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Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:57

[OPINION] Our Democracy and Its Vagrant Elite - Chidi Amuta

In recent weeks, we seem to have been wrestling with the very idea of democracy. After all, our political system has passed through the Westminster parliamentary system and over three decades of the Washington type presidential system. There is a prolonged assumption that we are indeed a thriving democracy and ought by now to have come to take certain issues for granted. But on a daily basis, our politicians and political elite seem more confused about the essence and meaning of democracy itself. This is clearly an illustration of the vagrant and unserious nature of our political elite.

Surprisingly, however, our political elite has this curious habit of returning to interrogate our democratic credentials ever so frequently. Last week, a major gathering of consequential political voices gathered in Abuja to nark the 60th birthday of former House Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha. It was yet another opportunity to interrogate the efficacy of our democracy and indeed the very appropriateness of our democratic route.

Former President Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo, chairman of the occasion was his predictable cynical self, skeptical as ever. about the appropriateness of Western democracy for Africa. His contention was essentially a cultural conservative reservation about the alien roots of democracy as practised in most African countries. Bishop Kukah in the role of keynote speaker asked the question as to whether democracy has failed in Africa. Former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal was definitive in disagreeing. For him, democracy has not quite failed in the country or indeed the continent. Peter Obi was non equivocal in asserting that democracy has failed totally in Africa. Segun Adeniyi was typically journalistic in saying that democracy has neither succeeded nor failed in Africa. He instead zeroed in on the individual foibles of the political leadership as unserious mascots of democracy in Africa. Other voices found weaknesses in the practitioners of our democracy, insisting that nothing is wrong with the various concepts of democracy as practiced in Nigeria or indeed Africa.

Pitfalls like corruption, disruptive governance, abuses of due process by politicians have combined to give democracy a bad name. In all of these attempts to understand the failings of democracy in our country, politicians and the elite have tended to uproot the concept of democracy from is European roots. The fact of mouthing democratic concepts and systems is unfortunately not likely to make us a democracy. Our society has bot paid its dues. We have not passed through the economic crucible of evolving a productive economy first before exploring the most apt system of government. In Europe, the

Industrial Revolution and the tyranny of kings and oligarchs preceded the rise of democracy. Similarly, economic independence and the emergence of a political consensus among the urban elite created the necessity for popular democracy as an alternative to monarchical absolutism.

It was this combination of forces that compelled Europe to behead and dethrone kings and queens and overthrow or reform the monarchy in favour of elective popular governance. Representatives of the people took over power through a system of representative democracy to ensure that the taxes paid by the productive populace were spent by representative governments to fund social programmes and services. The modern nation state was born on the foundations of elective democracy based on the popular mandate of economically empowered citizens. With democracy, subjects became citizens. Citizens acquired rights and rulers were compelled to accountability to ‘the people’.

Elsewhere especially in Asia where democracy later took roots, it was the rise of authoritarian military regimes which suppressed workers rights, whittled down civil rights, forced people to fight for the rights they wanted to enjoy and assiduously grew the economies to create the wealth and prosperity that empowered people to demand certain rights and privileges of freedom and representative government. Like in Europe, it was the empowerment of the people that forced them to demand certain rights especially the right of citizenship and political representation.

In each of these instances, democracy was not a ‘given’ handout or arrangement. It was not an organized syndicate or arrangement agreed upon by a departing colonial order and its successor local political elite of trade unionists, traditional rulers and western educated elite as in most African countries. Democracy in either the European West or Asian dictatorships did not emerge in and of itself but as a consequence of compulsive economic and social forces.

In the Nigerian instance, our ‘democracy’ has transformed from an arrangement of colonial selection to one cultivated by self- appointed military dictatorships. Representatives of the people have been selected whether by a colonial order or by an imposed military dictatorship. The popular masses were literally ‘invited’ or coopted into the democratic wagon and taught the rituals of periodic electioneering. Consequently, our democracy has hardly had organic roots in and among the people. At best, the people have been ‘invited’ during election cycles to the seasonal political agenda, told major issues in contention and the major personae contending for power. In the post election periods, the politicians disappeared to the centres of power from where they lord it over the masses until the next election season. In most of Africa and in Nigeria especially, there has not been a process of consciousness creation about the rudiments of democratic culture. At best, democracy has been merely a dialect of political speak.

Democracy is not however a voluntary self-generating force. It is an outcome, a momentum unleashed and driven by social and economic forces of a historical nature such as happened in Europe and Asia. The driving forces include an urgent compulsion by productive working people who demand accountability for their hard earned tax money. It is the vortex of pressure by the masses which wanted their views and perspectives heard and reflected in the way the society was governed and manifested itself. Taxation is guaranteed by representation. That is the basis of accountability in governance which confers power on the people.

Therefore, when modern constitutions and other social contract documents begin with the expression “We the People”, it is a conscious expression of the real power of the people as tax payers, citizens and voters. It is the people’s power of tax money, the power of labour power and the exertions of workers as an orgnized force that propels the economy. It is in addition the momentum of the cultural solidarity and the willful surrender of the power of independent self- defense in preference for collective security embodied in an elected sovereign. We the people hereby surrender unto you the right and power to preside over us and protect us from one another and from hostile others!

That is the foundation of the Social Contract, the intangible contract that binds the broad majority to the sovereign elected authority who wields state power on the collective behalf of the “people”. Thus is born the modern nation state as the foundation of world order.

Democracy does not give birth to itself nor does it protect and sustain itself. It has certain guardrails in the nature of institutions which it needs to operate and survive. The elected sovereign is a guided executive authority. That authority is guided and guarded along the path of law and order by a judiciary of trained honest judges and a battery of lawyers. An executive not guarded or guided by a judiciary is bound to degenerate into an unregulated anarchy, the lawless Hobbesian state of nature in which the laws of nature reign and bloody violence rules the affairs of men.

In turn, elected conclaves representing the people as a constituent whole are empanelled as parliaments and assemblies to ensure that the affairs of the state reflect the interests of the majority and diversity of the public.

The collective feedback voice of the people is wielded through the power of the media- the agencies of the mass media which function as the unofficial monitor and regulator of the conduct of state and its officials. It does not matter whether the media is the legacy print and electronic media that we have since come to know or the contemporary social media platforms in which everyman is a media owner and practitioner. The functions of the media in a democracy remain basically the same- moderation and modulation of public opinion in the service of the enlightened governance of the state.

The rest of the society whose interests and opinions matter in the progression of the society is what has come to be known as civil society, that amorphous collective of chattering voices in the market of society that is usually the first to gather at the venue of protests against bad governance. It can be organized into pressure groups and interest groups or show up facelessly as a mob.

The guardian elite of a democracy consists of both the practicing political elite and the broad spectrum of enlightened voices-professionals and interested others with an abiding interest in the survival of the society either as a functioning state or thriving democracy. An elite cannot possibly be illiterate or ignorant. An illiterate or ignorant national elite is a danger to itself and to the perpetuation of the society it pretends to serve and represent. A national elite must share a common commitment to the wellbeing and continuity of the society. When a bunch of vagrants, casual thugs and unemployed political jobbers control the commanding heights of the political space, the result is a perennial confusion as to the meaning and plight of democracy. Mob rule could be mistaken for democracy.

When illiteracy, ignorance and lack of enlightenment dominates a political space, even the simplest challenges of routine democratic practice are presented as systemic earthquakes. The budget process is often rigged in favour of paddings by the legislators just as the executive muzzles its way through questionable bills. Legislators are not certain how to vote for simple legislations. Debates on the floor of parliament are either not held at all or are muzzled through the nefarious power of open bribery. Or legislators as licensed thugs scream their way through troublesome sessions.

The executive frequently read or deliberately misinterpret the constitution to serve their narrow political interests. Both unfortunate features have been displayed recklessly with the President’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Those who are still troubled by the present sorry state of democracy in Nigeria should look even harder at the character of our national elite especially those who call themselves politicians. The time is approaching when we shall ask our political class to educate us on whether politics in Nigeria is a career, a vocation, a profession, a trade or part time unregulated business.

