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Odinkalu criticises Babangida’s autobiography, says it contains ‘unverifiable claims’

Mustapha USMAN
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Odinkalu criticises Babangida’s autobiography, says it contains ‘unverifiable claims’

HUMAN rights lawyer and former National Human Rights Commission chairman, Chidi Odinkalu, has criticised former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) for making “unverifiable claims” in his newly released autobiography, A Journey in Service.

In a post shared on Friday, February 21, along with a screenshot from Babangida’s book, Odinkalu accused the former leader of levelling allegations against individuals who are no longer alive to refute or defend themselves.

According to Odinkalu, Babangida “waited until they were all dead” before portraying himself as a ‘victim’ of their actions.

He said “Ibrahim Babangida’s book is filled with allegations against dead men and women. He waited until they were all dead and none of them could controvert him and he portrays himself as a victim of all these dead men and women.” 

In the excerpt from the autobiography shared by Odinkalu, Babangida narrated events and controversies surrounding his time in office specifically with regards to the 1992 election.  He mentioned Sani Abacha who later became a head of state and also MKO Abiola.  Abacha and Abiola are both dead. 

“Conveniently, Babangida, a committed record-keeper, could not produce any contemporaneous records, minutes, notes or other evidence to corroborate any of the serious claims and allegations he makes about these dead men and women,” Odinkalu added.

The book has as appendix, some speeches, interviews and result of the 1992 election.

The ICIR reported that for the first time after nearly 32 years, Babangida admitted during his book launch in Abuja on Thursday, February 19, that Moshood Abiola, known by his name initials – MKO – won the June 12, 1993, presidential poll, which he (Babangida) controversially annulled. 

The launch doubled as fundraising for the presidential library for the former leader and raised over N12 billion in pledges and donations for the book and library.    

While reviewing the book, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said Babangida dedicated a full chapter to the transition to military rule and the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, widely believed as the most credible, freest and fairest in Nigeria’s democratic history.  

He wrote, “Although I am on record to have stated after the elections that Abiola may not have won, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all available facts, particularly the detailed election results published as an appendix to this book, there was no doubt that M.K.O. Abiola won the June 12 elections.”

Babangida, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, often faces widespread criticism for key decisions he made during his regime, notably the annulment of the presidential poll won by Abiola and the murder of prominent journalist, Dele Giwa.

His new autobiography has sparked intense debate among political analysts and the public, with some lauding him for finally documenting his experiences in office, and others, like Odinkalu, decrying what they perceived as historical revisionism.

Reps reject proposals for creating 31 new states

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Reps reject proposals for creating 31 new states

THE House of Representatives has rejected the proposals for the creation of 31 new states, citing their failure to meet constitutional requirements.

The chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution amendment, Benjamin Kalu, revealed this on Friday, February 21, while speaking at a retreat for the panel members in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Kalu, the House deputy speaker, noted that while the proposals represented the aspirations of various regions in the country, none of them met the requirements outlined in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, which sets the criteria for state creation.

The ICIR reports that the committee proposed the creation of 31 additional states across Nigeria on February 6.

Kalu detailed the proposed distribution of the new states, with six allocated to the North Central, four to the North-East, five to the North-West, five to the South-East, four to the South-South, and seven to the South-West.

The ICIR explainer highlights the multi-layered process and requirements for creating new states in Nigeria.

New deadline for resubmission

Kalu in his latest update said that the proposals must be re-submitted in full compliance with the Constitution by March 5.

He said “Although we have received 31 requests for state creation, none of these requests met the constitutional requirements for amendment. Therefore, we have since extended the submission date to the 5th of March, 2025”

While noting that the committee was reviewing 151 constitutional amendment bills, the deputy speaker added that the committee might consider extending the deadline further, depending on discussions at the retreat.

He said that the 151 constitutional amendment bills the committee was reviewing would address issues of federal structure, power devolution, local government autonomy, revenue allocation, judicial and electoral reforms, security, gender rights, and human rights.

“A proactive, cooperative approach will ensure seamless legislative processes and comprehensive legal reforms,” Kalu said.

As part of the review process, zonal and national public hearings will be held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with sessions planned to hold in Nasarawa, Niger, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Sokoto, Enugu, Imo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Lagos, and Ondo states.

