Headline

2023: Dele Momodu Reveals Paths to Salvage Nigeria

Published

4 years ago

May 1, 2022

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The quest to occupy the most important office and building in Nigeria’s political life, the Aso Rock Villa, continues to gather momentum as over 40 aspirants have signified interest across the 25 accredited political parties in the country.

In the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 15 out of the 17 aspirants, who invested N40 million to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms for the presidential primary, have been screened and given a clean bill of health to vie for the party’s ticket later in the month. Two, however, did not meet up with the requirements, and were disqualified, marking the end of their presidential ambition.

In the All Progressives Congress (APC), where the forms are sold for a whopping N100 million, an avalanche of aspirants are jostling for the ticket, and has purchased their forms already. These aspirants are majorly state administrators and players, who are currently occupying one top position or another.

Among the major the major hopefuls for the these all important presidential position is global ambassador and veteran journalist, Aare Dele Momodu, who has made it absolutely clear, and justifiably too, that he remains the best qualified of the presidential aspirants for the 2023 election.

Momodu, whom is one the 15 PDP screened and cleared aspirant, among other intimidating qualifications, has crisscrossed the globe, visiting over 60 countries, and meeting and interacting with the high and mighty, even as a regular citizen.

In a recent interview with Hardcopy, a current affairs programme on Channels TV, Momodu as usual itemised the qualities that stand him out among the rest in the race to replace President Muhammadu Buhari come May 29, 2023.

Debonair Dele Momodu

Below are excerpts:

HARDCOPY: Mr Momodu, you are welcome to Hardcopy

DELE MOMODU: Thank you for inviting me

HARDCOPY In 2010, you ran for presidency, or were set to run for presidency on the platform of the Labour Party, and then you resigned from the Labour Party, and joined the National Conscience Party. You secured the ticket of that party, contested the presidential election, lost. In 2015, you campaigned vigorously for the presidential ambition of Muhammadu Buhari, who is the current president. And in 2022, you are back in the race. What do these many transitions say about your presidential ambition.

DELE MOMODU I came into the race to contest in 2011 because I was tired of complaining. We all complain in Nigeria. In fact, wherever two or three or gathered, they are always talking politics and complaining about all the ills of the society without proffering solutions. I have writing about the problems of Nigeria in over three decades. I have proffered solutions but out leaders never listened. So in 2011, I had to contest on the platform of the Labour Party, but the Labour Party told me very clearly that they were not interested in fielding a presidential candidate, and since what I wanted was presidency, I looked at a party that will be identical in philosophy and ideology to the Labour Party, and I found one in the NCP which had produced Chief Gani Fawehinmi before my time. Of course, I lost. The lesson I learned from that was that it is virtually impossible to win a national election without a national party in spread. You spoke about President Muhammadu Buhari, I was not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) when I supported him. We felt that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was fumbling and ‘wumbling’, so what do we do? And based on that theory that only two national political parties can compete favourably towards winning the presidency, and since PDP was the one that was fumbling, and APC gave us so much hope at that time, we shifted to supporting APC without being a member of APC. I support people on principle. I support individual candidates. In 2015 when Buhari took power, and I notice the direction he was going, and I saw that that direction could only lead to perdition. I wrote him memos, and on one occasion, he invited me to Aso Rock. I explained what meant, my fears; what my hopes and aspirations were. And I gave him everything I wrote about President Goodluck Jonathan, and I said I was going to be doing the same thing to him. He agreed, and asked me to autograph for, and I signed and left him.

When I discovered that his case has gone beyond redemption, I washed my hands clean like Pontius Pilate, and I moved on. And I apologised to Nigerians publicly. I am tired of career politicians. My research, investigations and consultations have shown clearly that Nigerians have come to a conclusion that politicians cannot change Nigeria for the better, so we must begin now to look for a technocrat. I am a technocrat in politics, and I have a job.

