Politics
#ENDSARS, PROTESTS AND THE PERIL OF A COUNTRY
By Adewale Adeoye
· Those who fail to learn from history, are bound to repeat the same error. Nigerians should commend the #ENDSARs movement for its peaceful conducts; condemn strongly the savage killings either of protesters or of the police; condemn the destruction of assets in Lagos and elsewhere by criminals.
· Though the protest was against SARs, there are many more protests waiting: Electricity companies’ oppression, Army brutality, mass poverty, unemployment, corruption and corporate greed that combine to enrage the people.
· Nigerian Govt has no adequate thermometer to gauge the mood of the people. The Police, DSS, NIA, PPP, DDD, FUFUFU and all the intelligence agencies failed to obtain intelligence on the boiling heart of Nigerians waiting to explode.
· Very painful people were killed. Assets destroyed are painful. The Nigerian state failed to protect the assets. The Federal Government that controls police should have known that those assets may be attacked; there should have been adequate provision for them.
· It is savage act to kill. It is barbaric to burn down private and public assets. BRT buses, 100 years old Igbosere court, Court of Appeal, High Court, all burnt, police stations, TVC, The Nation Newspapers, all burnt. Many of these assets provide sources of living for millions of poor Nigerians. The soldiers that killed innocent people and those who destroyed these critical assets must be found and punished severely.
· It is foolish to link the #ENDSARs protest to Tinubu. What will he gain? How can you expect him to set people against a Govt he built? How can he set the people against his own Lagos state? Presidential election is two years ahead. It is cheap logic and blackmail to link him with the protest. Was he also responsible for the protests across the country? If he was, he must be the most powerful politician in Nigeria. Those who promote this are mischievous. They can’t think deeply, but in politics lies are entitled to honour. They also want to darklist the noble objective of the #ENDSARs movement.
The protest is a rejection of the political and economic order but not a proof that the opposition is better. It is rather a vote against insanity in the political economy
· Lagos and other cities have no strategic security architecture for their critical assets, bridges, economic arteries and veins, roads, water ways, her tall buildings and most importantly, the most treasured asset: The people. The neighborhood watch was helpless. Lagos state failed to connect with critical organisations, the self-determination groups, even as we speak. Too bad.
· It’s clear the FG cannot protect Lagos. Only the people themselves can. Nigeria is a fragile and highly explosive country occasioned by inept leadership, corporate and political greed of the managers and the drivers of the country.
Nigerian people are left at the mercy of exploiters at all front: from politicians to economic managers, banks, communication companies, whose main purpose is primitive accumulation of wealth. Not only the political class is guilty, a lot of corporate organisations see Nigerians as bride to be raped and humiliated through their excruciating policies. Electricity companies are just one example.
Most elected leaders got to their positions by fowl means. They are not actually represented the people. This is a dangerous time bomb now that people are elected through bribing the electorate.
Every Nigerian sees the average politician as a crook, a criminal that swim the resources from the sweat of the people. This perception has to change. During the protest, those who claimed they were elected by the people could not visit their constituencies.
· What we saw was organized crime against the people and their heritage. My fear is that, if we could not respond adequately to hooligans, I pray this city will never come under attacks from Boko Haram.
· We should learn now, that the greatest security is investment in peoples’ education. The greatest security of leaders is not from armed soldiers and police, it is from the people they govern. No arsenal, no matter how mighty can protect a leader more than his people. Ghadafi and other fallen leaders should be a lesson to us.
· In Nigeria, security of individual politicians and big men in the corporate world is more important than security of the people. Politicians have privatized public security, leaving only very few to police protect me and you. But at the critical moment, me and you became safer than the politicians and all their armed men.
· The State Governors should democratize security votes. It should go to economic and strategic security of the people and public assets. About N240 billion naira of security votes go into the purse of 36 governors annually.
· A second wave of rage is possible. The National Assembly and political office holders should cut their salaries. Corporate organisations should put the interests of the people first. They should not wait for the second wave of rage. We survived this, are we sure we shall survive the nest round if it comes?
Christian and Muslim right groups kept quite as their members are killed during the protest. It shows their opportunism. Thanks to a few Islamic and Christian leaders who stood firmly with the people
· Politicians should stop taunting us with their wealth. One of the Senators was showing us his opulence. He dared us that you can be a billionaire so easily. All you needed was to be a member of the National Assembly. I thought he would have gone to address the protesters. He never did.
