News

PITFALLS AHEAD OF 2023 ELECTIONS- Investigations

Published

3 years ago

July 25, 2022

Our Reporter

… Insecurity, Religion, Assassinations and Drug Wars As Factors That May Undermine Exercise

…We Shall Overcome, We Are On Top Of Situation-Buhari, INEC

By: Our Correspondents

Nigeria may not be new to political tensions having come out stronger from past experiences. Those who witnessed the post June 12, 1993 election crisis can attest to the experiences of that time. Immediate past experiences may have also thickened the skins of her citizens to crisis; early warning signals however show that the current situation presents a rather grim spectacle. This is occasioned by the fact that, so many crisis seem to be happening simultaneously.

With the submission of names of candidates by political parties to contest various positions in the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC have hopes of conducting the country’s freest and fairest elections ever: if its spokesman, Festus Okoye’s pledge is anything to rely upon.

Okoye, in several press interviews allayed the fears of Nigerians with a promise that, the 2023 elections is on course and everything shall be well. He told Arise News Television that, INEC is collaborating with all security agencies, and most of the security concerns shall be addressed before the due dates for the elections.

Political parties on their parts are drawing out plans on how to win the elections, as they position their candidates and draw manifestoes, against what has been described as Nigeria’s litmus test for the survival of democracy and indeed as a nation.

This is even as the country’s leadership battles with multi-faceted crisis, ranging from Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, banditry and Kidnapping in most states of the North West, IPOB agitations in the South East, threats of succession by the Yoruba Nation and widespread assassinations in virtually every part of Nigeria.

Nigerians; irrespective of where they stay, live in perpetual fear and uncertainty in the face of these developments: especially emergent strong indications that the country may not be safe for the conduct of the 2023, unless general security concerns in the country are quickly and decisively addressed.

Our correspondents who have been monitoring the mood of the nation report that, the situation seems to further be degenerating, with reports of various criminal activities, happening simultaneously from across the nation, while the Government looks on helplessly: apparently overwhelmed.

The President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari has given repeated assurances that the situation will be brought under control and Nigeria will be better placed than before, even as he promised to allow for the conduct of safe, free and fair elections in 2023.

Nigerians however do not seem impressed with the President’s promises, especially when they look back at the promises he made for Nigerians before his first election as President in 2015. Many have used it to mock him, just as political opponents have been using some of the perceived failed promises to de-market the All Progressives Congress, APC, against the coming elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari has changed the Service Chiefs, in apparent response to public cries for an overhaul; with seemingly the same result and has summoned countless security meetings, out of which no single solution has been found, even as criminal elements appear more emboldened in carrying out their nefarious activities.

It is against this grim national situation that, some people have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to either seek for further amendment to the constitution to give him third term in office, even as others are clamoring for an interim Government, to be appointed by the President. The President has since dismissed such fears, but the attendant tension and fears persist, which further create doubts about the elections.

States worst hit by the insecurity include, Kaduna, Benue, Plateau,Taraba, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Kogi, Kwara and to some extent, Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Ondo and Rivers states. In each of these states, conduct of elections are very dicey, and require heavy security deployments, with attendant consequences of voter apathy, as citizens live in fear.

With no apparent solution in sight to these problems, analyst predict that the 2023 elections may be an uphill task to conduct across the aforementioned states, where free movement of citizens are heavily curtailed by the activities of criminals.

Social and commercial activities in areas where bandits operate have been at the lowest ebb, just as the likely movements for the elections may not be possible with the glaring dangers.

In some of these states, movement of election officials and voters alike face serious threats from the activities of bandits and kidnappers, who have vowed to make life difficult for citizens generally.

The narrative amongst Nigerians, is such that, certain individuals or group: both in and outside Government make brisk gains out of the situation, and are ostensibly the brains behind crisis.

Reports indicate that, while those in Government collect billions as funds to prosecute the war against terrorism and crime generally, others outside the government collect returns from the criminals.