HARDCOPY: Two things have emerged from your response, and one is that you can only pursue an ambition successful on a party that has national spread, and two, your disappointment in the government or in the leader of the government. I have watched you for some time, and I know that you prioritise ideology over any other primordial concern in politics. Now, if you are disappointed in the administration, are you also disappointed in your allies with whom you went on exile in the 90s who remained in the party.

DELE MOMODU: Well, it’s not just about my allies, I believe that wherever you are, your principles must be constant. I am hoping that my people can imbibe that ideology of doing things on principle, and not about expediency. In politicians talk about…I saw one of our governors on your programme the other day then we share. What are you sharing? It is not about sharing. It is not about portfolios. It is about doing the right things for the longsuffering people of Nigeria. These are things politicians are not talking about. What I see are people talking about consensus and zoning. Nobody is talking about the bomb blast of a train. Nobody is talking about the invasion of an airport by bandits. Nobody is talking about soldiers who are being slaughtered…

HARDCOPY: We will get to all of that, but you no longer share the same principles with the likes Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with whom you went on exile in the early 90s. The lines of ideology have become blurred as a result of the ease with which you maneuver from one party to the other. That’s the point.

DELE MOMODU: Yes, that’s why I told you that it is a continuum. We must continue to search for that right candidate. We don’t know if my disagreement with Tinubu today is ideological. It may not be. It may be something much more fundamental. So, don’t let’s jump into conclusions. Of course, for me to be in the opposition means I don’t agree with their party. I believe that by now, more youth friendly people should be coming out. That’s what Nigeria desires. That’s what Nigerians deserves. So, it is nothing personal. Tinubu remains my big brother, my friend. Osinbajo remains my big brother, my friend. But I have fundamental problems with the party, where they are right now, and with their dispositions because in the day of tribulations, the people should be able to run to their leaders, and their leaders must be able to come to their defence and protection.

HARDCOPY: Is your current position borne out of your own selfish presidential ambition

DELE MOMODU: No, not me. Had Buhari performed in 2015, I will still be his supporter. Had Atiku Abubakar won in 2019, and he performed, I won’t be contesting now. It is nothing personal. It is principle. Are you comfortable with the way Nigeria is today: The answer you will get is a resounding no from 95 per cent of Nigerians, except the few, who are taking advantage of the confusion in our political system. I don’t see anybody, who can in good conscience not even a god-fearing man can excuse what is happening in Nigeria today. I believe Nigeria is worse than it was in 1999, not even a few years back. A Nigeria that produced the Awolowos, the Azikiwes, the Tafawa Balewas, the Saduanas of Sokoto, the same Nigeria is now just producing politicians like popcorn. It’s unfortunate.

HARDCOPY: You recently submitted your expression of interest and nomination forms after which you criticised the monetisation of the process, saying that it was a policy of exclusion that did not allow talented Nigerians find expression in the political process. How do you hope to change what you endorse by your own action?

DELE MOMODU: Well, the first thing you must follow in life is the procedure. There is a process, and there is what I call preparation. I have prepared for this journey; that was why you didn’t see me in 2015 and 2019. I was hoping a miracle will happen and things will change, then I won’t have to leave my comfort zone to come and face what I am now going through now. And then, when I joined the party, based on the realisation that you can only win a presidential election on a national platform. I knew I must obey and conform to party rules and regulations. I obeyed first before I complained that 40 million is too much for young people who might want to come in to governance. I made sure I obeyed before I complained because if it is not given to me, I will have no basis to contest in the first instance. I would have automatically disqualified myself. But what must be constant is truth; we must continue to speak truth to power; we must speak truth to ourselves; we must speak truth to our own political party. An average politician will not do that.

