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“Democracy Under Siege: The Threat Within”.
Democracy is widely understood as an ongoing process of governance grounded in popular sovereignty, rather than a fixed state or a one-time event. This explains why even the United States—often regarded as a model of democracy after more than 200 years—faces challenges such as intense partisanship, declining trust in institutions, threats to the electoral process, a partisan Supreme Court, and a distrusted media.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Similarly, some of the challenges facing Nigeria’s democratic journey—like what some describe as “state capture” by elites, authoritarian tendencies of executives with military backgrounds, a legislature dominated by inexperienced politicians, and political parties run more like military garrisons than democratic institutions—should not be seen as fatal threats to the country’s democracy.
Contrary to the claims of sore losers such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and collaborators like Pat Utomi, Omoyele Sowore, and Oby Ezekwesili, who attempt to frame Nigeria’s democratic difficulties as beginning with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the reality is different. These self-proclaimed defenders of democracy echo earlier actors who, rather than accept electoral outcomes, resorted to undemocratic measures—like courting the military to seize power in 1966. For instance, some of Peter Obi’s supporters openly called for a military takeover after he placed third in an election, failing to meet the constitutional threshold.
Over the past three years, these so-called champions of democracy have focused on undermining state institutions: attacking the executive, legislature, and judiciary. Dele Farotimi, a prominent member of Obi’s supporters, traveled to the U.S. seeking foreign intervention against the inauguration of a freely elected president. When that failed, his group lobbied the U.S. Congress to discredit Nigeria’s president. Meanwhile, the legislature, acting within its mandate, became a target of calumny, and attempts were made to compromise the Supreme Court, the institution responsible for ensuring stability and upholding the rule of law.
Despite these challenges, there is no reason to despair over Nigeria’s democracy. From the eve of independence, when institutions were still forming, through decades of military rule and poorly prepared civilian administrations, Nigeria has made significant strides in democratic governance.
Today, calls for foreign intervention or cries of “war” by dissatisfied political actors hold little sway. Nigerians have a deeper understanding of democracy than in 1966. Those who have disrespected democratic norms—abandoning party rules, losing re-election bids, or migrating to unregistered parties—cannot suddenly claim the mantle of democracy defenders.
The strategy of “if we cannot have it, no one else must have it” has long been evident among seasonal political migrants. Peter Obi’s recent formal registration with ADC highlights this pattern, as supporters previously threatened the party to secure an automatic ticket for him, demonstrating a disregard for party rules and democratic norms.
Even debates around the Electoral Act and indirect primaries—intended to regulate internal party processes—have been misconstrued, echoing historical cases where party elites manipulated delegate votes, such as Obasanjo vs. Ekwueme in 1998 or Atiku vs. others in 2019 and 2023.
Comparisons with other democracies must be cautious. For instance, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly shielded a leader accused of serious misconduct, and the Republican-controlled legislature has often supported undemocratic measures. In contrast, Nigeria’s institutions—presidency, legislature, judiciary, and free press—have ensured continuity, periodic elections, and accountability.
In conclusion, despite the attempts by self-styled warriors of democracy to undermine institutions, Nigeria’s democratic process has matured and strengthened over time. The country now boasts a system many nations might wish to emulate: periodic elections, an independent legislature and judiciary, and a free press.
An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.
Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.
Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.
According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.
He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.
“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.
The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.
Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.
He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.
Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.
The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.
Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.
He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.
Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.
Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.
In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.
The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.
However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.
Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.
During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.
When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.
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