and accountability, stressing that the case should not be swept under the carpet.

“This is one case Nigerians will not allow to be buried. Only transparent investigation and prosecution can restore confidence in our institutions and in the fight against corruption,” he said.

Signed:

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East)
Senior Advisor, Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA

Alleged Corruption: Timi Frank Urges Tinubu to Suspend, Probe NMDPRA CEO, Farouk, lauds Dangote

Political activist and international affairs leader, Comrade Timi Frank has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, following corruption allegations raised by President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and currently ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, in a statement on Tuesday, Frank described the claim as “alarming and deeply disturbing,” stressing that it raises fundamental questions about accountability and integrity in public office.

He said the allegation, which suggests that about $5 million was spent on the secondary education of the NMDPRA boss’ children in Switzerland, was too serious to be ignored and must trigger an urgent investigation by anti-corruption agencies.

“Coming from Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa and a globally respected businessman, this allegation cannot be dismissed. It is weighty and should be treated with the seriousness it deserves,” Frank said.

He urged President Tinubu to break his silence on the matter, warning that failure to act decisively would cast doubt on the administration’s commitment to fighting corruption.

“The President must act immediately by suspending the NMDPRA CEO and ordering a transparent and independent investigation. Continued silence on this issue is unacceptable and sends a very dangerous signal to Nigerians,” he said.

Frank also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to commence an immediate probe, insisting that no public official should be shielded from scrutiny.

“Even though EFCC is handling former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello’s prosecution over alleged corruption with kid gloves, the fact remains that the issue at stake borders on payment of school fees for children allegedly using state funds.

According to him, the allegation comes at a time of severe economic hardship, making it morally troubling for any government appointee to be linked with extravagant personal spending.

“Nigerians are hungry and struggling to survive, yet we are confronted with allegations of obscene luxury by public officials. This is the same pattern we have seen in previous high-profile corruption cases,” Frank stated.

He warned that failure to investigate the matter could further erode public trust in government institutions and discourage investors already wary of corruption risks in Nigeria and further lend credence to President Donald Trump’s tag of ‘disgraced country.’

Frank commended Dangote for speaking out, describing his action as an act of patriotism and civic responsibility.

“He had no obligation to raise this issue, but he chose to stand with ordinary Nigerians. This is commendable and should encourage others to speak up against corruption,” he said.

He added that Dangote had reportedly expressed willingness to cooperate with investigators if invited, urging authorities to take advantage of the opportunity to establish the facts.

“I’ll like to use this opportunity to welcome Comrade Aliko Dangote as the newest comrade to join in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

“Now that he has joined our ranks, we are optimistic that many will take the fight against corruption more seriously and deliberately.

“I hope Comrade Dangote will not stop here, but shall continue to join in the fight to expose more corrupt officials serving in government and public positions,” he added.

Frank insisted that if the NMDPRA CEO is innocent, he should resign and submit himself to investigation to clear his name.

“This issue must not be swept under the carpet. Accountability must prevail. Nigeria cannot afford silence or delay in the face of allegations of this magnitude,” he said.

Signed:

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East)
Senior Advisor, Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA

Abuja, Nigeria — Political activist and international affairs leader, Comrade Timi Frank, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over reported actions that point to the politicisation of the Nigerian Army, cautioning that any breach of military tradition, hierarchy and professional standards poses a grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy and national stability.

Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and currently ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, described reports of a special and accelerated promotion of President Tinubu’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the rank of Brigadier-General, barely months after elevation to Colonel, as deeply troubling and unacceptable if proven true.

“The Nigerian Army is not a personal guard unit of any President. It is a national institution governed by time-tested rules, traditions and professional standards.

Senior military ranks, especially the rank of General, are earned through years of service, sacrifice, command experience, rigorous training and competitive assessments.
They are not political rewards,” Frank said.

He stressed that promotions outside established procedures send a dangerous and demoralising signal to career officers who have devoted decades to service under strict institutional discipline.

According to him, such actions weaken command authority, erode morale and damage cohesion within the ranks and file.

Frank warned that history, particularly Africa’s recent history, has shown that the politicisation and personalisation of military institutions inevitably breed resentment, frustration and indiscipline, conditions that have often preceded military breakdowns and unconstitutional interruptions of democratic rule.

