The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Ondo South By-election: Oyewunmi, others lead the pack

    Ondo South By-election: Oyewunmi, others lead the pack

    By Afolabi Samuel

    Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s transition to an ambassadorial role has declared the Ondo South Senatorial seat vacant, sparking an early race for his successor. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated Senator Ibrahim as one of the 64 ambassadorial nominees late last year. He delivered his valedictory speech on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, after being confirmed as a non-career ambassador, marking the end of his active tenure as the representative for Ondo South. Under Section 68(1) (d) of the Nigerian Constitution, a member of the National Assembly must vacate his seat upon appointment to certain executive or diplomatic roles. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet officially scheduled the date for a by-election, the race to replace him is already in full swing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties. Several names have surfaced as potential successors to fill the remaining years of the 10th Senate term for the Senatorial District. These include Matthew Oyerinmade (MATO) from Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGA; Oladunni Odu, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to the late Rotimi Akeredolu (Okitipupa LGA); Mrs Jumoke Akindele, ex-Speaker under Dr. Segun Mimiko (Okitipupa LGA); Mr Morayo Lebi (Irele LGA), Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin (Odigbo LGA), and Engr Boye Oyewunmi (Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGA).

    The entry of these men into the race has made the political landscape in the senatorial district currently very active. Electorates are indeed spoiled for choice with these high-calibre aspirants vying for the senatorial seat. It’s going to be a tough competition.

    Ondo South is a critical senatorial district, often considered as the economic engine of the state due to its oil-producing status. So, only the best is good for the zone. When Jimoh Ibrahim was there, he was one of the most articulate persons known for in-depth knowledge of issues and emotional intelligence. He stood tall among his colleagues shining like a piece of chinaware with his oratorical prowess. You cannot fault his arguments. To fill his vacant seat, we cannot afford to lower the standard.

    Besides, in a district as economically vital and diverse as Ondo South, representation is more than just filling a seat or satisfying a zoning requirement; it is about the total package of the candidate by replacing a ‘like for like’. Given the district’s unique challenges—such as the ecological degradation in the riverine areas, the need for infrastructure in the hinterlands, and the persistent issues with the electricity grid-the “darkness” in the South—the electorate is increasingly looking for specific qualities, including capacity, competence, grassroots connection, compassion and effective representation.

    READ ALSO: PDP: Wike gets upper hand again

    The Senate is not a place for beginners. The district needs someone who understands the mechanisms of the National Assembly.

    Someone who has the capacity to chair or influence key committees (like the Niger Delta Development Commission, Oil & Gas, or Works).

    There is a need for a candidate who has remained present in the district even when they weren’t holding office. This presence is what builds the trust needed to mobilize the people to vote. Also, the ideal candidate must be media-genic, articulate and knowledgeable. These qualities go a long to determine what you get which is based on performance.

    Over the years, Ondo South has suffered from systemic neglect, particularly regarding the power sector. The electorate is looking for a compassionate representative—someone who has a history of philanthropy or community development before the election cycle. Also, because the district provides the bulk of the state’s wealth, the people want a Senator who can negotiate firmly with the Federal Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure that the 13 percent derivation fund and other benefits actually reach the local communities.

    All the names parading the political landscape present rich resumes. To begin with, Matthew Oyerinmade operates in the oil and gas sector in Port Harcourt. And he’s wealthy. However, his major limitation is that he has never served the state in any capacity. He joined the APC in 2022. So, he is more or less a political neophyte.

    Morayo Lebi, a lawyer, has been in the system for a very long time. His active involvement in politics dates back to the era of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) and up to the current ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He only shows up during election time and pulls back almost immediately.

    Morayo Akinfolarin, in his own case, belongs to the camp of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, who  has been involved in supremacy struggle with the State Governor. He cannot go far in his senatorial bid because the structure of the party belongs to the Governor.

    The only aspirant who embodies all the positive attributes earlier listed without blemish is Boye Oyewumi. Apart from the fact that he has been in politics since the era of NADECO, he has also served from the base to the top. He has paid his dues in politics. Among others, his democratic credentials remain the best. He was a member of the Abiola Hope 93 Campaign team and subsequently a notable figure in the NADECO. As the youngest member of the defunct pro-democracy abroad, he actively participated in the struggle for the enthronement of the current democratic dispensation in 1999.

    After taking a shot at the governorship slot, he joined the government of Rotimi Akeredolu, aka Aketi, (SAN) as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Development and Investment and subsequently elevated Special Adviser (SA), a cabinet member status. His exemplary performance elevated him to the position of  the pioneer Managing Director (MD) of the Ondo State Investment and Development Promotion Agency (ONDPA) and later the Vice Chairman.  Over the decades, his life has been on the service lane, despite being an established businessman. All major investments in Ondo South, including numerous agricultural projects, afforestation, bitumen, the deep Seaport and industrial sites happened during his time. His contribution to the state is organic and he is a statement of results, not a statement of efforts.

    Additionally, he has the singular honour of opening up the state to aviation. He facilitated Air Peace and brought back Overland, connecting Ondo state with both Lagos and Abuja, the two most important cities for Development. He revitalised Okitipupa Palm Oil PLC, turning it into a multi-billion naira investment. The CEO of Air peace, Allen Onyema, testified to his integrity, saying “I haven’t met a public servant like Boye Oyewunmi who struck a deal worth hundreds of million and he didn’t ask for any settlement. In a society where corruption has become a way of life, integrity serves as Boye’s unique selling point in his senatorial bid.

    Beyond integrity, his grassroots connection, apart from his persuasive ability to marshal points and drive them home, makes him a sellable candidate. With his affinity with the grassroots people, Boye understands the plight of his immediate environment and can advocate effectively on their behalf in the most effective manner.

    Effective representation is directly connected with the capacity for lobbying. As an alumni of University of Maiduguri, Borno state in the northeast, who has established well-rooted relationship with ‘who and who’ in the northern parts of the country since his undergraduate days, he will leverage his goodwill to secure the support of his colleagues from the region for any of his motion or bill. Based on his vast experience in government, he has the capacity to draft bills that address the specific needs of the riverine and agrarian South.

