A combined security team has discovered the decomposing body of a member of Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka, on the 2nd Niger Bridge.

Azuka was taken captive on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunabankpa Road, Inland Town, Onitsha.

He was representing Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the Anambra assembly.

After weeks of investigation, security operatives from Abuja apprehended the suspects late Wednesday. The arrested individuals led authorities to the location where they dumped the lawmaker’s remains.

Spokesman of the Anambra Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said he would reveal details to the public soon.

In 2022, a member of Anambra House of Assembly, Okey Okoye, popularly known as Okey Di Ok, was abducted and beheaded.

His body was later found around the Nnobi axis.

[Vanguard]

Bandits have reportedly kidnapped the former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brgd. Gen. Maharazu Tsiga (retd.), in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, in the early hours of Thursday.

The bandits also killed one person and abducted at least nine others, even as they were said to have ransacked several homes, carting away valuables.

The bandits attacked at 12.30am on Thursday, as eyewitness reports have it that the armed hoodlums stormed the community, shooting sporadically to scare residents.

Our correspondent contacted the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, to confirm the attack but said he “can’t talk now” in an SMS.

Details soon…

In a recent interview, ex-Osun Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, alleged that the #EndSARS movement that roiled Nigeria in 2020 was a conspiracy against his friend, Bola Tinubu. By narrating how a set of circumstances that did not begin with Tinubu became wrapped around him and his ambitions, Akande tried to increase the moral value of his electoral victory. The interesting part for me was that he claimed that those who ambushed Tinubu through EndSARS were “the Obi-dients”, a well-organised army who “came from America (the USA) with a lot of money”. I am willing to bet that Akande has no evidence whatsoever to substantiate his allegations and would demur if asked to name those Obi-dients. But stories like that do not need to be true; they only need to be believed.

But why “America”? Why did the conspiring Obi-dients that Akande conjectured come from the USA and not anywhere else? There is a significant Nigerian diaspora in the UK and Canada, could they also not have funded such a campaign? Given the outsized role regularly ascribed to the USA in our political and economic predicaments, no other country would have sufficed. The imagination that produced that allegation must be substantive to some degree to sound somewhat credible.

Ask a Nigerian or an African why our countries are so poor, and it will not be long before they gravitate towards detecting Western-based institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank as why we fail at self-management. Those USA-based organisations are the physical manifestations of the transcendent forces we blame for our woes. Since there are several documented instances of their unpalatable institutional interference in economically challenged countries like Nigeria, there is a mix of truth that justifies how they have come to embody the trope of the evil that keeps Africa from attaining its destiny. That is why one of our Daddys in the Lord could pray that “Either the IMF likes it or not, I decree the naira will rise again.”

The USA is also routinely fingered in the restlessness that bedevils our society. Some people are convinced that terrorism in Nigeria is funded by the USA. I have met a few of those folks before; their attributed reasons for the USA’s supposed malevolence can be internally contradictory, but the conspiracy imagination needs not to be coherent before it rings true to those who believe them. Then there are Nigerians who also believe that the only reason that Muhammadu Buhari won the election in 2015 was because the USA sponsored him. Some of those folks, if they are reading this article, are ready to defend that assertion by pointing to one or two examples they hold as indelible proof. They need not worry. I have read all those arguments; I know where those folks are coming from.

The trouble with such speculation is that we become so invested in tracing the outlines of an alternative reality where “the spiritual determines the physical” that we lose sight of ourselves as human agents who determine our destiny. To the folks who believe that the USA masterminded the 2015 election loss by the PDP, it matters less that it was Nigerians who used their hand to vote for Muhammadu Buhari. They override the agency of fellow Nigerians, some of whom sought genuine reforms and many of whom were also motivated by religious/tribal identities, to blame a supernational force. One would think it was America that created “Febuhari” or “March for Buhari” and helped Yemi Osinbajo distribute the N10,000 pittance they used to bid for votes.

The 2015 election loss was so humiliating for the religious and tribal blocs that Goodluck Jonathan represents, that the only way they can justify the turn of events is to attribute it to a higher power. Even Jonathan himself believes that he lost to the USA, not his countrypeople who got tired of his crass ineptitude. Our society is so invested in the supernatural that if we are not leaving our human responsibility to God, we are blaming the devil for our failings. The same attitude extends to our political and economic behaviours where we always look for otherworldly forces to blame for our self-induced problems.

What gets lost in the narrative is the temporal context. Occupy Nigeria, the anti-subsidies removal protests of 2012 that activated disaffection against Jonathan, and which his supporters (like Akande too) insist was a funded campaign by clandestine agents, also happened in different parts of the world at that time. That of Nigeria occurred in the light of the legislative probe that revealed the huge scam that the subsidy had become. In the era of Arab Spring and the #OccupyUSA movement, was it unthinkable that the young Nigerians embedded within a global media ecosystem would react to oppressive corruption like their counterparts elsewhere? Yes, certain characters like Muhammadu Buhari profited from the anti-Jonathan sentiment that the protest generated, but the emotions that drove it were not baseless.

The funny thing is that I know people who supported Buhari and campaigned for him from door to door. Imagine how amused I was when I saw some of them—against the backdrop of Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s campaign against USAID, the cultural arm of the US government—on Twitter (now called X) also crowing about how the USA imposed Buhari on Nigeria in 2015! Buhari was such a huge failure that his once devoted supporters are erasing their own participation in making him president! To distance themselves from the monumental disgrace he became, they delete their complicity.

In the same way that the anti-Buhari people have outsourced their agency in that protest to the USA, Akande too weaponises the EndSARS to blame some shadowy agents for confronting Tinubu. In doing so, he similarly erases the agency of the Nigerians who were genuinely driven to the streets because they were frustrated with the failings of a judicial institution under Buhari’s watch. The EndSARS was about Nigerian youths who had been driven to the wall by the excesses of the police, and just like OccupyNigeria in 2012, they took energies from similar protests abroad. Akande’s historical revisionism had nothing to say about the genuine issues that precipitated those protests.

Notice also that even though Tinubu contested against two opponents, only Peter Obi haunts Akande’s imagination. Yes, Obi profited from the anti-establishment sentiment of EndSARS the same way OccupyNigeria helped Buhari. So immense was his popularity among Nigeria’s Gen Z that he sent the conservative political class into a tailspin. If today, Tinubu struggles with a crisis of legitimacy even as the sitting President, it is also because he lost something irrecoverable to Obi in that election. The Obi who was said to lack “structure” and his supporters who were ridiculed as “people without PVCs” stunned everyone with what they achieved. That is why Akande thinks American money and strategy had to have been involved. If Obi had been declared the winner of that election, Akande’s narrative would have held up to justify how a combination of Yoruba and Northerners, the majority of whom also happen to be Muslims, could lose to a Christian southerner whose supporters were not even taken seriously.

Here is the thing: the fact that Akande’s story is laughable today does not mean it will always be. The APC will not rule forever. Many of their top brass are older men who will eventually lose their vice-like grip over the existing political structure. Nature will do its thing, and they will eventually be defeated in a hostile takeover. Those who will replace them are the current anti-establishment figures who are tweeting while waiting in the wings. From the fringes where they are sensationalising the USA as the God/Satan whose invisible hands move our history to mobilise their army of the disaffected, they will become the dominant ones. The ones in power today will look back at moments like 2020 EndSARS, pick up the narrative of “money, strategy, and America” including the one Akande put out and they too will start running with it.