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Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:50

Muslims Mark Eid-el-Fitri Today As Ramadan Ends

Nigerian Muslims today joined their counterparts worldwide to mark Eid-el-Fitri, which signifies the end of Ramadan.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, last night declared the end of the month-long fast and announced today, March 30, 2025 as equivalent to 1 Day of SHAWWAL 1446AH and Eid-el-Fitri day.

The Sultan, who is the president-general of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said the decision followed the report of National Moon Sighting Committees across the country confirming sighting of the new moon in several places across Nigeria.

The Sultan felicitated with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wished them Allah’s guidance and blessings.

He also urged Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country, wished all Muslims well during and after the celebration.

He further enjoined Muslims to continue to pray for our leaders.

Ahead of the celebration, security was beefed up by the Police, the Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps (NSCDC) and sister agencies across the country to enable Muslims observe a hitch-free Eid-el-Fitri.

Also yesterday, Saudi Arabia confirmed the sighting of the new moon to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan and start of the next Islamic month of Shawwal.

With the new moon sighting, celebration of the Eid-el-Fitri will hold today, being the first date of Shawwal.

The moon sighting was officially reported on the Haramain Sharifain X platform.

Around 10 observatories were involved in the sighting of Shawwal moon in Saudi Arabia, according to Haramain Info, an official social media handle of the country’s religious authority.

Before the official announcement, the website pointed out that experts in Saudi Arabia were divided on the expected sighting of the Shawwal crescent.

While five recognised astronomical experts predicted the likely Eid al-Fitr date as Sunday, four others expected it to be observed on Monday.

Ramadan began in most parts of the world on March 1, after sighting the new moon.

Meanwhile, Muslims thronged major motor parks across the country yesterday, home-bound for the Sallah celebration.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) also deployed its men and officers on the highways to ensure smooth motoring during the celebration.

To ensure a peaceful Eid-el-Fitr celebration, the Kaduna State Police Command yesterday intensified security deployment across the state.

The command’s spokesperson DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement he issued on behalf of the commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, directed all area commanders, divisional police officers (DPOs) and Tactical Units to strengthen patrols, surveillance and intelligence gathering in all parts of the state.

The measures, he said, are aimed at preventing any potential security threats and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors before, during and after the festive period.

The commissioner urged the residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with the police by reporting any suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines: 0703967 5856, 08075391105.

In Kano State, the NSCDC command has deployed 3,256 personnel across the state to ensure a smooth Sallah festivity.

The spokesperson of the command, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said personnel would be mobilised around Eid praying grounds, recreational/event centres, markets, critical national assets and infrastructure among others to safeguard life and property.

“Personnel of the command have been briefed to work in conjunction and synergy with all the security agencies for a peaceful Sallah celebration. The good people of Kano are hereby advised to cooperate with the security agents while the festive season last for a peaceful and memorable Eid-el-Fitr,” Abdullahi said.

The FRSC deployed 1,889 personnel to ease traffic flow during the celebration in Kano.

The sector commander, Masa’udu Matazu, said the corps had deployed five ambulances, patrol vehicles, one heavy duty tow truck and other operational equipment to major routes and highways, to facilitate effective smooth operations.

According to him, Eid-el-Fitri special patrol operation will run from March 27 to April 2, as 1,348 regular marshals and 541 special marshals would ensure safe, smooth vehicular movement, traffic control and give prompt attention to victims of road traffic crashes.

Also, the Bauchi State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all the residents as well as a hitch-free Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

The state police commissioner, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, assured the public of the command’s dedication to implementing robust security measures and fostering a conducive atmosphere for prayers throughout the state.

A statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, emphasised that the safety of life and property remains the police top priority.

He urged the residents to send complaints via the Police Rescue Me App or contact emergency numbers 08151849417 and 09053872273″ when necessary.

[Leadership]

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Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:45

Eid-El-Fitr: Barau urges Muslims to sustain Ramadan lessons, promote unity, tolerance

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has rejoiced with Muslims in the country on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan Fast, urging them to carry forward the lessons of the blessed month.

Eid-el-Fitr marks the end of the Ramadan Fast, the fourth pillar of Islam, during which Muslims are devoted to intense worship and prayers to Almighty Allah.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Saturday evening declared Sunday, March 30, as the first day of Shawwal.

Senator Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, prayed to Allah SWT to accept supplications, prayers and the good deeds of the Ummah during the blessed Month.

Senator Barau, the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, urged everyone to sustain the lessons of the Holy Month and always reflect on them in their daily activities.

He urged all citizens to continue praying for the country and to lend their full support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he addresses the nation’s challenges.

He reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting necessary legislation to support the President’s efforts.

The Deputy President of the Senate, expressed optimism that the newly established regional development commissions in North West, North Central, South East, South West, and South-South will significantly contribute to developing the country’s regions.

President Tinubu recently assented to bills passed by the National Assembly to establish these five regional commissions (Senator Barau sponsored the bill for the North West Development Commission) to address the country’s developmental challenges.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my fellow Muslims across the country and all Nigerians as we celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the Ramadan Fast. May Allah SWT accept our prayers, supplications and good deeds during this blessed month.

“In the spirit of the season, let us reach out to the needy and the poor, both during and after the festivities. Let us continue to pray for our country and for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed in positively transforming our country. Regardless of our differences, let us unite and practice tolerance by living peacefully with one another,” he said.

[DailyTrust]

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Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:43

[PRESS RELEASE] NLC Rivers State Chapter Refuttal To Press Statement By Dr. George Nweke On March 28 2025

The attention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Chapter, has been drawn to the recent press statement by Dr. George Nweke, the former Head of Service of Rivers State. While we acknowledge his right to express his opinions, we must categorically reject the baseless and misleading allegations made against the leadership of the NLC and Labour in general.

1. Labour's Commitment to Impartiality and Workers’ Welfare
The NLC is a non-partisan organization that remains dedicated to defending the rights and interests of workers in Rivers State and across Nigeria. It is highly irresponsible and mischievous for Dr. Nweke to insinuate that the leadership of Labour in Rivers State has been compromised or is engaging in political partisanship. The NLC, under the leadership of its State Chairman, has at all times acted in the best interest of workers without undue political influence. The Labour movement is driven by principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability, and we will not allow our integrity to be tarnished by baseless accusations.

2. False Allegations Against the NLC Chairman
Dr. Nweke’s claim that the NLC Chairman has been holding private meetings with the Governor and receiving financial inducements is outright false and defamatory. Such allegations are nothing more than an attempt to discredit the Labour movement and divert attention from the real issues affecting the state. The NLC leadership in Rivers State operates in full compliance with ethical standards and has consistently engaged with the government on legitimate labour matters, including workers' welfare, salary payments, and improved working conditions.

3. The Role of Labour in Democratic Governance
The NLC is an advocate for good governance, stability, and the rule of law. It is, therefore, disheartening that Dr. Nweke has chosen to malign the Labour movement by suggesting that it is being used for political maneuvering. If he has any credible evidence of wrongdoing, we challenge him to present it to the appropriate authorities rather than resort to unsubstantiated public statements aimed at inciting discord.

4. Labour’s Stance on the State of Emergency
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is a matter of national discourse, and the NLC, like all stakeholders, has the right to express its position based on facts and the impact on workers. The Labour movement will always stand against any action that undermines the democratic rights of the people or leads to instability that affects workers and the general populace. Our position on this matter remains clear: the welfare of the workers and the citizens of Rivers State must be prioritized above political interests.

5. Call for Responsible Engagement
We urge Dr. Nweke and other political actors to refrain from dragging the NLC and its leadership into their political battles. The NLC will not be intimidated or coerced into taking sides in political disputes. Our primary responsibility is to the workers, and we will continue to champion their cause with integrity and accountability.

In conclusion, we advise the public to disregard the unfounded claims made by Dr. Nweke. The NLC remains committed to its mandate and will not be distracted by baseless accusations.

