Politics
Shetimma Can’t Dictate To Buhari On Tenure Of Service Chiefs –Odeyemi
Shetimma Can’t Dictate To Buhari On Tenure Of Service Chiefs –Odeyemi- Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, a security analyst and a counter-terrorism expert is the Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria. In this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, he speaks on the recent editorial of UK-based Financial Times on Nigeria, the efforts of the Nigerian Army in the north to curtail insurgency, banditry, among others. Excerpts:
The Financial Times of London in a recent editorial described Nigeria as a country going plagued with terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping and risks becoming a failed state. The UK-based newspaper also said contrary to the government’s claim, Boko Haram remained an ever-present threat. Did you see the report and what is your reaction?
First, I saw and read the editorial from Financial Times on what they inferred to be the state of Nigeria, and they touched on almost every sector but I will talk about the security aspect.
With all due respect, I think there is a script being acted and some international media agencies have already been conscripted to play it out. Amazingly, they push out the scripts without any recourse to rules of engagement in the media which includes verification of all indices to be addressed to ensure credence of the report. From my little knowledge, I am aware that the editorial of any news medium is the heart of that media organization because that is the position of that newspaper on the topic of consideration. If FT could churn out such editorial as their position on this same Nigeria that we are currently living in, then there is much to be desired.
Beyond that, I think the editorial veered off some of the key happenings in Nigeria and that has been the bane of many foreign medium on the country, lately. The truth is that you can’t rely on resources from the internet to form either a news or editorial reportage. Yes, we still have pockets of security challenges, but the reality on ground is that the level of security in Nigeria has over time, improved especially in the north east and this is due to the pragmatic approach of President Muhammadu Buhari and his service chiefs.
Except we want to lie and deceive ourselves, is the north not better, especially north east than it was before 2015 when Boko Haram had over 14 local governments in its custody? I think Nigerians should ignore the poorly thought-out editorial as well as the groups who are gleefully hailing it. It was a wasted effort.
How are the civil society groups monitoring the progress of the army in the exercise sahel sanity aimed at stabilising the Northwest zone?
Our coalition has been monitoring the exercise and we can see from field reports that the Nigerian Army had been able to stabilise the security situation in the North West since the commencement of Ex Sahel Sanity in July. I think there is need to explain what it entails to Nigerians. The Exercise Sahel Sanity is a realtime military operation inaugurated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai in July to decisively deal with the menace of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other criminal activities in Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States.
The exercise was initially planned to terminate by the end of 2020 but because of likelihood of resurgence an extension has been done to March 2021 to completely knock out bandits from the North West.
I think troops had displayed high level of professionalism, loyalty and commitment in the exercise. The bottom line is that everybody has a responsibility to ensure that the activities of the criminals are checkmated because there must be timely information sharing from the community, the police and the last point is the military.
How can you describe the progress of the war against Boko Haram/ ISWAP in the Northeast?
I think we must first cast a glance at the back and look at where we are coming from as regards the timeline of insurgency in Nigeria; that way we can appreciate the enormous work, which is still in progress, that the Chief of Army Staff and his troops are doing on field
I think a major boost to the war was the relocation of Gen. Buratai to the North-East early April to oversee and coordinate troops of the Nigerian Army in the counter-insurgency war against the Boko Haram and the ISWAP, and it has led to the decimation of the terrorists, their hideouts and collaborators. I want to urge the Federal Government to raise a strong intelligence force within the army, other security agencies and the citizens to finally nail the activities of the insurgents. More than ever, intelligence gathering is crucial at this stage and I know that such collaboration will return peace to those parts of the country.
But if there is any time for Nigerians to be on the same page with regards to the prosecution of the war against terrorism, it is now. If we don’t support our troops, who do you think will support them? With the benefit of hindsight, I think some political tendencies and interests are actually the masquerades behind some of the concocted lies against the military and ongoing military operations in the North-East. I believe they are spinning all those falsehoods to discredit the government of the day and all its achievements including the war against terrorists.
What is your take on the persistent attacks on the nation’s gallant troops and service chiefs by Senator Shettima and Governor Zulum ?
First of all, Senator Shettima dived into treasonable territory with his latest utterances on national security and acted in an unconstitutional and self-serving manner by trying to dictate to the President the tenure of service chiefs whose briefs start and stop at the table of the President and Commander-in-Chief.