    And above all, with his proven success in business and public service; Boye is a name that carries weight in Abuja.

    • Afolabi wrote from Ore, Odigbo LGA of Ondo State

  • President Tinubu’s bold but subtle reforms

    President Tinubu’s bold but subtle reforms

    By Abiodun James Faleke

    As governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, now President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the foremost advocate and activist for the most fundamental and far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s federal system. At various times, then Governor Tinubu pushed his Attorney -General and Commissioner of Justice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), to press at the apex court in the Federation, the Supreme Court, the various rights of Lagos State that were perceived to be breached by the Federal Government.

    In that process, Lagos won several landmark cases which upheld its right to have statutory allocations under the constitution released to the state; its constitutional responsibility over urban planning and environmental control; its rights over lottery and games betting; its right to create new local government councils without prejudice to the concomitant responsibility of the National Assembly to effect the necessary constitutional amendments for such new councils to become viable legal entities.

    Of course, it is also well known that as governor of Lagos State, President Tinubu was the first to articulate the case for state police when he insisted that state created, regulated and run police outfits had become an inevitable imperative to an over-centralized, unitary police force so obviously incapable of effectively fulfilling its security obligations to a complex, diverse and plural Nigerian Federation.

    Against this background of his history of political and judicial activism in the pursuit of the restructuring of the Nigerian polity and the deepening of our federal practice, it was expected in several quarters that President Tinubu, on assumption of office, would take radical, even revolutionary, steps to effect path-breaking changes in the structure and character of the Nigerian Federation.

    READ ALSO: PDP: Wike gets upper hand again

    Such expectations not only underestimate the onerous complexities involved in the process of engineering fundamental structural change in Nigeria but also exaggerate the capability of one person, no matter how well-meaning, to remake and refashion the country according to his own imagination. Nigeria is a complex amalgam of an assortment of peoples, cultures, perspectives, perceptions, assumptions, beliefs and psychological outlooks as well as philosophical orientations.

    The strength and potential of any transformative leader for a reasonable degree of success in Nigeria is his strategic dexterity to bring about necessary change, mostly in an incremental manner and in a way that does not rupture ingrained habits and expectations with possible large-scale dysfunctional consequences.

    And that is the genius of President Bola Tinubu’s governance style in the little over two and a half years that he has been in power since May 2023. To his credit, President Tinubu has taken bold, reformative steps where necessary, especially with regard to the economy. But generally, he has proceeded cautiously, taking into consideration the myriad peculiarities and sensitivities of our diverse polity and recording concrete changes without destabilising consequences.

    Let us take the issue of the State police. The President of Nigeria will necessarily have to approach this issue more cautiously and tentatively than when considering the matter purely from the prism of a state governor. For one, not all states have the munificent fiscal resources to establish and fund state police outfits. Again, there is the understandable fear among opposition elements in states as to what antagonistic and dictatorial uses some state governors may deploy police outfits under their control. Furthermore, there is the issue of qualitative standardisation of training, psychological disposition, ethical orientation and professionalism that state police outfits cannot be allowed to fall below.

    All this implies that state police cannot be a matter of presidential diktat, brought into being ‘with immediate effect’. Rather, it will entail close collaborative hard work among the presidency, the national Assembly, state governors and legislators, as well as current members of the existing security architecture among critical stakeholders, as is currently being done. Yet, the continuing equipping, training and re-training of the military, police and intelligence services; the expansion and reorienting of the National Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC); Establishment of the Forest Rangers; upgrading and modernization of police training colleges etc are gradual reforms being undertaken in this critical sector by a President who knows he must tread cautiously, wisely but firmly to achieve defined objectives.

    In a similar vein, the Ministry of Livestock Production, headed by some of the best and brightest brains from the requisite parts of the country known for this form of animal husbandry, is planning for and gradually bringing about the much-needed modernisation of techniques, practices and orientations in an area of the economy with huge, yet untapped potential. Again, through the Electricity Act 2023, the administration has brought about a decentralisation that enables states to build and regulate their own electricity markets, with several states now actively establishing their own power supply markets to foster local development.

    Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has said that the determined implementation of the Electricity Act, 2023, has enabled state governments to independently generate, transmit, and distribute power. Consequently, he notes that for the first time in history, state-level electrical markets now allow regions to design local energy solutions directed to meet their peculiar economic needs. Another important development is the development of a National Integrated Electricity Policy, which was approved in February 2025, and which defines the responsibilities of regulators, utilities, investors, technical operators and consumers, transcending traditional and renewable power generation sectors. This under Tinubu marked the end of over two decades without a broad -based roadmap for the power sector.

    Again, in the railway sector, the shifting of the responsibility for rail to the Concurrent Legislative List from the Exclusive Legislative List has been a major development under the Tinubu administration. This has opened up the space for states and private investors to develop rail projects and open new financing avenues. Some of the key standard Gauge lines focused on here include Kano-Katsina-Maradi, aimed for completion this year to boost trade; a major overhaul of the 2,024 km narrow -gauge line for economic revival in the Eastern Corridor and the Kaduna-Kano and Lagos-Kano Lines as key components of the sector’s modernisation drive.

    Perhaps the most poignant illustration of the difficulties and challenges of implementing reforms in a complex entity like Nigeria is the mixed reception accorded to President Tinubu’s tax reforms, which took effect at the beginning of this year. But for the tenacity of the President in insisting on the imperative of the tax reforms, the most intensive and extensive re-engineering of Nigeria’s fiscal governance architecture since independence, the complex of laws comprising the task reforms would have been stillborn.

     The opposition and animosity to the laws fueled by a mosaic of factors including imaginary regional antagonism, contrived tales of super exploitation of the less privileged, undemonstrated and unscientific assertions of tax imposition without developmental benefits to show, have been intense. At the commencement of the controversy, when the proposed new tax reforms were first unveiled to the public, a leading statesman from a part of the country declared vehemently that the law was dead on arrival; that it was designed against a particular region, even though he had not read the draft and had no intention of doing so!!

