society
State of the Nation; a Muslim Muslim Muslim Muslim leadership*
*State of the Nation; a Muslim Muslim Muslim Muslim leadership*
By Bolaji O. Akinyemi
The heat generated by BAT’s preference for a Muslim/Muslim ticket in a country of disputable population of Christians and Muslims is yet to die down!
A reflection on the roles of many God fearing Nigerians who in their quest for freedom, justice and fairness, pressured BAT to yield ground and give consideration to a Muslim/Christian ticket fell on deaf ears!
Typical of him, he stuck to his guns till his long time dream to be President was delivered without consideration for Christians and Christianity!
Leadership, they say is by example, but BAT priced his ambition over National unity!
Speculations of APC as an Islamic movement with the mission to Islamize Nigeria started with his man, Rauf Aregbesola, in Osun State as Governor. The same Osun which Aregbesola allegedly in clandestine format changed its name to “The (Islamic) State of Osun! But secular minded citizens like Senator Ade Fadahunsi neutralized Aregbesola in his own town and by extension Osun East and the state as a whole. He was building Mosques for Muslims and promoting the need for secular society, I was his man in the forefront of that project. Today, Osun has a Governor who doesn’t know if he is a Christian or a Muslim and the entire state is on the dancing floor with him. On persons like Fadahunsi we must lean to find our way back to the dancing floor of secularism where religion does not matter for our collective humanity to prevail.
The insinuations BAT left unattended to in Aregbe’s Osun Islamization Agenda, and kept mute till the table turned against his interest in Osun went national.
When Buhari became the President, many took it for granted, that BAT, a freedom fighter and one of the living heroes of our democracy who led our long walk out of military bondage will ever betray our trust by substituting military bondage for Islamic yoke for nothing other than selfishness of long time dream to be President!
Throughout the 8 years of the Buhari regime amidst the attendant persecutions, and killings that people with the faith of God, through and in Christ suffered under that administration, not once did we read BAT lines or hear his voice in condemnation of the perceived genocide!
I was a strong antagonist of Muslim/Muslim Ticket, MMT, same way I would have been of a Christian/Christian ticket, CCT!
My position and of many pro-life ideologists was further strengthened by the fact that no deliberate attempt was made by the immediate past administration to stop the killings!
Lip service was paid to it though, without the follow up of a consistent, coordinated tactical engagement of those responsible.
I need not remind Nigerians of the fact of his party’s involvement that came public through Baraje and several others.
How his party arranged to bring in foreign militias from Mali, Sudan, Guinea and other Islamic States for the purpose of using them to vote and win the 2015 election!
Your decision for MMT was beyond politics. Sinister as it obviously was, I couldn’t put my finger on it, but not anymore!
The beginning of the idea was the meeting you held with Northern Elders which was publicly reported that consideration will not be given to a Northern Christian in the choice of your running mate. When the question of how you hope to sell this idea of a Muslim succeeding a Muslim, with a Muslim/Muslim ticket to the Southern Christians was asked, you assured them you know how to handle Southern Christians!
Results of the Presidential election from the south shows the contrary. Lagos was a revelation of how grievous that decision was!
May I congratulate BAT while he is still savouring the moment of the most contentious political victory in the history of Nigeria, without failing to let him know that he is presiding over the most divided nation on earth today, courtesy of his blind pursuit of his Presidential dream.
Holy and unholy arsenals were deployed to win the war!
If Nigeria was divided in 2015, it has been further fragmented in 2023 through 8 years of Buhari’s refusal to be pragmatic in leadership, particularly with respect to the activities of non State actors!
All regions are today standing alone. Worse hit are South East and North Central. Both deserve great considerations if stability is our priority!
Unfortunately, still within our regions is the slitting sword of religion tearing the people apart!
Our states are not spared. Kogi, is an example of politics taken too far in State sponsored arson!
Let me not digress, I wish to inform His Excellency and all well meaning and sincere Nigerians that substance has been given to our fear for Islamization as an official Agenda of APC as a political party. Do we really need to ride with a bus driver whose final bus stop his conductor has exposed.
