Politics
Nigeria’s Politics, For Disintegration?
Politics has been conceptualised by some politicians as game of do or die affair. But to political scientists, it is defined as the activities judiciously concerned with governing a society or nation by people with same political ideology or beliefs.
In Nigeria, it is clear that the activities of the Northern political stalwarts are very disey and capable of dichotomizing the stability of the Nigeria Sovereignty, which might likely lead the nation to disintegration.
Before Independence in 1960, there were two major entities existing distinctly as Northern and Southern Protectorates.
The buoyancy of the Southern – protectorate was the main sustenance of the Northern protectorate due to their lean economy. Infact, these necessitated the diplomatic device of integration with the Southern protectorate.
The scheming and tactics was implemented as the Southern region elites were lived to sign the agreement, which brought about the amalgamation of the two distinct entities in 1914 through the instrumentality of a British administration of Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard. The amalgamation led to the formation of an entity called Nigeria which later became the federated status in 1954.
It is on record that since 1914 till present, the Coastal part of the Southern region, now known as Niger Delta region has been under socio-economic and political pressure by the rest of the regions, particularly the Northern counterparts.
In the present dispensation, Nigeria has four cardinal regions named, East, West, North and South with what is known as six geo-political axis. Going by the six recognised geo-poltical zones of the four cardinal areas of Nigeria, the North Central zone comprises, Benue, Plateau, Kwara Nasarawa, Niger – Kogi states, including the federal capital Territory (Abuja), North Eastern Zones comprises Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, and Taraba states and North-Western zone comprises Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara Kastina, Kano, Jigawa and Kaduna States.
South Eastern zone is made up of Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi States, while Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Osun and Oyo States make up the South Western zone, with Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers States constituting the South-South zone.
It is obvious that amongst the six gro-political zones, close observation has indicated that it is only the South-South zone (Niger Delta region) that have not produced any Head of State or President by normal electoral procedures in Nigeria. The only privilege that came to the Niger Delta region was the recent one that brought in the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan through the April 2011 general elections.
However, since the emergence of Dr. Jonathan to the seat of governance, there have been politically by motivated insecurity, the Boko Haram Sect believed to be sponsored by key political stalwarts from the norths who have vowed to make the country ingovernable for Jonathan.
It is note worthy that between 1960 and 2010, thirteen personalities have emerged as National Leaders of Nigeria, statistically, out of these lot, eight hails from the Northern geo-political zone, they are: General Yakubu Gowon (alias go on with one Nigeria), 1966-1875, General Murtala Mohammed, 1975-1976; Alaji Shehu Shagari, 1979-1983, General Mohammadu Buhari, 1984-1985; General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, 1985-1993; General Sani Abacha, 1993-1998; General Abdulsalami Abubakar, 1998- May 29, 1999; Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, 2007- May.
In the same vein, two of the National Leaders that hails from the Eastern geo-political zone were Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (the first Executive President at Independence – 1960 – Mid 196) and General Aguiyi Ironsi, 1964-1966. Two other leaders from the Western geo-political zone were Chief Matthew Olusegun Obansanjo (OBJ) and Chief Ernest Shonekan of the short-lived Interim National Government (ING), from August to November, 1993.
In addition to being sidelined in the leadership, the Niger Delta or South-South region was also relegated in the areas of Ministerial positions. All the while, it has been the Northerners usurping sensitive organs of administration as Petroleum, Energy, Power, Education, Agriculture etc. the only time Petroleum Minister was given to a true son of Niger Delta in the person of Professor Tam David-West, during the IBB Military regime, it became very controversial and agitated as unfounded allegations were levied on David-West to a point that he was replaced by a Northerner – Alhaji Rilwanu Lukman.
In the midst of the foregoings, Niger Deltas held her peace in order to move the nation forward, irrespective of the enormous economic viability and contributions of the oil rich States and communities, she was treated with ignominy.
