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  • How Tinubu’s visit to Kaduna reflects ethos of transformational leadership

    How Tinubu’s visit to Kaduna reflects ethos of transformational leadership

    By Auwalu Jamilu

    On Thursday, 19th June, the ancient, yet forward-leaning, city of Kaduna bore witness to more than the customary grandeur of a presidential visit. It was a day when oratory met achievement, when symbolism danced with substance, and when the resonant ideals of governance found embodiment in bricks, steel, and the silent dignity of renewed trust. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s journey to Kaduna was not merely a federal visitation to a constituent state; it was, in essence, a pilgrimage to a rising citadel of progress — a state undergoing not just development, but transformation. And at the heart of this metamorphosis stood Senator Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, whose stewardship has become a canvas for the artistry of good governance.

    In a nation too often starved of sustainable narratives, Kaduna has quietly emerged as a bastion of intentional leadership, where peace is not a platitude but policy, and where the echoes of resilience reverberate through newly constructed roads, reopened schools, and thriving farmlands once desolate with despair. The President’s visit was not only to inaugurate infrastructure but to consecrate progress — to stamp federal endorsement upon a model that blends the soul of empathy with the sinew of strategic reform.

    At Rigachikun in Igabi Local Government Area, the commissioning of the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development signified more than an architectural feat. It announced a generational covenant — a sacred promise that the youth of Kaduna shall no longer be bystanders in the economy of their future. With the Vocational Training and Skills Development Institute replicated across Rigachikun, Soba, and the historically vibrant Samarun Kataf, this initiative transcends the limitations of mere education. It seeks to re-engineer the human resource fabric of Kaduna State, equipping young minds with globally relevant skills under the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and certifications from Microsoft, Google, Cisco, and Huawei. It is a movement from dependence to dignity, from stagnation to skilled self-sufficiency.

    Yet, the story of Kaduna’s reawakening is not only found in steelwork and certificates. It is equally written in the hearts of its people, who have emerged from the shadows of insecurity into the dawn of communal harmony. As Governor Sani noted with an eloquence that sprang not from political choreography but from lived conviction, “When we assumed office in 2023, Kaduna was a state under siege.” His recollection was not apocalyptic but factual — an honest admission that lends greater glory to the progress now evident. Villages once reduced to silence by the specter of banditry now echo with laughter, markets have burst again into colourful commerce, and roads previously deserted are once more veins of vitality.

    The President, visibly moved, commended this resurgence with measured gravity. “Uba Sani is an agent of change, stability, love, unity, and progress,” he declared. His words were not ornamental but observant, born of a firsthand encounter with the human and infrastructural recalibration taking place. In Millennium City, the commissioning of a state-of-the-art 300-bed Specialist Hospital, now bearing the name Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was a poignant moment — not of self-congratulation, but of continuity. This hospital, conceived nearly two decades ago and mired in administrative limbo, has at last been resurrected under a government that sees the past not as a graveyard of failed promises, but as a quarry from which to mine future purpose.

     In the realm of transportation, Kaduna has emerged as a pacesetter, not merely following federal blueprints but innovating from within. With 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses already introduced under the Kaduna Subsidized Transport Scheme (KSTS), Governor Sani’s government has taken a bold stride towards ecological stewardship and economic relief. While all residents will enjoy subsidized fares on the buses, workers, retirees, and students ride for free in the initial six-month phase, a gesture that is both socially responsive and strategically astute. Meanwhile, Governor Uba Sani has since done the groundbreaking for the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) system and also the groundbreaking for the Southern Terminal — Northern Nigeria’s first and only BRT — speaks volumes of the state’s infrastructural foresight. It is not merely about reducing traffic congestion, but about engineering a new psychology of urban life: orderly, efficient, and humane.

    President Tinubu, who in his own tenure as Governor of Lagos State pioneered urban transit models, recognized this endeavor as a kindred flame. His commitment was immediate and tangible. Through the Federal Government’s 2025 budget, a monumental N100 billion was earmarked for the Kaduna Light Rail Transit, a testament to a federal-state synergy that prioritizes the movement, safety, and economic liberty of ordinary Nigerians.

    But beyond the asphalt and steel lay the true genius of Kaduna’s transformation under Governor Uba Sani — a peace forged not through the cold imposition of authority, but through the warm architecture of trust. The Kaduna Peace Model, as conceived and championed by Governor Sani, is perhaps the most enduring legacy of this administration. It is not enforced silence, but earned harmony. It rests upon a triadic framework: strategic coordination, community engagement, and socioeconomic revitalization.

    Like Governor Uba Sani’s speech at the historic event revealed, over fifty consultative meetings with traditional rulers, Fulani herders, farmers, youth, and religious leaders underscore the Governor’s belief that peace cannot be dictated from podiums, but must be negotiated in community halls and under village trees. The creation of Peace Councils in each senatorial zone — chaired by respected elders — reaffirms the value of indigenous wisdom in mediating conflict and restoring kinship. And when paired with targeted social investments — stipends, uniforms, radios, and mobility for local vigilantes — the model gains muscle and sustainability.

    The result? Farmlands once abandoned have now reclaimed over 500,000 hectares of productive soil. Schools previously shuttered due to insecurity — over 535 of them — have reopened. And perhaps most astonishingly, Birnin Gwari, once synonymous with terror, now dispatches no fewer than 28 trailers of livestock daily to Lagos. Such statistics, though seemingly dry, are wet with hope and fertilized by real human tears — tears of struggle, now transforming into tears of gratitude.

     If peace is the precondition of prosperity, Kaduna’s present moment is the dividend of patience, vision, and strategic alignment. Governor Uba Sani’s government has not treated security as a military challenge alone, but as a complex socio-political equation requiring both strength and empathy. That equation has begun yielding profound results. What began as a bold campaign against lawlessness has matured into a holistic social renaissance.

    President Tinubu’s presence at Murtala Square during the Grand Reception was, in every sense, an act of affirmation. His praises, generous yet grounded, underscored that Nigeria, though vast and variegated, can still converge at the altar of excellence. The federal government’s interventions — particularly in transportation, security architecture, and economic empowerment — have found fertile soil in Kaduna’s administrative resolve. And in return, Kaduna has become a mirror, reflecting back to Abuja what transformational leadership looks like when decentralized and democratically nourished.

    Yet governance in Kaduna has not rested upon the laurels of order alone. Rather, it has surged into the terrain of inclusive economic development. A perfect emblem of this is the revitalization of Panteka Market in Tudun Wada. Once a sprawling informal space of chaotic artisan trade, it has now been transformed into the largest informal skills acquisition hub in Africa, eclipsing even Kenya’s famed Jua Kali. With over 38,000 artisans trained in vocations ranging from carpentry to electrical work, this effort signals not just economic activity but a dignified return to the culture of handwork and craft as engines of self-reliance.

    To coordinate such ambitious human capital projects, Governor Sani inaugurated the Kaduna State Skills Development Council, which he personally chairs. This Council, operating with a scope rare in sub-national governance, oversees a comprehensive framework to confront youth unemployment with precision and foresight. Through strategic planning, partnerships, and a relentless will to restructure opportunity itself, Kaduna has positioned itself as a laboratory for what localized developmental economics can achieve.

    No less impressive is the state’s infrastructure renaissance. The Governor’s report of 79 roads spanning over 780 kilometers — of which 28 have already been completed — is not a catalogue of contracts, but a statement of connectivity. From Saminaka to Zangon Kataf, Giwa to Godogodo, the arteries of the state now throb with life, commerce, and kinship. Roads, in this context, are not just asphalt pathways, but reconnections — of families, of economies, of regions long rendered distant by disrepair.

    Education, too, has received the attention it so direly needed. In just two years, 62 new secondary schools have risen from the soil of commitment. Over 1,700 classrooms have either been constructed or rehabilitated. Tuition fees across all state-owned tertiary institutions have been slashed by 50%, resulting in exponential increases in enrollment — not as a matter of optics, but of real access for real families. It is policy speaking the language of the poor, and planning that dignifies the dreams of the marginalized.

     Healthcare has similarly undergone transformation, not just in form but in philosophy. Over 1,100 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) now dot the landscape of Kaduna, with 255 of them upgraded to Level 2 — the highest in Nigeria. Every ward in the state now boasts a functioning PHC, placing life-saving services within reach of every citizen. Additionally, each of the state’s 23 Local Government Areas now hosts a Centre of Excellence hospital — part of a deliberate strategy to decentralize quality healthcare and stem the tide of medical tourism from the region.

    The capstone of this healthcare revolution is the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital. Commissioned by the President himself, this edifice stands as more than a tribute; it is an anchor for a new paradigm — a system that no longer sends its sick to the South or abroad in search of dignity, but which proclaims, with confidence: healing can happen here.

    Yet the heart of Governor Sani’s governance model beats not only in institutions, but in inclusion. He has governed Kaduna not through the lens of sectionalism but with the broad gaze of statesmanship. “When I took the oath of office,” he remarked, “I vowed to govern Kaduna as one — Muslim and Christian, Hausa, Kagoro, Fulani, Gwari, Katab, Kaje, Jaba, Kagoma and several others; APC, PDP, or no party at all.” This is not rhetorical flourish; it is the architecture of a moral pact with the people — a social contract elevated above partisanship, a politics sanctified by purpose.

     As a result, Kaduna has become not only a success story but a sanctuary of trust. Political defections into the ruling APC have not been the result of coercion or transactional politics but the migration of belief — citizens moving toward competence, accountability, and inclusivity. Governance here is no longer defined by ethnicity or faith but by results and reliability.

     President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda finds perhaps its most luminous expression in Kaduna. His economic reforms — the painful but necessary removal of fuel subsidies, the unification of exchange rates, and the recalibration of institutional integrity — have found sympathetic application in Kaduna’s social architecture. The Kaduna State Financial Inclusion Strategy, bolstered by an Executive Order, has brought over 2.5 million formerly unbanked citizens into the formal economy. These are not mere account numbers but farmers, artisans, and traders newly armed with the tools of financial autonomy.

    Through this inclusion, the state has also built a credible register of its poor and vulnerable, a data resource that now empowers targeted interventions in sync with the federal government’s broader poverty alleviation agenda. What results is a choreography of compassion — where policies no longer grope in the dark, but move with data-driven precision.

    This cooperative federalism — marked not by dependence but dynamic partnership — is perhaps the crowning glory of President Tinubu’s visit. His national leadership, stern yet empathic, reformist yet consultative, has found in Kaduna a loyal executor of shared vision. And Governor Uba Sani, in his poised humility, continues to prove that politics is not a game of survival, but a theatre of service.

    In Kaduna, what we witness is not merely administrative efficiency, but the emergence of a new national ethos — one born of a harmonization between local dynamism and federal stewardship. President Tinubu’s visit was not a political courtesy call. It was a pilgrimage to a state reborn through grit, vision, and a refusal to be defined by its past traumas. His embrace of Governor Uba Sani’s model was itself a tacit call to the rest of Nigeria: this is what is possible when power is wielded with integrity, and authority tempered with empathy.

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     Governor Sani’s public expression of gratitude, particularly his affirmation of President Tinubu as a steadfast ally to Northern Nigeria, was not flattery cloaked in formality. It was an articulation of something deeper — recognition that in a polity where historical grievances often mutate into distrust, President Tinubu has chosen to govern as a national custodian, not a regional favourite. His policies do not favour zones; they empower citizens. His reforms do not pander to interests; they rebuild institutions.

    In this spirit, Kaduna now becomes more than a state; it becomes a case study. The Kaduna Peace Model has become a lodestar for community-led peacebuilding. Peace councils in each senatorial district, chaired by locally respected elders, function not just as advisory bodies but as living organs of reconciliation and mediation. This system did not emerge from a theoretical manual; it was hewn from the raw material of Kaduna’s own pain, and polished into policy by leadership that listens.

    And because the roots of violence often lie in neglect, the Uba Sani administration’s simultaneous investment in infrastructure, education, and health was not just smart—it was moral.

    Over 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmland have returned to cultivation. Agricultural commerce, once choked by insecurity, is thriving. As noted by Governor Sani, no fewer than 28 livestock-laden trailers now depart Birnin Gwari daily for Lagos—a statistic inconceivable just two years ago. The roads are busy not with fleeing families, but with traders, teachers, and students.