Kalu assured that the review process would be transparent and inclusive, emphasising the need for legislative reforms that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

 

 

 

 

Adeleke defies Nigerian government, vows to proceed with Osun LG poll

Bankole ABE
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Adeleke defies Nigerian government, vows to proceed with Osun LG poll

OSUN State Governor Ademola Adeleke has vowed that his administration would proceed with the local government election slated for Saturday, February 22, in the state, despite Federal Government’s warning that the exercise be suspended.

The ICIR reported the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi demanded that state government should not go ahead with the poll.

Hours after the Federal Government issued its directive, Adeleke said in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rashee, don Friday, February 21, that nothing would stop the process.

The governor said the election, to be conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), would be held ‘unfailingly’.

The statement quoted the governor as saying this while receiving a delegation of civil society coalition members who were in the state to monitor the poll.

According to Adeleke, Osun voters are prepared to exercise their voting right, even as he expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation by the electoral body.

“I welcome you all to Osun State. Our people are prepared for elections tomorrow. They yearn to have their choices as chairmen and councillors.

“OSIEC has also done a marvellous preparatory job, according to reports at my disposal. Several political parties are participating and I believe there will be a level playing ground for all to test their popularity with the masses”, the governor said.

Reacting to controversies surrounding the exercise, Adeleke declared that “democracy is governed by the rule of law and that nobody can assume the authority of the courts.”

He advised all parties including local and national stakeholders to abide by democratic norms.

“As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illegal self-help. The election is going to hold and the outcome will fast-track development at the local level,” he added.

The Federal Government had warned that conducting a new local government poll would be invalid and unconstitutional.

This, according to the attorney-general of the federation (Fagbemi), is because the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, recently ruled that the tenure of the ‘sacked’ council chairpersons of the local government area councils was still running.

The AGF stated that his attention was drawn to Adeleke’s public outcry regarding the Court of Appeal’s judgment in Akure.

He said the judgment, delivered on February 10, 2025, in Appeal No. CA/AK/272/2022, nullified the Federal High Court’s judgment in Osogbo, given on November 25, 2022, in favour of the state government.

Fagbemi explained that the controversy surrounding the local government elections in Osun State began during the tenure of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. He said elections were held in all local governments in the state, and the winners were sworn in.

He recalled that just before Adeleke’s swearing-in, the Federal High Court in Osogbo nullified the poll that brought the chairpersons into office.

He added that in response, Adeleke issued an executive order to remove the elected officials and replaced them with caretaker appointees shortly after assuming office.

The AGF noted that by this decision, the judgment of the Court of Appeal has, by implication, effectively restored the elected local government officials removed by the Federal High Court to their offices.

Fagbemi said the crisis in Osun State erupted when some disgruntled elements resisted the attempt by the officials to resume their positions on Monday, February, 17.

According to the AGF, Adeleke should have maintained law and order in the state rather than allowing the situation to escalate into a crisis.

The ICIR reported that seven people reportedly died as APC supporters and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed in the state on Monday.

According to reports, the crisis led to the death of a former chairman of the Irewole Local Government Area, Aderemi Abbas, and others.

Adeleke had raised concerns on Sunday, February 16, about a plan by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and certain security agency heads to enforce the Appeal Court’s ruling and urged the public to hold them accountable for any violence that arose after the action.

Punches, applause trail Babangida’s book launch

Mustapha USMAN
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Punches, applause trail Babangida’s book launch

THE launch of former military president Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service’, is generating reactions from prominent and other Nigerians.

While some knocked him for waiting for over three decades to shed light on issues such as the killing of veteran investigative journalist Dele Giwa and the annulment of the June 12, 1999, presidential election, others commended his contributions to national development and said the book would add to knowledge and support nation building.

For the first time after nearly 32 years, Babangida admitted during the book launch in Abuja on Thursday, February 19, that Moshood Abiola, fondly known by his name initials – MKO – won the poll, which he controversially annulled. 

The launch doubled as fundraising for the presidential library for the former leader and raised over N12 billion in pledges and donations for the book and library.    

While reviewing the book, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said Babangida dedicated a full chapter to the transition to military rule and the annulment of the June 12 election, widely believed as the most credible, freest and fairest in Nigeria’s democratic history.  

He wrote: “Although I am on record to have stated after the elections that Abiola may not have won, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all available facts, particularly the detailed election results published as an appendix to this book, there was no doubt that M.K.O. Abiola won the June 12 elections.”

The former leader had in the past refused to admit that Abiola won the poll. Babangida in 2018 said there could have been consequences if he had allowed the election results to stand. 

