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OP-ED: OBJ: DEMOCRACY OR DEMOCRAZY IN DANGER? By Tahir Ibrahim Tahir Talban Bauchi.

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10 months ago

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OP-ED: OBJ: DEMOCRACY OR DEMOCRAZY IN DANGER?

By Tahir Ibrahim Tahir Talban Bauchi.

Our collective selective amnesia makes it possible for characters from yesteryears of leadership to pontificate and assume dispositions of nobility and morality; appearing to distance themselves from the uncharitable, undemocratic, and immoral acts they committed while in positions of leadership. Had they, the moral standing or uprightness, they would have behaved or acted differently. Today they are gesticulating hard, trying to rewrite history, change their wolf clothes to sheep clothings, in a bold and shameless claim for leadership values, eanting to become moral compasses for the masses. Embarrssingly, once out of power, our leaders are unable to remain on the sidelines like the rest of us, and continue to angle for power or some sort of relevance, making commentary and issuing positions to satisfy their conceited minds, while hoping to curry public favor and relevance.

Not too long ago, Ghana must go was a harmless bag for travel when one was not traveling light. In OBJ’s tenure, it became a veritable tool for ferrying illicit money, meant for illicit or sinister activities. Don’t you remember how bags of Ghana must go were on display in the Assembly which was used for bribery? Don’t you recall that it was during OBJ’s tenure that constituency projects were initiated in the Assembly? For what purpose then, other than to pocket the legislative to do his bidding? Today we are stuck with tonnes of uncompleted constituency projects across the country, with Tracka and other transparency agencies, burdened with tracking and assessing the completion of these projects. It’s one whistle blow after the other, as more and more uncompleted constituency projects are fished out. Would you have also forgotten so quickly how OBJ installed and removed different Senate Presidents at will, registering atleast four during his Presidency. Enwerem, Nnamani, Wabara, Anyim and co. were all Senate Presidents, courtesy OBJ’s gimmicks and antics, all to ensure that he doesn’t work with an independent legislature.

How many state of emergency declarations were made by OBJ, and in each, appointing military administrators? How many state of Assemblies impeached their governors, while having as few as 3 or 5 legislators to perpetrate the hugely undemocratic act? Infact, didn’t we have a sitting governor, former Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra, confess that he was abducted or kidnapped, in an attempt to remove him from office, and install an OBJ ally/ stooge as governor? Wasn’t Governor Fayose of Ekiti sacked by OBJ? What business did a president have, with the running of a state government, or with the legislature at both the federal and state levels? OBJ ruled under a democratic dispensation but he moved like a despot. He never really threw away his military uniform and mien, and he was a man of force, and brute force only. His party structure was also not safe from his dictatorial tendencies, and party chairmen were followed to their dinner tables at home to sign their resignations. Followed by who? The President himself! This is not discounting other more brutal events like the leveling of Odi! Don’t forget a sitting President, OBJ, launched his library and governors were made to contribute. Then ofcourse the almighty 3rd term agenda, to pave way for OBJ, who was president as a military man, served again as president under a democratic govt for good 8 years; to continue to remain in power for only God knows how long. Clearly, whoever thought it was going to be just an additional one term alone, was not putting on his thinking cap! OBJ would do a Seseseko of Congo, or a Mugabe of Zimbabwe, or a Paul Biya of Cameroon on us. And God has given him good health, so we may just have been battling or enduring his despotic rule from 1999 to date all along. He would pull all the strings, pull all the rabbits from all the hats available to him, and force his way however he damn pleases. We dodged a bullet there! Phew! Democracy was actually and truly in danger!

I’ve not forgotten how 16 members of the governors forum defeated 19 members, to make a governor’s forum chairman, who was ofcourse sympathetic to former President Goodluck Jonathan. President Jonathan harbored this arithmetic. Goodluck also tried to perpetuate himself in power, after serving out Yar’adua’s tenure, serving another tenure of his own, and seeking another re-election, which would have guaranteed him a total of 11 years on the seat of the Presidency! Goodluck also declared state of emergency in a few states during his tenure. He was also obstructive to the smooth running of the legislature, as we can’t simply forget how senators and house of reps members scaled the very high National Assembly fence gate, to gain access to the chambers, as they were under siege by security forces. If I were a legislator, I wouldn’t have made it across that whoppinv fence! Are we turning a blind eye to the destruction of the state assembly complex in Edo by former Governor Obaseki, and the denial of the legislative rights of 14 members of the assembly, along with their emoluments, and the opportunity to perform their duties as representatives of the people. So when opposition parties, especially the PDP of OBJ and Goodluck, speak of undemocratic act and events, you wonder where they were when all the events enumerated above took place, or whether they didn’t find them undemocratic?

