Politics

Termites In The House

Published

12 years ago

June 23, 2014

When President
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan told the public that Boko Haram members had infiltrated his government, he was taken to the cleaners. Critics said that statement was to score cheap political point for his government and his party-Peoples Democratic Party. Others reasoned that Jonathan’s claim was diversionary – only intended to divert the attention of Nigerians from the intensity of Boko Haram criminality in the land. The Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces was also challenged to expose the alleged insurgents dinning and winning with him in his government.
What probably emerged out of that challenge was the sacking of security chiefs and replacement of new ones. Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief that the overhaul of the security chiefs would produce tangible results to douse security challenges but were disappointed the more when despite claims of the security operations that they were on top of the situation, the Boko Haram terror group repeatedly harassed and assaulted the polity with impunity especially in the North East zone of the country with scores of loss of lives at every attack.
The height of the sects’ assault was the kidnap of over 200 girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State and of course the successive incessant attacks on military formations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States which are currently under emergency rule. The question is why the Boko Haram having a field day, so to say, in their operations?
Boko literally means book (western education), while forbidden is the literary meaning of Haram. While the claim that the Boko Haram militants are against western education remains questionable, the activities of the muslem sect so far lend credence to the fact that they have hidden agenda beyond their so-called grouse against western education.
The worsening security situations especially in the North East where Boko Haram attacks have led to a rising number of deaths on a daily basis have consumed Nigerians in fear. While the service chiefs reportedly reassure that the military is on top of the situation, Nigerians are yet to come to terms with escalated killings within the last one year despite heavy reliance on military operations to restore order in the troubled areas.
As a matter of fact, the revelations by some soldiers engaged in fighting insurgency in the North show that there are termites in the house and that explains why no appreciable progress has been recorded in routing out the insurgents in the worst affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa; a situation that has brought President Jonathan and his government under local and international pressure to act fast and save the people from destruction.
One of the soldiers (name withheld) painted a clear picture that all is not well in military camps. The source alleged that four officers brought military kits with arms and ammunition, preparatory for army attack on known insurgents’ camps in the night but the enemy in the house sold the military plan and strategy out and the terrorists struck at army camps and took away the military kits and ammunitions with embarrassing casualties on the side of Nigerian army. What could make the four officers to be absent at the army camp when Boko Haram allegedly invaded the camp and made a mess of the soldiers? The answer can be found in the dictionary of sabotage.
“Boko Haram militants are not faceless, not invisible. We know their locations. Oga see, when an order is given for the soldiers to prepare for war against the militants, before you know it, a counter-order is issued for the soldiers to stay out of action. You will not be surprise to see the militants attacking and killing the soldiers when we have given up the spirit for action”, the source recounted bitterly.
In both instances, you can see the handwriting of sabotage and this remains the bane of the military in the fight against insurgents in the land. If it is not sabotage, how can Boko Haram, in a show of nothing ‘mega’ attack and kill alarming numbers of Nigerian soldiers well-known for military and peace-keeping operations across the globe? Even when security information are provided from impeccable sources on how best to rout the insurgents and restore order, such security information are hardly acted upon or tactically delayed to enable the sect re-strategise towards beating the military to her plan of dislodging them.
For instance, a young man trained by Boko Haram on map reading outside Nigerian shores surrendered himself to security authorities in Nigeria when he returned back to the country and found out that his country home in Borno State has been leveled by those he was trained to work for. Vital information provided by the acclaimed Boko Haram point man have been reportedly hoarded by the power-that-be and even divulged to the militants. Today, the life of the young man is in danger.
The military’s seeming weak response to most of the Boko Haram attacks may have prompted the alleged investigation of some officers and men of the armed forces for offence such as cowardice, negligence and failure to perform military duty and leakage of information to the enemy. Though, the military authorities may not be favourably disposed to the report that some officers and men are being probed, it is also not untrue that the army had “put some personnel believed to be involved in unacceptable military conduct under close watch as part of the efforts to sanitise the service.
Always on daily basis, members of the Islamic sect increasingly dare the military and civilian targets. The attacks, in some cases are carried out with pre-information, and the casualties remain unimaginable, no thanks to the poor intelligence gathering of the security operatives in the country. The era of armed-chair intelligence gathering has gone. We need to protect our democracy, national unity and political stability by waging total war against terrorism with proper and efficient intelligence gathering mechanism.
The soldiers may be willing to give their best in the terrorism war, but they are being subdued morally by corruption, ill-equipment and challenges in welfare. The ineffectiveness of military operations against the insurgents, apparently culminated in the mutiny of soldiers at the Maimalari cantonment recently, against their General Officer Commanding while addressing them. A better tonic for the weary soldiers is to ensure that they (soldiers) are not in want in terms of ordnance and materials. Overhauling the military and its strategy on insurgency is not a bad idea.
Security challenges have assumed higher dimension and have left serious demands on the resources of the military. But the military is crying of inadequate funding. The Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Maj-General Abdullahi Muriana, at a training programme for the Nigerian Army Finance Corps Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at Jaji, near Kaduna, said that inadequate funding of the military was hampering the ability of the soldiers from halting the insurgents. The review of budgetary allocations of the military especially in the area of equipment acquisition and welfare is necessary to boost strength and psychology in winning the war against terrorism.
In a country that insecurity has created the atmosphere of tension, fear and helplessness, the problem of corruption and bureaucratic bottlenecks in the release of approved funds for military operations is a problem that demands urgent attention.
The media are awash with reports that some civil servants in the Defence Ministry demand and receive commission before approved funds for military operations are released. While the report may remain an allegation for now, there is no smoke without fire. Many people are feeding fat at the discomfort of the system and it matters nothing to them if such acts ground the system to a halt.
Insurgency is a global phenomenon and the only language the insurgents understand well enough is the language of force. The military has the capacity to march force with force with the insurgents and deliver with good reports. That can be achieved when the termites in the house are extinguished. Even more important is the need to check the activities of highly-placed individuals and groups that give tacit support to terror groups.
Saving Nigeria from the stronghold of insurgency should also go beyond military engagement. It must include education, sensitization and advocacy by the media and community-based organizations to save vulnerable minds from being recruited for acts of terrorism and criminality.

