Politics
FG’s inability to provide employment for unemployed youths is responsible for growing insecurity in Nigeria-NNPP Chairman
Dr Ajuji Ahmed, National Chairman, New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), has blamed the increasing insecurity in the country to federal government’s inability to provide jobs to the teeming unemployed youths in the country.
In an exclusive interview with IGNATIUS OKOROCHA,Dr. Ahmed argued that if the youths of this nation are given adequate employment by the federal government,they will desist from all forms of criminality
He speaks on other issues of national importance.
Excerpts:
Looking at the current state of insecurity in the country today, what do you think should be the panacea for restoring peace in Nigeria?
We have been facing a lot of challenges in the country starting from high rate of inflation that me and you know about, we are facing spike of insecurity in parts of the country particularly in the Northern parts of the country. We are, of course, facing the general insurgency, which results in a lack of security for everybody. We are facing economic problems, which results in mass hunger, in some cases, starvation in the country. So,the challenges are alot but I believe that with political stability in the country all these can be overcome in the cause of time with efforts and determinations on the part of the people,not just the government but also the opposition parties as well as the population at large.
Recently, a Brigadier General was brutally murdered and in addition to the kidnapping of over 300 students and teachers
Of St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state. What is really happening is that we no longer have security agencies or that they are sleeping?
I heard that there is an additional one in Nasarawa, but it is not verified yet.Well,I don’t know whether it is just a rumour or an actual fact. Therefore you can see that the entire North is under- siege.What is the bases of that , the cause, before we come to what the solution should be.The cause is lack of job opportunity, Lack of employment because today if a youth is given adequate employment that will earn him adequate means of livelihood, I don’t think he will have any reason to go into banditry. They go into banditry, not just that, but some of them have grievances that their cattles for example, have been rustled, and the government is doing nothing about it. Some of them are employed by politicians initially, and then later on, they go wayward. All these are reasons for that.
For the solution: The government should have risen up to the challenges. I do believe that we have the resources, we have the men, we have the equipment to confront banditry in all parts of the country but unfortunately we left it too long for it to spread from Borno right to Kastina, Zamfara, Sokoto and now Niger and we are talking about Kwara.
So, you can see that it is not just the North but also the Middle-Belt . The country is infested with bandits and criminals who results to violence against the people in order mostly to attract not just the attention of the Government but also to get ransom as means of livelihood for themselves.So, government should wake up to the challenges and deploy its resources. We know that the first responsibility of the government is to secure the lives and properties of its citizens. That has not been secured ,neither life has been secured nor property. And then the government can’t be said to be living up to it’s expectations of the first principle of its responsibility for which they have been elected.
What should be done is for the government to brace up, organise the security architecture, and confront the problem head-on. I believe we have the resources, we have the manpower, we have the men. Perhaps, what we need is the political will and overall determination to address the situation and I believe if given the opportunity, we will address that issue squarely in other to secure lives and properties of Nigerians which are the first obligations and responsibilities of every government.
Do you sense some level of sabotage among the security agencies in the fight against insurgency given the circumstances leading to the killing of Brig.Gen.Musa?
I don’t think there is any sabotage, I believe that what is happening generally is that the insecurity is so rampant that even a Brigadier General can be kidnapped and killed. It is very tragic, he is from Kano and if that is true, we commiserate with the people of Kano which is the major base of our party ( NNPP) and we also call upon the various arms of government responsible for security to live up to their responsibilities . Sabotage, I don’t know if there is any sabotage in this circumstance, and I don’t believe so. Anybody could have fallen victim to that kind of killing. Remember the Abuja-Kaduna corridors, sometime ago, that rout became completely unmotorable not because the road was bad but because security was not there at all and in the cause of time the government was able to secure that road and therefore could have secured also the forests where these criminals operate from. So, as I said earlier, it is a matter of political will, and I believe the country has the resources and manpower to address that issue.
The two arms of the National Assembly embarked on Security Summit sometime ago to find solutions to end banditry and terrorism in the country. Do you think that this kind of exercise is capable of bringing an end to insecurity in the country?
There are two things to that; Number one, I don’t think the legislature has any teeth to bite the insecurity that is raging in the country. They should sit down and come up with possible resolutions or solutions to end banditry or terrorism in the country. They don’t have the Executive Power, the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police and the other security agencies have, and they are not in the control of the legislature. By the way,we have too many summits. We should have left the issue of Summit at all and go into action. That is to say, the legislature can not pick up guns and confront the bandits but rather, what they can do is to come up with credible solutions and recommend those solutions to the Executive arm for it to implement. The legislature doesn’t need to hold a Summit to solve security issues in the country. The lawmakers are only wasting the time and resources of the country in organising Summit. If you can investigate and find out how much the National Assembly spent on this Summit alone, it could have bought more arms and ammunitions for the Army to go into the forests and confront the bandits and criminals who are operating there.
