Category: Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the arrest of Professor Martin Aghaji, describing the circumstances surrounding the apprehension of the 74-year-old medical expert as disrespectful, humiliating and inconsistent with the rule of law.

In a statement on Saturday titled, “The Disheartening Humiliation of Prof. Aghaji,” Obi said the treatment of the internationally recognised cardiothoracic surgeon and academic reflected a disturbing pattern of disregard for the dignity of Nigerian citizens.

According to Obi, Professor Aghaji was neither invited nor contacted before security operatives allegedly stormed his residence at Independent Layout, Enugu, around 2 a.m. and arrested him in the presence of his visiting daughter.

He said the professor, who was reportedly taken from Enugu to Lagos and detained for three days, was later told that the authorities had made a mistake.

“As an internationally recognised cardiothoracic surgeon, esteemed academic and elder statesman, Professor Aghaji warrants a considerable degree of respect because of his advanced age and immense contributions to our nation. More importantly, every Nigerian deserves to be treated with dignity and in accordance with the rule of law,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor argued that the incident had sparked public concern over the conduct of security agencies and the treatment of respected professionals.

He warned that such actions could further worsen the country’s brain drain and weaken an already strained healthcare system.

Obi recalled a similar incident involving a medical practitioner in Akwa Ibom State, which prompted the Nigeria Medical Association to consider a nationwide strike before the matter was resolved with a public apology.

He maintained that treating respected professionals, or any Nigerian, like common criminals sets a dangerous precedent and undermines public confidence in the rule of law.

Obi called on public officials and security agencies to uphold civility, due process and respect for the rights and dignity of all citizens in the discharge of their duties.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has welcomed the rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, describing their safe return after 56 days in captivity as a moment of thanksgiving for the nation.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when suspected Ansaru terrorists attacked three schools in Oriire Community, Oriire Local Government Area, near Ogbomoso in Oyo State.

President Bola Tinubu announced on Friday that the abductees were rescued alive and unharmed during a coordinated military, police and intelligence-led operation without the payment of ransom or any concession to the terrorists.

Reacting in a statement on Saturday titled, “The Children’s Safe Return Is Worthy of Thanksgiving,” Obi expressed gratitude to the security personnel and all those involved in securing the victims’ release.

“I am greatly relieved and delighted to learn of the safe rescue of the schoolchildren who were kidnapped. I sincerely thank all those whose tireless efforts made their freedom possible, especially the security personnel and everyone who worked behind the scenes,” he said.

While celebrating the successful rescue, the former Anambra State governor warned that the repeated abduction of schoolchildren highlights the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

“While we celebrate this happy outcome, we must remember that no child should ever have to endure such trauma. The recurring incidents of kidnapping, particularly of schoolchildren, underscore the urgent need to strengthen our security architecture and make the protection of lives and property the foremost responsibility of government,” Obi said.

He stressed that Nigerian children deserve to pursue their education in a safe and secure environment without fear of violence or abduction.

“Our children deserve to learn in an atmosphere of safety, not fear. We must continue to work towards building a Nigeria where every child can pursue education without the threat of violence or abduction,” he added.

Obi congratulated the rescued children, their families, their schools and Nigerians, describing the development as a welcome relief after weeks of uncertainty.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Senate on Thursday received two executive bills from President Bola Tinubu seeking amendments to Nigeria’s secondary education and criminal justice laws.

Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, in a statement after plenary, said the President transmitted the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, for legislative consideration and passage.

Jibrin also disclosed that the Senate considered and adopted four committee reports during the day’s plenary.

They include the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Legal Practitioners Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026 and the Proceeds of Crime Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Senate also adopted the report of the Joint Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters, Information and National Orientation, and Media and Public Affairs on the Chartered Out-of-Home Media Practitioners of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill.

Also considered was the report of the Committee on Police Affairs on the 2025 and 2026 budget proposals of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.

The upper chamber further adopted the report of its ad hoc committee on the proposed sale of Lafarge Cement Plc to Chinese investors.

According to Jibrin, the Senate will proceed with legislative action on the executive bills in line with parliamentary procedures.

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The political storm in Delta State deepened today as Senator Ovie Omo‑Agege, Deputy President of the 9th Senate, issued a blistering response to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s demand that he retract a Facebook video, apologise to the Delta State House of Assembly, and embrace what the Governor termed “issue‑based politics.”

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, Senator Omo‑Agege dismissed the Governor’s demands as unconstitutional and politically motivated. “Our response is straightforward: Read the Constitution. Not selectively. Not conveniently. All of it,” the statement declared.

Government House Fingerprints

The Senator’s office argued that the removal of Hon. Collins Egbetamah from the Delta State House of Assembly was not an independent legislative decision but a directive executed from Government House in Asaba. The Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Ossai Ovie Success, had publicly defended the removal, inadvertently confirming suspicions that the House acted under political instruction. “With that statement, the administration has placed its fingerprints permanently on this unconstitutional act,” Omo‑Agege’s team asserted.

