President Bola Tinubu has been charged by human rights attorney Inibehe Effiong of participating in extensive political inducement and influencing people in a way never seen before.

Effiong claimed in a post on X on Tuesday that a lot of people who were once thought to be morally upright have lost interest in governance-related matters.

He went on to say that some Nigerians are now silently opposing calls for change while either “pretending to be neutral” or making excuses for the government.

“We will have to conduct a special census to determine the number of people whose integrity are still intact by the time Bola Tinubu is done destroying this country,” he said.

“Tinubu is compromising and purchasing people in a way never seen before.”

“Those we formerly believed to be morally upright are now deaf, blind, and stupid due to our nation’s poor governance.

“Some are feigning neutrality while simultaneously defending Tinubu and subtly opposing any attempt to alter the current situation.”

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The Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, has said that the contemporary political process cannot guarantee good governance.

Amadi said this while reflecting on conduct of primary elections in Nigeria during an interview on Arise Television.

“But that is not to say that good governance cannot come up from time to time,” he said.

“The process itself is flawed and is often not structured or sequenced,” said Amadi, adding that there is nothing orderly about it consistently.

“The present political process cannot logically ensure good governance. We need to feel authentic.

Democracy as ideal requires a gradual and structured process of democratization, starting with getting the basics right.” It may take time but the base has to be solid.

“If you have stable political parties then you can identify and even predict who the delegates are,” he said.

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Senator Gbenga Daniel who represents the Ogun East senatorial district at the National Assembly has said that whatever the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun is enjoying today is the product of his sweat.

It was learnt that Daniels made the statement on TVC News Beyond The Headlines with Nifemi.

In reaction to the construction of an airport in Ogun State, Gbenga Daniels said he had started the process and had bought the licence.

The former Governor stated that the construction of the airport was the easiest of the works and that the major works were finished.

He said “Your Excellency, you will soon be a former governor, I will say your Excellency remember I came to you and said this young man that is following you everywhere will be the one to destroy your government, I don’t want to mention his name.

“I hope you have seen that all these troubles you didn’t need it if you have done a few things right. Look at what is happening in Ekiti state, there are lines you don’t cross in this business.

“I have served the state honorably. “If there is anything Dapo Abiodun is enjoying today it is our sweat. Yes he did the airport but that is the easiest part of the job, to award the contract, but the money was there

“When we were running up and down doing environmental assessment, jumping from place to place doing the design, buying the land, talking to stakeholders with little and no money.

“Everything’s done, we got the license, does he know what I went through to get that license? Does he know how many presidents I had to sit with to get the license?

“He came to say that he doesn’t know what to do and I said that this is the license, you pick it and award the contract and you are making money from the contract you award, you are now gallivanting that you have done the airport. How?”

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In advance of the June 20 governorship election, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti State and the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, has advised politicians and supporters to avoid violence, stating that his desire to win reelection is not worth the life of any Ekiti citizen.

The governor emphasized the importance of nonviolent, issue-based campaigns during the electioneering period while speaking at rallies in Emure, Ise/Orun, and Ikere Local Government Areas.

Oyebanji stated that the APC has peacefully run its campaigns throughout the state and urged party supporters to refrain from any actions that could incite disorder before to, during, or following the election.

In appreciation of the continuing infrastructure initiatives carried out by his administration and the federal government under President Bola Tinubu, including significant road improvements around the state, he further asked citizens to support the APC.

In addition to announcing plans to build the Olowe Museum to support local arts, culture, and tourism, the governor of Ise-Ekiti pledged that construction on the Ise-Ijan Road will soon begin.

He also urged party members to step up grassroots organizing in the run-up to the election, stating that he was confident the APC will win over a sizable portion of the state based on its performance in office.

Some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Emure-Ekiti defected to the APC during the rallies, while traditional leaders in the towns they visited prayed for the governor’s reelection.

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The Senate in Nigeria has taken decisive steps to reshape its leadership structure ahead of the 2027 general elections that would usher in the 11th National Assembly.

The new structure would impose more stringent eligibility rules that could bar a wave of incoming political heavyweights, including serving governors and first-time entrants.

On Tuesday’s plenary, the red chamber amended key provisions of its Standing Rules after a closed-door session lasting nearly three hours. The changes, which impact Orders 4 and 5, strengthen seniority and legislative experience as the main criteria for holding top leadership positions.