Long Live the Nigeria Labour Congress!
Long Live Rivers State!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Rivers State Council
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)

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Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:38

[PRESS STATEMENT] Salute to Muslims on Eid-el-Fitr, our cooperation against threats to national security is absolutely necessary - Nuhu Ribadu

On behalf of the management and staff of the Office of the National Security Adviser, I wish to extend heartfelt greetings to Muslims across Nigeria and around the world on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This sacred period embodies the virtues of resilience, discipline, and sacrifice. As we celebrate, I urge you to bring to bear these virtues in our collective efforts to strengthen national security.

Your cooperation in the fight against terrorism and other threats remains vital in ensuring peace and stability across our Nation, particularly in our commitment to a ‘whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.’ Therefore, the continued collaboration between the government, religious leaders, communities, and security agencies in combating terrorism and extremism remains paramount.

The celebration of Eid-el-Fitr serves as a moment for deep reflection, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to peace and national unity. It is thus pertinent for Muslims and all Nigerians to come together in unity, embracing the core principles of love and togetherness that are essential for our national progress. Peace, unity, and compassion are the core values underpinning the true spirit of Eid-el-Fitr; therefore, Nigerians must continue to uphold the virtues of empathy, kindness, and tolerance during the festivities and beyond.

I appeal to all Nigerians to remain vigilant against any forces that threaten our peace, and together, we can build a Nigeria where all citizens, irrespective of their faith, can live in harmony and prosperity.

Our diversity is our strength, and despite the challenges we face as a Nation, we remain united by a shared commitment to peace and stability. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and this Office uphold these values, and under my leadership, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians regardless of background or faith. We remain steadfast in our mission to enhance Nigeria's resilience against terrorism and violent extremism while promoting peaceful coexistence and national security. I wish you all a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu mni

National Security Adviser

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Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:32

Tinubu: I nearly quit 2023 race amid economic turmoil

From left: Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima; Vice-President, Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu; and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, during the Special Iftar and prayers for President Tinubu on his 73rd birthday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday

Appreciates Nigerians for birthday well wishes
I’m proud of my association with Tinubu, says Buhari
Babangida, govs, CDS, others laud President @ 73

President Bola Tinubu last night revealed how the economic crisis triggered by the naira redesign policy nearly forced him to quit the 2023 presidential race.

Speaking at a special Iftar at the State House in Abuja, the President recounted how a conversation with a close relative almost made him reconsider his ambition.

The Iftar coincided with his 73rd birthday and he used the opportunity to express appreciation to Nigerians for their outpouring of goodwill and prayers during the birthday.

His predecessor, General Muhammadu Buhari reminisced on his relationship with Tinubu and said he was proud of the deep bond between them.

Buhari ,in a telephone chat with the president to congratulate him on his 73rd birthday was full of praise for him for his contributions to the country.

Ex-military president ,General Ibrahim Babangida said Tinubu’s leadership intervention thus far, has been “very remarkable, bold, resilient and encouraging.”

More congratulatory messages for the president also came yesterday from the Ooni of Ife ,Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi,state governors and other members of the political class as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa who credited Tinubu’s leadership role with what he called the military’s recent successes against terrorism and other security challenges in the country.

Tinubu at yesterday’s Iftar thanked guests for their presence, prayers, and contributions to the nation’s development.

His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted him as acknowledging the challenges he faced in the presidential race and reaffirming his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s progress.

At the Iftar were First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana Shettima, members of the Federal Executive Council, principal officers of the National Assembly, current and former governors, diplomats, business leaders, religious figures, and some of the President’s childhood friends.

Dr. Abdulkadir Sholagberu, Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, led special prayers seeking divine guidance and continued progress for the President and the nation.

Reflecting on the challenges of the 2023 presidential race,Tinubu spoke of when he contemplated withdrawing from the contest following an encounter with a close relative.

“Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During the campaigns, one of them came to my living room around 3:30 a.m. and said he needed just N50,000 to buy foodstuff for our uncle,” he said.

“He told me, ‘the currency is gone because of you. People are jumping over bank counters because there is no cash. Our uncle, a wealthy man, doesn’t even have N10,000 in cash. What are you running for?’

“I told him, ‘I am running for President, not for you and our uncle.’ I gave him the N50,000. As he walked out, he turned to me and said, ‘I don’t think you will make it.’ I replied, ‘I will make it.'”

The President said that his uncle later called to confirm receiving the money but admitted that he had only given the messenger N10,000, keeping the rest.

“I was amazed. At that moment, I almost dropped the idea of running for President. But thanks to Aminu Masari and all of you who encouraged me. When I came to Abuja, Masari told me, ‘I am the Chairman of the North West Group; don’t look back.'”

President Tinubu noted that he assumed office during a time of economic uncertainty and had to take immediate, difficult decisions, including removing fuel subsidy.

“On the day of my inauguration, I had to decide on something not originally in my speech, and that was the fuel subsidy removal,” he said.

Noting that Nigeria had reached a point of no return on the issue, the President said: “The hallmark of a great leader is the ability to make the right decision at the right time. That was the day I declared that the subsidy was gone. The following day, I was hounded and thoroughly abused in the media. But I stood firm, knowing it was the right thing to do for our nation’s future.”

Vice President Shettima lauded the President’s sacrifices, stating that history would remember him as the leader who took on the nation’s most complex challenges.

“Thanks to his boldness, future presidents of Nigeria will not have to wrestle with the same ghosts that haunted past administrations, including fraud-ridden fuel subsidies, an unstable forex market, and the suppression of local government autonomy.

“These were the thorny issues that many before him sidestepped. But Asiwaju did not sidestep history; he came to rewrite it.

“And in rewriting it, Asiwaju has taken the bullets that many before him simply lacked the courage to face. But that is the thing about true leadership: it is not for those who seek comfort. It is for those who understand that the path to national greatness is lined with difficult choices,” he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the President’s ability to forgive and his relentless passion for national development.

Akpabio described the President as a leader who thinks outside the box and as the ‘most audacious president’ in the country’s history.

He said that, under Tinubu’s watch, governors are getting more allocation.

“If I were a governor under your administration, I would have been a ‘supernatural governor’ and not an uncommon governor,” he said.

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, described President Tinubu as a leader who has broken barriers and uplifted future Nigerian politicians.

He noted that the President had taken the backseat to raising leaders for decades.

“Today, he is at the forefront because Nigeria needs him. In 2019, despite not being from his region, he supported me in my most difficult political moment. Nigeria needs leaders who rise above tribal considerations, and he has demonstrated that,” he said.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State commended the President’s decisive leadership at a time when Nigeria needed stability.

“Only a leader with deep conviction and love for the country could have taken the bold and yet necessary decisions that averted national collapse and now restoring hope and confidence across the federation,” he said.

Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijjani shared his personal experience of being appointed by President Tinubu despite his past activism.

“Before my appointment, I had never met Mr. President. But after my confirmation, he told me, ‘I have looked at your records and activism, and I am giving you an opportunity to serve,'” he said.

The minister recounted a recent meeting at the World Bank, where a senior official described President Tinubu as the best reformist leader in Africa today.

Professor Shaffideen Adeniyi Amuwo, a childhood friend of the President, reminisced about their early years and how divine providence led Tinubu to the presidency.

“Our relationship did not just start in Chicago; we played soccer together as children. While I chose the library, my brother chose politics because he loved to speak. Today, Allah has shown His greatness by guiding him to lead Nigeria.

“The city of Chicago, founded by a Black man, has educated the man who now leads the most populous Black nation on earth. I pray that Allah continues to hold his hand and guide him as he works to save our country,” he said.

Buhari: I’m proud of my association with Buhari

Former President Buhari in the telephone chat with Tinubu prayed and wished him long life, good health and success for his administration.

“When we pray for our leaders, we are praying for ourselves and the nation. We owe this to ourselves and the nation,” Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted him yesterday as telling Tinubu.

