Category: Daily Trust

Major opposition parties in the country are warming up to a fresh coalition aimed at presenting a common challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

The proposed alliance, being championed by the G-100, is seeking to bring together the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

The presidential candidates of the parties are; Atiku Abubakar (ADC), Peter Obi (NDC), Seyi Makinde (APM), Donald Duke (PRP), Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer (SDP) and Senator Sandy Onor (PDP).

The G-100, led by former Director-General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Salihu Lukman, in a statement yesterday, said opposition parties cannot individually muster the political strength required to defeat the ruling party and is therefore pushing for a consensus candidate and a united platform.

The initiative has received support from several of the parties, although political analysts say personal ambitions, rivalry among opposition leaders and the limited time available before the 2027 election could frustrate the effort.

The G-100 is expected to hold a summit on August 18 as part of efforts towards building consensus among the opposition parties, their presidential candidates, running mates and national chairmen.

The latest initiative is a revival of an earlier attempt by opposition parties to forge a common front. A similar proposal emerged at a summit in Ibadan last November but failed to produce a lasting alliance.

While some opposition leaders have expressed willingness to explore the new arrangement, analysts remain skeptical about whether presidential candidates who have spent years building their individual political ambitions will be prepared to step aside for a consensus candidate.

When contacted, most of the parties listed in the current coalition building confirmed to Daily Trust that they were aware of the development and welcomed the idea of the summit, saying it is the right path towards ensuring the change they are seeking.

Lukman had explained in an interview on Trust TV that If the opposition is really committed to Nigeria, the first thing to do is to do the needful and give Nigerians the confidence that there is an alternative.

He said, ‘Once they don’t come together, I don’t think Nigerians will bother themselves. And this is the message we have passed and we are still passing to the leaders of the opposition’.

‘Atiku amenable to any process that’ll deny Tinubu second term’

The media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, said the ADC’s presidential candidate is amenable to any process that will deny the APC and President Tinubu a second term in office.

He told Daily Trust yesterday that while he could not confirm whether the G-100 had met with Atiku, the former vice president had never wavered on the coalition effort.

Ibe said: ‘He (Atiku) was one of the earliest people that started the discussions of opposition figures and even political parties coming together.

‘He was in Oyo State for the Ibadan declaration and summit, even though some of the actors of the Ibadan have moved on to other parties. But for him I do not think that anything has changed.

‘Atiku Abubakar believes in the efficacy that a bunch of broom will do far better that a single stick of broom. I believe that the Wazirin Adamawa will not shy away from anything that would bring the opposition together.

‘What the G-100 are saying aligns with what he has been saying since last year after the last election. He saw clearly that the best way and Nigerians also saw it and that was what led to the birth of the coalition.

‘A lot of water has passed under the bridge, but then politics is dynamic and I believe he will be amenable to any process that will make Nigerians to have their way, ensure that APC and President Tinubu are not handed a second term. So that Nigerians can begin to rebuild their country. ‘

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, on its part said it is open to any relationship or collaboration with any other political party that shares its vision and aspirations.’

The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, also told one of our correspondents that the party is not averse to the coalition effort.

NDC, PRP confirm consultation

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) yesterday confirmed receipt of an invitation for the coalition summit.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, told Daily Trust that ‘this is because the opposition parties will be stronger if they coalesce into one party to challenge the ruling party.’

According to him, the NDC is not opposed to the possibility of the opposition coming together.

He emphasised that such a proposition must take into consideration the strongest and most popular of the presidential candidates to lead it.

‘There is no gainsaying the fact that the NDC and its flag bearer is the most visible option for the opposition parties. Let’s also be mindful of the fact that we should not assume by the G-100 call to mean that only a two-party system can salvage Nigeria.

‘With the plethora of opposition parties, the electorate knows who their preferred candidate is,’ he stated.

An official of the PRP, who spoke to Daily Trust yesterday also confirmed that the G-100 coalition had reached out to the party ahead of the summit scheduled for Tuesday..

The official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak on behalf of the party, said the PRP would attend the summit. He said the coalition would produce a single candidate provided the various opposition parties and their candidates were willing to sacrifice their personal interests in the interest of the country.

The SDP’s national chairman, Professor Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, could not be reached via calls and messages sent to his mobile telephone line seeking his response to the development.

The party’s spokesperson, Rufus Aiyenugba, said he could not comment because his phone was currently having issues.

Ambitions may scuttle coalition efforts again – Analysts

Political analysts, who spoke to Daily Trust, said it might be difficult for the opposition parties to adopt a single presidential candidate.

