Politics

2015: Political Parties And Drums Of War

Published

11 years ago

February 9, 2015

Nigeria is at the thresh
old of 2015 elections with political assaults, inflammatory statements and of course violence defining events of the moment. Signals across the states of the federation indicate that there is fear in the land as drums of war rage on; an indication that the major stakeholders in the Nigeria’s election project – the political parties and their supporters have not learnt anything from past elections.
If the politicians across the board have learnt any lesson, how come that it is not manifesting in their actions during the electioneering process? Looking at the unwholesome actions of political party members and supporters, one is tempted to ask, “politicians where art thou?”
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his entourage narrowly missed being mobbed in Katsina State by a large crowd chanting ‘Sai Buhari” on January 21 when the President visited the residence of the mother of late President Umaru Yar’Adua at Yar’Adua quarters. The mob reportedly threw stones at Jonathan’s convoy, but thanks to anti-riot policemen and soldiers who acted promptly to disperse the crowd. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pointed accusing fingers at the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the assault on the President.
In Jos, some irate youths, said to be supporters of the APC, also set ablaze two buses decorated with PDP design and pictures of President Jonathan and his vice. The unfortunate incident occurred two days before the inauguration of the PDP governorship campaign in Plateau State. Before going into rampage and destruction of other vehicles in the vicinity, the youths had also touched vehicles with PDP logo.
The embarrassment suffered by President Jonathan’s re-election campaign team in Bauchi State was another act of provocation and drum of war. At the venue of the event, some people suspected to be APC supporters, threw stones and other objects at the canopy where the President and members of his campaign team were making speeches.
Although the security agents did all within their powers to prevent the hoodlums from disrupting the presidential campaign, there were reports of vandalisation of vehicles belonging to the PDP presidential campaign by the hoodlums.
If the political assaults in Katsina, Plateau and Bauchi States did not record any fatal human casualty, the story in Kano is different as one person lost his life and campaign vehicles numbering about six were burnt after a clash between supporters of the APC and their PDP counterparts.
The political tension in Rivers State and many other states is so high that many believe the polity is sitting on a keg of gunpowder ready to explode. For instance, an explosive device believed to be dynamite rocked the APC secretariat at Okrika in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, prior to the governorship campaign rally in the area.
Apart from blaming PDP in the state for the explosion, Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari who also doubles as Director of Communications, Dakuku Peterside’s Greater Together Campaign Organisation said a situation in which heavily armed thugs invaded venue of the APC governorship rally in Okrika and opened fire on the workers preparing the rally venue was condemnable and a bad omen to the growth of democracy in the state nay the nation.
The political tension in Rivers State, however, took another dimension when two groups of armed youths reportedly shot at vehicles conveying supporters of the APC from Khana and Asari-Toru local government areas to the inaugural presidential campaign of APC at the Adokiye Amasiemaka stadium, Igwuruta-Eli in Ikwerre local government area of the State. According to reports, only one person died while many others sustained serious injuries.
When some members of PDP and APC clashed in Alimosho area of Lagos State, the story of the 2015 general elections that promise to be the most beleaguered since post colonial rule in 1960, was glaring even as the political parties are locked in an intractable crisis. At the Alimosho attack, no fewer than eight vehicles were destroyed, while an undisclosed number of persons feared dead and others injured.
Is it the type of democracy Nigerians cherish to have and sustain? The answer is definitely no. While the political parties, supporters beat the drums of war, they are equally busy trading blames and accusing each other over any form of political violence.
The PDP, in a statement, had accused the opposition party (APC) of instigating attacks on President Jonathan and his ruling party. But APC lashed back, claiming that the hostilities were the handwork of PDP in order to justify its ploy for the shifting of the 2015 general elections.
Memories of 2011 general elections in which hundreds of lives were killed in post-election violence, are still fresh in the minds of many Nigerians. Apart from leaving in its trail the features of misery, anguish and bitterness, the post-election riot of 2011 also left the country deeply divided along religious and ethnic lines.
Nigerians are apprehensive of an impending danger in the air. Against this background, a former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) recently met with the service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, warning that the 2011 post-election violence should not be repeated in 2015. Abdulsalami, who spoke in his capacity as the Chairman of National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections, said there is apprehension in the land, urging Nigerians not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The committee was a fallout of the peace accord signed by party presidential candidates and their chairmen.
If the concern of the ex-Head of State is anything to go by, then “any Nigerian who loves this country must preach peace” because the wind of violence does not bring any good.
The pronouncement by the APC to form a “parallel government” should the 2015 elections be rigged amounts to heating the polity. The same is also true of the threat by a coalition of former Niger Delta militants and their followers that any attempt to unseat President Jonathan in the forthcoming election would be a direct attack on the Ijaw people and would be met with violence.
The ex-militant leaders, at the end of a crucial meeting with Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, in Yenagoa, said Jonathan’s anticipated victory in the election is non-negotiable, threatening to unleash violence and deny the rest of the country access to the oil fields in the region if Nigerians fail to re-elect the President.
The reactions of the ex-militant leaders, according to reports, followed recent attacks on President Jonathan during his campaign tour of parts of the North and other issues affecting the Ijaws.
However, elections are not war. Neither is politics a battle. Political leaders and their supporters must adhere to the code of conduct of political parties, especially in the areas of consolidating and deepening democracy, ensuring an environment conductive for successful and non-violent elections, political stability, enduring democracy and the overall wellbeing of Nigerians.
Why the threat of a parallel government or violence in the event of any shortcoming in the elections when the rule of law is there to guide every political activities and actions? As a matter of necessity, all political parties, their leaders, members and supporters should endeavour to adhere to existing laws and regulations pertaining to elections and the conduct of elections and should not do nothing whatsoever, individually or collectively to undermine, flout, disrespect or circumvent them.
Just as the political parties lack visible internal party democracy, it is not uncommon to see them engage in violent activities or resort to the use of inflammatory comments, provocative actions, or manifestations that incite violence, hatred, contempt etc. All political parties and members have crucial role in ensuring a free, fair, credible and non-violent elections. And it is not late for politicians who have fallen short in their utterances and actions to have a rethink in the interest of national peace, unity, stability, and development.
The signing of the peace pacts though commendable, the government should go a step further in bringing to justice those who incite violence before, during and after elections no matter how highly placed.
Election is not only about winning or losing contest. Importantly, it is about creating and sustaining an enduring society in which nobody should be sacrificed for others to win or lose. And elections will work only when major players like the political parties and their supporters are willing and committed, irrespective of party affiliations, to make such elections work.

