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Former VON Chief Calls on Tinubu to Create Special Police Unit Amid Rising Insecurity
In response to Nigeria’s growing security crisis, founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently establish a Special Police Constabulary Unit (SPCU).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Okechukwu stressed that the SPCU would offer an effective solution to worsening violence in states such as Benue, Plateau, and Niger. He noted that his proposal is consistent with Sections 105–109 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, especially considering the continued reluctance of many governors to establish state police forces.
According to Okechukwu, the SPCU should function independently of the current Nigeria Police Force and should be staffed by young, disciplined, and well-trained personnel capable of confronting kidnappers, terrorists, and insurgents at the community level without falling prey to authoritarian abuses.
He recommended that the SPCU be funded through the National Emergency Fund, recruited from indigenous populations of respective states, and created in collaboration with governors, local governments, and community leaders — but with minimal federal interference to reflect the demands of Nigerians advocating for restructuring.
Reflecting on previous optimism, Okechukwu recalled that the National Economic Council (NEC) had previously celebrated bipartisan support among governors for the creation of state police. However, he expressed concern that the Council, at its recent meeting on April 24, failed to prioritize this vital security issue, describing their inaction as alarming given the country’s dire situation.
He quoted Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, who admitted that discussions on state police were sidelined due to time constraints, questioning how such a crucial matter could be overlooked amidst escalating violence.
Okechukwu also pointed to a recent statement by Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who criticized the misuse of Mobile Police Force officers as escorts for VIPs instead of addressing broader security challenges — a clear sign, he said, of the urgent need for structural reform.
He warned against continuing to rely solely on current police structures, highlighting the impact of insecurity on agriculture, youth employment, and poverty levels. Okechukwu urged President Tinubu to embrace the establishment of the SPCU, arguing that it would complement local government financial autonomy, deepen grassroots democracy, and restore security to vulnerable communities.
He concluded by emphasizing that the SPCU would be a fresh, focused force with guaranteed funding, providing a critical lifeline to a nation struggling to protect its citizens.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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