    Of course, architects of the Tinubu administration’s comprehensive tax law reforms have gone to great lengths and left no stone unturned to correct misconceptions and explain the essence of the reforms to Nigerians. Made up essentially of four components, the new laws encapsulate the Nigerian Tax Act (NTA); the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA); The Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (NRSA) and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act. As summarised in one report, “Together, these reforms consolidate and repeal more than a dozen outdated tax statutes, setting a unified direction for personal income tax, corporate taxation, VAT, capital gains, and fiscal governance”.

    Despite tax and economic experts’ expositions as regards the benefits of these reforms and their beneficial impacts, particularly on the most vulnerable individuals and corporate members of the private sector, some opposition political elements, labour leaders and civil society activists continue to make misleading claims on the tax reforms devoid of logical rationalisations or scientific validation. Under the new tax regime, for instance, small businesses enjoy considerable tax reliefs. In this regard, small companies with gross turnover less than N100m and fixed assets less than N250m are no longer required to pay Company Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax or the 4% Development Levy.

    Another feature of the tax reforms is that such multiple levies as TETFUND contributions, PTF, IT Levy and National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Levy are replaced by a 4% Development Levy on assessable profits. Scores of duplicated tax obligations have been eliminated, and the sector has been streamlined for greater convenience and ease of doing business.

    Furthermore, those earning incomes less than N800,000 a year are now exempt from payment of Personal Income Tax, although high earners have a top marginal tax increment of 25%. In the same vein, while VAT payment is retained at 7.5%, essential food items, medical supplies and books now enjoy VAT exemption, thus exerting less pressure on the pockets, particularly of low-income earners.

    This is by no means an attempt to go into the details of the tax reforms Acts but only showing that rather than arbitrarily increasing taxes, the reforms actually ease the tax burden on the most vulnerable sections of the populace while striving to bring those currently evading tax payment while capable of paying into the tax net. Some try to play on an aversion to tax payment, which is endemic to most societies, to whip up sentiments against the government by instigating people to abhor the payment of taxes. In Nigeria, this attitude is not new; it dates back even to the First Republic.

    Thus, in a speech on the Supplementary Appropriation Ordinance delivered on the floor of the House of Representatives on 16th August, 1964, Chief Obafemi Awolowo came down hard on those politicians who had the habit of mobilising people against tax payment. In his words on that occasion, “What we have to guard against are misguided efforts in an attempt to solve the economic problems of this country, and also the vote-catching tactics of many politicians in this country, whereby they attempt to scare the people regarding anything that savours of taxation, whether direct or indirect.”

    Concluding that speech, Chief Awolowo averred that “And so it goes to show the effect of irresponsibility of certain politicians in this country by creating scares about payment of tax…and I would therefore wind up by saying that we, on the threshold of this New Constitution, are on the cross roads; there is that broad, smooth road, with promises of no- taxation, and efforts to get money from other places, leading nowhere but to perdition, poverty, disease and economic enslavement; and there is the other road – people who go there in pay tax. They also have to apply self-help and self-sacrifice to get where they want. But this road, Mr President, leads to success, to prosperity and to the exploitation of our natural resources by the people of this country”.

    • Faleke is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance

  • Faith, diplomacy unite: Oluremi Tinubu’s impactful presence at Trump’s prayer breakfast marks new dawn for Nigeria-US relations

    Faith, diplomacy unite: Oluremi Tinubu’s impactful presence at Trump’s prayer breakfast marks new dawn for Nigeria-US relations

    By Olukayode Ajulo

    In a venerated hall of Washington, D.C., where the realms of power and prayer beautifully converge, a monumental event took place on February 5, 2026. This was not merely a day on the calendar; it was a transformative moment that echoed through the city’s historic halls, redefining the narrative of diplomacy and faith in an age of uncertainty.

    At the 74th Annual National Prayer Breakfast, U.S. President Donald Trump paused in the middle of his address to spotlight Nigeria’s First Lady, Dr Oluremi Tinubu, OON, CON. “We’re honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at one of the largest churches in Nigeria—a very respected woman. It’s a great honour. Thank you very much,” he declared, drawing applause from an audience of global leaders, clergy, and influencers.

    This wasn’t mere courtesy; it was a diplomatic thunderclap, echoing the potential for deeper ties between two nations bound by shared aspirations and challenges. Senator Tinubu’s attendance at this faith-based gathering, organised under Trump’s auspices, transcends symbolism.

    Symbol of faith-driven diplomacy

    As an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God—one of Africa’s most influential Pentecostal denominations—she embodies the intersection of spirituality and statesmanship.

    Her presence, amid discussions on global religious freedom and security, underscores a strategic pivot: leveraging faith as a bridge to fortify Nigeria-US relations.

    In a world fractured by geopolitical tensions, this encounter highlights how personal acknowledgements from leaders like Trump can catalyse broader alliances. It’s a reminder that diplomacy isn’t confined to boardrooms; it thrives in spaces where values align, fostering trust that official summits often struggle to build.

    Saluting a pillar of strength: Commending Senator Oluremi Tinubu

    Before delving further into the broader implications, we must pause to salute and commend Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her unwavering supporting role to her husband, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As the steadfast partner in his journey—from the turbulence of Lagos politics to the pinnacle of national leadership—she has been a pillar of strength, quiet counsel, and moral grounding. Her grace under pressure, her commitment to family amid public scrutiny, and her dedication to service  exemplify the profound impact a supportive spouse can have on a leader’s success and a nation’s stability.

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    In her, Nigeria discerns not merely a First Lady, but a quintessential mother of the nation—one who cultivates hope, champions unity, and personifies resilience. Her presence inspires a collective spirit that binds the country together, fostering an atmosphere of optimism and strength as she navigates the complexities of national identity and progress.

