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Politicians Flee Out Of Nigeria As Hardship Protests Loom: ‘Tinubu Is Safe,’ Claims Lawmaker
Politicians Flee Out Of Nigeria As Hardship Protests Loom: ‘Tinubu Is Safe,’ Claims LawmakerAs Nigeria anticipates the #EndBadGovernance protests set for August 1, a noticeable exodus of senators, House of Representatives members, and some Federal Executive Council (FEC) officials is underway. Many are leaving the country under the pretext of medical appointments or summer vacations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The National Assembly abruptly closed its chambers last Tuesday, enabling members to process their travel documents ahead of the anticipated demonstrations.
This surge in departures reflects mounting concerns over safety and security during the protests.
Sources within the National Assembly, who requested anonymity, have shared their fears about becoming targets if the protests escalate. They recalled the violent scenes of the 2020 #EndSARS protests, where lawmakers and their properties were targeted and vandalized in their constituencies.
One senator, who chose to remain unnamed, highlighted the disparity in protection between lawmakers and other government officials. Unlike ministers, governors, and presidential aides who benefit from robust security, lawmakers are more accessible and therefore more vulnerable during large-scale uprisings.
The senator explained, “We were scheduled to break next week for our annual recess, but we urgently requested an earlier adjournment due to the imminent threat posed by the protests. Many of us are seeking refuge abroad until the situation stabilizes. Some colleagues are heading to Europe, the Middle East, and other African nations. We’ve even seen a rise in ticket prices due to the increased demand.”
A travel agent at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport confirmed the spike in international flight bookings. She reported that many lawmakers and officials have been securing emergency tickets, leading to a surge in ticket prices, nearly doubling the original rates.
She added, “The rush for summer flights has driven up prices significantly. Many officials claim they are traveling for medical reasons, though this may not be entirely accurate. For instance, I booked a return flight to the USA for nearly $3,000 for one senator. Destinations like South Africa, the UK, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia are in high demand. One senator even humorously mentioned he was leaving to ‘save his head’ amid fears of how the protests might unfold.”
This mass exodus underscores the growing apprehension among Nigerian politicians as the nation braces for potentially turbulent demonstrations.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has firmly defended its prosecution and detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, dismissing allegations of political bias. ICPC spokesperson John Odey stated that the commission is acting strictly under court-ordered mandates and remains unfazed by the El-Rufai Support Group Association’s (ERSGA) decision to hire a Washington-based advocacy firm, Vanguard Africa, to challenge the proceedings internationally.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The ERSGA, which maintains the former governor’s innocence, argues that the legal actions against him represent a troubling trend of weaponizing due process to sideline opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections. In response, the ICPC reiterated that it is a non-political, law-enforcement body that pursues corruption allegations—including those against high-profile figures—solely based on its governing Act and judicial authorization. El-Rufai currently faces separate charges from both the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding allegations of financial impropriety and unauthorized communications surveillance.
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ICPC Position: The commission maintains that its detention of Nasir El-Rufai is entirely lawful, authorized by a court remand order, and devoid of political motivation.
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International Challenge: The El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA) has engaged Washington-based Vanguard Africa to lobby U.S. officials and institutions, claiming the case reflects a broader erosion of the rule of law in Nigeria.
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Commission’s Response: ICPC spokesperson John Odey dismissed the international advocacy effort, emphasizing that the agency follows statutory procedures regardless of an individual’s political status.
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The Charges: El-Rufai faces ongoing legal action from the ICPC over alleged fraud and abuse of office, as well as separate charges from the DSS regarding alleged communication wiretapping.
Option 3: Analytical Overview
The legal entanglement of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai has escalated into an international dispute. While the ICPC asserts that it is merely performing its statutory duties—citing a court remand order as the basis for its custody of the former governor—his supporters have characterized the move as a political crackdown.
By retaining the Washington-based firm Vanguard Africa, the El-Rufai Support Group Association is attempting to bring international scrutiny to Nigeria’s judicial processes, framing the prosecution as a symptom of a systemic threat to the nation’s democratic health. Conversely, the ICPC maintains that its operations are neutral and strictly bound by the anti-graft Act, viewing the international outreach as an external matter that does not impact their commitment to prosecuting alleged financial crimes and misconduct.
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Dele Momodu, a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), recently declared that the judiciary must be prevented from sabotaging Nigeria’s democratic stability. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Momodu’s comments followed a Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu, which ordered INEC to deregister the ADC and several other parties. The Court of Appeal subsequently stayed the execution of this ruling, labeling the initial judgment as the “highest form of judicial impertinence”.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Momodu advocated for formal sanctions against judges who issue what he termed “rascally judgments,” arguing that judicial officers who ignore established legal procedures or orders from superior courts must face accountability to preserve public trust in the rule of law.
In a separate discussion on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, Momodu revealed that he had previously encouraged Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), to form a political alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Momodu noted that he urged Obi to work with Atiku—who originally helped elevate Obi to national prominence—by citing historical examples of leaders who ascended to the presidency after serving as deputies, such as former Ghanaian President John Mahama, Goodluck Jonathan, and U.S. President Joe Biden.
However, Momodu stated that Obi rejected this advice, maintaining that his own popularity surpassed that of the former Vice President. Momodu also recounted that when Atiku selected Obi as his running mate for the 2019 election, he remained steadfast in his choice despite significant opposition from party governors.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, has publicly endorsed the party’s new anti-defection indemnity form, calling it a positive step for the organization. Speaking through the Kwankwasiyya movement’s spokesperson, Habibu Saleh Mohammed, Kwankwaso emphasized that this policy is essential for fostering internal discipline and upholding the constitutional mandate linked to party-sponsored elected officials.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The NDC implemented this loyalty affidavit specifically to curb the trend of elected representatives abandoning the party that secured their victory. Party National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, explained that this initiative is a direct response to the persistent issue of politicians defecting after utilizing a party’s platform to achieve office.
Kwankwaso’s camp maintains that this requirement aligns with the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution, which discourages officials from deserting their sponsoring parties. “What the party is trying to do is only imposing the position of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To a larger extent, this is what we’ve been talking about,” Mohammed stated.
Mohammed further noted that the Kwankwasiyya movement is no stranger to the damage caused by defections, citing the departure of former Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje as a prime example. Ultimately, the movement believes this new NDC measure will prevent politicians from viewing party platforms merely as temporary vehicles for electoral success.
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