“Across West Africa today, we are witnessing the consequences of weakened civil-military relations,” he said. “From Mali to Burkina Faso and Niger, military juntas emerged in environments where institutions were abused, traditions disregarded and professionalism undermined.

“Even in those countries, the leaders of military regimes exercised restraint in matters of rank, mindful of the sensitivity of military hierarchy and the backlash that follows its abuse.”

He noted that it is alien to Nigeria’s democratic practice, and unheard of even during periods of military rule, to assign or manipulate the rank of General for aides-de-camp or personal convenience.

“No former military Head of State and no civilian President in Nigeria treated the rank of General with such recklessness,” he added.

Frank rejected any justification based on constitutional authority, insisting that being Commander-in-Chief demands restraint, not arbitrariness.

“Being Commander-In-Chief is not a license to erode institutions. Democracy survives on accountability, due process and respect for established norms,” he said.

He further cautioned that exposing an officer to irregular promotion places that officer at professional risk and invites institutional backlash, while dragging the Armed Forces into political controversy.

He urged the Minister of Defence to urgently advise the President on the far-reaching implications of any decision that undermines military tradition, morale and Nigeria’s international standing.

“This does not stand in isolation,” Frank said. “It fits a troubling pattern of preferential treatment for presidential aides within the security services, raising legitimate fears about the personalisation of state power and the erosion of institutional independence.”

Frank called for: Immediate public clarification of the legal and professional basis for the reported promotion; suspension or reversal of any action that violates Nigerian Army guidelines; and a firm commitment by the Presidency to end personalised promotions and the abuse of military ranks.

He also urged civil society organisations, retired military officers and professional associations to speak out, warning that silence in the face of institutional abuse carries severe consequences for civil-military relations.

“Nigeria’s democracy has already witnessed the weakening of several institutions. The Armed Forces must not be dragged down the same path.

“Undermining military tradition fuels frustration within the ranks and file and dangerously incentivises coup plotting as a means to truncate democracy. This is a red line Nigeria must never cross,” he said.

Frank insisted that the Nigerian Armed Forces must remain professional, apolitical and governed by established rules and not personal discretion.

Signed:

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East)
Senior Advisor, Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned in strong terms the recent killing of nine protesting women in Yola Adamawa state by military operatives.

Soldiers had allegedly opened fire on protesting women in the Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday.

Also, 51 others were said to have been hospitalised where most of them are still receiving treatment for varying degrees of gunshot wounds, many of them life-threatening.

Frank in a statement in Abuja described the killing of the nine women as “senseless, unforgivable, inhuman and avoidable.”

He noted that the victims - ordinary women, mothers and breadwinners who had stepped out only to protest the insecurity consuming their communities - were met with lethal force when all they sought was protection for their children. “Their only offence was demanding safety,” he lamented.

The incident, which has triggered widespread outrage, adds to what Frank called a mounting record of state violence and military impunity in Nigeria and across Africa.

He cited troubling statistics indicating that over 10,000 Nigerian youths have been killed or disappeared in recent years through military operations and extrajudicial actions.

“This culture of violence and unaccountability must end,” he declared, his voice breaking with emotion.

Frank rejected what he described as the government’s habit of announcing panels of inquiry that ultimately serve as “political theatre” designed to bury justice.

From the #EndSARS killings at Lekki Toll Gate to crackdowns in Cameroon, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, he said, those who issue shoot-to-kill orders have repeatedly escaped responsibility. “This time, we will not accept delays, excuses or another meaningless probe,” he vowed.

The ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East issued a set of demands he said must be met urgently.

He called for the arrest and prosecution of military officers - both those on the ground and their commanders - who played any role in what he described as the “barbaric” slaughter of the Yola Nine.

He insisted that the federal and state governments owe full compensation to the bereaved families, including scholarships for the victims’ children and long-term welfare plans to prevent the tragedy from plunging entire households into destitution. “These women must not die in vain,” he said.

Given what he termed the consistent failure of Nigeria’s justice system to punish human rights violations, Frank urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open investigations into military abuses in Nigeria and across Africa.