    This exemplary model calls upon all spouses of leaders—across politics, business, and public life—to emulate her example. True partnership demands sacrifice, loyalty, and mutual uplifting

    When a spouse stands firmly behind their partner, offering wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering support, it multiplies their capacity to lead effectively and serve selflessly. Senator Tinubu’s life reminds us that behind every great leader often stands an equally great supporter, whose contributions may be unseen but are indispensable to enduring success.

    Strategic timing and global significance

    The significance of her Washington moment lies in its timing and context. With Trump back in the White House, his administration has signalled a renewed focus on protecting Christian communities worldwide, a stance Tinubu herself described as “divine intervention” during her remarks at the concurrent International Religious Summit.

    For Nigeria, grappling with insecurity in its northern regions and terrorist threats from groups like Boko Haram, this alignment opens doors to collaborative action. Trump’s praise isn’t just flattery—it’s an invitation to partnership, recognising Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s stability. By attending, Tinubu not only represented her nation but also amplified its voice on the global stage, positioning Nigeria as a key player in faith-driven international discourse.

    Tangible benefits for Nigeria: Social, cultural, defence, and legal gains

    This diplomatic manoeuvre promises tangible dividends for Nigeria across multiple fronts. Socially, it could invigorate exchanges on community development and women’s empowerment—areas where Tinubu has long advocated. Imagine joint initiatives drawing from U.S. expertise in education and healthcare, tailored to Nigeria’s youth bulge, fostering social cohesion and reducing vulnerabilities to extremism.

    Culturally, the event paves the way for richer bilateral ties, from gospel music collaborations to literary festivals that celebrate our shared Judeo-Christian heritage. Such exchanges would enrich Nigeria’s vibrant cultural tapestry, promoting tolerance and unity in a diverse society.

     On the defence front, the implications are profound. Trump’s emphasis on countering religious persecution aligns seamlessly with Nigeria’s fight against insurgency. Enhanced U.S.-Nigeria security pacts could mean advanced training, intelligence sharing, and equipment to bolster our armed forces, building on past collaborations.

     This isn’t about dependency; it’s about mutual strength, ensuring West Africa’s anchor nation can safeguard its borders and contribute to regional peace.

     Legally, the partnership holds promise for institutional reforms. Nigeria’s ongoing battles with corruption and judicial inefficiencies could benefit from U.S. models in the rule of law and human rights. Joint workshops on anti-corruption strategies might accelerate our Economic and Financial Crimes Commission efforts. Moreover, with Tinubu’s legal background as a former senator, this engagement could spur dialogues on extradition treaties and cybercrime cooperation, fortifying our legal framework against transnational threats.

     Seizing the momentum: A call to action

    Critics might dismiss this as fleeting optics, but history teaches otherwise. Moments like these have birthed enduring alliances. For Nigeria, emerging from economic headwinds and seeking global relevance, this is a golden opportunity. It signals to investors, allies, and adversaries alike that our nation is open for business, backed by influential friends.

     As we reflect on Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s poised presence amid Washington’s elite—and her inspiring example as a supportive wife and mother of the nation—let us seize this momentum. Policymakers in Abuja and Lagos must build on it, proposing concrete initiatives that translate goodwill into action.

     Spouses of leaders everywhere should heed her call to steadfast support. The future of Nigeria-US relations isn’t written in stone but in the bold steps we take now. In faith, family, and diplomacy, we find not just common ground, but a pathway to prosperity.

     Senator Oluremi Tinubu has lit the torch—it’s time for Nigeria to run with it.

    • Dr Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is the Attorney General of Ondo State.

  • Yusuff Maitama Tuggar: Leader committed to positive change

    Yusuff Maitama Tuggar: Leader committed to positive change

    By Adebayo Adeoye

    No doubt many have lost hope in the nation’s democratic process, but the beauty of democracy can always be restored when the people begin to enjoy the much-needed dividends of good and credible governance. This reality has brought many to the conclusion that the electorate must consciously choose leaders who understand governance and know their onions.

    The realities of various protests and public criticism have opened the eyes of many to the urgent need for a new set of individuals who are ready and committed to facilitating positive change. There is a growing demand for a generation of sound minds with the courage to pull the bull by the horns and do the needful to move communities to a place where hope is not only rekindled but dreams are turned into reality.

    It is for these reasons that many people increasingly point to Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, an experienced diplomat of high repute and a brilliant mind, as a symbol of hope for a new Bauchi State. This growing public yearning is fueled by his passion for using public service as a viable tool for societal re-engineering, rather than any personal declaration or ambition on his part.

    As part of his grassroots advocacy and passion for community building and development, Tuggar, in June last year, expressed sympathy for affected traders and condemned the demolition exercise. He pledged support for their recovery and rebuilding efforts. The demolitions, which affected shops along Kano Road and other parts of the Bauchi metropolis, left thousands of small business owners in despair.

    Understanding how pivotal education has become to the wholesome development of human nature, Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar the Minister of Foreign Affairs this January has granted a scholarship to 40 indigent students to study at the Aminu Sale College of Education in Azare, Bauchi State. No doubt upon the completion of their studies they will contribute immensely to the educational advancement of the zone.

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    In Nigeria, public leadership has long carried an unwritten expectation: that national prominence should never sever local responsibility. Community foundations linked to political figures often serve as informal bridges between state institutions and grassroots needs. Through the Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in Bauchi State appears to reflect this tradition modest in publicity, yet steady in local impact.

    Its most visible contribution lies in humanitarian welfare. Periodic distribution of food items, grains, and basic relief materials has provided short-term stability to vulnerable households, particularly in rural communities where inflation, climate pressures, and employment gaps remain acute. Through his intervention on the 15th of December 2024, the ECOWAS Emergency Flood Response supported 850 households across  Katagum, Jama’are, Zaki, Gamawa, and Giade local government areas, with a total of 1,000 households benefiting  from the initiative. Last he made a personal donation of 20 Million Naira to the same zone to cushion the effects of flooding.

