The Nation Newspaper

Category: Friday

  • Malami’s burden

    Malami’s burden

    As the federal government files 16-count charge of money laundering, concealment, and unlawful acquisition of proceeds of illegal activity, against the former Minister of Justice, and  Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN and his son, Malami has been moaning, lamenting, and and claiming that he is being persecuted by the federal government. Interestingly, Malami is painting himself as a victim which in my opinion is tantamount tas the saying goes, “putting a lipstick on a pig “, which will actually not change its looks.

    All Nigerians are aware of the activities of Abubakar Malami during his heydays as the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is interesting how leaders in Nigeria become deaf , dumb and blind to realities and the trappings of power while they are in charge. Ironically, they  become activists and claim to be victims when they are out of power and when they are asked to account for their deeds or indeed when are asked to take responsibility for their actions.

    One of the things I am very interested to hear from Abubakar Malami is how he transited from being just a lower middle class Nigerian, an average lawyer, and within the eight years that was the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, he accumulated such stupendous wealth that are alleged to belong to him, valued at about almost 212 billion Naira which is one 140 US Dollars. I am very keen to listen to Abubakar Malami’s defence,. And that’s the fair hearing that Malami he is currently given by the EFCC and our Courts. This is despite the fact that is on record that Abubakar Malami denied people fair hearing when he was Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. Therefore. I am not interested in the feeble defenses he is putting up

    These are interesting times for Malami and all the political leaders that are currently facing various investigations and prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Independent Corrupt Practices, and Related Offenses Commission. Instead of Abubakar Malami to step up to defend himself in the court of law and demonstrate to Nigerians that he is a man of honor by clearing his name, he has rather taken the route of shouting that he is a victim, shouting that is is being persecuted. This is inspite of he very ominous and pungent smell reeling out of the daily reports we are getting about his shenanigans when he was the Minister of Justice. Personally, I would be very interested to hear and see the defenses that will be put up by the former Chief Law Officer who interestingly is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to demonstrate his legal sagacity, legal strategy, and understanding the rudiments of the law.

    Indeed, if the allegations are true, I wonder how his understanding of the law will save him.The level of shamelessness of politicians to claim persecution and innocence on a clear cases of corruption and /or abuse of office that require that person to defend himself or herself leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

    In the eight years that Abubakar Malami held sway as the Attorney General, and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he was actually building a house, furnishing it with the bed he would like to lie on. As the saying goes, “as you make your bed, so you shall lie on it.”. I expect Malami to man up and face the current prosecution, answer the questions, neutralize the evidences, counter the witness statements, and also demolish all exhibits presented before him to clear his name, in which case I will congratulate him. But anything less than that to me amounts to insulting the intelligence of Nigerians. He will have to take responsibility for his actions.

    Back in the days, Malami was disrespecting court orders, refusing to comply with court orders, he was not able to advise former president, Muhammad Buhari, and Ministries Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs), to comply with court orders,. Ironically, he is now the one wanting the orders of court to be respected and complied. The same man that oversaw the travesties of justice. Personally, I am witness to such travesty of justice, when Abubakar Malami frustrated the position I took to defend this country on matters of national security and economic sabotage. His officials sent to me a veiled threat for me to stand down on that matter, which of course I ignored. This speaks volume of the character of Malami, when the chief law officer of Nigeria.

    The Integrity, and Competence of the EFCC Chairman is intact:

    Abubakar Malami’s position that Barrister Olukoyode, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), should recuse himself on this investigation, and prosecution, claiming that Mr Olukoyode was indicted in the Salami Panel Report , is irrelevant and is clearly diversionary. There is no reason why the CHairman of EFCC should recuse himself from this case. The executive chairman of EFCC is not the issue here. Abubakar Malami needs to answer questions and stop chasing shadows. No amount of deflections or attempts of circumvention will make this matter go away.

    I commend the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Olukoyode for a job well done, with he forensic manner the investigation and prosecution of Abubakar Malami’s case and other cases that the EFCC are executing. The development of the case and the various achievements of the EFCC in 2025 demonstrate the capacity of the EFCC in pursuing this case to its logical conclusion. Therefore, I encourage the EFCC Chairman, not to be deterred or distracted, from his current trajectory, not just in the case of Abubakar Malami, but on all matters before the EFCC . We should support such institutions to cleanse our country. Indeed the integrity, capacity, and competence or Mr. Olukoyode is not in doubt.

    Read Also: Nigerians’ resilience weakened by poor governance, oil dependence, says MUSWEN president

    Furthermore, the allegations of persecution by opposition politician, is laughable. I will not support any politician who has questions to answer to hide under the guise of persecution avoid accountability. If and when people get into position of power, they should remember there is a day they will leave that office. This should also be a lesson to all political leaders that your power today could become your vulnerability tomorrow! Therefore use your power, time and opportunity wisely! Leaders should be conscious of their actions and inactions because a time will come that they will account for their tenures. The ongoing cases being investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC, and ICPC includes leaders in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and also the leaders that are in opposition political parties. Therefore, we should all stand as Nigerians to fight against corruption, irrespective of party affiliation, ethnicity, religion and creed. That is the only way we can progress and develop as a nation. By the way, if for any reason, a government is power is using the weakness of corruption that have been perpetrated by an individual, well, so be it, because that person has created the situation

    It is also on record that the EFCC and subsequently the courts, have made provisions for Malami to be able to get bail. Malami should satisfy the bail conditions and go home. Interesting, during his tenure,  conditions were made so difficult that some bail conditions were actually not supposed to be met. The question is, what did Abubakar Malami do to ensure that such bail conditions were not entrenched in the system. In any case, he could actually seek for variation of the bail conditions subject to consideration of the Court(s).

    As you make your beds so you shall lie on them:

    During his time as the Chief Law Officer of Nigeria, Malami was alleged to have attempted to undermine the institution he belongs to, the institution that made the a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), i.e the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), just because the NBA was speaking truth to power – the federal government at that time; to the extent that it is alleged that he was the brain behind the creation of a parallel legal association/ Bar association, to counter the NBA. What a Paradox!

    The fact that Abubakar Malami is malingering from one court to another, trying to set aside subsisting court orders that affirmed his detention, speaks volumes with regards to how life is so transient and how power is transient. That we should be cautious what we do when we are in power, for it is very easy how time flies that we will be on the other side of the table at the receiving end. Malami’s desperation is increasing and it is telling. His he grandstanding  is only making matters worse for him. Because Nigerians are wiser.

  • EFCC: Nigeria’s own Sphinx

    EFCC: Nigeria’s own Sphinx

    Preamble

    Sophocles, a Greek playwright and dramatist of renown who lived between 496 and 406 B.C produced a tragic play entitled Oedipus Rex in 411 B.C. The play has drawn tremendous ovation from literary men and women through the centuries not only for its wonderful setting but also for the allusive purpose it has served since then.

    In the play, we learn of a curse that fell on the land of Thebes (a capital city in ancient Greece). On the land not only were people sick and dying in quick succession with the cattle being afflicted by an epidemic of rinderpest but even the crops were blighted. At that time, Oedipus was the King.

    Our concern here is not how Oedipus became the King or what later became of him. The allusion we want to draw here is that when Oedipus was young he saved Thebes from a similar curse: the depredation of the monstrous sphinx (a winged monster with a woman’s head and a lion’s body).

    When Oedipus was young a sphinx took her permanent seat on a rock by the main road that divided the city into two. This sphinx had a riddle which she put across to every passer-by and she promptly devoured anyone who could not solve the riddle. For a very long time, the city of Thebes remained under the plague of this sphinx who was feeding fat on the flesh and blood of living things in the city. As a result, many people took to hunger strike while many more embarked on a permanent seclusion. That was the situation in Thebes until the young Oedipus suddenly emerged as a hero of his time by solving the riddle of the sphinx. The sphinx thereby, in despair, leaped from her rock seat and dashed out her life.

    Thus, the veil of curse was lifted on the city of Thebes while Oedipus was immortalized as the saviour of the Thebesians.

    Today, Nigeria is masquerading in the cloak of a similar spell. The only difference is that while the Thebesians of yore were consciously aware of their plight and were desperately making efforts to find a solution to it the Nigerians of the 21st century remain largely unbothered.

    For almost the whole length of her life as a country, Nigeria has advertently lived with a self imposed sphinx without any serious attempt to eliminate it.

    Corruption is Nigeria’s own sphinx today. This sphinx has grown into such a monster that it is almost becoming impossible to conquer. For more than a decade since 1999, two statutory bodies have been set up to curb the scourge of corruption in Nigeria. One is Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission (ICPC). The other is Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Both bodies were established for the same purpose through different modalities.

    Subsequent to that of the ICPC, the establishment of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2003 was rather in response to the pressure from the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering which named Nigeria as one of the 23 non-cooperative countries in the international community’s efforts to fight money laundering than the government’s self-consciousness and determination to fight corruption.