Frank who also serves as the Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, further demanded sanctions, travel bans and international prosecutions for military leaders who authorise or enable the killing of unarmed civilians.

Frank also called on the global community—human rights organisations, civil society groups, women’s coalitions and all citizens—to amplify their voices for the Yola Nine. In a direct appeal, he urged President Donald Trump and the U.S. government to speak out, demand accountability, and support international action.

“The U.S. has shown willingness to stand with oppressed African citizens. We appeal for that moral leadership now,” he stated.

He said the tragedy is more than a national wound; it is “a stain on Africa’s conscience” and a test of whether governments will continue to allow soldiers, whose duty is to protect, to open fire on peaceful citizens without consequence.

“The killing of the Yola Nine is a tragedy Nigeria must not brush aside,” he said. “Justice must be non-negotiable. Accountability must be immediate. And this barbarism must never happen again.”

Signed:

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East) and
GFCA Senior Advisor

....."Turaki must stop parading himself as PDP chairman now!" - Andrew Enantomhen



PDP chieftain and good governance advocate, Andrew Enantomhen on Wednesday reiterated his call for sanity in the Peoples Democratic Congress (PDP).

"You can't continue to dwell on illegality and expect the law to favour you. The law is not emotional, the Constitution is guided by principles.

"It is high time Turaki stop parading himself as PDP chairman, the damage he has done to PDP is enough!

"This is the only party we have to call our own.

"We are losing more Governors, more senators, more House of Reps Members at a record rate never imagined. Enough is enough!" Andrew Enantomhen said.

He criticised "the illegality being perpetrated by Turaki and friends on PDP".

Andrew Enantomhen called on well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with patriots to take back PDP from "Turaki and friends".

He commended Senator Samuel Anyanwu for his efforts toward bringing sanity to PDP.

"Posterity will favour you and every other patriot trying to keep the PDP on the path of legality," Andrew Enantomhen said to Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Talking about the PDP convention in Ibadan, Andrew Enantomhen restated his stand that the Ibadan convention is an illegality that will not stand in court. He refered to it as "lacking legal bearing when it is tested in any law court of competent jurisdiction".

From Plan to Reality: Why Extending Social Protection to Nigeria’s Informal Workers Is Still So Hard

By Segun Tekun


A former International Labour Organization (ILO) Social Protection expert, Segun Tekun, has warned that Nigeria’s plan to extend social protection to more than 60 million informal sector workers may fail unless the country urgently confronts the deep structural weaknesses embedded in its social protection system.

In a statement issued on Monday, December 8, 2025; Tekun said that while Nigeria has progressive social protection laws, they remain largely ineffective for the informal economy, where over 80 percent of Nigerians work.

“Nigeria’s social protection system was built for offices and factories,” he said. “But Nigeria’s economy runs in markets, on farms, in motor parks, along coastal waters and across informal trade corridors,” he further said.



A National Problem Cutting Across All Regions

According to Tekun, the failure to extend social protection is visible across every region of the country.

In the South-West, market women in Ibadan and Abeokuta still pay out-of-pocket for healthcare despite the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act making health insurance mandatory. In Aba, dispatch riders and informal transport workers injured on the road rarely receive compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Act.

In the South-East, traders in Onitsha and Aba, despite running thriving commercial hubs, remain excluded from pensions and injury insurance. Across the North-West and North-East, smallholder farmers, herders and agro-pastoralists face droughts, insecurity and health shocks with almost no formal social protection support.

In the North-Central, artisanal miners and rural farmers experience frequent work-related injuries but lack access to compensation schemes. Along the South-South coast, fisherfolk lose livelihoods to flooding and oil pollution but have no structured insurance, health or income protection.


Health Insurance: Universal in Law, Selective in Practice

Tekun pointed to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act 2022, which legally mandates health insurance coverage for all Nigerians, including informal workers, farmers and the self-employed. “Three years after the Act, universal coverage exists more in law than in real life,” he said.

He noted that State health insurance schemes in Lagos, Anambra and Kano still cater largely to civil servants and formal private-sector employees, while rural farmers and traders remain largely uncovered. “In rural communities in Jigawa or Benue, farmers sell produce to pay medical bills. In riverine areas of Bayelsa, fisherfolk still rely on traditional care or debt,” he explained.

