Category: Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has called for the postponement of the implementation of state police until after the 2027 general election, despite describing the recent constitutional amendment as a commendable step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

Obi, a longstanding advocate of decentralised policing and the proponent of the “A New Nigeria Is Possible” movement, said the legislation establishing state police was passed through a process that lacked adequate public participation and legislative scrutiny, raising concerns about its potential political misuse.

In a statement on Friday, Obi said the passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly represented a significant legislative milestone in addressing a longstanding demand by many Nigerians.

“For years, many of us, alongside security experts and regional stakeholders, have consistently argued that a highly centralised policing structure is fundamentally unsuitable for a country as vast, diverse, and complex as Nigeria. However, the legislative and constitutional implementation appears shaky and raises legitimate concerns,” he said.

According to him, the process should have involved broader community participation, noting that policing ought to be more visible at the local government and community levels.

“The mechanism for passing the law appears highly disorganised, with no public hearing on such a sensitive issue. Indeed, the rush to enact the law without proper legislative procedures fuels suspicion among many observers about the political motives behind it,” he added.

The former Anambra State governor said the major concern was not the operational framework of state police but the possibility of political abuse by state governors.

“There is a widespread, justifiable fear that state police forces could become instruments in the hands of governors. The suspicion is that a state-controlled police force could be weaponised to suppress political rivals, disrupt opposition rallies, and manipulate elections,” Obi said.

He stressed that for state policing to serve as a genuine security solution rather than a political tool, the law must establish independent oversight mechanisms.

“For state policing to evolve from a risky political gamble into a genuine security solution, the law must not only permit states to establish police forces but also clearly provide for independent oversight bodies, such as state Police Service Commissions that are entirely free from executive influence, to ensure that policing serves the public interest rather than the interests of the ruling elite,” he said.

Obi argued that recent political developments had not inspired confidence that the system would be insulated from abuse.

“Going by what Nigerians have seen so far, there is no guarantee that this administration can resist the temptation to take advantage of state policing to influence the 2027 general election by proxy.

“In view of that possibility and the danger it poses to the polity, it is necessary to defer its implementation until after the general election,” he said.

AKURE, Nigeria (NPA) — Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, announcing the recruitment of 1,000 young people into the Ondo State Forest Guard to strengthen security across the state.

The governor made the announcement during a meeting with members of the Ondo State Youth Parliament, where he also pledged to appoint more youths into government positions.

Aiyedatiwa said applicants for the Forest Guard recruitment must be below the age of 39 and assured that successful candidates would receive adequate training, welfare and protection.

He urged the Youth Parliament to nominate only responsible and qualified individuals for the exercise.

The governor also approved the provision of a utility bus for the Youth Parliament and pledged government support for the completion of the Ondo State Youth Policy Document.

He called on young people to remain vigilant and support efforts to improve security by promptly reporting suspicious activities within their communities.

“Whenever you see something, say something,” Aiyedatiwa said.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Henry Omoyofunmi, commended the governor’s commitment to youth development, citing recent employment opportunities created in the health sector and other government agencies.

Leaders of the Ondo State Youth Parliament also applauded the governor for promoting inclusive governance, expanding opportunities for young people and supporting the state’s participation in the Nigeria Youth Parliament.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, senior government officials and local government chairmen.

The forest guard recruitment followed rising insecurity in Nigeria after the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

Osun State has also expanded its forest guard unit to help tackle the violence troubling parts of the southwest.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has condemned the remand of activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre, describing the development as a dangerous setback for Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement titled “Sowore Being Sent to Prison: A Dangerous Regression for Our Democracy,” Obi expressed concern over a Federal High Court ruling ordering Sowore’s remand pending further proceedings in his case.

The former Anambra State governor said while the judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter of justice, authorities must guard against any perception that state institutions are being used to suppress dissent, restrict press freedom or shrink civic space.

“A thriving democracy does not survive on the silencing of opposing voices. It is anchored on the robust protection of fundamental human rights, especially the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the Constitution,” Obi said.

According to him, Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges require inclusive dialogue and nation-building rather than actions that could deepen tensions.

“When we begin to treat critics, activists and journalists as threats to the state rather than partners in promoting accountability, we risk sliding towards authoritarianism,” he said.

Obi urged relevant authorities to ensure strict adherence to the rule of law and guarantee Sowore’s constitutional rights.

He also called for security and judicial institutions to remain impartial in the administration of justice.

“We cannot build a New Nigeria if we continue to undermine the democratic institutions designed to protect the rights of all citizens,” he added.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has also criticised Sowore’s remand, calling on the Federal Government to release the activist and withdraw all charges against him.

The rights organisation described the development as a threat to freedom of expression and civic participation in Nigeria.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The British High Commission has commended voters in Ekiti State for their peaceful participation in the June 20 2026, governorship election, congratulating Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his re‑election.

In a statement issued on June 22, the Commission praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other stakeholders for the orderly conduct of the poll—the first major election under the Electoral Act 2026. British observers noted strong collaboration between INEC officials and security operatives, which helped ensure a largely peaceful process.