In fact, as Nigerians, we have to seriously interrogate the motive of Senator Shettima in his apparent attacks on our Service Chiefs, I’m equally using this medium to call on our security agencies, the Department of State Service, the Directorate of Military Intelligence and others to begin to ask the former governor some questions such as, what is his interest in the national security architecture? Can he appoint new Service Chiefs for the Present? Is he the one that appointed the Service Chiefs? What is his interest in the Service Chiefs? Is he aiming at overthrowing the democratic government, if the Service Chiefs are not removed? I found it appalling that this same Shettima who was shedding tears like a baby when Boko Haram overran his state pre-2015 before this same President Buhari and the current Service Chiefs he is now vilifying came to his rescue by reclaiming the local governments taken by the insurgents and restoring peace in the state.
He has also forgotten too soon or refused to remember the current set of service chiefs ensured that his second term as governor was relatively secured and elections were peacefully conducted to bring in his successor and he also won his election to go the Senate under this current military leadership.
I believe that Shettima was only playing to the gallery to shove up his personality in the North ahead of the 2023 race, though that’s left for our security agencies to determine, otherwise, how and why would he be dictating to President Buhari who he should appoint or work with? I think the basic question to ask is why is Shettima raising his voice at a point like this, soliciting for media appearances when there is a sitting governor in the state? Does this not indicate clear politicking? Can’t he seek an audience with the President or is he trying to be more democratic and more representative than the President who got the highest votes of over 15 million across the Country compared to his votes of just a Senatorial zone of less than 300,000?
On Zulum, I think he should know that a house divided against itself cannot stand. If there is anytime that intense synergy is needed, it is now. He shouldn’t forget where the state is coming from. It will be a big oversight on his part to allow those who are apparently envious of him to misguide him in what they themselves couldn’t do.
Politics
Lagos Majority Leader Alleges Plans To Manipulate Primary Election Results
Lagos Majority Leader Alleges Plans To Manipulate Primary Election Results
The majority leader of the Lagos House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, on Friday raised alarm over alleged plans by some people to manipulate the result of the primary election that produced him as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adams reportedly won the primary election of the party to produce a candidate for the House of Assembly in Eti-Osa Constituency 1 on Wednesday after polling 7,638 against his opponent’s 1225 votes.
Speaking to thousands of APC supporters during a Victory March, Adams said accused a top monarch (name withheld) in Eti-Osa of being behind the plan to doctor the result in favour of Saheed Adesegun Bankole, who was defeated in the election.
“I want you all very much for the love and passion you have for me and APC. Today is what we call victory walk. We started from VGC with over 4000 APC members. Even inside the rain you stood your ground and you are here to protect your mandate.
“Thank you very much for voting for me. I won the election throughout our wards and the INEC officials, DSS and police personnel were there and even the agents of our opponent were there as well.
“Let me put it on record that his agents and the police signed that the election was free and fair and they took all the results to the local government collation centre.
“When they got there, they presented all the results to the DSS, INEC officials and also to the returning officer and he collected everything and announced that Adams was the winner of the election.
“We believe in this party. The only crime I have committed was during the impeachment of the Speaker; that I did not follow them and did not stand against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he alleged.
He said being a politician, he understood “loyalty and how to always be loyal. That is the only crime I committed and today, I’m calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to caution the Oba.
“The Oba is the reason why we lost the presidential election in 2023 in the constituency and he is the reason why we lost the House of Representatives seat. He lost in his own kingdom and the results are there at the INEC for all to see.
“I’m calling on the Inspector General of Police that if anything happens to me, he should hold the Oba responsible. And in 2027, if we lose the presidential election in the local government, the President should hold him responsible. We have assured the President that we are going to vote for him and he will win.”
He urged his loyalists and supporters to remain calm as he trusts the party enough to resolve the issue.
President of the Lekki Residents and Stakeholders Association, Sulyman Bello, also thanked the supporters for having faith in Adams.
“On behalf of all of all the estates from 1004 and across the entire Lekki peninsula, we thank all the APC members for standing by our friend, brother, father Hon. Noheem Adams.
“If all the estates in Eti -Osa Osa, call on him at the same time, he will respond. We also thank God that he got over 7,000 votes and his opponent a little above 1,000 votes. The winning margin is above 90%.
“We thank all those of you that voted and also thank President Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership. We extend our gratitude to the APC leaders in Lagos state. If it is not Noheem, it is not Noheem,” he said.
Politics
Ogun 2027: Senator Adeola Yayi Promises Inclusive Governance, Says, Ogun APC Primaries Peaceful, Transparent
Ogun 2027: Senator Adeola Yayi Promises Inclusive Governance, Says, Ogun APC Primaries Peaceful, Transparent
…Dismisses Claims of Discontent Over Emergence as APC Consensus Candidate
ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election, distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has assured the people of the state that he would run an all-inclusive government if elected governor in 2027.