According to him, fixed premiums, weak outreach and poor service quality continue to discourage informal workers from enrolling.


Workplace Injury: Invisible Risks in the Informal Economy

Tekun criticised the weak application of the Employees’ Compensation Act (2010), saying it rarely reaches workers outside registered companies. “A bricklayer injured on a site in Ilorin or a farmer injured by equipment in Kebbi bears the cost alone,” he said. He added that; small-scale farmers frequently experience injuries from farm tools, agrochemicals and machinery, yet remain completely excluded from compensation mechanisms.

“The law protects employers who register, not workers who suffer injuries,” Tekun stated.


Pensions: The Ageing Crisis Waiting to Happen

Tekun further expressed concern over the implementation of the Pension Reform Act 2014, which established the Micro-Pension Plan for informal workers. “In practice, micro-pensions have barely reached traders, farmers or artisans,” he noted. “Across Katsina, Osun, Enugu and Cross River, informal workers see old age coming with fear, not security.”

He warned that without pension inclusion, Nigeria faces a future surge in elderly poverty, especially in rural and agrarian communities where family support systems are already under strain.


A System Built for a Formal Economy That Barely Exists

Tekun argued that the common thread across Nigeria’s health insurance, compensation and pension laws is a heavy reliance on formal employment structures, despite informal workers accounting for the majority of the labour force.

“Our laws mention informal workers, but the machinery still runs on deductions, registrations and enforcement mechanisms designed for offices and factories,” he said.

He warned that the Federal Government’s pledge to reach 60 million informal workers will fail unless social protection delivery is radically simplified and adequately financed.


What Must Change Now

Tekun called on Government to move beyond announcements and take practical steps, including:
• Using associations as entry points, by enrolling workers through market unions, transport groups, cooperatives and digital platforms.

• Subsidizing health insurance and pensions for the poorest informal workers instead of relying solely on contributions.

• Creating a single access point for health, injury compensation and pensions to reduce complexity.

• Amending regulations to clearly accommodate self-employed workers under existing laws.

• Publishing transparent coverage data, showing how many informal workers are actually benefiting.




Segun Tekun is a social protection expert with over a decade of experience supporting social protection reforms across Africa. He has worked on policy and programme design in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia and Somalia, and previously served with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF.

…Commends President Trump for stepping in where Nigerian leaders have failed

Nigerian political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Friday, accused the Nigerian government of deliberately shielding financiers of terrorism while the country sinks deeper into violence and mass killings.

Frank said recent actions by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and the U.S. Congress have “embarrassed and compelled” the Nigerian government into reluctantly taking steps it should have taken years ago.

“I wish to thank President Trump and the good people of the United States who have shown sympathy and support for Nigerians at a time when terrorists and bandits threaten to overrun our nation,” Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, said.

“I commend Secretary Marco Rubio for the strong visa restrictions placed on terror sponsors. This action is a welcome development and proof that the U.S. is more committed to ending insecurity in Nigeria than our own leaders.”

According to him, the visa restrictions imposed by the U.S. on sponsors of terrorism, announced by Secretary Marco Rubio, mark “the first serious international move that has forced Nigeria’s government to even pretend to act.”

“Let it be clearly stated: if President Trump had not stepped in, Nigeria’s leaders would still be looking the other way,” Frank declared.
“The U.S. has shown more will, more commitment, and more empathy toward Nigerians than the very government elected to serve and protect them.”

Frank said the biggest evidence of the Nigerian government’s unwillingness to confront insecurity is its refusal, across two administrations, to release the full list of terror financiers earlier exposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“The government already has the list. The UAE gave it to them during the Buhari administration,” he said. “Yet, till today, the names have not been released because many of those sponsoring terrorism are politically connected. Some are members of the ruling party. That is the truth they do not want Nigerians to know.”

He added that corruption and political protection have made it impossible for the government to truly fight insecurity despite having the capacity to do so.

“The Nigerian government is not helpless,” he said. “It is simply compromised. And that is why terrorists and bandits have become emboldened enough to threaten the very soul of our country.”