    Although some individuals and groups believed that fighting corruption was a potent means of developing the country, the behaviour of the governments at the federal and state levels did not suggest an all out support for Commission. This is understandable because most of the people suspected to be massively involved in corruption were government officials including some State Governors.

    By September 2006, the EFCC had had 31 of Nigeria ‘s 36 state governors under investigation for corruption. Most of these Governors appeared indifferent despite the negative publicity about them in the media. In December 2007, the Nigerian Federal Government, after extensive investigations by EFCC and other organizations, cleared the Vaswani brothers who had been deported from Nigeria for suspected corruption of any wrongdoing and invited them back into the country.

    Leading Nigerian daily newspapers reported the facts of their clearance quoting text from Federal Government’s issued directives. In April 2008, the EFCC began investigations into the activities of the daughter of the former Nigerian President, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello over an alleged corrupt utilization of N10 million ($100,000) from previous year’s unspent funds of the Ministry of Health. Also charged was the then Health Minister Professor Adenike Grange and her deputy over an alleged stealing over N30 million from the ministry’s unspent funds of the previous year. Investigations were carried out but nobody was convicted. Some of the affected persons remain as government functionaries either in the executive or legislative wing of the government. There were many other cases of the like.

    This development threw a new dimension into the whole idea of establishing supposed independent bodies to check corruption in the country and raised a big question on the intention behind it. Thus, people became suspicious of the government’s intention to fight corruption even as they considered the exercise as a political witch-hunt strategically used by the ruling party against opponents. And for this reason, the international community did not see any seriousness on the part of Nigerian government in fighting corruption. The government’s hand in glove about funding EFCC and its counterparts further strengthened the suspicion.

    Read Also: Seven Nigerian celebrity weddings that made waves in 2025

    It was in this melee that a change of guards occurred at the topmost echelon of the EFCC and a woman, Chief (Mrs) Farida Mzamber Waziri, emerged as the new Chairperson of the Commission and was sworn into office on June 6, 2008. On assumption of office, Mrs. Waziri said emphatically that she would step on toes. But she prayed God to guide her against stepping on innocent toes. And ever since, the Commission’s website has continued to contain a long list of the country’s most wanted criminals while the Chairperson has since proved her mettle as a woman of substance.

    Going by her published profile, Mrs. Waziri has all it takes constitutionally and educationally as well as experience to revolutionize the anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria. And she is generally considered the ideal choice for the post of the Chairman.

    Although the Commission, under her Chairmanship has performed wonderfully well in tracking down and prosecuting many corrupt elements in the country and in recovering some of the loots, the citizenry believe that the woman would have performed better if she had full cooperation of the government. This is not just because the Commission seems to be handicapped by government’s inaction to bring those caught to book but also in campaigning seriously against corruption in all spheres of life especially through the mass media.

    Corruption is not about embezzlement of public funds alone. And fighting it should not be restricted only to government officials and agencies.

    So far, the Commission is a success story but that much is not known to most Nigerian and the international community because there is no media back up that can showcase that success. Professor Doris Akunyili succeeded so tremendously as the Director General of NAFDAC because she had the benefit of media publicity provided for in her Agency’s budget. This has not been applicable in the case of EFCC. The impression here is that giving that Agency the full power to operate is like providing the nose with which to hang those in government.

    If the Thebesian authorities did not cooperate with Oedipus, how could he have saved that city from the scourge of the sphinx? Nigerians should ask the government the same question in respect of EFCC. Without the government’s cooperation, is there any possibility of getting an Oedipus to defeat Nigeria ’s sphinx? This is a food for thought.

  • Identity politics and national development

    Identity politics and national development

    By identity politics, I mean a societal culture whereby the political, social, environmental, and economic dynamics are influenced and/ or determined by racism, tribalism, ethnic jingoism, religious extremism, chauvinism, and other forms of bigotry and parochialism. However, Nigeria and indeed any other Country or society will be better if they are able to overcome parochialism, ethnic jingoism, and other forms of identity politics.

     Global Perspective

    Identity politics has been part and parcel of the political evolution of the entire world. It is part of global sociology. Interestingly, rather than diminishing, identity politics is becoming a more prominent global reality. Certainly, identity politics has always been driving global, national, and subnational politics and socio-economic power dynamics from time immemorial, but more so in the past 60 years. Even though it is being hypocritically downplayed, we witness and experience it everywhere in public and private sectors, including our workplaces and communities. Like other parts of the world, identity politics is part of African culture. The current and historical political dynamics in almost all African countries are the stark reality of the global socio-political situation, which are the indications that national and global geopolitics will continue to be run along the lines of nationalism and protectionism rather than globalization, which in my view are other forms of identity politics.

     Accordingly, globally, we are experiencing a reversal of the achievements made in the past 60 years of trying to break down the barriers of race, religion, ethnicity, prejudice, etc. We are witnessing what is happening in Gaza for the past over 50 years between the Israel and Palestine and the position taken by the global superpowers, especially the western powers, and even the middle-east power blocs, who play the ostrich when it comes to those interests that satisfy their strategic objectives, regardless of how inhumane and how horrible the situation is for the less fortunate countries, states, communities and/ or people. The same scenario is playing out in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Myanmar, etc. These hypocrisies in conversations and actions are amongst the reasons why I believe that the politics of identity will continue to drive political systems and the emergence of political leaders in societies and nations, including “democratic” societies/Countries.

     Identity politics hinders or destroys societies or national development, fosters polarization, disunity, inequality, and injustice, with the attendant negative consequences.  It narrows the view and progress of any nation or society. Therefore, in my view, in trying to address the issue of identity politics, from a strategic perspective, it is for us to see how we can bring what I call a “balance”, rather than trying to eliminate it or trying to pretend that it is the only problem, or trying to think that some people can actually just stop it. This is because politics of identity is part and parcel of our moral and societal fabric across the world, regardless of race, religion, and regardless of how old or how deep the so-called “democratic tenets” are. The politics of identity remains a key element, leverage or driver of political campaigns and the determinant of electoral victory, or attainment of political power even in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany, France, China, etc.

     Consequently, if it is something we cannot do away with, then why shouldn’t we have a system that will manage the process for all of us? Even within the boundaries of countries of the superpowers or the top economies of the world, the politics of identity is what is driving those countries, whether they are at war or they are at peace. From the United States of America to the United Kingdom to Europe to the Middle East to the Far East, Africa, or anywhere else. The re-emergence and growing popularity of the right-wing political parties and power blocks sweeping elections across Europe is key evidence of the prominence of identity politics in the global scheme. Hence, the politics of identity is a key factor that determines the political direction of the entire world.

     Nigeria and the 2027 Elections

    Identity politics in Nigeria is so strong that it cannot be overshadowed even by the power of incumbency at the subnational, state, or national level. It guides our political awareness, determines our political, social, and economic directions. A classic example is the fact that even though Nigerians are aware of the failures of political leaders at the federal and subnational levels. But because of identity politics, we ignore the mistakes or failures of our political leaders at our own peril. For instance, during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, and the tenure of Late President Muhammadu Buhari, or the incumbent President Bola Tinubu, citizens will mostly to be sentimental and never complain or criticize the President, if he comes from their region, state, tribe or religion, even if they are eating from the dustbin or dying in droves. Conversely, citizens are also reluctant to celebrate or commend the President or Governor, even if he is performing well, if he is not of their region, state, tribe, or religion. It is even worse at the state levels, because in the States; the most of the people that are suffering the most are the people that are defending the state governors, no matter how poorly they perform. That is what is identity politics does to a society.

     The politics of identity is a topic of discussion in any political forum and any democratic process. The only difference is that in the more advanced democracies, it is done more sublimely/ hypocritically than in a country like Nigeria. So, to contextualize this perspective, to the buildup to the 2027 general elections, as we approach the mid-term of President Tinubu, I wonder if should we could easily de-emphasize or wish away identity politics. In fact, in my view identity politics will play a huge role in the 2027 general elections, more than ever before.

    Read Also: 10 safety tips for a joyful Christmas in Nigeria

     It is highly likely that in the 2027 general elections, we will witness how identity politics may tip the dynamics even more than population. While population has been driving and determining political directions and electoral victories, whether it is in terms of official census numbers, which some citizens challenge its veracity or in reality where the numbers are actually true; political permutations and manipulations will ensure that identity politics will be a critical success factor for the incumbent or for those that want to upstage the incumbent in Nigeria at Presidential, State government, and even local government levels.

     Most times, for strategic or diplomatic reasons, we outwardly downplay the politics of identity only so as to give a sense of “unity and/ or “fairness” or maybe a sense of “justice. But the identity politics always manifests, especially buildup to and during elections, as it has been from time, only more so as the political evolution of Nigeria is becoming more and more complex rather than simplistic due to the failure of successive administrations to deliver the crucial political reforms and socio-economic development.