However, the observers reported that some polling units were inaccessible to voters with disabilities and urged authorities to improve inclusivity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They also cited delays with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and instances of vote trading, warning that such practices undermine public confidence in the democratic process.

The Commission encouraged all stakeholders to apply lessons from Ekiti in upcoming elections, including Osun State’s off‑cycle vote, and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic institutions and inclusive governance.

It concluded by congratulating Governor Oyebanji and expressing readiness to strengthen the partnership between the United Kingdom and Ekiti State.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed allegations that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, secured 69 party nomination forms for his allies ahead of the 2027 general election.

Baba-Ahmed made the clarification during an appearance on the Arise Television Morning Show on Tuesday, describing the claim as false and baseless.

“This is completely false. There is no way Kwankwaso could have bought 69 forms. The person who made the claim, the party does not know him,” he said.

According to him, all aspirants who sought elective positions under the party followed due process, including registration, participation in primaries and compliance with party guidelines.

“As far as the PRP is concerned, forms were sold to everyone. They registered, contested and went through primaries,” he added.

The PRP chairman also revealed that discussions were held with Peter Obi and Kwankwaso regarding a possible alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.

“They came to the party. We spent some time discussing whether they could join the PRP. Eventually, they decided the party could not meet their needs and they moved on,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for some of the challenges the party experienced, alleging that delays in uploading the party’s information on the electoral body’s portal created setbacks.

Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence in the party’s prospects.

“We are a very healthy party, and we believe our chances are very bright,” he said.

On complaints by some party members over the outcome of the primaries, Baba-Ahmed said internal investigations found no wrongdoing and noted that dissatisfaction was not unusual in competitive political contests.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, he said the PRP would focus on presenting solutions to Nigeria’s economic and security challenges rather than engaging in debates over regional power rotation.

“We are going to engage Nigerians and explain how we can reverse the current trajectory. The PRP has the capacity and intention to expose the weaknesses of this administration and offer a credible alternative,” he said.

The party chairman said the PRP would unveil its manifesto within the next three weeks, outlining its plans for economic reforms, restructuring and national security.

Addressing the issue of insecurity, Baba-Ahmed said a PRP-led government would adopt a multi-pronged strategy, combining military action with dialogue where necessary.

“We will fight those killing Nigerians. Those willing to talk will be engaged based on the damage they have caused the country. We will explore all options. It is not negotiable that Nigeria should live with insecurity,” he said.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Presidency has dismissed a call by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign, describing it as “childish,” anti-democratic and disconnected from Nigeria’s realities.

In a statement titled “Obi’s Call for President Tinubu’s Resignation Childish and an Unwarranted Distraction,” Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Obi’s comparison of Nigeria’s situation with the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was misplaced.

According to Onanuga, Nigeria operates a presidential system with fixed terms, unlike the parliamentary system in the United Kingdom.

“Obi should wait until the next presidential election to know what Nigerians think of Tinubu’s government. Attempting to pressure the President out of office through social media is off the mark and anti-democratic,” he said.

The Presidency argued that recent electoral victories recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and several senatorial by-elections reflected growing public support for President Tinubu and his administration.

Responding to Obi’s criticism of insecurity, Onanuga said the administration inherited long-standing security challenges but had made measurable progress through intensified military operations, deployment of technology and increased investments in security.

He said thousands of terrorists had been neutralised, while hundreds of kidnapped victims had been rescued across the country.

On the economy, the Presidency rejected Obi’s claim that Nigeria was in its “worst possible condition,” citing improvements in revenue generation, foreign reserves, oil production and investor confidence.

According to Onanuga, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have surpassed $50 billion, oil production has increased to about 1.8 million barrels per day, while government revenue is projected to exceed N30 trillion this year.

He also highlighted gains in infrastructure development, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway projects, as well as reforms in the education and energy sectors.

The Presidency further accused Obi of misrepresenting Tinubu’s campaign promises on electricity, insisting that the administration had taken significant steps to improve power supply through the Electricity Act, prepaid meter deployment and off-grid energy projects.

While acknowledging the challenges posed by the high cost of living, Onanuga attributed part of the pressure to global economic disruptions, including tensions in the Middle East and their impact on commodity prices.

“Leadership is about confronting challenges and delivering solutions. President Tinubu remains focused on reforms, economic stability, security and laying the foundation for a more prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

The response followed Obi’s call for Tinubu’s resignation over what he described as “monumental failure in governance.”

In a statement titled “Owning Up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility,” Obi argued that worsening insecurity, economic hardship, unreliable electricity supply and declining public welfare justified the President’s resignation.

The former Anambra State governor said Tinubu had failed to fulfil key campaign promises and urged him to take responsibility in the same way he had demanded former President Goodluck Jonathan’s resignation in 2015 over insecurity and economic challenges.

Obi maintained that accountability in public office requires leaders to accept responsibility for failure, arguing that such a step would strengthen democratic governance and public trust.