Frank emphasised that the U.S. government’s intervention reflects a level of concern that Nigeria’s own leaders have failed to demonstrate.

“The U.S. has no obligation to spend its taxpayers’ money to protect Nigerians,” he noted. “Yet President Trump and members of Congress have shown more outrage over the kidnappings, genocide and mass killings in Nigeria than our own government, which continues to act with disturbing indifference.”

Frank urged the U.S. government not to share any intelligence with Nigerian authorities until the federal government releases the full, unedited list of terror financiers exactly as submitted by the UAE.

“There are terrorist sympathizers within the system,” he warned. “Sharing intelligence with people who may be compromised is dangerous. Until the names are publicly released and prosecuted, no sensitive information should be handed over.”

He condemned the Nigerian government for what he described as “reckless insensitivity,” citing reports of new luxury vehicles being purchased for political supporters while citizens are being massacred.

“At a time when Nigerians are being slaughtered daily, the government is busy buying jeeps and cars to prepare for the 2027 elections,” Frank said. “This shameful display shows exactly where their priorities lie, and it is not with the people.”

Frank who also serves as the Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, thanked the U.S. Congress, particularly Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Riley Moore, for championing the call to rescue Nigeria from escalating violence and instability.

“On behalf of millions of Nigerians who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, we express profound gratitude to President Trump and the U.S. government,” he said.

“Their intervention has exposed what our own leaders have refused to confront and has given Nigerians renewed hope that this nightmare can end.”

Signed:

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East and GFCA USA, Senior Advisor

Main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has on Wednesday, informed members of the public about its decision to expel some members.

In a disclaimer notice by the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Bauchi State Governor and Oyo State Governor have been expelled from the party.

"DISCLAIMER!

"The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party noted with concern the embarrassing misrepresentation of;
1. Bala Mohammed
2. Dauda Lawal
3. Seyi Makinde
4. Emmanuel Udom
5. Adolphus Wabara
6. Taofeek Arapaja
7. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki
8. Ben N. Obi
9. Bode George
10. Okechukwu Obiechina
11. Emmanuel Ogiad
12. Emmanuel Ebiden
13. Suleiman Kadade Mohammed
14. Sumaita Adamu Bunza
15. Koshoedo Setonji|
16. Daniel Woyengikuro
17. Umar Iliya Damagun
18. Umar Sani

"falsely parading themselves as members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

"The general public and PDP faithful should be aware that in accordance with the PDP constitution, 2017 as Amended, these individuals were duly expelled by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party held on November 18, 2025 for various offences bordering on anti party activities and gross misconduct," the disclaimer read.

"The public and PDP faithfuls are therefore advised not to yield any support or accord recognition to any of these individuals falsely parading themselves as officers and members of the PDP. Anybody who does that, does so at his/her own peril.

"Again, the public should be aware that the peoples Democratic Party has not held her National Convention yet. The purported convention held in Ibadan was a charade and mere social gathering, which is not recognized by law, for its failure to adhere to validly delivered court judgements.

"Anybody parading himself as a newly elected national officer of the party is an imposter and a meddlesome interloper," the notice further said.

PRESS RELEASE
2/12/2025

Timi Frank Raises Alarm Over Alleged Assassination Plot Against Atiku Abubakar
Following Withdrawal of Security Personnel




Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has raised a serious alarm over what he describes as a grand plot by the Presidency to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frank said the sudden withdrawal of all police personnel attached to Atiku, despite his statutory entitlement as a former Vice President, was not only suspicious but part of a wider scheme to expose him to danger.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, in the strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, said:

“No administration since 2007 has ever tampered with Atiku Abubakar’s security, despite his consistent role as a major opposition figure. Why now? Why at a time when insecurity is at an all-time high across the country? This action clearly reveals an ulterior motive.”

He stated that the claim that security was being withdrawn broadly from VIPs was a smokescreen, insisting that the main target is Atiku Abubakar.

“This so-called blanket withdrawal is a cover-up. The real objective is to isolate and eliminate Atiku ahead of the 2027 election. The pattern is too obvious to ignore. Atiku, by law, is entitled to police protection as a former Vice President. Removing his security at this critical time is deliberate and dangerous,” Frank said.

