Editorial

Gumi’s Unstatesmanly Outburst On Bandits

Published

5 years ago

March 10, 2021

That Nigeria is faced with grave security concerns that are threatening the very ties that
bind the nation together is no longer a matter of conjecture or the loud whisperings of unpatriotic compatriots and enemies of the state or the muffled proclamations of doomsday prophets. The largest and greatest country of the black race is in deep and dire crisis of survival and all and sundry who have felt they have something to offer that could save the looming anarchy have not held back their peace.
One of such individuals with the requisite clout to make impact that could affect the course of the crisis and who boldly stepped into the fray was the very popular and highly regarded Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi.
No other prominent figure in Nigeria has demonstrated the courage, temerity and audacity to interface with the bandits that have made life an abiding nightmare for Nigerians living in the NorthWest as Sheik Gumi has done in meeting with the deadly gangs in their Zamfara forest hideouts. Indeed, he raised the hopes of many Nigerians and set himself apart from other equally well meaning compatriots who had cried themselves hoarse, calling on the government to get a handle on the spiraling security crisis when he embarked on that most precarious mission.
However, the renowned cleric has since stunned right thinking Nigerians following his comments on the heels of his encounter with the dare-devil youths. In a live interview with a popular national television recently, the revered Islamic scholar did not only warn Nigerians to desist from addressing the armed bandits as criminals but also castigated the press for describing activities of bandits as criminal.
“You’re emphasising on criminality, even the press are criminals too because they are putting oil into fire. These people are listening to you, you should not address them as criminals if you want them to succumb”, he said, adding that “You see, when we talk with them with nice words, they are ready to listen to us, put down their weapons but when the language is about criminality, killing them, this is what we will keep having”.
Sheik Gumi could easily pass for a statesman given the extensive work he has done as an Islamic scholar and the massive influence he wields among the faithful in a deeply religious society like Nigeria but his words and his stance on the vexed issue of how best to resolve the armed revolt by misguided youths, especially in the northern part of the country, is as unfortunate as it is repugnant, controversial, condemnable, inconsistent and irreconcilable with someone in his exalted office and status in the country.
In his effort to establish himself as an advocate for the bandits, the respected Muslims leader has deliberately opted not to see them for who they are – armed dangerous criminals – but has chosen to describe them as militants who are fighting “an ethnic war” and not interested in killing people even though he acknowledges the desperate need to make them refrain from wanton killing of innocent, law-abiding citizens, destruction of property, kidnapping, raping of women, cattle rustling, etc, without plausible reason or identifiable cause.
The Tide acknowledges that the present times in Nigeria are both very delicate and desperate, and therefore require equally desperate decisive, and urgent measures to pull her through to safety and stability. However, we do agree that such measures should include pampering and pandering to ethnic, religious, sectional and sundry sentiments in dealing with the situation as Sheik Gumi is advocating.
We will rather take our position with manifestly patriotic individuals and groups like the North-East Elders for Peace and Development who have not only distanced themselves from Sheik Gumi and his unstatesmanly utterances but have also cautioned him against inventing justification for illegal acts and associated criminality ravaging the North in particular, and the country at large, fearing that his recent comments and attitudes could embolden the bandits in their path of perfidy and perdition.
The fact cannot be over-emphasised that, more than any other time in our history, Nigeria needs all the men and materials required to intervene in our quest for sustainable peaceful coexistence among the various interest groups, security of lives and property, stability of the polity and the unity and continued existence of a nation united in destiny and purpose to bring prosperity to the citizenry where freedom, justice, equity and fairness are dispensed to all without partiality.
But in doing so, men like Sheik Gumi and his ilk, some of whom are in high political offices, who prevaricate, lack the strength to be firm in speaking the truth without unnecessary sentiments should be identified, isolated and treated as people who do not mean well for the country and therefore denied the platform and opportunity to cause incalculable damage to nation building efforts.
Finally, we urge the Federal Government to rise up to the occasion in living up to its constitutional obligation to secure Nigerians against ferocious armed bandits, blood thirsty insurgents, invading marauders disguised as herdsmen and associated criminals and not merely blow hot air as has been the case for so long. This is the sure way of putting away people like Sheik Gumi and his type who are devoid of the spine to look evil in the face, call it by its name and confronting it head on with a view to conquering it for the good of all.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

6 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

Nigeria’s Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has unveiled a gratuitous proposal to increase the salaries of political and public office holders in the country. This plan seeks to fatten the pay packets of the president, vice-president, governors, deputy governors, and members of the National and State Assemblies. At a time when the nation is struggling to steady its economy, the suggestion that political leaders should be rewarded with more money is not only misplaced but insulting to the sensibilities of the ordinary Nigerian.

