Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed sadness over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that his demise should be a great lesson to those in power.

Ohanaeze also extended its condolences to the Northern leadership, the immediate family of the late former President, and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on this solemn occasion.

According to the Pan-Igbo body, as we navigate the complexities of life and death, the Igbo people should adhere to the customary norms and traditions that compel us to show respect for the deceased, irrespective of the legacies they may have left behind.

In a statement issued on Monday by the factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and National Spokesperson, Thompson Ohia, Ohanaeze stated that the late former President Buhari was a disciplined soldier and a leader held in reverence by many in the Northern region.

The organization, however, noted that in the heart of the Southeast, the memories of his administration from 2015 to 2023 are laced with anguish and discontent.

Part of the statement read:

“While we extend our forgiveness, it must be unequivocally stated that the wounds inflicted upon the Igbo people during his tenure have left an indelible mark that is challenging to erase from our collective memory.

The systematic victimization experienced by the Igbo populace, often exacerbated by the misuse of state apparatus under Buhari’s leadership, cannot be overlooked. Questions linger in the minds of many: Why did the Federal Government remain silent in the face of the horrors perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen and militias against innocent Igbo communities?

Statements made by Buhari, such as “a dot in the circle” or “teaching Igbos the language they will understand,” further contributed to a climate of distrust and alienation. These words, regrettably, cannot be expunged from our recollections.

Furthermore, the shocking contrast between the treatment of confirmed Boko Haram terrorists and hardened Northern bandits, who were released and reintegrated into society against the continued incarceration of peaceful Biafra agitators underscores a grievous injustice within our national narrative.

The ongoing insecurity plaguing the Southeast, attributed directly to the violence encouraged during Buhari’s administration, painted a grim picture of his legacy. It is a painful reminder of the genocide and ethnic cleansing that occurred within our communities during his time in office.

We cannot forget that Nnamdi Kanu, a figure of immense significance to the Igbo people, was arrested not once, but twice, under Buhari’s regime, and remains unjustly detained to this day. Such actions reflect a broader pattern of oppression that has persisted and will not be easily forgotten.

In articulating these poignant truths, we must confront the stark reality: Nigeria’s socio-economic and security landscape deteriorated significantly during Buhari’s administration. The economy faltered, security measures proved ineffective, and critical infrastructure and healthcare systems collapsed under the weight of negligence. It is disheartening to recognize that certain factions within Buhari’s administration appeared to advance a “Fulaniization agenda,” one that prioritized tribal loyalty over merit and corruption over integrity.

The passing of General Buhari must serve as a moment for reflection and introspection for those in positions of power. His legacy, as perceived by many Nigerians, is largely regarded as subpar; this realization should resonate profoundly with leaders across all levels of governance from the presidency to the most junior councilor. It is imperative for Nigerian politicians to grasp that power is ephemeral, and the legacies they leave behind will ultimately be judged by history and the people they serve.”

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has claimed that there are people that will never forget President Tinubu for floating the Naira and removing fuel subsidy.

Speaking on Saturday during an interview on the Mic On podcast, Dare was asked what part of the bear Tinubu has poked.

He replied: “Look at the reforms that are ongoing. Take the oil sector. Some of these things are off the radar.

“You know how many people benefit from the subsidy value chain? Nigerians from all parts of the country.

“I don’t want to characterize them as oil mafia. But we know there are people who tried to stop the oil subsidy removal.

“Let’s take the floating of the Naira. Billionaires were created within months under the previous government. The arbitrage was massive.

“Tinubu had the choice to let it go. To let the party go on. In any case, everyone would have benefited from it. But he put a stop to it.

“In that chain, there are people today who will never forgive Tinubu for floating the naira and removing the subsidy from forex.”

Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has accused the federal government of attempt to plunge members into abject poverty and slavery by subjecting them to work over 72 hours without commensurate pay.

The NMA Chairman, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Dr Aniekan Peter who made the claims at a press conference in Uyo, regretted that Nigeria pays the least salary to doctors in the world, noting that Nigerian doctors now run to Ghana, Togo, Liberia even Cameroon to practice where they are taken care of.

He said, “Nigeria pays one of the worst, if not the worst salary to doctors and that’s why you see Nigerian doctors running to Ghana, Togo, Liberia, Cameroon for survival. Is it not a shame that in Nigeria doctors are resigning to work in Ghana, Togo, Benin, Republic? Not even USA, UK?

“So gradually the federal government has pushed doctors into absolute poverty. We have been trying to engage the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria led by our president, Bola Tinubu, through our National officers’ Committee NOC, unfortunately, a lot of the things have always been promissory.”

Peter who lamented the rate of brain drain in the health sector said out of 85,000 registered medical practitioners in Nigeria, only 55,000 is left and called on the federal government to employ more medical personnel, improve their welfare package and equip health facilities to address the issue.

He also expressed concern that despite the Federal Government’s inability to cater for the welfare needs of its doctors, President Tinubu has decided to send Nigerian Doctors to St Lucia and the government is to pay them N3 million while doctors back home are taking home a paltry N300,000 only.

He stressed, “as Nigerian doctors we are saying that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

Reading a communique endorsed by the chapter sectary Dr Edesiri Ighorodje at the end of an emergency extraordinary general meeting in Uyo; Peter hinted at the 21-day ultimatum already issued by the National Officer Committee of the association in response to circular from the National Salaries and Wages Commission.

He said the association in the state had rejected the circular on the review of allowances for Medical and Dental Officers and had made some modifications in addition to the 19-point demands presented by the NOC to the Federal Government.

He listed the demands to include: ”Improvement of the living minimum wage with at least 300%pay rise for all medical and dental practitioners, universal applicability of all salary adjustments and allowances for medical and dental practitioners in state MDAs, private sector and the universities and immediate withdrawal of the circular on review of allowances for medical dental officers in the Federal Public Service dated 27 June 2025.

Other demands according to the chairman include: “Immediate correction of consequential adjustments in line with the agreements of 2001,2009, and 2014 CBAs, immediate correction of the relativity agreement between CONMESS and CONHESS and immediate settlement of all outstanding areas of 25-35%CONMESS,clinical duty and accruement allowances owed to medical and dental practitioners”

Peter expressed fear that if their demands are not met the health sector will continue to suffer as many health officers are ready to leave Nigeria for greener pastures.