Frank warned that the move mirrors dangerous political trends across Africa, where incumbent leaders intimidate, arrest, detain, prosecute and, in extreme cases, eliminate opposition leaders to retain power.

“President Tinubu is now following the disturbing trend in parts of Africa where incumbents use state power to silence their opponents. Atiku has been very vocal in exposing the failures of this administration, and this withdrawal of security is nothing but political witch-hunt,” he declared.

The activist further alleged that the composition of the country’s security architecture, dominated by individuals loyal to the President, suggests an attempt to ensure that state institutions carry out political assignments without resistance.

“It is no coincidence that nearly all top security positions are held by people from the President’s ethnic group. They were appointed to carry out political dirty jobs, and this is one of them,” Frank who is a Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, declared.

Frank urged Nigerians and the international community, especially the United States, United Kingdom, African Union, and ECOWAS, to immediately take note of the development.

“We alert Nigerians and the international community. If anything happens to Atiku Abubakar, this government should be held responsible.

The pattern is the same used in communities where security agents are suddenly withdrawn before bandits strike. They are attempting to create room for something sinister,” he said.

He challenged the government to prove its claim of a general security withdrawal by also stripping the President’s family members, close associates and political appointees of their police orderlies and escorts.

“If this directive is truly nationwide, then let the President’s family members, friends and appointees also lose their security. They are also VIPs. But we know the truth: the main target is Atiku Abubakar, nobody else.”

Frank concluded by warning that democracy is being pushed to the brink, saying: “Nigeria is entering dangerous territory. Any attack on Atiku or any opposition leader will plunge this nation into crisis. The world must not wait until it happens.”

Signed:

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East) and
GFCA Senior Advisor

Timi Frank Demands Immediate Release of Guinea-Bissau Opposition Leader, Election Results


Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Comrade Timi Frank, has raised fresh alarm over what he describes as “a dangerous assault on democracy in Guinea-Bissau,” following reports of a staged coup plot leading to the detention of main opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira and the withholding of presidential election results.

Frank said credible account from former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria who witnessed the election, point to a coordinated political-military conspiracy allegedly engineered to halt transition after indications emerged that Pereira, candidate of PAIGC, may have secured majority votes against incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

He noted that early reports naming General Biagino Nhanca as a key figure in the alleged coup only strengthened growing suspicion that the military intervention was “a smokescreen designed to sabotage electoral outcome rather than protect the republic.”

Frank, who serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, in a strongly-worded statement, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Pereira and the full declaration of results “as cast by the people, not edited by power.”

“What we are witnessing in Guinea-Bissau, if confirmed, is not a coup but a calculated civilian-military conspiracy to overturn the people’s verdict,” Frank, who was recently appointed Senior Advisor by the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, declared.

“This is unacceptable. It is an attempted robbery of democracy, an assault on the ballot, and a threat to the stability of the entire sub-region.”

He warned that silence from the international community would amount to endorsement, adding that Africa must not allow a precedent where incumbents can manufacture crises to thwart transition after defeat.

“If this goes unchallenged, it becomes a manual for dictators: lose an election, announce a coup, detain the opponent and freeze the results. Africa must reject this script before it becomes our new political culture,” he said.
“Democracy must never be negotiated - it must be defended.”

Frank called on ECOWAS, the African Union, the European Union, the United States and global pro-democracy institutions to “apply pressure without hesitation” to ensure Bissau authorities announce the official results and restore full civilian power without delay.

“The people of Guinea-Bissau have spoken through the ballot. The world must insist their voice be honoured,” he added.

“Let the results be released. Let democracy stand. Let Domingos Simões Pereira walk free.”

‎He called on the US, UK, EU and other development partners to immediately commence the seizure of assets and freezing of grants extended to the Guinea-Bissau administration and enforce strict disciplinary actions against President imballo and his accomplices.

Enough is enough! African leaders must know that there are consequences for illegality especially disenfranchisement of citizens and frustrating credible electoral process,” he said.

Frank reaffirmed his solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and all Africans committed to democratic governance, insisting that “the ballot - not the barrel of a gun - must determine who leads.”