     Politicians have also recognized identity politics as a very important tool for electoral success, and political control, not just in Nigeria but in many countries across the world.

     Meanwhile, it is worthy of note that some countries like Singapore, Switzerland, etc., have achieved some level of political balance based on ideals like unity in diversity, properly domesticated political systems and structures, meritocracy, etc. Such achievements were also not without costly sacrifices that have remained indelible scars in their histories and evolution. While political idealism is more in the realm of theory; countries like Singapore and Rwanda has demonstrated that societies and countries can overcome identity politics and succeed. Therefore, it is essential that well-meaning and forward-thinking Nigerians should continue advocating for inclusivity, unity in diversity, proper domestication of political systems and structures that will suit our national peculiarities, meritocracy, etc., as the possible best ways forward.

     Way forward for Nigeria

    Change the Political system with a significant reduction of power from the center

    One of the best ways to dilute or neutralize the politics of identity in Nigeria is to change the political system and structure of the Country. Even though changing the political system and structure may not immediately eliminate identity politics, but it will certainly downplay it in the mid to long term, and will provide some level of balance in restructuring the political system of Nigeria from the current presidential system. This is because identity politics is even more pronounced at the local levels, and that is why thinking that we can wish away identity politics at the national level is only wishful thinking.

  • Challenges to peace-building

    Challenges to peace-building

    Preamble

    The words of elders are words of wisdom. If they do not materialise in the morning they will surely materialize in the evening”.

    The above quotation is a Yoruba axiom that can only be faulted at one’s own peril. Now that reasoning seems to be finding its way back to Nigeria’s base of power especially in respect of insecurity problem and its possible solution, it becomes necessary to take a realistic recourse to that adage.

    The news that former President Goodluck Jonathan belatedly met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abuja sometime to discuss the way out of the Boko Haram insurgency problem is a confirmation of that adage. Hitherto, sheer ego and whim of power had prevented that meeting even when sensible advice and suggestions were offered to the government by well-meaning Nigerians. Among such advice was that of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar the Sultan of Sokoto.

    Voice of reason

    As far back as October 3, 2011, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), had delivered a lecture entitled ‘Islam and Peace Building in West Africa’ at Harvard University. When the lecture was published in this column thereafter, it was re-entitled ‘A Voice from Harvard’. In the 33 page lecture, His Eminence enumerated the causes and effects of violent crises in the West African sub region with particular reference to Nigeria. He blamed such crises on three major issues: (1) political struggle for supremacy between the elite and the poor masses (2) bad governance on the part of the ruling class and (3) primordial ethno-religious sentiments. The most prominent of these three issues is bad governance which engenders corruption, joblessness, poverty, exploitation, suspicion and general bitterness in the land. Three years after that lecture, Nigeria is still in rigmarole searching for a possible oasis in a self-inflicted wild desert.

    For the benefit of those who did not read it at that time the lecture is being brought here again because of its relevance and the possible solution it may proffer to the multifaceted problems confronting Nigeria. An excerpt from the lecture is as follows:

    Impression

    “….Many people (outside our country) consider Nigeria as a theatre of absurd conflicts and interminable crises.  They may be justified in holding this view; with the Jos crises festering for years, with post-election violence and suicide-bombings, it is difficult  to think otherwise.  When we consider Nigeria’s population of more than 150 million, half the population of West Africa, its over 250 ethnic and language groups, its regional and geo-political configurations, its landmass and its diversity in religion and culture, we may be constrained to reach different conclusions. Nigeria may, after all, be a paragon of stability which, as God Almighty has willed, shall undergo all the trials allotted it early enough in its national history.

    But in all fairness, systemic ethno-political and religious crises, like the ones we witnessed in recent years or are witnessing currently, do not have a long history in Nigeria.  They all began in the late 1980s, following the intense competition for power and influence especially among the western educated elite; the Kafanchan crisis of 1987, in Southern Kaduna, was quickly followed by the Zangon Kataf and other crises; all in the same vicinity.  The democratic dispensation, which began in 1999 also came with its own set of problems, the most visible being the Shari’ah crisis and the first Jos crisis which led to the declaration of state of emergency in Plateau State.

    Read Also: Ex-NDLEA directors pledge support for Marwa on drug war

    Primacy of politics

    But these crises, varied as they were, reveal the multi-dimensional nature of Nigeria as a political entity. We witness the primacy of politics in almost all these conflicts.  In the struggle for power and political supremacy as politicians exercise no restraint in aggravating the socio-religious and ethnic cleavages, which characterise the geo-politics of the Nigerian state.  It should not be forgotten that the second Jos crisis of November 2008 was also ignited by a botched Chairmanship election in Jos North Local Government.

    The second dimension to these crises, especially in Kaduna and Plateau States, is the indigene/settler dichotomy, which is yet to be addressed properly by the Nigerian state.  Many ethnic groups in these conflict areas see the other ethnic groups as foreigners who should not enjoy the full rights of bona fide residents.  Most of these disenfranchised Nigerians also happen to be Muslims.  However, those who oppose this dichotomy argue that these so-called settlers had spent more than two hundred years in the areas they reside.  Moreover, as Nigerian citizens, they have the full right to reside wherever they wish and pursue their legitimate business without let or hindrance.

    Afterall, they cannot be settlers in their own country.

    The third dimension of Nigeria’s ethno-religious crises is their potential to become a systematic national crisis.  When a person is killed in any of the areas of conflict, his co-religionists, especially in the cities react violently and begin to kill anyone they think is related to the killer(s).  This often triggers further reprisals from other parts of the country where victims come from.  It took a lot of effort by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) which I co-chair, and other state authorities, to treat each crisis independently and reduce the risk of systemic reprisals.

    The fourth dimension of Nigeria’s crises is poor leadership and the bad governance usually associated with its management.  Many of those charged with authority in the states where these conflicts occur are also parties to the crises.  They make feeble efforts to control the violence and do so only when much of the damage has been done…

    “….The issue of poor leadership and bad governance also explains how the Boko Haram movement has been able to transform itself from a small Hijrah group in Yobe State, escaping from the uncertainties and contradictions of the Nigerian state, to a militant movement able to wreak havoc and destruction once provoked.  Those in authority were prepared to court the leaders of this group when it suited them and to trample on them like flies when they were no longer useful…However, the recent bombing of the United Nations Office in Abuja has introduced an international dimension to terrorist’s activities, a development, which is hitherto entirely new to Nigeria.

    The promise of dialogue

    “….When I became the Sultan of Sokoto in November 2006, some of the major problems I found on ground were the after-effects of the riots, especially in Kaduna, Jos and some parts of the North East as well as a disturbing atmosphere of mistrust, fear and hostility, especially between the leaderships of Nigeria’s two major religions: Islam and Christianity.

     To resolve these knotty issues, we chose the path of positive engagement, which we thought would engender meaningful discourse, improve communication and understanding and change the dynamics of our operating environment to that of trust and confidence…

    Role of NIREC

    “….The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) provided the right platform for this engagement. The Council, a product of Nigeria’s ethno-religious crises, was composed of 25 members each from the two religions and co-chaired by myself, in my capacity as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The approach of NIREC was simple and practical. Firstly, we affirmed the sanctity of human life, Muslim and Christian, and insisted that anybody who takes the law into his hands, regardless of the circumstances, must bear the full legal consequences of his action.

    You cannot believe it, but despite the frequency of these disturbances, only a few people have ever been punished for perpetrating any act of violence. The masterminds go scot-free.

    Secondly, while appreciating the fact that we are required to look after the interest of our co-religionists, we must pay attention to the other dimensions of our conflicts. As many were preparing to declare a religious war in Jos, for example, we laboured hard to draw attention to the other dimensions of the crisis. It was a conflict between Muslims and Christians quite alright, but it was not a conflict between Islam and Christianity. When Nigeria’s President called for a parley among stakeholders, we made bold to declare the Jos crisis a political crisis. Thirdly, we adopted a tactical approach to conflict resolution. Whenever, there is a breakout of violence, we work together to restore law and order and ask the quarrelsome questions later. We take this approach to minimise loss of life and to ensure that the crisis is contained in the primary area it occurred.

    Also, we devised a quarterly meeting schedule that took us to all parts of the country. It was heartening to many to see us working together and preaching peaceful co-existence and religious harmony even in areas, which never registered an ethno-religious conflict.

