₦airaland Forum

Obi had, in a post on his X handle, suggested that the late Head of State, Sani Abacha, now appears more democratic than some individuals who fought for democracy during the military era.

A n international human rights lawyer and former member of the House of Representatives, Kayode Oladele, has faulted a recent statement made by the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing it as naive, reckless and a distortion of Nigeria’s democratic history.

Obi had, in a post on his X handle, suggested that the late Head of State, Sani Abacha, now appears more democratic than some individuals who fought for democracy during the military era.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, Oladele said there was no basis for comparing a military dictatorship with a democratic system, noting that the Abacha regime represented one of the darkest periods in Nigeria’s political history.

He said, “There is nothing democratic about the Abacha years. That era was characterised by repression, violation of human rights, and the silencing of opposition voices. To suggest otherwise is to ignore the painful experiences of Nigerians who lived through that period.”

Oladele also defended the legacy of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), describing its members as patriots who sacrificed their comfort and safety to restore democracy after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

According to him, “The men and women of NADECO stood firmly against military rule at great personal cost. Many were detained, harassed, or forced into exile. Their sacrifices laid the foundation for the democracy we enjoy today, and it is wrong to diminish their contributions.”

The human rights lawyer who was once forced into exile by Abacha junta expressed concern over what he described as the growing trend of making sensational statements for political relevance, stressing that public figures must exercise restraint and responsibility in their comments.

He added that Nigeria’s democracy, though not perfect, guarantees fundamental freedoms that were absent under military regimes, including freedom of speech, association, and political participation.

Oladele said, “Our democracy is a product of years of struggle and sacrifice. While there are challenges, it remains far better than any form of military rule.

We must not allow careless remarks to distort history or undermine the progress we have made.”

He urged political leaders to focus on providing solutions to national challenges rather than engaging in what he termed revisionist narratives.

As of the time of filing this report, Peter Obi had not issued any further clarification on the statement.

Oladele, however, called on Nigerians to remain committed to democratic ideals and to reject any attempt to glorify authoritarian rule or diminish the sacrifices of those who fought for the nation’s freedom.

shox:
we are waiting just like we waited for nigeria air 😁

Tjra:
I've never seen a bunch of bitter mob as those guys. Wondering what would happen to them from 2027 onwards. Dropping dead daily I guess.

Tjra:
The Political orphans are thieves. They always like to reap where they did not sow.

Same pattern every election cycle, look for an existing party, move in, muscle out the founding members then cry wolf whenever there is a push back and blame the ruling party.

People wey no fit form a party and organize it wan rule Nigeria

The National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Seriake Dickson, on Friday received a group of defectors from the African Democratic Congress, Labour Party, and Social Democratic Party.

The defectors, formally presented at a press conference at Dickson’s residence in Abuja, were led by suspended ADC chieftain Amanda Pam.

Pam, a former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2003, also served as Mandate Secretary for Health in the Federal Capital Territory under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

She arrived with several ward and local government chairmen, ADC stalwarts, and supporters from the Kwankwasiyya Movement in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, highlighting the scale of the defection.

Among those who joined her were suspended ADC Chairman of AMAC, Omale Sule; former FCT ADC Women Leader, Princess Gladys Ngozi; ex-ADC Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Godwin Onoya; former Deputy ADC Chairman, Yusuf Adam; and ex-FCT Youth Leader, Aliyu Umar.

Others included former SDP Chairman in the FCT, Nurudeen Bissallah, and the immediate past Deputy Chairman of the FCT Labour Party, Faruk Datsama.

Addressing journalists, Dickson described the defections as a major boost for the NDC and welcomed the new members warmly. He said,

“Power is good, but it must be for service. I want to welcome the former ‘Iron Lady’ of the PDP, Labour Party, ADC, and now NDC, Amanda Pam. She brings with her the ward and local government chairmen as well as the state women leader of the ADC in the FCT.

I am happy she has brought the whole of the ADC members with her.” Dickson added that the NDC was growing its influence across the country, noting activity in states such as Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos, and officially presented membership cards to the defectors.

Pam, a prominent grassroots politician in Abuja, explained that the move was motivated by the need to join a viable opposition platform.

“We are here to support a party with a clear ideology and strong leadership,” she said. “We are bringing 1,175 executives and their supporters to the FCT. Abuja voters know who they want to vote for, and I can assure you nobody will drive the NDC out of Abuja.”

Bissallah, appointed deputy state chairman of the NDC, said the SDP structure in the FCT had been collapsed into the new party, with members ready to receive their NDC membership cards.

Datsama, former Deputy Chairman of the FCT Labour Party, cited ongoing crises in the Labour Party as a reason for his defection, describing the NDC and its leadership as the “best option” for Nigeria.

The defections come amid a deepening crisis within the ADC, following the derecognition of the David Mark-led leadership. In Abuja, the party has faced internal disputes, including the controversial suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe, which was later declared illegal by the National Working Committee due to procedural violations.

Ambassador-designate, Femi Fani-Kayode, has launched a blistering attack on Peter Obi, declaring that the former Labour Party presidential candidate would “never” lead Nigeria over his controversial comments abou the June 12 struggle and the legacy of pro-democracy activists on the platform of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).

He dismissed Obi’s presidential ambition, saying, “You shall NEVER become President of our nation.”

Fani-Kayode’s outburst followed Obi’s remarks on his X handle On Thursday, which seemed like a jab thrown at President Tinubu, who was part of the NADECO struggle in the era of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

In a post on X on Friday, Fani-Kayode described Obi’s statement as an affront to the memory of those who fought and died resisting military rule, saying the former Anambra governor had crossed a moral line. “This is way beyond politics,” he wrote.