Professors Abubakar Kari and Saleh Dauda of the Political Science Department at the University of Abuja, in separate interviews with Daily Trust, said although a united opposition could pose a serious challenge to the APC, persuading presidential candidates to jettison their ambitions remains a major obstacle.

Kari said the initiative was not impossible because ‘politics is the art of the possible’, warning that the group was running against time.

He said the conclusion of party primaries and the emergence of candidates had narrowed the window for any major realignment, leaving mainly the possibility of candidate substitution.

‘They are really running against time. The primaries have been concluded. Candidates have emerged. They have been uploaded on the INEC portal and so on and so forth.

‘So, the only little window they have is the window of substitution,’ he said.

Kari identified political ambitions as the most formidable challenge facing the G100, saying many of the presidential candidates had worked for years to secure their tickets and were unlikely to easily relinquish their ambitions.

He cited the movements of some opposition figures between political parties in pursuit of their presidential ambitions as an indication of the difficulty involved.

‘I am not quite optimistic that many of the political gladiators, the high-profile politicians, who have secured presidential tickets, vice presidential tickets, will be favourably disposed to abandoning their ambitions,’ he said.

Kari predicted resistance from the APC, saying the governing party would deploy every available political means to frustrate the emergence of a united opposition.

‘APC will do whatever they can, including invoking, manipulating and compromising institutions, key institutions, to ensure that this grand idea is thwarted,’ he stated.

Kari said the three major challenges of time, political ambition and resistance from the ruling party implied that the G-100 had ‘its own work cut out for it.’

For Dauda, it is theoretically possible for leading opposition figures to unite behind one candidate.

He, however, expressed doubt that politicians would be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve such an arrangement.

‘It is possible if the protagonists and opposition leaders like Atiku, Obi, Kwankaso can balance their differences and allow somebody, one person and support him for the presidential election, it would be very good. But I don’t see the possibility of these opposition leaders doing so,’ Dauda said.

He said the leading opposition politicians appeared convinced that they had a chance of winning the 2027 presidential election independently, making it difficult for them to step down for another candidate.

‘My understanding is that every Nigerian politician believes that there are chances of winning, even if others are seeing it the other way,’ he said.

Dauda, however, said a successful alliance would make the 2027 presidential election a much more competitive contest.

‘If they can come together, it will be very good. It will pose a serious challenge to the ruling APC government,’ he said.

He cautioned, however, against assuming that a united opposition would automatically defeat the APC.

‘When I say they will pose a challenge, I am very careful with my words. It doesn’t necessarily mean that even if they come together, they can defeat the present government,’ Dauda said.

According to him, an opposition alliance would instead make the election ‘a keen contest.’

A lecturer at the Kano State College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies, Dr Kabiru Sa’idu Sufi, described the formation of the G-100 coalition as a significant but challenging attempt to unite the opposition parties against the ruling APC in 2027 presidential election.

He noted that alliances have long characterised Nigeria’s political history, citing examples from the First Republic when parties teamed up to challenge the dominance of the NPC, and in the Second Republic when opposition parties rallied against the NPN in 1983.

He recalled that similar coalitions such as the G-34 eventually metamorphosed into the PDP which won power in 1999.

‘Looking at this history, one can say that it is not a new thing. It signifies the general discontent among the opposition and the belief that only when they come together can they challenge the incumbent president,’ he said.

Sufi said the success of the G-100 would depend on the determination of its members to stay united.

‘We had seen how, in recent times, they came together under one political party and then some would leave. It all depends on the resolve of those who have formed the G-100 and their determination to stay together to challenge the ruling party,’ he stated.

On whether the coalition can sustain unity, Sufi expressed doubt, pointing to past experiences where opposition figures struggled to work under a single platform.

‘Some of them are strange bedfellows. Even within the same political party, they sometimes challenge one another. Their inability to stay together in one political party and form a formidable opposition shows it is a very difficult thing to achieve,’ he said.

According to him, while the G-100 represents a good strategy and a possible force against the APC, its durability will be hinged on whether its leaders can overcome personal ambitions and forge a common political position.

Heirs Life Assurance, a specialist life insurance company under Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board, effective August 10, 2026.

The company said the appointment was part of its efforts to strengthen public trust, promote consumer education and expand insurance access and financial protection in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s insurance penetration remains below one per cent, according to industry estimates, highlighting the need to increase awareness and adoption of insurance products.

