Policing For Personal Profit

 By Suleiman A. Suleiman

The tragic death of 37 artisanal miners under the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, more popularly known as Civil Defence, in Minna last week reveals, yet again, the kind of structural violence against ordinary Nigerians perpetrated by the state itself. The circumstances of the mass arrest and detention in unsafe and inhumane conditions in which the young artisanal miners died were horrific, to say the least, and entirely avoidable.

Yet these things happen in countless similar circumstances across Nigeria, if only in discrete numbers, and further illustrate the transactional dimension that underlies the policing functions carried out by various bodies like the Nigeria Police, the Road Safety Corps, the Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Correctional Service, etc. 

ELECTIONS: Nigeria Is Still Pursuing Shadows

 By Tonnie Iredia

In less than 4 months from now, Nigeria will hold its 2027 general elections; yet, not many would believe the assurances by the electoral body that the process will be free and fair. 

No one can blame the doubting Thomases because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is notorious for not keeping its word. Just before the last general elections in 2023, INEC told the nation that it would premise its operations on modern technology: indicating specifically that there would be both manual and electronic collation of votes etc. 

When The State Turns The Law Against Dissent Under Tinubu’s Watch

By Kolawole Olaniyan  

It is happening again. Under President Bola Tinubu, Nigerians are facing an increasingly repressive political and legal environment. Like the Muhammadu Buhari government before it, the Tinubu administration is making an utter mockery of Nigeria’s constitutional and international obligations to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law. 

*Tinubu

There is something deeply troubling about a country in which the security agency created to protect the state and its people increasingly finds itself in court seeking to restrain citizens from speaking, organising, and criticising those in power. Nigeria has been here before. 

But under Tinubu, threats, harassment, and intimidation of human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and civil society organisations are being compounded by the growing weaponisation of the criminal justice system, particularly by the Department of State Services (DSS), to silence peaceful dissent and intimidate critics.

As Nigerians Battle Compounded Hardship On A Daily Basis

 By Adekunle Adekoya

The last one week has been quite impactful on Nigerians. Just as everyone was figuring how to continue managing fast-disappearing resources as prices of just about everything resumed an upward climb, the price of fuel energy took off from its precarious perch in the stratosphere, and headed for outer space.

*Tinubu

Most of us Nigerians woke up to see filling stations selling petrol at above N1,350 last Monday. Ostensibly, the latest surge in the price of petrol was triggered by tensions in the Middle East, with crude oil selling well above $100 per barrel. What is worse, the price of cooking gas, used by millions of households all over the country jumped well above N1,300 per kilogramme, and in most of Lagos suburbs with bad roads, one kilogramme of gas is selling at about N1,500.

Peter Obi And Soludo's Dud LIES

By Dr Olusola Adegbite 

The government of Anambra state, under the leadership of Prof. Charles Soludo, claims that as of when Mr. Peter Obi left office on 17th March 2014, his administration had taken a total of eight (8) different external borrowings for things such as malaria, erosion control, education, healthcare, etc.

They claimed that the loan amount in US Dollars as at the day signed was $123, 771, 179. 30 million and that according to the Debt Management Office (DMO) report of 30th June, 2026, the remaining balance of the Obi-era loans stood at $92, 353, 182 i.e., 127.4 billion naira, an amount which they now service with hundreds of millions of naira monthly.

Since the above claim was made, Tinubu supporters and sympathisers have found a new sense of joy and ecstasy, as if to say “if our principal is a drug lord, at least yours too is a debtor”.

It however turns out that authentic data from the DMO’s website tells a different story. As against the claim of the Soludo government, the DMO website reveals that as at 31st December 2013, the total external debt stock of Anambra state stood at $30, 323, 574. 40. 

Alleged Unpaid Debts By Anambra Govt: Exploding Soludo's Fairy Tales

 By Mudi Mudi

I have taken some time to research on the loan descriptions as released by the Anambra State Government which they claim Peter Obi as Governor signed off and my findings are as follows:

1. The Nigeria Malaria Control Booster Project (MCBP) 2007:

This was financed through a US$180 million IDA credit from the World Bank to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not a loan independently taken by the Anambra State Government. The World Bank records say the original IDA credit was approved in December 2006 and became effective on May 15, 2007.