Reactions from political leaders

Reacting to the book launch, Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, who also attended the event, lauded Babangida’s economic policies while noting that Nigeria had regressed since his time in power.

“IBB’s contributions to Nigeria’s economy and his strong support for entrepreneurship and private sector growth remain immeasurable. Under his leadership, Nigeria witnessed substantial growth, particularly in the financial sector. He played a key role in fostering a united and equitable Nigeria, and economic landscape, ensuring policies that strengthened national cohesion and economic development,” Obi wrote via his handle.

He also described Babangida’s admission that MKO won the June 12 election as a crucial step toward national healing and democratic growth.

Shehu Sani, a former senator, who also attended the launch, acknowledged Babangida’s role in Nigeria’s history but lamented that many activists who fought against the annulment of the June 12 election were no longer alive.

“It’s commendable that he finally recognised that MKO won the 1993 June 12 elections. Sadly, Gani, Beko, Fasheun, Chima Ubani and other activists, journalists and unionists who led the struggle and made sacrifices for its validation have passed on. Now that the truth is out 32 years after. I hope that history will be kind to him,” he wrote on his X handle.

Criticism from activists, public figures

Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, in his X post, dismissed Babangida’s book as an attempt to shift blame for the June 12 poll annulment to the late General Sani Abacha. 

He said this a few hours before the book launch.

Sowore also claimed that Babangida’s administration killed veteran investigative journalist, Dele Giwa.

While Babangida regretted annulling the presidential poll and admitted that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate MKO Abiola won the election, he denied his government’s involvement in Giwa’s death.

He wrote in his book, “The hysteria of the media did not help the investigation of the Giwa murder. As is typical of the Nigerian media, the direction was marked by an adversarial attitude towards the government, which had remained the hallmark of the Nigerian media from its colonial heyday…

“When the Obasanjo civilian administration reopened the Giwa case at the Oputa Panel on Human and Civil Rights, I expected that the police and lawyers would come forward with new evidence as to their findings on the Giwa murder over the years.

“Nothing of such happened. The Giwa, like all mysterious murders, has remained unsolved after so many years. I keep hoping it will be uncovered in our lifetime or after us. More often than not, mysterious crimes are solved long after their commission.”

Also, a human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, expressed outrage at Babangida’s continued acceptance in Nigerian political space despite his past actions.

“To die for a people devoid of memory is to be killed over and over, again and again. In a place inhabited by the conscious, IBB would not dare to show his face in public. But in the crime scene that doubles as our country, having been succeeded by even more villainous ruiners, Badamasi is installed in the seat of the statesman…”

Similarly, journalist and author Richard Akinnola, on his Facebook page,  questioned the credibility of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s remarks at the event, recalling past tensions between the two former leaders.

“So, OBJ (Obasanjo) could admonish IBB to disregard critics and people with “pull him down syndrome”, the same OBJ that described IBB as a ‘fool at 70’ on August 19, 2011.”

The ICIR reported that Obasanjo, the chairman at the event, had urged Babangida to shun the book’s critics.

Akinnola, in another post, also listed all key figures involved in the June 12 annulment, who are now dead. He emphasised that Babangida’s version of annulment remained unverifiable.

Inibehe Effiong, a lawyer and activist, in a post on X, condemned the Nigerian elite for celebrating Babangida despite his role in Nigeria’s political and economic struggles.

“Nigeria is a country that demonises heroes and canonises villains. Look at the evil genius, IBB. He launched his autobiography today and tried to annul history the way he annulled June 12 election,” he wrote.

 

Nigerians lambast Akpabio for ordering fellow senator Akpoti-Uduaghan out of chamber

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Nigerians lambast Akpabio for ordering fellow senator Akpoti-Uduaghan out of chamber

NIGERIANS have taken to social media to lambast Senate President Godwill Akpabio for ordering his fellow senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, out of the Senate Chamber. 

The ICIR reported on Thursday, February 20, that Akpabio ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to be ejected from the Senate chamber during a plenary because she disagreed with a change in her seat.

Social media users, especially on X, expressed anger after a video of the plenary session surfaced online. The video shows the Senate President attempting to silence Akpoti-Uduaghan as she questioned why her seat was changed without her consent.

Akpabio had re-assigned Akpoti-Uduaghan to a new seat because some senators from the minority parties to which she belonged had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) which has the majority of members.

