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All Progressives Congress’ (APC) National chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has added his voice to those urging Nigerians not only to focus on what is happening at the federal level of governance, but rather look more in the direction of their local government chairmen and governors. This is because, unlike before, the state governments now have more funds to play with, courtesy of the removal of fuel subsidy and merging of the foreign exchange markets in 2023, when President Bola Tinubu was sworn in.

Yilwatda spoke on Monday, at the launching of a book, ‘Vicious Red Circle’, written by Alex Ugochukwu Oriaku, in Abuja.

According to the party chair, ‘Governors now receive two to four times more than before. They can focus on bigger projects, but they must also improve the daily lives of the people,’ he said.

Yilwatda added that ”we know that two years ago, what they used to share was about N400 billion per month. But today, the last they shared was N2.2 trillion. No governor in Nigeria today collects less than three times, four times of what they used to collect before. None.

‘They can do more for their people. They are focusing now on bigger projects. And to me, this is a turnaround that we need in governors. I would say, talk to your governors. Talk to your local government chairmen. Let them do more. Talk to the APC governors to do more.”

To this extent, Yilwatda is right. The governors now have more cash in their hands. Before the advent of the Bola Tinubu administration, all the three tiers of government used to share an average of N400billion monthly. Today, this has ballooned to about N2.2 trillion, a significant increase, if you ask us.

Unfortunately, there is not much to show for this in many states, as some of the governors embark on grandiose projects that have little bearing to the needs of the people, rather than concentrate on essentials.

This explains why many Nigerians are wondering where the much-talked-about extra cash the governors are getting is going into.

There is no doubt that the removal of fuel subsidy and merging of the exchange rates have caused some dislocation to prices of virtually all items, including foodstuffs, the least the people would have expected was for the governors to show compassion by making some of these monies percolate to the mass of the people who are directly bearing the harsh effects of the economic reforms.

It would seem the Federal Government is not oblivious of this harsh reality, hence its several initiatives to cushion the effects of the economic reforms.

We are here talking about schemes under the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, like the Consumer Credit Scheme that was launched in February, 2024. The aim is to enable Nigerians purchase essential goods and build credit histories.

We also have the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Bus Initiative to provide an alternative to rising transportation costs after the fuel subsidy removal, with public transporters paying only half of the cost of installation.

Then the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, (NELFUND) from which about 1,000,000 students have benefited, with the Federal Government paying the tuition fees of students in tertiary institutions whose parents cannot bear the burden, as well as giving each of the beneficiaries N20,000 monthly upkeep allowance.

If only many state governments had complemented the efforts of the Federal Government, the effects of the economic reforms would have been somewhat minimal on the people.

We urge a change of heart in this regard, and Yilwatda has a major role to play. With his party, the APC controlling about 24 state governments out of 36, he should use his influence to get the state governments to be more sensitive to the plight of the people. That is the only way the party can have it easy at the polls, especially as we are gradually approaching the build-up to the 2027 General Elections.

Ministers and a cross-section of Nigerians rose in defence of the country against the allegation of targeted killings of Christians made by the United States President Donald Trump.

Different ministers took to different fora to highlight ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism, which they stressed affects all faiths.

Ministers Mohammed Idris (Information and National Orientation) and Oladele Alake (Solid Minerals) spoke at a press conference; Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs) met with diplomats in Abuja.

Festus Keyamo (SAN) (Aviation and Aerospace Development) made his views known in an open letter to President Trump.

Eminent Nigerians such as human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) and one-time federal lawmaker Ita Enang also rejected the religious bias claim.

The government blamed the claim on foreign lobbyists.

It said their projections of the insecurity in Nigeria were behind the wrong perceptions of the country.

Admitting that insecurity is a serious concern affecting many communities in the country, the government said Nigeria remains a good example of ‘religious plurality” and democratic endurance.”

‘The government has been able to see a correlation between some of the lobbyists operating, especially in the US, and the activities here,” Idris said.

‘We have seen that some of the influencers of these criminal activities have a direct relationship with lobbyists in the US, who have a direct relationship with some of these people who are shouting about this issue outside this country,” he added.

Idris highlighted counter-terrorism efforts by the Tinubu Administration and described the U.S. stance on Nigeria as a product of ‘misrepresentation and misinformation.’

‘Nigeria faces long-standing security challenges that have impacted Christians and Muslims alike.

‘Any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian state is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on faulty data,’ he said.

The minister added that security agencies had, since May 2023, ‘neutralised more than 13,500 terrorists’ and arrested more than 17,000 suspects.

‘More than 9,850 abducted persons,’ according to him, were reunited with their families within the same period after their rescue.

Tuggar told the diplomatic community that it was inaccurate to characterise Nigeria’s security challenges as manifestations of state-sanctioned religious intolerance.

Tuggar, represented at the event by his Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, described Nigeria as ”a global exemplar of religious plurality and democratic endurance.”

He assured that the government was doing everything possible to contain terrorism.

He said: ‘National security remains a top priority for the Tinubu administration, which has adopted a comprehensive approach combining military strength, intelligence, diplomacy, and community engagement.

‘Sustained operations such as Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Lake Sanity have degraded Boko Haram and ISWAP, reclaimed vast territories and facilitated the return of millions of displaced persons.