Anambra was one of the seven participating states, along with Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano and Rivers.

VERDICT: FG was the borrower not Anambra State Government.

Debunking The Phantom Debts And Ecological Loan Fallacy

By Peter Obi

My attention has been drawn to trending claims by the Anambra State Government that my administration left behind inherited debts, including a ₦2 billion ecological loan, contractor liabilities, and unpaid salaries, gratuities, and pensions. This is completely false.

*Obi and Soludo 

We systematically liquidated historical gratuities and arrears dating back several years, amounting to over ₦35 billion. At the point of handover, the state owed nothing in salaries, gratuities, or pensions, nor did we owe anything to any contractor for projects duly executed and certified.

Peter Obi: No Objection To Legitimate Scrutiny Of My Certificates

 My attention has been drawn to reports circulating on social media concerning a legal action by an individual or group seeking Certified True Copies (CTCs) of my Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, awarded to me in 1984 by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as other academic records and credentials relating to my admission into the University.

*Peter Obi and Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu

I wish to state clearly that I have absolutely no objection to the release of these records.

I respectfully request that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, within the limits permitted by law, make available, upon legitimate request, my academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to my admission and studies at the University. 

I equally have no objection to other educational institutions, within and outside Nigeria, which I attended, making my academic records available in accordance with applicable laws and procedures. 

Peter Obi: No Nation Can Rise Above The Character, Competence And Commitment Of Its Leadership

 

*Peter Obi with Nigerian professionals in Washington D.C.

Yesterday, while in Washington, D.C., I had the privilege of meeting with a group of young Nigerian professionals — medical doctors and other healthcare professionals, educators, lawyers, engineers, technology experts, entrepreneurs and business leaders. 

It was an engaging and encouraging conversation about Nigeria, the challenges before us, and the kind of country we must work together to build.

Our discussions centered largely on good governance and the urgent reforms Nigeria needs today. 

I reminded them that, important as our economic, political, and institutional reforms are, the most important reform Nigeria needs is the reform of leadership itself.

Peter Obi: Our National Tragedies Are Resources For National Transformation

 

*Obi

I have received many calls and text messages from patriotic Nigerians who were annoyed that an Arise News anchor wanted me to answer questions about the 1966 coups, which were national tragedies. 

I reassured those patriots that, as a presidential candidate, I am ready and able to answer any questions about anything relating to Nigeria. I have a commitment to serve the people, not to hide from them. 

As I travel across Nigeria and listen to Nigerians of all ethnic and religious identities, I have had opportunities to reflect on the many tragedies we have experienced in Nigeria, including the 1966 coups, the civil war, and the various mass violence that have plagued different parts of the country. 

2027, APC And Merchants Of Political Violence

 By Ikechukwu Amaechi

Former Rivers State governor Chibuike Amaechi buried his mother, Ezinne Mary Oruah, on May 5, 2026 in Ubima, his ancestral Ikwerre hometown. It was a celebration of life. At 89 years, she lived long and well.

*Tinubu

Her son was not only a two-term governor but also Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years and Minister of Transportation. When his ministerial tour of duty ended, he set his eyes on the country’s ultimate political diadem – presidency. He is Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Wike, The Emperor!

 By Donu Kogbara

Nyesom Wike, the former Rivers Governor and current FCT Minister, has become the most visible, voluble and overbearing individual on the Nigerian political stage. He is more assertive and aggressive than his boss, Mr President.

He hosts more pro-government media interactions, grants more interviews and issues more statements than the Minister of Information and presidential spokesmen. He is far, far louder than any other member of Tinubu’s cabinet. He boasts that APC would have won the recent Osun gubernatorial election if he had been in charge.

Peter Obi: Our National Tragedies Are Resources For National Transformation

 I have received many calls and text messages from patriotic Nigerians who were annoyed that an Arise News anchor wanted me to answer questions about the 1966 coups, which were national tragedies. 