Eze, the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), a digital prayer platform with a large following in Nigeria and beyond.

He is also the founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, through which he provides housing support and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities.

In 2026, Eze announced N1 billion in grants for young entrepreneurs in agriculture, technology and manufacturing.

Before becoming a full-time minister, Eze worked in development communications, including as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Speaking on the appointment, Chairman of Heirs Life Assurance, Tony O. Elumelu, said Eze’s experience and understanding of communities would contribute to the company’s efforts to expand insurance coverage.

‘Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities. As we continue our mission to democratise access to insurance, his insight will help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion, and reinforce our commitment to protecting the financial future of millions of Nigerians,’ Elumelu said.

He added, ‘We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Heirs Life Assurance and the broader family of Heirs Insurance Group.’

Responding to his appointment, Eze said he was honoured to join the company’s board at a significant time for the insurance industry.

‘Financial security empowers individuals, families, and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience. I look forward to working with the Board and Management to advance the company’s mission of making insurance more accessible, relevant, and impactful for every Nigerian,’ he said.

Heirs Life Assurance is one of the three insurance businesses of Heirs Holdings, alongside Heirs General Insurance and Heirs Insurance Brokers.

The company said its insurance group serves more than three million people directly and indirectly through its businesses.

The presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, and the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Hon. Chinazam Ike, have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the forthcoming Osun State governorship election as a test of its preparedness for the 2027 general election.

The duo made the call in a joint statement issued on Tuesday, saying the Osun election presented INEC with an opportunity to demonstrate its readiness to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

They urged the electoral commission to ensure that all stages of the electoral process, including voter accreditation, voting, counting, collation and declaration of results, are conducted in accordance with the law.

The ADP candidates said any challenges identified during the Osun election should be addressed ahead of the 2027 general election.

‘Osun should not be treated as just another off-cycle election. It should serve as a critical test of INEC’s readiness for 2027. Whatever shortcomings are identified must be corrected before the general election,’ they said.

They also called on political parties, candidates and security agencies to work towards ensuring a peaceful electoral environment.

The duo urged stakeholders to reject vote buying, intimidation, violence and other practices capable of undermining the electoral process.

They stressed the need for an electoral system in which the votes of Nigerians are protected and accurately reflected in the final results.

‘Let Osun set a new standard for electoral integrity and demonstrate that Nigeria is ready for a credible 2027 General Election,’ they said.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Engr. Jennifer Adighije, has called for the optimisation of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure to accelerate industrialisation, attract investment and unlock the country’s socio-economic potential.

Adighije made the call while delivering the Distinguished Alumni Lecture organised by the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The lecture, titled ‘Optimising Electricity for Powering Nigeria’s New Socio-Economic Frontiers,’ was held at the Engineering Lecture Theatre and attracted academics, industry professionals, students and stakeholders in the power sector.

Returning to her alma mater, Adighije described the event as both an honour and a homecoming, expressing appreciation to the University of Lagos for providing the academic foundation that shaped her career and leadership journey in Nigeria’s electricity industry.

She said the lecture theme was particularly relevant as the power sector undergoes major reforms aimed at expanding electricity access, attracting investment and improving service delivery.

According to the NDPHC chief, electricity has become the ‘currency of development’ in the global economy, with countries that have reliable and affordable power better positioned to create jobs, attract investments and drive industrial growth.

She added that dependable electricity is also essential to strengthening healthcare and education systems and improving citizens’ quality of life.

Adighije highlighted the Electricity Act 2023 as one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria’s power sector, noting that the legislation empowers states to establish and regulate their own electricity markets.

‘The legislation has created unprecedented opportunities for investment, innovation, competition and improved service delivery while accelerating the emergence of vibrant sub-national electricity markets capable of attracting greater private-sector participation,’ she said.

She disclosed that NDPHC is repositioning itself to maximise the value of its assets through improved operational efficiency, stronger corporate governance and strategic partnerships.

According to her, the company is committed to ensuring that investments in electricity infrastructure translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians while supporting the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

Looking ahead, Adighije expressed confidence in the ability of the next generation of engineers to transform the sector through smarter electricity grids and cleaner, technology-driven energy systems.

UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, described the lecture as a celebration of excellence, collaboration and the enduring legacy of the university.

Ogunsola commended Adighije as a distinguished alumna whose professional achievements, she said, reflect UNILAG’s commitment to producing graduates with technical competence, integrity and visionary leadership.