‘Advanced surveillance technologies are being deployed to combat banditry and kidnapping, while community-based peace building and the National Early Warning and Response System (NEWS) enhance conflict prevention.

‘Civil-military cooperation has strengthened trust, improved intelligence gathering, and reduced the recruitment of extremists.

‘Nigeria remains a global exemplar of religious plurality and democratic endurance. The 1999 Constitution guarantees complete freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and prohibits the adoption of any state religion.

‘The Nigerian state is secular in both structure and function; policies and institutions operate without religious bias, ensuring that Christians and Muslims hold leadership positions across all levels.

‘Recent external claims suggesting systemic religious persecution in Nigeria are unfounded. The recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) based on speculations of religious persecution is fundamentally misinformed.

‘It misrepresents Nigeria’s secular constitutional order and its record in protecting religious freedom. Nigeria’s demographic balance, approximately equal Christian and Muslim populations, its interwoven communities, and its functioning multi-religious democracy stand as clear evidence of our coexistence.

‘Nigeria’s judiciary has consistently demonstrated its independence, protecting freedom of expression and religion.

‘The state continues to wage a comprehensive counter-terrorism campaign against groups that target Nigerians of all faiths.

‘It is therefore inaccurate to characterise Nigeria’s complex security challenges as manifestations of state-sanctioned religious intolerance.

‘Nigeria’s national legal framework contains no offence of blasphemy. The existing public-order laws are religion-neutral and protect all communities equally from incitement to violence.

‘Sharia laws, limited to some northern states, apply only to Muslims and remain under the oversight of the secular judiciary. Christian and Muslim institutions operate freely, promoting peaceful coexistence.

‘Interfaith harmony is sustained through institutions such as the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NREC), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA.

‘Nigeria has consistently demonstrated its openness to dialogue and cooperation, and constructive engagement, which should remain the standard in the engagement between and among sovereign states in the international system.”

He added that while Nigeria notes with grave concern the unfounded and disparaging rhetoric over the security situation in the country, ‘it is our firm conviction that the international community will continue on the path of mutual respect and cooperation that fosters peace, prosperity, and harmony.”

‘No religious colouration in attacks’

Alake said data show insecurity in Nigeria has dropped to its lowest level in a decade.

He cited major reforms in the security architecture and ongoing prosecution of suspects behind the Owo Church and Benue massacres.

Alake stressed that terrorism in Nigeria is driven mainly by economic and political motives, not religion, warning against framing attacks as faith-based.

He reminded the media of its ‘responsibility to society,’ urging balanced reporting that supports peace and stability.

‘If there is no society, there is no press,’ he cautioned.

Alake said: ‘We all know that this insecurity did not start yesterday. But from the actions taken so far, if one is unbiased, one would know that from the plethora of actions taken in the last three years, if we had taken those actions in the last ten years, we would probably not be where we are today.

‘These range from the changes in the security architecture, the top brass of various security agencies changed in 2023, and again, a few days or so ago, to reinvigorate the security system.

‘These are not political texts; these are policy actions emanating from very exhaustive planning and strategising, and they are yielding results.

‘As the minister said, a global organisation recently published the fact that globally, in the last decade in Nigeria, the last two years have recorded the lowest incidences of insecurity.

‘Locally, to us, even one incident is an anathema. But when you look at the various figures in the last ten or more years, and you do a comparative analysis with the last two years, you will see the tremendous efforts that this government has put in place and the actions so far taken to stem the tide of this insecurity.

‘Except one is deceiving himself, nearly everybody in this country knows that there is no deliberate targeting of any religion for persecution. There are facts.

‘Sometimes, when these terrorists go to attack, they don’t go to attack because of the religion of those inhabitants.

‘They go to attack for different reasons, largely economic. Some may be political, but largely economic.

‘So, to use the faith of the inhabitants as a motive for the attack is totally off the mark. It does not reflect the reality of that, and we all know it.’

Keyamo writes Trump

Keyamo dismissed claims of mass killings of Christians in Nigeria, describing them as false and misleading.

Keyamo stated that as a Christian and long-time human rights lawyer, it would be impossible for him to serve in a government that persecutes Christians or targets any group based on religion.

‘I was born and raised as a Christian in Nigeria,’ Keyamo said.

‘Because of my strong Christian background and ethical pedigree, it would have been most unconscionable for me to associate with – let alone continue to serve – a government if truly there is any scintilla of truth in the assertion that Christians are specifically targeted in Nigeria for persecution, killings or harassment on account of their faith. It is simply not true.’

The minister recalled that he had practised law for over three decades, much of it devoted to defending human rights, and was honoured with the Global Human Rights Award by the U.S. Global Leadership Council in 2017 for his advocacy work.

Keyamo said Nigeria’s security challenges, including attacks by Boko Haram, herdsmen, and bandits, were inherited problems that had affected both Christians and Muslims, not one group in isolation.

He stressed that the Tinubu Administration is tackling insecurity without religious bias.

‘Most of the security chiefs appointed by the President are Christians, so it would be unthinkable to imagine them being complicit in the killing of fellow Christians,’ he said.

He also described President Tinubu as a ‘moderate Muslim’ whose wife is a pastor and whose children are practising Christians.

‘He will be the last person to either adopt the killing of Christians as a state policy or condone such acts,’ he added.