    This interdependence of peace and productivity is Kaduna’s unique contribution to Nigeria’s political lexicon. It teaches that security is not only the absence of violence, but the presence of opportunity. It insists that the fight against terrorism must also be a fight against poverty, illiteracy, and exclusion.

    And yet, with every accomplishment, the rhetoric remains humble. Governor Uba Sani’s tone throughout his speech — grateful, resolved, unifying — betrayed no triumphalism. It spoke instead to a philosophy of stewardship. When he recalled that Kaduna was “a land plagued by violence, banditry, and deep-seated mistrust,” it was not to bemoan the past, but to underline the magnitude of what has been overcome. When he declared that “governance in Kaduna has transcended partisanship,” he was not making a boast, but extending an invitation: Come, let us build together.

    This spirit of coalition-building — across ethnicities, faiths, and political lines — is the most radical thing happening in Kaduna today. It defies a cynical national narrative that too often suggests division is inevitable. It tells a different story: that when leadership is principled and proximity is honoured, peace is not a miracle; it is a consequence.

    It is this same logic that undergirds President Tinubu’s broader Renewed Hope Agenda. What some mistook for austerity — such as fuel subsidy removal — was in fact an audacious recalibration, long overdue. Under Governor Sani’s localized implementation, those national sacrifices have been softened with deliberate, targeted cushioning mechanisms: subsidized transport, education fee reductions, and health facility expansion. The pain is not denied, but neither is it wasted. It is converted into purpose.

    In return, Kaduna stands as both a beneficiary and a benefactor. It receives federal attention but also gives back a model—tested, adaptable, and inspiring. For other sub-national entities seeking to translate lofty aspirations into measurable outcomes, Kaduna’s trajectory offers a blueprint: one grounded in data, dialogue, delivery, and devotion to the people.

    Indeed, Kaduna today is a poem of paradoxes resolved: a once-besieged land now building the most expansive infrastructure in its history; a multi-ethnic melting pot that governs without ethnocentrism; a region once defined by its violence, now a pilot site for peace.

    And in this resurgence lies a political and moral message for the nation. In the words of Governor Sani: “Kaduna is more than a state; it is a microcosm of Nigeria’s diversity, challenges, and potential.” And if that be true, then let Kaduna’s renaissance be a rehearsal for Nigeria’s own.

    President Tinubu’s visit, framed in celebration but cloaked in symbolic gravitas, affirms this. His partnership with Governor Uba Sani is not a transaction of power, but a transmission of legacy — from a national leader forging paths at the federal level, to a state executive executing with granular brilliance.

    Together, their work invites a renewed political imagination — one in which governance is not the preservation of status quo, but the disruption of despair; not a rotation of failure, but a revolution of faith. And in Kaduna, that revolution has not only begun, it is flourishing.

    Dr. Auwalu Jamilu, a public policy expert & analyst, is also a freelance Journalist and resides in Kawo, Kaduna

  • Our plans for credible council polls, by LASIEC chairman

    Our plans for credible council polls, by LASIEC chairman

     The Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd), spoke with Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU, TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO and CHINYERE OKOROAFOR on the preparations for the July 12 local government polls, voter education and the agency’s commitment to free and fair exercise

    What level of preparedness has the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) achieved for the July 12 chairmanship and councillorship elections?

    LASIEC is very prepared. I thank God for where we’re coming from, where we are now, and where He is taking us. I would liken our current state to that of a very intelligent student preparing for an important examination. We are ready.

    Of course, as with any examination, you only truly know the questions when you get into the exam hall. But sincerely, to the best of our human capacity, we are prepared.

    How many political parties are participating in the exercise?

    Fifteen out of the nineteen registered political parties will be participating in the upcoming elections.

    Can you shed more light on the guidelines for the elections?

    Certainly. Our guidelines stem from the timetable we released on April 12, 2025. Following that, we issued detailed guidelines, which included the applicable fees. The political parties have already complied with those requirements. The guidelines also specified when parties could obtain and return nomination forms. As of now, we’re at the validation stage. This means political parties that collected and returned forms have submitted the lists of their candidates.

    We are currently reviewing those submissions, examining the completed forms, verifying attached documents, and ensuring everything aligns with the laws and our guidelines. Validation will begin on Thursday, the 26th of June, and will run for five days. That marks the final phase for the political parties.

    Your predecessors were also judges. As a judge, what was on your mind when you were appointed?

    My integrity. That was the first thing I considered. I believe the appointment was based on the recognition of my integrity, my capacity for hard work, and the quality of my output. The appointing authorities saw someone who could deliver on the job.

    Will your commission ensure a level playing field for all candidates and parties?

    Absolutely. As the saying goes, “A child that will do well shows signs early.” You can already see how far we’ve come in such a short period. We were appointed on January 10, 2025, and had less than five months to plan and execute this election. And yet, we’ve made remarkable progress.

    What is the link between your agency and INEC?

    First of all, INEC is literally our next-door neighbor, we’re situated side by side. That physical proximity naturally encourages collaboration. But beyond that, there’s a statutory connection between us. INEC conducts national and state elections, while we, at LASIEC, are responsible for local government elections. So, although we handle different tiers, our functions are closely related. INEC plays a foundational role in our electoral process. For instance, we rely on them for the voters’ register and the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs); we do not produce or distribute voter cards, those are entirely under INEC’s purview. INEC also handles the delineation of polling units. In the 2021 local government elections, we had about 8,000 polling units. For the upcoming elections, we now have 13,325 polling units—all created by INEC.

    Anything that has to do with PVCs, issuance, validation, or replacement, comes from INEC. Additionally, political party registration is also INEC’s responsibility, not ours. So, as you can see, our operations are deeply interlinked. In the past, local government elections were often seen as heavily influenced by the ruling party. But things are changing, and we are committed to running free, fair, and credible elections, independent of any political influence.

    Isn’t that tied to the perception that your agency may pander to the ruling party?

    Well, we can’t stop people from having opinions. Everyone is entitled to their views. But I can confidently say that such a perception is not true—and it’s certainly not what we are working toward. We are an independent body. It’s even in our name—Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC)—and since our appointment, we’ve been treated as such. We operate independently, and that is how we are conducting this election.

    Now, when you speak of voter apathy, that’s a broader issue. We’ve worked hard to engage the public and make them aware that an important election is taking place on July 12, 2025. We’ve done extensive public sensitization. From the onset, we visited all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 LCDAs to meet our Electoral Officers, understand their challenges, and address them. That was our first line of action—to improve on what we met on the ground.

    Voter apathy isn’t just about skepticism toward the electoral body. It’s about getting the public genuinely interested and willing to come out and vote. And we’ve been deliberate in showing the public that this commission is committed to conducting a free, fair, credible, and transparent election.

    We’ve taken several steps to boost visibility and public confidence. Across Lagos, you’ll see billboards, branded BRT buses, tricycles (Keke Marwa or Kurukwes), commercial vehicles—all carrying election awareness messages. We’ve rolled out jingles on radio and television, and our voter education teams are in markets, schools, and communities across the state.

    As we speak, some of our teams are out there today. We’re doing everything we can to raise awareness and educate voters. But at the same time, it’s also the responsibility of political parties to mobilize their members and supporters to come out and vote.

    This is a grassroots election, arguably the most important kind, because it’s the closest to the people. And we’re doing all we can to ensure Lagosians know their votes matter and that this election will be worth participating in.

    There are allegations in some quarters that some of your commissioners are also politicians. Can you shed light on that?

    Yes, I will, especially since you used the word “were.” That’s very important. Anything in the past tense is just that, past. Everyone has a past. For example, I worked at the Ministry of Justice, where I started my professional career, then went on to serve on the bench, and eventually retired before this appointment. So yes, some individuals may have been involved in politics in one way or another before now. But I can assure you that, currently, no commissioner is a card-carrying member of any political party or holds political allegiance. That’s a fact. I wouldn’t mislead you or try to cover up the truth. The past associations weren’t negative, and they don’t define their roles in this commission. Right now, no one here carries a party card.

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    Since assuming office, what challenges did you identify from previous LASIEC administrations, and what improvements have you made?

    Thank you for that important question. Let me be clear: I wouldn’t say there were intentional mistakes in the past, but there were definitely shortcomings that we have addressed. When we came in, we immediately began reviewing the commission’s records, especially post-election reports. We discovered, for instance, that in somae polling units, materials arrived late, delaying the start of voting.We also noticed that some polling units lacked adequate security presence, which is unacceptable. Now, with the expansion to 13,325 polling units, we’ve prioritized this. We’ve engaged extensively with all security agencies. We’ve met with the Inspector General of Police in Abuja, and have secured the cooperation of the CP, DCPs, DSS, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Army. We’ve had seven security meetings, with another major one scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, and the final one on July 10, just two days before the elections.

    We’ve also focused on riverine areas, where past logistics and accessibility issues were identified. We’ve taken deliberate steps to ensure improved access and delivery in these regions.

    In terms of training and staffing, another challenge was that after elections, it became difficult to trace some ad-hoc staff who had served, especially during litigation. This time, we’ve created a more reliable system. We have on board Lagos State civil servants who are seconded to us as Assistant Electoral Officers, making it easier to reach them when needed, especially for legal processes.

    We’re also recruiting around 45,000 ad-hoc staff, and we launched an online portal for applications. The process has been thorough, covering different categories of support staff needed for smooth elections.

    In the past, the NYSC members performed exceptionally well, and we commended them. However, many moved on before we could reach them again, which made follow-up difficult. So, this time, we’ve balanced their involvement with the more stable addition of state personnel.

    Do you have statistics on registered voters in Lagos State?

    Yes. Lagos has a population of over 20 million, yet we currently have only about 7,060,195 registered voters. That’s significantly low compared to our population, and it highlights the root of voter apathy. This is why we started early with public sensitization, encouraging people to go out and register, because without registration, you can’t vote. Registration is the first step to participation in the democratic process.

    Here is a refined and coherent version of your full transcript, edited for clarity, flow, grammar, and professionalism, while preserving the conversational tone and key messages:

    Some believe political education is the responsibility of your agency or even organisations like UNICEF. How do you respond to that? Are you satisfied with the kind of political education political parties are offering?

    First of all, how can anyone feel entitled to political education from LASIEC or UNICEF? The primary responsibility for political education rests with political parties. Still, we step in where necessary because we understand the importance of public awareness.

    Now, are we satisfied with what political parties are doing in that regard? Honestly, we don’t know. We don’t work closely with them in that area. Our only direct interaction is when they come to purchase nomination forms—and even then, only the chairman or secretary of the party can do that. That’s the extent of our relationship. We intentionally maintain institutional independence. If we go beyond that, it becomes a conflict—we’d be strange bedfellows, and we can’t afford that.

    That said, we’ve taken on the responsibility of sensitizing the public. We’ve told them, and we’ll continue telling them: this is not the kind of election where silence is golden. In this case, silence is dangerous. If you don’t come out to vote, you forfeit your right to complain. Participation is the only way to shape outcomes.

    Local government elections often stir strong emotions and sometimes violence in specific areas. How are you working to prevent violence or thuggery in volatile locations like Ojo or Oshodi?

    Thank you. Yes, we are aware of those areas—and not just Ojo and Oshodi. We’ve identified several “dark spots” (not black spots), and the police and security agencies are fully aware of them.

    We’ve received strong assurances from the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, and other agencies that every polling unit will have at least one police officer present. In addition, we have operatives from the DSS, who will be undercover, and community-based personnel like the Neighborhood Watch.

    We’re also working with the Air Force, Navy, and Army. Our voter education teams reinforce the message of peace at every stop. During our visits to the LGAs and LCDAs, their chairpersons pledged that no area under their jurisdiction will tolerate violence.

    What do you hope to prove to women folk with this role?

     You know, as lawyers, we’re used to being addressed as “My Lord” on the bench, regardless of gender. So I don’t focus much on the title itself.

    However, in support of women’s participation in governance, LASIEC waived the nomination form fees for all female candidates. We want to encourage more women to run and participate without financial barriers.