In a viral video said to have been recorded on the eighth-day Fidau prayers for the repose of his mother who died recently, Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1) could be heard lamenting to an unidentified man in the street slang common in Lagos,
“Ilé bàbá mí ni Fìdípọ̀tẹ̀, àwọn àlfà, wọn lọ  bẹ; ibí ni gbogbo wọn wa se kínni? Ni wọn wa ga’nu sí.” A rough translation: ‘Rather than go to my father’s house in Fidipote, the clerics have shamelessly congregated in my house with their mouths wide open to scavenge.’ Stripped of all pretensions, the musician believed the clerics were more interested in the freebies they would get from him than performing their real function (in this case, offering prayers.)

It may have been unintended but there is a way in which the video—trending heavily among Yoruba people who consider ‘atenuje’ a serious malady—is a social commentary on the situation in Nigeria. Because, in so many ways, what officialdom now encourages in our country is ‘ganu si’ with the impediments they erect against entrepreneurship in favour of bubble jobs, at all levels of government.

Just a few days after announcing the appointment of 130 special assistants on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Chairman of Obio-Akpor local government area of Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, added another list of 100 special assistants, bringing the total to 230. They are to “help me achieve my plans for my people. Their appointment takes immediate effect,” he said in a post that attracted critical comments on how our economy has been reduced to wasting scarce resources. But Ihunwo is not alone in what has become a fad. Before him, a councillor, Yahaya Yusuf, representing Bajoga East local government of Gombe State, had appointed a principal private secretary (PPS), 12 special assistants and five personal assistants. The situation is worse in the states. 

When in April 2020, then Governor Benjamin Ayade of Cross River State approved the appointment of 427 additional aides to join more than a thousand special assistants who were already on his payroll.  He provided justification for the decision. “The governor has said repeatedly that he only needs about five per cent of his appointees” explained his spokesman, Christian Ita at the time. “So, he deliberately creates these jobs to put food on the table to reduce social tension.” Ayade, we must remember also explained how he was generating revenue through “the use of intellect to make up for naira and kobo” because, according to him, “Intellectual currency is stronger than paper currency and so where there is a deficiency of funds, the intellect takes over.”

Ordinarily, the primary role of government is to create an enabling environment and provide incentives for the private sector so that small, medium and large businesses can thrive. And in the process, generate employment opportunities for the people. But what we have in Nigeria today are agencies of government manned by officials who believe their brief is to kill entrepreneurship, perhaps because job creation has been reduced to the appointment of idle special assistants for whom life begins and ends with merely “putting food on the table.” That is what happens when ‘Ganu si’ ethos defines government as is the case in Nigeria today. 

For posting about her restaurant on Instagram “without the vetting and approval certificate of the Advertising Standards Panel”, a friend received a letter from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) asking her to “pay within 7 (seven) days of the receipt of this notice, the violation fee of N1,000,000 (one million Naira only) per violation/infraction in accordance with Article 148 (b)” of their law. She was then warned that any such ‘promotion’ must be submitted to some oga-at-the-top in ARCON before publishing. Why should ‘call this place to order food’ on social media require the vetting and approval of a government agency? And then wait for this: Same week, a third party she doesn’t have any relationship with posted about the eatery on Tik Tok and she received another one million Naira fine from ARCON! That can only happen in a ‘Ganu si’ economy where officials behave like scavengers.

I understand that ARCON has a 2022 Act which allows it to classify any published item as promotional, requiring prior approval. The law even grants ARCON the power to establish a kangaroo tribunal for the purpose of sending culprits to jail in a manner that is no different from what the fictional Chief Eleyinmi of Oja in the popular ‘Village Headmaster’ sitcom of old used to do with his famous refrain, “Just bring him to my court.” This law makes ARCON the complainant, prosecutor and judge in this so-called tribunal. Besides, since “deemed promotion” is for ARCON to decide, anything can be classified as promotional. So, if I write a column in THISDAY on ‘Amala Place’ in Abuja where I enjoy the delicacies, I must first take it to some fat cats at ARCON for editing before publication otherwise the food sellers would be deemed to have committed an offence! This is a ridiculous and dangerous law that limits enterprise. Some of the sweeping provisions are even in conflict with the 1999 constitution. To compound the problem, the law also says you cannot even sue ARCON unless you send them a letter first on pre-action suit!

With such omnibus powers, it is no surprise that ARCON has shifted its attention to influencers, bloggers, comedians, skit makers, agencies and brand owners who publish or broadcast anything promotional not submitted for the agency’s approval. “What we are saying is that there is a line and space called advertising. If you cross that line and move your skit or comedy into the advertising space as defined by law, then you are moving into a regulated space, and your activities in that space will be regulated,” ARCON Director General, Olalekan Fadolapo warned recently. But there is also a pushback. “If you look at this new law that we are trying to fight, it covers everything, including logos, trademarks and all. What the court said in the NBC (National Broadcasting Commission) case is that you cannot be jury and executioner, that you cannot be regulator and executioner at once,” the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) president, Osamede Uwubanmwen, said in response to ARCON activities. “But you won’t expect ARCON to learn from the NBC. They will not do that. The NBC now will be very cautious about fining anybody, because they have lost the first case and have lost the appeal. I don’t know if they will go to the Supreme Court.”

I am aware that we have numerous useless laws passed by the National Assembly but my main concern about ARCON is the danger their officials pose to our economy. Though the agency is not alone in that respect. At a period when we need to address the unemployment crisis, the main obsession of government is revenue generation. Nobody cares that by putting in place measures that discourage job creation we are invariably promoting ‘ganu si’ citizenry and no nation develops with such disposition. Meanwhile, it is not only small-scale businesses that suffer from this myopic thinking—even big businesses that employ thousands of workers no longer enjoy any protection as we can see from the example of Dangote Refinery.

Between October 2024 and end of January 2025, according to reports at the weekend, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and a number of oil marketers spent over N5.5 trillion to import petrol and diesel. Whatever may be the excuses (and so many are being invented) it is only in a ‘ganu si’ economy that the government would be expending humongous amounts of money to import commodities that are available locally. Continued reliance on imports of petroleum products at a period in-country refining capacity can meet domestic need, especially in the age of Donald Trump, is what the Yoruba people would call ‘Akotileta’. It depicts someone who, lacking the wisdom to sustain inherited family treasures, decides to sell them off for a pittance that would then be frittered away. Meanwhile, the bottom-line in the hoopla of recent weeks, following President Trump’s tariff measures, is that every country is trying to protect their workers. Unfortunately, our economic managers fail to appreciate what is going on.

After attending the THISDAY/ARISE anniversary ceremony in Lagos last week Monday, I decided to visit Dangote Refinery for the first time the next day. Having called Alhaji Aliko Dangote about my plan, he detailed Jeremiah Danladi Jiya, Group Head, Credit Risk who also heads his refinery site office, to give me a tour of their facilities. It’s like a city within a city as we spent several hours moving from one section to another. Statistical details about the refinery are mind-boggling. Altogether, the refinery has 177 tanks with a total capacity of 4.742 billion litres. For instance, it has storage capacity for nine million barrels of crude, over 600 million liters of Gasoline, 340 million litres of Diesel and Kerosine and 400 million litres of JET A1. The refinery pipeline infrastructure is also the largest anywhere in the world, with 1,100 kilometers to handle three billion standard cubic foot of gas per day. The refinery’s 435-megawatt power plant exceeds the total power requirement of Ibadan Distribution Company (Disco). There are already research papers as to how the petrochemical processing steps have been able to exploit the adjacent Lekki Lagoon with “a sequential batch reactor and diverse filtration technologies” for treatment of a volume of water that can conveniently supply the whole of Victoria Island.