Keyamo reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a secular state with constitutional guarantees for freedom of religion and equal protection for all citizens, regardless of faith.

Appealing directly to President Trump, he urged him and the U.S. government to seek balanced information about Nigeria and work with the Tinubu Administration to combat terrorism.

‘President Trump, the Nigerian people ask for deep and sincere understanding from your government at this point.

‘We ask for support, cooperation and collaboration to confront this decades-old menace of terrorism,’ he said.

Falana: no evidence of Christian genocide

Falana said there was no evidence of Christian killings in Nigeria.

‘Mr Trump has lied to the whole world by alleging Christian killings in Nigeria without any evidence to back it up,’ he said during a live TV programme.

The senior lawyer argued that the allegation by Trump should be a wake-up call for the Federal Government to address the issue of killings in several parts of the country by gunmen.

He said the government has the Constitutional mandate to secure lives and properties.

‘Those who are killing are either killing to expropriate land or killing to feed their animals.

‘Instead of losing sleep over Mr Trump’s statement, the government has a duty to look inward about where errors have been made,’ Falana said.

UN: why violent extremism persists in West Africa, Sahel

The United Nations (UN) Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Mohammed Chambas, attributed the persistence of violent extremism in the region to the absence of dialogue and social interaction among communities.

Speaking at the maiden West Africa Islamic Conference on Security and Governance in Abuja, with the theme: ‘The Role of Islamic Organisations in Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in West Africa and the Sahel,’ Chambas said the radicalisation of youths is fuelled by isolation and intolerance.

He defined radicalisation as the process of brainwashing individuals to become intolerant of other experiences and views.

‘The unwillingness to appreciate the existence of others among communities across the world has bred gross intolerance, extremism, violent agitations, conflicts, and oppression,’ he said.

Chambas, who also serves as the African Union (AU) High Representative for Silencing the Guns under Agenda 2063, noted that the Sahel accounted for 19 per cent of all terrorist attacks globally and 51 per cent of terrorism-related deaths in 2024.

‘Our West Africa sub-region has been under fire due to a lack of effective interaction and dialogue among diverse ethnic and religious communities,’ he added.

He called for deliberate peace education and awareness initiatives that promote positive relationships and sustainable development, stressing that religious leaders and traditional rulers are ‘uniquely positioned to guide communities towards peace and counter extremist ideologies.’

Similarly, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, urged Islamic organisations to focus on educating the youth against extremist ideologies.

Enang: speak with one voice

Former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, urged the Federal Government to present a unified stance in response to the U.S. designation of Nigeria under its religious freedom watchlist.

He advised government officials to avoid public comments that could misrepresent Nigeria’s official position, suggesting that the Presidency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and National Assembly leadership should coordinate a harmonised diplomatic response.

‘This is a diplomatic issue that must be handled with utmost caution. Not every government official should make statements capable of inflaming the situation or misrepresenting the country,’ Enang said.

No fewer than 146 students of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State bagged First Class Honours as 1,064 graduated at its 20th convocation ceremony.

Its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jonathan Babalola, said for the 20th Convocation of Bowen, 1,064 students graduated across various disciplines at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. ‘These graduands have been nurtured intellectually, socially and morally in line with our vision of raising godly leaders who combine character with competence.’

He highlighted that ‘143 bagged First Class, 394 Second Class Upper Division while 221 graduated with Second Class Honours (Lower Division), 69 students got Third Class Honours and five have Pass.

‘In Physiotherapy and Nursing Science, 30 students achieved Distinction, 80 students earned Credit, and three students obtained a Pass, successfully meeting the academic standards required for graduation. Sixty-six students from the College of Health Sciences are being awarded the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB; BS) degree.’

He also disclosed that 26 students are being conferred with Master’s degrees and 9 scholars have earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Babalola urged the Federal Government to include students of private institutions to benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) programme.

He lamented over the discrimination against research outputs of Nigerian scholars, hence urging Western research suggestions and recommendations to be embraced in the process of policy formulation in the country.

Also, he pleaded with the Osun State Government over the taxation of the institution’s radio station, saying: ‘The mast meant for radio programmes for educational purposes is being taxed, when you are looking for money you don’t look for it anyhow – this is a very serious appeal. This radio is just for community service and it should not be taxed.’

The factional National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed, has appealed the ex parte order of the Ibadan High Court, which gave the nod to the Umar Damagum faction to proceed with the proposed convention scheduled for Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on November 15 and 16.

On Tuesday, Justice Ladiran Akintola, who gave the order for the Damagum-led NWC, adjourned till November 10 when the motion would come up for hearing.

Mohammed suspended indefinitely the elective National Convention in obedience to the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered by Justice James Omotosho, which halted the preparation for the convention because it violated the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act.

Following the ex parte order, the Damagum faction announced the continuation of the preparation for the convention.

The camp got the backing yesterday of the Board of Trustees (BoT), after its meeting in Abuja.

Muhammed made the appeal filed against the ex parte order known yesterday.

He said: ‘The national leadership of the PDP, under me as Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed, in collaboration with our National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, hereby formally informs the Nigerian public that we have received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Honourable Justice Omotosho in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.

‘Furthermore, we are pleased to confirm that our esteemed National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN, has provided a thorough legal opinion on the implications of the judgment.

