society

NDUME’S TRUTH, ASO ROCK’S SILENCE

Published

7 months ago

November 14, 2025

Sahara Weekly

NDUME’S TRUTH, ASO ROCK’S SILENCE.

George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

“When Silence Becomes Complicity: Senator Ndume Exposes Corruption and Incompetence at the Heart of Aso Rock”

Two days ago, a veteran senator, Ali Ndume, tore off the veneer of polite politics on national television and laid bare what many Nigerians already know; yet fear to say. Speaking on Arise TV, Ndume accused the Bola Ahmed Tinubu‑led administration of corruption so brazen that even the hallowed walls of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa remain silent. By now, the silence from the presidency isn’t simply deafening, it has become a sign of tacit complicity.

Senator Ndume did not mince words. He asserted that the Tinubu regime is dominated by “KAKISTOCRATS” (meaning those least qualified to hold office) and “KLEPTOCRATS” (meaning thieves masquerading as leaders). These are not rhetorical barbs but issues of survival: “The people who are supposed to help him are the ones deceiving him or damaging his image,” he warned.

More damning still, Ndume says that even accessing the President is blocked by a crude question: “owo da?” (“Where is money?”) — in other words, “What payoff are you bringing?” He says this is the experience of everyone wanting a meeting with the presidency. Pending no refutation from Aso Rock, the claim stands.

The presidency’s silence is no accident. It is calculated. Because if the Presidency were to respond with rebuttal or justification, then the matter would enter the arena of accountability. Silence, by contrast, suggests one of two things: either the presidency lacks confidence in its own position, or it actually agrees (just without saying so). In either scenario, Nigerians lose.

The Reality of Governance Under Tinubu. Let us take stock. This is a regime in which:

A minister removed for corruption walks free; supporters call for her recall rather than prosecution.

A minister is observed driving a Rolls‑Royce, replies “and so?” when asked; yet claims to have never worked his entire life.

Land allocation receipts fly left, right, front and centre to children, cronies, family members. The minister defends them.

Million‑dollar houses in the United States tied to sitting ministers? Allegations exist. And on the Nigerian side, the presidency and the anti‑graft agencies like Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) act like ostriches: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Meanwhile, the citizenry struggles under groaning economic hardship, soaring inflation, a faltering currency, indefinite power outages, insecurity unchecked and the sense that state resources vanish into private pockets.

These are not fanciful stories. The facts, in many cases, are public. One study by Chatham House shows that Nigeria still ranks among the top 40 most corrupt countries globally and counts among the lowest performing in governance indices.

As one scholar put it: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” That failure becomes grotesque when state institutions meant to enforce transparency are rendered toothless by the very regime they are supposed to police. Prof. John Oyedepo of the University of Lagos notes: “Governance without accountability is not governance; it is legalized robbery.”

Why Ndume’s Accusations Matter. Why do these allegations from a senator of the ruling party matter? Because it signals that the rot is not external but internal. When a loyalist stands up, when a Senate leader turns whistle‑blower, the crisis is deeper than opposition bravado, it is a systemic collapse.

Ndume’s charge that the government is run by “KAKISTOCRATS and KLEPTOCRATS” is not mere hyperbole. He defined the two: kakistocrats are “people holding positions they are not supposed to be in”; kleptocrats are “those in politics for personal gain, not public service.”

And he explained the damage in sharp terms: “The President cannot go out to the streets like I do and know how the people feel. Even outside the Villa they drive him in tinted glass so he doesn’t even see what is going on.”

This is governance by isolation, cushioned by privilege, and cushioned further by silence. When insiders begin to speak, one might hope for correction. But the silence from Aso Rock has been total. It is not just negligence; it is abdication of moral leadership.

The Silent President, The Loud Reality. The contrast is stark: the presidency enjoys pomp, ceremony, tinted limousines, and global photo‑ops — yet at home, the people suffer. The gap between public image and private record has never been greater.

Government supporters rush to defend with excuses. The All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Network responded to Ndume’s previous comments by calling them “misleading”, “reckless”, and “unbecoming of a ranking legislator.” But defence does not equate to performance. And signals of crisis remain.

Anti‑graft agencies boast of recoveries; the EFCC claimed it recovered nearly half a billion dollars in one year, according to SaharaWeeklyNG.com. But even that pales when stripped against the scale of the problem. Recoveries are reactive; prevention would require structural reform; which remains absent. Dr. Akin Oyebode, a governance analyst, adds: “The issue is not just theft, it is normalization of theft in governance. That is the real danger.”

A Call to Recognition, Not Defeatism. Let us be clear: pointing out corruption, incompetence, and patronage is not defeatism; it is news, it is accountability, it is citizenship.

As Dr Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala remarked years ago: “People have lost faith. They don’t believe anyone can serve their country”. When those within the regime echo that sentiment, the rupture between the people and the powerful becomes undeniable.

We must demand of the presidency: respond. We must demand of the anti‑graft agencies: act. We must demand that governance be more than display, more than cameras, more than slogans of fiscal reform, it must translate into integrity, transparency, responsibility, service.

The silence of Aso Rock is a vacuum. Into that vacuum seep cronyism, entitlement and theft. It is not enough for the president to say, “Be patient.” Patience has limits when citizens watch national coffers bleed and personal fortunes blossom. Prof. Chukwuemeka Eze notes, “Corruption thrives in silence. Confronting it requires courage, even from those within the system.”

The Take Away and The Road Forward. Senator Ndume’s words ring with conviction because they reflect lived experience and structural breakdown. The pharmaceutical term for this: when help is expected from institutions, but the institutions themselves have become carriers of the disease.

