₦airaland Forum

Bolaji Abdullahi, the spokesperson of the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC), has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, saying the Independence Day celebration is not about his government but the country.

President Bola Tinubu had, in his Independence Day broadcast, highlighted the key reforms and economic milestones his administration has recorded in the past 28 months.

But Abdullahi disagreed with Tinubu’s submission, saying, “ the President’s speech writers failed to understand the historical significance of this moment.”

According to him, instead of speaking to the history of the nation, President Tinubu dwelt more on his administration’s performance.

“Listening to the President, you will think he was delivering his budget speech, annual performance review, rather than speaking to a history of a nation like Nigeria, at this critical time. I was waiting for when the President will anchor everything he was saying within a historical context, but apparently, the President was not able to rise above the limitations of his administration,” the ADC chieftain said.

He added that all the things the President mentioned as achievements in the speech are superficial and propaganda, arguing that “most of what the president said regarding the economy do not reflect the reality of Nigerians.”

The opposition party’s spokesperson said he found it shocking that the President mentioned insecurity in passing, “when every single day, Nigerians live in fear.”

“For me, I think it’s a big disappointment that the President did not understand the historical significance of this moment, and rather choose to use the budget speech to say this is what my government has done,” Abdullahi said.

He concluded that Tinubu spoke as a party man rather than as a national leader, stressing that the speech “failed to speak to our past and inspire our future

Professor of political economy, Pat Utomi, has insisted that the recent federal high court ruling restraining him from forming a shadow cabinet will not stop him from speaking out or associating with fellow citizens.

On Monday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the concept of a shadow government is unconstitutional and alien to Nigeria’s presidential system.

Reacting in an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, Utomi said his initiative was not aimed at seeking constitutional recognition.

“I hope the lawyers will have something to say. We were not looking to find a place in the constitution of Nigeria,” he said.

“This is unprecedented. Whatever it is, we’re not looking for a place in the constitution,” he added.

Asked if the judgment had ended his plans or forced him to consider alternatives, Utomi maintained his civic rights remain intact.

“As a citizen, I do expect that I will continue to be able to express myself. I also have the freedom to meet with other citizens to jointly express ourselves,” he said.

Utomi had first announced the shadow government plan on May 5 under his Big Tent Coalition, describing it as a credible opposition to the Bola Tinubu administration. He unveiled members of the cabinet in July, saying it would “provide policy alternatives to the federal government.”

But the Department of State Services (DSS) challenged the initiative in court, filing suit FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, and warning it could trigger unrest similar to the #EndSARS protests.

The federal government also condemned the plan, with Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, stressing that “Nigeria is not a parliamentary system where such a system is practised, and there is no provision for such in our statute books. While opposition politics is a central feature of democracy, it must be practised at all times within the bounds of propriety.”

In his defence, Utomi argued that the DSS was seeking to “criminalise constitutionally protected rights” to free expression, association, and political participation.

However, Justice Omotosho held that Nigeria’s constitution makes no provision for any “parallel or alternative government” outside the one it establishes

CoronaVirusPro:
Hard facts!

Trump is a convicted criminal and His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is not.

Trump has a long history of financial misappropriation and bankruptcy’s, while His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has outstanding record in financial management.

His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) adores women and never been found guilty for any sex related offense, while Trump is a convicted sex offender.

His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is a better orator who delivers top notch, sensible and facts backed by data. Trump just spews anything that comes into his head.

villagereporter:
.

Let begin to sound d alarm in our community or wherever we are.

APC IS DEMONIC PARTY WITH DEMONIC PEOPLE.

REDshouse:
I believe the FG created Account for each local Govt and deposited their allocations there ...

Vision101:
Compare what Jonathan inherited, what he earned and what he left behind after six years with what PBAT inherited, earned and what Nigerian economy has become in 28 months. Don't forget to look at the prospects. Don't bring the usual statement of Tinubu brought Buhari. We didn't mention OBJ and Yaradua.

autoez:
I'm never pained. Why should i? I'm celebrating Obi for this huge lifetime achievement. 🤣

autoez:
An memorable moment for Peter Obi and his supporters, as he sits beside a powerful king. The presidential seat, he shall not smell 🤣

madridguy:
The funny aspect is that everyone that commented on the post are just like you except one, except this man.

madridguy:
Leave story, no governor will be using local government fund to be doing big daddy up and down. Local government chairmen are elected too, let them deliver their campaign promises.

Meanwhile, here is an opportunity for anyone to win awoof 100K.

osuofia2:
VDM na obedient Hero, once you start attacking the president , they start worshipping you

iichidodo:
[color=#1986BC] Forming shadow governments is an exercise of the opposition in a healthy democratic setting to keep the government of the day in check and ultimately guide their steps in formulating policies for the people. You can find shadow govts in the UK, Australia,New Zealand etc ....So why is Tinubu afraid of Shadow govts?.[/color]

A human rights lawyer, Bulama Bukarti, has warned that peace talks between communities in Katsina State and armed bandit groups are giving criminals a free platform to display power and spread fear.

Recently, two local government areas in Katsina — Jibia and Batsari — held meetings with bandits who were seen carrying dangerous weapons in public glare.

Videos and pictures from the gatherings showed that the gunmen were heavily armed during the peace talk.

Speaking to DAILY POST, Bukarti said the scenes were nothing short of intimidation.

According to the activist, “Bandits are coming out with heavy and dangerous weapons during peace talks, tying them to their bodies, giving speeches, and allowing themselves to be recorded on video. They do this deliberately to frighten people. That is exactly what terrorism is — creating fear to achieve political, religious, or ethnic goals.”

He compared the actions to military parades in other countries: “When you see them stepping out with heavy weapons as if they are going to a world war, it is a calculated attempt to scare the public and send a message to the Nigerian government that nothing can be done to them,” Bukarti said.

The lawyer also stressed that both the possession of such weapons and the so-called peace meetings are illegal under Nigerian law.

“This is completely forbidden. No one is allowed to own such weapons, let alone display them. Even these peace dialogues with terrorists are unlawful because there is no legal framework that allows it,” he told DAILY POST.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic scholar known for engaging with armed groups, in a message on his Facebook page has cautioned security agencies against disrupting these meetings as it could cause further problems.

But Bukarti strongly disagrees, insisting that what is happening is nothing but surrendering to criminals.

“The public and the government must understand that these meetings are not peace. They are submission. And the more terrorists are allowed to show off their weapons, the weaker the state looks in the eyes of citizens.”

He, however, urged the government to step in directly, saying, “If the government feels it cannot fully protect communities from these attacks, then it should at least lead the talks, set clear conditions, and make sure the criminals are disarmed and rehabilitated. Leaving citizens to negotiate on their own only strengthens the bandits.