‘In strict adherence to due process and our commitment to fairness, we have filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal to seek further judicial clarification and interpretation in the overall interest of our party, our members and Nigerian democracy.

‘Consequently, having filed an appeal and in line with our responsibility to uphold the rule of law and the PDP, we hereby suspend and cancel the proposed Ibadan National Convention, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal. Any continuation with the proposed convention at this time would amount to a violation of the rule of law and shall not be condoned.’

Muhammed added: ‘The Independent National Electoral Commission was a party to the suit and is fully aware of the judgment of the Federal High Court. Nevertheless, we have deemed it necessary and responsible to formally communicate our position to the commission. Accordingly, we have notified INEC to suspend the National Convention in strict compliance with the directive contained in the judgment

‘We are also aware of an ex parte order recently issued by a High Court in Oyo State. While we await the Certified True Copy of the said order, we reiterate that an ex parte order cannot override a subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court. We shall continue to act only in accordance with valid judicial authority and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘As a responsible, law-abiding, and democratic institution, the PDP remains unwavering in its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional governance, and internal party democracy.

‘Our actions will continue to be guided by legal advice, by respect for our members, and by our duty to protect the integrity of our party.’

Anyanwu, who paired with Muhammed at the press conference, said that although both the Federal High Court in Abuja and the State High Court in Oyo are equal, the Federal High Court has more power.

He said the Oyo State High Court order is just an ex parte order, which lasts only seven days, adding that before that ex parte order, the party had already filed an appeal at the Appeal Court.

Anyanwu said: ‘When a new motion is filed in a new court, that means everything will stay, pending the outcome of the appeal. So, we shall wait for the appeal’.

The BoT, which set up another reconciliation committee to resolve the protracted crisis, hailed the Ibadan court ruling and gave its backing to the Damagum-led NWC to proceed with the convention.

Also, the former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, told reporters in Lagos that the Abuja Federal High Court judgment halting preparations for the convention has aggravated the crisis.

He said Justice Omotosho’s ruling contradicted the earlier verdict of the Supreme Court that congresses and the National Convention are internal affairs of political parties.

But the factional Acting National Chairman told reporters in Abuja that going ahead with the convention would be a violation of the judgment of the Abuja Federal High Court.

Muhammed, who noted the ex parte order by the Ibadan High Court, said the ruling does not invalidate the Abuja court judgment since an exparte order cannot override a valid judgment.

Anyanwu complained that he was not invited to the Board of Trustees meeting, which held earlier in the day, despite being a member.

He said the BoT held ‘a one-sided meeting.’

Anyanwu added: ‘As we speak, we have invited the Board of Trustees to a meeting. Most of those people. Those you see today are not members of the Board of Trustees. Some of them were just newly recruited. And they have not been confirmed by the party. So, that is a meeting of friends and associates compared to the Board of Trustees.

‘What makes a nuclear family is father, mother, and children. So, if you have founding fathers, we are the founding children. So, we are all members of PDP.

‘I am a member of the Board of Trustees. I am a member of the NEC in my position as the National Secretary of this party. And I am the custodian of the secretariat of the PDP. As we speak, the certificate of PDP is with me. So, I don’t see any founding father who would do anything without me being present in that meeting. That meeting is a nullity.’

‘You will recall that on the 1st of November, because of what happened on the 31st, where the former chairman, Illiya Damagu, took some members of the NWC to the Legacy House to pronounce the suspension of the national secretary, the national legal adviser, and the deputy national legal adviser.

‘They did not come to Wadata House to do that, because we had the information that they intended to attack the secretariat. On the 1st of November, I wrote a letter to the IGP, the Nigerian Police, and the director of SSS, informing them of the information we got, that they wanted to attack the PDP. Based on that, they deployed security.

‘As a matter of fact, PDP is a law-abiding party. We love peace. We want everyone to come together. That is what the acting chairman is doing now, reaching out to all leaders of the party. I am sure in the next few days, I am going to write a letter to BOT members, for us to really meet and discuss this issue.’

BoT sets up reconciliation panel

A seven-man reconciliation committee was set up by the BoT to resolve the crisis tearing apart the main opposition platform ahead of the proposed National Convention.

The committee was set up after an emergency meeting of the highest advisory organ held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoto, Abuja.

It is headed by Ambassador Hassan Adamu from the Northeast, while former Edo State Deputy Governor Mike Ogiadomhe will serve as secretary.

The committee is expected to submit its report on Tuesday, November 11, for further action, according to the communique issued at the end of the meeting.

The BoT appealed to the warring gladiators to jettison their personal interests and work for the survival of the party.

Signatories to the communiqué included BoT Chairman and former Senate President Aldophus Wabara, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (Southeast), Senator Zaynab Kure (Northcentral), Prince Onyinlola Olagunsoye (Southwest) and Dr Lubna Mohammed Gusau (Northwest).

However, the BoT pledged its support for the Damagun-led NWC while dismissing the appointment of Acting National Chairman Muhammed as a ruse.

It was not the first time reconciliation committees were raised by the party to resolve the protracted crisis.

But the previous panels failed to restore peace to the platform.

BoT hails Ibadan court ruling

The BoT hailed the ruling of the Ibadan court, describing it as a victory for democracy.

The communique reads: ‘BoT reaffirms that the PDP remains a united, formidable and focused political party under the leadership of the Amb. Iliya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC).