    Recommendation

    I must point out that it was also our view that inter-faith action should transcend conflict resolution. For it to be effective, it must affect the life of the common man. NIREC floated the Nigeria Inter-Faith Action Association (NIFAA) to take up this challenge and NIFAA has been very active in the control of the dreaded tropical disease: Malaria. We also find that we must act together to address issues related to electoral reform, good governance and anti-corruption. I am also glad to state that the goodwill and understanding which these activities were able to generate, have given impetus to the development of inter-faith dialogue to a new level. I always remember, with happiness, the seminar organised by the CAN in April 2010, on ‘Knowing Your Muslim Neighbour’, where I presented a paper on the topic. The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) gracefully reciprocated by inviting CAN members to its formal meeting in Kaduna, where the CAN representative gave a lecture on Islam in the eyes of a Christian and both Muslim and Christian scholars, gave inspiring responses on the scriptural basis of mutual co-existence. Despite serious setbacks in recent months, many of us remain committed to this positive engagement and to the promise that dialogue offers the resolution to Nigeria’s ethno-religious crises.

    Looking ahead

    ‘’…Understanding the multifarious nature of Nigeria’s ethno-religious crises should strengthen our resolve and determination to deploy all the energies and resources at our disposal to see to their resolution.  Our inability and reluctance to take meaningful action go to challenge not only our common humanity but also our self-worth.  It is therefore important for us to appreciate, first and foremost, the importance of consensus building within the polity, with a view to ameliorating the current state of political polarization in it.  The Nigerian political class must be able to speak and understand one another as well as to develop a minimum national agenda to chart the way forward.  The political class must also be able to open dialogue on a variety of national issues, including the perennial problem of power rotation and willingly enter into agreements that they can honour with dignity….

    Governance

    “….Also, governance at all levels must translate into tangible benefits for all Nigerians regardless of their ethnic and religious affiliation.  Nigeria has the resources to make life more pleasant for its people.  It is equally imperative to address the poverty problem as well as the needs of the youth population both in all the geo-political areas of the country.  In a situation where over 50 per cent of our population is jobless at less than 19 years of age, we are definitely sitting on a time bomb much deadlier than that of Boko Haram unless we take urgent action to defuse it….

    “….Furthermore, there should be renewed determination to address both the Jos and Boko Haram sectarian crises.  The Federal Government must take seriously its security responsibilities and effectively contain these crises.  But beyond that, a genuine dialogue must be initiated, to begin healing festering wounds and to bring genuine understanding and reconciliation amongst the entire people of Plateau State and beyond.  The social dimension of the Boko Haram cannot also be resolved by the mere use of force.  This is the reason why I have consistently suggested dialogue and education to counteract its message, especially those aspects dealing with modern education.

    Millions of Muslim pupils are already outside the school system.

    Millions more will definitely follow if urgent intervention is not undertaken to enlighten the younger generations.  And the question I have always asked is What kind of society can we build in the 21st century when our youth turn their back on science and technology and are unable to produce the next generation of doctors, engineers and other specialisations necessary for sustaining the socio-economic development of the society?….”

    Conclusion

    “….Finally, we should not neglect the impact of the international environment on Nigeria’s ethno-religious crises.  Happenings in the United States, Iraq, Afghanistan, Norway, Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Palestine, Ukraine, Gaza, Russia and Sudan are as current and relevant as events in Jos, Maiduguri and Abuja. We must preach international tolerance and moderation. The fight against extremist groups should never be perverted to become a fight against Islam and its doctrines.  We should all remember that in the final analysis, it is not what the perpetrators of violence do that really counts.  It is the actions we take, individually and collectively, that would (eventually) shape the fate of humanity….”

    Now, with this new development, the hope of redeeming Nigeria from impending disintegration may be rekindled if the motive is not political especially with the 2027 elections becoming fast-approaching.

  • Those coups in West Africa

    Those coups in West Africa

    “If people cannot trust their Government to do the job for which it exists – to protect them and promote their welfare – all else is lost” … Barrack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America.

    Six days ago on the 6th of December, 2025, Africans woke up to a development in Cotonou , the capital of the Republic of Benin in the West African subregion, when some dissident soldiers, attempted to overthrow the government of President Patrice Talon. The move was swiftly countered by the loyal armed forces of the Republic of Benin, with the support, and intervention of the military from the neighboring Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The coup was effectively quelled, and the catastrophe of military interregnum was averted. Peace is maintained and sustained in the Republic of Benin .

    I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the swift action he took to avert the coup in the Republic of Benin which could potentially have negative political and socio-economic impacts on Nigeria and West Africa. I am able to say like every other well-meaning citizens in Nigeria and across the world, that military regimes are not the solution to bad governance or to change the leadership of a Country or States. I believe, like many others, that the best way to bring positive change in a democratic setting is through the ballot box, or through effective and legitimate process  and the power of the people. Therefore, I am very happy that the attempted Coups failed in Benin Republic.

    However, the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin and the drama that happened in Guinea-Bissau about two weeks ago, whereby what I call an “arrangee” coup was undertaken in the the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, has raised or amplified some key questions with regard to the trend of military coups  and attempted coups sweeping across  the West Africa subregion. Rather than for that trend to be stopped, it appears to be increasing and taking new dimensions where political leaders appear to be arranging with the Armed forces to overthrow them, as a gambit to block their political opponents from legitimately winning elections and taking over power from them. Therefore, while we are pushing back against military coups and juntas, it is important for us to interrogate the reasons why the coups and attempted coups are becoming prevalent, and address those issues so as  to ensure that the trend of military coups is stopped.  The Countries and peoples of Africa must move towards solutions rather than going backwards and deeper into complications of such nature as military interventions.

    The real tenets of Democracy and Good Governance are Critical:

    We may recall that the military coups in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali were and are still actually supported and accepted by the majority of citizens of those countries. This is a reflection of the failure of the political class across Africa to deliver good governance, and ensure the credibility and sustainability of democracy. A key point to be noted,  especially by the political leaders, is that unless and until political leaders focus on and deliver the mandates given to them by the citizens; unless they are sensitive to the concerns of the citizens of their country, those political leaders will continue to create or open  for the military or the non-state actors and agents of doom to continue attempting to take over power in that country by whatever means.

    In my opinion, as it is the opinion of many other thought leaders and many other citizens across Africa, the failure to comply with the tenets of democracy, the lack of good governance, and the impunity of the political class are contributing factors that will continue to create opportunities for power grabs and what I call “institutional coups”, which are taking place across Africa, unhindered and supported, either deliberately or inadvertently by the other Presidents across Africa. Today in Africa, we have the sit tight leaders who have been in power for decades, who have refused to give way to proper democratic processes and they are members of the African Union and other subregional bodies like ECOWAS, etc. Meanwhile, the political consciousness of the people is changing. Yes, we are all rising against military interregnums. But also, yes, people are conscious of their powers, and when push comes to shove, as we have seen in the Republics of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mail, the citizens may not necessarily support the politicians in power or the democratically elected governments, when they are not delivering credible democracy and good governance, especially when they demonstrate dictatorial tendencies..

    Read Also: Lagos pop-culture commentator, Belove Olocha steps into global spotlight

    Over 60 years or less since independence, majority of African Countries are still grappling with the provision of basic amenities like clean drinking water, steady electricity, education, security, free, fair, and credible elections, etc. Therefore, it is important for us to note that the foundations and building blocks of our Countries and Continent are fundamental to the success of the Africa.. indeed the  entrenchment of the tenets of democracy is crucial.

    leaders across Africa to smell the coffee and face those realities. The enemies within will continue to rise so long as we keep on giving them the opportunities by failing to live up to expectations of your peoples.

    Furthermore, the fact that mlitary coups are becoming fashionable in Africa, is a  reflection of  what I call, “the illusion of democracy, that African politicians give their citizens. This is because most times, the political class hide under the cloak of democracy, to perpetuate more evil than the military.

    If you take Nigeria, for example, back in the days, the political class have been part and parcel of coups and countercoups. What is happening in Guinea-Bissau is like a smaller, and more rough version of what happened in other countries, like Uganda, Cameroun, Cote De Voice, etc. Oher “democratically elected” Presidents and AU and regional bodies, do not call out or sanction democratically elected Presidents  demonstrate undemocratic tendencies or act undemocratically. They only  call out the military when they take over. Hence, the leaders of West Africa are opening up the windows to military interregnums that they are not able to control or de-legitimize. And that is why the Sahel region is  becoming more militarized. It is all about leadership, because if the AU, ECOWAS, and other countries are demonstrating leadership in terms of institutionalizing democracy military coups will away.

    As for ECOWAS, I ask for some introspection, going forward, with regard how things have been evolving in the sub-region, and to a larger extent in the continent of Africa. It is not enough for you to come and start blowing the whistle of war, or blowing the horn of war, when you know that you have not delivered good governance. Because what is true and what is real is, there is a phenomenon sweeping over Africa, triggered by the Arab Spring, and consolidated by the Sudan meltdown of Omar al-Bashir, you know, which was actually triggered by the people, not by the junta.

