ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Activist lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), his son – afrobeats singer, Mr Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, alongside civil society organisations, youth groups, among others, on Friday staged a protest in Lagos.

They demanded urgent action to address worsening insecurity and economic hardship in the country.

The protest came as Nigeria marked Democracy Day, set aside in remembrance of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely acclaimed to have been won by late Chief MKO Abiola.

The election, though regarded as the freest and fairest in the nation’s history, was annuled by the then military government.

Chanting, the protesters converged on the Ikeja Under Bridge, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No Democracy Without Security,” End Bad Governance,” and “End Insecurity and Kidnapping.”

Others include, “End Hunger,” “Free All Captives Now,”End all anti-people policies now,”

The demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to rising insecurity, economic hardship and policies affecting ordinary Nigerians.

Speaking during the protest, Falana called for the immediate release of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, expressing concern over their welfare in captivity.

According to him, the protest is not only about demanding the rescue of the abducted victims but also about highlighting broader issues of injustice, insecurity and poverty confronting Nigerians.

“We are protesting the kidnapping of our children in Oyo State. We are also protesting injustice in our country, a situation whereby innocent school children in Oyo and Borno states have been in the custody of criminals for several weeks now.

“We are also protesting injustice meted out to young people who are regularly arrested on the highways by the police.

“We are protesting hunger and poverty in the land, and we are calling on the government to address these challenges,” he said.

Falana, a human rights advocate, lamented the condition of the abducted children and teachers, and regretted the killing of one of the latter.

He called on the authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims.

Also addressing the protesters, Falz bemoaned what he described as worsening insecurity and economic hardship across the country.

The entertainer and activist said Nigeria was grappling with increasing cases of kidnappings and killings, urging the government to do more in its responsibility of protecting the citizens.

“Everybody can see the worsening insecurity. It is becoming unbearable,” he said.

Falz cited recent abductions in different parts of the country, including the kidnapping of students and the abduction of a relative of a former minister in Oyo State.

“Every Nigerian life matters and must be protected at all costs,” he stated.

He said that the repeated abduction of students had heightened public frustration and anxiety.

Also speaking, human rights activist, Mr Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as Seaking, called for stronger government action to tackle insecurity across the country.

He said Nigerians were demanding better governance and an end to the growing wave of killings, kidnappings and other violent crimes.

“We say no to insecurity. Insecurity has to end,” he said.

Ogunsanwo urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts against bandits, insisting that decisive action, rather than rhetoric, was needed to end the insecurity.

Security operatives maintained presence around the protest venue and monitored activities throughout the demonstration.

(NAN)

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has revealed that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, once offered activist and prominent supporter Aisha Yesufu a ticket to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives, but she declined the opportunity.

The former Bayelsa governor made the revelation during a stakeholders’ meeting of the NDC in Abuja, amid ongoing tensions between party leaders and some members over the conduct of the party’s recent primaries.

According to him, both he and Obi considered Yesufu a strong candidate capable of representing the party at the National Assembly. However, he said the activist turned down the offer, insisting that the position was not one she was interested in pursuing.

“Talking about the FCT, do you know that Peter Obi and I offered Aisha Yesufu a House of Representatives ticket, but she turned it down?” Dickson told party stakeholders.

“House of Representatives that many people are struggling to get, she said she was too big for it.”

His remarks come shortly after Yesufu publicly criticised the NDC leadership, particularly Dickson, over comments he made regarding the party’s primaries and internal affairs

The activist had accused the party leader of focusing more on personal relevance than on strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Thursday, Yesufu expressed disappointment with Dickson’s appearance on a television programme where he discussed reports of irregularities during the party’s candidate selection process.

She maintained that despite reservations about how the primaries were conducted, she remained loyal to the party and worked to calm aggrieved supporters who felt excluded from the process.

According to her, many party members in the Federal Capital Territory were left disappointed after waiting for primaries that never took place, yet she encouraged them to remain focused on the larger objective of building a strong opposition platform.

Yesufu stressed that she had always followed the party’s procedures and never expected political positions to be handed to her without due process.

