Ajadi Reflects on 1993 Ordeal, Demands Democratic Reform

By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

As Nigeria marks Democracy Day today, Thursday, June 12, 2025, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general election in Ogun State, has called on the federal and state governments to practise democracy in its truest and most meaningful form.

In a passionate statement released to mark the day’s significance, Ajadi urged Nigerian leaders to move beyond mere ceremonial celebrations and entrench the ideals of justice, equity, and people-centred governance. He also admonished the electorate to become ambassadors of good democratic conduct.

Reflecting on his personal experience of the historic June 12, 1993, political crisis that followed the annulment of Nigeria’s freest and fairest election, Ambassador Ajadi recounted a traumatic incident from his childhood:

“So, it happened that year, my mother was eager to take us to safety. She was dragging us along the road, as we ran from the town of Odinjo. We were actually trekking to our village, Osengere area, Egbeda Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State.
When I could no longer bear the pressure and pain of the long and tedious dragging, I was forced to hesitate. I asked my mother why we were running and where we were going.
She responded that there was war in the town and daily feeding had become difficult. She said if we wanted to survive, we had no option but to seek refuge in a peaceful town.”

 

The trauma of that day, he said, remains etched in his memory and fuels his commitment to ensuring that democracy in Nigeria is never again derailed by injustice or bad governance.

“Democracy must not only be about elections and political power. It must be about the people—their welfare, their voices, their rights,” Ajadi emphasised. “The true meaning of Democracy Day should reflect in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Our leaders must be accountable, and our institutions must be strong and fair.”

Ajadi also stressed the role of citizens in strengthening democratic systems:

“Democracy cannot thrive where citizens are indifferent or compromised. I urge every Nigerian—whether a voter or public office holder—to be a good ambassador of democratic values: honesty, service, peace, and participation.”

 

The NNPP stalwart further urged governments at all levels to draw lessons from the historical significance of June 12, saying that the sacrifices made by Nigerians for the democratic freedom being enjoyed today must not be in vain.

Ambassador Ajadi, who has been a vocal advocate for youth inclusion and grassroots development, reaffirmed his commitment to building a Nigeria where democracy delivers tangible benefits for all.

Tinubu’s Leadership Rejected: Why 84% of Nigerians Have Lost Faith in His Presidency

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

In the latest political earthquake shaking Nigeria’s socio-political foundation, a staggering 84% of Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, according to recent polls conducted by reputable local and international research institutions. For a man who rode into Aso Rock on the back of a deeply controversial and divisive election, this rejection is not just a red flag, it is a thunderous indictment of his administration’s glaring incompetence, tribal politics and economic failure.

“Nobody supports Tinubu because of competency,” says Oduwole O’seun Oba, a respected socio-political analyst. “He has three classes of supporters: the people who want their tribe to be in power; those who want their party to retain power; and the third class are those who do not want to lose their fraudulent means of income.”

Oba’s words are not just brutally honest, they are emblematic of a growing public frustration among Nigerians who feel deceived, abandoned and crushed under the weight of Tinubu’s catastrophic leadership. In less than two years, the once lofty promises of “Renewed Hope” have turned into widespread despair, as the country sinks deeper into economic chaos, insecurity and political paralysis.

A Presidency Built on Ethnic Loyalty and Elite Greed

It is no secret that Bola Tinubu’s political machinery was fueled by ethnic sentiment and elite patronage. In the 2023 election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to deliver a credible electoral process. Ballot box snatching, vote suppression and deliberate failure of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) marred the process. Even international observers such as the European Union Election Observation Mission described the election as “marred by lack of transparency and operational failures.”

But the real tragedy came after the inauguration. Rather than form a government of national unity, Tinubu’s appointments showed blatant ethnic bias. Over 80% of strategic security and economic positions went to individuals from the South-West or closely allied political cronies, sidelining the North-Central, South-East and Niger Delta in a dangerous show of ethnic favoritism.

“Tinubu is not governing Nigeria; he’s governing his political family,” says Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum. “This is the most exclusionary government we’ve had since 1999.”

From ‘Renewed Hope’ to National Suffering
Tinubu’s economic policies have not only failed but they have devastated the lives of ordinary Nigerians. His infamous decision to remove fuel subsidies on Day One of his presidency plunged the country into an economic tailspin. Without any safety nets or contingency plans, transport costs skyrocketed, food prices doubled and millions fell below the poverty line. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 133 million Nigerians now live in multidimensional poverty, the worst figure recorded in Nigerian history.

His floating of the naira has been equally disastrous. The national currency collapsed from ₦460 to over ₦1,600 to the dollar within months, causing inflation to balloon to 33.69% as of May 2025, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“How can you float your currency when you’re not exporting anything of value and you’re importing even toothpicks?” said Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, former CBN governor and now Anambra State Governor. “That’s not reform; that’s economic suicide.”

Nigerians Speak: The Streets Are Bleeding
Across the country, from Lagos to Maiduguri, Port Harcourt to Kano, the cries of Nigerians echo through the markets, campuses and social media. Civil servants cannot feed their families. Graduates are roaming the streets jobless. Businesses are shutting down in droves due to unbearable operating costs and erratic power supply.

“Tinubu’s policies have wiped out my entire capital,” says Mariam Musa, a petty trader in Kaduna. “I borrowed money to start my provision store. Now everything is finished. I cannot even send my child to school.”