Buhari added that his family and himself remain indebted to Tinubu and the other leaders of the party for the invaluable contributions they made toward the formation of All Progressives Congress (APC), catapulting him to the presidency for two terms after failed attempts in the past, and helping to produce another APC administration with the Asiwaju himself at its head.

He added:“ No doubt, the annals of the country will not be complete without bringing into mention, and a recognition of the varied and numerous roles of President Tinubu as an entrepreneur, a party stalwart, a staunch activist, party organizer, party builder, a reliable ally and a serial winner of democratic elections. I am truly proud of my association with the Asiwaju.

“When Nigerians handed the baton of leadership to the APC in 2015, it was a mandate to lay the foundation for a new Nigeria where the poor get opportunities for a better future and I am glad that the vision is not lost. It was a victory of all those who wish the country’s good.”

He also used the opportunity to wish the president, his family, and the nation a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and a happy and joyful Eid el Fitri.

Asiwaju of the universe, happy birthday —-IBB.

General Babangida said a result-driven and utility leader like Tinubu “fits the present challenges especially with the kind of innovations and policy thrust of your administration, so far.’

His message: “There comes a time in the life of a nation when uncommon personality and courageous disposition forms the basis for appreciating the essentials of problem-solving leadership. With your rich background in the struggle for the emancipation of the ordinary Nigerian, coupled with your commitment to deepening democratic values in Nigeria, your history speaks for your persona.

“At a time like this, when your birthday strikes the right chord, it is gratifying to join millions of your admirers, associates, supporters and fellow Nigerians to celebrate you with a pat on the back. You have come to lead Nigeria at a very trying time in our nation’s history, but your leadership intervention thus far, has been very remarkable, bold, resilient and encouraging. Only those who have been there know exactly the grit required to lead Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Mr. President, let me assure you of my support and solidarity always. Even though the challenges facing us as a nation may be daunting, you have shown equal commitment to contend with the realities that stare us in the face. I can easily recollect when our paths crossed in the late eighties when the government I ran was trying to birth democracy.

“You have remained consistent to your ideals, principles and democratic values till date, reason why Nigerians entrusted you with the mandate to lead them at this auspicious moment.

“A result-driven and utility leader like you fits the present challenges especially with the kind of innovations and policy thrust of your administration, so far. You must not be tired or discouraged in providing the desired leadership to move the country forward. You have shown grit, gusto and gravitas in your leadership emanations, and the courage you have exemplified speaks to your capacity to take uncommon decisions.

“Mr. President and the Asiwaju of the Universe, as I fondly call you, congratulations on your 73rd birthday celebrations. On behalf of Aisha, Muha, Aminu and Halima, accept our collective felicitations on this special day. This is happening at the Holy month of Ramadan. It is an indication of Allah’s abiding mercy and love for you. May Allah accept our supplications and grant you good health and more wisdom to help you chart the way forward for our dear country. Congratulations Mr. President. Many happy returns.”

Tinubu’s birthday a testament to his resilience, dedication to Nigeria, says Ooni

The Ooni described the President as a beacon of hope and a visionary leader who has significantly shaped the nation’s socio-political landscape.

“His selfless contributions to the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria remain an indelible legacy that history will always celebrate,” he said,adding:“From the trenches of democratic struggles to the pinnacle of national leadership, President Tinubu has stood as a champion of progressive governance.

“His relentless fight for justice, equity, and good governance has uplifted many, rekindling hope in the hearts of countless Nigerians.

“Today, as he steers the ship of our great nation, we acknowledge his sacrifices and dedication to ensuring that future generations inherit a Nigeria that thrives in peace, prosperity, and unity.”

Oba Ogunwusi r prayed for God’s continued wisdom, strength, and divine guidance for the President, asking that he be blessed with clarity in leadership and the fortitude to navigate the complexities of governance.

Uzodimma: Tinubu has opened door to new era of growth

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma said President Tinubu’s leadership has opened the door to Nigeria’s new era of growth and sustainable progress across all sectors.

The Governor said the profound impact made by the president has significantly benefited the people.

He said: “With strong passion and commitment to national development, President Tinubu has opened the door to a new era of growth, ensuring that every sector experiences real and sustainable progress.

“His leadership stands out through bold initiatives, people-centric policies, and a compassionate approach that prioritises the well-being of Nigerians. Whether in revitalising the economy or renewing our infrastructure, Mr. President’s dedication to building a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria is evident.

“As you mark another year of wisdom and experience, I pray that God blesses you with long life, good health, and even greater insight to guide our great nation. May your vision for transforming Nigeria become a lasting reality, and may the years ahead bring even more remarkable achievements.”

Otti hails his sacrifice, resilience in rebuilding Nigeria

Abia State Governor . Alex Otti acknowledged what he called Tinubu’s dedication to the progress and unity of the country.

Otti in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, also commended the resilience of President Tinubu in building a united and strong nation.

He prayed that God might continue to grant him the strength, wisdom and good health to steer the ship of our Nation to greater heights.

Tinubu ‘s leadership key to military gains against adversaries, says CDS

Chief of Defence Staff Musa said the military’s successes against the adversaries of the country could not have been possible without President Tinubu’s “immense guidance and purposeful leadership.”

The CDS, in a statement said the President’s relentless efforts to provide the needed funds, incentives, and equipment to execute the fight against the enemies of the country had gone a long way in boosting the morale of the troops.

He said: “Your leadership has impacted positively to the successes being achieved by the Armed Forces of Nigeria. We remain loyal and committed to your ideals and aspirations for a safer nation where citizens and their businesses will strive.

“The successes achieved so far in the fight against insurgency, terrorism, economic sabotage, and other criminalities could not have been achieved without your immense guidance and purposeful leadership.

“As you celebrate, we are confident that the Almighty God will guide, protect, and provide you with sound health and additional wisdom to steer the ship. We seize this opportunity to continue to pledge our unending resolve to submit to our constitutional responsibilities and ensure a safer and peaceful nation.

“The present increase in troops morale is attributed to your relentless efforts to provide the needed funds, incentives, and equipment to execute the fight against the enemies of Nigeria.”

Benue will ever be grateful to him,says Gov. Alia

Benue State Governor Gov. Hyacinth Alia said President Tinubu has shown his state considerable love, given the numerous appointments, infrastructural development projects, and other Federal Government interventions in the state.

The governor appreciated the President for always putting Benue at the front burner of his “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

He said the government and people of the state would be forever grateful and proud of him and his administration.

Alia said that the future of the country looked great under the leadership of the President.

Soludo hails Tinubu’s leadership on 73rd birthday

In Awka,Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo said the President’s commitment to democratic governance continued to inspire renewed hope for a better Nigeria.

He descried the birthday as another moment to celebrate a life dedicated to service, vision, and the pursuit of national unity and progress.

“President Tinubu’s leadership is anchored in deep political experience, strategic thinking, patriotism, and a commitment to democracy. This continues to inspire hope for a better Nigeria,” Soludo said and appreciated his “ large-heartedness and support for Anambra’s developmental aspirations.’

He added:“His inclusive approach to governance and willingness to partner with subnational entities for national progress reflect his belief in a Nigeria that works for all.”

He’s guiding Nigeria toward growth, prosperity -Otu

Cross River State Governor Bassey Out said Tinubu’s leadership has been “pivotal in guiding our country toward growth and prosperity.”

The Governor also emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among all states in Nigeria, stating that working together is essential for the progress and well-being of the nation.

The governor pledged the continued support of the people of the state to the president to enable his administration succeed with his Renewed Hope Agenda.

He continues to inspire hope, progress – Gov. Ododo

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.

The governor said that Tinubu’s reforms were strengthening the national unity, stabilising the economy and advancing the nation’s democratic values.

“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President on this special day.

“Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth.

“We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” he stated.

He reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.

He’s courageous reformer, says Bamidele

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele called the president a courageous reformer, a fearless patriot and an incurable optimist in the glorious future of Nigeria.