OBJ says democracy is in danger in Africa, even though he was referring to Nigeria, and was just being clever. The Rivers state of emergency declaration is their main headache for now. But they cannot be taking Flagyl for headache — another man’s headache at that. The uniqueness of the Rivers debacle is that the governor himself, and the state assembly members, were directly responsible for the growing insecurity in the state. Pipelines were being blown. The gains Nigeria recorded in terms of oil production and oil revenue were at stake and stood the risk of being eroded overnight, because of the tussle for power in Rivers. The communities were safe, the capital was safe, but miscreants were already directing their games at the oil infrastructure of the country in Rivers. It is a terrible time to play games and Nigeria cannot afford such expensive games, at a time of austerity. We are just trying to bounce back, and some agberos were ready to plunge us into even more darker dungeons. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR; was well within his powers, and backed by the National Assembly. Rivers is too vital economically for a responsible govt to watch militants play karaoke with it once again. It would end up in tears. So when OBJ declares democracy to be in danger, perhaps he means democrazy, the type he and his proteges and party affiliates used to shove down our throats during those PDP years.

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Politics

OHANAEZE YOUTH COUNCIL REPLIES NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM: YES, IGBO YOUTHS WANT BIAFRA

Published

13 hours ago

on

February 5, 2026

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By Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka

President OHANEZE YOUTH COUNCIL

The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has formally replied to the recent statement credited to the Northern Elders Forum, wherein they suggested that if Igbo youths truly desire Biafra, the Nigerian government should not stand in their way.

While we acknowledge this rare moment of honesty, OYC states clearly and unequivocally:-Yes — Igbo youths want Biafra. And this desire is not born out of hatred, but out of decades of injustice, exclusion, and systemic oppression.

The agitation for Biafra is the direct consequence of Nigeria’s persistent failure to build an equitable and inclusive federation.

WHY IGBO YOUTHS ARE DEMANDING BIAFRA

Our position is anchored on undeniable realities:-

*1. Political Differences:-Nigeria’s political structure has consistently marginalized the Southeast. Since the return to democracy in 1999, the Igbo nation has been deliberately excluded from key leadership positions, particularly the Presidency and critical security offices. Federal appointments, resource control, and political representation remain grossly imbalanced against Ndigbo.The so-called federal system operates more like a unitary arrangement where certain regions dominate while others are reduced to spectators.*

*2. Social Differences:-Social integration in Nigeria has collapsed. Igbo citizens face profiling, harassment, and selective enforcement of laws across different parts of the country. Peaceful protests in Igboland are met with military brutality, while violent extremism elsewhere often receives negotiation and amnesty.This double standard has deepened alienation among Igbo youths.*

*3. Cultural Differences:-Our language, traditions, and values are neither protected nor promoted within the Nigerian framework. Instead, Igbo culture is routinely undermined and treated as inferior. A nation that fails to respect the cultural identity of its people cannot claim unity.*

*4. Religious Differences:-Religious intolerance has become normalized. Christian communities in the Southeast feel increasingly threatened in a country where religious bias influences policy, security response, and governance. The absence of genuine religious neutrality further widens the divide.*

*5. Ethnic Hate Against Ndigbo:- Anti-Igbo rhetoric has been openly displayed in national discourse. From threats of expulsion to hate speeches and coordinated attacks, Ndigbo have become targets within their own country. Properties belonging to Igbos are often destroyed during crises, with little or no compensation or justice.This persistent hostility sends a clear message;we are not wanted.*

*6. Systemic Marginalization:- From abandoned federal roads to exclusion from major infrastructure projects, from poor seaport development to economic strangulation, the Southeast remains deliberately underdeveloped. Igbo youths graduate into unemployment, poverty, and despair while watching other regions benefit disproportionately from national resources.*

