Over the past 24 years, a stark decline in the manufacturing sector has been observed across Nigeria, leading to the unfortunate closure of 102 companies in 16 states.

LEADERSHIP reports that the trend highlights manufacturers’ myriad challenges, including inconsistent government policies, inadequate infrastructure, and security concerns.

Experts say the closure of these 102 companies across Nigeria’s 16 states represents a significant loss for the nation’s economy, contributing to unemployment and social unrest.

The challenges faced by these industries are multifaceted, requiring urgent government intervention and strategic planning to foster a more conducive business environment and restore the manufacturing sector.
Nigeria has spent billions on intervention to save the industries through the National Industrial Revolution Plan.

JUST-IN: TINUBU APPOINTS NEW CEOS FOR NSIPA, NAPTIP, 5 OTHERS

(NIRP) launched in 2014, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) introduced in 2017 and the Industrial Development Fund, a programme set up to provide financing for industrial projects.

The states affected by the closure of companies are: Abia – 7, Bauchi – 2, Bayelsa – 1, Borno – 5, Gombe – 4, Kaduna – 5, Kano – 22, Katsina – 2, Kebbi – 5, Kwara – 13, Nasarawa – 6, Niger – 4, Plateau – 3, Rivers – 1, Sokoto – 2 and Zamfara – 20.

Findings on companies that employed over 50 persons before the year 2000 but have now closed shop indicated that in Kaduna State, major closures include Kaduna Textile Limited, Arewa Textile and United Nigeria Textile, all situated in the Kakuri area.

Between 2000 and 2024, Zamfara State witnessed the closure of 20 companies, each employing over 50 workers. Notable casualties include Zamfara Textile Industries Limited, Gusau Oil Mills, and other enterprises concentrated in the Gusau industrial area. The economic landscape has been adversely affected, resulting in significant job losses and community distress. The state has been beset by banditry in the last few years.
Kwara State has also suffered, with 13 companies shutting down, including reputable names like Global Soap and Detergent Industry and Nigeria Paper Mills in Jebba. The closures reflect a broader trend of economic hardship and inadequate support for local industries.

Borno State has been particularly hard-hit, losing five companies largely due to the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency. This insurgency has stifled investment and led to the collapse of firms like Deribe Oil Company. The lack of security has rendered the resuscitation of these businesses nearly impossible.
Kebbi State has seen five significant companies go out of business since 2010, primarily due to economic challenges. Gombe State has lost four companies, including the once-thriving British Cotton Ginnery. Similarly,

Niger State has reported the closure of four companies, emphasising the pervasive nature of the crisis across the region.

Kano State stands out with a staggering 22 companies having shut down operations, particularly in the textile, food, and beverage sectors.

Other states have not been spared either. For instance, Bayelsa State lost one plastic company, while Bauchi, Katsina, Sokoto, Abia, Nasarawa, Plateau, and others have experienced varying degrees of industrial decline.
Significant companies like Jos Steel Rolling Mill and Jos International Breweries have become shadows of their former selves, with little government intervention to revive them.

Experts and workers who spoke to LEADERSHIP attributed the current hardship and lack of jobs to the inability of the companies to survive in Nigeria.
Local textile worker Joseph Kwagh said, “Unless the government wakes up from its slumber, moribund textile industries and other companies will not be revived.”

Vice Chairman of the Kano State Organised Private Sector Union, Hamza Adamu, highlighted the confluence of low business activity, multiple taxation and poor electricity supply as critical factors leading to the closure of industries in Nigeria.

FG Disburses Single-digit Loans To Prevent Industry Collapse

However, in a strategic move to prevent the collapse of industries in Nigeria, the federal government has disbursed loans at single-digit interest rates to the manufacturing sector of the economy and small businesses.
The Bank of Industry (BoI), under the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, in 2023, disbursed N496.72 billion in loans to 75,809 beneficiaries, marking a 41.5 percent increase in total loans and advances.

These efforts align with President Bola Tinubu’s economic recovery goals, emphasizing the government’s dedication to empowering Nigerian enterprises and promoting sustainable operations.
Also just recently, the government, through the newly-launched N200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund (PIF), designed to provide crucial financial support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as manufacturers nationwide, announced that the fund will allocate N75 billion each to MSMEs and the manufacturing sector.

The loans, repayable in equal monthly instalments over three years with no moratorium, are intended to stimulate economic growth and foster industrial development.
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment,

Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, highlighted that this new phase follows a successful initial rollout, which saw significant support provided to nano businesses. The continuation of this initiative is expected to further strengthen the country’s business environment.

For MSMEs, eligible applicants can secure loans of up to N1 million if they have been operational for at least one year or are registered start-ups. Requirements include business registration documents, bank statements, and personal guarantees. Manufacturers can access loans up to N1 billion, choosing between working capital or asset financing, with specific documentation and repayment terms.

Suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, may not return to her former position.

Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended her in January over alleged corruption, there have been reports that she could be reinstated.

The president had asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the ministry under Edu’s watch.

The President had also suspended Halima Shehu as the chief executive officer (CEO) of NSIPA and all programmes under NSIPA.

He also constituted a ministerial panel to conduct a review of the Agency’s operations with a view to recommending necessary reforms of the NSIPA.

However, on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, announced that Tinubu had appointed seven individuals to man agencies under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Ngelale said Dr. Badamasi Lawal had been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer NSIPA.

Others appointed by the president includes, Ms. Funmilola Olotu, Programme Manager, National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office, Ms. Aishat Alubankudi, Programme Manager, Grant for Vulnerable Groups and Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Programme Manager, Home Grown School Feeding.

Others are Mr. Abdullahi Alhassan Imam, Programme Manager, National Cash Transfer Office, Mr. Ayuba Gufwan — Executive Secretary, National Commission for People with Disabilities and Ms. Lami Binta Adamu Bello as the Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

Ngelale said, the President expects the appointment to facilitate the needed relief to Nigerians and ensure the effectiveness of humanitarian and social development programmes.