HARDCOPY: In relation to the monetisation of the purchase of the forms, we should also talk about how politicians are going about boasting on how they are going give delegates dollars and all of that. That in itself is a threat; are you living in the fear as that is the first leg in getting the ticket

DELE MOMODU: Anyone who knows me knows that I hand over all projects to God. I believe fervently that only God can give you power in the country of 200 million people. And I am also reassured by history, contemporary history of Nigeria that no billionaire has ever succeeded in hijacking the election in Nigeria. The only millionaire who won election is MKO Abiola, and he did it on merit, not because he had money. He was loved because he had been generous to everybody all over Nigeria. But most of the people I see today are not in that league of MKO Abiola. When you see a serving public officer, who has access to billions displaying openly that nobody can beat me, then Nigerians should be worried. I am not afraid because I have won election before against those who had much money than me. My last election in 2011, on the night of our primaries, I sent two copies of Ovation to each rooms of the delegates. That was all I had; silver or gold, I had none.

HARDCOPY: But then that was a party that had no national spread, and which is the requisite capacity required to win an election

Momodu with immediate past president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan

DELE MOMODU: No…but despite that, they had human beings from all over Nigeria. Everything starts small. I am practical. I am not going to tame the PDP delegates. If people bring their money back to you, take it, but vote for the best candidate. If you vote wrong, you will suffer, you will lament, you will complain, you grumble, you will groan, you will moan for the next four to eight years. I’m going to be talking to the delegates just as people are asking me when am I going to talk to the delegates, but not yet. I still have over a month to go. Some say when are you meeting with the BoT, I said don’t worry, I have my strategies. I will use what I have to get what I want. The first thing is to show my capacity in the public domain. There is nobody in PDP today; whether you have been vice president, senate president, or governor who is more popular than Dele Momodu. I am on the street; they are not on the street. The places I go, they can’t go. I went to Maiduguri Market.

HARDCOPY: Isn’t that wishful thinking? Are you riding on ideals or the God factor. When last was a primary election won either without consensus or without the money factor in the country

DELE MOMODU: I have just given you an example that those who were in NCP were Nigerians. I have faith in Nigeria. I have not given up hope on Nigerians. I don’t believe that all Nigerians are buyable, and I have another thesis to give you. And that is even if you succeed in buying all the delegates, you cannot succeed in buying all Nigerians in the general elections.

HARDCOPY: Before your declaration, you had begun to identify with certain high profile members of your current party. Persons, who could be easily identified as political heavyweights. Are you fronting for any of the political heavyweight within the PDP

DELE MOMODU: I am too old, I am too principled to front for anybody. In fact, it is the biggest insult anybody can give me in life to think I went into a race I wasn’t prepared for. Fronting for who? For what? If I needed any appointment, in life, I would have had it in my 30s, 40s, and 50s. I am not fronting for anybody, but you must know that a political party is a platform of saints and sinners if there are saints. If you become president, you will govern over sinners and saints. How you manage people and resources will determine your success or your failure.

Momodu with former President of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama

HARDCOPY: Are you trying to get a foot in the door to eventually settle for a senatorial position or appointment

DELE MOMODU: A Dele Momodu? In fact, I always say it that anybody that contests the presidency and returns to contest for the senate or governorship means that he didn’t think well before you decided to go for presidential race. I have principle. I have a sense of shame. Some people don’t have shame; anything you give them, they take. One, I am not fronting for anybody. Two, I am not looking for position. Three, I am going to contest all the way. That is the whole idea, and I am fully prepared for it, it is not a joke. Nobody pays N40 million for a joke. Do you know how much it cost to run a presidential campaign on a daily basis?

HARDCOPY: And that is the point really. If it took you years to prepare, and get the N40 million. Why didn’t you just prepare all the way so you can also to take care of the delegates which is more realistic than riding on strategy that which won’t appeal to the delegates

DELE MOMODU: Let me tell you something today. There is nothing you can say that would tempt me into bribing delegates even if I have billions today, I will not bribe them. I will not promote corruption. If I say I want a change in my country, then the change must begin with me. There are treasures you must never cross in life. I am not desperate. I have told you I am not looking for a job. Some people will say why don’t you go and become a governor. I say me? No? I want executive power at the federal level because I know that can instantly change Nigeria instantly for the better. The day you have people who have managed their own resources successfully – if I ask you today to name 18 out of 36 governors in Nigeria, even as a journalist, you might not remember. If I asked you what they did for a living before they become governor, I can bet my life, you would not know. So, how can now come to me and say they are better. I am going to sell my accomplishments; I am going to sell my reputation; I am going to sell my global brand to the delegates, and if they accept…oh!