The Senate reaffirmed a rigid hierarchy for selecting presiding officers in the amended Order 4, saying “nomination of senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of senators and shall be strictly adhered to.”

“The order of ranking are (i) Former President of the Senate, (ii) Former Deputy President of the Senate, (iii) Former Principal Officers of the Senate, (iv) Senators who had served at least one term of four years, (v) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives, (vi) In the absence of i to v, senators elected into the Senate for the first time,” it said.

The amendment to Order 5 also imposes a more restrictive condition that essentially disqualifies new senators and those without continuous legislative experience from contesting the main offices.

The rule reads: “Any senator shall not be eligible to contest for any principal office of the Senate unless he has served as a senator for at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination.”

This clause has a long reach. Lawmakers not in both the 9th and 10th National Assembly would not be eligible to contest for key leadership positions like Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Chief Whip and other principal positions.

The move comes against the backdrop of growing interest by outgoing governors and political heavyweights eyeing senatorial slots in the 2027 General Elections.

By May 29, 2027, no fewer than ten governors across the country are expected to finish their constitutionally allowed two terms, triggering a wave of political realignments as they try to remain relevant at the national level.

Governors like AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State are among those widely speculated to be eying senatorial seats.

Others include Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed of the Allied Peoples Movement.

Although Douye Diri and Hope Uzodimma are expected to end their terms in 2028, due to off-cycle elections, both have already been drawn into early political calculations surrounding Senate seats.

The APC is positioning Uzodinma for the Imo West senatorial seat, and political tensions are rising in Imo State.

Party leaders in the state have reportedly backed him as a consensus candidate. Presenting the nomination forms on behalf of the stakeholders, the state APC chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, urged the governor to accept the call to run, saying “accept the plea of Orlu people by filling the forms so that it can be submitted before the deadline of 5th May, 2026.”

The party has also allegedly warned other aspirants not to contest the seat, thereby strengthening Uzodinma’s stance as its preferred candidate.

But the race is far from over. Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has also picked nomination forms, indicating his intention to return to the Senate.

Uzodinma also gained further support from the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly which declared him the only candidate for the district in what it described as a “total, unanimous and irrevocable decision.”
The question of whether the world’s leading nations will be able to pull together enough to solve the global financial crisis has been asked repeatedly over the last few weeks.

The political scene has been further influenced by recent indications from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, according to reports, declined proposals for automatic return tickets for lawmakers, instead reaffirming the power of state governors to decide on party candidates.

This position has effectively boosted governors’ power over party structures, even as they prepare for transitions from executive offices.

Against this backdrop, the Senate’s latest rule changes seem designed to protect its institutional hierarchy and prevent an influx of politically influential newcomers from immediately dominating its leadership.

Indeed, the red chamber has sent a clear message to many would-be entrants, including governors and returning political actors, that leadership in the 11th National Assembly will be determined by legislative experience among its members and not political influence from outside.

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The Nigerian Senate says it is not aware of any allegation concerning a reported transaction of ₦68 million allegedly linked to the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe.

The clarification followed a businessman, Nonso Okafor’s allegation that he was persuaded in October 2024 to pay the lawmaker $100,000 through a senior legislative aide, Osereme Christen Omofoma.

He told me the money would be either returned or balanced out with federal government contracts.

Okafor through his lawyer, Elochukwu Obi, later petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the issue.

The senator at the centre of the allegation had earlier dismissed the claims, calling it false and an attempt to tarnish her image. But the businessman has stood by his story, saying his account was accurate.

Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, told Guardian that the Senate had no record of such case.

He said the legislature does not interfere in the personal business of the legislators outside their official duties.

The Senate, he said, focuses on its core functions – lawmaking, oversight and representation – and considers only issues that are formally presented to it.

Adaramodu declared that the allegation of abuse of office is still an allegation, adding that the Senate can only act on issues officially presented to it.

He said: “We have no such case before us. We don’t know that. We don’t go into the personal involvement of senators outside the chambers and the National Assembly.

“That’s an allegation. We have no such case in hand. We can only speak of what is in front of us. “We care about anything relating to law-making, oversight and representation.

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Senator Ireti Kingibe from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has spoken out against the high level of insecurity in Nigeria.
The lawmaker said during an interview on Arise Television’s “Prime Time” on Monday that food insecurity is at its worst ever.

