*WHAT MORE DOES MALAMI WANT FROM NIGERIA? 

By Ali Isah

Mallam Abubakar Malami is not a happy man, he has never been happy. He is always moody, and irritating. He lacks a senile moment.

The reasons are not farfetched, they are certainly not from anything external, but basically from his internal self inflicted self-centered conflicts, a self-induced intention malady, which comes with very irritating symptoms.

Most time those suffering from this incurable affliction are always against himself.

For a man who came into office with nothing and as nothing but rose, not by any ding of personal positive efforts, but became powerful through deceit and satanic mechanization during the Buhari government,Mallam Malami has long overstayed as a freeman, he should be under lock and key by now.

This is so because at that time, Mallam Malami carried out the supervision of so many poor, illfated reforms which not only further impoverished the residents of the country, but ended off making nothing good, but only enough to make history as not just the worst AGF but the most undignified after Michael Aondoakaa.

A crafty and self delusional person, who has been serially caught in his own pit and guile, and obviously in the net of his personal mischief, he ran head on into a stronger, more formidable force, in his last attempt, the peoples’ force.

His last outing to Kebbi was not too good, he failed, a self distraught.

His strategic intention was to overwhelm the people in a show of arbitrary force and unwarranted violence, through the use of bandits and criminal elements, he wanted to physically torment the peace of the people, and compromise their safety, and that of their properties. He wanted to tell his co-travelers in ADC that he controls a stronger and more formidable warchest, he misled himself into thinking that he is in charge.

If his scheme had succeeded, he would, like a chimpanzee, beat his chest in self approval, and tell the world that he is prepared to deploy the cannon of death at any opposition during the 2027 election.

Alas! He lost out to the superior force of the people of Kebbi State. He has tried to decorate and coverup what has happened with lies; his usual character, playing the victim, in an attempted damage assessment but the rest is history. The truth is already in public domain.

He thought he has the monopoly of physical and political violence and hate, he was mistaken, the people and the law are always ahead.

So, he could not believe what confronted him, and his mischievous, poorly mobilized miscreants and urchins. The people were resolute against him.

They spoke unanimously and strongly. They felt that, that was one violence too many. They were agreed that no single person, not even a Mallam Abubakar Malami, has the monopoly of vices and violence.

They came out in their numbers to tell him that never again should Mallam Malami attempt to ride on the sensibilities and goodwill of the people of Kebbi State. It was a clear message that, ‘Enough is Enough.’

The language was his but the singer was different, a more dynamic, sagacious, people-oriented crowd of patriotic and passionate nation builders, determined and willing to make the needful sacrifice to entrench good governance and ensure the delivery of the dividends of democracy as against the manipulation of a self seeking individual, whom Mallam Malami represents.

Indeed, Malami has had it up to the peoples’ throat, the have lost confidence in him and his corrupt selfish leadership.

This, to them is a Renaissance, a people come together under shared value and new narratives. They recalled that it was Mallam Malami that was a voice of imbalance in previous years, when instead of attracting developments and the dividends of democracy in his hay days to his people consistently embarked on divisive politics and only embroiled himself in endless controversies, which obviously did not align with the greater good, but was always ingratiating his personal interest, and ego.

The question has always been, ‘ What are the intentions of Mallam Abubakar Malami? Is he and will he ever be genuinely interested in serving Nigeria or is he driven by his primordial selfish ambition?

This posers are important considering Mallam Malami’s antecedents.

For one, Mallam Malami throughout his romance with power never prioritized the welfare of even his immediate constituency; the people of Kebbi State, neither did he ever pretend to address their pressing challenges.
Malami has never demonstrated leadership, statesmanship, nor the desire to see a stable, and prosperous future for the country. So what is new now?

Mallam Malami diverted the loot that was recovered, and also stopped those cases that are against his allies, including individuals such as, a former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and his contemporary the ex-Aviation Minister Stella Oduah.

A highly unprofessional and biased individual, Mallam Malami is presently encumbered about with several corruption and abuse of office cases, which are before the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offence Commission (ICPC).

Malami was involved in the questionable deal of $496 million settlement with Global Steel Company Limited and National Iron Ore Mining Company Commission.

It is this same sudden redeemer, that made an illegitimate payment of $418 million to consultants who claimed to have facilitated Paris Club Refunds to States.

Malami it was that also unpatriotically and selfishly misled the Federal Government of Nigeria into paying a compensation of $200 million to Sunrise Power over the Mambilla Power Project, despite lacking Presidential clearance.

A questionable character, who is unfit for any public office, Mallam Malami stock in trade is to consistently abuse his office, as it was with the undue interference into several corrupt cases, and various attempts in many cases to enter a nolle prosqui case for many of them.

He was involved in several underhand dealings and clear cases of favouritism.

A man without qualms, he lacks respect for state institutions, law and order and any form of rules, blatantly breaching Covid-19 Protocols by vicariously and tacitly sponsoring and allowing the wedding of his son during the Covid-19 era, because he believe in the misuse of power.

A highly confused and corrupt mind, he played leading role in the attempted reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, the former disgraced and dismissed Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team.

It is unfortunate that this is the character that is on this new voyage of misguided self discovery.

Again we are compelled to ask, what does he want from Nigeria again?

Mallam Abubakar Malami should allow the people of Kebbi, and indeed all Nigerians, to have their peace. He lacks the moral integrity, transparency, and accountability, especially considering his various involvement in corruption and misuse and abuse of office, to the extent that even the NJC passed a lack of confidence on his performance as a public officer.
There is nothing in Government House for him to find.

Isah wrote this piece from Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Dangote Refinery: Economic Rights Activists Condemn NUPENG, NLC over Threats of Nationwide Strike to Cripple Economic Life

The Economic Rights Activists (ERA) have strongly condemned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and other affiliated unions for their planned nationwide strike, which threatens to disrupt fuel distribution and cripple Nigeria’s economic life.