[DailyTrust]

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, approved the appointment of some Nigerians onto the board of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The list was contained in a statement signed by the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.

The board has Alhaji Aminu Masari as the chairman and six others as members.

Tinubu expects the newly-appointed members of the TETFund board “to be dedicated and committed to driving TETFund’s objective of providing the needed support for tertiary education with a view to enhancing the productivity and quality of higher education.”

They include:

Alhaji Aminu Masari — Chairman

Senator Sani Danladi — Member

Mr. Sunday Adepoju — Member

Mr. Nurudeen Adeyemi — Member

Mrs. Esther Onyinyechukwu Ukachukwu — Member

Mr. Turaki Ibrahim — Member

Mr. Aboh Eduyok — Member

[DailyPost]

• Katsina, Kano relax curfew by 12 hours

• Mobile court remands 632 rioters

Normalcy returned to more states yesterday as the protests against the rising cost of living dissipated.

With protesters in Akwa Ibom, Osun and Edo states backing down, virtually all 17 states in the South, except Rivers, have abandoned the protest.

Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), also had a breather yesterday. Life returned to normal in most parts.

Lagos, the nation’s commercial city, returned to its boisterous self after protesters abandoned the Gani Fawhinmi Freedom Park, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broadcast on Saturday.

In states such as Oyo, Ogun and Delta, the protest was not noticeable yesterday.

Ondo, Ekiti, the Southeast states of Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo remained peaceful.

Niger and Nasarawa have remained calm since the weekend.

Benue youths never joined the protest and were commended by Governor Hycienth Alia.

The 24-hour curfew imposed on Katsina and Kano states was relaxed following a gradual return to peace.

FCT

In Abuja, the presence of security operatives at the protest location – the Moshood Abiola National Stadium and other public places – was still noticeable yesterday even after the demonstrators had been dispersed.

A drive around the city showed that people went about their normal businesses, unlike the previous days.

The Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos was deserted yesterday and business boomed across the sprawling former nation’s capital.

Edo

Commercial and government activities picked up in Benin, the state capital.

The state secretariat opened for the first time in the past six days while shop owners displayed their goods with enthusiasm.

Security agencies cleared roadblocks on Monday in strategic areas of the city, thus giving motorists and other residents the confidence to move without fear. 

However, many banks did not open. Some customers were seen stranded at the entrances.

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that occupied King Square on the popular Ring Road also withdrew from the protest.

Osun

Protesters in Osogbo suspended the demonstration to present a letter to Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi received the letter on behalf of Adeleke at the Government Secretariat in Abere.

Adewusi, who promised that their letter would be delivered to President Tinubu, urged the protesters to embrace dialogue to achieve their demands.

The deputy governor also hailed their orderly conduct since the protest started and promised to work with them toward ensuring that the state remained peaceful.

He said: “We will not relent in our efforts, as a government, in ensuring that the state continues to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

“The government has been paying salaries and backlogs, gratuity, wage awards, and other allowances; this is commendable. We are working for the best interest of the state.

“The government will continue to prioritise the welfare of its people. Once the supply of palliatives from the Federal Government is completed, disbursement will begin.

“I also admonish you to embrace dialogue and constructive engagement towards achieving your demands.” 

After submitting the letter, the protesters, under the Coalition for Concerned Nigeria Citizens, addressed reporters at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat.

Adetunji Ajala, who spoke for the coalition, declared the demonstration suspended indefinitely because of the  Osun Osogbo Festival whose grand finale is slated for Friday.

Ajala said: “Since the inception of this peaceful protest, we have made our demands clear, seeking immediate action from our leaders to address pressing issues affecting the citizens of our beloved state and country.

“We acknowledge the recent address by President Tinubu, but we are disappointed that his speech failed to address any of our specific demands.

‘’Despite this setback, we successfully presented our demands to Governor Adeleke, through the deputy governor.” 

Akwa Ibom

The protest grounds in the state capital were also empty.

Governor Umo Eno praised the youth for distancing themselves from the protest and choosing peace.

To reciprocate their gesture, Eno said his administration would launch a social welfare programme to provide monthly support to about 5,000 youths.

The governor said: “We celebrate all of our youths wherever they are. They did not protest, not because the police stopped them, but because God spoke to them.

“I am extremely grateful to our youths for understanding that we can dialogue and get all that we want and that we can work together as a people.”

[TheNation]

Nigeria’s security agencies are investigating at least four politicians from the country’s northern part over the use of Russian flags by #EndBadGovernance protesters.

Multiple sources told The PUNCH that the political bigwigs, who hail from Katsina, Kaduna and Kano states, were principal actors who instigated the use of Russian flags among demonstrators in the north to fan the embers for an unconstitutional regime change.

“You see, four principal actors have been identified in this issue. They are top politicians from Katsina, Kano and Kaduna and the security agencies are closing in on them,” said one of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter.

“They played prominent roles in the election of last year (2023),” the source added.

Another source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, told one of our correspondents, “There is evidence of external influence mainly involving the politicians who are conniving with a West African and European country to cause mayhem and promote the use of the flags we are seeing. They want to do here what they did in some other countries.”

The nationwide protests against hardship and hunger took a dangerous dimension on Monday, with protesters in some Northern states waving the Russian flag as they chanted “Tinubu must go.”

Protesters in Kaduna were seen waving the Russian flag and chanting in Hausa, “Tinubu ze soka’ kaa’sa,” which translates to, “Tinubu must step down.”

They also hailed military personnel, who patrolled the metropolis, chanting, “Tinubu yaa’so’ka, mu’na so soja”, meaning, “Tinubu step down, we want soldiers.”

Russia, an Eastern power currently mired in a cold war with the West, has been blamed for several unconstitutional changes of government in West African countries such as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, and among others.

The Nigerian military on Monday said persons flying the Russian flag were committing treason and will, therefore, be “prosecuted”. It also said it is investigating those who are instigating the move and will “take serious action” against them.

“That is totally unacceptable…that is a treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such,” said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, after a meeting of the National Security Council chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

The Department of State Services stated on X.com that it had arrested some tailors sewing Russian flags in Kano State and that some of their sponsors had also been nabbed.