She also said that she was happy to see opposition groups working together for the good of the country rather than for their own gain.

“Everyone wants a better life at the end of the day. Insecurity has never been this bad, food insecurity is at its worst ever, taxes are going up, and more are coming.”

“Everything, including electricity and safety, has never been this bad. Food insecurity is at its highest level ever. Taxes that are impossible to pay and keep coming.

“So, let’s talk about phone calls. You have to call someone at least five times before you can actually talk to them. The whole country is falling apart.

“So it’s not just a matter of whether we want to take power or not.” She said, “The truth is that everyone is tired and worn out from just living.”

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Tonye Cole, who ran for governor on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in Rivers State, says that every party, even the ruling party, will always try to weaken the opposition.

Cole said this during an interview on ARISE Television’s “Prime Time” show, according to reports.

Tonye Cole said that the idea that the APC is working against the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is something that happens all over the world.

Cole says that the opposition should fight back, which is what makes democracy work.

He said, “Every party, even if they are not APC, will always try to make the opposition weaker.” The opposition’s reaction to that push is what makes democracy work. This happens in every part of the world.

“First and foremost, it’s something I’ve been looking forward to personally. Democracy always needs an opposition, and if that opposition is strong, it makes the whole process more legitimate.

“So, one thing you see now is an opposition that is now set on coming together. Is that good for democracy? Yes, for sure. Would the APC be against such a coming together? For sure.

“I am one of those people who think that competition makes you better.” You think smarter when you’re competing. It helps you see both your strengths and your weaknesses.

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Ladan Salihu, a leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says that the government of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will fail the test of honesty and trustworthiness in the 2027 general elections.

This is what Salihu said during an interview on Channels Television’s “Sunday Politics.”

He said that Nigerians would be angry and upset with the APC government led by President Bola Tinubu at the polls.

It is clear that this government will not pass the integrity and credibility test at the polls when it comes to fair elections.

Salihu said, “This government won’t be able to handle the anger and frustration of the Nigerian people.”

Salihu also repeated his call for the resignation or removal of Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), because of claims of bias.

INEC has, however, denied the claim and said that Amupitan is neutral.

The ADC leader said, “Amupitan should resign or be fired. In public service today, Amupitan is the number one persona non grata because he has failed the integrity test, the competency test, and he has not presented himself as that impartial, credible umpire that can give Nigeria, a nation of 250 million people, an election to celebrate.”

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that any government that doesn’t protect people and property has no reason to be in power. This is a clear sign of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and the problems the country is having with its leaders.

Obasanjo said that Nigeria’s problems are getting worse because of bad leadership. He also said that the country has lost its power in international affairs and ruined important relationships in the region, especially within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Obasanjo also said in an interview on News Central’s Soni Irabor Live (SIL) over the weekend that Nigeria was no longer “at the table” of global decision-making. He said that the country’s inability to shape events outside of its borders shows a lack of leadership in general.

The outspoken former leader of Africa’s most populous country said that Nigerians should not accept kidnapping and other social ills as normal, pointing out how easy it used to be for people to travel across the country.

He gave the federal government a harsh review, saying that any government that doesn’t protect life and property has lost its right to exist.

Obasanjo said that Nigeria’s security problems got worse after the civil war because there wasn’t enough control over the spread of weapons. He said that bad government and lack of attention had made the problem worse since then.

He also said that both outside and inside factors were to blame for the crisis. For example, armed mercenaries came back to Libya after the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, and armed groups were used for political purposes.

Obasanjo said that the rising number of children who are not in school, which is thought to be around 20 million, is a long-term security risk because it is a ready pool for future recruitment into extremist groups.

The former president said, “The other day, someone came to me and said that they were looking into the causes of insecurity at NIPSS (National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies). And I asked, “What is this about?” He said that the government told them to do this.

“I asked, “Will this government have the guts to do whatever you ask?” He said he didn’t know. And I said, “Listen, I came back to this country in 1959 after my first military training in the UK.” You could go anywhere in the North. Anyplace. And what you’ll get is people being nice there.

“And someone told me the other day that we’ve taken it (kidnapping) for granted.” It’s not news anymore. So when you hear that someone in your family has been taken, you all get together. They might let him go for N2,000. Should we accept that as the way things are? Not a chance.”

