Author: Gabby

On Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State launched a sharp critique against Governor Hope Uzodinma, alleging that his administration has systematically eroded the rule of law and dismantled the separation of powers. The party’s spokesperson, Lancelot Obiaku, issued a statement emphasizing that these pillars are essential for a functioning democracy and that the governor’s actions have betrayed public trust.

The PDP highlighted several grievances, including what it described as arbitrary use of force, lack of accountability in managing public funds, disrespect for legal procedures, and rampant corruption. According to the party, these issues have dampened the spirit of democracy among Imo citizens during the commemoration.

A key accusation is that the executive branch has overstepped its bounds by undermining the legislature and judiciary. The PDP claimed that local government areas are being starved of resources and that no democratic elections have been held for LGA chairs, leaving appointed administrators in control. The party alleged that nearly N700 billion in LGA allocations have been mismanaged with no visible development in rural infrastructure, education, or payment of salaries and pensions.

Further, the PDP criticized the governor’s handling of the judiciary, particularly the appointment of a Chief Judge. They stated that when the position became vacant in November 2024, Governor Uzodinma failed to follow constitutional procedures by not consulting the National Judicial Council (NJC). Instead, he appointed Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, whom the NJC later deemed unqualified, leading to a void appointment. The party noted that the absence of a Chief Judge for nearly a year has disrupted court operations, as only the Chief Judge can assign cases.

The party also condemned secret contract awards, alleging that the government has shut down the Public Procurement Bureau and kept costs hidden from the public and the State Assembly. They pointed to roads awarded in 2020 and 2023 that remain uncompleted despite billions of naira spent, calling it theft and fraud.

Despite the criticisms, the PDP urged Imo residents and Nigerians to maintain faith in democracy, expressing optimism for a brighter future under democratic governance.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Yetunde Shakirat Adesanya, the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-West Women Leader, praising her as a devoted party loyalist and effective grassroots organizer. During a memorial event held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, Abiodun highlighted her unwavering commitment to the party and her remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

The governor noted that Adesanya’s passion for empowering women and strengthening the APC was evident in her tireless efforts. She combined loyalty with humility and selflessness, inspiring many women to engage in democratic processes. Her grassroots mobilization significantly contributed to the APC’s growth in the South-West.

According to Abiodun, her death leaves a huge void in the party’s women leadership, especially when her experience and wisdom were still greatly needed. He emphasized that her legacy of service, loyalty, and dedication will continue to inspire party members and future generations.

Speaking on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Hon. Tolu Bankole described Adesanya as an institution and a movement, praising her integrity and dedication. The National Woman Leader’s representative, Mrs. Bunmi Orileowo, called her a selfless and hardworking stalwart whose efforts were pivotal to the party’s regional successes.

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, remembered her as a dependable friend of the legislature who gave her all to every cause. APC State Chairman Chief Yemi Sanusi, represented by Deputy Chairman Chief James Dina, said she was the voice for the voiceless and a hand that lifted the weary.

Pastor Abolaji Olufemi of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church delivered a sermon on the brevity of life, urging attendees to make meaningful impacts. He described Adesanya as an exemplary, trustworthy, and empathetic leader committed to mentoring the youth. The event drew party leaders, government officials, women groups, family, and friends to celebrate her life and enduring legacy.

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retired), has shed light on the persistent challenges of terrorism, banditry, and other security threats facing the nation. Speaking at The Platform event organized by The Covenant Nation in Lagos, he attributed the difficulty to the support these criminal elements receive from local communities.

“Banditry, insurgency, terrorism. Why does it seem so difficult to deal with it? Perhaps, we have the people that are also encouraging and supporting these things from happening because the terrorists, the bandits, survive around the people,” he stated. He highlighted how reports indicate that civilians often aid these groups by providing food, water, and information, which he described as the “oxygen” that sustains them.

The Minister questioned, “Who is funding them? Who are those giving them information? Who are those giving them the logistics that keep them going? It is still the people.” He noted that modern security threats are increasingly complex because criminals frequently blend into civilian populations, making it challenging for security forces to identify and isolate them.

General Musa emphasized that the armed forces and other security agencies cannot succeed without public cooperation. He urged all Nigerians to report suspicious activities and actively support ongoing security initiatives to combat insecurity effectively.