    This, among many other actions, has showcased his milk of kindness and deep concern for the welfare of the people.

    The current Minister of Foreign Affairs has consistently demonstrated belief in policies and initiatives that have direct impact on the welfare of the people. Many believe that much can be achieved in Bauchi State through proper governance, adequate leadership and effective representation, values he has continued to exemplify in public service. His track record suggests that he would bring governance closer to the grassroots if ever called upon to serve at that level.

    Beyond his current role as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar’s career is marked by deep-rooted political heritage, extensive private sector experience in the energy sector, and recent high-level diplomatic achievements.

    Indeed, the growing calls for a bright mind like him to lead Bauchi State reflect the people’s desire to move away from recycling mediocrity towards purposeful leadership with clear vision and plans for governance.

  • Beyond the compulsory real-time transmission of results

    Beyond the compulsory real-time transmission of results

    By Temitope Ajayi

    Our habit of amending our electoral laws almost every election cycle deserves serious scrutiny. The popular justification, continuous improvement, sounds persuasive but does not withstand close examination.

    It cannot be the case that credible elections are only possible if electoral laws are rewritten every four years. If that were true, stable democracies would be in permanent legislative flux. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, South Africa, the neighbouring Ghana and Benin Republic all conduct regular elections. Yet, it is difficult to find evidence that they amend their electoral laws before every round of general elections. Their systems improve not because the rules are endlessly rewritten, but because institutions mature, enforcement is strengthened and political actors improve at internalising democratic norms.

    The question, therefore, is not what laws they are passing, but what behaviours and institutional disciplines they are sustaining that we are not. I am all for compulsory electronic transmission of election results. But it is drunkenly optimistic to assume that merely writing it into law will automatically improve electoral outcomes.

    We must understand that laws do not conduct elections. People do. The fixation on legal amendments often obscures a more uncomfortable truth. Nigeria’s electoral problems are less about rules and more about conduct.

    Our political class and, increasingly, civil society actors, have become addicted to buzzwords. Every election cycle produces a fresh vocabulary designed to animate advocacy, sustain NGO ecosystems and give the impression of reform. But elections will only improve when politicians accept a basic democratic reality. In every contest, someone wins and someone loses.

    The controversy surrounding the 2023 presidential election illustrates this problem clearly. The candidate who came third has continued, years later, to insist that he won. He attributes his loss to rigging, particularly the alleged failure to transmit results in real time to the IReV portal.

    It has been nearly three years since we had the election that produced President Bola Tinubu and just as long since results from over 170,000 polling units were uploaded to the portal. If the results declared and signed at polling units truly differ from those published online, three years offer more than enough time for political parties, civil society organisations and election observers to present credible counter-results. None has done so.

    READ ALSO: PDP: Wike gets upper hand again

    This silence is telling. The reality is straightforward. Voting is manual. Ballot papers are counted manually. Results are written manually after BVAS accreditation. Party agents sign these results and retain copies. Whether transmission is delayed or instantaneous does not alter what was recorded at the polling unit.

    Technology can enhance transparency, but it cannot manufacture outcomes. The most significant electoral reforms Nigeria has achieved since 1958 are the Permanent Voter’s Card and electronic accreditation via BVAS. These innovations have drastically reduced ballot stuffing and election-day brigandage. No polling unit can now return results exceeding the number of accredited voters captured on BVAS. That is real reform, not rhetorical progress.

    If compulsory real-time transmission of results will provide emotional or psychological reassurance to aggrieved actors, the National Assembly can include it. But it should do so without illusions.

    Those determined to reject defeat will always find something else to blame. If not IReV today, it will be another contrivance tomorrow. Nigeria does not suffer from a shortage of electoral laws. It suffers from a shortage of democratic restraint, institutional discipline and political maturity. Until those change, no amount of legislative tinkering will deliver the elections we claim to desire.

    -Ajayi is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity

  • Sallau: A worthy ambassadorial nominee

    Sallau: A worthy ambassadorial nominee

    Sir: Following the recent successful screening of ambassadors-designate comprising 64 career and non-career ambassadors recently by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, the stage is now set for President Bola Tinubu to post them to their various countries of assignments.

    One indisputable fact is that at this stage of Nigeria’s history is that the country cannot play second fiddle in the international arena. Rather, promoting the country’s national interest- trade and investment, cultural, political and defence should top the agenda.

    To put it differently, President Bola Tinubu foreign policy focus rests on four pillars, referred to as the 4-Ds, namely Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora. The core focus areas and strategies – economic diplomacy, aims at rebranding Nigeria as a prime investment destination, regional leadership (ECOWAS), in the form of actively addressing political crises in neighbouring countries like Niger and promoting peace in the sub region, global partnerships which is about strengthening ties with the US, EU, China, and the Middle East for mutual economic benefits and utilizing foreign relations to maximize national interests, including leveraging spaces in the Sahel; and repurposing foreign partnerships to fund local human capital development, such as health and education initiatives.

    One career diplomat who is acquainted with this is Ambassador-designate Hamza Mohammed Sallau. He is not just one of the newly announced ambassadorial nominees representing Niger State, but he is a man whose character speaks louder than titles.

    Sallau has built many years of an outstanding professional career in the Nigerian Foreign Service. Before his recent nomination by President Tinubu, he had been actively serving Nigeria in Qatar, quietly representing the country with professionalism and dignity.

    I can never forget what he said to me during one of my interactions with him, which left a lasting impression on me. He said, “Always do the right thing. It does not matter if every other person is not doing it.” That single statement captures the kind of man he is: principled, disciplined, and guided by integrity.

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    Sadly, many people in public office today treat fellow citizens poorly, forgetting the responsibilities that come with leadership. That is not the case with Hamza. His humility, respect for people, and sense of service distinguish him in a system where such qualities are often rare.

    I am among those Nigerians who do not particularly admire the way Nigerian politics is played. However, seeing Sallau’s name on the list of career ambassadorial nominees gives me hope that all is not lost.