The presidency’s failure (or refusal) to respond is neither trivial nor temporary. It reveals dysfunction at the core of state leadership. The crisis is not only that some individuals are corrupt; the crisis is that the system accommodates them, protects them, remains inert.

This moment will not be measured by the allegations alone. It will be measured by response; by whether the presidency and its proxies choose silence and shield, or accountability and reform. The people of Nigeria deserve an administration that listens, not one that ignores; one that sees, not one that is driven past in tinted glass. They deserve leaders of competence and character; not the least suitable or the most brazen thieves cloaked in power.

Senator Ndume spoke. The question now is: who will answer?

society

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin.

May 30, 2026 – As the month of June gathers momentum, the *United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA*, a sovereign nation has unveiled a series of vital guidelines and preparatory packages to ensure citizens and stakeholders run the *ATC Exchangeability* process effectively.

In an official update, the *President of Atlantic Crown Limited, Empress of Attica Empire UKA*, confirmed that the *Final Test Run of ATC Exchangeability* is scheduled for the month of June 2026. The exercise marks a key phase ahead of the *Official Exchangeability Window, set to run from July 2026 to February 2027*.

### Key Highlights from the Presidential Briefing
1. *Final Test Run – June 2026*
The test run is designed to validate systems, procedures, and user readiness before full activation. Citizens, partners, and designated participants are urged to follow all official advisories released by UKA authorities during this period.

2. *Official Exchangeability Period*
Following the successful completion of the June test run, the Official Exchangeability will commence in july 2026 and we are Expecting Full Exchange ability between July Ending, 2026 to February 2026.

UKA stated that detailed schedules, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions will be communicated progressively through verified UKA channels.

3. *Benefiting Packages for June*
In line with UKA’s commitment to citizen empowerment, the month of June will feature “benefiting packages” aimed at education, preparation, and seamless onboarding. These packages are intended to equip the people of UKA with the knowledge and tools needed for effective participation.

4. *Commitment to Transparency*
Addressing the nation, the Empress of Attica Empire UKA emphasized:
_“Final Test Run of ATC Comes up in The Month of June, As We Prepare For The Official Exchangeability, Between July 2026 To Feb 2027. All Information Will Be Communicated.”_
UKA reaffirmed that only information released through official UKA platforms should be regarded as authoritative.

The United Kingdom of Atlantis is encouraging all citizens, representatives, and interested parties to remain alert to official communications, attend designated orientation sessions, and avoid unofficial sources. UKA’s dedication to order, clarity, and the collective benefit of its people as the nation moves into this significant phase.

For updates, advisories, and participation guidelines, citizens are advised to monitor official UKA communication channels.

United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA, is a sovereign nation, committed to national development, citizen welfare, and structured economic participation through initiatives such as ATC Exchangeability.

society

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms and improved security efforts as the President marks three years in office.

In a goodwill message on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Buratai said the administration had taken courageous decisions that would leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s development.

According to him, President Tinubu broke a long-standing cycle that had hindered national growth by removing fuel subsidy and implementing foreign exchange reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and strengthening the economy.

He noted that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results, citing the global acceptance of Nigerian debit cards, the gradual revival of local refineries, access to student loans, and ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the country.

“The FCT Administration has also recorded remarkable progress, completing major road projects that remained unfinished for over 16 years,” Buratai stated.

The former army chief also praised the administration’s security efforts, saying renewed military offensives against insurgents, terrorists and bandits had led to notable successes across various parts of the country.

He specifically lauded recent joint operations involving Nigerian and United States forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, as well as intensified counter-banditry operations in the North-West.

“We have seen notorious ISWAP commanders being neutralised. I congratulate the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of intelligence agencies for their efforts,” he said.

Buratai, however, acknowledged that challenges remained, stressing the need for more aggressive military operations and intelligence-driven strategies in the coming year.

While urging Nigerians to remain hopeful, he said celebrating the President’s achievements did not amount to ignoring the difficulties facing the nation.

“Because you truly care, you have shown the courage to trade short-term comfort for long-term hope. Nigerians need your reassurances, and that is why we remain optimistic and full of confidence,” he added.

The retired military officer reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the foundation being laid by the government would deliver a brighter future for the country.

He also prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for the President as he continues to lead Nigeria.

society

NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

The Nigeria Union of Teachers has expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted during an attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Oyo State wing of the union described the situation as increasingly distressing, particularly following the emergence of a video allegedly released by the abductors showing the victims pleading for their freedom.

The union said the footage had heightened fears over the welfare of the abducted pupils and teachers, describing their ordeal as heartbreaking and unacceptable.

According to the NUT, no child or teacher deserves to be subjected to such traumatic experiences, adding that the prolonged captivity of the victims has continued to inflict psychological pain on their families, colleagues and the wider education community.

The union called on the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts towards securing the immediate and safe release of the victims.

“This is not a moment for hesitation. It is a moment for coordinated, intelligence-driven efforts to ensure the immediate and safe release of all abducted pupils and teachers,” the statement read.

While acknowledging ongoing interventions by security agencies and government authorities, the union stressed that time was of the essence, warning that every additional day in captivity deepens the trauma suffered by the victims.

The NUT urged security operatives to strengthen surveillance, improve community intelligence gathering and deploy all necessary operational and diplomatic measures to facilitate the rescue of the abductees.

It also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to support rescue efforts by providing credible information that could assist security agencies.

“The safety of our children and teachers must remain a collective priority,” the union stated.

Reaffirming its support for the families of the victims, the NUT pledged continued solidarity and prayers while advocating safer learning environments across the country.

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State NUT, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and the Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode.