Politics
Who Is After Buhari?
As 2014 general
elections draw closer, Nigerian politicians have been strategizing to outsmart one another. It appears they will stop at nothing to achieve their ambitions given the recent happenings in the country. The political atmosphere is tense and Nigerians are obviously apprehensive that the political class might destabilize the country. The gale of impeachment that is being experienced in some states is ominous and detrimental to the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.
But more worrisome is the fact that some prominent politicians have been allegedly marked for elimination as was the case of former Head of State and chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC), General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd). Buhari escaped death by the whiskers when his convoy was attacked by a lone suicide bomber in Kaduna State recently on his way to his home town, Daura, Katsina State.
On that same day, a renowned Islamic cleric, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi had also narrowly escaped death in the first explosion which occurred at Isa Kaita Road, Kaduna State, where a suspected suicide bomber who was said to be trailing him on a motorcycle detonated the bomb, killing scores of hapless Nigerians.
In a statement he personally signed shortly after the incident, Gen. Buhari said: “I am personally involved in a clearly targeted bomb attack today at about 2.30p.m on my way to Daura.”
“The unfortunate event, clearly an assassination attempt, came from a fast-moving vehicle that made attempt to overtake my security car, but was blocked by the escort vehicle.
“We reached the market area of Kawo where he took advantage of our slowing down and attempted to ram into my car. He instantly detonated the bomb which destroyed all the three cars in our convoy.
“Unfortunately, when I came out of my vehicle, I saw bodies littered around. They were innocent people going about their daily business, who became victims of mass murder.
“Thank God for His mercy, I came out unhurt, but with three of my security staff sustaining minor injuries. They have since been treated in hospital and discharged.”
It would be recalled that two days before the attempt on his life, Gen. Buhari had expressed his discomfiture over the political situation in the country, saying “the dangerous clouds are beginning to gather and the vultures are circling.
He said, “whether or not President Goodluck Jonathan is behind the gale of impeachment or utilisation of the desperate tactics to suffocate the opposition and turn Nigeria into a one-party state, what cannot be denied is that they are happening under his watch, and he cannot pretend not to know, since that will be akin to hiding behind one finger.
“In my capacity as former Head of State, rather than a politician, I have spoken to President Jonathan in private over these issues but indications are that the strategy has not yielded positive results.
“I cannot, just because I am an opposition politician, fail to do what is expected of me as a former Head of State to help rescue our nation in times of great trouble and palpable uncertainty.
“History will not be kind to me if I sit back while things turn bad, just so that no one will accuse me of partisanship.
“Yes, I am a politician . Yes, I am in the opposition. Yes, there is the tendency for my statement to be misconstrued as that of a politician rather than a statesman. But I owe it as a matter of duty and honour and in the interest of our nation, to speak out on the dangerous trajectory that our nation is heading.
“I can say, in all sincerity, that I have seen it all, as an ordinary citizen, a military officer, a state governor, a minister, a Head of State, a man who has occupied many sensitive posts and a politician. I have been a close participant and witness to Nigeria’s political history since independence in 1960.
“Our country has gone through several rough patches, but never before have I seen a Nigerian President declare war on his country as we are seeing now.
“Never before have I seen a Nigerian President deploy federal institutions in the service of partisanship as we are witnessing now. Never before have I seen a Nigerian President utilize the commonwealth to subvert the system and punish the opposition, all in the name of politics.
“Our nation had suffered serious consequences in the past for egregious acts that are not even close to what we are seeing now. It is time to pull brakes.
“The dangerous clouds are beginning to gather and the vultures are circling and they have manifested in Nasarawa where the ordinary people have defied guns and tanks to protest the plan to impeach Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura in a repeat of the bitter medicine forced down the throat of Governor Murtala Nyako.
“The people’s protest in Nasarawa is a sign of what to come if the federal authorities continue to target opposition state governor for impeachment.
“In the long run, the impeachment weapon will be blunted. Positions will become more hardened on both sides and Nigeria and Nigerians will become the victims of arrested governance and possible anarchy.
“I, along with many other patriotic Nigerians fought for the unity and survival of this country. Hundreds of patriotic souls perished in the battle to keep Nigeria one. The blood of many of our compatriots helped to ensure the birth of the democracy we are practicing today.
“Let no one, whether the leader or the led, the high or the low, a member of the ruling or the opposition do anything to torpedo the system.
“Let no one, whether on the altar of personal ambition or pretension to higher patriotic tendencies, do anything that can detonate the keg of gunpowder on which the nation is sitting.
“It is time for all concerned to spare a thought for the ordinary citizens who have yet to see their hopes, dreams and aspirations come to reality within the general context of nationhood.”
While Buhari’s statement could be taken to be a serious warning on the dangers lurking around, as well as a subtle indictment on the nation’s leadership for its failure to protect lives and property of the citizenry, the APC governors were unparing in pointing accusing fingers to President Goodluck Jonathan.
The governors under the aegis of Progressive Governors forum (PGF) said that President Goodluck Jonathan should be held responsible for the attempt on the life of one of its national leaders and former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
The governors, in a statement titled: “PGF Condemns Attempt On Buhari, Holds Jonathan Responsible,” noted that the incident happened two days after Buhari urged Jonathan to stop waging war on Nigerians.
According to them, “the double bomb explosions in Kaduna, the loss of innocent lives and what was clearly an attempt to assassinate former Head of State and leader of the APC, General Huhammadu Buhari were not coincidences.
“We call on the Federal Government to take urgent and radical steps to investigate the assassination attempt and make its findings public. In the meantime, we urge President Jonathan to manage his obsession with power and work for the citizens of this country.”
But the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not happy over the utterances attributed to of the APC on the Kaduna bomb blasts.
The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, cautioned the APC leaders to be careful with their utterances regarding the unfortunate incidents and thanked God for saving the lives of General Muhammadu Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.
“We sincerely sympathise with General Buhari. Our hearts go out to him and all those affected in these wicked attacks.
“It has become clear that anybody could be a target.”
From the recent happenings in the country, it is clear that all is not well with the Nigerian State. These are warnings of impending danger. While waiting for the Federal Government and its agencies to unravel the sources of attack on Buhari, it is expected that the nation’s leadership would be alive to its responsibility by ensuring the security of lives and property.
Reward Akwu
Gen. Buhari
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed speculation around giving official recognition to a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its recent engagement with political parties in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
According to the electoral body, the Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led National Working Committee (NWC)’s attendance at the meeting does not necessarily amount to its recognition of one faction over another.
In explaining the reason behind having only the Senator Anyanwu group at the meeting, with the Dr Turaki-led group conspicuously absent, the Commission said the PDP was formally invited as a party and not any so-called faction within it.
INEC’s Deputy Director of Publicity, Mr Wilfred Ifogah, who spoke in an interview with journalists, said: “Invites are sent to the party, not to individuals,” noting that such letters are usually addressed to the party Chairman and Secretary.
He said since INEC does not determine which officials attend its meetings, it always accepts whoever a party presents as its representatives, adding: “Whoever the party sends as their representative is okay by the commission, because the letters are sent to the party, not the individual”
On concerns raised that only the Senator Anyanwu-led working committee were at the meeting, Mr Ifogah dismissed suggestions that INEC recognised that group to the exclusion of others, saying, “I didn’t know, you people are the one calling it faction”.
Further maintaining that INEC doesn’t meddle in internal party divisions, the Deputy Director acknowledged that party representatives usually introduce themselves at such meetings, often stating whether they are standing in for substantive officers.
Hear him: “Most times, if you are there at the opening ceremony, you find out that it’s either the person will say he’s representing the chairman, or the person is the chairman, and the other person is probably standing in for the secretary.”
While pointing out that INEC does not verify or question such representations, as long as the party responds to the invitation, he said: “As far as the party is concerned, we are not sure who comes. It’s just the party that sends people.”
Speaking on the crisis rocking the PDP, Mr Ifogah said internal disputes are outside INEC’s mandate, stressing further that: “The internal crisis has nothing to do with us. We don’t bother about that. Whenever they settle, we work.”
He said INEC would always encourage parties to resolve leadership disputes ahead of critical electoral activities, adding; “The only advice we give them is that whatever issue or internal crisis they have, they should settle it before we have activity.”
Admitting that prolonged internal disputes could affect a party’s participation in time-bound processes, Mr Ifogah said: “Whoever the substantive leadership of the party is should sign those documents so that they can be part of the process If not, when the activity is time-bound and they need something, that’s their cup of tea.”
He said the essence of party engagements is participation, not factional validation, and further explained that, “It’s just the Elections and Political Parties Monitoring Department that knows how to send invitations to them. They come for the meeting. I think that’s what is paramount”.
Senate Won’t Be Intimidated Into Passing Faulty Electoral Law — Akpabio
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has defended the removal of the provision for “real-time” electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Bill 2026, insisting that the National Assembly would not be bullied into enacting a law that could endanger Nigeria’s democracy.
Sen. Akpabio said the Senate deliberately deleted the phrase to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the discretion to determine the most appropriate mode of transmitting election results, warning that making real-time transmission mandatory could plunge the country into crisis in the event of network or power failures.
He spoke on Saturday in Abuja at the unveiling of a book, The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria, authored by Senator Effiong Bob.
According to the Senate President, “technology must save and not endanger democracy,” adding that rigid provisions could invalidate elections in areas affected by poor connectivity or grid collapse.
“All we said was to remove the word ‘real-time’ to allow INEC decide the mode of transmission. If you make it mandatory and there is a system failure, there will be a serious problem,” Sen. Akpabio said.