Recently, we gathered that the USA government wanted to come into the country to help Nigeria out of the persistent insecurity in the country. Do you think that move would have assisted the country to come out of the situation we are in?
The situation, I think rightly or wrongly seems to compel the Americans and perhaps every other country of good will to be allowed by the situation in Nigeria but however, having said that I don’t think the solution lies in American coming to bomb areas where they think bandits are operating or where they are murdering Christians or Muslims to the extent of becoming a genocide. The genocide is against everyone, whether it is a Christian or Muslims or anybody who does not believe in the two faiths. It affects everybody. You can even say the number of people killed or the quantum of those who are killed is probably because you have more Muslims killed than Christians. The reason for the problem right now that has given rise to the Americans saying it is genocide because it is persistent, particularly in the Midle-Belt, where Christians are concentrating.
So, somebody without the knowledge of the country ‘s demography or the sensitivity to the politics of Nigeria will probably like to believe that. However, that is not the solution, the solution lies in cooperating with the government of Nigeria and understanding the root causes of the problem and how many people it affected in most part of the country or is still affecting and then drawing up credible security measures to address insecurity in our country. If I were the President of this country, I would invite the Americans in a cooperative fashion, sit down with them, they will love to sell their arms and you will love to buy their arms to fight bandits but not to surrender your sovereignty by allowing other people to come and solve your domestic problem. America is such an interesting country such that it is not their Executive that determine policies , there are groups across the country particularly concentrated in Washington DC who really determine such policies.
Recently, I heard that the security adviser, Inspector General of Police and other security chiefs went to the USA to brief the American government on the true position of things in Nigeria. I don’t think that would have been the best approach. If I were to be in the position to nominate Nigerian delegation to American,I would nominate Christian and Muslim leaders to meet with their American delegation on the situation in Nigeria. Secondly, I should understand the workings of the American system and take advantage of that in order to make an impact in the direction of their policy.
The year is running out, and we are yet to hear of the President presenting 2026 annual budget. Do you think it can still be possible this year?
You and I are not in the position to explain what is responsible for the delay. The Ministry of Finance and budget planning are in the best position to explain. Of course the presidency and the legislature should address that question. I can only guess and the guess is that you have already provided the answer to that question.
It is a delay, who is responsible for the delay, I do not know but the delay should not have occurred if they employ you as permanent secretary or as a minister, you should have devoted all your time to prepare and produce whatever responsibility under your purview to ensure that you have come up with your budget proposals months before the kick-off of the next budget.But I don’t know whether it is laxity in control of the process or laxity on the part of those who plan and recommend them to the presidency but it is sad and uncalled for ,for the budget to be delayed in this way. Meanwhile, what we can make out of this is that if the 2026 budget is delayed beyond this year then the budget of 2027 will be affected and this will affect every other thing in the country since government controls the entire economy of the country.
Therefore that delay will affect everybody, including the private sector.
Politics
There Is No Fake Signature in Ikenga’s Nomination, All Lawmakers Signed Voluntarily *attached is CCTV video evidence of Philip Agbese
By Our Correspondent
The G-60 Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives wishes to categorically state that there was no forgery or fake signature in the nomination of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere of the Action People’s Party (APP) for the position of Minority Leader.
A release signed by Hon.Mukhtar. Umar and Hon Seyi Sowunmi said that contrary to claims made by the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese at the plenary today, all signatures appended to the nomination document were voluntarily provided by the lawmakers concerned. Out of the 81 members that constitute the Minority Caucus, 61 lawmakers willingly signed in support of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere’s nomination to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Hon. Kingsley Chinda following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his subsequent emergence as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State.
We note with concern the allegation by Hon. Philip Agbese that his signature was forged on the endorsement list. This claim is false and misleading. To establish the facts and dispel any misinformation, video evidence exists showing Hon. Agbese personally signing the nomination document and it will be sent out with this statement in the interest of transparency and accountability.
We remain committed to due process, unity, and the collective interest of opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives. Attempts to discredit a transparent and democratic process through unfounded allegations should be discouraged. We urge members of the public and the media to disregard claims of forgery and rely on verifiable facts regarding the nomination process.
By Our Correspondent
The House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly experienced a commotion that almost snowballed into a turmoil for close to half an hour over allegation of forgery of signature of members who endorsed the candidate for the office of Minority Leader of the House Hon.Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.
However the Speaker Rt.Hon.Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the sitting of the House on Thursday immediately quenched the fire when he told the entire lawmakers that the House leadership would investigate the matter and take appropriate actions in line with the provisions of the House Rules.
Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere
The whole fracas began mid-way into the legislative session after the approval of the votes and proceedings of the previous days session by the presiding officer.