According to a 2025 SBM Intelligence report, over 7,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have shut down across Nigeria in the last year. The unemployment rate stands at a shocking 41%, with youth unemployment even higher.

Security: Nigeria Has Become a Killing Field
While Tinubu jets off to conferences and summits across the globe, bandits, terrorists and kidnappers have turned Nigeria into a slaughterhouse. In the first five months of 2025 alone, over 3,200 Nigerians have been killed or kidnapped, based on data compiled by the Nigerian Security Tracker (NST), a project of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Just this April, 30 villagers were massacred in Benue State, while Boko Haram has re-emerged with new strength in the North-East, according to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, who lamented that “we are losing ground again.”

The military is demoralized. The police are underfunded. And President Tinubu’s response? Silence or vague platitudes.

The Elites Are Eating While the Masses Starve
As ordinary Nigerians groan under suffering, the political class is feasting. The National Assembly recently approved a ₦70 billion “palliative” for themselves, while civil servants in over 20 states still haven’t received the ₦70,000 minimum wage promised in June 2024.

President Tinubu himself approved ₦10 billion for solar panels in Aso Rock, shortly after declaring the national grid was “improving.” It is now clear that the “hope” he promised was only meant for the elite and not the people.

“People are not angry because Tinubu failed,” tweeted Aisha Yesufu, a prominent activist. “They are angry because he never cared.”

Credibility Crisis and International Shame
Tinubu’s credibility is also in tatters internationally. His alleged involvement in a 1990s drug trafficking case in the United States resurfaced after a U.S. court ordered the FBI and DEA to release files linking him to illicit drug proceeds, a scandal he has never convincingly explained. The implications are serious, Nigeria is now seen as a kleptocracy run by tainted leaders, affecting foreign direct investment and diplomatic respect.

“Can you imagine the president of a G20 country with unresolved drug allegations?” said Prof. Pat Utomi. “This is a disgrace. We have gone from a giant to a laughingstock.”

Where Do We Go from Here?
Nigeria cannot afford four years of this nightmare. Civil society must rise. The judiciary must stop acting as an extension of political power. Nigerians must demand accountability; not just in 2027, but now.

Tinubu’s government has failed every metric: economic stability, security, national unity and democratic credibility. This is not a matter of opposition politics, it is a matter of national survival.

“Nigeria is bleeding, not because we lack resources but because we lack righteous leadership,” said the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. That statement has never been more relevant than today.

Final Words: Enough Is Enough
When 84% of Nigerians say they do not believe in their president’s leadership, that is not an opinion. That is a national referendum. Bola Tinubu has failed. He GOVERNS not with VISION, but with VENGEANCE and VANITY.

The question now is not whether Nigeria will survive his presidency; it is whether Nigerians will survive it.

And to the remaining 16% who still cheer him on despite the hunger, killings and corruption, one must ask: WHAT ARE YOU REALLY DEFENDING; TRIBE, PARTY, OR YOUR SHARE OF THE LOOT?

Because clearly, you are not defending Nigeria.

Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Laffmattazz: E-Swift PropertyMart partners with Gbenga Adeyinka
…to give out plot of land tomorrow

 

As Akure, the capital of Ondo State hosts Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends tomorrow, June 12, E-Swift PropertyMart, the biggest property company in Akure, and one of the best in the entire southwest Nigeria has promised to give out one plot of land to a lucky winner during the show.

Mr Ezekiel Omolayo, the CEO of E-Swift while revealing his company’s partnership with the Laffmattazz brand, said the June 12 edition will be different as his firm will be rewarding a lucky attendee with the chance to become a land owner.

Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends will be held at the FMT Events Center, Ala Quarters, Akure, Ondo State tomorrow, Thursday, June 12.

“Being the edition that marks the significance of our democracy in Nigeria, we are delighted to add more value and make it memorable by giving people the privilege to become land owners. Laffmattazz is a global brand, and we are glad to be part of them in making history,” Omolayo said.

E-Swift PropertyMart is a leading digital real estate company with branches in Akure, Lagos and Abuja offering a comprehensive range of services to buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants through its innovative online platforms.

It would be recalled that the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa had pulled his weight behind the comedy event, disclosing that Ondo State is a safe haven for tourism and entertainment, thereby promising to work with the organisers to reel out a successful show.

The ‘Sho le’ crooner, Sean Tizzle will lead the repertoire of musical performances including Oyomesi, Abbey Awesome, Lekzido, Ruby, Miko Fridan and JP3PLE2.

Talented comedians on the bill are; Omobaba, Bash, Erekere, Baba Alariya, Kojah Kage, ATM, Chi Young, General Olak, Dr Spencer, Dr Arotele, MC Stylo, Taichi, Prince Phelar, Jingle, Wisdom the Mimic Guy, Honda Stevo, Odogwu, Iparipate, Emzuma and Ofak.

According to Gbenga Adeyinka, Red Carpet starts by 3 PM while the main show commences by 4 PM. “Tickets are available online at (https://www.funzweb.com/events/laff-mattazz-about-time-akure-158) and https://shorturl.at/FfVZP. Physical tickets can be purchased at Madigrazz Lounge, (Akure Mall),
Iya Saheed Alamala, Isolo Street, Akure, Madison Restaurant, Akure-Owo Road, Alagbaka and Vintage Royale, Off Airport Road, Oba Ile,” he said.

The show themed ‘About Time Tour’ is powered by FIRS, ODIRS, Omni Blu Aviation and supported by Ondo State and Eleganza Industries.