It was a tactical deception of Nigerians particularly christians who gullibly bought your claim to competence over Christianity in a nation of at least a 100 million Christians!
Leadership is by example, and if BAT’s ambition couldn’t be invested for justice and fairness to our faith, why should other party men do. If Orji Uzor Kalu is magnanimous to consider himself as a deputy and not the SP what then is my reason for losing sleep!
Consideration for lives of Nigerians was what cost Goodluck Ebele Jonathan his desired ambition for second term. The blood of one to him, was worth more than the ballots of a million!
He let go of a million ballots to stop blood from flowing on our streets!
Now that Tinubu, a Muslim is the President, Shettima a Muslim, is the Vice President, we suddenly remember there are Christians in this country who should have representation at the National level through the office of the Senate President and ambition of an individual against the rule of the class as being equals, having right to Senate Presidency should be traded!
Alas, Christians who agreed that Shettima was more competent than every single Christian in Northern Nigeria have started saying they hope I am not supporting Yari in an election I have no vote.
If it was difficult to find one competent Christian in a nation of 100 million Christians to balance out BAT’s ticket, then the caucus that produced Yari, Muslim and Kalu, Christian deserves to be commended for being meticulous enough to get a Christian to pair with Yari!
Those who saw Atiku /Okowa, Obi/Datti and Sowore/Magash but rooted for BAT/Shettima are telling us of the option of Akpabio/Barau, Christian/Muslim, against Yari/Kalu Muslim/Christian pairing. All we asked for was balance of ticket from APC and we were denied. How I wish there is a caucus offering Muslim/Muslim ticket in the 10th senate. What is good for Tinubu/ Shettima is good for all!
They are now suddenly awoken by the nightmare of Muslim/Muslim/Muslim when in actual fact where we are headed is Muslim/Muslim/Muslim/Muslim!
For if the foundation be destroyed, what shall the righteous do. Our foundation of leadership and pattern of its balance for many years was broken over one man’s thirst of injustice and unfairness to win an election. Please others also have ambitions!
If you ask me how we got here I will remind you, when our tree of leadership structure under which we took shade was cut down to cultivate a new tree. Sun is now overhead, we are scrambling for shade under which we can shelter!
Tinubu has cut down the tree of justice and fairness and it will take time to grow another, when the seedlings have not been found not to speak of nursing it in the nursery!
The tree our faith as Christians in the political space fell with Buhari’s integrity against Goodluck. The stump of it Tinubu has removed by his claim of Shettima’s competence. If we neither have integrity and competence why should we be considered for leadership.
And trees takes time to grow. “Se ko ma lo bee lori owo yen!”
Dubai is a Muslim Country and things are working. Now I am ready to live in an all Muslim leadership structure, at least that is the vision of APC!
If however we desire to find our way back under the tree of life before the fruit of religion was eaten, then I will go with Fadahunsi and encourage all Senators in hope of secularism and humanity to do same. I am not from Osun, but he is my Senator at the senate on the Greater Nigeria Project, GNP.
Just as BAT has no right of interference, same way we don’t! It is a privilege to be consulted as Stakeholders but we have no votes!
All 108 Senators are classmates. Let them all dream and let their choice be respected!
Nigeria Customs Service will continue to combat illicit trade – Comptroller Tin-Can Command
By Ifeoma Ikem
Mr Frank Onyeka, the Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says the service will continue to combat illicit and enforce compliance to protect public health and national security.
Onyeka who disclosed this to Newsmen on Friday in Lagos reassured the general public that the command will not relent in its resolve to protect Nigerians.
He said that as part of the ongoing crackdown on the importation of unwholesome products, NCS Tin Can Island Port Command has recorded another achievement in anti-smuggling drives.
He noted that some containers were confiscated during the anti-smuggling drives.
“We intercepted two units of containers with no. PONU031958/6 and MSKU711656/0, which were found to contain expired Tramadol tablets.
“These consignments were thoroughly examined and the result revealed that the first container contained 86 cartons of Vingil Tramadol BP 50mg, while the second container had 250 cartons of the same expired Tramadol product.
“The third container, with number MSKU413519/1 contained 370 cartons of expired Diclofenac Sodium BP 50mg tablets without a valid NAFDAC registration number, making the consignment illegal and dangerous for public use.”
This achievement came barely three days the command set a new benchmark in revenue generation, recording N1.61 trillion in 2025, exceeding its annual target.
“We have continued to record notable achievements in recent times through intensified cargo examination, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained enforcement operations.
“We remain proactive in intercepting prohibited and falsely declared goods, including controlled pharmaceuticals, arms and ammunition, narcotics, and other items capable of undermining public safety and economic stability.
Onyeka, however, noted that the command will equally continue to facilitate legitimate trade and contribute significantly to revenue generation, in line with the core mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He stressed that the achievements of the command was as results of deliberate strategies anchored on discipline, integrity, and strong inter-agency collaboration.
“I wish to specially appreciate the operatives of NAFDAC for their consistent cooperation.
“Our synergy has continued to yield positive results, particularly in ensuring that fake, substandard, and expired drugs are intercepted before reaching the Nigerian populace.
“I also commend the officers and men of the Command for their resilience and commitment to duty, their efforts have continued to strengthen the credibility and operational effectiveness of the command.
“Furthermore, I express our sincere appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyl for his purposeful leadership and strategic reforms, which have empowered our operations.
Mr Kareem Taiwo Adekunle , Chief Regulatory Officer Investigation and Inspection Directorate NAFDAC, while receiving the
expired drugs described the collaboration as a strategic partnership in safeguarding public health.
He noted that NAFDAC would redouble its efforts in combating the smuggling of counterfeit and fake pharmaceuticals.
Obidients Calls For Protest; Condemns Senate’s Rejection of Electronic Electoral Results
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“Obidient Movement plans march to national assembly over senate’s rejection of real-time result transmission.”
The Obidient Movement has faulted the senate over its decision to reject mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the recent amendment of the Electoral Act.
In a statement issued on Friday, Yunusa Tanko, national coordinator of the movement, described the decision to retain provisions for manual collation as a direct attack on Nigeria’s democratic process and an effort to entrench secrecy in elections.
Tanko said the senate’s action was a calculated move that could pave the way for manipulation of the 2027 general elections.
He referenced the controversies that trailed the 2023 general election, particularly the failure to upload polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission portal due to what was described as a technical glitch, arguing that the latest position of the senate was aimed at preserving the same weaknesses that eroded public trust in the process.
According to the statement, rejecting mandatory real-time transmission amounted to electoral sabotage, as it weakens confidence in the system and sustains the structures that enabled widespread manipulation during the last general election.
Tanko also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, which controls the majority in the national assembly, of applying double standards, noting that the party depends on electronic systems for its internal primaries while denying Nigerians the same level of transparency during national elections.
He announced plans for a peaceful mass protest at the national assembly, calling on lawmakers in both chambers to convene an emergency session and pass a law making real-time transmission of polling unit results to the IReV portal compulsory and non-negotiable.
The national coordinator said details and the date of the planned march would be communicated through the official channels of the movement.
He further urged Nigerians within the country and in the diaspora, civil society groups, and the international community to stand against what he described as a dangerous slide backwards in democratic standards.
Soldiers Feared Dead as ISWAP Storms Army Base in Borno
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“Fresh assault on Jakana outpost underscores evolving insurgent tactics and persistent security gaps in Nigeria’s northeast.”
Several Nigerian soldiers are feared dead after suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a Boko Haram splinter faction, launched a coordinated assault on a military outpost in Jakana, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, in the early hours of Friday, February 6, 2026, according to multiple security and media reports.
What happened
Security sources say heavily armed insurgents stormed the army outpost along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway in a surprise attack, opening fire and using explosives against the base.
