Nelson Ugwuagbo

A prominent law firm, Crownfield Solicitors, has called for the removal of President Bola Tinubu as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing alleged democratic violations in Rivers State.

In a letter addressed to the regional bloc, the firm accused Tinubu of imposing a “pseudo-military rule” in the state. The letter, signed by Chief Festus Ogwuche in collaboration with the Campaign for Social Justice and Constitutional Democracy in Africa, alleged that Tinubu’s actions violated regional treaties and threatened democracy in West Africa.

The firm claimed that Tinubu, in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, suspended democratic institutions in Rivers State and installed a “neo-junta regime.” It argued that these actions contravened key international agreements, including:

• Article 4(g) of the ECOWAS Treaty, which mandates the promotion of democracy and human rights.
• Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees citizens’ right to participate in governance.
• The ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001), which requires member states to uphold democratic principles.

Crownfield Solicitors warned that Tinubu’s actions set a dangerous precedent that could encourage authoritarian rule in other ECOWAS nations. The firm stated that such developments undermine progress in stabilizing West Africa, particularly amid recent military coups in the region.

“These actions diminish ECOWAS’s credibility and its commitment to democratic governance,” the letter read in part. “If unchecked, they will embolden further violations across West Africa.”

The firm demanded:

• Tinubu’s removal as ECOWAS Chairman for failing to uphold the organization’s principles.
• The restoration of democratic institutions in Rivers State.
• Intervention by ECOWAS leaders to prevent further erosion of democracy.

Copies of the letter were sent to the Nigerian government, the ECOWAS Commission, Parliament, and Court of Justice.

The call for Tinubu’s removal follows his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, citing a protracted political crisis and vandalization of oil facilities. The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months.

Six months after its establishment, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Livestock Development remains without a digital footprint, failing to engage journalists on its activities and raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

The ministry, inaugurated following President Bola Tinubu’s creation of the presidential committee on livestock reforms, has repeatedly declined requests from media representatives to provide updates on its initiatives.

Journalists covering the ministry’s affairs lament the absence of press engagements, citing a communication strategy that relies solely on press statements without opportunities for direct interaction.
Journalists assigned to cover the ministry have expressed frustration over its reluctance to provide access to information. Despite repeated appeals to the ministry’s communications directorate, led by Ben Bem Goong, no significant change has occurred.

“So many press releases, don’t the ministry invite journalists for these meetings?” one reporter questioned. “This looks more like just dumping press releases on journalists.”

Another journalist criticized the approach, stating, “They are gradually turning us into press statement journalists. This is tele-guided journalism.”

A journalist from a national publication expressed concerns about the impact on accountability:

“It’s obvious they’re not interested in journalists witnessing their events. How do you report what you don’t see? How are you able to hold them accountable when there is no access?”

Despite these concerns, the ministry has not altered its approach. Even direct attempts to reach officials for clarifications have reportedly been ignored.

In response to mounting complaints, a ministry official, Kevwe Uchechukwu, acknowledged journalists’ frustrations but stopped short of providing a concrete resolution.

“We understand your concerns and sincerely acknowledge the frustrations regarding event coverage. Please know that we value your support and are working towards ensuring better collaboration in the near future,” Uchechukwu stated.

“As has been explained repeatedly, the issues at hand are multifaceted, ranging from inadequate office space to access to funding, but we are actively working to address them,” she added.

However, the official offered no timeline for when journalists would gain meaningful access to ministry activities, and no explanation was given for the lack of an official digital presence.

In an age where digital presence is crucial for accessibility and accountability, the ministry’s absence from online platforms remains a glaring omission.

Several checks confirm that FMLD is the only federal ministry in Nigeria without a website or official social media handles, making it nearly impossible for stakeholders to track its activities.

A government directive issued in December 2017 mandated all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to maintain functional websites to enhance transparency and facilitate access to information.

The directive, in line with the Ease of Doing Business initiative, warned against poor information accessibility, emphasizing the importance of open government partnerships and digital engagement.

Despite this directive, FMLD has made no visible effort to comply.
When contacted for comments on the issue, the Director of Corporate Communications at the Ministry Ben Bem Goong did not respond to the issue. No response to messages and calls.