“President is no doubt a courageous reformer, fearless patriot and an incurable optimist, who never bothers about reelection, but about the next generation. Since he assumed office 22 months ago, he has focused on implementing key reforms that are now restoring stability to and confidence in the economy,” he said..

“In the last 22 months alone, President Tinubu signed the Student Loans Bill that has benefited no fewer than 90,000 students and raised the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. Under his leadership, also, our GDP has recorded significant growth and inflation now down trajectory.

“Statutory transfers to state and local governments have significantly risen, availing them more resources to fund projects and programmes at the sub-national level.

“The increase has no doubt prevented the country’s descent into a fiscal crisis, possibly another economic meltdown.

“Asiwaju’s courage to undertake strategic infrastructure projects is historic and legendary.

“This is evident in the construction of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, among others. These projects are indeed economic routes that connect several states together.” Bamidele observed.

Bamidele further commended the president for promoting such programmes as Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Health Sector Renewal Initiative and Renewed Hope Homes purely in the interest of Nigerians across all strata.

His unwavering commitment to repositioning Nigeria commendable – Nwoko

In his own goodwill message,Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North ) said that the nation recognised the weight of the task before the president and his genuine efforts to steer the country towardgrowth and stability.

According to him, this special day offers yet another moment to acknowledge Tinubu’s unwavering dedication to the service of the country and his resilience in the face of the enormous responsibility of leadership.

“Mr President, we recognise the weight of the task before you and the genuine efforts you are making to steer the nation towards growth and stability.

“As you celebrate another year today, we acknowledge your unwavering commitment to repositioning Nigeria and advancing the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“It is our earnest hope that the year ahead brings you renewed strength, wisdom, and the collective support needed to fulfill the aspirations of Nigerians,” he said.

Arewa Think Tank holds prayer session for President

The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) yesterday organized a prayer session in Kaduna to mark the 73rd birthday celebration of President Tinubu.

Two Islamic Clerics, Sheikh Yahaya Musa and Abdulkareem Abumujahidah led the prayer session.

According to the Clerics, “there is nothing bad praying for our leaders. God even says that we should continue to pray for our leaders so that they can have the strength and good health to lead us better. So this prayer for the President and Nigeria as a country is in order”.

They urged Nigerians not to cease from praying at all times as part of encouraging them to ensure speedy development for the country.

In his remarks, the Convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu said the gathering was solely for prayer session in commemoration of the 73rd birthday celebration of the President.

And fielding questions from journalists shortly after the occasion, he expressed optimism that President Tinubu’s chances for a second term were bright in view of the various reforms he has implemented, “which are now yielding results. So his coming back to office for the second tenure is very much assured by the grace of God”.

“We must not forget the fact that the respective holy books of the two major religions; Islam and Christianity call on the people to always pray for their leaders. So what we are doing here today is in line with one of the religious tenets. We are not doing anything political here today. Remember that last year we organised same event for Mr. President’s 72nd birthday celebration. So this is not the first we are organising this prayer session.

The former governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and the Director General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Comrade Issa Aremu graced the occasion. Both of them commended the organisers of the prayer session.

[TheNation]

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Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:29

NJC rejects bill to sanction corrupt judges

The National Judicial Council has raised concerns about a proposal by the House of Representatives to empower the Nigerian Bar Association to sanction and remove corrupt judges.

On March 25, 2025, the House of Representatives passed a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution by introducing provisions for the removal of corrupt judges from the judiciary.

The bill proposes that the NBA should receive petitions against such judicial officers, consider the defense of the petitioned officer, and take further steps on the matter.

Reacting to the bill, the Deputy Director of Information of the NJC, Kemi Ogedengbe, questioned the feasibility and legality of such a move, citing constitutional constraints and procedural requirements.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Ogedengbe said the Constitution placed the responsibility of disciplining judges squarely in the hands of the NJC.

She emphasised that sanctioning a judge is a process governed by specific procedures, including presenting evidence against accused judges.

“The constitutional requirements place the discipline of judges in the hands of the NJC, and it doesn’t just come with the NJC—it has procedures that must be followed. If a judge is deemed to be corrupt, you can’t just put up a statement that a judge is corrupt. It must be backed up with evidence.”

“Either the judge is caught in the act or you have evidence against the judge. Once it happens that way, the dictates of the Constitution will now be followed to deal with such a corrupt judge. That’s what the Constitution says,” she said.

Ogedengbe further questioned the practicality of the NBA taking on such responsibilities, and the potential for abuse.

She said, “The question is, who are those corrupting the judges? A crime does not occur in isolation; there are always accessories. Who are these accessories? Are they members of the public, lawyers, or medical doctors? Or are they lawyers themselves?”

The council also emphasised that public hearings and stakeholder input would play a critical role in determining the viability of the proposed amendment.

“The House of Representatives’ bill will not just end there; it will pass through the Senate and the 36 state Houses of Assembly. They are going to ratify it; there will be public hearings on it. So, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

“Whether it will be able to curb corruption is what I don’t know because one person cannot perpetuate corrupt practices. There must be accessories. So, who are those accessories? Or will a judge just sit down, and they will charge him for corruption?”

“It is those accessories that we have to identify. From there, we will now know if the NBA taking over sanctioning judges will be abused or not.”

“This is just the beginning of the conversation. Whether this bill can effectively curb corruption remains to be seen. For now, we must adhere to the Constitution, which already provides a framework for disciplining judicial officers through due process.

“There is no constitutional amendment that does not involve public hearings. Every stakeholder will come to say if they support it or not. That is when we will know if this type of amendment will succeed or not. A law is not a good law until it is made perfect,” she said.

[Punch]

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Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:28

[OPINION] Rivers emergency declaration is a national ill-wind - Dele Sobowale

“Lord, protect me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies” – Robert Greene, author of 48 LAWS OF POWER.

I pray that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aka, BAT, will live much longer. Irrespective of whether he secures a second term or not in 2027, there was one meeting and a decision arising from that encounter that he will regret for the rest of his life. Few people know who initiated the first meeting between then-presidential candidate of the APC (Tinubu) and then-governor of Rivers State, a member of the PDP, Nyesom Wike.

Without being there, it requires no space science intelligence to figure out what the subject of the appointment was all about – treachery for sale. Wike was there to betray his party and help Tinubu win the presidential election; in exchange for a plum appointment if the plot succeeded. BAT, aware that the election might be close, was desperate for assistance from anyone. What could be better than a powerful insider who could deliver the prize; just for a mere political appointment? A deal was struck.

Wike was very circumspect about his intentions. He persuaded four other serving PDP governors and Fayose – intelligent but not wise – to follow him on his trip to London; where the details of the betrayal of their party were worked out. None of the gullible governors campaigned for their own candidate. None was rewarded for helping to destroy their own party; and none can now confess that they have been duped. Wike is the only beneficiary of a conspiracy hatched by him and executed by him. Makinde, Ikpeazu, Ortom and Fayose were used as collaterals to seal the agreement. They perhaps now wish they never met Wike.

Wike a serial traitor

“The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies. It comes from friends and loved ones.”

Poser: Can anybody point to someone who has helped Wike, as he climbed up the political ladder, who has not directly or indirectly been betrayed? Invariably, the association starts with Wike, apparently totally loyal to the other party; until he secures a better and more powerful client. Thereafter, the turnaround is so swift and brazen that the wounds left never heal. Last week, one of his former benefactors, former President Jonathan, was forced to comment on the dangerous situation which declaration of emergency has created in Rivers State.

When Jonathan and Amaechi had a quarrel, Wike immediately became a staunch loyalist of the President. He was rewarded with the governorship of Rivers State. Today, if Tinubu asks Wike to blast GEJ, he would do it gladly and with all the venom at his disposal. What Jonathan left unsaid must have been his regret that he helped to build the force that is threatening the PDP now. Below is what Jonathan said about the problem Wike has created for Tinubu and Nigeria: “They are pretending to sleep; and waking such a person is extremely difficult because the person knows the right thing — a clear abuse of power and power cutting across all three arms of government.”

