*Abia Youth Group Defends Benjamin Kalu, Dismisses Claims of Abandoned Constituency Project*

A youth-based advocacy organisation in Abia State has rejected allegations that a constituency project linked to Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, was abandoned, describing the claims as misleading and politically motivated.

The group, Abia Progressive Youth Frontier (APYF), said recent reports questioning the implementation of a conference and e-learning facility attracted unnecessary controversy without proper understanding of the project’s status and execution process.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its state coordinator, Chinedu Nwafor, the organisation said attempts to portray the project as abandoned ignored the broader record of infrastructural and educational interventions facilitated by Kalu across Bende federal constituency.

According to the group, the deputy speaker has remained one of the most visible and impactful federal lawmakers from Abia state, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, education, infrastructure, healthcare support, and constituency development.

The youth organisation said it was important for public commentary around constituency projects to be guided by fairness, verification, and an understanding of implementation timelines rather than assumptions capable of creating public distrust.

“We consider it necessary to caution against the growing trend where incomplete project sites are hastily labelled abandoned projects without considering procurement processes, execution phases, and administrative adjustments that may occur during implementation,” the statement said.

The group noted that Kalu’s interventions in Abia communities have remained visible and verifiable, adding that several educational, road, and empowerment projects linked to the lawmaker are already benefiting residents across the constituency.

According to APYF, the deputy speaker has consistently demonstrated commitment to effective representation since assuming office, especially through projects targeted at improving learning conditions and expanding opportunities for young people.

The organisation also said the relocation of project components or adjustments in implementation structure should not automatically be interpreted as fraud or diversion of public funds without concrete evidence from regulatory authorities.

It added that public office holders should be held accountable through credible institutional processes rather than social media sensationalism capable of distorting facts and undermining public confidence.

“The people of Bende federal constituency are not disconnected from developments within their communities. We have seen projects, interventions, scholarships, youth programmes, and strategic investments facilitated through the office of the deputy speaker,” Nwafor said.

“To reduce an entire record of representation to allegations driven largely by assumptions does not reflect the realities on ground.”

The group commended Kalu for what it described as responsive leadership and sustained engagement with community needs, noting that many youths in the constituency have benefitted from empowerment schemes, educational support programmes, and skills initiatives associated with his office.

APYF further urged anti-corruption agencies and oversight institutions to continue carrying out their responsibilities professionally and without political pressure, stressing that accountability must remain evidence-based.

The organisation said while civic scrutiny of public projects remains important in a democratic society, such scrutiny must also avoid creating false impressions capable of damaging reputations without verified findings.

According to the group, the deputy speaker’s growing profile within national leadership is tied to his consistency in legislative engagement, constituency outreach, and developmental interventions across Abia State.

*Rivers 2027: Niger Delta Group Endorses Kingsley Chinda as Rainbow Coalition Candidate*

*…Applauds Wike For Enthroning Inclusive Democratic Culture*

The Niger Delta Development Ambassadors (NDDA) has endorsed Kingsley Ogundu Chinda (aka OK Chinda) as a consensus candidate of the emerging “Rainbow Coalition” ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State.

The group said Chinda possesses the political experience, legislative exposure, and cross-party acceptability required to consolidate the coalition’s broader objective of stability, inclusive governance, and development in the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by King David Attah, national president of the organisation, the NDDA also commended Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for his role in fostering a more inclusive democratic culture through the coalition arrangement currently gaining momentum in Rivers politics.

The organisation described the Rainbow Coalition as a strategic political alignment involving multiple political interests and parties working together beyond partisan divisions for the collective development of Rivers state.

According to the group, the coalition model reflects political maturity and could help reduce the prolonged tensions and divisive politics that have affected governance and democratic stability in the state in recent years.

“The Rainbow Coalition represents a significant shift from politics driven solely by rivalry and exclusion to a broader culture of accommodation, consultation, and collective responsibility,” the statement read.

“We commend the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for encouraging a political environment where different political tendencies can work together in pursuit of stability and development.”

The group said Chinda, who currently represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has remained one of the few political figures with relationships cutting across various blocs in Rivers politics.

According to the NDDA, his experience within the National Assembly and his understanding of governance, lawmaking, and public administration position him as a credible figure capable of sustaining political balance within the coalition structure.

The organisation added that Rivers State requires leadership capable of unifying competing political interests while prioritising infrastructure, economic growth, youth development, and security.

“Rt Hon Kingsley Chinda has demonstrated capacity, political maturity, and the ability to engage across divides. At this critical point in Rivers politics, the state requires consensus builders rather than politicians driven by bitterness and endless conflict,” Attah said.

The group also praised the conduct of the APC primaries in Rivers state, describing the process so far as peaceful, orderly, and reflective of growing democratic maturity among political stakeholders.

According to the NDDA, the relatively calm atmosphere surrounding the primaries contrasts sharply with the tension and instability that have historically characterised political contests in the state.

The organisation urged political actors across party lines to sustain the atmosphere of restraint and cooperation as alignments ahead of 2027 continue to evolve.

It added that the success of the Rainbow Coalition would ultimately depend on its ability to place governance, development, and the welfare of Rivers people above narrow political interests.

The group further called on youths and community leaders in the state to support initiatives capable of promoting peace, political inclusion, and long-term stability ahead of the next electoral cycle.

A DEFINING MOMENT IN THE WAR AGAINST TERROR: WHY THE ELIMINATION OF ABU-BILAL AL-MINUKI MUST MARK A TURNING POINT

By

Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) mni fnipr

The reported neutralisation of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) globally and one of the most influential commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), along with scores of other terroristts, through a joint operation involving the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the United States military, represents an extraordinary milestone in the long and arduous countertrerrosim efforts and war against terrorism in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. If sustained and properly consolidated, this unprecedented feat may well be remembered as one of the most consequential counter-terrorism successes in our national history.

For over one and a half decades, Nigeria has borne the devastating burden of terrorism unleashed by Boko Haram and its splinter groups, particularly ISWAP. Thousands of innocent citizens have lost their lives. Communities have been destroyed, livelihoods disrupted, and millions displaced. Military units, critical national infrastructure, schools, places of worship and entire communities have repeatedly come under attack. Yet, despite these painful realities, the resilience of the Nigerian people and the courage, sacrifices and professionalism of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have remained steadfast and optimistic.

Against this backdrop, the reported precision air-land operation conducted at Metele in Borno State under the auspices of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, in close collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), deserves commendation and national recognition beyond just the newspaper headlines and breaking news. The operation, according to official statements from Nigerian authorities, was the culmination of painstaking intelligence gathering, surveillance, target acquisition and operational planning. Such coordination, reportedly involving precision strikes and ground force containment measures, demonstrates the increasing sophistication and maturity of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts and architecture.

What makes this operation particularly significant is not merely the elimination of a high-profile terrorist leader, but the symbolism and strategic consequences attached to it. If indeed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki occupied the exalted but ignoble operational position attributed to him within the ISIS global network, then his elimination sends a clear message to terrorist organisations everywhere: there will be no sanctuary for those who orchestrate violence against innocent populations and sovereign nations.

It is therefore fitting to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for providing strategic leadership and political support to the Armed Forces in prosecuting the counter-insurgency campaign. His public acknowledgement of the operation and appreciation of international collaboration demonstrates a leadership posture committed to national security and international partnerships.

Equally deserving of commendation are the Ministers of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), and other security forces, particularly troops of Operation HADIN KAI, whose courage, resilience and professionalism have continued to deny terrorists freedom of action in the North East theatre. The sacrifices of these brave men and women, often operating under extremely difficult conditions and in hostile terrain, should never be taken for granted. They continue to stand as the last line of defence between law-abiding citizens and forces of chaos. The leadership and command of Operation HADIN KAI and the support of well meaning annd law abiding people of the north east deserve a pat on the back.

The operational and intelligence personnel involved in this mission, including air and ground components, also deserve special recognition. Successful counter-terrorism operations of this nature are rarely accidental. They are products of meticulous planning, sustained surveillance, inter-agency cooperation, operational discipline and strategic patience. That the operation was reportedly executed without casualties or loss of assets further attests to the professionalism, competence and preparedness of the personnel involved.

The role of the United States government and military authorities also merits acknowledgement. Counter-terrorism today is increasingly transnational in nature, requiring intelligence sharing, technological cooperation and operational synergy among partners. Terrorists and insurgent organisations exploit societal vulnerabilities, porous borders, digital networks, illicit financing and regional instability. Consequently, no nation can effectively confront such threats in isolation. The reported cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, therefore, serves as a worthy model of strategic partnership in confronting shared security challenges.

Indeed, the commendation reportedly issued by President Donald J Trump on the operation and the collaborative disposition of both nations reinforces the importance of international solidarity in defeating violent extremism. Terrorism is not merely Nigeria’s problem; it is a global menace that threatens international peace, economic stability and human security.

However, while this development deserves celebration, it must not lead to complacency. History teaches us that terrorist groups are adaptive, opportunistic and often quick to regenerate leadership structures after suffering battlefield setbacks. Therefore, the elimination of a major commander and a handful of his loyalists, however significant, must be viewed as a strategic opportunity to intensify and consolidate gains rather than a signal of mission accomplished.

This is why the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Operation HADIN KAI and the Multinational Joint Task Force must seize this momentum to relentlessly pursue remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP elements across the Lake Chad Basin, Mandara Mountains and anywhere else. Follow-on operations, sustained intelligence exploitation, denial of safe havens and coordinated offensives must continue with renewed vigour. Terrorist regrouping must be prevented at all costs.

More importantly, there is an urgent need to deepen and expand collaborative efforts with neighbouring countries, particularly Cameroon, Chad and the Niger Republic, under the framework of the Multinational Joint Task Force. Terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin is regional in character and therefore demands regional solutions. Criminal and terrorist elements exploit border vulnerabilities, governance gaps and local grievances to sustain their activities. Stronger military cooperation, intelligence fusion, joint patrols, clearance operations and harmonised operational strategies among these countries are therefore indispensable.

At the same time, Nigerians themselves must recognise that the fight against insurgency is not the sole responsibility of the military or the security forces alone. Citizens have important roles to play through vigilance, information sharing, community resilience and support for lawful authorities. Intelligence provided by local communities has repeatedly proven decisive in disrupting terrorist activities. Communities must therefore reject fear and refuse to provide shelter, sympathy or logistical support to violent extremists.

Likewise, political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, public opinion moulders, civil society organisations and the media must continue to support national counter-terrorism objectives through constructive engagement, public sensitisation and responsible communication. We must eschew divisive, unsubstantiated and demoralising statements. Terrorists thrive on propaganda, misinformation and fear. Society must deny them these advantages.

As a retired senior military officer who proudly and gallantly took part in the counterinsurgency efforts and has closely observed Nigeria’s security trajectory and understands the sacrifices of our troops, I remain cautiously optimistic. The destruction of Boko Haram and ISWAP is possible. It is difficult, certainly, but it is achievable and doable. Other nations have confronted seemingly intractable terrorist threats and prevailed through persistence, coordination, technological superiority, political will and public support.

The present military and security architecture leadership and the brave troops on the frontlines have before them a historic opportunity. Posterity would remember them favourably if, in their time, they achieve what many Nigerians have long prayed for: the complete dismantling of Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents and terror networks and the restoration of enduring peace to the North East and beyond.

This latest operation should therefore not merely be seen as a tactical victory. It should be treated as a defining strategic moment and opportunity, a morale booster for troops, a warning to terrorists, and a rallying point for national and regional unity against extremism.

Nigeria has paid dearly in blood, treasure and collective trauma. The time has come to finish this fight decisively.

May God continue to bless and protect the Armed Forces of Nigeria, security agencies and all those working tirelessly for peace and security in our nation.

The writer, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) mni fnipr fapra fnarc FIOARM fspsp, is a renowned strategic communication, public relations and security expert. He is a former Director of Army Public Relations and spokesman of the Nigerian Army, former National Publicity Secretary of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), and Consultant Director, Corporate Affairs and Information Services, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.