Politics
Every Nigerian needs to be politically involved to save the present situation – Group
Every Nigerian needs to be politically involved to save the present situation – Group By Ifeoma Ikem
The National Coordinator, Peace Action Transformation (PACT), Oloye Adegboyega Adeniji says every Nigerian needs to be politically involved to save the country from its present situation.
Adeniji said this during the state of the nation press conference held in Lagos on Friday.
“Nigeria’s poor socio-economic performance, human rights abuses, widespread poverty, insecurity, corruption and lack of trust in the political system have led to unsolvable solution.
“Nigeria is in a critical state today and it is facing real, present and existential threats to her peace, prosperity and progress.
“Everywhere across the country, there are signs and manifestations of outright degeneration and decay.
“All physical, social and institutional structures and infrastructures have almost fully collapsed resulting in collective hopelessness and general loss of confidence both in the apparatus of the state and state itself.
According to him, `as at today in Nigeria, the people are not only completely distant from governance, they are utterly disconnected from government of the day: indeed, the people are beginning to see governance as a major part of the problem that is threatening their lives, living and livelihood.
“The entire citizenry appear to be mesmerized and overwhelmed by the magnitude of challenges they are facing right in their own country with seeming lack of care on the part of leadership from the center throughout the tiers to the fringes of the society, he stressed.
“There is no intention to bore you by repeating the obvious distressing and depressing situation in the country, some issues bothering on the core survival of the people and the sustenance of the country are worth mentioning.
“Food is a critical necessity for human survival and it’s unfortunate that governments at all levels only pay lip service to this essential sector of the economy.
He noted that apart from the major disruptions caused by insecurity, Nigerians can go hungry or starve to death, is the body language of all governments across the country.
“Health and medical services are completely no-go-areas in Nigeria as leaders and their families including the President and other top public functionaries are content to go abroad for medical attentions due to the complete collapse of medical facilities.
“In a similar manner, education is also comatose both academically and structurally. And it’s unfortunate how leaders in Nigeria shamelessly flaunt their graduating wards from foreign colleges and universities leaving the children of the masses to a harsh fate in the country, he added.
He further explained that with regard to labour and employment generation, there is nothing to write home about and the noise and rants about self-employment is a farce taken too far.
“With the massive disabling situation in the country where every citizen has become a government unto itself, the prospect of business start-ups has vanished from the horizon.
“Also with past lies about development, and the current lack of development blueprint, the hope of economic and industrial development is fast faded.
“Consequently, the populace has been turned to a cash cow where levies, taxes, fines and all kinds of unreasonable extortions are imposed on, and extracted from them.
“Commerce and trade are becoming moribund as businesses are folding up at an unprecedented rate. Inflation has also gone haywire and the financial sector has got out of control.
Adeniji noted that it was in the midst of the country’s economic quagmire that the borders were closed in the south of the country for no justifiable reason thereby compounding the pains and penury of the populace.
“While the masses are still trying to grapple with the increasing difficulty of daily life, tariffs on energy and power have kept skyrocketing beyond the reach and belief of the people.
“At the whims of the power operators, the cost of electricity has ridiculously gone overboard. Still, both services and efficiency have continued to plunge. The case of oil and gas is even much worse and pathetic.
“For about thirty years now, Nigeria has been struggling with fuel scarcity on a regular basis. A country that exports crude oil cannot refine its own petroleum products for these decades is an aggravated indictment on leadership across board in the country.
He added that there is no doubt that where government and political leadership is failing, the entire society must rally together to insist on the right thing.
“In this respect, the Nigerian elites must accept culpability for the mess the country has been going through since independence. The threat of fuel price increase early next year has better remained the joke that it looks like.
“Similarly, law and justice administration has become a shame unto itself as both justice and its temple are being continuously desecrated by the operators and the powers-that-be.
“Political and social relations have also been weaponized against the entire population as politics has been hijacked by the power brokers and cabals, and deployed for all other purposes other than the interest of our tried and tired people.
“The entire country has been successfully divided between the very few affluent minorities who are the haves and the very many abject majorities who are the have-nots.
“In the same vein, the leadership in Nigeria have made religious and regional cohabitation difficult amongst the people who have now lethally turned upon one another with deadly hostility’’.
He stressed that the worst of all the crises facing Nigeria and its people today is general insecurity and social instability.
“The rate and dimension of lack of human and material safety in Nigeria today is not only unconscionable and unimaginable, it has become absolutely unacceptable.
“We can no longer continue to pride ourselves as members of the human community while we watch as our land becomes an expensive slaughtering house of human beings.
“Safety, security and stability are the foundational responsibility of governments at all tiers of the society and where these fail; we must not hesitate to call out the leadership concerned’’.
He noted that a situation where fellow citizens are butchered with inexplicable impunity while the whole world looks on with distant indifference is both scandalous and outrageous.
Rtd Major Henry Ayoola, PACT member said it is necessary to bring the populace together to enlighten and sensitize them.
Ayoola pointed out that it is a clarion call to the masses on the need to be educated and also believe on themselves and PACT will make them to wake up and have a sense of belonging.
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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