However, protesters with the flag reduced drastically on Tuesday after state security personnel clamped down on them in several states, arresting them and their perceived foreign sponsors.

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Salman Garba, disclosed that some foreigners suspected of being behind the protesters were arrested.

Garba, who stated this after a security meeting with Governor Abba Yusuf on Tuesday, vowed that the police and other security agencies would clamp down on anyone who violated the security regulations of the state.

The Kano police boss also announced further relaxation of the curfew from 6am to 6pm.

The same day, the Gombe State Police Command paraded 10 suspects for waving the Russian flag during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest.

Briefing journalists at the Criminal Investigation Department of the command, Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Usman, said the outright display of another country’s flag was disrespectful to the nation.

The command’s Public Relations Officer ASP Buhari Abdullahi, who represented Usman, said the protesters were arrested in the violent protest utterly showed disrespect to the country.

“We have seen the unsettling displays of foreign flags by some protesters. This act not only disrespects our national symbols but also commits treasonable felony and related offences. Hence, 10 suspects were arrested flying Russian flags,” Abdullahi stated while parading the suspects.

“The command’s primary goal remains to restore peace and order and protect lives and property. We are committed to a measured response, ensuring that the rights of peaceful protesters are respected while addressing those who engage in violence or unlawful activities.”

He added, “The looting of both public and private property during these protests is a grave concern, for instance, the Gombe State Revenue Recovery Tribunal, Bima Lodge, Gombe State Bureau of Public Service Reform, NITEL Company and Blue -J motors among others. Such action not only undermine the rule of law but also disrupts communities and harm businesses.

“However, the command is coordinating with local communities and other agencies to address these illegal activities and hold those responsible accountable. Therefore, 92 suspects were arrested with some of the vandalised and stolen property and they are still under investigation.”

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu held closed-door talks with intelligence chiefs at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

Although the outcome of the meeting is not known, it may not be unconnected with the ongoing nationwide protests.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Director-General, DSS, Yusuf Bichi; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Abubakar Ahmed and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanual attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the DSS said it had identified some masterminds of the prevalent Russian flags during the protests.

DSS boss Bichi, represented by Service spokesman Peter Afunanya, stated this at a joint media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja with heads of security agencies and Service Chiefs.

However, he argued that revealing the identities of those behind the act could jeopardise investigations.

“It’s not just that children are throwing flags or flying flags. If there is more to that, there are some aspects of our operation that we may not sit before the camera and begin to reel out, either because of their sensitivity, either because we are not supposed to say them now, or because there are ongoing investigations. And we may not say things that jeopardise those investigations,” Bichi said.

The DSS chief added that some sponsors funded the protests through monies raised outside the conventional banking system.

“People are using things other than the currency that you know, channels of transaction to do bitcoins, to do virtual currency, to do all manner of things to raise financing.

“We are attacking all of that. The NIFIU is doing so much. Our directorate for the process of recovery management is doing so much.”

On its part, the Nigeria Immigration Service said it had placed sponsors of #EndBadGovernance protests residing outside the country on its watch list.

Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mrs Kemi Nandap, who disclosed this, added that the persons on the list would be handed over to the appropriate agencies whenever they arrived in Nigeria.

She said, “Some of these sponsors, some of these people who are actually in the diaspora, we have a number of them who are actually instigating this mayhem that we’re seeing right now. What we have done is we have added them to our watch list.

“We have them on our radars, and we’re making sure that any attempt they make to come into the country we will notify the necessary authorities. And we’re working closely, of course, with the NIA and the DSS and the NSA so that all those we have in the diaspora that are actually trying to subvert the authority of this nation are on our radars.”

Nandap added that the Service had stepped up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said the Police had equally uncovered some sponsors of the protests living in the diaspora.

The police chief said, “Although we are aware that some of the sponsors of this protest have a clear motive to subvert the government of the day, we are not going to allow that. We will defend our democracy.

“Then, the question is how we are countering funding of the protest. We are doing a lot that I won’t be able to immediately expose to you how we are countering funding.

“We have blocked some accounts and are still monitoring them. Some are outside the country, and we will still get them.”

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, said the security operatives were after those he identified as “enemies of the country.”

 “It’s our duty to protect Nigerians. The only people we’re after are those who don’t know us well, the enemies of the state. And anyone who makes himself an enemy of the state will then be ready to face the law.

“We’re going to remain focused and committed, we’re going to respect human rights, the rights of everyone who is lawfully performing his duty.

“But we will not relent in pursuing those that have continued to encourage unconstitutional takeover of government. We will remain very professional,” Musa said.

He added that troops deployed across the country had been directed to respect human rights while going about their duties.

“We have told our men outside in the field that they must respect the rights of everyone.

“We encourage the youth to dialogue to understand that destruction and mob action do nobody any good.

“We know there are challenges in the country and these challenges are not only here,” said Musa.

Suspects on trial

Egbetokun said the Police had commenced trials for suspects arrested during the nationwide protest.

The Police had on Monday said over 800 suspects, who committed various offences during the protest, had been arrested.

In Kano, suspects were being tried at the police headquarters because of their large numbers.

He said, “I want to tell you that the trial of the suspects arrested during protests has begun. If you go to police headquarters in Kano now, you will find out that arrested persons are already being tried. So, we are not keeping them indefinitely.”

Egbetokun explained that the police, military and other agencies involved in the protest did not use excessive force on protesters.

“The Police and the military and indeed other security agencies involved in the management of this protest have not deployed excessive use of force; instead, what we had were attacks on security agents during the protest. From our record, there were no shooting incidents by the Police,” the IGP added.

“The Police or military didn’t use any live ammunition in the management of these protests. Instead, we had cases where our officers were injured in critical conditions, as we speak. I will dismiss that (use of excessive force) as fake news and very wrong allegations. We didn’t use excessive force at all.

“We didn’t even deploy the whole of our strength in this protest even when it turned violent. We have water cannons we did not deploy, we have rubber bullets, we didn’t use. All that we have used is teargas and nothing more.”