A member of the House Hon.Philip Agbese (Benue,LP) had raised a point of order bothering on abuse of his priveldges as a member of the House.
The lawmaker, a first term lawmaker said his signature was suppreptitsciosly included in a document that endorsed Hon.Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere as Minority Leader alongside 60 other members of the House which he did not sign.
He further stated that he read some bloggers and some online stories published by some media outfits that alleged that all the lawmaker that signed the documents collected $50,000.00 saying that he did not collect the money as alleged.
He called on the House leadership to investigate the matter, clear his name and ensure that disciplinary actions is taken against those who decided to dent his image as a lawmaker and cause him disaffection with his constituents for no just cause.
However, the Speaker in his intervention said that the matter will be investigated by the House and assured that appropriate actions would be taken if the matter of forgery is established by the probe.
Another member of the green chamber Hon.Billy Osawaru (Edo,APC) in his submission however urged the House to immediately refer the matter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for a thorough investigation.
At this juncture, the man in the centre of the controversy Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (Imo,AAP) stood up and raised a counter point of order.
He said that the allegation of forgery of his signature raised by Hon.Philip Agbsese is baseless and unfounded as the lawmaker walked into the meeting in his office where the other 60 lawmakers that endorsed his candidacy for the position of Minority Leader signed their signatures.
He said that the issue of selection of Minority Leader in the green chamber is purely the prerogative of the minority parties which were all represented at the meeting.
Nothwitstanding, Hon.Agbese stood up again to counter the position of the man who is being accused of forgery of his signature insisting that he never signed any documents on the endorsement of his candidacy.
This led to a serious commotion in the green chamber as other lawmakers spoke for and against the matter resulting into the hurried adjournment of the legislative session to Tuesday May 9, 2026 by the presiding officer.
End
[04/06, 15:34] Jonas-Champion: Minority Leadership: Reps In Commotion Over Allegation of Signature Forgery.
Jonas Ezieke, Abuja.
The House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly experienced a commotion that almost snowballed into a turmoil for close to half an hour over allegation of forgery of signature of members who endorsed the candidate for the office of Minority Leader of the House Hon.Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.
However the Speaker Rt.Hon.Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the sitting of the House on Thursday immediately quenched the fire when he told the entire lawmakers that the House leadership would investigate the matter and take appropriate actions in line with the provisions of the House Rules.
The whole fracas began mid-way into the legislative session after the approval of the votes and proceedings of the previous days session by the presiding officer.
A member of the House Hon.Philip Agbese (Benue,LP) had raised a point of order bothering on abuse of his priveldges as a member of the House.
The lawmaker, a first term lawmaker said his signature was suppreptitsciosly included in a document that endorsed Hon.Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere as Minority Leader alongside 60 other members of the House which he did not sign.
He further stated that he read some bloggers and some online stories published by some media outfits that alleged that all the lawmaker that signed the documents collected $50,000.00 saying that he did not collect the money as alleged.
He called on the House leadership to investigate the matter, clear his name and ensure that disciplinary actions is taken against those who decided to dent his image as a lawmaker and cause him disaffection with his constituents for no just cause.
However, the Speaker in his intervention said that the matter will be investigated by the House and assured that appropriate actions would be taken if the matter of forgery is established by the probe.
Another member of the green chamber Hon.Billy Osawaru (Edo,APC) in his submission however urged the House to immediately refer the matter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for a thorough investigation.
At this juncture, the man in the centre of the controversy Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (Imo,AAP) stood up and raised a counter point of order.
He said that the allegation of forgery of his signature raised by Hon.Philip Agbsese is baseless and unfounded as the lawmaker walked into the meeting in his office where the other 60 lawmakers that endorsed his candidacy for the position of Minority Leader signed their signatures.
He said that the issue of selection of Minority Leader in the green chamber is purely the prerogative of the minority parties which were all represented at the meeting.
Nothwitstanding, Hon.Agbese stood up again to counter the position of the man who is being accused of forgery of his signature insisting that he never signed any documents on the endorsement of his candidacy.
This led to a serious commotion in the green chamber as other lawmakers spoke for and against the matter resulting into the hurried adjournment of the legislative session to Tuesday June 9, 2026 by the presiding officer.
Politics
Niger state ADC Governorship candidate decries increasing debt burden of over ₦1.5 trillion local,foreign debt by Gov.Bago
By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna
Niger State Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ,Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi, has decried the increasing debt burden of over ₦1.5 trillion local and foreign debt by governor Umar Bago from 2023 to date
Kpautagi who was reacting to another recent approval of $14.4 million, over ₦ 20 Billion granted by the Niger State House of Assembly for the state as a food security financing facility.
He said though investing in the Agricultural sector is very important for the people of the state to strengthen the food security,notwithstanding people of the state deserve explanation on the economic position of the state.