Before the tour I had the opportunity to interact with Dangote regarding the refinery and the attitude of critical stakeholders in the sector. He shared several insights with me, including on the issue of pricing. “I have read some of the propaganda they are doing. Crude is internationally priced so it’s easy to understand the pricing template for petroleum products. But they also have a choice. It’s either they want Nigeria to be a productive economy that puts people to work, or they want to us to be a dumping ground” said Dangote who added that the forces against the refinery have the same mindset with those who killed the textile industry in Nigeria. “Our tanks are filled because the cartel of marketers and those who manage the sector have refused to patronize us. I am aware of their plan to cripple the refinery. But they should be prepared for a big fight.”

In my column last July, (https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/07/11/dangotes-big-bet-on-gasoline/), I highlighted most of the contentious issues. But there should really be no need for a fight if the primary responsibility of critical stakeholders in the sector is to advance the public good. Even if there are differences, no responsible government should work towards the failure of a $20 billion project that adds considerable value to the economy. As they do in other countries, we must always encourage those who invest in production, and in the process create direct and indirect jobs for hundreds of thousands of our people. That is even more imperative in a nation like ours with a young population that is not productively engaged.

The sheer magnitude of the Dangote Refinery and the expected trickle-down effect in terms of employment opportunities, the forex that would be saved and general contributions to the economy cannot be downplayed. The same can be said of the small business owners who are daily being harassed by ARCON at a period we need to support them. While these businesses represent 96 per cent of entrepreneurship in the country and contribute 75 per cent of national employment, according to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development of Nigeria (SMEDAN), they face several challenges. In fact, doing any kind of business in Nigeria today is not for the fainthearted. You must provide your own utilities (electricity and water), pay all manner of charges to different agencies and at the end, what you get is harassment from government officials. 

Societies cannot grow meaningfully without translating individual energy, talent, and skills into assets that shape the future. That explains why countries that harness knowledge and skills to produce goods and services that attract top valuation continuously do better than those with scant regard for economic value creation. Nigerian government officials must therefore understand that putting people to productive use is the hallmark of creative and purposeful leadership and the fulcrum of social balance.

On 22nd October 1925, Mohandas Gandhipublished in his weekly newspaper, ‘Young India’ what he described as ‘Seven Social Sins’. It is quite instructive that the first on the list of those ‘social sins’ he admonishes us to avoid is wealth without work, which in KWAM1Speak means a predisposition to ‘ganu si’. Sadly, that precisely is what government (at all levels) is encouraging in Nigeria by creating jobs that would “put food on the table” rather than help advance entrepreneurship that will take many citizens off the streets and add value to the economy. Yet even a fuji musician is smart enough to understand that a society cannot advance when you encourage ‘Ganu-Si’ ethos!

To Kayode Fayemi, Amandla!

One of the tragedies of public service in Nigeria is that many of the operatives do not have a second address or another daytime job beyond politics. That perhaps explains why elections are for most of them a do-or-die affair. But there are also professionals for whom being in government is a tour of duty, essentially to serve the public good. And once their assignment is done, they go back to their primary vocation. One such person is the former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi who will, today in Abuja, launch his ‘Amandla Policy and Leadership Initiative’ and latest book, ‘If This Giant Must Rise’—a collection of recent interventions on leadership and governance in Africa.

Spanning 216 pages and divided into nine chapters, the book is a collection of papers and lectures written and delivered since Fayemi left the governor’s office in October 2022. While the issues discussed are national and international, the book is arranged in thematic order rather than by the period of their first presentations. “Together, they tell a story that tries to see through and beyond what is immediately in front of us,” Fayemi wrote in the preface to the book he says, “offers both a reflection on my time in office as well as a glimpse of what to expect from me in the years ahead.”

The long foreword by Wale Adebanwi, Presidential Penn Compact Professor of African Studies, University of Pennsylvania, United States, sets the tone for the book. “For the publicly engaged scholar or public intellectual, engagement with power is not only a necessity; it is an ethical obligation,” Adebanwi wrote while arguing on why people like Fayemi are needed in government. “Even direct entry into partisan politics against the backdrop of this ethical obligation makes politics a vocation and not a vacation for the scholar.”

Borrowing from his varied experiences and exposure as a public intellectual who had opportunities to serve in both his state as governor and at the federal level as a minister, Fayemi’s fascinating collection reminds us of the challenges of building a society that works for the people and how each of us has a role to play in that regard. “As the continent grapples with the vicissitudes of the changing dynamics, it is imperative that we build the capacity and develop the policy tools that will turn Africa’s potential to prosperity,” Fayemi wrote while explaining the rationale for establishing the Amandla Policy Institute being launched today. “That is the task before us, and it is one that I’m determined to contribute to.”

It’s nearly 20 years since Mark Steyn wrote a non-fiction book, America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It.

Steyn, a Canadian newspaper columnist, could not have known that the kicker of this book title, which extolled America as the last bastion of civilisation as we know it, would become the metaphor for a wrecking ball.

Steyn thought demographic shifts, cultural decline, and Islam would ruin Western civilisation. The only redeeming grace was American exceptionalism. Nineteen years after his book, America Alone is remembered not for the threats Steyn feared or the grace of American exceptionalism but for an erratic president almost alone in his insanity.

The joke is on Steyn

In less than one month of his second presidency, Donald Trump has declared an imperial intention to seize property outside the US and rename international boundaries. He has hinted at annexing a sovereign country, criminalised migration, and dragged his largest trading partners, including his neighbours, to the negotiation table at gunpoint.

When America Alone is mentioned today, it’s not a defence against threats to Western values or civilisation; it’s simply that Trump’s America First has turned the country into a clear and present danger to the values that built and prospered America and the rest of the world. America is losing its way, alone and aloof, in a brazen insularity that evokes pity and surprise in equal measure, even amongst its harshest critics.

Yet, as Trump danced on the grave of Adam Smith by instigating a trade war that has left the world on edge and global markets in turmoil, the president appears determined to take America beyond pity, surprise, and loneliness. America will soon be ignored.

Trump’s case

What is Trump’s case against Mexico, Canada, China, America’s neighbours and its most significant trading partners? The US president accused the first two of not doing enough to control the flow of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid analgesic more than 50 times more powerful than morphine, into the US.

Apart from his perennial accusations against China of stealing US technology and other unfair trade practices, Trump also accused Beijing of sending ingredients for making fentanyl to Mexico. Mexico has been Trump’s punching bag since his first term when he wanted to build a wall funded by that country to keep out the so-called human caravans, drug cartels and other criminal gangs from entering the US.

Polariser-in-Chief

Perhaps Trump has a just cause to take America back from drugs and crime, not to mention his redemptive mission for aliens in some parts of the US now reduced to “eating the dogs and the pets.”

However, for a president who said in his second inaugural address that his “proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier,” instigating a chaotic trade war, once described by Adam Smith as “beggar-thy-neighbour”, is anything but a peace offering.

Tariffs might be the most beautiful word in Trumptionary. However, nothing sets the world on fire in the lexicon of international trade, such as tariffs, quotas, and sometimes subsidies.

A different world

Even when the world was far less interlinked than it is today, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 (enacted to protect US farmers and businesses from foreign competitors), which imposed a 20 percent tariff on imports, was resisted with retaliatory tariffs by 25 other countries, creating significant distress around the world and worsening the Great Depression.

The reality in today’s profoundly connected world is worse. Within hours of the president announcing the 25 percent tariffs, the Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso fell. The Canadian dollar reached its lowest value in 20 years, while the peso hit a four-year low. Stock markets lost billions, and commodity prices surged.

Counting the cost

Before the one-month tariff pause between the US and its neighbours, analysts forecast the tariffs would hinder US GDP growth by approximately 0.25% to 0.3%. The tariffs on Canada and Mexico alone could decrease overall economic output by around $45 billion, with potential losses escalating to $75 billion following retaliatory measures.

