Nelson Ugwuagbo

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is bribing opposition leaders with N50 million each to weaken Nigeria’s democratic foundations.

Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy, organized by various civic organizations in Abuja on Monday, Atiku warned that the nation’s democracy is on the brink of collapse unless urgent measures are taken.

“I want to say it here publicly,” Atiku stated. “I met with a political party leadership in the present opposition, and they told me flatly that this government gives them N50 million each.

If we are not careful, some of you here, who we are talking to, are recipients of the N50 million from the APC government.

Do we really want to fight for democracy?”
Atiku expressed concern over the erosion of democratic values, labeling the current National Assembly as a “rubber stamp” for the government.

He also questioned the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral commission, citing Turkey’s electoral body as an example of integrity for refusing to declare a president-elect who did not meet the required vote threshold.

He called for unity among opposition parties, reflecting on his decades-long struggle for democracy. Atiku recounted personal sacrifices, including an attempt on his life, the seizure of his businesses, and a period of exile.

“If we don’t unite and take action, we may end up with no democracy at all. God forbid,” he warned.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the judiciary as the greatest threat to Nigeria’s democracy, calling for urgent reforms to address what he termed “judicial recklessness.”

Speaking on Monday in Abuja at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, Atiku criticised the judiciary’s role in electoral and political party disputes.

The event was organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), and the National Peace Committee (NPC).

Atiku participated in a panel discussion on a paper titled “Party Politics and Political Integrity: The Role of Political Parties and Opposition in Democracy” presented by Prof. Bayo Olukoshi.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the judiciary’s failure to uphold reforms aimed at curbing judicial misconduct.

“That must change,” he said. “The same judiciary that affirmed the primacy of political parties in choosing their candidates and leaders now sanctions and promotes the destruction of parties by a few individuals, often with personal agendas.”

Atiku further accused the judiciary of overstepping its bounds by undermining the will of voters.

“The judiciary now appears to have replaced voters in choosing our leaders. Its involvement in electoral disputes, originally intended to affirm voters’ choices, now frequently results in technicalities that deny the electorate their decision,” he stated.

The former vice president also warned of the consequences for democracy and the judiciary if these issues remain unaddressed.

“I know enough history to understand that when democracy dies, the judiciary and its leadership do not necessarily survive intact,” he concluded.

Atiku’s remarks have added to ongoing debates about the role of the judiciary in Nigeria’s democratic processes and the need for systemic reforms.

The new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly officially occupied her office on Monday, amid heightened security and a looming confrontation over the speakership seat.

Reports indicate that security was significantly bolstered at the assembly complex due to concerns over a possible showdown, following the ousting of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

Obasa, who was removed from office by 32 out of 39 lawmakers two weeks ago, returned to the state over the weekend, insisting he remains the legitimate Speaker. He was welcomed by supporters at his Ikeja residence, where he reiterated his claim to the position, stating, “I remain the Speaker until due process is followed.”

The Monday plenary session marked the third presided over by Speaker Meranda since Obasa’s removal. Obasa, however, has been absent from all sessions held under her leadership, raising concerns about his potential attendance today.

Security was visibly tight at the assembly complex, with at least three police vehicles stationed at the main gate and additional security personnel deployed inside. Journalists and visitors were thoroughly screened before gaining entry.

The enhanced security measures were reportedly implemented to prevent any disruption or escalation of tensions during the plenary session.

As the lawmakers prepare for today’s sitting, the assembly remains on edge, with both sides standing firm in the ongoing leadership tussle.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that his health has significantly improved since leaving office on May 29, 2023.

Buhari, who handed over to President Bola Tinubu after completing two terms in office, attributed the improvement to reduced pressures of leadership. While in office, the former president faced health challenges that required him to seek medical attention abroad.

Speaking during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting at the Katsina State Government House, Buhari reflected on the demands of governing Nigeria, suggesting they had taken a toll on his health.

“Those outside the corridors of power do not understand the complexities and difficulties facing Nigeria,” Buhari said.

The former president also noted that visitors have remarked on his improved appearance since his departure from the presidency.

“People who visited me told me I look better than before,” he added.

Buhari’s comments highlight the immense strain that comes with leading Africa’s most populous nation.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested four suspects, including a 21-year-old woman, Chinyere Ekwenugo, in connection with the murder of a 74-year-old wheelchair user in Ifitedenu.

Ekwenugo was identified as the girlfriend of the prime suspect, Ifeanyi Igwe, who remains at large. Three other suspects, Uzochukwu Okeke (47), Fidel Anayo (60), and Ikenna Anene (54), all from Abagana, were also detained for their alleged involvement in the crime.

State police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the arrests on Sunday, revealing that the incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. Police operatives from the Abagana Divisional Headquarters recovered the victim’s charred remains, a wheelchair, and a casket from the crime scene.

