Category: Africa

ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) MARCH 14 — Mr Peter Obi, opposition party leader and presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has condemned the Nigerian parliament for criminalising dual political party membership while simultaneously removing certificate forgery, age falsification, and false declarations as grounds for challenging elections in a tribunal. He warned that Nigeria cannot rise above the integrity of its leaders, stressing that laws must defend truth, character, competence, and accountability, and be intolerant of criminal behaviour.

Obi described the move as a direct contradiction of the Constitution and a troubling reflection of misplaced priorities in the political system. 

In a statement on Friday, he noted: “In any serious democracy, the gravest offence in public life is deceiving the people to gain power. Submitting false documents, falsifying one’s age, forging certificates, and making dishonest declarations to electoral authorities are among the most serious offences. Such actions not only lead to automatic disqualification but also warrant criminal prosecution.”

He lamented that “today, our electoral system seems more focused on protecting political structures than on upholding the truth.” 

Obi argued that there is no justification for prioritising punishment for party alignment over punishing forgery and deception in the pursuit of public office. 

He called for laws that strengthen democracy rather than weaken it, and those that promote ethical leadership instead of lowering standards for those who aspire to govern.

ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 12, 2026 — Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to strengthening military partnerships with friendly nations, particularly in advanced professional training to address evolving security threats. He made this known on Thursday while receiving the Egyptian Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Mohammed Ibrahim, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Shaibu highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding military ties with Egypt, describing the collaboration as vital for enhancing operational capability and professional development. He stressed that sustained cooperation through advanced courses, training exchanges, and military education is critical to preparing personnel for contemporary challenges.

He noted that many Nigerian officers have benefited from specialised training in Egypt, boosting the Army’s competence, and expressed readiness to expand such opportunities. In a statement by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Shaibu also underscored the importance of strengthening institutional linkages, including strategic-level training and participation in programmes at the Nigerian Army War College. He invited the Egyptian Army to join the forthcoming Nigerian Army Day Celebration in July 2026.

Colonel Ibrahim said his visit was to review the implementation of the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between both militaries. He reported significant progress, especially in training cooperation, and noted preparations for the next Military Committee Meeting in Cairo later this year. He reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to deepening collaboration with Nigeria, particularly in advanced training and intelligence sharing to tackle shared security challenges.

LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 12, 2026 — Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has condemned what he described as ongoing political repression by the Ugandan Government and security agencies, particularly targeting his security team.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Wine alleged that during the 2021 election, police officers attached to his campaign were violently attacked and subjected to brutality. He further claimed that after the polls, several of them, including their head Afande Kato, were arrested and detained for an extended period.

He said the officers were interrogated about his party’s sources of funding, his meetings, and election strategies, as well as why they sought to shield him from violent attacks by other sections of the police and military. Wine added that similar harassment has continued into 2026, with campaign officers again being arrested and questioned.

The opposition leader stressed that these officers were targeted simply for performing their duties with professionalism and patriotism. He urged Ugandans to stand in solidarity with them and work toward securing their freedom.

The statement reads in part: “In the 2021 election, the police officers who were attached to our campaign were attacked violently and subjected to all manner of brutality. After the election, several of them including their head, Afande Kato were arrested and detained for a long period.”

“Now, in 2026, we have learnt that the officers who were attached to our campaign have also been arrested and are being interrogated. These officers are usually targeted for doing their job with professionalism and patriotism. May we all stand in solidarity with them, and work for their freedom.”

Wine, who has endured political harassment since 2017, now faces arrest and challenges to his party’s legitimacy—underscoring the broader struggle between Uganda’s opposition and President Museveni’s entrenched administration.