Of course, these are all aside from the potential impact of unilateral tariffs on US jobs and consumer prices and a global supply chain crisis in fragile recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pause does not affect China, and a tariff war between the world’s leading economies is afoot. In what must rank as one of the cruellest ironies of these times, China, not the US, is honouring the rules-based system by first taking its case to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), while Trump threw tariff bombs on Truth Social.

The jury is out on the immediate and long-term damage caused by this trade war. It did not leave any winners the first time Britain used it in the 19^th century, when it enacted the protectionist Corn Laws, or when OPEC used it in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War. America First is a long winter in America Alone. The damage to the US and the rest of the world will linger long after the Trump years.

Dagger in Africa’s back

Africa is not spared in the all-out war. The continent is perplexed that USAID, one of the longest-standing tools of US soft power, is folding in the chaos of America First. The independent US government agency created by Congress 64 years ago to deepen the strategic partnership between America and Africa on issues ranging from security to health and the environment is closed for now, not by an Act of Congress, but by a Trump fiat.

No one is precisely sure what his official auctioneer, Elon Musk, plans to do with USAID or what will replace it. What is certain is that this bridge is broken.

Countries like Nigeria received $1.02 billion in 2023, Ethiopia $1.7 billion the same year, and Kenya $512 million in 2024. Others, including Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, and South Africa, also received various sums to fund their food security, humanitarian, and health programmes. USAID was neither perfect nor America’s Hail Mary for Africa. It was, by and large, a mutually beneficial programme. But Africa must now look elsewhere, or better inwards.

In addition, it’s unlikely that a tariff-obsessed Trump would renew the expiring African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which opens the US to duty-free access to over 6,000 products from the continent.

Elsewhere, the war may be about human caravans, fentanyl, or pirated chips. In Africa, whose immigrants in the US face deportation in large numbers, it’s about all of these and more. It is about losing friendship with a country that was once an inspiration and, more often than not, a moral force for good.

Pyrrhic victory

The White House may be enjoying a victory lap, but chaos was not the only way for Trump to settle his grouse or to save America from the world. For example, under President Joe Biden, Mexico deployed 10,000 troops to the US border before, without a threat. For Canada, the price of appointing a fentanyl czar is far less than the long-term damage to US-Canada relations.

We already know how the war against China will end: Beijing will make new friends and spread its influence elsewhere, while Washington will make new enemies.

Africa must accept that America First is more than a slogan under Trump. It is where the unfinished experiments of his first term and the promise of chaos during his last campaign meet the street: America Alone.

In the dynamic and often demanding world of business consulting, where innovation, precision, and reliability are the cornerstones of success, Abiola D. Akinsola has emerged as a trailblazer. As the founder and visionary behind ABD Integrated Consulting Ltd., Akinsola is not just a consultant but a force of transformation who has redefined what it means to deliver sustainable solutions in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Tracing the genesis of ABD Integrated Consulting Ltd, it suffices to opine that it was founded with the purpose of bridging critical gaps in business operations and management, thus ABD Integrated Consulting Ltd. has become synonymous with excellence. 

Akinsola’s journey into consulting was not a coincidence; it was the culmination of years of experience, dedication, and a passion for helping businesses thrive. Her foresight and ability to anticipate market trends positioned ABD Integrated Consulting as a firm that does not just solve problems but anticipates them.

According to her, “Consultancy provides expert advice and strategic planning to help SMEs navigate challenges and seize opportunities. By leveraging tailored insights and solutions, businesses can optimize performance, drive growth, and achieve sustainable success”.

At the heart of ABD Integrated Consulting is a unique ethos shaped by Akinsola’s leadership. Integrity, innovation, and impact form the triad that drives the firm’s operations. These values are not just corporate slogans but principles deeply embedded in the way Akinsola leads her team and engages with clients.

On how her consulting firm can add values to businesses, she said, “Our commitment to integrity, client-centric focus, and sustainability sets us apart. We build and maintain strong relationships, offering additional resources and opportunities to help your business achieve its goals while making a positive social and environmental impact”.

Regarding the approach adopted by her consultancy firm, she said, “Our approach is comprehensive, innovative, and client-centric. We leverage our expertise in strategy, analytics, and process to provide customized solutions that address the unique challenges of emerging businesses. Our services are designed to deliver measurable results, helping you make informed decisions and achieve lasting success”.

One of Akinsola’s defining traits is her commitment to innovation. Recognizing that traditional consulting models often fall short in addressing the complexities of modern business challenges, she has pioneered methodologies that are as dynamic as the problems they aim to solve.

In one of the numerous commendations made about her, Deirdre Speed, the Chair at Vyshyvanka Hub, said, “If you are looking for an innovative and professional advocate to guide you, look no further.  I highly recommend Abiola, a remarkable individual with a vast wealth of lived experience and acquired knowledge.  She is approachable, a great listener, and my go-to person for any challenge”.

In a similar vein, Pat Emmanuel, lead mentor at BlueskyCitadel, “Abiola is great at coming up with strategies, communicating effectively, and building strong relationships. She also has a deep understanding of different cultures, which makes her even more effective. I’m sure that she and her team will bring the same level of excellence and dedication to you”.

Akinsola’s expertise transcends sectors, reflecting her versatility and deep understanding of the business landscape. From manufacturing to technology, retail to finance, ABD Integrated Consulting has left an indelible mark on diverse industries. And in the foregoing vein, she usually bring her personal coaching experience to bear by helping business owners and professionals unlock potential and thrive in their business journey.

In a similar vein, she always exhibit her sagacity in corporate training when consulted to transform businesses by enhancing personal and team performance and business success with her consulting firm range of tailored training programs. 

Also, through her experience in organizing creative workshops, companies which engaged her are enabled to discover better directions and optimize their business’ processes for better proficiency and growth within their sector. 

Beyond her technical expertise, Akinsola’s leadership style is deeply people-centric. She believes that the true strength of any organization lies in its people. This conviction is reflected in her approach to team building and talent development at ABD Integrated Consulting.

“Our people are our greatest asset. By investing in their growth, we’re not just building a company; we’re creating a legacy,” she asserts.

.Beyond her role as a consultant, Akinsola is a respected thought leader in the business community. Her insights on topics such as strategic growth, operational efficiency, and leadership have been featured in industry conferences, seminars, and publications.

Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. Over the years, Akinsola has received numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the top consultants driving change in Africa. These honors are a testament to his impact and the high regard in which she is held by peers and clients alike.

Looking ahead, Akinsola is focused on scaling the impact of ABD Integrated Consulting. Plans are underway to expand the firm’s footprint beyond Africa, taking its innovative solutions to global markets.

“The world is changing rapidly, and businesses need partners who can help them navigate this change with confidence,” Akinsola notes. “Our goal is to be that trusted partner, delivering solutions that not only address today’s challenges but also prepare businesses for tomorrow.”

Akinsola’s story offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders. His journey underscores the importance of vision, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence. By staying true to his values and continually striving for innovation, he has built a company that is not just successful but also impactful.

Abiola D. Akinsola’s contributions to the consulting industry go far beyond the services provided by ABD Integrated Consulting Ltd. Through her visionary leadership, she has set a new standard for what it means to be a consultant, inspiring businesses and individuals alike to aim higher and achieve more.

In a world that often prioritizes short-term gains, Akinsola’s long-term vision and commitment to creating lasting value stand out. As she continues to chart new paths and inspire others, there is no doubt that his legacy will endure, shaping the future of consulting for generations to come.

Unarguably asserting her satisfaction concerning her individuality, she recently posted on one of her Facebook page thus, “Dancing into 2025 with GRATITUDE

“2024 has been a year of growth, meaningful connections, and boundless opportunities. Personally, professionally, and within our amazing community, I’ve learned so much and met incredible people who inspire me every day.