She also stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between academia, industry and government amid rapid technological changes driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

‘Through initiatives such as this, we create platforms where experience meets aspiration and where our students are inspired by those who have successfully translated knowledge into impactful service,’ she said.

The lecture provided a platform for discussions on electricity sector reforms, technological innovation and the role of engineering in driving Nigeria’s economic development.

The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise has backed the ongoing reforms at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), commending Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi for accelerating the Service’s technology-driven modernisation.

The committee gave the endorsement recently during a two-day retreat with the NCS in Abuja, which included a tour of the Customs House in Maitama to assess ongoing reforms and the implementation of the Nigeria Customs Service Act.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Isah Jibrin, said the tour enabled lawmakers to see the impact of the reforms firsthand, particularly in technology deployment, infrastructure and operational efficiency.

‘We have heard about these reforms from afar, but today we have seen them ourselves. The transformation taking place in the NCS is remarkable,’ Jibrin said.

He said the visit also provided lawmakers with greater insight into how public funds allocated to the Service were being utilised, particularly capital expenditure.

According to him, the investments witnessed demonstrated that government funds were being deployed to strengthen Customs operations, improve trade facilitation and boost revenue generation.

The endorsement comes as the NCS faces growing expectations to raise revenue while reducing delays and costs associated with cargo clearance.

Adeniyi said technology was at the centre of the Service’s modernisation programme, with digital solutions now covering personnel administration and increasingly its core operational functions.

‘Technology helps us to work faster and more efficiently,’ he said, adding that the Service would continue expanding digitalisation across its operations.

He said the NCS was also deploying geospatial intelligence, digital surveillance and virtual shooting simulators to strengthen enforcement and border management.

Adeniyi also listed the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, Advance Ruling, Time Release Study and scanner deployment among key reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and making Customs processes more predictable.

For importers, exporters and other trade operators, greater automation could reduce human intervention, improve cargo visibility and enable Customs to focus enforcement on high-risk consignments.

Nigeria’s efforts to expand and revitalise primary healthcare facilities should focus not only on infrastructure but also on the ability of the facilities to provide safe and reliable services to patients, stakeholders in the sector have said.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) is working towards having functional primary healthcare centres across the country’s political wards, with its revitalisation programme covering infrastructure, staffing, medicines, equipment, operating costs, ambulance services and quality improvement.

The agency’s Level 2 requirements include the capacity to provide services such as skilled birth attendance, reliable electricity with solar backup, water and sanitation, consulting rooms, wards, delivery rooms, pharmacy services, laboratory services and secure premises.

According to figures released by the NPHCDA as of June 2025, 1,163 primary healthcare centres had been completed and fully revitalised, while 2,774 others were at various stages of the process.

The development has renewed discussions on how the success of the programme should be measured beyond the completion of construction works.

Oliver van Veen of Vannin Group said the readiness of a healthcare facility depended on several interconnected factors, including the clinical services available, workforce, infrastructure, supplies, referral systems and day-to-day management.

He said healthcare facilities needed to have clearly defined services, with appropriate arrangements for referring patients whose conditions could not be managed at the primary healthcare level.

According to him, the availability of trained health workers is also essential because infrastructure alone cannot provide clinical care.

He said electricity, water, ventilation, privacy, infection prevention measures, waste management and communication facilities should be considered part of the requirements for effective healthcare delivery.

Van Veen also identified the availability of medicines, vaccines, diagnostic services and other medical consumables as important components of facility readiness.

He said effective referral arrangements were equally important, particularly for patients requiring specialised treatment, noting that referral systems should provide communication between facilities, transportation and proper transfer of patient information.

He added that maintenance, stock management, data reporting, cleaning, quality assurance and community feedback were necessary to sustain healthcare services after facilities became operational.

The importance of facility readiness can be illustrated by emergency situations requiring immediate attention, including complications during childbirth.

A functional primary healthcare centre would be expected to have appropriate personnel, electricity, water, emergency medicines and basic equipment available, as well as a clear mechanism for transferring patients requiring higher-level care.

Similar considerations apply to cases involving children with severe illness, adults experiencing breathing difficulties and other emergencies that may initially present at the primary healthcare level.

Stakeholders have also called for greater emphasis on measuring the services patients actually receive at facility level.

Such measures could include the number of hours facilities are open, availability of health workers during scheduled shifts, reliability of electricity and water, availability of essential medicines, vaccine cold-chain performance, laboratory services, referral response times and frequency of medicine stock-outs.

However, such indicators would need to take account of the different circumstances facing facilities, particularly those in remote or underserved communities.