The Police chief also argued that the protests did not overstretch his men who, he said, successfully nabbed several other criminals.

Egbetokun said, “We were not overstretched; we had standby units that we didn’t deploy in managing this protest. Even while the protests were going on, a number of them were arrested.

“Hoodlums who committed armed robbery were arrested. The only thing we didn’t have was kidnapping. But any other offence that was committed we paid due attention to those criminal activities.”

On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja said the Army’s major operational commitment was to deploy resources to quell the protests that had morphed into riots, while the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, stated that the Navy was working with other security agencies to ensure safety and security in the maritime domain.

Groups condemn protesters

Meanwhile, organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests have dissociated themselves from protesters waving the Russian flag and demanding the removal of President Tinubu, saying it was unrelated to their struggle.

Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday, said although the group neither endorsed nor condemned the protesters’ action, it remained focused on its already outlined demands, adding that threats by security agencies against the protesters were “baseless and misdirected.”

“Our demands are clearly outlined in our charters of demands, and they remain unwavering. The waving of Russian flags is a non sequitur, unrelated to our struggle for justice and accountability. While we neither endorse nor condemn this act, we must emphasise that it’s not a criminal offence under our laws.

“Threats from security agencies to punish flag bearers and arrest tailors who make them are baseless and misdirected. Our focus remains on achieving meaningful change, not on manufactured distractions,” he said.

Similarly, Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, and the pan-Niger Delta Forum have condemned the use of the Russian flag by protesters in the northern part of the country.

Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Chief Kole Omololu, called on President Tinubu to punish those behind the act.

He said, “On the waving of the Russian flag by northern protesters, who are also demanding that President Tinubu should step down, this is a grievous and abominable action by fellow Nigerians and the government should not take it lightly with the perpetrators because the implication is that there have been several coups in the West African sub-region and the coup plotters have been more or less bragging that Russia is their godfather. That is the reason some unpatriotic elements in the north have the audacity to fly the Russian flag. It is calling for a coup and this is treason and should not be handled lightly.

“It is because they have never been part of the democratic struggle in this country. The democracy we are enjoying today, we know how we fought for it. Then, a lot of our leaders were killed. Some were imprisoned unjustly, while the life of our current President was thrown into asylum. If you remember, nine years ago, this country was brought down to its kneel.  We are still battling with that till today.”

The Afenifere chieftain urged the President to use “every force available” to track those involved in the act.

“The security agencies should fish out all those holding meetings in Kaduna, those negotiating with terrorists and pretending to be good citizens of the country. The action is condemnable in every ramification. President Bola Tinubu is trying to put together, the country that has been brought down on its kneel.  But enemies are fighting back. That should not be allowed; the President should come out with every force available. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of Nigeria. This is not time to play politics, it is time to play leadership and assertive.”

On their part, PANDEF described the protesters as ignorant.

“The truth is that from the images we see, they (flag holders) are minors, adolescents, maybe 13 or 14, misguided youths. It’s a dangerous trend and I’m sure they are not even aware of the implications. They are misguided and misinformed, it boils down to issues of out-of-school children who, perhaps, are not even well parented or there are no parents,” National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Dr Ken Robinson, said this during a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Tuesday.

Also, the National Vice-President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, said the South-East was not part of the call for President Bola Tinubu to resign, saying that the region was more concerned about the plight of Ndigbo in the entity called Nigeria.

He said, “Before the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, died, he made a promise that the Ndigbo would not join the protest and when he died, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo re-echoed it. We are concerned more that some people in some sections of the country are asking Igbo to leave.

“So, we are not bothered by the issue of waving of Russian flag by protesters in the North because we are not part of the protest. Since we are not part of it, we don’t know if they are waving Russian flag or flying helicopter anywhere.

“As far as the protest is concerned, we are sleeping; we are not part of it. We are worried that a tribe in Nigeria is asking another tribe to leave. That is more serious than every other thing.

“Whatever you call it whether Russian flag or wrapper, did you see any of them in the South-East? So, we cannot define what the Russian flag looks like and it is not the concern of the Ndigbo because we are not part of it.”

In the same vein, some groups from the northern states dissociated themselves from calls for military takeover.

The Chairman of National Unity Forum for Peace, Alhaji Abbas Dattijo, told The PUNCH that those calling for a change of a democratically elected government were not speaking for the region.

“People of the region are not in any way in support of regime change of constitutionally installed government and can never support calls for Russia government to intervene in the situation in the country”

The Chairman of Grand Alliance of Coalition of Northern Youths Movement, Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf, disagreed with those calling for a change of government.

He condemned those calling for a regime change, saying they were working for a different purpose, which he said should be investigated by the authorities concerned.

Down south, protesters laid siege to a mansion located in Ada George in Ohio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State belonging to the immediate past Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Following the multiple protests which rocked the metropolis and its outskirts, one of the groups, a crowd of over 50 who marched from the Agip Junction axis in Port Harcourt, stopped in front of Wike’s house, singing and pointing to the posh building, saying “this is Wike’s house.”

The protesters, who carried leaves, sang the old national anthem and rained curses on the FCT minister as a retinue of armed policemen watched closely.

The policemen immediately formed a wall to prevent the protesters from coming close to the residence and asked the youths to remain on the other side of the road

The presence of the operatives prevented the protesters, who left after about 50 minutes, from going closer.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said, “It is not true that Wike’s house was attacked because I have spoken to the DPO twice on this and our men are there.

“The protesters only marched past the building and the policemen ensured that they were on the other side of the road. They (operatives) did not confront them.”

[Punch]

“It is totally false to suggest, as we are apt to do, that Nigerians are fundamentally different from any other people in the world. Nigerians are corrupt because the system under which they live today makes corruption easy and profitable; they will cease to be corrupt when corruption is made difficult and inconvenient….The trouble with Nigeria simply and squarely is a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character.

There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership… I am saying that Nigeria can change today if she discovers leaders who have the will, ability and the vision”, Chinua Achebe, in his book, The Trouble With Nigeria.

