Politics
A Nation In Despair
Fifteen days from now, millions of Nigerians will troop to the polling booths to cast their votes for who will be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But this every-four-year ritual has many obstacles of which security is one.
Just few days ago, the National Security Adviser to the President, General Babagana Monguno held a crucial meeting with state governors on the issue of security during the forthcoming elections and to chart a way forward.
General Monguno, worries in his bid to ensure that the elections went as planned, warned against the use of thugs by politicians.
He said government will demonstrate zero tolerance to political thuggery and illegal bearing of fire arms.
This show of concern was apt and very necessary as experience had shown over the years that in every election in Nigeria, there was always tension and reports of acts of violence in virtually every geo-political region in the country.
Although the 1999 elections which ushered in the present democratic dispensation was peaceful, subsequent ones were not so, especially those of 2011 and 2015.
In 2011, aftermath of the elections in which former President Goodluck Jonathan emerged victorious witnessed acts of violence leading to the killing of some youth corpers and even the burning of the Kaduna City residence of former Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Apart from that, there were reported killings in other parts of the country.
The worst of such incidents was the brutal killing of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kano State with his entire family.
In all these acts of violence, no one was arrested, prosecuted or jailed. Even the then Police Commissioner who was supposed to have provided adequate security for all electoral officers in Kano State did nothing to apprehend the culprits but was rewarded with the position of inspector-general of Police.
The problem with Nigeria is that it is quite easy to scream insecurity but when it comes to taking critical actions, sentiments come in.
The issue of political thuggery is nothing new as it has existed right from the late 1950s to early 1960s in the first republic.
Today, in the 21st century after almost 60 years of Independence, we are still talking of “Political Thuggery” as if it is something new that challenges.
Yes, it is challenging but the issue should not be addressed to the governors alone, but to all stakeholders in the electoral process. The use of thugs in elections is not only shameful and embarrassing but shows the level of desperation some politicians will go to ensure that they win elections. Again even some security operatives behave as “Thugs” during elections. In Rivers Sate, during the re-run elections in 2016, a very senior police officer was captured on video manhandling a female electoral officer while demanding for the result sheets of the election.
Similarly in Ekiti and Osun States elections, there were reports of security men chasing away potential voters.
Furthermore the verbal threats of the political actors, hate speeches with that of the body language of the president did not help matters. Although every Nigerian wants a free, fair and credible elections, have the gladiators and those who want the vote of the electorate really abreast of the chain reactions of their negative actions on the polity?
As the count-down tickles on, as Nigerians, we need to ask questions and find solutions to electoral violence and rigging. Most people who engage thugs to intimidate voters and inflict bodily harm on them are well known in the society. Even the thugs are identifiable. Then why were they not arrested in the past. If actions needed to be taken, then the Police should be allowed to do its work but in a situation where power is concentrated in few hands, the police or other security agencies cannot be effective.
From all observations of the trend in politics and power play, no police commissioner or inspector-general of police has ever resigned over policies by the government that undermines the electoral process.
This time around that the polity is already heated up with the world watching us, the national security Adviser should not just warn but ensure that the problem of thuggery was nipped in the bud and he should liaise with all security agencies to ensure that anyone caught in acts of violence was not just arrested but prosecuted, no matter the party affiliation of the individual. It is then and only then that we can say the government is serious in tracking down acts of violence during elections.
In Nigeria, we seem to treat vital issues with levity, especially on electoral matters. In other climes town hall meetings and outside engagements with the electorate help score candidates in public opinion which really translate into actual election results. Maybe they think that public enlightenment programmes are not for them.
Every electoral violence is politically motivated and the key actors are the various party chieftains and their followers who did not witness the presence of any of the political parties.
Also as part of the efforts to ensure that Nigeria departed from the past, the national orientation agency had embarked upon a massive enliftment programme, geared towards a hitchfree election devoid of violence and thuggery.
Various speakers who participate at the south-south zonal flag-off of stakeholders dialogue for peace and violence free 2019 general elections harped on the need for electorate and the political actors to shun violence. The concept which was apt surprisingly did not witness the presence of any of the political parties.
The political parties ought to have sent representatives. One begins to wonder how the 91 political parties could not even send a single representative to know the feelings of the civic society and other non governmental organizations in the south south. Maybe they will give the excuse of the campaigns, but this is not tenable.
It is the potlicians who are being accused of sponsoring thugs and equipping them with arms and ammunition. So the platform to address some of these issue is not campaign rallies but for them to meet at a neutral venue where they will dialogue with each other and the larger society.
Here in Rivers State there is urgent need to disabuse the mind of the international community that the place is volatile as being painted by those who don’t see anything good in the present administration.
The provision of adequate security is the duty of everyone and not just the duty of the police and her sister agencies.
If we recall, some few weeks back, some group of politicians threatened to ensure that elections would not hold in Rivers State if the court injuction barring them from presenting candidates in the gubernatorial, state and National assembly elections was not rescinded. This level of disdain for the collective well being of the larger society should be taken seriously by the security agencies. But however, since the threat was issued not one single individual who made that threat has been arrested and questioned.
This brings us to ask the question of whether we have two Nigeria? One for the ruling party and one for the opposition.