The failure of the livestock ministry to establish a digital presence has sparked concerns among analysts and stakeholders. Many argue that a functional website is not just an administrative tool but a necessity for transparency and public engagement.

The absence of a digital platform is particularly concerning given the ministry’s mandate. With its focus on modernizing livestock production, promoting investment, and enhancing agricultural productivity, an official website would serve as a vital hub for disseminating information, engaging investors, and addressing public concerns.

The federal government has repeatedly emphasized the need for digital transformation within its agencies. In October 2023, the Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy announced an e-government initiative designed to drive transparency and improve service delivery across MDAs. The initiative prioritizes open data, connected governance, and citizen engagement.

Additionally, the federal government has committed to fully digitizing the civil service by 2025, reinforcing the importance of digital accessibility.

Yet, the livestock ministry remains an outlier, failing to align with this broader digital strategy.
With Nigeria’s livestock sector facing significant challenges—including conflicts between farmers and herders, the need for better disease control, and opportunities for export—the lack of an official information hub for the ministry raises serious concerns.

Without a website or open communication channels, stakeholders are left in the dark, unable to access key policy updates, project reports, or investment opportunities.

The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging that herdsmen have overrun homes and schools in Eha-Amufu, describing the claims as “baseless, mischievous, and misleading.”

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the Command clarified that no community in Eha-Amufu or any part of Enugu State has been invaded, placed under siege, or displaced. It explained that the reported “overrun farm settlements” are temporary shelters used by farmers who periodically return to their villages.

The statement acknowledged that farmer-herder clashes occurred in Eha-Amufu in 2021 and 2022 but noted that joint security operations have since restored peace to the area.

The Police Command commended the Enugu State Government for its efforts to enhance security under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. These measures include the deployment of 150 military personnel and Special Forces, as well as the near-completion of the 21.7km Agape-Agu Mgbuji-Ogbete access road to improve security and connectivity.

The Command also criticized the news platform that published the report, accusing it of using unrelated images to mislead the public. A forensic digital analysis reportedly showed that the images were repurposed from incidents in neighboring states, including photos shared by Amnesty International from a February 4, 2025, attack on Nkalaeha community.

Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, urged residents to disregard the report and assured them of the Police Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order. He called on citizens, particularly those in Eha-Amufu, to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security agencies, and report genuine security concerns through official channels.

The Commander of One Brigade, Nigerian Army, Gusau, Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, has stated that troops under Operation Fansar Yamma have significantly curtailed terrorist activities in their area of responsibility, covering Kebbi and Zamfara states.

General Opurum made this known on Tuesday during a Sallah luncheon with officers, soldiers, and their families at the Brigade Cantonment in Gusau.

He acknowledged that the security situation was previously challenging but credited sustained military operations and the dedication of troops for the improved security landscape.

“The One Brigade has been performing well, especially in Operation Forest Sanity III. A few months ago, the situation was difficult, but through the efforts of our officers and troops, we have been able to dominate our area of responsibility and subdue the terrorists to a large extent,” he said.

The Commander commended the troops for their sacrifices and commitment, noting that in recognition of their efforts, the Chief of Army Staff had approved additional logistics support to enhance operations.

He urged the soldiers to sustain the momentum and intensify efforts to ensure security across the Northwest.

“Because of our achievements, the Chief of Army Staff has graciously approved additional logistics for us. This means we must redouble our efforts. It is not yet uhuru; there is still much work to be done,” he added.

“We must continue fighting until we eliminate all threats and ensure Kebbi, Zamfara, and other states within the Northwest are safe for socio-economic progress.”

The event also included a moment of silence in honor of fallen soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart for Paris, France, on Wednesday for a short working visit, the Presidency has announced.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the visit will focus on assessing the administration’s mid-term performance and reviewing key milestones. Tinubu is also expected to evaluate ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary.

“The period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year,” Onanuga stated.

He noted that recent economic improvements highlight the administration’s commitment to reforms, citing an increase in Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billion, up from $3.99 billion in 2023, as reported by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

While in Paris, Tinubu will remain actively engaged with his team and continue overseeing governance activities. He is expected to return to Nigeria in about two weeks.