    As a judge, lawyer, and now electoral commissioner, what reforms have you introduced since assuming office?

    We hit the ground running. Immediately after our appointment, we began familiarization visits to all 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs. Every member of the commission was involved. We assessed the conditions of the local offices and identified areas for improvement, such as inadequate storage facilities, which have now been addressed.

    We also prioritized the welfare and training of our Electoral Officers (EOs). They’ve already undergone multiple rounds of training, and we even brought them in for medical examinations, with more scheduled before the election. We want every official to be fit and ready, both physically and mentally.

    A major reform is the Neutrality Oath, a new legal requirement introduced on January 9, 2025. All our officials, from ad-hoc staff to commissioners, have taken this oath, pledging impartiality and accountability. Violations carry consequences. We’re also reintroducing the peace accord, which every political party must sign, committing to non-violence and lawful conduct during the election.

    We’ve modernized our logistics: each EO and assistant EO has been issued phones and laptops to streamline their work and support real-time reporting. Our staff are also undergoing continued training, and yes, even commissioners like myself have attended capacity-building sessions, although we were thankfully spared from taking exams afterward!

    What measures are in place to prevent misconduct by drivers and logistics staff during the election?

    In the past, we had instances of drivers getting intoxicated, leading to accidents. This time, we’re taking strict precautions. From Wednesday to Sunday (the election period), drivers and logistics teams will be lodged on-site, eliminating the risk of travel-related mishaps or distractions. No alcohol, no commuting, just focus on the job.

    How will the results be collated and announced?

    The process will strictly follow legal procedures. Collation will begin at the polling unit level, then move to the ward level, and finally to the LGA collation centers, where the final results will be announced. Transparency and due process will guide every step.

    What constraints have you faced in discharging your duties as Chairman of LASIEC?

    The major challenge we faced was at the very beginning of our tenure. There had been a long gap between the last commission and our appointment. The previous commission exited in 2021, and we didn’t come on board until 2025, that’s a four-year vacuum.

    As a result, a lot of groundwork had to be rebuilt. We came in with very little time to prepare, yet there are specific laws and guidelines that stipulate when we must release election timetables and initiate processes. So, we had to move quickly, jumping, hopping, leaping, to meet every timeline.

    By the grace of God, we’ve been able to catch up. Now, here we are, fully ready and focused on July 12, which is election day. Only God knows what that day holds, but we are confident it will go smoothly.

    How do you plan to incorporate technology into this election?

    We are integrating technology in a practical and strategic way, mindful of the challenges in certain areas. While we recognize the value of tech in enhancing transparency and efficiency, we must also factor in on-ground realities. We’ve conducted assessments across various parts of Lagos, especially in rural and semi-rural areas, where electricity and connectivity can be unreliable. It’s not about lack of development or education, the residents are informed and engaged,but infrastructure like electricity and internet coverage varies across locations.

    So, we’re applying technology where it is most effective and ensuring that where it’s limited, we have strong manual backup systems in place to guarantee the credibility of the process.

    With the advent of artificial intelligence, what strategies do you have in place to forestall its potential misuse, especially concerning misinformation?

    Thank you. Are you a mind reader? That’s actually one of the key reasons we’ve taken a proactive approach by conducting simulations across the board. Honestly, while development is welcome, every advancement, especially technological, comes with its risks. Some of the supposed advantages can be more dangerous than the disadvantages. These days, almost anyone can access sensitive information, like your bank details.  That’s how vulnerable systems have become. Now, with AI, it’s even more concerning. We’ve seen instances where videos or voices appear completely real, yet the person in them never said a word of it.

    Fortunately, our IT Commissioner, who just came in from the field, is fully involved. We work closely with our PRO and relevant stakeholders to tackle this. For example, we once woke up to a viral fake election timetable attributed to LASIEC. We had not released anything of the sort. Immediately, the PRO went into action and publicly debunked it. We clarified that it wasn’t our timetable and followed up with the correct one, officially released and verified.

    This is the digital reality we live in. It’s part of the “development” inherited from the Western world, and we’re doing our best to manage it while educating our public.

    We observed that as part of mobilizing stakeholders for the upcoming election, there seems to be a series of live stakeholder engagements scheduled from June through July. Could you tell us more about this initiative?

    Yes, we’ve been actively mobilizing stakeholders ahead of the elections, especially throughout June and July. And we appreciate you in the media, you’ve supported us greatly.

    As I said earlier, we’ve discovered that for effective voter education, visibility is key. In today’s world, if you’re not in a private car to spot billboards, then you’ll likely be in a commercial bus, either BRT or Danfo. We’ve ensured our voter education messages are everywhere, on buses, at motor parks, and even on radio jingles.

    We’re also leveraging skits, the kind that resonates with the youth. We brought young people on board and gave them a voice because they often say we “don’t understand them.” So we listened, and they produced creative skits that are now widely circulated online. That way, more people, especially first-time voters, are getting engaged.

    Some people have told me, “This is the first time I’m seeing voter education efforts at the local government level.” That’s a big deal. It means our message is reaching people who’ve never participated before.

    What is your final word to the voter?

    Our message is clear: “Your voice, your vote, is our mandate.”

    We encourage everyone to go out and vote. Let your voice be heard.

  • Osun LG crisis: Only Supreme court can invalidate A’court verdict on reinstated excos—APC

    Osun LG crisis: Only Supreme court can invalidate A’court verdict on reinstated excos—APC

    The All Progressives Congress(APC) Osun State on Monday said only the Supreme Court can invalidate February 10, 2025 Appeal Court verdict that reinstated its members to take control of councils in the state. 

    The opposition party noted the fresh dismissal of another suit on Local Government at the Appeal Court in June 2025, never invalidated the earlier verdict by the same court. 

    A statement by the party through its State Legal Officer, Chief Adegoke Ogunsola warned the Osun State Govenor, Ademola Adeleke and Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) against inciting the public and court against the reinstated excos. 

    He said: “Since the duo lost the control of the local government administration in Osun State following the judgment of the Court of Appeal of 10th February, 2025, they have resorted to all manner of desperate antics to cause confusion in the interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling of 13th January and the judgment of 10th February, 2025.

    “The latest acts of mischief unleashed by the Governor and his party men were caused by the latest decision of the Court of Appeal of 13th June, 2025 refusing to relist the appeal of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

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    “The major reason for the refusal to relist the appeal is that the same Court of Appeal had decided the same issues raised by the Appeal in Appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 in its judgment of 10th February, 2025 which reinstated the Chairmen and Councilors elected under the platform of APC during the October 15th 2022 local government elections.”

    He added: “We urge security agencies and Nigerians to ignore attempt of desperation and harassment by the government of Mr. Ademola Adeleke and its PDP handlers to confuse the polity and seize by the force of arms the local government administration in the State of Osun.”

    Reacting to APC, Adeleke in a statement through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed said he is committed to peaceful resolution on the LG crisis through legal means. 

    He reaffirmed that validly elected excos are that of PDP chairmen and councillors following the dismissal of their appeal in June 2025.

  • How Lamido traded off MKO’s mandate, by Alake

    How Lamido traded off MKO’s mandate, by Alake

    ONE-TIME Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido yesterday came under scathing criticism from Solid Minerals Minister Dele Alake. It was over what Alake came Lamido’s inchoate account of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

    The former governor had faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s acclaimed role in the crusade to actualise the election, the results of which were annulled by military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

    Speaking on a national television on the saga, Lamido claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was part of the people who supported the annulment of the election.

    According to him, Tinubu’s mother, Hajia Mogaji organised market women from Lagos, to come to Abuja and show support for the then Head of State.

    Lamido also claimed that the National Democractic Coalition (NADECO) was formed to fight for the late Gen. Sani Abacha and not June 12.

    But Alake berated Lamido, who was the secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), accusing him of teaming up with others to trade off the election won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.

    Featuring on a national television last night, described Lamido’s claims as tissues of lies from the pit of hell.

    He said Tinubu gave everything he had towards the reclaiming of Abiola’s mandate.

    “I feel very appalled at his own submissions, which I’ll ascribe largely to amnesia or at the very worst, an impairment of oblongata or memory loss in lame man’s terms.

    “Sule Lamido himself was the guilty party to the annulment of that June 12, 1999 election.

    “Sule Lamido did not know so many things. He was Secretary of the SDP. Prior to this time, he was posturing as a leftist. The late Tony Anenih was the chairman.

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    “Unknown to Lamido, Tinubu played a major role in the emergence of MKO as a candidate well before the election.

    “There were two factions that formed the nucleus of the SDP.

    “One, the Peoples’ Front was led by the late Gen. Musa Yar’Adua, the second, the Peoples Social Party (PSP) was led by the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the late Adekunle Ajasin etc.

    “These two caucuses formed the SDP. Tinubu belonged to the Yar’Adua faction. But on the formation of SDP, it became one party.

    “The groundswell for MKO to become the candidate of the party at the Jos Convention was overwhelming.

    “There was a stalemate. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar also ran as an aspirant in SDP since 1993. Atiku has been at the game since then. Babagana Kingibe ran.

    “There was a stalemate in the first ballot between Kingibe and MKO. Then, there was horse trading to get Atiku to drop his ambition and align with the MKO group.

    “This same Tinubu was one of the key people that led the negotiations to persuade Atiku to drop his own aspiration and align with MKO. This eventually happened.

    “When the second ballot was conducted, it was obvious that MKO coasted home to victory. While that election was going, myself, Tunji Bello, Segun Babatope, were drafting MKO’s speech, which he read.

    “After negotiations, the Yar’Adua faction had the upper hand and that was why Lamido became the secretary of the party.

    “Then, the campaign for the election began. And Tinubu threw everything he had at it. So, it is totally false to say Tinubu only became popular after the annulment of June 12.

    Alake faulted Lamido’s claim that Tinubu supported the cancellation of the election was an attempt to the former Jigawa State governor to cover up his evil deeds.

    The minister said: “That is totally false and revisionism; it is an attempt for Lamido to cover his pernicious role in supporting that critical sacred mandate given to MKO.

    “Lamido and SDP chairman sold out MKO’s mandate by accepting the National Interim Government (NIG).”

    The explained that the late Alhaja Magaji went to plead with late Abacha to restore MKO’s mandate.

  • How Tinubu’s policies have impacted Jigawa, by Namadi

    How Tinubu’s policies have impacted Jigawa, by Namadi

    Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi spoke with AHMED RUFA’I in Dutse, the state capital, on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership styles, his achievements and constraints, and how he is repositioning the state for development.

    It is two years of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. How will you assess the impacts of his administration on Jigawa state?

    The two years of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been rewarding and promising for us in Jigawa State. I can say this over and over again because we have a President who is bold and has taken bold decisions for the interest of his people and long-term benefits for the country. Nigeria needs transformation that cannot be done by someone who is timid to make some decisions and pronouncements that will affect the high and mighty.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold decisions on removal of fuel subsidy and  unifying the exchange rate. These decisions should have been made much earlier. It was clear that many Nigerians misconstrued these decisions, hence the brouhaha that trailed those changes. But as we speak, those policies have been paying off.  That tells of what we should expect in the long run.

    Economists and educated Nigerians knew fuel subsidy was not to the benefit of a common man, rather, the rich and the middle-level class were ripping Nigeria off. But, since those policies had been made, the country is better for it. For instance, more money has been coming into federation account for the federal government and that has rubbed on on states and local governments. And Jigawa State, like other states, has been getting increased allocation. This, in turn has been impacting on governance at the grassroot.

    Your Excellency, what specific federal government policies or initiatives have directly benefited Jigawa State since 2023?

    This is a good question. Like I said, our our allocation has increased. That means we can undertake more developmental projects that will transform the lives of the people. We are currently taking on several infrastructural projects in the state.  I am sure you must have been seeing multiple road and other infrastructure contracts going on the state simultaneously. As we speak, we have awarded hundreds of road projects. These projects are in the addition to the ones we inherited from the past government.  I am happy to tell you that most of the inherited projects have been delivered. Some that my administration also began have been completed, while some are at completion stage.