He argued that official election documents, including Form EC8A, should remain the most reliable basis for declaring results, stressing that elections must not be jeopardised by technological limitations.
“Real-time means that if there are nine states where there is no network, does it mean elections will not take place there? Or in any part of the country where there is a grid breakdown, does it mean there will be no election?” he asked.
Reacting to widespread criticism of the Senate’s action, Sen. Akpabio said lawmakers had been subjected to unwarranted attacks and abuse, particularly on television panels and social media, but maintained that the legislature would not succumb to pressure from opposition parties, civil society organisations or non-governmental organisations.
“We will not be intimidated but will do what is right for Nigeria, not what one NGO says. A retreat is not law-making,” he said.
He criticised the notion that positions agreed upon at stakeholder retreats must automatically be adopted by the Senate, arguing that such views may not reflect the interests of all parts of the country.
“Why do you think that the paper you agreed to in Lagos must be what we must approve?” he queried.
Sen. Akpabio, however, noted that the legislative process on the bill had not been concluded, assuring that there was still room for amendments. He explained that as long as the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate had not been approved, any senator could move to amend the bill.
“We can amend anything before we approve the votes and proceedings. Why abuse the Senate when what we have is incomplete?” he said.
He further observed that provisions rejected by the Senate could still be reinstated by the Conference Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives, urging critics to exercise patience.
In a swift response, former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, who chaired the occasion, cautioned Sen. Akpabio against speaking on behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The position of the ADC is clear: pass the bill and let INEC decide whether it can implement real-time electronic transmission or not. Don’t speak for INEC,” Sen. Mark said.
Other speakers at the event, including Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and the book reviewer, Professor Maxwell Gidado, commended Senator Bob for documenting the challenges faced by Nigerian legislators, describing the book as a courageous and timely intervention.
In his remarks, Sen. Bob highlighted issues confronting lawmakers, including electoral disputes, conflicts with governors and political godfathers, judicial annulment of electoral victories, and the pressure of addressing constituents’ private concerns.
“The courage to defend democracy is in the legislature and the legislators,” he said.
The event, jointly organised by LP and ADC to publicly acknowledge the movement of party members, was first scheduled to hold at the LP secretariat in Idimu.
However, chaos erupted when more than 100 suspected thugs reportedly stormed the premises, forcing party members and officials to flee.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, some armed with knives, canes and other dangerous objects, assaulted individuals they encountered during the invasion.
The assailants were also heard chanting hostile slogans, declaring that LP and ADC were not welcome in Lagos State.
Several party members sustained injuries in the process, while party property, including furniture and flags, were vandalised.
Despite the disruption, officials of both parties quickly relocated the programme to an alternative venue, the Eco Centre Event Hall in Egbeda, in a bid to continue the ceremony.
Speaking on the incident, the LP Chairman in Alimosho, Mr Olanrewaju Olushola, popularly known as Heritage, condemned the attack, describing it as unprovoked and alarming, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching.
“What is most painful is that most of my members sustained varying degrees of wounds. This is in spite of the hoodlums going into our party secretariat in Alimosho and destroying our furniture and flags,” he said.
Mr Olushola clarified that the defection itself had already taken place, stressing that Saturday’s gathering was merely a symbolic ceremony to inform the public of their decision.
According to him, nearly all LP members in Alimosho, including the party’s leadership structure, had collectively agreed to move to the ADC.
Also speaking, the party’s Secretary in Alimosho, Mr Moses Akujuobi, explained that plans for an open defection ceremony had earlier been halted by the police, who cited the absence of formal approval.
He said the organisers had reached out to the Area M Commander, ACP Abaniwonda, who reportedly informed them that only the Commissioner of Police could authorise political events in the state.
“Incidentally, we could not reach the CP, but we informed the DSS, after which we went ahead since it wasn’t a rally but a quiet ceremony,” Mr Akujuobi said.
He added that the situation became more tense upon arrival at the initial venue.
“When we got to the venue this morning, we were shocked to see police vans with heavily armed policemen. They informed us that we cannot hold the event and referred us to the police commissioner.
“While we were at it, the hoodlums besieged the place and began to beat people, leading to our deserting the venue,” he explained.
Mr Akujuobi said party officials subsequently contacted members by phone to proceed to the second venue in Egbeda, where the programme resumed briefly.
“We, however, began to contact our members through phones to move to the second venue, which is the Eco Event Centre, and everyone witnessed what took place here.
“The hoodlums got wind of our second venue and equally attacked us, beating up our members again,” he added.
He noted that the decision to defect to the ADC was driven by internal leadership challenges within the Labour Party and protracted legal disputes affecting the party.
Shortly after the hoodlums vacated the second venue, several police vans carrying armed officers reportedly arrived at the location.
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