The defectors had decided to change their seats from the minority wing to the area where senators in the majority sit. Consequently, there was seat re-arrangement, which Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was unaware of.

This sparked heated arguments when Akpoti-Uduaghan raised her hand to speak but was denied recognition for not addressing the chamber from her newly assigned seat.

Refusing to back down, Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raised her voice in protest, directly confronting Akpabio.

Akpabio turned off Akpoti-Uduaghan’s microphone in an attempt to silence her while she was still making her motion. She kept speaking and Akpabio ordered the sergeant-at-arms to walk her out, but after the intervention from various lawmakers, calm was restored, and the lawmaker stood her ground.

Nigerians reaction

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, shortly after the video surfaced, took to his Facebook page to say that Akpabio was aversed to the opposition and would not survive if he exhibited such behaviour in the South African Parliament.

Effiong argued that instead of assigning new seats to the defectors, Akpabio should have declared their seats vacant. He emphasised that the defection was illegal, making the justification for re-arranging seats invalid.

“Akpabio conveniently cited the Rules of the Senate but willfully ignored Section 68(2) of the Constitution that mandates him as Senate President to declare the defectors’ seats vacant. Having defected, they are no longer senators. They automatically lost their seats the moment they defected. Offering new seats to illegal defectors, who by the Constitution, have lost their membership, amounts to constitutional vandalism” he said.

The lawyer urged Nigerians to hold Akpabio accountable for enabling the violation of the Constitution if they genuinely cared about the country and the rule of law.

A social media user, @maybeks on X, urged Akpabio to refrain from targeting Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing her as one of the few senators who consistently prioritised public service over personal gain.

“Dear Akpabio, Natasha Akpoti is one of the few senators who has always prioritised public service over personal gain, delivering the true dividends of democracy to her constituents. Her position in NASS is of great value to Nigeria. Any action against Natasha is against many of us” the user said.

Another user, @ubando100, wrote: “Dear @Senator_Akpabio, I just want to inform you that Senator Natasha is more intelligent, brave and committed to serving for the betterment of her constituents than you.

Another user, @webtvgirl, said: “Dear Senate President Akpabio, You shall not silence Natasha Akpoti. It seems you believe Natasha is your wife or girlfriend—she is not. She is a democratically elected senator, just like you. Your repeated attempts to silence her have reached their peak today.”

@therealsimcard1 also wrote, “Senator Godswill Akpabio must be stopped. That man is not worthy to be a senator not to talk about being the Senate President. Nigerians and Kogites must protect Senator Natasha at all costs”

Meanwhile, several social media users commend Akpoti-Uduaghan for standing her ground against Akpabio.

Attack not Akpabio’s first on Akpoti-Uduaghan

During plenary In July 2024, Akpoti-Uduaghan commented on a motion without Akpabio’s consent. In his attempt to correct her, he said the Senate was not a nightclub where anybody could talk anyhow.

Akpabio bowed to pressure as he apologised to Akpoti-Uduaghan two days later for comparing her conduct in the Senate to that of a nightclub.

The ICIR reported that the Senate President’s comment caused social media outrage as Nigerians criticised him for the action and described his attitudes towards female senators as not only insulting but a denigration of the female gender and an attempt to stifle female voices.

 

 

 

Nigerian government orders Osun Governor Adeleke to suspend planned LG poll

Bankole ABE
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Nigerian government orders Osun Governor Adeleke to suspend planned LG poll

THE Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, a senior advocate, has warned Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, against proceeding with Saturday, February 21, local government election in the state.

The AGF told Adeleke to ask the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) to suspend the election.       

In a statement signed by the AGF on Thursday, February 20, he warned that conducting a new local government poll would be invalid and unconstitutional.

This, according to him, is because the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, recently ruled that the tenure of the purportedly sacked council chairpersons was still running.

The AGF stated that his attention was drawn to Adeleke’s public outcry regarding the Court of Appeal’s judgment in Akure.

He said the judgment, delivered on February 10, 2025, in Appeal No. CA/AK/272/2022, nullified the Federal High Court’s judgment in Osogbo, which was delivered on November 25, 2022, in favour of the state government.

“It has become necessary to issue this public notice to remove doubts, fears, and uncertainties created by misrepresentations and disinformation concerning the legal effect of the judgment of the Court of Appeal,” the AGF stated.

Fagbemi explained that the controversy surrounding the local government elections in Osun State began during the tenure of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. He said elections were held in all local governments in the state, and the winners were sworn in.

