Politics
FG Plotting To Disrupt 2019 Elections – Expert … Says Military Hierarchy Benefitting From Boko Haram
A security expert and retired Army Colonel, Chinedu Ohunda has alleged that the military hierarchy are benefiting from the Boko Haram insurgency, adding that there was a plot by the federal government for the 2019 general elections not to hold because of their failure to perform in all areas.
Ohunda stated this during a live Radio programme while reacting to the latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) which ranked Nigeria as third most terrorized nation worldwide, monitored by the Tide in Port Harcourt.
He questioned the federal government’s claim of releasing one billion dollars to fight insurgency in the North East, saying, “Our bases are being routed, overrun by this same insurgents and you say you have released one billion dollars.
“Where is the money? This is translated to N365 billion which means one billion naira is being spent on a daily basis. And you are telling me to keep quiet. I will not keep quiet at my age and level, at my status, I will not keep quiet.
“When I speak I try make Nigerians know what is really happening because the government, the military are economical with the true. They do not want to tell people what is happening because they are using the Boko Haram war as a monetary venture running into billions of dollars.
“It has been alleged by the United Nations, by Sahara Reports, by Amnesty International that the government is paying huge sums of money to Boko Haram to release the so called Chibok girls, to release the Dapchi girls and so on.
“It is an allegation by some of these international organizations. If they are paying money why will they not tell Nigerians that they are paying money? Anytime they pay money that is when this people (Boko Haram) will restructure, come back with new equipment, come back with fully loaded with equipment and so to rout our troops.
“So why are they lying to Nigerians. Whatever they are saying, are they truthful with what they telling Nigerians? These things happen both in Liberia and Seraleone and Bakkasi where I fought wars,” he said.
The security expert however said if they are applying dialogue, that option should be exhausted, saying, “Not all wars are won by the barrel of the gun. So whatever the case is let Nigerians know what is happening.
“Look at the Srilanka case, look at the Afghanistan case, when a government tells you they have won, they have defeated the insurgents, you have defeated the terrorists and at the end of the day you are not arming your men which you have translate one billion dollars to purchase weapons, missiles and equipment and nothing is happening.
Asked how the insurgency connects with next years’ general election, he said, “Let me tell you something. It is plot by the present government not to hold elections because in the coming days and so many areas in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno may not have the chance of carrying out elections and that is just the truth,” Ohunda alleged.
He further said there were other problems “that are accruing that will make this election not to hold because they have made a clandestine plan not to hold an election because they have failed in all ramifications.
“But let us watch out for how the insurgency will rise or slow down because the men on the ground are under strength, they (the troops) do not have equipment, their equipment are obsolete,” he stated, noting that the troops must be properly equipped to contain the dreaded sect members and boost the morale of the soldiers.
“It is not a conventional warfare. Let them (the federal government) purchase the right equipment. Invest in intelligence. Let them also make sure that the moral of the troops are raised. They should pay them their allowances as at when due. Because their morale is so dampened. It is so low that they cannot not fight any war.
“The army should be proactive, not being reactive. They should carry the war to Boko Haram. It is not just sitting down and wait for Boko Haram to attack you. Most times the cooperation between the Army and the Air Force is not been coordinated. There must be synergy,” he said.
The security expert further said that calls by stakeholders to change the security chiefs have met deaf ears, adding that there was a lack of cooperation between the Army and the Air Force, making it difficult to tackle the sect.
According to him, “Then there has been calls by international organizations, by stakeholders in Nigeria to change those in power. That is essentially those at the higher ranking in the military. Because there is no synergy, no cooperation, no collaboration between the army and the air force, the army and the Navy to see how they can forestall the situation,” he said.
Ohunda however expressed happiness that Federal Government has directed both service chiefs to go to Borno together. “That is the chief of army staff and the chief of air staff. There is a deliberate plan not to support each other,” Ohunda alleges.
By: Dennis Naku
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.