“It has assaulted the senses and wounded the sensitivities of all those that lost their lives, liberty and loved ones during the struggle against fascism, dictatorship and military rule.”

He said Obi’s remarks amounted to a desecration of the sacrifices made by members of the National Democratic Coalition and other pro-democracy activists who resisted military dictatorship in the aftermath of the June 12, 1993 presidential election annulment.

“To mock the memory of those that died fighting for democracy in the June 12th struggle and sacrificed their lives and liberty as members of NADECO in this way is unacceptable and unforgivable. Simply put, it is despicable,” Fani-Kayode stated.

Obi had, in a post on Thursday, lamented what he described as the betrayal of democratic ideals by some politicians who once positioned themselves as defenders of democracy and human rights during the Abacha era.

“What an irony of history, that the acclaimed defenders of democracy and human rights who claimed to have fought for democracy during the era of General Sani Abacha now find themselves worse than the man they opposed,” Obi wrote.

He added that Abacha “will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days,” concluding:

“Power indeed reveals character.” Although Obi did not mention any individual by name, his remarks were widely interpreted as a criticism towards President Bola Tinubu and some members of the current political establishment amid the deepening crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

seunmsg:
At least, we can all see that INEC made the right call by de-recognizing the David Mark camp. Doing otherwise would have been a violation of the order of the Court of Appeal.

In a related development, Dar announced Iran agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

“I am pleased to share the great news that the Government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will cross the Strait daily,” he said.

Pakistan’s foreign minister on Sunday indicated the prospect of potential talks between the US and Iran to de-escalate the ongoing war, noting that both countries have expressed their "confidence" in Islamabad to facilitate their discussions.

Ishaq Dar made these remarks while addressing the media after holding quadrilateral consultations with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkiye.

The leaders also discussed ways to bring an “early and permanent end to the war" in the region as they reviewed the West Asia conflict.

After the quadrilateral consultations, Dar briefed the visiting dignitaries on the prospects of potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad.

"The visiting foreign ministers expressed their fullest support to this initiative,” he said.

"In this context, Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate their talks. Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict," he added.

He said the foreign ministers “reaffirmed unity to contain the situation, reduce the risks of military escalation and create conditions for structured negotiations between relevant parties”.

It was the second meeting of consultations among the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt, following the first meeting held in Riyadh on March 19.

Dar said that the four foreign ministers had a very detailed discussion on the current regional situation.

"We also discussed possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war in the region,” he said.

He added that all participants expressed concerns that the ongoing conflict was “extremely unfortunate for its devastating impact on lives and livelihood across the wider region”.

“We agreed that this war is not in favour of anyone and would only lead to death and destruction; the unity of the Muslim ummah in these challenging times is of utmost importance,” he said.

Pakistan, along with Turkiye and Egypt, is making efforts to bring the US and Iran to the negotiating table, but so far without success.

Officials, however, are keeping fingers crossed for such a meeting in the coming week.

Dar said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz, Pakistan has maintained regular engagement with regional and international partners.

"We have remained actively involved in all efforts and initiatives aimed at bringing this conflict to an end," he said.

Calling Pakistan–US relations "very important," he said that they had remained actively engaged with the US leadership as part of efforts to de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict, The Express Tribune reported.

Dar further added that he had also had a detailed telephonic conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, saying that China fully supports Pakistan's initiative to host Iran–US talks, the report said.

The foreign minister also said he had held “very productive” bilateral meetings with the three foreign ministers, who also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.


Separately, the FO in a midnight post on X said that Dar held a telephonic conversation with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and “discussed the evolving regional situation and ongoing developments”.

Dar said that he emphasised the need for de-escalation, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path for lasting peace.

In a related development, Dar announced Iran agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

“I am pleased to share the great news that the Government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will cross the Strait daily,” he said.

“This is a welcome and constructive gesture by Iran and deserves appreciation. It is a harbinger of peace and will help usher stability in the region,” he added.

In the post, the Pakistan foreign minister tagged US Vice President J. D. Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Araghchi and concluded it by saying that “dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward”.

Pakistan on Thursday said that it was “actively and constructively engaged” with all stakeholders in the region and beyond to peacefully end the Iran war.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has appealed for patience on the part of Nigerians as it relates to the challenges of insecurity despite the deployment of American soldiers in the country.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Micheal Onoja, who addressed the concerns on Tuesday, during the military’s end of month briefing in Abuja, said Nigeria’s collaboration with the United States military will soon begin to deliver visible results.

Despite the current security challenges, Onoja described US support as “significant,” particularly in intelligence sharing and specialised training.

He explained that military operations require time before tangible outcomes become evident, adding that the foreign security personnel are strictly in advisory roles and not involved in combat operations.

“You may not see the impact immediately. There is always a gestation period in military engagements, but in the coming weeks and months, the difference will be clear,” he said.

Recall that the DHQ had previously confirmed the arrival of about 100 US military personnel and equipment at Bauchi Airfield on February 16, 2026, for technical support in Nigeria’s counter terrorism operations.

Meanwhile, the DHQ also announced a heightened nationwide alert ahead of the upcoming Easter celebrations.

According to Onoja, troops have been placed on high alert to forestall any potential attacks during the festive period, noting that similar measures adopted during previous celebrations have proven effective.

He warned that security forces would not lower their guard, stressing that criminal elements often exploit festive periods to launch attacks.

“We understand the tactics of these threats. They expect a relaxed atmosphere during celebrations, but we are fully prepared and will not relent,” he added.