    For Nigerians in the diaspora, we know that having the right people serve as our ambassadors is crucial. Ambassadors are the first point of contact, the image, and the voice of the nation abroad. Appointing career professionals with proven integrity, like Sallau, is a meaningful step toward restoring Nigeria’s international image.

    To me, Sallau is more than an ambassadorial nominee. He is evidence that integrity, professionalism, and service still matter and that Nigeria can still be represented by the right people.

    One can only wish him all the best and hope he will continue to represent and serve the country and its diaspora community in the right way, in any country he finds himself. To the other career nominees who have faithfully served Nigeria in the diaspora, I pray they all have the strength to continue on the right path.

    •Emmanuel Chukwuebuka Ibe, Doha, Qatar.

  • Arewa and the burden of dependency

    Arewa and the burden of dependency

    Sir: The persistent rise in poverty across Northern Nigeria has become too visible, too widespread, and too uncomfortable to ignore. Despite years of government interventions, donor-funded programmes, and repeated political promises, the economic condition of many communities in the region has shown limited improvement. While poverty is a national problem, its intensity and social manifestations in Arewa compel a deeper, more honest examination beyond policy failures and leadership deficits.

    One critical factor sustaining poverty in Arewa is the region’s high dependency ratio: a large population of unemployed, underemployed, or economically inactive adults relying on a small number of productive individuals for survival. This pattern has normalised dependence and weakened incentives for self-sufficiency.

    In many towns and old cities across the North, families are familiar with the daily presence of individuals who depend on routine assistance for food, school fees, medical bills, and emergency needs. What often begins as a humane act of support gradually becomes an inherited obligation. As children of middle-class families grow into employment, the responsibility quietly transfers to them, expanding to include extended relatives and, in many cases, the children of earlier dependants.

    These demands are not symbolic. They can consume a significant portion of monthly income, sometimes exceeding 10 per cent, in an economy already strained by inflation and rising living costs. While similar practices exist in other parts of the country, the scale and permanence of dependency in many northern communities distinguish it from elsewhere.

    Helping others is noble, and no society survives without mutual support. However, what is troubling is how little the condition of beneficiaries changes over time. Decades pass, and the same families remain dependent, with new generations added to the cycle. Poverty becomes inherited, normalised, and quietly institutionalised.

    Two major obstacles sustain this dependency structure. The first is the concentration of responsibility on a single individual. In many extended families, one person shoulders almost all financial obligations: from school fees and medical care to wedding trousseaus and naming ceremonies. This arrangement offers social protection to the provider, shielding them from social pressure. Yet it is a fragile system. When the “big wall” weakens—through job loss, illness, retirement, or death—the entire structure collapses, often plunging families into crisis.

    The second challenge is the absence of deliberate strategies to end dependence at family and community levels. Daily alms, food handouts, and small cash gifts may relieve immediate hardship, but they rarely create lasting change. Many well-meaning individuals give generously without plans to help beneficiaries become self-reliant. The obsession with sharing small sums among many often weakens impact. Distributing N50,000 among 10 people may satisfy social expectations, but it rarely empowers anyone.

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    There are no quick fixes to problems rooted in social behaviour and cultural norms. Still, practical steps can be taken at individual, family, and community levels. First, underemployment must be addressed by encouraging income diversification rather than perpetual assistance. Families should begin asking difficult but necessary questions: if the main provider is unavailable, who steps in? This reflection can inspire deliberate efforts to replicate skills, businesses, and income sources within households and extended families.

    Second, there is an urgent need to equip young people with practical, modern skills that enable them to compete beyond low-paying government jobs. The heavy reliance on public sector employment in the North has contributed significantly to underemployment. An average government salary can barely sustain a household, often forcing workers to remain dependent on extended family support.

    Some families and communities are already experimenting with solutions—organising in-house training programmes, skill workshops, mentorship sessions, and even funding small start-ups through internal competitions. Such models, if adopted widely, could reduce dependency and restore dignity.

    Third, communities must rethink how zakat and sadaqah are administered. Pooling resources for targeted empowerment—rather than spreading them thinly—can transform lives. While this approach is socially difficult given the number of the needy, it offers a sustainable path out of poverty for at least some, who can then support others.

    Poverty in Northern Nigeria is not an unsolvable problem. While individuals cannot replace the role of government, communities are not powerless. By rethinking dependency, redefining charity, and investing in skills and productivity, Arewa can begin to reverse a cycle that has endured for far too long.

    •Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu, Abuja.

  • Kigali, echoes of Rwanda genocide, other stories

    Kigali, echoes of Rwanda genocide, other stories

    By Tunde Rahman

    I had long nursed the idea of visiting Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, given the exciting stories of infrastructure development, well-paved network of roads and other beautiful things I had heard about that country. When, therefore, I needed to travel to the United Kingdom in late last year, I decided to route my trip through Kigali aboard RwandAir. So November 28, 2025 was my first trip to Kigali and my first on RwandAir, as well.

    The wonderful experience I had on RwandAir more or less offered a pleasant hint of the trip itself. Indeed, everything about the trip was flawless. The aircraft we flew in was new and clean. The check-in formality was faultless; the cabin crew were excellent. It was a five-and-a-half hour or so flight, but it didn’t feel like I spent up to five hours in the plane. Everything went smoothly that it seemed time simply rolled by.

    Within minutes of arrival at Kigali International Airport, I had recovered my luggage and passed through immigration with the help of Oluwaseun Akande, a senior official from the Nigerian Embassy in Kigali, who was on hand to receive me and accompany me to the hotel.

    Kigali International Airport is quite small, but what it lacks in size it offsets with an appealing design. A first-time visitor like me cannot help but notice the sheer beauty and cosiness of this airport. It’s also very functional and efficient. The services available at the airport were excellent. The internet wifi was smooth and fast.

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    Having effectively settled in 2000 Hotel in the heart of Kigali, described as a 4-star hotel, I now began to plan my itinerary.