Samuel Eleonu

Politics

Senate Urges Tinubu To Sack CAC Boss

Published

18 hours ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

The Senate yesterday urged President Bola Tinubu to remove the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Hussaini Magaji, over what lawmakers described as a persistent refusal to appear before its Committee on Finance.

The resolution followed a motion raised by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu during a session where members of the President’s economic team were present for engagement with the committee.

Tension rose at the commencement of the meeting when agency heads were introduced and senators observed the absence of the CAC Registrar-General, who had been invited to account for the commission’s activities, particularly on revenue matters.

Moving the motion, Kalu expressed anger over what he termed repeated disregard for legislative oversight, accusing the CAC boss of consistently avoiding invitations to appear before the committee.

He said, “Since I came to the Senate, this CAC man has always given excuses that he is in the Villa or going to London. He is not above the law. This man is not coming to the Senate. Look at the ministers of finance and budget. They are both here. We summoned them and they came.

“But this man thinks he’s bigger than the Senate. We’re not going to take that rubbish again. He had refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee. We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.

“I move a motion that the man should be reported to Mr President and ask for immediate removal because we cannot continue with him. Is that what we’re doing here? He should come and give us an account of what he had done.”

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, corroborated the concerns, pointing to unresolved discrepancies in the reconciliation of the commission’s revenues.

He noted that despite several invitations, the registrar-general had failed to show up to address the issues raised by senators.

“The registrar-general of the Corporate Affairs Commission has refused on so many occasions to honour the calls, invitations or summons of this most important committee.

“There are only about three committees that are in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Committee of Finance is one of those committees. Sections 88, and 89 have given us these powers.

“And as registrar-general, we have issues with the reconciliation of their revenue. Anytime he is invited, he will give us one reason or another, and he will send junior officers to come and talk to the Senate. That cannot be accepted,” he said.

In a further show of frustration, Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed that the Senate escalate the matter by withholding approval of the CAC’s 2026 budget pending the registrar-general’s personal appearance before the committee.

Oshiomhole also suggested that the commission be restrained from spending its internally generated revenue without prior approval of the national assembly.

“This senate should decline to appropriate anything in the 2026 budget until we are satisfied that he has accounted for previous money and spending properly.