‘The BoT solidly stands with and commends the Ambassador Iliya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), the PDP Governors Forum, the National Convention Organising Committee and other critical organs of the Party for their collective roles in stabilizing our party, especially as we progress towards the conduct of the Elective National Convention scheduled to hold on the 15th and 16th of November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

‘The BoT welcomes the ruling of the Oyo State High Court, presided over by Justice A.L. Akintola, which affirmed the Constitutional right and liberty of our party to manage its internal affairs, including holding our 2025 Elective National Convention as scheduled. This landmark Ruling is a victory for democracy, the rule of law and political development in our country.

‘The BoT, however, expresses worry over the recent developments within our ranks that have caused understandable concerns. The tensions, misunderstandings, and regrettable incidents that have played out in public, including the invasion of our National Secretariat, are not reflective of the ideals and character of the PDP.

‘As the conscience of the party, the BoT cannot and will not take sides but remain focused on safeguarding the integrity of the PDP and ensuring dialogue over discord. The decision for reconciliation is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of maturity and responsibility.

‘Against this backdrop, the BoT sets up a high-powered committee to immediately reconcile all conflicting sides and restore unity of purpose in our party as we head to the Elective National Convention in Ibadan.’

George: Court order can’t cancel convention

George said no court judgment can halt preparations for the proposed National Convention.

He described the Federal High Court judgement delivered by Justice Omotosho as a recipe for anarchy.

George, a former Military Administrator of Ondo State, said the Supreme Court declared in a historic judgment that such an exercise is an internal affair of the political party.

He said the Abuja High Court judgment that the PDP flouted its own rules and constitution by not holding congresses in some states shows the jurist’s ignorance about the party’s procedure.

George told reporters in Lagos that Justice Omotosho clearly acted beyond his legal powers or authority, adding that he had interfered in the internal affairs of the main opposition party.

He said: ‘In a case between Mutfwang and Nentawe, the Supreme Court position on the matter, which was expected to be interpreted by the learned judge, is very clear.

‘The apex court had ruled that no court has jurisdiction over matters relating to administration of political party and election of its officers and matters about a political party’s congress to elect officers at any level of its executive committees, the constitution of such executive committees, and matters related to the administration of the party, are its internal affairs and not within the jurisdiction of courts.’

George also said party leadership and membership are domestic affairs of political parties and non-justiciable, insisting that the issues cannot be entertained by a court.

He clarified that ‘only a primary election congress is open to litigation as a pre-election action by virtue of Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022.’

George emphasised that ‘a congress to elect officers of any level of the executive committee of a political party has to do with the internal management of the political party.’

He stressed: ‘It is non-justiciable. Therefore, a court or tribunal has no jurisdiction to entertain any dispute arising therefrom. In this case, the preponderance of evidence adduced at the tribunal was that the 4th respondent complied with the order of the High Court of Plateau State by conducting a repeat congress on 25th September 2021.’

Hurricane devastation seems to be a permanent feature of life in Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the other islands in the Caribbean. About 37 years ago, Hurricane Gilbert hit Jamaica, causing extensive damage to human lives and huge material damage and this was the first time that Nigeria hearkened to the cry of fellow human beings in the Caribbean. The reason for our response then was because of the engagement of the then military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida with foreign policy and the push of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under its dynamic and influential General Ike N Nwachukwu for our investing in this humanitarian venture. The Guardian newspaper, under the influence of Yemi Ogunbiyi, had visited Jamaica and had written well-informed articles about the politics of the island in the 1990s when Michaels Manley was its prime minister from 1989 to1992, being his second term in office having served earlier in the same post from 1972 to 1980.

Professor Ade Adefuye was Nigeria’s high Commissioner in the island from 1987 to 1991 and he was very influential in ensuring the success of Chief Emeka Anyaoku in securing the several votes of the Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean in the election of a new commonwealth secretary general in Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth heads of states or governments Summit in 1989.

I am mentioning all these factors to indicate how a paltry donation of $3 million dollars to a sister country in distress may have altered the course of history in which an African of great distinction, Anyaoku with great personal credentials on his own became the head of a major international organisation like the Commonwealth.

This long preamble is to say that the time has come again for Nigeria to demonstrate leadership to rescue the black peoples of Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba that have just been hit by the force of nature.

Of course, Nigeria and most states in Africa are economically distressed; there is never going to be a time when it is right to do right without pain, I suggest that Nigeria should take a memo to the African Union (AU) suggesting the African Union should collectively send donations to Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti on moral grounds of solidarity with the poor humanity of those countries, and secondly, because the Caribbean constitutes part of the AU in correct progressive thinking. Secondly, Cuba in particular deserves to be recognized for its historical role in the liberation of Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia and Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde. This is a case of service deserving its rewards.

Nobody knows when the mother African continent may again call on its children in the new world to redress the power weakness of the old continent.

Global politics is in a phase which regrettably is entering the struggle for global relevance and struggle for our very existence. This is becoming important in Trumpian and post Trumpian politics. We must not be caught napping!