    In health sector, we came up with a policy to provide free healthcare services to over 143,000 vulnerable. This is in addition to similar gesture to children under five and pregnant women. We are constructing a specialist hospital in Kazaure, Orthopedic hospital in Gumel, as well as completing a Hadejia specialist hospital at Hadejia. We are also constructing the permanent site of Hadejia School of Nursing.  It will interest you to know that we are also constructing primary healthcare clinic at all the 287 political wards.

    In Agricultural sector, our administration recently procured 300 unit of tractors and it’s implements, 150 combined harvesters and many other farm implements. We also recruited over 300 youth, who we sponsored to China for a training on operation and repairs of the tractors and other implements. In education, we recruited over 5000 qualified teachers, provided thousands of pupils’ and students’ seats in addition to construction and renovation of classrooms, students’ hostels in both tertiary institutions and secondary schools.  We also purchased Khadija University Majia among numerous other projects to mentioned the few.  All of these become possible due to those policies by President Tinubu. If the central government has failed to unify our exchange rate, there would be a problem of stabilising the country’s economy.

    Beyond Jigawa State, the impacts of these decisions are visible in the economic activities both at the national and the grassroots too. For instance, you can see how agricultural activities are going everywhere in Nigeria. People are going into agriculture in almost all parts of the country and federal government is unveiling several interventions programmes. Today, courtesies of the Federal Government, Jigawa State is number producer of wheat in Nigeria. This became achievable through the Federal Government/African Development Bank Wheat Production Programme. As if that was not enough, the Federal Government came with the the same program on Rice, livestock farming and many others.

    Recently, there have been several high-profile defections from opposition parties to the APC in Jigawa and Nigeria at large. Do you believe these defections are based on ideology or political survival?

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    The issue of defection is very clear and straight-forward. If you see somebody moving from his house to another house, that means he has seen a better house. So, the defections where many are leaving in droves to the All Progressives Congress (APC), means they have seen a great future in  the ruling party. They are in tune with the progressives and what is happening in the APC as a political party both at the federal and state levels. That’s means the party and it’s program are impacting the lives of the people. It also shows that the reforms being implemented by the Federal Government are improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians. That is why people are moving to APC en mass.

    Coming back to Jigawa state, how does your two years in office impact the people in the state?

    My two years is very uneventful and rewarding. We that the almighty God for His mercies and guidance to do what we have done. We thank Allah for His guidance too. We thank the entire people in the state, the civil servants, my cabinet, my special advisers and assistance and everybody for their support and cooperation, because without their cooperation, we will not achieve what we have achieved in Jigawa State. With the help of God, we did and still doing our best to fulfill our promises through implementing our 12 points agenda we earlier presented to the people in the state and voted for us based on trust and what it contained. Since we assumed office, we have done a lots of economic empowerment where hundred of thousands of people mostly youth and women have benefited through various projects and programs; we have introduced numerous skills acquisition trainings, agricultural production, supports to establish or improve both small and medium businesses. We increased the students’ scholarship by over 300 percent in addition to sponsoring over 230 students abroad to study medicine. We recruited over 10,000 private security to mans schools, hospital, courts and other public facilities across the state among many others. 

    Last week, you returned from an official trip to India with a powerful delegation from Jigawa State’s agricultural sector. Is there any good news for Jigawa citizens?

    My trip to India is very fruitful and rewarding for that matter. Jigawa State is an agrarian state, so, anything that has to deal with agriculture is given priority because 80 to 85 percent of Jigawa population depend on agriculture as their means of livelihood. Like I said, we are focusing majorly on agriculture. We know for a fact that, if we fail transform agriculture in Jigawa State, we would have ended without impacting the state as much as we should have done. We went to India to get investors and those that we can work together with to improve so many aspects of agriculture in Jigawa State particularly on dairy, poultry and the issue of seeds. These are three important areas we went to discuss and I thank God for the trip that it was fruitful. With regards to dairy, we met with many stakeholders. First of all, we have met with the National Dairy Development Bard (NDDB) of India. It is a 60 years old organization that is working assiduously to improve dairy production in India. Soon, we shall be unveiling further details and our engagement with the company.

    Interestingly, we discovered that the country has a system of cooperative in different sectors. We can domesticate this in our state.  They gather farmers in different cooperative groups, train them in an artificial insemination to improve their productivity in milk production. That system has changed the country’s narrative from a milk importing country to a milk exporting country.

    We were able to meet the farmers, interact with them and improved with our findings. With government’s interventions, they are happy on the job and pledged their loyalty to their country. At the grassroots, there is cooperatives to enhance their yields. We can compare that to ward levels in Jigawa. At local government level, they have what they call Amore – that is the association of cooperatives for their chairmen. While those at the wards level are responsible for milk production, those at the local government level are responsible for milk processing; they are to take the milk at a price and pay the  farmers who will process it into different products. They have established processing centers where the milk would be collected through tankers from the ward levels to be freeze and thereafter, the products will be taken to the state level where the market segment is. This is the arm responsible for selling the product in the country or abroad. Can you see the complete value chains that have improved the lives of farmers at the grassroots? We have extensively discussed this with  NDDB.

    Similarly, the private sector follows the same system in a small profit. The objective is to improve the lives of the farmers at the grassroots. At the end, we were able to have collaboration with two organizations, which are willing to come to Jigawa State. When they come, we will take them round and see how we can form  cooperative societies for our farmers too. They have agreed and ready to come and invest Jigawa to establish a dairy processing plant. The animal feeds would be produced to farmers, to collect and pay when they bring their milk on the subsidised rate. And, one interesting thing is, the climates condition of India is the same we have here. So, we are hopeful that we can conveniently replicate this.

    On poultry, we discussed with them extensively. The major challenges facing poultry in Nigeria include the cost of poultry feeds, disease and biosecurity. We have discussed that with them. We got some people that are willing to come here to have a partnership with us to establish hatchery and big poultry farms. They are also to train our people on poultry, who may also decide to go into subsistence farming. 

    Seedlings are very critical in agriculture. During our trip, we visited different seeds companies and saw how the research really improved the seeds productions. We visited their rice seeds that yield an average of 10 tonnes per hectare. There others that can make 12 to 13 tonnes per  hectare. Can you imagine that? Currently, the highest we are doing as a state maximum of five tonnes per hectare. With this arrangement, that will greatly improve. While the people are ready to partner with us, we will talk to the National Seeds Development Company to see how we can all collaborate for the seeds production.

  • 2027: Adelabu urges APC members to sacrifice for reconciliation, party unity in Oyo

    2027: Adelabu urges APC members to sacrifice for reconciliation, party unity in Oyo

    …as party chair declares readiness to take over Agodi govt house  

    Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has called on party members in Oyo State to be willing to make sacrifices in the interest of reconciliation and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Speaking after a meeting held at his private residence in Magara, Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan, over the weekend, Adelabu emphasised that reconciliation requires compromise, urging all aggrieved members to shift grounds for the collective goal of reclaiming power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Echoing his remarks, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Olaide Abass, said the party was already working to resolve internal differences and strengthen its structure in preparation for the 2027 elections.

    The high-level meeting was attended by members of the State Executive Council and APC chairmen from all 33 local government areas in Oyo State.

    Adelabu stressed that unity among stakeholders was non-negotiable, adding that only a united APC could mount a credible challenge to regain control of the state.

    He said, “Reconciliation is about sacrifice. It’s mutual sacrifice. Everybody is going to put down something for us to reconcile. There is no reconciliation without sacrifice. No reconciliation without compromise. There is no reconciliation without cooperation, collaboration and partnership.

    “What matters most is the party’s success at the next election. And nothing is too much for anybody to sacrifice. And everybody knows that there will always be terms and conditions that will be beneficial to all the members of the party.”

    Giving the highpoint of the meeting, Chief Adelabu said Oyo APC will soon make a public declaration on where it stands concerning the bid of President Bola Tinubu to seek a second term in office. 

    He noted that the decision will be taken at an enlarged stakeholders meeting of the party members across the state, adding that the leadership have been meeting, reviewing and assessing the various programmes of the President across various sectors since his assumption of office.

    Adelabu said, “We have met today to review the situation and status of the party. It is my personal meeting with the extended excos of the party, which is made up of the State Executive Committee and all the chairmen of all the 33 local governments. I personally invited them for this meeting and they did. I am very grateful for that. We discussed the progress of the party generally.

    “We discussed the activities and success recorded at the federal level by the captain of the ship, by our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in making sure that Nigeria is brought to an era of prosperity, an era of peace, an era of harmony, an era of economic growth and industrial development through all his various programmes, from student loans programmes to agribusiness programmes, to business loans programmes, to the Zonal Development Commissions, to all the laudable efforts of Mr. President. 

    “We met to review it and we are satisfied with his efforts so far. We are quite optimistic that in the next two years, he will hold better promises for Nigeria. We are confident in his efforts and activities. We are also endorsing him for the second time, come 2027. This will be done elaborately in a stakeholder statewide meeting that we are going to organise.”

    He said further, “We also review the progress of reconciliation efforts of the party. Where are we coming from? Where are we? And where are we going? And we are satisfied that the party, at the Excos level, has done very well. And they say to whom much is given, much is expected.

    “We haven’t seen that. We won’t rest on our words. We say we have a long way to go to ensure that this reconciliation is achieved a hundred percent.”

    He added that, he also at the meeting briefed the stakeholders of his activities, as the state representative at the federal cabinet, assuring that many more laudable feats are still achievelable in the second half of the ongoing tenure.

    “I also reported on my own efforts as their representative at the federal level, as the Honourable Minister of Power. My efforts, my activities, and how it has impacted the lives of Nigerians. The modest achievement we have made. And I also promised that we are going to do more. And we now talked about 2027. Well, we are confident and believe that this party, this state, is going to return to APC.

    “All the efforts and what we are going to do is what we discussed. And how we are going to even extend and emphasise democratic principles, internal democracy within the party, so that the best candidates will actually emerge to represent APC at the election of 2027. This is the first stakeholders’ meeting, that we are going to be doing.

    “I am also going to meet with all my colleagues in National Assembly: the three senators, the nine House of Reps that we have. But first, party is supreme. We need to let the party know the steps we are going to take before we start taking those steps. That is what today’s meeting is all about.”

    Also speaking, the State Chairman, Chief Abass said the meeting was part of effort to reconcile the members and build a united front ahead of the election years.

    He said, “Well, I’m so delighted to be here today for this meeting at the instance of the Honourable Minister, and it was a very successful meeting. It was avout finding lasting peace in the party. I’m quite happy with the outcome of it. The people should expect us recovering our position in the government house in 2027.

    “We have been going around to reconciling the aggrieved members of the party. We have been doing that and we are on course. And today’s meeting has signalled the fact that we are having a success at that. We have been doing what we are doing here in silence. This one is just an outward show of what we have been doing behind the scene.”

  • Addressing security challenges through constitutional amendment

    Addressing security challenges through constitutional amendment

    As the nation grapple with series of security challenges, there has been clamour for various reforms to enhance the workings of the nation’s security personnel. Some, including state governors, legislators and many Nigerians alike have advocated for the establishment of state police, while some others have argued against it for fear of abuse. The 10th House of Representatives have introduced a new dimension to the review system, bringing together security chiefs to make their own input into the constitution review process. TONY AKOWE reports.

    Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the Nigerian constitution has gone through five different alterations by the National Assembly. However, for the first time, the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives are putting the security agencies into consideration why trying to amend the constitution. Although the 10th House of Representatives has promised to deliver a new constitution by December 2025, they have brought the security agencies in the country into the picture. The aim, according to Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review is to get the views of the security chief on areas they need constitutional amendment to enhance their operations. He said the central aim he said is to synthesize and collate, directly from the security chiefs who are the key actors in the national security architecture, their candid perspectives on the “sickness” in the constitution that impedes the effective delivery of their mandates.