HARDCOPY: And if they did not, which is our last point because we leave your plans of losing or winning. What are your plans if the delegates don’t buy your capacity

DELE MOMODU: I am not God. At that point, you leave to God and to man. If they don’t, nobody should say in the future that Dele did not do it the right way. I want to be able to look at my children, and say your dad didn’t chicken out. I am not a chicken so you are not going to roast me like a chicken,

HARDCOPY: Aspirants in your party have been appearing in groups. Some advocating that the party go the way of consensus, while some are vigorously urging the party to go by way of its tradition, which is zoning. Which of these groups do you belong

Dele Momodu with the spirit of Africa, Chief Mike Adenuga

DELE MOMODU: For me, I am a fresh candidate. I paid for a form to contest for an election and I am concentrating all my attention. If they do zoning, if they say it’s consensus…I don’t see consensus in our constitution. I see zoning in our constitution. Those who say consensus, I believe with due respect to them, it is their right, but sometimes, I find it a bit uncomfortable. If you believe in consensus, why did you buy the form. So the four people going together (Bukola Saraki, Hayatu-Deen, Aminu Tambuwal, Bala Mohammed) so why didn’t they start the consensus from their bedroom. He, who must ask for equity must come with clean hands. Even in law, they say a man cannot be the judge in his own cause. Why are you the one recommending consensus when you are already a participant. So if you really believe in consensus, I expect Saraki to pull out as well as the other people, but you are already a participant; an aspirant.

HARDCOPY: So, you agree that your party did not think things through

DELE MOMODU: That is not my party; it is some people in my party that took it upon themselves

HARDCOPY: Didn’t your party anticipate that some members will advocate for consensus

DELE MOMODU: No, that is not the business of the party. The business of the party is to organise a level playing playing field for everybody. That they have done, and they didn’t ask anybody not to buy form. Those who want consensus bought forms voluntarily. Zoning is the only place where you can talk about the party. And I raised a voice; I speak all the time. When I bought my form, I said why are you talking zoning, why didn’t you take a decision on zoning before selling the form, so that that way, those who had been zoned out will waste their time and resources buying the form. I spoke up. I don’t know about any other person who has said that. But the Saraki group (he speaks for them all the time) – I am worried about out democracy. Democracy is a game of fair contest. The moment you want to go through the back door to smuggle in a particular candidate of interest, I think that’s dangerous to our democracy. Before I believe they are serious about consensus, let them all pull out. You cannot each individually buy form and still be talking about consensus. However, zoning is not okay when you have asked everybody to buy their forms

HARDCOPY: So you will profit from the zoning if they zone it to the south

DELE MOMODU: My dear sister, what if they zone it to the north. Who says they can’t zone it to the north

HARDCOPY: But how many groups within your party are advocating for a zoning to the north

DELE MOMODU: I am happy that we have more southerners in the race because that would further put pressure on my party to look south wards. But don’t forget that you also have some powerful forces from the north, who desperately want it in the north though I would want it to come to the south.

HARDCOPY: Because it would favour you

DELE MOMODU: No, that is why I’m different. I will go for the election whether it is zone to the south or thrown open. I’m ready. You cannot say I am flip flopping. It is a national platform. Today, I am the most favoured in the south because I control two zones by parentage; my father is from south south and my mother is from south west. I know because anybody who wants to run the country must have the capacity to unity the country. Let just go into our election; if you want to support me, support me incognito, and let’s move on.

Headline

Presidential Ambition: Is Donald Duke a Spoiler?

Published

1 month ago

May 25, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

With the collective intention of most political parties coming together to wrestle power from President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre, the defection of most political leaders from the coalition umbrella, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has been viewed as a betrayal of the original course.