“As we close this chapter, I’m stepping into 2025 with optimism and excitement to explore new horizons. There’s so much to look forward to, ideas to bring to life, communities to build, and visions to turn into reality. And yes, I’m literally dancing into the New Year with a heart full of gratitude!

“To all my friends (old and new) and supporters, you’ve been the fuel to my fire. Let’s make 2025 even more amazing together!”

As we stand on the precipice of a new year, 2025 presents an opportunity for reflection, change, and forward momentum in our beloved nation, Nigeria. The year ahead holds the promise of growth, development, and transformative leadership. However, to unlock the full potential of this nation, Nigerian politicians, at all levels of government, must make a critical resolution: to become better leaders, grounded in the principles of good governance, accountability, and service to the people.

The time for political leaders to heed the clarion call for positive change is now. The people of Nigeria, who entrusted these politicians with their votes and hopes for a brighter future, deserve leaders who will act in their best interests, who will prioritize the needs of the people over personal gain, and who will pursue policies that promote prosperity, security, and equity for all citizens.

Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa and one of the largest economies on the continent, is a nation filled with immense potential. Yet, we have seen time and time again that the leadership we have elected has often failed to fully harness that potential. Corruption, mismanagement, and a lack of political will have held back Nigeria from reaching its full promise.

Over the years, many Nigerian politicians have become notorious for their failure to deliver on campaign promises. They have focused more on their personal enrichment, often ignoring the needs of the masses who elected them. Basic infrastructure is neglected, unemployment rates are high, healthcare systems are in disarray, and educational institutions are underfunded. The unfortunate consequence of these failures is a growing sense of disillusionment among the populace, with many questioning whether their votes truly matter.

In this environment, Nigerian politicians must not only acknowledge these failures but also commit to change. The people of Nigeria deserve more. They deserve leaders who will rise above the prevailing political culture of greed and inefficiency. And the resolution to do better must begin now, with the dawn of 2025.

Good governance is the cornerstone of any successful society. It is the framework within which a nation can thrive, providing citizens with the essential services and opportunities they need to live fulfilling lives. For Nigerian politicians, this means not just serving as figureheads but actively working to ensure that the government is accountable, transparent, and responsive to the needs of the people.

Given the foregoing, politicians must ensure that the workings of the government are open and accessible to the people. Financial dealings, policy decisions, and allocations of resources must be transparent to avoid corruption and waste.

Secondly, leaders must be held accountable for their actions, both in public and private life. When politicians make decisions that impact the public, they must be prepared to answer for those decisions and face consequences if they fail to act in the best interests of the people.

Thirdly, time and resources are precious commodities. Politicians should prioritize policies and programs that maximize the use of public resources for the benefit of all Nigerians. Bureaucratic inefficiencies and delays must be tackled head-on, ensuring that services reach citizens in a timely manner.

In a similar vein, leadership must be inclusive, ensuring that all Nigerians, regardless of their region, religion, or social class, have equal access to opportunities. The country’s diversity should be celebrated and harnessed, not exploited for political gain.

For a nation to progress, it must adhere to the principles of justice and the rule of law. Nigerian politicians must ensure that the legal system is fair, impartial, and accessible to all.

Again, politicians must pursue policies that ensure the long-term welfare of the nation. This includes investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, technology, and infrastructure, sectors that will sustain the nation’s growth for generations to come.

In fact, Nigerian politicians must understand that leadership is not a privilege; it is a responsibility. In 2025, they must resolve to act with integrity, prioritizing the well-being of Nigerians above all else. This is not just about fulfilling campaign promises, but about changing the political culture to one that values service and development over self-interest.

It is easy for politicians to become complacent once they assume office, especially in an environment where corruption and inefficiency have become endemic. However, it is time for a paradigm shift. Leaders must stop blaming the system and instead focus on how they can improve it. This requires courage, dedication, and a willingness to be uncomfortable for the greater good.

One politician who has demonstrated a commitment to responsible leadership is Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifiru of Ebonyi State. Unlike many of his colleagues in political office, Governor Nwifiru has made the conscious decision to send his children to school in Nigeria rather than overseas. This seemingly simple act speaks volumes about his character and his understanding of the importance of investing in Nigeria’s future.

In a country where many political elites send their children to expensive foreign schools, leaving the average Nigerian child to struggle in underfunded and dilapidated public schools, Governor Nwifiru’s decision sets him apart. It is a reflection of his belief in the potential of Nigeria’s education system and his desire to contribute to the development of the country.

Governor Nwifiru’s decision to keep his children in Nigerian schools, even within Ebonyi State, also sends a powerful message to other politicians: if we are to build a strong, self-sufficient nation, we must invest in our own people and institutions. There is no reason why Nigerian politicians should continue to send their children abroad for education while the majority of Nigerian children suffer in inadequate schools. If we want Nigeria to thrive, we must invest in our own education system, healthcare, and infrastructure. And this investment must come from the very politicians who have been entrusted with public office.

As we are now in the year 2025, Nigerian politicians must take a long, hard look at themselves and ask: what kind of leaders do we want to be? The resolution should be clear: leaders who will serve the people, who will deliver good governance, and who will prioritize Nigeria’s future over personal gain.

The year 2025 provides an opportunity for Nigerian politicians to make a lasting impact on the nation’s future. If they can resolve to embrace good governance, through transparency, accountability, and a commitment to sustainable development, Nigeria can begin to emerge from the shadows of corruption and inefficiency. Politicians must become the agents of change, demonstrating the kind of leadership that Nigeria deserves.

The year 2025 should mark the beginning of a new era for Nigeria, an era of responsible leadership, a commitment to public service, and a nation that begins to fulfill its true potential. The people are watching, and they will hold their leaders accountable. Politicians must rise to the occasion and make the resolution to be the kind of leaders that Nigeria needs.

In conclusion, let 2025 be a year of transformation for Nigeria, a year where politicians commit to good governance, where they put the people’s needs first, and where they work tirelessly to build a prosperous, peaceful, and just nation. The task is daunting, but the rewards will be immeasurable. The people of Nigeria are counting on their leaders to make it happen. The time for change is now.

Former Communication Minister Adebayo Shittu has decried the high poverty rate in the country, saying many Nigerians have become beggars.

Shittu, while appearing on an AIT programme, Focus Nigeria, cited examples of how Nigeria’s economic condition has turned citizens into beggars.

The ex-minister, who lives in Ibadan, said a Nigerian called him from Bauchi to beg for N1,000 to feed, adding that another woman called him 30 times to beg for N3,000.

He said, “Yesterday, before I left Ibadan, somebody phoned me from Bauchi and begged me for N1,000.

He said he had not eaten for two days. Again, about a week ago, somebody also called me, a woman who wanted N3,000. At the time she wanted that money, unbelievably, I myself didn’t have that money, and the woman called me 30 times in one day.”

He maintained that poverty had been weaponized in the country to the extent that when politicians go to the people for votes, they tend to be more interested in what the politicians can give them rather than what they are capable of doing.

Shittu said, “It’s not my business to douse the poverty of such people calling. So when you go to such people to ask for their votes or support, they don’t care what you’re capable of doing. What they are interested in is what they can get out of you today.”

However, contrary to Nigerians’ beliefs about political appointees, the ex-minister, who served under the Muhammadu Buhari administration from 2015 to 2019, said he currently doesn’t have money because he didn’t steal while in office.

He said post-political appointment life can be challenging for politicians who didn’t steal in office.

Shittu said he survives on the monthly allowance his 10 graduate children give him for upkeep.