Fagbemi recalled that just before Adeleke’s swearing-in, the Federal High Court in Osogbo nullified the poll that brought the chairpersons into office.

He added that in response, Adeleke issued an executive order to remove the elected officials and replaced them with caretaker appointees shortly after assuming office.

He said this move was met with resistance from the APC, which appealed the judgment before the Court of Appeal.

The AGF noted that by this decision, the judgment of the Court of Appeal has, by implication, effectively restored the elected local government officials removed by the Federal High Court to their offices.

Fagbemi said the crisis in Osun State erupted when some disgruntled elements resisted the attempt by the officials to resume their positions.

According to the AGF, Adeleke should have maintained law and order in the state rather than allowing the situation to escalate into a crisis.

The ICIR reported that seven people reportedly died as APC supporters and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed in the state on Monday, February 17.

According to reports, the crisis led to the death of a former chairman of the Irewole Local Government Area, Aderemi Abbas, and others.

Adeleke had raised concerns on Sunday, February 16, about a plan by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and certain security agency heads to enforce the Appeal Court’s ruling and urged the public to hold them accountable for any violence that arose after the action.

Nigeria may miss 2025 eliminating open defecation target, experts proffer solutions

Mustapha USMAN
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Nigeria may miss 2025 eliminating open defecation target, experts proffer solutions

AS Nigeria ushers in 2025, the target to eliminate open defecation nationwide is still far from reality, with over 48 million Nigerians still lacking access to proper sanitation, according to WASHNORM 2021 report.

The 2021 WASHNORM report, which was published in 2022 by the Ministry of Water Resources and remains the latest data on the nation’s WASH, revealed that a quarter of Nigerians still lack access to proper sanitation facilities, and only 10 per cent of the population have access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

The situation remained largely unchanged as the 2025 deadline approaches.  

Experts, who spoke to The ICIR, expressed deep concern over the situation, citing systemic failures, insufficient funding, and weak implementation of policies as key reasons for the shortfall.  

In 2018, Nigeria declared a state of emergency in the WASH sector and launched the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign with the goal of eliminating open defecation by 2025. However, nearly all the states are still in battle with sanitation and hygiene and open defecation, with only Jigawa ‘controversially’ free of open defecation.

The devastating cholera outbreak in 2024, which ravaged many communities across the country and with a sharp increase from the previous year, was also a result of the failure to eliminate open defecation. 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) attributed the outbreak to contaminated water sources exacerbated by widespread open defecation. Conflict, climate change, underdevelopment, and population displacement among others were said to have contributed to the rise in cholera outbreaks.

Cholera outbreak in 2024

Cholera, an endemic disease, is still one of the major diseases that affect Nigerians, particularly in the rural region of the country. The disease, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is an acute diarrhoea infection characterised, in its severe form, by extreme watery diarrhoea and potentially fatal dehydration.

The latest data from the NCDC shows that between January to September 29, Nigeria faced a worsening cholera outbreak, with 10,837 suspected cases and 359 deaths.

The figure represented a significant 220 per cent increase in suspected cases and a 239 per cent rise in deaths compared to the same period in 2023.

The outbreak affected all 36 states, with Lagos accounting for the highest number of suspected cases (4,667), representing 43 per cent of the national total. 

Other states with high case counts include, Jigawa (870), Kano (809), and Borno (588). 

Vulnerable groups, particularly children under five and those aged 5–14, were disproportionately affected. The data showed that the Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) stood at 3.3 per cent, an increase from 3.1 per cent in 2023. 

The most significant spikes occurred in June, August, and September, correlating with the rainy season, which exacerbates waterborne disease transmission due to flooding and poor sanitation.

The NCDC attributed the spike to multiple factors, including flooding in several states, increased population density in urban centres, and the slow implementation of preventative measures. 

WASHNORM

The nationwide Clean Nigeria: Use The Toilet campaign was launched alongside the creation of a National Roadmap aimed at achieving an open-defecation-free (ODF) Nigeria by 2025. A year later, the roadmap estimated that 50 million Nigerians, or 10 million households, practiced open defecation.

However, little progress has been made since then. The ICIR reported that approximately 48 million Nigerians still engage in open defecation, with only 8 per cent practicing clean handwashing, according to the 2021 WASHNORM report.

According to a report, with data from the WASHNORM 2021 survey sampling over 24,600 households across the country, only 10 per cent of Nigeria’s population had access to integrated basic WASH services.