    I decided to pick a hotel in Downtown Kigali because I really wanted to explore the city, catch a full glimpse of Kigali, meet and interact with the locals. As I indicated, I was en route to London and planned to spend only three nights in Kigali.

    The three nights must be well utilised, consistent with the trip’s objectives to know virtually everything about Kigali: the culture and tradition, the people, their history, and the tourist spots.

     Oluwaseun proved very useful in that respect. Along with a few tourists I encountered at the hotel, I visited several places including the Fazenda Sengha, Mount Kigali, Kimironko Market and, of course, the Genocide Memorial. Chauffered by my Rwandan cabbie, who simply gave his name as Godwin, I also went round the city centre to glimpse some of the important places like Kigali Government House, President Paul Kagame’s residence, some embassies, big conference centres and major hotels.

    Fazenda Sengha is an impressive recreational park. Its features include zip lines, archery, horse/donkey ride, train ride, paintball, and of course a restaurant and a bar. From this park erected on a mountain, one could get a bird’s eye view of Kigali. A river that snakes its way through the whole of Kigali can also be viewed. It was at this place that I saw donkeys again after a long time, and even rode on one.

    At Mount Kigali, a prominent hill in the city, which is 1,853 metres high, one can also have a panoramic view of the entire Kigali. Standing at the summit of Mount Kigali, this awesome hill is easily the main attraction in Kigali.

    Rwanda is a one-city country. Everything about the country revolves around the capital – Kigali. I was told there was no point visiting any of the other towns and villages, which are predominantly rural and far-flung places, because they featured virtually nothing remarkable. Notwithstanding this, President Kagame has made tremendous impact on Rwanda’s development. According to official documents in Kigali, the hallmarks of Kagame administration are peace and reconciliation, women empowerment, promotion of investment and entrepreneurship and access to information technology.

    On the streets of Kigali, President Kagame is good news. The people visibly adore him and commend his impact in the country. His residence is a sprawling structure next to the Government House. The sheer majesty of his residence is understandably so, given his status as the president.

    Reminded that Kagame has been in office since April 2000 and was recently sworn in for a new five-year term in August 2024, my cabman Godwin simply retorted: “That is not important to us. He is doing well and we love him. He treats all of us equally. Our country is okay. We don’t count how long he has been in power.”

    The impressive sights nonetheless, this is an unsolicited advice to President Kagame: after 26 years in power and still counting, it’s time he started thinking seriously of grooming a suitable successor to continue with his progressive policies, and quitting the stage when his present term expires. Otherwise, he would be putting at risk the good legacies he has built in the country and the huge impact he has made on Rwandan people.

    Like I said, that was unsolicited. The three-day trip to Kigali was generally eventful. It was exciting. There is so much to write about. Yet, there were also depressing and humbling moments during the trip. This was at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, built to commemorate the 1994 Rwandan genocide as a place of remembrance for the more than one million victims of the genocide against the Tutsi.

    Inside this memorial, the remains of over 250,000 people, the bones of those massacred – mostly of Tutsis – are interred. In this place, one is confronted with grim stories and pictures of how the Hutu turned against Tutsi; how brothers turned against brothers, friends against friends, families who had all along related well and inter-married turned against one another. The graves were well arranged in this large and sombre ground, evoking the tears and blood that flowed from the Rwandan civil war.

    Some accounts of those who survived the genocide were also pasted on the walls of the memorial centre.

    In his book “Conspiracy To Murder: The Rwandan Genocide,” Linda Melvern gave a chilling account of the killing in Rwanda during the war, quoting a part of the report of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued on April 29, 1994: ”Whole families are exterminated, babies, children, old people, women are massacred in the most atrocious conditions, often cut with a machete or a knife, or blown apart by grenades, or burned or buried alive. The cruelty knows no limit.”

    As I criss-crossed the memorial, moving from one room to another, from one point to another, reading the narratives and viewing the haunting and saddening pictures, tears welled in my eyes. I prayed silently that this should never happen anywhere again to any set of people or nation.

    Those alleging genocide in Nigeria and spreading the narrative of genocide do not know what they are talking about. Yes, Nigeria is battling security issues. Yes, there are killings, very unfortunate and disturbing, but the government is confronting them headlong. However, there is no genocide in Nigeria, whether of Christians or Muslims, and we should not pray for one. Anyone who has seen the magnitude of the Rwandan massacre as documented in Kigali Memorial will perfectly understand this fact.

    We must commend President Kagame for his post-war efforts on peace and reconciliation, and the people of Rwanda for how they have all embraced peace after the ruinous genocide. Speaking on his own personal efforts in maintaining peace after the war, Lydie Mutesi, a guide officer at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, wrote on the wall of the centre: “The memorial is a very important place. I feel responsible and humbled because I’m contributing to teaching the world and my community about building peace after genocide.”

    *Rahman is a journalist and media aide of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.

  • Celebrating 50 years of Ogun State

    Celebrating 50 years of Ogun State

    By Gboyega Nasir Isiaka

    When Ogun State was created on February 3, 1976, I witnessed that moment as a fourteen-year-old student on the assembly ground of Nazareth High School, Imeko. We stood under the watchful eyes of our Principal, Reverend Akosile, and cheered with the innocence of boys and girls who sensed significance without fully grasping its weight. History arrived quietly that day. Its meaning unfolded over time.

    That same year, my father, Prince Tijani Adebowale Isiaka, passed on. He was a transporter, a philanthropist, and a man devoted to community service. His life revolved around the people. His death left a deep silence. In that fragile season, the newly created Ogun State awarded me a scholarship that enabled my transition from a day student to a boarding student at Nazareth High School. The State became a steady presence when certainty disappeared.

    Life at Nazareth broadened my understanding of Ogun beyond geography. I studied alongside children of farmers, traders, artisans, and civil servants from across the State. We shared classrooms, meals, struggles, and aspirations. Those bonds endure. Many of my classmates chose paths outside politics and became teachers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in other fields. They became the quiet backbone of Ogun. When I meet them today, I am reminded that leadership finds its true meaning in how policy shapes everyday lives, often far from public attention.