    As a Hausa proverb says, “unless the world cracks, the lizard will not find a way to go through”.. So, going forward, I just hope and pray that the ECOWAS will look at the core tenets of ECOWAS, and that is the improvement of the economy of the sub-region. That should be the focal point. The moment they are able to deliver those provisions of the treaty I revised in 1991, I think that would further dissuade military takeovers or totally eliminate them. And also, to continue focussing on Africa, on we, the Africans, and delivering value for us, rather than leaning towards the Western powers that use them, you know, for their proxy wars, and to continue to plunder our resources. So, however we look at it, the key role of dissuading and eliminating military takeovers still falls within the ECOWAS in terms of the various leadership of the countries in the sub-region.

    There must be Peace for Development to happen

    There must be peace before growth and development can happen. There must be stability in terms of democracy and the socio-economic well-being of our citizens across the countries in the continent for us to achieve the national, regional and continental growth and development. Look at what is happening in The Sahel region,  Sudan, South Sudan, and DRC, for example, and other parts of Africa.

    It is important to note that in Africa, we must recognize that the lingering and growing crises across Africa will ultimately hamstring the growth of the continent because we are all connected. Invariably if one regional bloc sneezes the other part of the Continent ultimately catches the cold with the effects that follow. Therefore, United we stand, and divided we will continue to wallow in the abyss of backwardness.

  • The North governors’ security meeting

    The North governors’ security meeting

    There is need for Action:

    The meeting convened by the northern governors of Nigeria, along with the northern traditional leaders, which took place in Kaduna a couple of days ago, in my opinion, is one meeting too many, without much action and impacts. Such security meetings have taken place in northern Nigeria and other parts of Nigeria repeatedly over the past years especially in the last two years. However, there have been the lack of effective follow-up actions due to lack of a well articulated, coherent and well mapped out strategy with action plans and timely executions and achievement of tangible milestones over the months or years. If steps and quick actions are not taken, northern Nigeria will continue to lose territories within Nigeria to this multidimensional insecurity, or rather to the hands of Islamic fundamentalist, bandits kidnapped, and Fulani herdsmen, etc.

    We have gotten to a point that only decisive actions by leaders will save the this Country. It is only sincerity and unity of purpose that will help us. Playing politics with insecurity is another factor that has further added oxygen to this situation. Insurgency started during the time of the PDP government over 15 years ago. It escalated during the APC government so no politicians should come and be selling us dummies here. We should collectively take responsibility and collectively face our realities. We must change not just the narrative, but we must also change the reality to what it should be. Everyday people are being killed. Everyday excuses are being given. While some of us are throwing parties and throwing money around having parties while people are being killed. So enough with the rhetoric and theatrics and the “dog and pony” shows. It’s time for action. Otherwise, external parties will come and do it for us.

    We can have as much security summits and conferences as we want. If we don not recognize the criticality of time on these multidimensional issues, and address them, things will continue to go worse.

    Dealing with insecurity remains a critical success factor, otherwise no amount of intervention will be successful and sustainab

    Regarding the stoppage of mining:

    Suspension or stoppage of legal mining will not not solve the problem. Illegal mining has been taking place for a very long time. I particularly know for a fact that illegal mining has been taking place in northern Nigeria for nothing less than 30 years. Therefore, stopping legal mining is not the solution. But dealing with the illegal mining that is taking place sometimes with the collusion of state actors, that we all know about. The preponderance of illegal mining all over northern Nigeria is so deep that it has become an enterprise. So fighting illegal mining is a project on its own that the governors and the federal government under the leadership of President Tinubu should address as one of the critical pillars of success of the fight against national insecurity and economic sabotage that we are facing in Nigeria today.

    However, legal mining should be addressed from a strategic point of view. Blanket  blanket statement against mining will only exacerbate the issue. Governments at federal and state level have attracted foreign direct investments to activate and boost our solid minerals sector which is a key economic diversification pipeline. Because mining is a capital intensive and long term investment, it will certainly be a strategic mistake and counter productive to suspend legal mining. If we suspend legal mining ipso facto, it will impact the entire business plan, and the strategic objective of the mining. In addition, there could be potential breach of the between government and investors. These will ultimately erode investor confidence and destroy the gains made and hinder the socio-economic objectives from being achieved.

    Closure of schools is not a solution:

    With  profound respect to Governments at state and federal levels will only be a palliative intervention but not a solution.  Rather than impulsive reactions, we should have a short mid to long time plan with regards to stopping the abduction of school children, attacks on schools, mosquitoe, churches and market places, etc. We should have answers to the attack on schools, the attacks on hospitals, the attacks on marketplaces and possibly bus stations. We should also have an action plan for potential attacks on other high target areas like train stations, like airports, like high rising areas, including Lagos. So we have to be both strategic, tactical, and operational. We have to move from all sides and all angles.

    Moreover, moving resources and assets from one place to another will not is not going to help us. i.e., moving these 300,000 policemen around these issues or soldiers will not help our problem. You move them to a location. After two days, you pull them out and move them to another location. These people will come back and hit you with this guerrilla warfare system. You must have adequate man and material resources to man adequately the locations you are supposed to set up military formations at a location just because of this situation will not help us. We need to have a holistic approach as quick as possible.

    Read Also: Tinubu reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to global peace

    The need for a war Situation Room:

    We need to have a war room situation where the National Security Advisor will coordinate  with the service chiefs. Unless and until we contain the insecurity by nothing less than 65%, we cannot think that we can win this war.

    The need to Upgrade and Recalibrate the Ministry of Interior:

    We also need to recalibrate the Ministry of Interior to build its capacity to face and tackle Nigeria’s growing internal insecurity and other threats and challenges. The Ministry of Interior’s job description, the Minister of Interior’s job description and the job description of the agencies under this Ministry of Interior must be upgraded with immediate effect. The Ministry of Interior, does not currently have the capacity and  latitude. For example, Post 911, the United States of America had to recalibrate the Department of Homeland Security to face new dangers, threats and risks. 

    Security Fund:

    Meanwhile, a lot of states in Northern Nigeria, are not doing what they are supposed to do. Therefore, how will setting up of this funding really alleviate the situation of our people? What is the objective is the Fund? What will the funding do? How will the funding be utilize? What will be the framework and the accountability process of this funding?

    It is no longer time for partisan politics with regards to insecurity. We need to deal with this issue. Insecurity and Terrorism do not care about religion, tribe, creed or ethnicity. So it is a problem, a common denominator issue. I did not hear about the solution for the out-of-school children. I did not hear a solution about our farmers that are left without protection. I did not hear the solution of our travelers traveling left, right and centre. I did not hear any plan.

    Non-Kinetic Imperatives:

    I do see a robust non-kinetic plan for alleviation of poverty and sustained fight against all  social vices. I did not hear anything about truth and reconciliation of people in areas and communities that are in conflicts. And how are we going to address frontally the farmer-herder issues over and beyond rhetorics and long-term objectives of Ministry of Livestock Development. We must have a short-term intervention for the farmers-harders . A lot of people that know me know that I have been speaking about this issues and saying the the farmers-herders issues date as far back as back as about 200 years ago. Therefore it a longstanding existential issue that must be addressed. The issues transcend ethnicity. Mining is not the only accelerant of banditry and insecurity. poverty,, strife, uncertainty, injustice, etc  also are also drivers and accelerants of insecurity. Let us not make the mistake of deflecting issues as we address this canker worm while we agree resources uh take over by the imperialists with the facade of the insurgency deep state with the support of deep state we not helped our matters by not delivering good governance good governance is a major accelerant as well out of school children. Governors should also own up their own responsibilities and do the needful i repeat do the needful.

    Good Governance:

    Citizens need to be feel the impacts that state governments are actually using the taxes collected and other revenue generated at federal and state levels to add value to the quality of life of citizens, add value to governance, and for the growth and development of Nigeria.

  • Nigeria‘s leadership question

    Nigeria‘s leadership question

    “A nation is great not by its size alone. It is the will, the cohesion, the stamina, the discipline of its people and the quality of their leaders which ensure it an honorable place in history.”- Mr. Lee Kuan Yew – the First Prime Minister of Singapore

    The current debilitating political and socio-economic malaise in Nigeria is a culmination of decades of misrule, mismanagement of resources, and corruption. However, the impression that a single administration is, or has been responsible for the decadence in Nigeria is what I call the hypocrisy of our expectations, as citizens. Because, unless, as a people, we identify, within context, the root causes of our problem and address them as such, as a people; not necessarily pointing fingers at a fraction of the people we call, “the leaders”, then, we will continue to slide into the abyss of retrogression. This is because, in my view, we are leaders at various strata of what I call, “the leadership value chain.”

     There are people within the leadership value chain that I call the “focal-point leaders”. Examples of focal point leaders include: The President, the Governors, the Chief Judge of the Federation, the Senate President, the Local Government Chairman, etc. These are leaders sitting at the top echelon of leadership, driving governance. But the focal point leaders can only drive effective, efficient, and impactful governance with the support of other leaders across the strata of leadership – vertical and horizontal, and those are the other critical leaders within the “leadership value chain”. If there is a failure within that leadership value chain, whereas the focal point leader may not have the leverage of the value chain to ensure/ enforce that which needs to be done, then that focal point leader will fail, no matter how intelligent, good-intentioned, or powerful he/ she is.