Signed:

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East),
GFCA Senior Advisor

.....Blames African Leaders for Democratic Failures

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Global Governance Advocate, Comrade Timi Frank, has strongly condemned the recent coup in Guinea-Bissau, describing it as “an unacceptable interruption of democratic order and a tragic reflection of the deepening governance failures across Africa.”

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, Frank warned that while coups are unlawful and must never be encouraged, African leaders and regional bodies must also accept responsibility for enabling the circumstances that lead to forceful power seizures.

“I unequivocally condemn the coup in Guinea-Bissau. Military rule is never the answer,” said Frank, who was recently appointed Senior Advisor by the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA.

“However, the rise of coups is a direct consequence of the persistent breakdown of democracy in Africa - rigged elections, constitutional manipulation, suppression of opposition, and leaders who refuse to relinquish power.”

Frank expressed concern that although the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS are swift in condemning military interventions, they often ignore democratic erosion caused by civilian leaders who undermine elections, alter constitutions for personal gain, and disregard the will of the people.

“How do AU and ECOWAS condemn coups with moral authority when they look away as leaders rig elections, intimidate opponents and illegally extend term limits? Democracy must be protected at its roots — not only after it collapses,” he added.

Frank, who also serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, cited controversies in Tanzania, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and other countries as examples of weakened democratic systems driving instability.

He also commended Ghana, Namibia and Botswana for sustaining credible electoral processes.

While affirming that no military takeover is justifiable, Frank urged Guinea-Bissau’s junta to immediately commence a transition programme and restore civil rule within six months.

“The military authorities must prioritise national stability and conduct a free, fair and transparent election within 180 days,” he said.

“Only then can Guinea-Bissau rebuild trust, restore constitutional order and protect its sovereignty.”

Frank further called on the international community - particularly the United States - to impose sanctions on African leaders who subvert democracy through election rigging or unconstitutional tenure extensions.

He urged the AU to revive the founding ideals of Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Haile Selassie, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Jomo Kenyatta and others who envisioned a united, democratic and accountable continent.

“The AU was created to unite Africa — one passport, one currency, one future. But today that dream is stalled. Many leaders have become toothless, and the continent is paying the price,” he said.

“We often blame the West, yet there are no coups there because institutions work and elections are credible. When opposition loses, they accept results because the system is fair. In Africa, the reverse is true.”

Frank referenced Cameroon’s recent election as a “classical example of democratic decay,” noting that President Paul Biya, 92, “again manipulated the system to retain power despite public rejection.”

“Political coups - the rigging of elections and manipulation of constitutions - are even more dangerous than military coups. Until African leaders change their conduct and respect the will of the people, instability will persist,” he warned.

He challenged the AU to evolve from a reactive body to one that prevents democratic breakdown rather than merely responding after power is seized.

“Without transparency, accountability and credible elections, more coups are inevitable.”

Frank reaffirmed his commitment to justice, constitutionalism and democratic stability in Africa.

“We will continue to oppose illegality - whether military or civilian. A new Africa is possible, but it must be built on truth, term limits and respect for the people’s mandate.”

Signed:
Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa & Middle East)
GFCA Senior Advisor

Kogi State PDP Youth Leader, Hon. Yunusa Halidu Adazaki has joined the people of Bassa-Nge in mourning the loss of their respected monarch, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji (Dr.) Abu Ali Mopa III He described his death as a significant loss to Bassa land, Kogi State, and the nation as a whole.

Hon. Adazaki also expressed his sincere condolences to the family of the late Hajiya Halimat Abdullahi from Kogi Local Government. She was a dedicated and prominent supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He noted that her sudden death has left many in deep shock and sadness.

Youth Leader prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive her mistakes and grant her eternal rest. He also offered his sympathy to Hajiya Halimat Abdullahi's immediate family, praying that Allah gives them the strength to cope with this painful loss.

Hon. Adazaki prayed that Almighty Allah grants HRM Brigadier Gen. Abu Ali Mopa III of Bassa-Nge eternal peace and welcomes him into Aljannatul Firdaus.

Signed:
Comr. Musa Adamu
Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Kogi State PDP Youth