“I played field politics. I never waited for anyone to give me a ticket,” she stated.

The activist further alleged that Dickson’s television interview appeared to focus more on defending his own position within the party than promoting the party’s candidates and electoral strategy.

She argued that the NDC leadership should be concentrating on winning elections and inspiring confidence among supporters rather than engaging in internal disputes.

With all due respect, sir, it looked as if you were insecure and competing with your presidential candidate,” she said.

“Yesufu also stated that the registration of the NDC should not be seen as an achievement in itself, but rather as a platform for winning elections and delivering good governance.

She urged party leaders to prioritise reconciliation and unity, especially among aspirants and supporters who felt dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries.

According to her, one of the responsibilities of party leadership is to unite members after contentious internal contests and ensure that grievances do not weaken the party ahead of national elections.

She also rejected any suggestion that members were challenging Dickson’s authority as national leader, insisting that the focus should remain on defeating the ruling party and addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

“No one is interested in taking away your leadership. The focus should be on Nigeria and the 2027 election,” she said.

The exchange highlights growing debates within the NDC as it seeks to consolidate support ahead of the next general election, with party leaders and prominent supporters continuing discussions on internal democracy, candidate selection, and the party’s broader strategy for 2027.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

…as secure release of 21 inmates, donates 1,000 motorcycles to teachers

…urge politicians to shun divisive politics ahead of 2027 elections

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has declared that democracy is now firmly rooted in Nigeria, insisting that after 27 uninterrupted years of civilian rule, the country has moved beyond the era of military decrees and authoritarian governance.

Speaking in Zaria on Friday during the fifth phase of his empowerment programme, where he distributed 1,000 motorcycles to primary and secondary school teachers in Zaria Federal Constituency to commemorate Democracy Day, Abbas said Nigeria’s democratic journey had become irreversible.

Joining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other Nigerians in celebrating Democracy Day, the Speaker said the nation had made remarkable progress since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

“Our democracy has come to stay. Nigeria will never again be governed by decree. Nigeria will be governed by consent,” he declared.

As part of the celebrations, Abbas also secured the release of 21 inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Zaria after settling their fines and related obligations amounting to ₦17.5 million.

The beneficiaries, drawn from various parts of Kaduna State, had served prison terms ranging from seven months to five years. Many of the freed inmates expressed gratitude to the Speaker for giving them a second chance.

Addressing the teachers who received motorcycles, Abbas said his decision to prioritise educators was deeply personal.
“I prioritised the welfare and well-being of teachers because everything I am began in a classroom, and no nation rises above the quality of its teachers.

“Let these motorcycles carry you to school. But let them also carry a message: that democracy can touch ordinary lives, in practical ways, right here at home. Teach our children honesty, hard work, and love of country. Teach them what June 12 means,” he said.

The Speaker paid tribute to prominent figures who played significant roles in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, saying their sacrifices paved the way for the freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.

“But democracy did not fall from the sky. It was paid for in blood, in tears, in exile, and in detention. We remember Chief MKO Abiola, whose mandate of June 12, 1993, was stolen, and who died in custody rather than surrender it. We remember Kudirat Abiola. And we remember our own. General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, a son of the North, who died in prison because he demanded a return to civil rule.

“Malam Aminu Kano, who spent his life insisting that the talakawa must have a voice in how they are governed. Our own Alhaji Balarabe Musa from Kaduna State, who spoke truth to power until his final breath. And here in Zaria, the late Dr Yusuf Bala Usman of Ahmadu Bello University, who taught generations that citizens must question their rulers. June 12 is their day. We stand on their shoulders,” Abbas said.

According to him, despite the imperfections of democracy, Nigerians continue to embrace it because it remains the best system for peaceful change and accountability.

Abbas contrasted Nigeria’s democratic stability with developments in some African countries where elected governments have been overthrown by military regimes.

“Nigerians continue to keep faith in democracy because it is the only system that allows a nation to correct its mistakes without bloodshed. It gives the farmer in Kwarbai the same single vote as the billionaire in Lagos. It allows you to question me, your Speaker. It allows you to question all your other leaders.

