Rountrip

By Arome Audu From the sun-kissed savannas of Kebbi State to the corridors of power in Abuja, His Excellency Abubakar Atiku Bagudu's rise is a masterclass in visionary leadership. With a career spanning over a decade of impactful governance, Bagudu's remarkable journey has been marked by a string of groundbreaking achievements that have left an indelible mark on the lives of Nigerians, particularly his people in Kebbi. As the current Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, he continues to soar to new heights, leveraging his expertise and vision to drive economic growth, development, and prosperity for the nation. From senator to governor, and now minister, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu's career trajectory has been a masterstroke of visionary leadership. Born on December 26th, 1961, Bagudu's impact on Kebbi State as senator and governor continues to resonate deeply with its people. His legacy of monumental achievements remains unmatched, with the Zuru Emirate Road standing as ...

By Sani Aminu Aliyu In Zamfara State, a sense of desperation hangs in the air like a thick fog. Bandits roam freely, kidnapping and killing with impunity, while Governor Dauda Lawal sits at the center of the chaos, his administration embroiled in corruption and mismanagement. The state's economy lies in shambles, and citizens live in constant fear, wondering if their leader is more interested in exploiting the state's resources for personal gain than protecting its people. With lives lost and livelihoods destroyed, the people are crying out for drastic action - a state of emergency that would bring much-needed relief and restore order to their troubled state. Zamfara State is currently navigating a tumultuous landscape of socio-political upheavals, marked by a near-total collapse of governance and economic activities that have hit rock bottom. Given the state's dire economic situation, security challenges, and the evident ineptitude of Governor Dauda Lawal, it's abundan...

The North West Development Vanguard (NWDV) has criticised the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, over the rising insecurity in the country, particularly in Benue and Plateau states where dozens have been killed in multiple attacks. The group is also calling for his immediate dismissal over what it describes as gross incompetence and political opportunism amid escalating security crises in Benue and Plateau states. In a statement jointly signed by its President, Comrade Aminu Sani, and Secretary, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, the group condemned the minister’s handling of the deteriorating security situation in the country. “The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has failed in his primary responsibility to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians. His continued stay in office is a threat to national security and a betrayal of the trust reposed in him by the Nigerian people,” the statement reads. The group highlighted recent attacks in Benue and Plateau states, whe...

A group known as the Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership has strongly condemned the escalating crisis in Zamfara State, calling for a state of emergency to be declared due to Governor Dauda Lawal's alleged disregard for the rule of law and inaction on insecurity. The group cited the ongoing power tussle between the governor and the Zamfara State House of Assembly, which has resulted in two parallel leaderships and a breakdown in governance. The group's executive director, Patriot Abel Adams, expressed deep concern over the state's worsening security situation, with 14 local government councils experiencing rampant insecurity, killings, and destruction of properties. Adams accused Governor Lawal of being one of the worst-performing governors in the country, lacking the capacity to govern and engaging in frivolous spending while the people suffered. According to Adams, the governor's actions have emboldened bandits and kidnappers, who have sacked whole communit...

By Toby Prince In 2021, a new dawn broke in Nigeria's oil and gas sector with the establishment of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), a game-changer designed to oversee the nation's most prized resources. Born out of the need for transparency, accountability, and efficiency, the NUPRC's mission was to optimize the country's upstream petroleum operations, ensuring that the riches beneath the Niger Delta's soil translated to tangible benefits for the Nigerian people. With Engr. Gbenga Komolafe at the helm as its pioneering Chief Executive, the commission embarked on a journey to transform the industry, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, fostering innovation, and pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible. Four years later, that decision to place the nation's petroleum future in the hands of the NUPRC and Komolafe has proven to be a masterstroke, as the commission continues to shape the industry's future with bold ref...

By Moses Oduh With unyielding dedication and a visionary spirit, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu is spearheading a revolution in Nigeria's constitutional history. As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendment, the Deputy Speaker is galvanizing efforts to reshape the nation's future, fostering a new era of unity, progress, and prosperity. Nigeria's constitutional journey has been a winding path, marked by twists and turns since its inception under British rule. The nation's history has been shaped by a succession of creations, reviews, and amendments, with each step aiming to craft a document that truly reflects the people's aspirations. Despite the efforts of successive administrations, the 1999 Constitution has remained a work in progress, with many challenges still to be addressed. Under civil or democratic rule, the review of the Constitution has been a persistent theme, with lawmakers striving to create a document that meets the people's yearnings. C...