Brief, but impactful. Rotimi Amaechi, ex-this, ex-that, was governor of the state (Rivers) on PDP platform; when he nominated “loyal” Wike for ministerial post. Once a rift developed between Amaechi and Jonathan, Wike wasted no time. Amaechi was not only dumped, his former friend became the most vicious tag team partner of Jonathan. Every former Rivers State governor must now be regretting helping Wike. They thought he was a friend. Wike’s only friend is Wike.

Tinubu’s turn

“Show me your friends; and I will tell you who you are.”

Granted not every person appointed to high office by a President can be regarded as his friend. Some are imposed by the political party or close acquaintances. But, one or two are his personal choices; based on his personal assessment of their utility value. Tinubu and Wike operated like two parallel lines most of their political lives that there was very little chance of their being political friends – until the opportunity for perfidy, by Wike, occurred. Everything being fair in war and politics, Tinubu cannot be blamed if a top official of another party was willing to act in bad faith.

It was mutually beneficial to both of them – Tinubu became President and Wike was once more a Minister. That should ordinarily have been the end of the matter. A President has every right to expect every Minister to focus on his duties totally; and the other ex-governors on the cabinet – Umahi for instance – have done just that. Only Wike, among the Ministers, apparently has a personal agenda; he wants to run the Ministry as well as Rivers State. And he is not hiding the fact. Every adult Nigerian, who follows political events, knows this and believes that power-greed by Wike is at the heart of the political crisis in Rivers State.

Tinubu obviously approved of Wike’s divided interest and the attempt to privatise Rivers State. So, he has not called the Minister to order. Meanwhile, Wike’s plans have met a stiff resistance. Governor Fubara has refused to be a figurehead Chief Executive Officer. The political stalemate which threatened to erupt into political and ethnic violence has forced Tinubu to take a controversial measure which constitutionality is in doubt. I will shortly offer my own opinion regarding the declaration of emergency in Rivers. However, two things are clear to me. First, it has not solved the problem; and, second, the Presidency, the National Assembly and the federal judiciary have been thrown into the midst of another political crisis by selfish and unpatriotic politicians who don’t wish the people of Rivers State and Nigeria well.

Was the declaration advisable?

“A journalist should be pursuing a fair rendition of truth without regard to popular moods; the journalist should not be swayed by public opinion; only by the pursuit of truth, as close as he can get to it” – Malvin Kalb, American journalist, 1997. I am not a professional journalist; only a media contributor. But, I have accepted the basic rules of journalism as my guide each time an article is published. As much as possible, sentiments are discarded; bias against or in favour of individuals or groups is suppressed.

Thus, even though a staunch Christian, I have no opposition to the introduction of the Sharia Law, anywhere in Nigeria – as long as it is applied only to Muslims. My approach to this matter is the same. This is one of those devilish cases which most thoughtful people pray they are never called upon to offer an opinion. That notwithstanding, when they occur, each of us must stand up and be counted. It is not easy; believe me. My approach to this sort of thing is to ask two simple questions: What would have happened if Tinubu did not declare the state of emergency?

And what would have been the general opinion of his competence as a leader for allowing it? In my view, the contending parties – pro-Wike and pro-Fubara – in and out of government have reached such a stage that dialogue and peaceful solution was impossible. Both sides were moving gradually and surely towards mutual violent destruction. Once it starts, such conflicts don’t end in days or weeks; and sometimes, not even months. Rivers State would have been locked down for a long time; and healing would have taken years to achieve. The Nigerian economy would have been damaged beyond redemption. Every Nigerian alive and millions unborn would suffer immeasurably.

Truth is Rivers State, right now, is the most important state in Nigeria from the standpoint of dollar revenue – given its dominant position on oil and gas. It is our egg basket; which a bunch of blockhead politicians were about to scatter. Fubara, Wike and the legislators were totally obstinate and uncommonly uncompromising as to have left the state without access to its own funds; and the stalemate would have continued indefinitely – if left unchecked. The only power left to bring a halt to the lunacy is the President of Nigeria. Granted, he might have, deliberately or inadvertently, contributed to the mess. But, the fact remains that, having observed the drift of events, he had no choice other than to call a halt. The only instrument at his disposal was the declaration of emergency – which he has done. Unfortunately, Tinubu missed the last step which would have brought nationwide approval; instead of condemnation.

What should have been done?

“The buck stops here” – US President Harry Truman, 1884-1892. That was the statement of a former American President whose Secretary of State was fomenting trouble in his own state on account of ambition to dictate to his successor as state governor. The fellow was doing exactly the same thing Wike has been attempting to do in Rivers. Although, the incident occurred long before Harry Truman pronounced the obiter dictum for all Presidents everywhere, it still has relevance today. No President should encourage possible breakdown of law and order in any part of his country; neither should he retain a Minister who does. Tinubu should also have sacked Wike; who is the cause of the problem.

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Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:25

SEGUN ODEGBAMI: Day the gods deserted the Super Eagles!

If there is a god of soccer, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, it deserted the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

On the dot of 90 minutes, with only added time of some 5 minutes left to play, Eric Chelle had his plan for winning the match. He replaced a forward with another forward.

He replaced Victor Osimhen, the most consistent finisher in the team, with Boniface who has not scored a single goal for the national team to date. Or has he? If any player was likely to score, it would be Osimhen.

I did not understand the substitution. If Eric wanted the team to ‘shut down’ and run down the match as they did successfully against Rwanda, basic tactics would require that he added a player to the midfield/defense area, get the players to keep possession of the ball as much as possible, and to close up the spaces in the midfield, disallowing the opposing team from doing anything constructive.

That’s what he did during the Rwandan match after the Eagles were two goals up and time was running out.

Against Zimbabwe, however, the situation was different. With only one goal in the kitty, it was dangerous to do what he did against Rwanda. So, his substitution meant, in basic football tactics, that he wanted to score another goal.

But it was clear the Zimbabweans were desperate, had started to throw everything forward, and were unlucky to have been denied what could have been a goal had VAR been available to check where the ball landed when it struck the crossbar and landed either behind or in front of the Nigerian goal line. No one is still certain where the ball landed.

Still the Super Eagles’ intentions were not obvious – to attack or defend the lone goal? They did neither. The Eagles suddenly looked tired. They started to leave yawning gaps in the midfield and allowed the Zimbabweans plenty of space and time on the ball. They also started to lose possession of the ball with ease, with Lookman attempting solo runs with the ball and losing possession, unnecessarily.

That could, surely, not be Eric’s intentions or instructions. I will still ask him whenever we meet what instructions he gave the team as the match drew to an end.

On the other hand, the Zimbabweans deserve credit for how they started to play, pressing, chasing after every ball, passing and attacking the spaces in the Nigerian midfield and defence opening up with every passing second.

Then it happened. Their persistence paid off.

It was almost on the dot of 90 minutes. The Zimbabweans cut through the Nigerian defense with a pass that ended with only William Troost-Ekong to beat. It was what would be called ‘50/50 ball’ in Nigerian football parlance. At this point, it all came down to what he did. The Nigerian captain is a dependable team leader.

At that stage of the match, any defender grounded in the Nigerian psyche, how to play when something like the World Cup ticket is at stake, would not think twice about what to do in that instance!

With the prowling attacker running at him and the ball between them, the typical Nigerian defender would have gritted his teeth, shut his eyes, with determination written all over his action, and with almost reckless abandon, cleared everything in his path – ball and the foot of the attacking player. The sound of that kick would have reverted around that stadium, and the ‘fragments’ of the ball and the foot of the opposing player would be picked outside the Uyo township stadium!

Okay, that may be an exaggeration, but the reality is that a Christian Chukwu, Stephen Keshi, Austin Eguavoen, Sunday Eboigbe, Francis Monidafe, or 10-10 Omokaro, or any one of several Nigerian former Captains and defenders, in Ekong’s shoes, would have booted the ball and the Zimbabwean player into the terraces.