“What happened in countries such as Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger and Gabon cannot happen in Nigeria because we have chosen to be vigilant. Nigeria will never again be governed by decree. Nigeria will be governed by consent,” he stated.

The Speaker argued that democratic legitimacy must be matched with tangible results and defended the economic reforms introduced by President Tinubu since taking office.

“Let us be honest. He inherited subsidy distortions, exchange-rate chaos, collapsing revenues, and an economy on the brink of failure. The easy option was to keep postponing reality. He refused. And the numbers now speak.

“Inflation peaked at 34.8 per cent in December 2024. By April this year, it had fallen to 15.69 per cent. GDP growth rose from 2.74 per cent in 2023 to 3.87 per cent in 2025, and global institutions project growth of 4.4 per cent in 2026.

“Our gross external reserves crossed 50 billion dollars in February, the highest in 13 years, up from net reserves of barely 4 billion dollars at the end of 2023. Government revenues more than doubled, from 17.08 trillion Naira in 2023 to 37.44 trillion Naira in 2025, with money now flowing to roads, schools, hospitals, and salaries across all three tiers. Capital inflows jumped from 654 million dollars in late 2023 to 5.6 billion dollars by early 2025,” he said.

Abbas also highlighted the impact of the Student Loan Fund and investments in healthcare, security and infrastructure.

“Through the Student Loan Fund, over 1.3 million young Nigerians have received more than 242 billion Naira across 280 tertiary institutions. Right here, Ahmadu Bello University alone received over 1 billion Naira for 17,599 students.

“The number of primary healthcare centres is being doubled from 9,000 to 18,000 by next year. Defence spending has risen from 2.98 trillion Naira to 4.91 trillion Naira, and the road from Abuja through Kaduna to Kano, once a corridor of fear, is being rebuilt while the trains run again,” he said.

On the strength of those achievements, the Speaker openly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in office.

“That is why, as 2027 approaches, I say without hesitation: this is not the time to change course. Renewed Hope is working. The evidence is on the table. Let us finish the job,” he declared.

Turning to legislative reforms, Abbas said the National Assembly had consistently risen to critical national challenges over the past 27 years.

He recalled the legislature’s opposition to the proposed third-term agenda in 2006, the adoption of the Doctrine of Necessity in 2010, the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, the creation of anti-corruption agencies, the Not Too Young To Run legislation, the Petroleum Industry Act and electoral reforms that strengthened transparency in elections.

“The Tenth Assembly is building on that inheritance with the most ambitious constitutional review in our history. Twelve public hearings across all six geopolitical zones. From 260 alteration bills, a first batch of 37 has now been prioritised. And each answers a problem you live with,” he said.

He pointed to the recent passage of the State Police Bill, alongside proposals for an Electoral Offences Commission, independent candidacy, greater autonomy for state electoral commissions and local government autonomy as evidence of the Assembly’s reform agenda.

As political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum, Abbas cautioned politicians against inflaming ethnic and religious tensions for political gain.

“Politics is not war, and the opponent is not the enemy.

“I call on all of us to campaign with facts, not fear. With ideas, not insults. Do not inflame religion. Do not weaponise ethnicity. Do not set fire to the house we all must live in simply to rule its ashes.

“The politician who destabilises Nigeria to win power will inherit nothing worth governing. History is watching, and so are our children. Let 2027 be remembered as the election in which Nigeria’s political class chose the country over self,” he said.

He also urged young Nigerians not to lose faith in the democratic process despite current challenges.

“And to you, young Nigerians, my message is direct. I know your frustrations are real. But this country is yours, and it is worth fighting for with your PVC, not your despair.

“Do not surrender the future to cynicism. Register. Vote. Run for office. Build businesses. Question us. Hold us to account. The same democracy that let a schoolteacher’s son become Speaker is open to every one of you. Hope is not naïve. Hope, backed by work, is the most radical force in any nation,” Abbas said.