The Civil Rights Watch (CRW) has condemned recent remarks by Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), warning him against issuing threats to peaceful protesters demanding the restoration of democratic governance in the state. Reacting to a recent report in which Ibas, through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo, stated that the emergency rule in Rivers grants him “sweeping powers” to act as he pleases, CRW said such utterances are not only anti-democratic but an affront to the fundamental rights of all Nigerians. Segun Adekunle, President of the Civil Rights Watch, in a statement on Thursday, described Ibas’s tone as tyrannical, reckless and unbecoming of a man appointed to restore order in Rivers State. “This country is battling real threats in Benue and Plateau where terrorists have turned communities into graveyards. Yet, the sole administrator of Rivers thinks the real enemy is unarmed women marching peacefully for democracy? That tel...

The Zamfara Good Governance Agenda (ZAGGA) has called on Governor Dauda Lawal to immediately resign from office, accusing him of gross abuse of power, deepening political instability, and an intolerable level of incompetence that has plunged the state into chaos. The group’s demand follows the emergence of a parallel Zamfara State House of Assembly, where ten lawmakers reconvened to elect a new speaker after months of suspension and alleged harassment. In a strongly worded statement signed by Mallam Abubakar Gunmi, President of ZAGGA, the group held the governor solely responsible for the escalating breakdown of governance in the state. “Governor Dauda Lawal has shown an absolute disregard for democratic norms and has failed to uphold the basic tenets of good governance. His insincerity, highhandedness and inability to tolerate dissenting views have reduced Zamfara to a theatre of confusion,” the statement reads. “Zamfara is not a monarchy, and Dauda Lawal is not a king. Yet he carries...

A group of protesters, Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, stormed the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on Tuesday to demand the prosecution of former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, and a thorough investigation into the company's transactions for the past five years. The protesters, led by its Convener, Comrade Kabir Matazu, expressed disappointment that despite President Bola Tinubu's sack of Kyari and the entire NNPCL board on April 2, 2025, no steps have been taken to investigate the alleged corrupt practices under Kyari's leadership. The group highlighted the controversy surrounding the rehabilitation and restreaming of government-owned refineries, citing allegations of billions of dollars being spent without transparency. They also pointed out a perplexing issue where NNPCL is reportedly owing Matrix Energy over $2 billion, with the debt being serviced through dai...

The Nigerians in Diaspora Groups has praised President Bola Tinubu and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, for their transformative leadership and commitment to transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. In a statement issued on Monday, David Matthew Akpambu, Global President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Groups, commended the 2024 Oil Block Licensing Round, conducted in full compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and NUPRC Guidelines. This groundbreaking process, they noted, marked a major milestone in the nation’s quest to rid the sector of corruption and mismanagement. Emphasizing the significant strides made, the groups highlighted the transparent, digital nature of the bidding process. “For the first time in Nigeria’s history, the oil and gas sector witnessed a fully digital and point-based commercial bid evaluation, ensuring a competitive and fair allocation of assets. This digital approa...

Security consultant and public affairs analyst, Opialu Fabian, has praised President Bola Tinubu's commitment to fighting insecurity in Nigeria, noting that the budgetary provision for security is the highest in history. However, Fabian criticized the President's appointees, saying they have not done well in addressing the issue. "The President has done well. The budgetary provision is the highest in history, meaning the President has done well with the will to fight insecurity," Fabian said on TVC News. “However, these appointees have not quite done well. The President gave the security agents marching orders to end insecurity, but it doesn't work like that. “Insecurity is in stages - this has grown to this level due to negligence of past leaders." Fabian specifically slammed the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, saying that the call for self-help by former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, is a vote of no confidence in the current Minister...

A coalition of 100 civil society groups, known as the Civic Room for Rule of Law, has thrown its weight behind human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) in his call for the removal of Rivers State's Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.). The groups claim that Ibas has breached presidential orders and disregarded the rule of law. According to the Official Gazette dated March 18, 2025, the Sole Administrator was supposed to operate on the basis of regulations issued by President Bola Tinubu. However, the groups allege that Ibas has made appointments and removed officials appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara without any regulatory framework from the President. In a statement signed by Barrister Maxwell Egboh, President of the Civic Room for Rule of Law, the groups expressed deep concern about the implications of Ibas' actions on the stability and security of Rivers State. They urged President Tinubu to take swift and decisive action to address the situation and upho...