Nigerians tend to believe that security agents on the fields have either been compromised or are just complacent with the situation, since they are paid money for doing very little.

Many Nigerians on the other hand believe that the Armed Forces have been at their best, but seem overwhelmed for lack of equipment and appropriate arms to confront the criminals.

International and local observers have given a pass mark to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over recent elections and by-elections conducted in some states, for the improvements in the quality of the elections, but such assessments fail to factor in the performance of the security agencies.

Even in the face of the heavily militarized and police presence, the general atmosphere outside the immediate areas where the elections were conducted remain fragile.

Apparently ignoring the experiences of other countries that witnessed religious wars, and the 2015 experiences, Churches and Mosques have been reduced to campaign arenas, with religious leaders preparing the minds of their followers for the elections along religious sentiments.

Media debates seem to give prominence to religious issues, thus further inflaming passions and preparing grounds for a religious war. The situation indicates that, religion may play significant role, as adherents of two main faiths, Christianity and Islam threaten fire and brimstone.

Analysts believe that, in seeming alliance with international operators, the underworld of drug kingpins in Nigeria may be perfecting plans to cash in on the situation and sponsor stooges into elective positions, so as to exert hold on Government.

This fact emerged in the face of the fierce war being executed by the Government against hard drugs.

Our correspondent in Lagos reports that, the drug cartel in the country are not comfortable with the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, under General Mohammed Buba Marwa, which has intensified fights against their business, hence the need to penetrate Government and halt further war against them.

Recent reports depict the NDLEA as having arrested prominent drug warlords, who have allies in Government, a move that has threatened the drug market. With criminals as the main users of the drugs, penetrating Government and sustaining the crisis remain two sure ways that could ensure their continued business

News

Lebanese expatriate worker sues GOC 2 Div, others, for alleged unlawful detention, demands N2bn as damages

Published

3 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Ibrahim Nassar, a Lebanese expatriate worker with Phoenix Import and Export Limited in Kwara State, has gone to the Federal High Court, Ilorin Division, seeking an order compelling the Nigerian Army to release him immediately from his four-month detention without trial.

In a suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, the applicant identified himself as a citizen of
Lebanon with a valid passport and a lawful resident in Nigeria with a validly issued
Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permit, and that he has been living and working
with Phoenix Import and Export Limited, Kaiama in Baruten Local Government Area,
Kwara State for some time now, without any criminal record.

In the Suit No. FHC/IL/CS/87/2025 between Ibrahim Nassar (Applicant) and the General Officer, Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major-general Obinna Onubogu; the Chief of Army Staff and; the Nigerian Army (as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents, respectively), the Lebanese complained that he was unlawfully arrested on 9th May, 2025 by the officers of the 2nd respondent at the instruction or command of the 1st respondent.

According to Nassar, he was detained for many days and was released by the Department of State Security (DSS) when he was not found culpable for any criminal activities. He said he was re-arrested on the 16th June, 2025 and has since been in detention up to now without any criminal charge against him.

Describing his arrest and detention without any justification as illegal, unwarranted, wrongful and unconstitutional, the Lebanese further told the court that he is both asthmatic and diabetic, among other serious medical conditions, and need to seek medical attention.

He alleged that while in the detention of the respondents, he was humiliated, tortured and harassed in order to self-incriminate himself, which he stood his ground against.

He further alleged that he was treated inhumanly as he was detained in a very dark and fearful confinement like a common criminal. In addition, he claimed that he was not fed well and when he ought to be fed, he was just given a very small portion of any meal available not minding the fact that he is not a Nigerian who is no exposed to any sort of foods.

The application by Ibrahim Nassar for an order for the enforcement of his fundamental
Human rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and
Enforcement) Act CAP A9 LFN 2004, United Nations declaration of Human Rights, 1948,
and Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, was filed by his counsel,
Prof. M.T. Adekilekun Esq, leading Shareef Mohammed Esq., Prof. A.O. Sambo, Oludare
W. Akanbi, Esq, Maryann Osuyak (Miss) and, A.S Adeyemi, Esq.