Samuel Eleonu

A mammoth crowd during a campaign rally in Port Harcourt, recently

Politics

Atiku Names Kenneth Okonkwo As Spokesperson

Published

2 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential hopeful for 2027, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has named actor and politician, Mr Kenneth Okonkwo, as his spokesperson.

Mr Okonkwo made the announcement on his X (formerly Twitter) account on yesterday, expressing gratitude for what he called Alhaji Abubakar’s show of faith in him.

“I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank His Excellency for the immense confidence reposed in me,” Mr Okonkwo said.

The politician credited Alhaji Abubakar with championing dialogue over conflict within party ranks.

He noted that the former vice president favours conversation and compromise when party associates raise genuine worries, rather than dismissing their concerns.

“Rather than take offence at associates for expressing genuine reservations about any action taken, His Excellency always opts for dialogue and compromise that engender solutions to problems,” Mr Okonkwo stated.

According to him, recent talks with Alhaji Abubakar and other ADC leaders tackled worries about South-East political representation within the limits of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the current political climate. He said the discussions produced guarantees for the region’s interests despite existing constraints.

Mr Okonkwo also acknowledged the work of Dr. Kashim Imam; former ADC National Chairman, Ralphs Nwosu; Ekene Onwuka, Alhaji Abubakar’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, in preparing the party for next year’s elections. He thanked his loved ones and supporters for their support and prayers.

“I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision and protection needed to carry out this challenging responsibility, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he added.

The appointment arrives weeks after Mr Okonkwo publicly attacked the ADC’s pick for running mate in 2027. He’d warned that choosing a vice-presidential candidate from the South-South would worsen what he sees as political neglect of the South-East, a region without a president or vice president since 1999.

Despite Mr Okonkwo’s objections, the ADC later announced former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, as Alhaji Abubakar’s running mate following the ex-vice president’s clinching of the party’s presidential nomination.

Politics

Senate Defends Passage Of State Police Bill

Published

6 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Senate has defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, saying the proposed creation of state police is driven by national consensus and the country’s security needs rather than political considerations.

The Red Chamber passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele described the bill as “a child of necessity and not of political expediency as well as a product of national consensus and not of cynicism.”

The senate leader said the proposal to establish state police was a matter of urgent public importance that could not be delayed because of political interests, given the country’s security challenges.

He explained that the proposal did not originate recently but emerged from memoranda submitted to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

According to him, the proposal underwent extensive consultations and rigorous scrutiny because of its sensitive nature.

Bamidele said the National Assembly consulted widely with the Executive, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, the leadership of the Nigeria Police and other stakeholders before passing the bill.

He added that during the public hearings conducted across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025, participants overwhelmingly supported the creation of state police.

“At each level of our consultation, nearly all stakeholders embraced the State Police Bill in the light of stark realities we are facing today,” he said.

The Senate leader noted that recommendations from the Nigeria Police contributed to the bill, particularly on accountability and oversight mechanisms aimed at preventing abuse of state police by political actors.

According to him, the police’s support for the proposal underscores its national significance in tackling insecurity at the state and local levels.

Bamidele also said the bill received broad bipartisan backing in both chambers of the National Assembly.

