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Experts Reveal Why Military Rule Is Gaining Support Across West Africa.

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Experts have cautioned that years of poor governance, policy missteps, weak democratic practices, and the rise of disinformation could push citizens in West Africa to consider alternatives to democracy.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The warning came during the unveiling of the Democratic Strategic Plan 2026–2031 by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa).

Keynote speaker, political economist Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, traced Nigeria’s stalled development to the abandonment of state-led economic planning in favor of market-driven policies that failed to deliver inclusive growth. He recalled Nigeria’s post-independence development plans, starting with the 1962–1968 framework under the Tafawa Balewa administration, which prioritized infrastructure and industrialization, including the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

“Over 90% of that project was completed, yet it was stalled. That represents nearly 50 years of lost industrial development,” Ibrahim said. He warned that persistent poverty and inequality in Nigeria stem from a failure to sustain people-centered development and stressed that relying solely on politicians to uphold democracy has never worked.

“If we want democracy to thrive, it must be driven by every citizen, not just the so-called democrats,” Ibrahim said. “Democrats can betray the mission, but the people have a stake in democracy.”

CDD West Africa Director Dr. Dauda Garuba highlighted the role of disinformation in undermining democratic systems and promoting military takeovers in countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Viral content on social media, he noted, often portrays military regimes as effective and transformative, even when reality contradicts these narratives.

Policy expert Egghead Odewole added that democracy is more than infrastructure or elections; it must ensure rights, security, freedom of expression, and citizen participation. He warned that declining security and limited civic engagement have weakened accountability, making some populations see military rule as a viable alternative.

The event’s panel, themed “Democracy Failing or the People Failing?”, explored how leadership failures, citizen responsibility, and systemic weaknesses intersect to shape the state of democracy in West Africa.

This version condenses the text while keeping all key facts and expert insights intact, making it clear and digestible.

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Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.

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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.

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‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.

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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.

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El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.

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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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