[OpinionNigeria]

On Friday December 19, 2008, Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor (24 May 1949- 6 October 2022) from Olokoro, Umuahia South local government of Abia State declared that his party the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would rule Nigeria for the next sixty years. At the time he made the declaration, he was the fifth National Chairman of the party. Before him, the past Chairmen of the party were Chief Solomon Lar (1998-1999), Chief Barnabas Gemade (1999-2001), Chief Audu Ogbeh (2001-2005) and Colonel Ahmadu Ali (2005-2008).

Before his appointment as the Chairman of PDP, Chief Ogbulafor was the Minister of State on Economic Matters in the PRESIDENCY. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was then under him. His responsibilities as Minister of State were to formulate and issue economic intelligence guidelines for government projects, ensure monitoring of projects and progress relating to plan implementation and supervise the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC).

In 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR appointed other Ministers of State and placed them under THE PRESIDENCY. They include Mr. Abayomi Edu (79) and Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu, a consultant Physician and Cardiologist, from Ibowon, Epe in Lagos state, who is also a member of the Amala group, a group of eminent journalists who meets monthly at Bunmi Sofola’s place in Surulere, Lagos. 

The schedules of these Ministers of State at that time were prepared by the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Ufot Ekaette (1939- 25 September 2019), assisted by the then Director of Special Duties in the office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Dr. Goke Adegoroye and approved by the President, Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR.

There were Ministers of State Economic Matters, Minister of State Special Project, Minister of State for Inter-Governmental Affairs, Minister of State, Cooperation and Integration in Africa, Minister of State, Civil Service matters and also Minister of State, Special Duties. Mr. Abayomi Edu was Minister of State, Special Duties. He is the son of the Billionaire Politician from Epe, Alhaji Shafi Lawal Edu (7 January 1911 – 8 January 2002) who was elected into the Western State House of Assembly in 1951. Mr. Abayomi Edu who now lives in America is expected home to celebrate his 80th birthday.

Mr. Abayomi Edu’s schedule and responsibilities at that time were to coordinate for the President: award of Titles; National Honours and Decorations (ii) Liaise on behalf of the President, with committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (iii) carry out any special duties assigned by the President.

Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Kida was the Minister of State, Inter-Governmental Affairs in THE PRESIDENCY. His schedule and responsibilities were to (i) formulate and implement policies and programmes geared towards enhancement of inter-governmental relations (ii) Liaison between the Federal, State and Local Governments (iii) Conduct desirable studies and collect intelligence information on Federal/State/Local Government relations and process to the Vice President (iv) initiate follow-up actions to ensure that State and Local Government fulfil their respective statutory obligations (v) Advise the Vice President on Boundary Commission Matters.

Chief Abimbola Ogunkelu was Minister of State in THE PRESIDENCY for Cooperation and Integration in Africa. His schedule and responsibilities were to (i) formulate policies and programmes on regional cooperation and integration in Africa (ii) Strengthening of Intra-African economic cooperation (iii) Foster relations with and coordinate ECOWAS matters (iv) Coordination of matters relating to the Economic and Social Commission of the OAU (v) Coordination and strengthening of matters relating to Joint Economic Commissions in Africa e.g. the African Common Market, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The emergence of Prince Vincent Ogbulafor as the National Chairman of PDP was dramatic. He was brought to the PDP headquarters in 2001 after serving as Minister of State.

President Umaru Musa Yar’adua GCFR (16 August 1951- 5 May 2010) was eventually declared the winner of the 2007 general elections, held on April 21, and was sworn in on May 29, 2007, amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud. In the Nigerian National Assembly election, the party won 260 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives and 85 out of 109 seats in the Senate.

 At the PDP’s 2008 National Convention, the party chose Prince Vincent Ogbulafor as its National Chairman on March 8, 2008 held in Abuja. Chief Ogbulafor, who was the PDP’s National Secretary from 2001 to 2005, was the party’s consensus choice for the position of National Chairman, selected as an alternative to the rival candidate’s former Governor Sam Egwu and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. All 26 candidates, including Dr Sam Egwu (70) from Ezzamgbo and Senator Pius Anyim GCON (63) from Ishiagu, both in Ebonyi state, withdrew in favour of Ogbulafor. Meanwhile, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje was elected as National Secretary.

When Prince Ogbulafor made that declaration in 2008 people believed that his boast could come true. He was on a solid ground at that time.

Let’s look at the situation now. In the Senate, All Progressive Congress (APC) has 58 seats, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 37 seats, Labour Party has 7 seats, New Nigeria People’s Party has 2 seats, Social Democratic Party—2 seats, All Progressive Grand Alliance—1 seat and Action Democratic Party—1 seat. In the House of Representative, All Progressive Congress has 175 seats, People’s Democratic Party has 118 seats, Labour Party has 35 seats, New Nigeria People’s Party—-19 seats, All Progressive Grand Alliance—-5 seats, African Democratic Congress—2 seats, Social Democartic Party— 2 seats and Young Progressive Party—1 seat.

The PDP governors in 2008 when Prince Ogbulafor made that prediction were Thoedore Orji (Abia State), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Timipre Sylvia (Bayelsa), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno), Liyel Moke (Cross River), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Olusegun Oni (Ekiti), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Ikedi Ohakim (Imo), Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Namadi Sambo (Kaduna),

Others were Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari (Kebbi), Ibrahim Idris (Kogi), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Aliyu Doma (Nasarawa), Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Olusegun Agagu (Ondo), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Christopher Alao-Akala (Oyo), Jonah David Jang (Plateau), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako (Sokoto), Danbaba Suntai (Taraba) and Mahmud Shinkafi (Zamfara).

At that time the AD governors were Babatunde Raji Fashola (Lagos), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole (Edo). Peter Obi was governor of Anambra (APGA), Isa Yuguda(ANPP)—Bauchi, Ali Modu Sheriff (ANPP)—Bornu, Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP)—Kano, Ibrahim Gaidam (ANPP)—Yobe, Olusegun Mimiko(Labour Party)—Ondo state.

As of today, there are twenty-two states with APC governors, twelve states with PDP governors, one each with APGA, Labour and NNPP. The APC is yet to equal the feat achieved by the PDP in 2008.

At present the governors are Alex Otti(Abia State)—Labour Party, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri(Adamawa)—PDP, Umo Eno(Akwa Ibom)—PDP, Charles Soludo (Anambra)—APGA, Bala Muhammed (Bauchi)—PDP, Douye Diri (Bayelsa)—PDP, Hyacinth Alia (Benue)—APC, Babagana Zulum (Borno)—APC, Bassey Otu(Cross River)—APC, Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta)—PDP, Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) APC, Monday Okpebholo(Edo), Biodun Oyebanji(Ekiti)—APC, Peter Mbah(Enugu)—PDP, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya(Gombe)—APC, Hope Uzodinma(Imo)—APC, Umar Namadi (Jigawa)—APC and Uba Sani(Kaduna)—APC.

Others are Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano)— New Nigeria Peoples Party, Dikko Umaru Radda(Katsina)—APC, Nasir Idris(Kebbi)—APC, Ahmed Usman Ododo        (Kogi)—APC,AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq(Kwara)—APC, Babajide Sanwo-Olu(Lagos)—APC, Abdullahi Sule(Nasarawa)—APC, Mohammed Umar Bago(Niger)—APC, Dapo Abiodun(Ogun)—APC, Lucky Aiyedatiwa(Ondo)—APC, Ademola Adeleke(Osun)—PDP, Seyi Makinde(Oyo)—PDP, Caleb Mutfwang(Plateau)—PDP, Siminalayi Fubara(Rivers)—PDP, Ahmad Aliyu(Sokoto)—APC, Agbu Kefas(Taraba)—PDP, Mai Mala Buni(Yobe)—APC, Dauda Lawal(Zamfara)—PDP

The above may change when the gubernatorial election takes place in Anambra on November 6, 2025 this year, while that of Ekiti and Osun state will hold on July 14 and September 22 next year respectively.