*Obi

I reassured those patriots that, as a presidential candidate, I am ready and able to answer any questions about anything relating to Nigeria. I have a commitment to serve the people, not to hide from them. 

As I travel across Nigeria and listen to Nigerians of all ethnic and religious identities, I have had opportunities to reflect on the many tragedies we have experienced in Nigeria, including the 1966 coups, the civil war, and the various mass violence that have plagued different parts of the country. 

GCK In Ogun: Trying Times And Transformation The World Needs

 By Banji Ojewale

When the train of the nondenominational Global Crusade with Kumuyi, GCK, stopped over in Ota, Ogun State, for a 5-day programme in late August, 2026, it was more than a historic homecoming for its convener, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi.

He recalled old ties with Ogun; he had his primary and secondary education right here in Ogun when it was part of the sprawling Western Region of Nigeria; he was born again in the state; and it was from here he got admission into the University of Ibadan; and at Ikenne here again in Ogun he had the unique experience of working as a teacher under the mentorship of late Tai Solarin, one of Nigeria’s greatest educationists and social critics.

2027, APC And Merchants Of Political Violence

 By Ikechukwu Amaechi

Former Rivers State governor Chibuike Amaechi buried his mother, Ezinne Mary Oruah, on May 5, 2026 in Ubima, his ancestral Ikwerre hometown. It was a celebration of life. At 89 years, she lived long and well.

*Tinubu
Her son was not only a two-term governor but also Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years and Minister of Transportation. When his ministerial tour of duty ended, he set his eyes on the country’s ultimate political diadem – presidency. He is Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Peter Obi: How Hired Thugs Obstructed My Visit To Benue State

Yesterday, I attended the opening of the national campaign office of an opposition presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde in Abuja. My presence was intended to demonstrate that politics can and should be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility. As Governor of Anambra State, I made it a point during electioneering to welcome visiting opposition members personally, provided they acted within the ambits of the law.

Guided by that same commitment to decency over partisanship, I travelled to Benue this morning, arriving at approximately 9:00 a.m. on a purely humanitarian mission: to visit the grieving families affected by the horrific killings in Yelwata, where over 270 people were massacred.

Regrettably, our convoy was prevented from proceeding to the community by thugs chanting, “Peter Obi, go back.”

Benue: A Dangerous Act Of Political Hooliganism! -- Amnesty International

 Amnesty International deeply is concerned by the reckless and unlawful use of political thugs that blocked the presidential candidate of opposition NDC Peter Obi from entering Benue state.

*Peter Obi 
Benue state government has questions to answer for this brazen act of political repression. No Nigerian needs anybody’s permission or prior notification to visit any part of the country — at all times. No state is a no-go area for any person or supporters of any political party. 

As Tinubu’s Dark Past Imperils Nigeria’s Future

By Ikechukwu Amaechi

It is indubitable, all pretensions to the contrary notwithstanding, that this is not the best of times for President Bola Tinubu. Granted, he is a hard guy – tough, unyielding and some will say lacking in empathy – but even the hardest of men have their vulnerable moments.

*Tinubu

This must be such a moment for Tinubu because nothing can be more unsettling for a leader than when the past, thought to have been successfully buried returns like a phoenix, an apparition of sorts, with old memories and unresolved events, haunting like a sudden ghost. But make no mistake about it. Nigerians are not spared because it is a nightmare for a people to have a leader who is haunted by his dark past.

Our Vanishing President Jets Out Again!

By Steve Osuji 

Let it be stated that I am ashamed of my president. Yes my president and supposed president of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Tinubu. It’s not because he’s not good looking. I am not particularly good looking myself. It’s not because he’s not from my ethnic group. No. My best friends and benefactors are not of my tribe.

*Tinubu

I am ashamed of my president because he never gets anything right. He is what we used to call a bumblebee in those early school days. But worse is that he doesn’t seem to know nor does he care. He carries on like someone so much out of his depth, out of his league and doing all the wrong things.

Peter Obi: President Tinubu Goes On Holiday Again!

President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu has once again left Nigeria for another holiday, this time beginning a three-week vacation in Europe.