    Secondary school formed my habits and values. Those habits later became the core of my ambitions. Discipline, fairness, teamwork, respect, and honesty defined daily life. Effort carried consequences. Responsibility demanded consistency. Through those years, Ogun was quietly forming my character, long before public service entered my thinking.

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    After a brief stint in the Mass Communication Department of the then Ogun State Polytechnic, like many sons and daughters of this State, I stepped beyond its borders to prepare for professional life and higher responsibilities. University life at Ife expanded my intellectual horizon. I encountered new ideas and perspectives. I observed how institutions thrive under discipline and falter when values weaken. Education sharpened my capacity while my identity remained firm. I carried Imeko with me. I served first as Director of Organization, and then as President of the then Egbado Students Association. That role clarified the meaning of representation. You speak for people who trust you to carry their voice. You listen carefully, balance interests, and act responsibly.

    Ogun stayed present in my thinking, defining my sense of duty and restraint. Each step outward was taken to build capacity, and each time I returned to Ogun, I did so with deeper understanding.

    When I entered the corporate world, the lessons Ogun had planted in me proved essential. Corporate leadership demands discipline, accountability, and clarity of purpose. Targets must be met. Resource management requires prudence. I learned that leadership rests on systems, structure, and trust. The values instilled early prepared me for corporate responsibilities and equipped me to shoulder responsibility when opportunity arose.

    My formal entry into public service came through Gateway Holdings, the investment company of the Ogun State Government, as the pioneer Group Managing Director. The mandate centred on professional asset management, protection, and value creation. I approached the role with a clear sense of duty, serving Ogun as a son of the soil, conscious that every decision reflected on the communities that raised me. Gateway Holdings was a public trust, demanding transparency, method, and respect for resources. Through this work, trust grew steadily, anchored in accountability and fidelity to process.

    I subsequently entered into the journey of partisan politics and electioneering, taking me into the nooks and crannies of Ogun State. Those journeys deepened my understanding of the culture, diversity, and the peculiarities of our people. I saw their resilience, their aspirations, and the ways each community preserves its identity while contributing to the broader fabric of Ogun State. Every encounter reinforced my sense of duty and the weight of responsibility that comes with serving this State.

    Ogun has taught me that trust grows quietly. It is built through consistency, through sustained presence, and through genuine attention to people’s concerns. The confidence I enjoy today rests on years of engagement, patience, and respect for institutions.

    I have remained present beyond election cycles. I have listened more than I have spoken and consulted more than I have announced. I have learned that trust is gradual. It is earned through action, through reliability, and through a lifetime of shared experience.

    I have lived Ogun as a child. I have learned and impacted Ogun through growth and through the communities that nurtured me. Ogun has molded who I am. It has instilled in me values, discipline, and a sense of responsibility that guide every decision I make. The State is in me. Its lessons continue to inform my character, my purpose, and my commitment to service.

    My Ogun story did not begin with politics. It began in Imeko. It grew through experiences. It matured through service and has been sustained by impact. Ogun formed my character before public service shaped my path. It prepared me for leadership long before ambition took shape. It remains the foundation of who I am.

    As Ogun State celebrates its Golden Jubilee, I acknowledge the dedication of our leaders, past and present, whose vision and service have guided our growth and stability. Their efforts, sustained by the enduring belief of the people, continue to inspire our responsibility toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

    May this anniversary renew our resolve. May it deepen our belief in service that places people first, in institutions that endure, and in a future worthy of the trust invested in us. Ogun has given me its values. I continue to believe in its promise.

    Congratulations and happy Golden Jubilee, my dear Ogun State.

    • Isiaka (GNI) is Chairman, House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development

  • Bauchi State government keeps getting it wrong

    Bauchi State government keeps getting it wrong

    Sir: The Bauchi State government recently approved monthly stipends for Imams and Pastors across the state, a decision that has generated mixed reactions among citizens, especially at a time when critical sectors such as education and healthcare are struggling.

    Briefing journalists after a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed, the Head of Service, Mohammed Sani Umar, the governor’s Chief Economic Adviser, Yahuza Haruna, said that the State Economic Council approved monthly stipends for Imams of various Juma’at mosques and pastors across different churches in the state. He stressed that the allowances would cut across all Islamic sects and Christian denominations.

    He further revealed that the council also deliberated on the commencement of salary payments to newly created emirs and district heads across Bauchi State, noting that the government has made provisions for their sustenance. Citizens might wish to recall that Bauchi State government created new emirates and appointed about 141 new district heads across the state – decisions that have significantly increased the financial burden on the state, placing long-term obligations on future administrations.

    All of these at a time public schools in Bauchi State lack teachers, classrooms, and learning materials—and public hospitals are short of medical personnel, drugs, and basic equipment.

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    Education and healthcare are the backbone of any developing society. Without them, there can be no sustainable development or social stability. Illiteracy does not promote peace, and weak healthcare systems only deepen poverty and suffering.

    Across Bauchi State, many young people are at risk of dropping out of school due to lack of financial support. Small-scale business owners struggle without access to grants or soft loans that could help them grow and create jobs.

    Instead, government appears focused on flyovers, massive buildings such as the International Conference Centre (ICC), and road projects that are not urgently needed. While infrastructure is important, such projects do not directly secure the future of Bauchi’s youth or address the immediate challenges facing the state.

    And why the allowances for Imams and Pastors as well as expanded traditional structures now?

    One is not against religion or traditional institutions. Rather, it is a call for responsible governance and proper prioritization. The Bauchi State government should channel its limited resources toward improving public education, strengthening healthcare systems, empowering youths, and supporting small businesses. These sectors have a direct and lasting impact on citizens’ lives and the economic future of the state.

    Here is a call on the Bauchi State government to rethink its priorities and focus on what truly benefits the people. Education and health must come first.

    •Yasir Shehu Adam (Dan Liman) Bauchi.