Politics
Integrity: Missing Virtue In Politics
Integrity can be described
as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that one believes in, stands for and would not compromise on.
Integrity goes with self-discipline. It invokes the protection of what is believed in and stood for.
Integrity awakens the sense that a name is to be protected. One who uses integrity as their watch word like Joseph who escaped from Potiphar’s wife, escapes from evil in order not to stain their name.
Men and women of integrity are law abiding. Their actions and inactions are controlled by the rules of the game. They are honest, crime free, and less self-willed.
On a wider note, a leader with integrity is one who eschews evil and always protects the honest and moral principles he stands for. He executes the law and therefore he is not the law breaker.
Furthermore, sworn to an oath, as it were, to protect the constitution and the sovereignty of the country, he believes and stands by constitutionalism and the rule of law in a democratic society.
In Nigeria, political leaders range from chairmen and counselors of local government areas, to Governors, Deputy Governors, members of Houses of Assembly. Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries at the state level, the President, Vice President, Ministers, Senate President, Speaker, Senators and House of Representatives members, just to mention a few.
It is expected that leaders exhibit or display integrity at various areas and positions of authority. Those who claim to fight corruption should be corruption free, not biased and sectional.
They should have a name they are out to protect for posterity and also not have personal interests which outgrow the interest of the country.
In the same vein, those who speak against bad governance must ensure that they do not speak out of hypocrisy but are exemplary with integrity. A man cannot call another a thief if he is also a thief.
It is on record, that the late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehimi, and the late famous human rights activist, Ken Saro Wiwa, vehemently refused appointments from the then illegitimate administration, bound by what they stood for.
Today, the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration are embarking on a change system which has clearly shown another hypocritical government with leaders without integrity.
A critical look at some of the appointments, those accepting some of the appointments, those singing praises as well as religious leaders associating with the system shows that the system is bereft of integrity.
It is quite unfortunate that the President has continued to give a deaf ear and a blind eye to the clamour and pointing of fingers at some of his ministers and cabinet members accused of corruption. There is need for the executive to completely purge itself of all vestiges and appearances of malfeasance so it can authoritatively occupy the moral high ground in good conscience to deal with official corruption wherever and in whatever quasters it is found.
Only recently, the judiciary, through the National Judicial Council, NJC, did some cleansing of their ranks with the announcement of the sacking of three judges.
Rising from its 78th meeting on Thursday, September 29, 2016, the NJC, in a release signed by its Acting Director of Information, Soji Oye made public the decision of the council to compulsorily retire Justice Ladan Tsamiya, the Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division; Justice I. A. Umezulike, the Chief Judge of Enugu State while Justice Kabiru Auta of the Federal High Court in Kano State was dismissed from service with effect from Friday, September 30, 2016.
In fact, the release indicated that Justice Auta was to be handed over to the police for prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NJC, and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed has said that the house cleansing would continue as the searchlight is already being beamed on some other priests in the temple of justice.
This is highly commendable and what is expected. The story however is yet to be replicated in the other two arms of government.
The National Assembly in particular has continued to shield its officers accused of various kinds of misadventure and infraction of the constitution of the federal republic. It is not news that the leadership of the 8th Senate is standing criminal trial while still firmly occupying the exalted seat.
The House of Representatives is currently embroiled in a scandal of desecrating the 2016 national budget with the former House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin shouting himself hoarse that other thieves like him in the House should be brought to justice and punished as well.
Of course, Hon. Jibrin has been isolated and punished for his indiscretion and attempts to bring to the public view the security guarded secrets of the hallowed green chambers and its “honourable” deeds. As long as the leadership of our country remains in the hands of men and women of questionable character in the Executive, Judiciary and the Legislature, the change that will turn our fortunes for the better will remain a mirage.
The fact that most Nigerians and the political dealers scavenging for Nigeria’s carcasses share the fundamental belief that they do not have a stake in the country serves as an emotional coat that allows them to cash the commonwealth without let or hindrance
If the government of President Buhari is sincere about savings for investment in the critical sectors of the economy that would generate jobs, his government must not remain silent in the face of growing outcry against the obscene salaries and allowances that public officials in Nigeria take home.
Less than 18,000 Nigerian public officials take more than 1.2 trillion naira a year in salaries and allowances. A Nigerian senator, for instance, takes more than 1 million US dollars a year. Considering the minimum wage of N 18,000 a month, which some states are yet to start paying, a reduction of 700 billion naira from the current annual wage bill of 1.2 trillion naira for the about 17, 474 public officials (including judges), should leave them with enough to live on.
If a Nigerian worker is expected to live on N 216,000 a year, a senator should be grateful to have N 83 million a year, which is 42 percent of the current N 198 million that a senator takes home every year.
In his book entitled “Enforcement of Morals”, P. Devlin explains the importance of morality to the survival of any society. He states that one of the essential elements of a society is a shared morality. If a society’s shared morality is weakened, this has a tendency to lead to the destruction of the society itself.
Nigerian politics and politicians, since the end of the 1st Republic have degenerated rapidly towards the bottom of the pit of disrepute.
Every passing generation of politicians is succeeded by a more primitive and barbaric set. The 2nd Republic politicians were terrible. The 3rd Republic politicians beat their predecessors at bad governance.
The present 4th Republic politicians are the most terrible so far. One common thread runs through the attitude, beliefs and actions of the recent politicians: greed, avarice, self-service and accumulation of wealth at the expense of the country.
There is a total lack of patriotism, or a spirit of public or national service. They are in politics to make quick fortune. In other words, the post 1st Republic politics is carnal, banal,
mundane and pedestrian.
The saddest part of it all is that the younger the politician, the greedier, more corrupt, and rabidly anti-social he is.
With each successive generation of politicians and public servants, we seem to have become afflicted with a more perverted class of humanity whose only inclination is to loot our wealth and resources, oppress us, and reduce our country and society to devastated and chaotic conditions.
Ms Williams writes from Port Harcourt.
Tammy Williams
Politics
Anambra Guber: ADC Candidate Urges INEC To Tackle Vote Buying

Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
Politics
Alleged Attack On Abure In Benin, LP Calls For Investigation

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Politics
New PDP Leaders Emerge In Adamawa After Congress

Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
-
Sports15 hours ago
Falconets thrashes 4-0 Rwanda in qualifiers
-
Education15 hours ago
FRSC to Establish Driving Training Centre at UniPort
-
Oil & Energy15 hours ago
Afam 2 Power Plant Adds 160MW To National Grid, says Sahara Group
-
Business14 hours ago
SMEDAN, CAC Move To Ease Business Registration, Target 250,000 MSMEs
-
Maritime15 hours ago
Blue Economy: FG Targets Lower Logistic Costs, Trade Competitiveness
-
Rivers15 hours ago
Youth Leader Lauds Tinubu, Over Ogoni oil Dispute
-
News14 hours ago
Shettima departs New York for Germany after UNGA engagement
-
Sports15 hours ago
FBN, Group Hold First E1 Lagos GP Champion Oct.3