The Federal Ministry of Health’s 2025 review also reported an increase in visits to facilities supported through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, while noting affordability as an ongoing concern.

With increased utilisation of primary healthcare facilities, stakeholders say ensuring that facilities have the personnel, supplies, equipment and referral systems required to provide services will remain important.

They further suggested that the transition from construction to service delivery should involve assessments of whether facilities can operate effectively under normal and emergency conditions.

Such assessments could include checking staffing arrangements, electricity and water supply, availability of medicines and equipment, referral communication, record management, waste disposal and maintenance responsibilities.

Nigeria’s primary healthcare expansion programme is aimed at improving access to essential health services across communities.

For the programme to achieve its intended impact, the performance of facilities will ultimately depend on whether patients can access the services they require when they need them, rather than solely on the completion of physical infrastructure.

As political activities ahead of the 2027 general election begin to gather momentum, Nigeria’s opposition is once again talking about unity. The goal is to present a single presidential candidate capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu.

But with key parties and influential figures already expressing different views, many are asking whether that ambition can become a reality.

Today on Nigeria Daily, we ask: Can Nigeria’s opposition truly unite behind one presidential candidate, or are the cracks already too deep?

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, has seized 604.5 kilogrammes of cannabis following a raid on drug spots across the state.

The State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who disclosed this in Benin, said the agency had launched a manhunt for the suspected drug kingpin, who fled before the arrival of the operatives.

According to him, on August 5, 2026, the agency and personnel of the Nigerian Army raided a notorious drug hub in Ewe Luleha, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, where the drugs were discovered.

He said the raid resulted in the seizure of 65 bags of dried weeds that tested positive for skunk cannabis, weighing 604.5 kilogrammes.

He disclosed that the command had launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspected drug kingpin, identified as Sunday.

‘We are tracking the suspected drug kingpin who is in hiding following the recovery of the 604.5kg of cannabis,’ he said.

He assured that the suspect had nowhere to hide and would certainly be apprehended to face justice.

He urged members of the public to provide any information that could lead to the apprehension of the fleeing suspect and support ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

Two men alleged to have assaulted a woman over non-payment of market levy have been arrested and detained by the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Terwase Aye Abere and Mayange Aondowase, both from Igbor village, allegedly attacked the woman at the local market in Igbor, Gwer East LGA, after she told them she had made no sales and could not pay the levy.

Our correspondent gathered that the victim was allegedly beaten and dragged half-naked by the suspects before she was subsequently hospitalised.

The suspects were arrested after a witness reported the matter to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, who directed BSCPG operatives to apprehend them.

The two men, who are currently being held at the BSCPG facility in Makurdi, claimed during interrogation that they were volunteers attached to the Gwer East command of the security outfit.

A statement by Comrade Mfa Ogiri, Media Assistant to Har, said the suspects told investigators that they were acting on the instructions of their ward commanders, identified as Tiletswen and Ipker, who allegedly directed them to bring the woman to their office over an unresolved issue.

They were said to have explained that after the woman refused to comply with the instruction, they reported back by phone and were allegedly told to arrest her ‘even by force.’

The suspects further claimed that the confrontation that followed resulted in the woman sustaining injuries and being admitted to hospital.

Reacting to the incident, Har condemned the alleged assault and directed the State Commander of the BSCPG to produce the commanders mentioned by the suspects for interrogation.

Speaking to journalists by telephone in Makurdi, Har said an eyewitness, who is a lawyer, reported that the men had been collecting market tickets from traders, which he described as illegal.

‘The woman refused to pay, and that’s why they started dragging her. But according to the story of the boys, they said the woman has a case to answer in the office. They asked her to come. She refused to come. And that’s why they wanted to force her to go to the office.

‘For whatever reason, they have no such rights. So I have asked them (BSCPG) to prepare a letter to hand them over to the police for prosecution,’ he said.

Har said he had immediately directed the BSCPG commander in Gwer East, Master Warrant Officer Moses Mhoon, to arrest the suspects after the matter was reported.

He said Mhoon rushed to the scene, apprehended the suspects and brought them to Makurdi for detention, adding that the woman was receiving treatment in hospital.

The security adviser warned individuals posing as security operatives, particularly in rural communities, against harassing or intimidating members of the public.

‘The law will catch up with anyone hiding under the cover of security to harass or intimidate citizens,’ Har said.