“Even though the APC is the majority, there are members of opposition parties — PDP, ADC, NDC and Labour Party — that exercised their discretion in favour of the Bill, mainly in the national interest and not on parochial basis.

“In the Senate, for instance, 84 out of 109 members voted clause by clause in support of the Bill. This accounted for 77.06 per cent approval at the Senate alone,” he said.

He argued that national security should transcend political affiliations, saying political actors in other countries often set aside partisan interests to support initiatives that strengthen security.

Bamidele called on opposition parties to contribute constructive ideas that would promote peace and stability, adding that they have a responsibility to offer alternatives that would strengthen the country.

“Even when they disagree on some grounds, they are under obligations to provide credible and useful ideas that can make our nation better and greater. Unfortunately, they have not passed this critical test of opposition democracy,” he said.

News

Probe N6.3bn Constituency Funds Or Face Legal Action, SERAP Tells Akpabio, Abbas

Published

6 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to refer allegations of the diversion or non-accounting of over ?6.3 billion in constituency project funds to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

The group also urged the National Assembly leadership to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted where sufficient admissible evidence exists, while all diverted or unaccounted public funds are recovered and paid into the treasury.

In a letter dated June 27, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the allegations were contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.

The organisation disclosed this in a statement signed and released by Oluwadare, yesterday.

SERAP also asked Akpabio and Abbas to disclose the identities of contractors and companies, including their shareholders and beneficial owners, that allegedly received constituency project funds but failed to execute the projects.

It gave the National Assembly seven days to act on its recommendations, warning that it would institute legal proceedings should the legislature fail to respond.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter stated.

It said, “The allegations involve several federal ministries, departments and agencies, including the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON); the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Volm; the Federal Polytechnic, Udana; the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

“The Auditor-General identified numerous cases of payments into private bank accounts, contracts awarded without due process, payments for contracts not executed or services not rendered, undocumented expenditures, inflated contracts, procurement irregularities and failures to account for public funds, recommending in each case that the funds be recovered and remitted to the treasury.

“According to the 2022 audited report, contained in pages 367 to 396, the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON or Council) Abuja paid over ‘N22 million [N22,944,565.16] into the private account of some members of staff of the Council from the Constituency Projects Fund Account.

“There ‘was no evidence of the utilization of the funds and no explanations on the purpose for the payment of such amount into the individual accounts.”

SERAP added, “The Council (EHORECON) also in 2021 ‘awarded suspicious consultancy contracts of over N12 million [N12,030,818.29] for the development of Modern Abattoirs in Kebbi State and the supervision of 7 projects in Kebbi, Jigawa, and Headquarters Abuja.

“The money was to ‘produce bills of quantity, architectural design, structural design, mechanical design, and electrical designs for the contracts and supervision.’ But ‘the ‘items could not be found.’”

Altogether, SERAP said the Auditor-General’s 2022 report alleged EHORECON paid more than ?1.8 billion in constituency project funds through questionable transactions.

For the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, SERAP said the institution “in 2022 reportedly ‘paid over N279 million [N279,700,500.00] to 3 contractors to empower and train youths in selected vocational areas in Borgu and Kontagora, Niger State, train women and youths in entrepreneurship in Niger East Senatorial District and to train youths and women in agro production and self-reliance in Barki Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Plateau State.

“But the money was paid to the contractors without any document.’”

Other irregularities involving the college include another ?279.7 million in mobilisation fees allegedly paid without documentation, and more than ?629.4 million paid to unqualified contractors for various constituency projects without evidence of due process, contract advertisements or details of the contractors.

SERAP further alleged that the Auditor-General’s report identified multiple financial irregularities involving the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, including over ?407 million allegedly paid as mobilisation fees without supporting documents, more than ?399 million paid to unqualified contractors, contracts allegedly inflated by over ?192 million, over ?279 million paid for projects not fully executed, ?50 million allegedly paid for an unexecuted borehole project, and more than ?83 million disbursed without the required documentation or approvals.

It also alleged that NAPTIP reportedly irregularly awarded contracts worth over ?21.8 million, paid more than ?176.8 million for logistics and consultancy services without supporting documents, and disbursed over ?89.6 million and ?4.4 million for projects that were allegedly not executed.

The report also alleged that NILDS failed to submit audited financial statements for 2012 to 2022, did not remit over ?15 million in stamp duties, and spent ?1.6 million without authorisation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

SERAP said the report recommended the recovery of the affected funds and their remittance to the treasury.

It argued that corruption in constituency projects disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable Nigerians by diverting resources meant for public services and development.

It added that the National Assembly, in exercising its oversight responsibilities, should demonstrate leadership by ensuring accountability in the management of constituency project funds.

The organisation further argued that the allegations, if established, would amount to breaches of the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007, which require transparency, accountability and due process in the management of public resources.