For instance, under the present democratic dispensation, late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua could only appoint a bonafide son of the core Niger Delta, on. Odein Ajumogobia, who was nominated for ministerial portfolio, a subordinate to a Northerner as Minister of State (Petroleum) before he was reassigned as Minister of Foreign Affairs after the demise of President Yar’Adua. It is thus amazing that Northern leaders are not satisfied with all this. This is the only explanation for their demand for more revenue allocation in recent times.
It is pertinent to note that some individuals and interest groups are through this means working assiduously to dichotomise the society which might lead to disintegrating the solid foundation laid by the founding patriarchs of this nation. By debating blindly and chasing shadows instead of reality, they inadvertently call for all other segments of the nation to have a rethink on their position in the country.
It is more ironical that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has been focused as inferior who does not deserve or have right to contest for second tenure as a free citizen of Nigeria despite being the incumbent, having emerged from the so degraded Niger Delta region. His intention to contest is looked upon as an abomination. The Northerners are always claiming superiority over the Southerners. The position is: how long shall they continue to picture the Niger Deltan as kids? Of Course, that era of deceit is gone. This is time to arise and possess the rightful position of the so neglected region for decades.
Frankly speaking, based on the leadership statistics forestated, it is enough evidence that 2015 Presidential portfolio is due for the South-south geo-political zone again, which falls on the right peg of the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. It is unforuante that the elderly is not dreaming for the progress and development of the younger generation in the system. Civilian administration is government of representation by the people and not by authoritative or dictatorial pattern. Therefore, politics should be in the spirit of sportsmanship and not of bitterness as viewed by some unscrupulous elements that bent on selfish interest. Remember one time American President Kennedy who asserted: “Think on what you can do for America and not what America can do for you”.
The Northern politicians should think the best to do, to move this nation forward and not to sponsor an unpatriotic group to cause security stress in the Nigerian environment. Without doubt, precious lives and properties of unquantifiable worth have been wasted in Nigeria, especially Christians dwelling and transacting business in the Northern domain. Meanwhile the Northerners are walking and transacting their business freely in the Eastern, Western and Southern axis of same country. Why the dichotomy? It is fascinating that the Leader of Boko Haram recently threatened the government of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan would be tracked down within the spectrum of one year because the sect was fingered as the cause of insecurity stress in the country.
There is no doubt that with the political insinuations of the Northern leaders does not portray the spirit of ONE NIGERIA. However, the south-South geo-political region will not continue to be fools, watching helplessly to her detriment. Therefore, good thinking citizens of Nigeria should delight on how to move the giant of Africa forward to a greater height of progress and manpower development and not for a retrogressive bargain. Enough is enough of the ugly characteristics against the South-South region!
Enoch Epelle
A senator who represented Taraba Central, Mr Abubakar Yusuf, has declared that the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu are not yielding the expected results.
His comment is one of the strongest internal critiques yet from within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The comment underscores the growing dissatisfaction within sections of the ruling party over the direction and impact of the administration’s economic reforms amid rising living costs and fiscal pressures across the country.
Mr Yusuf, who served in the Senate between 2015 and 2023 under the platform of the APC, made the remarks during an appearance on national television.
Responding to a question on whether the administration’s economic direction, often referred to as Tinubunomics, was working, Mr Yusuf answered in the contrary.
“For me, it is not working. I am a member of the APC. I would be the last person to hide the facts”, he said.
He said while the government might be operating diligently within its policy structure, the framework itself is ill-suited to Nigeria’s current realities
“Within the policy framework, yes, they are doing their best, but it is not the framework that is suitable for Nigeria at the point in time that President Asiwaju came into power,” he said.
Mr Yusuf criticised the immediate removal of fuel subsidy on the day the president was sworn in, arguing that the decision lacked sufficient consultation and planning.
“I am one of those who say President Asiwaju ought to have waited. Not on the day he was sworn in to say subsidy is gone. On what basis?”, he asked.
He urged broader engagement before major fiscal decisions are taken.
“Sit down with your cabinet, sit down with your ministers, sit down with your advisers,” he said, dismissing the argument that subsidy removal was justified solely on grounds of corruption.
The former lawmaker identified “structural flaws” in the country’s budgeting system, particularly the envelope budgeting model.
