General News
Tinubu Honours June 12 Heroes, Hails 27 Years of Democracy as Governance Issues Mount
By Son Tertsea, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, in his 2026 Democracy Day address, celebrated Nigeria’s 27 consecutive years of democratic rule, reaffirming commitment to economic reforms and security operations, and announced national honours for pro-democracy activists and military officers who played key roles in the June 12 struggle.
Tinubu said Nigeria had achieved its longest uninterrupted period of democratic governance since the return to democracy on May 29, 1999, noting that political disagreements are now being resolved through constitutional institutions rather than violence.
“Today, we celebrate not only democracy but also the enduring Nigerian spirit … For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence.”
The president extended national honours to Nigerians this year including two former The Guardian editors, Lade Bonuola and Femi Kusa.
Other recipients are: Barrister Ayoka Lawani; Tunde Fagbenle; Oladele Alake; Olatunji Bello; Louis Odion; Segun Babatope; Sam Omatseye; Sir Ademola Osinubi; Bola Bolawole; Debo Adeniran; Chief Ayo Opadokun; Chief Ralph Obiora; Ose Osayande; Barrister Osa Director; Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine; Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous); Dr Osagie Obayuwana; Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin; Barrister Titus Mann; Joe Igbokwe; Richard Akinnola; Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous); George Mbah; Dr Niran Malaolu; Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd); Femi Aborisade; Jenkins Alumona; Gbemiga Ogunleye; Muyiwa Adekeye; Babajide Kolade-Otitoju; Ike Okonta
The “soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle” are: Major General MA Garba; Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa; Col Umar Farouk Ahmed; Col Sambo Dasuki; Col Lawan Gwadabe; Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong; Col Musa Shehu; Major General Chris Eze; Major General Harris Dzarma; Col Isa Jibrin; Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin; Col Olusegun Oloruntoba; Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus; Col J Okai; Col Emmanuel Ndubueze; Lt Col Yakubu Muazu; and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar.
The President called for peaceful and credible governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, imploring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political parties to protect public confidence in the electoral process.
He equally appealed to the National Assembly, judiciary, media and civil society organisations to continue defending democratic institutions, stressing that criticism and disagreement remain essential components of democracy.
Addressing young Nigerians, Tinubu urged them to invest their talents and aspirations in the country, encouraging them to build businesses, pursue careers and participate actively in the democratic process.
He expressed confidence in the armed forces, police and intelligence services for their sacrifices, while also acknowledging the roles played by traditional rulers, religious leaders and community heads in promoting peace and reconciliation across the country.
He dwelled heavily in his address on security challenges, particularly the recent abductions of children in Oyo and Borno states, which have cast a shadow over this year’s Democracy Day celebrations.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return,” he said.
He highlighted his administration’s resolve to tackling insecurity, as his government had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers alongside thousands of military recruits.
According to him, the 2026 budget allocates N5.41 trillion to defence and security, representing the highest security expenditure in Nigeria’s history.
The president said security operations had evolved from training exercises with international partners to precision-targeting missions against terrorist groups. He cited military action in Arege, Borno State, where the command centre of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had been degraded.
He added that terror-related deaths had fallen by 81 per cent since 2015 and that more than 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised in the past year. He added that over 124,000 fighters and their dependents had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
Issuing a warning to criminal groups, Tinubu said bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism must either surrender or face decisive action from the state.
“Crime has no ethnicity,” he said, urging Nigerians to remain united against insecurity and expressing confidence that the country would eventually overcome terrorism and violent crime.
He reflected on the significance of June 12, saying, “June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
“We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.”
He added, “As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.”
On the economy, Tinubu said the central challenge facing the current generation was to secure economic freedom in the same way previous generations secured independence and democracy, arguing that democracy must be reflected in the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians through employment opportunities, agricultural productivity, entrepreneurial success and improved welfare.
The President defended the economic reforms introduced since 2023, saying they were adopted out of necessity rather than convenience. According to him, the country inherited severe fiscal pressures, weak investor confidence and economic uncertainty.
He said reforms implemented by the administration had restored stability and credibility to economic management, increased federation revenues and provided state and local governments with greater resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare and security.
Tinubu also claimed that fiscal transparency had improved and that leakages in public finance had been reduced.
He further stated that investor confidence had strengthened, resulting in increased investments across agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation and the creative sector.
On energy, the President said domestic refining capacity had expanded, reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and improving energy security.
He acknowledged that the electricity sector inherited by his administration was one burdened by generation shortfalls, unreliable gas supply, weak transmission infrastructure, heavy losses by distribution companies, a metering deficit exceeding four million customers and significant legacy debts.
Tinubu said the Electricity Act signed by his administration empowered states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity, while the Presidential Power Sector Task Force was working to reduce the metering gap.
He disclosed that the task force had been authorised to raise a N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts in the sector.
