Home Blog Page 321

Investigate Why Nigeria Is Labelled “A Disgraced Nation”, Obi Challenges Editors

November 13, 2025

Peter Obi, the leader of the Labour Party and its presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has urged the Nigerian Guild of Editors to critically examine the reasons behind the label of Nigeria as “a disgraced country.”

In an address to the editors in Abuja on Thursday, themed “Reclaiming Our Nation’s Dignity: A Call to Conscience,” Obi emphasized that editors, as key figures who drive the narrative and shape the future, should focus not just on whether acts of violence qualify as genocide, but rather on the existence of such killings and the underlying reasons behind them. He stated, “If someone tags us as a disgraced country, we should ask ourselves whether there are issues within our society that warrant this disgrace.”

Obi acknowledged the media’s impact on his political career, saying he has benefited significantly from it, but he insisted that more effort is required to inspire the younger generation to embrace the values upheld by their elders.

He challenged the editors to address what he describes as executive recklessness, likening it to a situation where one feasts while asking others to fast. While acknowledging that policies such as subsidy removal and currency unification can be beneficial, he criticised the current execution of these policies for being mishandled. He reiterated that borrowing is not inherently negative, as even developed nations have debts, but questioned the intentions behind such borrowing, asking, “Are we borrowing to feast?”

In a post on his X handle, the former governor of Anambra stated, “Today in Abuja, I addressed the Nigerian Guild of Editors on the theme ‘Reclaiming Our Nation’s Dignity.’ I thanked them for their vital role in shaping the national conscience and reminded them that Nigeria stands at a moral and developmental crossroads. The responsibility before us is immense—to speak truth, guide reflection, and inspire hope for a better nation.

“I told them that our country stands at a critical juncture. Just two weeks ago, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, described Nigeria as a ‘now disgraced country.’ He referred to the ongoing killings in our land, reflecting the sentiments expressed by many conscientious Nigerians for years, often at the cost of being accused of de-marketing their own country. The reality is alarming: Nigeria faces existential challenges that require our sober reflection.

“I reminded them that our disgrace as a nation does not stem from external opinions, but from the conditions we have allowed—killings, impunity, corruption, hunger, and the neglect of our people. Today, over 130 million Nigerians live in poverty, and more than 20 million children are out of school. These pressing issues should weigh heavily on our collective conscience.

“I emphasised that true redemption will not come from making excuses but will arise from truth, sacrifice, and leadership by example. Nigeria can rise again if we rebuild our moral foundation, invest in education and healthcare, and prioritise public service for the people rather than for privilege. It is through these values that we can restore our national dignity.

“I reminded them that editors are not merely recorders of history; they are the conscience of the nation. Their work in shaping truth, correcting distortions, and holding leaders accountable is crucial for rebuilding trust and dignity in our society.

“Finally, I told them that if we govern with transparency, accountability, and compassion, Nigeria will no longer be viewed as a disgraced nation but rather as a country of dignity—where people may falter but strive to stand tall. Together, we can and must reclaim our nation’s honour. A New Nigeria is Possible.”

Military Rescues 74 Corps Members From Boko Haram In Borno State

Suleiman Anyalewechi

November 13, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

No fewer than 74 serving National youth Corps members have been rescued from a possible abduction by terrorist elements in Borno state.

The Corps members were said to have been stranded along the terrorists-infested Buratai–Kamuya Road in Borno state, following the break down of the buses in which they were traveling.

A statement from Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai OPHK on Thursday November 13, 2025 informed that the rescued Corps members compromising 36 males and 38 females were traveling in three buses when the vehicles broke down at a kidnapping hot spot at about 9:05 pm on Tuesday November 11, 2025.

According to the military statement, the attention of troops was drawn to the precarious situation of the Corps members, after a closed -circuit television CCTV system mirrored the scene, as well as dictated some suspicious movement within the area.

This, he said led to troops deployment to both the scene and the entire area.

“On arrival, troops discovered that the passengers were NYSC members who had been stranded after their vehicles developed some mechanical faults.

“Troops immediately secured the area, and rescued them from likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram, or ISWAP terrorists operating within the axis.

Upon rescue, Col Uba further stated, the Corps members were taken to the Buratai Military base for safety, pending when proper arrangements will be made for them to continue their journey.