Dr. Kpautagi stated that the people of Niger State deserves clear and comprehensive explanations regarding the necessity of additional borrowing while the state is receiving substantial monthly federal allocations, in addition to increased internally generated revenue,along with that of local government councils in the state.
According to him, responsible government need to inculcate transparency, accountability, and be prudent with the available resources before requesting for additional debt on the state and future generations.
Dr. Kpautagi further noted that security remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Niger State, also decried the Banditry attacks of various communities, the constant kidnappings, and other forms of criminal activities across the state is alarming forcing the people to abandon their ancestral homes.
The Governorship Candidate stressed that agriculture is a critical sector for economic growth, and sustainable food sufficiency can be realised in an environment where farmers are safe and able to access their farmlands without fear.
” My first priority as the governor of Niger State is to collaborate with security agencies within and outside through the support of the federal government to finally put a stop to insecurity threatening farming activities across the state’.
The ADC governorship candidate pointed out that communities in the state are still facing inadequate health facilities,adding that provision of infrastructures on health and Education will be prioritised to improve health care services and give education a new direction.
He expressed optimism that rural development shall be one of his major target to reinvigorate economic growth and to discourage rural urban migration thereby boosting economic opportunities.
According to him, it is mandatory for a leader to explain how state resources are expended, emphasizing that citizens have legitimate right to demand explanations on how public resources have been utilised, public have the right to know how much a contract is awarded to earn public trust.
Dr. Kpautagi emphasized that borrowing is not inherently wrong,but should be guided by a sound economic strategy, transparency, accountability, instead of putting the state in a bankruptcy circumstance.
Also reacting on the widespread condemnations by the public on the fresh loan by the government,the speaker of the state house of assembly,Barr Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, said it is false and misleading.
” The government only stands as a guarantor for Niger food security systems and logistics, through the United Bank for Africa,UBA to access financing under the Saudi Exim line credit for the support of its operations.”
To Buttress his statement,” the Speaker further explained that, the state government has the constitutional power to seek loans through the state assembly provided such facilities are required for the development of the state”
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A’Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance demands Gas flaring accountability, community justice, reversal of executive order 9 - says failure of compliance will attract stiff protest By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo Coalition of civil society organizations, youth groups, community advocates, academic scholars and media in Akwa Ibom have petitioned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to address cases where corporate organizations are profiting from Gas flaring and pollution while host communities bear the cost. Addressing journalists just after a peaceful demonstration and presentation of the petition letter to representative of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Eket, Eket LGA on Friday by Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reward,Helen Bassey Eyo, the coalition which was convened by Clement Isong Foundation with support from Actionaid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) II, says the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Environmental Day with a call to end gas flaring, defend rights and build future. According to them, Gas flaring penalties exceeding $10.4 million dollars became payable on OML 13 alone between 2021 and 2023. They therefore called for accountability of $270 million dollars in outstanding penalties owed to host communities from 2021 to 2025. “nationally, oil companies paid $646 million dollars in Gas flare penalties in 2025, the highest in five years, yet Nigeria flared 301.3 million scf of Gas in 2024, up from 278.3 million in 2023, and did not meet its 2025 zero-flare target”. The Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance noted that in communities like Ikot Town, Elekpon and Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of the State Gas has been burning continuously since NEPL/NOL began production on OML 13 in May 2024. Eight villages in Eastern Obolo have no electricity yet OML 13 holds over five trillion cubic feet of Gas. The energy being burned over these communities could instead be used to power them. Speaking to newsmen, the Director, Clement Isong Foundation, convener of Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance on behalf of the 15 CSOs including academia, media, women and youths groups noted that in Ibeno LGA of the State, Network Exploration and Production Limited continues to flare gas at Mkpanak with documented impact on air, water and soil across Ibeno, Onna, Eket and Esit Eket. “rain water in Ibeno is no longer consumable, Itakabasi community has been lost to coastal erosion accelerated by environmental degradation. Seplat Energy which acquired Mobil Production Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in December 2024, now operates OMLs 67, 68, 68 and 104 in Akwa Ibom, inheriting an operational history that includes over fifty years of environmental liabilities that coastal communities are still waiting to see them addressed”, they added. Accordingly, the alliance have asked President Tinubu to reverse the presidential executive order 9 of February 13, 2026 which suspended all Gas flare penalties remittance into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and and redirected them to the Federation Account. “the Order 9 has remove a financing mechanism established under the PIA 2021 specifically to support environmental remediation and community development in host communities. AKEJA is calling for this to be reversed and for the original framework to be restored”. Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organizations have stated that if their demands are not met as at when due, they will pull out all their members to protest to the office the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission with stiff penalties to ensure their plights are giving desire attention.
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