The President added that the Rural Electrification Agency, with support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, had expanded off-grid and mini-grid electricity projects to underserved communities, markets, universities and hospitals.
He also highlighted infrastructure and agricultural initiatives, including the deployment of 10,000 tractors over five years through the National Agricultural Development Fund, certification of more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises for export and a reported 21 per cent increase in non-oil exports last year.
Despite these developments, Tinubu acknowledged that many Nigerians continue to experience economic hardships saying the government remained focused on reducing inflation, increasing food production, creating jobs and improving living standards, while rebuilding confidence in the economy.
The President also linked insecurity to weaknesses in grassroots governance and reiterated his administration’s support for financial autonomy for the country’s 774 local government councils.
As part of the Democracy Day celebrations, Tinubu announced the Federal Government’s approval of the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
Concluding the address, the president said Nigeria’s diversity, once viewed by many as a challenge to democratic survival, had become a source of democratic strength.
“The road ahead is steep,” he said. “But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.”
He called on citizens to renew their commitment to national unity, democratic governance and prosperity, saying the task of the present generation is to secure a more prosperous future for all Nigerians.
General News
PERSPECTIVE: Tiv Leaders Must Hear This: While Akwa Ibom Asked For A Future, Tiv Leaders Fight Over A Man
By Edward Tion
I watched the presidential campaign in Akwa Ibom today with a bleeding heart.
Not because I envy Akwa Ibomites. I admire them so very much. I watched a people who understand what politics is for.
Akwa Ibom people came out unanimously. Governor, Senate President, elders, youths, market women, traditional rulers — one voice, one demand: “Give us Ibom Deep Sea Port.”
And the President heard them. On the spot, in Uyo, he approved it. Approved international status for their airport. Because they asked as one people.
That is what unity buys. That is what leadership looks like. That is what politics is supposed to deliver: a port that will open jobs, trade, industries, and a future for millions of unborn children.
Then I looked back home to my own people, the Tiv, and my heart broke.
What do we have to show for all our noise, all our education, all our numbers, all our pride?
Retrogression. Division. Character assassination.
Our educated youths, the very ones who should be building the future, are divided and deployed as foot soldiers in a war over one person’s interest. Not over a project. Not over a port. Not over security. Not over industries. Not over schools. Over one man.
We have reduced the great Tiv nation, a nation of farmers, scholars, warriors, and builders, to a battlefield of who hates who, who insults who, who controls the party structure, who gets the ticket.
What a shame!
Akwa Ibom asked for a Deep Sea Port. What are we asking for?
We are not asking for the revival of our industries. We are not asking for the return of our displaced people. We are not asking for roads that connect our farms to markets. We are not asking for water, for security, for the dualization of federal roads in the state, for anything that will outlive this election cycle.
We are asking: who is loyal to who?
This is not politics. This is psycophancy self-destruction.
Akwa Ibom has taught us a lesson today. Politics is negotiation. Unity is bargaining power. When you speak as one people, even a president listens.
Tiv people, when shall we learn?
When will our leaders sit down, drop their egos, and agree on one single demand for Benue? One project that will change our story for the next 50 years?
When will our youths refuse to be used for character assassinations and instead demand for development, vision, and results?
We cannot continue to fight ourselves while others are building for the future generations.
It is time for Tiv leadership to wake up. It is time for Tiv youths to wake up.
History will not remember who insulted who on Facebook or X. History will remember who built something.
Let us stop fighting over one person, and start fighting for one future.
Tiv Nation Deserves Better. Benue Deserves Better. Nigeria Deserves Better.
General News
Pursue Unity, Peace, Play Active Role in Nigerian Politics, Deputy Speaker, Kalu Urges Igbo Elites, Leaders
By Saint Mugaga
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has called on Igbo elders, leaders and stakeholders to close ranks and speak with one voice in politics, cautioning that disunity has continued to weaken the political strength and heritage of Ndi Igbo of the South East region.
He also urged them to pay more than passive attention to socio-economic issues and get deeply involved into the national politics of Nigeria.
Kalu made the call at the South East Stakeholders’ Convergence (SESC), also described as the South East Elders and Stakeholders Meeting, convened in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Friday to discuss unity, progress and peace in Igbo land.
Addressing the gathering chaired by the former Military Governor of Imo State and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator (Gen) Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd), the Deputy Speaker said unity remains the foundation for development, stressing that peace in Igbo communities would only come when leaders reason together in harmony.
He said: “Unity is strength. We will achieve more when we are united. The need for unity cannot be overemphasized. Peace leads to the development of communities”.
Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State at the National Assembly commended the elders for setting aside their personal engagements to attend the meeting, describing their action as patriotism and genuine love for Igbo land.
“I salute you all, my elders and stakeholders for this thoughtfulness, this great idea to come together and discuss the unity, progress and peace of Igbo land. This is patriotism. You all have what you are doing but for you to leave it and come here to discuss the development of our place, it means you love Igbo land. It shall be well with you all,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker said the upcoming and the contemporary younger generation are encouraged by the elders’ example, likening leadership to a relay race in which one generation hands the baton to the next.