    I totally agree that; every administration must own its performance. People vigorously campaign for elections, promising milk and honey and all manner of things to citizens; especially with special reference to the 4th Republic, only for those politicians to turn around with excuses after winning the election, blaming their inability to perform on the previous administrations (at Federal and State levels). I also agree that going forward as citizens, we should not accept lame excuses from leaders that fail. But while we refuse to accept excuses from leaders who fail, we should also have the circumspection of recognizing that the rot did not start with the administration that is complaining. Indeed, the rot is longstanding. Therefore, we should have the introspection to manage the process of holding the leaders accountable to ensure that incumbent administrations at Federal and State levels, take the necessary steps to turn around the political and socioeconomic situation of the country. Of course, it should be without a doubt that continuously keeping leaders on their toes is what will ensure that politicians effectively deliver their mandates. Indeed, to whom much is given, much is expected.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Senate moves to amend Terrorism Act, proposes death penalty for kidnapping

    Furthermore, the optics of governance are also very crucial in managing the expectations of citizens. Therefore, It is very important that leaders within the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary Arms of government; at Federal and subnational levels must demonstrate quintessential and pragmatic leadership. They must show that they are part of the State or Country that they lead; or part of the problem they are trying to solve. Consequently, they, their families, and allies must also demonstrate in their actions that they are not living in a bubble. They should empathize with the people and show the citizenry that they are living with the people in practical reality and not in virtual reality. Only when leaders are quintessential, practical, and empathetic that there be the synergy of visions and objectives between the leaders and citizens. However, sometimes even when the focal point leader (for example the President or Governor) provides quintessential and pragmatic leadership; the Ministers, Commissioners, or other officials within the leadership value chain behave differently (or even sometime irresponsibly) without consequences; this situation presents different optics that are in parallel to what the focal leadership is saying or doing. This type of situation causes problems, especially when there are no consequences for people who misbehave within the leadership value chain. An example is when leaders, whether at the ministerial level or other levels, live lavishly as if we are not living with over 165 million Nigerians who are multidimensionally poor. Now, that is part of the bigger problem! I saw a video trending the other day wherein a known politician was displaying piled up stacks bundles of money (cash) arranged on a table in the midst of the multi-dimensional poverty that the majority of his constituents are facing, I am sure that thousands of them did not eat that day. This audacity of irresponsibility puts the government in a bad light and makes it difficult for citizens to believe or respect the government and its good and well-meaning leaders and officials.

    Conversely, the citizens have not really helped themselves or the leaders of the leadership process with our actions, inactions of hypocrisies. For example, when a President refuses to do a jamboree to share people’s free money, he becomes a bad man. When a Governor refuses to loot money to share around to he/she people, he becomes a bad man/ woman. So, a society that celebrates criminality with chieftaincy titles, and honorary doctorate degrees is not a society that is ready for change. It is also not a society that is ready to hire the right leaders, because the actions of the people are such a society will continue to promote corruption and criminality. A society where corrupt people are at once at the first line in the church, at the first line in the mosque, or at the high table of events, should not expect any positive change. This is because you cannot eat your cake and have it! A corrupt people will not allow a good leader to do the needful. Hence, how do you expect society to change for the better? How do you expect the recruitment process to be right when you, the people, are the ones celebrating the corrupt ones, whether as their parents, as their family, or as their society? Indeed, a lot of the religious leaders and the traditional leaders are also in cahoots, and they are part of the leadership value chain. But, as citizens, conveniently point our accusing fingers at the political leaders. The political leaders are part of the society, and unless we continue to refuse to partake in the ills they do, then we have lost the moral right to challenge what they do.

    The Paradox of Corruption

    The biggest inhibitor of the delivery of good governance over the years in Nigeria is corruption which is as a result of the erosion of our values. This long-standing issue did not start from 1999 but indeed has been embedded in our societies for over 60 years – things have just been getting worse. To be able to address the issue of corruption, we need to dimension the issue of corruption and how deep it has pervaded Nigeria.

    Corrupt ion corruption  is  a long-standing issue in Nigeria. Even if the leaders at the top are good and capable, they cannot be able to force people within the leadership value chain to deliver, maybe by virtue of the system of governance or essentially due to what I call the “conspiracy of corruption.  Using the Civil Service as an instance; if the Civil Service is not in sync with the focal point leader, that leader is what I call an “entrapped leader”. Unless such a leader takes drastic steps, he/ she will be “restrained” by the conspiracy of the Establishment/ vested interests, which can trickle down to the society at large.

    In my humble view, the root cause of the national development problems in Nigeria is not just the failure of the leaders at the top. Part of the issue of bad leadership in Nigeria is what I term the failure of the “leadership value chain”. For example, if along the layers of the Civil Service, you have corrupt leaders, whether they are Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, etc. who collaborate to circumvent the system, the system will fail, and consequently the leader will fail, because he will ultimately become what I call, “an entrapped leader”.

    Therefore, dear Nigerians, build up to then 2027 general elections, we should recognize that just deciding to choose any person as a leader does not make our problems go away. We should also know that we also have roles to play. First of all, what are our priorities? What are our values as individuals, as families, as communities, and as societies? Then we can take it up a notch higher to start addressing the recruitment process of our leaders, then move on to demand accountability and performance

  • Another perspective on State Police

    Another perspective on State Police

    “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government” … Chapter 2, Section 14(2)(b), of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution”

    Two weeks ago, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated his commitment to the creation of State Police in Nigeria, due to our national security and geopolitical reality. Recall that Mr. President, had triggered the process of the creation of State Police on the 15th of February last year when he convened a meeting with the 36 state governors, also attended by the Vice President Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the DSS, and some Ministers at the State house in Abuja.

    In my view, the creation of state police will provide a critical pillar of our national security architecture that has been lacking in Nigeria for a long time. In addition, the creation of state police is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to achieve true federalism and decentralization of power in Nigeria.

    As rightly stated by President Tinubu, the preponderance and efforts of the various civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in various forms across the geopolitical zones and States, including state security outfits like Hisbah in Kano State, Amotekun across the South West States of Nigeria, and state security outfits in other States across Nigeria trying to curb insecurity, further reinforces the need for the creation of state police.

    I have been a proponent of the creation of State Police in Nigeria, and in the past 1 year, I have written twice on this topic in this Column (Part 1 on the 23rd February, 2024, and Part 2 on the 2nd May, 2025). However, in today’s episode, I will reiterate my positions and expand my contribution to this important national discourse. In addition, as the Group CEO of the Global Investment and Trade Company (GITC), where the services we provide include; policy strategy and advisory, legislative frameworks and legislation support, policy implementation etc. we will support the creation of state police by following through the legislative processes (from Executive to national Assembly) to ensure that we have a robust registration to ensure that state police is not just enacted or activated, but to support the legislative process and framework that will protect the citizens of these countries and their allies from potential abuse of state police by those governors who that would like to take advantage of state police for their vested interests. Because, as Mr. President stated last week, and I quote, “We can work with the National Assembly to design a framework that guarantees local ownership while ensuring political neutrality”.

    Read Also: Fed Govt will rescue Kebbi abducted school girls, bring culprits to Justice — Shettima

    The Need to Continue Building Capacity at the Federal Level

    The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Military, which are fully in the war against the insecurity theater, are facing not just funding issues, but other material challenges. Today, we have about 300,000 men and officers of the Nigerian Police Force, with a ratio of about 1 to about 500 Policemen. Recall that last year, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, raised this concern, requiring about 190,000 more boots on the ground to be recruited. In my opinion, they need more because we have about 250 million Nigerians that they are supposed to serve and protect. The Nigerian Military is facing the same man and material challenges. The entire Nigerian Armed Forces, i.e., Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, Immigration, Customs, Civil Defense, and the newly recruited Forest Guards, etc., are less than 800,000 active officers and men (boots on the ground). This is a really serious issue. 

    Therefore, there is an urgent need to continue improving the human capacity of the Nigerian armed forces at the federal level. Because, from a strategic perspective, while we refocus on state police, we must not lose sight of the criticality of the federal security architecture, which must be continuously and properly funded, equipped, and supported. Otherwise, we will be creating a bigger problem when we “lose guard” of our key security and territorial integrity flanks. It is only when the federal armed forces are solid, mobilized, mobile, lucid, efficient, and effective that state police will be relevant and successful. Even though the state police are crucial, they will have limitations.