“Nigeria could, however, follow another path. Its potential is huge. Its tremendous wealth, if properly channeled, holds out the hope that a stable government could unleash the unquestioned energy and talent that pulsates through the rich ethnic mosaic. The human capital is there. Thousands of Nigerian professionals are well educated and skilled enough to drive the country forward. Anyone who visited Nigeria’s markets and witnessed its people endure the constraints of bad government and the sinking economy can testify to the country’s resilience.

“Nigerians spend a good part of their lives trying to get the better of the government for their own benefit or that of their family, their village, or their region. Rare is the head of state who acts on behalf of the entire nation. The people are not so much governed as ruled. It is as if they live in a criminally mismanaged corporation where the bosses are armed and have barricaded themselves inside the company safe. Nigeria’s leaders, like the colonialists before them, have sucked out billions of dollars and stashed them in Western banks”, Karl Maier, in his book, This House Has Fallen—Nigeria In Crisis.

IN the last couple of years, Nigeria 

has been confronted with enormous national crisis that could only be compared with the crisis of the 1960s, which eventually led to the civil war. In fact, if one reflects on what the country went through from after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election up to the demise of General Sani Abacha, one must thank God that Nigeria still survives as one united nation.

Nigeria’s problem is not just economic. Indeed, it is largely political. Nigeria is still undergoing the crisis of nation building.

It is important that Nigeria policy makers appreciate the enormity of the crisis of nation-building still staring at us as a nation. I don’t like to sound alarmist or pessimistic but some of the unresolved conflicts in our country have the potential of escalating into unimaginable proportions at any given time. 

The events leading to the return to democracy in Nigeria could only be understood as a divine intervention. Before then the fate of Nigeria, as a country, was precariously hanging in the balance. The country was a pariah nation among the international community. The economy was in doldrums. 

The Obasanjo presidency experienced chaos in many fronts. These included communal violence, notable cases include Ife-Modakeke, Umeleri-Agulri, Huasa-Zango-Kantaf, Kuteb-Jukun clashes, etc. There was also the Bakassi issue, the Niger Delta crisis and ethnic separatism.

The second major crisis of the Obasanjo presidency was the issue of oil subsidy which was triggered by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, then led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. The strike action paralysed the country for days, if not weeks. Then President Olusegun Obasanjo was forced to set up a special committee on the review of petroleum products supply and distribution. The committee was inaugurated on August 14, 2000 by the then Secretary to the government of the Federation, Chief Ufot Ekaette. 

To be concluded…

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said yesterday the Police have arrested some of the real sponsors of rioters who hoisted foreign flags and called for a change of government in the country in states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara, among others.

The IGP spoke as the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, disclosed that sponsors of foreign flags by the rioters had been identified to live abroad.

This is even as service chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christoper Musa, and Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, warned that the military will not stand idly by and watch the country slide into anarchy.

These came yesterday, as the protest in Port Harcourt intensified, with the protesters marching to the private residence of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and blocking the popular East-West road and other major roads in the state to traffic.

However, there was a thaw in Kano, where the state government modified its dusk-to-dawn curfew between 6 am and 6 pm, and Kaduna, where the curfew imposed by the state government brought about a lull in the city.

Abuja and Lagos were also calm yesterday.

We’ve arrested real sponsors of rioters carrying foreign flags, calling for change of govt — IGP
IGP Egbetokun also disclosed that funders of the violence and subversion both within and outside the country had been tracked, with their accounts blocked and sources of funding stopped.

Egbetokun and other security chiefs spoke at the joint media briefing summoned by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa at Defence Headquarters in Abuja yesterday, noted that the Police had been careful in managing the crisis without deploying water cannons, live and/or rubber bullets but only teargas.

He said the reported shooting of an innocent protester in Kubwa, Abuja, was not the handiwork of Police operatives but armed robbers or armed hoodlums.

“Since August 1, nobody has fired gunshots and we didn’t use force on innocent protesters. We only provided security for them. Even amid the protest, we have arrested several armed robbers, and criminal elements who stole and committed other offences.

Police arrest 6 Spaniards, 76 others in Kano, trail sponsors

Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Garba, also yesterday said his command arrested no fewer than six Spanish nationals in connection with the protest.

CP Garba, who made this known in a phone interview with Vanguard, said the command also arrested 76 others, including the tailor sewing Russian flags, saying the command is on the trail of the sponsor.

“We have arrested six Spanish nationals and 76 others, including the tailor. We recovered 23 Russian flags, we are trailing the sponsor.

“They have been transferred to Force Headquarters because it has to do with sedition and national security,” the CP stated.

Immigration places sponsors of protest on the watchlist

On her part, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, revealed that Diaspora sponsors of protesters have been placed on the agency’s watchlist.

Nandap, who didn’t reveal any name, added that the watch-listed individuals will be arrested on their arrival in the country.

She said: “We have diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist. They are watchlisted, any attempt they make to come into the country, we’ll be notified and they will be picked up and handed to the appropriate authorities.”

The Immigration boss said the agency had in response to the protest, deployed more officers to borders, both land and airports, to ensure effective manning of those entry points.

She said the agency had also stepped up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country.

In his remarks, Director-General, Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Bichi, said the agency has uncovered some sponsors but declined to give further information.

Bichi, represented by the Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, said some accounts had been blocked.

He said some of the persons operating such accounts are staying abroad, adding that they are being monitored.

The D-G said the identity of sponsors of the foreign flags distribution would soon be made public.
Similarly, Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, disclosed that the constant briefing of the media showed the respect and love the security agencies have for the country and their commitment to their task.

“The only people we are after is the enemy of the state who should be ready to face the law. We will not relent in pursuing those who continue to encourage subversion. We will remain professional and our men on the fields will remain professional as well,’’ he said.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, disclosed that long before the protest, the Nigerian Army had deployed troops due to security challenges across Nigeria, noting that the Army stood assured of protecting Nigeria’s democracy, peace and harmony and will not shift ground on that.