“And should he spend money that is not appropriated, he should be heading to Kuje prison,” Oshiomhole said.

The motion urging the President to remove the CAC Registrar-General was subsequently put to a voice vote and adopted.

The development underscores renewed assertiveness by the Senate in exercising its constitutional oversight functions, particularly over revenue-generating agencies.

The Corporate Affairs Commission, which regulates companies and business registrations in Nigeria, is a key contributor to non-oil revenue, making accountability and transparency central to its operations.

News

Amend Constitution To Accommodate State Police, Tinubu Tells Senators

Published

18 hours ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of State Police to tackle insecurity nationwide.

President Tinubu made the appeal during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

The president said that the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions.

He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement.

“We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to make a right response to this cause. What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” he said.

The president commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Senate, saying that unity is needed to defeat terrorism and banditry in the country.

“It is a good thing that we are working in harmony, we are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all.

Tinubu thanked the Senate for its unflinching support towards achieving various economic reforms of his administration, especially the fuel subsidy removal and tax reform policy.

“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together. What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange.

You don’t have to chase me for dollars; you could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud, and I am glad you are. What we are enjoying is a stable economy, and prosperity is beckoning us. We need to work hard, and this attendance means a lot to me,” the president said.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the president for hosting the leadership of the Senate to the Interfaith breaking of fast.

He commended President Tinubu for providing the visionary leadership the nation needs at this critical time, stating that the administration’s bold reforms have now brought more revenue to governors at the sub-national level for the development of critical infrastructure.

The Senate President prayed for the administration, and for the nation’s peace and prosperity.

Politics

FCT COUNCILS’ ELECTIONS: PDP WINS GWAGWALADA CHAIRMANSHIP AS APC SECURES AMAC, BWARI

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

Alhaji Mohammed Kasim, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has won the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Philip Akpeni, the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the results on Sunday morning.

Alhaji Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat Alhaji Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 17,788 votes.

Alhaji Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 1, 687 to come in third place.

“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Gwagwalada chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026,” Akpeni said.

“That Mohammed Kasim of PDP, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”

In the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the chairmanship poll with 40,295 votes.

Andrew Abue, the Collation Officer for AMAC, said Hon. Maikalangu, who is the incumbent AMAC chairman, was returned elected having scored the highest number of votes cast.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 3,398 votes.

According to Abue, the total number of valid votes in the chairmanship poll was 62,861, while the total votes cast stood at 65,197.

He added that the number of registered voters in AMAC was 837,338, while the total number of accredited voters was 65,676.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr. Joshua Ishaku of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Bwari Area Council Chairmanship election.

Announcing the result on Sunday in Bwari, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Mohammed Nurudeen, stated that Ishaku polled a total of 18,466 votes to emerge victorious in the February 21, 2026 poll.

“I am the Returning Officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Bwari chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026. That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Nurudeen said.

According to the results declared, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 4,254 votes, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 3,515 votes to place second and third respectively.

The declaration adds to the series of results emerging from the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, as political parties assess their performance ahead of future contests.

INEC UPLOADS 2,602 OF 2,822 FCT CHAIRMANSHIP RESULTS ON IReV

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had uploaded 2,602 out of the 2,822 expected polling unit results from Saturday’s chairmanship elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as at 5:55am on Sunday, data retrieved from its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) showed.

According to The Tide source, the figure represents an overall upload rate of about 92.2 per cent across the six area councils of the territory.

A council-by-council breakdown indicates that Municipal Area Council recorded the highest number of submissions in absolute terms, with 1,309 of 1,401 polling unit results uploaded, representing 93.43 per cent.

In Gwagwalada Area Council, 330 of the expected 338 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 97.63 per cent — the highest upload rate among the six councils.

In Bwari Area Council, INEC uploaded 463 of 485 polling unit results, translating to 95.46 per cent.

In Abaji Area Council, 129 of 135 polling unit results had been uploaded as at 5:55am, representing 95.56 per cent.

In Kwali Area Council, 164 of the expected 201 polling unit results were available on the portal, representing 81.59 per cent.

In Kuje Area Council, 207 of 262 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 79.01 per cent — the lowest rate among the six councils as at the time of review.