As of now most of the parties are in crisis, serious crisis including APC. The worst hit is the PDP. I hope the PDP will not go the way of AD, ACN, ANPP and APP. The death of All People’s Party is tragic. It was the second most powerful party in 1999.

In the 20 February, 1999 legislature elections, the APP won 20 out of the 109 Senate seats and 68 of the 360 seats in the House of Representatives. The presidential election, held on 29 February, 1999, was won by PDP candidate Olusegun Obasanjo. He received 62.78% of the vote compared to 37.22% for the Olu Falae/Umaru Shinkafi ticket. The last functioning leader of the party was my close friend, Senator Mahmoud Waziri. Till he died we disagreed on how he ran the APP. Although he was compensated with position of special adviser by President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR. He felt uncomfortable. I cherished his friendship. Great soul from Yola.

The party elected nine governors at that time. They were Mala Kachalla(Borno), Abubakar Abu Hasheed (Gombe), Ibrahin Samiru Turaki (Jigawa), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Abubakar Audu (Kogi), Muhammed Lawal (Kwara), Attahiru Bafarwa (Sokoto), Buka Abba Ibrahim (Yobe) and Ahmed Sani (Zamfara).

Tragically, the APP suffered factional split and contested the next round of elections in 2003 as the as the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP).

The crisis of the PDP now is similar to that of APP. The possibility of PDP recapturing the PRESIDENCY which they lost almost ten years ago is remote. What can emerge is that a faction of the PDP and disgruntled elements in the APC and other parties may form a coalition to challenge the Presidential candidate of the APC in 2027. Definitely there will be a new alliance. That is the Nigerian way. The APC is not invincible, just as PDP was not ten years ago with its failing policies.

Now there is a rush to enlist in the ruling party, the APC. At the second or third year of any Presidential tenure, this is a common occurrence. It is nothing new, we are used to it. It happened in 1981 during the tenure of President Usman Aliyu Shehu Shagari GCFR. I remember Alhaji Umaru Abdulrahman Dikko (31 December 1936 – 1 July 2014) from Wamba village near Zaria, the then Minister of Transport, boasting then that the NPN would rule forever. He told Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola GCFR (24 August 1937 – 7 July 1998) that there was no vacancy in the Presidency and that the Presidency was not for sale.

The possibility of a single party structure or a dominant single party structure has threatened the democratic structure of this great country from time to time. And somehow it never becomes possible. The country survived that threat in 1965, it did in 1983 and also in 2008.

In 1965, the dominant party was Northern People’s Congress (NPC). It was formerly a cultural organization known as Jamiyaar Mutanen Arewa. It was a party that never pretended. It was formed on the basis of Northern interest as the name explains.

Before he was assassinated on January 14, 1966, the leader of the party, Sir Ahmadu Bello (12 June 1910- 15 January 1966), the Sardauna of Sokoto, Premier of Northern Nigeria, was the most powerful politician in the land.

In his book titled “MY LIFE”, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, wrote on page 85 “The Northern People’s Congress grew out of purely cultural society of that name. This had been started in Zaria by Dr. Dikko, who is now an important figure in the Ministry of Health. After the 1951 elections—-the electoral college ones—Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who had been a member of the original House of Assembly from the start and who always had a keen political sense, asked me to join this cultural party, later to become our own political party with the same name. Curiously enough, this is how the Action Group also started, for it is in origin the ‘Action Group’ of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa, a Yoruba cultural society. And they started at much the same time.

I agreed to do this and so later became President of the political Northern People’s Congress, with Abubakar as Vice President, and Ibrahim Imam, who since then has had a number of different political allegiances, as Secretary General. We called it Northern because we wanted to unite the Northern people and at that time we were not looking much beyond our own borders. It had an immediate success and most of the members of the Northern House joined it. Since then, it has remained unshaken, though other parties have blossomed and faded.

Our aims were very simple. To develop the country to the fullest extent in the shortest term; to preserve the peace, good order, and friendly relations between all our different peoples; to conduct an efficient and impartial administration; to ensure for all, freedom of thought and religion, to do good to all men. You will see that we were never militant ‘nationalists’ as some were. We were sure that in God’s good time we would get the power. The British had promised this frequently and we were content to rest on these promises; there was plenty of work ready at our hands for us to do”. 

The Principal officers of the Northern People’s Congress of the first Republic were: President-General—Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, first Vice-President-General—Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, second Vice-President General—Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, acting Secretary General Secretary—Alhaji Ahmadu Galadima Pategi, acting assistant Secretary General —Alhaji Ibrahim Biu, National Treasurer—Alhaji Aliyu Makama Bida ad Financial Secretary Alhaji Isa Kaita Waziri Katsina.

The Staff of the National Headquarters were Party Manager—Alhaji Habib Raji Abdullahi, Chief Operating Officer—Mallam Muhammadu King, Chief Publicity Officer—Mallam Yusuf Dantsoho, Research Officer—Mallam Abubakar Tugga, Local Government Officer—Mallam Abba El Anasari, Officer in charge Youth Wing—Mallam Ahmadu Kwanbo, North Regional President—Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gashash and North Regional Secretary—Mr. Michael Audu Buba.

Executive committee members (unofficial) were Mallam Mu’azu Lamido, Alhaji Shehu Usman, Galadima Maska, Zanna Bukar Dipcharima, Alhaji Ahmadu Sarkin Fadan Zazzau, Alhaji Ndagi Farouq, Tafidan Bida, Mallam Sule Gaya, Mallam Mu’azu Gambo, Mallam Tanko Yusuf, Alhaji Ibrahim Biu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, Wamban Daura, Alhaji Dalhatu Bida, Mr. S.A. Ajayi, Mallam Idrisu, Tafidan Adamawa, Alhaji Ari, Alhaji Sanda Na Alhaji, Alhaji Zakari Isa, Mr. J.C. Obande, Mr. M.A.O. Olanrewaju and Alhaji Sani Okin.

Others were Mallam Usman Sarkin Musawa, Alhaji Ladan Barki, Mallam Maitama Sule, Alhaji Shehu Ahmed, Madawakin, Kano, Mallam Baba Nahannun Dama, Alhaji Audu Anace, Mallam Ibrahim Mukun, Bida, Mallam Hassan Makaman Abuja, Mallam Usman Son Gari Wukari, Alhaji Usman Sarki, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tijani Hashim, Mallam Bello Malabu, Madakin Adamawa, Alhaji Aliyu Magajin Garin Sokoto, Mallam Mamman Tela, Alhaji Chief Sule Enugu, Alhaji Isa Haruna, Alhaji Abubakar Madawakin Sokoto, Mallam Sani Dingyadi Makadamn Sokoto, Alhaji Baban Gire, Chiroma Suberu, Bukar Batulbe Maiduguri, and Alhaji Audu Bida.

Members of the working committee were Zanna Umara Bensheikh, Alhaji Mustafa Monguno, Mallam Mu’azu Lamido, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashir, Wamban Daura, Alhaji Isa Kiata, Waziri Katsina, Alhaji Umaru Babura, S. Fulani, Alhaji Ahman, Galadima Pategi, Alhai Ibrahim Biu, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Ciroma Katagum, Mallam Muhammadu Nasir, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gashash and Alhaji Sule Gaya.

Others were Mr. Michael Audu Buba, Alhaji Shehu Usman, Galadima Maska, Habib Raji Abdullahi, Alhaji Mu’azu Gambo, Alhaji Sani Okin, Mallam Hassan Ahmed, Alhaji Audu Anance, Alhaji Dalhatu Bida, Mallam Gwani Jatau, Mallam J. Tanko Yusuf, Alhaji Muhammadu Kokori Abdul, Alhaji Tijani Hashim, Mallam Muhammadu Sokoto, Mallam Abba Masta, Alhaji Usman Sulayman, Mallam Haliru Zarma Hong, Mr. Edmond B. Mamiso, Alhaji Ndagi Farouq and Mallam Muhammadu King.