First, it was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, and the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso defecting to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), and now following in their footsteps, is the former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, who has found an awaiting presidential ticket with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

According to reports, former governor Duke has officially joined Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race, becoming one of the latest politicians to declare interest ahead of the general elections.

Duke emerged as one of three cleared presidential aspirants of the Peoples Redemption Party ahead of the party’s primaries scheduled for 25th May in Abuja.

The party said the former governor agreed to submit his ambition to the decision of party members during the nationwide exercise.

In a statement issued by PRP National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, the party described the aspirants as committed to “democratic ideals and internal party unity.”

Duke, who governed Cross River State from 1999 to 2007, is widely known for promoting tourism and urban renewal projects, including the Tinapa Business Resort and the annual Calabar Carnival.

The former governor previously contested for president in 2019 under the Social Democratic Party, where he criticised both the ruling APC and the PDP.

At the time, he said the PDP had “lost its values and became a shadow of itself.”

The PRP says it remains committed to “credible, transparent and free primaries” as preparations continue for the 2027 elections.

Nigeria’s political space has already become increasingly active ahead of 2027, with more aspirants expected to declare interest in the coming months.

The statement quoted Duke, alongside Nnaoke Ufere from Abia State and Yakubu Kingsley from Edo State, are the candidates, who have unanimously agreed to submit their aspirations to the decision of party members during the nationwide primaries.

The party said the aspirants demonstrated commitment to democratic ideals and internal party unity by agreeing to abide by the outcome of the exercise.

“The PRP takes pride in the calibre of its aspirants, whose dedication to democratic principles and commitment to teamwork have further strengthened our party,” the statement said.

Duke, who was Cross River governor between 1999 and 2007, appears the only strong candidate among the three aspirants, and is likely to pick the ticket after the primaries. But the major concern is not in his decision to contest or stand for election, but the intention behind his decision to choose a different to test his presidential aspirations.

Across the political space, stakeholders, observers and analysts alike have said that given the consensus agreement built around and towards ending the administration of Bola Tinubu, the coalition ADC remains the viable option to all aspirants to test their strength and popularity, after which anyone who emerges as the candidate should be supported by all. They have argued that those leaving the coalition may have much more than presidential ambition behind their minds. And so the question, is Donald Duke a spoiler? Is he in the race to decimate the votes of the opposition?

Meanwhile, Duke, who was part of the coalition at the initial stage, have taken a bow out of the group, principally coordinated by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and chaired by a former Senate President, David Mark. He did not give reasons for his exit from the ADC though observers have insinuated that his exit, like Peter Obi, is hinged on the premise that the ADC allegedly has a hidden bias for Atiku, and so the presidential might be handed over to the former Vice President on the platter. The ADC has since denied the allegation with former two terms governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and Hayatudeen still in the race.

With the entrance of Duke in the presidential race, the number of southern aspirants, especially those sure to pick the tickets of their parties have swollen up. Others include include Peter Obi of the NDC, Rotimi Amaechi if he wins the ADC primaries ongoing across the nation, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde representing the PDP and APM coalition among others.

Now, that almost all the political bigwigs are separately pursuing their political aspirations devoid of a collective platform, many have said that Tinubu is no longer fighting a coalition of likeminds, but against presidentially ambitious individuals, pursuing a different agenda. Many have also said that since Tinubu already has a political structure he can rely on, he is making sure all the fragmented giants did not come together to form an indivisible body capable of challenging his reelection in 2027.

“And that explains why he continually instigate both individuals and institutions to revolt against themselves thereby creating factions and very weak political centre to challenge his ambition,” an analyst told The Boss.

Meanwhile, whether there are intentions to be a spoiler or not; whether any institution or individual have been coerced into turning itself to a vessel of destruction on behalf of the ruling, ir us only the people that would decide who becomes in 2027.

Not Tinubu, not the APC, not any of the political bigwigs, not any of the presidential aspirants or candidates, but the Nigerian people in their totality.

The election is just eight months away.