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has announced plans to bolster security with the deployment of additional military personnel in the near future. The governor made this statement during the third anniversary celebration of the Eighth Anambra House of Assembly held in Awka on Friday.

According to Soludo, a team from the Nigerian Army had recently visited the state to evaluate proposals for constructing new barracks aimed at enhancing efforts to combat criminal activities. He emphasized that the state is making notable progress in its battle against crime, with many communities experiencing a return to peace, thanks to the support of President Bola Tinubu.

The governor acknowledged the federal government’s significant contributions to addressing insecurity across the nation. He also praised the state lawmakers for enacting legislation that has enabled the executive branch to deliver democratic benefits to residents.

Soludo further commended those who established the foundations for Nigeria’s current democratic system, asserting that democracy remains the most effective governance model for the collective welfare of the people.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the Assembly, Dr. Somtochukwu Udeze, assured that the legislature would persist in crafting laws and resolutions that positively influence citizens’ lives. He highlighted that despite differing political affiliations among members, the progress and growth of the state remain the top priority.

The event also featured a thanksgiving mass to commemorate the third anniversary of the Eighth Assembly. Dr. Law Mefor, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, lauded the collaborative relationship between the legislative and executive branches, noting that it has facilitated effective governance. He specifically praised the Speaker’s unique leadership approach, which has fostered harmony with members from other political parties.

Ejiofor Egwuatu, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, described the quality of laws passed as evidence of the maturity of Anambra’s politicians. He urged lawmakers to always prioritize citizens’ interests and handle disputes diplomatically.

In a fiery critique during a colloquium in Abuja, former Senator Dino Melaye launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of being overwhelmed and unfit to lead Nigeria. Speaking at the third posthumous legacy colloquium honoring Raymond Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications, Melaye dismissed Tinubu’s Democracy Day address as disconnected from the harsh realities facing ordinary Nigerians.

Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stated that any leader who fails on security and welfare is a failure. He claimed Tinubu is wearing an oversized shoe, lacking the intellectual, emotional, and physical capacity to govern. “Nigeria is not Lagos,” Melaye emphasized, referring to Tinubu’s former political stronghold.

He pointed to the abduction and killing of three serving generals in the past three years as evidence of security failures, contrasting it with the United States’ massive deployment to locate a single missing pilot. Melaye argued that the government should demonstrate capability rather than paying ransoms, and if unable to do so, the president should resign honorably.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised alarms over the deteriorating state of cognitive development among schoolchildren in Nigeria, attributing the crisis to rising insecurity and the absence of play-based learning in educational environments. The organization warns that these factors are severely hindering children’s ability to learn and grow.

Speaking at the 2026 International Day of Play celebration and Early Childhood Education (ECE) Media Dialogue and Play Day event in Lagos, Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of Field Office for UNICEF Lagos, highlighted the troubling trend. She noted that many children have been abducted from their schools in states like Borno, Niger, Kebbi, and Oyo, with some still missing. This climate of fear undermines the safety of schools, which should be sanctuaries for learning.

Lafoucriere emphasized that play is essential for brain development, stating, “When children play, their brains grow. Exploration, building, and laughter with peers are powerful learning tools that no worksheet can replace.” She argued that play is not a reward but the core of learning itself, and no child should be deprived of it due to overcrowded classrooms or threats of violence.

She also pointed out that many schools lack space, time, and materials for play, while parents are too afraid to send their children to school. “A child who is not safe cannot learn. A child who cannot play will not reach their full potential. These issues are interconnected and require immediate action,” she added.

Dr. Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), reinforced the importance of play in education. He stated that children learn more effectively when they are happy and engaged through interactive activities. Shittu called for collective responsibility among government agencies, parents, and stakeholders to prioritize children’s welfare. He reaffirmed LASUBEB’s commitment to inclusive education, ensuring that children with disabilities also benefit from play-based learning.

Yetunde Oluwatosi, UNICEF Education Specialist, revealed that the organization is collaborating with authorities to promote play-based learning and strengthen parental involvement. She stressed that learning should extend beyond classrooms and that stronger school-home links are vital for children’s educational progress.