Instead, and, unfortunately, what Ekong did may haunt him for the rest of his life. It could be the moment Nigeria lost the opportunity to go to the 2026 World Cup. It could turn out to be his last chance to attend a World Cup. It was a moment Nigerians, all 250’million of them, will remember forever.

Ekong took his leg off the pedal, probably thinking he might trip the attacker and give away a penalty kick (We will never know now). He let the ball and the opposing attacker go through, a gift to the player who slid the ball under a helplessly sprawling Nwabili for an equalizing goal that pierced the hearts of 250 million Nigerians like a knife.

William Troost-Ekong has since apologised for that poor decision, and Nigerians have no choice but to forgive him.

The bottom line is that Nigeria had no business letting victory slip through their hands with only a few minutes of the match to go. It was a very painful end to what was otherwise a match they had under their control until they scored, and, thereafter, went to sleep.

The silence around the Uyo Township stadium and around the country as a whole, after the match, spoke loudly about the gloom that has since settled over Nigerians.

Last Tuesday was a ‘bad’ day at the market for the Super Eagles. The country would need more than prayers and a miracle to still make it to the 2026 World Cup.

Daily Diary!

The African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship starts on Monday in Abuja. Clubs from 24 countries, including Nigeria, will be participating. Nigeria will be represented by the Nigerian Customs Women’s Volleyball Club.

I shall be there LIVe and shall be keeping a Daily Diary on my experiences of this first-ever championship. Watch out!

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Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:20

We won’t succumb: Anger trails fresh emergency rule declaration threat

•Opposition leaders in 11 states hit back at AGF Fagbemi
•President after govs who may oppose him in 2027—Amaechi

Following the threat by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, AGF, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, that President Bola Tinubu would declare a state of emergency in any state should the need arise, opposition parties’ leaders across states controlled by them and residents have vowed to resist any such action.

They noted that the remark by the AGF should be taken as a threat to democracy, adding that it portrays Nigeria as a country under dictatorship.

The AGF had warned that the Federal Government would not hesitate to mete out sanctions, including a declaration of a state of emergency, in any state that threatens the economic interest of the country.
Fagbemi spoke in the defence of the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State which saw Tinubu suspending Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy and the state House of Assembly.

The action of the President drew widespread condemnation across the Nigeria as it is widely believed that whereas Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution provides for emergency rule declaration under certain circumstances, there is no such provision in the document for the suspension of a state governor, the deputy, the House of Assembly or any other democratic structure.

Meanwhile, the Sole Administrator appointed for Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), took a cue from Tinubu when, last Wednesday, he dissolved all democratic structures in the state.

Fagbemi had said: “So, it is Rivers State’s turn today. It can be anybody’s turn tomorrow.

“Let the signal be clear for those who want to foment trouble, who want to make the practice of democracy and enjoyment of dividends of democracy a mirage to think twice.

“If it happens again, I will encourage Mr President to do the same, maybe this time with even greater vigour and vitality.

“So, the question of separating or treating or giving preferential treatment to anybody does not arise.
“You give preferential treatment to anybody, you are giving preferential treatment to illegality. Just call a spade a spade.”

But opposition leaders drawn from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and residents of states where opposition parties rule, said Nigerians won’t succumb to the antics of the ruling party.

Whereas the government at the federal level is controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC), of Nigeria’s 36 states, 11 are governed by the opposition.

They include Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Adamawa, Zamafara, Osun, Kano and Taraba.

Instill fear

Speaking on the matter, Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa State, Ekemini Uba, said the AGF was instilling fear in opposition parties.

Uba, who admitted that a state of emergency is declared in a state to restore peace and stability, however, advised that it should not be used as a political tool against the opposition.

His words: “The procedure to declare a state of emergency in any state is spelt out in the Constitution clearly.

“It is about restoring peace and stability. Let them not use it as a political tool against the opposition parties.

“So when they are saying they will declare a state of emergency in any state that threatens, they are merely trying to instill fear in the opposition.

“It is a way of stifling the voice of PDP and a few other opposition parties that have been speaking out lately and criticizing their government’s actions.”

Another stakeholder of the PDP in the state, who pleaded anonymity on the issue, angrily said: “Why have they not declared a state of emergency in Borno, Benue?”

Consequences

On his part, Chairman of the NNPP in Kano State, Hashimu Dungurawa, and a political analyst, Prof. Kamilu Sani Fagge, described the development as a dangerous trend.

Dungurawa said: “It is quite unfortunate to have this drastic decision taken by Mr. President because democracy is full of noises, agree and disagree.

“Mr. President could have called the aggrieved parties, Wike and Fubara, discuss and advise them wisely, but because of selfish interest and partisan politics, he decided to take action in favour of his party and abandon the opposition.

“Why didn’t he declare emergency rule in Katsina and Sokoto where insecurity is out of hand? So many people have lost their lives and properties?

“This is unfortunate and not helpful to democracy. And I think, he has no advisers who are putting him through. “Honestly, the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers amounts to trying to create havoc in democracy because nobody is happy.

“You need to see responses from legal practitioners, politicians, and the downtrodden.

Unilaterally

“And he unilaterally took the decision.

“He should have allowed stakeholders to deliberate and take a stand before declaring a state of emergency.
“He just operates like a one-man business. This is what he did when he was sworn-in as the President when he just removed fuel subsidy, now bringing new taxes and declaring a state of emergency in an opposition state. It is quite unfortunate, and he should think wisely”.

Lending his voice, Fagge said: “Such a comment by the AGF is troubling. “Because it shows that our leaders are trying to become dictatorial.

“I think there is a need for caution given that what happened in Rivers has generated a lot of controversies.

“By making such a statement, I think it shows that we are in for trouble, it shows that, at any slightest mistake, the President might declare a state of emergency in any state. This is a dangerous trend.

“In fact, it is highly undemocratic. It seems our leaders have not learned a lesson from what happened in the past. “Such action was what caused the crisis in Western Region and which culminated in the collapse of the First Republic.

“Similarly, such a crisis is what contributed to the failure of the Second Republic.

“It also contributed to the inability of the Third Republic to stand.

“I think this is a dangerous trend and highly dictatorial.”

‘Executive recklessness’

The leadership of PDP in Taraba State, on its part, told Sunday Vanguard that what the AGF said amounted to executive recklessness and an attempt to stifle opposition.

The party’s spokesperson, Andeta’rang Irammae, accused the Federal Government of undermining democracy, warning that the AGF’s remarks suggested that Nigeria no longer runs a democracy but a dictatorship.

He said: “What the AGF said implies that Nigeria no longer runs a democracy and what we have now is dictatorship.

“Our democracy is being targeted, and their intention is to totally capture it.

“The saddest reality is that Mr. President was one of those who fought for this democracy, but now, instead of strengthening it, he is destroying it.

“The AGF is supposed to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), not someone who undermines Nigeria’s Constitution.”

Dictatorship

A political analyst, Istifanus Mashi, also spoke, describing the AGF’s statement as dangerous and warning that such threats could lead Nigeria toward what he called a “democratic dictatorship.”

He said: “The President does not have the unilateral power to suspend an elected governor, as Nigeria’s federal system grants constitutional autonomy to states.

“Any such action must follow due legal procedures rather than executive overreach.”

Another critic, Godwin Peter, condemned the AGF’s remarks, calling them “reprehensible, coercive, and a serious threat to constitutional democracy.”

He argued that the statement was made at a time when the state of emergency declared in Rivers State is already facing widespread opposition, raising concerns that such measures may be politically motivated.

His words: “The central government is now using the proclamation of emergency rule in opposition states as an instrument of coercion, possibly to foist a one-party state, which should be condemned by all.”
He called on opposition parties, civil society organizations, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), traditional rulers, and religious leaders to take action.

‘Dangerous signal’

In Abia State, a former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, cautioned the AGF against using the threat of state of emergency to intimidate opposition states.

Wabara, who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, of the PDP, said the comment “is a dangerous signal to Nigeria’s democracy”.