Reflecting the sensitivity of this issue, I received a deluge of responses through my phone and email. A lot of the responses were fiery and even vituperative in some cases. Even though the topic has been generating a lot of traffic in the public space, I was prepared for the depth of feelings expressed by the responses I got.

Quite frankly I did not know that I had opened a pandorax box of pent up emotional feelings such that I was thankful that the case under appeal now had been shifted to October this year for hearing judgment.

This has somewhat doused down the tension that had gripped Plateau state for now. In a way too, this has provided an opportunity for and against the Federal High Court ruling on the case as well as well-meaning stakeholders in Plateau and beyond to engage in root and branch conflict resolution on the issue with communities in Jos North and Plateau state in general.

In the meantime I hereby present samples of the responses Ireceived for the reading public.

There is no land on earth that the inhabitants germinated from the ground or fell from the sky; people moved around discovering lands and establishing settlements. Plateau is not an exception. Moreso is mere created word and doesn’t represent the indigenous communities. I refer you to the same constitution you quoted from in your write up, read the section on fundamental rights of citizens and whether it also includes indigenous rights. Nobody, not even the judge who passed the judgment, can change citizenship rights to mean indigenous rights as you people have been supporting and I can assure you that this judgment and any subsequent ones like it can never be implemented. Let us wait for the outcome of the Court of Appeal and may be Supreme Court. I assure you the judgment is dead on arrival. Every Nigerian citizen can live and enjoy citizenship rights but NOT indigenous rights. 08036130733

I have gone through your write up on the Jos Indigeneship and the constitution. This Plateau problem is not new. If you could remember, as someone brought up in Jos the issue started since the late sixties and seventies during the regime of late Governor Gomwalk. We hope justice will prevail in the end because it is against the principle of both civil and natural justice to deny people whose forebears have been living in this place since before the coming of the colonialists, the right to indigeneship to the land they have lived and toiled for over a century. The Hausa inhabitants of Jos North have been suffering this injustice and the judgment though belated and long overdue is the right thing. 08036375358

Please permit me to add to validate and reinforce your last paragraph in your article with the aim of neutralising the false accusation on the Muslim North of Nigeria on the other tribes. Our family house was established by a Yoruba man from Ogbomosho after the British conquest of Sokoto in March, 1903. My family house is today 123 years old and in its 7th generation. We have been occupying executive and political offices in the state all the while including turbanning and traditional titles. The family house is popularly known as Gidan Mamman Tori, Kofar Atiku which is a stone throw from Hubbaren Shehu Usman Da Fodio (Tomb of Shehu Usman Dan Fodio) in the heart of Sokoto town. Our patriarch’s name was Aliyu but nicknamed Alun Yawo. By Sokoto tradition the name Aliyu is domesticated as Alu, hence the name Alun Yawo. This is a testimony to traction to your column 08036299966

When I first saw the topic of your discourse two things came to my mind. 1. You did not give us the contextual meaning of indigeneship as reference to ancestral communities. Which communities are ancestral to Plateau to determine who are indigenous and which of these ancestral communities that Akawu family belongs to. 2. During the emergency rule of 2004, a peace conference was organised to deal with the issue of indigenous groups. Hausa was not found to be one of the Plateau indigenous groups. The white paper is available. Why did they not challenge the outcome of the conference or were Akawus not in Jos? Hon. Suleiman Mohammed former Chairman Jos North LGC was one of the representatives of the Hausa community. In my humble opinion, the judge did not define what constitutes indigenous communities as enshrined in the constitution. If he had it would have helped us determined the indigenous community Fatima Akawu belonged to in Plateau state for purposes of enjoying such indigenous community’s rights. 08036137033.

I honestly do not see the reason for all the fuss about the issue. The learned judge, who incidentally is from Plateau State, relied on the provisions of the constitution for his judgment. In any case this sort of thing is happening in the Southwest and in parts of the Northwest. Late General Sani Abacha was by origin a Kanuri man but all his life he was accepted as a Kano indigene. Two former Governors of Kano state, Sabo Bakin Zuwo and Ibrahim Shekarau were by origin from Nupe and Babur, Niger and Borno states, respectively. So many prominent Lagos state personalities including President Bola Tinubu are known to have come from other states originally. The Akawu case has been blown out of proportion because she happens to be a Muslim. In Plateau State everything is given religious colouration. The Hausa community has been in Jos for centuries. They have been there long before Nigeria became a colony of Britain and contributed immensely to the founding and development of Jos to what it is today. But because of religion they have been consistently denied their fundamental and constitutional rights under the flimsy excuse that they are not indigenes. 07036847162