While advising youths in the country to desist from violence as the act was needless, Lagbaja said the Nigerian Army will not watch the country slide into anarchy, adding “We will continue to partner with other security agencies in maintaining peace and stability.’’

Protesters in Rivers block East-West road, others, march to Wike’s private residence

In Port Harcourt, protesters blocked a section of the busy East-West Road, NTA Road and other major roads in the state.

Sensing a possible breakdown of law and order, the state Police Command restricted the protest to two venues, including the recreational Isaac Boro Park and the Pleasure Park, both in the centre of the state capital.

Also, protesters who defied the appeal of President Bola Tinubu to end the protest, split themselves into groups, burning more tyres and threatening any vehicle without green leaf on its bonnet to clear and park.

As early as 9 am yesterday, protesters had blocked the Obiri-Ikwerre axis of the East-West Road and the Rumuokoro end, leaving motorists stranded and causing a traffic snarl.

The protesters sang anti-government songs and called on President Tinubu to resign.

One of the protesters simply identified as Igbaki, vowed: “We will not get tired of this protest till day ten. We are tired and hungry and we say no to bad governance in Nigeria.

“The President’s broadcast is nothing to write home about because he didn’t address any of the issues we raised for embarking on this protest. Tinubu must go, he has failed Nigerians and the entire world.”

Some of the protesters made quick business, selling leaves to owners of vehicles trapped in the gridlock for between N100 and N200, while others attempted to force the drivers to join the procession.

The other group of protesters converged on the federal secretariat and moved to the Ikwerre Road axis of Diobu in Port Harcourt as traffic built up in the area, while many vehicles made u-turns to avoid harassment.

Some of the protesting groups had youths between the ages of 10 and 13 years brandishing green leaves, planks and other dangerous weapons, threatening innocent people on the road and looting items, particularly edible goods displayed on the roadside for sale.

Despite their ages, they were also singing the “Tinubu Must Go” songs and looking very frightful. It was learnt that some of the protesters marched to the private residence of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to register their presence.

Reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the restriction of the protesting venue was informed by the fact that the youths were infringing on the rights of others.

“We have restricted the protest to the Isaac Boro Park and the Pleasure Park to prevent a breakdown of law and order. As we speak, they have started infringing on the rights of others and we (Police) will not allow that. We are calling on them to stay in these two venues or else anyone that flouts this order will be arrested and prosecuted,’’ she warned.

She also dismissed reports that the FCT minister’s residence at Ada-George in Port Harcourt was attacked, saying nothing of such happened.

Also dismissing the rumour, the national coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, CBRPAC, Prince Wiro, said there is no iota of truth in the story, adding that bloggers and social media platform owners should be careful with the kind of information they push out for public consumption, especially during sensitive times as the one the country is at the moment.

“That information is not correct. The protesters were coming from the Choba axis of the Ada-George Road. When they got to Minister Wike’s house, they stopped at the right lane of the road. The minister’s house is on the left lane. There was also a very heavy police presence there.
“What they did was that for the 15 minutes or so that they spent on that lane, they were reciting the former national anthem ‘Arise O’ Compatriots, Nigeria’s Call Obey” and raising green leaves to the sky with unusual excitement.

“They did not spend more than fifteen minutes because there is no way they could have gained access to the premises with such heavy presence of armed policemen.”

Sources alleged that some of the business interests belonging to the minister had the presence of heavily armed security personnel on guard with Armored Personnel Carriers, APC, on display apparently to ward off any eventuality or infiltration by hoodlums.

Calm returns to Kaduna as soldiers, and security operatives enforce a 24-hour curfew

Kaduna was calm yesterday, following the 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government to douse the protest that turned riotous on Monday.

There was a scarcity of bread, rice and other essentials in Hayin Banki and other neighbouring communities, as the popular Kawo weekly Talata (Tuesday ) market could not hold due to the curfew.
Women were seen going around the community in search of bread and rice, which were scarce as retail shops were either shut or could not get enough supply of bread from the bakery.

The Police in Kaduna, whose operatives were spotted enforcing the curfew, except for those on essential duties, such as medical personnel and journalists, said they arrested 39 suspects, including a tailor who was sewing Russian flags for the protesters.

“These individuals, seen displaying Russian and Chinese flags, mobilized and engaged in the vandalism of private and public properties. Among the damaged properties were a Hilux vehicle belonging to KADVS, a Toyota Yaris owned by a journalist, and the KASTLEA office in Zone 6, Zaria, which was set on fire,” spokesman of the Kaduna State police command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said.

ASP Hassan, who debunked the story that hoodlums seized an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, belonging to the police, explained further that the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, had intervened to restore order in the state.

He added: “During the confrontation, the suspects became hostile and resorted to using stones, catapults, and other weapons. The police managed to calm the situation with minimal use of tear gas.

“In total, 39 suspects were arrested at the scene, including a tailor who was sewing the foreign flags for the group. The police recovered 38 Russian flags, one Chinese flag, two catapults with a bag of stones, and various vandalized items.”

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Ali Dabigi, while commending his officers, issued a stern warning to all residents to adhere to the imposed curfew. He assured that violators will face arrest and prosecution by the law.

“The CP also appealed to all citizens to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies during this critical period. The curfew is in place to protect lives and property, and ensure the swift restoration of peace in Kaduna State.’’

Gov Yusuf relaxes curfew for 12 hours daily in Kano

In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf yesterday relaxed the 24-hour curfew in the state for 12 hours daily.
The governor announced this after a security council meeting with security heads in the state to review the security situation.

The governor said the curfew was relaxed from 6 am to 6 pm, adding that this was to allow residents to go about their day-to-day activities and legitimate businesses.

He said the curfew will resume fully after 6 pm to 6 am.

He said, “We reviewed the security situation at the security council meeting and decided that the curfew be relaxed from 6 am to 6 pm to allow people to go about their day-to-day activities. The curfew will take effect from 6 pm to 6 am.’’