Obasanjo said, “The first duty of any government, no matter how it gets there, is to protect life and property.” If a government can’t protect its citizens’ lives and property, it doesn’t have the right to exist.

The former president was not hopeful about Nigeria’s future. When asked about the country’s future under the current leadership, he said, “I see nothing.” He said that the decline of democratic values, such as what he called the replacement of a “selectorate” for a real electorate, had made accountability and governance weaker.

Obasanjo specifically criticized how the Tinubu administration dealt with relations with Niger Republic after the recent coup there. He said the response was poorly thought out and hurt decades of regional cooperation that had been carefully built up over 50 years.

He said that Nigeria’s actions, like closing the border, cutting off electricity, and putting financial limits on the other country, hurt the long-standing historical, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries.

Obasanjo said that Nigeria and Niger had deep ties, including strong family ties across the border. He also said that working together was once very important for Nigeria’s strategic and military interests.

He said that Nigeria’s choices during the recent crisis in Niger showed that the highest levels of government don’t understand what’s going on. He said that Nigeria needs better leadership to get back on track. He said that Nigeria didn’t have to spend much money to keep its power, but it did need to be clear-headed and strategic, which he thought it wasn’t right now.

After the coup in Niger Republic, Tinubu, who was the chairman of ECOWAS, was thought to have taken a hard line, calling for sanctions, closing borders, and even threatening military action to restore constitutional order.

Critics, including Obasanjo, said that the situation was poorly handled and hurt long-standing ties with Niger, making the region less cohesive instead of strengthening ECOWAS’s authority.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso eventually left the group.

Obasanjo said, “Nigeria is not at the table of international politics today.” What is going on that Nigeria is having an effect on or affecting, and who is Nigeria affecting?

“Look at how we’ve dealt with ECOWAS. We worked for 50 years to make this. We messed it up overnight. And we have almost ruined it.

“It’s being a leader. There was a coup in Niger Republic. Our neighbor. At least 30% of the people in Niger Republic are related by blood to people in Nigeria.

“We were working on the Kanji Dam. Kanji would have been silly. So we told Niger Republic, “When the Kanji Dam is working, we’ll give you whatever you want for electricity.” We had to do that.

“It would have been hard for us to win the civil war without the Niger Republic. We used to get supplies from the Niger Republic to send to our troops on the front lines. Now, because of all this, they had to leave. We closed the border right away. Then we turned off their power. The next thing we did was to say, “No money.” With our borders that let things through!

Obasanjo said, “So, now you see what I meant when I said mishandling.” Being at the table doesn’t cost Nigeria much. But it needs to be understood. But, to be honest, I’m in pain. “Because I know what Nigeria could do.”

Obasanjo also said that the National Council of State (NCS), which is made up of former presidents who give advice, was not important. He said that going to its meetings was a waste of time. He said that the body was only there to give advice and that its suggestions were often ignored, which made it useless as a way to have real conversations or change policy.

The former president said again what he has always said about the economy and the oil industry: that government-owned refineries run by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) would not work well. He said that their ongoing poor performance was due to structural inefficiencies, bad maintenance, corruption, and not having enough scale.

He said that while he was in office, there were efforts to get private companies involved in running the refinery. For example, he talked to international oil companies like Shell, but they didn’t want to get involved because they were worried about making money and running the business smoothly. He also talked about a time when billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote tried to buy shares in the refineries, but his successor stopped that from happening.

Obasanjo said that the government had spent billions of dollars, up to $16 billion, on the refineries, but had little to show for it. He compared this to the success of privately run projects like the Nigeria LNG project, which he used as proof that public-private partnerships were better.

“Look at what we’re doing now, even with the NNPC.” NNPC owns refineries. And I told people that it would never work, he said.

The former president warned against the rise of a one-party state in Nigeria’s political system, saying it would hurt the country’s growth and democracy. He agreed with the president that he didn’t want a one-party state, but he still said that this kind of government would not be good for Nigeria.

Obasanjo said, “He (Tinubu) said he doesn’t want Nigeria to be a one-party state.” He said that. And, as I said, this time I will believe what he says. It will be a shame. Because it won’t even do what it was made to do.”

Obasanjo said he strongly believed that Nigeria could still get better, even though people were criticizing him. He said this was because of the country’s potential and the strength of its people.

But he stressed that real progress would only happen if there was a big change in the quality of leadership and the way the government works.

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