Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned the state of democracy in Nigeria, stating that it has become a system focused on power grabbing while those affected are left with no real hope of justice in court.

Obasanjo made the remarks on Monday during the 60th birthday colloquium of former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha.

He criticized the practice of manipulating the democratic process and dismissing concerns by simply telling aggrieved parties to seek legal redress, despite the widespread belief that the judiciary may not deliver justice.

“Democracy is not about grabbing power and telling the victims to go to court knowing that they won’t get justice,” Obasanjo stated.

His comments come amid growing concerns about electoral integrity and judicial independence in Nigeria, with many questioning whether the courts can truly serve as impartial arbiters in political disputes.

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, has sparked controversy after gifting ₦7 million in cash to his personal assistant, Ibrahim Awwal, who lost a councillorship primary in Mariga Local Government Area.

Awwal, who contested under the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus arrangement, was unsuccessful. While addressing an audience, the Speaker downplayed his aide’s disappointment, questioning why he had contested in the first place.

“You are crying because you lost your councilorship seat. When you went for the contest, I wasn’t aware. I didn’t ask you to contest, and I don’t see a reason why you will pay delegates to be chosen as a councillor consensus candidate. And if they can’t choose you, for God’s sake, there is no need to contest. So don’t bother yourself.

“The whole salary for the three years you spend in office as a councillor if you win is ₦6.4 million. Here is ₦7 million I give you free of charge. So don’t worry about your councilorship aspiration again,” he said.

In addition to compensating Awwal, Sarkin Daji also handed out ₦500,000 each to 12 other aspirants who accepted the consensus process without dispute.

“To be careful about something, there are 12 people who contested for councilorship in different wards of Mariga Local Government and voluntarily accepted the outcome of the consensus process. Aside from the chairmanship aspirant, I gift all the 12 persons ₦500,000 each for their understanding and for not causing any issues as a result of the outcome of the consensus result,” he added.

The move has drawn sharp criticism, with many questioning the Speaker’s priorities. Some social media users argued that such funds could have been better spent on development projects instead of compensating political aspirants.

Yahaya Mohd Usman condemned the decision, calling it a wasteful display of wealth in a state with pressing needs.

“I have watched a video of the Speaker of the Niger State Assembly, Sarkin Daji, allegedly paying out a councilorship aspirant his cumulative three years’ salary to give up his aspiration to contest the seat, with a warning to the man, ‘I didn’t ask you to run.’ What is nauseating about the video is how a supposedly third person in the hierarchy of a state will display such an amount of money in cash as a payout when so many developmental projects in his LGA are yearning for attention.”

Critics also pointed to the lack of progress in Mariga Local Government, arguing that the Speaker should focus on improving roads, schools, and healthcare instead.

Abdulmalik Yakubu questioned Sarkin Daji’s impact, stating: “Call him again and ask if there is any single administrative achievement or accomplishment under his government for the people of his local government constituency so far in the two years of his service as a State member representing his constituent.

“With people like him, democracy will not go anywhere and will not do anything meaningful to the lives of our people.”

Another commentator, Abdul Adon Faila, speaking in Hausa, expressed disappointment over the Speaker’s priorities.

He said: “That is not right because someone may urgently need ₦100,000 in assistance but cannot get it.”

The video

Senator Natasha, 

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from the case filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central District.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Egwuatu announced his decision to recuse himself, citing allegations of bias raised by the third defendant in the case, Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Explaining his decision, the judge stated, “The case file will be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for reassignment to another judge.”

Reports indicate that Senate President Akpabio had expressed doubts about the court’s ability to handle the matter fairly, leading to the latest development.

Justice Egwuatu had previously issued an ex-parte order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from taking disciplinary action against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

She had approached the court seeking an injunction to stop the Senate and its ethics committee from “proceeding with the purported investigation” against her.

The controversy stems from a dispute over seat arrangements in the Senate, during which Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office.

Following the incident, the Senate suspended her for six months, citing misconduct.

President Tinubu & Mr. Peter Obi, 

President Bola Tinubu has cautioned Peter Obi to be mindful of his statements and refrain from undermining his administration.

In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the presidency condemned what it described as Mr. Obi’s “exaggerated” criticism of the Tinubu government.

Mr. Obi, a former presidential candidate and ex-governor, had accused the current administration of engaging in political brigandage and corruption, asserting that democracy had collapsed in Nigeria.

However, the presidency strongly objected to this claim.

“I will urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery,” the presidential aide warned.

“His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation.”

Mr. Onanuga further criticized Mr. Obi, describing him as a “discontented and disgruntled” politician.

He argued that if democracy had indeed collapsed, as Mr. Obi suggested, he would not have had the freedom to express his views.

“How can a democracy that has strengthened over the past 26 years be said to have collapsed?” Mr. Onanuga asked.

“Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who benefits from the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens.”

He continued, “If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime antithetical to democratic principles, he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday at Emeka Ihedioha’s colloquium.”

At the same event, former President Olusegun Obasanjo also made critical remarks about the Tinubu administration.