     Operations Model

    The lines of authority and accountability must be clearly defined between the state police and the federal police. Because even now, we sometimes witness face-offs between military and police or between security agencies. Therefore, the operations model should address the interplaying roles between state police and federal police. What will be the state of play when or where there are escalations? And what will be the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)? What are the engagement protocols between federal and state police? And what are the clear lines or boundaries of authority and accountability? We need to address that at the foundation level of formulating the state police legislation.

    Indeed, some powers will be taken from the federal security agencies, and they will be domiciled or shared with the state police. This will create new power blocks at the state level. Therefore, naturally, there will be a need for an adaptation process. Those are the things that will ensure that the federal police will all play their role in a way and manner that there are no frictions or there are no clashes. How we frame our laws will be key.

     Funding

    Funding and the framework that will support the funding are crucial. We currently have a situation where not all the states in Nigeria are struggling to pay the minimum wage of 70,000 Naira.

     Therefore, how will the Governors effectively fund State Police?  That is a crucial question that the governors need to answer and tell the citizens, from accountability and transparency perspectives. It’s not enough for a Governor to say he can crush insecurity within two months. How will he fund the state police in a sustainable manner? Because as citizens, we are not expecting governors to go to the federal government cap in hand to ask for money to fund state police, and if that will be the case, then I will withdraw my support for State Police.

     Concerns about the potential abuse of State Police by Governors

    I re-echo the concerns of many Nigerians and stakeholders that some state Governors will most likely use the state police as negative forces of coercion and abuse of office. The use of state police by overbearing and wicked Governors will certainly be a disaster, and, as citizens, we MUST not allow that to happen.

     But given our current insecurity situation and how we are evolving as a country, we cannot throw away the baby with the bathwater. Therefore, we should have state police. But we must have provisions within the constitution that will safeguard against the abuse of power, which will be catastrophic! 

     We should also ensure that thugs and touts are not converted by Governors to become State Police officers.

     Robust Legislation

    I use this opportunity to call on all well-meaning Nigerians, all subject matter experts, thought leaders, and stakeholders we should be part of the state police legislation, and give it the same attention that we gave the Tax Reforms Bill that was recently passed into law, to ensure that the enabling laws will be robust with the necessary safeguards to protect citizens, residents, and visitors of Nigeria.

     State Police will become a critical component of our democracy, and because we are creating something that is new, which could be subject to abuse, it is important that we pay attention. So that we do not hand over absolute power to state governors. Because absolute power corrupts absolutely!

    Concerns about Potential Abuse and Human Rights Violations

    We have cases of human rights violations and abuse of power by some security officials at the federal level. I cringe in my seat when I think of what will happen when the powers of state police are taken over by overbearing and narcissistic governors, whereby the state police are only accountable to the governors without any framework to neutralize such excesses if and when they happen.

     For instance, in February 2023, Justice Riman Fatun, of the Federal High Court Abakaliki, passed a judgment disbanding the Ebebeagu State security outfit in Ebonyi State, due to illegal arrests, extortions, possession of illegal firearms, human rights violations, etc. This instance underscores that the process of setting up state police should ensure that it will not be abused.

    Doctrine is a Critical Success Factor

    Doctrine guides thinking and the culture. And since we are creating a new entity called State Police, a new doctrine should drive the culture. Accordingly, if the existing federal armed forces have weaknesses that we are trying to address, imagine what some governors with this humongous new power of controlling state police will do, especially when the officers and men of the state police are not properly indoctrinated.

     If we don’t deal with the issues of doctrine (top to bottom and not bottom up!), we may create monsters that we cannot control as State Police, and the terrible consequences will be of broad ramifications.

    •First published September 19, 2025

  • Agriculture as tool for economic recovery

    Agriculture as tool for economic recovery

    State Governors need to as a matter of urgency, prioritize agriculture for economic recovery and diversification. I remember that as far back as 30 years ago, while I was working, I was also trading in agricultural commodities. At times, across Nigeria, we were not talking about food scarcity. Ironically 30 years ago, we were rather talking about wastages of agricultural products and how to store them and cut down the wastages. From Kano and other parts of northern Nigeria to all other parts of southern Nigeria; fruits, vegetables, grains, yam tubers, cassava, potatoes, etc. were wasting away. I recall with nostalgia the huge yam barns in Niger, Benue, the southeast of Nigeria. 

    Fast forward to today, we are struggling with food insecurity. It is sad how bad things have become. Farmers are not able to go to their farms due to insecurity, nor do they have enough tools and feeds like fertilizers, etc. The purchasing powers of the farmers are so low that they are majorly reduced to the lowest form of subsistence farming. Food insecurity is also due to the rising population, which has grown in geometric progression from the first republic to date. Therefore, the need to upscale our production capacity is long overdue. 

    Some agricultural initiatives by Federal and some State Governments are laudable. For example, the agriculture projects so far initiated by the Executive Governor of Niger State, His Excellency Mohammed Umar Bago, are commendable. However, I advise that State Governors should formulate more robust and strategic plans that will be all-encompassing across the Agri value chain, to include grading, cleaning, packaging, storage, value-addition, etc. 

    Depleted Strategic Grain Reserves:

    It is worthy of note that, currently Nigeria has basically depleted its strategic grain reserves. I hope that there is a plan on how to replenish The reserves as a matter of priority. Because it will be a disaster if we do not replenish our strategic grain reserves this year. This is especially so because of the valid projections that there will be food scarcity this year due to climate change, and insecurity. So, Governors should wear their thinking caps and come up with robust strategies going forward.

    In the case of the request by President Tinubu to the Governors to provide land so that Mr. President will ensure that he enables the provision of a dichotomy that will stop the clashes and unwarranted deaths between farmers/ herders which are seriously impacting socio-economic situations at States. But as the Chief Security Officers of their States, the State Governors need to deal with these issues in their States head-on. I believe that if Governors borrow and improve the templates of the Premiers of the regions of Nigeria during the first republic and State Governors  States of Nigeria of the 1960s to 1980s, they will achieve some quick wins and also achieve major milestones in food security, job creation, and other socio-economic growth, especially increase in revenues. Almighty God Created Nigeria in such a way that every State has a special, and viable agri value chain that will add value to the people of the State and the nation in general. Around 1995, I was legally exporting grains to Niger, and Burkina Faso, because we had enough, indeed Nigeria still feeds the West African sub-region. Those glorious days could return.

    Dams, Agriculture Clusters, and Farm Centers:

    The State Government can fully revitalize and fully utilize the State-owned Dams and river basins for the production of agricultural products for all-year-round farming using irrigation, etc. These are quick-win platforms to arrest the looming food insecurity. Most of the Agriculture clusters and farm centers in Kano and some States in northern Nigeria which were established in the 1970s and 1908s have been cannibalized and are long dead. I strongly advise that State Governments should re-introduce the farm clusters and farm center projects for the production of grains, perishables, livestock, fisheries, etc. This is a critical success factor for the diversification of economies. From the 1950s to the 1980s, States were basically self-sufficient due to the utilization of such key water bodies and irrigation farming. Dairy products and food items were supplied all over the nation from Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau, Benue, Niger, etc.  all year round with millions jobs job created 

    The Case Studies of  KNARDA and KASCO of 1970s and 1980s in Kano State:

    The Governors should set up, re-recreate, or re-vitalize the likes of the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) and the Kano State Agricultural Supply Company. These are critical enablers of a successful and sustainable Agriculture value chain. KNARDA, KASCO along with critical platforms like the Dams have demonstrably added value to the development of Agriculture in Kano from the 1970s to the 1990s.

    KNARDA was established in 1999 along with KASCO as its commercial subsidiary to improve the supply of agricultural inputs for technology adoption in Kano. They were established following the success of World Bank Assisted Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) at Gombe (at that time in Bauchi State), Funtua (at that time part of Kaduna State), and Gusau (at that time part of Sokoto State) in 1975. Other States in the Federation also had similar strategies and models that worked successfully.

    Lessons from failed Agric Interventions:

    I hope and pray that President Tinubu will never allow the scenario of the Anchor Borrowers scheme which was a huge scam and failure to happen again. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and the anchor borrower scheme that was anchored by the former CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele is a classic example of how not to run such Agriculture – that is the first lesson n which should also be imbibed at the state level.  We should situate project functions and functionalities where they should be. We should therefore not give absolute power in any kind of situation. There should be accountability, a proper management framework, and a system especially considering the huge amount of money and other resources that are invested in such intervention, especially given the fact that we don’t have any excess Naira or Kobo to waste this time around. 

    Please let us note that the anchor borrowers’ scheme is not the problem, it was the institution that drove the scheme, the project framework, and how it was abused that led to the monumental corruption and waste, which was avoidable and unfortunate.  Accordingly, I advocate that moving forward we should have a strategy whereby all agriculture interventions should go directly to the farmers and not through middlemen and “special purpose vehicles” models that are reeking of corruption, because in the end the farmers either do not get the interventions, or they get useless interventions at very high costs to not effect The real farmers and all operator across the agriculture value chain should directly access intervention and there should be a clear dashboard to ensure accountability and measure success. 