In the suit, Ibrahim Nassar is also seeking an order and declaration of the court that his continuous arrest, detention, humiliation, torture, inhuman treatment and harassment by the respondents is unlawful, illegal, ultra vires and grossly violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria (as amended), the African Charter on Human and peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, United Nations Declaration of Human rights, 1948.

He is also seeking an order of the court that he be paid exemplary and aggravated damages in the sum of One Billion Naira (N1, 000, 000, 000) only against the respondents jointly and severally as a result of the infringement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and dignity of human person, harassments, intimidation, threats and public ridicule occasioned by the Respondents on the applicant.

In addition, Nassar is demanding payment of another One Billion Naira (N1, 000, 000, 000) as General Damages against the respondents jointly and severally for his unlawful detention, as well as an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents by themselves, their officers, servants, agents and privies from: (i) arresting, threatening, intimidating, restraining, harassing and humiliating him or threats thereof.

In an affidavit in support of originating motion for enforcement of fundamental human
right of the applicant, one Vandi Vatiki of Czar Farms Limited, Oke oyi, Ilorin Kwara
State and Phoenix Import and Export Limited, averred that sometime on 9th May, 2025, “the officers of the Nigerian Army (the 3rd respondent) came in a gestapo manner, fully armed with weapons, and bumped into the hotel room of the applicant in Kaiama, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State and arrested him without warrant of arrest and any offence alleged against him.

“That when myself and applicant’s co-Lebanese present made enquiries as to the
offence committed by the applicant, no any reason whatsoever was given.

“That I know as a matter of fact that the applicant was first taken to Sobi Barracks
where he was detained unlawfully and after sometime was transferred to 2nd Division
of the Nigerian Army, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, Oyo State.

“That the applicant was detained without any offence alleged against him for more than
two weeks and every attempt to get the applicant released proved abortive.

“That one of the steps taken to ensure the release of the applicant was the
engagement of Rashidi Isamotu Esq., to apply for the release of applicant who upon
being engaged wrote a letter titled: “Request for Release of Ibrahim Nassar” dated 20th
May, 2025 to the 1st respondent.

“That instead of the 1st respondent to yield to the simple request since nothing
incriminating was traced to or found with the applicant, he ordered the transfer of the
applicant to the office of Department of DSS Oyo State Command, Ibadan for profiling
and further investigation, having spent two weeks with them at Odogbo Barracks,
Ibadan’

“That the office of DSS in Ibadan, upon proper profiling and investigation of the
applicant, found him not culpable for any offence hence, found no reason why it should
keep the applicant in their custody and consequently transferred the applicant to Kwara
State Command, Ilorin, the state where the applicant was arrested.

“That on getting to Ilorin, the DSS in Ilorin too found nothing incriminating about the applicant and consequently released the applicant without any further delay or hindrance whatsoever.

“That the applicant thought the storm was over and was making attempt to settle down
and attend to his health which has deteriorated due to the unlawful detention,
humiliation and torture meted against him by the 1st respondent and other officers of
the 3rd respondent, he was re-arrested on the 16th June, 2025 by the officers of
the 3rd respondent at the mandate and command of the 1st respondent without warrant
of arrest.

“That the applicant upon being re-arrested on 16th June, 2025 was taken straight to
Odogbo Barracks of the 2 Division of the 3rd respondent like the previous arrest and has
been unlawfully and wrongfully detained since then under the watch of the 1st
respondent who the 2nd respondent failed to check (despite having knowledge of the
unlawful arrest) without any crime alleged against or charge framed against him till
now.