    He said “over the years, laws have been crafted on various aspects of national life, including security governance, often without a proper diagnosis of the real gaps and challenges as experienced by those on the frontline. To proceed with constitutional amendments without first hearing from you would be akin to a medical doctor prescribing treatment without a thorough diagnosis or treating a patient without listening to their symptoms. As legislators, we recognize that the work of parliament is much like that of a physician: we must depend on accurate laboratory diagnosis to prescribe the right medication to cure an ailment. We are here to listen to you, those who wear the shoes and know exactly where it pinches. Whether the issues are rooted in inter-agency harmonization, command authority, intelligence coordination, or other critical aspects, your insights are indispensable. You, our security sector stakeholders, are best positioned to articulate the constitutional and operational bottlenecks that hinder your effectiveness.”

    He said the outcome of the dialogue will help the legislators to make an informed decision in the course of the review of the constitution. To the Deputy Speaker, the overall objective of the dialogue aimed to advance the ongoing Constitution Review process, focusing on security and policing reforms, facilitate inter-agency collaboration for a unified approach to national security, discuss and refine legislative proposals, particularly those on state policing and intelligence coordination, enhance border security strategies and promote regional stability and encourage robust public engagement and stakeholder input. He said “Our commitment is to first diagnose, by gathering your experiential knowledge, institutional challenges, and actionable recommendations. Only then can we, as legislators, responsibly frame the “prescriptions”: the constitutional amendments and legislative reforms necessary to address these challenges. Importantly, this is not a one-off event. Before the finalization of the constitution review process, we will return to you, the stakeholders, to review the proposed prescriptions, collate further feedback, and ensure that the final version of the constitution truly reflects the needs and realities of Nigeria’s security sector. This approach ensures that the solutions we design are comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable. The legislature, as we always say, is the solution hub for the hydra-headed problems facing our country. Through this collaborative, diagnostic approach, we aim to craft a legislative framework that delivers long-lasting national solutions”.

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    This view is also held by Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen who stressed the urgent need to review existing laws, close and streamline overlapping one and enact new ones to strengthen and reposition the security architecture to be able to confront existing and emerging security challenges that now threaten the nation. The Speaker said the complex and dynamic nature of the security challenges facing the nation demands new approaches and strategies that are multi-dimensional, adaptable, inclusive, and technology-driven. He said these new approaches and strategies must be backed by legal and institutional frameworks that would ensure enhanced capacity, capability, and competence for overall effectiveness. He stressed the need to deepen discussions on the constitution review by focusing on how best to achieve comprehensive security and policing reforms, improve cooperation and coordination between security agencies, enhance border security for national and regional stability as well as make inputs into proposed security related bills including the bill that seeks to establish state police.

    Speaker Abbas said further that terrorism, banditry, piracy, militancy, and oil theft in different parts of the country combined to make life difficult for Nigerians. We therefore resolved to take the necessary legislative measures that would support the government’s drive to end insecurity. He also reiterate the need for renewed attention on House Bill 617, which supports the creation of state policing systems. This topical issue continues to generate public interest and concern. H also spoke on the need to enhance border security saying “the issue of border security is also critical and needs urgent legislative attention. The porous nature of Nigeria’s expansive border makes it vulnerable to crime and criminality. Although we have enacted the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Law, 2024, legislation on border security is necessary to strengthen this law and make it more effective. Stronger legal support in these and other critical areas can improve safety and give our people more confidence in our security agencies. Community involvement is also key to making our country safer. Security is not just the job of the military or the police; it is the collective responsibility of all Nigerians. Therefore, our reforms must reflect the voices of everyday Nigerians, and this justifies the importance of this dialogue. I am confident that the outcomes of this dialogue will meet our collective expectations”.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu admitted that the country stand at the crossroads of constitutional responsibility and national necessity. The President said “for decades, our Constitution has served as the bedrock of our democracy. Yet, the pace of change in technology, in the complexity of security threats, and in the dynamics of our federal structure has far outstripped the capacity of some constitutional provisions”. He said the time has come to realign Nigeria’s security architecture with her live realities, saying “our national experience has shown that neither centralisation nor fragmentation alone can secure the vast and diverse territory of Nigeria. The growing agitation for State Police, the complex demands of cybersecurity, and the urgent need for efficient intelligence sharing among agencies all point to one truth: our constitutional framework must evolve or risk becoming a danger to the very unity it was meant to protect”. The President said consensus security in the 21st century is cooperative, not competitive, adding that “terrorism in the North East, banditry in the North West, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, farmer-herder clashes in the Middle Belt, and separatist agitations in the South East all share one characteristic: they transcend the capacity of any single agency or tier of government. This is why this dialogue is timely. It offers an opportunity to entrench constitutional provisions that encourage real-time intelligence sharing, joint operations planning, and unified strategic responses. As the commander-in-chief of our armed forces has emphasised repeatedly, security agencies must act as one, united in purpose, coordinated in action”.

    He said further that through enhanced intelligence fusion, joint task force operations, and synchronised air and ground offensives, Nigeria’s security forces have successfully dismantled several terrorist camps in the North-East, dislodged criminal enclaves in the North-West, and reduced incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. This integrated approach has led to a noticeable reduction in high-profile kidnappings and bandit attacks, with improved responses to cross-border threats, demonstrating the effectiveness of a whole-of-government strategy in safeguarding national security.”

    Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa is worried that security agencies are impeded in their operation by certain legal constraints, saying as security threats continue to evolve, ranging from terrorism and insurgency, cyber warfare and hybrid threat,  it has  become imperative that a legal and institutional framework  evolves in tandem. General Musa stressed the need for a more robust, agile, and responsive national security system, adding that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is presently operating with a legal structure that is increasingly inadequate to address the complex future environment in which it function, saying “Our current laws were not designed to support the potential welfare of communities, particularly as we achieve threats and non-trivial future engagements. Operational ambiguities regarding command authority, undefined arrest and detention procedures during internal operations and traditional overlaps with other security agencies are adversely affected by efficiency and operational coherence.  These are concerns that have practical implications on mission success and the safety of our citizens. Therefore, Legislative reforms, particularly to the Armed Forces Act and key sections of the Constitution are not just overdue, but are critical.  They must be pursued with urgency and clarity of purpose”. He highlight some key legislative areas where reform is urgently required to include the recognition of modern security threats, including terrorism, cyber warfare, and misuse of digital platforms. The review he said should “consider the establishment of a field court martial and a sitting court martial in all military divisions and commands for speedy justice and accountability and the creation of a permanent commercial tribunal within each military division to ensure consistent access to justice. In the same vein, we advocate for explicit constitutional recognition of court-martial as superior courts of record, with concurrent judicial powers alongside federal and state high courts. This review should also consider empowering the armed forces to detain and investigate suspects during internal operations. This will reduce delay and enhance efficiency of kinetic and non-kinetic efforts.  Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy should be constitutionally authorized to collaborate with the Nigerian Customs and Immigration Service along the inland waterways to combat piracy and smuggling challenges, which remain persistent in our coastal and riverine areas. We also recommend the introduction of the merit-based selection process where the Chief of Defense staff provide three nominees per service to the President for appointment. This will foster transparency, professionalism, and constitutional continuity. We also propose the insertion of a clause enabling court-martial to try individuals captured in act of terrorism and insurrection under martial law conditions.  This will streamline the justice process in hiring scenarios and a high-stake authority”. The security chief said security is not merely about boots on the ground or advanced system.  It is also about the strength of our law, the clarity they bring, and the power they confer,  and the protection they guarantee”

    The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu said security and constitutional order are inseparable, adding that resilient, inclusive and forward-looking constitution is one of our most effective tools in preventing the conditions that give rise to insecurity.  Ribadu said “the constitution is not just a legal document.  It is the bedrock of national unity, justice and stability.  In our diverse and complex society. The constitution must continue to evolve to reflect the hope, and challenges of the Nigerian people.  At the Office of National Security Advisor, we understand that addressing national security requires more than just a kinetic approach.  It involves addressing grievances, protecting human rights, fostering trust between citizens and the state and ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or region, feels a sense of belonging.  These are all constitutional issues.  I commend the National Assembly and all stakeholders here today for initiating this dialogue. It is only through inclusive, consultative, and transparent processes such as this that we can truly build a constitution that strengthens our federation and enhances our national security”. 

    While drawing a nexus between economic crimes and terrorism financing, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said “most of what we have in Nigeria today is economic crime. Most of these people they come to Nigeria to kidnap, raise funds to be able to fund insecurity in neighboring countries. So, there is a lot we need to do. If we continue to pay lip service, we don’t really look at the issues on ground, we will just be joking. Again, in reviewing our laws, we can’t deal with insecurity and not talk of terrorism financing. We must look at the EFCC Act and strengthen it. We must look at the issue of our border. Nigeria is at a point now that the US was before 9/11 attack. After the attack, the US sat down. They looked at emerging threat. When we talk about internal security, the first thing that come to mind is the military. That is a sign of failure of our internal security agencies. Let’s tell ourselves the truth. For me, the police in terms of adequate funding, I do not see a reason why the police should even rely on budgetary allocation. When you are fighting internal security, you must mobilize your citizens. We must sit down and look at our laws. With the attention we are paying to cyber security, we are still living 20 years behind.  You cannot continue to run a cyber security architecture on an ad hoc arrangement. There must be proper security framework. Let us look wholistically at our challenges. Let us anticipate broadly. Look ahead. Look at emerging security threats and proffer solutions to them.”

    The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede pick holes in the border control system of the country which allow the entering of illegal aliens into the country to operate freely. He disclosed that just recently, the commission arrested about 194 foreigners in one single operation at a building in Lagos for various offenses, adding that investigation revealed that about 15 of those arrested were ex-convict from their own countries.

    He said 50 of those arrested have already been convicted by the court and have started serving their sentence, stressing the need to focus on emerging security challenges, while also amending the nation’s laws to remove operational challenges faced by agencies in carrying out their responsibilities and prosecuting offenders.

    State Police

    The President also join the debate for state police. He said the debate over State Police is no longer theoretical. It is grounded in the daily fears and lived anxieties of Nigerians. According to him, “farmers afraid to tend their fields, traders unsure of safe passage, and communities abandoned to self-help”. He said the dialogue between the lawmakers and security operatives “must courageously interrogate the constitutional shifts required to move policing from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List, enabling States with capacity to assume greater responsibility for their own security, while preserving national cohesion. We must learn from global best practices, adapting decentralised policing models that enhance local accountability without sacrificing national oversight”.

    The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun believe that there was no need to amend the constitution to allow for state police. He believe that instead of having state-controlled police which can be abused, there was the need to strengthen the Nigeria Police and well-funded to carry out its constitutional responsibility. The Police boss the Nigerian Police Force is constitutionally established under section 214(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, which provides that “there shall be a police force for Nigeria which shall be known as the Nigerian police force and subject to the provisions of this section, no other police force shall be established for the federation  or any part thereof.  Furthermore, section 215(1) provides for the appointment of the Inspector General of Police by the President on the advice of the Nigerian Police Council.  It also places the operational command and administration of the force under the leadership of Inspector Gener of Police. These constitutional provisions make clear the centralized character of policing in Nigeria and the operational authority entrusted to the Inspector General of Police under the supervision of the President and Police Council.

    He said “one of the most pressing and controversial issues under discussion today is the proposal to amend the constitution to allow for the establishment of state police, including the evaluation of HB 617, which seeks to provide legislative authority for this. Let me state  unequivocally that the National Police Force  acknowledges the rationale  behind the demand  for state police,  including the desire  for locally responsive policing,  quicker reaction to community-level threats,  and decentralized law enforcement presence. However, our assessment based on current political, institutional and social economic realities suggests that Nigeria is not yet decisively or politically prepared for the initialization of police powers to the state level. Key concerns include the possibility of political misuse of police powers at the state level, lack of funding capacity by most states to maintain and equip a state control force, the potential for fragmentation of national security, intelligence and command,  the absence  of a regulatory architecture  to ensure standard  and operational cohesion. Instead of fragmenting our policy authority, we propose that the focus of constitutional  and legislative reform  be directed towards  strengthening the Nigerian Police Force  through improved funding  and autonomy, establish state and community policing frameworks under the Nigerian Police Force’s provision,  standardize recruitment, training,  and discipline across any policing  functions. We urge the National Assembly  to consider legislative reforms  that prioritize enhanced  federal policing capacity  while allowing  for structured auxiliary support  from sub-national units  under strict  constitutional  and operational  safeguards”. 

