Politics
Political Servicemen And Failure Of Security Architecture
When the Service Chiefs took the front seats at the campaign flag off of outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, it became obvious that this nation has hit her lowest point. High profile servicemen who swore to protect the rest of the country through unbiased application of security techniques have turned against the country, preferring to become politicians overnight.
Days after they committed themselves to campaigning for the worst performing President, the unthinkable happened. Rampaging terrorists invaded military facilities in Metele. The figures of soldiers killed have been subject of endless debates.
Even as I write, the British media reported last Thursday that Boko Haram killed more soldiers. The soldiers on ground in the theatre of war claim they have no equipment and morale is low.
Before our very eyes, the failed APC Federal Government has turned the Nigerian Army into a weapon to advance the ugly political journey of a rejected political party. It has lost the theatres of war and is creating zones of insecurity on behalf of the APC. We watched with sadness soldiers carrying placards in Maiduguri because terrorists were killing them and they lacked equipment for defence.
Under the present leadership of the Nigerian Army, things have continued to degenerate. The absurd is the norm. But the Chief of Army Staff continues to keep his job because of his political relevance to the APC Federal Government.
On Thursday, 29th November, 2019, the nation woke up to another criminal act of the Nigerian Army. This time they invaded the NYSC Orientation camp where recruited personnel of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency were being trained.
They unleashed mayhem on the unarmed personnel, shot sporadically and injured several others. They abducted the trainers and destroyed facilities at the camp.
The training camp was turned into a scene of a horror movie by personnel of the Nigerian Army. Quite sadly, the Nigerian Army has joined the Nigerian Police in the unbridled acts of shame.
For hours, the show of shame of the Nigerian Army at the training ground of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency trended on social media. The cries of the 3000 recruits were heartrending.
The Nigerian Army did the expected. They issued a senseless and pedestrian press statement. A statement that exposed the low quality of personnel who mismanage the nation’s security architecture, simply because they are dancing to the discordant tunes of the APC.
One Aminu Ilyasu, who parades himself as a quota colonel issued a statement claiming that the Nigerian Army discovered an illegal military training camp at Nonwa. The quota colonel made several outlandish claims to justify the act of illegality.
He claimed on behalf of his political godfathers that similar illegal militia camps exist in Benue and Taraba States. It is most unfortunate that even in lying, these political soldiers cannot be logical and intelligent.
The quota colonel and his masters are clever by half. The Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency is a creation of the law and due process.
It was in a bid to improve the security of communities that Rivers State Governor, Nysom Ezenwo Wike gave his assent to the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law No.8 of 2018 passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
On the same day, the Governor also gave his assent to the Rivers State Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) (Amendment) Law No.6 of 2018 and the Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) (Amendment) No.2 Law No.7 of 2018. Governor Wike said that the laws are necessary to enhance security across the state.
He said that Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency would support existing security agencies with intelligence and information for them to effectively fight crime and make the state safer.
The establishment of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency followed due process all the way. On April 16, Governor Wike inaugurated the board of directors of the agency.
Those inaugurated as Board of Directors of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency include: Rtd Brigadier General Dick Ironabare –Chairman ,Chief Casca Ogosu –Member ,Mr Dennis Amachree -Member ,Prof Emenike Wami -Member,Anthony Uzo Ozurumba -Member
,Uche Mike Chukwuma – Director General
,Mrs Victoria Chikeka — Member , Barrister Nma Omereji , Secretary/Legal Adviser.
At the inauguration, Governor Wike charged the board of directors to kick-start the process of recruiting quality operatives for the agency.
Responding, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency , Brigadier General Dick Ironabare assured the government and people of the state that the agency would work to enhance state-wide security.
He commended the Rivers State Governor for deeming it necessary to set up the new security scheme, which is in line with international best practices of securing communities.
Empowered by law and the Rivers State Government, the leadership of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency started a recruitment drive which spanned several months of screening involving security agencies. Thousands of Rivers youths applied online in a process that was done transparently. It was a trending issue across the state. The website of the agency kept Nigerians abreast of the recruitment process.
Following the directive of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for the the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency ( RIVNESCA) to recruit quality operatives, the agency on Monday 19th November, 2018 commenced the final process of recruiting 3000 personnel.
Thousands of shortlisted candidates gathered at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt for screening by officials of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency ( RIVNESCA) .The statement credited to the quota colonel smacks of gross misconduct and irresponsibility in view of the fact that the General Officer Commanding of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army was informed via a letter of the training exercise.