Sustained Persecution

The statement also detailed what it described as a long campaign of persecution against Hon. Egbetamah. For two years, he was allegedly denied salary, allowances, and constituency project funds because he refused to defect from the APC. His loyalty, according to Omo‑Agege, was punished daily until the House finally declared his seat vacant without notice or hearing. “These are not separate acts. They are chapters in the same story of sustained political persecution,” the Senator’s office said.

Constitutional Argument

Central to Omo‑Agege’s rebuttal was the constitutional guarantee of fair hearing. While Governor Oborevwori insisted that Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution made Egbetamah’s removal automatic, Omo‑Agege countered that Section 36 requires due process before any adverse action. “The Supreme Court has held this consistently: even where a constitutional provision mandates a consequence, the affected person must first be heard,” the statement noted.

The Senator’s office questioned why the House acted in a single sitting, with a voice vote and no prior notice, if the law was truly settled. “Settled law does not require haste. Political instruction does,” it argued.

Accuracy of the Video

Governor Oborevwori had described Omo‑Agege’s video as inaccurate, but the Senator’s office challenged him to identify a single falsehood. The video claimed Egbetamah was denied fair hearing, that the removal was rushed and politically motivated, and that the people of Udu were left without representation. “Every statement is accurate. If the Governor believes otherwise, he is invited to identify the specific inaccuracy. We are waiting,” the response said.

Infrastructure vs. Rights

The Governor’s statement had highlighted his administration’s infrastructure achievements, including roads, bridges, hospitals, and welfare programmes. Omo‑Agege acknowledged these claims but dismissed them as irrelevant to the constitutional violation at hand. “A government can launch a thousand infrastructure projects, yet still violate a citizen’s constitutional rights. Responding to a constitutional concern with a list of projects isn’t governance—it’s deflection,” the statement declared.

The Senator’s office also pointed out that Delta State had received over three trillion naira in federal allocations during Oborevwori’s tenure, questioning whether the projects matched the scale of resources. “The roads, bridges, and dialysis machines funded by three trillion naira aren’t acts of generosity; they’re just the bare minimum we should expect,” it said, promising a full accounting in future.

Political Cost Dismissed

Governor Oborevwori suggested that Omo‑Agege’s stance could cost him politically in the 2027 elections. The Senator’s office dismissed this as irrelevant. “He does not calculate the political cost of speaking up for people whose constitutional rights have been violated. He posted that video because it was right,” the statement said.

Final Position

On the Governor’s three demands—withdraw the video, apologise to the House, and embrace issue‑based politics—Omo‑Agege’s office was unequivocal. “Senator Omo‑Agege will not withdraw the video. He respects the House of Assembly as an institution, which is precisely why he holds it to the constitutional standard it abandoned on June 30, 2026,” the statement said.

The Senator insisted that the removal of Hon. Egbetamah disenfranchised the people of Udu, who lost their representative not through conviction, recall, or resignation, but through a politically directed legislative act. “Udu is not a conquered territory. Its mandate is sacred. And Senator Ovie Omo‑Agege will not be bullied into abandoning its people,” the statement concluded.

Court Resolution

The matter, Omo‑Agege’s office emphasised, will ultimately be resolved in court. “The Constitution belongs to every Nigerian. It belongs to the people of Udu. And it will be upheld,” it said.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has called for transparency, fairness and strict adherence to the rule of law in the ongoing trial of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai is currently facing multiple charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), including allegations of corruption, abuse of office, fraud and money laundering linked to his tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023. He has remained in custody for 142 days as legal proceedings continue.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and titled, “A Wife’s Tears, A Nation’s Conscience: Let Justice Have a Heart,” Obi said he was moved after watching a viral video of El-Rufai’s wife, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, while on a visit to the United States.

“I woke this morning in America and was deeply moved by an emotional viral video of Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, prompting deep reflection on our nation’s future,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor stressed that every citizen, regardless of the allegations against them, is entitled to a fair and transparent judicial process.

“Regardless of the allegations against Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or any other citizen, justice must be transparent and fair, with reasonable bail conditions that should not be seen as punitive before trial. In a democracy governed by the rule of law, institutions exist to protect every citizen’s rights, regardless of their background,” he said.

Obi warned against actions that could undermine public confidence in the justice system.

“We must resist any hint of selective justice that erodes public trust and threatens national unity. Those tasked with enforcing our laws must act professionally and strictly follow due process,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to work towards building a country where the rule of law is respected, and every citizen is guaranteed dignity, fairness and equal justice before the law.

The ICPC has maintained that its actions in the case are being carried out in accordance with the law.

The allegations against El-Rufai remain before the court, and he has not been convicted of any offence.