“Some of us who are coming up are encouraged by this unity and patriotism you display. We are glad to see our elders sit together to discuss the future of Igbo land. This is like a relay race, where you run and later hand over the baton to the next person and the next generation. We are coming behind you so that whenever you hand us the baton, we collect it from you and continue with the race of progress and development,” he said.
Kalu however said that without unity, Ndi Igbo risk losing their direction and heritage.
“But if we are not in unity, we will miss our bearing and lose our heritage. But when we reason together in unity and harmony, we achieve greatness,” he said.
Speaking about Nigeria’s political structure, the Deputy Speaker noted that Igbo as one of the major tribes in Nigeria is not standing strong in the national politics.
He further argued that the political numbers of Ndi Igbo are not fully reflected across the five South East states because the people are scattered across the country.
To encourage active political participation, the Deputy Speaker urged a change of mindset, saying the post-war decision by many Igbo people to focus only on personal development and stay away from national politics had not served the region well.
“And it will not be good we shake and be left out in the scheme of things. Please, let’s come together. Let’s unite. When we unite, we gain more respect as a people. But when we work in isolation and silos, we lose our heritage.
“The number of votes of Ndi Igbo is not what we are getting across the five states because we are scattered around the country. If we take a position now and say, Igbo this is our agenda, this is what we want to do, I can assure you, the whole of Nigeria will feel our impact.
“But if we work in silos, every man to himself, to your tent O Israel, it is not encouraging at all. It yields no positive result. It reduces our number.
“After the war, we had believed we will work it out on our own and develop our place. We say we are not interested in politics. It is not our business. We have tried to develop on our own. It is about time we changed that mindset. The politics and governance of Nigeria should be our concern. We should get involved and play an active role because if we are not in the room, we can’t be part of the decision. We need to be part of the decision making process,” he said.
Kalu therefore called for a common position to help Ndi Igbo to deliver with one mind.
“There is no wisdom in saying we are not interested in the politics of Nigeria. It should be our business. Let us say one thing and stick to it with one mind, then, we will see the result of our togetherness. God bless you,” he said.
The stakeholders meeting held in Imo State Government House attracted the presence of Governor Hope Uzodinma as the chief host, some traditional rulers, representatives of religous leaders, women and youth groups from the five eastern States, other prominent Igbo sons and daughters in politics and governance, business, academia amongst whom are former Senate President/Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; immediate past Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO); Prof. Nnenna Oti; former chairman, Police Service Commission, Chief Simeon Okeke; former President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu; Chief Tony Chukwu; Amb. Greg Mbadiwe; Prof. Osita Ogbu; Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa and Amb. Okey Emuche.
General News
2027: Amupitan Seeks Royal Support, Partnership to Discharge Mandate Peacefully, Effectively
By Isa Abdul
The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has said there is no way a successful election can be conducted without the support of traditional institutions, especially in an era bedeviled by voter apathy and thuggery.
Professor Amupitan disclosed this in Lokoja on Thursday while addressing members of the Kogi State Council of Chiefs as part of his activities to assess preparations for the 2027 elections in the North-Central geopolitical zone.
He promised that the commission would strive to organise and supervise a visible, verifiable, credible, free, and fair election in line with its mandate under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Amupitan added that the commission has embarked on an assessment tour to evaluate logistics, infrastructure, and personnel across the six geopolitical zones.
to reduce administrative bottlenecks.
The working visit to Lokoja in the North-Central zone, which comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has marked the end of the evaluation tour.
He also urged the youth not to be used as instruments of violence during the election:
“I send an unequivocal message to our youth that no political aspiration is worth shedding human blood.”
The INEC chairman, further called on the royal fathers to assist in mobilising the electorate to collect their PVCs, prevail on the youth to shun thuggery and any form of violence, and support efforts to reduce misinformation and disinformation before, during, and after the election.
“The general elections will hold as scheduled in 2027. I have come to seek your support and partnership for us to discharge our mandate peacefully and effectively. INEC has no candidate; the commission is out to discharge its constitutional mandate fully,” Professor Amupitan told the traditional chiefs.
He said the commission under his watch had successfully conducted elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, including 16 by-elections within a year, stressing his resolve to re-enact that feat in the upcoming general election.
At the event, the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Shehu Wahab, said the gathering of traditional rulers and INEC was to foster a unity of purpose that would ensure a peaceful election in 2027.
He added that an interface with custodians of culture and tradition at this crucial period in the electioneering process is essential for a free and fair election.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM Tijani Mohammed Anaje, while speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, commended the INEC boss for his efforts to ensure a credible, free, and fair election in 2027.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, who is the Vice Chairman of the Kogi State Council of Chiefs, expressed their readiness to support Professor Amupitan in all aspects of the electoral process for a peaceful election.
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