This is as the theatre Commander of the OPHK, Major General Abdulssalam Abubakar, lauded the troops for their dedication, professionalism and proactiveness ,which averted what could have been a national embarrassment and a tragic incident.

Why Is the Promise of 60 Years Unravelling?

The Source

November 13, 2025

By Azu Ishiekwene

If the name of the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), its secretary, or convention date were the subject of a quiz, there would not be a correct answer because answers don’t exist. The best attempt would be an open-ended response: It depends.

It either depends on who has the latest favourable court ruling or who has forced their way into the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, assisted by the police, thugs or a combination of both. Why has the mighty party fallen?

In April, a faction, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, with six PDP governors and two deputy governors in attendance, agreed that the party would hold its convention on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.

If the convention went ahead, it would be a grudge convention, over the party’s dead body. What, by many accounts, would have been the party’s first convention in 17 years is now fatally derailed by court orders.

After the reggae…

After many years of chaos, compounded by the post-power withdrawal syndrome, the Ibadan meeting in April presided over by Mohammed, where the governors all wore aso-ebi, offered hope of reconciliation and renewal. The party seemed to have so much wind in its sails that former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana, even said he was speaking authoritatively that former President Goodluck Jonathan might be the party’s flagbearer in 2027.

Sadly, since the Ibadan meeting, dozens of the party’s members, including four governors, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with at least two more governors predicted to be on their way out, including Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who is under self-manufactured pressure to defect.

The seed Atiku sowed

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who sowed the thorny seed of upending the party’s rule of power rotation in the 2023 presidential primaries – its best chance yet at recovery – has since left the acrimonious harvest to other undertakers. Even if Atiku and his cohorts have moved on, building a new foundation without clearing the debris of the old will remain a formidable challenge for those who stay within the ranks.

In this dysfunctional state, the PDP has become a notorious example of organised chaos – one faction backed by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, whose voice is that of the PDP, even as his hand appears and feels like that of the ruling APC.

Gale of suspensions

In a gale of “my-suspension-is-more-effective-than-yours”, Wike’s faction suspended Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum and five other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), alleging incompetence, financial misconduct, and defiance of court orders. They then appointed Mohammed Abdulrahman as the acting national chairman.

To avoid being caught off guard, Damagum’s loyalists suspended Senator Samuel Anyanwu (the national secretary), National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and others, signalling deep-seated mistrust and suspicion.

Apart from the pro- and anti-Wike factions, former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, also obtained a court order against the PDP’s Ibadan convention over the party’s refusal to allow him to purchase a nomination form to contest the chairmanship.

On top of this mess, judicial rascality compounds itself, with some judges descending into the political arena by issuing orders that even the black market would be ashamed to trade in.

Once dominant and celebrated for its ability to manage internal conflicts as a “family affair”, the PDP now faces existential threats from bitter rivalries, anti-party activism, and fragmentation. It is a grave irony that a party aspiring to rule a country with over 200 million citizens is having nightmares trying to hold a national convention or, for that matter, determine who its authentic national chairman is.

Vanishing promise

This is anything but the party that its former chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor, boasted would rule for 60 years in 2008. But maybe the party’s former National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, was right after all – that the PDP is nothing without power.

With the near-absolute power of Nigeria’s presidency, unrestricted access to resources and the copious resourcefulness of “fixers”, what the PDP could not do did not exist. It could get away with just about any heist. It was not only the political place to be, but it didn’t need a register of membership to qualify itself as the largest political party in Africa.

When Ogbulafor made his declaration, brimming with overconfidence, all indicators and indices were in the party’s favour. The PDP controlled 29 states in a 36-state federation, 263 (out of 360) seats in the House of Representatives, and 87 (out of 109) seats in the Senate. There was no other iroko as tall on an insurmountable hill like the PDP’s umbrella, back in the day.

The other parties – the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress (AC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), and Labour Party (LP)- were condemned to share three, two, and one state each, respectively, among themselves. All considered, PDP’s boast carried the weight of anecdotal and demographic evidence.