If the plea by Nigeria falls on deaf ears, then Nigeria should go solo. The fewer we are will be the greater the share of honour said Shakespeare because at end, we will be judged by posterity. The question is not what Nigeria is going to get from a policy of giving when our children at home have no food to eat and no fees for our school children. When we supported the liberation of Southern Africa from the time of our independence in 1960 till 1994 when Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela, the question in the public was qui bono? The answer was always that black humanity should take its rightful place in the comity of nations. No one can really judge the rightfulness of the money spent in the advancement of a country’s foreign interest on the basis what the British call pounds and pence. But a country should always be found on the side of what is right.

When I was in our foreign office’s minister’s office, we tried to research into how much money Nigeria had spent since Independence till 1991, we came up with an estimate of close to one hundred billion dollars in money, manpower and material and educational support for the Southern African states including South Africa itself. At the end of our efforts, I think Nigerians were justified to ask for some kind of dividends.

To blunt the question we suggested for example that Ibru Fishing Company should go and be fishing in the fish-rich coast of Angola. But after a few trials, it lost interest showing that Nigerian companies have no staying power outside Nigeria. They were most satisfied being agents and collectors of commissions from their foreign partners.

Sometimes, Nigerian traders flooded the streets of Southern African countries calling for fights with their host countries and boasting about their country liberating ungrateful people. This tended to lead to hostilities and bad blood. We should not see ourselves as conquering gladiators fighting to free others from colonial bondage and settler racism because these people fought for their freedom and we only aided them with no strings attached believing that our freedom and dignity as human beings is undermined when another black man is denied freedom and dignity on the basis of his colour of being black. In other words helping the other colonised Africans was fighting for ourselves. When we give assistance, we should do this because it is right and not because we want to profit from another dominated man. If that was our belief then we are not better than the capitalist exploiters who we justifiably criticize and condemn. In conclusion, we should assist the distressed people of the Caribbean without counting the cost.

All eyes are on Anambra State as voters head to the polls on Saturday to elect their next governor. The electorate will decide whether to return incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) or hand power to a challenger from another political party.

Political analysts say eight local government areas with the highest number of registered voters are likely to determine the outcome of the fiercely contested race.

Leading the pack is Idemili North, with 246,318 registered voters, followed closely by Awka South with 217,611. Ogbaru ranks third with 188,016, while Onitsha North follows with 183,647 registered voters.

Others include Onitsha South, a cosmopolitan area with a large population of non-indigenes, and 168,575 registered voters; Ihiala, affected in recent years by insecurity linked to separatist activities, with 156,715 voters; and Aguata, Governor Soludo’s home local government, with 155,881 registered voters.

At the lower end of the table are Anambra West and Dunukofia, with 71,332 and 83,580 registered voters, respectively.

Interestingly, Soludo’s Aguata ranks eighth in voter population, while Anaocha, home of Mr Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has 124,075 registered voters.

Nnewi North, the base of LP governorship candidate George Moghalu, has 166,400 registered voters. Nearby Nnewi South, where Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) hails from, have 102,907 voters.For Obi and Senator Uche Ekwunife, who once represented the Anaocha, Njikoka, and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, the contest will be interesting, as the three LGAs collectively account for 326,655 registered voters.

In Anambra North Senatorial District, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Sir Paul Chukwuma, is also seen as a factor to watch. Anambra East, which is home to both Chukwuma and Senator Tony Nwoye, has 110,482 registered voters.

Nwoye, who currently represents Anambra North in the Senate on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), is expected to throw his weight behind his party’s governorship candidate in Saturday’s election. Other strategic areas in the district include Ayamelum, with 96,947 voters, Anambra West, with 71,332 voters, and Oyi, with 120,717 voters.

With such a spread of voting power across key local government areas, Saturday’s election promises to be a true test of grassroots strength, party structure, and voter loyalty across the state.

Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu yesterday told the court that he was misguided to enter a plea into a charge that does not exist.

Still declining to enter his defence, Justice James Omotosho gave him a last opportunity to do so today or wave his right.

Federal High Court, Abuja judge said it was his duty as a judge in the case to guide the defendant, who is not a lawyer, and to accord him sufficient opportunity to put in his defence.

‘We had adjourned till today (November 5) for the defendant to put in his defence or be deemed closed. But, I am bound to give him another opportunity to put in his defence. If he did not, I will deem him closed.

‘I know that he is an Economist and not a lawyer. I will give the last opportunity to the defendant to put in his defence, failing which he would be deemed closed.’

Justice Omotosho ordered that the Department of State Services (DSS) give the defendant access to his consultants, who were his counsel before, but now consultants, to consult with him to enable him prepare for his defence, which he is to open on November 7 (tomorrow).

The judge spoke while ruling on an application by the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) that the court should foreclose Kanu, who failed to enter his defence, having spent five of the six days the court allocated to him to conduct his defence.

Earlier at the commencement of proceedings, the judge noted that the case was adjourned till yesterday ‘for two reasons: Whether the defendant wants to have a rethink and get a counsel or that he should enter his defence.’

The judge then turned to Kanu, who sat in the dock, and demanded that he should proceed with his defence.

Kanu rose to his feet, told the court that he has some things to say that could embarrass the nation’s Judiciary.

He then, requested that the judge should allow him and Awomolo to meet with him in his chambers (the judge’s) for him to say what he claimed could embarrass the Judiciary.

The judge declined Kanu’s request and insisted that he should say all that he wanted to say in the open court for all to hear.