“That attempt was made to secure the release of the applicant again by still engaging
the services of Rasidi Isamotu Esq to write a complaint to the Chief of Army staff, the
2nd respondent in respect of the conduct of the 1st respondent and his officers on the
unlawful detention of the applicant.

That the said Rashidi Isamotu wrote the complaint on the 19th June, 2025 and same
was received and acknowledged by the office of 2nd respondent at Army Headquarters,
FCT, Abuja on the 26th June, 2025.

“That the family and friends of the applicant are in disarray now as nothing is even
heard of the applicant again, making them to be subjected to psychological torture, to
the point that other expatriates working with our company are now living in fear and
trembling as a result of the illegal action of the respondents.

“That sequel to the above, many (if not all) of our expatriates have left the country because they feel that their lives are not safe and secured with the inhuman treated made against the applicant coupled with the unlawful arrest and detention. It could be anybody.

That the applicant has not been charged with any offence before any court of Law in
Nigeria.

“That if this Honourable Court do not intervene as a matter of urgency the life of the
applicant is under imminent threat and may lead to his death.

That unless this application is granted, the applicant will continue to suffer violation of
his fundamental rights of freedom of movement and personal liberty as well as dignity
of human person.

As of the time of this report, the 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Army headquarters, Abuja, were still to respond to a message sent over the weekend, seeking their comments on the allegations by the Lebanese.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

News

Oluwole Foundation Lifts 70 Branch Members Of C&S Church in Ilorin

Published

12 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Barely a month after empowering no fewer than 70 members at the headquarters of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Oluwole Foundation has extended the noble gesture to 24 branches of the Church within Ilorin metropolis and Oke-Oyi.

In the new dispensation, the Oluwole Foundation provided material and financial support to additional 70 beneficiaries, costing the Foundation about N37m.

Fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the programme, the Chairman of the Foundation, Pastor Moses Ademola Popoola, said the extension of the empowerment programme this year to the branches of the Church was in obedience to divine instruction and as a means to tackle poverty within the Church community.

“We have 62 branches under our Church, but this is the first time we are going beyond our headquarters. For now, we have covered 24 Churches and empowered 70 people, spending close to N37 million. This is not just charity; it’s also evangelism. Some people will not be converted through preaching but through welfare,” Pastor Popoola explained.

He urged beneficiaries to take the gesture seriously, work hard, and extend help to others, assuring the congregants of further expansion of the empowerment programme to cover more beneficiaries in the coming years.

“They should not see this as a national cake. Be prudent, save, grow your business, and from what you have, help someone else. That way, we help the family, society, and the nation,” he cautioned.

Pastor Popoola also called on other foundations, especially those owned by Christians, to carry out their work with sincerity, rather than for personal gain. “This service is first to God, then to society. When we help people genuinely, we reduce poverty, crime, and unemployment.”

The cleric, however, stressed the need for the government to prioritise agriculture and rural development in order to tackle poverty and unemployment ravaging the nation.

He added: “Every wealthy nation built its economy on agriculture. So, government should secure our farmlands, provide tractors, and support our farmers holistically. Let each region focus on its strength, like cocoa in the West and groundnut in the North. We must also develop rural areas with electricity, motorable roads, hospitals, and jobs to curb rural-urban migration.”

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Janet Shaba, who expressed gratitude to the Oluwole Foundation for the kind gesture, promised that they would make judicious use of the items received.

End

News

Audu Ogbeh’s death a big loss for North Central: Kwara Gov

Published

12 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed sadness over the death of former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

Governor AbdulRazaq said the death of Chief Audu Ogbeh is a big loss to the North Central Region, calling him a statesman, thoughts leader, and nationalist.

“Chief Audu Ogbeh was a dependable leader of our region. He earned the respect of all on account of his outstanding leadership and service to the nation at different times, especially during his time as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,” the Governor said in a statement on Sunday.

Governor AbdulRazaq has, however, sent his heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Benue State and to his family and associates.

He prayed to God to give the family the strength to bear the huge loss.

End