Their nemesis

In 2015, seven years after Ogbulafor’s forecast, the PDP lost its way. It imploded due to disagreements over succession, poor internal governance, corruption, and the exhaustion of ideas. Its size, which was the source of its pride, became the root of its decay, and its symbolic umbrella has been unable to weather the rain, not to speak of the storm.

The party has disappointed none but itself in failing to capitalise on the socio-economic problems witnessed under the APC to reorganise and reposition itself in Nigeria’s political landscape. The last few years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration were so disastrous that a serious opposition needed only a nudge to topple the ruling APC. However, the PDP was too weak and divided to seize the opportunity.

If the goal of political parties is leadership recruitment, the crises rocking the PDP indicate that there are no leaders to be recruited from its ranks. The focus of its membership and stakeholders does not suggest that they ever wanted power for any reason other than its own sake. In this, nearly all the parties are only different in their sameness.

Cautionary tale

APC may gloat over the crises in all opposition camps and salivate at the smell of an easy victory at the polls. However, the troubles within the PDP serve as a cautionary tale: the biggest threat to the ruling party, if it’s not careful, may well be its large harvest of strange bedfellows whose real motives are hardly different from those of the droves of the political almajiris who defected to the PDP in its heyday.

In politics, as in life, history repeats itself.

Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book A Midlifer’s Guide to Content Creation and Profit.

Ogun Targets N500bn IGR For 2026 Budget

Akinwale Kasali

November 13, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

The Governor Dapo Abiodun led Ogun State Government has set an ambitious plan of generating ₦500 Billion in Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to finance the 2026 fiscal year.

Governor Abiodun made this known during the Treasury Board Meeting on the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and the 2026 Budget held at the Obas Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The governor noted that as Nigeria’s industrial hub, Ogun State would leverage its strategic proximity to Lagos State—the nation’s largest economy—and its vast landmass of over 16,000 square kilometres to achieve the target.

He stated, “This State has no business generating less than ₦500 billion a year, and that has to be our target.

“By the time we are leaving in 2027, Ogun State’s revenue should rise to about ₦750 billion. That is what ambition looks and feels like.”

He however tasked the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, OGIRS, to contribute ₦250 Billion of the total target, while other key revenue-generating agencies—such as the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation, OPIC, the Bureau of Lands, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Housing—were directed to scale up their efforts.

Abiodun emphasized that every Ministry, Department and Agency, MDA, had a critical role to play in achieving the goal, describing them as “pieces of a jigsaw that must fit together to complete the bigger picture.

“Our comparative advantage was not fully harnessed by previous administrations. Our strength lies in providing what Lagos cannot offer. I expect every MDA to prepare an ambitious budget—aim for the stars, and if we miss, we’ll at least land on the moon,” he said.

He however urged agencies to adopt creativity and innovation in their revenue drive, commending those that had already demonstrated commendable results.

On the deplorable condition of Kara, near Isheri, Abiodun reiterated his administration’s commitment to urban renewal, stressing that the area would be cleared and redeveloped.

“The new Ogun State cannot allow that place to continue to wear that look. You cannot be entering the new Ogun State and what you see first is an eyesore. There is no better time to act than now—we can’t leave it as an albatross for the next administration,” he added.

He revealed that an inter-ministerial team comprising officials from the Ministries of Environment, Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Bureau of Lands, and other relevant agencies had been set up to handle enumeration, compensation, and relocation efforts necessary for the corridor’s transformation.

LASG Unseals QMB Clubhouse, Restaurant

Akinwale Kasali

November 13, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has unsealed QMB Restaurant and Clubhouse after thorough investigation that exonerated the Lekki based outfit of any wrongdoing.

The QMB Lifestyle Company Office was unsealed upon the presentation of building plan permits and the Certificate of Occupancy which confirmed that the company has proper titles to the land in question and was in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

In a press statement signed by QMB’s Head, Corporate and Legal Services, Bukola Helen Olusolade, the company, announced the reopening of its business premises after a meeting with the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, where the proper title and building permits were presented as documentary evidence of compliance.

According to Olusolade “The QMB management met with officials of the Lagos State Government and tendered copies of the approved building permit issued by the physical planning authority of the Lagos State Government, and the C of Os signed by the Lagos State Governor. I can also confirm that the relevant set back rules and the Lagos State, Federal Government, and International Building Codes which require adequate safe distance from high-tension power lines to prevent exposure to radiation were in fact observed and complied with.