The event, themed “Protect Play, Protect Childhood,” served as a platform to advocate for safer schools and the integration of play into early childhood education. UNICEF urged media, government, and communities to act swiftly to reverse the negative trends affecting Nigerian children.

As Nigeria commemorated Democracy Day, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, made a passionate appeal for a more robust response to the nation’s security crisis. The revered monarch emphasized that the government must accelerate efforts to curb banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes that continue to plague the country.

In a statement delivered on Friday in Ile-Ife through his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the Ooni highlighted the persistent security challenges that threaten peace and development. He described insecurity as one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s progress and urged citizens to remain patient while supporting government initiatives to tackle both security and economic issues.

The traditional ruler stressed that no responsible administration would allow insecurity to persist, arguing that citizen safety is fundamental to national growth. He called for a comprehensive overhaul of the security architecture, better intelligence gathering, proper equipping of security agencies, and swift prosecution of offenders.

Democracy thrives best in an atmosphere of peace, security, and justice. As we celebrate another Democracy Day, I urge governments at all levels to intensify the fight against insecurity and banditry, the Ooni declared.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has kicked off a training program for electoral officers in Ondo State as part of preparations for the upcoming Ondo South Senatorial District by-election set for June 20, 2026.

Dr. Mutiu Agboke, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, emphasized the need for professionalism and integrity among trainees. He reminded them that the success of the election hinges on their competence and dedication at polling units.

The training, which began on Friday, targets Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers. Sessions are being held at various centers across local government areas within the senatorial district. Dr. Agboke, accompanied by Administrative Secretary Mrs. Adenike Tadese, visited some centers to assess progress and encourage participants.

Key topics covered include election administration procedures, ensuring officials are well-equipped for their roles. The commissioner stressed that strict adherence to electoral guidelines is crucial for a credible outcome.

The by-election is scheduled to fill the Ondo South Senatorial District seat. INEC is working to ensure a smooth and transparent process.

In a significant move to enhance public safety, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, officially handed over 31 patrol vehicles to various security agencies during the Democracy Day celebrations held in Abakaliki. The event, which took place at the New Government House, also featured a ceremonial inspection of a guard of honour presented by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

Governor Nwifuru emphasized that the deployment of these vehicles underscores his administration’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding lives and property across the state. He praised the security operatives for their exemplary professionalism and commitment to crime prevention, noting that their efforts have been bolstered by a combination of conventional methods and advanced technology.

The governor highlighted the seamless collaboration among multiple security bodies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Department of State Services, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. According to him, this synergy has been instrumental in maintaining peace order.

Furthermore, Governor Nwifuru revealed that his administration has invested in modern surveillance tools such as drones and other intelligence equipment to improve threat detection and rapid response, though he refrained from divulging sensitive operational details for security reasons.

The procurement of these vehicles was a strategic move to restore mobility for grassroots security operations, especially after earlier withdrawal of vehicles from local community security units. The governor urged security personnel to remain alert and professional, particularly as political activities intensify, advising them to serve without bias or favor.

He also expressed gratitude to service chiefs and local stakeholders for their ongoing cooperation in sustaining peace throughout Ebonyi State.

House of Representatives member Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North and chairs the Committee on Banking Regulations, has stated that the ongoing detention of his father, Nasir El-Rufai, highlights the incomplete nature of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

Bello emphasized that genuine democracy exists only when those in power are held accountable to the people.

The former Kaduna State governor has been held by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since his arrest at Abuja airport earlier this year. The agency has charged him with corruption during his tenure as governor.

In a post on X, Bello remarked: “Today, we commemorate the resilience of our democracy and the united voice of Nigerians. A thriving democracy requires accountable leadership, empowered citizens, and inclusive dialogue.

“As we observe this Democracy Day, we must recognize that despite our democracy’s endurance, the violation of citizens’ rights remains a serious concern.

“The real measure of any democracy lies not just in holding elections, but in upholding the rule of law, due process, and fundamental freedoms.

“The unjustified detention of my father, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, along with the experiences of countless other Nigerians who have endured similar abuses, reminds us that our democratic path remains unfinished.

“On this Democracy Day, let us rededicate ourselves to creating a nation where justice prevails, institutions are strengthened, and every citizen’s rights are honored and safeguarded.”