“One of the basic problems is that before you budget, you should have a plan. The envelope system we have been operating has been you budget before you plan. That has been a major issue”, he said.
He argued that allocating spending ceilings without aligning them to concrete development strategies inevitably weakens implementation and delivery.
“If you give me an envelope which is contrary to my plan, whether it is plus or minus, there is no way I am going to implement my plan. It is bound to fail,” he said.
Mr Yusuf called for the scrapping of the envelope budgeting system, noting that he had consistently opposed it even during his years in the National Assembly.
“It is not good for us. It is not going to work well for us,” he said.
He further blamed poor capital releases and persistent deficit financing for undermining budget performance over the years.
“We could not meet 60 percent of our capital budget in all these years. No releases. If you make a budget and the release is very poor, there is no way the budget will be executed”, he stated.
According to him, weak fund disbursement mechanisms and reliance on deficit financing have entrenched a cycle of underperformance.
“Our budget ought to have been a surplus budget, but all our budgets have always been deficit financing budgets,” Mr Yusuf added.
The Nigerian House of Representatives has resolved to reconvene for an emergency session tomorrow February 17, 2026, to deliberate on issues arising from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) release of the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, who described the electoral body’s announcement as one of “constitutional and national significance.”
INEC had fixed February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
According to the statement, members of the Green Chamber were notified of the emergency sitting through an internal memorandum from the Speaker’s office.
The session is expected to focus on legislative matters connected to the newly released timetable, reflecting the House’s resolve to act promptly on issues affecting the nation’s democratic process.
Rep. Rotimi noted that all related businesses would be treated with urgency and urged lawmakers to prioritise attendance in view of the importance of the deliberations.
INEC had on Friday formally unveiled the comprehensive schedule for the 2027 polls, including timelines for party primaries slated for July to September 2026, as well as the commencement of Continuous Voter Registration in April 2026.
The development comes amid ongoing consultations and proposed amendments to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As the controversy over the transmission of election results continues across the country, the Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD), a pro democracy organisation in the country, has criticised the National Assembly for not giving express approval to real time transmission of elections results.
To this end, the group is calling on all civil society organisations in the country to mobilise and push for a better Electoral Reform in the country.
This was contained in a press statement titled, “Defence For Human Rights and Democracy Demands Real Time Election Transmission of Result”, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
The group described the refusal of compulsory real time transmission of result results by the Senate as undemocratic, adding that the situation will give room for election manipulation, rigging and voters apathy.
It said that the provision of mandatory real time transmission of election results would have significant improvement on the nation’s democracy.
According to the statement, “Since the return of democracy in 1999 to date, it is 27 years, so our Democracy has metamorphosed from being nascent and as such significant improvement should have been recorded.
“Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD), is really disappointed at the National Assembly, especially the upper chamber (Senate) for not approving ‘Real Time Electronic Transmission of Election Result’.
“This undemocratic act of theirs, if not tamed, will give room for election manipulation and rigging’”.
Signed by Comrade Clifford Christopher Solomon on behalf of the organisation, the statement further said, “The Defence For Human Rights and Democracy unequivocally supports real time transmission of election result”, stressing that his group will resist any act by the National Assembly to undermine the nation’s democracy.
“DHRD,unequivocally supports ‘True Democracy’, which is Government of the people, by the people and for the people.
“Therefore, anything that will crash the hope of Nigerians to Freely, Fairly and Transparently elect candidates of their choice in any given election should and will be vehemently resisted because good governance begins with leaders elected through credible process. By so doing, leaders have entered a social contract with the citizens to equitably manage their affairs and abundant resources”, the statement added.
It urged the National Assembly to revisit the issue in order to avoid civil unrest.
According to the DHRD, “To avoid civil unrest,voters apathy, election rigging and manipulation, rather to promote citizens participation, advancing our Democracy and entrenching free, fair, credible and acceptable electoral outcome, the National Assembly should amend the electoral act in a manner that will deepen our democracy and boost citizens confidence.
“On this note, The Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD), is calling on all other civil society organisations (CSOs) to mobilise, organise and push for a better electoral act amendment by the National Assembly”.
By: John Bibor