“Our facilities therefore pose no danger to our staff and customers. Consequently, our premises has been unsealed and business has reopened immediately.

“We wish to express gratitude to our customers, associates, stakeholders and well-wishers for their calls, visits and messages expressing concern and sympathy during the period of closure. Our assurance to the public is that we are a law abiding corporate entity which respects the rule of law and regulatory frame works. In consonance with our core values, we will continue to maintain the highest standards of compliance and cooperation with relevant authorities.”

It would be recalled that the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, sealed the QMB Restaurant and Club House for violating extant building rules and regulations without any prior notice.

After thorough investigation and checks, the LASG exonerated the Company of any wrongdoing.

Edo Gov Okpebholo Sacks Two Traditional Rulers

Ayodele Oni

November 13, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has revoked the appointments of two traditional rulers, citing the need for peace, stability, and due process

The Governor explained that the decisive action became necessary to address ongoing disputes over traditional leadership in the Ososo Kingdom and the Ikpeshi/Egbegere Clan within the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

In a special announcement dated November 13, 2025, the government revoked the appointments of two traditional rulers, citing the need for peace, stability, and due process.

“Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the immediate revocation of the appointments of Mr. Bamidele Obaitan, formerly appointed to the vacant stool of Ososo Kingdom, and Zaiki Luckman Odamah III, previously recognized as the ruler of the Ikpeshi/Egbegere Clan.

“The decision follows a review of the circumstances surrounding the leadership disputes in the region.

“Pending the final determination of the rightful occupant of the traditional throne of Ikpeshi/Egbegere, the government has appointed Mr. Nicholas Odamah as the Regent of the clan with immediate effect.

“Mr. Odamah is tasked with overseeing the clan’s affairs in a custodial capacity and ensuring full cooperation with government directives.

“For the Ososo Kingdom, the government has directed the elders of the four quarters (Unukhus), the Council of Chiefs, and the Elders of Ososo to convene, consult widely, and submit a consensus candidate for appointment to the vacant stool.

“The submission must be channeled through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs within a timeframe to be formally communicated.

“The process is expected to reflect the customs, rotation principles, and collective will of the Ososo people.”

In a related directive, both Mr. Bamidele Obaitan and Mr. Luckman Odamah have been instructed to immediately hand over all government properties, instruments of office, and materials in their possession to the Chairman of the Akoko-Edo Local Government Council without delay.

The announcement, issued by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, underscores the administration’s commitment to resolving traditional leadership conflicts amicably.

Residents and stakeholders are urged to remain calm as the government works to ensure peace and stability in the affected communities.

Activist Dan Bello, Claims FCT Minister, Wike “Undemocratic Actions,” Are Being Externalize

Ayodele Oni

November 13, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Prominent northern activist and good governance advocate, Bello Galadanci , widely known as Dan Bello, has claimed that recent actions of the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike as regards alleged anti democratic activities are receiving international attention.

Bello alleged that the United States, (US) Senate, House of Representatives, and the European Union, (EU) are currently reviewing reports on what he described as Minister Nyesom Wike’s “systematic destruction of democracy” in Nigeria.

Bello made the claim in a video posted on his X andle on Thursday, insisting that his warnings were not politically motivated, but driven by a duty to defend Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

The activist warned that Nigeria is entering a critical phase where “the decisions of a few powerful men may determine the fate of 250 million people,” adding that Wike stands at the centre of the alleged democratic decline.

“This is not about personality; it is about a pattern, about power, about the systematic erosion of democratic norms. If left unchecked, this process could drag Nigeria into the same darkness engulfing parts of the Sahel.”

Referencing a document he claimed was submitted to the US Senate, Dan Bello alleged that Wike has become “one of the most powerful unelected actors” in Nigeria, using state machinery to undermine democratic processes.

He added, “This is not politics. This is the suffocation of multi-party democracy.”

According to him, the report accused Wike of deploying state resources, the judiciary, and security agencies “not to strengthen democracy but to stifle dissent and weaken the opposition.”

Dan Bello alleged that Wike is actively fracturing political parties, including the PDP, Labour Party, and ADC, through manipulation of party structures and undue influence.

