Editorial

NDA: FG Must Act Now

Published

4 years ago

July 16, 2021

A renewed threat of blitzkrieg aimed at paralysing Nigeria’s battered economy has emerged from the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), one of the well-known militant organisations in the Niger Delta region. The Avengers have threatened to launch invigorating assaults on the country’s oil and gas installations in the region following allegations of continued neglect by the Federal Government.
In a declaration by the group, a new “Operation Humble” proposing a fresh round of bombings of oil and gas facilities to weaken the country’s economy, is considered by them in the coming few days. The body stated: “This operation shall be coded ‘Operation Humble’ aimed at bringing down targeted oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta, capable of humbling the economy into permanent recession.”
The fierce militant organisation also threatened to attack important politicians and personalities from the region for their roles in the under-development of the area. The militants accused the Federal Government of failing to meet their demands to speed up the development of the region since they declared a ceasefire, following the intervention of leaders and stakeholders from the area.
As part of its demands, the NDA called for immediate restructuring of the country, creation of two additional states and more local government councils in the region, the allocation of operational licences for marginal fields to Ijaw people, and the reconstitution of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board, among others.
Given the track record of the NDA, many oil and gas observers are already nervous, expressing serious concern, especially as the bellicose organisation is known to have carried out deadly attacks on the country’s oil and gas infrastructure in the past. It is, therefore, considered injudicious to treat their warning lightly.
Recall that in 2016, the NDA assaulted many oil fields and terminals, nudging the country’s oil production and export down considerably to between 1.4 million and 1.5 million barrels per day from its capacity of 2.2 to 2.3 million barrels per day. Nigeria had scarcely recouped from the impact when the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed the growth of the sector. The current foreboding is, therefore, coming at a most inappropriate time when the country is least disposed to be encumbered with another round of oil and gas sector crises.
Curiously, the intimidatory remark was expressed less than 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari met with the leadership of the Niger Delta and Ijaw National Congress (INC), at the Presidential Villa, and the germane issues were discussed, especially call for restructuring of the Federation, and the inauguration of a Board for the NDDC.
Buhari had advised that the new NDA foreshadowing was unnecessary, stating that the government was addressing the concerns of the Niger Delta. At present, the NDDC remains a patient in the ICU. Since its inception in 2001, the country’s public space has been inundated with appalling stories of ongoing forensic audit activities to unravel the pit of internal administrative and operational transgressions that have paralysed the interventionist agency.
In the President’s usual practice of handling the situation in the Niger Delta, we must not miss the deployment of a large-scale military presence in the region to curb threats to infrastructure. Under the circumstances, this option, most often adopted by the government, does not seem to be achieving the expected results, as industry watchers warn that militancy is becoming more and more prevalent in the region.
As a result of the prevailing situation, the Federal Government must review its position concerning the Niger Delta. They must readjust their policy direction from the standpoint of the people in the region, who are concerned about the current state of affairs, especially the inconsistency related to the existing palliative care for their plight.
The NDDC, which was created specifically to thwart the present state of affairs, is a great example. Its operative failures and the ensuing launch of the forensic audit exercise on it substantiate the complete breakdown of the commission’s objectives and the need for a new set-up to supplant the old order.
Since the appointment of a substantive board of directors to redesign and refocus the NDDC is one of the cardinal demands of the NDA and other recalcitrant interests in the region, then, it is in the long-term interests of the government, the region, and the country as a whole to oblige such requests as soon as possible.
All things considered, the threat by the militant group to destroy oil installations is strongly denounced. We believe that violence cannot be the means to address grievances. There are peaceful ways and the group should exploit them. In addition, members of this group are urged to channel their grievances to the appropriate authorities and wait for action to be taken on them.
However, we request the Federal Government to move swiftly to meet the age-old demands of the militants and the Niger Delta people. On the inauguration of the NDDC board, our position is clear; forensic audit should never be employed as an excuse to delay its investiture. The country is already undergoing severe economic hardship. Therefore, anything to make the predicament worse at this point should be prevented.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

1 day 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

2 days 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.