The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly commit to delivering a free, fair, credible, transparent and violence-free general election in 2027, arguing that such a move would cement his place among Nigeria’s most respected democratic leaders. The rights advocacy group said the President has a historic opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic foundations by ensuring that future elections reflect the genuine will of the people rather than the influence of incumbency, political intimidation or electoral manipulation. HURIWA’s position follows claims reportedly made by the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP),…
Author: National Update
After nearly a year of internal wrangling, court battles and competing claims to authority, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) says it is finally putting its leadership crisis behind it following the restoration of its recognised leadership structure by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The development, party leaders believe, clears a major obstacle to the SDP’s efforts to reposition itself ahead of future political contests and expand its influence in Nigeria’s evolving opposition landscape. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, National Chairman of the party, Professor Sadiq Gombe, described INEC’s action as the final seal on a dispute that…
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned the arrest and continued detention of activist and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, describing the action as a dangerous signal for Nigeria’s democracy and civil liberties. Frank, in a statement issued on Tuesday, called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Sowore immediately and redirect its attention to combating terrorism, banditry and other security threats confronting the country. His reaction follows a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his…
Security operatives at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, have arrested a 400-level student over allegations of attempting to forcibly recruit a fellow student into a cult group, assaulting him and issuing threats to his life. The suspect, identified as Adejo Elisha Ojonimi, a 25-year-old student of the Department of Economics, was apprehended following a complaint by a student of the Department of Food Science and Technology who accused him of trying to compel him to join the notorious Black Axe Confraternity. According to a statement issued by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Uredo Omale, the arrest was carried…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a stark warning over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, declaring that escalating violence is no longer just a security challenge but a direct threat to national survival and economic collapse. Citing the latest Nigeria Violent Conflicts Database released by Nextier, HURIWA revealed that 842 Nigerians were killed, 279 abducted, and 156 violent attacks recorded in May 2026 alone. The figures represent a sharp surge in violence, including a 90.1 per cent rise in fatalities compared to the same period in 2025. The group described the statistics as evidence that the country…
By Mati Ali The recent commentary authored by Mr. Lawan A. Kazaure on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial primary election in Jigawa State appears to be driven more by sentiment than substance, and more by conjecture than verifiable facts. While every stakeholder within a democratic institution possesses the inalienable right to express dissenting views and pursue legitimate avenues of redress, public discourse must remain anchored on objectivity, empirical evidence, and unwavering respect for democratic norms and constitutional procedures. At the core of Mr. Kazaure’s intervention lies an apparent reluctance to acknowledge a fundamental political reality: the delegates of the…
A fresh debate has emerged over Nigeria’s electricity sector financing model following allegations that successive government interventions running into trillions of naira may be addressing the same set of debts without clear evidence of final settlement. The controversy was reignited after media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, claimed on Trust TV that repeated funding announcements in the power sector raise serious questions about transparency, sequencing, and accountability. Shaibu said the discussion followed a post–Democracy Day interaction involving Atiku Abubakar, during which the former vice president reportedly questioned the substance of government claims around electricity sector reforms…
The Presidency has dismissed renewed calls for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign, following criticism from opposition figures who faulted his administration’s handling of the economy and security situation. Presidential aide, Dada Olusegun, said arguments linking Nigeria’s leadership structure to recent political developments in the United Kingdom were fundamentally misplaced, insisting that Nigeria operates a fixed-term presidential system that guarantees stability of tenure. The response comes after former presidential candidate Peter Obi urged Tinubu to step aside over worsening economic hardship and insecurity, drawing comparisons with the resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid political pressure in his country.…
Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has criticised the Federal Government’s designation of bandits as terrorists, warning that the move has complicated efforts to negotiate an end to violent conflicts in parts of northern Nigeria. Gumi argued that categorising bandit groups as terrorists has effectively closed the remaining channels of engagement and could drive the armed groups towards greater extremism. Speaking in a video that has since gone viral, the cleric maintained that some bandit factions had previously demonstrated a willingness to embrace dialogue and should not have been grouped with terrorist organisations. According to him, the government’s approach risks worsening an…
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider resigning from office, arguing that worsening economic hardship, insecurity and unmet campaign promises have eroded public confidence in his administration. Obi made the call on Monday while reacting to the planned resignation of the British Prime Minister, saying the development underscores the importance of political accountability and responsibility in democratic governance. In a statement titled “Owning Up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility,” Obi said leaders should be prepared to accept responsibility when they fail to deliver on the promises upon which they…