He accused the minister of “weaponising” the police and exerting influence on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ways that undermine fair democratic competition.

“Wike has manipulated party leaderships, weakened the opposition, and used state power not for governance but for control. Nowhere is this clearer than in Rivers State.”

How Suspected Thief Sneaked Into Kano Govt. House, Stole Vehicle, Police Confirms Arrest

Ayodele Oni

November 13, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Police operatives have arrested a man suspected to have stolen a Toyota Hilux from the convoy of Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

Report from the deputy Governor’s office revealed that the stolen Toyota Hilux vehicle has been recovered.

A suspected thief had reportedly sneaked into the Kano Government House during the “wee hours of Monday” and drove away with a Toyota Hilux van after gaining access to the Government House through “Gate 4” and left with the vehicle around “5am on Monday.”

Insiders stated that “CCTV footages analysed after the theft showed that the thief drove away through the main gate of the Government House.”

According to the Deputy Governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Ibrahim Garba, a report received from the Police indicated that the vehicle was traced and recovered in the early hours of Wednesday following a swift and coordinated operation by security operatives.

Garba stated that the suspect, who serves as a permanent and pensionable driver, has since been arrested in connection with the theft and is currently assisting the Police in their ongoing investigation.

The Deputy Governor’s Office lauded the prompt response and professionalism displayed by the Police and other security agencies involved in the recovery effort.

Maintaining that the incident was a clear breach of trust by the arrested driver, the CPS’ statement further said, “The general public is hereby advised to remain calm and rest assured that the security of lives and property remains the top priority of the Kano State Government, both within and outside the Government House.”

Ondo Govt Says Revised, Not Supplementary Budget Before Legislature

Ayodele Oni

November 13, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state government has revealed that it has not presented any bill for supplementary Budget before the state House of Assembly.

Government pointed out that its request before the legislature is “a revised and restructured version of the ₦698.6 billion 2025 Budget of Recovery—which had earlier been duly passed by the Assembly and signed into law by the Governor.”

Allen Sowore, Special Adviser on Communication & Strategy, to the Governor, dismissed the report that his administration presented supplementary budget to the State Assembly for passage, describing same as unfounded.

“For clarity, what is before the Ondo State House of Assembly is not a supplementary budget. It is a revised and restructured version of the ₦698.6 billion 2025 Budget of Recovery—which had earlier been duly passed by the Assembly and signed into law by the Governor.

“The review became necessary because some anticipated funds from development partners have yet to materialize, and the fiscal year is fast coming to an end.

“In line with prudent financial management, the government decided to recalibrate the budget to reflect a more realistic revenue profile and ensure a fairer allocation of state resources across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“In essence, this exercise represents a downward adjustment, not an addition. It is a budget revision, not a supplementary appropriation. The goal is to achieve fiscal discipline, transparency, and efficiency in the management of public funds.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the presentation of such a request to the State Legislature is a constitutional duty of the Governor, just as it is the constitutional mandate of the House of Assembly to deliberate upon, consider, and approve such requests or otherwise.

“The good people of Ondo State can rest assured that Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is a stickler for due process and the rule of law. He will never engage in any act that undermines constitutional provisions or fiscal integrity.”

Atiku Denies Dashing Officer Who Clashed With Wike SUV

Tosin Olatokunbo

November 13, 2025

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports that he dashed a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer who clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land on Tuesday.

The duo faced off after the FCT Minister alongside some officials and security details tried to force themselves into the piece of land allegedly owned by a former Chief of Naval Staff, CNS Aawal Gambo (rtd.)

Nigerians are divided on who is wrong among the two, especially following reports that the Defence Headquarters and other federal government officials had thrown their weight behind the officer.

Amid the solidarity the officer is receiving from not a few Nigerians, Abubakar was reported to have gifted the officer an SUV as a sign of support for him.

Reacting, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, refuted the report in a statement he shared on X on Thursday, dismissing it as false, saying it was fabricated and should not be taken serious by Nigerians. .

“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), did not gift Lt. Ahmed Yerima — or any other individual — a brand new Toyota SUV, contrary to the false reports currently circulating on social media.

“The story is entirely fabricated and should be completely disregarded by the public,” Ibe said.

1...320321322...2,941 Page 321 of 2,941