The 48 million Nigerians practicing open defecation represents 23 per cent of the population. 

WASHNORM survey showed that 46 per cent of the population was found to have access to basic sanitation services in 2021 compared to 44 per cent in 2019, representing a 2 per cent (6.9 million people) increase in the number of persons accessing basic sanitation services. 

Despite the increase in the number of people with access to basic sanitation services, the proportion of people practising open defecation in the country has barely changed since 2019, with the number increasing from 46 million in 2019 to 48 million in 2021. 

Also, approximately 179 million Nigerians, which accounts for up to 87 per cent of the population, lack access to safely managed drinking water services. 

The situation is particularly dire in the North, where access remains insufficient, with the Northeast having the lowest access rate at just 2 per cent. In contrast, the Southwest region has the highest access rate at 29 per cent.

The predominant sources of drinking water were boreholes/tube wells, utilised by approximately 37 per cent of the households while 11 per cent of the population use pipe-borne water and just 4 per cent use water from a source that is piped into their premise. 

Likewise, about a quarter of the population (25 per cent) still depend on unimproved and surface water supply for their daily water needs.

Experts weigh in

Bolaji Adeoye, a public health expert speaking with The ICIR, lamented the setback, stating that the government has not put much effort towards ending open defecation in the country.

“Missing this goal highlights the lack of coordinated efforts and political commitment needed to tackle this public health crisis.”

According to him, the Nigerian government has failed to provide adequate facilities, orientation and sensitisation to curb the menace of open defecation in the country.

He warned that the consequences of this failure could be dire as he noted that the many Nigerians still drink unsafe water while also battling with flooding incident every year. 

“Open defecation fuels the spread of diseases like cholera, which we saw escalate last year. The inability to meet this target shows a deeper problem, with our approach to sanitation and hygiene remains fragmented and underfunded.”

The Head of Advocacy Policy and Communication, WaterAid Nigeria, Kolawole Banwo, speaking on Classic FM on the government ending open defecation by 2025, said that the Nigerian government has always prioritised spending on cure rather than prevention.

While highlighting the importance of safe water usage, he noted that about 50 per cent of diseases can be saved by proper hygiene and sanitation.

Banwo said the government would be investing less in medication if it provided proper WASH facilities to Nigerians.

“Science shows medically, and this is empirical, that you can prevent 50 percent of diseases by just having access to washing your hands regularly under running water with soap at critical times, before you eat after you use the toilets, when you touch surfaces and all. You can prevent 50 per cent of diseases. Especially upper respiratory diseases, diarrhoea, and so many others. That means that the cost of curing 50 per cent of diseases can then be saved with hygiene.”

He stressed that the government at each level is not doing enough in budget implementation, noting that the government has not demonstrated enough to achieving the goal.

“There are schools, institutions, public places and there are residences where people and households don’t have access to toilet facilities. All of these must have access to decent toilets because toilets must be decent and well maintained.”

He also stressed policies and programs often failed to reach rural areas, where open defecation is most prevalent, adding that many communities lacked an understanding of the health risks associated with open defecation, hampering behaviour change.

“Government is not investing. Communities are grappling with basic things and cannot see the linkage between these things and their health because we have not done sufficient sensitisation and so these toilets are falling behind. Resources are falling behind. So, the ODF progress is falling behind and lagging.”

Speaking on possible solutions, Banwo noted that the government at all levels, communities, and non-governmental organisations must collaborate and work together to stop the menace of open defecation in the country.

“It is important that we all put our heads together and be more serious. The government needs to contribute and bring more resources.Then all others should be involved. Everything must be in place. The infrastructure must be right. There must be access to water in the first place to either flush or to wash your hands,” he said.

He, however, recommended improved funding and public awareness and sensitisation, access to WASH facilities by Nigerians, state ownership, and preparedness.

Governors push for states representation in constitutional review

Harrison EDEH
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Governors push for states representation in constitutional review

THE 36 State governors under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) have engaged the conference of speakers of state legislatures of Nigeria (COSLON) to strengthen the synergy between the state lawmakers and the NGF.

The synergy, the governors said seek to ensure subnational perspectives are well-represented in the ongoing constitutional review process.

The governors position was officially conveyed in a communiqué issued and signed by its chairman, and Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq after the 11th meeting of the NGF which lasted till the early hours of Thursday, February 20, 2025, in Abuja.

