Politics
Termites In The House
When President
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan told the public that Boko Haram members had infiltrated his government, he was taken to the cleaners. Critics said that statement was to score cheap political point for his government and his party-Peoples Democratic Party. Others reasoned that Jonathan’s claim was diversionary – only intended to divert the attention of Nigerians from the intensity of Boko Haram criminality in the land. The Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces was also challenged to expose the alleged insurgents dinning and winning with him in his government.
What probably emerged out of that challenge was the sacking of security chiefs and replacement of new ones. Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief that the overhaul of the security chiefs would produce tangible results to douse security challenges but were disappointed the more when despite claims of the security operations that they were on top of the situation, the Boko Haram terror group repeatedly harassed and assaulted the polity with impunity especially in the North East zone of the country with scores of loss of lives at every attack.
The height of the sects’ assault was the kidnap of over 200 girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State and of course the successive incessant attacks on military formations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States which are currently under emergency rule. The question is why the Boko Haram having a field day, so to say, in their operations?
Boko literally means book (western education), while forbidden is the literary meaning of Haram. While the claim that the Boko Haram militants are against western education remains questionable, the activities of the muslem sect so far lend credence to the fact that they have hidden agenda beyond their so-called grouse against western education.
The worsening security situations especially in the North East where Boko Haram attacks have led to a rising number of deaths on a daily basis have consumed Nigerians in fear. While the service chiefs reportedly reassure that the military is on top of the situation, Nigerians are yet to come to terms with escalated killings within the last one year despite heavy reliance on military operations to restore order in the troubled areas.
As a matter of fact, the revelations by some soldiers engaged in fighting insurgency in the North show that there are termites in the house and that explains why no appreciable progress has been recorded in routing out the insurgents in the worst affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa; a situation that has brought President Jonathan and his government under local and international pressure to act fast and save the people from destruction.
One of the soldiers (name withheld) painted a clear picture that all is not well in military camps. The source alleged that four officers brought military kits with arms and ammunition, preparatory for army attack on known insurgents’ camps in the night but the enemy in the house sold the military plan and strategy out and the terrorists struck at army camps and took away the military kits and ammunitions with embarrassing casualties on the side of Nigerian army. What could make the four officers to be absent at the army camp when Boko Haram allegedly invaded the camp and made a mess of the soldiers? The answer can be found in the dictionary of sabotage.
“Boko Haram militants are not faceless, not invisible. We know their locations. Oga see, when an order is given for the soldiers to prepare for war against the militants, before you know it, a counter-order is issued for the soldiers to stay out of action. You will not be surprise to see the militants attacking and killing the soldiers when we have given up the spirit for action”, the source recounted bitterly.
In both instances, you can see the handwriting of sabotage and this remains the bane of the military in the fight against insurgents in the land. If it is not sabotage, how can Boko Haram, in a show of nothing ‘mega’ attack and kill alarming numbers of Nigerian soldiers well-known for military and peace-keeping operations across the globe? Even when security information are provided from impeccable sources on how best to rout the insurgents and restore order, such security information are hardly acted upon or tactically delayed to enable the sect re-strategise towards beating the military to her plan of dislodging them.
For instance, a young man trained by Boko Haram on map reading outside Nigerian shores surrendered himself to security authorities in Nigeria when he returned back to the country and found out that his country home in Borno State has been leveled by those he was trained to work for. Vital information provided by the acclaimed Boko Haram point man have been reportedly hoarded by the power-that-be and even divulged to the militants. Today, the life of the young man is in danger.
The military’s seeming weak response to most of the Boko Haram attacks may have prompted the alleged investigation of some officers and men of the armed forces for offence such as cowardice, negligence and failure to perform military duty and leakage of information to the enemy. Though, the military authorities may not be favourably disposed to the report that some officers and men are being probed, it is also not untrue that the army had “put some personnel believed to be involved in unacceptable military conduct under close watch as part of the efforts to sanitise the service.
Always on daily basis, members of the Islamic sect increasingly dare the military and civilian targets. The attacks, in some cases are carried out with pre-information, and the casualties remain unimaginable, no thanks to the poor intelligence gathering of the security operatives in the country. The era of armed-chair intelligence gathering has gone. We need to protect our democracy, national unity and political stability by waging total war against terrorism with proper and efficient intelligence gathering mechanism.
The soldiers may be willing to give their best in the terrorism war, but they are being subdued morally by corruption, ill-equipment and challenges in welfare. The ineffectiveness of military operations against the insurgents, apparently culminated in the mutiny of soldiers at the Maimalari cantonment recently, against their General Officer Commanding while addressing them. A better tonic for the weary soldiers is to ensure that they (soldiers) are not in want in terms of ordnance and materials. Overhauling the military and its strategy on insurgency is not a bad idea.
Security challenges have assumed higher dimension and have left serious demands on the resources of the military. But the military is crying of inadequate funding. The Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Maj-General Abdullahi Muriana, at a training programme for the Nigerian Army Finance Corps Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at Jaji, near Kaduna, said that inadequate funding of the military was hampering the ability of the soldiers from halting the insurgents. The review of budgetary allocations of the military especially in the area of equipment acquisition and welfare is necessary to boost strength and psychology in winning the war against terrorism.
In a country that insecurity has created the atmosphere of tension, fear and helplessness, the problem of corruption and bureaucratic bottlenecks in the release of approved funds for military operations is a problem that demands urgent attention.
The media are awash with reports that some civil servants in the Defence Ministry demand and receive commission before approved funds for military operations are released. While the report may remain an allegation for now, there is no smoke without fire. Many people are feeding fat at the discomfort of the system and it matters nothing to them if such acts ground the system to a halt.
Insurgency is a global phenomenon and the only language the insurgents understand well enough is the language of force. The military has the capacity to march force with force with the insurgents and deliver with good reports. That can be achieved when the termites in the house are extinguished. Even more important is the need to check the activities of highly-placed individuals and groups that give tacit support to terror groups.
Saving Nigeria from the stronghold of insurgency should also go beyond military engagement. It must include education, sensitization and advocacy by the media and community-based organizations to save vulnerable minds from being recruited for acts of terrorism and criminality.
Samuel Eleonu
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.
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.
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.
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