In a letter titled and dated 12 November,2018: “Request for Drill and Physical Training Instructors”, Brigadier General Dick Ironabare (rtd) –Chairman of Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency outlined the law establishing the agency, functions and recruitment process. The letter was duly acknowledged by the headquarters of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Nwakaudu is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Electornic Media.
It is sad that the Nigerian Army has joined the Police in suffering from the degenerative security disease. They have abdicated their security responsibilities and descended into the Political arena.
The Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency is patterned after a similar agency still in existence in Lagos State. The Nigerian Army or any security agency for that matter have never challenged the existence of that agency.
Vigilante groups are in existence in Zamfara and Kogi States, with no challenge from the Nigerian Army. Civilian Joint Task Force are in operation in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States under the direct supervision of the Nigerian Army.
The invasion of the training camp of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency is an act of intimidation. Governor Wike has made it quite clear that the Government and People of the state will not succumb to this act of recklessness induced by political hallucination.
The security of lives and property in Rivers State is paramount. Nobody will allow a group of political soldiers with no proven security pedigree to derail the state. In saner climes, the Chief of Army Staff would have thrown in the towel as he is no longer relevant to the resolution of the security challenge facing the country. He is now a major stumbling block to the peace and security of this country.
When the Nigerian Army begins to compete with Lie Mohammed for the lying medal, then it is obvious that we must all re-double our efforts to sack the failed APC Federal Government.
By: Simeon Nwakaudu.
Rt Hon. Abbas secured the party’s ticket through an affirmation exercise conducted across the 13 electoral wards in the constituency.
The wards involved include Kwarbai A, Kwarbai B, Limancin-Kona, Unguwar Fatika, Unguwar Juma, Dutsen Abba, Gyallesu, Kufena, Dambo, Wuchichiri, Tudun Wada, Tukur-Tukur, and Kaura.
The exercise, which began simultaneously in all wards at about 10 a.m., recorded large turnout of APC members who gathered at various party offices across the constituency.
At Kwarbai B Ward, the Speaker’s ward, the process was conducted peacefully under the supervision of the ward APC Returning Officer, Malam Iliyasu Muhammad Balarabe, in the presence of Rt Hon. Abbas.
According to the ward APC secretary, Nafiu Sabo, the ward has over 10,000 registered members, but 220 members were accredited for the exercise.
Before the affirmation, Mallam Balarabe informed members that Rt Hon Abbas was the only aspirant who purchased nomination forms, underwent screening, and was cleared by the APC national leadership to contest the Zaria Federal Constituency seat.
Following a voice vote by accredited members, the Speaker was affirmed as the party’s candidate in the ward, a process replicated across the remaining 12 wards.
At the constituency collation centre, the APC Returning Officer for the House of Representatives primary in Zaria Federal Constituency, Dr. Hamisu Ibrahim Kubau, announced that 1,376 APC members across the 13 wards endorsed Rt Hon. Abbas as the party’s flag bearer.
He explained that although thousands of party members participated in the exercise, only accredited delegates were allowed to vote.
Dr. Kubau declared: “There are 13 wards in Zaria Federal Constituency, and only one aspirant purchased a form, was screened, and cleared. He is Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. After due process, we conducted affirmations across all wards.”
He added that the process was peaceful and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and party representatives.
Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primary Elections in Kaduna State, Senator Yakubu Oseni, described the outcome as a reflection of the Speaker’s popularity and acceptance among constituents.
He expressed confidence that Rt Hon Abbas would secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after his declaration, Rt Hon. Abbas expressed appreciation to APC members for reaffirming their confidence in him.
The incumbent Reps including Emily Inyang and Godwin Offionio, in separate interviews
protested the handling of the primaries conducted by the leadership of the party in the state, saying it was skewed against them.
The aspirants further described the primaries as a charade and an embarrassment to the state.
According to them, the House of Representatives primaries fell short of the provisions of both the Electoral Act as amended in 2026 and the party’s constitution.
They accused the leadership of the party in the state, backed by Governor Bassey Otu, of violating the party’s constitution in the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries across the state on Saturday.
Hon. Godwin Offiono, representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, particularly expressed disappointment with the primary that allegedly disenfranchised registered members of the party in his constituency.
Hon. Offiono asserted that having failed to arrive at a consensus, the party leadership opted for a direct primary to decide the candidate for the 2027 election.