Headline

Insecurity: Why Tinubu Must Wake Up

Published

1 month ago

May 25, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The common refrain and slogan across the nation is ‘Nigeria is bleeding’, and as the days turn into weeks and months, the wound gets larger. Then from bleeding, the blood is now flowing.

Across all strata of endeavours, all the regions and not a few communities, insecurity of the highest order has enveloped on a very large scale, a nation that once thrive in brotherliness, interstate movements without fear, and camaraderie. The fear of the unknown has completely eclipsed social life, excursions, traveling within the country, and funnily enough staying in your own house. In the Nigeria of today, nowhere is safe anymore; not event the comfort of one’s home; not even the sacredness of holy places; not even the respected academic environment. Terrorists and bandits attack anywhere and from anywhere. And with impunity.

In the Nigeria of today, everyone leaves in fear. No one knows who the next target is as terrorists, bandits, Fulani herdsmen and other miscreants have overran the nooks and crannies of the Nigerian existence, prompting the question, where’s Nigeria’s chief security officer? And the answer that he must wake up and face squarely the insecurity challenges that is fast tearing the nation to shreds.

With the 2027 election fast approaching, the Nigerian administrative apparatchnik led by President Bola Tinubu, appears to have completely lost focus of the security of the people. The country is been thoroughly run down by activities of terrorists, who are no longer hiding their nefarious and heinous activities as they boldly put on air the victims abducted and process of execution. This daring moves are a challenge to the government and security agencies, yet no criminal is in custody yet and victims are still unaccounted for with most of them cruelly deleted, and bodies mangled.

It is worthy of note that while the nation is still gambling with the rescue efforts for the teachers and pupils kidnapped from Oyo communities schools about 12 days ago, suspected bandits have reportedly struck again, invading the Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, early on Monday morning, setting the Emir’s palace ablaze and abducting several residents, including women and children.

Reports gathered from Channels Television say that the attack occurred late at night when the heavily armed assailants stormed the community, firing sporadically.

The medium, quoting sources in the area, stressed that the gunmen attacked the palace during the invasion, setting parts of the royal residence on fire before whisking away multiple victims.

Residents said the attackers operated for hours without resistance, leaving behind destruction and fear in the border community.

Another local source described the incident as terrifying, noting that villagers were caught unaware as the gunmen invaded the town under the cover of darkness.

Sources say Security forces have launched immediate rescue operations to free victims of the Yashikira abduction, which occurred on Sunday night.

Military and police operatives have established a cordon in the area as part of the efforts to rescue about 10 persons who were reportedly taken from the community in an overnight attack on the palace of the Emir of Yashikira.

The attackers also sought to raid the local police stations but were reportedly repelled.

As at press time, the police were yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The invasion is one development too many this 2026 alone, and has been a recurring decimal in the Tinubu-led administration. This is taking for granted that the incident is following the heels of bandits, who on Saturday night invaded a prayer ground at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran village in Ekiti Local Government Area of the same Kwara State, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a vigil.

The stories and tales of woe are inexhaustible. There’s no morning and no evening where Nigerians are not presented with gory narratives of one abduction and killing or another, creating fear and apprehension among the populace. The general notion is hinged on Tinubu’s control loss of the fabrics of the nation including the economy, power and every other mention-able sector.

It is worthy of note that like every other failure still staring Nigerians in the face, Tinubu also inherited insecurity. However, three years into his administration, and consequent upon available indices, the Nigerian leader seems to have tripled the effects of insecurity. This is counting the boldness with which the insurgents operate, the magnitude of each operation, the casualties involved, the deliberate bloodletting and the huge ransom paid in exchange. The circle has continually continued, and there seems to be no hiding place for Nigerians, especially the vulnerable masses.

On May 17, 2026, the world woke to the chilling news of the killing and beheading of the school teachers, abducted from Oyo communities. He was Michael Oyedokun.

Oyedokun was one of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Council of Oyo State, a few days before his gruesome killing.

The killing threw residents of the area into mourning and heightened fears over worsening insecurity in the state, and the nation at large, which the government of President Bola Tinubu has found a herculean to handle.

In a video reportedly released by the captors on Sunday, May 17, 2026, the gunmen claimed responsibility for the killing of the Maths teacher, sparking panic across the community.

The incident followed a series of coordinated attacks launched by armed men on Friday, May 15, targeting multiple schools within the Ogbomoso axis, including Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.

During the attacks, the assailants reportedly shot dead a classroom teacher and a commercial motorcyclist who resisted attempts to seize his motorcycle.

The attackers also abducted the school principal, vice-principal, another staff member, and an unspecified number of pupils before fleeing into the forest. Later reports put the number of abductors to 39.

Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Secondary School, while 18 pupils and seven teachers were kidnapped from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School.

He also confirmed that one person was killed during the attack, a school teacher, Joel Adesiyan. Further reports confirm that a bike rider was also killed, when he refused to let go of his motorcycle.

The incident triggered widespread panic in Ogbomoso and surrounding communities, with many parents rushing to schools to withdraw their children over fears of further attacks.

Some schools were also forced to shut down temporarily following rumours of bandits infiltrating the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, an allegation the institution’s management later dismissed as false.

Reacting, the Amnesty International Nigeria accused the Federal Government of failing to adequately respond to Nigeria’s worsening wave of abductions targeting school children, rural communities and internally displaced persons, saying at least 1,100 people were kidnapped between January and April 2026.

The organisation made the allegation in a statement shared on its official X handle, amid renewed public concern over mass abductions in Oyo, Borno and other states, which left dozens of students, teachers and residents affected.

In the statement, Amnesty International said, “President Bola Tinubu and his government have failed to address the country’s shocking spate of abductions targeting school children, rural communities and internally displaced persons across the country.”

It added, “At least 1,100 people have been abducted – from January to April 2026,” describing the trend as a continuing failure of protection for vulnerable populations.

The group’s criticism comes days after gunmen abducted 39 students and seven teachers in an attack on schools in the Ahoro Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that also left teacher Michael Oyedokun reportedly beheaded.

Amnesty also referenced another attack in Borno State, where 42 students and pupils were abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area during a Boko Haram assault.

Survivors of similar abductions, according to the rights group, have described being subjected to starvation and torture, including beatings, flogging and sexual violence, raising further concerns about the conditions victims face in captivity.

The organisation said the pattern of repeated school attacks shows a long-running crisis that authorities have yet to resolve, stressing that “over a decade is enough time for the Nigerian authorities to find a solution to this horrifying problem,” but insisting that “the reality shows the government has neither the will nor the commitment to end rampant abductions and attacks on children and their schools.”

It urged authorities to meet their obligations under both national and international law, particularly regarding the protection of children’s rights to education, safety, and protection from violence and ill-treatment.

The latest incidents have intensified national concern over school security, especially following the Oyo and Borno attacks, which occurred within the same period and involved the abduction of dozens of children and teachers.

Weeks earlier, there was a failed kidnapping attempt along the Ibadan-Ijebu road corridor, which reportedly left a traveller dead, raising fresh concerns over insecurity of great proportion hitting the southwest of the region.

According to Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect report, between 2014 and March 2026, ‘over 2,000 children have been abducted or kidnapped, largely in mass abductions targeting schools. Armed extremist groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as local bandits, are implicated in many cases, often using kidnappings to generate ransom or to recruit children.

The report noted that in 2024 alone, at least 580 civilians, primarily women and girls, were kidnapped across several states, noting that the figures might be higher. Not only are most victims killed during these attacks or while in custody, survivors live the rest of their lives in poverty, trauma, stigma and utter abandonment.

The funniest part, according to a social analyst, who crave anonymity, so-called repentant terrorists and bandits are treated with kid gloves, ‘rehabitated’ in luxury and given huge financial lifeline as they are released back into the sane society while their victims are left to wallow in neglect. It would be recalled that the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, described the terrorists as ‘our brothers’, who should not be killed just as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Oluyede equated the rerrorists to the biblical ‘prodigal son’, who should welcomed with warmth and affection. These two national officers have silent on the treatment for their traumatized victims and their bereaved loved ones.

The question on the lips of majority of Nigerians, has remained what President Tinubu is doing about the extreme insecurity in the country beyond offering condolences and suggesting a now known refrain of ‘It won’t happen again’ while it continues to happen over and over again.

On two known occasions, President Tinubu was expected to visit victims and sites of violent killings and abductions in Benue and Plateau states. On the two known occasions, Tinubu fell short in the advertised visitations. He never made it to the locations.

Following the June, 2025 killings in Yelwata, Benue State, Tinubu was programmed to have an extensive state visit to site of massacre and the government house where a townhall meeting was scheduled.

It was agreed that upon his arrival, the President will first proceed to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, the epicentre of the attack that claimed over 100 lives.

He was scheduled to meet with families of victims, displaced persons and community leaders directly impacted by the violence.

From Yelewata, the President was supposed to visit the hospital where several persons injured from the attack were recuperating, and then proceed to the Benue State Government House Banquet Hall in Makurdi, where he would preside over a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders.

Much as the Benue State government under Hyacinth Alia commandeered very young pupils to wait unprotected for the President under a heavy rain, the President never made it to Yelwata nor interfaced with the victims and bereaved families. His journey ended in the comfort of the government house. Analysts observed that the townhall was turned into political jamboree.

Tinubu had blamed heavy rains, flooding and impassable roads for his inability to visit the scene of the crisis in Yelewata. Over 3000 residents were displaced in addition to tens of deaths recorded.

Also, following the April 2 Palm Sunday attack in Plateau State, Tinubu scheduled a visitation to commiserate with the victims and bereaved families, but like the Benue visit, Tinubu did not even enter the town, he ended his visit at the Jos Airport.

Consoling a mourning mother, identified as Mrs Rhoda, at the airport Tinubu said, “I know the pain. I see in the video how you buried your loved ones and the pain and agony in your heart.

“But it’s only God who can give you joy and hope. No amount of money can pay all of you back. Yes, as a government, we will try our best to comfort you, to work with you,” he said while directing security chiefs present, including the Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, and Minister of Defence, to unearth and apprehend those responsible for the killings.

Defending the President, his aides noted that Tinubu couldn’t his visit beyond the airport because of tight schedule and absence of navigational equipment for night movements. A statement by Bayo Onanuga, said it was difficult to reschedule a pre-arranged meeting with the Chadian Leader. This is even as the President had canceled an earlier visit to Ogun State for the Plateau visit.

But with the President concentrating more on his reelection in 2027, Nigerians are calling on his administration to take a further cursory of the insecurity status of the nation to prevent more deaths and displacement, and more importantly prevent his being booted out of office by very fed-up Nigerians, whose means of livelihood and other social engagements have been unapologetically cut off.

Nigeria is bleeding and Nigerians are angry at its leadership. Tinubu just have to wake up to his responsibilities beyond condolence messages.

Headline

Fubara Withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primary

Published

1 month ago

May 20, 2026

Eric

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced his withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress governorship primary election in the state.

Fubara made this known in a statement personally signed on Wednesday, saying he would support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate, The Nations reported.

The governor said his decision followed extensive consultations with his family, friends, and political associates.

“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC governorship primaries. I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party,” Fubara said.

The development comes amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections in Rivers State.

Fubara said although the decision was difficult, he remained committed to supporting whoever would emerge as the APC governorship candidate.

According to him, leadership demands sacrifice and personal ambition must sometimes give way to the collective interest of the people.

Meanwhile, the embattled governor expressed appreciation to his supporters for their loyalty, prayers and sacrifices throughout the political process, acknowledging that many would feel disappointed by his withdrawal.

He said his silence in recent weeks was “deliberate and strategic,” adding that it was guided by the higher interest of the state.

Tone Cole, APC chieftain and 2027 governorship aspirant in Rivers State, also announced his withdrawal from the race, saying his decision was, among other reasons, in the interest of the party’s unity.