On three occasions, the judge asked Kanu if what he planned to say was about any allegations of wrongdoing against his person, to which the defendant answered in the negative, saying he has nothing against the judge.

Kanu later told the court that he intended to file some documents and wanted opportunity to meet with his consultants, whom he said were present in court.

When the judge asked the said consultants to identify themselves, they turned out to be some members of the defendant’s legal team, led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), which he sacked on October 23, the day he was initially scheduled to open his defence.

The lawyers are P. A. N Ejiofor, Aloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Opara and Mandela Umegburu. Ejimakor even told the court that he prepared some documents for the defendant.

In response to the judge’s directive that he should speak in the open court, Kanu later brought out a document from which he read some arguments, faulting the charge against him.

He argued that the charge was invalid because, according to him, it was based on repealed laws that are no longer in existence.

Kanu said: ‘I am being asked to enter defence. I will, but I must know the law under which I am being tried to enable me prepare my defence.’

He claimed that the prosecution was in breach of the directive of the Supreme Court for allegedly failing to amend the charge.

Kanu said he has not refused to enter a defence, but demand that he be shown the law under which he is being prosecuted.

He said since he was challenging the court’s jurisdiction, his right to fair hearing was sancrosant and must be respected. He claimed to have been fooled into pleading to the charge, which he insisted, is invalid.

Kanu said: ‘I was deceived into pleading to a charge that does not exist, which is a direct violation of my right to fair hearing.’

When asked by the judge who deceived him, Kanu said: ‘The prosecution deceived me by filing a charge under laws that do not exist. I was duped and deceived into pleading to a charge that does not exist,’ he said.

Kanu then thanked the judge for granting him the indulgence to speak.

Responding, Awomolo noted that the court, on Tuesday, adjourned till Wednesday for Kanu to enter a defence in his trial or be deemed to have waived his right to do so.

He noted that at the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, Kanu still declined to open his defence as ordered by the court, conduct which Awomolo said amounted to a disobedience to an order of the court.

Awomolo urged the court to take note of the defendant’s position that he would not enter any defence because there is no valid charge against him.

He then prayed the court to foreclose the defendant and adjourn for judgment.

In his intervention, Justice Omotosho restated his advice to Kanu to consult an expert in criminal law to assist him in his defence.

The judge said: ‘A lot of people are out there and you think they are experts in criminal procedure, they are not. It is not an area of law that people without experience can dabble into.

‘Before man and God, I am here to give proper advice. I am not saying you are not entitled to take a position. To guide you properly, keep your gun powder dry. Keep your gun powder dry.

‘I am not saying that you should not say anything that you feel you have against the court. That is not what I am saying. I am saying that the issue you raised about repealed laws should be raised at the final address stage,’ Justice Omotosho said.

Meanwhile, following complaint by Awomolo, Justice Omotosho cautioned Kanu’s four consultants to conduct themselves within the ethics of the legal profession.

Awomolo had accused the lawyers of granting media interviews and making subtle posts on social media in relation to the case.

The Women’s Wing of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association (ASMATA) has urged its members to turn out en masse for Saturday’s governorship election and be prepared to defend their votes to ensure that their choice counts.

The group, which pledged support for the re-election of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, said his numerous achievements in infrastructure, education, security, and healthcare had earned him the people’s confidence and a strong claim to a second term.

Leader of the group, Mrs Grace Okonkwo, listed some of the governor’s achievements, including the One Youth, Two Skills employment initiative, the recruitment of over 8,000 teachers and 1,200 medical personnel, as well as improved security across the state.

‘We now sleep with our two eyes closed,’ she said. ‘Peace has been restored in all markets, courtesy of the ASMATA President-General, Chief Humphrey Anuna, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Evaristus Ubah.’

Okonkwo advised women to go to their polling centres early and bring along wrappers so they could sit and wait comfortably for voting to commence, especially in cases where INEC officials arrive late.

‘If you don’t come with your wrapper, you might have to go back home to get it, and by the time you return, voting might have started or ended,’ she cautioned.

She also warned voters against selling their votes or compromising their conscience for monetary gain, noting that such actions could bring prolonged hardship.

‘Once you mortgage your conscience, you’ll have to suffer it for the next four or eight years,’ she said.

The Secretary of the ASMATA Women’s Wing, Mrs Ifeoma Okoli, said the traders would not only vote but also stay back to ensure that every ballot is counted.

‘We will make sure we vote and wait for the counting. Governor Soludo’s achievements will speak for him on election day,’ she said.

Other market leaders, including Mrs Amaka Okoye, Women Leader of Abada International Market, Onitsha, and Mrs Kate Elechi, Women Leader of Ochanja Central Market, also expressed confidence in Soludo’s re-election bid.

‘He will win again-four plus four to make it eight years-because he has performed creditably across all sectors,’ Okoye said.

Elechi added that the campaign had moved from open rallies to house-to-house mobilisation aimed at ensuring a landslide victory.

‘We shall also assist elderly women and those with health challenges, such as Parkinson’s disease or eye problems, to cast their votes,’ she assured

A group, International Cocoa Diplomacy (ICD), has called for collaborative action to enhance the quality of cocoa production and value of cocoa exports.

Speaking at a joint press conference with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry (LCCI) announcing the upcoming International Trade Fair and Eko Chocolate Show a main attraction at this year’s Fair, lCD Convener, HRM Queen Angelique-Monet Thompson, lamented that Africa produces about 70 per cent of the world cocoa, while less than two per cent of the total produce is processed into finished goods such as chocolate.