    Dealing with Insecurity

    Dealing with insecurity remains a critical success factor, otherwise no amount of intervention will be successful and sustainable. Therefore, the solution approach should be wholesome in terms of security, and provide all operational requirements to support farmers and also upscale their capacities to produce across the entire value chain, not just production, but include, quality control, storage, value addition, packaging, logistics, enablement for marketing and sales, exports, etc.

    Read Also: MTN Nigeria unveils YelloTide plans

    In addition, I also advise that the State Government should try as much as possible to remove their hands from taking over lands to produce but rather focus on ensuring the delivery of the Agricultural revolution strategy, ensuring compliance with regulations on production, quality control, research and development, strategy reserve, planning, cost of doing business, ease of doing business, measuring performance and effectiveness of the initiatives and the strategy. I commend the efforts of all the governors who are making efforts to restore security in all the States in Nigeria.

     Expectations:

    •Cutting/ containing the cost of governance

    •Prudence in government spending at the top, across, and to be cascaded down the structure and system of governance

    •Blockage of leakages in the entire government (Federal and State levels). Because the more you get money and throw it into a bottomless purse, you cannot retain anything. Therefore, if we do not take seriously the issues of leakages/ wastages and prudence and Government behavior with regard to governance.

     Good Governance:

    Citizens need to be feel the impacts that state governments are actually using the taxes collected and other revenue generated at federal and state levels to add value to the quality of life of citizens, add value to governance, and for the growth and development of Nigeria.

  • Trump’s threat and misguided notion of Christian genocide

    Trump’s threat and misguided notion of Christian genocide

    “Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” … Sun Tzu – A Chinese Military General, Strategist, Philosopher, and Writer

    Trump’s Narratives or Threats Should Not Define Nigeria:

    The notion about Christian genocide in Nigeria is completely untrue and misguided. It is a calculated attempt to further sow seeds of discord and further degenerate the fragile inter-religious, ethnic, and tribal relationship and sentiments between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. 

    I’m saying so for the practical reasons that there is no way that there could be Christian genocide in Nigeria, especially under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is a Muslim, and he has a wife, Senator Remi Tinubu, the first lady who is a Christian, not just a Christian, but a very senior pastor in the Redeemed Church of Christ of Nigeria, a Church that has one of the largest following in Africa.

     The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria also ensures that the power-sharing structure and formula is such that Christians CANNOT be excluded from the leadership of Nigeria at all strata. In this administration, the 3rd most powerful position, the President of the Senate, is Senator Godswill Akpabio, a Christian from southern Nigeria. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Head of Service, Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of Air Staff, the Director General of the Department of State Security Services, the Chief of Defense Intelligence, Comptroller General of Immigration are all Christians. In terms of the economy, the key managers of Nigeria’s economy, i.e., the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, are all Christians. 

    Furthermore, while the Inspector General of Police is a Muslim, his wife is a Christian. Therefore, it is impossible for all the aforementioned leaders and other leaders that are holding critical political, economic, defense, and security positions will allow Christian genocide to be perpetrated on their people. 

    Indeed, there is no way that there will be Christian genocide in Nigeria, and a President whose wife is a Senior pastor will emerge as the Executive President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. More importantly, there is no way for Christian genocide to happen in Nigeria when the majority of the votes the President Tinubu got in came from the northwest, northeast, and north-central, where there is a very high number of Muslims who cast their vote for a president who has a Christian wife. Indeed, if there is Christian genocide, it means that every Christian’s life in Nigeria is in danger from any other religion. It means that every Christian is being sought out, attacked, and killed by Muslims. Pushing this narrative is very dangerous.

    Read Also: FEC approves $396m loans for northern IDPs, Sokoto health project

    A classic example of genocide is what is happening in Gaza under the watch and guidance of President Donald Trump. Interestingly, the Palestinians are a mix of Christians and Muslims, while it is true that the majority of Israelis are not actually Christians. There is no where we have seen the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) separating Christian Palestinians from Muslim Palestinians before annihilating them.

     It is worthy of note that the United Nations, the Red Cross, Amnesty International and other respected global humanitarian institutions have never stated that Christian genocide is happening in Nigeria.

    Any USA attack on Nigerian soil without the approval and collaboration of the Nigerian government and Nigerians is, first of all, an unprovoked act of war, and secondly, it will be a failure and a disaster. A lot of innocent Muslims and Christians will die, either due to the attack or due potential fallouts of the attack on non-Christians.

      By the way, anywhere the USA has gone to provide “intervention” or “save” a people or a country, the USA leaves the people and the country devastated and far worse than they met it, with no date of recovery in any foreseeable future. Examples are Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Ukraine, etc.

     A Message to some Nigerians who are promoting Trump’s Threat:

    The message to bitter Nigerians that are cheerleading Trump’s threat, I say to you; Just like the bandits and terrorists, when and if the USA attacks Nigeria With jet fighters, bombers or the drones (because it is highly unlikely that Trump will put soldiers on the ground), I wonder if the American fighter jets or drones are configured to identify Muslims or Christians, if they will recognize “ALLAHU AKBAR!”, or “JESUS IS LORD!”, so that the Christians will be spared! I wonder if, in the aftermath of an attack on Nigeria by the USA, the USA will send troops to provide Medicare and other humanitarian support only to the Christians. Trump does not care about you. He has is objectives, and certainly, our liberty, peace and prosperity are not part of his objectives. Think about it!  

    Nigeria is facing multi-dimensional Insecurity and not Christian Genocide

    While ethnic and religious sentiments are key root causes of crises across Nigeria, it is also important to note that another critical cause of insecurity, as it is globally, is economic objective, which I term “economic terrorism”.  Therefore, the trend of always giving religious connotations the insecurity, in my own humble view, is a huge mistake. I think we should expand our views and mindsets beyond ethnic and religious connotations. 

    For instance, while Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, ISIS/ISIL, Lakurawa, etc. claim not to be Islamic fundamentalists, they are actually economic terrorists who hide under the guise of Islamic extremism to perpetrate their evils and pursue their economic expedition and imperialism with the backing of some Western nations. And we have seen evidence over the years of how the Western world, not just America, has been supporting the disintegration of African nations and other emerging economies for economic benefits. Countries that are blessed with natural resources suddenly find themselves in the midst of religious, tribal, and ethnocentric strife that strangles efforts to find solutions. 

    During the record of a Christian President in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan he sought the intervention of the United States of America under the leadership of President Barrack Obama to provide support with Super Tucano Jets, and other weapons to fight terrorists and restore security in Nigeria, but President Obama refused to approve the procurement while the terrorists continued killing, maiming, raping, and pillaging Nigerians whether they were Christians, Muslims, or Pagans.

    Moreover, facts and statistics, and reality have shown that the ratio of muslims that are being killed is higher than the ratio of Christians that are being killed by the so-called Jihadists. They attack mosques, churches, schools, hospitals, marketplaces, etc., with no isolation. They do not select, identify, or isolate Muslims or Muslim communities when they perpetrate their evil of raping, killing, maiming, and resource pillaging under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

    In addition, facts have shown the deep involvement of the “deep state” in the destabilization of emerging economies for political and economic benefits. It is instructive to note that northern Nigeria, just like every part of Nigeria, is blessed with abundant natural resources, and yearly, more discoveries are made of large volumes of high-quality deposits of these highly sought-after minerals. The discoveries and abundance of rare earth metals that are in high demand by the world superpowers, in the northern northwest, northeast, and north central states of Nigeria, is the key attraction of non-state actors, their “deep state” collaborators that are supported by Western nations. I am therefore not surprised that President Trump had to look for an excuse to invade Nigeria under the guise of intervention. We have seen what happened some months ago, how President Donald Trump has leveraged a deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo to practically hand off a lot of their rare-earth metals for US “intervention” to stop the crises in DRC, which was induced by the Western powers 

    Trump’s Threat Should be a Wake-up call to the leaders of Nigeria:

    Trump’s Threat should be a reality check for our leaders, that unless they deal with this issue of insecurity and good governance in Nigeria, there will be continuous characterization, politicization, and gaslighting of Nigeria’s security and socio-economic situations by Nigerians and the international community.

     I dare say that if the issue of insecurity is not addressed forthwith, it will further polarize the country and put Nigeria at the precipice of a meltdown that we may not be able to contain

     Therefore, President Trump’s decision and threat should wake up the political class for them to step up and take responsibility and do the needful, and get Nigeria out of this very embarrassing and brutal insecurity, and other debilitating socio-economic situations in the Country. 

    Propaganda, denials, counter-denials, deflections, and perception management will not solve our problems. We need decisive, efficient, effective, impactful, and sustainable actions and solutions. Anything else would only make things worse for Nigerians and Nigeria.