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has appointed Prof. Ibibia Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

According to a statement from the state government, the appointment, which takes immediate effect, was based on “a rigorous selection process in which Worika’s extensive experience, academic credentials, and policy expertise stood out.”

In a related development, Iyingi Brown has been appointed as the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service.

She will also act as the Head of Service until a substantive appointment is made.

Her appointment follows the resignation of the former Head of Service, George Nwaeke.

The government expressed appreciation for Nwaeke’s contributions, wishing him “success in his future endeavors.”

While congratulating Brown on her new role, the Sole Administrator reaffirmed his commitment to “maintaining peace and stability in Rivers State.”

The statement highlighted Professor Worika’s vast experience, emphasizing that his distinguished career has spanned academia, international legal practice, and policy advisory roles.

It noted that he is well-equipped to assist the administrator in achieving the mandate set for Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

“Professor Worika’s wealth of experience in legal scholarship, public policy, and governance will be instrumental in driving the administration’s agenda. His appointment underscores our dedication to excellence in public service,” the statement read.

The Sole Administrator further pledged to “utilize the rich human capital of Rivers State to foster peace, stability, and security.”

Professor Worika, who hails from Okrika in Rivers State, is an internationally recognized scholar and legal expert specializing in environmental and petroleum law.

He holds a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee, United Kingdom.

Currently, he serves as the Director of the Centre for Advanced Law Research at Rivers State University and was previously the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt.

His academic career has been distinguished by significant contributions to legal education, curriculum development, and institutional collaborations.

Beyond academia, he has played a key role in shaping global and national policy frameworks.

As a Senior Legal Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, he provided strategic counsel on energy policy, regulatory frameworks, and governance.

His tenure as General Legal Counsel for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna solidified his reputation as an authority in international law, energy diplomacy, and resource management.

Professor Worika has also worked as a consultant for several governments, including Namibia, Malawi, and Guyana, where he contributed to drafting legislation and designing legal frameworks for sustainable development.

His contributions to public administration have earned him multiple recognitions, including the OPEC Secretariat Award for Distinguished Service and an honorary title from the Ogu Council of Chiefs in Rivers State.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has declared that any prospects of reconciliation between President Bola Tinubu and the Northern region have reached an irreparable point.

Meanwhile, political leaders seeking to unseat the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 have yet to decide on a political platform for their coalition.

Ohanaeze noted that despite Tinubu’s numerous presidential appointments and infrastructural promises, his once-flourishing alliance with the North in 2023 has now crumbled.

In a statement on Monday, Ohanaeze’s factional Deputy President-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, stated that the North had abandoned Tinubu in favor of alliances with South-East and Niger Delta leaders to remove him from office in 2027.

According to Ohanaeze, “it is imperative to convey to Tinubu the stark and unvarnished truth: Without the immediate reversal of critical Federal Government policies and the expeditious implementation of substantial corrective measures, the suffering masses of Nigeria will inevitably gravitate towards the narratives being advanced by opposition coalitions, particularly those spearheaded by Northern leaders, advocating a transformative change in leadership.”

The organization urged the Federal Government to change its approach to governance and conduct a credible national census in 2025.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges the Federal Government to undertake a paradigmatic shift in its approach. It is essential to demystify the perceived numerical dominance of the North through a credible national census in 2025. This census must incorporate mandatory inclusions of ethnicity and religious identity, thus unveiling the true demographic realities of our nation.”

Ohanaeze further claimed that the North’s opposition to including these details in previous census exercises “speaks volumes about their awareness of this demographic truth.”

The group outlined conditions for Tinubu to secure their support in 2027, including the creation of a sixth state in the South-East, the revitalization of the Eastern Economic Corridor, and the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement on Monday, former APC National Vice Chairman Salihu Lukman clarified that coalition leaders— including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola— had not yet agreed on candidate selection or zoning arrangements.

Lukman accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of blocking the coalition’s attempt to register a new political party and explained that consultations were still ongoing.

He stated, “Once consultation is concluded, a formal announcement will be made with all the details regarding composition of membership, programme of action towards 2027, and framework for contesting the 2027 elections.”

Lukman emphasized that the coalition’s focus was on securing committed leadership rather than personal ambitions.

“These two issues are carefully being negotiated. While acknowledging that with respect to the requirement for members to set aside personal ambitions, there are strong interests being expressed around issues of zoning by individual leaders. These issues have yet to be formally discussed at any consultation meeting.”

He accused the APC-led government of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state and stressed that the coalition’s goal was to restore democracy and accountability in leadership.

“Rescuing Nigerian democracy is beyond simplistic debates of fielding candidates and the associated debates of the quality and where they come from. Everything must be done to produce elected leaders at all levels who will be accountable in every respect and democratic in their dealings with Nigerians. Everything must be done to close this chapter of democratic national frustrations, which only produces emperors. This is the goal of the coalition, for which we appeal for the support of all patriotic Nigerians. We don’t envisage it will be an easy task, but we are determined to succeed,” Lukman said.