She said lCD objective of the Lagos international Trade Fair is to demonstrate what collaboration and partnership can achieve for cross learning purposes as well as exchange of ideas towards improved and increased global trade for a greater value added economy that is transformational and sustainable.

According to her ICD’s other goal is to bridge the gap between Africa’s cocoa production dominance of 70 per cent of global supply and value-added chocolate manufacturing through strategic partnerships, knowledge transfer, and market development.

The Queen said though global chocolate market is valued at $140.12 billion and projected to reach $172.89 billion by 2030 less than two per cent of African cocoa is processed into finished products or chocolate.

She recognized a huge opportunity for Nigeria as the premium chocolate segment is growing at 7.2 per cent annually, with 83 per cent of consumers preferring ethically sourced cocoa, which has increased demand for African origin-specific chocolate products

She said: ‘EKO Chocolate Show 2025 represents Africa’s most prestigious chocolate industry event, uniquely positioned at the intersection of cultural celebration, economic development, and international commerce.

‘As Nigeria’s gateway to global chocolate markets, this ground breaking event offers sponsors and partners an unparalleled opportunity to associate their brands with African excellence, agricultural innovation, and cultural diplomacy while accessing premium audiences across consumer, Business to Business, and diplomatic segments.’

The exhibition at the fair comprised of a world-class chocolate exhibition as well as Stakeholders Forum, the Royal Cocoa International Film Festival, and will premiere the Royal Cocoa International Arts Exhibition and historic Royal Cocoa Symphony Orchestra Concert.

This she said will create Africa’s first integrated chocolate-culture-commerce platform that positions Lagos as the continent’s chocolate and trade capital.

Other exhibition areas will include Chocolate Marketplace, innovation hub, cultural heritage zone, Royal- premium products, artisan chocolates, international brands, and innovation hub.

Director, LCCI Trade Promotions, Shola Oluwadare said the Board is excited to run a specialized Fair in 2025 with ICD. He said it will place Nigeria in the world map as far as cocoa production and value is concerned with reducing the deficit suffered by farmers in terms of pricing in the international market by increasing their revenue.

LCCI Trade Promotions Chairman Abimbola Olasore said this year’s Fair is not only specialized but also a festival. He also said LCCI henceforth decided to partner quality companies to turn around the economy of the nation.

Trucks Transit Parks Limited (TTP) has released findings from a comprehensive 6,000 km road trip across the ECOWAS corridor, calling for urgent digitisation of trade and truck transportation systems, including, truck parking infrastructure, rest stops, and digital truck traffic management systems, to strengthen regional commerce and unlock the promise of regional economic integration.

Over a four-week period, TTP’s Co-Founder and Managing Director, Jama Onwubuariri, embarked on a 6,000km tour that began in Lagos, Nigeria, and covered Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Liberia.

The assessment examined transport infrastructure, border post operations, truck rest stops, and the role of technology in improving efficiency along the Lagos-Abidjan-Ouagadougou corridor, one of West Africa’s busiest trade routes.

Findings from the report revealed systemic challenges that continue to impede the free flow of goods and services across borders.

According to the report, some of these challenges are not limited to inadequate truck parking facilities across the corridor, forcing drivers into informal and unsafe roadside stops, inconsistent border post operations, with many border posts relying on manual documentation and clearance despite ECOWAS’ push for joint border modernisation.

There also the problem of absence of electronic call-up systems at key seaports in Lome, Tema, and Abidjan, resulting in chronic congestion and costly delays, just such as the issue of limited technology deployment resulting in a lack of real-time visibility, coordination, and data for effective transport planning.

Speaking on the findings, Onwubuariri stressed the urgency for ECOWAS member states to adopt digital tools as a pathway to remove bottlenecks and improve efficiency and competitiveness.

According to him, ‘Regional trade can only thrive when goods, drivers, and cargo move seamlessly. Inefficiencies at borders and ports not only increase costs for businesses but also reduce the competitiveness of West African economies.’

As a way forward, he hinted that his company has come up with a solution driven app Ètò which can provide a ready-to-deploy digital solution for scheduling, parking management, and cross-border payments that can transform the corridor into a hub of efficiency.

‘The Ètò solution is TTP’s flagship digital traffic management platform, designed to streamline truck traffic management through real-time scheduling, electronic call-up systems, digital booking of rest areas, and a multi-currency wallet for drivers.

‘Beyond improving operational efficiency, Ètò generates critical data to support government planning, infrastructure investment, and compliance monitoring.’

TTP is actively engaging ECOWAS institutions, customs authorities, transport ministries, and Chambers of Commerce to establish pilot programs that will demonstrate the benefits of digitised border and port management. If adopted regionally, TTP projects significant benefits, including reduced clearance delays and informal payments at borders, improved driver safety and welfare through structured rest stops.

‘Enhanced trade flows that align with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). A more robust regional business ecosystem and increased employment opportunities.’

ECOWAS, he stressed, ‘has made commendable progress in promoting regional integration, but without technology, inefficiencies will persist,’ adding that ‘It is time to embrace digital solutions and set West Africa on a path toward truly seamless trade and competitiveness.’