Tag: Politics

Opinion: Nigeria Strategic Infrastructure Monopoly by Kalu Aja
Economy, Infrastructure, News, Nigeria, Transportation

Opinion: Nigeria Strategic Infrastructure Monopoly by Kalu Aja

Nigeria, the top economy in West Africa, has seven main ports  1. Lagos Port Complex: Lagos State; 94% of exports and 76% of imports according to NBS Q4 2023 2. Tin Can Island Port Complex: Lagos State; 3% of exports and 8% of imports 3. Lekki Deep Sea Port: Lagos State 4. Onne Port Complex: Located in Rivers State 5. Rivers Port Complex: Located in Rivers State 6. Calabar Port Complex: Cross River State 7. Delta Port Complex: Located in Warri, Delta State  Nigeria's most important port is the Lagos Port Complex. That single port in Apapa is the key export and import point for over 200m Nigerians. In 2024, it was reported that the “Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had allocated more than $200 million over the past decade to dredging operatio...
Is ECOWAS Finally Facing Disintegration
Africa, Burkina Faso, Mali, News, Niger

Is ECOWAS Finally Facing Disintegration

....as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Withdraw from the regional body It is no longer news that the military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This unprecedented disintegration of the 50-year-old bloc, established in 1975 to foster economic integration and political stability, poses significant questions about the future of regional cooperation and security in West Africa. Background of the Withdrawal The decision to leave ECOWAS was announced by the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all currently under military rule following a series of coups from 2020 to 2023. The juntas cited ECOWAS's "inhumane" sanctions and perceived lack of support in the face of security threats lik...
Tinubu Appoints Argungu Police Service Commission Chairman
Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria

Tinubu Appoints Argungu Police Service Commission Chairman

President Bola Tinubu has approved several key appointments within the Police Service Commission (PSC), marking a significant move in the administration's effort to enhance the operational efficiency and integrity of the Nigerian police force. President Tinubu has appointed DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd) as the new Chairman of the Police Service Commission. This position holds substantial influence over the management and administration of the Nigerian police force, and Argungu's extensive experience is expected to bring robust leadership to the PSC. Chief Onyemuche Nnamani has been appointed as the Secretary of the Commission. Nnamani's role will involve overseeing the administrative functions of the PSC and ensuring that its operations align with the broader goals of the Nigerian gover...
We Are Turning the Bend, the Worst is Over – Tinubu
Economy, News, Nigeria

We Are Turning the Bend, the Worst is Over – Tinubu

Abuja, Nigeria – In a bold call for action, President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the need for a more effective local government system to drive community development and deliver essential governance within Nigeria's federal structure. Speaking to a delegation of the Yoruba Leaders of Thought at the State House in Abuja on Friday, President Tinubu underscored the transformative nature of governance that addresses the critical needs of citizens. The President, in a statement by Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, reflected on the achievements and challenges of his administration over the past 12 months. "It has been challenging. It has been fulfilling as well. We took over, and we have stopped the bleeding. I can say categorically now that Nigeria is no longer bleeding. And it will not ...
Minister Makes U-Turn, Offers Gifts to 100 Orphaned Girls Ahead of their Mass Wedding
Human Rights, News, Nigeria, Religion, Women Empowerment

Minister Makes U-Turn, Offers Gifts to 100 Orphaned Girls Ahead of their Mass Wedding

In a move that has surprised many, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, appears to have withdrawn her disapproval for the proposed mass wedding of 100 orphaned girls in Niger state. The Minister announced scholarships and provided various gift items to 100 orphaned girls in Niger State on Thursday. This initiative comes ahead of their mass wedding scheduled for Friday, sponsored by Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. The minister, who initially opposed the mass wedding, citing violations of the Child Rights Act, addressed a press conference in Abuja, where she revealed her efforts to halt the wedding. "I have petitioned the Inspector General of Police and filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to stop the wedding," Kennedy-Ohanenye stated. ...
Atiku Vows to Continue Presidential Bids: “I Will Keep Contesting”
Elections, News, Nigeria

Atiku Vows to Continue Presidential Bids: “I Will Keep Contesting”

Abuja, Nigeria - Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria's former vice-president, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to pursuing the presidency, declaring his intention to "keep contesting" as long as he remains healthy. The 77-year-old veteran politician made this statement during an interview on the Hausa service of the Voice of America in Abuja. Abubakar, who represented the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election, will be 81 years old by the next election in 2027. Despite his age, he remains resolute in his ambition to lead Nigeria. “Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy,” Abubakar said, underscoring his enduring political resolve. Having made six attempts at the presidency, Abubakar has been on the ballot as a presi...
Judiciary is the Biggest Threat to Nigeria’s Democracy – Obi
Elections, Judiciary, Justice, News, Nigeria

Judiciary is the Biggest Threat to Nigeria’s Democracy – Obi

Enugu, May 17, 2024 – Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has declared the judiciary as the foremost threat to Nigeria’s democracy, rather than the electoral umpire. Obi made these remarks during his keynote speech at the fifth memorial of late Justice Anthony Aniagolu at Godfrey Okoye University in Enugu. In a candid and critical address, the former governor of Anambra State lamented the current state of Nigeria's judicial system, which he described as being plagued by corruption and inefficiency. "Justice in Nigeria goes to the highest bidder and has become commodified," Obi stated emphatically. "While the judiciary, today, still boasts of a few outstanding judges, there is an undeniable decline in our judicial system. This decline p...
Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Showing Positive Results – Bagudu
Economy, News, Nigeria

Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Showing Positive Results – Bagudu

Abuja, May 17, 2024 – President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms have begun to bear fruit, according to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu. Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Friday, Bagudu highlighted the renewed faith in Nigeria's economy and the resurgence of foreign investor interest as key indicators of the reforms' success. In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Bola Adebiyi, Bagudu acknowledged the initial challenges posed by the removal of the petrol subsidy but emphasized the long-term benefits. "Although the removal of petrol subsidy caused some pain, the policy has increased the quantum of funds available to the three tiers of government to invest in critical infrastructure," Bagudu stated. He argued that these investments would...
Wike was instrumental in Obi’s PDP Exit – Paul Ibe
Elections, News, Nigeria

Wike was instrumental in Obi’s PDP Exit – Paul Ibe

Paul Ibe, the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, has pointed fingers at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing him of frustrating the Southeastern presidential zoning within the party, rather than Atiku. Speaking on Seun Okinbaloye’s Mic On podcast, Ibe clarified that Atiku had advocated for the PDP to allocate the 2023 presidential ticket to the Southeast region. However, he alleged that Wike played a pivotal role in thwarting this effort. The backdrop of this accusation stems from the departure of Peter Obi, the former vice presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 elections, who shifted allegiance to the Labour Party (LP) ahead of the 2023 presidential elec...
Rivers Assembly Relocated to Government House Amidst Political Turmoil
Elections, Legislature, News, Nigeria

Rivers Assembly Relocated to Government House Amidst Political Turmoil

In a move that has further intensified the political crisis in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has issued Executive Order 001, dated October 30, 2023, mandating the temporary relocation of the state House of Assembly's proceedings to the Government House Auditorium. The decision comes in the wake of a fire incident on October 29, 2023, which severely damaged the hallowed chambers of the Assembly, rendering it unsafe for legislative activities. The governor's gazette cited the need for urgent repairs, renovations, and reconstruction of the damaged chambers as the primary reason for the relocation. The relocation order has sparked controversy, especially considering the ongoing political rift between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territor...