A coalition of civil society organizations and concerned citizens, under the umbrella of The Situation Room on Transparency and Accountability, has called for a full-scale investigation into the financial dealings of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) during the tenure of its recently dismissed Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari. Speaking at a press conference held in Abuja, the coalition described the dismissal of Kyari by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “decisive and overdue” move. However, they emphasized that removing Kyari was merely the first step in addressing what they termed “monumental financial misappropriation” under his leadership. The primary concern raised by the coalition centered around the $1.5 billion allocated for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refineries under the Buhari administration in 2021. According to the Situation Room, not only was this vast sum spent on just one refinery, but the facility remains non-functional, raisin...

The National Patriotic Coalition (NPC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to caution the Sole Administrator in Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), over his excesses in the discharge of his duties. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the national coordinator of Activists for Good Governance, Declan Ihekaire and the Secretary of the group, Akintunde Adedeji, said the deliberate action of the Sole Administrator is inimical to the sustenance of our democracy. The Coalition said the purported probe of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy goes beyond the terms of reference for the proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State. It urged the Sole Administrator to take advantage of the 11-man Committee the House of the Representatives set up to oversee legislative duties in Rivers state, if he has any axe to grind and not resort to underhanded tactics and undemocratic means. The Coalition said: “It is our consistent fear and strongly our avowal that every form of ...

Prominent politician and staunch contender for the exalted seat of; Executive Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA)— Comrade Aduragbemi Olanrewaju, OLAIDE has sent warm felicitations to the people of the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area on the occasion of the celebration of Palm Sunday, which signifies the beginning of the 'Holy Week'. The youthful politician in a press release on Sunday morning, issued by his media office commended Christians who are observing the Holy Month of Lent to continue to persevere and follow the dictate of the lessons of the period by being holy and re-dedicate themselves to the teachings of the holy month. In his words "As we celebrate the triumphant entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, may this sacred day bring renewed hope, peace, joy to our hearts, fulfilling moments to our families and our dear community. Let us draw inspiration from His humility, compassion and enduring love. I beseech us to embrace these ...

A human rights coalition, Northern Citizens Alliance for Justice (NCAJ), has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, citing the total breakdown of governance, worsening insecurity, and the alleged complicity of the state government in criminal mining operations. In a statement released in Kaduna on Friday, the group’s president, Mallam Kabiru Sani Bako, said no serious intervention can take place in the state unless power is taken out of the hands of political actors currently benefiting from the crisis. “What we are witnessing in Zamfara State is not governance. What we are witnessing is organised abandonment of duty by those elected to serve,” Bako said. “The state has no functional House of Assembly, no political will to stop the violence, and a growing body of allegations tying officials to illegal mining. This is no longer politics — this is betrayal of the people.” The group described the security situation in Zamfara as “a slow-bur...

By Okanga Agila  The Budget Office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria operates under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. Over the years, the Office has witnessed numerous leadership transitions—often abrupt and inconsistent—leading to underperformance, infrastructural decay, and an erosion of professionalism. Leadership struggles and industrial unrest were further compounded by partisanship and blatant disregard for established procedures. Staff postings were dictated more by personal preferences than institutional needs, resulting in a disoriented system that drifted far from its mandate. At its lowest point, the Budget Office had deviated from being a cornerstone of national development to a platform marred by inefficiency and weakened leadership. It became symbolic of bureaucratic lethargy and a conduit for underwhelming outcomes. This dismal trajectory began to reverse when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, known for his knack for spotting talent a...

By Okanga Agila  The Budget Office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria operates under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. Over the years, the Office has witnessed numerous leadership transitions—often abrupt and inconsistent—leading to underperformance, infrastructural decay, and an erosion of professionalism. Leadership struggles and industrial unrest were further compounded by partisanship and blatant disregard for established procedures. Staff postings were dictated more by personal preferences than institutional needs, resulting in a disoriented system that drifted far from its mandate. At its lowest point, the Budget Office had deviated from being a cornerstone of national development to a platform marred by inefficiency and weakened leadership. It became symbolic of bureaucratic lethargy and a conduit for underwhelming outcomes. This dismal trajectory began to reverse when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, known for his knack for spotting talent a...