What makes the proposal even more opprobrious is the dire economic condition under which citizens currently live. The cost of living crisis has worsened, inflation has eroded the purchasing power of workers, and the naira continues to tumble against foreign currencies. The majority of Nigerians are living hand to mouth, with many unable to afford basic foodstuffs, medical care, and education. Against this backdrop, political office holders, who already enjoy obscene allowances, perks, and privileges, should not even contemplate a salary increase.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has stepped in to challenge this development. SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the RMAFC to halt the implementation of this salary increment. This resolute move represents a voice of reason and accountability at a time when public anger against political insensitivity is palpable. The group is rightly insisting that the law must serve as a bulwark against impunity.

According to a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the commission has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Although a hearing date remains unconfirmed, the momentous step of seeking judicial redress reflects a determination to hold those in power accountable. SERAP has once again positioned itself as a guardian of public interest by challenging an elite-centric policy.

The case, registered as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025, specifically asks the court to determine “whether RMAFC’s proposed salary hike for the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies, and lawmakers in Nigeria is not unlawful, unconstitutional and inconsistent with the rule of law.” This formidable question goes to the very heart of democratic governance: can those entrusted with public resources decide their own pay rises without violating the constitution and moral order?

In its pleadings, SERAP argues that the proposed hike runs foul of both the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the RMAFC Act. By seeking a judicial declaration that such a move is unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the rule of law, the group has placed a spotlight on the tension between self-serving leadership and constitutionalism. To trivialise such an issue would be harum-scarum, for the constitution remains the supreme authority guiding governance.

We wholeheartedly commend SERAP for standing firm, while we roundly condemn RMAFC’s selfish proposal. Political office should never be an avenue for financial aggrandisement. Since our leaders often pontificate sacrifice to citizens, urging them to tighten their belts in the face of economic turbulence, the same leaders must embody sacrifice themselves. Anything short of this amounts to double standards and betrayal of trust.

The Nigerian economy is not buoyant enough to shoulder the additional cost of a salary increase for political leaders. Already, lawmakers and executives enjoy allowances that are grossly disproportionate to the national average income. These earnings are sufficient not only for their needs but also their unchecked greed. To even consider further increments under present circumstances is egregious, a slap in the face of ordinary workers whose minimum wage remains grossly insufficient.

Resources earmarked for such frivolities should instead be channelled towards alleviating the suffering of citizens and improving the nation’s productive capacity. According to United Nations statistics, about 62.9 per cent of Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty in 2021, compared to 53.7 per cent in 2017. Similarly, nearly 30.9 per cent of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$2.15 per day. These figures paint a stark picture: Nigeria is a poor country by all measurable standards, and any extra naira diverted to elite pockets deepens this misery.

Besides, the timing of this proposal could not be more inappropriate. At a period when unemployment is soaring, inflation is crippling households, and insecurity continues to devastate communities, the RMAFC has chosen to pursue elite enrichment. It is widely known that Nigeria’s economy is in a parlous state, and public resources should be conserved and wisely invested. Political leaders must show prudence, not profligacy.

Another critical dimension is the national debt profile. According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt as of March 2025 stood at a staggering N149.39 trillion. External debt obligations also remain heavy, with about US$43 billion outstanding by September 2024. In such a climate of debt-servicing and borrowing to fund budgets, it is irresponsible for political leaders to even table the idea of inflating their salaries further. Debt repayment, not self-reward, should occupy their minds.