“The Forum engaged with the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (COSLON) to discuss key issues, including strengthening synergy between COSLON and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and ensuring subnational perspectives are well-represented in the ongoing constitutional review process.

“COLSON also informed the Forum of their partnership with Development Finance Institution (DFI’s) to digitise the State Houses of Assembly, aimed at enhancing legislative efficiency and transparency. Governors reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with state legislatures to advance governance reforms and ensure effective policy implementation at the subnational level,” reads part of the communique.

The communiqué also noted that the the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, also shared his vision for a renewed partnership between Nigeria and the United States of America (USA) shifting from a donor-recipient model to mutual collaboration.

The NGF chairman also stated that the US Ambassador outlined four key areas to guide US engagement with Nigeria, focusing on: “Enhancing trade and investment: improving the business environment to attract investments and drive economic growth.

“Other key areas are promoting transparency and accountability, strengthening institutions through good governance; supporting subnational governments; bolstering development at the state level, and establishing sustainable healthcare,” he noted.

He also pointed out that governors welcomed these renewed approaches and emphasised the critical role of states in driving economic and social development, adding  that,” the forum looks forward to deepening cooperation with the United States on shared priorities.”

The forum also  received a briefing from the Minister of Women Affairs on the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) scale-up, expanding nationwide from its initial six-state
implementation.

The ICIR reported that the NGF has thrown its weight behind the proposed tax reform bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly, citing the need for comprehensive fiscal modernisation and equitable resource distribution.

The development reflects a sudden change in the previous. stance of the NGF, an umbrella body of all Nigerian governors.

In a communiqué signed by its chairman and Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, after a meeting on Thursday, January 16, the governors emphasised their support for the reform, with key recommendations to ensure fairness and protect citizens’ welfare.

Akpabio ejects Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Senate Chamber

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Akpabio ejects Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Senate Chamber

THE Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, February 20, barred the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from participating in plenary over her seat that was changed without her consent.

The tension began during plenary when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was relocated upon resumption of the session, leading to heated arguments between her and the Senate leadership.

Akpabio said the changes were necessary to adjust for shifts caused by some opposition members moving to the majority wing of the Senate chamber.

The Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, cited sections of the Senate rules in a point of order to justify the seat reassignment.

He said Akpoti-Uduaghan had the constitutional prerogative to make such adjustments were necessary to accommodate shifts caused by the members moving to the majority wing occupied by the All Progressives Congress (APC) members.

Monguno further emphasised that failure to comply with the new seating arrangement could lead to penalties, including the possibility of being barred from participating in discussions on the Senate floor.

Upholding this position, Akpabio ruled in favour of the order. However, when Akpoti-Uduaghan raised her hand to speak, she was denied recognition because she was not addressing the chamber from her newly assigned seat.

Refusing to back down, Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raised her voice in protest, directly confronting the Senate President.

“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she said.

Akpabio turned off Akpoti-Uduaghan’s microphone in an attempt to silence her while she was still making her motion, but she kept speaking.

Consequently, Akpabio ordered the sergeant-at-arms to walk her out, but after the intervention from various lawmakers, calm was restored but she declined to move.

Reacting to Akpabio’s action, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said Akpabio hated opposition and would never survive his action if he had displayed such a character in South African Parliament.

“Senator Akpabio cannot survive one day in the South African Parliament. He is lucky to be the Senate President of a country where the opposition is useless. As Minority Leader, Akpabio himself rarely opposed anything” Effiong said on his Facebook page.

Attack not Akpabio’s first on Natasha

During plenary In July 2024, Akpoti-Uduaghan commented on a motion without Akpabio’s consent. In his attempt to correct her, he said the Senate was not a nightclub where anybody could talk anyhow.

Akpabio bowed to pressure as he apologised to Akpoti-Uduaghan two days later for comparing her conduct in the Senate to that of a nightclub.

The ICIR reported that the Senate President’s comment caused social media outrage as women groups criticised him for the action and described his attitudes towards female senators as not only insulting but a denigration of the female gender and an attempt to stifle female voices.

 

 

 

 

 

Babangida launches autobiography 31 years after quitting office, raises funds for presidential library

Mustapha USMAN
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Babangida launches autobiography 31 years after quitting office, raises funds for presidential library

FORMER military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), on Thursday, February 20, launched his autobiography, A Journey In Service, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. 

The ICIR reported that Babangida admitted for the first time at the event that the late businessman, Moshood Abiola, won the presidential election conducted on June 12, 1993.