  • Inter-Agency Unity: The power of collective action in national security

    Inter-Agency Unity: The power of collective action in national security

    By Tunde Ogunsakin

    There is no doubt that maintaining internal security in any country is a collective responsibility and the need for synergy among distinct security bodies cannot be overemphasized. Maintaining internal security is fundamentally anchored on maintaining inter-agency unity which means cordial relationships and cooperation among security agencies. It is quite apparent that each of the component elements of security agencies in Nigeria has a different, but complementary role to play.

    Inter-agency unity refers to the collaboration and coordination among different agencies, organizations or departments to achieve common goals. The power of collective action is significant as it can lead to more effective solutions, improved resource allocation and enhanced problem-solving capabilities.

    According to Weiss (1987), inter-agency unity exists when two or more organizations/agencies that share a problem area agree to deal with the issue by establishing a link via a formal contract that provides for resources and for the adjusting of internal and/or external procedures to support the new arrangements adequately.

    Inter-agency unity is a vital mechanism for managing conflicts and containing insecurity. Several successes have been recorded in the sphere of inter-agency unity; this is because each of the security agencies has a unique capability and operational skills that can complement one another, and the Nigerian situation cannot be an exception.

    The essence of inter-agency unity can be outlined to include: the need for security synergy and exchange of ideas and information among security agencies; to create a platform for collective networking and planning of security activities, thereby building a database for preventive action; to provide a forum for the analysis of conflict indicators and processing of security-related information for early warnings and timely response; and to serve as a channel for the dissemination of security reports to all stakeholder’s efforts.

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    Inter-agency unity in Nigeria has become necessary because one or more agencies has not been performing its responsibilities optimally considering the ever-increasing and dynamic security challenges. The combination of two or more hands has become necessary. A government agency may be willing to perform its responsibilities effectively but may be constrained due to the huge cost of running these agencies. However, concerted efforts have been known to produce maximal results in this regard.

    In appraising the roles of the different security agencies, it would be justified to state that if these constitutional roles are well played, especially in cooperation in the spirit of inter-agency unity, crimes, criminalities and violent conflicts in the society will be minimal.

    Although, there has been a continuous emphasis on the essence of interagency unity, however, nothing appears to have changed in the level of un-cooperativeness among the agencies. This situation calls for the urgent action of the top echelon of all the security agencies in order to ensure national security and achieve maximum results in the security management of the country.

    The core security institutions charged with the responsibility of ensuring security are: Nigeria Police Force; Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps; Nigerian Army; Nigerian Navy; Nigerian Air Force; Department of State Security (DSS); Defence Intelligence Agency; National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Nigerian Customs Service; Nigeria Immigration Service; National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); etc.

    FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST INTER-AGENCY UNITY IN NIGERIA

    Challenges to national security have expanded significantly from the traditional state-based threats of the Cold War era to include unconventional threats from non-state actors.  New threats are diffuse and ambiguous and include terrorism, cyber-attacks, drug trafficking, infectious diseases, and energy threats.

    They arise from multiple sources and—because their interrelated nature makes it difficult, if not impossible, for any single agency to effectively address them alone—they therefore require that governments enhance collaboration with intera-gency and international partners, among other actions.

    The challenges militating against inter-agency cooperation for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in national security operations are many, some of them are lack of strategic guidance for inter-agency cooperation, inadequate intelligence, technical equipment, and insufficient capacity for national security operations. It must also be noted that Nigeria’s porous borders facilitate the infiltration of adversaries from West Africa, which means that four countries in the region rank among the ten most terrorized globally.

    As a result of Nigeria’s porous borders, no single agency can effectively tackle the complex security issues facing the nation, which calls for deeper collaboration among security agencies. We must understand that modern security threats, and coordination influenced by technology and non-state actors, require a coordinated response to ensure national security.

    The operating environment has evolved to a point where no single service or agency can effectively and independently tackle the threats to national security. It is therefore crucial that synergy is developed with other security agencies in the implementation of the whole of societal approach to the threats.

    Where synergy is lacking among security agencies, there can never be a coordinated approach to the prevailing security challenge. In the Northeast for example, the Nigerian Air Force provides air support, aerial surveillance, casualty evacuation and logistics airlift for troops while the Nigerian Navy has deployed its Special Boat Services and operationalized its Forward Operation Base in Baga as part of the overall operations on the Lake Chad waters.

    There is also the institutional constraints. Many of the allegations leveled against security agencies and its personnel, include arbitrariness in exercising its power, corruption, perversion of justice, and delays in the administration of justice. Some of these issues can militate against inter-agency cooperation.

    Inadequate manpower due to numerous on-going operations is also a problem. The challenging security environment has necessitated numerous deployments in ongoing operations across the country. This can sometimes impede the possibility of different agencies coming together to carry out joint operations. This situation does not give effect to inter-agency unity and the gains of collective action. 

    Poor conditions and inadequate equipment constitute another factor. The poor condition of service of the average security officer and inadequate funding of agencies can also militate against inter-agency unity. Mammus (2010) asserted that the major challenge of inadequate security is the dearth of the workforce, shortage of funding, lack of logistic support and infrastructure, absence of technological equipment to cover all the areas of the state are responsible for the current state of the general national insecurity in Nigeria.

    What about absence of inter-service communication! This is required to ensure prompt command and control, and it hampers the quick relay of information among the services, especially when clashes are in the formative stages. Absence of inter-service communication hampers inter-service unity and thereby largely deprives us of the gains of collective action.

    The issue of superiority complex is also there. Sometimes, instead of emphasis being placed on the gains that can be realized from inter-agency unity, there is misplaced emphasis on one security agency being superior to the other. This does not allow for the much-needed unity that is required to bring about collaboration and synergy towards ensuring adequate security of lives and properties.

    This was enunciated by Samuel (2014) that instead of collaboration and cooperation, each attempted to see his agency as superior to another. This often stemmed from poor judgment, ignorance or/and poor training among our security agencies as to see themselves working for the same common purpose towards the overall security of the nation.

    Differences in agencies’ structures, processes, and resources can hinder successful collaboration in national security, and adequate coordination mechanisms to facilitate collaboration during national security planning and execution are not always in place.

    Also constituting a problem is a situation where personnel often lack knowledge of the processes and cultures of the agencies which they ought to collaborate with.

    THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE ACTION THROUGH INTER-AGENCY UNITY

    Available evidence indicates that poor inter-agency collaboration among Nigeria’s security institutions is one of the major factors militating against effective conflict resolution and security management in Nigeria.

    The consequences of not working effectively together culminate in increasing fear of insecurity and diminished trust in the capabilities of the security system to protect the lives and property of civilian populations across Nigeria in general and terror zones in particular.

    From Boko Haram in the Northeast, banditry and criminal kidnapping in the Northwest, secessionist agitations in the Southeast and Southwest, the security system in Nigeria is practically overstretched.

    In this situation, only the working together of the units that make up Nigeria’s security system will de-escalate conflict and neutralize security threats through complementary operations and credible intelligence sharing among others.

    CREATING STRUCTURES

    I have always been a proponent of inter-agency unity, From 2012 to 2014, as the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit in Lagos. I was able to establish collaborative efforts and synergy with numerous agencies and stakeholders. At the Special Fraud Unit, I set up a Stakeholders’ Forum comprising different individuals, corporate bodies, institutions and entities from all walks of life.

    This afforded us the opportunity to regularly brainstorm and leverage on superior knowledge and expertise in the performance of our duties. Prof Adeyemi a United Nations consultant also Dean and professor at the University of Lagos was the chairman of the stakeholders’ forum and we were able to draw from the academic perspective and integrity of investigation of cases to achieve some breakthroughs in the cases we were handling at that time.

    In 2012, sequel to a presidential directive, I conducted investigation into the Fuel Subsidy Fraud and in the course of this investigation, I collaborated with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), The Nigerian Navy, The Nigeria Custom Service and numerous financial and regulatory bodies.

    This collaboration, in no small measure assisted me in ensuring that a thorough and in-depth investigation was conducted into the fuel subsidy fraud. I also collaborated with the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and all the financial institutions while investigating fraud cases at the Special Fraud Unit, Lagos.

    One of the gains of collective action that is noteworthy during my tenure as the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit was the building of an Interrogation Office fully equipped with state-of–the-art technological equipment for interrogating suspects. With the assistance of the stakeholders’ forum, we built a 3-storey standard forensic investigation laboratory office with modern investigative equipment to ease the performance of our duties.

    Also, in 2014, I was the Commissioner of Police, River State Police Command where I launched serious onslaught against kidnapping and other violent crimes. I collaborated with the military and other security agencies in crime fighting. My posting then was at a time when there was upsurge in kidnapping and oil bunkering. However, through inter-agency unity, I was able to tackle the upsurge in crime at that time and there was relative peace in the state.

    Through collaborative efforts and synergy from the military and other security agencies, I also launched a programme ‘SAY NO TO KIDNAPPING’. This programme was largely very successful as it changed the mindsets of many of the youths to embrace other legitimate means of livelihood instead of embracing kidnapping and other forms of crimes.

    The programme exposed the ills of kidnapping and other criminal activities to the youths and other inhabitants of the state. Suffice it to say that through inter-agency unity, we were able to restore peace and sanity in the state as people were able to sleep with their two eyes closed.  

    In the same spirit, as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, in 2015, I oversaw the Zone 6 Police Command in Calabar, then comprising Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Rivers State Police Commands. Through inter-agency unity with the military and other security agencies, we were able to jointly put in place new operational strategies towards the elimination of kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal oil refining and illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities.

    The zeal to restore sanity in the area was so profound that I requested from the Inspector-General of Police at that time to deploy Police helicopters to my Office to join the massive onslaught against the criminals, which he graciously granted. It is heartwarming to state that the gains of our collective action through inter-agency unity in this regard were monumental. There was no hiding place for the criminals as many of them were arrested and prosecuted. 

    Furthermore, in 2016, apparently based on the enormous successes recorded as the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Zone 6 Police Command in Calabar, I was posted as the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, in charge of the Zone 12 Police Command then comprising Bauchi State, Borno State and Yobe State Police Commands.

    On assumption of office in Bauchi, I stepped up my inter-agency unity drive which is very critical in combating terrorism and other criminal tendencies that were rife in my area of responsibility. It should be noted that the rate of insurgents’ activities in Borno and Yobe States which were under my command and control then was on the rise at that time.

    This scaled up efforts were evident in the collaboration and partnership between the Nigeria Police, the military and other security agencies; and this impacted positively on joint operations and other important assignments that were carried out while ensuring that normalcy was restored to the area.

    LESSONS FROM THE US AND OTHER CLIMES

    The 9/11 Commission observed that United States government’s single greatest failure preceding the September 11, 2001, attacks was the inability of the United States federal agencies to effectively share information about suspected terrorists and their activities.

    However, consequence upon the failure of inter- agency unity in the US which made 9/11 possible, the American security agencies came out of the ruins of the 9/11 episode stronger as there has not been any successful foreign terrorism planned attack on US soil since 9/11.  How have they done it? Let’s recall.

    Let’s recall “Operation Chevrolet,” the plot to kill Saudi ambassador to the USA. An Iranian car salesman domiciled in the USA in connection with terror merchants within Iran and in a Mexican drug cartel had planned to assassinate the ambassador in Washington at a popular upscale restaurant.

    But the unity among the security agencies of FBI, CIA, DOJ, led by the USA Terrorism Task Force put in motion a counter terrorism counter intelligence that goaded on the perpetrator and on the eve of their dastardly plans, arrested the contractor and others when his flight to Mexico from IRAN was diverted to New York. He was arrested, and charged to court and convicted with a life sentence.

    Another instance was the 2006 largest counter terrorism global inter-agency collaboration which was launched as operation “overt” involving CIA, FBI, the British intelligence crime mapping system, and M15. Through this collaboration, the telephone and email conversation of the terrorists in Britain to Pakistan and USA were monitored. The terror point was to take off at Heathrow airport. Eighteen (18) potential suicide bombers were to be distributed to nine (9) flights to destinations in USA and Canada simultaneously. Different components of the explosive devices were to be assembled inside the planes and detonated over the Atlantic

    To foil their clandestine plot, over 1000 British intelligence and surveillance officers were deployed while operatives in Pakistan were put on alert for coverts intelligence.