During a press conference in Abuja, ERA’s Executive Director, Dr. Josiah Inuwa, described the proposed industrial action as a “reckless and unpatriotic” assault on the Nigerian people, warning that it would inflict severe hardship on millions while potentially serving the interests of economic saboteurs.

The unions’ grievances stem from alleged anti-union practices at the Dangote Refinery and accusations of monopolistic control in the downstream petroleum sector.

Dr. Inuwa, however, argued that the strike would primarily harm ordinary citizens—small business owners, transport operators, and families—rather than corporate giants.

“The okada rider in Enugu, the pepper seller in Osun, the teacher in Kaduna, and the mechanic in Port Harcourt will bear the brunt,” he stated. “Transport fares will skyrocket, food prices will soar, hospitals will lose power, and small businesses will collapse. This is not a fight for justice—it is a direct attack on the Nigerian people.”

The ERA highlighted the devastating impact of past oil sector strikes, such as the 2012 fuel subsidy protests and the 2020 industrial actions, which cost the economy billions of naira daily and deepened recessionary pressures.

The group warned that the proposed strike could trigger similar losses, threatening Nigeria’s fragile economic recovery under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms.

Dr. Inuwa raised concerns about the timing of the strike, noting its alignment with efforts by vested interests to undermine Nigeria’s push for energy self-sufficiency through the Dangote Refinery, a critical step toward ending decades of reliance on imported fuel.

“Whether knowingly or not, NLC, NUPENG, and PETROAN risk becoming pawns of cartels that profit from the status quo,” he said, accusing these groups of orchestrating sabotage to derail the refinery’s success.

The ERA also accused union leaders of hypocrisy, pointing to the disconnect between their public rhetoric and private privileges.

“Many of these leaders drive in convoys while the masses trek,” Dr. Inuwa remarked. “They negotiate secret deals behind closed doors while claiming to fight for justice in public squares.”

He criticized the unions for bypassing civilized dispute resolution mechanisms like arbitration and dialogue, instead resorting to “blackmail” that holds the nation’s fuel supply hostage. “Why choose to strangle a fragile economy at its jugular?” he questioned. “This approach is reckless and unacceptable.”

In response, the ERA demanded that NLC, NUPENG, PETROAN, and other unions immediately suspend the strike and return to the negotiation table to resolve grievances through dialogue.

They urged President Tinubu, the Ministry of Labour, and relevant agencies to stand firm against union pressure while facilitating constructive engagement.

The group also called on Dangote Refinery to transparently address worker concerns regarding unionization and labor conditions, balancing its role as a strategic national asset with fair labor practices.

Additionally, the ERA urged the National Industrial Court and the Department of State Services (DSS) to establish mechanisms to deter irresponsible strike threats that weaponize critical sectors like oil and gas.

They appealed to the National Assembly to summon all parties involved to ensure transparency and investigate potential sabotage by cartels profiting from Nigeria’s fuel import dependency.

Addressing Nigerians directly, Dr. Inuwa called for vigilance against manipulation by “empty rhetoric,” emphasizing that the strike threat is not a noble struggle but a calculated move for control and monopoly.

“This is not about workers’ rights—it is about sabotage,” he warned. Praising President Tinubu’s economic reforms as deliberate steps toward recovery, he cautioned that such progress is too fragile to withstand another disruption.

Security: Opinion Poll Scores Matawalle Most Outstanding Minister

In a recent nationwide opinion poll assessing the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet members, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, emerged as the most performing minister in security. The survey sampled views across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, reflecting growing public confidence in his ability to drive strategies that directly confront the country’s complex security challenges. Since assuming office in 2023, Matawalle has steadily carved out a reputation as one of the administration’s most active voices on national defence. Working closely with the Minister of Defence, the service chiefs, and other security stakeholders, he has been instrumental in strengthening collaboration among the armed forces and initiating reforms targeted at insurgency, banditry, and cross-border crimes.

The poll, which was widely discussed across media and policy circles, shows that Nigerians are paying close attention to how security matters are being handled under Tinubu’s leadership. Respondents in the North West and North Central regions areas most affected by banditry and insurgency credited Matawalle’s office with championing military offensives, improving intelligence sharing, and taking a hands on approach through visits to crisis zones. Many see his active presence and swift interventions as a departure from past practices where government officials often kept their distance from affected communities.

Analysts note that the poll’s outcome speaks not only to Matawalle’s rising profile within Tinubu’s cabinet but also to a broader demand by Nigerians for results driven governance. Security remains one of the administration’s toughest challenges, and the minister’s recognition suggests that citizens are beginning to identify clear efforts and results in that direction. Political observers believe this rating could further boost the administration’s credibility as it works to reassure Nigerians that reforms in the defence sector are yielding impact.

Still, experts caution that much work remains to be done. Nigeria’s security crisis is deeply layered, with terrorism, banditry, oil theft, and urban crime continuing to stretch the country’s security architecture. While military operations have recorded notable successes, addressing the underlying socio economic causes of insecurity will require more holistic strategies, ranging from poverty reduction and education to stronger governance at the state and local levels.

Nevertheless, Matawalle’s emergence as the most performing minister in security underscores a significant shift in how Nigerians perceive leadership and accountability. It signals that citizens are not only monitoring the government’s promises but are also willing to recognize and reward performance where it is evident. As President Tinubu’s administration advances, the spotlight on ministers like Matawalle reflects a growing expectation that public service must translate into visible impact. For now, his recognition by the public stands as both an endorsement of progress and a reminder that the nation’s security demands continuous, determined, and innovative leadership.