This ignoble proposal is insensitive, unnecessary, and profoundly reckless. It should be discarded without further delay. Public office is a trust, not an entitlement to wealth accumulation. Nigerians deserve leaders who will share in their suffering, lead by example, and prioritise the common good over self-indulgence. Anything less represents betrayal of the social contract and undermines the fragile democracy we are striving to build.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

7 hours ago

September 22, 2025

The Tide

Editorial

Rivers’ Retirees: Matters Arising

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government deserves commendation for the manner in which it conducted the last biometric exercise for pensioners in the state. For the first time in many years, the verification process was not only efficient but also humane, a development that has brought relief to a category of citizens that often bears the brunt of neglect.

Unlike previous verification exercises that left pensioners exhausted and unattended, the latest exercise set a refreshing precedent. Retirees were given proper and sumptuous meals, and in addition, the government paid the sum of N10,000 into their accounts to cushion their transportation costs. Such gestures go a long way in demonstrating that those who had laboured for the state are not forgotten in their twilight years.

The measure was particularly necessary given that some pensioners had to travel long distances to reach their verification centres. For elderly men and women, such journeys come with physical and financial strain. By recognising these realities and easing the burden, the government has shown that pensioners deserve dignity, not disdain.

Beyond this laudable act of consideration, the authorities must reflect on the very structure of pension verification. The era of compelling retirees to be physically present for routine verification should be reconsidered. With digital tools and innovation, the government can adopt systems that capture and confirm data without the stress of physical assembly. This is crucial for pensioners residing in other states or even abroad.

While we acknowledge the importance of verification in cleaning up pension records, we cannot ignore the darker side of the matter. It is regrettable that some allowances continue to be paid to deceased pensioners, with relatives fraudulently collecting the funds. The latest biometrics, thankfully, exposed some of these sharp practices. The exercise, therefore, is not only about order but also about justice.

We urge families of deceased pensioners to be patriotic enough to inform the government of the deaths of their loved ones. It is deeply shameful that in some instances, individuals attempted to impersonate late pensioners during the biometrics. Such behaviour undermines the spirit of honesty and deprives genuine retirees of their due entitlements.

The exercise also revealed another important area of concern: the health of pensioners. It is reassuring to learn that the state government has reportedly promised to take over the medical treatment of some retirees who arrived for the biometrics in critical condition. This is a step in the right direction. Elderly citizens, after years of service, should have access to special health care facilities in the state. Setting aside hospitals or designated centres for the aged is not just desirable but necessary.

While pension payments in Rivers State have remained consistent, attention must now be directed towards gratuities. Senior citizens deserve to receive their retirement benefits without the bureaucratic hitches that have often marred the process. After years of loyal service, nothing is more demoralising than to see retirees languish for want of their gratuities. Every worker, as Scripture reminds us, is worthy of his wage.

Retirement, in any civilised society, should not be reduced to a sentence of suffering. In dealing with pensioners, government must consistently wear a human face. The humane manner displayed during this verification exercise should not be a one-off. It must become the norm in all dealings with retirees. Measures must continually be put in place to ensure that they do not feel abandoned by the state they served.

One welcome innovation has already been introduced. The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has altered the method of gratuity payment. Pensioners now receive their monies directly into their bank accounts, eliminating the cheque-based system that for years served as fertile ground for corruption. This reform is both pragmatic and forward-looking. Similarly, the implementation of the N32,000 pension harmonisation is also commendable.

Direct payments gratuities ensure transparency and drastically reduce the possibility of diversion of funds. More importantly, they restore confidence in the system and assure pensioners that their entitlements will reach them without interference. In this way, the government has not only safeguarded the process but also upheld the principle of accountability.

Seamless gratuity payment has a ripple effect on the workforce as a whole. When workers are confident that retirement will not plunge them into hardship, the temptation to falsify age in order to remain in service is eliminated. Such reforms, therefore, enhance efficiency, honesty, and productivity in the public service.

In sum, the Rivers State Government has struck a refreshing chord in its handling of pension verification. It has shown empathy, innovation, and accountability. However, the momentum must be sustained, and the focus must shift towards modernising verification methods and prioritising retirees’ welfare in health, gratuity, and dignity.

When retirees are treated with compassion and fairness, the message to those still in service is clear: faithful service to the state will not go unrewarded. The humane verification exercise, though a single event, offers a hopeful glimpse of what governance can look like when people, especially the elderly, are placed at the heart of policy.