For the public to have trust in the system and for the issue of violence not to rear its ugly head ahead of the forthcoming elections, there should not be favouritism whereby those who commit crimes but belong to the ruling party are never arrested, whereas those in the opposition who cough are treated as armed robbers and murderers.
Let us begin to implement policies that will discourage violent tendencies. And again youths who allow themselves to be used by politicians are not just stupid but destroying their future.
Electoral violence destroys a country’s image and hinders economic growth.
No investor will like to tie his funds in a volatile environment and now is the right time for Nigerians to say a big no to thuggery and electoral manipulations.
Tonye Ikiroma-Owiye
The state chairman of the party, Dr Babandi Gumel, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Jigawa PDP received news of Alhaji Lamido’s suspension with “profound shock and disappointment”.
The statement added that the suspension, which was reportedly based on allegations that Alhaji Lamido attended meetings capable of undermining party unity, amounts to an affront to justice, internal democracy and the reconciliation efforts recently championed by the PDP leadership.
The party stressed that the exercise of legal and constitutional rights within the party should not be interpreted as an act of disunity. It recalled that Alhaji Lamido approached the court after he was allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest the position of National Chairman of the PDP.
The statement further noted that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled in Alhaji Lamido’s favour by restraining the PDP from proceeding with its national convention until his right to contest was determined.
The Jigawa PDP argued that the suspension appeared to be a punitive action against Alhaji Lamido for seeking judicial redress over an issue on which the court had already found merit.
The party also faulted the decision of the BoT for contradicting recent public statements by its chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who had emphasised reconciliation within the party, admitted past mistakes and appealed to aggrieved members to return fully to the PDP fold.
However, it maintained that suspending a founding member who sought justice through legal means runs contrary to the spirit of reconciliation and healing publicly advocated by the party leadership.
The chairman said the suspension was premature and prejudicial, as the matter remains before the courts. He also described Alhaji Lamido as one of the few founding fathers of the PDP who has remained loyal to the party without defecting, warning that punishing such loyalty sends a negative signal to other committed members.
The party further argued that the action undermines party unity at a time when the PDP requires cohesion to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It also insisted that there is no provision in the PDP constitution that allows for the suspension of a “life member”.
The party called on the BoT to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the suspension of Alhaji Lamido.
It also demanded that the BoT publicly affirm the right of all party members to aspire to leadership positions in line with the party’s constitution and the laws of the country, without fear of victimisation.
It further urged the BoT to retrace its steps, align its actions with its reconciliation agenda, and tender an apology to Alhaji Lamido.
The Jigawa PDP reaffirmed its commitment to a united, democratic and law-abiding Party.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC warned that if proven, such actions would amount to a serious breach of constitutional order, legislative integrity, and public trust.
The organisation noted that Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution, stressing that any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
CISLAC further emphasised that taxation has direct implications for citizens, businesses, sub-national governments, and the overall economy. It stated that uncertainty or a lack of transparency in tax legislation could erode investor confidence and raise concerns about accountability and the possible abuse of executive power.
The organisation described the situation as particularly troubling given the rare inclusive, and thorough public consultation that shaped the law’s final provisions prior to its passage.
“This process brought together taxpayers, civil society groups, professional organisations, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts, ensuring that diverse viewpoints were considered and carefully balanced.
“Any unilateral changes to these agreed-upon provisions, made outside the established legislative process and without renewed public engagement, not only breach public trust but also violate the fundamental tax principle of representation, which holds that citizens must have a meaningful voice in shaping the laws that govern how they are taxed. Such actions undermine democratic accountability, weaken the legitimacy of the tax system, and risk eroding public confidence”, it noted.
CISLAC expressed particular concern that uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the tax law, coming at a time when a new tax regime is expected to take effect, could exacerbate the economic hardship already faced by many Nigerians.
It observed that citizens are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressures, declining purchasing power, and reduced access to basic services, warning that implementing a disputed tax framework under such conditions, risks deepening inequality, discouraging compliance, and fuelling public resentment.
The organisation stressed that tax reforms must be anchored in clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity, cautioning that any tax system introduced without full transparency, adequate public communication, and legislative certainty undermines voluntary compliance and weakens the social contract between the state and its citizens.
As part of its recommendations, CISLAC called on the Presidency to urgently publish the exact version of the tax law assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow for public and institutional verification.
It also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to promptly exercise its oversight powers to determine whether the assented law reflects the will of the legislature, including a review of the enrolled bill process.
The organisation maintained that any discrepancy discovered should be treated as unconstitutional and addressed through lawful means, such as the re-transmission of the correct bill or judicial interpretation where necessary. It further called for an independent review of the process by relevant institutions, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and, where required, the judiciary, to establish the facts and assign responsibility.
CISLAC noted that the controversy highlights the urgent need to strengthen safeguards at the legislative and executive interface. It recommended measures such as digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled legislation, and more transparent assent procedures.
CISLAC emphasised that the issue is not about partisan politics but about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It warned that allowing any arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent and weakens constitutional democracy.
The organisation urged all parties involved to act with restraint, openness, and fidelity to the Constitution, noting that Nigerians deserve laws that reflect due process, the public interest, and the collective decisions of their elected representatives.
CISLAC added that it will continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s governance processes.
