₦airaland Forum

A House of Representatives aspirant for Lagos Island Constituency II, Oluwatobiloba Martins-Fregene has outlined five-point development blueprint aimed at bridging the gap between governance and grassroots while positioning the constituency as a model for national replication.

Speaking on his ambition,after picking his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form, described Lagos Island Constituency II as the “eyeball of Lagos State,” emphasizing its strategic importance within Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape. He noted that his aspiration is driven not just by the opportunity to serve, but by a commitment to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to the constituents.

At the core of his campaign is the “Agile Core” agenda, a structured framework built around five priority areas:

He explained that the first pillar focuses on youth development, particularly through skill acquisition and the creation of a technology-driven hub to empower young people with relevant, future-ready competencies.

The second pillar centers on citizen engagement, where he plans to establish a responsive system that captures residents’ complaints, prioritizes them, and translates them into actionable development initiatives.

Fregene’s third focus is women and market inclusion, aimed at economically empowering women through vocational training and access to single-digit soft loans. He highlighted the untapped potential in local industries such as tailoring, African textile production, and crafts, noting that structured support could transform these into thriving commercial ventures with ready-to-wear products for wider markets.

On infrastructure, the aspirant identified healthcare gaps, particularly in emergency response. He stressed the urgent need for critical equipment such as defibrillators and ventilators, which he believes could significantly reduce preventable deaths in emergency situations.

Finally, he underscored the importance of culture and heritage development, proposing to refine and package Lagos Island’s rich cultural assets to attract tourism and international participation, thereby boosting local revenue and global visibility.

Fregene expressed optimism that, if elected, his initiatives would serve as a pilot model for other constituencies across Nigeria, demonstrating how targeted, people-centered policies can drive sustainable development.

“With the right structure and commitment, Lagos Island can set the pace for effective representation and grassroots transformation,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating his readiness to serve and his determination to translate vision into measurable outcomes for the people.

A House of Representatives aspirant for Lagos Island Constituency II, Oluwatobiloba Martins-Fregebe has outlined five-point development blueprint aimed at bridging the gap between governance and grassroots while positioning the constituency as a model for national replication.

Speaking on his ambition,after picking his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form, described Lagos Island Constituency II as the “eyeball of Lagos State,” emphasizing its strategic importance within Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape. He noted that his aspiration is driven not just by the opportunity to serve, but by a commitment to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to the constituents.

At the core of his campaign is the “Agile Core” agenda, a structured framework built around five priority areas:

He explained that the first pillar focuses on youth development, particularly through skill acquisition and the creation of a technology-driven hub to empower young people with relevant, future-ready competencies.

The second pillar centers on citizen engagement, where he plans to establish a responsive system that captures residents’ complaints, prioritizes them, and translates them into actionable development initiatives.

Fregene’s third focus is women and market inclusion, aimed at economically empowering women through vocational training and access to single-digit soft loans. He highlighted the untapped potential in local industries such as tailoring, African textile production, and crafts, noting that structured support could transform these into thriving commercial ventures with ready-to-wear products for wider markets.

On infrastructure, the aspirant identified healthcare gaps, particularly in emergency response. He stressed the urgent need for critical equipment such as defibrillators and ventilators, which he believes could significantly reduce preventable deaths in emergency situations.

Finally, he underscored the importance of culture and heritage development, proposing to refine and package Lagos Island’s rich cultural assets to attract tourism and international participation, thereby boosting local revenue and global visibility.

Fregene expressed optimism that, if elected, his initiatives would serve as a pilot model for other constituencies across Nigeria, demonstrating how targeted, people-centered policies can drive sustainable development.

“With the right structure and commitment, Lagos Island can set the pace for effective representation and grassroots transformation,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating his readiness to serve and his determination to translate vision into measurable outcomes for the people.

Recent remarks attributed to the Governor of Nasarawa state, His Excellency, Engr Abdullahi A. Sule, on Arise Television, where he responded to issues relating to who occupies the government house, come 2027, have provoked justified consternation among thoughtful stakeholders across Nasarawa State. In his remarks, he simultaneously acknowledged Distinguished Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as his "mentor", while deploying language that seeks to diminish the person of Al-Makura. Such a contradiction is not merely unfortunate, it is fundamentally flawed. I will tell you why.

Leadership is not an exercise in convenience. You can't in good conscience, lay claim to the tutelage and political goodwill of a benefactor, and in the same breath attempt to disparage him publicly. A Chinese Proverbs says; "You can't cut off a man's nose and give him roses to smell.