· Nigerians have their mouths stocked with the filthy hands of politicians and drivers of the commanding height of the economy. We are crying. They still mock us. How long shall we cry for you to know we are dying, how many times shall we shake our heads before you know that we are mourning?
· Governors of the North politicised the protests. To them, they said #ENDSARs was an attempt to topple the Federal Government. It was a trick to delude their angry, poor and desperate masses. Their actions stressed the division in the country and lower the prospect of consensus on critical issues. They want SARs, please, give them. For states that don’t need SARs, let them be.
· The Federal Government MUST take drastic steps now: Restructure, create state police, halt the increase in electricity tariff, enforce laws that will make corporations performing public functions to be responsible and stop the repression and traumatization of the masses all in the name of profit.
· Invest returns from fuel price hike in health, education, and increase in welfare of workers, including health workers, police, soldiers and other relevant stakeholders.
Restructure Nigeria. NOW Nigerians are begging the Govt to restructure, very soon it may be the Govt begging the people for restructuring.
· A word is enough for the wise, but for the foolish, a million words mean nothing.
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named as a member of the presidential entourage that will accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on a historic two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Zamfara State Government House on Monday, the Governor will depart Abuja for the UK on Tuesday for the visit, which is scheduled to take place on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of the British Royal Family.
During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
The presidency has outlined that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which are expected to lead to expanded bilateral discussions and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which showcases contemporary art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
The Zamfara State Government expressed confidence that Governor Lawal’s participation in the high-level delegation will provide valuable networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State. The visit will also see Governor Lawal display his repertoire of knowledge on global policy and corporate governance and also pitch the Mineral and Farming rich state to potential investors during the bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
Politics
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
The Centre for Responsible Governance (CRG) has welcomed the decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) dismissing the complaint filed against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, describing the ruling as a clear affirmation of due process and institutional integrity.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the spokesman of the Centre, Obande George, said the verdict of the disciplinary body has once again vindicated the Deputy Speaker and reaffirmed the position earlier taken by CRG that the allegations against him lacked merit.
The LPDC, in its ruling referenced BB/LPDC/1954/2026, held that no prima facie case had been established against the Deputy Speaker and dismissed the complaint in its entirety.
According to George, the decision demonstrates the importance of allowing competent institutions to examine allegations objectively rather than rushing to judgment in the court of public opinion.
“From the onset, the Centre for Responsible Governance maintained that justice must take its course. We insisted that competent institutions should be allowed to examine the issues without political pressure or sensationalism. The LPDC’s ruling has now clearly shown that the allegations had no foundation,” he said.
The CRG spokesman further stated that the decision reinforces the sterling reputation of the Deputy Speaker, who has over the years built a distinguished profile both as a legal practitioner and as a legislator.
“Honourable Benjamin Kalu is a respected member of the Nigerian Bar and an accomplished lawmaker. Attempts by some individuals to impugn his reputation through unfounded allegations were unfortunate and unnecessary.”
CRG also condemned the actions of certain civil society groups that were quick to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside from office even before any formal determination had been made by the relevant authorities.
George described such calls as premature and irresponsible, noting that they contributed to the politicisation of a matter that required sober institutional review.
“It is disappointing that some civil society organisations rushed to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside without allowing due process to run its course. Advocacy for accountability must be guided by facts and fairness, not by sensational pressure.”
The organisation also criticised what it described as the role played by some political actors from the South East who allegedly sought to exploit the controversy for narrow political interests.
According to CRG, it is troubling that certain politicians would attempt to undermine one of their own for short-term political advantage.
“It is even more disturbing that some political actors from the South East appeared eager to weaponise this matter in an attempt to bring down one of their own for cheap political gain. Such actions weaken collective political progress and erode the spirit of solidarity required for national development.”
CRG therefore called on Nigerians to learn from the episode and reaffirm respect for institutional processes and the rule of law.
The organisation stressed that public discourse must be guided by evidence, fairness and responsible engagement rather than rumours or politically motivated campaigns.
“The lesson here is simple: allegations must be tested by competent institutions before conclusions are drawn. Nigeria’s democracy will only grow stronger when due process is respected and reputations are not casually destroyed.”
CRG concluded by congratulating the Deputy Speaker for maintaining calm and dignity throughout the controversy, noting that his composure reflected confidence in the justice system.
@The Centre for Responsible Governance, Email: [email protected], Instagram: crgngo6, Twitter: crgng06, Threads: crgngo6
Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.
The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.
Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.
The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.
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