    As their D-Day became closer, the plotters were placed under close watch, their movements were monitored on CCTV, cameras and bugging devices were planted in their homes and cars to pick up all their conversations

    Having gathered sufficient information, the ringleader of the terror plot, Rashed Rauf, was eventually arrested by the Pakistani authorities. His arrest provided intelligence for the British crime agencies raid the homes of the terror merchants which led to the arrest of 25 of the plotters in the UK.  Details of the blueprint of the terror plots were recovered in their homes and their computers seized. There was thus enough evidence to charge them to court which -subsequently led to their conviction.

    MOVING FORWARD

    We must as a matter of urgency organize a regular leadership conference to harness our shared vision of a secured Nigeria. This leadership meetings would be expected to permeate to the states and LGAs with a view to engendering a harmonious and united workforce among all the security agencies. Inferiority complex and superiority battles between and among security agencies only aggravate the insecurity of everyone and deepens national insecurity

    We must put in place a proper Command and Control mechanism for institutionalized control mechanism that would avoid rancor within the agencies. This Command-and-Control structure will supervise and ensure proper intelligence gathering, monitoring and sharing nationwide.

    Using technology, Artificial intelligence. We must as a matter of urgency set up a criminal data base project, and merge all identification, databases NIN, passport, driver license, sim registration are identity databases linked to the NSA office and utilize facial recognition and artificial intelligence in public areas, Airports, prisons and key urban areas.

    Banditry in the Northwest has exposed how unmanned or poorly manned border zones can compromise national security. The widespread smuggling and use of illicit drugs by criminals have also been implicated as a contributor to growing security and its unfolding dynamism.

    The use of drugs by bandits, Boko Haram terrorists, kidnappers and armed robbers is no longer a secret. As of 2017, 14.3 million Nigerians between 15 and 64 years old used hard drugs such as Cannabis, Tramadol, Codeine or Morphine, and this affects the nature of criminality and conflict in Nigeria.

    That the use of these drugs continues to proliferate implies that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, cannot do it alone without effectively collaborating with other security agencies.

    To leave the border posts, airports and seaports alone to the Customs and Immigration without the support and collaboration of other security agencies will amount to opening our country to terrorists, drug lords, proliferation of arms which would ultimately fall into the hands of bandits, robbers, secessionists, oil thieves etc. and create problems for other agencies.

    If other security agencies do not work with NDLEA, for instance, those who get high on drugs will deploy it to do banditry and kidnapping which will then become a problem for the police, army and NSCDC. Security agencies in Nigeria must close ranks and eliminate rivalry. Security is arrived at when every part of the security system (police, army, NSCDC, NDLEA, Immigration, Customs and others) discharges its roles efficiently and balances its weaknesses with the strength of other security agencies.

    A national policy framework on inter-agency unity/cooperation should be designed by the government for national security (national inter-agency cooperation model).

    A centralized intelligence gathering database should be provided for coordination and information dissemination among security agencies.

    Training and re-training of security personnel on security management.

    There is the need for public-private partnership and community engagement to combat general insecurity in the country

    Improvement of the general welfare of all the security forces is very essential. Good and excellent reward packages for the workforce in all the security agencies would serve as a motivating force to propel them for better performance. The quality of remuneration will mitigate frequent frictions among them, as each will focus on their duties and be ready to synergize and collaborate when the need arises.

    The mass and social media too could be of immense help by maintaining an unbiased posture and ensuring that the clashes that sometimes arise because of the conduct of security officers and men of the different security agencies are not blown or reported out of proportion to the extent of causing tension and degenerating into major inter-agency rivalry.

    For compliance with the terrorism (prevention and prohibition Act 2022), the NSA office should be a meeting point for proper coordination and collaboration and synergize for the greater purpose of ensuring the general security of the country. The NSA should develop a template for mandatory reporting. This will bridge the gap of inadequate cooperation and dissemination of information among sister agencies.

    The NSA can institute a directorate of strategic planning, communication and civil engagement with representatives from all the security agencies which will constantly engage with the populace on policies and conflict with a view to finding solutions to national security problems.

    Tied to this is the need for regular joint training, workshops and intellectual exchange among the different agencies to foster inter-agency unity and enhance better coordination during joint operations.

    Agencies can enhance and sustain their collaborative efforts by establishing compatible policies, procedures, and other means to operate across agency boundaries, among other practices.

    CONCLUSION

    There is a challenge and a big task before us all.  Inter-agency unity is not served on a platter of gold. It must be worked out knowing the gains that can accrue therefrom. Before me here are service chiefs, officers at the top echelon of respective services with very intimidating credentials. Our agencies’ missions and visions are better realized when we work together in one accord. I challenge you all to come together, notwithstanding the agency you belong to, consciously embrace one another with our common goal, security and secured nation as the only target.

    Inter-agency unity exemplifies the power of collective action, showcasing how collaborative efforts can yield benefits. By harnessing the strength of diverse organizations, a unified approach fosters innovation, effective problem solving, and resistance in addressing complete issues for successful

    inter-agency collaboration, establishing clear communication channels, mutual respect and shared objectives as a sine qua non.

    The common goal is peace and a secure nation to foster economic growth. Let us work together in the same direction to achieve peace and security as in doing so everybody (every agency) wins. Achieving peace and security should be considered a TEAMWORK because Together Everyone Achieves More. You can take the bull by the horn and put an end to interagency rivalry. The time for inter-agency unity is now.

    Being speech delivered by Tunde Ogunsakin, Assistant Inspector General of Police (Rtd) at Tansian University Umunya, Anambra State where he was awarded honorary doctorate degree for his outstanding contributions to human development in Nigerian society, on March 29, 2025.

  • Nigeria needs drastic security sector reforms – Wordu

    Nigeria needs drastic security sector reforms – Wordu

    The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu just crossed the halfway point of its tenure. In this interview with Omolara Akintoye, a Political Sociologist and Public Policy Analyst at University of Port Harcourt Rivers State, Professor Steve Wordu, gives an assessment of how the government has performed and looks at areas where improvements are required.

    What has changed in the Security sector?

    If we take for instance the Security index, nothing has improved with respect to security sector management of the Country.

    We can say that Nigeria has relapsed into the worst kind of insecurity experiences within the past two years.

    That is why the other key performance indicators need to be strengthened, what is happening to security, what is this administration doing on terms of national security.

    I have in recent speech addressed the issue of security sector reforms, Nigeria needs drastic security sector reforms. The security system in this country starting from equipments and motivation of military and security personnel is very low and inadequate. There is very low morale among the personnel, staff or officers of the armed forces and security agencies in this country, because of poor condition of service, poor renumeration, high risk involved in their work and lack of functional weapon systems.

    So the weapon systems of the security has to be reformed, the training and motivation of military personnel has to be improved so that personnel will be motivated enough to sacrifice in the protection and security of their country.

    Take for instance Poverty Index, since 2018, Nigeria has been ranked as the poverty capital of the world. This embarassing position in the rank order hasn’t even improved, Nigeria has slided deeper into poverty.

    It goes like that with democracy and governance performance index.

    In the democracy sector, we have not seen anything fundamentally transformative, there Is no transformational democracy, there’s nothing showing that the democratic political system in Nigeria has embarked on is closest to International best practices and so the expectations of Nigerian citizens on the basis of democracy and governance has not been satisfied.

     Let me say that one of the things that endeared President Tinubu’s to most Nigerians was his role in anti military governance. He was very active in pro-democracy movement and suffered for it and paid huge sacrifice for it. So coming from that background and antecedent in democracy agitations it is expected that

    His Excellency should be the number one citizen protecting the philosophy the virtues and the principles of democratic governance.

    But what we are seeing under his watch in the past two years has not shown his full commitment to Democratic consolidation in Nigeria. If we are to score this regime on democracy and Governance Indicators, I can say that based on available statistical data, it has not been achieved.

    Of what impact is the Bill of Debt given by IMF?

    Another important indicator for measuring Performance or assessment of a government is Indebtedness, the indebted profile of a Country matters so much on how development and other governance activity be achieved.

     Today Nigeria is ranked as most indebtedness Country in Africa, if not the most indebtedness Country in the world. It got worse with this administration.

    This administration has become popular for continuously asking for external borrowing.

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    External borrowing is what has kept Nigeria in the lowest level of global indebtedness.

    Nigeria is a highly indebted Country and any Country that is highly indebted cannot be assessed properly as being delivering governance. The worst of all is that Nigeria is borrowing not to engineer the productive sector but only to service the Country.

    For instance, we borrow money to pay salaries. When a Country is borrowing money to pay salaries, that country is performing very low in terms of Global indebtedness Profile. It’s embarassing to emphasize that Nigeria is a highly indebted Country and we can link the indebtedness to dependency, the Country becomes dependent to its borrowers and lenders.

    That is why If I have to address the question on IMF giving Nigeria a soft landing recommendation to borrow more money, I can say that IMF is not an institution for developing countries, rather it’s an institution for highly rich countries, IMF serve the purpose of ensuring that the global inequality in terms of the G8 and the rest of the world remains intact.

    One way of achieving it is to encourage countries like Nigeria to continue to borrow and borrow, the more borrowing a Country embarks on, the more indebtedness that country is. Hence, Nigeria is indebted and therefore being ineffective in terms of managing national revenue and national resources. As long as Nigeria is highly indebted, Nigeria cannot be rated as a highly performing Country. 

    So this regime unfortunately has dragged Nigeria deeper into debts, debts that do not have strategic policies or strategic programmes to deliver Nigeria from Global indebtedness.

    Few years ago Nigerian was trapped but during the period of Obasanjo and when Prof. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala was Minister for Finance, Nigeria was let loose from the stronghold of International Indebtedness.

    But now, Nigeria is highly trapped in terms of international indebtedness.

    How would you assess the performance of JAMB over the years with reference to the glitch on this year’s examination

    I can categorically say that National educational performance index is another indicator used to assess the performance of a Country, Nigeria is running an education that is not inline with global standard, we cannot even handle simple matter of processing students for admission into our Universities which is the work of JAMB.

    JAMB has become notable with corruption.

    You are aware of what has happened in this country arising from the mismanagement of funds collected from parents for the purposes of JAMB administration.

    In a situation whereby JAMB is running Computer Based Test (CBT), I can says this authoritatively even from my own University, whereby none of those centres is nothing to write home about when it comes to decency, adequacy, preparation and management.

    Most students stay and stand for hours waiting for their turns to be accredited into the Exam Hall and when they get into the halls, the Computers are not working.

    Let lecturers and University management who run these CBT Centres during JAMB face the reality and be truthful that they are not doing well in terms of the arrangement made for students to write their CBT.

    So the glitch in 2025 JAMB results and JAMB Process is as a result of corruption and it was an evidence to prove low assessment of JAMB in terms of national enrollment Test.

    I will even suggest that JAMB should be scrapped completely and let universities, with oversight by National University Commission (NUC) handle their admissions. It used to be so in the past, if Universities are autonomous, that autonomy should include Universities being able to process their own admission of their Students. So JAMB is moribund, no longer relevant and JAMB is ineffective and has failed this country.

    The next question is is JAMB reformable? If it is reformable what are the areas of reformation that is necessary to make JAMB become more effective and functional.

    As I’ve said earlier that Universities are autonomous and can process their students or applicants for admission but it is good to have a national body so as to have a coordinated national policy and programs on recruitment of students into our universities. Other countries don’t have centralized body like JAMB but if we want to retain JAMB, it means that JAMB has to be purged drastically.

    Punitive measures must be put in place to punish any official of JAMB who are involved in corruption.

    Universities should also raise facilities supported by JAMB to fund properly and equip the CBT Centres. I can tell you with empirical commitment that students stand under rain, under sun, some standing for hours waiting to queue for their turns in order to write JAMB exams.

    This to an extent stress the students, most of the computers should be replaced, proper time should be given to students, proper convenience where students can sit down while waiting for their turn should also be improved. If these things are looked into it will help to improve the effectiveness of JAMB.