It should be stated without equivocation: the legacy of Senator Al-Makura is neither speculative nor subject to revisionist narratives. It is glaring and firmly etched in the political and developmental architecture of Nasarawa State. His tenure as governor, and his continuous role as a national figure are defined by verifiable achievements. By all standards, Senator Al-makura qualifies to be called an institution. To diminish such a record through careless rhetoric is not only intellectually disingenuous; it is politically reckless.

Mentorship is not a rhetorical device to be invoked when expedient. It is a covenant of respect, loyalty, and enduring acknowledgment. The Governor's failed attempt to trivialize the far reaching role of his mentor in the public arena undermines the very moral fabric upon which credible leadership is built.

Those who occupy positions of authority must understand that their words are neither idle nor inconsequential. They carry institutional weight, shape public perception, and set the tone for political engagement. An African adage says: "Words are like grains, easy to scatter, but difficult to gather".


We therefore call on His Excellency, Governor A.A Sule to exercise greater circumspect and employ intellectual honesty and deep respect for people who deserve it in his public engagements. Where differences exist, they should be addressed with maturity and discretion; not through statements that project ingratitude and erode the dignity of leadership.

Nasarawa State deserves leadership grounded in truth, consistency, and a clear appreciation of history.
History is neither indifferent nor forgetful: it records, with unerring precision, not only the achievements of leaders but also the tenor of their words, the discipline of their conduct, and the grace with which they honour those who shaped their journey.

Hon. Mohammed I. Usman writes from Lafia

TINUBU’S ANTI-MEDIA MOVE FURTHER ENDANGERS NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY

By Emman Usman Shehu

When the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) issued its “Formal Notice” to broadcasters on April 17, 2026, the language was couched in the bland bureaucratese of regulatory housekeeping. The commission cited a “sustained increase” in breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code’s 6th Edition, particularly in news, current affairs, and political programming. Anchors and presenters, it warned, must cease expressing “personal opinions as facts,” “bullying or intimidating” guests, denying “fair hearing” to opposing views, or compromising “neutrality.” Any such infraction would now constitute a Class B breach, carrying the threat of sanctions. Compliance, the notice stressed, was “mandatory, not discretionary”—especially with the 2027 general elections on the horizon.

To the casual reader, it might sound like a routine call for professionalism. To Nigeria’s journalists, civil society groups, and democracy advocates, it is something far more ominous: a sophisticated administrative muzzle aimed at the heart of the country’s free press. Truly, this is not mere regulation—it is illiberal democracy in action, hollowing out the Fourth Estate from within while preserving the outward forms of electoral competition.

The NBC’s directive zeroes in on the interview format—the very arena where Nigerian broadcast journalism has historically done its most vital work. Challenging a politician’s claim, pressing for evidence, or offering contextual analysis that contradicts the official line could now be branded “unprofessional” or “intimidating.” Presenters are effectively ordered to remain neutral stenographers rather than active interrogators. The commission’s insistence on “mandatory fair hearing” within the same broadcast—while superficially balanced—risks turning every critical segment into a platform for state rebuttal, diluting investigative impact and forcing self-censorship to avoid fines, license threats, or worse.

This is prior restraint by another name. Media houses, already operating under the shadow of potential license revocation or crippling penalties, will err on the side of caution. The chilling effect is immediate and intentional. As Amnesty International stated in its swift condemnation on April 19, the notice represents “an unlawful attempt to stifle press freedom and silence journalists,” pressuring organisations into self-censorship. Nigeria’s broadcast media, the group noted, plays a “vital role in enabling citizens to freely seek, debate, receive and impart information.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) went further, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu on April 18 to direct the withdrawal of what it called an “unlawful” notice based on vague, overbroad grounds. “The NBC’s notice represents a dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress legitimate journalistic expression,” SERAP’s letter declared, warning that it undermines the public’s right to diverse viewpoints ahead of 2027.

This move fits neatly into a global pattern authoritarian-leaning leaders have refined over the past decade. Rather than risk a messy legislative battle or public backlash, governments turn to ostensibly independent regulators to issue “notices” that carry the force of law but bypass scrutiny. Vague phrases like “compromising neutrality,” “intimidation,” or even broader code prohibitions against content that could “subvert authority” or threaten “indivisibility” become weapons of selective enforcement. The state decides after the fact what crosses the line.

Nigeria has seen this before. Under previous administrations, the NBC has levied fines—sometimes N500,000 per station—for alleged violations, though courts have occasionally curbed its fining powers. The pattern of physical attacks and harassment has persisted: the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development has verified at least 231 incidents against the press since Tinubu took office in 2023, including assaults during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests where security forces targeted journalists covering public discontent. Reporters Without Borders’ 2025 World Press Freedom Index placed Nigeria at 122nd out of 180 countries, down 10 spots, labeling conditions “problematic” amid rising political interference and economic pressures on newsrooms.