The attackers reportedly approached from multiple directions, overwhelming the soldiers stationed at the location.
At least four soldiers were confirmed killed in the initial reports, while other accounts indicated that the casualty figure could be higher, though still unconfirmed at the time of filing this report.
Military sources said the bodies of fallen troops were evacuated to the 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri.
The insurgents also destroyed armoured vehicles and trucks before looting ammunition and supplies from the facility.
Where and when
The attack occurred in Jakana, a strategic town on the Maiduguri–Damaturu road, a critical military and civilian corridor linking Borno to neighboring Yobe State.
The incident took place in the early hours of Friday, February 6, 2026, according to security sources quoted in local reports.
Who was involved
The attackers were identified as militants belonging to ISWAP, the Islamic State-aligned faction that split from Boko Haram and has since become one of the most active insurgent groups in the Lake Chad region.
On the Nigerian side, the victims were soldiers stationed at the Jakana outpost. As of the time of publication, the Nigerian military had not released the names of the casualties, a common practice pending official notification of next of kin.
How the attack unfolded
According to military sources, the insurgents launched a coordinated, multi-directional assault, combining gunfire with explosives to neutralize defensive positions.
The intensity of the attack forced some soldiers to retreat into nearby bush areas as the militants overran parts of the facility.
Recent intelligence reports indicate that insurgent factions in the northeast have increasingly adopted more sophisticated tactics, including drone-assisted strikes and coordinated raids on military bases.
Why it happened
Security analysts say such attacks are typically aimed at:
Seizing weapons and ammunition
Destroying military infrastructure
Demonstrating operational capability
Undermining troop morale and public confidence
The Jakana attack follows a pattern of assaults on forward operating bases across Borno and neighboring states. In similar incidents, insurgents have targeted isolated formations, looted equipment, and withdrawn before reinforcements arrive.
Brief background
Boko Haram’s insurgency, which began in 2009, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions across northeastern Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad basin.
In recent years, ISWAP has emerged as a more structured and tactically organized faction, focusing on military targets and strategic infrastructure.
Despite repeated claims by authorities that the insurgency has been largely degraded, attacks on military formations and civilian communities have continued. Just last week, militants killed dozens of people, including soldiers, in another assault in Borno State.
Expert perspective
Security analyst Dr. Bulama Bukarti, a senior fellow at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, has previously warned that insurgent groups in the Lake Chad region are “adapting faster than the states fighting them,” noting that they are increasingly using mobility, intelligence, and surprise to exploit weakly defended bases.
Similarly, Dr. Zainab Usman, director of the Africa Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, has argued that “military victories without parallel governance and economic stabilization efforts tend to be temporary,” emphasizing the need for a broader, multi-dimensional strategy.
Official response
As of the time of publication, the Nigerian military had not issued a comprehensive official statement detailing casualty figures or the operational outcome of the attack.
However, in previous incidents, military authorities have insisted that troops continue to repel insurgent offensives and inflict heavy losses on the attackers.
The unanswered questions
The latest assault raises familiar concerns:
Why are forward operating bases still vulnerable to surprise attacks?
Are troop numbers and equipment at these outposts sufficient?
Has the insurgency entered a new tactical phase?
These questions continue to shape public debate as Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign enters its second decade.
Names of those involved
As of this report:
Confirmed insurgent group: ISWAP (Boko Haram faction)
Military casualties: At least four soldiers confirmed dead; additional casualties feared
Names of soldiers: Not yet released by the Nigerian military
In most military operations, identities of fallen soldiers are withheld until families are formally notified.
Summary
The attack on the Jakana military outpost is another stark reminder that, despite years of offensives and official assurances, insurgent groups remain capable of launching deadly and coordinated strikes against Nigerian security forces.
Until the military releases a full operational report and casualty list, the precise toll may remain uncertain. Though the incident once again underscores the enduring volatility of Nigeria’s northeast and the urgent need for a strategy that combines military strength with intelligence, governance and regional cooperation.
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