From the above, one could see the direction of the party. Fortunately, Section 173 of the 1978 electoral decree has made it entirely impossible for a political party to represent regional interest.

There have been several attempts to force this country to have a one-party structure or a two-party structure, but the boldest attempt was made by General Ibrahim Babangida GCFR (83).

On January 10, 1986, he established a 17-member political bureau to oversee and co-ordinate the debate on the political future of the country.  Three days later, that is on January 13, 1986, he inaugurated the bureau. The bureau was headed by Professor Sylvanus John Sodienye Cookey, an historian from Opobo in Rivers state.  Professor Cookey was born on April 9, 1934. In 1982, he became the second Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. He is the first President of the Council of Knights of the Niger Delta Dioceses and first President-General of the Joint Council of Knights of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

As a Philanthropist, he has endowed a professional Chair in Malaria Studies at the University of Port Harcourt while the Sylvanus Cookey Foundation, established by him, is helping to transform the lives of youths in his home town, Opobo.

During the Civil War, he served as Commissioner for Special Duties in Ojukwu’s Cabinet and was awarded the Biafra Silver Medal (BSM). He has since received many honours including Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), Honourary Doctor of Science (D.Sc) and Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) from the University of Port Harcourt and Anambra State University respectively as well as Chieftaincy titles from Upata Kingdom in Rivers State and Ogbor in Mbaise. He is a member of the Institute of Doctors of Nigeria. He holds the unique title of Arusibidabo (Inspirational Leader) in Opobo Kingdom.

Other members of the bureau were E. O. Awa, A.D. Yahaya, Haroun Adamu, Ibrahim Halilu, Pascal Bafyau, Oye Oyediran, Tunde Adeniran, Sam E. Oyovbaire, Bala Takaya, O.E. Uya, Sani Zaharadden, Mrs Hilda Aderarasin, Mrs R. Abdullahi, Ola Balogun, Edwin Madunagu and Abdullahi Augie (Executive Secretary).

On June 27, 1986, different categories of politicians were banned from participating in politics until after the transition programme.

On March 26, 1987, the Political Bureau submitted its report. It recommended that any Nigerian who hadn’t been previously convicted of a criminal offence be allowed to participate in politics in the 1990s as well as the gradual replacement of the military administration by civilians.

On July 11, 1987, the White Paper on the Political Bureau report was released. A new date of 1992 was given for the army’s handover. Other items in the White Paper included the retention of Presidentialism and the rejection of any religion as state religion.

On September 1, 1987, a 46-member review panel was named to review the 1979 constitution. It was headed by Justice Mohammed Buba Ardo.

On September 4, 1987, local government election time-table was released. It was scheduled for 12 December. Registration was to hold between 12 October and 1 November.

On April 22, 1988, elections were held into the Constituent Assembly while on April 25, 1988, government’s nominees to the Assembly (117 of them) were announced. To head the Assembly was Justice Anthony Aniagolu. The Assembly was saddled with the job of fashioning a new Constitution for the country.

On April 1, 1989, the Constituent Assembly concluded sitting in Abuja while General Ibrahim Babangida received the draft on April 5, 1989. On May 3, 1989, General Babangida lifted ban on political activities while the National Electoral Commission headed by Professor Eme Awa (15 December, 1921- 11 March 2000) recommended six political associations to the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) for registration on September 26, 1989. The political associations were the People’s Solidarity Party, Nigerian National Congress, Peoples’ Front of Nigeria, Liberal Convention, Nigerian Labour Party and the Republican Party.

On October 7, 1989, General Babangida in a broadcast to the nation dissolved the political parties claiming that they had been hijacked by some individuals as their personal property. He then created two political parties by decree—the Social Democratic Party and the National Republican Convention. He also created the Centre for Democratic Studies.

In creating the two parties, General Babangida declared “by this decision, the AFRC has declared its acceptance of the principles of a grassroots democratic two-party system. It is our belief that the system shall: provide a grassroots basis for the emergence of political parties, establish a grassroots or mass platforms for the emergence of new leadership, give equal rights and opportunities to all Nigerians to participate in the political process irrespective of their wealth, religion, geo-political backgrounds and professional endeavours, de-emphasise the role of money in politics and reduce to a minimum level, the element of violence in our electoral process.

“Preclude the emergence of political alliances along the same lines as in the First Republics and therefore, give Nigerians a new political structure within which to operate, ensure the emergence of a new, more dedicated and more genuine leadership cadre, which will not be a mere proxy for old political warlords, chart a new patter of political recruitment and participation which will enhance Nigeria’s stability, establish strong instructional structures which not sustain future governments, but also be strong enough to stand the test of time and establish a political system that will be operated according to the spirit and letter of the Constitution of the Federal Republic”.

Between July 21 and 25, 1990, the National Republican Convention held its convention in Port Harcourt, Chief Tom Ikimi was elected as the Chairman. At its own convention in Abuja, the SDP elected Ambassador Baba-Gana Kingibe as the chairman. On December 2, 1991, General Babangida arrested and detained eleven banned politicians. They were Abubakar Rimi, Maitama Yusuff, Lateef Jakande and Lamidi Adedibu. Others were C.C. Onoh, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, Dr. Olusola Saraki, Mr. Solomon Lar, and Major General (rtd.) Musa Shehu Yar’adua.

On September 23, 1992, ten Presidential aspirants of the SDP, withdrew from the contest scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 1992, claiming that the party was bent on imposing Major General (rtd.) Musa Shehu Yar’adua on the party. The aspirants were Chief Olu Falae, Olabiyi Durojaiye, Arthur Nzeribe, Alhaji Datti Ahmed, Mahmud Waziri, Lateef Jakande, Drs Olusola Saraki, Patrick Dele Cole, Layi Balogun, and Professor Jerry Gana.

A few weeks later, the same General Babangida banned 21 Presidential aspirants, leaving only Chief M.K.O. Abiola of the SDP and Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the NRC to contest the June 12, 1993 Presidential election.  The election was annulled later by General Babandiga while General Sani Abacha GCFR (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998) sacked the elected governors, the Interim Government of Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan GCFR (9 May 1936 – 11 January 2022) and also the two political parties.

Joining the ruling party is only a partial solution to the country’s problems. Apart from personal consideration, there must be enough justification for joining the ruling party in terms of performance. To me, the destination must be good governance which we are still expecting from the APC because, we in bad shape at the moment.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the change in the retirement age of medical doctors and other healthcare professionals in the country from 60 to 65 years.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Mannir Bature, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

He added that President Tinubu has also approved the allocation and disbursement of funds necessary to settle their outstanding arrears.

Bature noted that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has been tasked with officially submitting the approval to the Council on Establishment via the Office of the Head of Service for final confirmation.

He mentioned that the change in policy was communicated by Pate during an important meeting with the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, alongside crucial stakeholders in the health sector.

He stated that the coordinating minister has verified that the outstanding payments stemming from the adjustments to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) are scheduled for disbursement.

Mr. Bature cited the minister’s statement indicating that President Tinubu has given his approval for the necessary adjustments to be made for both the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which are a result of the implementation of the new minimum wage.

He said, “The necessary funds have been secured, and disbursement to beneficiaries will commence soon.

“The process to effect this correction is at an advanced stage, providing much-needed relief to doctors and other healthcare workers.

“This will particularly benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), ensuring better financial remuneration and sustainability for healthcare services nationwide.”

[NaijaNews]