He commended the security agencies for their role in ensuring the safety of lives and properties as well as the recovery of looted properties, saying that about 60 percent of the looted properties had been recovered.

Recall that Governor Yusuf had declared the curfew last Thursday evening after the protest was hijacked by hoodlums who turned violent, maiming residents and looting properties.

Protest in Abuja loses momentum as govt restrictions take toll on demonstrators
In Abuja, the protests significantly dwindled ebbed, with only two women, Ene Obi and Hauwa Mustapha, seen holding a sit-out at the Moshood Abiola stadium yesterday.

This marks a significant decrease in participation, as protesters face challenges accessing the central business district due to government restrictions.

The government-approved MKO Abiola National Stadium has failed to attract protesters, who believe it limits their visibility and impact.

Instead, security personnel dispersed demonstrators from various locations, enforcing a court order to confin the protest inside the stadium.

Ene Obi, one of the organizers, vowed to continue the sit-out, criticizing the government’s response to their demands.

“Look at the president speaking to Nigeria. It was an empty speech. What are you telling us? Not even one of the demands has been met. Bring down the prices of petroleum products. This is the same government that fought against the removal of fuel subsidies. And the same president has used it to punish Nigerians.

“We are mothers. What they are doing is setting our children against us. Even the police and security agencies – which of them is going to a different market? Their money is useless. They are turning our children against us. The mothers in the land are wounded, with no employment.
‘’Many of our children have gone to school but have no employment. They said you need to appoint one minister from every state. We don’t have a minister of state in the constitution. And they are even creating more seats for more ministers to come in.

‘’There are no signs from the government to show us that they can bring down the cost of governance,” she said. The protest, now in its sixth day, has been marked by violent clashes with police, who have fired tear gas at demonstrators.

Vanguard News Nigeria

When we were small children still in primary school, we would gather once a week under the big umbrella tree on the left end at the approach of the school compound, to tell stories under the auspices of very strict teachers who would later turn out in life to be very good people. Those teachers, they did their best to educate us and oftentimes, we misunderstood them.

Always, the tortoise would feature as the central character in these stories; it was the good, the bad and the ugly, blessed with a lot of craftiness to amuse and to deceive, mostly to its benefit.

In today’s Nigeria, GSM has displaced the tortoise. If there is a problem because of bad governance, it is because there are tools for mobile communications. When a man and his wife are having problems in their relationship, it’s because there is mobile technology to put a wedge between them as they can stay on the same bed chatting with their phones instead of chatting with each other.

Nigeria is going through heady times and again mobile technology has found itself in the midst of discourse. The hunger protests which began last week have only reminded us how very fragile even our most reliable infrastructure can be but fingers were also pointed at the government for supervening in the activities of the operators by slowing down the speed of the Internet. It didn’t occur to anybody that services may have been zonked by the huge communications hitting the network at the same time or some base stations may have gone out because of the inability of their owners to power them with diesel. But the government was already on the downside of credibility and the people went headlong for an easy prey.

It was therefore reassuring that Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy would rise to quickly dispel such rumour, and his position was validated by Engr Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), who explained that there was never such conspiracy with government to stymie the health of the Internet. Yet mobile technology remains in the midst of discourse and it is now responsible for all our problems like the tortoise of old.

But I see a more deep-seated problem. Also last week, MTN, which had to quickly close its offices nationwide for fear of reprisals after disconnecting about 6m lines for failure to meet the SIM-NIN linkage policy standards, released its half year report. The company reported a loss of N519.1bn after tax. Ironically, the company is making more money, a revenue of N1.53 trn between January and June, this year which marks 32.6 percent appreciation, compared to N1.15 trn of H1 2023. Company chief executive Karl Toriola said the macroeconomic headwinds haven’t changed at all.

“The country has been dealing with rising inflation and continued depreciation of the Naira against the US dollar and other currencies,” Toriola observed.

The conditions cannot be dealt with overnight but something tangible has to be done in order to ameliorate the plight of those whose voices of pain have been very loud recently.

Welcome to our world. The company making more money is also making heavy losses. But here is one line of thought. If MTN Nigeria with its experienced Board and sound management could be running losses, it means more things are happening in the telecommunications industry than people would ordinarily want to look at, just like every other sector of the economy that is challenged.

ALTON’s Adebayo sketched a status of the industry when he called on the Nigerian government not to use the telecoms sector as a palliative to solve the current economic challenges confronting the country. Speaking at the Groupe Special Mobile Association (GSMA) digital economy report launch which happened recently in Abuja, he observed that, plus the economic situation of the country that was in dire straits, the telecommunications sector pays over 45 associated charges in form of taxes to the Nigerian government. Unfortunately, the demands of the operators have not always been met with speed and understanding. He pegged his point on the tariff review that has become contentious.

“The price review should be a simple regulatory process. The public debate this has gained makes it appear the industry is insensitive to people’s concerns.

“While the government tries to provide incentives for the public on account of ongoing macroeconomic headwinds, the telecoms sector should not be used as a palliative to solve the people’s problem. We must price right to sustain the industry; we must price right to have the right investment.”

Adebayo’s position should be very concerning although there are so many concerns at the moment which call for immediate attention. There are protests in different parts of the country over hunger issues that are not addressed. Some corporate players are bailing out of the country and some people in opportunistic positions to advise the government simply sneer at the development and say Nigeria is doing well.

Really? We are not a nation of figures. We hold statistics in contempt. But even from this position, I will suggest that happenings in the telecommunications sector do present us with a graphic template to confront some of the challenges facing the nation. Resolving these issues will percolate on the larger economy.

Minister Tijani believes there are tons of problems troubling the sector more than tariff review. We can only advise urgent action by the government and the industry to resolve these issues. Even without having to regurgitate some of his recent presentations, Tijani has been talking a lot about a digital economy whose success, I am sure, will be anchored on a strong telecommunications industry.

Technology can play the role of the tortoise here, ever present in every story, in every strand of development. Unfortunately, the cunning, hard-shelled animal that we used to pick in rubber plantations are going extinct, in the same way that technology grows into irrelevance and yesterday’s longings. The telecommunications sector has so much to offer us as a nation; its state of health should be a primary concern to all, especially the government that is building our future around it.