*This is not accidental. It is structural.*

*OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE*
*Igbo youths are not asking for war.*

*Igbo youths are asking for dignity.*

*Igbo youths are asking for freedom.*

*Igbo youths are asking for self-determination.*

*If Nigeria cannot guarantee justice, equity, and equal opportunity for all, then the call for Biafra becomes not just legitimate — but inevitable.*

*To the Northern Elders Forum: we appreciate your acknowledgment. Now let the Nigerian state also have the courage to respect the democratic will of a people.*


*You cannot force unity where there is no justice.*

*Powered by OHANAEZE YOUTH COUNCIL (OYC)*

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Politics

FULL LIST: Nigeria now has 21 registered political parties

Published

17 hours ago

on

February 5, 2026

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved two new political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising the total number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), announced the approval of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abuja on Thursday. While DLA met all statutory requirements, NDC was registered following a Federal High Court order.

Full list of registered political parties in Nigeria:

All Progressives Congress (APC)
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Accord (A)
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Labour Party (LP)
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Boot Party (BP)
Action Democratic Party (ADP)
African Action Congress (AAC)
Action Alliance (AA)
National Rescue Movement (NRM)
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
Action Peoples Party (APP)
Young Progressives Party (YPP)
Youth Party (YP)
Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) – new
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) – new

INEC said the new parties were registered as part of efforts to deepen democratic participation and broaden political choices for Nigerians.

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Politics

Nnamdi Kanu appeals conviction, faults terrorism trial

Published

2 days ago

on

February 4, 2026

By

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Photo: X/Aloy Ejimakor

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a notice of appeal challenging his conviction and multiple sentences imposed by the Federal High Court in Abuja, insisting that the trial was riddled with fundamental legal errors and amounted to a miscarriage of justice.

In the notice of appeal dated February 4, 2026, Kanu said he was appealing against his conviction and sentences on seven counts, including terrorism-related offences, for which he received five life sentences and additional prison terms after being found guilty on November 20, 2025.

“I, Nnamdi Kanu, the Appellant, having been convicted and sentenced… do hereby give notice of appeal against my conviction,” the document stated.

Kanu was convicted for offences including “committing an act preparatory to or in furtherance of an act of terrorism,” “making a broadcast… with intent to intimidate the population,” and “being the leader and member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation in Nigeria,” among others.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered the judgment on November 20, 2025, sentencing Kanu to five life terms for terrorism-related offences, 20 years’ imprisonment for being the leader of the proscribed IPOB, and five years’ imprisonment with no option of fine for importing a radio transmitter without a licence.

In his grounds of appeal, the IPOB leader accused the trial court of failing to resolve what he described as a “foundational disruption of the original trial process” following the 2017 military operation at his Afara-Ukwu residence.

“The learned trial judge erred in law by failing to resolve the procedural and competence consequences of the foundational disruption of the original trial process in September 2017,” Kanu argued.

He also contended that the court proceeded to trial and judgment while his preliminary objection challenging the competence of the proceedings remained unresolved.

 

“The learned trial judge did not hear or determine the objection,” the appeal document stated, adding that judgment was delivered “while the objection remained pending and undetermined.”

Kanu further faulted the court for delivering judgment while his bail application was still pending, arguing that this affected the fairness of the trial process.

He also claimed that the trial court convicted him under a law that had already been repealed, stating that “the learned trial judge erred in law by convicting and sentencing the Appellant under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, notwithstanding its repeal by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, prior to judgment.”

Kanu further argued that he was subjected to double jeopardy, contrary to Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution, after being retried on facts he said had earlier been nullified by the Court of Appeal.

He also complained that he was denied fair hearing, claiming that he was not allowed to file or present a final written address before judgment was delivered.

Among the reliefs sought, Kanu asked the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal, quash his conviction and sentences, and “discharge and acquit the Appellant in respect of all the counts.”

He also informed the appellate court of his desire to be present at the hearing of the appeal, stating, “I want to be present at the hearing of the appeal because I may be conducting the appeal in person.”

Kanu is currently being held at a correctional facility in Sokoto State, after his application to be transferred to a different facility in either Niger or Nasarawa State was denied.

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