    Is a formidable coalition possible with the opposition in the light of recent developments within the leadership of the parties

    Let me say that in a democratic system, the political party system matters, the behaviour of politicians, the administration and management of political parties is key to assessing the performance of a Country using democracy, politics and governance performance.

    The political parties in Nigeria, particularly the so called opposition party has not demonstrated any seriousness with respect to national political development.

    A party that is running or a group of people that is hoping to change or confront the ruling party should be prepared to provide the Country with alternative policies, alternative transformation strategies and well coordinated coalition that will be strong enough to confront the ruling government. I can say based on keen observation of the internal wranglings, internal crisis in the major opposition party which is PDP shows that it will be very difficult for them to arise as a consolidated coalition that can withstand the ruling party in the next election.

    Unless the politicians involved are ready to sacrifice their personal aggrandizement and greed, they will not be able to achieve anything.

    The coalition party is made up of people who do not understand the need to rescue the country from any form of bad governance, they do not understand the importance of national cohesion and nation building, they are only interested in running election to form government in order to control resources. That is not the spirit of democracy and national development. Hence I do not see any strength in the ongoing coalition arrangements.

    Until they are able to agree on a party and candidates to run election under the umbrella of the Coalition. But as long as greed, religion, regional and ethnic inclinations continue to influence the process of building a coalition, I do not see any emergence of a consolidated capable coalition to counter the incumbent administration come 2027 election.

    The opposition and ruling party have started race for 2027 in earnest, is this not a distraction?

    Let me say empirically that in Nigeria, the four years in running election is not fours years, in actual fact, it is two years. The reason is that when govt are sworn in, they spent only two years trying to consolidate their hold on power, the next two years is used for the preparation of the next election so it’s very appalling to say that the four years is actually two years; two years for governance and two years for politicking.

    That does not augur well for this Country. It is too early for a govt to begin to politick that is why I can agree that it is too early, it’s distracting, confusing and frustrating to begin to judge govt. only in two years.

    It’s drawing back governance, governance is placed lower than politics and that is not the best way a country can go.

    Let a policy or constitutional amendment be put in place, or rather INEC should be able to regulate the period when politicking for the next season election should start. The reason is so far as Tinubu as spent two years, the next two years will be for politicking, hence we are short changing the governance period for political competition.

     So that is one of the weakness in our electoral politics.

    That period has to be properly extended. I can say that there should be no politicking, the constitution should make provision that there should be no politicking for the next election until about six months to the end of incumbent administration.

    Are the State and local govt performing up to expectations with increase in Monthly allocation from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC)?

    It is true that federal funding and physical allocation policy has improved to the point that the local and state govt. Levels are receiving funds as at when due.

    But it is one thing to receive funding and it is another thing to show working with the available funds received.

    Physical Federalism is one of the contending issues in this country and the way it is managed will also be used in assessing the government.

    This current administration has not disrupted the FAAC and I commend President Tinubu for that, but there has to be an oversight to ensure that the funds received by State and local government be utilised to render service and improve the living conditions of the masses.

    Most local govts. are ungoverned, I can say that the local government areas in Nigeria constitute part of that ungoverned spaces where there is no evidence of govt. involvement in the management of affairs of communities and societies, where there is no supervision, the citizens don’t know how much is allocated to their LGAs not even to their States and do not have any way of monitoring accountability.

    So lack of accountability is undermining the gains made in the name of physical Federalism and in the achievements so far in consistent release of fundings for LGAs and for States. This is kudos to Tinubu’s Administration for not distorting the flow of physical Federalism. But there is need to provide oversight and accountability for the funds received by LGAs and States are deployed for effective governance and for improving the living condition of people.

    There’s not much not much that the federal government can do in terms of oversight on the activities of both State and LGAs, that is a constitutional issues. This therefore call for the constitutional amendment to deal with accountability of governance at LGAs and States levels.

    The constitution has to be strengthened to ensure that there is a reporting system, audit and accountability system on how funds and other resources at State and LGAs is properly monitored by the federal government.

    Again when it comes to supervising what political parties do, I don’t think that the President should be assessed based on happenings at the political parties, the different Political Parties, even his own party as the ruling party APC, the President may not have an overriding control over how the party affairs are managed. So INEC and other constitutional body should look into the issue of supervising the attitude and behaviour of politicians and their political parties, the internal party management and ensuring that the internal party issues does not disrupt national elections.

    So far so good for this country, at least we are still forging ahead as a nation but in actual fact, things are not going well with citizens of the country.

    It’s been two years without unrest in the education sector, how would this impact on the education sector.

    Though it would seem that Nigeria has witnessed a stable work environment in the past two years in the education sector. This situation may not be a kudos to government policy, instead it is a result of compromise by leaders of Trade Unions. Also Unions like ASUU have become fatigued by strikes. This regime has not liquidated its indebtedness to Lecturers, but lecturers are overwhelmed by debts and unsustainable salary that they fear to embark on strikes which always complicate and compound the stranglehold of poverty on Nigeria’s working class.

  • State of Plateau infrastructure in two years of Gov Mutfwang

    State of Plateau infrastructure in two years of Gov Mutfwang

    Prompted by the demand for accountability by citizens of Plateau state, Kolade Adeyemi in this report examined the Gov Caleb Mutfwang 2 years administration in areas of infrastructural development.

    It has become necessary, given that state governments are entitled to statutory monthly allocation from the federation account, to consider that two years is enough a time to measure the success of a state administration. This is necessary to measure and bring to bare campaign promises, monthly allocations received and proves of adequate deployment of state resources for the purpose of understanding the differences between praise singers and critics of the Mutfwang’s administration in Plateau state.

    In his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, Gov Mutfwang made known his mission and vision known to citizens of the state.

    “Our vision is to build a united, secure and prosperous plateau. Therefore, I will together with my team work day and night to transform the environment and the living conditions of our people for the better and to ultimately leave behind a legacy of great service for a better Plateau. Suffice it to say, our goal is to work relentlessly towards returning Plateau to its glory days and to reposition it for Peace and Prosperity.

    “Fellow citizens, we have the resolve and we are resolute in our desire for a new Plateau. Let me reaffirm that we will summon the political will every step of the way to initiate policies and programmes that will engender peace, progress and prosperity in our land. This is a solemn commitment, and you can hold me to my word. By the grace of God, we shall remain committed to our vision for the state. Conscious of the fact that I have been elected Governor by the divine will of God and the great determination of the people, I promise by word and deed to be an advocate and Practitioner of justice, fairness and equity”

    Besides his mission and vision, a glance at the 23 supplementary budget of the state and that of 2024 and 2025 reflects the governor’s genuine commitment to infrastructural development of the state.

    The activities of the 2025 anniversary of democracy day (June 12) celebration shows that governor Mutfwang has moved from rituals of mere annual budgetary provisions to commissioning of completed capital projects. Project commissioned on June 12, 2025 includes, The governor a completed Laboratory, Paediatric Ward and Office Complex, at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos. Another completed project is Utonkon Bridge and adjoining Roads linking Namus junction-Rayfield road, and 1 Storey Administrative Block and Refurbished Joshua Dariye Hall at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos Campus. The governor also commissioned the 2nd batch of Metro Buses.

    Earlier in the first year of the administration, the governor had completed the rehabilitation of township road within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis programed under the “City Renewal” project. It was learnt the City Renewal project also was also extended to the rural communities across the 17 local governments of the state.

    Closely related to the city renewal project was the restoration of the estheticians and beatification of Jos city. One of the fans of Gov Mutfwang who a former councilor Hon Benjamin Kawu said, “The mantra of gov Mutfwang administration is “The Time is Now” and has brought by invoking the now popular Executive Order 003 which the governor has user to restore the original beauty of Jos. It was a practical step taken to address indiscriminate building of shops on the streets, indiscriminate motor parks and proliferation of markets within the metropolis. The city is now looking clean befitting of a state capital. Indeed, helped us in safeguarding Jos from degenerating into an unmanageable urban sprawl that is vulnerable to crime and social disarray” he stressed.

    The Nation learnt that through the Road Maintenance Agency, gov Mutfwang has rehabilitated over 2 road network within Jos-Bukuru metropolis. General Manager of Plateau State Road Maintenance Agency, Engr. Luke Davou, said, “The administration has successfully rehabilitated a network of roads that were constructed over 40 years ago, which had deteriorated into hazardous conditions, leaving citizens in nightmare.

    But through the Governor Mutfwang has reconstructed, rehabilitated and and awarded contracts for the construction of new roads across the 17 Local Government Councils.

    Notable projects that have undergone repairs and reconstruction include Hope Hill, land and Survey road, Liberty Boulevard-Gold & Base road, Living Faith Road; Ahmadu Bello-Area Command- West of Mines road, Ahmadu Bello-Kashim Ibrahim road, Rhino Gold Club roads, Prof Ochapa road, Rikkos Junction (TT&T)- Yanshanu road, Maternity-Moonshine Hotel, Ahmadu Bello-Plateau Riders, Maternity-Masalacin Juma’a road, Zololo Junction road, Yan Trailer,  Main Market, Parking Arb stree,  Sarking Arb street, St. Micheal, street, Dutse Uku ,

    Others includes Building Materials-Open University road, AVI Rokkos Yanshanu road, ATMN D.B. Zang road, Plateau Roundabout-Central Bank road, Rwang Pam Street road, Glorious Praise Academy, Behind Old Government House Jos, Access Road to Head of Service, ECWA Good News, Ahmadu Bello-Tafawa Balewa, Angwan Rukuba-Police Outstation,  Angwan Rukuba-St. Micheal road, Steve Goar-Isaac Kwallu road, Yelwa-Rahol Kanang-Du Junction, Apata road, Dong Kasa Wash, ECWA Good News, Filling Ball road, Daisy Land-Zaramaganda road, Dadin Kowa-Road Network,   Plateau Hospital-Hill Station-CBN Road, Maternity-Masalacin Juma’a road, Zololo Junction road and Maternity-Moonshine Hotel-Chorbe road among others.

    These infrastructural enhancements reflect Governor Mutfwang’s commitment to the safety and well-being of the state’s residents, ensuring that Plateau State’s roads are not only passable but also conducive for all users.

    Another area where residents scored the governor high is in the transport sector. The Governor, through Plateau Express Service Limited, headed by the Group Managing Director/CEO, Hon. Samuel J. Gwott, has launched the first and second phase Tin City Metro Bus initiative.

    “This ambitious project introduces 15 modern MAN-Diesel buses to meet urban transportation demands, equipped with advanced amenities such as Near Field Communication (NFC) and secure card payment technology.

    Read Also: Lojay faults Nigeria’s academic system

    The 15 modern MAN-Diesel buses were commissioned on Tuesday May 7th, 2024 while the 2nd phase of 15 luxurious buses was commissioned on June 12, 2025 by the governor.

    “The Tincity Metro came along with comprehensive video monitoring systems, enhance passenger safety and the overall commuting experience.

    This will set the benchmark for smart, inclusive, and sustainable public transportation across the Jos Bukuru Metropolis.

    Meanwhile, Governor Mutfwang made a bold commitment by refurbishing all distance vehicles in the first Quarter of 2024. 15 fully refurbished buses have been launched into inter-state service across major routes including Jos, Bayelsa, Warri, Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Kaduna.

    Additionally, in 2024, 20 Toyota Sienna vehicles, complete with security enhancements, have been acquired for the Jos-Abuja route. The fleet also includes 20 refurbished 14-seater Toyota Hiace buses, now outfitted with tracking devices and audio surveillance capabilities. The 20 Toyota Sienna vehicles were commissioned by the Deputy Governor, Ngo Mrs Josephine Piyo.

    The Plateau Express Service Limited also launched a fully responsive corporate website. This platform provides detailed information about the company, its management team, services, contact options, FAQs, news, and social media links, fostering real-time interaction between customers and staff.

    The new invention in the Plateau Express Services Group with the initial lauch of the first phase of the Metro Bus Service resulted in the employment of 149 staff members across various categories. With the upcoming of the second phase, an additional 115 personnel will be recruited to support operations across critical roles. The initiative has creates employment for over 500 individuals in the state with a significant multiplier effect among ad-hoc and contract staff.