The timing is no coincidence. In February 2026, Tinubu signed amendments to the Electoral Act into law—changes critics argued could weaken safeguards around result transmission and transparency. As the 2027 polls approach, controlling the narrative becomes paramount. Economic reforms—fuel subsidy removal, naira floatation—have triggered inflation, hardship, and protests. When citizens turn to television and radio for unfiltered analysis of policy failures or electoral irregularities, the state’s instinct, apparently, is to ensure the questions stay polite.

Democracy’s strength lies not just in elections but in the institutions that constrain power between them. The free press is the ultimate safety valve: it channels public grievance peacefully, holds leaders accountable, and prevents the echo chamber that breeds detachment from reality. Cripple it, and frustrations find other outlets—often less peaceful ones.

Nigeria’s media has a proud legacy as a bulwark against authoritarianism. During military rule, independent outlets risked everything to expose abuses. Post-1999 democratic transition, vibrant debate helped consolidate civilian rule. Yet under Tinubu, the space is deliberately narrowing. Administrative harassment via the NBC, combined with documented physical threats, paints a picture of a government increasingly uncomfortable with scrutiny.

Critics from the opposition, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have condemned the directive as an assault on media independence. Even Tinubu’s own aide pushed back against such criticism, but the broader civil society chorus—SERAP, Amnesty, Media Rights Agenda—remains resolute: this is not about professionalism; it is about power.

Nigeria stands at a perilous juncture. The country’s size, economic weight, and democratic experiment make it a bellwether for the continent. If the Tinubu administration succeeds in transforming broadcasters into compliant mouthpieces, other leaders may take note. Illiberal democracy—elections without real contestation, institutions stripped of independence—has spread from Budapest to Ankara to parts of Africa. Nigeria, with its boisterous press and activist judiciary, was supposed to be different.

Yet the guardrails are cracking. The NBC notice, layered atop declining press freedom rankings and a history of impunity for attacks on journalists, signals a deeper erosion. A democracy that fears an anchor’s follow-up question or an analyst’s context is one unsure of its legitimacy.

The path forward is clear. Civil society must demand the notice’s immediate withdrawal. Broadcasters should resist self-censorship where possible, supported by international observers and legal challenges. Nigerians—voters, civil groups, the diaspora—must recognise that a muted press does not serve any administration well in the long run; it isolates leaders from uncomfortable truths until crises erupt.

Without a doubt, the media has always been democracy’s safety valve. Seal it off, and the pressure builds elsewhere. President Tinubu’s administration faces a choice: lean into the regulatory overreach that risks turning Nigeria into another case study in democratic backsliding, or recommit to the robust, messy, essential freedoms that have sustained the nation’s Fourth Republic. The 2027 elections will test more than ballots—they will reveal whether the substance of democracy still matches its form, and the real motives of Tinubu.

The watchdogs are barking. The question is whether the state will listen—or silence them entirely.

• Dr Shehu is an Abuja-based writer, activist and educator.

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The Nigerian military has commenced the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Gana Ali and Stadium camps in Monguno, Borno State, to a centralised Rapid Response Camp, citing growing concerns over terrorist infiltration and attacks linked to the settlements.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Ayodeji Abiodun, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai.

According to the military, the affected camps—particularly Gana Ali, , and Stadium—had increasingly become vulnerable zones exploited by insurgents, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), who allegedly used the areas for concealment and staging attacks.

Intelligence reports indicated that some structures within the camps were used to harbour terrorists and facilitate operations, including the planting of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and coordinated assaults on military positions.

“These camps have long become notorious hideouts for terrorist infiltrators who exploit the proximity to military deployments to launch attacks,” the statement said.

The military cited recent attacks, including an incident on April 12, 2026, where insurgents targeted troops at a military formation, as evidence of the growing threat linked to the camps.

It further revealed that some IDPs had resisted earlier relocation efforts, remaining in makeshift settlements despite the establishment of safer, structured camps within Monguno.

“Before the clearance operations, affected residents were given time to relocate to the Rapid Response IDP Camp for their safety and better control,” the statement noted.

The relocation, according to the military, is aimed at consolidating IDPs in a more secure, centralised location to enhance surveillance, administration, and protection, while dismantling insurgent networks operating within the town.

“This action is being conducted in accordance with established rules of engagement and with strict regard for the safety and human rights of civilians,” the statement added.

Residents of Monguno and surrounding areas were urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies.

“Community cooperation remains vital. Residents should report any suspicious activity and adhere strictly to security advisories during this operation,” the military advised.

The authorities reaffirmed their commitment to restoring security in the area and neutralising all threats posed by insurgent elements exploiting civilian populations.