Fondly called Yayi, the senator currently representing Ogun West in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly made this known on Thursday, May 21, 2026, shortly after participating in the governorship primary at Pahayi, Ilaro Ward 1.
Speaking with journalists, Senator Adeola Yayi assured party members that he would not disappoint them if elected governor, pledging to deliver good governance while sustaining the developmental strides of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
According to him, “I want to assure the people that I will run an inclusive government and carry everyone along. It will be an administration that leaves no group or interest behind.”
The senator commended party faithful for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the governorship primaries, noting that the exercise reflected the unity and cohesion within the party.
Senator Adeola Yayi further expressed delight that the primary election was conducted peacefully across the state, describing the turnout of party members during the direct primary exercise as a strong indication that the APC remains formidable and well-positioned to record landslide victories in the 2027 general elections.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun for sustaining the internal democracy for which the ruling party is reputed, while reiterating his readiness to run an open and inclusive administration.
Fielding questions during the press interaction, the Ogun State APC consensus governorship candidate dismissed claims that some aspirants were aggrieved over his emergence as the party’s consensus candidate.
According to him, his emergence was not imposed on the party but was the outcome of extensive consultations and consensus among stakeholders and party leaders across the three senatorial districts of the state.
“I am not aware of any aggrieved aspirants over my emergence as the governorship consensus candidate of our dear party. The decision to present me as the consensus candidate was not foisted on the party.
“Rather, it was the result of far-reaching consultations and agreements among stakeholders and leaders of the party across the three senatorial districts of the state.
“To my knowledge, nobody was cheated and nobody was disenfranchised. I received overwhelming support at the Ogun State APC strategic meeting held at the party secretariat. Thereafter, I met with other aspirants, and we are all committed to working together for the betterment of the people of Ogun State”, he stated.
The senator, who was widely cheered across Ilaro metropolis, polled 3,023 votes at Pahayi Ilaro Ward 1, 2,601 votes in Ilaro Ward 2, and 2,419 votes in Ward 3. He later monitored the exercise in Ilaro Ward 2 and Ward 3, where party members and supporters hailed him enthusiastically at every stop.
The massive turnout of APC members across polling units in Ogun West, and indeed across Ogun State, was seen by observers of the scene as a demonstration of the widespread acceptance and popularity of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations among the people, without any form of inducement.
Politics
Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors Hails Rivers APC Over Peaceful Conduct of Guber Primaries
*Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors Hails Rivers APC Over Peaceful Conduct of Guber Primaries*
Charges Chinda to Be Magnanimous in Victory as a Patriot
The Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors (RCA) has commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the peaceful and orderly conduct of its governorship primaries, describing the process as a shining example of political maturity and a departure from the state’s history of acrimonious contests.
In a statement signed by Comrade Jude Chuks and issued shortly after the declaration of Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election, the group praised the APC leadership and stakeholders for ensuring a rancour-free exercise.
The Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors, a prominent support structure aligned with the broader Rainbow Coalition political movement in the state, noted that the smooth conduct of the primaries reflects growing commitment to unity, dialogue, and collective progress ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We congratulate the Rivers State APC for conducting a credible, transparent, and peaceful primary. This achievement underscores the maturing democratic culture in our state and sets a positive tone for the political season,” Chuks read.
The group specifically hailed the withdrawals of key aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Tonye Cole, which paved the way for Chinda’s emergence, describing the moves as “statesmanlike decisions taken in the supreme interest of peace and party cohesion.
While celebrating the outcome, the Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors charged the new flag bearer to remain magnanimous in victory and demonstrate the spirit of a true patriot.
“Victory at the primary is not an end in itself but a call to higher responsibility. We urge Hon. Kingsley Chinda to extend a hand of fellowship to all other aspirants, stakeholders, and even those outside the APC.
“True leadership demands inclusivity, humility, and the ability to heal divides rather than widen them,” the ambassadors emphasised.
They further appealed to Chinda to prioritise broad-based consultations, youth and women inclusion, and the welfare of Rivers people in his campaign and future governance plans, noting his legislative experience and cross-party relationships as key assets.
The group, however, expressed optimism that, knowing Chinda’s antecedents as a seasoned lawmaker, bridge-builder, and consistent advocate for good governance, he will unify the party, foster inclusive development, and deliver people-oriented leadership that prioritises the welfare of all Rivers people across party lines.
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