“But what I witnessed today was not only alarming, but quite disheartening that our electoral system have not shown any improvement, especially now that we have a man of God in the person of the governor as the leader of the party.
“How do you declare a result by 9:00am even when the electoral materials were yet to arrive at Yala.
“As an aspirant, I couldn’t even vote or see the materials for my own primary at my Okuku ward in Yala Local Government Area, where I come from. But no matter what happens I am still in the race and have not stepped down for anybody.
“The governor had all the time in the world to drive the process of consensus but he never did. As a representative, I cannot even see my governor. I called, no response. I sent text no reply. I am treated as an out cast,” he lamented.
In an emotion laden tone during a telephone interview, Hon. Offiono further said: “I could not believe that first term NASS members like me can be treated in this shoddy manner even when I don’t know my offence.
“I have been a loyal party man. I appeal to the governor to do the right thing, follow the Electoral Act and party constitution in electing representatives.”
Similarly, Hon. Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency said he still remained in the race and had not stepped down for anybody.
According to him, “If this shenanigan called primary is allowed to stand, it would affect the party’s fortune in the general elections.
“My appeal to the governor is to allow the people to decide. And if they so voted against me, I will rest and not fight over anything.
“There was no stakeholders meeting held to decide on anything before now, and someone can not be unilaterally imposed on us all in the name of compromised primary,” he stated.
A coalition of support groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has protested the disqualification of former presidential aspirant, Mr Tein Jack-Rich, from the Rivers West Senatorial race ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections.
The groups, in a statement issued on Saturday morning in Abuja, described the action of the party’s screening committee as unjust and capable of worsening internal divisions within the APC in Rivers State.
The statement, signed by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Dr. Bilal Galadima, and General Secretary, Hon. James Ogenyi, accused the party leadership in Rivers State of favouring politicians loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, while sidelining long-standing members of the APC.
The coalition alleged that only aspirants aligned with Chief Wike were cleared to contest for elective positions in the state.
“How can our party allow only one man who is not a member of our party to make decisions or dictate the direction of our party?”, the group queried.
The coalition specifically faulted the exclusion of Mr Jack-Rich, describing him as a loyal party member who had supported the APC for more than 13 years and previously contested the party’s presidential ticket.
It also questioned the alleged clearance of Chief Felix Obua, whom it described as a recent entrant into the party and an ally of Chief Wike.
“How can our party disqualify Jack-Rich, a former presidential aspirant who has been loyal and supported our party for the last 13 years, only for our party to choose Felix Obua, a Wike loyalist who only joined the party three months ago?”, the statement read.
The group warned that failure by the APC leadership and National Working Committee (NWC) to address the matter as it could weaken the party’s structure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
It called on party leaders to uphold internal democracy, reward loyalty and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.
INEC TO BEGIN MEMBERSHIP VERIFICATION AS POLITICAL PARTIES SUBMIT REGISTER
All 22 registered political parties have successfully submitted their membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, the Commission has said.
In a statement issued on Friday, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the submission followed the extension granted by the Commission after political parties raised concerns during a meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, regarding the timeline provided in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general elections.
He said, “The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026, two days before the extended deadline.”
He recalled that following a meeting with political parties, the Commission, in a statement issued on the 27th of March, 2026, adjusted the deadline for the submission of party registers from 21st April 2026 to 10th May 2026 to align with the provisions of Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the actual dates fixed by political parties for their primaries.
Mr Haruna noted that political parties were accordingly allowed to conduct their primaries within the approved period from 23rd April 2026 to 30th May 2026, while the register of party members was required to be submitted to the Commission not later than 21 days before the conduct of their respective primaries.
He added, “INEC wishes to state that all registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe and will subject the submitted registers to the necessary verification processes in line with the law.”
The Commission restated its commitment to the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.
-
Editorial3 days agoEnough Of Xenophobic Attacks On Nigerians
-
Nation3 days agoRSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoRivers PETROAN Elects 12-Member Executive
-
Politics3 days ago
APC Group Protests Ex–Presidential Aspirant’s Disqualification From Rivers Senatorial Race
-
Sports3 days agoOparaodu Urges Rivers United To Win Katsina United
-
Politics3 days ago
Reps Speaker Secures APC Return Ticket For Fifth Term
-
Sports3 days ago” Nigeria’s best domestic players are not in NPFL”
-
Politics3 days ago
Primaries: Diri Lauds APC’s Unity, Cohesion In Bayelsa