The presidency has faulted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s warning to the service chiefs and the military over their engagement of the #EndBadGovernance protesters.

On Tuesday, Abubakar wrote on his X page that whoever “authorised the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters would be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity”.

“I wish to convey a stern caution to the distinguished service chiefs and military commanders of Nigeria’s armed forces that those who authorise the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters will be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity, even in the years following their retirement from service,” he wrote.

“The constitutional right to engage in protest is firmly established within our supreme law and reinforced by the judiciary. It is the solemn duty of the government and security agencies to ensure a safe and protected environment for individuals exercising their right to peaceful protest.”

Abubakar’s warning came on the heels of the allegation that security forces used live bullets against protesters who have been demonstrating against the rising cost of living in the country since August 1.

However, in a statement, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the former vice-president’s warning ought to be to those looting during the protest in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, and Jigawa states.

Onanuga said the security forces have “remained professional, even-handed, and observed every restraint in the face of extreme provocation by the protesters”.

“We are surprised that Alhaji Atiku is still relying on Section 40 of our constitution (as amended) to justify a protest that is now clearly a riot, a rampage in some parts of the country,” the statement reads.

“Section 45 of the constitution says the right of assembly and the right of freedom of expression are not absolute. They can be abridged and fettered in the interest of public peace, public safety, law, and order. The Service Chiefs reiterated the rights of Nigerians to protest and gather freely.

“They, however, reinforced their constitutional duty today when they said they cannot sit by idly and watch hoodlums destroy the country and its democracy.

“The service chiefs and the officers and men of our security outfits should be commended for their patriotic duty to our country.

“As a supporter and enabler of the destructive ‘protests’, Alhaji Atiku certainly wants the sinister protest to continue despite the red signals from the streets.

“A tweet that condones the destruction of private and public property and investments of citizens is unbecoming of a former vice president of Nigeria.

“Alhaji Atiku ought to have risen above the sentiment he expressed and put the interest of our country’s stability ahead of whatever advantages he hoped to reap from the insurrection on our streets.

“We encourage Alhaji Atiku to borrow a leaf from opposition figures in the United Kingdom who have rallied behind the government to condemn the ongoing riots in the UK, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the wanton destruction of public and private assets.

“Such nationalistic temperament as displayed by opposition figures like Rishi Sunak, the immediate-past Prime Minister of the UK, is expected of Alhaji Atiku.”

[TheCable]

In April 2013, Barack Obama was forced to apologise for describing California’s Kamala Harris as “the best-looking attorney-general”, also calling her “brilliant”, “dedicated” and “tough.”

The first black US president was nevertheless widely castigated for detracting from a woman’s brains by focusing on her beauty. Harris, the first female US vice-president, recently became the presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee after a faltering Joe Biden chose not to seek re-election, and endorsed her. If she wins the presidency against Donald Trump in November, Harris would become not just the US’s first female president, but also its first of Caribbean and Asian descent.

Even as the Democratic political leadership — including, significantly, Bill and Hillary Clinton — enthusiastically endorsed Harris’s nomination, Obama waited a week to do so, demonstrating once again his narcissism and “head negro in charge” syndrome. As the monarchical former president harboured delusions of being a kingmaker, the delay raised unnecessary doubts about Harris’s candidacy.

Obama had backed Hillary Clinton in her unsuccessful 2016 presidential bid (apparently in exchange for Bill Clinton’s full-throated endorsement of Obama’s re-election in 2012), rather than support his loyal vice-president, Biden. The Kenyan-Kansan was also reportedly among Democratic Party grandees who helped scuttle Biden’s re-election bid.

Harris and Obama have known each other for two decades, and she was the first prominent Californian politician to endorse his 2008 presidential bid. Both are biracial, with black fathers from Kenya (Obama) and Jamaica (Harris), and white (Obama) and Indian (Harris) mothers. Both of their parents separated when they were children, a period during which the two spent time in Chennai (Harris) and Jakarta (Obama).

Both became immersed in African-American culture: Harris through the historically black Howard University, and Obama through his wife, Michelle, and the black church in Chicago. Both showed huge political ambition, publishing political memoirs and deciding to run for president after just two years in the US Senate.

But the differences between Obama and Harris are also glaring: he is a natural politician, a charismatic campaigner with flowery oratory often not matched by bold action. Harris, in contrast, had to suspend her 2020 presidential bid after a lacklustre campaign that featured poor debate performances, dwindling funds and staff desertions.

She has been widely vilified for being an invisible vice-president who has spoken passionately for abortion rights but failed to tackle the migrant crisis at the southern border. Eighteen months ago, the New York Times disclosed efforts within the Democratic Party — rebuffed by Biden — to take her off the presidential ticket.

It is unclear whether Harris can win the support of undecided voters in the crucial swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. Trump’s support is rock-solid among his cult-like Republican base. However, his xenophobic outbursts, deliberately mispronouncing Harris’s first name, and referring to her as a “bum” and “radical-left lunatic”, may alienate moderates and women voters already angered by the Republicans’ anti-abortion stance.

Harris will have to respond convincingly to Trump’s attacks on the Biden administration’s record on immigration and inflation, while touting successes on employment, the environment, infrastructure and student debt.

Some naively assume that if she were to become president, Harris — whose husband is Jewish — would change course on US policy towards Gaza. But the Israel lobby is simply too powerful a force in US politics. Despite his previous embrace of Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela’s visions, once in power Obama launched a military surge in Afghanistan, accelerated killer-drone warfare, established US military bases across Africa, and led the disastrous Nato intervention into Libya.

Harris is a similar establishment politician who, were she to win, would also feed the imperial American beast. Africans, Caribbeans and Indians should not expect much from her leadership, and must avoid repeating the disappointment of Obama’s early lofty rhetoric of racial solidarity.

• Adebajo is professor and senior research fellow at the University of Pretoria’s Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship.