society

REJOINDER: THE ARROGANCE OF POWER AND THE DIGNITY OF THE UNIFORM: A RESPONSE TO ANNGU ORNGU

Published

7 months ago

November 12, 2025

REJOINDER: THE ARROGANCE OF POWER AND THE DIGNITY OF THE UNIFORM: A RESPONSE TO ANNGU ORNGU

The treatise by Mr. Anngu Orngu, while cloaked in the elegant language of constitutionalism, is a dangerous apologia for executive impunity and a gross misrepresentation of the relationship between civil authority and military professionalism. By attempting to justify Minister Nyesom Wike’s public humiliation of a serving military officer, Orngu not only misses the point but actively undermines the very constitutional order he claims to defend. It is a profound irony that a man who presents himself as a defender of the law demonstrates such a flawed understanding of its spirit and letter.

Let us be clear: the issue is not the Minister’s constitutional authority to supervise projects within his portfolio. The issue is the manner in which he chose to exercise that authority—a manner that was abusive, unconstitutional, and corrosive to national discipline.

1. The Fatal Flaw: Confusing Authority with Absolutism

Mr. Orngu, whom one can only assume is a pocket constitutional lawyer serving a narrow agenda, correctly cites Sections 5 and 148 of the Constitution. However, he commits a grave error by interpreting this as a grant of absolute, unaccountable power. Nowhere in the Constitution is a Minister granted the power to:

· Use insulting and abusive language against any citizen, let alone a commissioned officer of the Armed Forces.
· Threaten the use of violence against a state official.
· Publicly humiliate and demoralise an officer who was, by all accounts, performing his lawful duty.

The Minister’s power is derived from the Constitution and must be exercised within its bounds and in accordance with public service rules and decorum. Orngu’s argument, taken to its logical conclusion, would mean that a Minister could engage in any manner of misconduct, and it must be tolerated because he acts as an “extension of the President.” This is a recipe for tyranny, not democratic governance.

2. The Commissioned Officer: A Bearer of Sovereign Authority

Mr. Orngu’s most profound ignorance is exposed in his failure to understand the constitutional and legal status of a Presidential Commissioned Officer.

A commissioned officer does not receive his commission from a Minister. He receives it from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, symbolised by the handover of the Nigerian Flag. His oaths of Allegiance and Office are sworn to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, not to the ego of a Minister.

The officer at the scene was not a personal employee of Mr. Wike; he was a representative of the state’s coercive authority, performing a duty as assigned by the military chain of command. To reduce this sacred sovereign trust to a mere subservience to ministerial whim is an insult to the institution of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The officer’s duty is to obey lawful orders, not to endure public degradation. Even I, Pastor Musa Mai-Anguwa, a man of the cloth, understand this fundamental distinction between lawful authority and sheer impunity—a distinction that seems to elude a purported legal mind like Mr. Orngu.

3. The Established Protocol: The Path Mr. Wike Chose to Ignore

A true respect for constitutional order involves respecting the established institutions and channels of authority. If Minister Wike had a grievance with the officer’s conduct, the constitutional and professional path was clear and unambiguous:

1. He could have noted the officer’s name and unit.
2. He could have immediately contacted the Chief of Defence Staff or the relevant Service Chief.
3. He could have lodged a formal complaint through the Ministry of Defence to the military high command.

The military, governed by the stringent Armed Forces Act, has its own robust disciplinary procedures to address insubordination or misconduct. By bypassing this entire structure in favour of a public spectacle, Minister Wike did not assert constitutional authority; he displayed sheer arrogance and a blatant disregard for institutional protocols. He chose to be a bully instead of a leader.

4. The Real Threat to National Security

Orngu accuses Lt. Gen. Buratai of being “dangerously uninformed,” but the true danger lies in his own justification of impunity. The real threat to national security is not a junior officer standing his ground, but a Minister who:

· Demoralizes the armed forces by publicly stripping an officer of his dignity.
· Creates a climate of fear where officers may hesitate in their duties, uncertain whether professional decisions will lead to public shaming by a political appointee.
· Erodes the morale and esprit de corps that are the bedrock of an effective military.

An army that is taught to silently endure abuse from civil authorities is not a professional army; it is a servile one, and a servile army is a danger to democracy itself.

Conclusion: Defending the Constitution Means Defending Decorum

Mr. Orngu’s essay is a classic case of using the law as a shield for misconduct. He defends the source of power while ignoring the abuse of that power. The Constitution was designed to prevent the concentration and abuse of power, not to facilitate it.

It is a sad commentary that a Pastor like myself, whose duty is to preach righteousness and justice, must school a self-styled constitutionalist on the basic principles of decency and lawful conduct embedded in our national charter. Minister Wike’s actions were a disgraceful display of arrogance that would be unacceptable in any mature democracy. To support it, as Mr. Orngu does, is to endorse a culture of impunity that weakens our institutions, demoralizes our armed forces, and ultimately, undermines the Nigerian state.

The officer in question deserves commendation for his restraint, not condemnation. And those who, like Orngu, preach a blind obedience to abusive power should be reminded that the Constitution is a charter for decent governance, not a license for tyranny.

Signed,

Pastor Musa Mai-Anguwa
Abuja, Nigeria.

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

2 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.