The event, attended by prominent African leaders, former Nigerian presidents and heads of states, other dignitaries, also served as a fundraising initiative for the IBB Presidential Library.

The ceremony was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who lauded Babangida for documenting his leadership experiences and ensuring that future generations have a written record of Nigeria’s political history. 

Speaking at the event, Obasanjo emphasised the significance of the book, stating, “So, I am anxious to read the book. One thing is absolutely sure. There will be enlightenment. And we will have a written record… for history and for future reference. We should be able to glean what lessons and wisdom you acquired with the benefit of hindsight.”

Obasanjo further acknowledged that Babangida’s book would inevitably spark reactions, both positive and negative, but he encouraged the former leader to remain unfazed by criticism. “There will be one other thing. Reaction galore. Again, it will be good, bad and ugly. But your duty must be due. And you have done it.” 

The former leader suggested that the backlash and scrutiny over the book would be necessary for Nigeria’s development, implying that public discourse on historical events strengthens democratic accountability. 

Obasanjo further shared an anecdote from his youth about a village policeman who used the phrase “My duty must be do,” reinforcing the importance of fulfilling one’s responsibility regardless of opposition.

He encouraged Babangida to embrace the discussions and controversies that might arise from the book, stating, “Please, don’t be unduly worried about critics and pull-him-down syndrome. It may even be an indication of success for objective criticism.” 

Obasanjo also advised Babangida to remain unshaken by such reactions, adding, “Ignore it and remain unruffled and remain friendly with such critics. It’s all bad belly, which you must be able to understand and accommodate as a leader, particularly at this stage of your life.”

The ICIR reports that Babangida, who served as Nigeria’s military ruler from 1985 to 1993, became military president after taking over power from Muhammadu Buhari on August 27, 1985. 

He introduced economic policies such as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), which altered the course of the nation’s economy.

His regime is best remembered for several controversial events, particularly the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was widely seen as Nigeria’s freest, fairest and most credible poll.

The  election was widely believed to have been won by Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)

Another significant event that characterised Babangida’s government was the murder of veteran investigative journalist, Dele Giwa.

These two events have continued to echo the his administration, with critics accusing him of human rights violation and undermining democracy.

Akufo-Addo reflects on Babangida’s leadership, military coups, Africa’s democratic struggles

Former Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, who delivered the keynote address, commended Babangida’s contributions to regional stability and economic policies. 

Akufo-Addo, who governed Ghana between 2017 and 2024, described the autobiography as an insightful account of a defining era in Nigeria’s political history, citing Babangida’s own reflections on leadership.

He read out a part the book: “There exists a world of difference between engineering a nation and ruling it. I never wished to rule Nigeria, and I never did it. My goal was to engineer it.

“The ultimate aim of engineering in the manner that we have attempted was precise. It is to chart a new course for a nation towards a new environment, consciously and carefully designed in anticipation of a future that can be understood, mastered, and managed.

“Engineering a nation is a reality in inventing the future. Everything has to be harnessed… Human resources, material resources, and moral resources all must be brought into play. Over and above all, the nation’s psychology must be redirected and refocused. That was the dream”

He acknowledged Babangida’s controversial yet strategic leadership, describing his memoir as “a fascinating account of a critical time in the history of Nigeria,” and noted that while the book was “quite a heavy book, it is an easy read.”

Drawing parallels between his own presidency and Babangida’s time in office (1985-1992), Akufo-Addo reflected on the persistent challenges facing African governance, from economic policies to military interventions. 

He lamented the resurgence of coups in West Africa, describing it as a setback in the continent’s pursuit of democratic stability.

The ICIR, reports that his remark came in the wake of recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea, where military juntas seized power due insecurity and governance failures. 

Akufo-Addo, noted that the failure of democratic governments to deliver economic growth and security has created an environment where some citizens welcome military interventions as a means of resetting governance.

He, however, warned that coups would not provide lasting solutions. 

Salami, Buhari, Gowon, Goodluck, extol Babangida

While presenting their goodwill messages, former Nigerian heads of state and presidents commended Babangida’s efforts in shaping the country’s governance and security landscape.

They described the book as a valuable historical document that would provide insights into leadership.

Former president Goodluck Jonathan while reflecting on his leadership, stated that ‘Babangida is a charismatic leader.”

Both former heads of state, Yakubu Gowon and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, reflected on Babangida’s military rule, political transitions, and economic reforms, which they said had a significant impact on the country.

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