He warned the APC-led Federal Government of taking anti-democratic steps capable of putting Nigeria “in the reverse gear.”

Wabara accused the APC of using intimidation and harassment to suppress the opposition in Nigeria and, therefore, urged Nigerians not to succumb to the antics of the ruling party, insisting that the opposition voice is an essential ingredient of democracy.

International community

He said: “Such a remark coming from a personality like the AGF is very disappointing, and portrays Nigeria as a country under dictatorship.

“This is not only undemocratic but a bad image for Nigeria before the international community.”
On his part, Abia State Secretary of Labour Party, LP, Rev. Andrew Ohiagba, cautioned the AGF against frightening opposition states with emergency rule.

He faulted President Tinubu on emergency rule in Rivers State, insisting that the process violated Nigeria’s Constitution.

The LP scribe, who warned against actions that could derail Nigeria’s fledgling democracy, added that the opposition should not be muzzled or intimidated into silence with emergency rule.

Arbitrariness

In Anambra State, Igboezue Internal Association Nigeria and the Diaspora, IIAND, condemned the statement by the AGF.

Reacting to the statement through its National President Worldwide, Chief Pius Okoye, Igboezue regretted that such a statement could come from a senior and notable lawyer like Fagbemi, who many Nigerians believe knows the law and should be guiding the President not to act contrary to the law.

The pro-Igbo group stated that using what the President has done in Rivers State to threaten other states and governors in the country is wrong and amounts to silencing the opposition. Igboezue also believes that if the President had called former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike (now FCT Minister and apparently using majority of the state lawmakers to try to impeach Fubara) to order when the problem started, the situation in the state could not have degenerated to the level of him declaring a state of emergency in the state, for reasons best known by him.

According to Igboezue, “emotions are getting high in Nigeria, and Ndigbo must be very circumspect this time concerning the political quagmire in Rivers State that led to the declaration of state of emergency in that state.”

The group went on: “It is regrettable and unfortunate that Nigeria and its leaders seem to be with neither soul nor spirit, but with a body clothed in evil and injustice, the country seems to be an artificial construction, and, therefore, Ndigbo must tread with caution and remember 1966.

“Ndigbo should remember that the crisis in which many Igbo were slaughtered during the Nigeria-Biafra war (which) started in Yorubaland between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola, then-Premier of Western Region, a crisis that was nicknamed ‘Wild Wild West’ before the ‘Operation Wetie’ started, followed by the constitutional crisis.”

‘Shameful’

Commenting on the issue, Chairman of Labour Party in Rivers State, Hilda Dokubo, described the situation as shameful.

Dokubo said: “State of emergency because for two years we have had peace! State of emergency because you want to capture the economic soul of Rivers State.”

She compared Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State to George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm. The 55-year-old urged every citizen of the state unfamiliar with the book to take the time to read it.

“Animal Farm by George Orwell should be given to every Rivers State citizen as palliative. Meanwhile, someone tells Mr. Jones to rein in his pigs”, she noted.

Imposition

A chieftain of the PDP in Bayelsa State, Mr. Igenewari Dom, said Nigerians would resist imposition of state of emergency in any other state.

Dom said: ‘’They have used Rivers as a pilot scheme. Nigerians are reacting but not resisting. Next time, we will mobilize and resist it.

“The AGF made a reckless statement because Nigerians accept their misrule”, he said.
“What they failed to realize is that they won’t be in power forever. It’s just four years because I know nobody will re-elect Tinubu and his group.

“Nigerians are already united against his dictatorial rule. This is the time for the opposition to unite and send them packing.

“We have had enough, please”.

In the same vein, a political activist in Delta State, Mr. Blessing Adima, said: “I am surprised. Is it because he (Fagbemi) is the Minister of Justice? “He’s not talking as Attorney General. He is talking as a Minister of Justice, as a man under President Tinubu, who will support anything unconstitutional the President does.

“There is nowhere in the Nigerian Constitution that empowers the President to suspend a state governor. “There is no ambiguity in any Section of the Constitution that allows the President to suspend.

“A governor can be removed from office, either through impeachment by the State Assembly, not even the National Assembly, or through incapacitation or through death or through resignation.

“Here, in Section 305, there is no where it states that the President can suspend a governor; this is not democracy at all. “These people have just come to kill our constitutional democracy.

“Did Governor Fubara invite Tinubu and said, ‘oh, the situation in the Rivers state is overwhelming?’ It is only on that note that you will say, ‘okay, Mr. Governor, step aside, let me take this step.’

Judiciary

“Okay, let us look at the manner in which the state of emergency was declared; the President puts the cart before the horse.

“You declared state of emergency before you now transmitted the proclamation to the National Assembly. “That again, is unconstitutional; both the executive and National Assembly acted recklessly.

“So we are waiting for what the judiciary will tell us about this act, this unconstitutional act of Mr. President.

“The President is supposed to consider the Constitution and consider the sovereignty of this country before he exercises his powers.

“I think the President just did his overreach and for a Minister for Justice to support this overreach, then they are now telling us that we have lost the country; but we are still waiting for what the judiciary has to say about this action that the President took.”

Fears in states

Expressing his fears, Chairman of PDP in Rivers State, Nname Ewor, described what happened in the state as state capture.

He said the development has led to tension in states governed by the opposition.

Ewor said: “What they have done in Rivers State has given the impetus to do it in any other state. Having done it in Rivers State and succeeded without following the laid down principle, they are likely to do it in another state.

“The governors, especially governors of the opposition should be wary of the system as we speak.

“The declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State is not in line with the constitution. Section 305 of the constitution provides the conditions that will give rise to emergency declaration. None of the conditions stated there happened in Rivers.

“All the situations that would warrant emergency rule never happened in Rivers State, but they went ahead to do that, I call it political exigencies.

“They declared a state of emergency and sent a Sole Administrator. What is he doing? He is just destroying the political structures of the governor. He removed the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, removed the Chief of Staff, political appointees and commissioners.

State capture

“They know that the declaration was not constitutional. But having done it in Rivers State and succeeded, the likelihood that they will do it in any other opposition party state is there.

“The AGF is only informing us of what they will do. So we should be wary and rise to the occasion by resisting them.

“What has happened in Rivers State is state capture. There is no emergency. We have states that need emergency in Nigeria. As we speak, in Borno, last week, soldiers were killed. Many LGAs are under siege. The North-West is under the control of bandits, Boko Haram. In Benue, herdsmen have done havoc. But Rivers State has been calm.

“Even the pipeline they claim, since Fubara resumed in 2023, no single pipeline was attacked. What they have done is to take over the structure of governance in the state and hand it over to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. They have dismantled all the structures Fubara put in place.”

Also, a lawyer, Chief Festus Ogwuche, said the position taken by the AGF brings to question his knowledge of the nation’s constitution as it concerns human rights abuse.

Ogwuche said the statement by the AGF would only create tension in states, adding that emergency rule as declared by President Tinubu runs contrary to democratic principles.

Meanwhile, a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has described President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State as a ploy to intimidate governors to support his re-election bid.

Amaechi, who spoke in an interview with DW Africa, said the President’s move has sown fear in governors “that if you are not careful, the president will remove you.”.

He added that Fubara has “no security responsibility” over the Rivers crisis, adding that the suspended governor is being punished for an offence he “did not commit.”

Power grab

His words:”It is between the President and the FCT Minister. The President wants power grab. They want to frighten governors who may not support them in 2027. There is a rumour everywhere that if you are not careful, the President will remove you.

“If the President said it is because of insecurity because they blew the pipeline, what about the part of the country where there is insecurity? Is the President saying they should impose an emergency rule on him too? They can’t because he is a democratically elected President. Nobody can impose an emergency rule on him because there is serious insecurity in the North-East, North-West, even in South-East and South-West.

“Rivers governor has no security responsibility. It rests squarely on the President. So why punish a man who did not commit an offence?”

Amaechi called on Rivers residents to “resist the president”. He said the resistance should be done “by democratically protesting against the President.”

[Vanguard]

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