Ikenga disclosed that the suspects had confessed to the crime during interrogation. “Chinyere Ekwenugo confessed that her boyfriend, Ifeanyi Igwe, along with three others, set the victim ablaze. They had brought a casket to bury her before police intervened,” he stated.

The victim’s body has been deposited in a morgue for autopsy, while efforts to apprehend Igwe are ongoing. The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, has urged calm and directed the immediate transfer of the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation.

Police Arrest Cultist in Abagana, Recover Ammunition

In a separate operation, police operatives from the Anti-Cult Unit in Enugwu Ukwu arrested a 25-year-old man, Maduka Okoye, in Abagana on Saturday around 1:30 p.m. Acting on credible intelligence, officers recovered three spent cartridges from a pump-action gun at the Ezichike community shooting scene.

Ikenga stated that Okoye, a member of the Baggars Confraternity, confessed to being attacked by members of the Axe Men Confraternity while drinking at a beer parlour.

“The police’s swift intervention likely averted a potential cult clash in the area,” Ikenga said, adding that the suspect is cooperating with investigators to track down fleeing gang members and other rival cult members involved in the incident.

The police assured residents that calm has been restored to the community as investigations continue.

Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), appeared at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday following a police invitation.

Sowore arrived at the headquarters at 9:45 a.m., accompanied by his lawyer and supporters. The Nigeria Police Force had summoned him over a viral video accusing officers of extortion on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos.

The invitation, dated January 23, 2025, was signed by CP Ibitoye Rufus Alajide on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID). It cited allegations of resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, reckless acts, and cyberstalking. Sowore was directed to report to Room 212 of the FID Complex by 10 a.m. The letter affirmed the police’s investigative authority and informed Sowore of his right to legal representation.

The video in question, widely circulated on social media, shows Sowore confronting officers accused of extorting motorists and causing traffic. In the footage, officers demanded Sowore park his vehicle, leading to a heated exchange. Despite the officers initially blocking his car, they eventually allowed him to proceed after a standoff. The video also captured one officer muttering, “God punish you,” to which Sowore retorted, “God punish you too.”

Public outrage over the video prompted the police to summon Sowore, reportedly after Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi urged Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to act.

The incident has sparked fresh debates on police accountability and the treatment of activists in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Sowore is scheduled to appear in court on February 4, 2025, over a separate cybercrime case filed by Senator Ned Nwoko, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Security at the Lagos State House of Assembly was heightened on Monday ahead of the plenary session, following the controversy surrounding the impeachment of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

Reports indicate that assembly officials have been directed to present valid identity cards to access the premises. A notice to staff, signed by Omotayo Adekemi on behalf of the Acting Clerk of the House, Taiwo Ottun, emphasized the enforcement of the directive.

“Regarding management directives, all staff members and legislative aides must present valid identity cards to access the House premises,” the notice stated. Ottun further warned that individuals without proper identification would be denied entry.

The Lagos State Police Command has reportedly assured its readiness to maintain order during the proceedings, regardless of how events unfold.

Meanwhile, Obasa, who has contested the validity of his removal, insisted that due process was not followed, maintaining that he remains the speaker.

“I am not disturbed or perturbed, and I am not afraid. I will debunk all the allegations leveled against me by the House,” Obasa said.

He added, “I have not done anything wrong. I have been a lawmaker for over two decades and I am the longest-serving lawmaker in the House.”

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, expired, and substandard products valued at ₦1.3 billion in Abuja.

The items, which included drugs, hospital equipment, cosmetics, food items, and other substandard products, were disposed of at the Kuje dump site.

Representing the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Moji Adeyeye, Festus Ukadike led officials during the destruction exercise. He revealed that some of the expired food items had been voluntarily handed over by local and international organizations, including the World Food Programme (WFP).

NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that substandard and unsafe products are permanently removed from circulation.

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged member nations to avoid escalating tariff conflicts, warning of potential “catastrophic” consequences for the global economy.

Speaking on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Okonjo-Iweala expressed concerns over rising tensions stemming from tariff threats by the United States against China, the European Union, Mexico, and Canada.

She called for calm and advised nations to explore alternative methods for resolving trade disputes rather than resorting to retaliatory measures.

“Please let’s not hyperventilate. I know we are here to discuss tariffs. I’ve been saying to everybody: could we chill, also? I just sense a lot of hyperventilation,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala cautioned that retaliatory actions could lead to severe economic consequences, drawing parallels to the global economic downturn of the 1930s.

“If we have tit-for-tat retaliation, whether it’s 25 percent tariffs, 60 percent, and we go to where we were in the 1930s, we are going to see double-digit global GDP losses. That’s catastrophic,” she warned.

The WTO chief called on member nations to exercise restraint and emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in global trade.